Articles

The term “organic” is often loosely defined, and may differ region to region, although  the universal goal of organic farming (utilizing natural techniques, maintaining ecological balance, and conserving biodiversity) tends to remain the same all over the world. Furthermore, organic foods are never treated or processed using synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical additives. Organic foods have gained a particular popularity among consumers in current years, for a variety of reasons. An increase in ecological awareness accounts for a portion of this rise in popularity, as organic farming typically minimizes negative environmental consequences by forgoing potentially toxic pesticides...

Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of the main hormone produced by the thyroid gland (thyroxine or T4) and is commonly used to treat hypothyroidism. Current years have witnessed a dramatic increase in levothyroxine prescriptions. Hypothyroidism is diagnosed more frequently than ever before, possibly due to increased awareness, the availability of better diagnostic testing protocols, or even as an increase in thyroid dysfunction in the general public. Still, there remains the possibility that levothyroxine is becoming over-prescribed in the medical community. Hypothyroidism is a nuanced disorder often requiring a multi-faceted treatment plan and close medical supervision. One study reviewed over 50,000...

Iodine is a mineral used in the body by the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, [thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)]. It’s also an essential mineral required for metabolic processes, and is particularly important during pregnancy and lactation, as growing fetuses and infants require sufficient levels of Iodine in order to develop properly. Despite increased public awareness and government iodization programs, iodine deficiency remains a significant problem worldwide. Although iodine deficiency is not as common in the United States as in other parts of the world, there is some evidence to suggest it may be experiencing a resurgence in the...

The characteristics of a child’s home life that affect the child’s dietary behavior is referred to as: the family food environment. The family food environment can include everything from the nutritional knowledge of a parent, to family income, and even to food availability in the home. Lower income families with less access to healthy foods end up promoting an environment for obese children who consume mainly high-calorie and high-fat foods. In a recent study, parents were provided with nutritional information and encouraged to purchase low fat food products. The participants were given private meetings with a dietician to make the...