0 Carotenoids in Diet from Fruits and Vegetables May Help Prevent or Delay the Onset of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS, is a devastating degenerative illness that incapacitates its victims in a manner similar to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. At present, there is no known cure or effective treatment for the illness, believed to be the result of oxidative stress caused by decades of poor diet, stress, environmental toxins and poor physical conditioning. Researchers have now discovered that increased consumption of foods containing colorful carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein, may prevent or delay the onset of ALS.

Natural Sources of Fruits and Dark Leafy Vegetables Help Lower Risk of Developing ALS

ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord known to be responsible for the control of voluntary muscles. As the motor neurons degenerate, the muscles they control gradually weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis. A research team from the Harvard School of Public Health has published the results of their research in the Annals of Neurologythat builds on prior studies showing that carotenoids, the natural compounds that give fruits and vegetables their bright orange, red, or yellow colors, provide critical antioxidant support to help fight this devastating disease.

Scientists evaluated five large studies comprising more than one million participants to develop a basis for evaluation. Researchers reviewed food intake for the group and further broke consumption down to determine carotenoids eaten in the form of fruits and vegetables. Lead study author Dr. Alberto Ascherio noted “Understanding the impact of food consumption on ALS development is important. Our study is one of the largest to date to examine the role of dietary antioxidants in preventing ALS.”

Add Five to Nine Daily Servings of Fruits and Vegetables to Your Natural Food Diet

A total of 1093 cases of ALS were identified across the cohort of subjects. The team found that those with the highest intake of carotenoids from any source had the lowest risk of developing ALS. They also determined that individuals who consumed more carotenoids in their diets were more likely to exercise, have an advanced degree, have higher vitamin C consumption, and take vitamin C and E supplements. Participants with the highest dietary consumption of beta-carotene and lutein, most commonly found in dark green vegetables had a reduced risk of developing ALS.

Interestingly, the researchers found that diets high in lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin C did not reduce disease incidence, and long-term vitamin C supplement intake was also not associated with lower ALS risk. Dr. Ascherio concluded“Our findings suggest that consuming carotenoid-rich foods may help prevent or delay the onset of ALS.” This study acts to support a large volume of prior works that reinforce the critical importance of a natural food diet consisting largely of fruits and vegetables to thwart diseases ranging from cancer and diabetes to Alzheimer’s disease and ALS.

0 Healthy diet may help prevent recurrent heart attacks strokes

If you have cardiovascular disease, a heart-healthy diet may help protect you from recurrent heart attacks and strokes, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

"At times, patients dont think they need to follow a healthy diet since their medications have already lowered their blood pressure and cholesterol — that is wrong," said Mahshid Dehghan, Ph.D., study author and a nutritionist at the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. "Dietary modification has benefits in addition to those seen with aspirin, angiotensin modulators, lipid-lowering agents and beta blockers."

For the study, 31,546 adults (average age 66.5) with cardiovascular disease or end organ damage were asked how often they consumed milk, vegetables, fruits, grains, fish, meat and poultry in the past 12 months. They were also asked about lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption, smoking and exercise. Total scores were determined by daily fruits, vegetables, grains and milk consumed and the ratio of fish to meats consumed.

During a follow-up of nearly five years, participants experienced 5,190 cardiovascular events.

Researchers found those who ate a heart-healthy diet had a:

35 percent reduction in risk for cardiovascular death;
14 percent reduction in risk for new heart attacks;
28 percent reduction in risk for congestive heart failure; and
19 percent reduction in risk for stroke.
Food habits in different regions of the world varied considerably; however, a healthy diet was associated with prevention of recurrent cardiovascular disease throughout the world in countries with different economic levels, Dehghan said.

A diet rich in vegetables and fruits with a higher ratio of fish to meats appeared to be more beneficial for preventing heart disease than for preventing cancer, fractures or injury.

