In other words, the average level of testosterone for a 45, 55 or 65-year-old man is lower than that of a man of the same age in 2010 — which was lower than that of a man of the same age in 2000!

The question is — why are testosterone levels declining so dramatically? And is there anything you can do to support your testosterone levels?

Peak CoQSol10 CF^™

Gives Your Cells the Energy They Need for Optimal Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Why men’s testosterone levels have dropped

While T levels decline with age, maintaining hormonal balance is more complex. Problems in one area of your health can sneak up and lead to problems in the endocrine system (headquarters for hormonal health).

Three health problems, in particular, have risen to almost epidemic proportions in the U.S. in the past several years, and they all have one thing in common — they can tank testosterone levels…

#1 – Type 2 diabetes

Testosterone is required to help all of the tissues in your body take up blood sugar in response to insulin. It’s no wonder then that men with low T levels are far more likely to have insulin resistance, meaning their bodies have to churn out more insulin to to keep their blood sugar in the normal range.

According to the American Diabetes Association, “If you have Type 2 diabetes, you are twice as likely to suffer from low testosterone as a man without diabetes.”

#2 – Liver problems

Studies show that men with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD (a condition where there is an excess buildup of triglycerides in the liver), have reduced total testosterone.

Untreated, NAFLD can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and after that, possibly cirrhosis. 75 percent to 90 percent of men with these conditions experience extremely low T.

#3 – Obesity

Obesity is also a driving force behind the low T epidemic. One study showed that 30 percent of overweight men had low T, versus just six percent of those with weight in the normal range

Estrogen dominance can cause abdominal weight gain. That’s because elevated estrogen levels signal the body to reduce testosterone production and store more fat.

Estrogen dominance is a condition that occurs when fake estrogens disrupt hormonal balance and surprisingly can cause health problems for both men and women. In men, low T can impact stamina, muscle tone and prostate health as well as weight gain.

How to fight testosterone theft

While men’s testosterone levels have been under assault for quite a while now, you’re not powerless to do something about it…

First and foremost is to ensure you don’t fall victim to any of the three health conditions that make you a target for low T and declining health.

Many of the steps you can take to improve your health can also improve your testosterone levels, including:

High-intensity interval training and resistance training seem to be especially effective at boosting testosterone.

Eating a high-quality diet of protein, fruits and vegetables and healthy fats is also important (a keto diet has shown real benefits for Low T).

Stress management reduces the stress hormone cortisol which can cause weight gain and lower testosterone.

But you also need to face up to fake estrogens which are almost inescapable in our environment. Luckily, there’s a way to flush them out of your body…

The secret is a compound called Di-Indole Methane, or DIM for short, which is found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

DIM can reduce estrogen levels in the body by stimulating the breakdown of estrogen into beneficial metabolites.

But it takes far more of this little compound than what you can get by sitting down to a dinner packed with veggies.

In fact, it would take a minimum of three pounds of broccoli every day to grab all of DIM’s hormone-supporting benefits. Fortunately, the nutrient is available in supplement form.

Sources:

Why Are Testosterone Levels Decreasing? – Cleveland Clinic

Low Testosterone – American Diabetes Association

8 Major Factors That Cause Low Testosterone Levels – Men’s Health

Low Testosterone (Male Hypogonadism) – Cleveland Clinic

Testosterone in men with advanced liver disease: Abnormalities and implications – Wiley Online Library

Low Testosterone in Males May Warrant Liver Health Assessment and Intervention – NIH

Relevance of low testosterone to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – NIH

Low Testosterone and Your Health – WebMD

Responses of sex steroid hormones to different intensities of exercise in endurance athletes – The Physiological Society

Endocrinological Roles for Testosterone in Resistance Exercise Responses and Adaptations – NIH

Testosterone-Associated Dietary Pattern Predicts Low Testosterone Levels and Hypogonadism – MDPI

Manipulation of Dietary Intake on Changes in Circulating Testosterone Concentrations – MDPI

Low-fat diets and testosterone in men: Systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies – Science Direct

Stress, cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6-month changes in food cravings and weight – Wiley Online Journal

The post 3 health conditions that steal your testosterone appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Not only do they increase your risk of developing heart disease and 30 other health conditions and diseases, but they’re also behind the obesity epidemic.

