Often called “wheat protein,” “wheat meat” or “wheat gluten,” seitan (pronounced say-tahn) has a look and texture shockingly similar to meat when it’s cooked, and its alternative namesakes are quite fitting since it’s made from gluten, the main protein found in wheat. Seitan stands out as one of the only meat substitutes completely free of soy. Like its soy counterparts,…
There's nothing better than opening the door and stepping into a tidy house after a long day's work. But our quest for cleanliness — I call it living in the Age of Oversanitation — is doing a real number on our health, introducing chemicals that can cause cancer, asthma and grueling allergic skin reactions. A Spring 2016 Environmental Working…
It’s now estimated that more than 60 million American adults experience heartburn symptoms at least once a month. Surveys have found that the number of people reporting daily or weekly heartburn and/or acid reflux symptoms has risen nearly 50 percent over the last decade. (1) If you're one of these people, wondering how to get rid…
Proton-pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the world. In fact, one study estimates Americans spend $11 billion on PPIs each year. (1) These popular pills are prescribed for the prevention and treatment of acid-relation conditions like acid reflux. But you may or may not be surprised to learn that…
You might recognize it as an ingredient in your favorite body lotion or perhaps noticed supplements in the vitamin aisle that feature it. But what is collagen? What does collagen do, exactly? And how can you incorporate it into your life? Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, especially type 1 collagen. It’s found in…
You may wonder why ancient broth is all the rage these days, but you may wonder why drink bone broth in the 21st century? For thousands of years, there have been traditional foods like fermented vegetables and cultured dairy that have been touted for their health benefits, but one common healing food that is now…
The definition of a supplement is "something that completes or enhances something else when added to it." Surveys show that more than half of all Americans take some form of vitamin supplement almost daily, but what are the best supplements to take for health? (1) Supplements remain a controversial topic — some health experts tell…
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your throat, just behind your Adam's apple. Because it serves as the body's thermostat — continuously regulating things like temperature, hunger levels and energy expenditure — thyroid problems can cause widespread symptoms. According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, there are roughly 20 million Americans…
One epidemic that most folks in the U.S. are probably unaware of is zinc deficiency. A significant problem for most countries in the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the global prevalence of zinc deficiency is 31 percent. Living in our American bubble of fortified foods and multivitamin supplements at virtually every supermarket…
What do constant headaches, gum disease, sleep disorders, sore joints and other serious health conditions have in common? They all have chronic inflammation as the root cause. Inflammation isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, acute inflammation is normal for your body — such as when you suffer a painful cut or bruise and your body…
