BLOG 444 BODY HAIR

 BLOG 444 BODY HAIR

Body hair, termed androgenic hair, develops on the body during the years of puberty. We need this hair to regulate our body temperature. When it’s cold, the hairs stand up because the tiny muscles surrounding the hair follicles are trying to trap more heat. This is when we see goosebumps on our skin. Hair is all over our bodies. We have eyebrows, facial, arm, leg, chest, and pubic hair. Fine hairs found all over the body are called vellus which comes from the Latin word “fleece”. Larger more coarse hairs found on the eyebrows, eyelashes, armpit, facial, and pubic areas, are called terminal hairs. The cells of the hair follicles are constantly regenerating. We aren’t wooly mammals with constant hair growth. Hair growth actually goes through active and resting periods. The duration of growth varies on certain parts of our bodies, which is seen between the difference of our head hair and leg hair (for example).

The amount of hair on your body is determined by a number of factors. The amount of hair you have can be based upon your ethnicity. Different ethnicities have different amounts of terminal hairs. Hispanic and Middle Eastern people have the most hair while Asians have the least. Hair growth can be influenced by hormonal imbalances. For example, an increase in testosterone can cause an increase in hair. This testosterone growing hair is an unwanted condition called hirsutism. Women with irregular periods and polycystic ovarian syndrome are also more prone to an increase in hair growth. Autoimmune conditions can result in hair loss which is the case with types of alopecia. Being iron deficient or having an underactive thyroid can also cause hair loss.

There are certain home remedies that can help stimulate hair growth. Eating a high protein diet can help due to the amino acid called keratin. Cysteine is another type of amino acid that can help grow hair faster. Sources of vitamins are a popular method because they contain biotin, folic acid, and iron. Less hair washing can help preserve the natural oils of the hair needed for hair health and growth. Less stress is also important which will help reduce disruption to the hair-growth cycle. It is also important to regularly trim the ends of your hair and brush it when it is wet to help prevent damage that can affect hair health. Apple cider vinegar can also stimulate hair growth by helping to balance pH levels effecting the hair follicles. Aloe-vera and onion juice can also remove sebum from the hair which slows hair growth.

Hair is everywhere and we tend to value it in certain places on our body than others. Hair is our skin’s protector. We shave it and remove it, but always expect it will come back. Don’t take for granted your hair follicle health and a natural layer of our body that we need.

BLOG 443 CHEESE

 BLOG 443 CHEESE

Who doesn’t love a good slice or cheese on a cracker, on pizza, or in a sandwich? Well, only those who stomachs can’t handle it might have a different answer. Cheese is a type of dairy that comes in so many flavors and is so versatile in its use. Taste is dependent upon what type of milk is being used and how the cheese is produced. There are pros and cons nutritionally to eating cheese. Different cheeses are therefore different in their nutritional quality. Pros would be that it is high in protein and calcium. Cons would be that it can be high in calories, fat, and sodium.

If we were to compare cheeses and discuss which types are the best nutritionally for you, then here’s the rundown:

1.      Mozzarella – this type of cheese is lower in calories and sodium compared to other types. One ounce of mozzarella has 85 calories, 6% of the daily value (DV) for sodium, 11% DV for calcium, 6 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fat. A positive bonus about mozzarella is that it contains probiotics which help improve immunity, gut health, and help reduce inflammation. It is probably most popularly known for being used in a Caprese salad with tomatoes.

2.      Blue cheese – this type is actually cured from mold (Penicillium) and is cured. It doesn’t just come from cows but can be from sheep’s or goat’s milk. The mold is what creates the blue color. One ounce contains 100 calories, 14% of DV for sodium, 12% of DV for calcium, 6 grams of protein , and 8grams of fat.

3.      Feta – this cheese originally from Greece and is from sheep’s (has a sharp taste) or goat’s(mild taste) milk. It is good because it is lower in calories, but because of the packaging it requires for preservation, it is typically higher in sodi9um with 14% of DV. One ounce of feta has 75 calories, 11% of DV for calcium, 4 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fat.

