I’ll be honest, I fell off track with my leafy greens intake, but I’m determined to get back on it. At one point, I was devouring a whole pound of leafy greens every day! It made a significant difference in how I felt. The inspiration to get back to that started with a conversation on hair loss.
Although I don’t personally experience hair loss, I learned ferritin imbalance could be linked to it.
Here’s an eye-opener: high and low ferritin levels can even lead to heart failure. It’s a serious matter! This is what piqued my interest. So, how can you increase your ferritin levels to promote hair growth and, more importantly, protect your heart? The answer lies in boosting your iron intake.
Nuts, beans, and vegetables are fantastic sources of iron, but when it comes to iron-packed powerhouses, think dark leafy greens like spinach and broccoli. They offer more than just iron—they’re loaded with various essential nutrients. Keep in mind that low ferritin levels can also result from poor absorption, indicating a possible gut health issue.
To meet your iron needs, help your gut heal, and support hair growth, aim for 4 to 5 servings of raw leafy greens every day. Now, what exactly counts as a serving? For most veggies, it’s about the amount that fills one measuring cup. But when it comes to raw leafy greens like spinach and lettuce, a serving is equivalent to two cups. So, if you opt for 4 to 5 servings of raw kale (my personal favorite), you’ll be consuming 8 to 10 cups, which roughly translates to 1 to 1.5 pounds of kale.
Here’s something interesting: many people have reported better sleep quality after increasing their greens intake. From a weight and body composition perspective, greens are incredible. They are low in calories, high in water content, and nutrient-dense. Plus, they’re packed with fiber, promoting healthy digestion and offering a satisfyingly bulked-up meal with minimal calories. It’s like what those new GLP drugs promise for weight loss.
I am sure you’ve heard of GLP drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy; they’ve gained attention as the best weight loss quick fix of our time but who wants to do the required weekly injection of drugs for life? It’s essential to acknowledge the potential dangers associated with these medications. The pharmaceutical companies promoting them often share a false narrative to sell expensive drugs with side effects. It’s disheartening to see less financial support for organizations promoting healthy diet and lifestyles or organic food subsidies so we can have healthy food for all.
I am spending the summer in Europe this year and I have already noticed many differences when it comes to the medical system and food.
The U.S. market for obesity drugs is larger than in Europe due to delays in European launches, lower prices, strict insurance coverage, limited direct-to-consumer advertising, and greater scrutiny on off-label use prescribing. Europeans are hesitant to spend on drugs and have a lower tolerance for out-of-pocket expenses. In the U.K., obesity drugs are only available to severely obese adults with weight-related conditions. The Netherlands offers minimal co-payments, but reimbursement is subject to strict conditions. European regulations on direct-to-consumer advertising are tighter, and obesity awareness campaigns are less common. Novo Nordisk is currently running an online campaign in the U.S. to redefine and destigmatize obesity, including the use of prescription drugs. Of course, this is in an effort to sell these GLP drugs. They pay doctors to promote the drugs and those doctors don’t share with patients the side effects. This is not informed consent.
Obesity is a chronic illness that can lead to various health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint pain, arthritis, or sleep apnea. To me though, honestly, and I think many holistic health practitioners would agree with me, obesity is a symptom of a root cause illness or dysbiosis in the body.
There is a lot America could learn, I think, from how Europe regulates the exposure of its people to toxic chemicals rather than relying solely on costly drugs. These chemicals are making the obesity crisis worse.
My coaching program focuses on a different approach than most in the weight loss industry. Instead of the traditional “eat less, move more” mindset, I encourage you to eat until satisfied and move your body in ways that feel good to you. It’s not about restriction but about nourishment and enjoyment.
The solution to all of this (nutrient deficiencies, gut issues, and weight issues) lies in consuming more greens. As I mentioned, toxins in our environment and food supply can contribute to weight problems as they act as endocrine disruptors. That’s why I personally choose to buy organic.
The other crucial issue is industrial agriculture. It has become one of the most destructive forces on the planet. Soil erosion, pesticide contamination, and water scarcity are just a few of the problems we face. However, there are innovators fighting for change. I urge you to watch the thought-provoking film, “The Need To GROW,” which showcases breakthrough technologies for regenerating soil and supercharging vegetables with nutrients.
What are your favorite ways to incorporate leafy greens into your meals? Share your creative ideas in the comments section below and inspire others to try new recipes!
Have you noticed any positive changes in your health or energy levels after increasing your intake of leafy greens? We’d love to hear your personal experiences and the benefits you’ve experienced in the comments below.
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