Know Your Nutrients: Manganese
by Aliza Becker, BA, MPS Manganese is present throughout the body, including in the liver, pancreas, brain, and bone, and is an essential trace metal that functions as a cofactor for several enzymes to support a variety of biological processes.1 Manganese was first discovered in 1774 as an element on the periodic table; however, its […]
Superfood Spotlight: Ginger
The Superfood of All Superfoods Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a popular herb used globally, both in the culinary world and in herbal medicine. The ginger plant is thought to have originated in southeastern Asia, and its spiritual and medicinal uses date back about 5,000 years in Southeast Asia, China, and India.1 In the first century […]
Quick Guide to Plant-based Proteins
BEANS What? Legumes, such as kidney, black, pinto, and garbanzo (chickpeas) How much? Around 15 grams of protein per cooked cup (170 grams). Other nutrients? Good sources of complex carbs, fiber, iron, folate, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, and several beneficial plant compounds1,2 LENTILS What? A type of legume; small, disk shaped How much? 18 grams protein […]
Yoga 101—Common Types of Yoga
Here we will focus on defining the six main types of Asanas yoga. There are six systems of Indian philosophy: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vendanta. The Yoga system of philosophy dates back 2,500 years with the publication of the Hindu classic, Yoga-sutras, which is credited to an Indian philosopher named Patanjali, who lived during […]
Soy Beans: What the Experts Say
Soy is one of the most versatile and pervasive foods in the American diet.1 Many people consume this ingredient every day without knowing it. Baked goods, sauces, and meat and meat substitutes are just a handful of these products.2 Soybeans were first grown in Asia about 5,500 years ago but experienced a boon in production […]
Lactose Intolerance: What Causes It and How It is Managed
Lactose intolerance is a chronic condition that affects the way the gut moves milk and dairy products through the body. This disorder prevents the body from breaking down or digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.1-4 Different from a milk allergy, which is characterized by an abnormal and, sometimes, life-threating response by […]
Make a Splash this Summer with Aquatic Exercise
With summer just around the corner, a seasonal array of exercise opportunities are available to shake up your exercise routine. One way to dive into summer is by diving into the water itself. Anyone can benefit from aquatic exercise, also known as water-based exercise (WBE), because it is so versatile; there are numerous ways to […]
How to Do Four-limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana) Properly
This pose strengthens wrists, arms, abdominal muscles and lower back, which in turn improves posture and balance Start in plank pose. Hands should be directly under the shoulders with feet hip width apart and body in a straight line. Inhale. As you exhale, draw abdomen in toward your core, look forward; push […]
What’s Cooking Tonight? A Guide to Meal Kit Delivery Services
by Aliza Becker, BA, MPS Whether you are too busy to make it to the grocery store or you simply want some guidance on meal planning, meal kits are a way to craft meals from a predefined set of ingredients shipped directly to your home. Below are 5 examples to consider. 1. HelloFresh Claiming to […]
Superfood Spotlight: Garlic
Garlic has been a staple in the human diet and in medicine for thousands of years.1-3 Some might even call it the food of legends, one of that supposedly protects against everything from common colds to heart disease.1-4 Garlic was traditionally used for health purposes by people all over the world, including the Egyptians, Greeks, […]
Nutrition for Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are two separate emotional states, though they share similar symptomology. Stress is triggered by environmental factors that may be short-term (e.g., a work or school deadline, an unexpected financial hardship, a fight with a friend or loved one) or long-term (e.g., being unable to find work, caring for a chronically ill loved […]
Know Your Medicinal Plant—Lemon Balm
Scientific name: Melissa officinalis Appearance: A member of the mint family, lemon balm is an erect herbaceous perineal that grows 1 to 3 feet in height with toothed, broadly oval to diamond-shaped leaves that are wrinkled and scalloped along the edges. When crushed, the leaves have a distinct lemon scent. The quarter-inch flowers may be […]
