What Are The Benefits (And Drawbacks) Of A Raw Food Diet?

Advocates of eating raw foods often cite its closeness to nature as reasons for chowing down on bok choy, Swiss chard, and other plant-based foods. But is it really healthy? According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it can be, but a raw food diet isn’t right for everyone. 

 

What Constitutes A Raw Food Diet? 

 

Many people think of a raw food diet as simply the equivalent of foods that you get out of the garden. These are eaten in their whole form, although they may be cut, diced, and mixed with other whole foods without losing their integrity. Some, however, look at a raw foods diet as one that also includes unprocessed animal products, like eggs, fish, and milk. Marla Ahlgrimm says that the goal of a raw foods diet is to eat foods that contain their full level of nutrition. The idea is to keep foods as close to natural as possible so that the body enjoys the enzymes needed for proper digestion. 

FAQ: Marla Ahlgrimm Shares Insight Into A Career As A Pharmacist

Marla Ahlgrimm is a retired pharmacist, compounding specialist, self-care and self-help author, and medical entrepreneur. 

 

If you’re thinking about a career as a pharmacist, that’s a great call. Pharmacists are in high demand, get paid well, and have an opportunity to help their clients manage their health and wellness goals. Today, retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm shares an FAQ that sheds light on common questions about becoming a pharmacist. 

 

Q: What is a pharmacist? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: A pharmacist is an expert in pharmaceuticals. Their primary job is to prepare, dispense, and store medications and to counsel individuals when they have questions about their prescriptions. A pharmacist must be familiar with many things, including drug dosage safety, side effects, proper usage, potential interferences, and medication biochemical makeup. 

 

Q: What does the day in the life of a pharmacist look like? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Each day is different; that’s what makes this career so exciting. While the majority of the time, a pharmacist is preparing medications based on physician prescriptions, they might also spend time offering advising services about OTC medications. Pharmacists are also medical professionals that can conduct basic health screenings and give certain immunizations, such as the flu shot or vaccines. 

Yes, Women Are More Stressed Out The Men Around The Holidays

Retired women’s healthcare entrepreneur and self-care author Marla Ahlgrimm spent four decades helping women master their own health. She says that it’s been her experience that women notice and experience stress more than men in November and December. 

 

But why? 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are many different reasons that women feel more stress and strain over the holidays. One is additional family responsibilities. Although men were, historically, the hunters and gatherers, that role has switched to women, who tend to be the ones to grocery shop. Further, women are expected to create a beautiful spread around the holidays. Even those who don’t host at home are expected to bring beautiful dishes to each gathering, says Marla Ahlgrimm. 

 

Money is another matter of concern for women around Christmas. The average family spends between $800 and $1000 on Christmas gifts. Marla Ahlgrimm acknowledges that this might be a small sum for many families, but, for others, it can be a huge strain on their savings or, worse, credit cards. 

Marla Ahlgrimm Shares Tips On Staying Healthy This Holiday Season

The holidays are here, and that means being in close quarters with friends and family, strangers, and coworkers. Between holiday parties, shopping, and dinners, you have a lot to do, and there are many opportunities for you to catch a cold, or worse. Today’s tips are provided by Marla Ahlgrimm in hopes that you have a healthy and happy holiday season. 

 

Wash Your Hands 

 

It might sound simple enough, but washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of germs, such as the flu. Given that the flu, RSV, and COVID are all floating around the air this year, you’ll want to keep your hands as clean as possible and avoid touching your face. To wash your hands effectively, use soap and warm water and wash for at least 20 seconds. Marla Ahlgrimm also recommends drying your hands with a paper towel. 

Marla Ahlgrimm: What Is A Mastectomy?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and what better time to explain one of the potential ramifications of breast cancer than now? According to women’s health author and retired compounding pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, one of these is a mastectomy, which is a surgical procedure performed on more than 100,000 women each year. 

 

Q: What is a mastectomy? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: A mastectomy is essentially a surgical procedure where a physician removes either one or both of a woman’s breasts. It’s often performed when a woman has invasive breast cancer that does not respond to chemo or radiation therapy. A mastectomy may be necessary if the risk of recurrent breast cancer is high. 

 

Q: Why would a woman have both breasts removed? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Even if a woman only has cancer cells present in one breast, she may choose to have both removed to ensure uniformity. Further, women with certain gene mutations that have experienced breast cancer on one side may choose to have both removed to eliminate the possibility of breast cancer returning. A woman may also choose to have the procedure to find peace of mind, even if she is not at high risk for relapse. 

Marla Ahlgrimm On Menstrual Cravings

Those of us with ovaries know the feeling: you’re hungry. You want something salty… maybe something sweet, and you want it now. But, what causes us to go on eating binges in the days leading up to our periods? 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the answer is hormones. The retired pharmacist, hormone specialist, and self-help author explains that progesterone and estrogen, which are cyclical, are usually the culprits. These hormones can significantly influence metabolism and appetite, which can lead us to standing in front of the pantry or refrigerator with a gnawing hunger. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm also explains that a woman’s caloric needs can increase by up to 10% during the luteal phase of her hormone cycle. This is another potential reason for the compulsive cravings. 

 

Menstrual Cravings Are Not Binge Eating Disorder 

 

Some women fear that their monthly appetite overdrive is a symptom of binge eating disorder. Fortunately, says Marla Ahlgrimm, it is not, although women with binge eating disorder may find it even more difficult to control during certain parts of their menstrual cycle. 

Marla Ahlgrimm: What Your Locks Can Tell You About Your Diet

Just like us, our hair can have bad days. But, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, sometimes, a bad hair day is an indication that something is amiss with what’s on your plate. 

 

Shedding is normal until it’s not 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that most women lose around 100 hairs each day. Chances are, you probably won’t even notice. However, if you lose enough hair that you start to get concerned, it’s time to pay a visit to your doctor. Excessive hair loss may be a sign of thyroid disease, anemia, or certain mineral deficiencies.