Vitamins and Minerals

Do you ever feel fatigued for long periods of time or even years? It might be time to take a hard look at your daily intake of iron. Low iron levels can lead to feeling tired. Did you know that foods rich in natural vitamin C can contribute to how well your body absorbs iron? Maybe Popeye was onto something with all that spinach he ate?  

Is folic acid on your radar? Did you know this essential B vitamin is involved in your overall health in many different ways? During folic acid awareness week (January 4th - January 10th) we will dive into some surprising facts about folic acid, including what this vitamin is good for, why you will want to take it, and how it upgrades your body.  

Over half of all American adults, including 70% of those age 65 and older, take a daily multivitamin. Because of poor growth practices and pesticide use on foods, the typical American diet is sadly lacking in sufficient amounts of vital nutrients. Without a doubt, the wise choice is to supplement your diet with a robust multivitamin/multimineral product. But how do you pick the right one?  

Plant-based eating has a whole host of almost unbelievable health benefits, including promoting healthy weight, reducing the risk of heart disease, managing healthy cholesterol levels, lowering the risks of certain types of cancer, and managing diabetes – on top of being generally better for the planet.

OK, we’re just kidding . . . it’s really omega-3’s that you need, not omega-4’s. Now that we’ve got your attention, we’d like to point out that your body is made up of approximately 37 trillion cells and EVERY single one of these cells needs enough omega-3 fatty acids to stay healthy and operate efficiently. Did you know how important omega-3's are?

Consuming excessive sugar in the form of fructose is known to have harmful side effects such as helping to cause insulin resistance.  Since many fruits have higher sugar levels (such as fructose) than most vegetables and many other foods – you might wonder, are fruits really healthy after all? What makes fresh fruit (with its fructose) different from eating fructose as HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). 

You already know that fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and nutrients to support your body, but did you know that pineapple may be one of the most beneficial?  Here are some fun ways to spice up your afternoon snack and sneak in some healthy goodness!

For years, nutritional yeast has been making waves in the vegan and vegetarian communities for its pleasant, nutty flavor, incredible versatility, and wide array of nutrients. This superfood ingredient contains high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, truly doing the most to help your body thrive. Have you tried nutritional yeast yet? 

Vitamin B12 is not just an important nutrient ... it is critical to the health of your entire nervous system, including your brain, spinal pathways, and blood cells. In addition, this vitamin also helps the body make DNA, the genetic blueprint or code in each cell. Despite the key role this vitamin plays in your body, researchers have found that nearly 40% of the US population is deficient in this vitamin.

Although salt is the most common seasoning for many foods, many people view salt as an enemy because of the link between salt and high blood pressure. Yes, studies show that too much sodium can wreak havoc on our bodies, but this mineral can have some surprising benefits.  Do you know how good this mineral can be?