In fact, I wrote about the research that confirmed it’s these foods, not lack of exercise — as previously thought — that’s fueling rising rates of obesity.

But what’s truly disturbing is their impact on reproductive and metabolic health…

Peak Thyroid Support^™

The thyroid’s main job is to make hormones that regulate the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, muscles and every other organ and tissue. But to function properly, it needs an adequate supply of iodine — something that gets harder to metabolize with age. That’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Weight gain is just the beginning

A 2025 study at the University of Copenhagen has confirmed that no matter how little of them you eat, ultra-processed foods lead to weight gain.

Researchers compared the health effects of an unprocessed vs. an ultra-processed diet on the same person, in order to get the most accurate results.

Forty-three men spent three weeks eating each of the two diets, with a cleansing period in between.

The unprocessed and ultra-processed diets had the same amount of calories, protein, carbs, and fats. But half the men were given an extra 500 calories per day.

Regardless of whether those extra 500 calories were involved, men on the ultra-processed diet gained about 1 kg (just over 2 pounds) more fat mass than those on the unprocessed diet.

But it doesn’t end there…

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

Supports Improved Oxygen Levels… Healthy Circulation… and Balanced Hormones for Better Overall Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

“Our results prove that ultra-processed foods harm our reproductive and metabolic health, even if they’re not eaten in excess. This indicates that it is the processed nature of these foods that makes them harmful,” says Jessica Preston, lead author of the study.

Men on the ultra-processed diet showed:

• An increase in levels of phthalate cxxMINP, a hormone-disrupting chemical typically found in plastics.
• A decrease in testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone, both essential for sperm production. In addition to affecting fertility, low sperm count impacts a man’s sex drive and can be a cause of erectile dysfunction.
• An increase in LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels.
• Altered thyroid hormones.
• Altered markers of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.

And in case you’ve forgotten, chronic inflammation causes the cellular damage behind a range of diseases from cancer to Parkinson’s disease to diabetes, not to mention an accelerated aging process that makes your body old before its time.

“We were shocked by how many body functions were disrupted by ultra-processed foods, even in healthy young men. The long-term implications are alarming and highlight the need to revise nutritional guidelines to better protect against chronic disease,” says the study’s senior author, Professor Romain Barrès.

Peak DIM^™

Helps Support Healthy Hormone Balance for Both Men and Women by Keeping Excess Estrogen in Check!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The choice is clear

I hope you don’t need any more convincing.

Whole foods are the best alternatives to ultra-processed foods. But for success, ease into eating more of them and fewer ultra-processed foods.

Ultra-processed foods are made to “hook” you, so don’t blame yourself if it’s hard to let them go. That being said, see about ditching the two ultra-processed foods considered the worst ASAP.

According to Heartfoundation.org, whole foods and minimally processed foods, like these, are what we all should be eating:

• Fresh, frozen and canned vegetables and fruit
• Dried, canned and frozen beans and legumes like lentils and chickpeas
• Whole grains like oats, brown rice, barley and quinoa
• Fresh and frozen poultry and meat
• Fresh, frozen and canned fish and seafood
• Milk and plain yoghurt (try sweetening with honey)
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds.

An easy way to identify ultra-processed foods is that they are quick, easy, and require little to no preparation — the very definition of “convenience foods.”

They include foods like sweetened cereals, soda and white bread; frozen French fries, chicken nuggets and pizza; processed meats, like hot dogs and bacon; pre-packaged baked goods, like cookies and cakes; and microwaveable meals.

Make the choice today and start taking back your health and your longevity.

Sources:

Why ultra-processed diets make you gain fat even without extra calories — Science Daily

Effect of ultra-processed food consumption on male reproductive and metabolic health — Cell Metabolism

Here’s What Eating Processed Foods for Two Weeks Does to Your Body — Time

Five ways to eat less processed food — Heart Foundation

The post Ultra-processed foods: A metabolic and hormonal disaster for men appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But there is no question that our bodies are left different. Weight gain is easier. Wrinkles appear out of nowhere. Bones become brittle. Cholesterol shoots up.

