Nutrition

High Glycemic Brain Damage

December 9, 2017 Written by JP

You’ve heard the carols on the radio, seen the strings of light on your way home and surely, you haven’t escaped the ceaseless advertising typical of this time of year. Take cover! The holiday season is upon us. Thankfully, I’m not here to dazzle you with glowing reindeer or the latest, greatest stocking stuffers. Instead, as 2017 gets ready to bid farewell, I’d like to a share a few, free gifts with you all. If consistently applied, I’m confident these tokens of my appreciation can improve the quality of your health and life. So, don’t wait for the start of 2018 to turn a new page – begin right now to strengthen your body, mind and spirit.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Memory, Nutrition | 7 Comments & Updates

Prescription 2017: Eat More Fiber

April 11, 2017 Written by JP

When it comes to nutrition, one size does not fit all. Foods that are nourishing to some can be harmful to others. Take, for example, tree nuts. Many studies report that eating almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts regularly tends to improve the nutrient density of diets and has been linked to lower disease and mortality risk. However, if you’re allergic to tree nuts, they are essentially poison to your system. The same is true of many common and otherwise nutritious foods, including dairy, eggs and shellfish. This concept is sometimes referred to as bio-individuality. In practice, the ideal is to become aware of the foods on which your body thrives and which do not agree with you.

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Posted in Diet and Weight Loss, Heart Health, Nutrition | 16 Comments & Updates

Prescription 2017: Improving Endothelial Function

January 22, 2017 Written by JP

The allopathic treatment of poor circulation typically focuses on two areas: anticoagulant medications (aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix) and/or surgical interventions such as angioplasty and stents. Anticoagulants interfere with excessive clotting allowing blood to flow freely in a liquid state. Angioplasties and stents address circulation that is impeded by blockages or narrowing in arteries. Sometimes, these invasive and pharmaceutical measures are necessary due to advanced cardiovascular disease. However, in many cases, circulation can be effectively and safely improved by addressing an often neglected part of vascular system: the endothelium.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Heart Health, Nutrition | 13 Comments & Updates

Prescription 2016: Supplement Planning for Success

December 17, 2016 Written by JP

Dietary supplements fall into a somewhat murky part of the current healthcare pond. They’re not really food, but they generally contain elements found in food. They’re not really medications, but they often have medicinal effects. Because nutritional supplements straddle the world between traditional and modern medicine, they are frequently not used in an optimal manner.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements | 4 Comments & Updates

Prescription 2016: Natural Thyroid Support

November 29, 2016 Written by JP

According the American Thyroid Association, over 20 million men, women and children have one form or another of thyroid disease. Over the course of the average lifetime, it is estimated that about 12% of the populace will fall into this category. Perhaps the most disconcerting part of this trend is that over 60% of those living with thyroid dysfunction are unaware of it. The consequences can be quite significant, putting unwitting individuals at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, depression, infertility, osteoporosis, pre-term pregnancies and beyond.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements | 9 Comments & Updates

Coconut Flax Cereal Recipe

November 3, 2016 Written by JP

Many of my clients are looking for ways to limit carbohydrate and grain consumption. This mirrors some popular trends in the current nutritional landscape. Bestselling books such as Always Hungry?, Eat Fat Get Thin, Wheat Belly and The Whole30 recommend eating plans that are rich in healthy fats and fiber while limiting or omitting most grains – particularly those containing gluten.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Recipes | 10 Comments & Updates

Tea Seed Oil

October 14, 2016 Written by JP

In recent years, the low fat diet trend has lost a lot of steam. These days, many health authorities no longer recommend restricting dietary fat indiscriminately. Having said that, there is still a fair share of disagreement about what exactly constitutes healthy lipid sources. Just about everyone agrees that hydrogenated fats (aka trans-fats) are harmful. Likewise, most nutritional experts recommend seeking out omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in cold water fish, grass fed meat and select seeds, including flax, hemp and chia. On the other hand, saturated fats and vegetable oils tend to fall into the “questionable” category.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Nutrition | 3 Comments & Updates

Four Green Cooler

August 4, 2016 Written by JP

There’s no doubt it: green vegetables are at the peak of their popularity. They are the rock stars of the produce section! These days, nutritionists are quick to recommend them as a healthy part of just about any dietary plan, whether gluten-free, low carb or macrobiotic. Finding greens while eating out is no problem either. Most restaurants from fast food chains to gourmet eateries now feature chard, dandelion leaves, kale or spinach as side dishes and, sometimes, even as primary components of a main course. And, of course, you’ve surely seen countless juices in your local markets or natural food stores that proudly proclaim their “greenness”. There is a lot of good to be found in this trend. However, the benefits can be even greater if you make more greens at home.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Recipes | 6 Comments & Updates

Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

June 28, 2016 Written by JP

It’s cool, chocolatey and undeniably good for you! Of the three claims I just made, the first two probably won’t raise any eyebrows, but the latter one may ruffle a few skeptical feathers. After all, ice cream isn’t something you’ll find on most lists of wholesome dietary options. Even health food store varieties are probably best enjoyed as an occasional treat if only because of their sugar content. Today’s culinary creation is an exception to the status quo.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Recipes | 8 Comments & Updates

Natural Products Expo West 2016 Part Five

May 14, 2016 Written by JP

My fifth and final Expo West entry is geared towards healthier pleasures. These days, there are many faux-health foods on the market. Terms like “All Natural”, “Gluten Free”, “No Sugar Added” and “Non-GMO” are appearing on labels at an alarming rate. In some instances, this is the result of a positive shift in product composition which has largely been driven by consumer demand. So that is good cause to pat ourselves on the back. But, having said that, many of these so-called functional foods aren’t actually as health promoting as they may seem.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Product Reviews | 5 Comments & Updates

Natural Products Expo West 2016 Part Two

April 6, 2016 Written by JP

The sub-title for this blog is, “Make It Better!”. Year-in and year-out, the one thing you can count on at Natural Products Expo West is a certain degree of flash and showmanship. Many of the exhibits are quite extravagant. You’ll find everything from comic book characters to marching bands all vying for your attention. But, oftentimes, some of the better products aren’t represented in this category. Instead of following the latest trends, they simply build upon traditional wisdom and aim to improve upon it in one way or another.

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Posted in Bone and Joint Health, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 7 Comments & Updates

Natural Products Expo West 2016 Part One

April 2, 2016 Written by JP

Last month, I joined approximately 77,000 other members of the natural health community in Anaheim, California. Natural Products Expo West is an ever expanding mecca for exhibitors of all sorts of holistically-inspired body care, foods, household goods and supplements. All told there were over 3,000 exhibitors presenting their respective wares. At the same time, there was also a broad array of educational presentations on topics ranging from sustainable agriculture to the future of probiotics.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Product Reviews | 5 Comments & Updates

Crunchies Product Review

March 5, 2016 Written by JP

Why would anyone actively avoid eating fruit? For some, this question can be answered in one word: sugar. Most fruits contain a significant amount of naturally occurring fructose and glucose. But, much like other whole foods, fruit also features additional components. Fat, fiber, nutrients and a long list of phytochemicals dictate the blood sugar response and overall health impact of any given fruit. For instance, avocados are rich in both fat and fiber, which makes them an ideal choice for those concerned about blood sugar fluctuations. However, the reality is that most fruits do not contain much fat. Therefore, fruit selection ought to focus on fiber, nutrient-density and phytochemical content.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Product Reviews | 6 Comments & Updates