HealthFermented Foods: From Tradition to Trend
Where delicious meets nutritious. Long before fermented foods became a wellness trend, they were simply part of life in my family’s kitchen. When I was a teenager in the Philippines, my mother and I made atchara together—a sweet-and-sour relish traditionally made with green, unripe papaya and colorful vegetables. We would grate the papaya into long, thin strips, add carrots and other vegetables for color and crunch, and prepare a tangy mixture with vinegar, ginger, garlic, and a little sweetness. I can still remember working beside her in the kitchen. We made sweet and salty pickled cucumbers, too. And because German […]READ MORE
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 […]
January 12, 2025
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
You’re coming down with that tickle in your throat and a bit of fatigue – possibly getting a cold. As viruses like the flu rage on this winter, do you reach for the herb echinacea to help boost the immune system at the first sign of trouble? If so, you’re not alone. A perennial flowering plant related to sunflowers, daisies and ragweed, echinacea is native to the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. It was originally discovered and used by Native Americans who passed it along to early settlers and its medicinal uses were then taken back to Europe. It is […]
January 12, 2025
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Alzheimer’s disease is associated with advanced memory loss and cognitive impairment, but an increasing number of individuals are being diagnosed in the early stages and are taking proactive steps to manage the condition. According to JohnsHopkinsMedicine.org: There are over 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s Disease with 3 million new cases diagnosed each year. Alzheimer’s is deadlier than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. The disease is most prevalent in women and Black Americans. 11 million Americans act as unpaid caregivers for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. We now know that nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining cognitive […]
January 12, 2025
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Here are the Top 50 Foods to prevent cancer. So many whole foods are considered anti-cancer for reasons ranging from fiber content to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has been estimated that 30–40 percent of all cancers can be prevented by lifestyle and dietary measures alone so what you eat definitely matters. Here is the ultimate FoodTrients® list of the top 50 foods to prevent cancer. Mix and match these healthy whole foods to include them in your diet daily to reduce your risk today. 1. Apples An apple a day is great advice when it comes to preventing cancer. […]
January 12, 2025
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
You are what you eat and the foods you choose can affect all the body’s systems including the brain. Nutrients can boost memory and mental focus, but some foods can reduce it. When the brain is experiencing stress or inflammation, it isn’t as sharp. When it gets access to vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fat, it functions better. Foods rich in nutrients like antioxidant vitamins C, neuro-supportive B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids can sharpen memory and learning. Here is the ultimate FoodTrients® list of the top 50 foods to boost your memory: 1. Apples Antioxidants are generally good for […]
December 26, 2024
Published by FoodTrients
For many, having a lovely frosty pint is one of life’s great pleasures. That is, until they drink many more than one frosty pint, feel absolutely horrendous the next day, wracked with beer fear and memory loss, and enter that near-fugue state that makes it very hard to properly use any of your limbs. This also feels like a good place to mention that, according to the World Health Organization, booze is responsible for 3 million deaths a year globally. Up to half of all people in beds in orthopedic wards are there because of an alcohol-related injury and, on […]
November 16, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Colder weather and holiday celebrations accompany cold and flu season and the need to discuss immunizations and staying healthy. This year, three vaccinations are in the spotlight: RSV, the COVID-19 updated vaccine, and the flu shot. While the most important conversation is between you and your healthcare provider so that they can provide personalized recommendations, it can be helpful to be armed with more information about what these immunizations are and how they work. There are a lot of questions surrounding seasonal vaccines so let’s break down the facts on what they are, what they protect against, when to get […]
November 16, 2024
Published by Angela Pettera
Pauline Boss, PhD, is an expert on loss and grief. In the 1970s she coined the term “ambiguous loss” in the course of researching the grief suffered by people whose loved ones are missing but not declared dead. She has published 8 books that have been translated into 17 languages and she has been a visiting professor at Harvard Medical School and the University of Southern California. Her new book, The Myth of Closure: Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic and Change, was written to help us all deal with the losses we’ve suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic and […]