Support Your Immune System: Fish and Flax

Omega-3 fatty acids are good for almost every aspect of health. Abundant in cold water fish, it can also be found in flax and walnuts. Clinical studies have shown that omega-3s are especially supportive of healthy immune system function. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and help modulate the immune system. This means that people with Crohn’s, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, lupus, and colitis may benefit from a daily dose of this essential fatty acid.

If you have a hard time squeezing walnuts and flaxseeds into your diet, and if you aren’t a big fan of sardines and mackerel, an over-the-counter supplement may be what you need. The British Journal of Nutrition reported that doses as low as 600mg per day had a positive effect on the immune function of elderly subjects.  Most people can benefit from taking 1000mg per day. There are fish oil and flax sources available, for those who want a vegetarian version.

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Love Your Liver

Your liver takes a lot of abuse. As a major organ of detoxification in the body, it must be able to process thousands of chemicals from food, your body, the environment, medications, and chemicals released from infectious organisms. Poor diet, overeating, excessive intake of fats, sugars, alcohol, and environmental agents can all negatively affect liver health. Your life depends on the liver’s role in protecting your body from toxin build-up. If the liver isn’t functioning optimally, then there is a greater chance of cellular damage throughout the body. Are you taking care of your liver?

Three important ways to optimize liver function:

1) Protect your liver cells with the herb milk thistle, phosphatidylcholine, and antioxidants such as vitamin A, E, C, beta-carotene and selenium.

2) Improve bile flow by eating bitter foods (endive, chicory, radicchio, mustard greens, dandelion leaf/root) and herbs (gentian, artichoke leaves, hops, barberry).

3) Improve detoxification by eating garlic and cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, etc.), eating protein (supplies important amino acids needed to bind toxic materials), and getting adequate amounts of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and zinc, which are essential components of many enzymes needed for detoxification.

Three Pathway supplements designed to support liver health: Continue reading “Love Your Liver”

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Brain Health – A Comprehensive Approach

Healthy brain function requires many important nutrients as well as an active, social lifestyle. Factors such as aging, emotional stress, and exposure to free radicals affect cognitive health. A diet rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids is very important to enhancing memory, cognitive skills, learning ability, mood, and stress tolerance.

Read the rest of the article here.

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Lose Belly Fat With Cherries

We probably all have an inch to pinch around the waistline and we all want a way to get rid of it. Well, according to a study from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular  Center, a cherry-enriched diet significantly reduces weight and fat. Cherries contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins, which can turn on a fat burning enzyme. Dried, frozen or juiced, the equivalent of a cup of cherries, seems to do the trick.

I wouldn’t give up your exercise routine just yet. Eating a healthy diet and exercising for 30 minutes a day is important for vitality and health. This is just the cherry on top.

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GMO Salmon? What Next?

I don’t think you should mess with nature. We have more than enough food on this planet to feed everyone thousands of times over, yet we still believe that tampering with nature is going to help with food quality and quantity. AquaBounty Technologies announced that they have genetically engineered a faster-growing Atlantic farm salmon that they want to make available in grocery stores. The FDA has just concluded 2 days of hearings to try to determine if this “frankenfish” is safe. For the time being, permission has not been granted to proceed, as the FDA is asking for more research. But we surely have not heard the end of this.

There has been much resistance to allowing GMO fish to enter our food supply. Some arguments include:

1. Genetically altered salmon will not have to be labeled as GMO. If AquaBounty Technologies can prove that it’s “safe,” the FDA would require no further labeling.

2. AquaBounty and their advocates can’t prove that it is safe in the long run. GMO salmon could have a big impact at both environmental and human levels.

3. Farmed salmon in general have been found to be less safe to eat than wild caught salmon, as they have a higher concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the concentrated fish meal used to create their feed.

Weigh in. How do you feel about GMO foods?

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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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May 2025
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