Doug Cook RD

Doug Cook RD http://www.dougcookrd.com/ I strive to be a free thinker versus running with the pack.

Doug Cook RD, Integrative & Functional Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian; helping by leveraging traditional & functional medicine to help people who aren't satisfied with the healthcare they've received. Reflections of a dietitian who is trying to make sense of the nutrition and health information overload that we all face and who is willing to take a stance even if it doesn't mean 'toeing the

party line'. I am an integrative & functional nutritionist/dietitian who helps people who've tried all the regular routes to health and dealing with their health issues but have not gotten the results they want; I blend the best of medicine, and integrative health to help people feel better and achieve better health

   ๐Ÿฅœโœจ The Fat Nobody Talks About โ€” Omega-7  ๐Œ๐ž๐ž๐ญ ๐๐š๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ฅ๐ž๐ข๐œ ๐€๐œ๐ข๐  Youโ€™ve heard of omega-3s, but omega-7s? Totally under...
05/31/2025


๐Ÿฅœโœจ The Fat Nobody Talks About โ€” Omega-7

๐Œ๐ž๐ž๐ญ ๐๐š๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ฅ๐ž๐ข๐œ ๐€๐œ๐ข๐

Youโ€™ve heard of omega-3s, but omega-7s? Totally underrated.
Palmitoleic acid is a rare fat that helps your body *thrive* โ€” and macadamia nuts are loaded with it.

๐–๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐Ž๐ฆ๐ž๐ ๐š-๐Ÿ•๐ฌ ๐ƒ๐จ

๐Ÿ’ฅ Omega-7s help:
โœ”๏ธ Lower inflammation
โœ”๏ธ Improve insulin sensitivity
โœ”๏ธ Reduce liver fat
โœ”๏ธ Balance cholesterol
โœ”๏ธ Support skin & gut health

๐–๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ž ๐ญ๐จ ๐†๐ž๐ญ ๐ˆ๐ญ

Your best source? ๐Ÿ‘‰ **Macadamia nuts.**

Other sources include sea buckthorn oil and oily fish like anchovies โ€” but macadamias make it easy (and delicious).

๐Œ๐š๐œ๐š๐๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐š ๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐‡๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ

๐Ÿ’› 5 reasons to love macadamias:

1. Rich in omega-7 (palmitoleic acid)
2. Over 75% monounsaturated fat
3. Low in carbs (just \~2g net/oz)
4. High in manganese (for metabolism)
5. Full of antioxidants like tocotrienols

๐…๐ข๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐“๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ

Omega-7s = small fat, big impact.
Snack smarter. Stay glowing. ๐ŸŒฟ

Getting a lot of coverage lately and deservedly so
05/25/2025

Getting a lot of coverage lately and deservedly so

Does vitamin D3 add years to your telomeres, and life? Four years, 1,054 older adults, one daily habit: 2,000 IU of vitamin Dโ‚ƒ. In the VITAL randomised-controlled trial, that routine slowed telomere erosion by โ‰ˆ140 base-pairs versus placebo, about three yearsโ€™ worth of cellular ageing held bac...

We could stand to be more proactive in healthcare/medicine (here in Canada)...the more you know, the better
05/19/2025

We could stand to be more proactive in healthcare/medicine (here in Canada)...the more you know, the better

Some of these well known, others you may not have heard ofDr. Dhand's Natural Supplements (USA/North America): https://www.ojaiswellness.com Dr. Dhand's Natu...

SAFE, non-burning suh exposure has health benefits. Both physical and mental health have declined over the last several ...
05/01/2025

SAFE, non-burning suh exposure has health benefits. Both physical and mental health have declined over the last several decades, meanwhile, fear of the sun and skin cancer has pushed many individuals indoors or into habits that routinely block their bodyโ€™s natural reactions to sunlight.

Far beyond its role in producing vitamin D, sunlight exposure triggers a cascade of vital biochemical reactions in the bodyโ€”including the production of nitric oxide, serotonin, melatonin, and beta-endorphins. These molecules are involved in immune regulation, cardiovascular health, mood, sleep, brain function, and protection against chronic disease.

As public fear of skin cancer has led to widespread sun avoidance, research now confirms that this shift has come with unintended health consequences, whereas regular, sensible sunshine exposure has been linked to better health outcomes:

A landmark study showed that sun avoiders had mortality rates similar to smokers, with life expectancy shortened by up to 2.1 years compared to those with high sun exposure.

