Going Plant Based For New Years? Here Are Some Tips!

Each year people around the world make resolutions to improve their life in the upcoming year. Resolutions geared toward health, fitness and dieting are some of the most common. In recent years, going plant based/vegan has grown in popularity. At Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater we are here for this trend, we are big supporters of plant based diets and the positive effects it can have on your health/life. Today, we’re providing some tips that can help with sticking to your resolution of going vegan/plant based. Have additional questions? Interested in some nutritional guidance/advice? For any of your needs, feel free to reach out.

Find A Community

When it comes to implementing change, surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can be a great help. Whether you find a local plant based group in your community or venture online it can be helpful. Facebook, Quora, Reddit and other platforms have different communities for plant based, veganism, etc.

Download The Apps

Navigating a new way of eating can be complicated, luckily some wonderful people have created applications for your phone that can help. HappyCow provides information about different restaurants that provide vegan options. Is It Vegan is another extremely useful application that allows you to scan barcodes and it will let you know if any ingredients may not be plant based/vegan friendly.

Go Slow

When it comes to implementing changes to your diet/lifestyle it can be important to do so slowly. Moving too quickly can be overwhelming and lead to failure. Start slowly, try by making more meals plant based as you slowly cut other products out of your life.

Try New Things

When people try a new way of eating, they often stick to a lot of old habits, avoiding foods they may not have liked many years ago. As you change your diet, taste can actually change. We highly recommend at least trying things you may not have liked before to see if your taste has changed or if a different preparation method works better for you.

Schedule Clearwater Nutritional Guidance Today

Interested in nutritional guidance for plant based diets in Clearwater, Florida? Dawn Potter Acupuncture would be happy to help. Schedule your FREE 15 minute phone consultation today.

Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Do you suffer from frequent episodes of abdominal pain? Bloating? Alternating periods of constipation and diarrhea? Have you been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome? Wondering if a more natural approach to IBS treatment such as acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine would be worth it? Today, Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater, Florida will be discussing irritable bowel syndrome and how traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help.

What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Irritable bowel syndrome, more commonly referred to as IBS is a disorder which affects the small and large intestines. It is also referred to as spastic colon or mucus colitis in some cases. It is considered a syndrome due to the fact it involves symptoms that vary for each patient that is affected. Common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include cramping, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, increased gas, stomach bloating, nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Episodes of irritable bowel syndrome are often attributed to stress and eating certain foods.

How Can Acupuncture/Traditional Chinese Medicine Help IBS?

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome can be caused by a dysfunctional stomach, spleen and/or liver. It has been found that acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary modifications and lifestyle changes can all impact the symptoms experienced, reducing discomfort and pain, improving digestion and normalizing the elimination of bowels.

In a 2004 study which was published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it was found that herbal formula containing codonopsis, atractylodes rhizome, poria, psoralea fruit, evodia, siler root, tangerine peel, ash bark, and cardamom was 90% effective in relieving/reducing IBS symptoms in patients for 6+ months. This formula was given twice daily and in certain cases modified to include other herbs depending upon exact symptomology of the patient.

Schedule Natural Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment in Clearwater Today

Interested in treating your irritable bowel syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture in Clearwater? Contact Dawn Potter Acupuncture today, we’d be happy to get you added to our schedule.

Why Eat A Plant-Based Diet?

When it comes to eating food, there are a lot of different diets available. Many diets aren’t sustainable over time, typically resulting in the patient returning to their old ways. At Dawn Potter Acupuncture, we highly recommend a plant-based diet. Plant-based diets are highly sustainable and have various benefits for your overall health. Today, Dawn Potter Acupuncture in Clearwater, Florida is discussing these benefits. Have questions? Interested in scheduling an appointment? Simply reach out today.

Boost Your Immune System

With the pandemic getting worse again, now is a better time than ever to be boosting your immune system. Eating plant-based foods can increase vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants in your body, keeping your body more healthy and ready to fight.

Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation in the body has been linked to a variety of illnesses and diseases, making sure you reduce inflammation as much as possible is highly important. When eating a plant-based diet, phytochemicals and antioxidants go around your body neutralizing toxins that enter your body.

Increase Fiber

Eating a plant-based diet typically results in more fiber in the body, this improves the health of your gut and allows your body to absorb nutrients from the foods you consume. Along with this, fiber is known to stabilize blood sugar, low cholesterol and even improve bowel movements.

Healthy Weight

For many people, weight can be a struggle, resulting in cycles of “dieting” that result in weight loss that often returns quickly after. With a plant-based diet, patients are more likely to lose weight and maintain it.

Lower Disease Risk

Research has shown that consuming a plant-based diet can actually lower your risk for various diseases and illnesses, such as cancer, stroke, diabetes and even certain mental health disorders.

Schedule Nutritional Guidance in Clearwater

Are you interested in starting a plant-based diet? Need professional nutrition advice in Clearwater? Dawn Potter Acupuncture would be happy to help, reach out today to schedule your appointment.