4.      Cottage cheese – this comes from curds of cow’s milk. It is very high in protein with 1.2 cup containing 12 grams of protein. It also has 90 calories, 15% of DV for sodium and 9% of DV for calcium, plus 3 grams of fat (in ½ cup). Because it is higher in protein, it is recommended as a weight loss helping type of food because it helps make you feel fuller, longer.

5.      Ricotta – this is an Italian cheese that can not only come from cows, sheep, or goats, but it can also come from Italian water Buffalo milk. It has a very creamy texture. Ricotta is very high in calcium with 20% of DV in ½ cup. It has 186 calories in ½ cup, 6% of DV for sodium, 9 grams of protein, and 13 grams of fat.

6.      Parmesan – this is aged cheese that is harder and has a more salty taste. It comes from unpasteurized cow’s milk that has been aged for at least 12 months in order to make sure bacteria is killed. One ounce has 111 calories, 15% of DV for sodium (pretty high amount), 26% of DV for calcium which is high too, 10 grams of protein (another higher amount), and 7 grams of fat. Nutritionally, parmesan is a packed choice. Another bonus about parmesan is that it contains 16% of DV for phosphorus which is good for bone health.

7.      Swiss – this cheese comes from Switzerland and is from cow’s milk. It has a mild taste and is a little hard. During fermentation, holes are created in the cheese to release gases. One ounce of Swiss cheese has 111 calories, 2% of DV for sodium which is lower, 19% of DV for calcium which is higher, 8 grams of protein, but 9 grams of fat.

8.      Cheddar – this cheese comes from England and cow’s milk. There are different colors and tastes that vary depending on how long the cheese has aged. One ounce of cheddar has 115 calories, 8% of DV for sodium, 15% of DV for calcium, 7 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fat. Another bonus about cheddar is that it is high in Vitamin K which is good for bone health and prevents calcium from being deposited in the arteries and veins.

9.      Goat – this cheese is also called chèvre. It comes in several forms including crumbles. One ounce has 75 calories, 6% of DV for sodium, 3% of DV for calcium, 5 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fat. Many people who have difficulty digesting cheese opt for the goat’s milk option because it’s lower in lactose properties.

Cheese can be part of a nutritious and healthy diet. Being aware of sodium and fat intake is always of importance. The more we know about what we are consuming, the better, more informed choices we can make. Next time you have cheese in your meal or snack, consider which type as part of your total daily intake. That way, you can aim to keep a healthy weight and lower the risk for health problems. Cheese please 😊

BLOG 442 HUNGER HORMONES

BLOG 442 HUNGER HORMONES

Having a heathy appetite, one that says, “I’m hungry”, then “I’m full”, is part of a cat and mouse game we play daily. The majority of us have no problem wanting to eat, but stopping is a whole other event. The hunger hormones in the body are called leptin and ghrelin. Both play a role in body weight. Leptin is in charge of decreasing one’s appetite while ghrelin increases appetite. They have a tug of war relationship; one that we fully sense and feel.

Leptin is made by our fat cells. It is the all-ruling appetite suppressor. Leptin levels are lower in persons who are thin and are higher in overweight people. Leptin communicates with the brain that the body has enough energy (body fat) and doesn’t need more fuel. Obese people have higher levels of leptin, but the body seems to miscommunicate and misinterpret these hunger signals. The more fat in the body, the more leptin in the blood. For overweight people the body appears to be resistant to leptin.

Ghrelin is the hormone that increases appetite. Its action involves releasing signals in the stomach to the brain that cue hunger. This hormone is produced in the gut and travels through the blood stream to the brain to tell the body to get food quickly. The body is smart because research has shown that in people who have eating disorders or who under-eat, ghrelin levels increase. In people who are obese, this hormone reduces. Ghrelin levels naturally rise when the stomach is empty because you are actually hungry. The body is trying to protect itself from starvation. Dieting causes ghrelin levels to increase. That is part of the fight when trying to lose weight.

