You Recovered from COVID-19…now what?
In 2020, we were focused on prevention, by boosting our immune system and following other guidelines to limit potential exposure, and early intervention for COVID- 19. We have continued to update our immune boosting strategies, but the foundation has stayed the same. Everyone should be on Vitamin D3, Vitamin C, and Zinc. Other supplements and […]
G is for Glutathione
This is the first of a series regarding immune system boosters. With all the recent news concerning the pandemic and the annual flu, a quick reminder of supplements will encourage all of us! The usual rhetoric continues to stress hand washing, mask wearing, and social distancing. However, once someone has been diagnosed with a […]
Seasons Staff Recommendations for Immune Boosting Supplements
Vitamin D3 – adults with normal kidney function can take 10,000 IU daily and may increase to 20,000 IU daily if symptomatic for viral illness Vitamin C – 1 gram (1000 mg) twice a day – increase to three times a day if symptomatic, we use livonlabs.com – they are producing more but may be […]
Vitamin C- the strongest anti-viral!
If you are like me, you have been bombarded with information on how to boost your immune system. We have been told to wash our hands, stay away from sick people and large crowds, get plenty of rest, eat healthy, manage stress, and wash our hands. Also, contact your doctor if you are concerned […]
Fasting for Better Health and Metabolic Reset
Fasting for Better Health and Metabolic Reset Fasting has received all kinds of attention in the media these days. In 2019, it was one of the most searched for diet terms on Google, and many weight loss experts are touting the benefits of fasting to the public. Our practice supports fasting because it […]
Candida
How is your gut health? Did you know there are billions of beneficial bacteria living within us? Bacteria is what makes up our microbiome-an integral part of our internal ecosystem that benefits our gut health and immune function. Your microbiome is home to trillions of microbes, which are diverse organisms that help govern nearly every […]
The S Word S-U-G-A-R
What is your relationship with sugar like? Do you always say YES to cake at parties and YES to chocolate for dessert? Our bodies need sugar- but we are eating excessive amounts in America- to the point it is hurting our health. Have you picked up a 7 year old lately? That’s how […]
Everything Begins in the Gut- Leaky Gut
Leaky gut is the result of a lack of intestinal enzymes necessary for digestion to happen. If the body cannot digest correctly, it cannot absorb vital nutrients. When this happens, you can experience immune dysfunction and hormone imbalance. Abdominal bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivity, joint pain, skin rashes, autoimmune issues…. Do you […]
The Connection Between Food and Mood
The Connection Between Food and Mood Click Here to See The Original Blog The role of nutrition in the development of mood disorders has recently become a central focus of clinical research. In recent years, public awareness of the intimate relationship between the brain and mental wellbeing has increasingly grown. The high metabolic and nutrient demands […]
Fasting Basics: How To Get Started Fasting?
For the Original Blog Post, please click HERE “Megan, come into the living room now,” my mother-in-law screamed on New Year’s Day 2018. She was ecstatic because every morning talk show was predicting intermittent fasting would be the hottest dietary trend of 2018. They were right. Everyone used to think Dr. Jason Fung and I […]
How To Thrive During Virus Season
by Megan Roberts, Integrative Health Coach and Head RN Where did I get it? Well, could have been that last trip to Target, maybe the bounce house where dozens other parents took their children to let off some steam this weekend because schools are closed due to illness for the second time in three weeks. […]
Nourishing Immune Building Soup For the Soul
Carolyn Burris, MS, Nutrition Forum Health Knoxville February 20, 2019 Feeling under the weather and a cold or virus coming on? You have choices! So, let’s take a healthy step by making this tasty immune fighting soup. Here are some of the benefits in the soup’s ingredients. Coconut Oil– has […]
A4m Blog: IV Therapy: Facts vs. Fiction
Intravenous (IV) therapy is known to be the fastest way to deliver any kind of fluid or medication to the body, yielding a bioavailability absorption of 100%. This practice has also demonstrated quantifiable benefits in the realm of healthcare and wellness, particularly regarding nutrition: IV nutritional therapy, in which vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients […]
Dorothy, there is no place like home!
