Mr. James Jarrett, Certified Health Specialist

Niacin plays an essential role in the activities of various enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, the functioning of the nervous system and digestive system, the manufacturing of sex hormones and cholesterol, and the maintenance of healthy skin. Inositol hexanicotinate functions as niacin without the characteristic "flush." - Try a No-Flush Niacin alternative.

Try plant-based multigrain breads, whole grain breads, and breads that use sprouted grains, such as ezekiel bread are packed with health benefits and are great for a plant-based diet. Breads made from refined flours do not contain the fiber and protein that whole grain, multigrain, or sprouted grain breads offer. Many of these types of bread are also gluten free.

It’s recommended to take at least 600 micrograms (mcg) of folate or folic acid per day to reduce the risk of neural tube defects and congenital abnormalities like cleft palate and heart defects.

Folic acid is a B vitamin (B9) that plays an integral role in DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and fetal growth and development. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate found in many supplements. It gets converted into the active form of folate — L-methylfolate — in the body. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine.

In five randomized studies including 6,105 women, supplementing with folic acid daily was associated with a reduced risk of neural tube defects. No negative side effects were noted.

Although adequate folate can be obtained through diet, many women don’t eat enough folate-rich foods, making supplementation necessary.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all women of childbearing age consume at least 400 mcg of folate or folic acid per day. This is because many pregnancies are unplanned, and birth abnormalities due to a folate deficiency can occur very early in pregnancy, even before most women know they’re pregnant.

It may be wise for pregnant women, especially those with an MTHFR genetic mutation, to choose a supplement that contains L-methylfolate to ensure maximum uptake. Check with your doctor to see if a Folate Blood Test might be necessary. Your folate levels can be affected by different conditions or medicines, and your diet.

Today’s leading health organizations are heartily endorsing the DASH Diet for the informed health-conscious diner. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet has been recommended by the National Kidney Foundation and approved by The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and The American Heart Association.

Studies on the DASH have demonstrated that the DASH diet helps decrease blood pressure, lowers the risk for heart disease, stroke and cancer, and reduces the risk of kidney stone formation. The DASH Diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, fish, poultry, beans, seeds, and nuts. It is low in salt and sodium, added sugars and sweets, fat and red meats.

The DASH diet is a recognized treatment for hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease. The DASH diet can slow the progression of both heart disease and kidney disease.

A few studies suggest that replacing sugar with honey contributes to less weight gain, but there’s no evidence that honey and cinnamon will help you lose weight. There are Brain benefits associated with cinnamon consumption in humans including reduced inflammation, improved memory, increased attention, and enhanced cognitive processing. Additionally, I don’t recommend taking any spice in large quantities, and it’s always best to check with a doctor before making significant changes in your diet.

Fats are the slowest source of energy but the most energy-efficient form of food. Each gram of fat supplies the body with about 9 calories, more than twice that supplied by proteins or carbohydrates. Proteins consist of units called amino acids, strung together in complex formations. Because proteins are complex molecules, the body takes longer to break them down. As a result, they are a much slower and longer-lasting source of energy than carbohydrates. Consider a low fat, low protein meal – however, if you are looking to lose weight then protein is your friend!

While not understanding your health history it would be hard to recommend any particular type of Bariatric procedure. Your BMI is 49.1 and a healthy BMI is 24.9. While Bariatric Surgery may seem like an easy way to a healthy weight you must consider the post-surgical lifestyle changes that will have to be adhered to for the rest of your life. Regardless of the path that you and your doctor choose diet and exercise will always be required. A physician directed very low calorie diet (VLCD) along with appropriate exercise will produce your desired weight loss and benefit you both mentally and physically for the long term.

No single factor or behavior causes obesity. Obesity is caused by many things, including a person's habits, lifestyle, and environment. Genes and some medical problems also increase a person's chances of becoming obese. There's one gene that's getting a lot of attention, called FTO. Scientists found that people with certain differences in this gene have a 20% to 30% higher chance of obesity.

Fish is a source of so many vital nutrients that it can maintain a healthy balance in your body, and help fight all sorts of major diseases. Apart from these benefits, eating fish can also improve your metabolism, sleep quality, skin quality, concentration and alleviate inflammation. Government dietary guidelines recommend that people eat fish twice a week - for most individuals it's fine to eat fish every day.

Intermittent fasting means that you don't eat for a period of time each day or week. Intermittent fasting is safe for many people, but it's not for everyone. Skipping meals may not be the best way to manage your weight if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. If you have kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetes or other medical problems, talk with your doctor,dietitian or nutritionist before starting any form of intermittent fasting.

The main culprit is aspargusic acid, which is found exclusively in asparagus. When asparagus is digested, asparagusic acid gets broken down into sulfur containing byproducts. Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to smell that unpleasant scent.

It’s worth noting that asparagus isn’t the only thing that can change the smell of your pee. Other foods and drinks have been known to cause smelly urine. For example, some people report that drinking too much coffee causes their urine to smell like coffee. Brussels sprouts, onions and garlic have also been linked to odd smelling pee in some people.

Who doesn’t want a healthy immune system? With some exceptions, it’s best to get your vitamins and minerals from your food rather than in pill form. However, following is list of 8 immune enhancers.

1. Vitamin C
2. Vitamin E
3. Vitamin A
4. Vitamin D
5. Folate/Folic Acid
6. Iron
7. Selenium
8. Zinc

They do not PREVENT the CoronaVirus - only boost the immune system to fight back.

Weight loss after pregnancy takes time, but it's possible. Concentrate on eating a healthy diet and including physical activity in your daily routine.

During a nutrition therapy visit, a nutritionist will look closely at your eating habits and will help you set new nutrition goals. Your nutritionist will tell you how many calories to eat per day to lose weight steadily and safely. He or she can help you plan a healthy, nutritious diet.

When you were pregnant, you might have adjusted your eating habits to support your baby's growth and development. After pregnancy, proper nutrition is still important — especially if you're breast-feeding. Making wise choices can promote healthy weight loss after pregnancy. Eat more plant foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose lean proteins from a variety of sources, control portion sizes and limit sweets and salt.

To calculate your net carb intake for the day, take your total fiber number and subtract it from your total grams of carbohydrates. For example, after a sample day of beginner keto eating, I consumed 33 grams of carbs and 13 grams of fiber. 33 – 13 = 20 net carbs — not bad!

Oatmeal a good choice for breakfast, but hold the sugar. Whether it's steel-cut or rolled oats, quick-cooking or instant, oatmeal is good for you, experts say—with a few caveats. As long as it's sugar-free, eating oatmeal for breakfast is a good choice.