Dishing Up Nutrition

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that around 1 in 68 American children are on the autism spectrum. This is a ten-fold increase in prevalence in the last 40 years. Autism spectrum disorders are estimated to affect more than two million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Not only is the prevalence increasing in our country, but in many countries around the world. April 2 is World Autism Day and in the U.S., April is National Autism Awareness Month. In honor of World Autism Day and Autism Awareness Month, hosts Kara Carper and Kristen Gunderson talk about how nutrition can make a difference in improving the lives of those with an autism diagnosis.

One in five women develop depression at some point in their life and women are twice as likely as men to have depression. Depression can hit women at any age, but the high-risk years are from 40-59 (those menopausal years). What are some of the nutrition connections to depression? There are more than you might think. On this episode, hosts Darlene Kvist, Lea Wetzell, and Kate Crosby explore some natural antidepressant eating habits and brain nutrients you can start using to lift your mood and energy.

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease in which eating gluten sets off an immune response that causes damage to the small intestine. Do you have celiac disease or know someone who does? If so, you know how important it is to stay away from gluten. Maybe you are sensitive to gluten, but don’t have celiac. On this episode we take a close look at the difference between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Hosts Cassie Weness and Britni Thomas have personal experience with both and are eager to help you understand and take steps to feel your best if you’re afflicted by either.

The American Psychological Association says the major aspect of weight control involves understanding and managing thoughts and behaviors that can interfere with weight loss. Where do those thoughts and behaviors come from? Until you get the correct food and nutrition, your brain won’t be very successful at managing them. On this episode, we explore how brain chemistry and nutrition effect your thoughts and behaviors with hosts Darlene Kvist, JoAnn Ridout and Katie Vigesaa.

Are you taking birth control pills? Do you get little sleep at night? Are you approaching or currently going through menopause? All of these things affect your hormones which can impact your weight. On this episode, we take a deep dive into certain hormonal factors that impact your weight. For example, did you know your metabolic rate is lowest early in the morning so you will actually lose more weight if you sleep in rather than getting up early to hit the gym. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist, Britni Thomas and Katie Vigesaa as they explain more and what you can do to balance your hormones to start losing weight.

We know depression in teenagers is on the rise and at Nutritional Weight & Wellness, we know there is a food connection. Let’s picture the brain. What does your son or daughter’s brain need to work? For many young people, their brains and bodies are powered on processed foods, sodas, energy drinks, fast food and candy causing brain stress that sets them up for anxiety and depression. Listen in with hosts Katie Vigesaa and Lea Wetzell to learn how you can help your kids heal their brains so they experience more balanced moods.

It’s Valentine’s day and February is American Heart Month. There’s no better time to think about what you can do to keep your heart healthy. But there is a lot of contradicting health information out there and you may be surprised to learn the true facts about heart disease. Surprise #1: The biggest killer of American women is not breast cancer, as many believe, it is actually heart disease. On this episode, hosts Darlene Kvist and Kate Crosby address several other surprises about heart health. They also go over Nutritional Weight & Wellness’ plan to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. Are you ready to get your heart as healthy as it can be? If you’re thinking “YES!,” then tune into this podcast!

Both the cold and the flu viruses are transmitted very easily. As people travel and congregate for work or get-togethers, it’s easy to pick up the virus from the person next to you on the airplane, in line at the checkout counter, or when you kiss grandma on the cheek. So what can you do to support your immune system and ward off these nasty infections, even if you come into contact with it? Listen to hosts Brenna Thompson and JoAnn Ridout to find out how you can keep your immune system strong all year long.

At least 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from some type of an eating disorder, but only 1 out of 10 of those men and women receive treatment. Sadly, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Research is showing that better outcomes with treatment occur when nutrition therapy is combined with cognitive and behavioral therapy. Listen in to learn more with hosts Darlene Kvist, Kara Carper and Marcie Vaske. Darlene and Kara talk to Marcie about her personal struggles with anorexia and disordered eating and what she has done to live a healthier life.

To feel your best, start by changing your eating. Stop eating sugar and processed carbohydrates and stop consuming bad fats. Instead, choose real foods. Often, choosing real foods eliminates aches and pains, helps us sleep better at night, revs up our metabolism and so much more. But sometimes people need added support by way of quality supplements to heal their bodies. What supplements could help you feel better? Find out with Darlene Kvist, Brenna Thompson and supplement expert Greg Peterson from NutriDyn.

