Breaking Down Nutrition for Medical Professionals

OK,  quick answer, yes or no? Does drinking alcohol raise cancer risk? If you answered no, you’re not alone. A national survey, by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, ASCO, revealed that most Americans, even we medical types, are unaware of alcohol and the link to cancer even when drinking small amounts. Let’s look at… The post Alcohol and the Link to Cancer appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

I just decided to Google celery juice and in .53 seconds there were 60,300,00 results.    Most of the information on celery juice is pseudo science but the public for the most part doesn’t know this and believes and lives by what they read. This tells me as medical professionals, we need to be looking… The post Celery Juice: Cure-all, Celebrity Crap or Sound Science appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

As a clinician, what regular clinical testing or screening is appropriate for vegans and vegetarians? Are supplements needed? Are they healthful for patients of all ages? What about the pitfalls, say nutrient shortages? How should you evaluate patients’ diets if they are vegan or vegetarian? Let’s talk to dietitian Sharon Palmer on the Breaking Down… The post Top Strategies for Vegans and Vegetarians to Prevent Nutrition Pitfalls appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Do patients really need probiotics to be healthy? In a confusing marketplace, which strain and dose do you recommend for which health condition?  I had the opportunity to hear Anthony Thomas, PhD, speak in Toronto about the efficacy of probiotic supplements. From his doctorate and post doc research in Nutritional Biology and now as the Director… The post The Efficacy of Probiotic Supplements appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

In a world of social media influencers, nano influencers, and celebrities, who do your patients turn to for health and nutrition information? What do today’s health-focused patients seek? On the podcast let’s talk to social psychologist Dr. Shelley Balanko and gain interesting insight to better understand where our patients are today and what they are… The post Guidance They Can Trust: What Today’s Health-Focused Patients Seek appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

The other day at the grocery store I ran into an acquaintance who said ‘may I ask you a question’? This happens to you too right? All the time. She found out she was anemic, bought the first iron supplement on the shelf and took it. But her lab tests showed no improvement. Then she… The post Iron Supplements, Absorption, Cautions appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Is religion taboo in nutrition care? As health professionals sometimes we think we need to know everything about every religion before we can include it. The beauty of working with people is that we’re all people. You have feelings, experiences, beliefs…you have a story. While you’re the expert in nutrition, you’re not expected to be… The post Is Religion Taboo in Nutrition Care? appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Happy new year! I’m looking forward to a good year with you and  a lot of interesting nutrition questions and conversation.  With the start of each new year comes a bevy of nutrition, diet and food trends. Some evidence-based, many just quackademic medicine or the creeping of pseudoscience into medical and nutrition science. But their… The post 7 Nutrition Questions You’ll Be Asked in 2019 appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Have you noticed how the marketing of food has changed? Whoever thought fear mongering would be a part of it?  I’m not talking about cibophobia or the fear of food that’s a complicated phobia rather fear-based marketing and how it affects food choices. Choose food, not fear. Let’s say one of your patients or clients… The post Choose Food Not Fear appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Do you want to bring your medical nutrition therapy to life? You teach evidence-based nutrition and you’re good at it right? But do your clients and patients need more? Are they struggling to make the connection between the science in the clinic and the kitchen? Consider culinary nutrition from the clinic to the kitchen.     … The post Culinary Nutrition: From the Clinic to the Kitchen appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

We see a lot of chatter about carbohydrate in our Bariatric Surgery Eating Group on Facebook. Some people think carbs are bad and try to never eat them, others fear carbs and still others love them… especially the less healthy ones. Are you confused and don’t know what to believe about carbs? Every friend tells… The post 5 Reasons Why You Should Eat Carbs appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Apple cider vinegar combined with Dijon mustard and a little EVOO makes a tasty salad dressing but does it alter blood PH or aid in weight loss? I remember a call-in radio show I was doing a good 15 years ago when someone asked if apple cider vinegar would balance the PH in the body. I… The post Apple Cider Vinegar: More than a Salad Dressing? appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Podcast. What’s new in 2018 I hope your new year is off to a really good start. This year you’ll see some changes in the Breaking Down Nutrition for Medical Professionals podcast. We work to evolve with your suggestions each year. Thank you for the requests to hear the Beyond Bariatric Surgery podcasts too. Once… The post How Weight Affects Your Fertility and Pregnancy appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Out with that sheet of paper telling a patient what to do and in with culinary nutrition where you’re showing them how to do it. It’s the application of nutrition principles combined with food science knowledge and displayed through mastering culinary skills. The health concerns of many patients can be traced to disease states affected by a poor diet.… The post 5 Ways to Add Culinary Nutrition to Your Practice appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Did you know that on average, 30% of patients at bariatric surgery centers have binge eating disorder or BED? The trifecta of binge eating, obesity and bariatric surgery creates a complex multifactorial health situation. Joining me on the podcast is registered dietitian nutritionist and certified eating disorder dietitian Karen Beerbower. Karen serves on the Senior Advisory… The post Binge Eating Disorder in Bariatric Surgery appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Are some of your patients over 50 and want real answers to the best diet, protein, supplements, statins or menopause? There’s so much hype and so many products that promise to STOP the aging process which …really…we know you can’t do. Let’s get some answers to questions on your patients’ minds and likely on yours too.… The post Over 50: Best Diet, Protein, Sugar and Exercise appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Can diet affect the risk for age-related macular degeneration or AMD? A substantial amount of research has been done on nutritional and dietary factors that may influence the development and progression of AMD. Let’s talk about what these studies suggest in terms of medical nutrition therapy for your patients. Age-related macular degeneration damages the part of… The post Diet, Nutrition and Age-Related Macular Degeneration appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

