The Benefits of Berry Polyphenols
The abundant polyphenols found in berries deliver numerous health benefits Of all fruits, the consumption of fresh berries is something we oft seek out more than their somewhat more boring apple or banana counterparts. Whether it be berry smoothies; berry cobblers, pies, or crisps; homemade berry wines; or simply fresh berries eaten by the…
Health Benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract
A natural antimicrobial and antioxidant with apparent anti-aging effects Grapefruit, also known as Citrus paradisi, is a hybrid fruit that originated centuries ago as a natural cross between sweet orange and pomelo.[1] While the seeds of the grapefruit are not typically eaten, grapefruit seed extract (GFSE) is increasingly being used as a dietary supplement,…
Children’s Multivitamins: Are They Really Necessary?
The case for pediatric supplementation “Why do kids love carbs and dairy so much?” my mother asks me, exasperated after her latest thwarted attempt to get her grandchildren to eat more nutritious fare. “We’re actually lucky,” I tell her between bites of the cold broccoli the kids left behind, “at least these kiddos eat…
Spring Equinox Detox
Does detoxing really help health? Spring is almost here! The days are gradually getting brighter, the flowers are beginning to bloom, and the dawn chorus is sounding more cheerful. The challenging cold, dark days of winter are certainly behind us and longer, warmer days are on the horizon. The Spring Equinox occurs on March…
Finding Heart Health in Fruit Extracts
Apples, pomegranates, and Bergamot citrus for cardiovascular health “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” my nephew sings before biting into the honey crisp he’s holding. “But…” he thinks as he chews and then clarifies to me, his doctor-auntie, “I don’t want you to go away.” Where did he learn the saying about…
Eat Your Antioxidants, My Dear
The healthy person’s guide to fruits and vegetables If you ask the typical American how many servings of vegetables they eat per day, they’ll likely answer, “Not enough.” And they’re right; most of us aren’t getting enough of our plant-based foods or the nutrients they contain. In their 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, theUnited States…
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…
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…
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…
Understanding Inflammation
When too much of a good thing becomes harmful If you’ve ever scraped your knee, you’ve seen the healing power of inflammation at work. The body reacts to injury and invasion by sending a flood of white blood cells to the area to repair the damage, stop the spread of infection, and battle any…
Go Greens, Go Greens, Rah Rah Rah!
Why fruits, berries, and veggies should be a staple in any diet “Crackers and cheese, that’s about all he eats,” a mom tells me when I ask her about her child’s eating habits. “Hm, I see. Any vegetables?” “Only if I put them in the blender and sneak them into tomato sauce.” We both…
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