Chromium Supports Healthy Weight, Muscle & Blood Sugar – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 199
Chromium is an important mineral that is needed to metabolize fats, carbs and protein and change them into energy.
Tag: blood sugar
How Cinnamon and Corosolic Acid Support Healthy Blood Sugar Levels – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 144
There are two plant ingredients that have been clinically studied for their benefit for people with elevated blood sugar – the bark of the cinnamon tree and a plant that grows in the Philippines called banaba that contains corosolic acid. Here’s what you need to know.
The Many Health Benefits of Flaxseed Powder – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 141
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH
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When we think about superfoods, one food in particular should come to mind and that is flax. Let’s talk about all of the medicinal benefits of this important superfood.
What is Flaxseed?
Flaxseed is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids that comes from the plant kingdom. It has been used throughout history not only for its culinary uses but also its numerous health benefits. Not only does Flaxseed contain essential fatty acids, but a multi-spectrum of nutrients it contains, including ALA, protein, dietary fiber, lignans, phenonic compounds, vitamins and minerals. This includes vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C, Magnesium, and Potassium for example. This is why flaxseed is considered a superfood.
- Antioxidants can help target oxidation†
- Omega-3s can help target inflammation†
- Phenolic compounds support cellular health†
- Supports cardiovascular and brain health overall†
The lignans found within flax are quite interesting. Flax has up to 800 times more lignans than any other plant food. Lignans are powerful antioxidants that also act as phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens), which is why it has been studied extensively for its benefit in balancing and supporting hormones in both men and women. For women who are experiencing menopause and hot flashes for example, research has found that when women increase their dietary intake of flaxseed, their symptoms begin to diminish.†
Back in 2019, the journal Nutrients published a study that looked at the impact of dietary flaxseed on human health. This was a very detailed research study where researchers were discussing how little was known about all of the health related benefits of flaxseed.
Supplementing with Flax
An organic flaxseed powder supplement makes obtaining flax everyday extremely easy. One scoop sprinkled onto your food, like yogurt, is a delicious way for you to get that punch of antioxidants that this superfood can offer. Ground flaxseed can be extremely beneficial in terms of helping to regulate blood glucose, due to its high fiber content.†
Thank you for tuning in to the Invite Health Podcast. You can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting www.invitehealth.com/podcast. Make sure you subscribe and leave us a review! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Invite Health today. We’ll see you next time on another episode of the Invite Health Podcast.
Questions about this powerful superfood? Leave us a comment below to join the discussion!
Grape Seed Extract for People with Diabetes, Part 2 – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 75
In part 2, Jerry Hickey, Ph. discusses the number of things Grape Seed Extract can do for you if you have diabetes, including studies that show its benefit for blood pressure and vision health.
Grape Seed Extract for People With Diabetes, Part 1 – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 74
People with Diabetes have many issues related to inflammation. The pip (seed) of white grapes is loaded with very powerful antioxidants that have been shown to reduce cellular inflammation, especially Grape Seed Extract.
Can Intermittent Fasting Help Ease Metabolic Syndrome?
Photo by siora18 on unsplash
According to the American Heart Association, metabolic syndrome affects about 23% of adults and places them at higher disk of a number of heart concerns. A new study now says that eating within a certain time window – intermittent fasting – can help tackle that.
What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a number of risk factors for serious conditions including diabetes, heart disease and stroke. This condition may be present when individuals have tested positive for three or more of the following risk factors —
- Abdominal obesity
- High blood levels of triglycerides
- Low blood levels of ‘good’ HDL cholesterol
- High blood pressure (or use of medication to treat it)
- High blood sugar levels after overnight fast (or use of diabetes medications)
According to the American Heart Association, “when a patient presents with these risk factors together, the changes for future cardiovascular problems are greater than any one factor presenting alone.”
The association provides a number of ways to address metabolic syndrome –
- Adopt a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, skinless poultry and non-fried fish, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Avoid processed foods.
- Incorporate at least 150 minutes of moderately vigorous physical activity into your weekly routine.
- Lose weight by educating yourself on the importance of calorie intake.
But losing weight and getting back on track can prove difficult. For the first time, a new study published in the journal Cell Metabolism has focused on the impact time-restricted eating has on losing weight, managing blood sugar and blood pressure for people with metabolic syndrome.
Could you be at risk for Metabolic Syndrome? 1 our of 3 people are. Here’s what you need to know >>
The Study
Co-corresponding study author Dr. Pam Taub of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine reports, “People who have metabolism syndrome/prediabetes are often told to make lifestyle interventions to prevent progression of their risk factors to disease. These people are at a crucial tipping point, where their disease process can be reversed. However, many of these lifestyle chances are difficult to make. We saw there was an unmet need in people with metabolic syndrome to come up with lifestyle strategies that could be easily implemented.”
In a small study of 19 participants, participants could eat what they wanted within 10-hour windows. They decided how much to eat and when they ate as long as they “restricted their eating to a window of 10 hours or less.” In other studies, this time window was proven effective with mice. Most of the study participants had obesity and 84% were taking at least one medication.
According to Dr. Taub and researchers, as they started to follow to this time-frame, participants reported more energy and better sleep. After three months, participants displayed a 3% weight and body mass index reduction (on average) and a 3% loss of abdominal, or visceral, fat. All of these improvements, says Dr. Taub, reduce the participants risk of cardiovascular disease.
Many participants also showed a reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as improvements in fasting glucose.
Dr. Taub recommends that anyone interested in trying time-restricted eating speak to their healthcare provider first, especially if they have metabolic syndrome and are taking medication, as weight loss may mean that medications require adjustment.