"Physicians should advise their high-risk patients to improve their diet and eat more vegetables, fruits, grains and fish," Dehghan said. "This could substantially reduce cardiovascular recurrence beyond drug therapy alone and save lives globally."

0 Higher Vitamin D Blood Levels Help Prevent Colon Cancer

Just in case you needed more proof that low blood levels of vitamin D represent a significant health concern, researchers publishingin the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrate that small increases in the sunshine vitamin can add precious years to your life. For nearly a decade scientific evidence has been mounting to show that the vast majorities of adults (and many children) are grossly deficient in circulating blood levels of vitamin D.

Further proof is documented in the PLoS One journal to show the precise cellular mechanism that helps vitamin D dramatically lower the risk of colon cancer. The bottom line is simple: check your vitamin D blood saturation with an inexpensive test and make the necessary adjustments to live a healthier and longer life.

Doubling Average Vitamin D Levels Could Cut World Death Rate by Twenty Percent

Using epidemiologic studies, Dr. W.B. Grant of the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center in San Francisco found that doubling the serum blood concentration of vitamin D could increase average life expectancy by two years. Dr. Grant and his team identified the major diseases that responded to increased levels of vitamin D. They then compared mortality rates to six identified regions around the country, and contrasted serum blood levels of the sunshine vitamin with disease occurrence.

After compiling all the data, the researchers found that conditions and diseases responsive to vitamin D that account for over half of the worlds mortality include cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, respiratory diseases and infections. It was determined that doubling the circulating level of vitamin D would lower the mortality rates of diseases that are sensitive to vitamin D by approximately 20 percent. Dr. Grant concluded“several ways to raise serum vitamin D include food fortification, supplementation and increased ultraviolet B exposure.”

Vitamin D Directly Correlated With Decreased Colon Cancer Risk

Researchers have known for some time that low vitamin D levels are associated with a significant increase in colon cancer cases, but have not understood the specific mechanism responsible. Now, scientists have discovered how a lack of vitamin D promotes DNA damage and colon cancer risk. Specifically, low vitamin D status instigates the development and progression of this devastating form of cancer.

Researchers have focused on a protein in intestinal epithelial cells called beta-catechin that normally helps epithelial cells bond together with other cells to form a protective barrier between the contents in your gut and the physical structure of your digestive tract. They found that when vitamin D is lacking, DNA synthesis is disrupted and beta-catechin builds up in cells, dramatically increasing the risk of colon cancer initiation.

There should be no doubt remaining that one of the most critical foundations to vibrant health is maintaining proper vitamin D blood saturation levels. Prevention is worth a pound of cure, so have your family physician run the simple and inexpensive 25 (OH)D blood test (alternatively, mail-in home testing is now a viable option), and be certain your level runs between 50 and 70 ng/mL to add years to your life and dramatically lower colon cancer and chronic disease risk.

0 Reading Writing and Playing Games May Help Aging Brains Stay Healthy

Mental activities like reading and writing can preserve structural integrity in the brains of older people, according to a new study presented at the 2012 annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

While previous research has shown an association between late-life cognitive activity and better mental acuity, the new study from Konstantinos Arfanakis, Ph.D., and colleagues from Rush University Medical Center and Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago studied what effect late-life cognitive activity might have on the brains white matter, which is composed of nerve fibers, or axons, that transmit information throughout the brain.

"Reading the newspaper, writing letters, visiting a library, attending a play or playing games, such as chess or checkers, are all simple activities that can contribute to a healthier brain," Dr. Arfanakis said.

The researchers used a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method known as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to generate data on diffusion anisotropy, a measure of how water molecules move through the brain. In white matter, diffusion anisotropy exploits the fact that water moves more easily in a direction parallel to the brains axons, and less easily perpendicular to the axons, because it is impeded by structures such as axonal membranes and myelin. "This difference in the diffusion rates along different directions increases diffusion anisotropy values," Dr. Arfanakis said. "Diffusion anisotropy is higher when more diffusion is happening in one direction compared to others."

