Posts in Conditions

The Autistic Brain & Autism Awareness: 2019

Are you the parent of a child with ASD?

If so, you know the challenges, hardships, and heartbreak that comes with such a diagnosis.

Your child’s future is uncertain and the present poses many challenges. Having your child wander away from safety is a major concern of many - with almost half of all autistic children known to bolt or wander from safety.

April is Autism Awareness Month - a time to raise awareness about the disorder for those who know little about it, and time to band together as one community to help each other and provide support for those who live with it and the devastation it causes daily.

This week’s post is all about autism - how autism affects the brain, what science has to say about it, and what nutritional changes you can make that may help.

Brain Health, Conditions, Neuronutrition, Lifestyle, Whole FoodsKelly AielloApril 11, 2019Mental Health, Brain-Healthy Diet, Autism, Carbohydrates, EFA's, Protein, Vitamins, Family, Health, Kids, Serotonin, Dairy, Eggs, Avocados, BlueberriesComment

9 Key Foods that Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation. It’s not just for health headlines; It’s a fact.

Scientists are measuring levels of inflammation in our bodies and finding that it can be devastating for our health. This is especially true when it becomes chronic, but even low levels of inflammation on a chronic basis can create problems and lead to disease.

Inflammation is often thought of as the root cause of all disease. This makes sense when you consider that it has been closely linked to obesity, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, Rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes - just to name a few.

As I’ve discussed often, inflammation is a vital part of our immune system's response to injury or infection. It’s our body's way of triggering the immune system to spring to action to repair damaged cells or tissues and defend our body against foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria.

Without inflammation, wounds may become septic and infections deadly. But if the inflammatory process continues for too long, or if inflammation occurs in places where it’s not needed, it can become a problem anywhere in our body or brain.

Luckily, a healthy diet and lifestyle can help keep inflammation under control.

How Stress Messes With Your Health: The Ugly Truth

Not all stress is bad. In fact, stress can save our lives. Your natural fight-or-flight response is crucial to help you get out of a dangerous situation alive.

And even the hormones produced in response to stress, including cortisol, adrenaline, and epinephrine, aren’t always bad either. Their levels change throughout the course of the day in response to various challenges you face, including waking up in the morning (yes, that is a form of stress), dealing with traffic, managing an unruly child, or being showered with a birthday surprise.

During times when you feel stressed, various hormones (cortisol included) are released. And once the stressful event is over, levels should return back to normal.

This form of acute (or temporary) stress usually won’t mess with your health too much. It is your body’s natural reaction to circumstances, and, as discussed, can be a good thing.

When the “threat” (a.k.a. “stressor”) is gone, the reaction subsides, and all is well.

It's the chronic, or long-term stress that's a problem.

You see, your body has specific stress reactions. If these stress reactions are triggered every day or many times a day and cortisol levels are never allowed to subside, your health will pay the price.

This kind of stress (and the stress hormones that go along with it) can have a huge impact on every aspect of your health.

Let's dive into this "stress mess.”

The Worst Food For Your Brain

Would you like to guess what may be the worst food for your brain?

Though many foods can be harmful to brain health, one food, in particular, stands out as being the worst - by far.

Let me give you a hint: This food can cause tooth decay, lead to diabetes, weaken bones, age skin, and damage organs. Less known but just as significant, is the fact that it can also cause anxiety, depression, brain fog, neruofatigue, and mood swings.

Ready to take a guess?

That’s right, you guessed it - Sugar!

Brain Health, Neuronutrition, Conditions, OtherKelly AielloMarch 14, 2019Alzheimer's, Depression, Memory, Mental Health, Moody, Blood Sugar, Diabetes, Inflammation, Neurotoxins, Serotonin, Addiction, Cravings, SugarComment

Mood-Boosting Kale Cucumber Salad Recipe

It’s no secret that what we eat can affect the health of our bodies and brains. It’s also no secret that certain foods can affect our mood.

