Nutrition And Fast Food
When it comes to nutrition and health, fast food certainly has a bad rap and, most nutrition experts advise steering clear of it. However, fast food is everywhere these days and is ingrained in our culture. So, cutting it out completely probably isn’t a realistic goal for most Americans. Cutting down is a much more attainable goal, and since too much junk food can be dangerous to your health, it is a very important one. So, how much is too much? Here you find facts about fast food that can help answer such a question.
What is it about Fast Food Consumption and Americans: what is all the fuss?
Fast food is a major part of the average American diet, according to a nationwide poll on the topic conducted by Gallup, despite the fact that this same poll showed that three-quarters of Americans feel that fast food isn’t good for them. In that poll, 8 out of every 10 people report eating fast food at least once a month, and nearly half say they indulge at least once a week. Only 4 percent of Americans avoid fast food completely.
Fast Food Nutrition Information: What do I need to know?
What are the Potential Consequences of Overindulging?
Studies have shown that people who eat fast food regularly, twice per week or more, have a much higher risk of obesity than those who indulge it less frequently. They also nearly have double the risk of developing insulin resistance. Both of these conditions greatly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Best Labs To Check Vitamin B12 Levels
Serum Vitamin B12: This is a simple and fairly reliable way to measure vitamin B12 levels. Many doctors believe they can surmise B12 deficiency by looking at the shape of red blood cells. While this test a complete blood count can indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency, it is not very reliable and does nothing to detect a functional deficiency. A functional deficiency is when you have a nutrient level that is considered normal by conventional standards, but the nutrient is not at an adequate level to do its job in the body optimally.
We like to see serum B12 levels at a minimum of 500 pg/mL, but prefer it to be above 900 pg/mL. We will often cross-reference this number with a urine MMA test.
Urine Methylmalonic Acid : MMA is a marker that, when elevated, indicates a vitamin B12 deficiency. We love to use this test in our practice because it shows if B12 is doing its job adequately. We have many patients who have normal serum B12 levels but an elevated MMA, meaning that they are functionally deficient.
Optimal urinary MMA levels should be below 1.0 mmol/mol. Some patients have serum B12 levels that are above the normal reference range, yet their MMA was elevated, indicating a functional deficiency. This is why functional tests like urinary MMA are so important.
Will The Doctor Test For Vitamin Deficiencies At My Annual Physical
Nutritional deficiencies arent typically checked at annual physicals unless you specifically ask your doctor for these tests.
More commonly, your doctor will order a CBC, cholesterol check, and other preventive blood tests at your physical. If you decide to take an at-home vitamin deficiency test, you also have the option of following up with further testing at your doctors office.
A general checkup is always a time to talk with the doctor if you have a history of vitamin deficiencies or if you have certain health conditions that increase your chance for them.
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What Is Calcium Hypochlorite Used For In Pools
High-strength calcium hypochlorite has been widely used as a disinfecting agent in swimming pools and municipal water treatment since 1928. In addition to its use as a primary sanitizer, calcium hypochlorite can perform additional water treatment functions to control algae, contaminants and chloramines.
The Best Times To Take A Vitamin Or Supplement
by Health Writer
Maybe you pop a daily vitamin or dietary supplement in order to boost your health. Thats fine, as long as youre taking the right dose at the right time. After all, you are likely paying out-of-pocket for vitamins, so getting the biggest bang for your investment is important. Timing of your vitamin intake can help you obtain maximal benefits from these supplements.
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Are Supplements Actually Necessary
My research shows me that in theory, we should be able to get everything we need from a healthy diet.
But of course life sometimes gets in the way of the perfect diet winter can get in the way of accessing sufficient sunlight to make our own vitamin D and for women especially its easy to become deficient in iron.
During both of my pregnancies I was prescribed iron tablets, so I know this is something that I need to keep an eye onand yet if Im honest, with everything going on, its just not been a priority. I havent checked or even considered that an iron deficiency might be one of the reasons Ive felt so drained recently. But, while a global pandemic is reasons enough all by itself, this is also a very plausible explanation.
Read More:
What Supplements Should I Take
If you’re into working out you may be wondering what the best supplements to take care. Though you should get your medical advice from a doctor, this quiz will tell you which supplement you should look into taking!
Questions
This quiz will ask you about your lifestyle as well as questions on what you want to achieve. In doing so, you will uncover the perfect supplement for you.
Fun
This test is not based on any scientific study whatsoever.It is intended for fun only so do not treat the result too seriously 🙂
Answers
Do not think about the answers too long. If you think you answered incorrectly, you can always go back to any question and change your answer.
