Food and Mood: How Diet Affects Depression (Mental Health Guru)

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Can What you Eat Affect your Mood?

We all know that food makes us feel good, both physically and emotionally. The food we eat fuels our bodies but it also affects our minds. Certain foods make us feel warm and safe – think comfort food and soul food.
As I’m sure you have experienced food mood swings, as this is a two-way street. What you eat affects how you feel and how you feel affects what you eat. When stressed we tend to overeat or under eat, neither of which is healthy. Food may be an escape; we eat because it makes us feel better. Or some people find that stress makes them not want to eat at all, they are too distracted or physically feel ill.
The holiday season is pretty crazy for most of us. Making conscious choices about what we eat during this time may help us feel less stressed. So how exactly do specific foods affect our moods?

1. The power of association.
We form emotional attachments to food because we associate it with things that have happened to us. Foods that were a big part of our childhood can bring back memories of that time in our lives. The aroma of a simmering stew makes us feel like we are backing home in our mom's kitchen!
This phenomenon is especially strong during the holidays. A traditional turkey dinner at Christmas brings to mind the warmth and excitement (or any other experience) we felt as children during this time.

2. Serotonin and comforting carbohydrates.
The foods that you eat can actually change the chemical composition of your brain. This influences you are feeling, your clarity of mind and how alert you are. For example, certain elements in food are precursors to neurotransmitters which are the chemical messengers that carry information between the cells in your brain. The amount of precursor available from your food affects the amount of neurotransmitter available to your brain cells.
When it comes to mood, one important neurotransmitter is serotonin. Serotonin affects our feeling of well-being. When serotonin is low, you are more likely to feel stressed, angry or depressed.
According to Judith Wurtman, author of The Serotonin Power Diet, “Nature gave us an easy way of harnessing the power of our brain to control our appetite and mood. We don't need drugs, or supplements, herbs or pills. Just by eating the immense variety of carbs on this earth, we can lose weight, feel better, and maybe make everyone more peaceful.”
Eating carbohydrates triggers the release of insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin clears out all of the amino acids in the bloodstream except for tryptophan. In the brain, Tryptophan is converted in into serotonin. Some healthy food choices for releasing serotonin include whole wheat bread, cereals and pastas.

3. Protein makes you more alert.
During digestion, proteins are broken down into their amino acid constituents. One of these amino acids is tyrosine which increases the production of the neurotransmitters norepinepherine, dopamine and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for making us feel alert and energetic. Healthy choices include fish, poultry, lean meat and eggs.

4. Drink your coffee?
Despite its bad reputation, small amounts of caffeine have been shown to work as an antidepressant. Don't overdo it though. Experts recommend keeping the dose to one or 2 cups of coffee per day!
How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee - A great dining experience deserves great coffee.
 


5. Folic acid, selenium and fatty acids may help fight depression.

Eat your spinach and drink your orange juice to keep depression at bay. Studies have shown levels of folic acid to be lower in people who are depressed. Eating foods high in folic acid may help prevent or alleviate mild depression.

Brazil nuts, tuna, sunflower seeds and whole-grain cereals are all good sources of selenium. Studies have shown that people who have low levels of selenium are more anxious. Increasing levels of selenium helps to normalize mood.

Eat fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring as well as omega-3 eggs. The fatty acids found in these foods are important to the health of nerve and brain cell membranes. Lack of these fats in your diet may put you at higher risk for depression. Learn the story of the Pacific Coast Salmon.

 
6. Protect you memory with eggs and berries.
EGGS:  Found in high concentrations in eggs, Choline is a vitamin B complex that is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is linked to memory. Alzheimer's patients have been shown to have low levels of acetylcholine. Eating eggs and other foods rich in choline may help to ensure the availability of acetylcholine to your brain. Check this informative Egg web page on What's Cooking America. It is the main web page on how to cook eggs.



BERRIES:  Eat lots of berries. Blueberries, raspberries, and goji berries as they all contain high levels of antioxidants which help to destroy free radicals that damage cells.