The mind and body and do have an interesting relationship, one that we would love to have better control of. Foods that are especially high in fat cause major disruption to this communicating relationship between the body and the hunger hormones. There are some self-care tips to balance these hormones. A diet full of healthy carbohydrates and lean protein suppresses ghrelin versus a high fat diet. Sleep deprivation has been linked to higher levels of ghrelin too. Dieting is hard when ghrelin tries to use its power. Having more muscle mass is associated with lower levels of ghrelin, so start lifting those weights. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding extremes will help keep these hormones in check. Hormones are a tricky situation for us all. Poor choices to our eating will eventually catch up, and the hormones like to take advantage of this. Eating poorly only makes you want to eat more. Food is a drug but be sure not to self-inflict more damage by making impulsive eating decisions. Your body will love you back when you love it.

BLOG 441 CAFFEINE

BLOG 441 CAFFEINE 

Waking up to a cup of Joe is a morning routine for most of us. Billions of people rely on caffeine to get the day going, for a pick me up, and just because they enjoy it. One day we hear it is good for us and then the next day we hear that it is bad. So what’s the right answer?? Let’s take a look at the good and bad.

Caffeine 101

Caffeine dates back to 2737 BC. It is a natural stimulant most commonly found in coffee, tea, and cacao. It is derived from nuts, seeds, and leaves that contain it. Upon consumption, the central nervous system becomes alerted. Folk lore says it was discovered by a shepherd that noticed how much energy his goats had from it. Since 80% of the world’s population has at least one drink with caffeine in it per day, caffeine is one of the top ingredients used in the world. Popularity spiked in the 1800s when soft drinks hit the market with caffeine in them. Caffeine goes straight to our bloodstream. Upon entrance, caffeine puts up a fight against adenosine which is the hormone that makes us feel tired by relaxing the brain. By blocking neurotransmitter communication with adenosine, caffeine defeats the build up of tiredness. Out brain becomes alert and focused, making caffeine quite the natural stimulant. Energy drinks, sodas, and weight loss supplements make the classic cup of coffee sound so basic.

Good

Research points towards caffeine having the ability to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, dementia, strokes, some forms of cancers, and Parkinson’s disease. A cup of coffee is low calorie, so it won’t hurt your waistline provided creams and sugars are skipped. We feel better able to function mentally. Fatigue disappears for the time being. Our short-term memory can improve. For some, having a caffeine beverage is stress reducing and a nice compliment to a dessert or while chatting with a friend.

Bad

That alert feeling from having caffeine, is the result of our adrenaline being stimulated. Our blood pressure raises, and the fight-or-flight signal is activated. It is a natural diuretic, so the bathroom might have a higher number of visits. The acid in coffee can exasperate heart burn. Many people are hooked on caffeine. Between energy drinks, chocolates, teas, and sodas, caffeine gives a head change that makes us want more. Young people are being highly exposed to more and more caffeinated products with higher and higher amounts. Like a drug, when we have less or try to eliminate it, headaches from withdrawal can result. Overconsumption becomes harmful and can lead to high blood pressure, decreased bone density, and high blood sugar. Insomnia and palpitations can also result.

There’s a coffee shop on every corner. There’s coffee flavored candy and ice cream. Energy drinks and pre-workouts are trendy. 3 or 4 cups per day is the average amount we drink, which is about 350 milligrams of caffeine. Having more or less would influence the “good” and “bad”. Moderation has never been the easiest of our human qualities to live by. Caffeine has both “good” and “bad” qualities and that cup of Joe is a personalized experience that affects each of our bodies differently. The majority of us would say they couldn’t imagine a world without caffeine.

