Tag Archives: health

Are Hidden Food Sensitivities Causing Your Weight Gain?

Posted on by
Reply

Hidden Food Sensitivities and weight

A surprising number of us suffer from hidden food sensitivities and have no idea what impact they are having on our wellness and quality of life. When most of us think of food allergies, we tend to think of the most obvious and blatant cases out there. Celiac disease has received a great deal of attention lately, and though it can be scary it tends to be the more extreme instance of how food can irritate the system. Lactose intolerance is another example that has had quite a bit of time in the spotlight.

Continue reading →

Lemon Water for Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?

Posted on by
Reply

Lemon Water for Weight Loss

Is lemon water for weight loss really a thing? Can you promote easier fat reduction from your body simply by sipping away at a refreshing and highly affordable natural drink?

There are so many myths and fads surrounding weight loss out there, that it can make your head spin. One week you’re told to eat this food, and then the next week that’s off limits. Knowing what’s true and what will really work is not easy to master.

Is Lemon Water for Weight Loss Too Good to Be True?

When you hear that turning to lemon water for weight loss is by far the best way to go, you may immediately feel a bit skeptical. Doing your research and looking into claims such as these is always a good idea, because knowledge is power!

With the evolution of weight loss products and cleanses it often seems that you need to go for extensive methods to transform your body. Though the industry may want you to believe this because it allows companies to make a lot of money, this isn’t always the truth. Sure, you can try any number of diet pills, diets, or weight loss products to help you in your efforts but in the end it may work best to get back to basics. The reason that lemon water is so popular is that it’s accessible, it’s natural, and ultimately because it works too!

Sure you aren’t going to only use lemon water for weight loss and do nothing else, and that may be important to note. You may not lose the weight using only lemon water, but there are some substantial benefits to it as part of your overall weight loss strategy. When you combine lemon water with a proper diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle then you are going to get the long-term weight loss that you so richly wanted. Here’s why lemon water works, and what the extensive benefits include.

It’s a natural and healthy drink choice

You know that you need to drink water to lose weight and stay healthy, but adding lemon takes it up a notch. Lemon has so many health properties, and so when you combine it with water you have a winning combination. Drinking lemon water also means that you are focused on something that is good for you, and you’re not turning to soda pop, fruit juices, and any other number of unhealthy beverages. So, you get a great natural drink that is calorie and fat free, and also doesn’t contain any sugar or undesired preservatives either.

There is substantial evidence to prove that lemon water may help with weight loss when combined with other methods: Yes, it is true that drinking lemon water for weight loss really may work. You do have to be sure that you are also eating the right foods and exercising, and generally that you are taking good care of yourself. Though lemon water can’t work alone, it may help you tremendously with your long-term weight loss efforts. Make this your drink of choice and be sure to enjoy it all day long to get the most benefits, for weight loss and for your health as well.

You may help to naturally boost the metabolism

This is one of the most wonderful parts of lemon water. The water already helps you but adding lemon can help to naturally boost the metabolism. It’s a citrus fruit and a real fat burner, and as if that’s not enough it can help the metabolism to work more efficiently. So, you burn more calories, even at rest—and that’s how you get to the most productive weight loss possible!

You may help to clear the body of toxins and clean things out

This may not be something that you think about but there is usually a buildup of toxins in the body. When you turn to lemon water you help to get rid of these naturally and effectively. These toxins can contribute to compromised health, but they may also prevent you from losing weight. So, the lemon water helps to act as a natural cleansing method.

You may help to prevent cravings and control your appetite naturally

Try drinking lemon water before a meal and after a meal, and you will notice that you don’t eat as much at mealtime. Drinking it all day long can help you to reduce food cravings, and that’s how you keep with a healthy diet and avoid temptations. Turning to lemon water for weight loss can help you to avoid poor eating habits and may also ensure that you keep on track all day long.

Of course, drinking lemon water for weight loss isn’t going to magically cause fat to disappear from your body. It’s not that kind of solution. However, with all these benefits, it can make it easier for you to get more out of the lifestyle changes you are making with healthy weight management in mind.

How Exercise Affects DNA

Posted on by
Reply

How Exercise Affects DNA

Did you know that your workout has a huge spectrum of benefits to the point that your exercise affects DNA?  Ongoing research on exercise is uncovering all the health benefits that exercise has on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Exercise helps you lose weight, stay active, and keep off obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

Having a regular workout is great for your overall wellness as well as in staving off specific conditions. It also promotes vascular health and brain functioning, and even helps those who are suffering from Parkinson’s disease maintain their balance as they walk. However, a new study suggests that exercise affects DNA. Exercise changes the functioning and shape of the genes, an important discovery for health and fitness goals.

