KTK-Nutrition

Collagen seems to be very popular right now.   Turn on the TV and you are bound to see some ad for a collagen supplement.   But do you need a supplement or can you get collagen from food?   Why do you need collagen?   Are there nutrients that promote the formation of collagen?   The March 2024 edition of Environmental Nutrition has a great article, “Health Benefits of Supplemental Collagen” by Registered Dietitian, Caroline Thomason.    Other helpful articles include Health Benefits of Collagen ,   WebMD.  What is collagen and why do we need it?   Collagen is a protein that plays a vital role in the health of your skin, bones, joints, and other body parts. Collagen protein makes up about “30% of your body’s protein”.   Collagen has several important functions including: Improving skin elasticity and hydration Boosting muscle mass Strengthening hair and nails Building block of skin, muscles, and your bones, also tendons and lig...

Who doesn’t want healthier hair?   Almost everyday we are bombarded with commercials advertising products for healthier hair, for growing more hair.   My sister sent me some articles about foods to promote hair growth , strength and health.   Look around you today as you are out and about.   How many people do you see with shiny, thick, strong, healthy hair?   What foods could people with dull, thin hair add to their diet for healthier locks? What are some nutrients that promote healthier hair? Like any part of your body, your hair needs nutrients.   “Some nutrients that are particularly beneficial in promoting hair growth, strength, and thickness include protein, B vitamins (including biotin and riboflavin), vitamins C and D, omega-3 fats, collage, zinc, iron,”   says nutritionist Bianca Tamburello.   What vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are important for healthy hair and hair growth? The Cleveland Clinic has an excellent article on ...

As we age, we get wrinkles.   An who wants a lot of wrinkles?   Are there foods you can eat that would help prevent wrinkles?   What are some foods that dermatologists and dietitians recommend?   My sister sent me a great article, 10 Best Foods to Prevent Wrinkles, According to Dermatologists .   There are a lot of good articles written by nutritionists about foods you can add to your day to help prevent wrinkles.   As we age our skin loses collagen and elasticity.   There are foods that can help fight cell damage and even foods that help prevent wrinkles when going out in the sun.   I call them “sunscreen” foods.   As Mayo Clinic notes:   There is some evidence that certain vitamins in our diet help protect your skin.   More study is needed on the role of nutrition, but it’s good to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.    In addition to foods, remember to use sunscreen and wear a hat.     I use sunscreen on ...

So much has been written about strengthening one’s immune system.   An important thing to do in the era of COVID.   Recently I wrote about Vitamin and Supplements to Boost Your Immune System , describing how vitamins C and D, the mineral zinc and the herb, turmeric,   can be helpful in boosting one’s immune system.   But just this week, I read an article about how drinking cow’s milk can help one in the fight against COVID.   Not plant-based milks like Almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, but real cow’s milk.  Cow's milk may help fight COVID. What has the research on milk found? As far back as June 2021, research was being published in Frontiers of Immunology outlining how the proteins in cow’s milk may be helpful in the fight against COVID.   More recently, an article published in the Journal of Dairy Science (February 24, 2022), found that a protein in cow’s milk helps us fight off some viruses, bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. ...

Everyone knows that healthy eating promotes good health.   But did you know there are foods you can eat to promote good eye health?   The New York State Department of Health has a great article, Look to Fruits and Vegetables for Good Eye Health .   They note that eating more fruits and vegetables will improve eye health and help prevent some eye diseases.   Choosing foods rich in antioxidants is the key to better eye health.   (Fruits and vegetables are good for your overall health, see “ Why are berries and other fruit and veggies so good for your health ?”)   Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants but a number of other foods are also rich in antioxidants.    What antioxidants protect our eyes and what foods provide those antioxidants?   Lutein and Zeaxanthin – you may have seen commercials on TV that promote lutein.   If you look at the daily vitamin/mineral supplement you may be taking, you may find “lutein” listed.  ...

How can you boost your immune system?   The students in the class I teach are now asking about what they can do to boost their immune system.   This question was never asked before but in the age of COVID, people are now interested in finding ways to build a stronger immune system.   My husband shared a good article with me on this topic:   The 4 vitamin and supplements this doctor takes every day to strengthen her immune system .   I find it interesting that throughout this pandemic so little was being said about what we could do to live a healthier lifestyle including enhancing our immune system.   Well, this article gives you some ways to do so. Often health experts say that if you eat a healthy diet, you don’t need supplements of any kind.   I eat a healthy diet but I also take some supplements just to be sure I am getting all the vitamins and minerals I need each day.   Many Americans are not eating healthy diets and don’t take supplements...