Articles

The obesity epidemic has long been attributed to a sedentary lifestyle and a high amount of energy consumption in our diets. New evidence is emerging that bacteria and hormones in the human gut play a major role in inflammation, insulin resistance, and obesity. Some of our hormones regulate weight and body fat produced by fat tissue, the gut, and the pancreas. Disruptions in these hormones can lead to obesity. Chronic inflammation then becomes a problem for overweight people. The inflammation in the GI tract can move from inside the gut, and out to the rest of the body. This can...

The Mediterranean diet is characterized by consuming mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts, protein low in animal fat, and olive oil. Olive oil provides many health benefits including reduction in cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and even certain brain disorders. The polyphenols in the olive fruit provide the majority of the value and some of these compounds can be lost during the production process of the olive oil. The process of producing high quality olive oil is very time consuming and must be done meticulously to provide the most health benefits. To obtain the highest quality phenols, tremendous controls must be adhered to....

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is poorly digested by humans, and can easily collect in the crevices of the intestinal wall. Gluten sensitivity should not be confused with a wheat allergy, which may have nothing to do with gluten related immune reactions. Although both conditions are disorders of the immune system, wheat allergies are often outgrown by the age of three to five years old. Some studies estimate the percentage of undiagnosed (or misdiagnosed) gluten intolerance patients may be as high as 83%, with sufferers often experiencing symptoms for ten years before an appropriate...

To reduce inflammation in the body, it is imperative to eat a healthy diet, take a daily vitamins and antioxidants, and try not to be consumed by stress. Countless people are unaware that stress can actually cause chronic inflammation. Inflammation arises when the immune system is not at its optimum state. Chronic inflammation can contribute to many diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers, and even rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation also results in brain changes and has the potential to lead to sleep disturbances, depression, and cognition issues. Mindful awareness is a practice thousands of years old that involves the conscious...