Occasional constipation is something everyone has experienced; it’s uncomfortable and we’re glad when it’s over. But chronic constipation can be more than an uncomfortable nuisance. It can be your body’s way of telling you that you need to make some diet and lifestyle changes—or risk further health problems in the future. Chronic constipation, characterized by fewer than two bowel movements per week, can lead to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fecal impaction, rectal prolapse, and possibly even an increased risk of colorectal cancers. This is why it’s so important to determine the root cau ..read more

Many people associate zinc with immunity, taking it when they feel a cold coming on. While zinc is an important part of maintaining a healthy immune system, it actually does so much more for us. In fact, zinc supports upwards of 300 bodily functions! Zinc is what’s known as an essential mineral, like calcium and magnesium, meaning your body can’t produce it on its own and you must get it from the food you eat. It is also a trace mineral, meaning you don’t actually need a lot to meet your recommended daily intake (RDA). That’s just 11 milligrams for men and 8 milligrams ..read more

Berberine is making headlines lately, for its potential to support weight loss. Some outlets have even gone so far as to call it “nature’s Ozempic.” While the latter is certainly a stretch, berberine does offer a range of health benefits with research to support them. Some of berberine’s proven impacts include blood sugar regulation in people with type 2 diabetes, cholesterol regulation, and improved liver function. Although berberine is getting its fifteen minutes, it’s actually been used in traditional Chinese, Native American, and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Berberine is a plant ..read more

Glutathione. You’ve probably never heard of it, but this powerful antioxidant has so many health benefits you’ll never forget it. If you’re frequently feeling sluggish, picking up every germ that comes your way, or are having trouble getting quality sleep, boosting your glutathione levels may be the answer. What is Glutathione? Glutathione is an antioxidant produced by the body and it is composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glycine, and glutamine. And while our bodies make it, our levels decrease as we age—as well as due to exposure to pollutants, eating a diet high in processed foods, ch ..read more

Although there are over 10,000 different kinds of mushrooms out there, only a small fraction are actually worth eating. The most common mushrooms include button, cremini, portobello, shiitake, maitake (hen of the woods), enoki, chanterelle, morel, oyster, and porcini. While each of these mushrooms have different flavor profiles and best uses, they’re all extremely nutritious. Major benefits include: 1. A Lowered Cancer Risk. According to a review of 17 cancer studies conducted between 1966 and 2020, just an 1/8 of a cup of mushrooms per day may decrease your risk of cancer by as much as 45 pe ..read more

As far as milk options go, we live in exciting times. The last ten years has been a veritable renaissance for milk alternatives, especially when you consider that up until recently, the only alternative was soy. But with so many options, it may be hard for you to figure out which milk does YOUR body good. Below, I explore traditional and alternative milk options to help you decide what works best for your health needs and goals. ANIMAL-SOURCED MILKS Conventional Cow’s Milk vs. Grassfed Cow’s Milk For those who tolerate dairy and aren’t lactose intolerant, keeping traditional cow’s milk in you ..read more

As our understanding of the gut-brain axis and the gut microbiome deepens, the more we appreciate—and seek out—probiotics. Whether you’re already taking a supplement or seeking out probiotic-rich foods, you’re likely doing so to support a healthy gut. In an earlier post I explored the purpose and value of traditional probiotics. Now it’s time to explore a type you might not have heard of: Sporebiotics. What Are They? Sporebiotics, or spore-based probiotics, are soil-based probiotic strains that occur naturally in soil. Historically our ancestors naturally benefited from these helpful strains ..read more

The average American consumes about 20 teaspoons of added sugar a day. Maybe you’re thinking “I don’t have a sweet tooth” or “I know I don’t eat THAT much sugar every day,” but sugar is sneaky and pervasive. By learning its many names, reading labels for hidden sugar, and drastically reducing or altogether eliminating your sugar intake, you’ll find out just how beneficial quitting sugar can be for nearly every aspect of your health. 1. Your BRAIN gets a big boost when you give it a break from added sugar, and it’s through its health that quitting the sweet stuff for good is really made possib ..read more

Amidst her busy and often stressful days, 38-year-old full-time counselor and mother of two Lauren Buckley realized that she just wasn’t making the time to take care of herself—and this lack of attention had resulted in flagging energy and unwanted weight gain. After other programs had failed, she signed up for the 14-DAY JUMPSTART PROGRAM where she learned what, how, and when to eat—and that healthy living is so much more than just a number on the scale. Q: You signed up for my 14-DAY JUMPSTART PROGRAM after other methods didn’t deliver lasting results. What about the previous program didn’t ..read more

If you’ve ever sipped from a bottle of Smartwater® or Gatorade, you’re likely aware of electrolytes and their connection to hydration. Perhaps you even know you need to replenish them after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting—or when you have a hangover. So, while you know they’re important, you may not realize exactly how—or what they are. What ARE Electrolytes? In the nutrition world, the term electrolytes encompasses a number of specific minerals found in your blood, sweat, and urine, that when dissolved in said fluid, create positive or negative ions that help your body perform essential funct ..read more