Blog Posts
FD&C Red 40: What It Is, Where It’s Used, & Health Effects
Artificial dyes are used in a variety of edible products, medications, and personal care items. Controversy over the possible negative health effects of synthetic dyes has abounded since their introduction to the food supply in the mid-1800s (3). Over the years, many...
Low Histamine Diet 101: What to Eat, What to Avoid, and Why
Are you suffering from histamine intolerance? Have you been instructed to follow a low-histamine diet, but are feeling a little confused about what that means? We get it! There are so many things to think about. Which foods contain histamine? What foods might provoke...
Vegan Collagen – Does It Exist?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body (1). Many people take collagen supplements to support healthy skin and joints. However... since collagen is sourced from animals, it's not vegan. So, are there any vegan collagen alternatives? What should vegans...
Olive Oil for Constipation: Does It Work?
Between 12% and 19% of the North American population suffers from chronic constipation, which can have a negative effect on quality of life (1). Typical treatments, such as laxative drugs, often have uncomfortable side effects, so many people turn to alternative...
The Organic Acid Test (OAT): What It Measures and Why It’s Used
Organic acid testing (OAT) has become very popular amongst functional medicine doctors and dietitians. This urine-based test provides a wealth of information about the functioning of various bodily systems and can be used to identify possible nutrient deficiencies,...
The Best SIBO Natural Treatment Options
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs bacteria grow in large numbers within the small intestine, causing gas, bloating, and malabsorption. Treating SIBO requires killing off these unwanted bacteria and keeping them from recolonizing, which is typically...
The Ultimate Hypothyroidism Symptoms Checklist
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. It is estimated to affect 0.3% to 3.7% of the United States population (1, 2). Thyroid hormones play an important role in growth, metabolism, and tissue differentiation in nearly all parts...
What Is the Best SIBO Test?
SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth - a condition in which bacteria overgrow within the small intestine, where they normally don’t exist in large numbers. When bacteria overpopulate the small intestine, they ferment carbohydrates from the food we...
Folate vs Folic Acid: How Are They Different?
The terms folate and folic acid are often used interchangeably, but don’t be fooled - they’re not the same! Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 found in foods, while folic acid is the synthetic form added to supplements and fortified or enriched foods. The...
How to Test for Leaky Gut
Have you heard the phrase “leaky gut” thrown around on the internet, but you’re not quite sure what it means? Does it conjure up images of your intestines leaking out their contents, but you feel like that can’t be what everyone is talking about?? Don’t worry, it’s a...
What Is Functional Nutrition?
We use the term “functional nutrition” a lot around here, so you might be wondering what it’s all about. Maybe you’ve heard it used by dietitians, but you have absolutely no idea what it means. Or maybe you ARE a dietitian, and you’ve heard about functional nutrition,...
What Is the Best Vegan Omega 3 Supplement?
Fatty fish, like salmon, sardines, and mackerel are some of the best natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids (1). Because of this, most people reach for fish oil supplements when they want to boost their omega-3 intakes. But what about vegans and vegetarians? Are there...
Food Sensitivity Testing – Which Test Is Best?
Do you suspect that you might be suffering from food sensitivities? Have you been bombarded by advertisements for food sensitivity tests but aren’t sure which one to choose? You’re not alone! There are dozens of tests to choose from, all claiming to be the best, so...
What Is the Best Magnesium for Migraines?
Did you know that roughly 1 out of every 6 Americans suffers from migraines (1)? Migraines are severe headaches that are often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, and vision disturbances. Unfortunately, there is no...