Health Blog
SLEEP AND DNA METHYLATION
A recent study led by Jonathan Cedernaes and researchers at Uppsala University reported that the consequences of acute sleep loss on weight gain are more than being hungry and making poor food choices. They demonstrated “how” sleep loss, shift work or sleep disturbances influence the epigenome and gene expression through DNA methylation. Numerous studies suggest that shift […]
Read MoreASTRAGALUS: THE KING OF HERBS
Astragalus, also known as Milkvetch or huáng qí in Chinese, is an herbal medicine that has been used for hundreds of years, with its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. One of the few all-purpose herbs used, it is believed to support a wide array of biological functions. Despite the fact that Astragalus has over […]
Read More5 SURPRISING THINGS THAT HURT YOUR MICROBIOME
The human gut contains trillions of bacteria – also referred to as the gut flora or microbiome – and these tiny unicellular organisms play an unfathomable role in overall health. For instance, a healthy gut flora has been shown to improve gut health, heart health, brain health, weight management, and blood sugar regulation, among others. While most of these thousands […]
Read MoreEAT YOUR THYLAKOIDS!
Most nutrition experts agree that we need to “eat more veggies” as part of a healthy diet. Consuming more leafy greens (spinach, kale, collards, etc) may, in fact, be one of the most important components for overall health and weight loss. In addition to containing a host of fibers, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients, leafy […]
Read MoreNEW FRONTIERS IN FISH OIL – PART TWO
This is part two of a two-part series on omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil. In part one, we explored the reasons to take fish oil. Throughout evolution, humans have consumed diets heavy in fish—meeting their dietary need for not only omega-3, but specifically EPA and DHA. Western diets, however, have evolved to where fish […]
Read MoreNEW FRONTIERS IN FISH OIL – PART ONE
This is part one of a two-part series on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil. Stay tuned for part two about how to incorporate fish oil into a regular diet. From supporting cardiovascular health to promoting ideal body composition to optimizing inflammatory pathways, omega-3’s substantive impact on a wide variety of health […]
Read MorePROBIOTICS MAY DIRECTLY AFFECT BREAST MILK CARBOHYDRATE COMPOSITION
New research has revealed a possible two-way connection between maternal dietary microbes and the makeup of the oligosaccharide sugar molecules found in human breast milk. Until recently, it was thought that oligosaccharides affected the microbial communities within an infant’s gut, acting as prebiotics that then decreased their risk of certain infections, conditions and diseases. Studies […]
Read MoreDETOXIFICATION: WHY, WHAT AND HOW?
What do toxins do? Why detoxify? In the Blue-Zones where people live healthy, productive lives to above age 80, daily detoxification is enhanced due to the structure of the water, colloidal minerals in the soil and general lack of toxins. Most of us are exposed daily to high levels of toxins (i.e. chemicals, pesticides, water […]
Read MoreThyroid Synthesis and Selenium: A Closer Look
During the cold, rainy month of January, at least where we live in Portland, Oregon, it’s fitting to address thyroid health. As Goldilocks said of her porridge, this one’s too cold, this one’s too hot, and this one’s just right. If your body isn’t making the right amount of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and […]
Read MoreAdaptogens – Herbs That Make the Stress Go Away
Our lives have become busier than ever. We try to squeeze as many activities as possible into those 24 hours working 9 to 5, going to gym, finding time for friends, arts and entertainment while still eager to maintain a healthy lifestyle. How is it possible to avoid stress and anxiety with a routine like […]
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