Overcoming the Fear of Breast Cancer

Overcoming the Fear of Breast Cancer

If you're scared that you will one day hear the words, "You have breast cancer," you've got plenty of company. Breast cancer is the most feared cancer among women. Sometimes, it's not just the word "cancer" that's at the root of the fear, but dread of issues associated with treating cancer, such as surgical complications and medication side effects. Perhaps you've been through a breast cancer diagnosis with someone close to you and know how difficult it can be.

While these are understandable fears, the danger is that some women are so overwhelmed with anxiety that they postpone screenings, such as breast exams and mammograms, or even skip them altogether for fear of bad news. Yet these are the very examinations that can help save lives by finding cancer early on, when it's most treatable.

Women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer face a different set of fears as they go through various stages of anxiety and acceptance. Many are in a state of denial at first. This can quickly turn to anger and a feeling that their world has been turned upside down. Some women wonder what they have done to deserve this and are unsure about the best road to recovery. Eventually, reality sets in and treatment begins, which is when many women feel better and more in control of their disease because they are actively fighting it.

Those who survive breast cancer struggle with the fear that their cancer might return. Every post-treatment checkup, mammogram and blood test is anxiety-ridden as she awaits the results.

The lowdown…don't let breast cancer blindside you

The reality is that as you age, your risk for developing breast cancer increases. Most of us know women who have battled breast cancer. Advances in methods of detection and treatments have transformed breast cancer from what had been considered a dreaded disease—what some perceived as a death sentence—to one that most women can and do beat. In fact, when breast cancer is found at its earliest, most treatable stage, a majority of women (98 percent) will go on to live full, healthy lives after treatment. So, it's important to keep up with recommended screenings and exams.

If you're 40 years or older, you should get a routine mammogram. In addition to the fear of getting a suspicious mammogram result, you may also be embarrassed to bare your breasts, or perhaps you'd rather avoid the discomfort that comes with positioning and squeezing the breast to take the image. But some temporary uneasiness and minor discomfort is a small price to pay if it means detecting breast cancer early.

If you're new to the task, ask the technician to explain what to expect. Be sure to find out when you can expect the results, so you aren't consumed with worry if you don't hear right away. If you are asked to come back and repeat the test, don't be alarmed. The film may have been difficult to read. If your doctor does notice something suspicious on your mammogram, he or she may order a biopsy to remove a sample of breast tissue and examine it for cancer. To put your mind at ease, consider that four out of five biopsies will not be cancer, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

It's also important for you to talk with your health care provider to learn about your personal risk of developing breast cancer so that you can decide how to stay on top of your breast health. While you're at it, ask about lung cancer and heart disease, too—these are the leading causes of death among women. And don't forget periodic breast self exams. Many women neglect doing these exams for fear of ending up in the doctor's office every month with a new lump and bump, but it's important that you get to know your breasts over time so you notice any changes.

Attitude and support eases anxiety

Having breast cancer is a difficult experience. You are probably worried about the road ahead, how your diagnosis will affect the important relationships in your life and your body image, as well as family and work obligations. Seeking emotional support and maintaining a positive attitude (as best you can) will help ease your anxieties.

Here are some tips:

• Practice the art of happiness. It may be easier said than done, but try not to get weighed down with grief and worry. Boost your spirits whenever you can by meeting a friend for lunch, writing (and referring to) inspirational messages in a journal or going for a walk in a park.
• Join a breast cancer support group where you can share your anxieties with other women who are going through the same thing and have similar concerns. If you feel more comfortable chatting with others from the comfort of your home, there are safe message boards at sites like Breastcancer.org.
• Don't be afraid to express your fears to your loved ones. You're not Superwoman, and it's OK to share the burden. For many women, the old adage "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" applies.
• Take a deep breath. If you notice that your mind is swirling with worry, try meditation or deep-breathing exercises.
• Ask questions. Your mind may get ahead of you at times, so ask questions to make sure you aren't worrying unnecessarily.
• Don't let cancer define you. You had a life before cancer, and there is life after, so don't lose sight of who you are. Stay connected to the people and activities that are important to you.

Source: healthywomen.org

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Best Weight Loss Products That Work

I will present to you the best weight loss products that work in order for you to be able to take the best decision and have the needed results.

