What Are Postnatal Vitamins?
Principal Ingredients in Postnatal Vitamins
Getting the right nutrients is crucial for mothers both during and after pregnancy. While postnatal vitamins give you the micronutrients you need after giving birth, prenatal vitamins are taken during pregnancy. The major nutrients in postnatal vitamins are shown below.Omega-3 Fatty Acids
For a healthy brain, eye, and nerve cell development in developing infants, omega-3 fatty acids are essential, particularly the longer chain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) found in fish or algal oils. There is some evidence that taking fish oil supplements can also help with mood and stress management after giving birth.Choline
An essential vitamin for a healthy infant's brain and memory development is choline. Choline requirements rise during pregnancy and are greatest for breastfeeding mothers. Additionally, choline helps maintain digestive and immunological health in pregnant women.Eggs, organ meat, caviar, salmon, shitake mushrooms, and soybeans are among the foods high in choline. A postnatal vitamin containing choline is a good substitute if some of these items are a little too exotic for you to regularly eat.
For the first year after giving birth, lactating moms are advised to take 550 mg of choline daily.
Iron
Due to blood loss after childbirth, iron levels can drop. Iron is a crucial mineral for breastfeeding mothers to restore for both themselves and their children.
Iron helps your baby's thyroid function develop properly. To generate haemoglobin, a protein that delivers oxygen to your red blood cells, your body needs iron. You can get iron deficiency anaemia if your haemoglobin is low due to low iron levels. You experience fatigue and poor energy when you have anaemia, which can influence your mood and make it more difficult to form a bond with your child. Additionally, you can become more agitated and more prone to postpartum depression.
Cereal with iron added, lentils, lima beans, oysters, and chicken liver are a few examples of foods high in iron. A good source of iron is a postnatal vitamin.
Due to blood loss after childbirth, iron levels can drop. Iron is a crucial mineral for breastfeeding mothers to restore for both themselves and their children.
Iron helps your baby's thyroid function develop properly. To generate haemoglobin, a protein that delivers oxygen to your red blood cells, your body needs iron. You can get iron deficiency anaemia if your haemoglobin is low due to low iron levels. You experience fatigue and poor energy when you have anaemia, which can influence your mood and make it more difficult to form a bond with your child. Additionally, you can become more agitated and more prone to postpartum depression.
Cereal with iron added, lentils, lima beans, oysters, and chicken liver are a few examples of foods high in iron. A good source of iron is a postnatal vitamin.
Dietary fat can be beneficial or detrimental to the heart. Make an informed choice.
There are 'no fats, low fats, healthy fats, and bad fats. Dietary fat has a lengthy and often perplexing history. Where does it fit into a balanced diet, and what effect does it have on your health, particularly your heart? The following are some facts regarding fat.
A tale about two kinds of fat
Saturated and unsaturated fats are the two types. (A third form, trans fat, has been abolished or significantly reduced in food products.)
Saturated fat is regarded as "bad" fat. It is found mostly in animal products such as beef and pork, as well as dairy products such as cream, butter, and cheese. Other sources include fast food and processed meals.
Unsaturated fat is the "healthy" type of fat. There are two major subtypes of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
Monounsaturated. Avocados, peanuts, peanut butter, and nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, and pecans contain these lipids. Additionally, certain oils, such as olive, peanut, safflower, sunflower, and canola, contain significant amounts.
Polyunsaturated. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are among these lipids. These are also referred to as essential fats because they cannot be synthesised by the body and must be obtained through meals. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in oils such as soybean, corn, sesame, and peanut. Additionally, they are abundant in walnuts, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseeds. Canola and soybean oils, as well as fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, and trout, contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Going on a trip this summer and fall? Remember to carry these digestive remedies.
The COVID travel restrictions have been lifted, and Americans are eager to get back on the road. Some estimates say that 75% of us will travel within the United States this summer, and new data shows that international travel from the United States was more than twice as high in May 2022 as it was in May 2021.
However, keep your digestive health in mind while you pack your bags. Travel companions with stomach issues, including diarrhoea, constipation, and indigestion, are all too prevalent.
The COVID travel restrictions have been lifted, and Americans are eager to get back on the road. Some estimates say that 75% of us will travel within the United States this summer, and new data shows that international travel from the United States was more than twice as high in May 2022 as it was in May 2021.
Travel messes with a lot of the body's natural cycles, including digestion, according to Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, which is affiliated with Harvard. Time shifts changed eating habits, and a lack of sleep are all likely to blame, particularly in people with sensitive gastrointestinal systems.
Here is a closer look at three typical digestive problems, along with advice on how to avoid and treat them.
Travel tummy: Diarrhea
The most common travel-related ailment is diarrhoea. People typically experience cramps, urgency, and loose, watery faeces. Intermittent diarrhoea may be from an infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water, intestinal parasites, or it may be induced by a change in the environment or stress.