Are your patients asking “should I drink tea?” “What about the caffeine?” “Will it dehydrate me?” Let’s look at the best, documented health benefits. Joining me today on the podcast is Neva Cochran, a Dallas Texas registered dietitian nutritionist who is a nutrition communications consultant and works with food, nutrition and agriculture organizations. An active member… The post Tea: 5 Best Health Benefits for Patients appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

How many times a day are you asked about the ketogenic diet? What do you tell your patients? Does the keto diet really work for weight loss? What about for neurological disorders and cancer? Joining me on the podcast via Skype from Tampa, Florida is Dr. Angela Poff, research associate in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology… The post The Ketogenic Diet: Pros and Cons appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. For a long time, kombucha tea has been popular as an alternative therapy and old gut remedy. Consumers think it will help them live a healthier life. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, sales of kombucha are expected to grow 25% each year to 2020 making this more than just a trend. How is the… The post Kombucha Tea: Junk Science or Safe to Drink? appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. Are you picky about the way you drink coffee or tea? Then you already know that sweeteners are not all the same. Jessica emailed and asked me to do a podcast on stevia so that’s our focus today. 100 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, stevia contains no carbohydrate or calories. It comes from a plant… The post Is Stevia Safe for Patients? appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. It’s one of the most Googled diets EVER…which one is it? If you said gluten free, you’re correct. Movie stars, sports figures and TV personalities all claim that going gluten free has made them stronger and healthier. Best-selling books claim that gluten is the reason for everything that ails your patients from the brain to… The post Gluten & Celiac Disease Update appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

I hope you enjoy this episode, Bariatric Surgery and Emotional Eating, and if it’s not an area you need information, would you please share it with your colleagues who would benefit? Allow me a moment to tell you how grateful I am for your support of the Breaking Down Nutrition for Medical Professionals podcast. I… The post Bariatric Surgery and Emotional Eating appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. Is that pint of ice cream one serving, two or maybe four? Is the serving size realistic? For the first time in over 20 years, the updated Nutrition Facts label will go into effect between July 2018- July 2019 depending on the size of the manufacturer. What are the five most important changes for your patients… The post 5 Big Changes on the Nutrition Facts Label appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. Are your patients asking you if they should take vitamin D, how much and which supplement? Whether we’re talking about improved bone health, a reduced risk of heart attack, reduced inflammation or risk of asthma, there are many reasons to be sure your patients get enough. A friend of mine who’s an internal medicine doc… The post 5 Things to Know About Vitamin D in Bone Health appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. Have you heard the news? A major change has been issued in the guidelines addressing the prevention of peanut allergies. A recent landmark trial called The Leap Study plus other emerging data led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease along with 25 other professional organizations to develop addendum guidelines to go with the… The post Big Changes in Infant Peanut Allergy Guidelines appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. If your patients are on a low FODMAP diet, should they follow it indefinitely? Is it restrictive? Do home fries, walnuts and strawberries sound restrictive? In part 1 of Get Familiar with FODMAPs we reviewed FODMAPs, how they trigger GI symptoms and what patients might benefit. Let’s talk to digestive health expert and RDN Kate… The post Get Familiar with FODMAPs, part 2 appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. How do FODMAPs trigger GI symptoms? Which of your patients might benefit from the low FODMAP diet? My podcast guest is registered dietitian nutritionist, digestive health expert and Best of Boston dietitian Kate Scarlata. She’s known for her work in the area of the low FODMAP diet, the novel diet therapy used to manage… The post Get Familiar with FODMAPs, part 1 appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. If patients have computer vision syndrome related dry eyes, how much fish or fish oil supplement do they need? Let’s look at the three forms of fish oils, the absorption rates, common supplements, and amounts used for dry eyes and memory. Did you know there’re 3 forms of omega-3 supplements on the market? The omega-3… The post Omega-3s: Computers, Dry Eyes and Memory-Enhancement, part 2 appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.

PODCAST. From tablets and smartphones to personal computers, video games and TVs, the average patient spends almost half a day staring at a screen. Yes, you read that correctly…10 hours, 39 minutes a day and growing. One result of this screen time is computer-vision syndrome-related dry eyes. Will fish oil, particularly omega-3s help? Studies in Ophthalmology… The post Omega-3s: Computers, Dry Eyes and Memory-Enhancement, part 1 appeared first on Breaking Down Nutrition.