Archives

Protein is one of the critical macronutrients required by the body for proper functioning, and is one of the key ingredients in functional foods bars and drink mixes.

Green foods include water-based ingredients such as spirulina, chlorella and blue green algae as well as cereal grains like wheatgrass and barley grass.

High-fiber diets have been linked to lowered risk of serious disease, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes complications. In functional foods and supplements, fiber can be in either soluble or insoluble form. Insoluble fiber is the coarse part of a plant that does not dissolve in water, such as oat bran or wheat bran. It supports digestive health by reducing constipation, speeding the movement of toxins and potential carcinogens through the body.

Whole foods are foods that are unprocessed and unrefined, or processed and refined as little as possible before being consumed. In functional foods, whole food formulations typically contain fruits, nuts and grains.

In honor of GMO Awareness Month (and GMO Awareness Day, October 10, 2010), the Non GMO Project kicks off a national campaign to raise shopper awareness.

Natural colorants are often required for formulating foods and beverages for the natural products industry. The vast majority of such colorings are extracted from plant and vegetable sources.

Essential oils are natural or volatile oils derived from plants. These astringent, antibacterial, and highly concentrated oils vaporize easily in the air and release beneficial compounds that can help relax or stimulate the mind. Essential oils appear in a variety of natural products, including perfumes and colognes, soaps, massage oils, skin care products, food and drink, household cleaners, and aromatherapy. When applied topically in massage oils or bath products, essential oils can be therapeutic to the body by helping to relax muscles, alleviate soreness, or soothe skin. Topical application requires essential oils to be diluted with water or carrier oil to avoid skin irritation.

What is a natural detox and why should you do it? Find simple, all natural ways to detox—from eating plans to detox herbs and supplements.

In a medical context, a health condition is also sometimes called a disease or disorder; it’s an abnormal state affecting the body, and sometimes the mind. Conditions are associated with specific symptoms, but may be present without symptoms—therefore usually undiagnosed—until found by medical testing (i.e. high blood pressure, or hypertension).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 out of every 2 American adults has at least one chronic illness—such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. Much of this illness is partly caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits, including inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol. Environmental pollutants—such as bisphenol-A (BPA) in some plastics—likely are playing a greater role in causing cancer and perhaps other health conditions, according to a 2010 report by the Presidents Cancer Panel.

Healthy lifestyle choices, on the other hand, can significantly reduce risk for most health conditions. Beyond regular exercise and stress reduction, eating a moderately low-calorie diet based on deeply colored vegetables and fruits, plus whole grains, lean protein, and small amounts of healthy fats has been shown to reduce risk for most chronic conditions.

Essential supplements for disease prevention may include: high-quality multivitamin/minerals (for cancer); fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids (for heart and brain health, joint health, mood); vitamin D and others.