Are Your Kids Missing Something In Their Diets?
Healthy kids start with eating a diet rich in foods that provide a healthy source of vitamins, minerals, and a variety of phytonutrients (or phytochemicals), bioactive plant compounds that help protect plants from environmental stressors, including insect attack and other damaging influences. Researchers continue to uncover the many antioxidant and other health-promoting benefits to humans from phytonutrients. Phytonutrients can work individually to support specific health functions, as well as work synergistically with other phytonutrients to promote overall health.
Concerned About Gluten?
Gluten concerns are on the rise. Estimates of the number of individuals with gluten sensitivities vary widely. However, those individuals with sensitivities report relief of symptoms when maintaining a gluten-free diet. Unfortunately, there are many hidden sources of gluten, making it difficult to be gluten free. According to a recent consumer research survey, 1 in 3 US adults are reducing gluten consumption or avoiding it completely.
Having Digestive Discomfort?
If you suffer from digestive discomforts that affect your daily living, you're not alone. A largely overlooked factor may be enzymesbiological catalysts that are essential to break down protein, fat, and carbohydrates and assimilate important nutrients from food.
A New Omega Fatty Acid For Heart Health
Everyone knows omega-3s are good for your heart. Two of the most important omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are often recommended to complement a healthy diet and support general cardiovascular health and overall health throughout the body.
Is Your Body Losing Muscle?
Age-related muscle loss typically begins around age 30 and accelerates in later decades of life. Physical inactivity and inadequate or low quality dietary protein intake may contribute to, and even hasten, this natural muscle loss, leading to reduced strength and function in older adults—referred to as sarcopenia. A report from the World Health Organization noted that older adults have a greater requirement for protein as a proportion of total energy intake (calories). Small interventional clinical studies have reported improvements in sarcopenia—including increased muscle mass, strength, and physical function—in older adults associated with specific dietary protein formulations that included specific amounts and types of amino acids.
Detoxify for the New Year
January is a great time to "ring out" the old. We often cap off a year of not-so-healthy habits with year-end celebrations featuring decadent foods and libations. Its no wonder that many people start each year feeling worn out and fatigued. These are also signs of a potential overload of internal "junk" you've built up from everyday chemicals and other potentially harmful substances in food, water, and air. Although the body has a natural detoxification process, we often give it more than it can handle.
Blood Sugar Concerns Start Long Before Diabetes
Do you know if you have elevated blood sugar levels? According to the American Diabetes Association, over 160 million American adults may have elevated blood glucose, putting them at increased risk to serious health concerns. Blood sugar is the basic fuel that all cells in the body use to make energy. In an optimal state, the body maintains the blood sugar level in a fairly narrow range: not too low (hypoglycemia) and not too high (hyperglycemia). Stability is important because imbalances, particularly hyperglycemia, can cause serious health problems, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Even short spikes or dips in blood sugar levels can cause symptoms that can impact daily living.