Northern Nutritionals

Category: Nutrients

  • Diet, Supplements, and Lifestyle for Hypothyroidism

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    Karline Jensen
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    If you have hypothyroidism — or suspect you may — you may have wondered whether what you eat, the supplements you take, or your daily habits could make a real difference. The answer, supported by a growing body of research, is yes. A functional medicine approach to hypothyroidism goes well beyond medication management to address…

  • Understanding Thyroid Lab Tests: A Functional Medicine Approach

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    Karline Jensen
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    If you have been told your thyroid is fine because your TSH is normal, but you still feel exhausted, cold, and mentally foggy, you are not alone — and you are not imagining things. TSH is a useful starting point, but it is only one piece of a much larger picture. A functional medicine approach…

  • Nightshade Sensitivity: The Immune Mechanism, and Interventions

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    Karline Jensen
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    Some people experience joint pain as an inflammatory reaction to nightshades like tomatoes and peppers. Understanding the immune pathway behind that reaction — and what separates a reactive response from a tolerant one — points toward some practical places to intervene. The Immune Pathway Behind Nightshade Sensitivity Nightshade proteins are transported across intestinal microfold cells,…

  • Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Type 2 Diabetes: Mechanisms, Markers, and Interventions

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    Karline Jensen
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    Type 2 diabetes can be assessed from the perspective of mitochondrial dysfunction as not just a side effect, but a factor in its progression. Symptoms like fatigue and difficulty concentrating can be a sign that mitochondria aren’t functioning properly, and that same underlying dysfunction may be feeding the disease process itself. When mitochondria are impaired,…

  • Some of the Micronutrients Behind Your Energy Levels

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    Karline Jensen
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    If you’ve ever wondered why “eat a balanced diet” is such persistent advice, the research on thiamine, selenium, and CoQ10 offers a clue: even small, common shortfalls in these nutrients are tied to measurable changes in how efficiently the body produces energy. Thiamine and Cellular Energy Production Thiamine (vitamin B1) plays a direct role in…

  • Phytonutrients

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    Karline Jensen
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    The IFM Phytonutrient Spectrum – Comprehensive Guide has some great ideas about how to diversify your diet and consume a broader range of nutrients, like that cooking carrots with a little olive oil can make the carotenoids more bioavailable.  I love the idea that eating green leafy vegetables every day slows aging by 11 years. …

  • Protein, Brassicas, and Dietary Fiber

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    Karline Jensen
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    I found an interesting study where glutathione was found to decrease after participants spent three days on a lower protein diet than what they were used to, but it appeared to return to normal by day ten (Jackson et al., 2004).   Eating brassicas could help the estrogen metabolizing pathways to lead to less of…

  • Polyphenols for Intestinal Permeability

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    Karline Jensen
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    Del Bo’ et al. (2021) conducted a randomized controlled trial to see if a diet emphasizing polyphenols would be able to help address intestinal permeability in older people.  They found that beneficial bacteria for fiber fermentation and butyrate were increased, and blood pressure was decreased.  Those who started out with greater impairment of the tight…

  • Carnitine and Energy Mobilization

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    Karline Jensen
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    Stephens et al. (2013) reported new data from a randomized controlled trial by Wall et al. (2011).  In this trial, there were seven participants each in the intervention and in the placebo.  They were all moderately trained recreational athletes.  Both groups drank a beverage containing 80 g of carbohydrate twice a day, in the morning…

  • Protein for Muscle Mass

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    Karline Jensen
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    The International Society of Sports Nutrition’s recommendation (Jäger et al., 2017) is that 1.4–2.0 g protein/kg body weight/day is enough to gain muscle mass, but that 3.0 g/kg/day or more can continue to be beneficial for balancing overall body composition.  They recommend consuming protein every 3-4 hours throughout the day, including before bed.  A home-cooked…