Not only that we change our lifestyle and our working schedule, but also our food behavior too. We are working more and more, we don’t have time for healthy activities and we eat more and more precooked foods or junk food. It’s very clear, along with the changes brought by the modern life, our lifestyle and our body suffered changes too and not necessarily in good.

By reducing the free time, we spend less time cooking healthy foods and doing sports and for this the persons who suffer from obesity and cellulite increased dramatically.

We all know how difficult it’s in these modern days to make time for you to have healthy and balanced life and for this reasons the science felt the need to bring us a help.

On the market you will discover a lot of weight loss product, but I want to present to you the best weight loss products that work. Not only that you don’t have to spend a small fortune, to suffer with plastic surgery or lose hours in a gym class, but you will have real results and you can discover that it’s very easy to have a slim body.

Best Weight Loss Products That Work

1. Kou Tea is one of the best weight loss products that work

There are numerous tea products available on market and many of them promise to help you to lose weight, but Kou Tea stands out. It is a completely different option than most other products available – this weight loss product work and it’s backed by science.

KouTea is a combination of four teas (green tea, oolong tea, white tea and pu-erh tea), and when combined, this supplement has been shown to provide the body with numerous health benefits, such as:

• weight loss
• boost metabolism
• reduce appetite and aid in digestion
• improve energy
• a good source of anti-oxidants
• help concentration and memory function

Kou Tea is one of the best weight loss products that work and it’s designed to not only help in weight loss and increased energy levels, but unlike many other weight loss products, it’s also intended to increase overall health and wellness.

2. Also Phen 375 is known as one of the best weight loss products that work

Phen375 is the result of years of research conducted by the RDK Global company, having over 7 years of experience in the area of fat-burning and diet medicine.

The five ingredients inside Phen375 have been chosen in order to obtain a weight loss product that work and is able to:

• stop the body from depositing fats
• accelerate metabolism
• suppress the need of the body for food (the appetite)
• split apart fatty tissue
• burn fat.

Choose one of these best weight loss products that work in order to change your life and finally to get rid of those extra kilos, especially know that summer is coming. It’s never been easier to lose weight and to enjoy the beautiful days of summer. Take advantage of the modern science and order this products for faster weight lose.

Click on Phen 375 or Kou Tea product in order to find more about the benefits of the products and to discover the reviews of all those who had wonderful results after they tried the products.

Source: www.effective-weightloss.net

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Health Wellness Program

Health Wellness Program

Health wellness programs are increasingly being incorporated by Companies as part of their overall strategy for promoting a healthier workplace. A health wellness program is set up in the workplace to offer employees a kind of comprehensive health service.

Health wellness programs are a new concept and different from the traditional safety and health programs in that a health wellness program does not require a legislative mandate. Whether you are the CEO of a company wanting to retain your employees or a Human Resources professional concerned about your employees rising health care costs, attention to a few points about initiating and implementing a health wellness program can help to ensure its long-term success.

The most important step to implementing a health wellness program is to gain support from the staff as well as senior management for the idea. Develop the objectives, goals and mission of the program and conduct a survey among the employees to ascertain how many of them would participate and what they hope to gain from this health wellness program.

Locate funding and resources to support the program and recruit outside as well as inside help to run and maintain the health wellness program. Design and implement health related activities and make policy changes with a view to improving the environmental conditions.

Make the program fun and motivate your employees with various incentives. Regularly monitor and evaluate the program and make the necessary improvements and changes.

For a health wellness program to be successful, a wellness committee should be appointed. This wellness committee works towards planning, promoting, operating and maintaining the program. The wellness committee should be made up of individuals who would be helpful to the program as well as those who will be affected by the program.

Ideally the wellness committee would consist of a mix of union representatives, top management and employees interested in wellness and health. Individuals from the Human Resources department, health and safety department and employee assistance program may also be considered.

Another important element necessary for a successful health wellness program is management support. Management should support the program by being involved in the planning, participating in wellness events, reserving funds for the program and supporting the budget and time allotted towards this wellness program.

The management may also show their support of the health wellness program by sending out a letter of support to all employees and allowing flexibility in employee schedules to encourage participation without any inconvenience.

