Finding Real Relief for Migraine Pain

| August 22, 2016

Woman suffering from a migraine headache

If you’re like many people who suffer from migraine headaches, you’ve probably made changes to your home to help lessen triggers. Maybe you’ve installed blackout curtains or dimmer switches to help block light—using low lights and avoiding fluorescent light bulbs can help if you suffer from migraine pain. Or maybe you’ve regulated your lifestyle around removing migraine triggers, carefully avoiding strong smells, too much stress, alcohol, and dehydration. Maybe you’ve long established a ritual for how to treat your pain when your head starts throbbing. Maybe you pop some over-the-counter pills— even though taking too many can be another migraine trigger—and lie down in a dark room, waiting for the agony to end. But a new study looking into the link between estrogen and migraines—widely recognized as one of the major factors when it comes to migraines—could offer new hope for effectively treating this debilitating condition… Read More 

Your Stomach, Your Mind, and You

| August 11, 2016

Woman suffering from a stomach ache

You would likely never imagine that your mind and your stomach are connected, but they are, and not in a “mind over milkshake” kind of way. No, your brain and your gastrointestinal system have a clear biological relationship with each other. Specifically, imbalances in your gut bacteria can cause not only gastrointestinal symptoms but also mood swings and more profound issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Whatever the cause of your gastrointestinal imbalance–be it your hormones, genetics, or diet–any disruption of your gut’s delicately balanced systems can wreak havoc not only with your stomach but also with your emotional stability. Fortunately for you, this means that by regulating your gastrointestinal bacteria, you can potentially stabilize your emotions.… Read More

How to Balance Your Feel-Good Hormone

| July 26, 2016

Female friends chatting at a dinner party

Progesterone deficiency can occur at any age, although it gets the most notice when talked about in conjunction with perimenopause and menopause. In younger women, progesterone deficiency is marked by irregular and painful periods as well as acne, mood swings, insomnia, hair loss or weight gain. In older women, progesterone deficiency can cause infertility, miscarriages, PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, cysts and fibroids.  Progesterone is a key ingredient in hormone regulation as it is not only the “feel-good hormone” that makes you feel happy, but it is also a precursor to other hormones like cortisol, estrogens, and testosterone. If you’ve been feeling unhappy or experienced some of the symptoms mentioned above, you could have a progesterone deficiency. Get back your energy and zest for life with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy prescribed by doctors specializing in progesterone therapy. With the right prescription, you’ll feel more balanced and happier than ever. … Read More

What is Insulin Resistance?

| July 19, 2016

Businessman feeling fatigued during the workday

Insulin resistance may be a trending term that you’ve heard or seen in the news, but you probably don’t know much about it. Insulin is a hormone that is best known for regulating blood sugar, but that means that it also plays a crucial role in your metabolism. Your metabolism regulates the way your body transforms food into energy. If you have insulin resistance, then your body is making insulin, but it isn’t using it properly. Rather than your cells absorbing sugar, insulin resistance causes glucose to build up in the blood. Eventually, this can lead to prediabetes and diabetes. Too often, insulin resistance goes undiagnosed. But earlier detection can help prevent diabetes from developing. Just a few simple lifestyle changes can be all it takes to stop insulin resistance. Learn more about whether or not you could be at risk for insulin resistance… Read More

 

Testosterone Tied to Health and Well Being

| June 30, 2016

Happy couple at beach on a bright sunny day

 

Testosterone conjures up images of steroid driven bodybuilders, but the truth is that testosterone does a lot more than just build muscle mass. It actually plays a strong role in the health and well-being of both men and women.

Testosterone is a hormone produced by the sexual organs, yet men have higher levels. It is not only important for sexual function but also for experiencing stable mood levels, adequate energy levels, gaining and retaining muscle and many other functions. Testosterone is equally as important for women. Decreased testosterone levels in women can also lead to other health problems, such as lack of libido and issues with bone health. Testosterone assists with strength and growth of bones, and can aid in pain management. For men and women both, testosterone is an important element for cognitive function. … Read More

