It’s not an easy task to avoid or limit your sugar consumption these days. Many processed foods, even ones you wouldn’t expect, contain added sugar — some in alarmingly high amounts. You may assume that you can look at the ingredients list to see if there’s added sugar. Unfortunately, this isn’t always reliable because there are many different names for sugar — nearly 70, as you’ll see here. And to add to the challenge, food …
From the doc: 5 reasons too much sugar is bad for you
Sugar can be found in all kinds of foods, from the obvious (cakes and cookies) to the surprising (marinara sauce and salad dressing). We know that sugar contains excess calories, which can contribute to higher body weight — and the health problems that go along with being overweight. But what if you’re overall pretty healthy and aren’t trying to lose weight? Should you still cut back on sugar? Yes — and I’ll give you a …
15 tips for avoiding holiday weight gain
Holiday weight gain is a problem for nearly everyone. It can be incredibly easy to overeat during the holiday season. The spreads at holiday parties and buffets can present a wealth of tasty food options that could be detrimental to your waistline, such as cookies, fondues and cheese dips, chocolate fountains, fried appetizers, and more. Alcohol consumption can also lower your inhibitions and make you more likely to reach for tempting foods that you would normally …
It’s all in your genes: How your DNA affects your weight
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, chances are, you’ve asked yourself at least one of these questions: “Why can’t I lose this weight and keep it off?” “Why was that diet so successful for my friend but not for me?” “Why doesn’t cutting calories work for me?” For decades, we’ve all been told that simply eating less and being more active is the key to lasting weight loss. And in some respects, this is …
From the doc: The link between gut health and weight loss
If you’ve read any of our past blogs, you know that achieving a healthy weight is not as simple as eating less and exercising more. We’ve discussed how hormone imbalances play a role in weight gain. We’ve also covered the importance of getting enough sleep and how it affects a person’s weight. And, we’ve shed light on the complex topic of how genetics and DNA affect weight. As research on obesity and weight continues to …
How to keep your gut healthy this holiday season
Your gut health forms the foundation of your overall health. Your digestive system is connected to everything else that happens in your body, and your gut is responsible for absorbing nutrients and guarding against foreign substances. So if you have a healthy gut, there’s a good chance that your overall health is good as well. If your gut is out of balance, however, it can have a negative effect on other functions throughout your body. …
Facts about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
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 …
Do vitamin B12 injections help with weight loss?
Adequate levels of vitamins and nutrients are important for keeping all systems in your body functioning properly — including functions related to weight and metabolism. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, plays a vital role in many of these processes. Vitamin B12 helps boost your metabolism, improves oxygenation, increases energy, and is often included in many comprehensive weight-loss and wellness programs. What is vitamin B12? B12 is one of the eight B vitamins that help …
5 foods that are bad for your skin
Your skin is your largest organ and is intricately connected with the other systems in the body. This means that something that is good for your body is usually also good for your skin, such as getting enough sleep. Things that are bad for your body, such as chronic high stress levels, are also bad for your skin. But even if you you’re making an effort to live a healthy life, you may be aggravating …
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 …