Health | Ideal Nutrition

27 Feb 2026

Berberine: Is It Worth Taking?

Berberine is a naturally occurring compound found in several plants, including barberry, goldenseal, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. In the Western world, it has gained a lot of popularity as well, for a variety of reasons. There are many claims about conditions and situations where it can help. In this blog, we will go through these claims and assess how effective it is. Mechanism Berberine activates an enzyme called AMPK, which plays a key role in regulating energy metabolism. This can theoretically help with the following: Increasing…

05 Nov 2025

By Aidan Muir

Multivitamins – When and Why They Can Be Worth Taking

Multivitamins are one of the most common supplements around. A lot of people take them as a “safety net,” to fill any gaps in their diet. But do they actually make a difference? As a dietitian, in this post I’ll cover when they make a difference and can have benefits, as well as when they might not. When Multivitamins Can Be Beneficial 1. You’re Restricting Calories or Food Groups If you’re on a lower calorie intake for weight loss or have cut out entire food groups, there’s a higher chance you’re missing key nutrients. For example, lower calorie diets can…

01 Nov 2025

By Aidan Muir

Should You Avoid Artificial Sweeteners for Gut Health?

There is debate about whether artificial sweeteners have negative impacts on gut health. On one side, there are people discussing how it can negatively impact it, while on the other side, people are pointing to it having no impact. This post will cover the evidence on the topic and what you can do practically with this information. Specifically, this post will cover aspartame, sucralose, saccharin and acesulfame potassium (ace K). These are the four most common sweeteners. Sugar alcohols are often discussed alongside artificial sweeteners, but since they are technically not artificial sweeteners, they have been excluded from this article…

06 Sep 2025

By Aidan Muir

Do Carbs Before Bed Help You Sleep?

If you are wondering whether having carbohydrates before bed will help you sleep, this post will cover this. It will include aspects in relation to mechanisms, timing, glycaemic index, pros and cons, and also practical tips. Mechanisms The main mechanisms typically proposed fall into two categories: 1) Tryptophan & Serotonin Pathway - Carbohydrates increase insulin, which helps more tryptophan cross the blood–brain barrier. This boosts serotonin and melatonin production. - These are directly tied to sleep quality and onset. 2) Cortisol & Blood Sugar Regulation - Stable blood sugar may reduce night-time wake-ups. - Very low-carb or long fasts before…

21 Apr 2025

By Aidan Muir

MTHFR – What Should You Know About It?

The MTHFR gene sits in a controversial space in both nutrition and medicine. On one end, it’s often linked to a wide range of health issues — from mental health and fatigue to fertility and cardiovascular risk. On the other, medical guidelines consistently recommend against routine testing, stating it rarely changes treatment. In this post, we’ll unpack what MTHFR gene variants like C677T and A1298C mean, what the science says about their impact, and whether it’s something that’s truly worth testing or acting on. What Is It? MTHFR is an abbreviation that is used interchangeably for both a gene and…

04 Mar 2025

By Sophie Rindfleish

Binge Eating vs. Emotional Eating

Eating is about more than just nutrition—it’s deeply connected to our emotions, stress levels, and mental well-being. Many people find themselves eating in response to feelings rather than hunger, which can be confusing when trying to build a healthier relationship with food. Two common patterns that arise are binge eating and emotional eating. While they share similarities, understanding the differences is crucial for choosing the right management strategies. What is Emotional Eating? Emotional eating occurs when food is used as a way to cope with feelings—whether it’s stress, boredom, sadness, or even happiness. It’s a temporary distraction or comfort, rather…

19 Nov 2024

By Aidan Muir

Are Calcium Supplements Bad for Heart Health?

Calcium supplements are one of the most common supplements out there. They’re often promoted for their potential benefits to bone health and are generally considered low risk. However, there is some discussion around possible negative effects on heart health. This post will explore why there is talk about this and also where the evidence currently stands. Proposed Mechanisms Calcium supplements have been proposed to increase the risk of heart disease through several possible mechanisms: Higher Blood Calcium Levels: Taking calcium supplements can raise calcium levels in the blood, which stay elevated with long-term use. Calcium Build-Up in Blood Vessels: Elevated…

21 Sep 2024

By Emily Doyle

Maximising Iron Supplementation: How to Get the Most From Your Supplements

Iron deficiency is among the most common nutritional issues worldwide, impacting energy levels, concentration, and overall health. While iron supplements can be an effective solution, many people are unsure how to take them properly to get the best results. If you are experiencing low iron levels, optimising how and when you take iron supplements can make a huge difference. In this post, we will dive into the best practices for iron supplementation by first outlining the types of iron supplements, followed by supplement timing, food and medication interactions and other valuable information to ensure your body absorbs the iron it…

23 Aug 2024

By Aidan Muir

Are Seed Oils Bad for You?

Seed oils are a controversial topic. One of the main reasons I want to address them is that it’s a space where people often talk very negatively. And then there are people on the other side who are either saying that seed oils are not bad, or in some cases might even be “heart healthy.” The goal of this post is to unpack the entire discussion in what I would consider a balanced fashion. Is there truth to the negative claims? And if so, have some of them been “stretched” to sound a bit worse than the reality? Is there…

31 Jul 2024

By Aidan Muir

Collagen Supplements: Do They Really Improve Skin Health?

Collagen supplements are often part of the discussion when exploring nutrition options that may support skin health. Decades ago, the debate was more theoretical. While more research is almost always needed, we are now at a point where there is a substantial body of evidence on this topic. In this post, arguments for and against the use of collagen for this purpose will be explored. After that there will be a section looking at the outcomes in the research, followed by a practical interpretation of all this information. Theoretical Reasons Collagen Could Help Skin Health The oversimplified version is that…