At this point, most people have at least heard that probiotics are good for their health — but many still don’t realize just how powerful they can be. Probiotics are well known for helping with gas, bloating, and constipation. That part of the story has finally gone mainstream. More recently, people are also learning that probiotics play a vital role in immune health. In fact, 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut microbiome,...

  Over the last 20 years that I’ve worked in the nutrition field, I’ve spoken with people from all walks of life dealing with a wide range of health issues. And honestly, I can count on one hand the number of people I’ve consulted with who weren’t taking at least one medication. It doesn’t help that many doctors are left with little more than a prescription pad when it comes to treatment options. Ask about diet...

  It seems many areas of the U.S. have been plagued by frigid temperatures lately—and that includes my home state of Florida! Right now it’s 38°, and I’ve got to tell you, the Upstate New York blood that coursed through my veins for the first 59 years of my life has definitely thinned over the last four years I’ve lived in Florida. I’m downright freezing! Not only does cold weather make many people want to hibernate until spring, but it can also increase your chances of getting sick....

  Most people agree that eating a healthy diet is important.But what many think is “healthy” is often shaped by clever food advertising and selectively reported research. Unfortunately, a lot of foods promoted as good for you are anything but healthy. Here are eight of the most common imposters—and what to choose instead. 1. Farmed Fish Fish is naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation, support brain health, and promote healthier blood...

  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I’m starting today’s article with a picture—well, technically a graph. Take a look at this chart (based on CDC data) showing US obesity rates over the last 70 years. Notice anything? When the powers that be rolled out the first-ever Dietary Guidelines for Americans—coincidentally the same year I graduated high school—our collective waistlines began to balloon. Methinks the “experts” may have steered us wrong....

  Over the last several years, the idea of “detoxing” has exploded in popularity. Everywhere you look, there are products, diets, fasts, and cleansing concoctions promising to purge harmful toxins from your body. But here’s what most people don’t realize: detoxification is something your body is already doing for you—every single day. So the best way to “detox” isn’t through extreme methods. It’s by supporting your body in doing exactly what it was designed to...