7. Eating something sweet does make you feel happy.
If you have the control to stop at just one cookie, this may be the quickest way to boost your mood. Eating foods high in fat and sugar causes the brain to release endorphins which send pleasure signals throughout the body.


8. Eat chocolate to make you feel sexy.
Chocolate contains an exceptionally high amount of phenylethylamine, a stimulant associated with love and sexual attraction. This "chocolate amphetamine" affects blood pressure and blood sugar levels resulting in a feeling of excitement. It also quickens your pulse, reflecting the way someone feels when in love. Check out the interesting and informative article Dark Chocolate is Healthy Chocolate.

Charlotte Bradley is the publisher of YogaFlavoredLife.com and an avid yoga practitioner. She was a student of karate for many years and took up yoga only tentatively after the birth of her sons and a knee injury left her looking for a less high-impact form of exercise. It was love at first pose as Charlotte saw how quickly yoga sped her rehabilitation along. She also found that yogic relaxation techniques lent her proper focus, bringing balance into her life as well as a greater appreciation for how blessed she truly is. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband and twin boys, Charlie and Patty, who keep her on her feet and on the go. Her golden retriever supervises Charlotte’s yoga workouts from a spare mat, with his eyes closed.

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Menopause and Weight Gain - Is it inevitable or can it be prevented?

Stop the Middle Age Spread!

Menopause occurs when a woman stops ovulating and her monthly period (menstruation) ceases. Menopause actually means the last menstrual period. The average age of the natural menopause is 51 years, but can occur much earlier or later. Menopause that occurs before the age of 45 is called early menopause and before the age of 40 is premature menopause.

After menopause and over a span of years (usually 10 or more), you may also see changes in your skin, such as increased dryness and wrinkling, and a change in hair texture. The vagina’s lining may become thinner, less pliable and drier. Your breasts lose some of their fullness, and your nipples become less pronounced. Bone loss also rapidly speeds up in women at menopause (even though bone loss is a natural part of aging). At this stage, women may become more susceptible to osteoporosis.

Remember, menopause is a highly individual experience; therefore, every women must approach it differently. You may recognize many of the changes described when menopause takes hold, or you may not experience any at all. It’s always a good idea, when experiencing these symptoms, to consult your health care provider.

Weight Gain:

At this time, most women (around 2/3 of women) experience weight gain or difficulty maintaining their usual weight. Most women will gain about 10 to 15 pounds during their menopausal years. You also discover that the weight gain tends to accumulate around the abdomen, rather than the hips and thighs as before menopause.  People commonly refer to this as an "apple" shape, because the stomach area becomes rounder. An extra pound before menopause will settle evenly over hips, bottom, thighs, and arms. After menopause, it all goes round the middle! Most of this weight will come on gradually – generally about a pound a year.

As you enter the early stages of menopause, maintaining weight becomes more and more difficult, and losing weight becomes almost impossible. This is because of the fluctuation in your hormones. Your body’s hormones have a direct impact on your appetite, metabolism, and fat storage. At this stage, women develop "insulin resistance" making their bodies store fat, rather than burn calories. This "insulin resistance" changes how our bodies handle the foods we eat. For example, if you ate 1,000 calories before menopause, you would burn 700 of them and store around 300. After menopause, your body will store 700 and burn only 300! This is a big difference, and the result is weight gain! Even a modest weight gain can result in a change of dress size.

Excessive weight gain could also be a sign that something is wrong with your hormone levels, blood sugars, or eating habits. Visit your doctor if your weight gain is out of control. Excessive fat stored around the abdomen can lead to an increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breast cancer, and high cholesterol.

 

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The daily changes you make now can yield important benefits for decades to come.

