Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
You may have heard of the nutrient colostrum as “the first milk”, but do you know about all of its powerful benefits? Learn about why you need colostrum during cough and flu season and beyond from Amanda Williams, MPH.
Have you ever wondered what your body is made of? Learn about the essential elements and minerals that keep your body functioning.
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH.
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Phytochemical compounds are a very intriguing area of research when it comes to nutritional medicine, as well as mainstream medicine. One particular food-based nutrient that is highly regarded as having so many different medicinal purposes in the human body is bromelain. Bromelain is one of my favorites to keep up to date with the research because it has been around for so long and it is so well-regarded in the scientific community with all of its different properties. I want to talk about that in some detail today and give you some background on what bromelain actually is.
Bromelain is this complex mixture of different proteases. Proteases, or proteolytic enzymes, aid in the breakdown of proteins in the body. This is beneficial. This is why we come naturally-equipped with protease. When we’re digesting food, for example, they aid in that initial breakdown.
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Bromelain is extracted from the stem of the pineapple which is why, for many people, when they eat pineapple, they may feel like their digestive system is more responsive. Keep in mind, you are getting bromelain from the actual fruit itself, but the majority of that very powerful constituent of those mixed-blend proteases are coming from the stem itself.
Learn about the historical background of bromelain by tuning into the full podcast episode.
It’s really quite interesting when we think about proteolytic enzymes and how incredibly important they are when it comes to so many different functions in the human body. When we think about bromelain belonging to this group of digestive enzymes, for example, then we can say that it is good for the GI tract.
But we also recognize that bromelain has many other different compounds that actually help to potentiate these powerful health benefits. It has things like phosphatase, glucosidase, peroxidase, cellulase and all of these different proteases. What we know is that the body can absorb a significant amount of bromelain, which is very important because when we’re taking bromelain as a supplement, there are different reasons as to why you would be taking it and how you would take it. This makes a big difference.
Researchers did a study back in 1997 published in the American Journal of Physiology where they were looking at the intestinal absorption of undegraded protein, as well as the presence of bromelain and what that would actually do. They found that when they gave people bromelain, this actually helped in terms of a significant intestinal transport of those undegraded proteins, which is really key. It was showing that proteolytic property.
We also know that when we are utilizing bromelain, because it’s targeting all these different pathways, that it’s actually very beneficial for targeting inflammation. We know one thing about inflammation is that chronic low-grade inflammation is that driving force to each and every single chronic disease out there. When we are thinking about something from nature that can aid in digestion but can also target inflammation, this is why bromelain is touted as being, in a sense, a kind of superfood in its own right.
Listen to the full podcast episode for more details on the research behind the benefits of bromelain.
I am a fan of using bromelain as a supplement a couple of different ways. One is for digestion. If someone has a heavy protein meal, like a steak, then they would want to take that bromelain along with that food because it will help with that processing down of that protein. If we are talking about inflammation, I always recommend taking the bromelain on an empty stomach so we can really get those powerful proteases, as well as all those other compounds, into the bloodstream more effectively. In doing that, you will be able to better target those avenues for inflammation, as well as giving a heightened ability for the immune system to respond more properly.
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!
How do you know which protein – Whey Protein or Collagen – is beneficial based off of your specific needs? On today’s episode we are going to discuss instances where protein would be beneficial.
Protein is one of the basic building blocks of the human body and is essential for things like healthy skin, muscle building, energy and more! Whey Protein is the best source, in order to reap all of the benefits of its important amino acids.
You may think that having healthy hair means you need to use the right products on your hair itself. But what if we told you that healthy hair begins on the inside, with specific hair care nutrients?
Your hair growth, strength and brightness depends on many factors. But most important are the nutrients supplied from your diet, as what you consume is broken down in the bloodstream and circulated to your scalp.
Here’s how it works. Your hair consists of the protein keratin, which is built up by amino acids. During digestion, high-protein foods (like eggs, meat and fish) are broken down into amino acids and circulated into the bloodstream. They are then rearranged to be built up into keratin in the cells of the hair. Simply put – our hair is what we eat. Because of this, there are a few superior hair care nutrients that have been recommended by health and hair care experts for healthy, strong hair.
As mentioned above, your hair is constructed mainly of protein. So it makes sense that a diet that does not have enough, may cause dull, brittle hair. There are protein-rich foods you should include into your diet, like egg yolks, kale, beans and chicken.
If you are looking for superior hair care nutrients, there is no better protein than Collagen. It is the most important element in our skin; 70% of our skin is made of sheets of Collagen. But by our late 20s, our skin loses Collagen at a rate of 1.5% per year!†
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MSM, or Methyl Sulfonyl-Methane, is a sulfur found naturally in our bodies and certain plants. It has the ability to enhance collagen and keratin, as it is high in the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine is the key element responsible for rebuilding skin and hair tissue. MSM can be found in foods like cabbage, broccoli, kale, onions and garlic.
For those turning to supplementation, a non-GMO MSM supplement can also support the health of your respiratory tract, skin, muscles and circulatory system. It has even been shown to support joint health.†
Zinc is an essential mineral required by the body on a daily basis. A healthy supply of zinc helps our immune and nervous systems run smoothly. As a hair care nutrient, it has been shown to regulate hormones in the body and maintain the production of oil-secreting glands on the scalp that help your hair grow. Zinc can be found in chickpeas, oysters and beef.
Zinc Picolinate is the most highly-absorbable form of zinc. This is important, as zinc’s absorption into the body is complex; the body requires zinc to first pass through intestinal membranes, then the bloodstream, and finally into each individual cell. Talk about a difficult initiation!†
You have probably heard of Biotin in your hair care research. This is for good reason! Biotin is one of the most popular B-Complex vitamins and hair care nutrients that have been shown to help restore shine and thickness to your hair. Studies have shown that too little biotin in the body can cause brittle hair and may even lead to hair loss. You can find B-vitamins in whole grains, eggs, avocados and legumes.
A superior non-GMO Biotin supplement can also support energy creation, muscle maintenance and be useful for supporting blood sugar levels. This is because biotin has the ability to metabolize carbs and fats that are absorbed into our body, into metabolites that the body can use for energy. Shout out to biotin, the infamous hair care nutrient!
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For years, health experts have been touting the benefits of fats from fish and rightfully so. Omega-3’s are considered to be the best source of fats, as they are nourishing for our bodies both inside and out. These essential hair care nutrients can reach both the hair shaft and cell membranes in our scalp, nourishing the follicles and promoting healthy hair growth. Plus, studies are showing that omega-3’s have the ability to add elasticity to your hair, preventing breakage and even some hair loss! Your body can’t produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own, so turn to flax seeds, salmon, walnuts and tuna for your intake.
If you need more omega-3’s in your diet, supplementing with Krill oil can be a great choice to supply important hair care nutrients. Krill oil supplements are superior suppliers of EPA and DHA. In Krill, these fish oils are attached to phosphatides, which shield them from digestive juices that can cause damage, and helps improve their absorption. A superior Krill oil supplement is non-GMO and made from fish gelatin capsules, to protect the capsule and offer superior absorption and bioavailability.