The easiest approach to preventing diarrhoea when travelling is to avoid contaminated food and drink and to practise excellent hygiene by often washing your hands.
Testing of wastewater has detected increased COVID levels and even poliovirus. Can it anticipate future virus outbreaks?
When can we anticipate the next increase in COVID?
For months, the United States has documented more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases and 300 deaths every day. In reality, the number of cases is likely substantially higher due to declining testing rates and the exclusion of positive home tests from official counts. With this many cases and new strains coming out, it seems likely that there will be more in the future.
When then?
Possibly in the coming weeks, when new, extremely contagious variants spread. Or perhaps in autumn and winter when we spend more time indoors. Or perhaps this virus will surprise us once more and wait until next year to reappear.
By the time we realise that COVID-19 infections are quickly spreading in a community, the pandemic has already been ongoing for some time. Because the first signs of the infection are often absent, it could spread for a while before anyone notices.
If we could predict when the next increase will occur, we might be able to take preventative actions. And this is where your stool comes in — faeces, poop, or whatever term you want — comes in.
Using wastewater to detect viral outbreaks
When a person has a viral infection, the virus can frequently be discovered in their faeces. Therefore, it is possible to test the wastewater of a town, city, or community for the presence of viruses and to determine the rate of increase over time.
This method has been utilised since the 1940s when polio was a significant threat. But testing wastewater can also find different kinds of hepatitis, the norovirus that causes flu-like symptoms, and maybe even measles.
The testing procedures for wastewater have evolved throughout time. In the beginning, people tried to grow viruses from water samples. More recently, they have been trying to find viral genetic material.
Polio and COVID were discovered in wastewater.
In June 2022, testing of London's wastewater detected the virus that causes polio, a potentially fatal or crippling disease. Even though no active cases of polio have been found in London yet, this discovery has led to a look into where the virus came from, who might be infected, and if it is a threat to public health.
Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are thought to affect more than 55 million people around the world. This number is expected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. There are simply insufficient neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, neuropsychologists, and other specialists to diagnose these people with cognitive decline and dementia. Primary care doctors and nurses will need to take charge.
Despite the fact that this may seem like an obvious and straightforward answer, my friends who work as primary care physicians remind me that they hardly have time to handle the essentials, such as managing blood pressure and diabetes, and that they have no time to conduct elaborate cognitive tests. Even a simple test like the Mini-Cog, where they have to draw a clock and remember three words, takes too long for them. So, how will we diagnose the growing number of people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia in the next few decades?
In 2010, doctors at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's division of cognitive neurology developed a cognitive test that people can use on their own to check for memory loss. This idea of a cognitive test that people can give themselves could help primary care providers who are short on time. People can take this test at home, and they can bring the results with them to the office. The results can then be used to decide if more tests are needed or if a specialist should be called in.
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and other clinician-administered tests as well as traditional neuropsychological testing have all been favourably compared to the exam known as the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE). However, SAGE's accuracy in identifying people who will later develop Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, however, was unknown.
Despite the fact that this may seem like an obvious and straightforward answer, my friends who work as primary care physicians remind me that they hardly have time to handle the essentials, such as managing blood pressure and diabetes, and that they have no time to conduct elaborate cognitive tests. Even a simple test like the Mini-Cog, where they have to draw a clock and remember three words, takes too long for them. So, how will we diagnose the growing number of people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia in the next few decades?
A self-administered test can check for memory loss.
In 2010, doctors at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's division of cognitive neurology developed a cognitive test that people can use on their own to check for memory loss. This idea of a cognitive test that people can give themselves could help primary care providers who are short on time. People can take this test at home, and they can bring the results with them to the office. The results can then be used to decide if more tests are needed or if a specialist should be called in.
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and other clinician-administered tests as well as traditional neuropsychological testing have all been favourably compared to the exam known as the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE). However, SAGE's accuracy in identifying people who will later develop Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, however, was unknown.
Predicting the future
The authors conducted a retrospective chart analysis on 655 patients seen in their memory problems clinic over a follow-up period of up to 8.8 years in order to provide an answer to this topic. They contrasted the MMSE with their SAGE exam.
They classified the clinic's population into four groups based on both the initial and subsequent clinic visits. Let me define a few words before I explain the groups:
When cognitive impairment results in impaired function, it is called dementia.
They classified the clinic's population into four groups based on both the initial and subsequent clinic visits. Let me define a few words before I explain the groups:
When cognitive impairment results in impaired function, it is called dementia.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which cognitive performance is normal but there is cognitive impairment.
Subjective cognitive decline happens when people worry about their memory and thinking, even though their thinking and reasoning are fine.
Individuals in the four groups they compared had
Alzheimer's disease-related dementia.
Subjective cognitive decline.
MCI that coverted to Alzheimer's disease dementia.
MCI coverted to another type of dementia.