Last but not least, conduct a formal or informal needs assessment survey among employees to increase participation in the health wellness program. This gives employees a sense of responsibility and ownership for the program, and also gives them the necessary encouragement to participate.

Assessing their needs allows you to design a plan suited to the employees ensuring their continued support and participation. Employees are encouraged to lead a more healthy lifestyle, which is beneficial to them and their families in the long run.

Source: www.wellnessproposals.com

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The secret to good health

Wash your way to less colds and flu

What’s more powerful than a speeding vaccine? Soap and water! Wash your hands, wash them well, and wash them often, and you’ll protect yourself from illness.

Washing your hands often is the best way to avoid disease. And it’s much cheaper than drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that regular hand-washing with soap could save more lives than any vaccine or medical treatment.

How so? As you go through your day, you touch people, surfaces, and objects hundreds of times. Each time, your hands pick up germs. As soon as you rub your eyes or scratch your nose, it's off to the races for those germs. They’re now in your eyes, nose, or mouth, ready to make you sick.

It's impossible to keep your hands germ-free. But the best way to control bacteria, viruses, and other nasty microbes (tiny germs) is by washing your hands often with soap and water.

When to wash

• Before, during, and after preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
• Before eating
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• Before putting in or taking out contact lenses
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, or animal feed, toys, or waste
• After touching garbage
• After handling anything that could be germy, like a cleaning cloth or dirty shoes
• Whenever your hands look dirty

How to wash

Don’t just rinse your hands under the faucet and call them clean. You need to scrub them with soap for at least 20 seconds. (If that seems like forever, think about being in bed for a week with the flu!)

Follow these steps every time you wash:

1. Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
2. Lather and scrub well. Don’t forget the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. That’s about as long as it takes to hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel, or air dry.

If you don’t have soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Antimicrobial wipes or swabs are another choice. Look for wipes with a high percentage of alcohol. Although these sanitizers can quickly lower the number of germs on your hands, they don't get rid of all kinds of germs. Rub the sanitizer all over your hands and between your fingers until your hands are dry.

Sanitizers can’t remove visible dirt. You need soap and water for that. And skip the antibacterial soap. It’s no better at killing germs than regular soap. It may even help grow bacteria that resist the product's antimicrobial agents — making it harder to kill these germs in the future.

Help kids stay healthier

Regular hand washing with soap could save more lives than any vaccine or medical treatment.

Remind your kids to wash their hands properly and often. Show them how it's done by washing your hands together. Sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice while you're at it. This keeps kids from rushing through the job. If your child can't reach the sink on his own, keep a step stool handy.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are fine for children and teens, especially when soap and water aren't handy. Show your child the right way to use the sanitizer. Remind her to make sure the sanitizer is dry before she touches anything. Store the container safely away after use.
Hand-washing is extra important for kids in school or group child care. Make sure your child’s teacher or caregiver promotes frequent hand-washing. (Sanitizers are OK too.) Ask if kids are made to wash their hands several times a day — not just before meals. Also note whether diaper-changing areas are cleaned after each use, and whether eating and diaper-changing areas are kept a safe distance apart.

Source: www.humana.com

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Women’s Health: Tips For Finding The Right Doctor

FIND THE RIGHT
DOCTOR FOR YOU

If you’re looking for a new doctor, look within before you start asking for recommendations from friends or scouring the Internet. Many of us are so intent on finding any doctor that we forget what matters most to us -- a doctor that meets our individual needs. Here’s how to take charge of your health care and find the right doctor.

ASSESS YOUR HEALTH CARE WANTS AND NEEDS

With all of the options today, putting a little time into your search and being direct about your needs can improve your health care. When you are aware of what you want and know you are getting it, it helps you take charge of your own health care.

Do you have health insurance? Yes, I have a group plan through my employer/union. Yes, I have a private plan. Yes, I am on government-funded insurance (Medicare, Medicaid). No, I have no medical coverage. View Results

Before you even think about searching for a doctor, ask yourself these questions:

• What did I like and dislike about my last doctor?
• What is most important to get from an office visit?
• What kind of services do I need outside of an office visit?
• Do I only care if the visit is covered under my insurance?
• What is a deal-breaker when it comes to a doctor?
• Is comfort and environment important to me?
• Do I care more about having a doctor that is the very best in the field?
• Do I want a doctor who is more direct or prompt with communication?
• How much time do I need for a typical visit?

