“For individuals that have difficulty getting plenty of fruits and vegetables, can incorporating green powder supplements increase nutritional levels for a balanced diet?”
Green Powder Supplements
Meeting daily nutrient needs through whole, unprocessed foods can’t always be met when access is limited or for other reasons. A green powder supplement is a great way to fill in the gaps. Green powder supplements are a daily supplement that helps increase vitamin, mineral, and fiber intake and enhances overall health. Green powders are easy to mix in water with a favorite beverage or smoothie or bake into a recipe. They can help:
Increase energy
Nourish the immune system
Improve digestion
Promote mental clarity
Contribute to healthy blood sugar levels
Reduce the risk of chronic disease
Promote optimal liver and kidney function
What Are They?
Green powder supplements are forms of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and other bioactive compounds.
They are derived from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and algae to combine ingredients into a convenient supplement. (Giulia Lorenzoni et al., 2019)
Nutrients
Because most green powders comprise a combination of ingredients, the nutrient density is high. Green powder supplements can be considered a vitamin and mineral product. They typically contain:
Vitamins A, C, and K
Iron
Magnesium
Calcium
Antioxidants
The recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals can be helpful for individuals with limited access to produce or who want to supplement their diet with additional nutrients.
Energy
The phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables have been shown to improve energy levels. Studies on their effects on physical performance and endurance have resulted in positive outcomes. Researchers found that phytonutrients like those in green powders helped to increase energy, improve agility, reduce fatigue perception, improve memory, and decrease recovery time. (Nicolas Monjotin et al., 2022)
Digestive Health
Green powders are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, which contribute to feeling full and satisfied after a meal and are important for healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Eating fiber-rich foods is associated with optimal blood sugar control and improved gut microbiota diversity. These factors are important for maintaining a healthy body weight and decreasing the risk of chronic disease, for example, type 2 diabetes. (Thomas M. Barber et al., 2020) Phytochemicals, including flavonoids, have been shown to have therapeutic effects on gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea associated with IBS. Other phytonutrients have been shown to reduce certain symptoms of ulcerative colitis. (Nicolas Monjotin et al., 2022)
Immune System Function
Supplemental green powder supplements have shown the ability to maintain a healthy immune system and reduce inflammation by their antioxidant content. Green powders containing seaweed or algae are rich in phytochemical and poly-unsaturated fatty acids that have antioxidant properties to reduce inflammation and prevent oxidative damage to cells. (Agnieszka Jaworowska, Aliza Murtaza 2022) A randomized trial found that a fruit, berry, and vegetable powder concentrate blend decreased oxidation and reduced inflammation, attributed to the phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables.(Manfred Lamprecht et al., 2013)
Detoxification
The liver and kidneys are the main organs of natural detoxification. The liver helps the body absorb nutrients from consumed foods and removes waste and toxins through the kidneys. (National Library of Medicine. 2016) Plants are packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect the liver and kidneys from free radical damage and oxidative stress. (Yong-Song Guan et al., 2015) The green powder supplements are made from these plants. When drinking green powders, fluid intake naturally increases as a standard serving of green powder is mixed with 8 to 12 ounces of water.
Whether mixed, blended, or made into a shake, powdered greens are a convenient and efficient way to get the daily dose of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
The Healing Diet: Combat Inflammation, Embrace Wellness
References
Lorenzoni, G., Minto, C., Vecchio, M. G., Zec, S., Paolin, I., Lamprecht, M., Mestroni, L., & Gregori, D. (2019). Fruit and Vegetable Concentrate Supplementation and Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Review from a Public Health Perspective. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(11), 1914. doi.org/10.3390/jcm8111914
Monjotin, N., Amiot, M. J., Fleurentin, J., Morel, J. M., & Raynal, S. (2022). Clinical Evidence of the Benefits of Phytonutrients in Human Healthcare. Nutrients, 14(9), 1712. doi.org/10.3390/nu14091712
Barber, T. M., Kabisch, S., Pfeiffer, A. F. H., & Weickert, M. O. (2020). The Health Benefits of Dietary Fibre. Nutrients, 12(10), 3209. doi.org/10.3390/nu12103209
Jaworowska, A., & Murtaza, A. (2022). Seaweed Derived Lipids Are a Potential Anti-Inflammatory Agent: A Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(1), 730. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010730
Lamprecht, M., Obermayer, G., Steinbauer, K., Cvirn, G., Hofmann, L., Ledinski, G., Greilberger, J. F., & Hallstroem, S. (2013). Supplementation with a juice powder concentrate and exercise decrease oxidation and inflammation, and improve the microcirculation in obese women: randomised controlled trial data. The British journal of nutrition, 110(9), 1685–1695. doi.org/10.1017/S0007114513001001
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. How does the liver work? 2009 Sep 17 [Updated 2016 Aug 22]. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279393/
Guan, Y. S., He, Q., & Ahmad Al-Shatouri, M. (2015). Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Liver Diseases 2014. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2015, 476431. doi.org/10.1155/2015/476431
A typical diet consists of consuming three meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between. However, this is not always the case, depending on individual eating patterns and habits. Getting started eating healthy and losing body fat does not require severe dietary restrictions, starvation, and constantly exercising. Although achieving rapid weight loss might sound appealing, individuals often end up feeling depressed, tired, and unmotivated after some time. This is the most common cause of not maintaining a healthy balance and achieving optimal health. Individuals can still eat the foods they love by making long-term improvements that include:
Understanding the body’s caloric needs
Making smart nutritional choices
Adopting healthy eating habits
Incorporating enough exercise
Having all of the necessary information to make educated and informative choices for the body is the most effective and valuable way to getting started eating healthy.