The anisotropy values in white matter drop, however, with aging, injury and disease.

"In healthy white matter tissue, water cant move as much in directions perpendicular to the nerve fibers," Dr. Arfanakis said. "But if, for example, you have lower neuronal density or less myelin, then the water has more freedom to move perpendicular to the fibers, so you would have reduced diffusion anisotropy. Lower diffusion anisotropy values are consistent with aging."

The study included 152 elderly participants, mean age 81 years, from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a large-scale study looking at risk factors for Alzheimers disease. Participants were without dementia or mild cognitive impairment, based on a detailed clinical evaluation. Researchers asked the participants to rate on a scale of 1 to 5 the frequency with which they participated in a list of mentally engaging activities during the last year. Among the activities were reading newspapers and magazines, writing letters and playing cards and board games.

Participants underwent brain MRI using a 1.5-T scanner within one year of clinical evaluation. The researchers collected anatomical and DTI data and used it to generate diffusion anisotropy maps.

Data analysis revealed significant associations between the frequency of cognitive activity in later life and higher diffusion anisotropy values in the brain.

"Several areas throughout the brain, including regions quite important to cognition, showed higher microstructural integrity with more frequent cognitive activity in late life," said Dr. Arfanakis. "Keeping the brain occupied late in life has positive outcomes."

According to Dr. Arfanakis, diffusion anisotropy drops gradually beginning at around age 30. "Higher diffusion anisotropy in elderly patients who engage in frequent cognitive activity suggests that these people have brain properties similar to those of younger individuals," he said.

0 10 Super Foods That Help In Hair Loss

Hair loss is a very common problem that both men and women equally face these days. It can be really annoying to wake up in the morning and find several fallen hairs on the pillow, or find them in the shower net while you take a bath. 

There are quite a lot of factors that contribute to hair loss, poor diet, stress, genetic disorder, underlying illness, reaction from hair products and so on. Also most of the peoples follow the hectic "ever-busy" lifestyle that prevents them from taking good care of their hairs. 

It is normal if you lose hair as you grow older. But, if you begin to lose your locks very early in your life, then there is something wrong somewhere and you should take necessary steps to change your lifestyle and your food habits to prevent hair loss problems. 

10 Foods to stop hair loss 

Its true: Your diet has an impact on your tresses! Good nutrition is extremely important to enjoy healthy hair growth and it is one of the first things that you should work on when suffering from hair loss, excessive hair damage or slow hair growth.

Hair is a fast-growing tissue and what you are eating can make a lot of difference on how your hair grows. For healthy hair growth, a variety of nutrients are required such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacin, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Iron, Zinc, Protein, Essential Fatty Acids, Silica, Sulphur and Germanium.

Most of the people spend a huge amount of money on hair care products to solve the problem of hair loss. But the best way to prevent hair loss and to improve the appearance of your hair is to keep a close eye on what you are eating.

There are certain super foods that can help to promote hair growth and solve the problem of hair loss. You can improve hair growth, texture, shine and overall health by what you eat. We’ve chosen the top 10 foods for healthy hair, and they’re all surprisingly easy to squeeze into your diet. Here’s how to eat your way to better hair.

Foods That Help To Prevent Hair Loss

1) Green Vegetables
Green vegetables are rich source of minerals like vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids that are required for healthy hair growth. These nutrients in the vegetables provide the conditioning effect by producing sebum. It is better to include dark green vegetables like capsicum, broccoli, spinach, Swiss chard etc. if you want to protect your hair and promote the growth.

2) Eggs
As you know the hair follicles are primarily made of protein hence eating high amounts of protein is essential for healthy hair. Egg is one of the best sources of protein and it also contains biotin and B vitamins that play a major role in preventing hair loss problems. The protein present in egg is considered high quality protein and is excellent for hair growth and hair strength. It is better to eat both the egg white and yolk, but those who do not like the taste of yolk can eat egg whites only to enjoy proper hair growth.


