Let’s Talk Health and Nutrition with Dr. H

Importance of Skin Health: The health of the skin is extremely important as the skin is the body's first line of defense against external influences such as bacteria, mechanical and chemical stressors as well as ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Good nutrition is one of the major factors in attaining and maintaining healthy skin.  Both macronutrients and micronutrients are important to skin health (Lakdawala et al, 2013).  However, there are specific micronutrients (key vitamins and minerals) that play significant roles in maintaining the structural integrity of the skin barrier as well as important biological and physiological functions. Functionality of the Skin:   The skin comprises of two major layers which are the epidermis and dermis.   The epidermis interacts directly with the external environment and may come into contact with toxic substances, pathogens and UV radiation.  Therefore, the epidermis primarily acts as a barrier.  As a barrier,...

  Characteristics of Dietary Fiber : Dietary Fiber comprises of the portions of plant-based foods that are indigestible by human digestive enzymes and therefore pass through the digestive tract without being broken down.  Dietary Fiber is an important component of an overall healthy diet and is thereby supportive of several bodily functions.  However, studies of estimated intakes have revealed that, in the United States, people generally consume less than 50% of the daily recommended dietary fiber intake. Types of Dietary Fiber : Many plant foods contain a mixture of two types of fiber-- Soluble Fiber and Insoluble Fiber.  As the name suggests, soluble fibers such as plant pectins and gums are soluble in water and dissolve at least partially.  Insoluble Fibers such as cellulose and hemicellulose are not soluble in water and remain intact.   Mechanism of Action : Soluble fiber achieves its effects by forming a gel as it absorbs and dissolves in wat...

    We are pleased to announce that Hylledig's Virtual Nutrition Consulting (HVNC) is now able to accept Medicare as well as Florida Blue - Blue Cross and Blue Shield Health Insurance.  We will provide updates as we begin to provide for other health insurances.

  Factors that influence the immune system: Optimal immune functioning is influenced by nutritional adequacy, as well as other factors such as levels of stress and stressors, age, and overall health and medical status.  Both macronutrients and micronutrients are important and vital to optimal immune function. Both malnutrition (over and under-nutrition) as well as micronutrient deficiencies result in a compromised immune system. Role of Nutrition in the Immune Response: Optimal regulation of the immune response is dependent on the immune cells receiving nutrients in adequate concentrations.  Macronutrients such as some amino acids like L-arginine and L-tryptophan contained in proteins, fatty acids as well as cholesterol have been associated with immune activity. The micronutrients-vitamins and minerals-also play very important roles in immune function. Nutritional health enables the immune system to be effective in initiating appropriate responses in reaction to pathogens...

Understanding Health Behavior Change: Prochaska and DiClemente proposed that people make behavioral changes through a series of stages known as Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action and Maintenance with the possibility of Relapse.  It is very important to note that Relapse is a natural part of the change process and can occur at any stage.                                                While the Stages of Change Model has been utilized widely to attain a better understanding of smoking cessation and smoking relapse behavior, it can be applied across a range of problem health behaviors including behaviors associated with weight control, high-fat diets, condom use, sunscreen use, safer sex, adolescent delinquent behavior, mammography and other health screenings, and exercise. Stages of Change: Precontemplation : is the stage in the process of behavio...

                    Understanding Trans Fats:   Some animal food sources, for example, dairy products and meat contain small quantities of trans fats naturally.  Generally, these small quantities of trans fats that are in their natural state do not present a major issue. The major issue arises when trans fatty acids are manufactured via the process of partial hydrogenation.  During this process, hydrogen is added to vegetable oils turning them into solid fats such as margarine and shortenings used for baking. The new products are also referred to as partially hydrogenated oils or (PHOs). Usually, in natural polyunsaturated fatty acids, the hydrogen atoms are configured on the same side of the double bonds along the carbon chain.  In the process of partial hydrogenation, reconfiguration occurs so that hydrogen atoms at the double bonds are arranged across from each other on opposite sides of the ca...

What are Saturated Fats??                                                                            Saturated Fats are typically fats that are derived from animal sources.  An exception to this would be tropical oils such as coconut and palm oils.  Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature and the carbons contained in the fatty-acid chains are fully saturated with hydrogens (hence the name saturated fatty acids).  A list of food sources would include meats, dairy products, pastries, cakes, fried foods, soups and casseroles containing creams as well as coconut oil and palm oil, and a variety of fast foods. So... what is the Scientific 411 on Saturated fats??                               ...

  Dimensions of Health & Wellness:                         When most people report on their health and wellness, they focus on the physical signs, symptoms and manifestations.  Somehow, our system of healthcare has been aligned with treating physical symptoms and manifestations.  For a very long time, particularly for sub-groups of the population, dimensions of wellness such as the mental have been ignored, not emphasized and even stigmatized. The Whole You: For many, this focus on the physical to the exclusion of the other dimensions of health and wellness has culminated in the continued weakening of other dimensions of health and wellness and the exacerbation of physical ailments. Depending on the diagram or the specific model that is used, eight to ten dimensions of health and wellness have been identified.  These are: Physical - incorporating the development of a healthy lifestyle including good...