Many leading health institutions and professionals prescribe the Mediterranean diet. Cultures surrounding the mediterranean sea- mainly Greece, Crete, and Southern Italy influence the diet. Health benefits include reduced risk for chronic disease and healthy aging. This is not a weight-loss diet but rather a good health diet. Hence, studies suggest that individuals following a Mediterranean […]
Sugar Alternatives
Excess sugar intake is associated with weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and poor health. What is worse it is that sugar is everywhere and in everything. It is disguised as different types of food like chips and bread (refined carbohydrates) and is added to many more (to enhance flavor). Avoiding sugar seems impossible. There are […]
Carcinogens in Meat
News about carcinogens is everywhere. It is common to find a warning sign or article about a substance that leads to cancer almost anywhere, which can be scary. Does everything cause cancer? Do we have to stop eating foods we love? And What can we do to lower our risk? To help demystify this dilemma, […]
Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Antibiotics
The human body is only about 10% human cells. The other 90% are microbial cells, most of which reside in the gut. Most microbes in the body are actually essential- they live in harmony with the body and help it survive. When an imbalance in microbial cultures occurs or infection gets a foothold, disease can […]
All About Honey
Honey has many uses in the home. It can be used as a sweeter or topping and is a popular remedy in times of illness. It can also be used to treat sore throats and skin burns, to make face masks and topical creams, and has even been studied to treat cancer. It’s Contents Honey […]
Combining Services at Santa Cruz CORE
At Santa Cruz CORE our services complement each other. Personal training and nutrition counseling, for example, go hand-in-hand when it comes to weight-loss. Corrective exercise, massage therapy, and acupuncture together can achieve greater results for treating pain. Thanks to our wide range of services, a client can combine many of our treatment modalities to better […]
Supplement of the Month: Multivitamins
Multivitamin intake is very common, more than half of Americans take some sort of multivitamin. Whether or not to take one, however, can be confusing. Some research suggests benefit, some suggest no benefit, and some suggest harm. So what’s real and what isn’t? Vitamin Deficiencies in the U.S. Before assessing the safety of a multivitamin […]
Lowering Stress Through Diet
What we eat can have a sedative or magnifying effect on stress. Furthermore, if the diet is not controlled or at least acknowledged during times of stress it can pave the way for a number of eating disorders such a binge eating and anorexia. Research shows that roughly 40% of individuals increase their food intake […]
Nutrition, Microbes, and Gut Health
There is a unique connection between the human body and microbial life. There are about ten times more microbes (like bacteria and fungi) in the human body than there are human cells. Microbes in the gut (the gastrointestinal tract), especially, play a unique role in the metabolism, immunity, and incidence of disease in humans. Diet […]
The Dangers of Diet Pills
Diet pills are available over-the-counter everywhere- the pharmacy, the grocery store, the gym. These can be tempting for anyone struggling with weight and body image problems. But one should think twice before taking pills for weight loss as they can lead to a range of health problems. Unfortunately, dietary supplements are not monitored by […]