“Functional Food” may not be the most familiar term, but it’s an easy and important concept to understand. For most of us, each food we eat serves many purposes in general nutrition. That salad you have for lunch might serve to: Fill you up while adding few calories to your overall daily intake. Provide lots of vitamins and nutrients to your diet. Giving you energy to make it through the rest of the workday. Providing fiber to bring regularity to your digestive system. Of cou

Learn simple ways to support your chances of aging safely. As much as our society promotes products and plans to help you look younger, there are many benefits that come with age. In your senior decades, you often have a stronger sense of self, as well as a confidence you may not have had in your 20s and 30s. In order to live life to the fullest in your golden years, you need your physical health to keep up your inner goals and big plans. To help keep you on track, we’re

One of America’s favorite foods is also one of the most healthful. The average person eats just under two pounds of chicken a week, or nearly 94 pounds a year, according to the National Chicken Council. Chicken is an especially smart choice when you’re trying to lose extra pounds because it’s rich in protein yet low in calories and unhealthy fats. It’s also loaded with essential vitamins and minerals that help you stay strong and energetic. Best of all, you can enjoy the heal

Learn how to support your heart health! The heart is a powerful, crucial muscle which pumps blood throughout the body and keeps us living, loving, and pursuing our passions. As we age, so does our heart, meaning that the heart health strategies that worked when we were younger must evolve as we enter our golden years. The more we focus on heart-healthy living such as staying active, eating a smart diet, and taking thoughtful supplements, the better our chances of staying

You probably know that there are many health benefits to walking for adults. But did you know that there are also health benefits of walking for kids? Here are some reasons why you should find ways to encourage your child to add more walking to their daily routine. Importance of Physical Activity in Childhood The Department of Health and Human Services’ current Physical Activity Guidelines explains that “childhood and adolescence are critical periods for developing movement s

Learn how to support cervical health. January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, and while this topic may not be at the forefront of your mind, it’s not a subject you should ignore. Without proper supplements, nutrition, screenings, and vaccinations, sexually active adults can contract the Human papillomavirus (otherwise known as HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer. Believe it or not, cervical cancer is one of the few completely preventable cancers, so keep reading to

Kick-start your health journey this year! Welcome to 2020! This isn’t just the start to the New Year, it’s the start of a brand new decade! That milestone has many of us vowing to get healthy and make our lives the best they can possibly be. So, how do we do that? We have some tips to get you started. What is Healthy? Many of us make a New Years resolution to “get healthy,” but what does that actually mean? Well, experts define health as “a state of complete emotional an

Nuts are affordable and delicious, and the perfect snack for almost any time of the day. They are quite good for you too when consumed in moderation and without added salt. Though many varieties of nuts are high in calories, those calories come from healthy fats, protein, and fiber, which are the nutritional building blocks that benefit the body in numerous ways, including the heart. Let’s take a closer look at what makes nuts awesome, then some of the particular nuts that yo

Eye health is important. And if you’re looking to add foods that support eye health to your grocery list, then look no further than this list. The great news? Foods that are great for eye health also tend to be foods that are great for your overall health and well-being, too. The other bit of good news? Eye health foods are delicious. “Some nutrients keep the eye healthy overall, and some have been found to reduce the risk of eye diseases,” says Rebecca J. Taylor, MD, an opht

It’s so obvious as to hardly need mentioning, but having a baby is tough. The sudden life change, lack of sleep, and physical trauma are hard on mind and body, and the weeks that follow a birth are filled with a blend of joy and difficulty for most women. To maximize joy and health on the other side of recovery, exercise is an important step to take. If you can get back to your pre-birth fitness level, or even beyond, you’ll be giving yourself much more health, happiness, and

Younger people are risk takers, not just with their money or the activities they engage in, but also their health. While some risky behaviors may lead to experiencing new things and finding your own path through adulthood, risking your health at a young age may actually be one of the worst things you can do. Recent findings suggest that for people below the age of 40 need to be mindful of their blood pressure levels and cholesterol. Having systolic blood pressure levels of 13

Sometimes you crave something sweet when you’re feeling particularly stressed. Sometimes you’re in the mood for a salty snack or want a cold and creamy treat. These cravings are normal, but other times, obsessing about certain foods may mean your body is trying to tell you something. Talk to your doctor about these, or any other, intense and unexplained cravings: 1. Craving: Water May Signal: Diabetes Sure, you could just be a little dehydrated and need a tall glass or two of

Get the Basics… Personal trainers play a big role in motivating and encouraging clients to improve or change health behaviors. There are many different strategies you can use with clients to help them overcome barriers and be successful at reaching their health and fitness goals. Goal setting, use of behavior change theories, and providing encouragement are great tips for coaching clients. The job of a personal trainer doesn’t stop with creating and delivering a safe and effe

Learn about energy differences and how energy healing may support your well-being. When it comes to energy, you probably feel like there’s never enough. With all your body is expected to do each day – from working full-time to cooking meals, cleaning the house, getting the kids ready for their day, and taking care of the rest of the family (even your pets) – when are you expected to get the rest you need so you can recuperate properly? Keep reading to find out about ener

The road to weight loss is lined with confusing signs—some tell you to go this way, while others say the opposite. What you need is a roadmap—or better yet, a turn-by-turn GPS—you can trust… like one that comes from an expert, registered dietitian. Fortunately, at Nutrisystem, they’re all around, developing the products and weight loss programs that help thousands of people reach their weight loss goals. Two of those dietitians talked to The Leaf Weight Loss Blog to offer the

Dandruff is a distressing affliction for many. Not typically severe enough to warrant medical attention, dandruff can nonetheless be a chronic irritation. It can be embarrassing to discover white flakes on your shirt collar three hours into a party, or to have to go to the bathroom to dust yourself off during work. If this reminds you of your own scalp, then keep reading to see some suggestions for how you may be able to better manage your dandruff. What causes dandruff? Well

Krill oil, like fish oil, is a natural compound found in aquatic life that contains essential fatty acids. Unlike fish oil, some research suggests that krill oil may provide optimal support for heart health. So, should you get essential fatty acids from krill, or can you stick with salmon, herring, mackerel, or many other popular sources of fish oil? Keep reading to find out. Potential Benefits of Krill Oil Krill oil, from Euphausia superba, is an aquatic animal with a simila

Trace minerals, also referred to as microminerals, are minerals found at smaller quantities in water, soil, plants, and living tissues. Trace minerals are also a smaller part of the human diet. Major minerals are different as they are required in greater quantities and include calcium, potassium, and magnesium to name a few. Examples of trace minerals may include iodine, zinc, selenium, boron, lithium, and around 50-70 others that may be found in the soil or natural bodies of

The colon, also known as the large intestine, connects to the end of the small intestine and is responsible for these important functions of the body: Absorption of water and minerals. The creation and absorption of vitamins. Storage for waste. Fermentation of indigestible compounds. Home to more than 500 species of bacteria. Bacteria play one of the largest roles in overall colon health, as they affect not only the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, but also the immune s

Get the Basics… Playing multiple sports over specializing in one too early Movement and awareness as foundations in fitness Setting realistic goals and developing plans to reach them Running a successful family-owned business Achieving longevity in any endeavor, business or otherwise, is a difficult task, isn’t it? Attaining that longevity in an increasingly saturated industry is an even more challenging proposition. Today, we’re talking to Andy Luukkonen who is his third dec