Continue reading →

The Biggest Signs Your Thyroid Isn’t Healthy

Posted on by
Reply

Signs Your Thyroid Isn't Healthy

The thyroid gland is located in the neck and is responsible for regulating the body’s energy. Its primary function is to control how quickly the body utilizes the stored energy. In addition to this, the thyroid gland is responsible for determining when protein is required by the body. Hormone sensitivity of the body is also controlled by the thyroid gland.

Why is It Important to Watch for Signs and Symptoms of an Unhealthy Thyroid?

The gland functions by producing hormones of its own. These hormones, in turn, regulate the body’s energy. If the thyroid gland is not functioning properly, one could experience immense difficulty in performing the simplest tasks. Even if the signs your thyroid isn’t healthy aren’t all that dramatic or extreme, they could be indicating that a much greater problem is lying beneath.

Moreover, since your thyroid impacts so many different functions in your body, if it’s not working properly, you won’t just find yourself declining in one part of your health but many. It’s far better to correct this issue early on than wait too long. If you have this gland checked early, you might find that correcting the issue is nothing more than taking a low dose of a common prescription drug.  Waiting too long can leave you facing issues not only with this glad but several other impacted parts of your body.

This is why you should look out for signs of thyroid problems and seek treatment as soon as possible.

Signs Your Thyroid Isn’t Healthy

Let’s look at the biggest signs your thyroid isn’t healthy.  If you feel that you are experiencing these or other common symptoms of a malfunction in the gland, be sure to talk to your doctor.  That way, if something is indeed wrong, you can work to correct it as soon as possible.

Feeling Exhausted Regularly

One of the signs your thyroid isn’t healthy is exhaustion. If you are active throughout the day, you should not have problems identifying this issue. Look for signs of premature exhaustion while performing routine activities. For instance, if you normally walk to work and are facing difficulties getting even halfway for no apparent reason, you may be experiencing thyroid problems. Be sure to get a thorough check-up whenever you feel exhausted for no reason.

Severe Constipation

Constipation is not a red flag for most people. It usually occurs when your fiber intake is not sufficient. As soon as you bring your fiber intake up to par, your bowel movements will return to normal. But there are times when you may not get any relief even after you ramp up your fiber intake. This is when you need to consult a doctor. Constipation over a long period of time can be a major issue, and prolonged constipation may be a sign of thyroid gland problem.

Significant Weight Gain Without Reason

Out of all of the signs your thyroid isn’t healthy, the most common is significant weight gain. The weight gain is almost overnight and quite obvious. If you start gaining weight all of a sudden for no reason, be sure to have your thyroid checked. This may be a sign that your thyroid is not healthy. When you have an unhealthy thyroid, you will have problems regulating the body’s energy. Not only will you feel lethargic, then, but you will also gain weight.

Cramping Muscles

There are many reasons for muscle cramps. This is one issue that should never be taken lightly at all costs. If you are experiencing muscle cramps, then you should get help immediately. Muscle cramps are not always the sign of a serious ailment. If you only suffer from muscle cramps once in a while, you should not have any problems. But if this is a regular problem for you, it is best to get help. At times, cramping occurs only because one has weakness or stress, but it can also indicate an unhealthy thyroid.

If you experience any of the above mentioned ailments, you should check with a doctor immediately. These are some of the most common signs your thyroid isn’t healthy. That said, there are many others.  After all, this gland can be underactive or overactive and each one produces its own list of symptoms.  If something seems off, take your symptoms seriously and have them checked out.

At best, they won’t be anything major or difficult to manage.  However, if your thyroid isn’t working right, then it is best to be able to start treating it early before it can do any damage to the rest of your body by throwing your hormones out of balance over time.

The Most Common Misconceptions about Healthy Eating

Posted on by
2

Common misconceptions about Healthy EatingIt’s something that we all need to commit to in order to be our very best, yet there are many misconceptions about healthy eating. You can discount virtually anything that sounds like a myth or too good to be true.

Furthermore, if you are being told to deprive yourself or avoid whole food groups, then it’s not a healthy eating trend. You also want to try some of these approaches out for yourself so that you know what works well for you.

Misconceptions About Healthy Eating and Food Choices

It goes without saying that there is great power in good food, so understanding the biggest misconceptions about healthy eating is important. Understand first and foremost that eating well doesn’t have to be boring. It doesn’t mean that you eat nothing but fruits and vegetables, but they should be a part of it.

You will also find that it’s about balance, and that goes contrary to so many diets out there these days. You will find that you can eat foods you once thought were off limits and that deprivation in any form will not work for you. Moderation is the key!

Get to the Heart of the Issue and Eat for Better Health

Yes, you can and should eat carbs and fats, and that helps to combat some of the biggest misconceptions about healthy eating. You want to focus on eating the right types of carbs, which are whole grains. Forget about those made with white flour or sugar, as they will work against you, but whole grains are gems.

You will also find that good fats are the way to go. These are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and come to you in the form of avocado, nuts, olive oil, and fish like tuna and salmon. So any diet plan that tells you to eat just a few foods is wrong, as healthy eating is all about variety in the right way.

