Cellulite is a condition in which the skin becomes dimpled. It is a condition predominantly affecting women and is most commonly found around the abdomen, pelvic area and lower limbs including the thighs and buttocks. The real causes of cellulite are poorly understood, however, researchers believe that there is a hormonal component, particularly as it rarely affects males except those that have androgen-deficient syndromes. Changes in both metabolism and physiological aspects may be involved. Hormonal changes in insulin levels, adrenaline and thyroid hormones are also believed to be in part to blame for this condition. Read the rest of this entry »

Concerns about fertility can be some of the most intimate and difficult health related issues to deal with. Often difficulty conceiving can be frustrating for both parties. While most couples will conceive within the first year of trying, other couples are left wondering why it is that they are having so much trouble. After years perhaps of attempting to stave off conception, many find it strange to realize that it’s not always as easy as we had thought. Read the rest of this entry »

What do you think of when the month of October comes to mind? Most people equate October with halloween related themes, carving pumpkins, costumes, and perhaps Thanksgiving. One thing that should also cross your mind is breast cancer. October is national breast cancer month, a month that should raise awareness around this particular disease. Read the rest of this entry »

Food can help or even fix a number of ailments including thyroid problems. Certain foods have substances called Goitrogens in them which prevents the thyroid gland from functioning properly. A Goitrogen blocks the  uptake of iodine which is needed for proper thyroid functioning as well as to speed up your metabolism. It is important to prevent thryoid diseases b use it can cause a number of health problems such as weight gain, miscarraiges, myxedema (retention of fluids under the skin) and other health problems.

Many of the foods that can inhibit the proper functioning of your thyroid may surprise you. For example, brussel sprouts, spinach, strawberries, radishes, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peaches, pears and turnips are all examples of foods that are good for you in moderation. More than four cups of any of these raw foods per week will interfere with your thyroid gland functioning. Eaten cooked you don’t have to worry, but these foods consumed raw can affect your body. Other foods to eat in moderation due to the amount of Goitrogens they contain are soybeans (tofu), pine nuts, peanuts, and millet. These foods contain a high amount of sulfur. Eating foods that contain too much sulfur is thought to cause anemia and affect your thyroid functioning.  Just as food can hinder your thyroid health it can also help it. Coconut and coconut oil contain fatty acids which the body is able to metabolize quickly and can help regulate the functioning of the thyroid. Kelp is also great for regulating your thyroid. It is not only nutritious but purifies the blood which also promotes pituitary, adrenal and thyroid health. One more food to eat for thyroid health is turkey. This is a high protein but low fat meat that contains selenium. Selenium has been shown to fight cancer growth as well as boost the immune system and aid in the metabolism of thyroid hormone.

Keeping your thyroid in good health is important. Do your research and eat a diet that is rich in copper, iron, selenium and vitamin C. Citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, bell peppers, potatos, shellfish, poultry and beans are all low fat options to stock up on.

If you find yourself expecting you need to be prepared to change your diet. Women who are pregnant need to be extremely careful about what they eat and how much they eat b use they are no longer just looking after themselves but another human being as well. Everything that goes into an expecting woman’s mouth will be fed to the baby as well and the responsibility is one that is not comparable to anything else. Here are three do’s and don’ts for pregnant women:

1.Eat enough but not TOO much. Although you may be eating for two, it is important not to overdo it. All you need is an extra 300 calories a day in the last two trimesters to make sure you have a baby that is a healthy weight.  Many women make the mistake of going overboard during pregancy which only leads to excess weight gain and unneccesary calories and food for the baby. What you should do it focus on eating healthy foods such as vegetables, whole grains, legums and low or non fat dairy products to ensure you and the baby are getting adequate vitamins and minerals.

2.Get enough calcium. Calcium is one of the most vital minerals for pregnant women and many don’t get enough of it. Drink at least three glasses of milk or soy a day and also load up on other calcium rich foods such as non fat cottage cheese. Calcium will prevent bone loss in the mother and will ensure the baby develops strong bones.