Here are a few tips to help you:

Reduce calories. Menopausal women need fewer calories to maintain former body weight. It may be necessary to cut calorie intake by 10 to 15 percent while at the same time increasing level of activity or exercise. If women don't reduce their calorie intake, they are over eating. Calories needs are the highest during the mid-20s. The daily calorie needs, as women age, then reduce at about 2% to 4% for every 10 years added. Eat a balanced diet. Avoid refined sugars and indulge in fruits and vegetables. Choose foods low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Fat intake should be less than 30 percent of daily calorie intake. Women of all ages should consume 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily. Check out my Food Nutritional Value Chart and Diet Recipe Index.

Portion Control. Eat slowly and practice portion control - this does not mean you have to eliminate your favorite foods. Just eat smaller quantities. Check outMaking Sense of Portion Sizes - Portion Control Secrets.

Avoid crash or fad diets. Starvation will only cause your metabolism to slow down, causing you to gain more weight later on. Fad diets simply don’t work — over 95% of dieters gain back the weight they lose and more.

Maintain adequate intake of water:  So many of the bodily functions rely on the body being adequately hydrated. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses daily is ideal. Check outWater - The Fountain of Youth! New studies say that you can drink tea and coffee as part of your daily water requirements. A couple of cups a day are fine as part of your water intake. We are talking about black coffee, not coffee house drinks. Learn about Coffee Drink Calories.

Don’t lose large amounts of weight. There is a balance between being too thin and just right. Being very thin can lead to an increased chance of developing osteoporosis. Determine Your Body Mass Index (BMI).

Increase your physical activity. Exercise becomes particularly important as a woman ages. Regular exercise benefits the heart and bones, helps regulate weight, and can be a mood enhancer, creating a better sense of well-being. Women who are physically inactive are more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Weight loss still requires that you burn more calories each day than you take in. Do aerobics to increase your metabolism and burn fat. Do weight bearing activities such as walking and cycling to increase muscle mass and ward off osteoporosis. When women diet to lose weight after menopause, they will not be able to continue to lose weight unless exercise is added to the daily routine. Exercise prevents the decrease in metabolism that occurs when women diet without exercising. But, you must exercise consistently, preferably daily. Start with 5 minutes of walking each day and work to gradually increase the duration of whatever exercise you are doing. Work to increase your exercise time to 30 minutes daily. Check out What About Exercise? Calories Burned Per Minute of Exercise By Weight.

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Toxic Cookware - Beware! by Dr. Linda Posch MS SLP ND

Toxic Cookware - Beware!

Since its debut, Teflon coated cookware has increased in popularity in kitchens worldwide. With good reason - this handy non-stick coating is simply a dream. Easy to cook on and easy to clean!

Teflon has literally revolutionized the manufacture of cookware. Even the worst of kitchen disasters cleans up in a jiffy when cooking on Teflon. One would be hard pressed to find any kitchen that did not have at least one Teflon coated piece of cookware. Teflon has become the way of the world.

Like many scientific breakthroughs, Teflon was accidentally discovered over 70 years ago by a scientist employed by DuPont. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts that DuPont has purposely withheld health hazardous information regarding Teflon since the early 1980’s. Peflourooanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical used to produce Teflon, has been appearing in blood samples of people world wide. DuPont, slapped with approximately 300 million dollars in fines, has agreed to pay a 108 million dollar lawsuit brought about by residents near one of its company plants as elevated levels of PFOA’s have been found in surrounding drinking water supplies.

According to risk assessments by the EPA, PFOA’s present significant developmental and reproductive risks in humans with the use of Teflon:

An increased rate of birth defects has been found in mothers working at DuPont. The company’s response was to move female employees to other sections of the plant in an effort to reduce their exposure to PFOA’s.

The chemical coating that we have all come to benignly cook on is also used in fire fighting foam and phone cables. 

Variants of FPOA’s are used to make the coating on stain resistant carpets and flame retardants for clothing and computers.

Teflon can also be found in nail polish removers, eyeglasses, and as lining in pizza boxes.

PFOA’s do not break down in the environment anytime soon, causing forever pollution. According to Tim Kropp, a toxicologist with the Environmental Working Group, if all future exposure is cut off, it would take the body at least 20 years to detoxify Teflon chemicals. Finally, the EPA has recommended that PFOA be classified as a human carcinogen.