High-carb foods like donuts, muffins, and granola bars work to make us feel better by boosting dopamine and acting on our brain’s pleasure centres. Unfortunately, getting such a ‘high’ from these foods is not the healthiest way to go.

Luckily, there are healthier alternatives that also work to boost our mood. Even better still, I’ve combined a few of these foods into one healthy dish!

Read on to discover more information along with the recipe.

Brain Health, Conditions, Neuronutrition, Lifestyle, Lunch, Sides & Snacks, Whole FoodsKelly AielloFebruary 28, 2019Depression, Memory, Mental Health, Moody, Neuronutrition, Fatigue, Thyroid, Antioxidant, Carbohydrates, EFA's, Minerals, Omega-3, Protein, Vitamin C, Whole Foods, Recipe, Salad, Serotonin, Almonds, Gluten-free, Plant Based, Sugar, Sugar-free, Vegan, VegetarianComment

Vitamin D’s Surprising Impact on Brain Health

Did you also know that vitamin D levels significantly impact brain health? Did you know that as you age your body’s ability to turn sunlight into vitamin D decreases?

Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for good health but too many people simply don't get enough of the "sunshine vitamin."

It’s not easy to get most of the year, and it’s not in too many foods. This could help explain why vitamin D deficiencies are very common. But what does vitamin D actually do? And what does a deficiency of it really mean anyway?

Keep reading to get the lowdown on this critical, all-too-often deficient vitamin. And discover three ways you can get enough of it.

January is Mental Wellness Month

What does mental wellness look like to you? It can look, feel, and mean something different to each of us.

Regardless of what it means to you, there are some common things we can all do to help maintain our own good mental health.

Read on to discover 4 common phases of mental wellness and 7 tips on how you may be able to improve yours.

Brain Health, Conditions, Lifestyle, Neuronutrition, OtherKelly AielloJanuary 24, 2019Depression, Mental Health, Memory, Moody, Neuronutrition, Fatigue, Family, Hacks, Health, Sleep, Nutritionist, PerformanceComment

Diabetes: A Growing Epidemic and What You can do to Prevent Becoming a Statistic

Are you one of the growing number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes?

Maybe you’re not quite there, but your doctor has mentioned you are pre-diabetic or on the verge of becoming diabetic.

Or maybe you have excess fat centred around your mid-section and experience low energy after a meal. Perhaps you get hungry a short time after eating or experience a mid-afternoon energy slump.

If this sounds like you, I urge you to read this week’s post.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. So let’s take a few minutes to consider this disease, how it develops, and what you can do to better manage it. And if you are not one of the millions of Americans dealing with the disease, it’s still important to become educated about it and do what you can to minimize your risk or prevent diabetes from occurring in the first place.

Lifestyle, ConditionsKelly AielloNovember 15, 2018Diabetes, Weight Management, InsulinComment

9 Surprising Benefits of Almond Milk

If you have a dairy allergy or are interested in a great milk alternative, look no further. Almond milk has more nutrients than cow’s milk and is easier for most people to digest.

In fact, regular consumers of almond milk may even make it at home. If you have been toying with this idea but need some inspiration and a good recipe, keep reading!

This week, I discuss some interesting facts about almonds and the health benefits they provide. As an added bonus, I’m including my super simple recipe for delicious, and nutritious, homemade almond milk!

Whole Foods, Other, ConditionsKelly AielloAugust 23, 2018Recipe, Almonds, Health, Weight Management, KetoComment

Dairy Allergy: Which foods contain dairy and what you can eat instead

Do you know which foods contain dairy products and what you can eat instead?

Are you or your child allergic to dairy? If so, what do you do when you’ve been aregular consumer of milk and dairy products then find out that it’s actually making you sick?

To the uninitiated, this may seem like an easy fix… don’t drink milk.

However, it’s much more complicated than that. Many common foods contain dairy or dairy products. In fact, you may be surprised by what they include!

Read on to discover common foods and ingredients that often contain dairy, as well as natural, healthy dairy-free alternatives.

Conditions, Digestive HealthKelly AielloAugust 2, 2018Allergies, Dairy, EggsComment

Allergies vs Food Sensitivities: Are They the Same or Different?