Inadequate sun exposure has been linked to increased risk of 20+ types of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, depression, cognitive decline, and more.

A 2024 study involving 395,000 individuals found that solarium users and individuals living in areas with more sunlight had lower risks of all cause, cancer, and CVD mortality; more specifically, solarium users had a 15% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 23% lower risk of cardio-vascular disease mortality, a 14% lower risk of cancer mortality, and a 12% lower risk of non-CVD/non-cancer mortality as compared to solarium non-users

New studies confirm that exposure to UVB, UVA, Infrared and other wavelengths of sunlight directly support the microbiome, enhance brain health, and even inactivate viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

โ€œSunlight is not optionalโ€”itโ€™s essential,โ€ says Jen Aliano, Executive Director at GrassrootsHealth. โ€œWhen people avoid the sun, theyโ€™re missing out on an entire symphony of health-promoting effects. Sunshine Month is our way of bringing this science to the public in a safe, empowering way.โ€

Sardines might not win any beauty contests ๐ŸŸ๐Ÿ˜‚, but when it comes to nutrition, theyโ€™re total rockstars. Tiny but mighty,...
04/24/2025

Sardines might not win any beauty contests ๐ŸŸ๐Ÿ˜‚, but when it comes to nutrition, theyโ€™re total rockstars. Tiny but mighty, these little fish are packed with high-quality protein to fuel your muscles and keep you feeling full.

Theyโ€™re also a top source of omega-3s, which support heart ๐Ÿซ€ and brain ๐Ÿง  health (hello, mood boost + reduced inflammation). Plus, if youโ€™re not big on dairy, sardines with bones are loaded with calcium for strong bones.

Letโ€™s not stop there โ€” they deliver a whole crew of B vitamins (like B12 for energy + nerve support), zinc for immunity, selenium for antioxidant protection, and iron to help transport oxygen through your body.

Need more?

Sardines serve up vitamin D (rare in food!), vitamin A for vision and skin health, and iodine to keep your thyroid running smoothly.

Canned = convenient, affordable, and shelf-stable. Try them on toast, in salads, or mixed with a little mustard + lemon for a quick snack. Donโ€™t knock โ€™em till youโ€™ve tried โ€™em!

04/21/2025

I recently saw a webinar on Florastor probiotic presented by - have you heard of FIorastor?

๐ŸŒฟ Florastor โ€“ At a Glance
โ€ข What it is: A yeast-based probiotic supplement containing Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745.
โ€ข Unique feature: Resistant to antibiotics, unlike bacterial probiotics.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Strain Info
โ€ข Strain: S. boulardii CNCM I-745 โ€” clinically studied, patented, and distinct from bakerโ€™s yeast.
โ€ข Benefits: Survives stomach acid, shelf-stable, no refrigeration needed.

๐Ÿ’ช Health Benefits
โ€ข Supports gut health and microbiome balance
โ€ข Helps maintain intestinal barrier function
โ€ข Promotes bowel regularity and digestive comfort

๐Ÿ’Š Therapeutic Uses
โ€ข Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD) โ€“ Reduces incidence and supports recovery
โ€ข C. difficile prevention โ€“ Helps prevent recurrence
โ€ข Travelerโ€™s Diarrhea โ€“ Reduces risk and severity
โ€ข Acute Diarrhea โ€“ Shortens duration in infections
โ€ข IBD & IBS-D โ€“ May support symptom management
โ€ข SIBO โ€“ Useful during or after antibiotic treatment

๐Ÿ“ฆ Product Options
โ€ข Regular Strength: 250 mg โ€“ 1โ€“2 capsules/day for daily use
โ€ข Extra Strength: 500 mg โ€“ Single capsule dose for convenience or higher needs

โœ… Key Advantages
โ€ข Can be taken with antibiotics
โ€ข Safe for children 2 months+, adults, and elderly
โ€ข Non-GMO, gluten-free, vegetarian

Have you hear of Florastor or ever used it? Let me know in the comments

Check out

-745

So many papers/studies, so much radio silence
04/11/2025

So many papers/studies, so much radio silence

  Need a super quick breakfast that fuels your day? Try this powerful combo:1 scoop Hol Food ๐Ÿ‘‰ 35g protein, all essentia...
04/04/2025

Need a super quick breakfast that fuels your day? Try this powerful combo:

1 scoop Hol Food ๐Ÿ‘‰ 35g protein, all essential amino acids ๐Ÿ’ช
+ 1/3 cup Bran Buds ๐Ÿ‘‰ wheat bran + psyllium = fiber boost for ๐Ÿ’ฉ & heart health + 1 tbsp MSPrebiotic ๐Ÿ‘‰ R2 resistant starch = gut-loving prebiotic fuel ๐ŸŒฑ

๐Ÿ” Shake/blend with water or your fave milk. Done in under 30 secs! โฑ๏ธ

Hol Food is more than just protein:

โœจ Balanced omega-3 & omega-6
โœจ 25 vitamins & minerals in ideal amounts
โœจ Keeps you full, focused & energized

480 calories of balanced nutrition = breakfast you can feel good about. ๐Ÿ™Œ

meets in one glass.

Cheers to smarter mornings!

Hol Food MSPrebiotic All-Bran Canada

Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are nutritional powerhouses offering a myriad of health benefits:  ๐‡๐ž๐š๐ซ๐ญ ๐‡๐ž๐š๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก: R...
03/28/2025

Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are nutritional powerhouses offering a myriad of health benefits:

๐‡๐ž๐š๐ซ๐ญ ๐‡๐ž๐š๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก: Rich in magnesium, pumpkin seeds help regulate blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.

๐‚๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ ๐‘๐ž๐๐ฎ๐œ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: The phytosterols in pumpkin seeds can lower LDL cholesterol levels, promoting cardiovascular well-being.

๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐š๐ญ๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐š๐๐๐ž๐ซ ๐’๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ: Compounds in these seeds may benefit prostate and bladder health, contributing to improved urinary function.

๐€๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ฑ๐ข๐๐š๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ž๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ž๐ฌ: Abundant in vitamin E and other antioxidants, pumpkin seeds combat oxidative stress, supporting overall cellular health.

๐’๐ฅ๐ž๐ž๐ฉ ๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ฆ๐ž๐ง๐ญ: Containing tryptophan, an amino acid that aids serotonin and melatonin production, pumpkin seeds can enhance sleep quality.

๐ˆ๐ง๐œ๐จ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ค๐ข๐ง ๐’๐ž๐ž๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ƒ๐ข๐ž๐ญ:
๐’๐ง๐š๐œ๐ค: Enjoy a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds for a crunchy, nutritious treat.

๐’๐š๐ฅ๐š๐๐ฌ: Sprinkle raw or toasted seeds over salads to add texture and flavor.
๐’๐ฆ๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ž๐ฌ: Blend a tablespoon of seeds into your morning smoothie for an extra nutrient boost.

๐๐š๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ : Incorporate them into bread, muffins, or granola bars for added crunch and nutrition.

๐’๐จ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฌ: Use as a garnish on soups, especially creamy varieties like pumpkin or butternut squash.

๐Ÿ”โœจ This vibrant Beetroot, Black Bean & Quinoa Burger isnโ€™t just a feast for the eyesโ€”itโ€™s packed with plant-powered good...
03/17/2025

๐Ÿ”โœจ This vibrant Beetroot, Black Bean & Quinoa Burger isnโ€™t just a feast for the eyesโ€”itโ€™s packed with plant-powered goodness! ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ’ช

Juicy, hearty, and full of flavor, this homemade burger is high in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

Bonus? Itโ€™s gluten-free, vegan, and absolutely delicious!

Whoโ€™s ready to dig in? ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘‡

๐ŸŒฑ Recipe:

๐Ÿ”น Ingredients:
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup black beans (drained & mashed)
1 small beetroot (grated)
1/2 cup rolled oats (or oat flour)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water (flax egg)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt & pepper to taste

๐Ÿ”น Instructions:
1๏ธโƒฃ Preheat oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC) or heat a pan over medium heat.
2๏ธโƒฃ Mix flaxseed and water, let sit for 5 min.
3๏ธโƒฃ In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mash until well incorporated.
4๏ธโƒฃ Form into patties and bake for 25-30 min or pan-fry for 3-4 min per side.
5๏ธโƒฃ Serve with your favorite toppings & enjoy! ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ’œ

โœจ Nutritional Highlights:
๐Ÿ’œ Beetroot: Rich in antioxidants & nitratesโ€”supports heart health & boosts endurance!

๐Ÿ–ค Black Beans: A fiber & protein powerhouse, great for gut health & blood sugar control!

๐ŸŒพ Quinoa: A complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids, plus iron & magnesium!

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