In their ability to forecast how each of these groups would do over time, they discovered an unexpectedly strong connection between the SAGE test and the MMSE. Additionally, they discovered that the SAGE test was able to predict a person with MCI who would acquire dementia six months earlier than the MMSE.
Stress is a condition of extreme mental or emotional tension. Because some stress is unavoidable in everyday life, managing stress is crucial for many aspects of your health. Many scenarios lead to stress, from the rush to leave the house and navigate the traffic to minor irritants like a broken dishwasher or a blocked sink.
It's not healthy to have too much stress in your life because it can cause bodily issues. Stress excess compromises your metabolism, weakens your immune system, and may even alter how your brain processes information. An excessive amount of stress might make it difficult for you to obtain a good night's sleep and may harm your relationships. To prevent stress from rising to unhealthy levels, there are fortunately many healthy and constructive ways to handle it.
Tea's Relaxing Properties
 |
| pexel photo |
Numerous teas provide benefits for relaxation and stress reduction. The dried flowers and leaves of the chamomile plant are used to make chamomile tea. This tea is thought to relieve sleeplessness and anxiety. An unsettled stomach, a typical sign of stress, can be soothed by chamomile tea. You can have a cup of chamomile tea approximately 30 minutes before bedtime to help you get a restful night's sleep because it contains no caffeine.
Peppermint tea is a fantastic alternative. Benefits of this sort of tea include improved relaxation and improved digestion. Additionally devoid of caffeine, peppermint tea is a healthy beverage to sip before bed. The main component of peppermint tea, menthol, also lessens pain and inflammation. The tea can reduce inflammation and pain since stress chemicals like cortisol make these conditions worse.
Tea preparation alone is calming. Pick yourself a lovely teacup and saucer yourself. Add a few drops of lemon juice for vitamin C which strengthens the immune system and a few drops of raw, organic honey for sweetness and other health advantages.
Essential Oils for Reducing Stress
The management of stress can benefit from the use of essential oils. Consider using geranium and rose essential oils. These essential oils support mood enhancement and stress reduction. Try lemon essential oil as well. While vitamin C enters your skin and strengthens your immune system, the energising aroma can uplift your mood. The discharge of poisons and negative energies that accumulate from repeated exposure to stressful conditions is aided by ylang ylang essential oil.
There are many applications for essential oils. For every ounce of shampoo or conditioner, one drop of essential oil can be added. Additionally, essential oils can be used topically to your pulse spots, such as the inner wrists. Your body's heat warms the oils, making them active. Find a little glass vial with a cork and use that to store essential oils instead. Check to see if the glass vial has a clasp so you may use it as a necklace. All day long, the oils will spread from the cork and offer their stress-relieving effects.
Take a Relaxing Bath
If you want to relax your body and reduce tension, think about taking a long bath. Try taking a bubble bath to unwind. If you tend to stiffen up when agitated, a warm bubble bath can assist your muscles, ligaments, and tendons relax. An Epsom salt or mineral bath can also be beneficial for reducing tension. These salts aid in your body's ability to remove pollutants. They also enhance your skin's ability to recover. Several drops of your preferred essential oils can also be added to the bathwater.
Stress-Relieving Meals
 |
| Pexel photo |
You can try a variety of foods that reduce stress. A square of dark chocolate gives your brain endorphins. Antioxidants found in dark chocolate can help to counteract some of the negative effects of stress on the body. Make sure to consume very little chocolate. Because it includes caffeine, avoid eating it four hours before going to bed.
Pistachios are another superfood worth trying. In a single tiny container, pistachios include complex carbs, dietary fibre, protein, and healthy fats. They deliver nutrients like folate, riboflavin, potassium, lutein, and vitamin B-6. You can manage your weight, lower your cholesterol, and restore good skin thanks to these nuts. Pistachios are a fantastic source of antioxidants and support your immune system by reducing the negative effects of stress.
Another stress-relieving snack is seeds. Pick sesame, chia, or pumpkin seeds. These foods with little processing include important nutrients like manganese and copper, have a lot of dietary fibre, and make you feel full after a small amount.
In addition to experimenting with those superfoods, alter your diet in general. Your body will be more capable of handling stress when it is healthy. Prioritize whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats as well as complex carbohydrates. Make sure your body is well hydrated, paying special attention to getting adequate water. Reduce the amount of added sugar and caffeine in your beverages. Avoid using food, alcohol, or other addictive drugs as self-medication. In the end, they'll make your stress worse.
Exercise to Reduce Stress
Exercise is beneficial for stress management. Your body naturally releases endorphins when you work out. Your mood is affected by the endorphins, which aid in letting go of unpleasant feelings. After an exercise, endorphins' effects might last for several hours. You don't have to be an athlete to benefit from exercise's beneficial stress-reduction effects.
Think about going for a 30- to 60-minute walk outside. Locate a lovely park and take in the scenery. You may wander around a mall in bad weather. You have the chance to challenge yourself by using the exercise equipment in the gym. You can enhance your metabolism and develop muscle via aerobic activity and weightlifting.