I’m not sure why, but I have been seeing more clients in my practice who are suffering from multiple food sensitivities and allergies.

The other day, one of my clients asked, “What’s the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?” As this seems to be a growing concern, if one client has this question, many others mustn’t know the difference either.

So this week, I delve into the truth behind food allergies vs. food sensitivities. I’ll also fill you in on the symptoms to look for if you think that you, like so many others, may suffer from food sensitivities.

Other, ConditionsKelly AielloJuly 5, 2018Allergies, Food SensitivitiesComment

Celiac Disease is an Autoimmune Condition: What You Need to Know

May is Celiac disease awareness month.

Celiac disease, an extreme manifestation of gluten sensitivity, occurs when an allergic reaction to gluten causes small intestinal damage. It is the most severe reaction anyone can have to gluten, and is more prevalent than you may think, as most people who have this disease are never actually diagnosed.

For those of you who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, it’s likely that you already know what it is and how it impacts your life. For others, this is the opportunity to learn the truth about celiac disease, symptoms associated with it, and how it manifests itself.

In this week’s blog post, I’ll discuss how celiac disease, an autoimmune condition, may arise, common myths about the disease, and provide you a list of food/ingredients containing gluten that all celiacs must avoid.

Lifestyle, Conditions, Digestive HealthKelly AielloMay 24, 2018Celiac, Lifestyle, Leaky Gut, Dysbiosis, Food Sensitivities, Autoimmune DiseaseComment

The Neurotoxicity of Pesticides

Pesticides, substances used to control unwanted pests, insects, and weeds, are one of the largest groups of toxic chemicals produced, stored, and used in the world. Not only are they designed to control pests through their various mechanisms of action, but they have also proven toxic to non-target organisms - namely humans and beloved pets.

Read this week’s blog to find out how and what you can do about it.

Other, Brain Health, Lifestyle, ConditionsKelly AielloMay 17, 2018Mental Health, Health, Pesticides, GMO, NeurotoxinsComment

How You Can Improve Your Digestion Naturally

How to Improve Digestion Naturally: Restoring your gut health can be as simple as incorporating the right foods into your diet. Keep reading to learn how to improve digestion naturally.

How often have you finished a meal and felt bloated, been gassy, had cramps or acid reflux, or felt just plain uncomfortable? It happens to everyone from time to time, and it can be a sign that your digestive system isn't working the way it should.

If it happens to you regularly, it may be time to make some lasting changes.

Your digestive system is a delicate balance of chemical reactions. Having one element thrown out of whack can wreak havoc on many aspects of your health, not to mention leaving you feeling very uncomfortable. But taking medicine for these problems all the time may not be right for you - or the approach you want to take.

If you're looking to improve digestion naturally, read on for several tips you may just want to try.

Lifestyle, Conditions, Digestive HealthKelly AielloApril 24, 2018Leaky Gut, Dysbiosis, Candidas, Allergies, Food Sensitivities, LifestyleComment

Eat Healthier With the Kids Using These Family Meal Planning Tips

Trying to get your whole family to be healthy can seem like a difficult task, but if you follow the family meal planning tips offered in this week’s blog post, you can help everyone be healthy!

In spite of the fact that over 75% of us claim that we focus on healthy eating, most of us aren't actually getting the nutrition we need.

When you take a look at the added ingredients, excess sugar, and over-reliance on fast food, it's not hard to see why.

With roughly 36% of American adults and 18% of children classified as obese, the question becomes, what can we do about it?

What concrete steps can you take to protect your own health and the health of your family members?

It all starts with healthy meal planning.

Yes, exercise is important, but it's what you eat that really makes a difference.

How can you ensure that your portions, nutrients, and of course, the actual taste, of the meals you make for your family, is up to snuff?

Read on for family meal planning tips.

Whole Foods, Neuronutrition, Lifestyle, ConditionsKelly AielloApril 19, 2018Meal Plans, Whole Foods, Health, Mental Health, Weight ManagementComment

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