Achieve wellness, one bite at a time
Have you had your Vitamin D levels checked lately? If you live anywhere North of Carolina, this PSA is for you…a friendly reminder that it is time and here is why… As an RD, my mantra is usually a food first approach towards optimizing nutritional …
What role does food play in addressing PMS? A pretty important one. PMS is aggravated by a deficiency in serotonin production, a neurotransmitter which is reliant on the essential amino acid tryptophan (meaning your body can not produce and you must consume exogenously). While coincidently …
According to the World Health Organization up to 80% of the world’s population suffers from iron deficiency. Iron is a critical mineral for the mind and body, involved in everything from keeping us feeling energized and maintaining our immune systems to helping provide restorative sleep and brain power.
– If you have ever shared a bed with your child and noticed a helicopter like movement in their sleeping position, (fall asleep side by side and by midnight they are perpendicular to you) low iron status could be the culprit.
– Or maybe you notice when you are sleeping and find yourself tossing and turning, a key sign of restless leg syndrome.
– Low iron status is also associated with poor focus and learning in kids, especially in subjects that require more concentration and brain power such as math.
– Anxiety and depression can also be a sign of poor iron status, since iron is required by our bodies to make dopamine, a neurotransmitter critical for anxiety modulation
– Check ferritin level via a blood test (ferritin is the protein that reflects storage levels of iron in the body)
– Vary food sources as much as possible
– Supplement only if deficiency is discovered via lab test. Excess Iron is toxic – iron supplements should only be taken under the supervision of a qualified and licensed health care practitioner.
As with all nutrient deficiencies, a food first approach is always best. Work with a licensed health practitioner such as a registered dietitian nutritionist to assess your current status and recommend specific modifications to your eating patterns to ensure you have a balanced intake of heme and non heme iron sources as well as maximize absorption. Click here if you would like to schedule a complimentary 15 minute consultation to learn how a food first approach can help address your iron deficiency concerns whether they be poor energy, immune function, attention, focus, mood, anxiety and sleep.
Why Do our Microbes Matter? It is estimated that the average adult has 39 trillion microbial cells living in it, including within the gut microbiome as well as externally living on our skin. For some relative perspective, 117 billion members of our species have ever …
The notion of preparing quick, easy and nutrient dense meals may sound daunting and expensive to someone who doesn’t have time to cook or maybe is new at it. But it doesn’t have to be – start small with a few essential tools that streamline …