Healthy Habbits

Digestive disorders

More than 60 million people in the United States are afflicted with some form of gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, and every year, more than 20 million GI diagnostic and surgical procedures are performed1. Colorectal cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States3 .

The Western diet, which is typically high in fat and processed foods and low in fiber2, along with unhealthy lifestyle factors, play an integral role in the development of GI tract disorders and diseases, such as GERD, gastritis, ulcers, gas, constipation, diarrhea, celiac disease (CD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),and cancer1. At ViaFood, we can help you investigate the cause of your digestive symptoms and educate you on ways to promote a healthy GI system.

1.    Mahan, L. K. & Raymond, J. L. (2017). Krause’s Food & The Nutrition CareProcess (14th Ed.). St. Louis, MO. Elsevier Inc.
2.    [NutritionFacts.org].(2016, June 13). Gut dysbiosis: starvingour microbial self [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=151&v=uSOlE_1rPCc
3.    Romagnolo,D. F., & Selmin, O. I. (2017). Mediterranean Diet and Prevention of ChronicDiseases. Nutrition today, 52(5), 208–222. https://doi.org/10.1097/NT.0000000000000228

Food sensitivities

Food intolerances and insensitivities may affect up to 20% of the population, with adverse reactions ranging from GI problems, headaches, nausea, and bloating, to skin rashes, nasal drainage, mental health symptoms, and fatigue2. Food intolerances can be difficult to diagnose and require time, patience, and sometimes the use of an elimination diet in order to uncover.

Common food sensitivities include FODMAPs, gluten, histamines, dairy, caffeine, food additives and chemicals, such as MSG, dyes, nitrates, and sulfites2. Food allergies affect a much smaller percentage of the population and differ from sensitivities in that these foods induce an abnormal immune response1.

The foods responsible for most allergic reactions include eggs, cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy1. At ViaFood, we take a comprehensive health and diet history along with food sensitivity testing in order to determine which foods might be contributing to your unwanted symptoms.

1. Food Allergies. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/foodallergies/index.htm
2. Tuck, C. J., Biesiekierski, J. R., Schmid-Grendelmeier,P., & Pohl, D. (2019). Food Intolerances. Nutrients, 11(7),1684. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071684

Cholesterol management

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is important for helping build healthy cells and making hormones1. But high levels of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol can buildup in the walls of your blood vessels increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke1. “Good” (HDL) cholesterol can protect your heart by carrying cholesterol back to the liver to be flushed out of your body1.

Triglycerides are another type of fat found in the blood. High triglycerides are often seen in conjunction with obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. High triglycerides may increase your risk of heart disease and may cause pancreatitis.

The good news is healthy diet and lifestyle choices can often help lower “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increase “good” cholesterol reducing your risk of coronary heart disease2,3. We are here to support you through healthy changes that may positively impact your cholesterol levels and heart health.

1.    Cholesterolmyths and facts. (2019, February 27). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/features/cholesterol-myths-facts/index.html
2.    Mannu,G. S., Zaman, M. J. S., Gupta, A., Rehman, H. U., & Myint, P. K. (2013).Evidence of lifestyle modification in the management of hypercholesterolemia.Current Cardiology Reviews, 9(1), 2-14. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3584303/
3.    Prevention and treatment of high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). (2017, April 30). Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia

Blood sugar

The body carries sugar in the form of glucose in the blood to all the cells of the body. This glucose gives us energy. High levels of sugar in the blood, or hyperglycemia, occurs when your body is not able to move sugar from the blood into the cells. This can lead to type-2 diabetes, which results when the body does not make adequate insulin or cannot use insulin efficiently1. According to the CDC, more than 10% of people in the U.S. have diabetes, and more than 34% of people have pre-diabetes3.

Unhealthy dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyle increase the risk for type-2 diabetes. Poor food quality and excess body weight gain has increased diabetes incidence and mortality worldwide2. Compared to a diet of processed meats, refined grains, and sugary beverages, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes, and whole grains has been shown to be preventative of type-2 diabetes, among many other chronic diseases.

Overall dietary and lifestyle patterns, namely quality of foods, can have a profound effect on blood sugar levels and diabetes risk. We can help you implement changes to reduce your risk, such as whole food and fiber intake, portion control, mindful eating patterns, sleep hygiene, and regular exercise.

1.    AsifM. (2014). The prevention and control the type-2 diabetes by changing lifestyleand dietary pattern. Journal of education and health promotion, 3,1. https://doi.org/10.4103/2277-9531.127541
2.    Ley,S. H., Hamdy, O., Mohan, V., & Hu, F. B. (2014). Prevention and managementof type 2 diabetes: dietary components and nutritional strategies. Lancet(London, England), 383(9933), 1999–2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60613-9
3.    National Diabetes Statistics Report,2020. (2020, August 28). Retrieved fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html
4.    Sami,W., Ansari, T., Butt, N. S., & Hamid, M. (2017). Effect of diet on type 2diabetes mellitus: A review. International journal of health sciences, 11(2),65–71.

Hormone imbalances

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers and are responsible for everything from food metabolism, growth and development, maintenance of body temperature and thirst, to mood, energy levels, sexual function, reproductive health, and more2. Sometimes hormone regulation can feel like a delicate balancing act.

