Taking Care of Your Brain

brain2Healthy 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.

Diet

The central nervous system is an extremely vital area that has high metabolic requirements. As a result, poor dietary habits can negatively affect brain function.

Blood Sugar: Fluctuating blood sugar is not conducive to optimal brain functioning and can become a more serious medical concern in the conditions hypoglycemia and diabetes. Continue reading “Taking Care of Your Brain”

Read More

Five Tips for Back-to-School Health

For many, the start of school means the beginning of constant runny noses, coughing and sneezing – basically cold and flu season. With these simple tips, cold season may not be as bad this year.

1. Get your kids to eat breakfast in the morning. Fuel them. Eating breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should include complex carbohydrates and protein to get them through the morning.

2. Sleep. Make sure your kids have enough sleep. Studies show that kids need at least 8 to 12 hours of sleep per night. Shut down things like computers, phones and television.

3. Keep active. At least 30 minutes every day of exercise is the recommendation for keeping heart healthy!

4. Make sure kids are getting into a routine of washing their hands often to prevent the spread of germs.

5. Multivitamin, omega-3 and fitamin D3 all provide support for kids’ growing bodies and brains. A multivitamin provides nutrients where a diet may be lacking. Omega 3 (especially DHA) has been shown to help with brain function. And vitamin D3 supports the immune system.

Read More

DHA Improves Learning in Children With ADHD

Results of a new study in the journal Nutrition have determined that children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have increased learning and improved behavior when given DHA everyday.

According to the study, these effects were more evident in a subgroup of 17 children with learning difficulties and also included improved spelling, improved ability to divide attention, and lower parent ratings of hyperactivity and restlessness.

DHA (docosahexanoic acid) is an omega-3 essential fatty acid. It is an essential component of the brain and central nervous system. DHA can be taken in through the diet by eating fish or fish oil. The body can also convert alpha linolenic acid (ALA) from vegetable sources like flaxseeds, into DHA. However, some people have difficulty converting the ALA to DHA, resulting in deficiency.

Personally, I like Nordic Naturals Pro DHA. It comes in liquid or softgel, and is also available in flavors like strawberry or orange. Both my children take this and have since birth. If you do not tolerate fish, Neuromins is a vegetarian DHA.

Read More

Omega 3: DHA

One of my favorites products, Nordic Naturals Pro DHA is on sale now. DHA is an omega-3 essential fatty acid. It is an essential component of the brain and central nervous system. It seems to concentrate in areas where there is lots of electrical activity such as the synaptosomes, where nerve cells communicate, and the photoreceptors of the eye. This is why a deficiency of DHA can result in poor brain development, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, memory problems and poor visual development.

Supplementation of DHA is especially important in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children. Some infant formulas are now fortified with DHA because in the past, baby formula has contained less essential fatty acids than breast milk.  I am 31 weeks pregnant and I have been taking it religiously! I even give my 2-year-old a softgel and he loves the yummy strawberry flavor.

Read More

Spring Sale at Village Green Apothecary

Village Green Apothecary is having a huge sale until April 16.  Here are the details:

  • 30% off Pathway products
  • 25% off the following top brands: Metagenics, Xymogen, Nordic Naturals, Thorne, Megafood, Enzymatic Therapy, Jarrow Formulas, Boiron, and Garden of Life.
Read More

Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
    read more..
  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
    read more..
  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
    read more..
  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
    read more..
  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
    read more..
  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
    read more..
  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
    read more..
  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
    read more..
  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
    read more..
March 2024
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31