Enjoy and share
At the end of the quiz we will give you the result. You can share it with your friends 🙂
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When Should You Use A Quiz
Honestly, you should avoid any self-prescribed vitamin or micronutrition supplement. That is because excessive use of such products/tablets might cause more harm than good. So, taking an online quiz should be your last optionand you should always prioritize consulting a doctor first.
But an online test would come in handy if you are curious to know what micronutrition to take. Here are the three most common reasons why people take a Quiz.
Before Taking A Sepanies To Take Before A Test
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Do I Need To Take Supplements
Its better to get essential nutrients from foods, but your doctor may recommend supplements if your diet is lacking certain vitamin and minerals. Vitamin B12 for vegetarian or vegan diets is one such example.
However, you shouldnt start taking any supplements without getting tested and talking with your doctor first. This can prevent the unnecessary use of supplements and even vitamin or mineral overdoses.
Which Supplements Should I Take
Supplements should be taken to address low or deficient micronutrient levels, or when they will help a specific need. It’s important to have your blood levels checked periodically to understand if taking a vitamin or mineral is right for you.
- For example, vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies across the globe. Its best source is sunlight, as it has a minimal presence in food. A lack of exposure to sunlight, therefore, makes the vitamin particularly difficult to come by. Oftentimes, taking a vitamin D supplement is a safe and simple way to maintain optimal levels.
- Iron is also a common deficiency, particularly in premenopausal females and athletes. But proper iron supplementation can help prevent entering a low or deficient blood iron range.
- Interestingly, sometimes our genetics can help explain which supplements we should take. Specific genes can make it difficult to sustain optimal biomarker levels like cholesterol or inflammation, regardless of lifestyle. It’s for this reason that learning more about your genetic predispositions through DNA testing can help you determine if supplements might finally nudge specific biomarkers in the right direction.
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Three Tests Your Doctor Should Be Ordering But Isnt
AUGUST 14, 2018 by DR. HEATHER MODAY, MD
As part of every work up with a patient, I order testing for vitamin and mineral levels. After reviewing the tests, my patients are often shocked. They often ask- Why doesnt my doctor order vitamin and mineral levels on me? I wish I had an answer to that question as I consider nutritional evaluations an inherent part of assessing someones overall health. Every biochemical process in the body requires certain nutrients to work properly. When we dont have adequate stores, that is when disease develops.
A body with suboptimal levels of vitamins and minerals is like a building constructed with poor materials: it doesnt work well and eventually will fall apart. As we age, if we accumulate deficiencies along with cellular damage, we age faster and develop disease. The conventional fix is to start a new medication which often causes more deficiencies and strain on our system. The better fix is to focus on our nutritional stores and make sure that our diet is adequate to keep up with our needs.
It is true that many conventional doctors dont bother to order these tests. Perhaps they dont believe that nutrition matters in health, or that they will be able to interpret them correctly and counsel you correctly. Or most sadly, they wont offer the testing because they feel insurance wont cover it. Most nutrition testing is at least partially covered and at most cost less than a nice pair of shoes.
Which Vitamins Dformental Focus
The mental benefits associated with vitamin B12 are immense, just like those associated with vitamin D. Vitamin B12 can boost your energy, make your memory more efficient, and allow you to learn new things more easily. Furthermore, it has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and improve mood.
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Ordering Your Vitamin Deficiency Test Kit
If youre ready to get started with your vitamin deficiency test, here are the steps youll follow for mostregardless of the brand or test you purchase:
These directions may differ slightly between brands, so thoroughly read the instructions and supporting materials that come in your kit.
Do Your Vitamins Pass The Test
Mankato, MN
I really encourage my patients to get the majority of their vitamins and essential nutrients from whole foods, but let’s face it it’s hard for most of us to get several servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Another challenge that prevents us from getting all the necessary nutrients from our food is green harvesting. Green harvesting is when our fruits and vegetables are picked before ripening. Since it seems about half of our year is winter, we have to get our produce from other places. Considering they need to travel to us, they can’t be picked hen ripe and still be good by the time they reach us. Because of these reasons, I do recommend patients supplement with vitamins – not take them in replacement of fruits and veggies , but in addition to fruits and vegetables. Our bodies need these nutrients in order to function properly. After all, health begins from the inside.
What we put into our bodies matter, including the quality of the vitamins we take. How do you choose your vitamins? Do you choose based on the price? On the brand? Maybe you see several commercials for a specific brand and think that they must be great since you see the commercial so often. Or do you choose the ones with the best source of vitamins and minerals?
