Lake Norman Integrative Wellness Blog

Exercise creates good gut bacteria independent of diet

Exercise creates good gut bacteria independent of diet

December 22, 2017

We’re learning what a vital role good gut bacteria play in immune health, brain health, mood, and, of course, gut health. We also know that the best way to beef up your good gut bacteria is through eating lots of different kinds of vegetables and fruits every day. But researchers have discovered yet another way…

Canola oil worsens memory, raises Alzheimer’s risk

Canola oil worsens memory, raises Alzheimer’s risk

December 15, 2017

We’ve long been pitched canola’s health benefits. After all, Whole Foods uses it in all their prepared foods and many vegetarian and vegan products proudly promote it as a feature ingredient. But when scientists, who had shown the brain benefits of olive oil in mice, decided to run the same studies with canola oil, they…

How to talk to an overweight child about their weight

How to talk to an overweight child about their weight

December 8, 2017

Ours is a tricky culture in which to raise a child. We idolize thinness, shame the fat, yet live in a society that constantly begs — if not harasses — us to over indulge in sugary, fattening foods. Also, thanks to busy working parents, many kids are left to their own devices when it comes…

Balancing chronic autoimmune illness with raising children

Balancing chronic autoimmune illness with raising children

December 1, 2017

Because women make up about 75 percent of autoimmune disease diagnoses, this means many sufferers of chronic illness are also raising children. It’s common for women to feel disappointed or inferior because they are not the kind of mom they had envisioned. But the perfect mom is an unattainable myth, and it’s possible your illness…

Cannabinoid receptors: How to activate them without cannabis

Cannabinoid receptors: How to activate them without cannabis

November 25, 2017

If medical marijuana has done anything, it has been to educate us about our own endocannibinoid system (ECS) — a system of receptors on cells that play a role in inflammation, appetite, pain, mood, memory, and even cancer prevention. These receptors have come to light because they respond to compounds in cannabis, or marijuana. A…

Counting carbs? Carbohydrate density matters most

Counting carbs? Carbohydrate density matters most

November 18, 2017

If you are counting carbs to stabilize your blood sugar, lower inflammation, balance hormones, or lose weight, experts say looking at carbohydrate density is a more important strategy. Carbohydrate density measures how many carbohydrates are present per 100 grams of food. Low carb density foods don’t raise your risk of chronic disease. Research shows eliminating…