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Pain management through dieting?

Pain management through dieting?     Did you know the cause of inflammation in the body could result from your diet? Many of the foods we eat are processed “junk” food, with low to no nutritional value. Soda and other foods that contain added sugars and refined carbohydrates are the ones you should avoid. These […]

What is Leptin resistance?

Leptin resistance may be a leading cause of weight gain and a primary reason why we have difficulty losing weight.

Leptin is a type of hormone produced by our bodies fat cells. This hormone works with the hypothalamus in our brain to tell us when we’ve had enough to eat to allow our bodies to burn excess calories. The more fat we carry inside our cells, the more leptin they produce which signals your brain to eat less. When our fat cells produce lower levels of leptin, our brain signals us to eat more. It is a type of negative feedback loop system similar to how we breathe, regulate blood pressure, and regulate body temperature.

Naturally, people who are overweight and obese have a lot of body fat stored in their cells. Their levels of leptin hormone are very high. It would make sense that an individual who has excess body fat would limit their food intake because they have plenty of excess calories stored. In this case, leptin signaling (through the negative feedback loop) may not be working. The brain sometimes will not recognize high levels of leptin. This is a condition known as leptin resistance. When your brain doesn’t receive the signals given by leptins your body responds oppositely. Your body is telling you to go into “starvation mode” therefore you start to eat more, and your energy level decreases. This leads to reduced calorie expenditure. Some causes of leptin resistance are obesity, chronic inflammation, poor diet, lack of exercise, or lack of sleep.

If you’re concerned you have leptin resistance, here at Essentials Medispa and Salon, our nutritionist can help you focus on an overall healthy lifestyle to reverse diet-induced leptin resistance. Essentials Medispa and Salon offers nutrition visits in conjunction with (BHRT) Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, our Lypoburn weight loss program, or an overall Wellness plan.

*Results may vary from person to person

Kick Salmon Up A Notch

Salmon is one of those rare foods that’s delicious and healthy. Let’s face it those foods are few and far between. Salmon is an excellent source of high-quality proteins, vitamins and minerals but most importantly it’s loaded with omega-3’s. Despite its naturally great taste, sometimes it can get a little boring, especially if you are trying to work it into your diet on a more regular basis. These salmon toppers below will have you wanting salmon every night of the week!

Horseradish Cream Sauce (makes sauce for four 8oz. fillets)

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp. white horseradish
  • 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
  • juice from 1/2 a lemon
  • 1/2 cup toasted Panko breadcrumbs

Whisk all the ingredients together, minus the breadcrumbs and refrigerate. After salmon is done cooking, spread sauce over the top. Then top with toasted breadcrumbs.

Honey and Lime Glaze (makes topping for four 8oz. fillets)

  • 6 tbsp. raw honey
  • zest of 1 lime
  • juice from one lime
  • 2 tbsp. Sriracha
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tbsp. freshly grated garlic
  • 1/2 tsp. cracked red pepper
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch

In a small pot, whisk together all the ingredients. Wait for the cornstarch to dissolve. Whisk your glaze over medium heat until it begins to thicken. Pour over your salmon immediately after it comes off the grill or out of the oven.

Mango Salsa ( makes topping for four 8oz. fillets)

  • 1 large mango, pitted and finely diced
  • 1 tbsp. finely diced red onion
  • 1 tbsp. finely diced jalapeno
  • 3 tbsp. lime juice
  • 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. of fresh cilantro diced
  • 1/4 cup diced avocado, peeled and pitted

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Let it set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Then top your salmon fillets with the salsa. This is also great for fish and shrimp tacos.

Blueberry Peach Basil Salad

Welcome spring with this healthy and fresh salad that’s bursting with flavor. In the beginning spring months, we start to see new plants and flowers pop out of the ground. Flordia has great weather year-round, creating a long and bountiful planting season. Spring, however, is when their crops begin to shine. It’s a beautiful season because it’s a time of regrowth. Embrace it. This salad encompasses all things spring. The fresh herbs and juicy fruit make this unique dish a crowd pleaser. Make one big salad for your family or set up individualized ones in mason jars so that you can see the vibrantly colored layers. They say we eat with our eyes first; well enjoy. The colors and textures of this salad will leave your mouth watering.

This recipe makes four individual salads.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. sweet basil
  • 1 cup of blueberries
  • 4 peaches ( cut into pieces)
  • 1 cup of crumbled goat cheese
  • 4 tbsp. chopped cashews

Layer everything in mason jar and make your dressing.

Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly grated garlic
  • 1 tbsp. finely diced red onion

Whisk together pour over your salads.