3) Beans
Beans are incredible super foods and they are good for hair too as they are good sources of protein, fiber, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals so include more beans in your diet. Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. These are a great source to get zinc, biotin and iron-rich protein in your diet. Protein is an important key to healthy hair, as it helps strengthen the actual strands and aids in the speed of growth. Protein also works to prevent dry scalp, making it an especially important part of your diet in the colder months. 

4) Nuts 
Almonds are considered as the best food to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth. Almonds are rich in vitamin E which helps to prevent split ends and promote growth of healthy hair. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

5) Fish
Fish like cod, salmon, trout, herring, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega -3 fatty acids which are an essential component of skin of the scalp and hair shaft. This oil keeps your scalp skin supple and hydrated. Fish also contains a good amount of protein along with B vitamins, including B12, and other vitamins and minerals. All these nutrients are essential to enjoy proper hair growth and to solve problems like dry hair, excessive hair loss and so on. You must eat fish twice a weak in order to reap these benefits.

6) Oats
Oats are a good source of minerals, iron, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium which are necessary for the growth of hair. Oat gives your body a good amount of B vitamins, zinc, protein and copper, which are some of the most important micronutrients for preventing hair loss. Since all the essential nutrients for the growth of the hair are present in oat, it is better than any other over the counter hair loss prevention product.

7) Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are one of the best foods you can add to your diet if you are concerned about hair loss. Sunflower seeds contain plenty of hair loss preventing nutrients including protein, zinc, selenium, biotin, potassium, copper, iron, B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium and calcium. They are also high in omega-6 fatty acids which contribute to healthy hairs.

8) Lean beef
People who have problems with hair loss or hair growth tend to be iron deficient -- Too little iron can cause baldness, according to research treating iron deficiency may help regrow hair. Beef is an excellent source of iron. It also provides proteins and the fatty acids for the healthy growth of hair. It maintains the good condition of blood vessels and the helps in the proper blood supply to the head which improves your hair health. You can consume lean beef once or twice a week.

9) Low fat dairy products
Low-fat dairy products like skimmed milk and yoghurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources, which prevents dry scalp. 

10) Sweet potatoes.Vitamin A promotes the growth of healthy cells and tissues, including hair and the scalp. You can easily prevent hair loss problem by regularly consuming sweet potatoes as these are packed with beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A. At the same time sweet potatoes also contain plenty of vitamin C, copper, iron and protein. You can eat boiled or baked sweet potatoes depending upon your choice.

Both men and women need to ensure that they eat healthy and keep their scalp clean and healthy to prevent hair loss. If you are experiencing thinning of hair, brittle hair, or sudden hair loss it always makes sense to see a doctor and get yourself tested for any underlying illness that may be responsible for it.

Improving your diet can greatly make a difference in stopping hair loss, so try some of the superfoods that can help treat hair loss.

0 No evidence drugs vitamins supplements help prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults

A review of published research has found no evidence that drugs, herbal products or vitamin supplements help prevent cognitive decline in healthy older adults.

The review, conducted at St. Michaels Hospital, found some evidence that mental exercises, such as computerized memory training programs, might help.

"This review provides some evidence to help clinicians and their patients address what strategies might prevent cognitive decline," said Dr. Raza Naqvi, a University of Toronto resident and lead author of the review.

The issue is of particular importance given that mild cognitive impairment affects 10 to 25 per cent of people over age 70. Mild cognitive impairment is characterized by reduced memory, judgment, and decision-making skills compared to someone of a similar age, but not enough to interfere with daily activities.

The annual rate of decline into dementia, such as Alzheimers disease, is about 10 per cent. Given that rate and the aging population, its estimated the number of Canadians with dementia will double to more than 1 million in the next 25 years.

Researchers including Dr. Sharon Straus, head of the Knowledge Translation Program at St. Michaels, reviewed 32 randomized clinical trials involving about 25,000 patients.

