Vitamin C – Not Just for Pirates
Ascorbic acid for bones, joints, and connective tissue An all macaroni-and-cheese diet? What could possibly go wrong? When I was in University, two students made a friendly wager to see who could go the longest subsisting on a diet of macaroni-and-cheese. The competition came to a screeching halt when one of the boys (the…
Do alkaline diets work? (Part 2 of 2)
Part 2 of 2: Managing Acid-Base Balance in the Body This post is part two of an exploration of acid-alkaline balance, its importance in health, and its response to dietary choices. Check out part 1 to learn about subclinical metabolic acidosis and the serious health conditions it may be associated with. Managing and measuring…
Do alkaline diets work? (Part 1 of 2)
Part 1 of 2: Understanding metabolic acidosis Do alkaline diets work? The answer to the question is: Yes, quite likely. If you know what you’re doing, that is. Optimizing metabolic alkalinity likely plays a significant role in healing, but it’s not as straightforward as it might seem. In part 1 of this 2-part post…
Melatonin, the Antioxidant Recycler
Beyond sleep, melatonin protects against free radicals Melatonin’s age-old history in supporting aerobic life Melatonin is perhaps best known for its effects in regulating circadian rhythms and supporting sleep, but these are newer features of the hormone, evolutionarily-speaking. It’s theorized that melatonin’s original purpose – and primary function to this day – was as…
Glutathione, the Master Antioxidant
Does supplementation really increase glutathione levels? Scientists have been trying to understand the aging process for, well, ages. One thing we know for sure is that oxidative stress plays a major role in the aging process, and a powerful antioxidant known as glutathione helps fight that oxidative stress.[1],[2] Oxidative stress is a process that…
Demystifying Detox
Scientific approaches to detoxifying your body Why detox? Where I live, they only pick up the trash every two weeks. This is usually no problem, as we are mindful to compost and recycle all that we can and we avoid purchasing items with excessive packaging. This holiday season was a different story, however. We…
Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin
The role of vitamin D in autoimmunity and mood Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because it is generated within the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, the rays responsible for suntans.[1] Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, immunity, and many other bodily functions.[2],[3],[4] In the absence of sun…
Nutrients that Support the Thyroid
Important nutrients for Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism As the master of metabolism, the thyroid gland regulates digestion, energy production, mental sharpness, fat burning, and heart rate.[1] Even the suppleness and strength of the skin, hair, and fingernails are significantly affected by thyroid function. All of these metabolic processes require fuel, making the thyroid a particularly…
Vitamin C for Mood and Addiction
How ascorbic acid soothes the brain Beyond immune support Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is best known for its immune-enhancing effects – from reducing the severity and duration of the common cold,[1] to supporting the health of individuals with HIV/AIDS,[2] to reducing the histamine response seen in allergies and asthma,[3],[4],[5] to even potentially reducing the…
Fighting Fatty Liver, Part 2 of 2
Clinically studied botanicals and nutrients for the treatment of fatty liver disease As discussed in Fighting Fatty Liver, Part 1 of 2, the progression of NAFLD is influenced by insulin resistance, fat accumulation in the liver, intestinal imbalance, and inflammation/oxidative stress. Strategies to prevent and resolve NAFLD must therefore not only target the liver,…
Fighting Fatty Liver, Part 1 of 2
How the gut, microbes, inflammation, and diet affect the liver, and what to do about it The fatty liver epidemic Sedentary lifestyles, nutrient-poor diets, chemical exposures, and an excess of sugar and refined foods are wreaking havoc on and in our bodies more than ever before. And the effects aren’t just cosmetic – beyond…
Selenium and Immunity
How this trace mineral supports immune system function Winter is just around the corner – is your immune system up to snuff? (Or sniffles!) The seasonality of infectious diseases is well established,[1],[2] as any of us who have suffered from the flu can attest. All nutrients are required in greater quantity during an infection,…
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