TOP 13 PROBIOTIC FOODS

Really good video about probiotic foods that can boost your gut microbiome. Let us know if you found it useful.

Related: What Are Probiotics And Why Are They So Good For You.

WHAT ARE ADAPTOGENS - 6 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFOREHAND.

Adaptogens are a whole new level of superfood. Members of this unique class of herbs and roots have been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, lauded for their ability to reduce the effects that stress hormones can have on the body. But before you head for the supplements aisle, here are 6 things you should know about adaptogens, and what they do–and what they don’t do. 

Adaptogens don’t cure stress

Though some health gurus claim that adaptogens “cure” stress, let’s get one thing straight: adaptogens’ power doesn’t lie in reducing feelings of anxiety, but rather in decreasing the effects of hormones and other compounds that are released into the body in times of stress, such as kinase, nitric oxide, and cortisol. Adaptogens’ adeptness at reducing the presence and harmful effects of these compounds has been observed in clinical studies, such as a 2007 report from Drug Target Insights or another 2010 paper in Pharmaceuticals. 

TENDONITIS. WHAT IS IT AND HELPFUL SUPPLEMENTS.

Tendonitis (which is also sometimes spelled tendinitis) is a form of painful inflammation in the tendons, which are the chord-like parts of the body that connect muscles to bones. Usually caused by repetitive movements (like exercise or sitting in the same position for many hours), injuries or built-up inflammation over time, tendonitis can cause a lot of pain.

People who are over 40 years old tend to get tendonitis more than younger people, but really anyone can development symptoms depending on how damaged versus elastic tendons become. It’s true that as we age, our ligaments, bones and tendons slowly weaken with everyday wear and tear, so we’re more likely to experience things like muscle or joint pain. 

Tendonitis comes down to experiencing inflamed tendons that are more susceptible to stress, strain, movement and tears. Despite what most people assume, this can affect people of all ages, sizes and physical activity levels, not just serious athletes or the elderly.

Top 15 Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Really Informative video from Dr. Axe about inflammatory foods to add to your diet. We really liked it and had to share. Let us know what you think?

HOW MUCH FISH IS SAFE TO EAT PER WEEK?

Quick, guess what major food source Americans still fall way short on in their diets? If you said fish, winner, winner, seafood dinner. The average American eats only a third of the recommended eight ounces of seafood per week, according to the USDA. And that means we’re missing out on all the nutritious stuff seafood has on offer: lean protein, vitamin D, selenium, and brain-boosting, heart-healthy omega-3s.

“Personally I don’t think people eat enough fish simply because they don’t know how to cook it,” says Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet. 

But there could be another culprit: concerns about mercury. This naturally-occurring mineral can be toxic in high levels, and it tends to hang around in your body, so pros recommend limiting consumption of fish that contain a lot of it. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are warned to watch their intake because high levels of mercury can damage the developing brain and nervous system of a fetus or baby, but small children and any woman of childbearing age should be concerned as well.

POLYPHENOLS? WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT ARE THE BEST FOODS TO EAT.

Polyphenols might be one of those intriguing buzzwords you frequently read on health food labels. You add them to cart because they sound like something you should be incorporating into your diet but you’re not quite sure why. But...what exactly do they do for you?

Karen Ansel, R.D.N., author of Healing Superfoods for Anti-Aging: Stay Younger, Live Longer, says polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidant chemicals found naturally in many plants, are instrumental in protecting our cells from free radical damage, which are often attributed to chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and dementia. They’re linked to longevity, too: A 2013 study published in the Journal of Nutrition found a link between high polyphenol consumption and a 30 percent decrease in mortality in elderly adults.

Want to live long and prosper? Simply eat a plant-heavy diet, which ups your polyphenol ante significantly. You know you should be getting your five to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, but Ansel suggests distributing your plant consumption evenly across every meal, rather than having a green juice for breakfast and calling it a day. “Keep in mind that some polyphenols don’t survive all that long in the body. Eating polyphenol-rich foods at every meal and snack provides the biggest bang by delivering a steady stream to your body all throughout the day,” she says.

But because polyphenols aren’t as essential to survival as, say, minerals, there’s no prescribed daily recommended intake. Lifestyle factors, however, can act as a guide. If you smoke or live in a heavily polluted area, Ansel says you need them even more “to help your body quash and protect against the additional free radicals that are attacking your cells.”

Turmeric - Can It Help You Lose Weight?

First ginger, then matcha, now turmeric. The yellow spice often found in Indian food (and ginger’s cousin, FYI) has officially reached celebrity status, making its way into lattes in just about every trendy café and on Instagram (see: #turmericlatte or #goldenlatte). And the fad is only growing. Case in point: News broke recently that a woman supposedly died after receiving an intravenous turmeric injection, according to Forbes. Yes, an injection.

Why the sudden infatuation with an ancient root? For years, holistic health practitioners have heralded turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its active ingredient, curcumin. Studies have shown that the compound inhibits a number of molecules that play a role in inflammation in the body, and other studies have shown that inflammation has been linked to metabolic diseases, like obesity.