Even the slightest excess or deficiency of hormone can lead to unwanted symptoms and disease. Stress, for example, is a major contributor to hormone imbalance, sometimes affecting cortisol, thyroid hormone, catecholamines, gonadotropins, and hormones that influence your appetite4. Hormones can also be affected by sleep and circadian rhythms, increasing risk of diabetes, appetite dysregulation, obesity, and insulin resistance1.

We take an integrative approach at ViaFood, looking at the whole person in order to understand what the best approach for balancing hormones might be. This may include sleep routines, stress management techniques, exercise, dietary changes, and supplements3.

1.    Kim,T. W., Jeong, J. H., & Hong, S. C. (2015). The impact of sleep andcircadian disturbance on hormones and metabolism. International journalof endocrinology, 2015, 591729.https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/591729
2.    Mandal,A. (2019, November 5). What are Hormones? Retrieved from https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Hormones.aspx
3.    Moyer,N. (2018, December 18). How can I balance my hormones? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324031#sleep
4.    Ranabir,S., & Reetu, K. (2011). Stress and hormones. Indian journal ofendocrinology and metabolism, 15(1), 18–22.https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-8210.77573

Toxic burden

You are constantly exposed to toxins, whether from the daily functions of your body (endogenous) or from chemicals made outside your body (exogenous). These toxins affect nearly every system in the body and are found in the air you breathe, the food you eat, the products you come into contact with, and even the water you drink2. The human body has a natural ability to detoxify, but excess exposure in combination with poor dietary habits can negatively impact the detoxification process2. This may result in symptoms such as joint pain, headaches, skin issues, weight gain, fatigue, sleep difficulties, GI conditions, food cravings, low libido, and reduced mental clarity.

Not only can toxic exposure contribute to localized inflammation, but it may also increase the risk of chronic diseases2.The typical Western diet consists of large amounts of processed and refined foods, saturated fat, salt, and artificial ingredients, which contributes to increased toxic load, inflammation, and chronic disease3. Studies show that a diet high in anti-inflammatory nutrients, like phytochemicals and polyphenols found in whole foods, helps to support the different phases of detoxification, thus reducing disease risk1.

We can help you assess your toxic burden and determine the appropriate dietary, lifestyle, and supplemental changes that will help support metabolic detoxification and lead to improved health and wellness.

1.    Hodges,R. E., & Minich, D. M. (2015). Modulation of Metabolic DetoxificationPathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review withClinical Application. Journal of nutrition and metabolism, 2015,760689. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/760689
2.    Hoffman,J. B., & Hennig, B. (2017). Protective influence of healthful nutrition onmechanisms of environmental pollutant toxicity and disease risks. Annalsof the New York Academy of Sciences, 1398(1), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13365
3.    Myles, I. A. (2014). Fast foodfever: reviewing the impacts of the Western diet on immunity. NutritionJournal, 13(61). Retrieved from https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-13-61

Kids Health

Children can suffer from a wide range of complex issues related to health, from asthma, allergies, migraines, eczema, to digestive disorders, diabetes, and mental and emotional health challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control(CDC), nearly 25% of children in the United States aged 2 to 8 suffer from a chronic health condition (CDC Healthy Schools, n.d.).

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the health of our children. A recent study found that the incidence of overweight and obesity in 5- through 11-year-olds increased to nearly 46% over the past year and a half (Woolford et al., 2021). Many health problems in children are rooted in poor food choices, poor digestion, and unhealthy lifestyles, and our kids desperately need some real guidance. Many parents feel alone, helpless, and inadequate when it comes to dealing with the various issues impacting the health of their children.

Nutrition is a key aspect of the management and prevention of chronic illness. Most young people are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, and many kids get a large percentage of their daily calories from added sugars and unhealthy fats (CDCHealthy Schools, n.d.). Less than 25% of children 6 to 17 years of age participate in 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Additionally, most middle and high school students report getting less than the recommended amount of sleep for their age (CDC Healthy Schools, n.d.). At Viafood, we can help you understand the root causes of your child’s health issues and implement a plan that can address nutritional deficiencies in your child and promote positive changes within your entire family.

1. CDC Healthy Schools. (n.d.). The Centers for Disease Contorl. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/chronicconditions.htm
2. Woolford, S. J., Sidell, M., Li, X., Else, V., Young, D. R., Resnicow, K., and Koebnick, C. (2021). Changes in BodyMass Index Among Children and Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA. Published online August 27, 2021. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15036

Healthy habits

Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Good habits take time and commitment to develop. We are all on a journey either toward health and wellness or toward disease. At ViaFood, we believe in an integrative approach where we focus on YOU to understand the underlying issues affecting your health.

We will take a look at various influencing factors such as nutrition, exercise and movement, fresh air, sunshine, sleep and rest, personal hygiene, relationships, mental perspective, and stressors. We then implement an individualized approach in order to promote optimal health and prevent diet and lifestyle-related diseases.

It is important to remember that only the body can heal itself, and healing occurs on a priority basis. Therefore, the goal is to give the body what it needs and let it do what is was designed to do.

Benefits of Functional Nutrition

Our areas of focus

Digestive disorders

Food sensitivities

Cholesterol management

Blood sugar

Hormone imbalances

Toxic burden

Kids Health

Healthy habits

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