Blood sugar has a pretty big impact on the way our immune system functions. We see this in diabetes patients all the time as their struggles with their blood sugar sometimes leads to the loss of limbs or even death in the most severe cases. One of the biggest reasons for this is that the amount of insulin that our body produces has an effect on the inflammation of our body. Therefore, we need to … [Read more...]
Paleo Diet 101: Beginner’s Guide to What to Eat and How It Works
People that eat a paleolithic diet often feel that many of the chronic illnesses people face, like heart disease and diabetes, are caused by the sedentary lifestyles we lead combined with the processed food we eat. The paleo diet asks people to eat only foods that can be hunted and gathered, and combine that with regular exercise. Some people who follow the paleo diet take it so far as to only eat … [Read more...]
Ketogenic diet
When someone is eating a ketogenic diet, they eat high a diet with a lot of fat, and very few carbohydrates. Ketogenic diets do have benefit for specific people with certain health conditions, but in terms of the average healthy person, there isn't much evidence to point to it being the diet that most people should follow. People do lose weight quickly on a ketogenic diet, but there are some … [Read more...]
Prunes & Plums: Are They Good for You?
When it comes to prunes and plums, they're technially the same fruit but one of them is dried while the other isn't. A plum is known as a stone fruit because it has a single hard pit that feels like a stone. A prune is very simply a dried up plum and because of this they tend to be more sweet but also don't have as strong of a flavor. Finally, there are many different types of plums but the two … [Read more...]
Episode #222 – Mitochondrial Energy Production, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense Systems with Ken Swartz
When it comes to the mitochondrial energy that we are producing, it is important to understand how it relates to oxidative stress and the defense of antioxidants. We have many powerful toxins in our body from the foods that we eat or the environment around us. In order to fight off against those toxins we need to have powerful antioxidants as well. There has even been research that shows that … [Read more...]
Eat the Rainbow: Why Is it Important to Eat a Colorful Variety of Fruits and Vegetables?
One of the most important things that we can do in our diet is to make sure that we get a good amount of fruit and vegetables. The reason that fruits and vegetables are so colorful is because they have phytonutrients in them which help protect them from germs, bugs and the sun. Most Americans don't get the range of colorful foods they need as most don't get anywhere near enough fruit or vegetables … [Read more...]
Can the Health of the Microbiome Affect Depression in Kids?
The health of ones microbiome can affect depression in children. There are many different signs and symptoms that can show that your child may be feeling depressed. Some of those signs are self-loathing, having a loss of energy and feeling guilt. There are also some treatment options that your children can use such as psychotherapy as well as anti-depressant medication. Finally, there are many … [Read more...]
Episode #225 – Carnivore Diet: Benefits, Potential Risks and How to Do It Right
The carnivore diet is one that is based off getting the best possible meat sources that you can find. Obviously, based off of the name the primary food for your diet is going to be red meat. Of course there are going to be many benefits from this diet such as the additional of protein, but there are also risks as well such as an increased risk at heart disease. If you are thinking about starting … [Read more...]
Episode #223: Olive Oil – Health Benefits, Best Sources and How to Use It
Olive oil is one of the healthiest oils that we can consume because it is all natural. There is however a difference between extra virgin olive oil and regular olive oil as extra virgin is a much more pure concentration. There is also bad olive oil on the market which is why it is important to check labels and pay attention to the brand name. Finally, make sure that you understand that olive oil … [Read more...]
Plant-Based Hiking Food Ideas: What to Eat Before, During, & After a Hike
There are many different foods that you should be eating before, during and after a hike. For example, trail mix is one of the best foods to eat while on a hike because it is portable and can give you an extra energy boost. You also want to make sure that you bring a water bottle with you on your hike so that you can stay hydrated. Finally, try to bring a combination of protein and carbs in your … [Read more...]
Skin Autophagy: 10 Strategies to Rejuvenate Your Skin
Your skin is your bodies largest organ and it protects you from viruses, bacteria, and the sun's ultraviolet light. It also uses the sun to produce Vitamin D, it also helps keep your bodies temperature. Toxins can damage your skin and cause not only skin cancer but other things such as irratation and inflammation. Parabens found in cosmetics, hair shampoo, lotions, facial cleansers can cause … [Read more...]
Peak performance: how climbing mountains transformed a surgeon
Rakesh Patel used to be a driven to work weeks that were over 100, putting in the time and the grind. He had no life outside of work and burnout was a way to prove your worth, it was glorified. Then, while in Colorado he went on his first climb in the mountains and was hooked. He has continued to climb and has brought some principles of climbing into his work life. He is calmer during surgeries, … [Read more...]
FRN’s Reading List: Plant-Based Books to Encourage & Inspire You
Diet that is completely based on plants is taking the world by storm and major food producers have taken a notice. Eating such food is quite beneficial to our environment, personal health and well-being of animals which surround us. Starting on such diet can be difficult and people often need additional motivation. We present a list that contains books that are not only informational, but provide … [Read more...]
Exercise for a Healthy Gut Microbiome
There are quite a few different exercises that you can try in order to get a healthy gut microbiome. The gut is responsible for the immune system, your metabolism, how you digest food and is even connected to your mental health. There are a few different things that will impact your microbiome in a negative way which is poor foods, medications and toxins from the environment. When you exercise, … [Read more...]
Episode #227 – 10 Ways to Optimize Human Growth Hormone
There are many different ways that you can optimize the human growth hormone. Growth hormones are released by the master gland and are used for many different things such as optimizing growth, repairing cells and our metabolism. These growth hormones work with others to support the composition of our body as well as maintain the overall health of our tissues and organs. There are many things that … [Read more...]
How To Improve Your Sleep
If you aren't getting enough sleep then you could be opening yourself up to a whole host of problems, including hormonal issues, weight fluctuations, and memory troubles. In this episode of the podcast, we will hear from the variety of experts in the fields of wellness, medicine, and sleep in order to figure out how to strike a good balance between sleep and well-being. All of this is possible … [Read more...]
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Strawberries
Strawberries can be an object of fascination at times. Thinking about the childhood, we can all recall that strawberries were the fruit that we were often attracted to. This is not surprising given the many ways we can prepare them and eat them. They can be a staple for the picnic spread, but also be couple with a champagne. They are light in calorie content, so they should be considered by those … [Read more...]
Are Phytoestrogens in Food Bad for You?
Products made of soy have long been controversial as to their benefits and there is a group of nutritionists that still believe they should not be included in our diet. The culprit for such attitude are phytoestrogens. The claim is that this substance is a cancerogenic and that by consuming it we may induce an imbalance of our hormones that exists naturally in our system. Newer studies … [Read more...]
Improving Vagal Tone For Better Mental and Emotional Health
Nerve that plays a critical role in your overall mental state and health stretches from brain base through the neck and down to abdomen. It provides a direct link between the gut and brain. It is also important in heart dynamics regulation, breathing in general and digestion. Poor emotional states like depression and anxiety are tied to the works of this nerve, and these states signal the need for … [Read more...]
How Lemon Balm Supports Microbiome Health and Whole-Body Wellness
Few people realize just how much lemon balm can benefit their well-being. Lemon balm can be used to manage stress, gastrointestinal issues, combat infections, and improve cognitive health. Lemon balm goes to work on your gut microbiome, fighting off inflammation and boosting your immunity. A variety of studies have proven the efficacy of lemon balm. It can even be used to soothe colic in babies … [Read more...]