Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Photo by Rawpixel.com on Unsplash There’s no question about it – we’re all addicted to our cell phones. Whether we’re sending 5 texts a minute, scrolling through Facebook, or chatting with our friends about our weekend plans, we are always using our devices to stay …
Photo by Carolina Heza on Unsplash Migraines are a neurological condition that are commonly characterized by intense, debilitating headache. Symptoms include nasusea, vomiting, difficulty speaking, numbness or tingling, and sensitivity to light and sound. Researchers have not yet identified a definitive cause of migraines, but …
According to research published in the journal Science by researchers from the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, the promotion of a select group of gut bacteria by a diet high in diverse fibers leads to better glucose control, greater weight loss and better lipid levels.
The 6-year study simply provides evidence that eating more of the right dietary fibers may rebalance the gut microbiota, or the ecosystem of bacteria, in the gut that help digest food and are important for overall health.
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood sugar due to insulin production or insulin action. The most common form is Type-2 diabetes. It is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity. However, this type of diabetes can be completely avoided through lifestyle changes. For those with Type-2 diabetes, there are steps to control it and lower the risk of complications.
In the gut, it is the job of bacteria to break down carbohydrates and nourish our gut to reduce inflammation and help control appetite. Probiotics are the good bacteria in your digestive tract that are the key to healthy digestion and regularity. Levels of probiotics decrease as we age, but can also be lowered by factors like a poor diet and obesity. As the level of probiotics in our bodies decrease, problematic bacteria in the gut thrive. A shortage of short-chain fatty acids have been associated with type 2 diabetes and other diseases.
Researchers randomized patients with type-2 diabetes into two groups. One received standard patient education and dietary recommendations. The other, was given a large amount of many times of dietary fibers, while ingesting a similar diet for energy and major nutrients. Both took Acarbose, a drug used to help control blood glucose.
After 12 weeks, patients on the high-fiber diet had greater reduction in a three-month average of blood glucose levels. Their fasting blood glucose levels also dropped faster and they lost more weight.
The study supports establishing healthy gut bacteria as a new nutritional approach for preventing and managing type-2 diabetes.
Journal Reference:
Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash A new study published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, adds to what is known as the growing body of evidence that suggests pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements could play an important role in cardiovascular health, specifically heart disease. Lead …
InVite Health is excited to announce that we will be opening a new location in the Palisades Center Mall! What other vitamin company has certified nutritionist’s in-store and an AM radio program broadcast across eight stations from New York to Florida and many in between? …
The vegan diet is one of the most popular dietary lifestyles. When done correctly, the diet has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Veganism is defined as a way of living that excludes animal products – everything from food to clothing. This includes a diet devoid of animal products like dairy (eggs and milk) and meat.
While there are different types of vegan diets (raw-food, whole-food, and more) there are some concerns. A diet based exclusively on plant foods may, in some cases, increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies. There are supplements that you may want to incorporate into your vegan diet.
Be sure to speak with a nutritionist or your doctor before starting a vitamin routine!
Vitamin B12 is produced by bacteria that have become scarce in the human body. The best source of this vitamin is through meat, as the intestinal tracts of animals still contain this bacteria, allowing carnivores to reap its benefits. For those like vegans who abstain from animal products, you may need to supplement Vitamin B12 in order to offset common nutrient deficiencies. Recent studies show that a Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, light-headedness, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, and easy bruising or bleeding.†
Vitamin D is commonly known as the sunshine vitamin but up to 70% of Americans are deficient, due to low sunlight for much of the year and insufficient consumption of food sources. Without enough Vitamin D, you may become more prone to conditions like bone and muscle pain, enlarged joints, and easily fractured bones. Vitamin D has been shown to address these issues, as it helps to fill in the nutritional gaps that vegan will not receive through meat and dairy products, including milk, eggs and beef.†
“Fish and other seafood are considered the best source of fats from the omega-3 family, which include the fatty acids EPA and DHA. Most people do not get nearly enough omega-3 fats in their diet, and as a result, miss a significant opportunity to protect their heart, brain and manage inflammation throughout the body,” according to Nicole Crane, BS, NTP of InVite Health. Vegans who avoid animal products all together are at a high risk of a nutrient deficiency in omega-3s. A deficiency can be shown in symptoms including dry skin, brittle nails, attention and concentration issues, low energy levels and joint discomfort.†
Studies have shown that vegans have up to 50% lower blood iodine levels than vegetarians. Iodine is an important element needed for the production of thyroid hormones. It is found in foods like cheese, milk, yogurt and eggs. But, for a vegan, an iodine deficiency can lead to enlargement of the thyroid, hypothyroidism and pregnancy-related problems.†
Iron is needed in the body to create red blood cells and hemoglobin. It is a mineral that is an essential component of proteins and enzymes in our body. High levels of iron can be found in beef and eggs. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the U.S. is 2% in men and 9-12% in women. Symptoms include easy fatigue, loss of energy, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath and headache.†
Calcium is necessary for bone-building, a healthy nervous system, blood clotting and controlling muscles. There is strong evidence that shows that vegans consuming less than 525 mg of calcium tend to have an increase risk of bone fractures. Some fish like salmon and trout contain great sources of calcium and dairy has been shown to be a leading source, as well. A deficiency in calcium can lead to problems like osteoporosis over time.†
This mineral is crucial for metabolism, immune function, and repairing the body of cells. High levels of Zinc can be found in beef, lamb, and oysters to name a few. A deficiency in Zinc may lead to hair loss, diarrhea and delayed wound healing.†