HealthYour Gut Loves Variety—Why Whole Grains Belong on Your Plate
Last week, we explored the simple challenge of eating 30 different plant foods each week to support a healthy gut microbiome. The wonderful thing about this challenge is that it doesn’t have to be complicated—every fruit, vegetable, herb, spice, bean, nut, seed, and whole grain counts. This week, I’d like to shine a spotlight on one of my favorite food groups for gut health: whole grains. When I visit my local farmers market during the summer, I’m always inspired by the colorful produce that fills every stand. Fresh kale, sweet peppers, mushrooms, herbs, and crisp vegetables remind me that the […]READ MORE
October 8, 2024
Published by Life Extension
An article published in PLoS Genetics describes a study involving the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) which uncovered a link between insufficient dietary intake of vitamin B12 and a greater risk of potentially lethal infections. Caenorhabditis elegans are similar to humans in their need to obtain vitamin B12 by dietary means. “We used C. elegans to study the effect of diet on a host and found that one kind of food was able to dramatically increase resistance to multiple stressors — like heat and free radicals — as well as to pathogens,” reported lead researcher Natasha Kirienko, who is an assistant professor of biosciences at […]
October 8, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Did you know that many mushrooms — some that you can find in the grocery store and others that come in medicinal/capsule form — can support your health in many ways? Mushrooms are often used for their well-known benefits to the immune system or for their anti-cancer effects but there’s emerging research about the power they hold for reducing risk or being part of the treatment plan for chronic diseases like cardiovascular problems, blood sugar balance, liver protection, brain health, and even as a treatment for allergies. Learn more about the incredible power that mushrooms have and how you might […]
October 8, 2024
Published by Tina Turbin
For most celiac patients, treatment on the gluten-free diet marks the turning point for their health. It can take a few months for the villi of the small intestine to heal, but eventually their symptoms are alleviated and they are able to absorb the nutrients in their food. Unfortunately, there is a percentage of celiacs who don’t respond to the gluten-free diet, which is the only current treatment for the disease, resulting in a condition known as refractory celiac disease, also known as nonresponsive celiac disease (NRCD). Although celiac experts have stated that actual refractory celiac disease, whereby damage to […]
October 7, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Did you know that food can actually play a role in your mood and happiness levels? So many people live with restricting many foods or feelings of guilt or shame surrounding eating. Others may not get the nutrition they need to fuel the pleasure centers in the brain (think serotonin production), keeping mood stable. The brain uses a full 20% of the calories you take in so fueling it is absolutely critical. Foods that contain compounds like zinc, selenium, B6 and B12, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants have proven links to brain health and even mood, which is […]
September 24, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
September marks Pain Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the challenges of people living with pain and the various ways to manage it. While nutrition, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies play vital roles in pain management by reducing inflammation, prescription pain medications are sometimes also a necessary component for those dealing with chronic or severe pain. If you’re considering or currently using these medications, it’s essential to understand how they work, their benefits, and potential side effects so that you can have meaningful conversations with your medical team about how your pain is managed. Overview Prescription pain medications, […]
September 24, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
In a world where more bacteria are becoming antibiotic resistant and the population struggles with new, emerging viruses, individuals and researchers are looking to naturally occurring antimicrobial plants and extracts for insights into new ways to fight these dangerous bugs. While there are many situations where conventional antibiotics and medicine are necessary, there are also some ways to include essential oils as a complement or natural alternative. Research is still emerging on the effectiveness of essential oils for fighting bacteria, fungi, and viruses, so we’re highlighting our top 10 antiviral and antibacterial essential oils right here for you. As with […]
September 24, 2024
Published by Dr. Mark Rosenberg
Every now and then one of my patients will call me complaining of a kind of strange, uncomfortable pain in their right neck and shoulder blade area. Most often, they also don’t feel well either – a little nauseated, maybe a little stomach pain and don’t feel much like eating. They wonder if they’ve gotten some kind of flu bug. They’re often shocked when I tell them that it could be their gallbladder acting up and/or they may be passing gallstones! If this sounds like you sometimes, here’s what you should know about gallstones and gallbladder problems. Gallstones or Muscle […]
September 10, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Aging is the process of accumulating damaging changes in cells and consequent diseases that eventually cause decline in a body. Aging is a complex process without a single cause. As the body ages, there is a decreased ability to respond to stress and maintain proper, healthy balance. There are many scientific theories related to aging but a common thread includes the health of bodily systems including immune function, inflammation, or free-radical damage. There are foods that can help support the immune system, calm inflammation in the body and quench free radicals in the form of antioxidants. There are also foods […]
September 10, 2024
Published by Keith Block, MD
Top Ten Foods to Help Prevent Breast Cancer
September 10, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
This month FoodTrients writer and nutritionist Ginger Hultin continues her four-part series on vitamins and supplements. Part 3 explores vitamin deficiencies and what you can do. Despite what the supplement industry may have you believe, in a balanced whole food-based diet you will get most of the vitamins and minerals your body needs. You’ll also get other health boosting ingredients such as phytochemicals, fiber, and antioxidants. However, there are times that supplementation can be beneficial but how to tell what you need can be confusing and complex. Overt signs of deficiency can be hard to assess without lab testing and […]
September 10, 2024
Published by FoodTrients
More than 60 percent of American adults have a chronic diseases, and 40 percent have two or more chronic disease. Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, cancer is the second leading cause of death, 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disease, and almost half of Americans has prediabetes or diabetes. What do these conditions have in common? Inflammation. In fact, studies have linked high inflammatory levels to several conditions, including autoimmune conditions, cancer, chronic fatigue, depression, metabolic syndrome, and sleep apnea. Every food you eat is either feeding inflammation or fighting it. And because no one else is […]
August 27, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications offer quick relief for mild to moderate pain, from headaches and menstrual cramps to muscle aches, joint, and back pain. While OTC medications may seem harmless because they’re so available, many may come with potential side effects that warrant caution and could have an impact on your health. Understanding these side effects can help you have better conversations with your medical care team as you decide together how and why you’re using pain relievers and considerations to keep in mind while doing so. Today, we’re breaking down what you need to know from a FoodTrients® perspective […]
August 27, 2024
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Foods fuel the body in so many ways and that includes fertility – for both men and women. Even if fertility isn’t top on your priority list currently, keeping these reproductive systems healthy is still important. Foods that contain energy and certain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants have been proven to be especially important for optimizing health and reproductive systems in both men and women, which is why these foods top the list of 50 foods critical for fertility. 1. Amaranth Technically a ‘pseudocereal,’ this ancient grain is making a comeback in modern-day cuisine and it offers fertility support as […]