Kent State Interns

Health and nutrition are in the news nearly every day right now. People want quick fixes for good health. Whether it is a diet, a pill, or some magical tea, they will try anything. Many people do not know what nutrient dense foods to eat to maximize their health, so they turn to something easy. One concern for health professionals right now is the over-use of vitamin and mineral supplements. Media is constantly telling the public that they are most likely deficient in certain micronutrients (aka vitamins and minerals) so they need to do something to fix it immediately. What’s a quick, easy way to do that? Well, a multivitamin of course! But... do people really need them? Are they actually doing any good or are they just causing a different set of problems? Who benefits from supplements the most? There are people who have characteristics, conditions, or diseases where a vitamin and mineral supplement is necessary for their health and quality of life. One gro...

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." - Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence. These ideas that lay the foundation for the American experience is the culmination of several hundred years of thought and philosophy developed during the Age of Enlightenment (1685-1815). During this time, thought leaders throughout Europe revolutionized the way we think about the purpose of humanity, and how we can truly become free. But why? Why did people all across Europe seem to finally wake up and decide the change the world? The simple answer: Coffee. That's right, The United States of America, a constitutional republic built on the revolutionary concept of individual liberty and rejection of monarchy is a consequence of the jittery caffeine high that comes only from that sweet black elixir....

Do you ever feel like there is just not enough time in the day? You have a checklist of things that need to be completed which involves all of your attention throughout your day, and grabbing a bag of chips to snack on is much easier than grabbing a fruit. Meal-prep on Sunday for you meals during the week?? When will I ever find the time to do that?! Your friend asked you to try a new workout class with them, but homework definitely trumps. Do you find that you are just "too busy", therefore your health takes a backseat? Well actually, this is not the case! According to usnews.com, people who perceive themselves to being busier than others actually make healthier daily decisions than people who believe they have all the time in the world. This is all due to an elevated feeling of self-esteem which ultimately leads to better self-control. When someone is constantly worried about that checklist they need to fulfill there is a delay in gratification, leading to decisions tha...

The ketogenic diet, or keto, is one of the most popular fad diets right now. A fad diet is exactly what it sounds like: a diet that is cool for the moment until something new and better comes along. People are OBSESSED with keto because it is an easy way to lose a lot of weight. eto diet isn’t all about weight loss. It has been proven to lessen seizures in individuals with epilepsy. So what is keto? Keto meals consist of low carb (50g or less per day), high fat, and moderate protein food choices. For example, you could eat a triple bacon cheeseburger (without bun) and it would fit this diet. But does that really sound like the best option for a healthy body? While people are focusing on the the weight loss, they are ignoring the damage it can do to the body. There are some pretty nasty side effects that come along with this diet. When someone starts the keto diet, it’s going to feel awful. People call this the ‘keto flu.’ People feel fatigued because the body is...

Everyone loves a good hearty bowl of soup in the fall. It just warms your whole body and a great way to get in some vegetables. I personally love to experiment with soups and create them in a way that makes it a complete meal! You can do this by making sure there is adequate protein, veggies, as well as complex carbs. The best way to do this is by adding beans.  Beans are high in plant based protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals.   This is true for all types of beans such as black, cranberry, Great northern, dark red kidney, light red kidney, white kidney, navy, pink, pinto and small red.   Here is a really yummy bean soup recipe to try with your family.  Hugely Hearty Four-Bean Soup 1 tablespoon sunflower oil 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, diced 2 cups butternut squash diced 1 (15 ounce) can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 (15 ounce) can na...

Ever walk through a grocery store and see all these fancy words on food labels that make no sense and you don’t know if you should buy it or not?? There are so many ways that food companies try to market their products to make consumers more likely to buy them or more likely to choose their product over another. Common trends, like “non-GMO”, “organic”, “hormone free”, are used to make the item more attractive to consumers.   Even if they might not know what exactly it all means! However, some of these words sound better than what their requirement entails. Since consumers don’t necessarily know all the rules and regulations, it’s easy to be confused! Here are some of the more common words you might find on food packaging and what their requirements are: “Organic” – Crops or animal products that have been approved by the USDA to meet specific standards regarding the care and treatment of animals or the prohibited use of substances, additives, and genetic engineeri...

There are five basic tastes we can enjoy (or hate): sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and savory (also known by the Japanese word umami). Umami taste comes from foods with the key component glutamate, a naturally occurring non-essential amino acid. Foods that tickle our umami taste buds include high protein foods such as meat, fish, and dairy products.The added seasoning MSG (monosodium glutamate) can really bring out that savory flavor in food. But wait... I thought MSG was bad for you? Not exactly. In the 1960s the term Chinese restaurant syndrome was coined to refer to a group of symptoms brought on by consuming too much MSG (a seasoning popular in Chinese restaurants). Today it is known as MSG symptom complex and often includes headache, flushing, and sweating. There is minimal scientific evidence linking MSG and these symptoms in humans. That being said, a new study from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2018) found that consuming broth rich in umami flavor can cause subtl...

           What Are Phytochemicals?          The term  phytochemicals are used for a wide variety of plant produced compounds.                        “Phyto”refers to the Greek word for plant.             ·       These natural chemicals help protect plants from germs, fungi, bugs, and other threats. ·       Found in a variety of vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, other plants.  ·       Other common names for Phytochemicals: Antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids, phytonutrients and polyphenols. How do Phytonutrients work? 1. Stimulates enzymes that help the body detoxify 2. Reduces the genetic damage from cancer causing agents 3.May interfere with growth and multiplication...