HOW TO FIND A DOCTOR THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS

Once you answer those questions, you can get a better feel for what you want and need out of a doctor. Here are some requirements different women have — and how to find a doctor that meets them.

A successful visit to the doctor — without the panic attack

If you are sensitive to medical settings, like I am, and want a more soothing environment, pay a visit to the office and scope out the waiting room to get a feel for the place. You can even ask the receptionist to give you a glimpse of an exam room. (Also, check out the practice's website if they have one, which may give you photos of the office and doctor to put you at ease.)

A doctor that incorporates the holistic approach

While most women want to find a great doctor, some want one that integrates holistic options with traditional medicine. In that case, think outside the box and ask your acupuncturist, yoga teacher or massage therapist for a referral.
Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway, a Florida-based obstetrician and author of The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy, advises patients to speak with the staff about incorporating a holistic approach. "It would also give the physician time to research the requested treatments to determine if he or she is willing to participate or not," she notes.

A doctor that offers the time and attention you deserve

How can you avoid the medical heave-ho and stop getting rushed out of the office? Talk to the receptionist and ask how much time patients spend with the doctor. Be up-front and let him or her know an estimated time frame you require, and ask if the doctor accommodates it.
After a botched episiotomy from the birth of her first child, Renee Gordon wanted a different doctor to deliver her second baby. Upon visiting with a new physician who came highly recommended, she wanted to ask a few questions before the exam to make sure he was a good fit. Not only did the doctor arrive on time, but he didn't balk when she wanted to talk. "I had a few questions to ask first, including 'Do you automatically do an episiotomy?' " When he answered no, she knew he was a winner. (Her second birth took place flawlessly, sans any cutting.)

The very best care

When Margery Schwartz, a very active 60-year-old from southern Florida, started experiencing pain in her hips, she researched orthopedic doctors, hoping to find one that would minimize the trauma to her muscles and tissue from surgery. She wanted to ensure that both of her legs were the same length after procedure, since inconsistent lengths can be a common complication of total hip replacement.
Dr. William Leone came highly recommended by friends, but Schwartz was even more impressed to find out that he had invented a device that would minimize the chance of uneven legs. He practiced at one of the top 30 hospitals in the country for orthopedic surgery, which was the icing on the cake.
The result? "I was walking without a limp within three weeks," Schwartz says. "I definitely made the right choice with Dr. Leone," she adds.

Adjunct health care providers

While the right doctor is out there, don't rule out other health care providers, adds Dr. Jacob DeLaRosa, chief of cardiac and endovascular surgery at Portneuf Heart and Vascular Center in Idaho. You may be able to see a nurse practitioner or other allied health professional and rely on the doctor for more intensive procedures.

Source: www.sheknows.com

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The History Of Birth Control

HOW OUR FOREMOTHERS DID IT (LITERALLY)

Sure, the pill can cause nausea, bloating and headaches — but would you rather try to prevent pregnancy using crocodile poop? Yep, you heard me: Crocodile. Poop. Or how about using half a lemon so afterward you smell like a really clean kitchen? (Suddenly, Seinfeld's Elaine Benes deciding whether or not a guy is "sponge-worthy" doesn't seem so crazy after all.) Review these shenanigans, and more, as we look back at the life and times of birth control.
Though I'm sure nothing turned a woman on more than using the term "womb veil," this much I know: If I were born any sooner, I would've become Sister Mary Krissy.

From past to present, below is a highlight reel of contraception contraptions that will leave you skipping down the condom aisle singing "The hills are alive... "

1550 B.C.

The earliest known contraception for women was created — a concoction of crocodile poop, honey, and sodium carbonate, the Egyptian pessary was inserted into the vagina to prevent conception. (Oh. Em. Gee.)

1564

The first description of condoms was published by Gabriel Fallopius, who also discovered (you guessed it!) Fallopian tubes. Materials for condoms included animal intestines and skin, along with linen cloth sheaths soaked in a chemical solution. (Is that the sound of my tubes tying?)

