Tag: health
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Persimmon: a Nutritious, Fruity Gem
Persimmon is an Asian specialty or “rare” fruit, available in several varieties, classified broadly by sweetness or astringency. Two of the most common are Fuyu and Hachiya. Persimmons are packed with antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants can help counteract oxidative stress in the body, which has been…
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Navigating Change in Uncertain Times
Here’s a truth we’re all facing: none of us is invincible against the winds of change. But we also don’t have to be defenseless. When confronted by tumultuous times, as we have been in 2020, we each have the power to make choices that can move us through uncertainty and difficulty. Regardless of how change…
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Resveratrol’s Protective Potential for the Kidneys
Found in plants such as grapes, berries, peanuts, and red wine, resveratrol is a biologically active compound that acts like an antioxidant, protecting the cells from damage due to toxins, aging, Type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Now, science is looking at how resveratrol may influence the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It’s important to…
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Traditional Chinese Medicine and Kidney Health
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a quite different perspective on the form, function, and health of the body, mind and spirit. Thousands of years old, TCM holds that a vital force of life, called Qi, surges through the body. Any imbalance to Qi can cause disease and illness. Imbalances are caused by an alteration in…
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Milk Thistle
For over 2,000 years, Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used as an herbal remedy for digestive, liver, kidney, and gallbladder conditions. The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, which can be extracted from the seeds of the plant. Research has shown milk thistle has a protective effect on the liver and similar findings have been…
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Is a High Protein Diet Unhealthy for Your Kidneys?
Healthy kidneys can efficiently process protein. However, over-consuming protein can add unnecessary strain on these organs. If you have risk factors for kidney disease, or have an undetected problem, the strain created by consuming too much protein could result in a serious acute or chronic kidney disorder. What do the kidneys do with dietary protein?…
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Glycosaminoglycans Play a Vital Role in Joint Support
Several types of glycosaminoglycans or GAGs play important roles in the vitality of the joints. Though produced by the cells in the body, aging and injury deteriorate the viscosity of these compounds within the joint and contribute to OA. Because GAGs are vital to healthy joints, we often need to look to supplements or treatments…
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Lathered in Mud: Ancient Treatment for Stress and Pain
Imagine lying on a massage table, a thick layer of mud smoothed across your skin with long deep strokes to help it sink in. For thousands of years, Traditional Medicine has considered “mudding” (aka mud bath, mud wrap) therapeutic for the skin, joints, muscles, and the mind. Today, in spas around the world, mud-based treatments…
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Recipe: Organic Bone Broth for Wellness
Nutrient-dense, home-cooked bone broth is easy and inexpensive to make. The key ingredient, of course, is the bones. Whether you choose chicken, duck, turkey or beef bones, select organic and grass-fed whenever possible. The key benefit of bone broth is the minerals extracted from the bone; you want to be sure you have the best…
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Truly Wild Blueberries Offer Superior Health Benefits
There are blueberries that you buy at the market or grow in your yard and then there are wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium). Truly wild blueberries are grown in glacial soil in northern New England and along the Atlantic Coast of Canada. Also known as “lowbush blueberries,” these berries are distinct from cultivated blueberries (aka highbush)…