Harriet Smith, BSc (Hons), RD

What Are The Best Foods For A High-Fiber Diet? High Fiber Diet Plan Included

Harriet Smith, BSc (Hons), RD — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:28:17 +0000

Eating a high-fiber diet has numerous benefits, from promoting good digestive health to preventing a wide range of gastrointestinal and chronic diseases. But most people don’t eat enough fiber. This article will discuss what fiber is, why it’s good for us and what the best foods are for a high-fiber diet. What is Fiber? Fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plant foods, and is indigestible. Since it’s indigestible, our bodies do not absorb any calories from it (1). High-fiber foods include: Fiber is crucial for good digestive health. It bulks up and soften stools, allowing them to pass through the digestive tract more quickly, and preventing constipation. A high-fiber diet can also keep your weight under control, prevent diverticulitis, and reduce your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular and coronary heart disease and colorectal cancer (2,[Discover More...]

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What is the Gut Microbiome and How Does it Affect Your Health?

Harriet Smith, BSc (Hons), RD — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 13:24:46 +0000

The gut microbiome has become a hot topic as it is thought to play an important role in good health and disease prevention. It’s made up of trillions of live microbes living within the human intestine known as the gut microbiota. Here we will explore what the gut microbiome is, how it is related to our health, and how we can best support it. What is the Gut Microbiome? Microbes include bacteria, viruses and fungi that exist within our bodies. There are approximately 100 trillion microbes living in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract alone, mostly within the large intestine. These microbes are collectively referred to as the gut microbiome, and can be thought of as a separate, multi-functional organ within the body (1). The development of the gut microbiome begins at birth, when a newborn baby’s GI tract is first exposed[Discover More...]

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10 Best Nootropics Ingredients: A Review of What Actually Works

Harriet Smith, BSc (Hons), RD — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 11:39:13 +0000

Nootropics, also known as “smart drugs” or “cognitive enhancers” are taken to improve brain function. They are becoming increasingly popular, and a growing number of different nootropics are now available, including natural and synthetic versions. This article will examine the scientific evidence behind the best nootropics available and evaluate if they’re actually able to produce their desired effects. What are Nootropics? Nootropics are drugs, supplements or other substances taken with the intention of improving cognitive function. Cognitive function refers to a host of brain activities, including memory, motivation, attention, creativity, decision-making and problem-solving. There are many different nootropics available, and each have their own unique chemical compositions, biological function and mechanisms of action (1). Historically, nootropics were used in the 1970s in clinical trials to treat deficits in cognitive function, due to Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, stroke or aging (2). Now,[Discover More...]

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Is Andrographis Safe and Does It Work? A Non-Biased Review

Harriet Smith, BSc (Hons), RD — Wed, 22 May 2019 10:59:55 +0000

Andrographis is one particular herb that’s grown in popularity with claims that it contains powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral and other health-promoting properties. Here, we examine the scientific evidence available for andrographis to determine if it’s a safe and effective form of alternative medicine. What is Andrographis? Andrographis paniculata is an herb native to India and also grown in China. It’s sometimes referred to as “Indian echinacea” or “king of the bitters.” Andrographis has a long history of use in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide array of conditions, including (1): Andrographis is readily available in health food stores and online as a food supplement in capsule, powder or tincture form. Andrographis Complex is a common herbal supplement which contains andrographis, echinacea, calcium acid phosphate, cellulose, hypromellose, silica, sodium starch glycolate and magnesium stearate. Its manufacturers, Standard Process, say[Discover More...]

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Modafinil: A Smart Drug? A Scientific Review

Harriet Smith, BSc (Hons), RD — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 10:36:09 +0000

[Last updated 5th June, 2019] Modafinil is a popular smart drug is which is said to prevent tiredness, increase productivity and boost mental performance. Smart drugs, also known as “nootropics,” are natural or synthetic substances taken to improve cognition function. This review digs into the scientific evidence behind modafinil to see if it’s really all that “smart” for you to take. What is Modafinil? Modafinil is a stimulant commonly prescribed by doctors to control the symptoms of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a brain disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks. Sufferers fall asleep suddenly and without warning at inappropriate times. The precise mechanism by which modafinil promotes wakefulness is not fully understood, but it’s thought to be due to interactions with neurotransmitters in the brain (1). In the United States, the FDA has approved modafinil (commonly sold under the[Discover More...]

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Bio X4 Probiotics: Do They Really Work? A Scientific Review

Harriet Smith, BSc (Hons), RD — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 09:41:54 +0000

With everyone talking about probiotics nowadays, there seems to be an infinite amount available to purchase. One of these probiotic supplements is Bio X4, which claims to assist with weight loss by reducing appetite, curbing food cravings, enhancing digestion and boosting metabolism. Here, we examine the scientific evidence behind the ingredients of Bio X4 to see if these claims hold up. What is Bio X4? Bio X4 is a probiotic supplement designed to help you lose weight. It was created by Nucific, a California-based company that develops and manufactures a range of nutritional supplements that they say are “100% natural and contain no preservatives, colorings, or synthetic fillers.” Bio X4 was designed by Dr. Amy Lee, a board-certified bariatric physician in internal medicine. She created Bio X4 to assist people in their weight loss goals alongside long-term lifestyle and dietary[Discover More...]

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