Be advised that Teflon is the trade name for a line of cookware. Other lines of non stick cookware that use the Teflon coating includes Greblon, Silverstone, Supra, and Excaliber. This is not a comprehensive list. Check before you buy.

Careful as we try to be, it inevitable that our Teflon pots and pans will endure scratches at some point. In fact, many are certain to have an old, bruised, battered, and scratched Teflon pan that has been part of the kitchen arsenal for years and years. Hardly a utensil that should be used for cooking. A utensil that delivers a dangerous toxic load with each meal it helps prepare. Given the fact that Teflon is typically used to cover aluminum pots and pans, we are experiencing yet a double chemical assault as explained below.

The bottom line - Teflon and its associated by-products are dangerous and pose a significant health hazard to all.

Other Cookware:

Aluminum Cookware - Aluminum cookware is not desirable due to the Alzheimer’s and aluminum toxicity connection.

If you will notice, your aluminum foil has a dull side and a shiny side. The dull side is a protective coating that separates the aluminum foil from contact with your food. The shiny side is unprotected. Thus, the dull side should always surround food items.

On the toxic cookware page [1] you have a statement about aluminum foil that says the dull side of the foil contains a coating and that side should surround food items. This is wrong. The dull and shinny sides are due to the manufacturing process where in the last pass in making the foil thinner, where two sheets of foil are passed between 2 rollers to make them thinner. The sides that touch the rollers become shinny and the sides in the middle of the 2 sheets become the dull side. There is no protection coating.

However, there are some aluminum foils that are considered non stick which do have a coating that is placed between the 2 sheets on the final pass between the rollers. In this type of foil, the coating would be on the dull side and is intended to go against the food. Now I have no idea if this coating is safe or would be safer than the aluminum itself as I could not find out what chemicals are involved in that process. Reynolds says it's a "proprietary food-safe coating" [2] but I will not trust the manufacture if it is not willing to disclose the chemicals involved.- from John M. Camary (10/12/15)

Canned Goods - Have an interior dull wax coating in an effort to keep food and aluminum separated from one another. Chewing gum wrappers are protected with a paper coating preventing contact with gum.

Glass Cookware - Older glass cookware sets come with a lead toxicity problem. However, improvements in manufacturing the past 10 years have eliminated this issue. Newer glass cookware is perfectly acceptable.

Ceramic Coated Cast-Iron Cookware - Ceramic coated cast iron or stoneware has proven benign as well.

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Water - The Fountain of Youth!