They found no strong evidence for pharmacologic treatments such as cholinesterase inhibitors that were developed to improve the effectiveness of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that assists memory, thought and judgment.

Nor was there strong evidence that herbal supplements such as gingko improved cognitive functions or vitamins and fatty acids such as vitamin B6 or omega-3 fatty acids.

Some studies on estrogen actually indicated an increase in cognitive decline and dementia.

Evidence on the value of physical exercise, such as strength-training, was weak.

The strongest evidence was for the value of mental exercises such as computerized training programs or intensive one-on-one personal cognitive training in memory, reasoning, or speed of processing.

Dr. Naqvi said future studies should address the impact of cognitive training on the prevention of cognitive decline.

"We encourage researchers to consider easily accessible tools such as crossword puzzles and sudoko that have not been rigorously studied," he said. "The studies in this review that assessed cognitive exercises used exercises that were both labour- and resource-intensive, and thus may not be applicable to most of our patients."

0 Vitamin D Can Help Prevent Hypertension

The worlds largest study to examine the link between vitamin D levels and hypertension has found that low levels of Vitamin D can be a major cause of hypertension.

Researchers presented their findings at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG).

Data were gathered from 35 studies, which included more than 155,000 participants from different parts of Europe and North America.

Dr. Vimal Karani S, from the Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK, led the study.

Participants with high levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) had reduced blood pressure and were at a lower risk of developing hypertension.

Dr. Vimal Karani S, said:

"We knew from earlier observational studies that low 25(OH)D concentrations were likely to be associated with increases in blood pressure and hypertension, but correlation is not causality.

Additionally, randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in humans have produced inconsistent effects on cardiovascular outcomes. The whole picture was somewhat confused, and we decided to try to figure it out once and for all."


To measure the individuals vitamin D status and test for an association with blood pressure, the researchers used genetic variations called single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs as proxy markers.

For every 10% increase in 25(OH)D concentrations the researchers noted the risk of developing hypertension decreased by 8.1%.

Dr. Karani S., said that the approach they followed, called Mendelian randomization, allowed them to make accurate conclusions, "by using this approach we can determine the cause and effect and be pretty sure that weve come to the right conclusion on the subject."

The researchers said that Vitamin D deficiency is a very common problem in the Western world, particularly because obesity can cause Vitamin D deficiency and obesity levels are highest in Western countries, according to a study published in a recent issue of PLoS Medicine

People with high levels of vitamin D in their blood enjoy several benefits, apart from improved bone health. Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine reported in PLOS ONE that people with high levels of vitamin D have significantly better immunity and a reduced risk of several diseases.

Vitamin D insufficiency (between 21-29 ng/mL) and vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) lead to a heightened risk of:

Dr. Karani said that the study provides further data to support the importance of vitamin D. It suggests that vitamin D supplements or food fortification can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

He concluded:

"We now intend to continue this work by examining the causal relationship between vitamin D status and other cardiovascular disease-related outcomes such as lipid-related phenotypes, for example,cholesterol, inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, and type 2 diabetes and markers of glucose metabolism.

We believe that we still have a lot to find out about the effect of Vitamin D deficiency on health, and we now know that we have the tools to do so."

0 9 Tips to Help Balance Hormones

When it comes to health, hormones and gut bacteria have a much bigger effect than many people realize. In fact, these two factors can destroy health even if everything else (diet, supplements, etc) is optimized. Conversely, fixing hormones and gut bacteria can do a lot to boost health, even if not all the other factors are optimal. In fact, there are even studies about using certain hormone reactions to heal brain trauma.
If you doubt the very real power of hormones to affect everything from mood, to weight, to bowel health, ask the nearest pregnant woman if she’s noticed any difference in these areas since being pregnant. Or ask the nearest 13 year old girl… carefully…
If you have symptoms like fatigue, skin issues, weight gain, weight around the middle, trouble sleeping, always sleeping, PMS, endometriosis, infertility, PCOS or other issues, chances are you have hormone imbalance!

