Glycogen is an important energy store for the body. Skeletal muscle and liver, both of which are essential to normal body function, store this important substance. Liver glycogen, for example, plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels and homeostasis. On the other hand, muscle glycogen helps in the contraction of skeletal muscle and thereby […]
Supplement of the Month: GABA
Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders are becoming more prevalent in the US population. Whether this is from an increase in awareness, in population, or daily stresses, it leaves many individuals searching for remedies and GABA might be one. What is GABA? GABA stands for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, and it is an important neurotransmitter in […]
Why Diets Don’t Work
Diet fads are everywhere and more than often they do more harm than good. Diets plans tend to be strict, restrictive, expensive, short-lived, and (when unsuccessful) discouraging. Furthermore, the alarming number of diet fads out there make nutrition and health confusing for the common individual. The most common reason to diet is weight-loss, although it […]
Supplement of the Month: Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (or cobalamin) is an important nutrient involved in nerve, cell, and metabolic functions. Vitamin B12 is used with a variety of other nutrients, like vitamin B9 (folate), and iron for the production of red blood cells. This is because both vitamins B12 and B9 connect to DNA synthesis which has a subsequent effect […]
Superfood: The Mighty Pomegranate
Humankind has long seen the pomegranate as special. The Ancient Greeks, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians all held the fruit sacred at various times throughout history. Perhaps its association with holiness (and sometimes fertility) led to its association with health. This is particularly the case in England, where the fruit appears on the crests […]
Superfoods: Cruciferous Vegetables
By now, most everyone knows that vegetables are good for health and that these are essential to a healthy diet. Unfortunately, the growing rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases (like cancer and diabetes) are a reflection on how most Americans diet. Simply put, we don’t frequent vegetables or alternate sources of protein (like plant-based protein) […]
Superfoods: All About Coconut
The Hype Over Coconut: There has been a lot of hype in the recent years about the health benefits of coconut and its products. Almost everyday a new article or blog post (like this one) is popping out with a list of coconut’s many benefits and uses. Yet some of the leading experts disagree. Moreover, […]
Nutrition is More Than Diet
Diet is only one of the many aspects that define nutrition. For this reason, Functional Integrative Nutrition (FIN) targets health status through more than diet alone. FIN takes many aspects into account including emotional state, daily activity, stress levels, sleep, genetic predispositions, and medical history on top of nutritional status. This helps paint a more […]
Nutrition Consultant vs. Registered Dietitian: What’s the Difference?
Nutrition is an evolving field of the healthcare industry that is essential to combat the growing rates of non-communal diseases (2). Non-communal diseases are those which stem from poor dietary choices and a sedentary lifestyle, also known as chronic conditions. Examples of such conditions include cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Not surprisingly, these diseases […]
Supplement of the Month: Curcumin
Curcumin is a healing substance found in the spice turmeric. Due to its medicinal properties, curcumin has been getting a lot of attention from the medical community. This awesome supplement reduces inflammation and may help treat cancer, although studies are still underway (1). Although the specific mechanisms of curcumin’s therapeutic effects are still unknown, studies […]