There is a certain sense of satisfaction in letting your energy out while performing a leg press or bench press after a particularly stressful day. Try low-impact exercises like yoga or swimming if you have sore joints. Try something different if your regular fitness routine is getting boring. Rock climbing, including indoor climbing, challenges you while working out your entire body. While exercising, turn on some motivating music to get your body going.
In nature, essential vitamins and minerals are nearly never isolated. Typically, foods contain a complex combination of macronutrients and micronutrients that work in concert to give our systems what they need to function efficiently. As our knowledge of nutrition has increased over time, we have isolated and identified the specific vitamins and minerals that our bodies require for survival. This has made it possible to consume substantial amounts of a single nutrient. However, certain nutrients perform more effectively when consumed combined than when given separately. Understanding how nutrients are utilized together might help to supplement specific nutrients optimize their advantages and avoid potential risks.
Vitamin D and Vitamin K
Our knowledge of vitamin D has grown during the past three decades. Recent research has revealed a considerably more sophisticated and nuanced knowledge of vitamin D's role in bone health, particularly in children, than was previously believed.
Calcium absorption is dependent on vitamin D. However, evidence strongly shows that it also plays an important role in cardiovascular health, autoimmune illness, neurological problems, infections, pregnancy outcomes, and other chronic disease states. According to research, enough vitamin D helps prevent infections and reduces inflammation. Recent studies suggest that supplementation may aid in the treatment of diabetes and respiratory infections. In addition, research indicates that vitamin D intake may prevent or slow the onset of certain autoimmune disorders. Given the often-devastating effects of these disorders, it is not surprising that vitamin D supplementation is widespread. Links to lifespan have been hypothesized but not demonstrated.
As with vitamin D, vitamin K has been historically identified with a specific function. Vitamin K is commonly known as the blood-clotting vitamin. Warfarin, one of the earliest anticoagulants used to treat and prevent blood clots, inhibits vitamin K. However, similar to vitamin D, our knowledge of vitamin K continues to grow.
Recent research indicates that vitamin K helps strengthen bones, may reduce artery hardening associated with heart disease, and may play a role in diabetes by enhancing insulin sensitivity. Vitamin K has a role in calcium metabolism, preventing calcium from accumulating in blood vessels and causing damage while diverting it into the bone to promote bone density.
The majority of Americans do not require a daily multivitamin.
Are you one of the one-third of Americans who take a multivitamin daily, most likely with a sip of water? The reality of this common practise may be difficult to swallow.
Dr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and physician at the Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance, states, "Most patients would be better off drinking a full glass of water and skipping the vitamin." You will not only save money, but you will also feel good about avoiding misleading marketing.
According to the US Preventive Services Task Force, a daily multivitamin does not provide any major health benefits for the average American adult (USPSTF). After looking at 84 trials with almost 700,000 people, they found little or no evidence that taking vitamin and mineral supplements prevents cancer, and cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, or early death.
Dr. Cohen, who is an expert in the research and regulation of dietary supplements, says there is strong evidence that multivitamins don't help most people.
Who may require a multivitamin or specific supplements? There are, however, a few exceptions. Extremely restrictive diets, gastrointestinal disorders, and certain weight-loss operations that result in inadequate nutrient absorption are examples of situations in which a multivitamin or specific vitamins may be advised. When sun exposure is insufficient, a vitamin D supplement may be required daily. If you have a low red blood cell count, your doctor may suggest an iron supplement (anemia).
Why is it so difficult to break the habit of taking a daily multivitamin? According to an editorial that accompanied the USPSTF review, surveys reveal that consumers take vitamins to stay healthy, feel more energised, or achieve peace of mind. These misconceptions derive from a nearly century-old powerful narrative about vitamins being good and natural.
Dr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and physician at the Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance, states, "Most patients would be better off drinking a full glass of water and skipping the vitamin." You will not only save money, but you will also feel good about avoiding misleading marketing.
According to the US Preventive Services Task Force, a daily multivitamin does not provide any major health benefits for the average American adult (USPSTF). After looking at 84 trials with almost 700,000 people, they found little or no evidence that taking vitamin and mineral supplements prevents cancer, and cardiovascular disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, or early death.
Dr. Cohen, who is an expert in the research and regulation of dietary supplements, says there is strong evidence that multivitamins don't help most people.
Who may require a multivitamin or specific supplements? There are, however, a few exceptions. Extremely restrictive diets, gastrointestinal disorders, and certain weight-loss operations that result in inadequate nutrient absorption are examples of situations in which a multivitamin or specific vitamins may be advised. When sun exposure is insufficient, a vitamin D supplement may be required daily. If you have a low red blood cell count, your doctor may suggest an iron supplement (anemia).