What are Hormones?

“Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. They travel in your bloodstream to tissues or organs. They work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes, including

• Growth and development
• Metabolism – how your body gets energy from the foods you eat
• Sexual function
• Reproduction
• Mood

Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas. In addition, men produce hormones in their testes and women produce them in their ovaries.”
Hormones are produced using good fats and cholesterol, so lack of these important dietary factors can cause hormone problems simply because the body doesn’t have the building blocks to make them. Toxins containing chemicals that mimic these building blocks or that mimic the hormones themselves are also problematic because the body can attempt to create hormones using the wrong building blocks… mutant estrogen anyone?
The endocrine system is a complex system that we will probably never completely understand, but there are some basic things you can do to boost your  body’s ability to create and balance hormones:

1. Avoid High Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fats

I’ve talked about this before, but the body is simply not meant to consume these man-made fats found in vegetable oils. From that article:
The human body is about 97% saturated and monounsaturated fat, with only 3 % Polyunsaturated fats. Half of that three percent is Omega-3 fats, and that balance needs to be there. Vegetable oils contain very high levels of polyunsaturated fats, and these oils have replaced many of the saturated fats in our diets since the 1950s.
The body needs fats for rebuilding cells and hormone production, but it has to use the building blocks we give it. When we give it a high concentration of polyunsaturated fats instead of the ratios it needs, it has no choice but to incorporate these fats into our cells during cell repair and creation.
The problem is that polyunsaturated fats are highly unstable and oxidize easily in the body (if they haven’t already oxidized during processing or by light exposure while sitting on the grocery store shelf). These oxidized fats cause inflammation and mutation in cells.
In arterial cells, these mutations cause inflammation that can clog arteries. When these fats are incorporated into skin cells, their mutation causes skin cancer. (This is why people often get the most dangerous forms of skin cancer in places where they are never exposed to the sun, but that is a topic for another day!)
When these oils are incorporated into cells in reproductive tissue, some evidence suggests that this can spur problems like endometriosis and PCOS. In short, the body is made up of saturated and monounsaturated fats, and it needs these for optimal health.”
Bottom line: Don’t eat fats like Vegetable oil, peanut oil, canola oil, soybean oil, margarine, shortening or other chemically altered fats. Choose fats like coconut oil, real butter, olive oil (don’t heat!) and animal fats (tallow, lard) from healthy sources instead and eat lots of high Omega-3 fish.

2. Limit the Caffeine

I love coffee, a lot, but the truth is that too much caffeine can wreak havoc on the endocrine system, especially if there are other hormone stressors involved too like pregnancy, presence of toxins, beneficial fat imbalance or stress.
Cut down the coffee if you can, or replace with beneficial herbal teas (a list of my favorite recipes coming soon!). If you can’t or won’t cut the coffee, use it as a way to sneak in your beneficial fats by adding 1 tablespoon coconut oil to each cup and blending in the blender to emulsify. It is like a latte but with healthy fats!

3. Avoid Toxins

Toxins found in pesticides, plastics, household chemicals and even mattresses can contain hormone disrupting chemicals that mimic hormones in the body and keep the body from producing real hormones. Things like hormonal birth control can (obviously) do the same thing.
If you have hormone imbalance or are struggling to get pregnant, avoiding these toxins is very important! Cook in glass or non-coated metal pans (no non-stick or teflon!) and avoid heating or storing foods in plastic. Find organic produce and meat whenever possible and don’t use chemical pesticides or cleaners.

4. SLEEP

Can’t emphasize this one enough (tried with the all-caps-yelling though)! If you aren’t getting enough sleep, your hormone will not be balanced. Period.
Use these tips to help improve your sleep and just do it! This can singlehandedly improve hormones and is even linked to longer life, less chance of disease and optimizing weight.

