As a dietitian, gut health is always on my mind! Did you know that 90% of the serotonin (the neurotransmitter that helps you to feel happy) in our bodies is made in the gut, not the brain?
One thing that promotes optimal gut function is the consumption of prebiotics. Prebiotics are short-chain carbohydrates in food that feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. This creates a balanced and happy environment.
We all hear about the benefits of antioxidants, but what are they really?! Generally speaking, antioxidants include some vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients “aka plant chemicals”. These compounds help to stop cell and DNA damage, thus slowing down aging, fighting off disease, and boosting immune function. Today we are digging deep into one specific antioxidant called Astaxanthin.
Every year, we see new trends emerge in the health & wellness space. Last year was full of innovation. Healthy eating is becoming easier and more accessible, but it’s also more confusing to the consumer and the market is saturated with new products and ideas. Superfoods have been elevated to much more than powders added to smoothies, protein offerings are expanding and sustainability is huge. So what will the new decade bring and which trends are legit? I dove into the topic for you and here are my top 10 predictions:
Did you know that only one out of five herbal supplements contain the listed ingredients, according to an investigation done by New York State? If most manufacturers won’t even bother to get the ingredients listed on the label right, they certainly aren’t bothering with thorough testing for contaminants. Consumer safety is a huge issue with dietary supplements in the U.S., because the market is essentially unregulated.
