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What is NAFLD? (and 5 ways to support metabolic health)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes the liver dysfunction that occurs as a result of systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome.
The development of NAFLD is impacted by genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle, the gut microbiome, and overall metabolic health
—and these are the same factors that can be addressed to improve this condition.
HYDRATION CHALLENGE (and how much water you should drink in a day)
Divide this jar into that number of segments and shade it in as you track your water intake over he next 24 hours.
Is this more than usual?
Less than usual?
What is the quality of your water?
Do you need to add electrolytes to actually quench your thirst?
DAY OF PROTEIN: a practical guide
Protein provides the building blocks for your body’s structure and function. It also supports satiety, blood sugar regulation, and detoxification. The recommended daily intake of protein depends on your activity level and bioindividual needs, but ~1g/kg (0.5g/lb) is a general goal for most adults:
16 Foods that Resemble the Organ they Support
*aka the “Doctrine of Signatures”
SWEET POTATOES: pancreas
ONIONS: body cells
RED WINE: blood
GINGER: gastrointestinal tract
GRAPES: respiratory tract
TOMATOES: heart
FIGS: testis
WALNUTS: brain
AVOCADO: uterus
CITRUS: breasts
CELERY: bones
BEANS: kidneys
BEETS: liver
OLIVES: ovaries
GINSENG: nerves
CARROTS: eyes
FOOD SATIETY GUIDE (see which foods will make you hungry again in an hour)
The satiety of a food describes how well it can satisfy your hunger. High-satiety foods tend to provide high amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. Low-satiety foods often provide abundant calories but few micronutrients.
A Functional Nutrition Approach to Type II Diabetes
MINIMIZE SUGAR & SWEETENERS
especially added sugars and artificial sweeteners—both can trigger a stressful insulin response
BALANCE BLOOD SUGAR
support insulin sensitivity with adequate sleep, minimal stress, and regular meals balanced with healthy fats, protein, and fiber
GENTLE MOVEMENT
resistance exercise and yoga are powerful ways to improve insulin sensitivity and decrease inflammation
EAT A MEDITERRANEAN DIET
crowd out inflammatory foods with a variety of colorful, antioxidant plant
foods, herbs, spices, whole grains,
legumes, nuts, seeds, olives (and
oil), green tea, and oily fish
NOURISH YOUR MICROBIOME
fiber from a diversity of plant foods
promotes growth of beneficial
butyrate-producing bacteria species
SUPPORT METABOLIC HEALTH
Type II diabetes describes the pancreatic dysfunction and insulin resistance that occurs as a result of systemic inflammation and metabolic syndrome. The development of type II diabetes is impacted by genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle, the gut microbiome, and overall metabolic health—and these are the same factors that can be addressed to improve this condition.
GLYPHOSATE: what does the research actually say?
THE SHIKIMATE PATHWAY
Glyphosate acts by inhibiting an enzyme in the shikimate pathway, preventing the synthesis of amino acids essential for plant growth.
This chemical has been assumed safe for humans because we do not have this metabolic pathway. However, bacteria do, so glyphosate exposure can cause gut dysbiosis (which DOES have an significant impact on human health).
HERBICIDE & DESICCANT
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide used for weed control on fields & lawns and to dry
out grain crops before harvest.
FOODS WITH GLYPHOSATE
The most common foods with residue include oats, corn, soybeans, canola, wheat, barley, beans, & lentils.
STATE OF THE RESEARCH
Evidence is not conclusive about the short
& long term effects of glyphosate on human & environmental health. Some studies find it perfectly safe and others the opposite. Notably, much of the research is
funded by industries with interest
in certain study outcomes—on
both sides of the issue.
in vitro: DNA damage, estrogen
interference, increased oxidative
stress, nutrient binding,
inflammation, cancer, etc
in vivo: impact on cardiovascular
system, intestinal permeability, celiac
disease, dysbiosis, nervous system
development & function, fertility & reproduction, autism, etc
epidemiological: few effects overall,
increased risk for non-Hodgkin’s
lymphomas in exposed farmers
AMINO ACID ANALOGUE
Glyphosate has a similar chemical structure to glycine. If mistakenly substituted in polypeptide chains, it can distort or inactivate essential proteins & enzymes.
WHAT LEVEL IS SAFE?
This question is as philosophical as scientific (and very controversial). Currently, if food residue tests
below “accepted levels”, it is considered safe. However, long-term exposure to very low levels
has technically never been studied.
EXPERT DISAGREEMENT
To add confusion, 2 regulatory boards make opposite statements about glyphosate safety:
IARC: “probably carcinogenic to humans”
(considered plain glyphosate & GBHs, included in
vitro & in vivo but few epidemiological studies)
EFSA: “unlikely to represent a
carcinogenic hazard for humans”
(considered plain glyphosate only,
included human epidemiological studies only)
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Beyond human health, there are concerns about glyphosate build-up in soil & water, wildlife impacts, and herbicide-resistant weeds.
CULPRIT OR SIDEKICK?
Although glyphosate is often the active ingredient in mixed herbicides, some hypothesize that added surfactants are more problematic. Hence, glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are found more toxic than plain glyphosate.
