Posts Tagged ‘Iron’

Natural Energy Boosters

August 3, 2012 Written by JP

One of the top five questions I’m asked has to do with natural, non-stimulating ways to increase energy. Most people are looking for fatigue fighters that do not contain caffeine (coffee) or related stimulants such as theobromine (cocoa). My first response is to establish whether there was a recent medical exam to rule out potential causes of low energy. Some serious health conditions such as heart, kidney and liver disease can result in fatigue. In addition, disorders involving red blood cells (anemia) and hyper or hypothyroidism may also be contributing factors.

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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutritional Supplements, Women's Health | 18 Comments & Updates

Kiwi Fruit Revelations

February 6, 2012 Written by JP

Nutritionists often advocate more fruits and vegetables in the average person’s diet. This is good, albeit incomplete advice. It’s kind of like saying, “Walking is a great form of exercise”. However, walking in a lush park is far more advisable than walking alongside a polluted downtown street. Likewise, increased consumption of just any fruits and vegetables won’t necessarily promote better health. Rather, focusing on low-glycemic, nutrient dense produce is a much better strategy. In practical terms, this means opting for leafy green vegetables instead of potatoes and fruits like kiwis instead of bananas.

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Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Women's Health | 12 Comments & Updates

Wheatgrass Juice Research

November 11, 2011 Written by JP

Wheatgrass juice (Triticum aestivum) is one of the more popular “super greens” included in dietary supplements and offered in juice and smoothie bars throughout the world. What’s more, if you browse the Internet you’ll find countless sites dedicated to extolling the virtues of daily wheatgrass therapy. But, anecdotal testimonials and brisk sales aren’t exactly a solid basis for making an informed decision about any given food or supplement. Fortunately, there is also a growing body of scientific research that can assist anyone interested in seriously evaluating wheatgrass.

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Posted in Detoxification, Food and Drink, Nutritional Supplements | 2 Comments & Updates

Essential Minerals

January 27, 2010 Written by JP

My parents, Giuliana and Gianfranco, have contributed greatly to my understanding of natural medicine. Anyone who knows my folks will tell you that they’re among the most generous and kindhearted people you could ever hope to meet. Being exposed to that type of example has obviously been of tremendous value. But perhaps the most important gift they’ve given me with respect to my profession is allowing me to learn through their experience. They’ve placed their faith and trust in me as a consultant in most of their health care decisions. Part of this long term arrangement involves me designing a tailor-fit diet, exercise routine and supplement program for them both. Along the way, I’ve learned some lessons – chief among them is that it’s absolutely vital for me to fully comprehend and explicitly convey why I recommend what I recommend. Read more »


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Posted in Diabetes, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 22 Comments & Updates

Breast Cancer and Iron

November 23, 2009 Written by JP

One of the top news stories of this past week involved a proposed change in the current breast cancer screening protocol. Mammograms have been generally recommended for all women 40 years and up. However, new guidelines announced by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now suggest that routine testing begin a decade later, at age 50. At the moment there is a passionate debate about whether or not this recommendation and others, such as only having a mammogram every two years instead of one, would result in equivalent or improved health outcomes in older women. But controversy is no stranger to the field of breast cancer research. The topic of breast cancer prevention is perhaps the hottest issue in this category. Some experts are confident that dietary and lifestyle factors can, in fact, impact the odds of a women developing breast malignancies. Other researchers subscribe primarily to the notion of “genetic destiny”. In their minds, whether you get cancer or not is a essentially a roll of the dice. If you happen to have a family history of breast cancer, the dice are loaded against you. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutrition, Women's Health | 9 Comments & Updates

Lactoferrin and Anemia

August 4, 2009 Written by JP

Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies are more obvious than others. This is both a blessing and a curse. Nobody looks forward to feeling or seeing the effects of poor nutrition. On the other hand, if obvious signs of nutrient deficiencies or malabsorption can be identified, proactive steps can be taken to address the problem. Anemia is a rather common nutritionally influenced condition. It is often caused by an iron deficiency which plays an essential role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. If there isn’t enough iron and hemoglobin (an oxygen carrying protein) present, symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, hair loss, irritability, muscle weakness and spasms, poor cognitive and immune function, and skin problems often manifest. The obvious solution for many people is to simply supplement with therapeutic levels of iron. But on occasion, iron absorption is compromised and/or gastrointestinal side effects prevent good adherence to this vital therapy. Read more »


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Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutritional Supplements, Women's Health | 51 Comments & Updates