Diet and exercise... I know, exactly what you wanted to hear (please note sarcasm), or maybe you actually did because you've already made some changes and want confirmation you're on the right path. And the more you eat your veggies and move your body, many other health concerns may improve too, which doesn't always happen with a weight loss supplement.
Read MoreSleep is so important. As in we have like 10+ hormones that regenerate while we sleep, and that's at certain times of night assuming we go through different stages of sleep. Unfortunately there are a number of medications like various psych meds, cold medicines and decongestants (ironic because sleep is imperative when we're sick), statins, steroids, antihistamines, and blood pressure medications that can cause vivid dreams, and disrupt sleep at any given time.
Read MoreIt's really easy to demonize sugar- it's everywhere, the cause of so many health issues, and a good part of the reason why we just don't feel good, which then you know there are processes gone awry in our body...sugar anyone for that endorphin boost to make this seem less depressing?? Common sources of sugar include juices, dessert, refined carbohydrates (e.g. white flour), candy, dried fruit (if anything eat the real fruit because it's higher fiber content helps stop the quick sugar rush/crash), soda, energy drinks, flavored foods, and alcohol (gets metabolized immediately to sugar).
Read MoreEven with all scientists, doctors, health professionals, and Dr. Google know about the human body, we are learning more and more each day in how we are so interconnected. Sugar cravings go beyond a cold turkey 'stop eating sugar', because sugar is like a drug it can make us feel happy and loved, which then prompts, are we happy and loved in our own lives? Food is commonly known to reward us by reducing stress and improving mood- and we'll consume more until it does.
Read MoreThe skin is the largest organ, protecting us whatever is going on in the outside world, acting as a barrier for our muscles, bones, and organs. It's also said that skin is a reflection of what's going on inside of us, such as acne as a sign of imbalanced hormones, and dry skin potentially a sign of under active thyroid. Skin concerns can also be from a food intolerance, medications, imbalanced gut bacteria, detoxification/liver issues, etc.
Read MoreCalorie counting used to be all the rage, and yet to some extent it has still stuck, especially when people want to lose weight. The math seemed simple- we have a basal metabolic rate (BMR), somewhat reflective of thyroid health (how fast processes move, aka our metabolism), and its calories in versus calories out. Right? Not so much.. carbohydrates and protein provide 4 calories per gram, and fats provide 9 calories per gram.
Read MoreGenetics are the building block of our material, the stuff we got from a male and a female, and that's what we're made of. Not so much.. the good news is that we're in control of about 90-95%+ of our health outcome, but doesn't mean there isn't something to be said about the foundation we've been dealt. Crazy thought- we were in our grandmother's uterus. We also store past emotions, trials and tribulations, anger & happiness, etc. in our DNA.
Read MoreHormone replacement therapy (HRT) was developed in the 1960's to 'liberate women' from the woes of menopause- think hot flashes, insomnia, sweats, etc. Socially, much of the credo was that women can stay youthful forever, a desire by many, both men and women alike (think stigma of getting older). A few decades before, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) was developed to help relieve men of depression, impaired memory, fatigue, and low libido.
Read MoreBones are pretty important to our health- they hold us up (literally), house some of our organs, provide attachment for muscles, store calcium, and produce blood. They constantly change and shift throughout life, breaking down then being built up, to fit the body's needs. And bone health is more than just calcium, as important vitamins & minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin K, vitamin D, strontium, and boron, for example, are imperative for their integrity. Lifestyle choices like weight bearing exercises and regular movement also aid in healthy bones.
Read MoreAnd it's not fun. The cramping so bad we miss getting together with friends or going out, feeling like we're going to pass out if Midol or ibuprofen isn't around, vomiting, so bloated right before that pants won't even button, breast tenderness, acne, irregular timing/bleeding, and you feel there's something more than just birth control. Or perhaps this was part of your history, and now you're wondering if it's perimenopause or stress, and if there's any damn solution to get rid of those hot flashes! Oy!
Read MoreA recent article in the New York Times states that people taking antidepressants are finding it difficult to quit, sometimes regardless of how long they've been on the drug. Antidepressents were only supposed to be given for short-term use, about 2 months, and now 15.5 million people have been on them for at least 5 years. That rate has just about doubled since 2010, and well over tripled that amount from 2000.
Read MoreDining out is generally touted as a fun experience, whether it's a gathering with friends, family, partner, or on your own, it can be a treat where you don't have to cook or clean dishes. You may even become inspired by some of the dishes and their flavors, or find a new love for a certain cuisine or ingredient. And now there are many places where we can substitute or add ingredients to fit our dietary or food preferences!
Read MoreWeight is a tricky topic- perhaps we've changed up our nutritional intake, going to the gym a little bit more, drinking more water, etc. yet nothing seems to quite have changed. Unfortunately the reason why we gain weight can be numerous reasons, and therefore may need numerous approaches to have pounds shed. And weight is just a symptom, so it's important to consider all the possibilities.
Read MoreLet's start by going over what hormones actually are. Hormones are a certain type of chemical messenger created in endocrine glands, such as the hypothalamus, thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, etc. And when those lines of communication get thrown off balance by our environment, stress, poor diet, and other factors, there's an imbalance with symptoms to match.
Read MoreProbably not. Yes, they provide some extra good bacteria, and prebiotics (usually found in probiotic blend) feed good bacteria as well, but essential for our health? Sometimes, yes, sometimes no.
Read MoreThe stress/stressors of modern day life is enough to wear down even the healthiest of people. Types of stress include decision fatigue (we're strongest the first 3 hours of the day- so make your schedule the day before as best you can), trouble at work, argument with another human being, physical injury, multiple diagnosis (or even just fighting off a cold), etc.
Read MoreThey're (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) just not made as much, and then ratios begin to shift where normal values may seem high or low relative to the other hormones. For example, females are born with 6-7 million eggs, yet they only ovulate about 300,000-400,000 throughout their life and that cycle is a balancing act of at least 4-5 different hormones. However, hormones are also made from the adrenal glands, the two glands that sit on top of each kidney, for the rest of our life, and the liver.
Read MoreHormones are volatile messengers in our body that can be as easily disrupted as fast as they can be balanced. Common symptoms of hormone imbalance generally include weight gain/inability to lose weight, low libido, mood swings, low energy, insomnia, acne, and night sweats, all or some of which we may experience even when we're convinced that our diet is really healthy. Unfortunately removing obstacles to cure is not always as simple as "eat a few more vegetables and drink more water."
Read More"We are what we eat", is a popular phrase that acknowledges what we put in, is typically what we're going to get out. Like a car that takes diesel gas is going to have compromised function if it gets filled with regular gas. Same for hormonal health. Our hormones are derived from cholesterol molecules, metabolized and excreted by multiple organs, and optimally produced as long as those other systems are in balance. Furthermore, "we are what we absorb", so if we have gut imbalances or always stressed, for example, we're not going to have optimal digestion.
Read MoreGoals to 'be healthy' can sometimes seem overwhelming, especially around the time of New Years, birthdays, vacations, and many times the internet can have TOO much information! Which site to believe, what's really legit, who's telling the truth, etc. So many questions.. and then there's that plan you need to even put those goals in place! Eep!
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