People always tell you to take mega doses of vitamin C when you feel a cold or the flu coming on. But while vitamin C is great for a lot of things, the proof just isn’t there when it comes to preventing respiratory illness. Instead, a new study that analyzed data on over 11,000… Continue Reading
vitamin D
New Nutrition Food Labels – What it Means for You
Do you rely on nutrition labels to help make decisions about the foods you eat? Or, do you find packaging so confusing that you ignore the label information altogether? Regardless of your approach, new and improved nutrition facts labeling finalized last week by the FDA will help you to make healthier food choices. … Continue Reading
The Fiber 4-1-1: What It Does, Why You Should Eat It & How to Get More in Your Diet
A good diet starts with including foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and fiber. Women should be consuming about 25 grams of fiber per day and men should be consuming 38 grams. Wait, but what is fiber? How do I get fiber into my diet? What does fiber do for you? Fiber… Continue Reading
Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Dementia & Alzheimer’s
For aging Baby Boomers, dementia is a disease they worry about, though many don’t know much about it. And, the biggest question on their minds is, “What can I do to prevent or delay the onset of dementia and worse, yet Alzheimer’s?” More vitamin D may be part of the solution, according to… Continue Reading
Psoriasis Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
For the 125 million people who suffer from psoriasis, it’s a constant struggle to keep this condition under control. From controlling itch, managing exposure to triggers, and feeling embarrassed about one’s skin, it can have a physical, psychological, and emotional impact on an individual. August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, and it’s high time… Continue Reading
Nutritional Supplement Use is Widespread Among Adults
Over 50 percent of the adult U.S. population uses supplements, according to the latest data from the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). This compares with 43 percent from about 20 years ago. Supplement usage was compiled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a continuous national… Continue Reading
2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Released
Although somewhat belated, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released late last month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Since 1980, the Guidelines have been updated and issued every 5 years. The 2010 Guidelines don’t represent a significant departure from government recommendations made… Continue Reading
Calcium
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. Approximately 99% of calcium is stored in the bones and teeth. Aside from supporting structure, calcium is needed for proper functioning of the heart, muscles, nerves and blood clotting. Unfortunately, only about half the population meets the daily recommendation for calcium intake. Our modern diet… Continue Reading
Oranges
(Citrus sinensis) The legacy of Oranges in the United States can be traced back to the New World’s famous discoverer – the very first oranges were introduced to the Americas by none other than Christopher Columbus. Spain produces a bitter orange, known as the Seville, and Columbus brought these sour oranges with him on his… Continue Reading
RDA for Vitamin D Increased to 600 IUs
In a newly released report, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) updated the official recommended daily intake level for vitamin D to support bone health. A 14 member expert committee appointed by the IOM established the new levels by reviewing more than 1,000 published studies and hearing testimony from scientists and stakeholders. The new… Continue Reading