When you think about foods that benefit your digestive system, what comes to mind? Oftentimes when I ask this question in lectures, the answer is typically Probiotics. Indeed, probiotic-rich foods (read: microbe-rich) do benefit our microbiomes (and act on the Species level, as we discussed in our last post). Probiotics, defined, are live bacteria that have been shown to provide a health benefit to the host (aka, YOU) when consumed in adequate amounts.

Couples live together and tend to develop similar habits. If you and your partner also have kids, they are watching your every move, learning from what you eat and how you spend your time. Use your familial influence to develop defenses against future obesity and chronic illness. Preventing childhood obesity and reducing obesity rates among adults can have an unmatched impact on health and wellness. If you want to reduce disease risk and ward off these complications as a family, start with a DEXA scan to know where you stand and where to go from there.

When you think about foods that benefit your digestive system, what comes to mind? The answer is typically Probiotics. Indeed, probiotic-rich foods (read: microbe-rich) do benefit our microbiomes (and act on the Species level, as we discussed in our last post). Here are some examples of probiotic-rich foods: kefir, tempeh, kimchee, buttermilk, lassi, miso and more.

Taking steps to prevent illness can change the course of your wellness journey. Health insurance and the overall cost of healthcare represent a major expense for most American families. According to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average cost of an employer-sponsored health plan in the U.S. includes $6,015 in annual insurance premiums and nearly $1,300 in out-of-pocket costs every year. If this scenario sounds familiar, it's time to learn how to make the most of your healthcare coverage.

We've all heard about calories in, calories out as a can't-miss weight loss formula. Understanding exactly how this process works at a molecular level provides valuable insight into weight optimization and chronic disease risk.

It doesn’t really matter if you end up on team BOD POD or team DEXA, both are great tools for learning more about your unique body composition. By understanding how these body composition tests are similar, and different, you can better determine which method will offer you the insights you need to reach your individual wellness goals.

It’s no secret that wellness is on people’s minds these days. What many have come to realize is that wellness in the workplace is just as important as being healthy at home. Coming out of COVID, companies that offer health benefits and corporate wellness programs can use these tools to engage employees (especially Millennials) and get them going in the right direction. It’s time to reconsider the perks and benefits you offer in your corporate wellness program.

How's your health literacy? If you aren't sure exactly what that term means, you're not alone. According to the most basic definition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health literacy describes your ability to find and understand information about your personal health concerns. It also includes your ability to make decisions about your health and body composition based on trustworthy information. Health literacy gives you the power to seek prompt and appropriate treatment for both acute and chronic illnesses that threaten your well-being.

Second only to nutritional changes, exercise is the most powerful way to optimize your body composition. But various types of workouts may influence your body composition in different ways. Depending on the type of exercise, physical activity can help you build muscle, burn fat, or both.

Vitamin D is needed to absorb, build, and maintain strong, healthy bones. It’s also vital to cell growth and blood sugar regulation and assists in the functioning of muscles, nerves, and the immune system. Unfortunately, nearly half of American adults don’t get enough of the “sunshine hormone.”

Carbo-loading is a strategy that involves packing your diet full of carbohydrates in an effort to maximize glycogen stores, your body’s primary form of energy. The technique has long been utilized by athletes before a big game, race, or competition—but it turns out carbo-loading may actually do most of us more harm than good.

The natural process of aging results in changes that can significantly affect your health, wellness and body composition —like less muscle tone, weaker bones, and more body fat. However, exercise can help to combat these changes and keep you healthier well into your retirement years. Staying active is extremely beneficial for your body composition and mental wellness.

Green tea is one of the world’s healthiest beverages—and for good reason. It carries several benefits, including all the ways it can help promote healthy body composition. Green tea is a natural “fat burner,” and it also magnifies the beneficial effects of cardio and strength exercise. The compounds in green tea may additionally help you de-stress, which is great for your body.

Visceral fat affects the risk of cancer in men and women differently. It puts men at an increased risk of prostate cancer and increases breast cancer risk in women. This may be due to inflammation, which can lead to increased estrogen production. No matter your sex, body fat testing (DEXA/DXA, BOD POD, SECA) is an extremely helpful tool for assessing your risk.

Visceral (belly) fat may increase the risk of certain types of cancer, in both men and women, or contribute to worse outcomes in people who have cancer. Strategies to reduce visceral fat include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and reducing your stress level. However, regular body composition testing through DEXA, BOD POD or SECA, is key to understanding and mitigating your risk.

Your ethnic background can influence your risk for various diseases and even play a role in your body composition. For example, we know that Black people tend to have a more favorable fat distribution but higher blood pressure, while Hispanic people may be predisposed to abdominal fat. Additionally, white and Asian women are more prone to osteoporosis. Fortunately, a healthy lifestyle can mitigate your risk.

A normal weight doesn’t necessarily mean you’re healthy. People who are “skinny fat” are outwardly slim but carry excess belly fat that puts them at risk of conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. To improve your body comp, you should focus on eating a protein-rich diet at maintenance calories while incorporating cardio and resistance exercises and regular body composition scans.

Genetics play a huge role in determining your weight and body composition. Your susceptibility to obesity and how fat is distributed on your body are also genetically determined. Fortunately, a healthy lifestyle and regular health monitoring can help to overcome the effects of “bad genes” and help you generate a healthy body composition.