Yard to table blog exists to highlight and integrate natural therapies into the everyday life. Natural, Healthy living is not hard. In fact, the means to live Healthy is all around us. Most just need to start. Most just need to take that first step towards Health. So many of the toxins […]
All things Mushrooms!
Mushrooms! What does that make you think of? Psychedelic mushrooms? Smoking mushrooms? Culinary mushrooms? Gateway drugs? Poison? Mushrooms can be many and all of these. But, I want to discuss the amazing medicinal value of mushrooms. Not the “medicinal” that has been abused and misused for political and/or marketing purposes. I am […]
the journey along the middle prong river trail to Health
It is hard! Health is to hard. Many don’t achieve it because it is to hard. These were the words of a recent conversation I had with a friend and client. Is Health hard? Is Wellness really unobtainable? I may surprise you with my answer—for many the answer is unfortunately yes. The answer […]
Thermography Screenings, June 19, 2014!
Join us at Forum Health Knoxville in Farragut for a Thermography Event Thursday, June 19th 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Appointments are limited. Call (865) 675-9355 to schedule yours. Early detection saves lives. This 15-minute non-invasive test is a valuable procedure and designed to improve detection of breast disease. There is no contact with […]
What is a Heart Healthy Diet?
What is a Heart Healthy Diet? As I mentioned last month, I want to devote this blog to a healthy diet with an emphasis on heart health and disease prevention. My hope is that I will encourage you to be your own best health advocate on what you should eat. One word I want you […]
Early Cancer Detection with Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging
Breast cancer is a terrible disease, and early detection is vital to a healthy prognosis. How can we screen early without the radiation exposure? Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging.
Dining Out & GMOs: The Real Price We Pay
It’s a fact: Americans love eating out. But dining out will make you fat and very unhealthy! Read this eye-opening article about food loaded with hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides.
Pulling Back The Curtains On Dr. Oz: The Truth About IV Nutrition Therapy
Recently on his daily television show, Dr. Oz discussed IV nutrition therapy. I was very disappointed when Dr. Oz questioned the validity, benefit, and safety of this invaluable therapy. He had a guest physician on his show to defend IV therapies, but his guest talked in generalizations with no specifics and no scientific data. Dr. Oz’s conclusion […]
Don’t Be A Stupid Cupid! Think Outside The Box (Of Chocolates).
For a little romantic spice for you and your spouse, try Man Power and Woman Power from the rejuvenation line by Sprayology. The rejuvenation sprays replenish the body’s supply of energy to relieve the symptoms of aging, helping you function at a more youthful level. All seven formulas in this collection are FDA-Regulated and help with age-related issues such as low energy, sex drive, menopause, weight loss and bone density.
An Apple a Day? Healthy Choices vs. Inflammation
My pre-60th birthday journey to improve my previous test results from Seasons of Farragut continues! This month I decided to focus on the first tenet in our Forum Health Knoxville wellness regimen – nutrition!
About two years ago I took the ALCAT test and was astonished at my lengthy list of reactive foods! The ALCAT is a fascinating food sensitivity test in which white blood cells are introduced to a variety of foods, chemicals, and herbs. The severity of the reaction determines if a substance is mild, moderate, severe, or normal within my body. Since knowledge is power, I decided to receive the news that gluten and dairy were on my “severe list” as a positive indicator rather than “buyers’ remorse” for having performed the test!
Lyn-Genet Recitas has written a book, The Plan, which explains how inflammation from food intolerance can cause symptoms such as joint pain, skin disorders, fatigue, weight issues, headaches, and digestive disorders. Whereas a food allergy can have almost an immediate effect, a food sensitivity may not show up for several hours to 3 days later. For weight gain, it’s not as much about the calories as the chemistry of the body. One person may benefit from last night’s salmon and broccoli, but someone else may actually gain 2 pounds. Inflammation from food intolerance causes damage to the lining of the gut. As the lining becomes “leaky” with gaps present, foods begin to slip through not completely digested. This causes the body to attack undigested foods.