3.Stay hydrated. Hydration is so important, but especially so for pregnant women. Drinking adequate fluids throughout the day will prevent constipation and provide for the expanding blood volume that carries oxygen and nutrients to both the mother and baby. Try to stick mostly to water, but nutritious all-natural fruit juices and low or non fat dairy drinks such as skim milk are ok.

Along with watching your diet, make sure to rest a lot during pregnant. Many women tend to overdo it and find themselves run down half way through their pregnancy. Take it easy – you are carrying another life inside of you who’s health and well being depends completely on you.

Cellulite is something that most women know all too much about. It is a term used to describe fat cells which congregate together in certain areas on the body resulting in a dimpling appearance. Very few men have cellulite b use their skin is made differently than women’s-men can have the exact same amount of fat cells in the same area and their skin will look completely smooth. Unfair, but true. A number of factors contribute to cellulite appearance including genetics, diet, exercise, hormones, and lifestyle.

Cellulite does not discriminate-young and old, fat and thin women alike have cellulite. Professionals estimate that upwards to 90% of all women have cellulite and it is guaranteed that most of these individuals have tried one way or another to get rid of or lessen the appearance of it. Spas boast wraps and “anti-cellulite” creams and treatments which will zap it from your body forever-it’s simply not true. As of right now there is no know cure for cellulite-if there was there would be a lot of very happy women out there and the secret would have spread like wild fire. Although there is no way to completely get rid of cellulite, there are definitely things that can be done to decrease the appearance of it. The first is through your diet. Eating whole foods which are cleansing help to remove toxins and improve your skin’s appearance. Fruits containing high amounts of antioxidants are the best choices. These include blackberries, blueberries, strawberrries, cranberries, mangos, organges, and tomatos. Avoid red meats, fatty dairy products, junk foods, and any kinds of processed foods which cause you to gain unwanted fat in those trouble areas. The second thing you can do is exercise regularly. Don’t expect to notice a difference in cellulite appearance right away; it does take some time but gradually the amount of cellulite will begin to shrink. Typically cellulite is problematic on the butt and thigh area so doing squats, lunges, and leg curles will strengthen those muscles making the area appear more lean and toned.

Although cellulite is technically untreatable, there is hope for women out there who dispise it and who doesn’t? There are no magical creams or treatments but with a little dedication and hard work you can get healthy, get in shape, and booast circulationi in your skin, helping it regain some of its naturally smooth appearance.

What you eat can have a huge impact on your fertility. If you have been trying to get pregnant yourself or are thinking half of a couple that is thinking about it, you should be mindful that your diet can help or hinder your fertility. Long before we had the scientific knowledge that we have now, people were making connections between food and fertility. Foods that were shaped in suggestive ways were thought to enhance the sexual organ functioning, and certain foods were also thought to be aphrodisiacs for other reasons. With the knowledge we have now, we have actually proven that some foods do enhance fertility in both men and women.

For starters, women who are undernourished and skinny often have a hard time getting pregnant. At the same time, obese women have the same problem. Women that are within a healthy weight and maintain a balanced diet are most fertile. Where men are concerned, an adequate amount of zinc is needed in their diet to ensure that they produce the right amount of semen and also to keep their testosterone levels healthy. Calcium and Vitamin D may also play a role in men’s fertility. It is very important for men and women to eat a very healthy and mostly plant based diet rich in vitamins and minerals. This is not to say that you should not eat meat and in fact, many women who are vegetarians can have a hard time getting pregnant. Doctors believe that this is b use vegetarians usually do not have enough iron in their body.

Along with eating the right foods, it is important for both women and men to eat regularly to promote fertility. Going long periods in between meals puts your body into starvation mode and possibly making it harder for your body to function in normal ways, including promoting fertility. In addition- never do diets! Dieting is very unhealthy and most are based on restricting certain nutrients which can be good in moderation. When we limit certain nutrients, our bodies will alter its functions in order to adapt and this can result in the breakdown of our basic fertility functioning.