Red Food: A Must-have for Cardio-metabolic Health

Hello! This is Allison-your 360MD resource for all things related to nutrition, lifestyle, prevention and testing.

As a Medical and Functional Nutritionist, I have the responsibility of translating nutritional science into actionable dietary and lifestyle recommendations. I’ve spent the last 20 years blending nutritional assessments with health history and labs to create personalized nutrition therapy plans for my clients. While I believe in a food-first approach, dietary supplements are one of the best tools I have for chronic disease prevention, correcting nutritional imbalances, and supporting acute conditions. At your next visit, please ask me about your current supplement protocol! I would love to help you streamline or level up your supplements to get the junk out and the stuff you really need, in.

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite lines-Standard Process. Purveyors of true whole-food nutrition, these products are notable for organic, farm-grown ingredients rather than high-dose isolates. Ingredients that come from nature are packaged with a host of minerals and co-factors that act synergistically to provide the body with building blocks for biochemical processes, healing, and vitality. Their newest product, SP Red Food, is a must-have for cardio-metabolic health, exercise recovery, and longevity. Read on to learn more!

Product Highlight: SP Red Food

The Red Food Advantage: A Simple Path to Better Heart, Metabolic, and Longevity Health. Most people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables—and that means missing out on powerful plant compounds called phytonutrients. These natural compounds give foods their vibrant colors and play a key role in reducing inflammation, supporting metabolism, and protecting against oxidative stress (a major driver of aging and chronic disease). One of the easiest ways to boost your intake? Add more deep red foods to your daily routine.
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Why Red Foods Matter

Red foods like beetroot, red leafy greens (such as mountain spinach), and algae-derived compounds like astaxanthin are rich in unique phytonutrients that support:

1. Heart and blood vessel health
2. Healthy blood pressure
3. Energy production and exercise performance
4. Metabolic balance (blood sugar and cholesterol)
5. Healthy aging and cognitive function
   

Key Players in Red Nutrition

1. Beetroot: Nature’s Nitric Oxide Booster

Beets are one of the richest sources of dietary nitrates, which your body converts into nitric oxide—a molecule essential for circulation.

Benefits include:

1. Improved blood flow and oxygen delivery
2. Healthy blood pressure levels
3. Enhanced exercise endurance and recovery
4. Support for brain blood flow and cognition
5. Beets also contain betalains, potent antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage.
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2. Mountain Spinach (Red Orache): Mineral + Metabolic Support

This lesser-known red leafy green is packed with:

1. Electrolytes like potassium and sodium
2. Chromium, a trace mineral important for blood sugar balance
3. Chromium helps improve insulin sensitivity, making it easier for your body to regulate glucose and maintain steady energy levels.
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3. Astaxanthin: The “Super Antioxidant”

Found in red algae, astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants known—far stronger than vitamin E or beta-carotene.

What makes it unique:

1. Protects both inside and outside of cells
2. Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation
3. Supports heart, brain, skin, and eye health
4. Improves endurance, recovery, and muscle performance
5. It also plays a role in improving cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and even skin elasticity.
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The Big Picture: Cardiometabolic Health

Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease often share the same root causes:

• Chronic inflammation
• Oxidative stress
• Poor metabolic function
• Red foods directly target these underlying issues—making them a powerful, food-based strategy for prevention and long-term wellness.
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‍‍Bonus: Performance, Recovery & Healthy Aging

Red phytonutrients don’t just support disease prevention—they help you feel better day-to-day:

• Better exercise performance and stamina
• Faster recovery and less muscle soreness
• Improved mitochondrial (energy) function
• Support for muscle strength and mobility with age
• Protection for brain and cognitive health
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How to Add More Red Foods

• Add roasted or juiced beets to meals
• Include red leafy greens in salads or smoothies
• Eat a variety of colorful plant foods daily
• Ask us about targeted whole-food supplements if needed
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Food is one of the most powerful tools we have to influence long-term health.

By simply adding more deep red, phytonutrient-rich foods, you can support your heart, metabolism, energy, and longevity—naturally. Taking a whole-food based supplement is another great way to boost these dietary nutrients and support your cardio-metabolic health, skin radiance and exercise recovery. Ask us about Standard Process Red Food and how it can support your longevity!

Your health is built one daily choice at a time—START WITH COLOR!!