In the last week or so, there has been a surge of interest in Berberine, with some dubbing it "Nature's Ozempic." This botanical compound has gained significant attention as a potential supplement for weight loss, with countless TikTok and Instagram reels being made daily. In one video I came across a Kardashian-esque weight loss coach and podcaster incorrectly referred to it as a “new supplement.” With all the buzz, it is important to clarify that Berberine is not a new discovery but rather a compound with a long history of use in traditional folk medicine and integrative nutrition. In this post, we will take a closer look at Berberine and explore its origins, how it works, potential benefits, and what you need to know before you try it. After all, it’s the next “new” supplement (cue eye roll), but it’s also pretty amazing. I should know, since I have been using it with clients for over 8 years now.
Detoxification is crucial for your health and fitness. We're constantly exposed to toxins through what we eat, breathe, and use. These toxins build up over time and can cause fatigue, digestion problems, skin issues, and a weakened immune system. Properly functioning detoxification systems help eliminate these toxins, allowing your body to function better. The only thing is — there are often a LOT of toxins built up, leaving those systems with an impossible job!
This is probably going to upset a lot of people in my industry, but I’ll say it anyway: losing weight isn’t the healthy solution people think it is. It’s just not.
The idea that weight loss is the cure-all for various health issues such as knee pain or diabetes has been perpetuated for years. However, recent research suggests that losing weight might not be the magic bullet that it was once thought to be. While maintaining a healthy weight is undoubtedly essential for good health, it is not the root cause of all health problems. In fact, weight can be a symptom of underlying health issues, and many overweight or obese individuals can be healthy despite their weight. In this essay, we will explore the reasons why weight loss may not solve health problems like knee pain or diabetes and look at examples of heavier people who have all the markers of good health.
Your first meal of the day is important. It affects your blood sugar, energy levels, and brainpower. It can even affect your mood for the rest of the day!
If those things sound important to you, make sure your breakfast includes ample amounts of protein and fiber. That’s what this recipe does.
It’s not easy trying to eat a plant-based diet (mostly plant-based, anyway) when you have an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis or Ehlers-Danlos. Most autoimmune patients are highly sensitive to food that contains soy and wheat/gluten. I should know, my wife has celiac disease and Hashimoto’s. I have a family history of autoimmunity, as well as carrying a gene mutation that makes me likely to develop celiac disease.
Lower back pain affects over 80% of people at some point in life. I personally have a hard time believing that number isn’t higher, given my own history with chronic back pain.
These are some of the most useful mobility and core strength exercises for relieving low back pain. I have used these for over 10 years with clients seeking relief from back pain and have found that they work for most cases. Keep in mind that everyone’s body is different. depending on what’s going on, these may or may not work for you.
It’s easy to set ambiguous goals. We do it without even trying to. “I want to be healthier this year” or “I want to lose weight” are a few examples of well-intentioned but vague platitudes. It’s not wrong to want those things, but the issue here is the lack of specificity. For example, what does it look like to be healthier? Or how much weight are you trying to lose?
Hip pain is no joke, but pain in the hip isn’t the only sign of tight hips. Sometimes it's another part of your body telling you things, like the lower back or knee. Both of those areas depend on hip mobility to function. Pretty crazy, right? The hip is a swiveling, fascinating, fragile powerhouse that does a lot for us. But it can get cranky, which can lead to hip, back or knee pain.
When was the last time you gave it a little TLC? Check out these hip-mobilizing moves and let me know what you think!
The only thing I like about being sick is getting to do absolutely nothing for a few days. That’s it. I can do without coughing up a lung, nose chapped from a constant drip, headaches, fevers and nausea. No break from responsibility is worth it.
There have been a lot of news stories lately about how this winter is going to be an intense hellstorm of flu and covid, so that’s cool. Not to mention the plethora of other bugs like colds and RSV) that are making a comeback as people become more indoorsy with the cool weather. That’s why it’s always good to brush up on your immune function strategy. In this blog post, we’ll cover how the immune system works and how to make it stronger.
Cool weather usually means more time indoors, which also means more opportunities to catch something that'll mess up your awesome fall or winter plans. The best way to avoid (or at least decrease) the awfulness of getting sick is to support the immune system.
Time is of the essence when you first get sick, so aside from getting medical care, what can you do? It turns out there’s a lot you can do with supplements to speed up recovery.
Why not make a kit for just in case you get sick? That’s what I did this year! I should let you know that some of the links will give me a kickback (at no expense to you), so please use them so I can write posts like this more often.
Imagine trying to brush your teeth without toothpaste. It might work, but is it working as well as it could be? You mouth probably doesn’t feel as fresh or as clean as it should after brushing your teeth. Your body works kind of like that when it comes to vitamins and minerals.
Every moment of the day, chemical interactions are happening in your body. For that kind of magic to happen, your body needs the right ingredients. When the right vitamins and minerals are available, every cell is operating at its best, your body feels good, and things run smoothly. When an important ingredient is missing from the recipe, everything gets thrown off.
There’s a lot of conflicting information about carbohydrates. Depending on who you ask, you may hear they are God’s gift to humanity or that they are the worst thing you could do to yourself. There are low-fat diets that include lots of carbohydrates, like the grapefruit diet, as well as diets like Atkins or Keto that banish carbs to the hinterlands. As with most things, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Finding balance with the right amount of carbohydrates for your lifestyle is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and you deserve the best!
Here’s an amazing plant-based soup that’s good cold, room temperature or hot. If the name didn’t give it away, let me just tell you this soup is packed full of vegetables ready to make you feel amazing. Whether your diet is traditional, plant-based, paleo, AIP, keto or low-lectin, this recipe can be modified to fit right in.
This recipe makes about 8 servings, so you’ll have extra to share or freeze for later!
This is one of my favorite drinks for a hang on the front porch in the summer heat. Hibiscus can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol and decrease inflammation. It is rich in antioxidants and has a delicious, fruity tartness that complements flavors like citrus, mint and ginger. Perfect for a hot-ass summer day!
Nothing beats a refreshing, cool smoothie bowl on a hot summer day. Whether you think they’re hippy-dippy bullshit or nutrient-packed flavor bombs, there’s no denying their value if you live somewhere that gets hot early.
Smoothie bowls aren’t always a balanced meal with protein, fat, carbs and fiber. Often, they are little more than blended frozen fruit, which only provides the carbs and fiber.This recipe is rounded out with protein and healthy fats, which help it stick with you for longer and keep blood sugar stable.
Follow along with this recipe and make yourself a bad-ass frosty smoothie bowl!