BLOG 440 DRUG ADDICTION

 BLOG 440 DRUG ADDICTION 

The inability to control is the bottom line when it comes to addiction. A person’s brain and behavior are greatly affected. When you become addicted, you continue to use the drug or carry on the habit despite the consequences. A person can become powerless to legal or illegal drugs and substances such as alcohol, nicotine, opioids, and/or marijuana. The brain starts to receive altered messages and all it can think about is the rewarding feeling the drug produces. The functioning of the neurotransmitters becomes distorted. The viscous cycle of tolerance starts to happen, and the person becomes persistent on experiencing the same high or an even better high better each time.

Addiction doesn’t just happen instantly. It builds its way into someone’s life. Cigarette smoking can start just at parties or social events, but then the person finds themselves keeping a pack in hand and reaching for a smoke more and more frequently. The risk of addiction varies by drug and certainly affects how quickly one forms the habit. Sometimes a person is prescribed a medication, and they become hooked after use (especially opioids). Painkillers cause a high risk for addiction.

Addiction is the accumulation of more and more of the user’s choice. The person needs higher doses to get high. Hence, drug addiction is also called substance abuse disorder. When a person tries to stop, they crave more and feel withdrawl symptoms. Some of the symptoms that person has become addicted to their drug of choice include the following:

1.       Having intense urges to use/take the drug.

2.       Drug use starts to prevail over responsibilities like work.

3.       Daily use of the drug, sometimes even several times per day.

4.       Continuing to use the drug despite any physical and health consequences.

5.       Doing whatever it takes to obtain the drug, which are behaviors you normally wouldn’t do.

6.       Spending lots of time going to get the drug in addition to time spent taking it.

7.       Spending excess money on the drug rather or not you can afford it.

8.       Doing things you shouldn’t under the influence of the drug, such as driving.

9.       Making sure you always have available supply of the drug.

10.   Feeling withdrawl when you don’t take the drug.

The main factors that cause addiction are your environment and genetics. Being exposed to the drug creates risk to partake. Traumatic life events can also cause a person to turn to drugs to deal with the situation. Feeling overwhelmed by stress can also cause drug use to help this feeling subside. Many addicts follow in the footsteps of their relatives. The reason people become addicted to drugs is an individualized experience.

Many addicts enjoy drugs and don’t want to stop, while others want and know they need help. The willpower to stop becomes a problem. Addiction is much more complicated than just deciding to stop and then you instantly doing it. The brain has to be re-wired to believe it can and will function without and the body has to feel committed to this process as well. There is help and hope and those in recovery help others. Addiction is a serious problem with serious consequences so most of the time testing the waters is never advisable because you may not be able to turn back.

BLOG 439 MENOPAUSE

 BLOG 439 MENOPAUSE

The dreaded term older women dislike hearing. Menopause is an aging obstacle the reproductive hormones are bound to face. Levels of estrogen and progesterone start to lower, which are the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. It is a natural process the female body endures, but one not many are fond of facing. The female body runs out of functioning eggs. At birth, females begin with anywhere from 1 to 3 million eggs, which over time gradually decrease in number. By the first menstrual cycle, the female might have about 400,000 eggs left. When menopause hits, a female might have about 10,000 eggs.

The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is the hormone that produces eggs during menstruation. When menopause starts, the eggs start to resist FSH and the ovaries produce less estrogen as well as less testosterone (affecting sex drive). Just when menopause hits varies person to person and is influenced by family history, autoimmune diseases, smoking, and even chemotherapy/radiation. The average age of menopause is 51.

All that being said, menopause does mean the start to the end of one’s menstrual cycles. You have officially been diagnosed as having gone through menopause when there is no menstrual cycle for 12 months. However, the symptoms of menopause are what wreak havoc for many. Those hot flashes, the emotional rollercoaster, and the lack of energy, make this time particularly undesirable. Other symptoms include vaginal dryness, sleep problems, weight gain, night sweats, chills, slower metabolism, thinning hair, and dry skin. Weight gain can be the result of genetics or the fluctuation in hunger cues do to hormonal imbalances which could increase appetite. Loss of sleep doesn’t help either.