5. Supplement Wisely

In a perfect world, we would be rising and sleeping with the sun, getting Vitamin D from the sun and Magnesium from the ocean while relaxing and exercising in great balance each day in a stress-free world. Since I doubt that describes any of us currently, supplements can fill in the gaps. I’ve talked about the basic supplements that I take before, but there are some specific ones that are helpful for hormone support.

• Maca- A tuber in the radish family that has a history of boosting hormone production and libido. Many women notice less PMS, increased fertility, and improved skin while men notice increased sperm production, libido and better sleep. Maca is also high in minerals and essential fatty acids, making it great for hormones.  It is available in powder form (least expensive option) or in capsules.
• Magnesium- Magnesium supports hundreds of reactions in the body and often contributes to better sleep (which is great for hormones!). There are several effective forms of Magnesium: In powder form with a product like Natural Calm so that you can vary your dose and work up slowly,  ionic liquid form  can be added to food and drinks and dose can be worked up slowly,or  transdermal form by using Magnesium oil applied to skin. This is often the most effective option for those with damaged digestive tract or severe deficiency.
• Vitamin D- A pre-hormone is supportive of hormone function. Best obtained from the sun if possible, or from a D3 supplement or Fermented Cod Liver Oil.
• Fermented Cod Liver Oil- Provides many of the necessary building blocks for hormone production including Vitamins A, D, and K. It also is a great source of Omega-3s and beneficial fats.
• Gelatin is a great source of calcium, magnesium and phosphate. It supports hormone production and digestive health and helps sooth inflammation, especially in joints.

6. Exercise Lightly

If you have hormone imbalance, intense extended exercise can actually make the problem worse in the short term. Sleep is actually more important, at least during the balancing phase, so focus on relaxing exercises like walking or swimming and avoid the extended running, cardio and exercise videos, for now….

7. Lift Heavy Weights

While extended cardio can be bad, short bursts of heavy lifting (kettlebells, deadlifts, squats, lunges) can be beneficial since they trigger a cascade of beneficial hormone reactions. Aim for a few sets (5-7) at a weight that really challenges your, but make sure to get help with form and training if you haven’t done these before as bad form can be harmful!

8. Eat Some Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is amazing for hormone health. It provides the necessary building blocks for hormone production, can assist weight loss, reduce inflammation, and even has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
If you really need hormone help, aim to consume 1/4 cup of added coconut oil a day. My favorite way is to blend into coffee or tea. This is the highest quality one I’ve found.

9. Fix Your Leptin

Leptin is a master hormone, and if it is out of balance or if you are resistant to it, no other hormones will balance well. Fixing leptin will also help boost fertility, make weight loss easier, improve sleep, and lower inflammation.

0 Drinking Milk Can Help Relieve Stress

Drinking Milk Can Help Relieve Stress - Milk is known as a beverage rich in benefits, especially liquid milk. Pure cows milk is believed to make children become more intelligent brain. However, it is not only the benefits of milk as it is. There are many benefits of milk for women who did have a tendency of higher stress. Moreover, the workload and life so much.

If you do not want to seem dull, stress and premature aging, drink milk from now on. A glass of warm milk at night, is believed to relax the pressure on the muscles and nerves. When you feel tired, soak in warm water while drinking milk was able to help relieve tired.

As a child we often drink milk before bed. Its basically milk will help repair the body when we sleep. Milk can reduce blood pressure and risk of stroke can be initiated by stress. Vitamin A and vitamin B in milk can improve vision. Consuming milk is also good for preventing cancer risk.

The protein in milk helps muscle growth and improve the condition of exhaustion. Milk is also good for women, because it can reduce PMS disorders. Furthermore, in addition to soothing milk bath can also make your skin sparkle like Cleopatra. hehe

It is clear, women should drink milk because so many benefits. Women have the potential for high stress with solid activity and risk of osteoporosis due to lack of exercise and the bodys biological processes woman who needs a lot of calcium.