Why is it so difficult to break the habit of taking a daily multivitamin? According to an editorial that accompanied the USPSTF review, surveys reveal that consumers take vitamins to stay healthy, feel more energised, or achieve peace of mind. These misconceptions derive from a nearly century-old powerful narrative about vitamins being good and natural.
Researchers have identified a viable new treatment option for individuals whose PSA levels rise after radical prostatectomy.
Numerous men who undergo radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer live their entire lives without a recurrence of the disease. Twenty to forty per cent of them will suffer an increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values within ten years of surgery. If the prostate has been removed, PSA levels in the blood should be undetectable, indicating that cancer may have returned. This is known as a biochemical relapse, and it is often treated with radiation to the prostate bed, where the prostate resided prior to its removal. This type of treatment, known as pelvic bed radiation therapy or PBRT, is frequently successful in reducing PSA levels to zero for years.
Now, a comprehensive study demonstrates that PBRT is even more beneficial when paired with other therapies. Men who experience a biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy may benefit from these findings.
Funded by the National Cancer Institute, almost 300 medical centres in the United States, Canada, and Israel participated in the SPPORT phase 3 clinical trial. Between 2008 and 2015, a total of 1,797 men with post-surgical PSA values between 1 and 2 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) were included.
These days, oil is huge in the wellness industry. Oil seems to be a buzzword that won't be going away anytime soon, from the never-ending coconut oil controversy to the numerous advantages of aromatherapy essential oils and using them for beauty purposes like oil washing and oil pulling. The excitement surrounding black seed oil is well-founded.
From southwest Asia comes black seed oil. It is extracted using a cold-press technique from the seeds of black cumin. If you opt to do your own study on the fantastic benefits of this oil, you'll find many scientific studies concerning its benefits because the scientific term for black seed oil is Nigella Sativa.
Why Black Seed Oil Is Beneficial
The black seed oil has a specific active component that gives it wellness superpowers before we discuss the precise health and aesthetic advantages of black seed oil. Thymoquinone is the name of this active component.
Thymoquinone has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics that assist our body's natural healing processes and aid in the prevention of disease. It's best to incorporate as many antioxidants as you can into your daily wellness routine.
From southwest Asia comes black seed oil. It is extracted using a cold-press technique from the seeds of black cumin. If you opt to do your own study on the fantastic benefits of this oil, you'll find many scientific studies concerning its benefits because the scientific term for black seed oil is Nigella Sativa.
Why Black Seed Oil Is Beneficial
The black seed oil has a specific active component that gives it wellness superpowers before we discuss the precise health and aesthetic advantages of black seed oil. Thymoquinone is the name of this active component.
Thymoquinone has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics that assist our body's natural healing processes and aid in the prevention of disease. It's best to incorporate as many antioxidants as you can into your daily wellness routine.
Autoimmune diseases like lupus can change which methods of birth control are safe and effective.
It goes without saying that you are not the only person who has an autoimmune condition. There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis affect about 7% of Americans.
Autoimmune diseases seem to disproportionately affect women for unidentified reasons. They frequently start before or during prospective child-bearing years, so it's likely that you'll need to think about the following significant questions: In a previous post, we talked about how family planning and pregnancy are impacted by autoimmune diseases like lupus. And what birth control methods are best for me?
The American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have both endorsed guidelines that might assist you and your medical team in finding the answers to these queries. These recommendations are supported by professional judgement and medical research.
Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune condition that can harm and inflame many organs throughout the body. Lupus usually happens between the ages of 15 and 35, and 90% of the time it affects biologically females. Family planning is crucial for those with autoimmune illnesses since an unexpected pregnancy can be harmful to both the mother and the foetus and because some medications can interfere with birth control tablets.
Fortunately, there are a variety of secure and reliable birth control methods available for those who want to avoid getting pregnant. Each has significant benefits and drawbacks to consider (see the Harvard Health Birth Control Center for details). But if you have lupus, there are other things you should talk about with your health care team, such as:
How active or aggressive is your disease? Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are two types of potentially harmful blood clots that can develop when lupus is active. You may become more prone to developing blood clots if you use birth control that contains oestrogen, such as many birth control pills, the ring, and the patch. So, a birth control pill without oestrogen or an intrauterine device (IUD) might be safer.
Are there any antiphospholipid antibodies in your blood? These antibodies may also make you more likely to develop a risky blood clot. People with these antibodies should not take estrogen-containing birth control, even if their lupus is dormant.
What birth control methods do you favour and have you used them before? Some people favour the most sensible course of action (such as an IUD or birth control implant). Others might prefer a condom or a diaphragm because they want to avoid surgery or medications. If a particular method of birth control, like condoms, didn't work to prevent conception in the past, you might prefer a different one moving forward. Talking with your medical team about your preferences and past experiences could help you make a choice you feel good about.
Can the use of essential oils help you sleep better at night?
Numerous essential oils can be used as an all-natural substitute to promote restful sleep. This is due to the fact that inhaling essential oils not only has a calming effect but also has the potential to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress that has built up.
