Month: December 2018

“You are what you eat,” has never been a more important statement, given the latest science in digestive health. Decades of research has confirmed the role the gut plays in your health. A healthy gut can boost your mood, energize your metabolism, and support a vigorous immune system, among other things. On the other hand, an unhealthy gut may do the opposite. And yet it all comes down to this: you need an ample supply of digestive enzymes to break down food into nutrients the body can use.

Everyone produces digestive enzymes naturally, but some people’s bodies do not make enough due to poor diet, chronic conditions, stress, or age. Without enough digestive enzymes, your body can’t digest food properly, leading to bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea, among other symptoms. If your body can’t digest food, you can also end up with lower nutrient absorption, which can lead to deficiencies.

In…

When people talk about sodium, they usually mean table salt — technically, sodium chloride. Around the world, people use salt to add flavor and verve to savory dishes. We eat salt because the body requires it to send nerve impulses from the brain to the body, enable muscle contraction, and act as an electrolyte, regulating your blood pressure and blood volume.

However, most people get too much salt. Your physician or dietitian may have told you to lower your sodium intake to bring your blood pressure under control, or you may want to limit salt intake to counteract health problems. The body requires less than 500 milligrams of dietary sodium daily for good health, yet most Americans consume 3,400 milligrams per day! Many foods have strong, vibrant flavor without needing additional salt to enhance their taste, and here we share the best options.

What Is Sodium & Why Do We Need It?

When it comes to the cooking oil in your cupboard, plant-based oils made from fruit, seeds, nuts, and grains are the way to go. They are a healthier choice than animal fats which have all the health disadvantages of meat. From familiar olive oil to exotic macadamia oil, plant-based oils can be rich and flavorful or light and neutral. You can use them for sautéing, frying, baking, roasting, and drizzling on salad.

However, not all cooking oils are created equal. They all offer different benefits (or detractions) to your health. And, depending on your intended use, some work better for high heat cooking while others are better for low-temperature baking or salad dressings. Here is what you need to know to make the best choices for your health.

Why Using Healthy Oil Is Important

Our bodies require three types of macronutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Cooking oil, which is liquid fat, is a convenient source…