Trailblazing Thursdays: What You Should Know About Tofu….

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credit: Instagram @amandaleighmc

credit: Instagram @amandaleighmc

Many people choose to give up meat for a variety of reasons. Health, sustainability, cruelty to animals, the want to try new things. Whatever the reason, it’s safe to say that no one decides to go vegetarian or vegan with the goal of being unhealthy. This is exactly what may happen, however, without proper knowledge.

Once people give up on meat, the question becomes: where do I get my protein? Tofu has become a popular answer. It’s high in protein, has deep roots in Chinese cuisine, and can be prepared in a variety of ways similar to meat. But is it good for you?

Mark Sisson over at Mark’s Daily Apple wrote up a thoroughly informative article about tofu, soy beans, and processed foods in general. While tofu is a nice source of protein, it’s still a processed food and should be consumed as such: in moderation. The good news is that there are healthier alternatives to tofu which taste just as good, if not better.

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Guest Post: Should You Get Your Thyroid Tested?

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credit: iStock @hartphotography1

credit: iStock @hartphotography1

One of the growing epidemics in the U.S. is a disease called hypothyroidism. The thyroid is an organ that influences and inevitably controls every aspect of our being. In light of its critical role, it may come as a shock that as many as 50% of the more than 25 million people with thyroid problems remain undiagnosed.

The word “thyroid” comes from the ancient Greeks and appropriately means, “shield.” The thyroid gland not only shields the body from wearing down from stress and disease, but also serves as the major catalyst for stimulating energy, muscle growth, and a clear and sharp brain. A poorly functioning thyroid, for example, will interfere with exercise by either eliminating the possibility of building muscle or causing you to cancel your workouts altogether. As for keeping off the pounds, despite hours in the gym and low caloric intake, the body will be unable to lose weight. Even under otherwise ideal performance, the body will not be able to burn fat when the thyroid slows down. All in all, how the thyroid functions either makes or breaks performance in all areas of your life.

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“Carbs Are Killing You”

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credit: Instagram @ deutschefrau

credit: Instagram @ deutschefrau

The Dilemma

In 1984 the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute set out to do a noble thing: fight heart disease, obesity, and all the complications that come with it. They launched a massive campaign to promote low-fat diets. Saturated fat consumption certainly went down, but obesity and diabetes levels went up.

The Study

This raised the question: is it really fat consumption that makes us fat? Researchers from Stanford University attempted to answer just that. The study was simple: one group ate all the fat and protein they wanted, but were restricted to 20-50 grams of carbohydrates per day while the other group was put on a calorie-restricted low-fat diet where carbs made up 55-60 percent of all calories. Both groups lost weight, but the low-carb group saw nearly twice the benefits in weight loss, triglyceride levels, and blood pressure.

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WellnessFX Comes To The Tar Heel State!

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Now Available In North Carolina. Click Here!

600px-Seal_of_North_CarolinaOne week into 2013 and WellnessFX has already opened up in three new states! In case you missed it, we’re now available in both Georgia and Washington, DC, and we just got confirmation that North Carolina can be added to that list.

Let it be known: even though we started in the West, we’re making a bold presence in the East!

If you live in North Carolina, maybe you’ve only skimmed over the site after finding out it wasn’t yet available in your state. Or maybe this is your first exposure to WellnessFX. Either way, we have a lot of resources to get you up to speed on the WellnessFX experience. Sign-up is easy, the blood draw is easy, and before you know it you’ll have the data you need to take control of your health, right at your fingertips! 

If you’re completely new to WellnessFX, check out what some of our members have to say about their potentially life-changing tests and consults:

This is a great way to start off 2013–and we don’t plan to stop anytime soon!

*If we haven’t made it to your state yet, don’t fret! It’s good you’re here! Leave us a comment. We’re constantly expanding and the more we hear from you, the sooner we’ll be available.

Chilling the Fat Away

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credit: Instagram @_haiibeautiful

credit: Instagram @_haiibeautiful

Have you ever delighted at the idea of working out in a hot gym or on a sunny, sweltering day because of all the extra calories you can imagine sweating through your pores? Or maybe you’ve sat for long periods of time in a sauna after a workout? Soaked in a hot bath to loosen up the muscles?

We aren’t knocking these methods, as heat exposure promotes blood flow to your skin, which can help with muscle repair and relaxation. But what if we told you cold showers, working out in the snow, and ice baths could be just as useful, if not more-so?

Do we have your attention? Good. Self-experimenter Tim Ferriss and popular personal trainer Ben Greenfield have both delved deep into cold thermogenesis over the past couple year. Each has incorporated various techniques into their regimens. An interesting trivia fact first led Tim Ferriss down the road of cold exposure: at a time, Michael Phelps was known to eat 12,000 calories per day. How was that possible, considering he’d have to swim continuously for 10 hours every single day to burn off that kind of intake? Then it hit him: Michael Phelps spent 3-4 hours a day in the water, which is 24 times more thermally conductive than air. His body was burning all those calories just to stay warm.

If he can, why can’t we?

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Breaking Down the Thanksgiving Turkey

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credit: Instagram @cmlambo14

Gobble, gobble.

It’s that time of year again. Whether your turkey is already defrosting or is still waiting for you at the store, it’s important to know about the bird that will be occupying most of your dinner plate this holiday season!

First off: Turkeys are pretty darn healthy! We were hard-pressed to find any red flags about this delicious meat. Just how healthy, you ask? Keep reading!

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