Say "Halo" to Healthy!

Jessica Bippen, MS, RD, inspires us to cool down with this refreshing mango raspberry popsicle recipe with beauty-enhancing ingredients. Ditch store-bought popsicles and beat the summer heat with these homemade mango raspberry popsicles. They’re naturally sweet and tangy with a touch of creaminess from coconut milk. And unlike most popsicles, these are made with 100 percent real fruit and no added sugar. Whether you eat one for a healthy midday treat or grab one for breakfast, they’re the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day while giving your skin some extra love! Bonus: They couldn’t be easier to make! Beauty-Boosting Popsicle Ingredients Popsicles may seem like a healthy treat. But don’t be fooled by the “made with real fruit” marketing! Most store-bought options are just sugar water with added food dye—not exactly beauty food. Instead of reaching for one of the artificially flavored frozen treats, try out this mango raspberry popsicle recipe. They require only five sim

Free radicals make you age more quickly. Here are three easy steps you can take to combat them and enhance your overall health and vitality. While you may not know the term “free radicals,” you’ve seen the damage they cause. Cut open an apple and leave it on the counter for a few minutes. It will turn brown. That’s free radical damage. “In the body, an imbalance of free radicals can damage healthy cells. It’s kind of a ‘rusting from within.’ And this process is a major part of aging and just about every degenerative disease you can imagine,” explains health and nutrition expert Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS.  Some free radicals are produced by our own metabolism and are necessary for our bodies to function properly. “But the damage caused by an overabundance of free radicals is cumulative. That can result from what we eat, from our environment, and from physical stress,” cautions Bowden. “As we age, our bodies are less effective at neutralizing the damaging effects of free radicals.” Bowd

A leading doctor who has studied vitamin D for years estimates that 80–90 percent of Americans have low levels of vitamin D—including those who live in sunny climes. Most people feel more energized after taking vitamin D for 4–6 weeks. Can summer sun give you enough vitamin D? Chances are, no. “Most people don’t get enough unprotected sun exposure to make enough vitamin D,” says Ken Redcross, MD, a holistic physician and author of Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your Doctor . Based on research and his years of experience in routinely testing patients’ vitamin D levels, Redcross estimates that 80–90 percent of Americans are low in the sunshine vitamin, even in warm Southern states. Fatigue, anxiety, recurrent infections, and feeling “not yourself” are common signs. In science speak, vitamin D is a “prohormone,” meaning a hormone precursor. Redcross explains it this way: “Think of it as the key to opening genes that have healing powers.” Most imm

Curious about the different kinds of birth control? How about what you can expect from each? We asked two OB-GYNs all about the pros and cons of seven types of birth control for women. By the end of this article, we hope you’ll have a better sense of which kind may work best for you. But first, let’s set the record straight on a common myth about birth control and fertility. Does birth control affect fertility later in life? You may have heard that taking birth control can wreak havoc on your chances of conceiving a child. Yet according to Barry R. Witt, MD—a board-certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist—that’s simply not the case. “Contraceptives have no long-term negative impact on fertility,” reassures Dr. Witt, who’s also a medical director at WINFertility and has been offering reproductive care for over 25 years. “These include oral contraceptives, IUDs, and contraceptive implants.” However, irreversible sterilization procedures—such as bilateral tubal ligation (BT

This fresh, light menu features easy gluten-free recipes, including gluten-free fried chicken and grilled corn guacamole (yum!). Sultry afternoons and warm, starry nights lend themselves to al fresco dining. With the pandemic, you might not be eating out—but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a restaurant-style meal in your own backyard or patio.  Focus on light fare that celebrates summer produce, such as arugula, fresh herbs, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn. Lighten up the mayo in your side salad recipes, and use low-fat Greek yogurt, lime juice, or a tangy vinaigrette. For dessert, offer fresh, in-season fruits: serve a colorful combo of melons and berries in a simple fruit salad, or skewer and grill chunks of pineapple. For beverages, try pitchers of mint lemonade, sparkling water mixed with mango juice and pomegranate seeds, and iced hibiscus tea with lime. Celebrate summer with these recipes for fresh, clean-and completely natural-takes on cookout classics. You’ll defi

Have you ever wondered what face serum you should use? Or even if you should use one, for that matter? If so, consider this your ultimate guide to serums. To understand this powerhouse product and navigate the different types, we reached out to Caroline Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology in Chicago. What is facial serum? Serums are highly concentrated skincare products that have a heightened ability to penetrate the skin. For these reasons, they’re able to supercharge progress based on your needs. “Serums are one of my favorite skincare products,” Dr. Robinson shares. “They come in liquid, clear, gel, and oily forms. They’re usually light and contain different active ingredients targeted to your skin concerns, including breakouts, aging, hyperpigmentation, pollution, fine lines, wrinkles, repair, and more.” You can think of serum as a star quarterback or the anchor leg in a relay race. Essentially, it can be your best, most potent ally in

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about the best diet for Hashimoto’s. You don’t have to look hard to find supplements, random dietary restrictions, and promises that a certain diet can ‘reverse’ your Hashimoto’s in a matter of weeks. But is there a specific diet for Hashimoto’s? Which nutrients are people with Hashimoto’s likely… Read more The post What’s The Best Diet for Hashimoto’s? appeared first on Abby Langer Nutrition. Original source: https://abbylangernutrition.com/what-is-the-best-diet-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis/