Is your child exhibiting defiant behavior at home or school? Unbalanced blood sugar could be part of your child’s problem. In addition, if your child’s brain is low in serotonin, he/she might experience depression, have cravings for sweets, worry excessively, and some studies even show kids with low serotonin have an increase in outbursts and violent behavior. Eating enough protein is key to increasing serotonin. A healthy digestive tract is also important for brain health—yes, you read that right. Ninety percent of the body’s serotonin is made in the gut, so an unhealthy gut can contribute to bad behavior because the body isn’t able to produce enough serotonin. The good news is there is a lot you can do for your child. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist, JoAnn Ridout and Angela Makepeace to discover all the ways you can help your child improve his or her behavior.

Does obesity run in families or does insulin resistance run in families; and what effects do the family’s food choices have? Is it a tradition to make and eat lefse, Christmas cookies, bars, Jell-o salads, mashed potatoes, Rice Krispie bars and take trips to the Dairy Queen for Blizzards? All those family traditions I mentioned include high sugar, highly processed foods. Nutritionists call these high-glycemic foods, another name for high-sugar foods, that lead to insulin resistance and a slow metabolism. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist and Lea Wetzell so you can learn to change your habits, avoid or reverse insulin resistance and rev up your metabolism.

What is wellness? If we asked 10 different wellness experts we might get 10 different answers. Each person has their own definition, and as they grow and change, so does their understanding of wellness. So how do you develop an attitude of wellness for yourself? What do you need to do? It doesn’t happen overnight, it is a continual process. It may start with making a connection between eating holiday cookies and the achy joints you feel the next day. It may start with noticing how much better your sleep is after eating a healthy bedtime snack. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist, Kate Crosby and Britni Thomas to learn how you can develop an attitude of wellness in 2015.

After eating all the Christmas treats, are you now suffering from cravings? On this episode, we talk about the actual science of cravings. In the past, people believed that cravings were “just a lack of will power” or an emotional problem. Today we understand that there is a biochemical connection to cravings. Stop beating yourself up for having cravings! Instead, learn what actually causes your cravings and what you can do about them with hosts Darlene Kvist and Brenna Thompson.

Did you know that acid blocking medications used for heartburn, also known as proton pump inhibitors, are the number one drug sold in the United States? Millions of people suffer from heartburn (also referred to as GERD or reflux). It is very common and it is important to know it’s a sign of a more serious condition, so it can’t be ignored. Often, people are prescribed antacids to correct their reflux problem, however those medications don’t help the underlying cause of the problem. If you are struggling with heartburn, you’ll want to tune in to this discussion because it’s all about acid reflux. Listen in with hosts JoAnn Ridout, Jamie Carlson and Kara Carper.

Fibromyalgia is considered an autoimmune disease with wide spread symptoms of muscle and joint pain plus overwhelming fatigue. By making a few food changes, clients with Fibromyalgia can make a world of difference in their pain level, in their energy level and in their mood. Did you know that eliminating sugar from the diet may ease Fibromyalgia symptoms? Cutting sugar, getting quality sleep and eliminating food chemicals such as aspartame and MSG are all essential to ease Fibromyalgia symptoms. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist, Katie Vigesaa and Britni Thomas to learn what you can do to start feeling better.

Chronic consumption of processed carbohydrates and refined sugar speeds up the aging process while leaving our brains working at a snail’s pace. Many people now realize that sugar is not good for them, so they substitute sugar with artificial sweeteners such as Splenda and aspartame. Unfortunately, these artificial sweeteners interfere with metabolism, and for many people, brain health as well. On this episode we talk specifically about the sweeteners aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), and saccharin that are found in a wide range of foods. Hosts Brenna Thompson and Kate Crosby tell you what you need to know about these artificial sweeteners and how to avoid them.

Do you know someone struggling with an eating disorder? Or maybe you are dealing with it yourself. On this episode, we look at the brain-gut connection to eating disorders. In people with eating disorders, an unhealthy gut leads to restrictive eating, anxiety, depression, digestive issues and long-term health issues such as osteoporosis. Tune in to discover how to get the gut healthy again as a first step toward healing someone with an eating disorder with hosts Darlene Kvist and Lea Wetzell. They are pleased to have special guest Jennifer Schmid on the show, a client who has experienced an eating disorder and exercise addition for several years, but found relief eating the Weight & Wellness Way and using key supplements.