Because essential oils are concentrated, their power comes from this. A diffuser, which emits the oils as a mist into the air, is one of the most popular and convenient ways to use them. Recent research has demonstrated the wide range of beneficial qualities of several essential oils. Here are a few of the most commonly used for sleeping.
Cedarwood: Supports the pineal gland's ability to release melatonin, the hormone that encourages restful sleep.
Lavender is one of the most widely used essential oils, known for its relaxing properties.
Frankincense: promotes sleep as well as a number of other activities, such as regulating emotions, soothing the mind, and aiding the body's healing process.
Roman chamomile, clary sage, sweet marjoram, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, and ylang ylang are other calming and sleep-inducing essential oils.
Numerous essential oils can be used as an all-natural substitute to promote restful sleep. This is due to the fact that inhaling essential oils not only has a calming effect but also has the potential to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress that has built up.
Because essential oils are concentrated, their power comes from this. A diffuser, which emits the oils as a mist into the air, is one of the most popular and convenient ways to use them. Recent research has demonstrated the wide range of beneficial qualities of several essential oils. Here are a few of the most commonly used for sleeping.
Cedarwood: Supports the pineal gland's ability to release melatonin, the hormone that encourages restful sleep.
Lavender is one of the most widely used essential oils, known for its relaxing properties.
Frankincense: promotes sleep as well as a number of other activities, such as regulating emotions, soothing the mind, and aiding the body's healing process.
Roman chamomile, clary sage, sweet marjoram, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, and ylang ylang are other calming and sleep-inducing essential oils.
Instead of harsh cleaning detergents, use essential oils.
Plant lipids are used to make essential oils. They have a variety of qualities ranging from healing to disinfection and can be used in the house for a variety of purposes. They serve as homemade alternatives to chemical-laden retail items. The following are just a handful of the many domestic applications for essential oils.
Lemon oil is really useful in the home. Add 10 to 15 drops of lemon essential oil to 2 cups of baking soda to rejuvenate a stinky carpet. The baking soda can be put on the carpet and vacuumed later. This is especially beneficial for pet-owning families because lemon essential oil does not contain the harmful volatile components found in commercial carpet cleaners.
How can your attitudes affect your health?
A positive attitude toward life and aging may assist you in living longer.
A positive attitude toward life and aging may assist you in living longer.
Do you anticipate the coming week? Do you think you're younger than you are? Do you feel like you're on a mission? If this is the case, you may have already taken steps to lower your risk of degenerative diseases and may even be extending your life.
Dr. Laura Kubzansky, professor of social and behavioural sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, says, "Your outlook—having a feeling of optimism and purpose—seems to be predictive of health outcomes." Dr. Kubzansky has researched the implications of many types of psychological well-being on one's health. She discovered that emotional vitality, which she defines as "enthusiasm, hopefulness, participation in the life, and the ability to deal with life's pressures with emotional balance," is linked to a lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
Emotional vitality's advantages
Dr. Kubzansky and her colleagues looked at data from the Nationwide Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES), which is a long-term national study that includes both personal interviews and medical exams.
Her team revealed in 2007 that people with high levels of emotional vitality at the start of the study had a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease 15 years later. They reported in 2015 that more emotional liveliness was linked to a decreased risk of stroke among 6,019 patients studied for an average of 16 years.
Other research has found that those who maintain emotional vibrancy while suffering from chronic disease or disability fare better. The Women's Health and Aging Study includes more than 1,000 women aged 65 and up who are disabled but still live independently. On two tests meant to measure the loss of function—walking speed and the ability to lift at least 10 pounds—women with greater emotional vitality fared much better than their less optimistic peers, who had identical levels of handicap.
Here's how to respond and what to do if you think they're right.
You've spent the majority of your life worrying about your children's health and safety, so having the roles reversed can feel strange and unfamiliar. That could be the case if your adult children express concerns about your ability to walk, drive, or remember details.
How do you react?
Abby Altman, a geriatric psychologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Dr. Suzanne Salamon, associate chief of gerontology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, offer advice and insight.
What should you keep in mind?
"These discussions are frequently motivated by concern and love. "Your children want you to live as long as possible in this world," Altman claims. Furthermore, your health and treatment have an impact on the entire family unit. Finally, you are the one who makes the decisions that affect your health. However, your children may have different ideas about how to keep you healthy. It is worthwhile to consider their suggestions. "
What if it appears to be intrusive?
"In my work with families, I encourage parents to consider what they can and cannot control in their interactions with their adult children. You can't turn off your children's concerns and feedback about your health, and it's wonderful that they do. However, you always have the right to express how concerns are communicated to you, as well as the right to handle the situation without their assistance, "Altman emphasizes.
