The whole point of nutrition is . . . To acquire nutrients. But you’re probably doing it wrong, or at least not efficiently. Certainly, if you’re following the dietary guidelines, you’re not getting the most bang for your buck when…
Right on target for the 2025 update to the US Dietary Guidelines, the Advisory Committee held its work sessions last week, as they do every 5 years. The committee is a joint venture of the US Department of Agriculture…
As coffee is the 2nd-most consumed beverage in the world (2nd only to water), there is a lot of discussion and research on its effects on health. Unfortunately, the research is generally from low-quality observational trials, but there appears to…
Protein Intake and Kidney Disease A common myth about dietary protein is that a high intake of protein causes kidney disease. The reasoning behind that myth is that, since the kidneys are responsible for filtering and excreting nitrogen, the high…
The importance of protein intake is far underappreciated, especially as we age. Perhaps due to misleading interpretation of low-quality research (epidemiological studies, in particular), people have come to believe that high protein intake is harmful. Instead, there is abundant research…
Fiber Conventional wisdom states that fiber is essential for gut health and is effective for management of constipation, even argued to be necessary for proper bowel habits. Fiber has been purported to be beneficial, if not necessary, for many aspects…
Should You Be Avoiding Antinutrients? The discussion around antinutrients is just as polarized as the nutrition world (vegan vs. carnivore), because antinutrients are present only in plant sources. The animal-based camps highlight the downsides of antinutrients, while the plant-based camps…
Why do we eat? Eating is the process by which humans acquire energy and nutrients, both critical for survival. Energy without nutrients, however, is just empty calories. Think sugar, beer, rice, etc. Pure energy without significant nutritional value. Our bodies…
Zinc Zinc is the second most common nutritional deficiency in the world and yet wasn’t appreciated as a relevant nutrient deficiency until 1961. Zinc deficiency is known to be more common in areas where people consume higher amounts of cereal…
You’ve heard the usual advice to eat slowly, limit snacking, eat small portions, etc. – standard health tips that are repeated ad nauseum. Sure, those tips may have a time and place, but Christmas dinner is not one of…
