News

Feb 14, 2023

It’s Heart Health Month! See your dentist!

It’s not only coincidental that Heart Health Month is the same month as Dental Health Month; as it turns out, poor oral health can translate to poor overall physical health.  Periodontal disease is chronic inflammation and infection of the tooth supporting structures in your mouth (gums and bone). Periodontal disease is a predictor of cardiovascular… 

Feb 14, 2023

It’s Heart Health Month; let’s talk about your gut

Wait, what does gut health have to do with heart health? I’m glad you asked! Scientists are learning that the microorganisms in the gut are heavily responsible for the health of the entire body.1 The cardiovascular system and the risk factors for chronic CVD (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes) are affected directly by this gut flora.2 The… 

Jan 14, 2023

PhytoRx Wrap-up

Fifteen patients completed an 8-week iteration of the PhytoRx program in Iredell County last month. The patients tried new foods, new food preparation methods and they drank more water. The PhytoRx program is built around partnerships among multiple community stakeholders who are positioned to be part of a comprehensive approach to healthcare. Here’s how it… 

Jan 14, 2023

Support “Pro-aging” with phytochemicals

Many people start the year with a renewed resolve to look and feel younger. Not surprisingly, companies market a wide variety of “anti-aging” products and protocols in such a way to enhance our desire for a youthful and healthy appearance. However, there is a competing school of thought where the goal is not to stop… 

Jan 1, 2023

Kickoff 2023 in the Kitchen

The new year is a great time to turn over a new leaf.* Try these delicious recipes to start off your new year! Maybe some of the ingredients or flavor combinations are unfamiliar. Consider it an adventure! Each recipe is full of phytochemicals that will elevate your health. *What’s the significance of turning over leaves? These… 

Nov 21, 2022

Book Review: Eating Mindfully

Check out this book by Susan Albers, PsyD. She was one of the first researchers to look at mindfulness as it relates to eating. She provides “skill builders” throughout the book offering actionable steps to something that often feels more abstract. These skill builders are exercises in mindful eating to help focus attention on different… 

Nov 21, 2022

Mindful Eating

November is the beginning of the holiday season. People all over the world celebrate the harvest, the changing of seasons, and religious events with gatherings of family and friends. This time of year also brings a lot of favorite food customs; but, the winter months can also bring unwanted stress, overindulgence, and a focus on… 

Oct 21, 2022

Fall is here!

Do you love the seasonal transition marked by changing leaves (and, let’s be real, pumpkin spice everything)? Leaf peeping is the perfect opportunity to see anthocyanins and carotenoids in action! Phytochemicals are produced by plants to provide antioxidant capabilities to the plants that make them. These same chemicals have similar properties in human biochemical processes,… 

Oct 21, 2022

Food is Medicine. Is Food Medicine?

Some will say the turn of phrase is just semantics. Others may passionately defend one or the other. “Let medicine be thy food and food be thy medicine,” is a familiar quote attributed to Hippocrates, a Greek physician who lived more than 2,400 years ago. Having systematized clinical medicine as it is still practiced today,…