For thousands of years, people of all countries have been seeking a mythical fountain of youth. If I told you that there is something that will give you beautiful glowing skin, diminish those fine lines and wrinkles, increase your energy level, and help your overall health, I bet you would listen and be interested. All the time, this fountain of youth has been right here in our everyday life. Yes, the fountain of youth is water! I'm sure you have heard it many times "Drink more water, it's good for you!" If, up to now, you have never taken this seriously, please start now! You do not need fancy and expensive mineral waters or bottled waters, as good clear clean water is what your body needs. Although water contain no nutrients, it is essential to life and for the growth and maintenance of our bodies. So, forget soft drinks, coffees, teas, sport drinks, elixirs, or cappuccinos, as drinking water is the key to being healthier and living longer. Did You Know: Your blood is 83% water, muscles are 75% water, your brain is 74% water, and your bone are 22% water. Also 2/3 of our body weight is water. All of this water is needed by our bodies, and a 1% loss of our body weight due to fluid loss can cause dehydration which can lead to serious medical complications. As we are constantly losing water from our body by sweating or urinating, we need to put the water back in your system. When you drink enough water to maintain good health, you are providing enough water to keep your internal organs and systems running smoothly. If you don't drink enough water, you will begin to feel tired and weak. Many people blame their loss of energy on everything except dehydration. Your lungs expel between 2 and 4 cups of water each day through normal breathing. If you make half a dozen trips to the bathroom during the day, that's another 6 cups of water. If you perspire, you expel about 2 cups of water (which doesn't include exercise-induced perspiration). Think about what happens when you forget to water your plants. The plants begin to droop and then become dry and brittle. Watering the plant may bring it back, but it will likely have some damaged leaves. Water works the same with people. The body uses water for every basic process from transporting nutrients throughout the body to maintaining body temperature. Water is vital in order for our bodies to keep functioning, as it lubricates your eyes and joints, flushes out toxins and waste, and keeps our skin healthy and beautiful. Our bodies can last weeks, even months without food but only a number of days without water. Water, besides oxygen is the second most important element to survival. Plus 25% of oxygen comes from water. Water is the fuel of our body and our organs. Just like a car can't drive without gas or oil, our body can't function without water. Perspiration is the bodies natural mechanism to control body temperature. To sweat properly you need plenty of water. Water reduces body temperature making exercising safer and more effective. Beauty: Water is the best beauty treatment. By drinking water, you moisture your skin from within or the inside out. As our skin is composed of approximately 20% water, it will wrinkle faster without adequate moisture. Just like the plant, when skin loses moisture, it gets dry. Dry skin shows wrinkles more and causes skin to sag faster than it would normally. Skin that is becoming saggy, either due to aging or weight loss, will plump up nicely when the skin cells are hydrated. Hydrated skin looks younger as it is plumper. Also, spritzing your face with some water is great for a little pick me up. Losing Weight:  Water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off! Water also works as an appetite suppressant. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. When your drink all the water your body needs, you will quickly notice a decrease in your appetite. If you are serious about losing weight, drinking water is an absolute must! Drink a glass of cold water when you start to feel hungry, as people often confuse mild feeling of thirst with mild hunger. Researchers report that water helps to lose weight by boosting your metabolism rate, thus paving way for quick weight loss. Try drinking a glass of water 15 minutes before each meal. Fluid Retention:  Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs - plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released. Lack of hydration in the body can cause backaches, as the muscles in the body do not perform properly unless the body has sufficient water intake. One of the most common causes of headaches is lack of proper hydration. In most cases, simply drinking a couple of cups of water and relaxing for 20 minutes will stop the pain. Digestive System:  Drinking even the minimum amount requirements of water during the day will help keep your colon healthy and reduce the risk of colon cancer, because water helps the digestive system operate the way it is meant to operate. One study found that women who drank more than 5 glasses of water a day had a risk of colon cancer 45% less than those that drank less than two.  Checking dehydration: Important:  Many people are dehydrated without even knowing it. You are probably asking, “How do I tell if I am dehydrated?” The easiest way is to check out the color of your urine. Your urine should be a pale color (clear to light yellow). If it is any darker than the color of straw, you are probably not drinking enough water daily. NOTE: Bright yellow urine could also occur if you are taking vitamins that contain riboflavin. If you feel thirsty, you are probably dehydrated. Other symptoms of dehydration include headaches, loss of concentration, tiredness, and dry eyes and skin. You need to continually drink water throughout the day, rather than when you body cries out for liquid. If you are thirsty, you have allowed yourself to become dehydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water - drink it during the day! Dehydration also gives you false hunger feelings so it is very common to misread what is thirst and what is hunger. Dangers of too much water - Overhydration can be hazardous, even lethal:  There are dangers from drinking too much water. According to the article, "Hydration for summer exercise", July 2008 issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch, drinking 3 or 4 quarts of water in a few hours can lead to water intoxication and hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), brain swelling, and even death. This happen because to much water dilutes the sodium and other electrolytes found in the body to a point where normal body function (particularly brain functions) are adversely affect. Diabetes:  If you feel like your thirst in unquenchable, this could be a sign of diabetes, as many people do not realize that insatiable thirst is part of the diabetes profile. The thirst could be a clue that further testing is needed, and you should consult your doctor. How much water to drink daily:  Now that I have hopefully convinced you of the benefits of drinking water for your skin and health, how much should your drink a day? The Mayo Clinic suggests using "8x8" as a guideline (see guideline below): 8 glasses (8 ounces each) = a minimum of 64 ounces of fluid (water) daily You may need even more as exercising, hot weather, offices with exposure to central heating, air conditioning, and electrical equipment all cause your body to lose water. So remember, increased water output requires increased water input. You can count milk, juice, and other healthy beverages as part of your daily fluid total, but make sure that most of your daily fluid input is pure, clear water. The overweight person needs more water than a thin one. The new rule for drinking water is to divide your weight by 2 equals the amount in ounces of water that your body needs per day (see example below). The more overweight you are, the more water your body needs daily. 160 pounds divided by 2 = 80 ounces The water you drink should preferably be cold, as cold water is absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water. Some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually help burn calories. How to increase daily water intake: Drinking enough water during the day is very easy to do. Just make a few little changes in your habits, such as keeping a full bottle of water with you at all times, and also substituted water for soda, coffee, or juice. Alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and cola don't count in your fluid intake as they have a diuretic effect that may deplete your body's water supply. The sugars, coloring, and artificial flavoring in soda dramatically adds calories and helps you gain weight. Make a conscious effort to always have water with your at all times - in the car, at your desk, in your purse, etc. Sip your water to allow your body to absorb it slowly. Gulping water will only make your feel bloated. Your water consumption should be spread out throughout the day. It is not healthy to drink too much water at one time. For sleeping comfort, it is probably a good idea to stop drinking water 3 hours before bedtime. I think you know why!   Do you think water is yucky? Drinking other fluids will certainly help hydrate your body, the the extra calories, sugar, and additives are not needed. Try a slice of lemon or lime in the glass. You can also use flavored waters, but just make sure you read the labels first.   Water is the Fountain of Youth no mater how old you are! source