So how can you tell if your vitamins are of the best quality or synthetic? The bake test!
A vitamin passes the bake test if:
A vitamin fails the bake test if:
Prenatal Vitamins
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What Vitamins Should You Take Daily
It is estimated that about half of American adults take some type of vitamin or mineral supplement.
People might take supplements if they know theyre missing a certain food group, says Patton. Others might take supplements for the antioxidant benefits or because they know they dont eat fruits and vegetables. Some people may have a true deficiency.
Everyones vitamin needs are different, so its a good idea to talk to your doctor or registered dietitian before starting to take supplements. They can help you decide which products to take, or if you need to take any at all. Your doctor and pharmacist can also tell you if a supplement would interact badly with any medications you are taking, which may cause health problems.
What Do The Results Mean
If your results show you have a vitamin B deficiency, it can mean you have:
- Malnutrition, a condition that happens when you don’t get enough nutrients in your diet.
- A malabsorprtion syndrome, a type of disorder where your small intestine can’t absorb enough nutrients from food. Malabsorption syndromes include celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.
Vitamin B12 deficiencies are most often caused by pernicious anemia, a condition in which the body does not make enough healthy red blood cells.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
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How Do Digestive Supplements Work
Basically, the food we eat dictates what bacteria is in our gut. Bacteria associated with a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fibre is optimal for our health, while the bacteria that comes from a diet of junk food results in sluggishness physically and mentally. Incredibly, our mental health is also affected by gut microbiome!
The greater the variety in our diets, the richer the variation of bacteria in our microbiome, and the better our bodies will function.
If were missing out on some of those vital gut bacteria, were going to feel it, exhibited as symptoms of IBS something I suffered with dreadfully for a decade of my life and wouldnt wish on my worst enemy. In the end, I fixed my problems with a strict diet called the low FODMAP diet, which actually kind of supports the above theory, Id just never thought of it at this molecular level.
With this in mind, Im very curious about how Cytpolans Acidophilus Plus might have worked for me several years ago. For transparency, I did try a different brand without much luck, but knowing what I do now about ensuring the brand is reputable in terms of the products they sell, perhaps it would have helped me.
I dont tend to suffer too badly these days, but given my current levels of anxiety, fatigue, and mood swings, Im hopeful that Cytoplans Womens Health Bundle can help me to feel a little more balanced.
Supplements should not replace a healthy diet. Check with your GP before taking supplements.
Should I Take A Multivitamin
Multivitamins may contain 500% or more of the recommended amount of specific micronutrients, many of which your body may not need at all. Over time, this may increase certain blood biomarker concentrations to undesirable levels. For example, taking a multivitamin with 16,000% of your vitamin B12 needs could result in above-optimal blood levels of B12. Some micronutrients in multivitamins even compete for absorption , which can potentially interfere with your body’s absorption of nutrients you actually need.
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Best Labs To Check Vitamin D Level
25-hydroxyvitamin D This is the best measure of inactive vitamin D in your blood and the test most likely to be ordered by your doctor. We like to see levels between 35-60 ng/mL and around 50 in patients with autoimmune disease, as it appears to have a protective effect.
1,25-hydroxyvitamin D This is the active form of vitamin D and helps indicate if your body has appropriate amounts. This test isnt often ordered, but can be useful in helping determine stealth infections and autoimmunity. Normal levels are between 40-110 pmol/L, while levels above 110 indicate a possible infection or autoimmune disease.
Do I Need To Have Blood Tests To Find Out What Vitamins To Take
Patients often come in asking should I get blood testing for vitamin levels?As physicians we can not argue that testing blood levels of certain vitamins has a role. However, we have found in our many years of practice that vitamin levels are far from necessary in most people.
We often hear of people going to various naturopathic or functional medicine physicians who order extensive panels of endless levels of various vitamins, hormones and other items. Typically the results of these multitudes of levels then dictates the prescribing of many expensive . But, buyer be ware! If something seems over the top it probably is. The medical data suggests that too much testing is overkill and a few key levels have their role and can be useful to health care. Blood testing for many vitamins is often not accurate or useful. For example, magnesium levels are often inaccurate and not reflective of true need.
Which vitamin levels can be tested?
The most common vitamin levels that are checked include vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iron. And yes, its true that many people are deficient in these nutrients! However, checking levels is often not necessary or that helpful in telling us this. It turns out that its usually fairly easy to predict who is deficient in which vitamin based on various factors including age, diet, lifestyle and health issues.
How do you know what vitamins you should take?
Are Vitamin levels Useful?
Whats New in 2022 in regards to Vitamin levels?
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