1700s

Casanova’s memoirs detail his escapades and experiments — with sheep-bladder condoms, cervical caps made from half a lemon and linen condoms tied with a ribbon. (I’ll never unwrap presents the same way again.) When all was said and done, though, he preferred condoms made from lamb intestine. (Yeah, me too.) To make matters worse, because of how expensive condoms were, they were washed and reused — taking intimacy to a whole new level.

1839

Charles Goodyear invented the technology necessary to vulcanize rubber and used it to manufacture condoms, douching syringes and diaphragms (though at the time, they were being manufactured under their working title, "womb veil").

1873

The U.S. Congress passed the Comstock Act, which made all forms of contraception illegal. The postal service was actually allowed to confiscate birth control sold through the mail! Because of this, contraceptives were being promoted as “feminine hygiene products.”

1916-1950

Birth control activist Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S. Nine days later, police raided the clinic. Sanger was found guilty of “maintaining a public nuisance” and served 30 days in prison. Thanks to Sanger, the Comstock Act was eventually lifted in the 1930s, and in 1950 (at 80 years old, I might add), she raised $150,000 to fund the creation the first birth control pill. (You go, girl!)

1960

The FDA approved the first birth control pill, Enovid. Later, the pill is linked to serious health risks, such as heart attack and blood clots. Feminist groups challenged their safety, which led to the pill's modification.

1965

The Supreme Court established the right for married couples to use birth control. Meanwhile, millions of unmarried women were still denied the option.

1972

The Supreme Court legalized birth control for all citizens, regardless of marital status (and uteruses everywhere rejoiced).

1976

IUD devices are approved by the FDA. The devices were inserted by doctors and were to provide birth control for up to 10 years… until the Dalkon Shield, like a one night stand gone wrong, caused pelvic inflammatory disease in some women.

1980s

Hormonal birth control options expanded and low-dose, two- and three-phase birth control pills became available. By this time, 10.5 million American women were taking the pill (cha-ching!).

1992

The FDA approved Depo-Provera, the first shot to prevent pregnancy for months at a time.

1998

The FDA approved the first morning-after pill, which can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.

2000

Jennifer Erickson, a 27-year-old pharmacist sued her employer for not covering birth control under their insurance policy, calling it sexual discrimination — and won.

2005

The Today Sponge makes a comeback after being discontinued in 1995 because of deficiencies in their manufacturing plant. (Congratulations, Elaine!)

2010

A study of 46,000 women conducted over 40 years found women on the pill live longer. (High five ladies!) Now, over 100 million women around the world use the pill.

How's that for a history lesson?

Source: www.sheknows.com

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The Holidays and Your Hormones

HOLIDAY

HORMONES

As women, our hormones can take a beating over the holidays. It’s no easy task to stay centered and calm when you’re juggling work and family obligations, navigating the kids’ schedules, planning holiday gatherings and playing Santa!

More than anything else, stress derails our hormones, affecting our mood, mind and weight. That’s why how we manage stress, and how we eat and move can make a big difference as to how much we actually enjoy the holidays.

The following are five stress-induced hormonal imbalances that you may "feel" over the holidays, and how best to prevent them (or hit the "reset" button).

1

Cortisol

You’ve been up all night because of a sick child. Now you're at the office working overtime to meet a major project deadline. Plus, you’re involved in the kids’ school holiday fundraiser. Meanwhile you’ve promised to host a big family dinner and haven’t a clue what you’ll be serving. As for Christmas shopping, you’re hoping to conjure elves who can lend a helping hand.

Best known as the "stress" hormone, cortisol is produced in two grape-sized adrenal glands (one sitting on top of each kidney). Cortisol activates the "fight or flight" response, and can affect digestion, blood pressure, sleep-wake cycles and your overall ability to cope with stress. Cortisol also helps normalize blood sugar levels.

When the pressure is on, your cortisol levels can run high. Over time, continuously high cortisol levels lead to high blood pressure, weight gain, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), low sex drive and anxiety; it is also a contributing factor to heart disease.

Relaxing your body through diet and lifestyle is key to balancing cortisol.

