89 results found for: Allergies

Age-Fighting Quercetin Is Anti-Inflammatory

Quercetin (pronounced kwer-suh-tin) has been in the news recently, and for good reason. This yellow pigment is a flavonoid that occurs in apples, grape skin, red onions, and green tea. While quercetin’s presence in foods has long been recognized, it has only been lately that some of its remarkable effects have come to light. Quercetin’s recently discovered properties include protective effects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, allergies and immune dysfunction — all of which, if prevented, could help improve or extend life. For life extensionists, however, the most exciting research involves the use of quercetin as a potential treatment for aging. […]

A Whole New World of Pastabilities

Fair or not, in the fight against carbs, pasta has gotten a bad rap lately. Yes, white pasta is relatively high in calories (200 per 2 oz. dry) and has modest nutritional value with about 2g of fiber and 7g of protein, but there are many alternative pastas that are better nutritional investments. And like the enriched macaroni products we’re most familiar with, they are all good canvases for a wide variety of toppings, flavors and textures. I won’t give up my noodles and with these alternatives, you won’t have to. Grain Pasta Switching to whole grain pasta provides a […]

Nettles Add Power to Pesto

At the height of allergy season, incorporating nettles into your meals can be a soothing practice offering relief. With research supporting the use of nettles for seasonal allergies and hay fever, this plant contains anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties (Learn more about the benefits of nettles in our story on them). It is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Nettles care commonly cooked into a tea, but they also make a flavorful sauce. Enjoy this fresh nettle pesto today over quinoa or gluten-free pasta. Chef’s note: Never eat or touch fresh nettles; heat neutralizes the volatile compound that sting […]

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How Do FoodTrients Work Like Medicine?

In all of my cookbooks, I have included a chart that lists the FoodTrients nutrients, their benefits, which foods are loaded with them, and their properties (anti-inflammatory) , disease preventing , etc.) along with my 9 symbols. Here are just a few examples: ALLICIN— Garlic contains the FoodTrient allicin, which is an anti-inflammatory that reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. So if you have trouble with rashes, allergies, swelling, or atherosclerosis add garlic to your meals whenever possible.     GINGEROL – The root of the ginger plant has its own very special FoodTrient called […]

Pycnogenol: A New Hero in Supplements?

Interested in an extract packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-boosting, cardiovascular protecting benefits? Have you ever heard of pycnogenol? If not, you should learn about this pine bark extract with the tongue twister name that is gaining popularity in the supplement industry and is surely a compound to pay attention to as research continues to emerge. Is it safe yet? Are there any indications against using it? What are the potential benefits? Read on to learn more about pycnogenol. Antioxidants including flavonoids, catechins, phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins abound in this extract. These compounds are a wide-spread part of the human diet, […]

Halloween for Celiacs: Beware of Gluten!

Halloween is my #1 favorite holiday: the costumes, the decorations, the spooky atmosphere, the fall foliage, and yes, of course, the treats. Halloween can bring with it a lot of situations where we are faced with new products that we are unfamiliar with. Parties, trick or treating, school events, and buying candy are just a few of the circumstances where we may find ourselves asking, “Is this gluten-free?” Adhering to a gluten-free diet doesn’t mean you have to skip out on all the Halloween fun. We’ve compiled some tips and tricks to help ensure accidentally eating gluten is one thing you do […]

The Happy, Healthy Benefits of Hemp

Hemp products abound on the market right now. This trendy plant product can be found in many forms: oil, seeds, granola and cereal, non-dairy milk, in makeup and hair products, ground into a powder or flour, and as a clothing fiber or building material. Hemp is in fact an ancient domesticated crop with a complicated recent history. A cousin of the marijuana plant, which is consumed medicinally and recreationally, hemp is a different type of product completely. With federal limits on how much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be in a hemp product (currently 0.3%), this product cannot be used to achieve […]

Hazardous Choices Dominate Cosmetics

In a growing market for Black cosmetics, Black women nonetheless have limited choices for products that score low in potentially harmful ingredients, an EWG analysis of more than 1,100 products found. Because Black women appear to buy and use more personal care products, the limited options could mean they are being exposed to more potentially hazardous chemicals. EWG researchers analyzed more than 1,100 products, looking at the hazards posed by their ingredients, and found that Black women had fewer healthy options based on the products marketed to them. Fewer than 25 percent of the personal care products marketed specifically to […]