Have you thought about preconception care to help with hormone balance and fertility? Brenda M. Guan, ND, owner of the fertility and women’s health practice, Balanced Natural Heal, shares a case study of a couple who sought out preconception care before trying to conceive. Did you know? Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples trying to conceive. One of the things I love about naturopathic preconception care is that a couple can find pertinent information and support before trying to conceive in order to optimize health in preparation for conception. Preconception care is one of the best ways to support the likelihood of pregnancy, while also offering children and families the best possible chance for a healthy future. Infertility now impacts 1 in 8 couples trying to conceive. Infertility is diagnosed when a couple has not achieved a pregnancy after one year of attempting to conceive or at six months if the couple is 35 or older. Waiting a whole year before receiving a diagnosis and ca

Trying to discover the truth behind what causes men’s hair loss? Along the way, you’ll probably run into several myths. For instance: “You’ll go bald if your mother’s father went bald” (or some variation) is commonly uttered in mixed company. There’s some logic to this claim, because the X chromosome (which comes from the mother) does carry the androgen receptor gene—a gene implicated in male pattern baldness. But here are three reasons to doubt it: The gene in question is just as likely to be inherited from the maternal grandmother as the maternal grandfather. (Was grandma bald?) Many other genes are associated with hair loss. These genes come from both mom and dad. Genetics aren’t the only cause of hair loss. The truth is that men’s hair loss is a complex problem with multiple sources. And though genes play a major role, there are other factors to consider—like nutrient status—when assessing the causes of baldness. In this article you’ll learn the causes of men’s hair loss

Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN, outlines the best healthy foods for energy, equally divided amongst proteins, carbs, and fats. What gives us energy? Sure, a good night’s sleep plays an important role. But more often, the type and quantity of the food we eat significantly impact our energy levels. Even though all foods give you energy, some contain more key nutrients that help increase your energy levels. Want to stay alert, focused, and productive throughout the day? Be sure to add some of these energy-boosting foods to your diet to put some pep in your step. 9 of the Best Healthy Foods for Energy 1. Eggs Eggs are the breakfast of champions. They’re both a satisfying food and can provide sustainable energy for your day. Eggs are rich in leucine, an essential amino acid that helps the body use energy and recover muscles after exercise. They’re also high in choline, an essential nutrient in the B-vitamin family. Choline aids cellular growth, metabolism, and the functioning of the central

When children learn to cook, they eat healthier and gain a lot of valuable skills that they will use for a lifetime. But does the thought of turning your kitchen over to the kids seem like a bad idea? Culinary instructor, parent and author, Kimberly Lord Stewart lines out how to teach your kids cooking skills. In time you could just sit back, watch and enjoy their culinary talents. Even if you are only a passing fan of cooking shows, you’ve likely seen the bright young faces of tomorrow’s culinary scene compete for prizes and notoriety. These kids have the skills of some of the top chefs in the finest restaurants. While they seem intimidating to those of us who try our best to just get a seemingly healthy dinner on the table, there is something your kids can learn from trying to emulate them or at the very least, watching them plan, prepare and plate these culinary masterpieces. A recent study shows that kids who watch cooking shows are more likely to eat healthier. For many years

One of the most common problems among children is ear pain or otitis media (OM). The Institute for Natural Medicine offers advice on how to reduce the risk of OM and the more painful acute OM. Ear pain or otitis media (OM) is one of the most common ailments in children. By definition, OM is a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear. The two most common types are acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (or discharge) (OME). AOM usually has a rapid onset with ear pain and fever. Children who are old enough complain of pain while younger children become fussy or cry. Oftentimes the pain interferes with sleep and may cause changes in appetite. In contrast, OME is not usually associated with pain. There may be a sense of fullness in the ear caused by non-infectious fluid build-up. Repeated AOM or chronic OME can cause disruption or distortion of hearing. In a baby or toddler, this can interfere with appropriate language acquisition. This article discusses effect

Jessica Bippen, MS, RD, explains the importance of vitamins to support optimal health. Plus: understanding different types of supplements and the top reasons for taking them. Think you don’t need vitamins? You may need to reconsider. Keep reading to find out why supplements can help ensure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Why Vitamins Are Important Vitamins and minerals are necessary for your well-being. Your body needs a certain amount of each of the essential nutrients to function optimally. Ideally, you’ll get these nutrients through the food you eat. Yet unfortunately, most Americans aren’t eating in a way that provides the proper amount of these nutrients daily. In addition, there are many factors that pose difficulty for many individuals to meet their needs—even within healthy, well-rounded diets. That said, don’t dismiss healthy eating habits. Your main focus should be getting most of the vitamins and minerals you need through food, while using

By: Julie Mancuso, B.A., R.H.N., JM Nutrition   In this post:  Foods that cause acne Foods that help acne   What foods cause acne? Are there any foods that help acne? The answer is not so cut and dried because there is no definite cause and effect. Genetics, environment, lifestyle and diet all play a role. There are, however, associations between diet and acne. Typically, people who consume certain types of foods tend to have more acne–and this is where we will focus.    Foods That Cause Acne 1. Sugar How can sugar contribute to acne? Without a doubt, sugar is one of the worst foods for acne. Reason being, sugar gets into the bloodstream very quickly, spiking blood sugar and insulin. According to WebMD, “when your body makes more insulin to bring down blood sugar, it affects other hormones that can boost oil production in your skin.” Acne situation gets worse When excess oil is combined with bacteria, an acne flare up can occur rather quickly. The situation quickl