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Is Organic Really Healthy?
We think of organic food as healthy, but is organic really healthy? It offers certain advantages for sure, but if we believe it to be universally “healthy”, we’re being a bit naive. Much of food labeled “organic” is still processed food, so here are several reasons why organic foods may not necessarily be a guaranteed healthy choice. First of all, what’s the definition of organic? Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. It usually means the food or the ingredients in the food have been grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge (yes really! gross, but true!!), genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or ionizing radiation. In…
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Are You Making Yourself Sick with Seed Oils?
Unveiling the Health Dangers of Seed Oils. Often promoted as healthy alternatives to traditional fats like butter and lard, seed oils are found everywhere in our modern diet. Extracted from various seeds, such as soybeans, sunflower seeds, canola, and corn, seed oils have gained popularity due to their high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and low levels of saturated fats. Recent research, however, is now shedding light on the potential health dangers of seed oils. Let’s look at the risks associated with these oils and explore alternative choices for a more balanced, health-conscious diet. The Composition of Seed Oils: Oils: …
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Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables give you a ton of health benefits! Encompassing a broad variety of nutritious foods, the cruciferous family is recognized for its exceptional dietary and therapeutic qualities. You may be wondering which veggies are cruciferous. They include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, radish, rutabaga, turnip, arugula, bok choy, collard greens, watercress, mustard greens, and kohlrabi, to name just a few. Power Packed, They Have Tons of Benefits! These power-packed vegetables are rich in essential nutrients and provide a wide range of vitamins, such as Vitamin A, C, E, and K, and minerals like calcium, iron, selenium, and zinc. They are also excellent sources of dietary fiber, which aids…
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5 Ways to Improve Hair and Nail Health
Concerned about your hair and nail health? Healthy hair and strong nails go hand-in-hand. Both your hair and nails contain the same tough protein “keratin” which is responsible for creating the fibers which make your nails and hair grow and stay strong and healthy. If you take steps to improve your hair health, there’s a good chance you’ll boost your nail strength too. If you’ve ever worried about losing your hair or have issues with thinning hair, committing to caring for it is a good idea. It’s a good idea to be particularly cautious about hair care if you chemically treat your hair in any way: coloring, straightening, etc. Healthy…
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Chronic Stress Ages Your Bones and What You Can Do About It
When you think of the most common problems faced by people as they age in terms of health, you might bring up the fact that they often have weak or brittle bones. This is true, but this isn’t a problem exclusive to older people. In fact, stress ages your bones, giving you some of the same problems that might be experienced by senior citizens, and does irreversible damage to many of your bones and joints. The main culprit here is cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that gets released when you’re stressed. It’s meant to help you in the event of a short-term stressful situation, and it can do that. However,…
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Managing Obesity – What Works and What Doesn’t
Many things come into play when it comes to managing obesity. Increased physical activity over time, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes are all important. They must be combined and are all part of a new or a renewed commitment to a healthier lifestyle. When you embark on a weight loss and then weight management journey, the first thing you’ll want to do is be realistic about your expectations. It’s vital for your long-term success you acknowledge that the results you crave will not happen quickly. It takes commitment, effort, and time to transition to a healthier lifestyle that is sustainable. It’s also essential to be prepared there will be times…
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Gaining Weight Unintentionally? Here are some reasons why…
It is possible for you to be gaining weight unintentionally, and it can be really frustrating when you can’t understand why you’re gaining the weight. There are several factors that may be causing this. One or more of those factors that may surprise you. Research has shown the surprising fact that lack of sleep or of good quality sleep plays a part in causing you to gain weight while food choices remain the leading cause. Here are some of the most likely reasons you are gaining weight unintentionally. Consuming too many highly processed foods. Plain yogurt, frozen fruit, and oats are just a few of the healthy foods that…
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Your Diet and Diabetes
What about your diet and diabetes? If you take only one thing away from reading this, it should be that your diet is the single most important factor when it comes to your health! Exercise is of course important if you’re going to be as healthy as you can possibly be. However, fitness gurus, personal trainers and nutritionists will all tell you the foods and beverages you put into your body have the most significant impact on your health. Regular sleep, reduction of stress and staying hydrated also greatly influence your health. It cannot be overstated that as much as 60% to 75% of your overall fitness, mentally and physically,…
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Are You on Fire? What are the Different Types of Inflammation?
These days we hear so much about inflammation. Avoid it, reduce it, don’t do things that inflame your body and your mind. But, what exactly is inflammation; what are the different types of inflammation is it truly harmful to our health, and if so, why is it so harmful? Very simply put, inflammation is the body’s reaction to infection or tissue damage. Our bodies respond the invader to send agents to the offended/damaged site in an effort to eliminate the problem and to heal your body. Inflammation in its true and intended form is a good thing; in fact, it is a protective mechanism designed to protect you and save…
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Are TV Commercials Making You Sick?
Healthy TV commercials? The unfortunate reality is if you see it advertised on TV, chances are pretty darn good whatever they’re advertising is not truly good for you… Seriously, think about these three things and what you see on television: food, drugs, personal care products. Let’s talk about them one at a time and see what might or might not be good about them. Food Food…what do we see advertised on TV that is healthy for us to eat? Can you think of one thing? When I think of food on TV, I am hard pressed to come up with anything other than fast food, junk food and the like.…
