Foods for Wellness

Our diet is the foundation for wellness. Eating healthy can be difficult when life gets busy. On top of hectic schedules there are many conflicting suggestions on what to eat and what not to eat. What foods should you be reaching for if you want to maintain better health? We have compiled some of the foods that have the most positive research behind their health benefits in this week’s blog.

These small fruits can have a big impact on your health. The deep color of berries is a clue to their health-enhancing potential. Plant pigments are the source of flavonoids which act like antioxidants in the body, mopping up damaging free radical elements.* Some berries contain all six categories of flavonoids which are flavonols, flavone, flavan-3-ols, flavanones, anthocyanidins and isoflavones. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cherries are some of the most potent antioxidant filled fruits since they contain all six flavonoid types. Berries are also a great source of vitamin C. Try boosting your antioxidant intake with Nature’s Lab Tart Cherry. This formula helps reduce inflammation, supporting better joint mobility and workout recovery.*

Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C can support our natural defenses against harmful pathogens. Vitamin C supports immune function by protecting specific immune cells from oxidative stress. You can get vitamin C from oranges and other citrus fruits. Broccoli and spinach are excellent sources of vitamin C and the bioflavonoid quercetin. Surprisingly, a single bell pepper has more vitamin C than an orange, so be sure to add these colorful vegetables to your diet as well. The immune enhancing combination of quercetin and vitamin C is also available in capsule form in Nature’s Lab Super Vitamin C. Quercetin in this formula lessens the body’s response to histamine while vitamin C and citrus bioflavonoids fight inflammation.

Mushrooms are low in calories and fat, yet high in vitamins, minerals and polysaccharides. Polysaccharides, specifically beta glucan, possess immune enhancing properties that have been well documented by numerous clinical studies.* Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate found within mushrooms. When these polysaccharides are broken down by gut bacteria they produce immune-stimulating metabolites.* Another great reason to increase mushrooms in your diet is that they are a significant source of vitamin D. Adding mushrooms to your plate makes sense for any healthy eating regimen. If you want to benefit from mushroom’s immune support benefits on the go, try Nature’s Lab’s Mushroom 7, a blend of seven different functional mushroom species.

Here’s a bit of good news for your next happy hour. If you enjoy a glass of red wine from time to time you can benefit from its resveratrol and other antioxidant compounds.* Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in grapes that supports healthy cholesterol, blood sugar metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity.* Because of red wine’s fermentation, the grapes become concentrated, increasing resveratrol levels in the beverage. Red wine contains not only resveratrol but other antioxidants such as anthocyanins, catechins, and tannins. Our Resveratrol Ultra supplement distills the benefits of a glass of red wine into capsule form without the added alcohol or calories. It contains not only resveratrol, grape seed extract and red wine extract, but also green tea extract to further up the ante in anti-inflammatory benefits.*

Want to contribute to better heart health, healthy blood pressure levels and even cognitive function? Omega-3 fatty acids are “good fats” that are indispensable for cardiovascular and brain health.* We can’t make omega-3 fatty acids in the body so we have to obtain them from the diet. Salmon, cod and tuna are fatty fish that contain generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. A 6-ounce serving of wild caught salmon has over 1,700 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per serving. Most dietary guidelines recommend a total of 8 ounces of fatty fish per week. Of course, for times that you can’t quite meet that quota you can get your omega-3’s in convenient capsule form with Nature's Lab Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil with EPA & DHA.

Collagen makes up about one-third of total protein in our body. The bones have ample amounts of collagen, which is one reason why bone broth is one of the healthiest foods you can choose for your wellness. Bone broth is made by simmering bones on low heat for up to 48 hours. The heat breaks down the collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and other nutrients present in the bones and makes them consumable in liquid form. Bone broth is time consuming to make but well worth the effort. Collagen helps keep skin firm and elastic by supporting the structure of the dermis.* Collagen is also a component of hair, joints and connective tissue. After the age of thirty, collagen production sharply declines which is why getting additional collagen in the diet can provide significant health benefits. If you need a quick shot of collagen, try Nature’s Lab Gold Turmeric + Joint Complex. This formula combines hydrolyzed collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate with the antioxidant herb turmeric for joint and skin health.*

In many cultures, organ meats like liver, heart and kidneys are considered a delicacy. Organ meat is sometimes referred to as “nature’s multivitamin” because they contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. Organ meats typically contain zinc, b vitamins and easily absorbed heme iron.  If you are a vegetarian or simply don’t care for the taste of organ meat, you can bridge your nutritional gaps with a comprehensive multivitamin like One Daily or Six Daily.