Primo Health Blog

Quick Overview

Due to its crystalline structure, absorption of DIM is minimal when given orally (similar to CoQ10). DIM absorption can be greatly enhanced by emulsifying it with lecithin in rice bran oil, including with it compounds that hold it in solution such as beeswax, and finally adding fat-soluble nutrients that aid absorption through the gut wall. DIM-Avail™, which gets its name from its high bioavalability, is a unique combination of such ingredients. 

Research tells us that a low level of the 2-hydroxyestrone and a high level of 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone are not desired. DIM works by helping to increase 2-hydroxyestrone and therefore improves the 2/16 hydroxyestrone ratio.*

In the United States the most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid. An autoimmune condition is an immunological response of the body against...

Is that a sweet potato? Or is that a yam? Good question! I was confused myself for so long. But now I know there is a distinction. That orange colored flesh of the picture on the left is the sweet potato, though it is often labeled as a "yam." It comes from the plant family known as Convovulaceae, or Morning Glory. It is very different from the yam that comes from the Caribbean, which is an edible root of the Discorea genus. The true yam is rough and scaly. And its nutrient content is much different from the sweet potato. There are several varieties and colors of the sweet potato. To make matters even worse, the sweet potato is not a potato either!

SWEET POTATO'S NUTRITIONAL VALUE

The sweet potato is considered one of the most nutritious vegetables around. It is nutritionally unique from the potato and the yam. It is very high in beta-carotene, providing several times the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A. This root vegetable is also packed with potassium, manganese and copper. It is a good source of vitamins C and B6. The sweet potato is high in fiber but you have to eat the skin!

The white potato is a species belonging to the nightshades. These are foods that cause inflammation that are especially a problem for those with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Other nightshades include tomatoes, eggplant, capers and peppers. Fortunately, the sweet potato is NOT a nightshade. In fact they contain quercetin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

We have been examining the function and disorders of the thyroid gland, the butterfly shaped gland just below our skin and surrounding our throat. As we get older we become more susceptible to disorders of the thyroid. Unfortunately, most thyroid conditions are not diagnosed early enough to prevent deterioration of the gland and its function. A dead or dying thyroid will impact the quality of one's life. Identifying and preventing damage to this gland will ensure healthy thyroid function.

In part 2 of our series Healthy Thyroid Function we will learn what a healthy thyroid is supposed to do (Read Part 1). This complicated little butterfly shaped organ is quite remarkable in its function and influence on our health.

The butterfly shaped organ that wraps around our throat is called the thyroid gland. This seemingly indescript organ can actually have a tremendous effect on our health. It's function is somewhat complicated, and disorders of the thyroid are very often overlooked or downplayed. This occurs in spite of the prevalence of thyroid disorders in our society.

If you watch television you've likely seen one of the many commercials touting the benefits of probiotics. An advertising campaign by Activia brand yogurts has actress Jamie Lee Curtis explaining the benefits of the probiotics found in their product. There are several other commercials like it. But what's all the hype about?

As I'm writing this post I have a zucchini lasagna baking in the oven. It's summertime here in California and the slightly sloped hill in my backyard has about 10 plants of some type of squash growing, both summer and winter squash. It's safe to say that I love eating all types of squash.

It's no secret that our environment is toxic. Nuclear waste, chemical pesticides, oil spills and acid rain are hardly "news", but more like "olds." Toxins are everywhere. It is estimated that almost 80 billion pounds of toxins are released into the environment every year.

The Environmental Working Group, a consumer watchdog organization, has published several studies documenting the presence of toxins in the bodies of seemingly healthy families, even newborn babies, all over America.  These toxins end up in our water, ground, food and eventually into our tissues and cells. We are a toxic society.