Getting Started
Healthy eating starts with learning and adopting new ways to eat. This means adding fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and cutting back on processed foods with added fat, salt, and sugar. Converting to healthier eating also includes learning about balance, variety, and moderation.
Healthy eating is not the same as going on a diet. It means making adjustments/changes that an individual can live with and enjoy. Diets are temporary, as they are intended to cut out certain types of foods to make the body readjust and lose fat. However, during a diet, individuals can become hungrier and think about food all the time. A common side effect is to overeat after the diet to make up for the foods that are missed. Eating a healthy, balanced variety of foods is more satisfying to the body. Combined with more physical activity can help the individual get to a healthy weight—and maintain the healthy weight.
Make Healthy Eating A Habit
Think about the reasons for healthier eating.
Improving overall health.
Increase energy.
Feel better.
Set an example for kids and family.
Think about small changes that can be made.
Choose the ones that can be maintained.
Don’t try to change everything at once.
Set manageable and achievable goals, like having a salad and a piece of fruit each day.
Make long-term goals as well, like having one vegetarian dinner a week.
Get Support
Having a support team can help make the adjustments easier. Family and friends can help make meals, share healthy recipes and cooking tips. For more help, consult a doctor, registered dietitian, or health coach. Get started today.
Body Composition
After Lunch Energy Dip
Most individuals have experienced the moment when after having a nice filling lunch then afterward feeling the need to take a nap. Having a sleepy feeling about one hour after lunch, known as the post-lunch dip, decreases:
Alertness
Memory
Vigilance
Mood
A study in the British Journal of Nutrition followed 80 participants over 12 weeks to find whether eating almonds impacted this post-lunch dip. The results found that an almond-enriched high-fat lunch helped reduce memory decline by 58% compared to a high-carbohydrate lunch.
References
American Dietetic Association (2009). Position of the American Dietetic Association: Functional foods. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(4): 735–746. Also available online: www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8354.
Dhillon, Jaapna, et al. “Effects of Almond Consumption on the Post-Lunch Dip and Long-Term Cognitive Function in Energy-Restricted Overweight and Obese Adults.” British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 117, no. 3, 2017, pp. 395–402., doi:10.1017/S0007114516004463.
Gallagher ML (2012). Intake: The nutrients and their metabolism. In LK Mahan et al., eds., Krause’s Food and the Nutrition Care Process, 13th ed., pp. 32–128. St. Louis: Saunders.
Katz DL (2008). Dietary recommendations for health promotion and disease prevention. In Nutrition in Clinical Practice, 2nd ed., pp. 434–447. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture (2015). 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans 8th ed. health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/. Accessed January 12, 2016.
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is good for everyone — and may even help current and former smokers avoid chronic lung disease, a new investigation reveals.
Apples, pears, green leafy vegetables and peppers appear to offer protection against COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,, stated researchers led by Joanna Kaluza, of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland. And the more servings of fruits and vegetables consumed regularly, the greater the protection, Kaluza and her colleagues found.
The study can’t actually prove that diet prevents the debilitating lung disease. However, “we would argue that clinicians should consider the potential benefits of a healthy diet in promoting lung health, and advocate optimizing intake of fruits and vegetables, especially in smokers who are unable to stop smoking,” said the authors of an editorial accompanying the study. Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD. This term applies to a group of breathing conditions, including emphysema, caused by the narrowing of airway passages.
The new 13-year study involved 44,000 Swedish men between the ages of 45 and 79. Nearly two-thirds had smoked at some point. Roughly one-quarter still smoked, while nearly four in 10 said they had never smoked.
The men filled out food questionnaires and answered questions about smoking and other behaviors.
Over the study period, more than 1,900 new cases of COPD developed.
Analyzing the data, the study team determined that regardless of smoking history those who ate five or more servings of certain fruits and vegetables a day were 35 percent less likely to develop COPD than those who consumed just two servings daily.
