Category: Nutrition

Our microbiome consists of mostly bacteria and resides in our small intestine and colon. Its purpose is to fight off pathogenic microbes, help maintain the integrity of our gut lining, metabolize drugs and other foreign substances and aid in immune defense (Sanders, 2004). An unbalanced gut microbiome, also known as dysbiosis, has been linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes, colorectal cancers, cardiovascular diseases as well as other digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis (Carding et al., 2015; Hills et al., 2019).

Obesity is one of the largest epidemics of modern times, and has been linked with several life threatening diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease (Expert, 2014). In the United States, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has steadily risen over the past several decades. Between 1999-2016, obesity rates rose from 30.5% to 39.8% among adults ages 20 and older (Hales, Carroll, Fryar, & Ogden, 2017). Many factors have led to this increase, one of which is the overabundance and availability of convenience foods, and another the decline in cooking skills and nutrition knowledge (Saksena et al., 2018).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder. IBS symptoms include, but are not limited to, bloating, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Severity of symptoms vary from person to person but can be managed or slightly controlled through nutrition and exercise practices (Nutrition Care Manual, 2020).

Cholecystectomy may not be inconsequential from a metabolic standpoint. It is still considered the best treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease, however studies have shown a strong association between gallbladder removal and the development of non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) years after surgery (Nervi & Arrese, 2013); this association was not shown in patients who had gallstones and managed the symptoms with diet and medication.

Allium sativum, more commonly known as garlic, has been used since ancient times, establishing a long history in the culinary and medicinal world. Medicinal usage of garlic has a plethora of purported beneficial effects which include: antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anticancer, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, alleviating diabetic symptoms, and preventative effects on cardiovascular diseases. In the modern world today, many still use garlic in culinary applications and in supplement form (Kodera, Ushijima, Amano, Suzuki, & Matsutomo, 2017).

August is national Kids Eat Right Month which focuses on the benefits of healthful eating and active lifestyles for kids and families. The importance of family mealtime has been studied since the 1970s, particularly on how it influences child language development and parent-child interaction (Catherine E. Snow, 2006). The discourse that occurs over dinnertime has been shown to provide rich information to children about the meaning of words and subsequently literary success (Catherine E. Snow, 2006). The benefits of family meals have also been studied in relation to behavior and dietary patterns.

Here is a FAQ Regarding CBD and THC

Chronic pain affects millions of Americans and ranges in its origin and severity. Alternative medicine as a means for pain management has become increasingly popular in the Western world. One source of which is the Cannabis plant, which has been cultivated and used for medicinal purposes since ancient times (Shannon, Lewis, Lee, & Hughes, 2019). While the Cannabis plant contains more than 80 different chemicals, known as cannabinoids, the two most abundant are tet­rahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The former of which is known for its psychoactive properties, whereas the latter is known for its non-psychoactive properties (Shannon et al., 2019).

Normal digestion typically takes 36 hours from ingestion to excretion. Within the first six to eight hours, food goes from the stomach to the small intestine (Mahan, & Raymond, 2017). However, that is not always the case, as sometimes there is a delay in gastric emptying (emptying of the contents in the stomach to the small intestine). Gastroparesis, which means paralysis of the stomach, is a condition characterized by damaged nerves and muscles not functioning properly or adequately (Mahan, & Raymond, 2017; Kumar, Chapman, Javed, Alam, Malik, & Azmi, 2018). The stomach either cannot or moves the food very slowly from the stomach to the small intestine, the next part of the digestive process. These complications can occur as a result of an obstruction within the stomach and/or intestines, diabetes, post-surgery, idiopathic (no known cause), or some neurological disorders (Camilleri, 2016; Haans, & Masclee, 2007; Homko, Duffy, Friedenberg, Boden, & Parkman, 2015; Kumar, Chapman, Javed, Alam, Malik, & Azmi, 2018).

Those experiencing hip fractures are typically more prone to comorbidities, postoperative complications, and protein-energy malnutrition (Bell, Bauer, Capra, & Pulle, 2014; Foss, Jensen, & Kehlet, 2007). Many individuals fail to meet the appropriate amount of energy and protein during postoperative care. As a result, muscle wasting can occur and contribute to further deterioration of nutritional status and health outcomes (Bell, Bauer, Capra, & Pulle, 2014; Foss, Jensen, & Kehlet, 2007; Mahan & Raymond, 2017).