Category: Nutritional Supplements

The Key to Optimal Health: Understanding Nutritional Deficiencies

September 9th, 2014 by Heather Gunn

healthy-familyWhy do we get sick? Can we blame it on age? Is it because a co-worker or family member shared their germs? Maybe it’s because we are genetically at risk? Each of these factors has some influence on your wellness, but the bigger influence may be your micronutrient status. Micronutrients are the small compounds we identify as vitamins and minerals and include vitamins A, C, D and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. Everybody needs them and everybody should be getting their own required amount of them. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has given us a system of nutritional recommendations to follow for wellness, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now monitors these guidelines. Their purpose is to inform us on how much nutrition a normal, healthy person needs to be healthy… but these guidelines are very general. Some questions that should be asked are, “What does a normal, healthy person look like?” and “Does every normal, healthy person need the same amount of nutrients?”  Continue reading “The Key to Optimal Health: Understanding Nutritional Deficiencies”

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Sore Throat Remedies

August 12th, 2014 by Paula Gallagher

Ginger teaIt started with a tummy ache and a fever at 4am, and then ended with a 3-minute strep test. My youngest tested positive for strep. This time I did choose to do antibiotics, which was not a decision I made lightly. I am also pairing it with Udo’s Infant Probiotics to provide digestive and immune support. (Probiotics should be taken separately from antibiotics, so as not to interfere with the efficacy of the antibiotic.)

Here are some additional tips to provide relief from any type of sore throat:

 

  1. Warm soothing liquids, including homemade chicken soup. I use lots of garlic, onion and real chicken.
  2. Teas – drink ginger tea with honey throughout the day. (Steep raw ginger in boiling water for 10 minutes and add honey.)
  3. Cool washcloth on the forehead will provide relief from fever.
  4. Pathway Kids Biotic: 30 drops 3 times per day (it’s based on weight, so check the label).
  5. Pathway Throat Ease: a little spray whenever needed.

Before you dismiss antibiotics, keep in mind that if your child does have strep, if left untreated it can become something more serious. However, not all sore throats are strep (only about 30%). So, talk to your doctor about the possibility of waiting to administer antibiotics.

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Stress Series: A Natural Approach to Dealing With Anxiety

August 7th, 2014 by Paula Gallagher

anxietyIn this next part of our series on stress, we will talk about a natural approach to dealing with anxiety.

Anxiety is a normal human emotion. You may feel anxious, or nervous, when faced with a problem, taking a test, making an important decision, or when afraid. When these feelings cause such distress that it interferes with a person’s ability to lead a normal life, then it can be considered an anxiety disorder.

There  are different types of anxiety disorders:

Panic disorder: Panic anxiety disorder is having the feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeat with no warning. Anxiety symptoms related to panic disorders include sweating, chest pain, palpitations (irregular heartbeats), and feeling of choking.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD is having constant thoughts or fears that cause you to perform certain routines or rituals. The disturbing thoughts are obsessions and the rituals are compulsions.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD can develop following a traumatic and/or terrifying event, the unexpected death of a loved one, or a sexual or physical assault, among other things. People often have lasting and frightening memories of the event and tend to be emotionally numb.  Continue reading “Stress Series: A Natural Approach to Dealing With Anxiety”

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July 29: Vibrant Health In-Store Product Demo

July 22nd, 2014 by Paula Gallagher

greenvibranceVisit Village Green Apothecary on July 29 from 11 am to 2 pm to sample Vibrant Health Green Vibrance and Vibrant Health PureGreen Protein.

Vibrant Health’s products provide supplemental nutrition that supports human biochemistry. One of their main principles is “Be The Best.” This can be seen with their most popular product, Green Vibrance.

Green Vibrance was the first green superfood introduced into health food stores in 1992. Since that time, it has undergone 12 reformulations. The trace nutrients help each cell function at peak efficiency; when we push each cell toward peak efficiency through diet and supplementation, the result may be increased energy and endurance, greater clarity of thought, and more robust immunity. There are a whopping 74 ingredients in Green Vibrance, put together to maximize the synergism among nutrients.

PureGreen Protein is vegan and offers the amino acid ratio of human muscle by combining a variety of plant proteins in correct amounts and adding a few specific free amino acids. PureGreen Protein is a non-GMO protein from pea, rice, spirulina and alfalfa combined with four select free amino acids to create the first all-vegetable protein ideally balanced for human consumption.

To try these two wonderful products and to learn more about Vibrant Health, please come by on July 29 from 11am to 2pm!

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Tired? It May Be Anemia

July 15th, 2014 by Paula Gallagher

fatiqueDid you know that anemia is the most common form of malnutrition found in women of all ages? Anemia is caused by reduced levels of hemoglobin, which is the iron-containing protein that is responsible for delivering oxygen to the cells. When hemoglobin is low, the body is unable to burn off the sugar to produce energy.

Symptoms are varied and ranging and can include, weakness, vertigo, headache, tinnitus, spots before the eyes, loss of libido, amenorrhea, drowsiness, irritability and sometimes changes in behavior.

There are different types of anemias, and the treatment depends on its cause and severity.

 

  • Aplastic anemia is a rare condition characterized by low levels of red and white blood cells and platelets.
  • Hemolytic anemia occurs because red blood cells are destroyed in the liver and spleen faster than they are produced.
  • Pernicious anemia relates to a decreased body store of vitamin B12. Vegetarians are more prone to develop B12 deficiency because this nutrient is found primarily in animal protein.  Continue reading “Tired? It May Be Anemia”
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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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Other Contributors

Caroline Blazovsky
Heather Gunn
Jared Rice
Ellen Kittredge
Naz Amini
Carmen Ugas
Steve Stillwater
Farzin Farid
Joe Ailts
Scott O’Dell
James Brodsky, MD
Christine M. Gonzales
Beth Ritchie
Jim Fox

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