What’s green, ancient, helps prevent cavities, AND lowers blood pressure? Why green tea, of course! For centuries, traditional Chinese medicine has acknowledged the health benefits of green tea. It’s been used as a stimulant, diuretic, astringent; an aid to digestion, mental health, and blood sugar regulation; and more. So, let’s take a closer look at […]
Tag: nutrition
The Role of Vitamin A in Your Immune System
During seasons when germs and viruses are circulating heavily, we can all use an extra boost when it comes to our immune systems. A strong, balanced immune system is key to warding off pathogens and recovering from illness quickly. So let’s start at the very beginning with a look at vitamin A, also called retinol. […]
Drink Your Way to Better Health
When you get sick with a cold or flu, do you head straight for the orange juice? There’s good reason, as the vitamin C it contains has the potential to lessen symptoms and speed recovery. But have you stopped to consider that there are other juices that can also provide a healthy boost to your […]
Three Simple Ways to Cut Salt in Your Diet
In culinary circles, salt is king. In addition to making food taste more flavorful, it also serves as a preservative to make food last longer. But when it comes to health, salt gets a bad rap. Salt is made up of two minerals: sodium and chloride. Sodium is the culprit that gives salt a bad […]
Nutrition and Your Immune System
Ever wondered why some people rarely get sick? There are lots of factors that contribute to a healthy immune system. There are steps you can take to bolster your body’s defenses. The most important thing to do is live a healthy lifestyle. Eating lean protein, lots of fresh veggies and fruit and limiting processed foods […]
Sugar and Your Immune System
We all know too much sugar is bad for us. Sugar promotes obesity, diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, skin aging, and a host of other ailments. It increases the risk of depression, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney failure, just to name a few. And, concerning especially during cold and flu season, eating sugar suppresses the immune […]
Sunscreen — a Necessary Evil?
We’ve talked about the sun being a double-edged sword. Similarly, so is sunscreen. While sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays in the short term, there are concerns about how the chemicals impact the body, and our environment, over time. It’s a catch-22 that’s enough to make you want to hide inside all summer! […]
Too Much Sun or Not Enough? The Vitamin D Dilemma
The sun is a double-edged sword. We hear about the dangers of overexposure: premature aging, decreased immunity, and skin cancer. Yet, not getting enough sun leads to vitamin D deficiency, which affects 42% of Americans (and may also increase the risk of cancer!). So…should we get less sun or more sun? The answer is not […]
What Causes High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, afflicts at least 75 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It’s a condition that can have widespread effects on the body, and as of 2013, costs the nation $52 billion per year in healthcare and workforce costs. What causes high blood pressure, and why is it so […]