On this episode we spend the hour debunking the myth that to lose weight, we have to cut calories. There are several reasons why this approach doesn't work and we are going to address them on this show. Not eating enough during the day slows metabolism because the body thinks it's starving and wants to hold onto fat. Skipping meals and snacks and eating low-calorie foods leads to cravings and binge eating. Over time, a cycle of starving and binging leads to insulin resistance which slows metabolism. Are you eating enough to lose weight or are you struggling with a slow metabolism? Tune in with host Kara Carper and special guest Nell Kauls, an NWW client who has lost 90 pounds eating the Weight & Wellness way, and learn how you can start shedding the pounds.

One in three women will develop cancer in her lifetime. In 2008, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that less than 10% of breast cancers are due to hereditary mutations. So what does cause it? The Journal of American Medical Association reported that 30% of cancers in the western world are diet related. You may be wondering how you can change your diet to avoid getting cancer and that’s what this episode is all about, specifically breast cancer and what women can do to decrease their chances of getting it. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist, Katie Vigesaa and JoAnn Ridout.

We are honored to have Dr. Jeffrey Bland join us today to discuss his new book, The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness for a Healthier, Longer, and Happier Life. Dr. Bland has been a leader in the nutritional medicine field for over 35 years. A biochemist by training, he earned dual degrees in biology and chemistry and completed his PhD in organic chemistry. He is a Fellow of the both the American College of Nutrition where he is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and the Association for Clinical Biochemistry. Most of us want a healthier, longer and happier life. We are living longer, but are we living better? Dr. Bland talks about this and more with hosts Darlene Kvist and Lea Wetzell.

With exercise, we’ve been lead to believe that the more you do, the healthier you are. We’ve got another take on it today as we dive into health concerns for female athletes, for both women and young girls. You may be surprised when you learn the connections between diet, exercise, hormones and bone health. If you are an athletic female or have a daughter that’s active in sports, listen in for some eye-opening information. Hosts Brenna Thompson and Jamie Carlson talk about their experiences as athletes and give you important tips for how to be a healthy, fit woman.

What does eating to prevent wrinkles have to do with bone health, cardiovascular health or even brain health? A lot! If you are aging on the outside you are also aging on the inside. Following an anti-inflammatory diet helps your skin look it’s best, but it also improves your health on the inside including your bones, blood vessels, joints, heart, brain,…really everything! So what exactly is an anti-inflammatory diet and how can it help older adults stay healthy? Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist and Cassie Weness to find out.

On this episode, we focus on an often overlooked factor that leads to anxiety—gut health. Anxiety plagues many Americans and has become the most common mental illness in the U.S. with 40 million adults affected. The New York Times tells us that nearly one-third of all Americans are likely to suffer from anxiety in the their lifetime and NBC reported that anxiety disorders have jumped 1200% in the last 30 years. Listen in with hosts Kate Crosby and Kara Carper as they explain the importance of a healthy gut in order to resolve anxiety symptoms.

Each day in the U.S., about six thousand women reach menopause. And did you know that there are more than 50 different menopause symptoms that women struggle with? Many women believe that the cause of these symptoms is low estrogen and end up on hormone replacement therapy. In reality, what’s going on with peri-menopausal and menopausal women is that they have normal to high estrogen levels and actually have a deficiency of progesterone. Tune in to this episode as we talk about why this happens and what you can do about it with hosts Darlene Kvist, JoAnn Ridout and Jennifer Barnes.

What do muffin tops, beer bellies, jelly rolls and spare tires have in common? For the purpose of today’s show, the answer is insulin resistance. Abdominal weight gain is a sign of insulin resistance, and insulin resistance can lead to type II diabetes. Did you know that almost 30 million people in the U.S.—about 10% of our population—have diabetes and 86 million people have pre-diabetes? Tune in to learn how eating too many, and the wrong type of, carbohydrates leads to insulin resistance, abdominal weight gain and diabetes with host Brenna Thompson, Lea Wetzell and Jamie Carlson.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory condition of the intestinal tract that can affect any area of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it is more commonly found at the end of the small bowel and the beginning of the large intestine. Symptoms will vary, depending on what part of the gastrointestinal tract is inflamed, and can include periodic attacks of abdominal cramping and pain, diarrhea and bloating. Because Crohn's is a chronic disease and there is no cure for it, the ultimate goal is remission or a reduction in symptoms. Tune in with hosts Kara Carper and Kate Crosby as they explore some of the ways to reduce the symptoms of Crohn’s.