As we age, inflammation can increase which causes our systems to slow down. Many of us have much less stomach acid and digestive enzymes to break down food. This can ultimately alter our weight and our health. Reactive foods cause our bodies to produce more histamine which causes water retention via dilated capillaries. The brain responds by increasing the production of Cortisol. As more Cortisol is produced, fewer sex hormones are produced since both sets of hormones depend on the same building blocks. Increased Cortisol causes an increase in glucose which causes an increase in blood sugar! This domino effect alters the good bacteria in the gut and can increase yeast production. The altered gut flora leads to a weakened immune response since about 70% of our immune system is in the gut.
Here’s To A Healthy 2013: Simple and Practical Tips To Improving Your Health
After the holidays, most of us like to start anew by establishing health and wellness goals for the New Year. A few important questions to answer after you’ve established your goals are…
Maximize Your Nutrition With These Winter Fruits and Veggies
Winter is full of fruits and veggies that are loaded with vitamin C to ward off colds and the flu. Fill up on your vegetables for meals and have oranges, mandarins, clementines and grapefruit for dessert.
Healthy Holiday Dishes: Don’t Forget Your Veggies!
As the holidays get closer, the temptation to indulge in unhealthy seasonal treats in creases. Here’s why you shouldn’t forget your veggies this winter…
Healthy Holiday Desserts
There is one unwelcome guest that comes around this time of year – weight gain! So how do we enjoy this festive time without sacrificing our healthy lifestyle? One way is to create healthier desserts!
Cheers To Good Health: Drink Your Omega 3’s With This Smoothie Recipe
Flax and chia seeds are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Here is a breakfast smoothie recipe packed with omega-3s, protein, antioxidants, and more!
4 Foods That Build The Immune System
The cooler seasons brings temperatures that challenge our immune systems. Here are 4 foods to build our health and keep our immune system hardier through the fall and winter.
Smart Foods to Help You Focus and Boost Productivity by Cody Larson
You’ve no doubt heard the old saying “You are what you eat.” Well, recent medical research has highlighted links between diet and improved mental functioning, raising the distinct possibility that, in fact, “You think what you eat.”
That could be encouraging news for youngsters diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seniors struggling with the onset of dementia and anyone who desires to think more clearly and focus for longer periods of time.
Lots of foods are rich in the vitamins and other nutrients that can boost cognitive functioning, some which are well-known and others that are less-familiar. Among them:
A Cinco de Mayo That Won’t Sink Your Healthy-Eating Habits
Cinco De Mayo is a fun celebration but enjoying it without all of the calories and fat is a difficult challenge. Mexican food from restaurants is typically cooked in lard and covered in cheese and sour cream. Not only are the portions large, but starting your meal with fried chips and salsa, guacamole, and cheese dip […]
Top 10 Health Experts to Follow on Pinterest
Lately you are more likely to hear someone ask, “Are you on Pinterest?” than “Are you on Facebook?” or “Do you do Tweet?” But if you are new to the world of Pinterest, it is best described as a virtual pinboarding site that combines imagery bookmarking with the fun of social media. Users (or “pinners”) post images and links onto virtual pinboards and share visual ideas with other pinners. Share the things you love – whether that be health tips, things you want to make, or anything in between.
I love the idea of making “vision boards” with pictures of things that inspire you to live a healthier life. My pinboards include my favorite Paleo and low-fat recipes, fitness routines, inspiring images and quotes, and general wellness tips. While pinning, I have come across pinners whose pinboards provide a gold mine of healthy inspirations. I have compiled a list of these pinners to create my Top 10 Health Experts to Follow on Pinterest. Happy Pinning!
Spring Cleaning Through Organic Acids
Last weekend, I needed to find some specific items in my garage. I soon became overwhelmed with all the stuff I had to pick through before I found what I was looking for!
Spring cleaning was more intense than I had anticipated. However, after organizing and “detoxing” this vital area, I began to appreciate the many functions of my garage! As I threw away the last bag of debris, I realized that our bodies also need a thorough review and cleansing. Many times, vague symptoms such as fatigue, apathy, muscle pain, insomnia, and irritable bowel issues need more than a quick fix. Antidepressants and laxatives may initially soothe our symptoms, but they don’t heal our bodies.