Diet, Health and Beauty News Why Weight Matters: Obesity and Your Health

Author: Robert Kushner, MD, Wellness Institute, Northwestern Memorial HospitalMedically Reviewed On: January 07, 2002
Source: The Detroit News

We are a growing nation. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, more than sixty percent of Americans aged twenty years and older are overweight, and one-quarter of American adults are also obese.

What does this mean for the health of our nation? Nothing good. Obesity-related diseases are "implicated" in more than a quarter million deaths every year. Below, Dr Robert Kushner, Director of the Wellness Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, discusses the grave consequences of our growing sizes.

How serious is the problem of obesity?
ROBERT KUSHNER, MD: It's the most serious problem we are facing today. Next to cigarette smoking, overweight is the second leading cause of preventable death in this country. It's estimated that 300,000 deaths per year is attributable to our diet, physical inactivity and resulting obesity.
 

What are the current statistics on overweight and obesity?
One in four is obese, and about one in three is considered overweight. Combined, over 60% of adult Americans are now overweight or obese. That means that the minority of this population is able to maintain a healthy body weight.
 

We're now hearing a lot about children being obese. What is the number there?
It's about 1 in 10, or 10%. The troubling factor there is that children are following in our oversized footsteps. An overweight or obese child is more likely to be an obese adult. So we are looking at an epidemic among our children as they become adults, and are likely to be more obese than we are today.
 

Why has the number of heavy people increased?
That's still debatable, and a lot of research is being done. But most of us think that it's due to our society and culture. We really live in an obesogenic society where food is plentiful, physical inactivity is everywhere. Those two factors combined lead to gaining weight.
 

How is obesity defined?
We currently define obesity by using a term called the Body Mass Index (BMI) also known as the BMI. Everyone knows their cholesterol and everyone knows their blood pressure. It's equally important that everyone knows their BMI. It's a weight for height relationship that's fairly easily calculated on tables. A BMI between 25 and 30 is defined as overweight. A BMI of 30 or more is obese.

Roughly speaking, about 30 or more pounds overweight already defines one as obese.
 

Just 30 pounds?
Just 30 pounds. It doesn't take much to have the health complications that are associated with obesity.
 