There are several natural remedies or approaches to help alleviate menopause related symptoms. Eating foods rich in phytoestrogens help mimic the role of estrogen in the body. These include tofu, flaxseeds, beans, sesame seeds, and tempeh. The dryness associated with menopause means it’s important to drink plenty of water. Processed foods and refined sugars should also be kept away or very limited. Some studies have even said that diets high in processed foods can heightened the emotional roller coaster of moods menopause can bring. Managing weight is the key, so skipping meals or eating far less than your body needs would actually be more detrimental than good. Keeping a stable blood sugar by eating more often and less more often would be a good way to assist metabolism. Protein is a good food selection to help keep staying full and satiated. There are natural substances too. Black cohosh has been found to help lessen the intensity of hot flashes. Cranberry extract, probiotics, prebiotics are other suggestions to suppress symptoms.

There are different treatments to help alleviate at least some of the discomfort. Hormone therapy is common which typically consists of a low dose starting with estrogen. This can also be administered in the form of a cream. Sometimes low dose anti-depressants are used as well. This usually is for the hot flashes and moods. Gabapentin and Clonidine are two other medications. These can be taken in the form of pills or worn as a patch. It is important to talk with your doctor about risks and side effects, especially since these should be used temporarily not for long periods of time. For example, hormone therapy for long periods of time can increase the risk for breast cancer. Although many women can relate to one another when it comes to menopause, it does vary from person to person in terms of how the body handles this lovely part of female aging. 

Truthfully, menopause is a natural part of life, so much like anything else, the better we take care of our health, the better we navigate through anything our body faces. Hormones are not a simple subject to cover and understand because every body can vary in levels and how the body uses them. The best approach is to have a body positive attitude and to have a few natural remedies to help along the when it comes to menopause.

BLOG 438 FRUIT JUICE

 BLOG 438 FRUIT JUICE

How many people were raised starting the morning with a glass of orange juice with breakfast?? Apple, grape, orange, pineapple, cranberry…. there’s a type of juice to please everyone’s taste buds. The fallacy is that many believe drinking fruit juice equates to eating fruit. Therefore, fruit juice is perceived as healthy. The word “fruit” is associated with healthy. However, fruit juice contains as more if not more sugar than other beverages. Although fruit juice contains nutrients and antioxidants, these positive traits don’t negate the quantity of sugar.

We are victims to misleading labels on these drinks. Labels that read “100% pure” and “not from concentrate” make us think the juice was freshly squeezed and stored in the container for us to enjoy. The truth is that we are not drinking fruit from its original state. Fruit juice is actually stored in tanks that deplete oxygen for up to a year before being packaged. This process removes quite a bit of the rich fruit flavor, so manufacturers then add back that flavor in with you guessed it…. sugar.

This is not to say that fruit juice is entirely awful. Orange juice does contain vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium, folate, and antioxidants. However, when the calories from fruit off the tree are compared to those in the bottle, the beverage version contains much more added sugar which ultimately results in many more calories. Here’s a shocking example… apple juice versus Coca Cola. Take for instance a 12- ounce serving of these two drinks. The apple juice contains 165 calories, and 39 grams of sugar which equates to 9.8 teaspoons. The can of Coca Cola contains 140 calories and 40 grams of sugar (10 teaspoons). The truth lies in the sugar.

The liver becomes sugar overloaded very quickly when these drinks are ingested. It’s as if you quickly ate 5 oranges when you drank one cup of juice. Fructose is the type of sugar this juice contains, and the liver is responsible for metabolizing this substance. Too much sugar is too much work for the liver, and this excessive amount turns into fat. Liquid sugar has been associated with high levels of triglycerides, insulin resistance, increased belly fat, and elevated LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.

Many people don’t consider these liquid calories in their diet. They don’t eat less to compensate for these additional calories. Whole fruit is the better choice. Don’t punish your liver and waistline just to please your taste buds. Eat your calories to benefit from the nutrients and fiber that fruit has to offer. No wonder we never argued when we were offered juice as kids.