Don’t Deprive Yourself

As you work through the biggest misconceptions about healthy eating, understand that you can enjoy some of your favorite foods, just in moderation. No, you don’t need to make sweets off-limits altogether, for then you will feel deprived.

Enjoy a daily ounce of dark chocolate or allow yourself that special treat, but maintain moderation. The more you can learn to practice balanced eating and enjoy food primarily as fuel, the better off you will be. This is what it takes to be your very best, which is why eating for better health matters so greatly.

Don’t Fall For the Biggest Misconceptions About Healthy Eating

One of the biggest misconceptions about healthy eating isn’t about the process itself, it’s about the individual choices you make.  Some foods have a fantastic reputation for being a part of a healthy diet when they don’t have much to offer your nutrition. In fact, many of these foods can do more harm than good.

The following are some of the foods that most often deceive us.

Flavored and Sweetened Yogurt

The average cup of flavored or sweetened yogurt contains about 30 grams of sugar. That’s the equivalent of 7.5 teaspoons of sugar.  You may as well be eating a candy bar, because it contains the same amount. Some sugars do occur naturally within the yogurt itself, and that is included in the total.  However, the majority of that 7. 5 teaspoons is added.  If you enjoy eating yogurt, avoid these misconceptions about healthy eating and choose plain Greek yogurt and simply add fresh berries and fruit to sweeten things up in a healthy way.

Sushi

Fish is great for you.  That said, when you’re eating sushi and your favorite rolls, you’re usually eating mostly rice and soy sauce by the end of the evening. That boils down to a lot of sodium and refined carbs.  This doesn’t mean you need to give up on your favorite sushi place.  Instead, you can get past these misconceptions about healthy eating and choose more sashimi dishes – just the fish – cut back on the amount of rice you’re eating or opt for brown rice if you have the choice.  Go for some of the veggie sides, too.  When you do go for the soy sauce, don’t dunk the roll into it. Just give the sauce the lightest tap at the very edge of your food.  Use wasabi and/or ginger to increase the flavor.

Veggie Sticks/Chips

Veggie sticks like raw carrots and celery are great options – especially when you don’t overdo it with creamy dips.  Snack companies know that, so they try to sell you veggie sticks and chips while pretending they’re just as healthy.  When you open up a chip bag containing those crispy alternatives, know that you’re not doing much better than eating traditional chips.

They’re usually made with a great deal of corn flour or potato starch – just like corn chips or potato chips.  They do contain some beets, spinach or snap peas, but not enough to make them a healthy snack.  Regardless of whether or not they were baked or fried, they also usually contain a substantial amount of oil.

Clever Ways to Reduce the Amount of Fat You Eat Daily

Posted on by
Reply

Reduce the Amount of Fat You Eat

When it comes time for you to get rid of some of that stubborn body fat, you probably want to find the most simple and effective methods that you possibly can. By the same token, you want to be clever about it, too, so that you can retain some of your more pleasurable lifestyle habits. Getting into better shape and reducing the amount of fat you eat actually go hand-in-hand. The secret to its success is the person’s ability to stay with it long enough to see a change.

Continue reading →

Women Who Take Iron May Exercise More Effectively

Posted on by
Reply

Iron to Exercise More Effectively

Indeed, women who consume iron do exercise more effectively than those who suffer from iron deficiency do. Iron plays a key role in oxygen transportation as well as fuel utilization.

Many studies have been conducted to prove that supplementing with iron rewards you with a boost in stamina as well as marked improvement in exercise performance. It is more important for athletic women to consume iron in order to avoid any sort of deficiency and maintain a stable stamina.

Continue reading →

Why is Your Annual Blood Test So Important, Even When You’re Healthy?

Posted on by
Reply

Importance of Annual Blood TestDoes it feel like the year since your last annual blood test went by faster than usual? Are you tempted to skip it because you feel absolutely fine?  Why should you go through this type of testing when you know there’s nothing wrong?  Believe it or not, there are reasons.

In fact, even when they don’t find anything – which is usually the case – there is value because it helps to build a personalized baseline just for you.  That way, if anything is ever off, it’s easier to tell that it’s not just your version of normal!

Continue reading →

Could Running a Marathon Be Bad for Your Health?

Posted on by
1

Running a Marathon and Health

When you think of ultimate fitness goals, running a marathon will often make it to the top of the list.  We often think of this activity as being right up there with climbing some of the highest peaks in the world.  After all, it represents being able to run for a long distance and a long time.

Marathon running is a great sport and can be excellent exercise. It takes a substantial amount of very specific training.  After all, running a marathon – particularly if it’s the full length – is no small achievement. That said, even with the most careful efforts in terms of fitness and nutrition, it may not be everything you think it is in terms of your wellness.

Continue reading →