Antioxidants: Why You Need Them and How to Get Them

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and other nutrients found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that protect and repair our body’s cells. Free radicals from environmental toxins and our body’s breakdown of processed foods can cause damage to our arteries, immune system and overall health, leading to chronic diseases that many Americans suffer from today. Antioxidants help eliminate these free radicals, boost immunity, and prevent any damage done to our body’s tissues.

Where do they come from?

Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is a great way to incorporate antioxidants into a healthy lifestyle! The three main vitamin antioxidants are beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E found in deeply colored fruits and vegetables. It is best to eat most fruits and vegetables raw or lightly steamed to avoid the loss of these beneficial nutrients from heat during cooking.  Continue reading “Antioxidants: Why You Need Them and How to Get Them”

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Let There Be Light in the Vegetable Drawer

vegetable drawerWith the excessive use of pesticides and herbicides in commercial agriculture, we might forget that plants actually have their own methods for protecting themselves against pests and harsh environmental stressors. While the protections of our domesticated species may not be as potent as those of their wild ancestors, how else could these plants have survived to see the day they would be coddled by our industrial methods in a sunny California field?

Compounds like resveratrol in grapes, lycopene in tomatoes, anthocyanins in blueberries, sulforophane and glucosinolates in broccoli and other brassica vegetables… they are sun-protecting pigments, insect poisons or off-putting bitter flavors that we’re beginning to realize may have strong antioxidant, anti-cancer and disease-fighting benefits in humans.  Continue reading “Let There Be Light in the Vegetable Drawer”

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Sunday Radio Show: Weight Loss While on Vacation

Join us this Sunday as host Dana Laake and her special guest JJ Virgin discuss must-haves to “lift off” the pounds while on vacation.

JJ Virgin, CNS, CHFS, is one of the nation’s foremost fitness and nutrition experts, and an accomplished public speaker and media personality. Her 25 years in the health and fitness industry, with the past 10 in holistic nutrition and functional medicine, have earned JJ recognition as a go-to weight loss expert who can unlock the door to lifelong weight management through her sensible, no-fail approach to nutrition and fitness.

Tune in this Sunday from 10-11am on 1500 AM (WFED) or listen live on the web.

Last week’s show was on debunking myths and popular hype about various herbs and other botanicals touted to protect, treat and even cure disease. Click to Listen.

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Stevia… Some Sweet News

Stevia is a sweet extract from the stevia rebaudiana herb, nearly 300 times sweeter than sugar, used primarily in South America, Japan and slowly becoming more popular in the US. Stevia has been tied to weight loss and lowering uric acid levels, as well as presents itself useful in diabetes, high blood pressure and heartburn treatment.

Extracted from the stevia leaves, the rebaudioside crystals, also termed rebaudioside A, or rebiana, exist as a great alternative to man-made artificial sweeteners. For sweetness, stevia can be used in coffees, teas, baking, and has been used for diabetes treatment in Japan.

In addition to this sweet ingredient, stevia, like all plants, contains a number of non-active compounds that add to the health benefits with few side effects, so it’s important to be educated when purchasing stevia. Refining and manufacturing any plant or herb into a marketable product could negatively affect its natural health uses.  Continue reading “Stevia… Some Sweet News”

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Three Reasons Your Strawberries Should Be Organic

strawberry1

After a long winter of tasteless and overpriced fruit, it’s hard not to reach for that pint of strawberries as soon as they arrive in the grocery store. Even those of us who prioritize organic produce most of the time might buckle. But science says we should hold strong, and buy organic if we can. Among the “dirtiest” fruits, the USDA pesticide data program detected 54 different pesticide residues on conventional strawberries, many of which are known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and neurotoxins. So what makes strawberries so bad?  Continue reading “Three Reasons Your Strawberries Should Be Organic”

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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