The Great Diet Debate: Low Fat vs. Low Carb

| March 28, 2016
how to lose weight

how to lose weight

Spring is in the air, and many people are beginning to think about shedding a few pounds as swimsuit weather nears. But the decades-long debate over which diet works best rages on. Should you go with low-carb or low-fat? Advocates for either side can find evidence to support their position, but research continues to provide new information on the best method for sustainable weight loss. One of the most important things that studies have been showing is that people really are different—and different foods have a different effect on each individual. Consequently, no one-size-fits-all diet will work for everyone. Another lesson learned is that some fats are actually healthy and, yes, can actually help you lose weight. There is no doubt that dieting can be confusing, so how do you navigate the complexities and develop an eating plan that will keep you healthy and help you lose those unwanted pounds? . . . Read More

Could Your Gut Be Sabotaging Your Health?

| February 29, 2016
fiber for weight loss

fiber for weight loss

Your gastrointestinal tract―your gut―is home to around 100 trillion microbes comprised of between 400 and 1,000 different species of bacteria. Together, this adds up to about three pounds of your body weight. Some of these microbes are bad, but most are good—and they play a critical role in keeping you disease-free and healthy. When you take proper care of your gut microbes, they take care of you. But they can only function at peak capacity if they are well fed, and fiber plays a crucial role in making this happen.

Not getting enough fiber puts you at risk for killing off your good microbes. Lose too many or don’t feed them enough and you become vulnerable to developing allergies and food sensitivities, as well as gas, bloating, bad breath, hormone imbalances, anemia, and vaginal infections. If you are trying to lose weight, you can also sabotage your efforts by eating a low-fiber diet. . . .Read More

Can You Add Years to Your Life?

| February 15, 2016
how to live longer and healthier

how to live longer and healthier

Some people think lifespan is a matter of fate―that people are simply pre-destined to live a certain number of years. Others think it is a matter of heredity. And, of course, genetics do play an important role. Good genes can lower risk of age-related diseases, and there is no doubt that having long-lived ancestors increases your odds of a long life. But it turns out that the choices you make are one of the most important factors affecting whether you will live well into old age.

Very few people actually want to live forever. The anti-aging movement isn’t just about having a longer life, it’s about prolonging a healthy, higher quality of life. And, recent research has shown that Americans are not so good at harnessing a higher quality of life. In fact, a 23-year study published in The Lancet found that though people are living longer—on average 6 years longer—health and quality of life are on the decline.

It begs the question, what does it take to live better, longer?. . . . Read More

One More Reason to Quit Smoking

| January 28, 2016
smoking linked to early menopause

smoking linked to early menopause

Evidence for the wisdom of giving up cigarettes of other forms of tobacco is pretty overwhelming. But research now provides further findings that you may just find convincing if you haven’t already kicked the habit. It has long been understood that menopause is an inevitable part of the female aging process. However exactly when in the latter half of midlife it occurs is less about chance and more about lifestyle choices, at least according to a new study. Exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants―including cigarettes―can cause you to enter menopause earlier than normal. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, acrolein, and other harmful substances. In addition, smoking can intensify the unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats that can plague women before and during menopause. Want more reasons to give it up? Smoking can cut years off your life, whereas quitting can reduce the risk of death. Learn how quitting smoking, along with a customized treatment plan from the highly trained practitioners at BodyLogicMD, can ease your transition into and through menopause. . . .Read More

Finding It Impossible to Lose Weight? It Could Be Your Gut Bacteria

| January 6, 2016
best diet

best diet

Here’s a word you may not be familiar with: microbiome. To understand how this is related to body weight issues, a mini science class is needed. Microbes are tiny living organisms; some are bacteria, some fungi, and some even tiny animals. They are so small you can’t see them without a microscope; so small that millions of them can fit onto the tip of a needle. One place they live is in your body, specifically concentrated in your intestines so they can receive a constant supply of food. These microbes function as small internal communities and, accordingly, respond to their surroundings, shifting when their environment changes. You may now start to get a picture of just how important these little organisms are and how their community’s composition can vary so significantly from person to person depending upon what you ingest.

What science has discovered is that your microbiome plays a significant role in your health. Studies have found that your bacteria (or lack thereof) can be linked to obesity, diabetes, celiac disease, and a variety of other major health issues. So even though you could be diligently following a specific diet, the bacteria composition in your gut could be prohibiting you from losing weight….Read More