Poor air quality resulting from industrial activities and recent wildfires poses a significant health risk to us all. Here are evidence-based strategies for removing toxic compounds from your body and mitigating the health risks of air pollution. In the first phase of hepatic detoxification, toxins undergo chemical modifications, such as oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis, and are therefore rendered even more reactive, with the potential to wreak havoc. The second phase, thus, is essential in order to render phase I metabolites more hydrophilic, or water-soluble, so that they can be excreted. Sulfation, acetylation, glucuronidation, and glutathione conjugation are examples of phase II processes, whereby the phase I intermediate is attached to a conjugating agent by a transferase enzyme, allowing the toxicant to be eliminated from the body. To promote the removal of harmful substances from the body, it is essential to ensure that phase II detoxification proceeds unimpeded. As a fundamental endogenous defense system against oxidative stress, phase II enzymes scavenge reactive oxygen species, metabolize foreign compounds, and have demonstrated protective effects against xenobiotics, including ozone, tobacco smoke, and diesel exhaust particles. Some of the cruciferous vegetables, belonging to the Brassicaceae or mustard family, include arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, green cabbage, Chinese cabbage, savoy cabbage, cauliflower, chard, collard greens, radish, rapini, rutabaga, turnip, turnip greens, wasabi, and watercress. Additionally, cinnamon, rooibos, holy basil, curcumin, ginger, quercetin, and resveratrol can support the phase II detoxification process. However, more importantly, you need to consume more protein to ensure that phases I and II are working correctly. That is the limiting factor. You need to consume in grams the equivalent of your body weight in lbs. In other words, if you weigh 200 pounds, you need to consume 200 grams of protein/day.

You may know microgreens as the delicate, colorful garnish on your overpriced and undersized meal at an upscale restaurant. Yes, they're visually appealing, but aren't they pointless decoration? Some aficionados have claimed superfood status for these tiny edible greens produced from vegetable, herb, or other plants. New science says microgreens aren't just cuter lettuces - they may be more nutritious. Researchers from the University of Maryland and the USDA conducted the first analysis of the nutrient levels in microgreens. They concluded that, in general, these babies have more vitamins and other nutrients than their fully mature counterparts. In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, scientists analyzed the amounts of vitamin C, carotenoids (essential antioxidants for vitamin A formation), phylloquinone (vitamin K1), and tocopherols (vitamin E) in 25 different varieties of microgreens. Of the 25 microgreens tested, red cabbage sported the highest concentrations of vitamin C, while cilantro excelled in carotenoids. Garnet amarath had the highest levels of vitamin K1, and green daikon radish ranked tops in vitamin E. What are microgreens? Microgreens are the stems and leaves of a seedling. They typically range in size from one to three inches in length. Their flavor can be surprisingly intense for their small size, but it is generally not as strong as the full-grown green or vegetable version. Microgreens are generally harvested between seven and 14 days of germination, although some take four to six weeks to develop. The basic varieties of microgreens include arugula, amaranth, beets, basil, cabbage, celery, chard, cilantro, fennel, kale, mustard, parsley, radish, sorrel, and many others. Are microgreens the same as sprouts? Although they are often confused, microgreens are distinct from sprouts. In addition to the stem, sprouts also include the seed and root in their edible parts. Instead of leaves, sprouts have just the immature leaf buds.

So many people think histamine issues are just about hives or allergies…​But if you've ever experienced unexplained skin rashes, constant bloating, random headaches, or even insomnia that seems to come out of nowhere... You might actually have histamine intolerance. And here's what's wild... Most cases of histamine intolerance aren't actually about histamine at all. The real culprit seems to lie in specific deficiencies that impair your ability to BREAK DOWN histamine. You see, your body has an enzyme called diamine oxidase (DAO) that's responsible for this. When you don't have enough DAO, histamine builds up in your system... And that's when all hell breaks loose. Skin issues like eczema and hives… GI problems - gas, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain... Respiratory symptoms like a runny nose or congestion... Headaches and migraines… Heart palpitations… Anxiety and brain fog… Painful periods for women. As you can see, the symptoms are incredibly broad! Now, DAO is a copper-dependent enzyme. It appears that without adequate copper, your body may be unable to produce sufficient DAO to break down histamine properly (PMID: 38674909). However, copper deficiency isn't the only piece of this puzzle... Your gut might play a bigger role than once thought and may be worsened by histamine-producing bacteria, molds, or yeasts (PMID: 35565742). When you have bacterial overgrowth like SIBO, candida overgrowth, or mold exposure... These microbes can trigger immune responses - including mast cell activation - that may increase histamine levels.​This is why people with gut issues often struggle with foods they used to tolerate just fine. So, it's not the food itself - rather, it's the broken gut producing histamine or the lack of DAO to break it down.

Despite no evidence of its effectiveness to prevent disease, public health agencies and the medical community insist that infants and children between the ages of 2 and 12 months require up to four shots of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV). Now new research finds a substance in turmeric, curcumin, may outperform the vaccine in providing long lasting protection against potentially deadly lung damage in infants.

Your body needs a variety of micronutrients and zinc is one of them. Zinc is anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, cardio-protective and an infection fighter. Zinc deficiencies or lower levels of zinc in the body -- caused by poor diet, oxidative stressors in the environment, the use of statin drugs and even natural aging -- can lead to or increase your risk for a variety of health issues. Optimal zinc levels may lower your risks for infections, cancers and heart diseases, increase your overall immunity and longevity, as well as help with inflammatory illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, neurological disorders and metabolic syndrome. Eating your way to healthy zinc levels is easy -- just follow the chart below for common zinc-rich foods.