40 Plant-Based Protein Sources (and ways to incorporate)
peanuts
peas
soy* (tofu, edamame, miso, tempeh)
kidney beans
pinto beans
black beans
navy beans
butter beans
garbanzo beans
mung beans
lentils
variety is
key for getting all the essential amino acids from plant proteins
granola
curry
soup
cold salad
oatmeal & museli
component of nourish bowl
hummus
nut & seed butters
fermented soy products
buckwheat
quinoa
millet
amaranth
sorghum
rice
corn*
oats
wheat
barley
rye
wild rice
hempseed
chia seed
flaxseed
sesame seeds
pumpkin seeds
sunflower seeds
almonds
cashews
brazil nuts
macadamia nuts
hazelnuts
walnuts
pecans
pine nuts
GRAINS
SEEDS & NUTS
LEGUMES & BEANS
WAYS TO
INCORPORATE
improve nutrient content and digestibility of plant-based proteins by soaking and sprouting
DIETARY FATS: which are friends and which are foes?
Fats burn like logs in a fire: slowly, cleanly and consistently.
\When your body is in fat-burning mode, you will experience satiety and steady energy throughout the day.
The process of converting fat and ketones into ATP (cellular energy) is more efficient and produces fewer free radicals (compared to burning sugar).
Autumn Seasonal Eating Bingo
ALMONDS
BEET
MAPLE SYRUP
CARROT
ONION
GARLIC
PUMPKIN
CINNAMON
CRANBERRIES
KALE
POTATO
GREEN BEANS
ZUCCHINI
MUSHROOMS
SWEET POTATO
APPLE
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
WHOLE GRAINS
TOMATO
PEAR
DATES
FREE
GINGER
SQUASH
BELL
PEPPER
20 Whole Food Sources of Quercetin
CAPERS
ONIONS & SHALLOTS
RED WINE
HERBS
(elderberry, Ginkgo biloba, St. John’s wort)
GRAPES
TOMATOES
BUCKWHEAT
APPLES
BERRIES & CHERRIES
CITRUS
HONEY
GREEN & BLACK TEA
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES
A Functional Nutrition Approach to Methylation and MTHFR
INCREASE CHOLINE & CREATINE
eggs, red meat, organ meat, fish, shellfish
INCORPORATE METHYLATION ADAPTOGENS
turmeric, cruciferous vegetables, tomatoes, rosemary, berries, onions, garlic, celery, parsley, spinach, mushrooms, beets
REDUCE TOXIN EXPOSURE
skincare, food, water, plastics, cookware, moldy buildings, etc
NOURISH YOUR MICROBIOME
increase fiber, prebiotics, and fermented foods
What is ELECTROMAGNETIC HYPERSENSITIVITY? (and ways to mitigate exposure)
Certain individuals with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EMH) are more sensitive to radio-frequency EMFs.
Symptoms can include headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep issues, lethargy, and fatigue.
This may be because EMFs increase oxidative stress in cells.
For individuals with genetic predisposition, history of trauma, or an overloaded detoxification system, increased oxidative stress can exacerbate symptoms of existing inflammation or toxic burden.
Why is MINERAL BALANCE important?
LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLES
vegetables—especially leafy greens—are packed with many essential minerals (choose local or organic when possible, enjoy with fat to help absorption)
SEA SALT, SEAWEED, & SEAFOOD
foods from the sea are an excellent source of macro- and microminerals (such as zinc from oysters and iodine from seaweed)
MINERAL WATER & BONE BROTH
you can drink your minerals too (clean mineral water and homemade bone broth are 2 easy ways to enjoy minerals)
9 Whole Food DAIRY SWAPS that are Minimally Processed
Dairy alternative products can offer a flavor/texture substitute for dairy, but very few offer a nutritional substitute.
Many dairy-free products are highly processed, so check labels for added gums, sugars, and oils.
"SUGAR FREE" Explained by a Functional Nutritionist
"Sugar-free" is a marketing term that may or may not be informative.
In general, it is a good idea to limit processed and added sugar.
However, the question you must ask yourself when you see this claim is "why"?
HOW TO MAKE YOGURT: oven, instantpot, & crockpot versions
1. Heat milk in large pot over medium heat, stirring often so it does not scorch or boil over. Remove from heat when milk reaches 180°F*.
2. Let the milk cool until it reaches 108°F (can take up to 2 hours). If a skin forms, stir it back in or remove.
3. Scoop out 1 cup of warm milk and whisk with yogurt starter until smooth. Whisk back into pot of milk.
Pro- VS Pre- VS Post-biotics (and how to incorporate fermented foods)
1. PREBIOTICS
"organisms Eat"
indigestible carbs that feed beneficial microbes obtain from a variety of plant foods
2. PROBIOTICS
"Organisms"
live bacteria & yeast with health benefits quantity, species, and viability vary by product
3. POSTBIOTICS
"organisms Secrete"
compounds synthesized by beneficial microbes ex: short-chain fatty acids, vitamin Bs & K, GABA, exopolysaccharides, etc
POSTPARTUM NUTRITION: the most common nutrient needs after pregnancy
IODINE: fish, seafood, seaweed, eggs, dairy, meat, cranberries, iodized salt
CHOLINE: meat, eggs, dairy, soy, kidney beans, wheat bran
OMEGA-3s: salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring, fish oil
IRON: red meat, organ meat, fish, oysters, chickpeas, molasses
VITAMIN B12: meat, dairy, eggs, fish, seafood, nutritional yeast
VITAMIN D: sunlight exposure, cod liver oil, organ meat, dairy, eggs
WATER: the most important nutrient, esp if breastfeeding
14 Whole Food Sources of Choline
QUINOA
POULTRY
SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
EGGS
(especially yolks)
FISH
(especially salmon & cod)
RED MEAT
SOY
MILK & YOGURT
KIDNEY BEANS
LIVER
CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES
RED POTATOES
WHEAT BRAN