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As we all know low fat diets are so 90’s, starving yourself is not sustainable and high fat Atkins type diets are not heart healthy. What works?
Take note on the following up-to-date metabolism boosting diet pearls:
Comprise your meals of mostly vegetables and protein.
Half your plate should be brightly colored vegetables (spinach, kale, red peppers, broccoli) and the other half; good quality protein (eggs, tofu, chicken, turkey, fish, beef) . Eat left over dinner for breakfast.
Stabilize your blood sugar so not to pack on the pounds and sizes
Avoid the blood sugar crash of energy drinks and caffeine. Eliminate simple sugars and artificial sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners have been shown to cause increased sugar rebound cravings. Research has shown an increase in cravings 2-3 hours after consuming sugar substitutes such as sweet n’ low, equal, or splenda. This is a good marketing strategy for those artificial sweetener companies but not a good element for your weight or health.
Incorporate thermogenic foods into your daily eating regiment
Cayenne, Ginger, Mustard Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Cinnamon, GreenTea, Hot Peppers, Citrus Fruits especially Lemon, and Apple Cider Vinegar.
Optimize your digestion to break down your food properly in order for your cells to utilize the nutrients in your foods
Chew well, take apple cider vinegar before each meal, eat in a relaxed setting and breathe while you eat.

Here’s the good news, you have help! Good Element’s Craving Control can assist you in all of these healthy weight management strategies.

Yours in health,
Dr. Britta Zimmer
Chief Naturopathic Physician & Founder

Many patients and parents ask me “what does healthy eating really mean?” To answer this question concisely I tell them about my daughter’s diet. My husband and I have had the insight and ability to establish exemplary eating habits for her.

Her meals include the following four elements, mostly organic of course.

A protein: chicken sausage, sliced turkey, tofu, eggs.

A whole grain: brown rice, quinoa, rice noodles, corn pasta.

A vegetable: broccoli, green beans, kale, cucumbers.

A good fat: nuts, goat cheese, wild fish.

She eats very little wheat and dairy because these are common food sensitivities in both adults and children.

She does not eat sugar, drink juice or eat fried foods (unless she catches dad eating french fries- hey we all slip at times) If I give her yogurt she eats plain yogurt with no added sugar. She has never had anything else so she does not know about sugar-laden yogurts and she loves the plain yogurt flavor.

She never has juice unless she is drinking from a straw plopped into a fresh coconut. Coconut water tastes like juice and it is loaded with electrolytes and nutrients. Coconut water, similar in pH to that of blood, was used as IV solution during world war II, as a fluid replacement and as a aid to elderly, and ill.

We have never introduced the concept of dessert to her and we certainly do not use sugary foods as rewards for her. Her special treats are chewable multivitamins, strawberry flavored chewable fish oils, and raisins.

Of course she is exposed to many unhealthy foods at school (although she always eats a homemade lunch) and at friends’ houses but she has little taste for these types of “bad foods. She tries only a little and then passes them up.

If we have the insight and ability to feed our children well can’t we attempt to feed ourselves well at least during the weekdays. And if you are not feeding your children well then use these tips to change some habits slowly, one day at a time.

We all will benefit.

Yours in health,

Dr. Britta Zimmer

Chief Naturopathic Physician & Founder

When you hear the word side effects usually you think of the common negative side effects of pharmaceutical drugs such as drowsiness from common allergy medications, sleeplessness from anti-depressant drugs, ulcers from anti-inflammatory medications. Imagine receiving beneficial side effects from a therapeutic drug. This is often the case when taking vitamins, minerals, and herbs. These natural substances have a myriad of beneficial properties.

Take green tea as an example, the antioxidant rich polyphenols in green tea protect your cells from damage, can prevent cancer formation, and give your metabolism a boost. I obviously think green tea is amazing that’s why I put it in three of our formulas. Studies have shown that in order to get the therapeutic benefits of green tea one must drink eight Japanese sized tea cups of properly steeped green tea. Now that is equivalent to five “American” sized mugs which is not practical for many people on a daily basis

Also consider alpha lipoic acid, which is in Good Elements anti-antioxidant / anti-aging formula, potential side effects include liver cell protection, blood sugar regulation and blood pressure decreasing. Alpha lipoic acid has been used successfully for the treatment of hepatitis C, diabetes and hypertension.

Turmeric, a powerful anti-inflammatory herb, can boast the side effects of cancer protection and liver cell protection but you also must beware of turmeric decreasing annoying allergy symptoms as well as muscular-skeletal pain. Not bad.

This is why I love my job. I prescribe a fish oil supplement for an eczematous skin reaction but I must warn my patient that fish oil’s potential side effects could improve their cholesterol profile and decrease overall inflammation and pain in their body.

I have to emphasize an important point here. Please do not think just because the ingredient is natural it is safe because that is not always the case. Take the example of fish oil above, fish oil also has blood thinning effects which is great if your stroke risk is high but if you are about to undergo surgery you do not want to be taking extra blood thinning agents due to the risk of bleeding too much during surgery. Receive the correct information about possible nutrient-drug interactions from a licensed physician. The best thing to do is stay well informed and empowered to make your own decisions.

Yours in health,

Dr. Britta Zimmer

Chief Naturopathic Physician & Founder

The health supplement world is a confusing, vast place. Integrity is probably not the word that comes to mind when you think about the supplement industry. In my private practice, my patients arrive with large bags full of supplements recommended by friends, the internet or health magazines. They are not sure why they are taking these supplements and they admit they do not take them on a regular basis. I help them sort through these supplements, assess their health needs, and stream line what they are taking on a daily basis. No one wants to waste their money on nutritional supplements their body does not need or will not absorb. Maybe you don’t have time to roam the aisles of your local Whole Foods type store or go to your local naturopathic doctor or acupuncturist to figure out what you need to do to contribute to the health of your body and prevent disease. It is my hope to steer you in the right direction, educate you, and teach you how to benefit from taking a particular supplement. Please don’t waste you money on cheap, poor quality supplements and furthermore, please do not waste your time taking health advice from someone who does not have your overall health in their best interest. Stay with us here and learn from the straight talk that you will read in our blogs, health tips and full disclosure product descriptions.

Integrity is Good Elements offering high quality products and health information you can trust. Our intention is to promote positive lifestyle changes, and provide the education you need to achieve integrity in your personal health. Honestly, how would we be any different from your run of the mill pharmaceutical company if we just sold products to treat symptoms? The goal of our products is not only to decrease and cease annoying symptoms but also to address the cause of imbalance. Unfortunately, taking products alone will not aid you in achieving your ultimate health goals. You must adopt lifestyle changes around your therapeutic goals. This is why we at GE consider our company a lifestyle company, this is why I am involved with GE because these are the principles by which I live and practice naturopathic medicine. We all know by now that the magic pill does not exist but being empowered by information and trusting what you put into your body can make a tremendous difference.

I invite you to learn, to live fully and to trust our intention. I would not promote a product that I would not give to my own family, this integrity is what we the family of GE stand by. During this process of GE product development I was astounded by the lack of regulation in the supplement world. Your average supplement manufacturer is not required to test their products for contaminants like heavy metals, bacteria, yeast or mold. Often times the capsules or tablets will be colored- you certainly do not need to supplement your health with red color number 2. Stick with this health blog and learn vital information regarding your health and well being.

Yours in health,

Dr. Britta Zimmer

Chief Naturopathic Physician & Founder