Having said all that, it is a misconception that postmenopausal women have no influence over our outcomes or our overall sense of well-being.

The previous four blogs dealt with our main pharmacologic option, hormone replacement therapy (HRT). And there is plenty of evidence that HRT would likely be a net positive for many more women than are being offered this intervention today.  If you missed those blogs, you can find them here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.  

However, there is much more we can do than just demand to be placed on drugs! We can also help ourselves get through this period and set ourselves up for better health long term through the way we live.

Spoiler alert: If you’re a regular reader of our blogs, you will see a striking similarity to advice I have given many times before…

Turns out, eating right and exercising regularly has a positive impact, regardless of what we are trying to impact positively.

Peak Urinary Tract^™

An all-in-one formula featuring four natural, proven-effective nutrients that help target multiple ways harmful bacteria, anatomy, aging and sex can lead to recurring urinary tract problems and discomfort… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Mediterranean Diet and Menopausal Symptomatology

The Mediterranean diet, characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, has been associated with reduced severity of menopausal symptoms.

A study involving more than 6,000 postmenopausal women over nine years found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet correlated with a lower incidence of hot flashes and night sweats.

Phytoestrogens: Plant-Derived Estrogenic Compounds

Phytoestrogens, particularly isoflavones found in soy products, have been investigated for their potential to mitigate menopausal symptoms due to their structural similarity to estradiol.

Randomized studies have shown that phytoestrogen-based treatments may reduce the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats. However, efficacy varies among individuals, possibly due to differences in gut microbiome composition affecting isoflavone metabolism. 

By the way, the idea that phytoestrogens increase breast cancer risk has been summarily debunked. Even women who have gone through breast cancer treatment can enjoy soy products.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Mood Regulation

The decline in estrogen during menopause is associated with an increased risk of depression. Omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in Step One Foods, are known to have positive effects on mood, and higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been inversely associated with depression prevalence in postmenopausal women.

Micronutrients: Calcium and Vitamin D

Postmenopausal women are at increased risk for osteoporosis, and adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D becomes crucial for bone health. For women over 50, the recommended daily allowance includes 1,200 mg of calcium and 600–800 IU of vitamin D. Individual vitamin D requirements may be higher in order to keep vitamin D levels in the normal range. You can have your vitamin D level assessed through a simple blood test. 

Dietary sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods, while sunlight exposure facilitates endogenous vitamin D synthesis. It is typically difficult to get adequate amounts of vitamin D through diet alone, although eating mushrooms can help.

Exercise: Bone Strength and Beyond

If there was any time in a woman’s life when staying physically active was critical, it’s after menopause. We can take all sorts of calcium supplements, but unless we engage in weight-bearing and resistance training, all that calcium will just go toward making kidney stones. And unless we expend more energy, the slowdown in metabolism most women experience during this time will yield progressive weight gain. The good news is that we don’t need to engage in extreme or exceedingly strenuous routines to see meaningful health gains.

For optimal metabolic health, spending the majority of our time in Zone 2 is ideal. This exercise level helps build aerobic capacity, increases mitochondrial efficiency, burns fat for energy, increases insulin sensitivity, and helps lower blood pressure. Interspersing short, high-intensity intervals is also a good idea to help build cardiovascular fitness.

And how do you know if you’re in Zone 2? To estimate your Zone 2 heart rate range, subtract your age from 220 (this estimates your maximum predicted heart rate), and then multiply that number by 0.6 to get the lower range (60%) of Zone 2, and by 0.7 to get the upper range (70%). You can also know that you’re in Zone 2 by using the talk test: your exercise intensity is low enough that you can carry on a conversation, but high enough that you’re somewhat breathless and can’t sing.

And what about resistance training? Do that at least a couple of times a week for 30 minutes at a time. You can get fancy and work with a trainer at a gym — or make a minor investment in resistance bands and follow a do-it-yourself program at home.