A better approach is to assess the situation by getting to the root cause. A unique test at Forum Health Knoxville measures energy production, metabolism, B vitamins, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, ability to detoxify, and markers for emotional and behavioral problems.
Cinnamon: The Super Spice!
Cinnamon has long been known for its health and healing properties. Benefits include anti-clotting actions, anti-microbial and fungal activity as well as blood sugar control.
Gluten-Free Can Be Healthy and Tasty!
Gluten allergies, wheat allergies, and celiac disease have become a major concern for many adults, children and babies in the United States. One out of six people are sensitive to gluten. One out of six are sensitive to wheat. One out of 100 people has celiac disease and they do not even know it. The rates are on the rise.
Undiagnosed gluten and wheat allergies or celiac disease can cause many health symptoms which possibly could include leaky gut syndrome where undigested food particles leak and enter your blood stream. This leaves your intestinal tract open to bacteria and toxins which can potentially trigger autoimmune responses in your body. Symptoms would include increase in food allergies, skin disorders, inflammation, bloating and gas to mention a few.
Where Do You Get Dietary Vitamin K?
Research has suggested there is a link between dietary intake of vitamin K and varicose veins. Inadequate levels of vitamin K may reduce the activity of matrix GLA protein (MGP), which is involved in varicose wall remodeling. According to researchers, inactive MGP is a key player in the development of varicose veins. Therefore, adequate intake of vitamin K may be a necessity in preventing the development of varicose veins.
Where do you get dietary vitamin K? Excellent sources come from green veggies: spinach, broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, green beans, asparagus and greens.
Is it really true that you are what you eat?
If you have had a nutritional consultation at Forum Health Knoxville, then you already know my answer to this question. Yes, you definitely are what you eat. The food you put into your mouth has a direct effect on how you feel!
Top 10 Summer Fruits and Veggies
Summer is in full swing and with the hot weather comes delicious fruits and vegetables! We have an abundance of fresh, local harvest here in Tennessee. You can get these foods directly from local farms or from the farmer’s market. When preparing your fruits and vegetables, you can be creative while keeping it simple. Here are my top 10 ideas on how to enjoy the wonderful flavors of summer:
Reflections from Nan: Detox For Better Health
“I feel stupid, fat, and tired,” is a recurring theme with many of our new patients at Seasons. Many factors play a role in this syndrome.
One common but overlooked contributor is environmental toxins. A new study by the Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) found over 48 toxic chemicals in women’s blood and urine. Besides toxic metals, chemicals such as pesticides, BPA, phthalates, etc. were discovered in large amounts.
The Sauna Reinvented
The creation of the Infrared sauna has completely transformed the meaning of the word “sauna.” An Infrared sauna offers 7 times the effectiveness of a traditional sauna because of its ability to penetrate human tissue.
Peaches: A Sweet Approach to Weightloss
At Forum Health Knoxville, we know wellness is not about taking a prescription medication to control a symptom. True wellness is the result of balancing five key points: nutrition, exercise, hormone balance, inflammation reduction and detoxification. At Forum Health Knoxville we address each of the five points of wellness to help you achieve not only weight loss goals, but more importantly your health and wellness goals.
Nibble on This | Indulge Yourself In Fresh Strawberries!
Strawberries are in full bloom! Local grocery stores and roadside vendors have the best of the best when it comes to strawberries. As with any berry, strawberries are loaded with antioxidants. Strawberries also are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. The antioxidants and vitamin C in strawberries help to clean up the free radicals affecting the eyes and joints. Strawberries are known for helping reduce the risk and symptoms of macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Nibble on This | March
This year for National Nutrition Month the American Dietetic Association is promoting “Eat Right With Color”. Scientists have discovered major health benefits packed in the color of fruits and vegetables. The powerhouse chemicals responsible for this are called phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are what put the brightness in tomatoes and strawberries and the brilliant color in oranges, carrots and kiwi.
Sweat Yourself to Better Health in our Infrared Sauna
Sunlighten Saunas use infrared heat rays instead of steam, as is used in traditional saunas. Infrared gently heats the body from within instead of heating the air. It has the ability to penetrate the surface of the skin, which gives your body overall radiant warmth. Traditional heaters only heat the air, which can become extremely hot and uncomfortable in which to breathe.
