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The Gut-Brain Axis: A Bidirectional Communication
Written by Kelsey Schaffstall Young MS, RDN, CDN, LDN What is the Gut-brain axis? The human large intestine is home to a bacteria rich environment, also known as the gutmicrobiome. More than 1,000 species of bacteria have been identified in the human gut and,on average, a person carries approximately 160 different species. 1 These bacteria…
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Nutrition and Health Effects of Cannabis
Written by Kelsey Schaffstall Young MS, RDN, LDN More than 100 different cannabinoids have been identified, the most well studied being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which have both been shown to have therapeutic and medicinal properties.1 The health effects of cannabis are directly related to our body’s innate ability to bind cannabinoids. Interestingly, the…
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The Low FODMAP Diet for IBS: How to Identify Dietary Triggers and Improve Symptoms
Written by: Kelsey Schaffstall Young MS, RDN, LDN What is IBS? IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, and changes in stool.2 These symptoms often stem from root causes such as dysmotility (abnormal contractions of the GI tract), visceral hypersensitivity (increased sensitivity of GI nerves),…
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The Downside of Dieting: The metabolic and health effects of calorie restriction
Written by: Kelsey Schaffstall Young MS, RDN, LDN Are diets effective? Research has shown that weight loss is one of the strongest predictors of weight gain. One third to two thirds of dieters regain more weight than they lost on a diet within 5 years. Although studies do show that calorie restriction can be effective…
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Essential Nutrition and Lifestyle Habits for Bone Health
Written by Kelsey Schaffstall Young MS, RDN, LDN A person’s peak bone mass is achieved by age 30.1,8 Then, the rate of bone mineral density decreases with age.5 However, diet and lifestyle can be a valuable tool in supporting bone mineral density maintenance and the prevention of osteoporosis as you age. Risk factors for Osteoporosis…
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Food Additives: Interpreting the Ingredients List
Written by: Kelsey Schaffstall Young MS, RDN, LDN What is ultra-processed food? Nearly all food is processed to some degree, however the more processing a food has undergone, the more likely it is to include additives that could have negative health effects. Minimally processed foods include fresh meat, milk, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits, and…