Rx:

• Limit coffee and alcohol. Unthinkable, especially during the holidays, you protest! But realize that both alcohol and caffeine raise cortisol levels, creating more physiological stress in an already stressed-out body.
• Stabilize blood sugar. Keep sugar and refined carbohydrates to a minimum to avoid spikes in insulin. In other words, more Christmas goose and sauteed kale; less mashed potatoes and apple pie.
• Deep breathing. Whether you do yoga, meditate or simply take a 20-minute time-out for yourself, deep breathing — into the lower and upper lungs — has a calming effect on your body. In a study of athletes who experienced an exercise-induced rise in cortisol levels, researchers found that deep breathing — slowly and deeply into the lungs and flexing the diaphragm (versus rib cage) — can lower cortisol levels and increase melatonin (which helps you sleep).
• Reframe stress. How we react to stress depends on how threatening we perceive a particular stressor to be. Instead of automatically projecting the worst-case scenario, which immediately increases stress levels, take a step back and reframe: Shift your focus by viewing a potential stressor (person or situation) in a new way. By changing how you see something, you can lower your stress immediately. For example, rather than feeling angry and annoyed about hosting your cheap in-laws over the holidays, reframe. Consider it a gift that they’re cheap: Since you’re paying, you’re in control of what’s happening — and what’s not — during their visit!
• Go "hands-on." Too many cooks in the holiday kitchen? Leave — and get a massage! A 2012 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that athletes who received a weekly Swedish massage had decreased cortisol levels and increased white blood cells, benefiting their immune system. A massage also increases the production of dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good hormones we release when doing something pleasurable.

2

Leptin

If you’re on the holiday party circuit and staying out past midnight, then awakening early for a go-go day, you’re setting yourself up for leptin dysfunction.

Leptin, a hormone released from your fat cells, decreases hunger. It helps us feel full by telling the brain that we have enough fat, and that it’s OK to stop eating. A natural weight-control mechanism, leptin regulates appetite, energy and the rate at which you burn fat. For example, when leptin levels rise, your appetite decreases and your metabolism increases — an ideal weight loss scenario. Conversely, when leptin levels are low, your appetite increases and your metabolism slows. Low leptin also increases cortisol, which stores fat and burns muscle.

How long you sleep affects your leptin levels and body mass index (BMI). When more than 1,000 volunteers participated in the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort study, those participants who experienced short-duration sleep (less than eight hours) had lower leptin levels and a higher BMI.

Over time, too high or too low levels of leptin can lead to hypertension, obesity, depression, anxiety and cardiovascular disease. Like insulin resistance, leptin resistance occurs when both the body and the brain have stopped "listening" to leptin; for example, studies have found that obese women have more fat under their skin, and thereby have higher leptin levels. They make plenty of leptin, but the brain and body react as if the body is in a famine state.

Getting enough sleep and limiting your sugar and refined carb intake promotes healthy leptin levels.

Rx:

• Sleep! (and lose weight): This should be your top priority! Not getting at least eight hours of sleep has been linked to low leptin levels, making you susceptible to weight gain.
• Be mindful of your sugar intake: Regular consumption of sugar can lead to leptin resistance. This includes sugar in all its forms: table sugar, high fructose corn syrup, maltose, glucose and artificial sweeteners (many of which are derived from fructose). Studies have shown that regular fructose consumption — in soft drinks and processed foods — contributes to leptin resistance.
• Take fish oil: Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids which you can get from eating fatty fish, like salmon, or supplementing with fish oil, are linked to decreased hunger and may help fight leptin resistance.

3

Insulin

From breads, pastries and home-baked Christmas cookies to eggnog, wine and beer, the holidays are a celebration of sugary food and drink. How much and how frequently you eat refined sugar and starchy foods will affect your insulin levels.

A hormone produced in the pancreas, insulin helps "unlock" the body’s cells so that sugar (glucose) from the foods we eat can be used by the cells for energy; it also regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin helps cells in the liver, muscles and fat tissue absorb glucose from the blood. This glucose is then stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen. In fat cells, glucose is stored as triglycerides.

Insulin resistance is a condition when the brain and cells of the body increasingly become desensitized to the effects of insulin (its main job is lowering blood sugar), resulting in high levels of glucose in the bloodstream which, over time, can be toxic. Insulin resistance is linked to diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and polycystic ovary syndrome.