Among former smokers, each additional serving was tied with a 4 percent lower risk of COPD. In current smokers, each extra serving was linked to an 8 percent lower risk, the study says. Researchers theorized that antioxidants found in some fruits and vegetables may play a role in reducing tissue stress and inflammation that is central to the onset of COPD.
That said, not all fruits and veggies were deemed protective. Bananas, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, garlic and peas did not appear to lower COPD risk.
Looked at in reverse, the team found that current and former smokers who consumed fewer than two portions of fruits and vegetables each day faced a greater risk for COPD respectively than those who had never smoked and ate five or more such portions daily.
SOURCE: Thorax, news release, Feb. 22, 2017
Additional Topics: Whole Body Wellness
Following a balanced nutrition as well as engaging in regular physical activity and sleeping properly are all proper lifestyle habits which can help increase and maintain overall health and wellness. Many common complications associated with improper lifestyle habits, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer, however, the risk of developing these can be prevented with a few lifestyle changes. In addition, visiting a chiropractor and receiving chiropractic care can help maintain and improve the overall health of the spine as well as its surrounding structures.
If you want to add years to your life, 10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables may be the best recipe you can follow, a new analysis suggests.
The benefits appear to come through lower rates of heart attack, stroke, cancer and early death. And if everyone found a way to get 10 daily servings of produce, 7.8 million premature deaths would be avoided each year worldwide, the British researchers estimated.
Proper Fruit and Vegetable Servings
Exactly how much in the way of fruits and vegetables is that? Anywhere from 10 small bananas or apples to 30 tablespoons of cooked spinach, peas, broccoli or cauliflower — or roughly 800 grams of produce, the researchers said.
At least five servings (400 grams) of fruits and vegetables each day is what is currently recommended by many health agencies.
“Although five portions of fruit and vegetables is good, 10 a day is even better,” said study author Dagfinn Aune, of the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. But even just over two portions a day made a difference in the review, the researchers added.
Eating 2.5 portions (200 grams) of produce on a daily basis was associated with reductions in: heart disease (by 16 percent); stroke (18 percent); cardiovascular disease (13 percent); cancer risk (4 percent); and premature death (15 percent).
The results for 10 daily servings were even stronger: a 24 percent reduced risk of heart disease; a 33 percent reduced risk of stroke; a 28 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular disease; a 13 percent reduced risk of cancer; and a 31 percent reduction in premature death risk.
“Fruit and vegetables have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and to boost the health of our blood vessels and immune system,” Aune said in a university news release. “This may be due to the complex network of nutrients they hold. For instance, they contain many antioxidants, which may reduce DNA damage, and lead to a reduction in cancer risk,” Aune explained.
However, the study did not prove a cause-and-effect link between eating more fruits and vegetables and longer life.
Benefits of Eating more Fruits and Vegetables
“Most likely it is the whole package of beneficial nutrients you obtain by eating fruits and vegetables that is crucial in health,” Aune said. “This is why it is important to eat whole plant foods to get the benefit, instead of taking antioxidant or vitamin supplements (which have not been shown to reduce disease risk),” Aune noted.
Together, the 95 studies the Imperial College London scientists analyzed included almost 2 million people.
In their review, the researchers also found signs that these types of produce seemed to confer the greatest benefits: apples, pears, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower), and green and yellow vegetables (such as green beans, spinach, carrots and peppers).
The study was published Feb. 22 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
SOURCE: Imperial College London, news release, Feb. 22, 2017
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Weight Loss Eases Back Pain
Back pain and symptoms of sciatica can affect a majority of the population throughout their lifetime. Research studies have demonstrated that people who are overweight or obese experience more back complications than people with a healthy weight. A proper nutrition along with regular physical fitness can help with weight loss as well as help maintain a healthy weight to eliminate symptoms of back pain and sciatica. Chiropractic care is also another natural form of treatment which treats back pain and sciatica utilizing manual spinal adjustments and manipulations.
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is good for everyone — and may even help current and former smokers avoid chronic lung disease, a new investigation reveals.
Apples, pears, green leafy vegetables and peppers appear to offer protection against COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,, stated researchers led by Joanna Kaluza, of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland. And the more servings of fruits and vegetables consumed regularly, the greater the protection, Kaluza and her colleagues found.
The study can’t actually prove that diet prevents the debilitating lung disease. However, “we would argue that clinicians should consider the potential benefits of a healthy diet in promoting lung health, and advocate optimizing intake of fruits and vegetables, especially in smokers who are unable to stop smoking,” said the authors of an editorial accompanying the study. Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD. This term applies to a group of breathing conditions, including emphysema, caused by the narrowing of airway passages.
