Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
APRIL HEALTH AWARENESS~ AN INTODUCTION TO OUR TOPIC OF THE MONTH By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT April is an interesting month when it comes to health and wellness. It’s Public Health Awareness Month, but as always, awareness months are always sharing and overlapping. …
Renalaid for Going Beyond Bladder Health Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Today’s product highlight probably seems out of place in a conversation mostly about respiratory health. However the health of our respiratory tract is inherently linked to another system. That is our immune system. Keeping …
The Greatness of Green Tea!!!
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Green tea is everywhere these days! Green tea is found in everything from tea bags to lattes and even ice cream! But as we all know these forms are chock full of sugar and additives that aren’t exactly very good for us. So what forms of green tea do we recommend? Green tea is available in tea form, tincture form and even in capsules. Personally I recommend choosing either a tincture or capsule form since they tend to be more concentrated in that form.
Green tea has been studied and been found to have many health benefits. Green tea has been found to help strengthen the immune system. Green tea has also been found to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori. Additionally green tea has been found to be effective when used to treat influenza, Herpes and adenovirus. Green tea has also been found to be effective in treating diarrhea. (1) In addition to helping against different viral infections green tea has also been found to be antifungal and is effective against Candida albicans. (2)
One topic that people frequently call with questions is regarding the topic of how to increase their White blood cell count or their immune system. Studies have found that when green tea is used for 14 or more days it can increase the white blood cell count. In one study they were particularly looking at leukocytes and found that they increased after 14 days of green tea use. (3) Other studies have found that green tea can help to increase natural killer cells and macrophages both of which are important parts of the immune system. (4)
Green tea does much more than just help our immune system fight infections – in fact studies have found that the EGCG that is found in green tea can inhibit the release of both histamine and leukotrienes. Both of these are important when it comes to both allergies and asthma. Studies have found that green tea is able to help with inflammation and can help to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines. (5)
In addition to being antibacterial studies have also found that green tea can enhance the activity of certain antibiotics thus making them more affective. For example studies have found that green tea can enhance the effects of tetracycline in its use against staphylococci. (6)
Green tea does even more than help us fight against pathogens or bad guys! A 2017 study found that green tea may help improve overall brain health, memory and even improve our mood. (7) A more recent study from 2020 found that those who used green tea had a 64% lower chance of cognitive impairment. (8)
Green tea has also been found to help metabolism and to help with our cholesterol. (9) In fact a 2022 study found that green tea use was associated with a 44% lower chance of abdominal obesity. (10) An interesting study from 2021 found that those who use green tea had a 62% lower risk of death. (11)
Overall green tea has many benefits. But how do you know which one to take? Invite has 2 forms of green tea, tincture or concentrated liquid form and capsules. To help decide which one is best for you there are some questions that can be helpful. The first question is do you prefer liquids or capsules? Are you sensitive to caffeine? What are your overall goals? Are you on any medications? Invite green tea tincture is a liquid and decaffeinated. That makes it a great choice for anyone who prefers liquids or who would prefer to eliminate caffeine. For anyone who is still confused I just want you to remind you that you can always talk to an Invite nutritionist to help find the right products to reach your goals!
Our next topic will be Bronchitis!
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Mushroom Hx Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Omelets, risotto and even salads are all places you might find mushrooms. But did you know mushrooms are also an amazing supplement for our immune system? There are so many different types of mushrooms that sometimes it can …
VEGETABLES~GREENS AND BEYOND By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT Vegetables and greens always seem to be the most difficult for people to eat enough of on a daily basis. As I’ve talked to people over the years on this subject, I’ve noticed a few …
FRUITS~NATURE’S TREAT
By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT
Fruit is one of those groups that we all know and love. In my experience, it’s always that food that most people don’t seem to have problems getting into their daily diet. However, let’s explore this delicious group further.
What exactly is a fruit? Britannica defines it as ‘a fruit is the fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a flowering plant, enclosing the seed or seeds’. While we are familiar with the traditional types of fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges and strawberries this definition broadens this association. Such foods like tomatoes, zucchini, squash and eggplant also fall under this definition.
The amount and type of fruit may change depending on one’s wellness goals and health issues. However, on average, it is recommended by the USDA (Unites States Department of Agriculture) that adults should consume 1.5-2 servings of fruits per day. The general rule is that a serving is a cup of fresh fruit or juice or 1/2 cup of dried fruit. Keep in mind that this may slightly differ depending on what fruit you are eating.
So, why is fruit so important? Fruits contain essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and C, potassium and calcium. They are also a source of fiber and help to support a healthy immune system as well as our digestion and heart. It is also easy to consume as fruit is incredibly versatile. It can be eaten raw, in a salad, cooked (some of them), added to a smoothie or even used in a concentrated powder form.
REDS Hx: This is made up of a wide variety of fruits and berries. Due to this having a low sugar content, it can be safe for those watching their blood sugar. It is perfect to add to water, plain yogurt, smoothies or plain oatmeal.
PURPLES Hx: This is similar to Reds Hx, but mainly consists of dark produce such as black cheery, blueberries, blackberries and elderberry. It can be used the same way as the Reds Hx and is the perfect complement to combine together.
ORANGES Hx: This is a great option for someone that may not like citrus or sweet, pale tropical fruits. These fruits tend to be have more of an acidic taste and can sometimes be harder for people to eat. This powder delicious and sweet in flavor, all while supplying essential nutrients like vitamins A, C and riboflavin. Try adding a scoop of this daily to water or plain Greek yogurt for a yummy and nutritious treat.
GUILT FREE FRO-YO
1 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1 scoop Purples Hx
1 scoop Reds Hx
1 teaspoon raw honey
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Freeze for 6-8 hours, or overnight. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with fresh berries. Eat as a snack or dessert and enjoy!
CREAMSICLE FRO-YO
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 scoop Oranges Hx
1/2 Tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
1 teaspoon raw honey
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Freeze for 6-8 hours, or overnight. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with fresh berries. Eat as a snack or dessert and enjoy!
www.britannica.com/science/fruit-plant-reproductive-body
www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/fruits
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324431
