By: Amanda Coale: Clinical Nutrition Assistant Cold plunges—also known as cold-water immersion—have quickly moved from elite training rooms to everyday wellness routines. While the initial shock can feel intense, research suggests the benefits may be well worth the chill. Faster Muscle Recovery One of the most widely supported benefits of cold-water immersion is reduced muscle soreness after intense exercise. Cooling the body causes blood vessels to constrict and may help lim

By: Meaghan Orellana, Nutrition and Dietetics Student Our bodies are incredible self-cleaning machines; constantly working to process and eliminate waste and toxins we encounter daily. This process, called detoxification, isn't about expensive juice cleanses—it's about supporting the natural, sophisticated systems already running inside you, primarily in your liver and gut. Here's a breakdown of how your body naturally handles waste and how you can support it: 1. The Liver: T

By: Meaghan Orellana, Nutrition and Dietetics Student Recently, the use of red-light face masks has become a booming trend, but does it really work? The use of light therapy has been used in dermatology for many decades. Sometimes called photobiomodulation (PBM) or low-level light therapy (LLLT), is the practice of using light with specific wavelengths to reach our cells and enhance beneficial processes within the cell. Is it Safe? This type of light therapy does not use ult

By: Meaghan Orellana, Nutrition and Dietetics Student What are Parabens and Phthalates? Parabens and Phthalates are synthetic chemicals...

By: Meaghan Orellana, Nutrition and Dietetics Student We can sometimes get stuck in our routine, eating similar foods week to week. As long as we’re eating fruits and veggies each day we should be good right? Plant foods contain many nutrients our bodies need including vitamins and minerals, but they also contain phytonutrients. These are nutrients that benefit human health but are not essential for life, found in different plant foods. There are thousands of different phyton

Brittney Offenburg, BS Nutrition & Dietetics student As spring approaches the excitement for gardening begins to stir. The transition from winter into warmer days sparks our creativity about how we want our summer gardens to look. As beautiful as the winters are in North Carolina, I always look forward to the flowers returning, planting seeds and thoughts of harvesting. Let’s explore three herbs that will provide a bountiful harvest in your summer tea garden. Matricaria recu

Brittney Offenburg, BS Nutrition & Dietetics student Horseradish, the herbaceous perennial often associated with its culinary role, has a long history of medicinal use as well. Horseradish’s latin name Armoracia rusticana is strickingling beautiful; Amoracia meaning “near the sea”, and rusticana meaning “of the country.” For me, this paints a clear picture of the landscapes in which these roots are cultivated. Given the unique formation of the root system, horseradish till th

Buying organic ingredients can be difficult, overwhelming, time consuming and financially demanding. I’m here to help you navigate the products I recommend buying organic versus conventional (non-organic). Organic (adj.): of, relating to, yielding, or involving the use of food produced with the use of feed or fertilizer of plant or animal origin without employment of chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics, or pesticides. Organic products are regulat

I always get excited when fall rolls around: the activities, the crisp air (a little less crisp down here on the coast), the Holidays,...

Sleep is one of the most important factors to a healthy lifestyle. Lack of sleep can lead to increased blood pressure, diabetes / increased glucose levels, obesity, mental conditions such as depression and anxiety, pain, swelling, and chronic inflammation. Sleep is our brain’s way of resetting and detoxifying our bodies. The more research done on sleep, the more we find how incredibly important it is for our mind, body, and soul. Sleep hygiene is one factor that is strongly r

Does your watch remind you to stand every hour? Is your step counter set to 10,000 steps? Does your doctor tell you to walk / exercise at...

The basics on how to eat for your individual body.

Insulin resistance has been an increasing concern over the last 5-7 years. It is the resistance to the hormone insulin, resulting in increased blood sugar. The two hormones connected with blood sugar are insulin and glucagon. Both are hormones that help regulate the levels of blood glucose, or sugar, in your body. Glucose, which comes from the food you eat, moves through your bloodstream to help fuel your body. Insulin and glucagon work in what’s called a negative feedback l

What are functional lab tests? Why are they important?