Peak Thyroid Support^™

Specially Formulated with Essential Nutrients to Support Healthy Thyroid Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

We Have the Power!

Menopause is a time of tremendous change — physically and psychologically. But it’s definitely not a time to suffer in silence or simply accept our fates.

Helping ourselves through nutrition and physical activity (the EXACT SAME interventions as the ones that yield cholesterol improvements) will go a long way to maximizing overall health outcomes, especially after our estrogen is gone. And, for most women, HRT — whether systemic or local — can be considered a safe, effective and in many ways proactive step to ensuring a smoother transition to the second half of our lives. 

The WHI deprived too many women of quality of life for too long. 

It’s time to move on.

The post Menopause and the big lie: You’ve got choices appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Given that this is a normal physiologic process and not a disease, menopause is supposed to be something women just endure and move beyond. But if you’ve been through it yourself or are in the midst of “the change,” you’ve probably realized that nothing about this process feels even remotely normal!

That is, unless you think hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep disturbance, vaginal dryness, urinary urgency and incontinence, weight gain, decreased libido, thinning hair and skin, memory and concentration problems, joint and muscle pain — not to mention heart palpitations and out-of-nowhere high LDL — are all normal!

I don’t typically venture outside of conditions that I manage. I’m a cardiologist. I deal with chest pain and EKGs. But I felt compelled to write this blog series because I continue to see so many female patients suffering with many of the symptoms related to menopause while being denied — or fearful of — a proven life-enhancing intervention. All based on faulty data.

I’m talking about hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

You’ve probably heard the warnings: It causes breast cancer. It’s dangerous. It does more harm than good. These statements have become medical dogma. But they are outdated, oversimplified, and in many cases — flat-out wrong.

Peak Bladder Support^™

For women, age, childbirth, menopause and hormone fluctuations take a toll on healthy urinary function. For men, an aging body may result in the need for bladder support. Whatever the cause, occasional urinary urgency can… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Why HRT Deserves a Second Look

If you’re a woman navigating perimenopause or menopause, what you’ve been told about HRT — or what you think you know about HRT — could be standing between you and a dramatically better life.

This blog series is meant to give you the knowledge you need to not only help yourself through this time (and beyond) but also understand a treatment option that is out there. So that you can have a more informed conversation with your care provider.

To be clear — I am NOT advocating that every woman should go on HRT. But every woman should at least be given the opportunity to determine for themselves if it is right for them.

The Whole-Body Impact of Sex Hormones

First, here’s something really important you need to understand: Sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) don’t just have roles in reproduction and sex drive. Receptors for these hormones exist all over our bodies! Not surprisingly, menopause-related whole-body reductions in sex hormone levels have far-reaching effects.

Hormones and Bladder Health

One organ impacted by those far-reaching effects is the bladder. It happens to be very hormone-sensitive. And not just in terms of maintaining urinary continence. When estrogen levels decline, the microbiome of the bladder and vagina changes, making postmenopausal women far more susceptible to urinary tract infections. Indeed, about 20% of women over age 65 will develop a UTI, with close to 1/3 of these experiencing recurrent infections.

Hormones and Bone Loss

The skeletal system is a major casualty. In the absence of estrogen, women can lose as much as 20% of their bone density in the first 5 years post-menopause, with bone loss slowing down to about 1% per year thereafter. As a result, one in two women over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related bone fracture. This is incredibly serious — a hip fracture can be a terminal event. Close to 30% of hip fracture patients will not survive one year. And even if a woman makes it past that, the odds of her getting back to prior levels of activity are low.

Peak Urinary Tract^™

A natural daily cleanse to promote and maintain a healthy urinary tract, for men and women!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Hormones and Brain Function

Brain? The risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s is significantly higher for women. The role of sex hormones is not fully worked out here, but even in the shorter term, sleep disturbance can become a huge issue affecting mental clarity.  Estrogen and progesterone help drive circadian rhythms, and the wild fluctuations in their levels during perimenopause can do a number on the sleep cycle. Plus, it’s hard to sleep when you’re drenched in sweat.

