All tagged Education

9 Reasons Why Spirulina is So Awesome

9 Reasons Why Spirulina is So Awesome

Sarah Shoemaker
A Good Life, Digestion, IBS, Nutrition, Raw, Seasonal Cleansing, Vegan, Vegetarian

If you aren’t familiar with this blue-green algae that is considered to be the most nutrient dense food in the world, let me introduce you to Spirulina.

Spirulina is, yes, essentially pond scum, but packs a serious nutrient punch. Used for centuries and grown in fresh, warm alkaline water Spirulina is:

  • a complete protein

  • antibacterial

  • has high levels of antioxidants

  • is 60% protein by weight, in fact by weight, spirulina has 3X more protein than beef

  • is an easily assimilated source of iron, perfect for vegetarians, vegans or people who don’t eat much meat

  • is an effective detoxifier, including heavy metals, due to its high chlorophyll content

  • high in omega 3, even the hard to get GLA, which is known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties

  • has 4x the antioxidants of blueberries

Gut Health: Yes, It Is Really Important.

Gut Health: Yes, It Is Really Important.

Sarah Shoemaker
Digestion, Education, Mental Health, Nutrition, Tips and Tricks

Did You Know?

  • More than 40 diseases have been linked with bacterial imbalances in the gut ie) depression, IBS, Cancer, Arthritis, Colitis, Diabetes the list goes on

  • The gut produces 95% of your serotonin, this affects moods, energy levels, and sleep.

  • Our bodies are more bacteria than human

  • Over 20 million Canadians suffer from a digestive disease costing $18 Billion in health care and lost productivity.

Yes, the topic of gut health is definitely not glamorous and can be a bit embarrassing for some but for 2 out of 3 Canadians it is a huge deal and it is important we talk about it.

It is time, like with mental health, we start stripping away the stigma and shed light on issues that truly affect our health, like the importance of our digestive systems.

The digestion system is beginning to get the credit it deserves. Once thought as just mere vessels that broke down the foods we eat and move it along is no longer the only task it does. The whole digestive track and all its components are much more intelligent, sophisticated, and involved than originally thought!

The brain and gut send messages back and forth using the vagus nerve. The digestive system tells the brain stuff and the brain tells the digestive system stuff. How? Through the microbiota in the gut! Yes, the bacteria in the gut can communicate with the rest of the body, who knew?

Inflammation 101: How inflamed are you?

Inflammation 101: How inflamed are you?

Sarah Shoemaker
Education, Nutrition, A Good Life

Let’s talk about inflammation and how it affects your health.

Major illnesses like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, mental heath issues and asthma can all be linked back to chronic Inflammation and, many of these diseases are within your control, through a balanced wholesome diet and exercise.

So how do you avoid chronic inflammation?

Firstly, inflammation is a natural biological response and is a good thing. We definitely need our inflammatory response when it comes to fighting infection or getting a cut or injury, this is ACUTE inflammation. This is how the body protects and heals.

Inflammation becomes a major issue when there is CHRONIC inflammation in the body.

Symptoms of Acute Inflammation are:

  • redness, swelling, pain and heat. Acute inflammation usually clears within a few days. Think about when you cut yourself, this is acute inflammation.

Symptoms of Chronic Inflammation are:

  • exhaustion, fatigue, insomnia, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, joint pain, weight gain, frequent infections, digestive disorders and excessive mucus production.

Now that you know about how to spot inflammation, here are 6 common causes of chronic inflammation that are controllable.

Men and Women are Different Why is Our Health Care Not

Men and Women are Different Why is Our Health Care Not

Sarah Shoemaker
Education, A Good Life

On the heels of February, Heart Month. I came across this article about how doctors may have been using the wrong metrics when taking women’s blood pressure. The metrics that are normal for men, which are the current ones being used, may not be normal for women.

Not until now, did I actually really think much of this.

Men and women, are very different and have different needs. Of course, this makes sense.

This is concerning for women because according to the study, the normal range of blood pressure may be too high.

The Importance of Supplements: Why Diet Isn't Enough

The Importance of Supplements: Why Diet Isn't Enough

Sarah Shoemaker
A Good Life, Education

I used to believe that we should be able to get all of our body’s nutrients from a well balanced and varied diet. Well, I got schooled on that cute sentiment while learning about nutrition.

I wish we could get all our necessary vitamins and minerals from the food we eat, but that ship sailed along time ago.

We lose 1% of our top and its nutrients annually.

This is a resource that is not renewable, once it’s gone its gone. Soil erosion is just one factor in the depletion of nutrients in our food and we can thank monoculture, pesticide/fungicide and pollution for that.

Unfortunately, our food today is significantly less nutritious.

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