​March is National Nutrition Month, a perfect time to refocus on what fuels our bodies best! At Flourish Medical + Wellness, we believe that small, intentional changes to your diet can make a big difference in how you feel. Whether you’re grocery shopping, eating out, or planning meals at home, choosing nutrient-dense, whole foods is the key to flourishing.
 
Aiming for at least 25 grams of fiber per day through whole food is a great start. Studies show the more fiber in the diet, the less likely you are to have abdominal fat! Fruits and vegetables are the best sources for fiber. Include cauliflower, corn, squashes, collard greens, bananas, and sweet potatoes in a regular rotation. Here are more items to add to your next grocery list.

March is National Nutrition Month. It's a perfect time to dive into the world of Functional Medicine and explore how it can supercharge your health, especially through targeted supplementation of vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin D. First, let's talk about why so many people have deficiencies in these key nutrients.
 
Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal products, so if you're a vegetarian or vegan, you might not be getting enough. Plus, as we age, our bodies can have a harder time absorbing B12 from food, leading to deficiency. Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis. Deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to fatigue, weakness, and neurological problems.

Iron deficiency is also common, especially among women with heavy periods or those who don't eat enough iron-rich foods like red meat, poultry, or beans. Iron absorption can also be affected by certain medications or digestive conditions. Iron is crucial for the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, characterized by fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.

Vitamin B12: Found primarily in animal products, so include more of these in your diet if you're looking to increase your B12 intake:

• Fish (salmon, trout, tuna) choose fresh or frozen wild-caught varieties
• Meat (beef, lamb, liver)
• Poultry (chicken, turkey)
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
• Eggs

Vitamin D: While it's challenging to get enough vitamin D from food alone, you can include these sources in your diet to boost your intake:

• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
• Egg yolks

And getting daily sunlight exposure can help your body produce vitamin D naturally.

​At Flourish Medical + Wellness, we take a holistic approach to medicine. Therefore, we offer more testing options than the typical blood work labs. What this means for you is that we can use clinical results to determine the cause of physical symptoms you may be experiencing. These deeper-dive options will help us see the full picture of your health and create a personalized treatment plan. The tests include organic acid testing, muscle testing, and toxin testing. Learn more about each of these offerings and how they can benefit your health.