Hormones and Heart Disease

As a cardiologist, I see this in my practice almost daily. Heart rhythm disturbances become more common around menopause, probably due to a combination of factors — especially sleep disturbance. Fortunately, most of these rhythm issues are benign. But that doesn’t mean they feel good! Cholesterol profiles almost universally get worse as LDL receptors become less active. As a result heart disease risk accelerates rapidly in postmenopausal women, reaching par with men of equal age about 10 years post our hormonal upheaval.

Menopause-Related Impact on Life Quality

Add vaginal dryness and loss of libido and you have a marked decline in quality of life — right around the halfway point in women’s lifespans.

These may all be “natural” consequences of changes in hormone levels, but are we just supposed to sit back and accept all that?

Would MEN accept all that??

This is part one of a five-part series. See:

Menopause and the Big Lie , Part 1

Menopuase and the Big Lie, Part 2

Menopause and the big lie: The facts they left out, Part 3

Menopause and the big lie: The lasting impact, Part 4

The post Menopause and the big lie appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

No matter what you call it, most of us have experienced those unsettling feelings of dread and anxiety in anticipation of the beginning of another long, busy, likely stressful week.

Even though the feelings may intensify Monday morning, we march on, able to dismiss them — until Sunday night rolls around again.

Unfortunately, it’s a cycle that evidence connects to dangerous physiological processes…

One meta-analysis of data from population statistics found a 19 percent increase in the incidence of confirmed heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths on Mondays.

Now, another study appears to validate the biological components associated with Monday-related stress…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Mondays acts as a ‘stress amplifier’

Researchers led by Tarani Chandola of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) wanted to determine whether the association between anxiety and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis — the body’s central stress response system — was greater on Mondays.

The HPA axis regulates stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can contribute to hypertension, insulin resistance, and immune system dysfunction if they’re chronically elevated.

The researchers took a look at 3,511 adults aged 50 and older living in England who participated in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The participants submitted hair samples and were asked about their anxiety levels and on what days they experienced anxiety.

The results were striking. Participants who felt anxious on Mondays showed significantly higher long-term stress hormone levels up to two months later. Their hair samples showed a 23 percent higher level of cortisol compared to peers who were anxious on other days of the week.

What’s more, this “anxious Monday” effect was observed in both working and retired participants. This indicates a deep-seated link between the start of the week and dysregulation of the body’s stress response, one that lingers well after retirement.

Prior research has observed higher cortisol levels on weekdays versus weekends. But this is the first study to single out Mondays as particularly disruptive.

“Mondays act as a cultural ‘stress amplifier,’” Chandola says. “For some older adults, the week’s transition triggers a biological cascade that lingers for months. This isn’t about work — it’s about how deeply ingrained Mondays are in our stress physiology, even after careers end.”

About 75 percent of the Monday effect was due to the greater impact of feeling anxious on Mondays compared to other days.

Peak CoQSol10 CF^™

Gives Your Cells the Energy They Need for Optimal Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Ways to battle ‘anxious Mondays’

The study emphasizes how the anxiety around Mondays can become biologically embedded in our bodies, with chronic stress hormone dysregulation posing long-term cardiovascular risks.

By addressing the stress specific to Mondays, the researchers hope to unlock new strategies to combat heart disease in aging populations.

“The cumulative life course effects of feeling anxious on Monday, to which people do not adapt, suggests the need to identify why some people do not adapt to the Monday effect, while others are more resilient,” the researchers write in the study.