Talk about those complications, the health effects of obesity.
Obesity is the major cause of type 2 diabetes in this country. Obesity is the number one reason why diabetes is increasing in this country. It is fueling that disease. In addition to diabetes, obesity is also linked to increased risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux disease, certain cancers, in addition to psychological and emotional problems, as well as quality of life changes. It eventually leads to earlier death.
 

What are the leading causes of obesity?
The most significant factor really is our lifestyle. That's the only way that we can understand why the numbers of obese patients or individuals has risen so quickly. Again, that's the food that's everywhere and the physical inactivity.

But genetics plays a role as well. We currently think that genetics determines a vulnerability to our environment, which then brings out the obesity.

There are other causes, although less common. They include drug-induced obesity, such as people on different corticosteroids or different hormonal agents. Those medications can increase body weight, not to mention things like antidepressants and other drugs used for mental health disorders.

Rarely is an underlying medical condition a cause for obesity. That would be something like Cushing's syndrome or different kinds of glandular problems. But they are, once again, very uncommon.
 

What is the first step in getting treatment for obesity? Where does a person go for help?
There are several places an individual can go for help. One is, and the first that I would recommend, is to see his or her doctor. A doctor should be an active partner to a patient who is trying to get control of body weight. The doctor can also make sure that you don't have an underlying problem that is either being caused by obesity or causing the obesity itself. That needs to be ruled out right away.

Once you've done that, you can either work with your doctor or work with a registered dietitian or seek help with some of the commercial programs that are available, which can be very helpful. 

Health Benefits of Blueberries by Dr. Linda Posch MS SLP ND

According to researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center (HNC), blueberries rank hands down number one with regards to natural antioxidant content. This is in comparison to 40 other fruits and vegetables.
The role of antioxidants is to neutralize free-radicals, the by-products of energy metabolism. Free radicals are responsible in part for cancer, cellular degeneration, and other age related diseases. Anthocyanin, the pigment that makes blueberries their dark purplish blue, is though to be a key agent in the disease fighting process.

Alzheimer and Strokes: In another study con
ducted by the USDA, it was found that feeding blueberries to elder laboratory rats markedly reduced age related declines in mental capacity. This finding alone has major implications for human cognitive decline, namely Alzheimer’s and other age related cognitive diseases. The natural phytochemicals found in blueberries have also been found to help prevent further brain damage from strokes.
High Colesterol: Try incorporating the dynamic blueberry into your daily regime. It is postulated that blueberries may reduce the build-up of bad cholesterol that contributes to heart disease.  Once again, the dark pigmented skin, rich in antioxidants are thought to play a key role in cholesterol reduction. The American Chemical Society is researching the potential of extracting the health supporting compounds from blueberries for development into nutraceuticals for those who do not respond well to current statin drugs. While a novel idea, prescription drugs and vitamin supplements simply cannot replace nature’s whole goodness.
Urinary Tract Infections: How about some blueberries? Rutgers University researchers have isolated yet another blueberry compound that appears to promote urinary tract health. It appears that epicatechin; another natural and beneficial component of the blueberry inhibits the ability of some types of infectious bacteria to adhere to the walls of the urinary tract.
Eyesight Problems: European studies have documented the relationship between the regular consumption of bilberries (the European cousin of the American blueberry) and improved eyesight. A natural preventative for macular degeneration? The studies continue.
 

The belief that certain foods have medicinal and other healing properties has been with us since Hippocrates stated “Leave your drugs at the chemists’ if you can heal your patient with food.” Today whole foods and their potential for healing and providing one with a natural body balance is more important than ever before given our processed food environment. 
The powerful antioxidant properties of the blueberry appear to play a conclusive role in the prevention and delay of certain diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular issues, and the aging process.
Blueberries are available almost year round and are easy to incorporate into fruit dishes, salads, and home made jams. Of course, blueberries are a delicious snack all by themselves.
 

