Surprising Benefit from Elderberry!

🔥 Looking for natural boosts for your metabolism?

We usually think about elderberry 🫐 for immune support during the cold and flu season, but a new study shows it may also benefit metabolic health.

After drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week, participants experienced:

1️⃣ Improved gut health

Elderberry juice increased beneficial gut bacteria and decreased harmful ones. A healthy gut microbiome is closely linked to better metabolic health.

2️⃣ Better blood sugar control:

Participants had a 24% decrease in blood glucose levels and a 9% decrease in insulin levels, showing improved sugar metabolism.

3️⃣ Enhanced fat burning:

Elderberry juice improved the body’s ability to oxidize fat, especially after carb-heavy meals and during exercise.

What makes elderberries so great?

Anthocyanins ✨

Anthocyanins are phytonutrients (plant compounds) with powerful antioxidant and health-promoting properties, and elderberries contain them in much higher concentrations than most other berries.

It’s all about nutrient density.

As with all supplements, it’s essential to consult a practitioner who can evaluate your unique situation. Even natural options like elderberry juice may not be right for everyone.

👉🏽 Looking for tailored support for metabolic health?

We specialize in personalized care, helping you understand what works for your unique body and goals.

Get started with your personalized health plan by scheduling your first visit today! 💜

Boost Nutrient Density of Any Meal FAST!

3 quick ways to make any meal or snack more nutrient-dense ⬇️

These superfoods give your body the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs to boost energy, immune function, and overall health

Plus, they are easy to keep on hand to sprinkle, spread, or stir into just about anything:

✨ Pesto

Pesto is packed with antioxidants, vitamin K, and healthy fats. You can buy premade basil pesto or get creative with your own (ever tried it with cilantro or hemp hearts? 😋). Drop a dollop on your eggs, sandwich, or rice bowl.

✨ Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are loaded with omega-3s. Mix them into yogurt, oatmeal, or a smoothie: Bonus: combine with coconut milk and refrigerate overnight for an easy chia pudding!

✨ Cinnamon

Cinnamon contains antioxidants and may support healthy blood sugar. Sprinkle over toast with nut butter or over roasted veggies.

✨ Seaweed

Seaweed is an easy way to sneak in some extra minerals—especially iodine. Toss crispy seaweed snacks on salads or just enjoy it as a snack.

✨ Tahini

Made from sesame seeds, tahini is rich in calcium and healthy fats.Drizzle it over roasted veggies, use it as a spread for toast, or mix it into salad dressings.

When you fuel yourself with boosted nutrition, you are giving yourself an unfair advantage 🙌🏽

What’s your favorite superfood? Share your go-to in the comments👇

🫚💛 Golden Milk Recipe 💛🫚

It’s National Nutrition Month, and I’m going deep into the benefits of whole-food nutrition and phytonutrients.

One of the most overlooked health foods? SPICES.

Spices are highly concentrated in antioxidants and phytonutrients that support everything from a healthy inflammatory response to immune function, energy, and mood.

Golden milk is a delicious way to warm up while getting the unique benefits of these healing spices.

It’s simple to make and easy to customize:

1️⃣ Warm 1 cup of milk (or your favorite milk alternative) in a saucepan over low heat.

2️⃣ Stir in 1 teaspoon of honey, maple syrup, or your preferred sweetener (optional) and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

3️⃣ Add your choice of warming spices: cinnamon (½ tsp), ginger (¼ tsp), turmeric (¼ tsp), and/or cayenne pepper (dash).

4️⃣ Whisk everything together until smooth and steamy, then pour into your favorite mug.

You’ll get a concentrated dose of phytonutrients from spices that support healthy circulation and quell inflammation.

Have you tried golden milk before?

Let me know your favorite add-ins or variations in the comments ⤵️

#elementsnatmed #drelizabethcantrell #drelizabethcantrellnd #naturopath #naturopathic #naturalmedicine #naturopathicdoctor #functionalmedicine #foodismedicine #foodasmedicine #antioxidants #antiinflammatory #colga #columbusga

Why (and How) to ‘Eat the Rainbow’ 🌈

Did you know that the colors in fruits and veggies are a reflection of the unique phytonutrients and antioxidants they contain—and these compounds work hard to protect your health.

Here’s a quick guide to what those vibrant colors can do for you:

❤️ Red

Example: Tomatoes 🍅

Packed with lycopene, which supports the heart, prostate, and skin.

🧡 Orange

Example: Carrots 🥕

Full of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A for eye health.

💛Yellow

Example: Onions 🧅

Provides allicin, a compound that supports immune function.

💚 Green

Example: Spinach 🥬

Rich in chlorophyll, which supports detoxification and boosts energy.

💙 Blue/Purple

Example: Berries 🫐

Contain anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that promote brain health.

Different colors = different phytonutrients = whole-body health.

You don’t need to eat all the colors in a single meal, but a great goal is to eat the rainbow over the course of each day.

Your energy, sleep, hormones, and metabolism will thank you.

What’s your favorite color to eat? Let me know with an emoji below 🌈

“Is This a Good Supplement?”

“Is this a good supplement?”

If I could have a dollar for every time I’ve heard that one…💸

Seriously, so many people come to me with a bag of supplements they’ve accumulated because their best friend, aunt, or favorite podcast host recommended them. 🙃

Most are a waste of money.

This post isn’t to sell you supplements or to recommend anything specific. (We reserve that service for our clients.)

What this post IS for is to educate you on supplement quality and what to look for on labels.

1️⃣Look for third-party certifications.

Check for labels like NSF Certified or USP Verified, which ensure the product has been tested for purity and potency. These certifications mean what’s on the label is actually in the bottle—something you cannot always count on with all supplements!

2️⃣ Choose bioavailable forms.

Every vitamin and mineral has specific forms listed on the label. The better forms are easier for your body to absorb and use.

✨For vitamin B12, look for methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin).

✨For folate, look for methylfolate (rather than the synthetic folic acid).

✨Chelated minerals (like magnesium glycinate) are typically better absorbed than mineral salts.

3️⃣ Avoid fillers, dyes, and additives.

The shorter the list of “other ingredients” the better.

But most important?

Just because a supplement helped your friend or neighbor does not mean it will help you.

Your nutrient needs are unique to you.

👉🏽 We can help you figure out what your body truly needs and create a tailored plan that delivers the most benefits with the fewest pills.

Schedule an initial visit with Dr. Cantrell to get started with your personalized healthcare protocol! 🔗

#elementnatmed #supplements #naturalmedicine #functionalmedicine #plantbasedsupplements #customhealthcare #naturopath #naturopathicmedicine