Since the early 1950s, doctors have been telling people to eat a diet low in fat. This prompted food manufacturers to make low fat processed foods. With people following low fat diets, the thought was that everyone would lose weight and be healthier, but that’s not the case. Rates of obesity, heart disease and cancer have increased. Another unwelcome side effect of low fat eating can be compulsive overeating. Without the fat in food, we just don’t feel satisfied and we want more and more. Tune in with hosts Darlene Kvist, JoAnn Ridout and Katie Vigesaa to learn more about what triggers compulsive overeating and what you can do to stop it.

This week Darlene and Lea answer your nutrition questions. Some of the questions asked, "How much fat should I eat?" "What should I do if I'm dairy sensitive?" "Do I need to take calcium if I'm taking magnesium?"

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of female infertility. When a woman has PCOS, eggs are not released during ovulation. Instead, they stay in the ovaries and develop into small cysts. PCOS has several symptoms including irregular menstrual cycles, excess body hair, acne and depression. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist, Brenna Thompson and Jaime Carlson to learn what causes PCOS and what you can do nutritionally for PCOS.

68% of adults are overweight or obese, and 33% of children are overweight or obese. Our special guest, Nell Kauls, went on her first diet at age 12 and proceeded to diet on and off for 25 years. Many adults with weight issues are misinformed about how to lose weight and learn poor nutritional habits early on in life and carry this misinformation into their adulthood. We are excited to have NWW client Nell Kauls on this episode because she is a client that has been successful in changing her habits and lifestyle in order to lose 90 pounds. Tune in as she talks with host Kara Carper about how she did it and how you can be successful too.

Have you ever put off getting your annual physical because you knew you would have to be weighed and you just couldn’t face the numbers? Do you have a slow metabolism and find it frustrating to find a solution? On this episode, we give you some clues to solving your metabolism mystery including thyroid problems, lack of protein and fat in the diet, intestinal issues, and deficiencies of key minerals and vitamins. Tune in with hosts Darlene Kvist, Katie Vigesaa and Jamie Carlson.

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and people spend 15 billion dollars annually on anti-depressant medications. So what’s causing people to feel so depressed? Could the foods they’re eating be contributing to their low moods? On this episode, hosts Darlene Kvist and Cassie Weness take a close look at gluten and it’s connection to depression. Many people relate gluten sensitivity solely to gastrointestinal issues, but the reality is, gluten can affect any organ including the brain.

Nowadays, kids are dealing with a wide variety of brain issues such as ADD and ADHD, autism, apraxia (delayed speech), learning problems or learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, behavior problems, aggression and hostility. These conditions are becoming more and more common. We all want our kids to have the best brain health possible, but what’s the best way to achieve it? Often, there is misinformation coming at us from different sources like TV, the Internet or fad diets. Listen in as hosts Kara Carper and Lea Wetzell give you science-based information on how to nourish your child's brain starting from conception all the way up to adolescence.

Did you know that knee replacement surgeries are expected to increase by 673% in the next 20 years? And hip replacements are expected to increase 174% in the next 20 years? Why are people’s joints breaking down more than ever before? Listen in to this episode with hosts Darlene Kvist and Brenna Thompson as they talk about why you may be experiencing joint pain and what you can do to have pain-free joints.

Are you having a hard time giving up sugar, chocolate, bread or pastries? It’s important to understand that cravings are not from a lack of willpower, but rather by biochemical imbalances. Balancing blood sugar and managing vitamin and mineral deficiencies are key to eliminating cravings. Listen in with hosts Lea Wetzell and Kate Crosby as they tell you what you can do to stop your sugar cravings.

There is so much misinformation out there about fertility problems. It used to be common to think that infertility was a woman’s problem, but now we know 30-40% of infertility cases are due to the man’s infertility. What are the causes of fertility problems for both men and women? How do food choices impact fertility? And what else is causing couples problems when it comes to conceiving a healthy baby? Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist, Brenna Thompson and special guest Greg Peterson from Nutri-Dyn as we address these infertility questions.

If you have had shingles you know how painful it can be. It is a rash that begins as a cluster of small red spots that usually blister. Often times people get shingles around their waist or near the nerve by the eye. Shingles is very painful and often it lasts for several weeks. Its cause is most often blamed on stress, but did you know that what you’re eating can trigger a shingles outbreak as well? Listen in as hosts Darlene Kvist, Katie Vigesaa and JoAnn Ridout talk about a shingles prevention plan.

