HealthYour Gut Is Your Second Brain: How Food Affects Mood, Stress, and Aging
We often think of our brain as the center of how we feel—our mood, our stress, our energy. But there is another system in the body quietly influencing all of these: the gut. Often referred to as the “second brain,” the gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that play a vital role in how we feel each day—not just physically, but emotionally as well. I’ve always believed that the foods we choose each day are deeply connected to how the body functions as a whole. One of the most powerful of these connections is the one between the gut […]READ MORE
March 7, 2025
Published by FoodTrients
Tapestry of Health: Weaving Wellness into Your Life Through the New Science of Integrative Medicine Daniel A. Monti, MD and Anthony J. Bazzan, MD artfully synthesizes the complex world of healthy living into a set of clear principles in guiding you to feel your best. This requires a healthcare approach that integrates all aspects of your well-being, including physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social. Doctors Monti and Bazzan lay out how to gain and maintain long-term vitality by integrating practices from restorative medicine and nutritional science. They believe the parts cannot be well unless the whole is well. As clinical […]
March 6, 2025
Published by FoodTrients
What is sarcopenia? The term “sarcopenia” was invented recently by Irwin Rosenberg. In 1989, he first referred to loss of skeletal muscle mass and size as “sarcopenia,” by combining the Greek word for “flesh” (Sarx) with the Greek word for “loss” (penia). At the time, it was thought that the degenerative process being described was led by the loss of lean muscle mass with aging. Today, it is understood that inactivity causes muscles to lose strength through a process of denervation, the loss of nerve supply that signals muscle cells to act. It impacts all of us as we age, […]
March 5, 2025
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Going through a stressful time at work or home? Struggling to control your anxiety levels or having troubles falling or staying asleep at night? You could already have a natural remedy right in your kitchen that can make a huge difference: tea! While tea also has properties to calm inflammation, boost energy, or even support the immune system, it can also have a calming effect and help reduce anxiety. While there’s a baseline for self-care during stressful times; lean on your support system, seek professional help from a therapist or counselor, eat a balanced diet, hydrate, focus on sleep, and […]
March 2, 2025
Published by Life Extension
Big changes start with small steps! With so many ways to feel, look, and live better, it’s easy to get caught up in extreme resolutions that just don’t stick. “People easily become discouraged when they set big goals because they are too overwhelming,” says Sarah Zangerle, RD, from Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Comprehensive Weight Loss Center. The key? Baby steps. Try these six simple diet changes—one every two months—for a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. Because real progress happens one step at a time! 1. Go meatless once a week The average American eats half a pound of […]
February 27, 2025
Published by Life Extension
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) have been utilized in Chinese folk medicine to promote health and longevity.1 They are so revered in traditional Chinese medicine for their health benefits that they have been referred to as the “mushroom of immortality.”1 More recently, modern research has validated that reishi contains key health-promoting components that boost immune function, reduce inflammation, and stop the growth of cancer cells.1 And animal research has shown its potential to increase lifespan.2,3 Immune-Boosting Properties A strong immune system is a key factor necessary for a longer, healthier life. Unfortunately, immune systems decline with age.4 Preclinical5-7 and clinical8-11 research has validated reishi’s ability to modulate immune function. […]
February 19, 2025
Published by Life Extension
“I am going to live forever!” you exclaim as you dip into your expensive anti-aging cream, sip your green tea and unroll your yoga mat. You’re on the right track, but research has more good news for you. A new study published in GeroScience that followed a Swedish population-based cohort up to 35 years has linked specific blood biomarkers to longer lifespans. In fact, some of these individuals are even hitting the triple digits! This research identified 10 different biomarkers that indicated exceptional longevity, zoning in on biomarkers that indicate metabolism and nutritional status, as well as kidney and liver function. While those […]
February 18, 2025
Published by Dr. Mark Rosenberg
You may already know that cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in men and women in the United States today. As such, you may be trying to improve, or maintain, your heart health. It’s really not that difficult if you understand that your heart, like the rest of your body, stays its healthiest with the food you put in it. With that in mind, I’d like to tell you about 10 of the best heart-healthy nutrients you can include in your diet to help make your heart its strongest. The Best Nutrients to Feed Your Heart First, it’s […]
February 17, 2025
Published by Grace O
Enjoying a hot cup of tea is a cherished daily ritual in many cultures, offering both comfort and incredible health benefits. In the UK, for instance, the 4 p.m. cuppa is practically sacred—and for good reason! Black tea is packed with powerful antioxidants like catechins, flavonoids, theaflavins, and magnesium, which support heart health by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. These compounds also help protect against certain cancers, promote dental health, and enhance weight loss by boosting metabolism. Additionally, black tea improves circulation, strengthens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and keeps arteries healthy while […]
February 17, 2025
Published by FoodTrients
Life has changed in ways many of us never expected. For some, it meant losing a familiar way of life. We missed our friends and families. We missed going to work or school. We missed graduations, parties, and milestone celebrations. And we lost people we loved. It’s safe to say that most of us have experienced heartbreak in recent years. Florence Williams knows a thing or two about that. She has literally written the book on it. Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey (W.W. Norton & Company), is her scientific exploration of the subject we all have felt in one […]
February 17, 2025
Published by Grace O
Your mother was right when she insisted you eat all your vegetables at dinnertime before moving on to dessert. Virtually every fruit and vegetable contains antioxidants. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans are so good for our bodies because they contain a host of antioxidants that can be broken down into multiple categories. I thought it would be helpful to highlight a few of those subcategories here. Antioxidants play a crucial role in the body by neutralizing harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, contributing to aging and increasing the risk of chronic […]
January 27, 2025
Published by Life Extension
At a recent Heart Health Fair at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Dr. Thomas Amidon delivered a startling truth: heart disease remains the leading cause of death among women, surpassing all forms of cancer combined. Despite advancements in medical research and treatment, the misconception that heart disease is a “man’s disease” persists, often leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment for women. A Critical Gender Gap in Awareness and Treatment Dr. Amidon, who has a personal interest in women’s health—being surrounded by his wife, three daughters, three mares, and two female dogs—emphasized that the medical community has historically focused on men when […]
January 24, 2025
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Need help fighting diabetes? The good news is that diet plays a major role in positively affecting health outcomes with this disease. Think beyond the blood sugars when assessing dietary management of diabetes — fat, fiber, and nutrients play a role in diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney health. While November is American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) hopes Americans will rally all year long behind the fight to end diabetes. According to the ADA, there are currently over 38 million Americans with diabetes. Nearly 98 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes. In the last 20 years, the number […]
January 15, 2025
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
The years after the age of 60 for women can bring about a renewed sense of self and the opportunity to focus more deeply on health and longevity. The post-menopausal years can be a time of vibrant health if women continue to prioritize their nutritional and fitness goals, staying informed about the evolving needs of their bodies. Physical activity, with a focus on strength, flexibility, and balance in addition to meeting changing nutrient needs are critical areas to consider. If you haven’t caught up yet on our women’s health series, be sure to read our Foodtrients® pieces about women in […]