However, the majority of people are able to recognise when their fatigue feels more serious. If that's the case, or if your fatigue worsens or persists for more than a week or two, you should make an appointment with your doctor. If your fatigue is accompanied by symptoms like a low-grade temperature, shortness of breath, or loss of appetite, it may be the result of an underlying illness or infection.
You should also visit your doctor if you frequently feel tired even after getting a good night's sleep, lack the motivation to start the day or find it difficult to do tasks that are usually simple. These could be indications of depression or a sleep issue.
When you exercise so hard and for so long that recovery does not take place after typical rest times, you are overtraining. It's a challenge that both competitive and recreational athletes occasionally encounter, but it can also impact the average person.
A balance between excessive exertion and rest is necessary for dedicated athletes to perform at their peak. They must therefore put up a lot of energy on some days, followed by sufficient but not excessive rest days, or at the very least, time spent exercising at a lower intensity.
 |
| Pexel photo |
Although overtraining is frequently characterized by exhaustion, other symptoms include injuries, aches and pains, worry, irritability, and restless sleep. Additionally, excessive exercise might reduce sexual desire.
You should consider other potential causes of your post-exercise exhaustion, such as anxiety, depression, an improper diet, or insufficient sleep since many health conditions can result in these concerns. Certain heart and blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers, might also make you feel sluggish and less energised.
Take a break. Examine whether spreading out your regular activity days would improve your condition. If not, schedule a visit with your physician.
Are you having trouble focusing on even the simplest tasks? Here are eight suggestions to help you maintain focus.
Your brain is a three-pound supercomputer with a virtually limitless capacity for learning, memory, and problem-solving. However, it eventually slows with age, just like any other body part. Certain cognitive abilities, particularly the capacity for concentration and focus, may become more difficult for people to use with time.
Since we are less likely to routinely partake in mentally stimulating activities like working and socialising, older people's brains can also get "rusty."
Fortunately, there are techniques for maintaining focus. Here are a few tactics:
Try the following when you find your focus waning or need to prepare your brain for circumstances that call for intense concentration:
Avoid multitasking. Don't act like a mental superhuman; "Work on one task at a time until it is finished before moving on to the next." Your mind won't have to compete with outside stimuli in this way. "
Work in time blocks. Find the time that works best for you to think. When performing normal mental tasks, such as reading a paragraph from a book, keep track of how long it takes for your attention to wander. "You should be able to locate a range where your attention is at its peak." Work within this time limit (remind yourself when it expires), take a break and then repeat the exercise.
It's no secret that attention control is critical for effective time management and productivity. However, in order to keep focused on the task at hand, you must avoid allowing distractions to derail your goals.
This is where mindfulness practice comes in. Small studies suggest that mindful meditation can be a useful strategy for calming a racing mind and aiding in the maintenance of laser-like attention. In fact, just a few minutes every day can have a significant effect.
By the way, the term "meditation" refers to a variety of spiritual and relaxing techniques. There are many different types of meditation and methods for doing them.
Within this broad category, neuroscientists have explored how two particular meditation practices—focused attention (FA) meditation and open monitoring (OM) meditation—can be utilised to improve cognitive processes. You may help your brain to pay more attention, concentrate more, and focus more by developing a regular practice of either one.
A glance at each is provided below.
How can you meditate while paying close attention?
There are four main components to this kind of mindful meditation:
focusing attention on a certain object or sensation while sustaining it; recognizing distractions and mind wandering; disengaging from distractions; and returning your attention to your focal point while rephrasing the distraction as "just a thought."
This type of meditation involves maintaining your attention on a specific item or sensation, such as the flow of air through your nose while you breathe. You must continuously assess your concentration level if you want to maintain this focus. If your thoughts start to wander, you recognize the distraction and bring them back to your focal point.
This is where mindfulness practice comes in. Small studies suggest that mindful meditation can be a useful strategy for calming a racing mind and aiding in the maintenance of laser-like attention. In fact, just a few minutes every day can have a significant effect.
By the way, the term "meditation" refers to a variety of spiritual and relaxing techniques. There are many different types of meditation and methods for doing them.
Within this broad category, neuroscientists have explored how two particular meditation practices—focused attention (FA) meditation and open monitoring (OM) meditation—can be utilised to improve cognitive processes. You may help your brain to pay more attention, concentrate more, and focus more by developing a regular practice of either one.
A glance at each is provided below.
How can you meditate while paying close attention?
There are four main components to this kind of mindful meditation:
focusing attention on a certain object or sensation while sustaining it; recognizing distractions and mind wandering; disengaging from distractions; and returning your attention to your focal point while rephrasing the distraction as "just a thought."
This type of meditation involves maintaining your attention on a specific item or sensation, such as the flow of air through your nose while you breathe. You must continuously assess your concentration level if you want to maintain this focus. If your thoughts start to wander, you recognize the distraction and bring them back to your focal point.