Recent studies show that as many as one in five women develop symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or a combination of these, within one year after giving birth. Women with postpartum depression experience such intense feelings of sadness, anxiety or fatigue, that they often have trouble functioning and coping with daily tasks. Listen in with hosts Kara Carper and Lea Wetzell to learn how the right nutrition can help moms feel more like themselves again after childbirth, and into the first year of baby’s life.

On this episode we are joined by special guest Dr. Stephen Sinatra. If you have questions about heart health, want to know what your cholesterol numbers mean or what tests you should ask your doctor for, this show is for you. Dr. Sinatra is a board-certified cardiologist and assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He is author of The Great Cholesterol Myth: Reverse Heart Disease Now and his new cookbook, The Great Cholesterol Myth Cookbook. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist and Kate Crosby as they talk to Dr. Sinatra and learn more about heart health and cholesterol.

Hair is very important to most people and thinning hair can be very stressful. If you are struggling with thinning hair, know that once you get the correct nutrients to support your body chemistry, you will set yourself up for hair growth. We dug into the research and looked at our clinical experience and we have many answers for you if you have thinning hair. Listen in with hosts Darlene Kvist, Katie Vigesaa and JoAnn Ridout.

This week Darlene and Brenna answer your nutrition questions.

When you think about a person being gluten sensitive, digestive problems, Crohn’s Disease, GERD, Colitis, or IBS probably come to mind. But did you know that gluten can affect your brain? The good news is that you can reverse many of the symptoms of neurological, psychological and behavioral disorders by just going gluten free. Mood, depression, and focus can change all for the better. Listen in as Darlene Kvist and Cassie Weness teach you how to go gluten free for better brain health.

Controlled blood sugar and correcting vitamin and mineral deficiencies are key to overcoming the pain of neuropathy and plantar fasciitis. In addition, avoiding neurotoxins (artificial sweeteners, flavorings and colorings) and inflammatory foods (sugar, processed carbohydrates, and damaged fats) will help stop the burning and tingling sensations. Listen in with hosts Brenna Thomson and Kara Carper to learn more and discover what you can do to resolve neuropathy and plantar fasciitis.

Eyesight is something we usually take for granted until it starts to fail. You may be surprised to learn that something as simple as balancing your blood sugar is important for good sight. Many people believe that developing cataracts, dry eye, blurred vision, night blindness or macular degeneration is a normal part of aging, but it doesn’t have to be. There is a lot you can do to better your eyesight and avoid chronic eye issues. Tune in to learn what foods and supplements will help improve your eye health with hosts Darlene Kvist, JoAnn Ridout and Katie Haarala.

On this episode we answer your questions! We address fatigue, cravings, hot flashes, peri-menopause, saturated fats, heart disease and more. Listen in as hosts Darlene Kvist and Lea Wetzell answer caller questions.

Surprisingly, nine million adults have osteoporosis and 48 million adults have low bone density. Bones are living tissue and just like every other tissue in your body, they require nutrients. Not only do you need nutrients for strong bones, you also need a healthy body that’s set up to absorb those nutrients properly. Did you know that regular use of antacids impairs your body’s ability to absorb calcium? Learn why this is and much more with hosts Darlene Kvist and Kate Crosby as they talk about what you can do to strengthen your bones and decrease your risk for developing osteoporosis.

Some women sail effortlessly through menstrual cycle changes and on to menopause with no issues. But for those of you having mood swings, hot flashes and sleep problems, this show is for you! Learn why starting your day with a breakfast of cereal, milk and a latte sets you up for unpleasant menopause symptoms. Balancing blood sugar, limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, healthy snack ideas, supplements, causes of estrogen dominance and more are addressed on the show. Listen in with hosts Kara Carper and JoAnn Ridout as they address all the very doable things you can do to have a more enjoyable life during menopause.

New research published by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that vitamin E can be amazingly effective in reducing symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This research was conducted at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and lead by Dr. Maurice Dysken. Listen in as Darlene Kvist and Brenna Thompson are joined by Dr. Dysken to learn more about this ground-breaking study and the effects of vitamin E on Alzheimer’s patients.

What happens when people with chronic illness relapse from their recovery plan? What if you have heart disease and you relapse? Or what if you have obesity and you relapse? Why does relapse occur? Is it lack of support? Too many cravings? A plan that just doesn’t work? Explore the topic of relapse prevention as it relates to addiction and chronic disease with hosts Darlene Kvist, Kate Crosby and special guest Nancy Lindgren—a recovering alcoholic of 30 years.