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Dr. Linda Posch MS SLP ND: Treats her patients with an eclectic approach and is a firm believer in the practice of yoga in order to help her patients achieve a body balance. She owns a laboratory where she customizes whole food liquid vitamins and other custom supplementation for her patients.

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Best Juicing Recipes For Weight Loss by Rika Susan

What are the best juicing recipes for weight loss - Why is the cruciferous vegetables list crucial when it comes to juicing for weight loss? Rika Susan shares her passion for juicing and healthy living on her website Best-Juicing.com. Check out more of her recipes at Smoothie and Juicing for Weight Loss Recipes.   Did you know that by simply remembering to add goodies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale, you could be giving your juicing for weight loss recipes fat-fighting clout at a whole new level! These days our environment simply isn't as wholesome as it used to be. This applies to factors such as our water, the air we breathe, the everyday-foods we ingest, chemicals used in our places of work and even the preservatives used in make-up. Most of us are aware that we are exposed to all kinds of toxic substances and pollution. But how many of us realize that some of these toxins not only affect our health in general, but can really play havoc with our metabolism and our efforts to lose weight? The culprits I am referring to are chemicals called xenoestrogens. These are also known as hormone disruptors and mimic the effect of our natural estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a variety of roles, including affecting the storage of fat in our bodies. Apart from adding to cancer risks, xenoestrogens are known to cause our bodies to store more fat than usual, while at the same time making it very difficult to lose extra weight. How Can The Cruciferous Vegetables List Help? Luckily we are not helpless in our exposure to these hormone disrupting chemicals. This is where the cruciferous vegetables list comes in. The buzz terms here are substances called DIM (diindolylmethane) and I3C (indole-3-carbinol). All cruciferous vegetables are rich sources of these phytonutrients. DIM (diindolylmethane) and I3C (indole-3-carbinol) can contribute to: Improving your metabolism Detoxification Hormonal balance Blood sugar control Reducing inflammation Body fat reduction Ultimately, these can spell weight loss! This is apart from helping your body to keep cancer at bay. Your mom was absolutely right when she urged you to eat your broccoli! The best juicing recipes for weight loss, should always include ingredients from the cruciferous vegetables list. By giving your body the tools it needs to fight against xenoestrogens, nudging detoxification in the right direction and helping with hormonal balance, cruciferous vegetables are uniquely positioned to promote fat loss in your body. In addition, cruciferous veggies also help certain enzyme systems in your body to function optimally, further contributing to liver detoxification. These veggies are of course also loaded with a variety of other nutrients and phytonutrients that are vital for maintaining good health in general. The bottom line is that by including cruciferous vegetables in juicing recipes for weight loss, your body will be receiving a boost in the nutrients it needs to metabolize xenoestrogens efficiently. The detox pathways of your liver is of the utmost importance here. Almost every nutrient you take in, contributes to the effective functioning of these pathways, but cruciferous vegetables are major players to include. Cruciferous Vegetables List To Use When Juicing For Weight Loss: Cauliflower (white or purple) Broccoli (green or purple) Brussels sprouts Kale (green or purple) Bok choy (chinese cabbage or pak choi) Cabbage (green, red or purple) Collards greens Watercress Radish Broccoli sprouts Arugula (rocket) Kohlrabi (white or purple) Mustard greens Turnip Broccoflower Daikon Juicing Recipes For Weight Loss Also Helps With A Healthy Digestive Tract The whole cruciferous family, but cabbage in particular, is also known for its soothing and healing effect on the digestive system. A healthy digestive tract is of crucial importance when it comes to your absorption of the vital nutrients mentioned above. By using juice recipes that include cruciferous veggies, you will improve the nutrient absorption ability of your body. In a sense, your juicer pre-digests the produce, so that your body can assimilate the nutrients with greater ease. You can further increase the uptake of nutrients by adding a small amount of healthy fat when having your juice. This can be done in a number of ways, such as by sprinkling some freshly ground flax or pumpkin seed over the juice, adding a bit of coconut, having a slice of avocado or enjoying peanut butter on a celery stalk.

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