Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
You’ve probably heard of the microbiome and good bacteria before, but do you know what role they play in your body? Learn about how your microbiome impacts digestion, immunity, skin health and so much more from Amanda Williams, MPH.
Antinutrients are components of food that may block the absorption of minerals, but does that mean you should avoid them? Not necessarily. Learn about the pros and cons associated with antinutrients from Jerry Hickey, Ph.
fat loss
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey, Ph.
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A recent article in the journal Obesity Facts discusses evidence that grape seed proanthocyanidins may have an anti-obesity effect by helping with fat loss. There has long been evidence that taking grape seed before a meal can reduce the absorption of sugar from your food, which can be helpful for diabetics and prediabetics. It would make sense that a healthy blood sugar would relate to fat loss and weight management.†
A study conducted in Spain looked at rats. Researchers began feeding cafeteria food to these rats, causing their blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides to increase, as well as their weight. They became addicted to the sugar found in the cafeteria food. If the researchers gave the rats high-dose grape seed extract, it affected their food intake. This occurred because the rats began to release something called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).†
FORGO FAST FOOD FOR YOUR OVERALL HEALTH – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 278. Listen Now>>
GLP-1 is a hormone made out of amino acids. When you eat food, you release GLP-1, which lowers your blood sugar and helps contain your appetite. This, in turn, can lead to fat loss and overall weight loss. GLP-1 does not function properly in diabetics, so this is something many researchers are trying to target with medications. Grape seed extract helps with GLP-1 activity and helps contain your appetite.†
When you eat a carbohydrate, like beans, rice, pasta or cake, the sugars are released, but they’re not magically absorbed. They don’t just passively diffuse across the lining of the intestines or enter into your bloodstream through the liver. They have to be nipped and tucked. There are enzymes in your saliva and small intestines that do this. These enzymes are broken up into two families called alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase.†
Grape seed works to help block the absorption of sugar by attaching to these enzymes. Even though you can taste your food, you’re not absorbing the sugar from the food. This has been shown to help people who have prediabetes or diabetes. If they’re absorbing less sugar, it’s easier for them to control their blood sugar. This also assists with fat loss and maintaining a healthy weight. Green tea is also good for this, so if you add the two nutrients together, you can really block the absorption of a lot of sugar.†
GRAPE SEED EXTRACT FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES, PART 1 – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 74. Listen Now>>
In this episode, Jerry Hickey, Ph. discusses whether there is a possibility that grape seed can help people lose some excess fat if you use it appropriately. He shares studies indicating that grape seed may help with fat loss, as well as blocking the absorption of sugars from food.†
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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.
Amino acids are necessary for proper brain function, heart function, blood pressure and more. It’s important to get an adequate amount of these nutrients in order to support your body. The good news is that there are supplements you can turn to to help.
Have you been taking care of your immune system? There are important nutrients that the body needs to properly defend itself from invading cells. Learn about the factors that can help or harm the immune system.
immune system
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey, Ph.
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Our immune system has many jobs. Right at the peak of all of those jobs is protecting you from the outside world. The immune system is designed so it can find and kill foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. When it’s working well, your immune system is strong enough to prevent you from getting sick when you’re exposed to germs. But there are many factors that impact your body’s immunity.†
About 70% of your immune cells come in contact with your digestive tract, so the shape of your microbiome can impact the way your body defends itself. The microbiome refers to all of the organisms that live with us and use us as their home. Most of this is bacteria, but there is also yeast and viruses. These visitors outnumber us manyfold.†
The organisms in our microbiome certainly impact our health. For instance, when there’s an imbalance in bacteria on the scalp, you experience dandruff. You have to take care of the multitude of organisms that live in your intestines because they are the easiest to shape. This, in turn, will impact the bacteria on your skin, in your lungs, in your bloodstream and elsewhere.†
There are good strains of bacteria as well as bad strains. When there is an excess of bad strains, this can cause inflammation or infections. On the other hand, studies have found that good strains of probiotic bacteria can help promote good immune system function to help fight off viruses and colds, even in very elderly people. These good bacteria help contain the bad ones and calm the immune system, helping to fend off allergies, bacteria, viruses and other harmful cells. You can promote the health of your microbiome by following a good, nutrient-rich diet like the Mediterranean diet, eating some fermented foods and taking a probiotic supplement.†
THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS FOR ALLERGIES – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 124. Listen Now>>
Your sleep cycle is very important. You have an internal clock called the circadian rhythm. It is controlled by the hypothalamus, which is found in the back of the brain. Your sleep cycle can be thrown off if you go to bed at all different times, drinking alcohol and exercising too late at night.†
Sleep is important because it gives your immune system a chance to recharge. Then, in the morning, when you’re waking up, your immune system needs to be more active because you are often in public and around more people and possible contaminants. When your sleep cycle is inappropriate, the immune system gets muddled and it may become active at the wrong time, making it easier to catch bacteria or viruses.†
SLEEP IS SLEEP, RIGHT? WRONG! – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 342. Listen Now>>
There are nutrients found in food that can help promote our body’s ability to defend itself. Curry, for instance, has turmeric, which is rich in alkylamines. Alkylamines look like the outside of the virus, so this helps to wake up and activate the immune system. Green tea is also beneficial because it contains polyphenols called catechins. These catechins are also alkylamines. Green tea can also help to weaken viruses and mobilize certain immune cells. Mushrooms are also beneficial as they contain ergothioneine, which is arguably the most powerful natural antioxidant known to science. They also have Vitamin D and beta 1,3 glucan that help adjust the immune system.†
In this episode, Jerry Hickey, Ph. explains multiple factors that impact the body’s ability to defend itself from invading bacteria, viruses and more. He details the importance of taking care of your digestive tract, getting good quality sleep and eating the right foods. Tune in tomorrow for part 2 of this podcast!†
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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.