January 8, 2019

Berberine: Good for Your Heart, Obesity and More

Commonly known as a natural compound that may help treat diabetes,  (see Foodtrients® article“Does Berberine Fight Diabetes” ) that’s not all berberine is known for. A bitter alkaloid compound found in several plants including barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape, it can also be important for enhancing the immune system during cold and flu season. Berberine also contains anti-bacterial properties and is often prescribed as a treatment for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).  It has a long history of medicinal use in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Medicidally, berberine is used for: Heart failure High cholesterol levels High blood pressure Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) […]
January 2, 2019

Bacteria That Can Defend Against High Blood Pressure

Gut bacteria can help defend against heart and vascular damage caused by high blood pressure, a study in mice
December 18, 2018

U.S. Marks Highest Obesity Rates In Health Report

Obesity in the U.S. has reached a new high with a 5 percent increase since last year, according to a report
December 17, 2018

Slash Chronic Disease Risk with LYCOPENE

You probably know that a steady intake of food-based antioxidants is important to protecting your DNA
December 16, 2018

Sweetened Drinks More Dangerous Than Food?

Sugary drinks cause worse health outcomes than other foods that naturally contain sugar, a new study says. The findings, published this month in the British Medical Journal, found that sugars added to foods such as breakfast cereals, baked goods, sweets and desserts can create a negative affect on a person’s blood glucose and insulin, causing them to react as if they’ve ended a fast. “These findings might help guide recommendations on important food sources of fructose in the prevention and management of diabetes,” John Sievenpiper, the study’s lead author and a researcher in the Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center of St. […]
December 16, 2018

Food and Fitness After 50: What You Need

LOS ANGELES (December 16, 2018)–Unfortunately, there’s so much noise and misinformation about food, nutrition and physical activity that good advice is often drowned out by bad. But there’s a new book by food and fitness experts Christine Rosenbloom, PhD, RDN, FAND, and Bob Murray, PhD, FACSM, coming to the rescue! Food & Fitness after 50: Eat Well, Move Well, Be Well, translates the latest science on aging, nutrition, and exercise into simple actionable steps. The authors share their personal experiences and offer a common-sense approach to help you learn what it takes to control your food choices and fitness strategies […]
December 11, 2018

How To Heal and Love Your Body More

Imagine waking up feeling refreshed, strong, and vibrant, with your hormones in balance and your body nourished, stable, and supported on both the emotional and physical levels. For the millions who are grappling with rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel disease, type one diabetes, and numerous other autoimmune conditions, this vision seems so distant from the daily reality that it seems an impossibility. In spite of increasing knowledge and awareness, the causes and effects of autoimmune conditions are often misunderstood, and the connection between inner well-being and physical health is not fully explored. As an acupuncturist and herbalist with over […]
December 11, 2018

Got Milk Thistle? It Does the Body (and Liver) Good

Milk thistle, a liver cleansing herb, was so important to early American settlers that colonists brought it over from Europe as part of their traditional medicine supply. Milk thistle grows throughout the world – in Africa, Australia, Asia, the U.S. and South America. The mature plant boasts identifiable bright purple flowers. Milk thistle is also commonly called silymarin because of the health-promoting antioxidants, particularly silybin.  It really is a tonic for the liver and is used to treat toxic liver damage caused by alcohol, chemicals and even chemotherapy. It has been used in ancient medicine and among herbalists to treat […]
December 11, 2018

Could Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Schizophrenia?

An association between being deficient in vitamin D during infancy and the risk of developing schizophrenia later in life was revealed on December 6, 2018 in the journal Scientific Reports. “Much of the attention in schizophrenia research has been focused on modifiable factors early in life with the goal of reducing the burden of this disease,” noted lead researcher John McGrath of Aarhus University and the University of Queensland. “Previous research identified an increased risk of schizophrenia associated with being born in winter or spring and living in a high-latitude country, such as Denmark.” “We hypothesized that low vitamin D levels […]
December 11, 2018

Six Life-Saving Medical Tests for Every Woman

We wonder why we take the most significant of things for granted, and women’s health has been at the center of focus in this matter. With career transformations and attitudinal revolutions, women have progressed enough to take on many roles but have regressed in terms of health. We spoke to doctors to find out which tests are taken most for granted, despite being life-saving. Depression screening Depression is twice as common in women as in men, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). “The priority of a woman is her family, and now work, while health figures last. If there is a […]
December 4, 2018

3 Classic Oils To Keep in Your Beauty Bag

Some things never go out of style—and such is the case with these time-tested ingredients that remain natural beauty go-tos.  Check out which one is best for aging skin, hair, cuticles, breakouts, and dandruff. JOJOBA OIL BEST FOR: fine lines, sensitive skin, dry cuticles Derived from the jojoba plant native to Arizona, California and Mexico, jojoba is nearly identical to skin’s natural sebum oil, making it ideal for moisturizing and reducing the appearance of fine lines in sensitive areas (crow’s-feet, anyone?). It also hydrates dry hair and restores damaged cuticles. Bonus: Because its molecular profile is extremely stable, jojoba is […]
November 27, 2018

Seven Ways To Improve Your Lung Capacity

Breathing exercises, physical activity and vitamin D help your respiratory system. If that doesn’t work, you can indulge your inner musician. Stop smoking You knew it was coming. Smoking damages the lungs, causing all sorts of problems, from lung cancer to respiratory disease. And it definitely affects your lung capacity. We have all seen the comparisons between healthy lungs and smokers’ lungs – according to the NHS, your lung capacity will have improved by at least 10% nine months after you quit smoking. Consume enough vitamin D A study released this year found that higher vitamin D levels were associated […]
November 27, 2018

How To Fight Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration―AMD―is the most commonly diagnosed eye disorder in people over fifty. Well over two million Americans have been told they have AMD, and that number is expected to grow substantially. While this is a frightening statistic, over the last several years, medical researchers have shown that a number of effective treatments can slow, stop, and even reverse the progress of AMD. Now, best-selling authors Dr. Jeffrey Anshel and Laura Stevens, who herself has been diagnosed with this condition, have joined forces to produce an up-to-date guide to what you need to know to combat and even prevent AMD. […]