Vitamin B12-deficiency is linked to the depression, dementia, and unhealthy aging. Dietary sources remain the gold standard, but pay attention to the finer details. Absorption and bioavailability matter. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association, depression is “the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44,” affecting about 6.7% of the U.S. population. When thinking more generally about neurological disorders, the figure is much higher. In Europe it’s estimated that “neuropsychiatric diseases make up approximately 35% of the total burden of disease in Europe.“ [1] Neurologists are discovering that, despite their very different origins, many of these diseases involve improperly functioning metabolic pathways, largely due to poor nutrition. Within this context, one of the...
Cricket Flour on a Label? The Outcome Is Not What You Would Expect: What happens when Western food marketers blend novel food items, such as insect protein, with more commonly accepted ingredients? A recent study suggests that may be an effective strategy. Researchers from the Division of Human Nutrition at the Wageningen University in The Netherlands recently investigated the extent to which consuming novel food ingredients, such as insects, is shaped by beliefs held by a consumer before they ever eat the actual product. What they found has implications for marketers and producers of novel food products in Western countries. Hui Shan Grace Tan, Claudia Joyce Tibboel, and Markus Stieger jointly published the study, “Why do unusual novel foods like...
Insect protein is a smart solution to iron deficiency I’ve been a holistic nutritionist for almost four years. I’ve worked with hundreds of women and most of their stories sound similar. They feel overworked because they have too much on their plate. They tell me they don’t have energy, they’re tired, and get headaches frequently. They think it’s normal to feel sluggish and blame it all on their busy schedules. Amidst all of this, food is frequently used for emotional comfort, most of the time without even realizing it. Food isn’t seen as it should be: as a solution to a range of very basic needs. For women, one of the most common needs is iron. A...
