Author Archives: Zuzanna Walter

National Nutrition Month: 5 Myths about Fasting and Fasting Diets, Debunked

March 25, 2022

Fasting diets have witnessed a surge in popularity in recent years due partly to celebrity endorsement, increased awareness of fasting benefits, and a growing body of research that supports this dietary intervention. These nutritional protocols come in many variations, including 5:2 – during which five days of unrestricted eating are followed by two days of fasting – 18:6 – 18 hours of fasting per day with a 6-hour eating window – and alternate-day fasting – which consists of fasting every other day.

A large body of scientific evidence has proven that regular, short-term fasting can improve overall health, promote weight loss, benefit gut health, and enhance cognitive function. While there are different approaches and purported benefits to the popular dietary trend, many misconceptions remain. Read on to discover the popular myths about fasting and the science-backed facts behind them.

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National Nutrition Month: The Effects of Sugar Addiction on the Body

March 18, 2022

While sugar may seem like an innocuous substance to some, the compound can cause severe damage to both physical and mental health when consumed in excessive amounts. Experts believe that high sugar intake is one of the leading causes of rising obesity and chronic disease rates across the globe. What’s more, chronic overconsumption can increase future cravings for sugar and ultimately result in sugar addiction, which has become prevalent in the population. Many people remain unaware of the negative health effects the substance has on their bodies and even the amount they are consuming on a daily basis, as sugar is often a hidden ingredient in various food products. These individuals experience a heightened risk of developing one or more of the many conditions associated with high sugar consumption, including but not limited to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

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National Nutrition Month: 5 Nutrition-Based Tips for Healthy Aging

March 4, 2022

March marks the beginning of National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign focused on expanding awareness and education, promoting informed dietary choices, and helping the population develop healthful eating and physical activity habits.

From a functional medicine perspective, nutrition plays a crucial role in overall health and can be leveraged as part of an integrated approach to prevent, manage, and treat diseases. Even slight changes in dietary habits can significantly benefit patient well-being, outcomes, and age-related disease risk. A recently published New York Times article outlined five nutrition-based tips that can be easily implemented to promote healthy aging.

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