Keeping Your Immune System On Guard
Six supplements that support healthy immune system function Let’s face it: we are surrounded by a veritable sea of viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents. What keeps these nasties at bay, in addition to physical barriers such as the skin and mucus secretions, is the immune system. If pathogens happen to gain entry, the…
Nutritional Support for Seasonal Allergies
Focus on antioxidant support Although spring brings the joys of warmer days and colorful flowers, it’s also the beginning of allergy season for many (over 19 million of us, to be exact!)[1]For some of us, allergies hit us worse in the fall. Unfortunately, if you have an allergic disposition, it may never seem to…
Supplements to Take With and Without Food
Guidelines for optimal absorption and benefit “I think your love language is snacks,” my friend says after I greet her with a hug and a jar of homemade vegan coconut yogurt. “I think you’re right!” I laugh, and beckon her to open up the jar so we can have a nosh. Later that month,…
Are the Nutrients You Consume Bioavailable?
How to get the most out of your diet and supplements The body’s physiology is intricate and complex. Even when we eat a healthy diet, we may not always absorb or utilize all of the nutrients our body needs. This is why scientists who formulate nutrient supplements are obsessed with bioavailability, defined as the…
CoQ10 vs Astaxanthin
Two Powerhouse Nutrients for Optimal Athletic Performance When it comes to introducing these two powerhouse nutrients, most people have heard of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It has a great reputation as a powerful antioxidant and has been well researched as a cardioprotective nutrient.[1],[2] It has been shown to have a positive impact on blood lipid…
Mending the Leaky Gut
Natural strategies to support intestinal integrity My neighbor’s fence is beyond beautiful, but serves little to no practical purpose. With its widely spaced slats, the fence affords any passerby an only slightly fettered view of the yard and its goings-on. A cat, rat, or even small dog could easily pass back and forth across…
Vitamin D for Allergies
The data behind vitamin D for asthma, eczema, and atopic conditions More than 50 million Americans have an allergy of some kind. If you or a family member has allergies, you know how irritating they can be (literally). Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to one or more allergens by producing antibodies called…
Is Fish Oil Just Snake Oil?
The research on essential fatty acids Some major news channels have reported that fish oil’s importance in heart health has been debunked and that essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements are useless. These types of sensationalist headlines are unhelpful for many reasons, mainly because, well, they’re wrong. It’s been known for many decades just how…
The Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A, D, E and K
Nutrients for strong bones and a healthy heart Vitamins are classified into two groups: fat-soluble (vitamins A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble (B-complex vitamins and vitamin C). Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed best when consumed with higher-fat foods.[1] Fatty fish, vegetable oils, green vegetables, and nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamins A,…
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…
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…
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