0 11 Ways to Help You Eat Less

As children we always wanted to “play” and the farthest thing from our minds was food. My mom had to yell for me 4 or 5 times to get me to come and eat. My mom like all moms had a plan. When you finally did come down to eat, she made sure you were nice and full so you can grow up to be “healthy and strong.” Moms would use many tricks to get us to eat like saying, “It’s impolite to not finish your food” or “do you not like my cooking?” Some moms even use plain old force, like “sit back down and finish your food!” My wonderful mom used guilt as her weapon of choice. “There are starving kids in Africa” she would always tell me. And as a child, what can you say to something like that? I would just put my head down and continue to shovel away. I don’t blame my mom or moms around the country for making us overweight, but overeating has been embedded into us from childhood so here are some tips to help us unlearn what all moms have taught us.

11 Ways to Help you eat Less

1. Drink a glass of water. Drink a full glass of water and wait 20 minutes before you eat. The brain takes about 20 minutes to register that you have put something in your stomach. The glass of water will not only fill your stomach up so you won’t feel as hungry, but many experts believe the brain cannot distinguish between feeling hungry and feeling thirsty. I know what you’re thinking. I’m not thirsty, I want food! Just try it. Trust me, it works.

2. Eat slower. A number of studies have shown that just by eating slower you will consume fewer calories. It takes our brain about 20 minutes to register that we are full and by consuming our food faster, we continue past the point of realizing that we have eaten enough.

3. Eat a Piece of Fruit. If you are famished, eat a piece of fruit and wait 20 minutes. The piece of fruit won’t stop you from eating, but it has water and fiber to help curb your hunger so you won’t gorge yourself when you finally get to eat. This will help you follow step #2.

4. Fill your plate up with veggies. You want to "Eat from the Rainbow." Pick vibrant colors veggies as they are loaded with nutrients and are low in calories that will “fool” your mind into thinking it is eating a lot by take up a lot of space on your plate. When you go to Souplantation, doesn’t it look like you’re eating a ton of food?

5. Eat lean protein. Lean Protein such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, low fat cottage cheese, soy and lean cuts of beef give you a more "satisfied" feeling so you don’t always feel hungry. Oh and it helps you build that ever so important muscle.

6. Eat More Snacks. Remember when mom always said “Stop snacking, you’re going ruin your appetite.” She was right; you are going to ruin your appetite and that’s exactly what we want. You should be snacking throughout the day. This allows your blood sugar levels to never dip too low, which can cause you to overeat. Your snacks should consist mostly of vegetables, fruits and nuts as these will not spike your insulin levels.

7. Replace your unhealthy snacks with veggies, fruit and nuts. Keep fruits, vegetables and nuts cut, cracked or peeled and ready to go at home or work. This is using the concept of “path of least resistance” to your advantage. If you have healthy snacks within your reach, you WILL eat them.

8. Dont eat and watch TV. The TV keeps your mind distracted so you just go through the motion of putting whatever is in front of you in your mouth without realizing you ate too much. This one was very difficult for me at first until I realized that this was the perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation with a friend or significant other.

9.Use smaller plates. Like mom always said, “Finish your plate.” We have been programmed to eat everything on our plate and smaller plates mean smaller meals. NO SECONDS!

10. Eat veggies and fruits first. They are low in calories, filled with water and packed with colon friendly fiber. Fiber is filling so it allows your mind time to catch up to your stomach. If you eat a salad first make sure to use a low calorie dressing OR if you like the full calorie dressing, get the dressing on the side and dip your fork, that way you get the full flavor of the dressing on your tongue and you end up eat half as much dressing.

11. Eat your Calories, don’t drink them. There are many hidden calories in your favorite beverage. Limit your favorite beverage to once or twice a day as it is very easy to drink an additional 200- 400 calories a day in liquids. That equates to an additional 30-60 minutes on the treadmill just to burn off what you drink!