Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been the topic of numerous conflicting reports over the past few decades. Some clinical trials suggest that HRT poses an increased risk of certain health conditions, while other studies demonstrate this therapy’s effectiveness in relieving symptoms associated with menopause and reducing the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis and heart disease. If you’re considering hormone replacement therapy, it’s important to understand the facts so that you can make an informed …
12 stress relief tips for a happy holiday season
Do you dread the holiday season because of the amount of stress it causes? Studies show that the holidays increase stress levels for many people, especially when it comes to demands on their time and financial difficulties. You can’t avoid the holidays, but you can take some simple stress-relief steps to minimize stress and make it to January without sacrificing your mental well-being. Here’s how: 1. Forget perfection Whether it’s your holiday party, your big …
Stress, hormones, and low sex drive
Sex has been shown to promote health benefits: it’s good for your heart, improves sleep, releases feel-good endorphins, and provides feelings of pleasure. But at certain points in your life, you may notice that your sex drive just isn’t what it used to be. When a person has a low sex drive, they may experience problems in their relationship with their partner. A lack of intimacy can lead to physical and emotional drawbacks as well. …
From the doc: How to take a technology break
Our smartphones, tablets, and computers offer a lot of conveniences. We can email, text, and call people from almost anywhere. We can watch any movie we want, anytime. Technology has enabled us to be in constant contact and to be entertained at any moment — but this isn’t always healthy. In fact, technology addiction is a real phenomenon, and it’s interfering with our professional and personal lives. People are texting and driving, risking their own …
From the doc: The benefits of fasting
Have you ever tried fasting? Intermittent fasting is a hot topic in the weight-loss and wellness communities, but it’s not without controversy. Some medical professionals warn that fasting diets are nothing but a dangerous trend, but the benefits of fasting have been extensively studied and are well documented. Before starting any type of fasting diets, make sure you understand how to do so safely, and get the approval of your doctor. Fasting is nothing new. …
From the doc: 4 evidence-based benefits of omega-3 fatty acids
For many years, dietary fats had a bad reputation. Low-fat diets promised weight loss, and people were told that eating fat would make them gain weight. But fats are actually necessary for several processes throughout the body, and certain kinds may even help you lose weight. You’ve probably heard of omega-3 fatty acids, but are you getting enough of them in your diet? Fats aren’t necessarily bad for you; in fact, some are actually good …
Is your sleep position affecting your health?
We all know that getting enough sleep is necessary to look and feel your best, and that quality of sleep matters also. But did you know that how you sleep is also important? Your preferred sleep position may have more of an impact on your overall health than you realize. Your body does amazing things while you sleep. We all know that a good night’s slumber is the only way to feel truly refreshed and …
10 ways to reward yourself without food
When you’re trying to make healthy changes in your life, it’s important to keep track of your progress and celebrate major milestones. This is a great way to avoid frustration and burnout when the going gets tough on a diet and exercise plan. But how do you reward yourself for making progress on your health goals when many of our typical reward systems are based on food? You don’t want to undo your progress by …
Low-protein diet linked to increased longevity
A high protein diet may not be the best choice for optimizing health. In fact, recent studies have linked low-protein diets to a longer life span. Protein is one of the three macronutrients that humans need to survive. The other two “macros” are carbohydrates and fat. While we require these nutrients to survive and thrive, how much we need of each may vary from person to person. Your own ideal macronutrient distribution may depend on …
Don’t just track calories: 3 metrics that may be more useful
When it comes to weight loss, the prevailing school of thought is “calories in, calories out.” There are countless weight-loss programs and apps that encourage you to track calories as a means of losing weight. But it isn’t always that simple. If you want to find success with weight loss, you may need to take a different approach. The truth is, all calories are not created equal. If you’re focusing solely on calories, you may …