Refer a friend and earn a $100 Seasons Priority Card!
Your enthusiasm about the Seasons approach to wellness is infectious and appreciated. And to show you how thankful we are when you share your wellness journey with your friends, we are pleased to extend the Seasons Referral Opportunity with a Wellness Escape Bonus. For every new medical client that you refer to Seasons, you will receive a $100 Seasons Priority Card. It’s just our way of saying thank you for sharing your story with others.
Nibble on This | February
Valentine’s Day and American Heart Month make February a month to celebrate sweethearts. What a perfect time to show your loved one how much you care by preparing a meal with heart-healthy superfoods such as omega-3 fatty acids and fresh vegetables. Adding superfoods to your daily diet has the ability to decrease the risk of cancer, improve heart function, and fight infection. Make heart healthy dishes for you and your sweetheart and you will be doing your part for a healthier heart!
Winter Blues or Something Else?
“Maybe I just have the winter blues,” she said. This statement leads the list of commonly heard complaints from patients who come to me seeking answers for their symptoms.
“Sarah” came to our office frustrated that all of her lab work showed normal levels of everything. “My thyroid levels weren’t even low,” she exclaimed hoping that low thyroid would explain her symptom list including fatigue, sleep disturbance, mild anxiety and depression, as well as brain fog. She even had a prescription for an antidepressant but was reluctant to fill it. “I hate the person I have become! Even my family has noticed a change in me. Can you help me?”
6 Healthy Snacks for the Super Bowl
Super Bowl parties are full of snacks loaded with calories, fat and preservatives. Resist the urge to splurge! These tasty treats will help create a deliciously healthy Super Bowl party.
Nibble on This!
by Carolyn Burris Ah-choo! It’s winter, it’s cold…it’s time for soup! January is National Soup Month! While soup may not be able to cure the common cold or the flu, it can certainly help. Let the warmth of soup soothe you while providing important nourishment to your body. Scientists have discovered that eating soup can […]
Nibble on This! Drink Water!
Most people do not get enough water, especially during these hot summer months. Lack of water or dehydration, can cause many health problems, sometimes severe. These include fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, light headedness when standing, headaches and more.
The Seasons Top Five: How to Pursue Wellness
Here are my top five suggestions for the pursuit of wellness.
1. Evaluate Your Diet. Do you make good food choices? Are you overweight? The latest statistics indicate that 58 million Americans are overweight, 40 million are obese, and 4 million are morbidly obese. The vast majority of illness is caused or complicated by being overweight.
2. Evaluate Your Activity. Do you exercise? Small choices add up to increased physical activity, So park further from the grocery store entry and WALK. Take the stairs. Stop working at the computer for 5 minutes and do 50 situps.
3. Have A Wellness Checkup at Seasons of Farragut. The Seasons approach to wellness is centered around balance and prevention. A few medical tests will reveal where your body is deficient. A wellness regimen tailored to YOUR body will relieve hot flashes, sleep difficulties, mood swings and even weight gain.
4. Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Vitamin D. Studies indicate the importance of Vitamin D in disease prevention. The level of cold and flu increases in the winter largely due to the decrease of Vitamin D in our system. Medical research even suggests that Vitamin D is the BEST prevention for flu–even better than the vaccine. At Seasons, we evaluate your Vitamin D levels and offer medical-grade Vitamin D supplements in capsules, drops, and even injections, if needed.
5. Decrease Stress. Stress is the enemy. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Take time to smell the flowers. Find a de-stresser that works for you, whether it’s weekly Bible Study, a good book, or coloring with your kids.
Exercise, Hormones & Weight Loss: Q&A with Sara Gottfried, MD
Click Here to Read the Original Blog Exercise, Hormones & Weight Loss: Q&A with Sara Gottfried, MD A personalized lifestyle medicine approach to exercise prescriptions by Sara Gottfried, MD Exercise is key to overall health, but sometimes the wrong approach can do more harm than good. It’s likely one of the reasons you’ve encountered patients […]