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Probiotics with a Purpose
Probiotics are classically defined as a “preparation of, or a product containing viable, defined microorganisms in sufficient numbers, which alter the microbiota in a compartment of the host, and exert beneficial health effects in the host”. Their use can be traced back 10,000 years ago even before the awareness of probiotic microorganisms through the widespread availability…
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6 Foods that Foster the Microbiome
“We are what we eat” should actually say, “We are what our microbes eat.” In fact, what we eat immediately and profoundly influences our gut microbiome, which then determines our health. With trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, taking residence in our guts, it’s no surprise they play significant and precise roles…
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DHA Pathway to the Brain
The health benefits of two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), seem indisputable and range from improved cardiovascular risk factors and body composition to promotion of healthy inflammatory pathways. Lately, however, DHA has received a brighter spotlight of attention in the news due to its ability to influence the structure, function,…
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L-Glutamine – Old Dog, New Tricks
L-glutamine – not the new shiny supplement to wow the nutrition world, but a tried-and-true amino acid that continues to impress us with its relevance and potency as a healing ingredient. For years, we’ve known about the importance of L-glutamine in athletic recovery, maintaining lean muscle mass, restoring gut health, and supporting the nervous system,…
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Fishing for Omega-3 Solutions in Pregnancy
Hosting a baby as an expectant mother is a challenge these days, with what can endearingly be called the “Food Fear Factor”. Talk of GMOs and toxins have the average person running scared from the grocery store, never mind the mom who has total and complete responsibility for the welfare of another growing human. As…
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Astrocytes, Star of the Glial Show
The brain is truly an amazing organ that takes all the credit for man’s ingenuity. From the mastery of daunting foreign languages, to the ability to solve complex problems in multi-variable physics, the brain’s ability to excite and amaze is limitless. Behind all of these amazing processes, though, are various groups of cells, closely connected…
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CoQ10 and Oral Health
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a natural antioxidant synthesized in the body and known to enhance energy, has recently received the spotlight for oral health. With its ability to generate cell energy, CoQ10 may be able to provide faster healing and better tissue repair within the gums.
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Create Calm with Adaptogens
At some point in our lives, we all experience some degree of anxiety or stress. It seems almost inevitable. Because stress can be at the root of many health issues, its management or alleviation is critical. Intuitively, people know that being in a calm state is the best foundation for a healthy life and, throughout…
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King of Antioxidants: Glutathione
Antioxidants are defined as substances that inhibit oxidation, which left unchecked produces free radicals triggering a number of chain reactions that lead to cellular damage. Luckily, our bodies produce these built-in defense mechanisms, but if mounting reactive oxygen species (ROS) cannot be neutralized (picture a small fire that grows out of control when gassed with…
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Weighing in on Keto
In spite of a continued surge in online reading and interest in the ketogenic diet, exactly where are we with this dietary pendulum swing from the fat-eating fears of the 1980s? People seem obsessed with the latest diet fads and trends in order to maintain a healthy weight and promote general health. Long-standing research has…