To reduce or eliminate insulin resistance, eat in a way that balances your blood sugar and reduces inflammation.

Rx:

• Eat more protein: Eat high-quality protein at every meal, especially at breakfast. Good sources are free-range eggs, pastured meats and nut butters.
• Eat more fat:  Eating healthy, quality fats promotes satiety and stabilizes blood sugar. Contrary to popular belief, eating fat does not make you fat! Good sources of fat include organic virgin raw coconut oil, grass-fed butter, extra-virgin olive oil, grass-fed ghee, duck fat and other pastured animal fats, like tallow, as well as nuts and avocados.
• Reduce refined sugars and starches: What! Over the holidays? It’s your choice. But know that frequent nibbling on refined sugars (cookies, pie, cocktails) and starches (like bread, pasta and pizza) is the fastest way to gain weight because our cells simply can’t handle large amounts of glucose at one time. And glucose that isn’t used gets stored — as fat.
• Exercise: You don’t have to run a marathon or do Crossfit. Basic movement, such as walking for 30 to 60 minutes daily can have a positive effect on insulin resistance.

4

Thyroid hormones

During the holidays, stress can take on many forms: spending way over your allotted budget on gifts, busy schedules spent shopping, cooking and baking, and dealing with "eccentric" family members, like Uncle Alan whose idea of scintillating conversation is telling dirty jokes in mixed company. Stress also affects your thyroid.

Ideally, your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your throat, makes just the right amount of thyroid hormones that tell the cells in your body how fast to burn energy. When your thyroid is working properly, your metabolism is balanced and you have energy, just-right body temperature (not too hot or cold) and your weight is stable.

If, however, you’re chronically exhausted, always have cold hands and feet, seem unable to lose weight and experience brain fog, you may have hypothyroidism (low thyroid). Proper thyroid function is closely intertwined with the health of your adrenal glands, which produce hormones that respond to stress.

The adrenal glands and thyroid are highly sensitive gatekeepers to your body’s hormone-producing system. The adrenals, which produce cortisol, are very reactive to stress. Unrelenting stress weakens the adrenal glands. This leads to a slowing down of the thyroid, which you’ll feel as fatigue, sluggishness and persistent weight gain.

Eating quality protein and limiting stimulating food and drink (caffeine, sugar, refined starches), as well as your gluten and wheat consumption, can go a long way to optimizing thyroid health. Especially under stress.

Rx:

• Eat the highest-quality protein possible (pastured chicken, turkey, beef, lamb or eggs) at every meal. The thyroid can’t function properly without adequate protein.
• Go easy on caffeine: Drinking caffeinated beverages when you’re already run down stresses the adrenals.
• Limit gluten and wheat: If you suspect a low thyroid condition, avoid or limit eating wheat and gluten-containing grains. Most people who have an issue with gluten don’t know they do. Approximately one in three Americans have a gluten sensitivity, where some kind of immune reaction occurs in the presence of gluten.

5

Progesterone

Progesterone is made in the ovaries and also produced (in smaller amounts) in the adrenal glands. Progesterone is the pre-hormone of cortisol, the stress hormone. This means that if you experience chronic stress, you’ll need more cortisol than your body can produce, forcing it to "steal" from cortisol’s pre-hormones — pregnenolone and progesterone — leaving you with low progesterone.

It’s not a fun scenario. Low progesterone can cause anxiety, night sweats, poor sleep, irregular menstrual cycles and mood swings.

Aim to manage stress, since elevated levels of cortisol (see above) can deplete progesterone.

Rx:

• Vitamin C: Not only will vitamin C boost your immunity, Vitamin C at a dose of 750 mg a day has been shown to raise progesterone levels in women.
• Limit intake of caffeinated beverages. While caffeine doesn’t directly lower progesterone, it does raise your cortisol levels, and high levels of cortisol can block progesterone receptors; the net effect is that you experience symptoms of low progesterone.
• Limit alcohol: Again, alcohol raises cortisol (stress hormone) levels. If you’re already stressed out, alcohol takes a further toll on the body, exacerbating anxiety, low mood and headaches. Plus alcohol is stored as belly fat.

Source: www.sheknows.com

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