The new 13-year study involved 44,000 Swedish men between the ages of 45 and 79. Nearly two-thirds had smoked at some point. Roughly one-quarter still smoked, while nearly four in 10 said they had never smoked.
The men filled out food questionnaires and answered questions about smoking and other behaviors.
Over the study period, more than 1,900 new cases of COPD developed.
Analyzing the data, the study team determined that regardless of smoking history those who ate five or more servings of certain fruits and vegetables a day were 35 percent less likely to develop COPD than those who consumed just two servings daily.
Among former smokers, each additional serving was tied with a 4 percent lower risk of COPD. In current smokers, each extra serving was linked to an 8 percent lower risk, the study says. Researchers theorized that antioxidants found in some fruits and vegetables may play a role in reducing tissue stress and inflammation that is central to the onset of COPD.
That said, not all fruits and veggies were deemed protective. Bananas, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, garlic and peas did not appear to lower COPD risk.
Looked at in reverse, the team found that current and former smokers who consumed fewer than two portions of fruits and vegetables each day faced a greater risk for COPD respectively than those who had never smoked and ate five or more such portions daily.
SOURCE: Thorax, news release, Feb. 22, 2017�
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Whole Body Wellness
Following a balanced nutrition as well as engaging in regular physical activity and sleeping properly are all proper lifestyle habits which can help increase and maintain overall health and wellness. Many common complications associated with improper lifestyle habits, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer, however, the risk of developing these can be prevented with a few lifestyle changes. In addition, visiting a chiropractor and receiving chiropractic care can help maintain and improve the overall health of the spine as well as its surrounding structures.
A healthy eating plan should include at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Learn easy ways to include the right amount of produce in your diet.
Seniors are better than younger people at making their servings of fruits and vegetables part of their diet, but that’s still not saying much. According to a review published in August 2013 in the journal Maturitas, only 21 to 37 percent of men and 29 to 45 percent of women ages 65 and older eat five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables, which is the minimum amount recommended for�good nutrition.
Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is especially important as you get older, because the nutrients and fiber in these foods can help reduce high blood pressure, lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, stave off eye and digestive problems � and simply satisfy your hunger.
Before you try to eat an entire bunch of bananas or a bushel of apples, know this: One serving of fruit or vegetables equals half a cup, or about the amount you could hold in a cupped hand. Nutrition experts used to recommend five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, but that�s probably not enough, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individual needs are different, so depending on age, gender, and level of physical activity, you�ll require between 5 and 13 servings of fruit and vegetables each day.
Meeting Your Healthy Eating Goal for Fruits and Vegetables
Follow these simple tips for increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat each day:
Add fruits and vegetables to your favorite dishes.�Find ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into foods you already eat. For example, stir fruit into your cereal or yogurt, add strawberries or blueberries to your pancakes, pack your sandwich with extra veggies, add vegetable toppings to your pizza, stir greens into your favorite casserole or pasta dish, or stuff your omelet with extra vegetables.
Display your produce.�Put your fruits and vegetables out on the counter or in a prominent position in the refrigerator, so that you’ll be more likely to eat them.
Try new things.�Next time you go to the grocery store, pick out a new fruit or vegetable to try.
Cook vegetarian.�At least once every week, skip the meat (you could join in on�Meatless Monday) and try a new vegetarian recipe for dinner.
Snack away.�Try snacking on fresh or dried fruit, carrot and bell pepper strips with a low-fat dip, or baked chips with fresh salsa.
Why We Eat Less as We Age
As you get older, certain age-related changes can make it more difficult to get the fruit and vegetables you need, such as:
Difficulty chewing Some people have dental problems that make it harder to chew, resulting in a reduced interest in eating.
Changes in taste Your sense of taste can change as you get older, so you may avoid some of the foods you used to enjoy.
Mobility problems For older people who are no longer able to drive, it may be difficult to get out and shop for fresh produce.
Lack of motivation to cook If you live alone, you may not feel like cooking just for one.
Changes in appetite For many people, getting older means that you just aren’t as hungry as you used to be.
To get the most out of the fruit and vegetables you eat, aim for variety. Eat many different types of fruits and vegetables, in a rainbow of colors. This will help ensure that you get the variety of nutrients your body needs for healthy aging.
Following a healthy, balanced diet is ultimately essential towards an individual’s overall health and, while many people effectively implement fruits and vegetables into their eating plan, older adults can find it difficult to follow a proper, everyday nutrition. Fruits and vegetables are a fundamental part of a human’s diet. Several tips and tricks can help add these important foods to an individual’s diet.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
A balanced nutrition is important for maintaining the regular function of all the structures in the body. While many people follow restricted diets, most commonly centered around weight loss, following the discipline closely and avoiding the cravings can be challenging. These nutritional goals are not impossible to achieve although, starting out by detoxifying the body can help.
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