HealthyPIG Magazine

Salt is salt, right? of course not. There are also many differences in the various brands of salt. This chapter will focus on the differences between refined and unrefined salt. The natural form of salt is called unrefined salt. Unrefined salt has not been altered by humans. Therefore, it contains many different minerals and elements that are beneficial to the body. For example, unrefined sea salt (eg, Celtic sea salt) contains over 80 minerals and elements—all natural elements necessary for life. This is in contrast to refined salt, which contains two main items: sodium and chloride.

Depending on who you ask, "healthy eating" can come in many forms. It seems like everyone, including healthcare professionals, health influencers, colleagues, and family members, has an opinion on the healthiest way to eat. Additionally, the nutrition articles you read online can be downright confusing with their conflicting—and often unfounded—advice and rules. If you're just trying to eat in a healthy way that works for you, it's not easy. The truth is, eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated. It's entirely possible to nourish your body while enjoying the foods you love. After all, food is to be enjoyed—not feared, calculated, weighed, and tracked. This article cuts through the noise and explains what it means to eat healthy and how to make it work for you.

Unlike some allergies, food intolerances are not life-threatening. However, they can be very problematic for those affected. Food intolerances and sensitivities are very common and appear to be on the rise. In fact, it is estimated that up to 20% of the world's population may have food intolerances. Food intolerances and sensitivities can be difficult to diagnose due to their wide range of symptoms. This article reviews the most common types of food sensitivities and intolerances, associated symptoms, and foods to avoid.

Physical reactions to certain foods are common, but most are caused by food intolerances rather than food allergies. Food intolerances can cause some of the same signs and symptoms as food allergies, so people often confuse the two. A true food allergy causes an immune system response that affects many organs in the body. It causes a range of symptoms. In some cases, food allergic reactions can be serious or life-threatening. In contrast, food intolerance symptoms are usually less severe and are usually limited to digestive problems. If you have a food intolerance, you may be able to eat small amounts of the offending food without any difficulty. You can also prevent reactions. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, you can drink lactose-free milk or take lactase pills (Lactaid) to aid digestion.

Xanthan gum, a food additive that you may never have heard of but may be consumed several times a week. Given that it exists in many industrial products and is related to respiratory and digestive problems, many people worry about its safety. However, the FDA believes that xanthan gum is safe to eat as a food additive. In addition, it is gaining popularity as a supplement and common ingredient in gluten-free products. It may even have health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels. This article examines the evidence of xanthan gum to determine whether it is harmful or beneficial to your health.