Vitamins D and K are necessary for bone health and the clotting process in your body. Recent research has shown that both Vitamin D and K have a synergistic effect and are good for cardiovascular health. Low vitamin K and D levels have been linked to an increased risk of all-cause death when compared to people with normal vitamin D and K levels. This post will go over vitamins K and D and how they can help your heart.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in a variety of foods and is also available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin K is involved in the process through which your body produces proteins that aid in blood clotting. Some anticoagulant drugs prevent your blood from clotting by inhibiting vitamin K's effects.
Vitamin K is made up of two parts: K1 and K2. Vitamin K1 is the most common form of vitamin K found in food. It is mostly found in leafy greens. Vitamin K2 is present in animal-based meals and fermented foods such as cheese and yoghurt. Furthermore, your gut bacteria produce vitamin K2.
Vitamin K has shown promise in preventing blood vessel wall calcification, which is why significant research has been conducted on how vitamin K may assist in preventing atherosclerosis and improving cardiovascular health. Vitamin K is stored in the liver and various tissues throughout the body, including the brain, heart, and bones. Unfortunately, the body cannot store all of the vitamin K it consumes; 50% of it is lost in faeces and 20% of it is eliminated in urine. For this reason, leafy green vegetables are suggested as a component of a balanced diet. Leafy greens provide vitamins A, C, and E, iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, as well as carotenoids, antioxidants, and fibre, in addition to other minerals.
Vitamin D, also known as calciferol, is another fat-soluble vitamin found in some foods, added to others, such as milk, and available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D is also unusual in that it is produced by your body when exposed to sunlight; as a result, it is also known as the "sunshine vitamin." Vitamin D increases calcium absorption in the bones, preventing calcium accumulation in the blood. Without enough vitamin D, you may develop brittle bones, and a deficit can contribute to the condition known as osteoporosis. Vitamin D protects youngsters from the illness known as rickets.
Vitamin D is classified into two types: D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 is the most active type in the body. Salmon, trout, tuna, and fish oils are all good sources of vitamin D. Mushrooms and egg yolks are two more sources of vitamin D. Milk, margarine, cheese, ice cream, and plant milk replacements made from soy, almonds, or oats are among the foods fortified with vitamin D. Finally, your body can produce vitamin D on its own, but you must be exposed to sunlight. The amount of sunlight absorbed is affected by the time of day, clouds, smog, and skin melanin concentration. It is also necessary to protect yourself from excessive UV radiation exposure owing to the danger of developing significant skin disorders. Sunscreen can help protect your skin, but it also stops you from absorbing UV rays to make vitamin D. This is why many foods are fortified and vitamin D supplements are recommended.
What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in a variety of foods and is also available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin K is involved in the process through which your body produces proteins that aid in blood clotting. Some anticoagulant drugs prevent your blood from clotting by inhibiting vitamin K's effects.
Vitamin K is made up of two parts: K1 and K2. Vitamin K1 is the most common form of vitamin K found in food. It is mostly found in leafy greens. Vitamin K2 is present in animal-based meals and fermented foods such as cheese and yoghurt. Furthermore, your gut bacteria produce vitamin K2.
Vitamin K has shown promise in preventing blood vessel wall calcification, which is why significant research has been conducted on how vitamin K may assist in preventing atherosclerosis and improving cardiovascular health. Vitamin K is stored in the liver and various tissues throughout the body, including the brain, heart, and bones. Unfortunately, the body cannot store all of the vitamin K it consumes; 50% of it is lost in faeces and 20% of it is eliminated in urine. For this reason, leafy green vegetables are suggested as a component of a balanced diet. Leafy greens provide vitamins A, C, and E, iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium, as well as carotenoids, antioxidants, and fibre, in addition to other minerals.
What Exactly Is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D, also known as calciferol, is another fat-soluble vitamin found in some foods, added to others, such as milk, and available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D is also unusual in that it is produced by your body when exposed to sunlight; as a result, it is also known as the "sunshine vitamin." Vitamin D increases calcium absorption in the bones, preventing calcium accumulation in the blood. Without enough vitamin D, you may develop brittle bones, and a deficit can contribute to the condition known as osteoporosis. Vitamin D protects youngsters from the illness known as rickets.
Vitamin D is classified into two types: D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 is the most active type in the body. Salmon, trout, tuna, and fish oils are all good sources of vitamin D. Mushrooms and egg yolks are two more sources of vitamin D. Milk, margarine, cheese, ice cream, and plant milk replacements made from soy, almonds, or oats are among the foods fortified with vitamin D. Finally, your body can produce vitamin D on its own, but you must be exposed to sunlight. The amount of sunlight absorbed is affected by the time of day, clouds, smog, and skin melanin concentration. It is also necessary to protect yourself from excessive UV radiation exposure owing to the danger of developing significant skin disorders. Sunscreen can help protect your skin, but it also stops you from absorbing UV rays to make vitamin D. This is why many foods are fortified and vitamin D supplements are recommended.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)