The Starkel Nutrition Blog
The latest from the expert team of nutritionists at Starkel Nutrition to help you live healthier, vibrant, and fuller lives.
Vitamin U
Vitamins are important nutrients found in food that are instrumental not only in supporting normal growth and development, but by also helping the body maintain proper functions, such as immunity, metabolism, and protection against various diseases. There are thirteen...
The Truth About Agave
The Truth about Agave Sugar has been a dietary topic of interest as more and more research links it to obesity and Type II Diabetes. Over the years, alternative sweeteners have become popular, both natural and artificial. Consumers are beginning to become more aware...
It All Starts in the Gut: Getting to the Bottom of Your Autoimmune Condition
Do you suffer from an autoimmune condition such as celiac disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multiple sclerosis or some other kind? Are you tired of your family or friends telling you that your symptoms are “in your head” or tired of your health care provider throwing their hands up in dismay?
Living with Eczema: The Ongoing Challenge
What is eczema? The word eczema describes a group of rash-like skin conditions [1]. Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is a chronic skin disease that is characterized by dry, itchy skin and rashes on the face, hands, inside the elbows, behind the knees...
Living with Allergies
Is it just me, or does everyone seem to have allergies these days? Approximately 30% of adults and 40% of children in the United States are currently affected by allergies. In fact, allergies are now the most common health issue affecting children and are the 6th...
Fortification of Corn Masa Flour with Folic Acid
Starting in 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug administration mandated that all products made with enriched wheat flour be fortified with folic acid, a synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. This includes breads, pastas, breakfast cereals, and a multitude of other...
Sticking to Healthy Habits While on Vacation
With summer approaching many of us have fun vacations to look forward to. Traveling can be full of amazing experiences that feed the soul but it is important during these times to not neglect the way we feed our physical bodies. Many people follow the idea that...
Nourishing a Picky Eater
As parents we want our kids to get all the nutrients they need to grow into big, strong and healthy bodies. When they are young and being introduced to foods, it can be so exciting to see them try new foods and enjoy them! It can also be frustrating when you present...
Childhood Muscular Fitness and Risk for Metabolic Syndrome
Over the years there have been numerous advancements in technology with phones, tablets, computers, gaming systems, etc. With these advancements, sedentary behavior from young to old has steadily increased, convenience foods have become more appealing, our lives have become busier, and overall, our environment is rapidly changing. As a result, many chronic diseases are becoming more prevalent among the U.S. population and are now presenting earlier in life and reaching children at younger ages. One of the risk factors for many of these chronic diseases is metabolic syndrome.
I Wanna (Safely) Soak Up the Sun
Summer salutations! Now that warmer and sunnier days are right around the corner, it is more important than ever to make sure you are practicing safe fun in the sun. The sun plays a large role in bodily vitamin D levels, and too little sun can contribute to vitamin D...
A Reason to Add Turmeric and Black Pepper to Your Summer Grilling Recipes
Recently, turmeric has been receiving a lot of praise due to the health potentials of its bio-active compound, curcumin. Turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb but lately, it’s gotten more traction in Western culture as...
The Promise in Probiotics: Part II
Most research that has been conducted and published on the microbiome has been within the past five years! That is not much time at all, meaning we actually understand very little about it and there is much more to be found out. Some of the research that has been...
The Promise In Probiotics: Part I
In recent years probiotics have been gaining a lot of attention as scientists are finding that they may be instrumental to the prevention of certain infectious diseases, chronic inflammatory non-communicable diseases (NCDs), metabolic conditions, immune disorders, as...
The Power of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been popular for decades as natural remedy “cure all.” While it may not cure quite everything, research has shown it to be effective for both balancing blood sugar and supporting weight loss. It is often promoted as a digestive aid, however, there is no current research to back up those claims, yet clinicians use it for that successfully.
Add Some St. Patrick’s Day Green to Your Diet! Phytochemicals & Phytonutrients
With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, there is no better time to start adding some green to our plates! Plant-based foods get their natural, vibrant colors from compounds called phytochemicals or phytonutrients.
Counterfeit Products Being Sold on Consumer Websites
When purchasing nutritional supplements online consumers must be exceptionally cautious. In the United States dietary supplements are considered a special category food and do not require approval from the Food and Drug Administration before being put on the market, and manufacturers are not required to provide evidence for the safety or effectiveness of their product. Counterfeit producers of health and dietary products will use fake, cheap ingredients often of unknown origin and sometimes even pharmaceutical adulterants to increase product effectiveness.
March is National Nutrition Month! "Go Further with Food"
Since the 1970’s public interest in the field of nutrition has been growing. This interest sparked the beginning of “National Nutrition Month,” a month where nutrition and health are highlighted and celebrated in countless ways, according to themes. This year’s theme encompasses a friendly challenge to “Go Further with Food,” and promotes the importance of creating healthy physical activity habits, optimally fueling your body, and reducing food loss and waste.
Artificial Sweeteners Are They Really a Better Alternative to Sugar?
Reducing the amount of sugar in one’s diet is a very effective way to improve overall health and promote weight loss. However, switching to artificial sweeteners as a way to avoid natural sugars may not be your best option. A recent analysis of multiple studies in The Canadian Medical Association Journal looked at the long-term associations of artificial sweetener consumption with weight and other factors. The observational studies reviewed demonstrated a correlation between consistent intake of artificial sweeteners with weight gain over time as well as increased risk for Type 2 Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and hypertension.
The Great Salt Debate Is salt good or bad for your health?
Learn the nuances of whether salt is good for your health. Read the article of one of our nutritionists in Experience Life Magazine.
Nutritional Supplements: When to Take and With What
As clinicians, we always ask our clients what nutritional supplements they take, or we often recommend them. An important aspect of taking supplements is knowing when and with what to take them. For example, B vitamins on an empty stomach can cause nausea, or some...
Mindful Eating: Meditating on Food and Hunger
No doubt you’ve heard about (and have likely even practiced) meditation at some point in your life, but have you ever thought about meditating on food and hunger?