One reason some people may handle their Monday stress better is that they have a system in place to address the beginning of the week. If you find yourself battling the “Sunday scaries,” here are some tips for starting the week off right (and lowering your stress levels in the process):

• Sleep: Make sure you stick to your usual sleep schedule over the weekend. Sleeping in on Saturday and Sunday can disrupt your usual sleep-wake cycle, and that in turn can raise your cardiovascular risk.
• Support your gut. Oscillations of gut microbes throughout the day are crucial for regulating the secretion of stress hormones. An imbalance in the gut microbiome leads to a hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
• Meditation: Try meditating on Sunday evening, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Meditation can help reduce stress and support your cardiovascular health.
• Exercise: Get some exercise first thing Monday morning. It will help clear your mind, elevate your mood and reduce your stress levels. Plus, it’s great for your heart.
• Fun: Schedule something enjoyable on Monday, whether it’s time for reading your favorite book, having coffee with a friend before work or walking at lunch with office mates. This will help you look forward to Monday instead of dreading it.
• Natural stress-relieving adaptogenic herbs, like holy basil and ashwagandha, are effective at helping balance your system during stressful periods.

Sources:

New research shows Monday stress is etched into your biology — ScienceDaily

Are anxious Mondays associated with HPA-axis dysregulation? A longitudinal study of older adults in England — Journal of Affective Disorders

The post A biological reason to hate Mondays: It’s a stress amplifier appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But growing research shows a powerful connection: the same choices that protect your heart may also strengthen your bones — and vice versa.

Shared Risk Factors Across Systems

Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease may seem like two completely different conditions, but they often share the same root causes. Poor diet, a lack of physical activity, smoking, and chronic inflammation can all increase your risk for both. 

Research has shown that people with low bone mineral density are more likely to experience heart-related events. Likewise, signs of atherosclerosis —hardening and narrowing of the arteries — are more common in individuals with weaker bones.

Peak D3^™

When you step out into the sunlight, your body begins the process of making vitamin D. But getting the ideal amount can be difficult because some of us can’t effectively absorb it. That’s just one of many reasons the vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Lifestyle and Fracture Risk

One large U.S. study looked at how cardiovascular health scores — based on the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 — related to fracture risk. These eight key health factors include diet, physical activity, sleep, smoking, body weight, cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

The study found that people with better scores had a significantly lower risk of bone fractures. Compared to individuals with poor cardiovascular health, those with moderate scores had a 22% lower fracture risk, and those with high scores had a 34% lower risk.

This tells us that small steps you take to support your heart — like going for a daily walk or choosing whole foods over processed ones — can also help keep your bones strong.

How Inflammation and Hormones Affect Both Heart and Bone Health

Research has shown that heart disease and osteoporosis often develop together, and inflammation and hormones are two key reasons why.

Chronic inflammation, which plays a major role in heart disease, also contributes to bone loss. When inflammation levels are high, the body produces chemicals that can weaken bone and damage blood vessels at the same time. This means that the same internal stress that leads to clogged arteries can also make bones more fragile.

Hormonal changes, especially in women, add another layer of connection. Estrogen helps protect both the heart and the bones. After menopause, when estrogen levels drop, the risk for both heart disease and osteoporosis accelerates. That’s why, later in life, women often experience both conditions.

The overlap goes deeper. According to research, calcium deposits found in arteries and bone loss seen in osteoporosis may actually be driven by some of the same biological processes. In other words, the breakdown of bone and the buildup of plaque in blood vessels may be two sides of the same coin.

It all serves as a reminder that the body works as an interconnected system. Supporting hormone health and reducing inflammation through healthy habits (and hormone replacement therapy when appropriate) can go a long way in protecting both your heart and your bones.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Statins and Bone Health

Statins are best known for lowering cholesterol, but they could offer benefits for bones too. Although confounding variables may be at play, several studies suggest that statins can stimulate the growth of bone-forming cells and reduce bone breakdown.

Statins appear to increase levels of a key protein that helps bones grow, while also lowering inflammation and possibly enhancing estrogen activity. These effects have been linked to improved bone mineral density and a reduced risk of fractures, especially in older adults and postmenopausal women.

Having said that, it is possible that these findings are associations rather than causations. People who take statins may be under more regular medical care, might be more attentive to their health in general, and might be more likely to pursue an active lifestyle. The jury is still out on how helpful statins are to bone health. But while more research is needed to fully understand the best use of statins for bone support, these findings suggest that statins certainly do not promote bone loss!   

A Whole-Body Approach to Better Health

When it comes to protecting your health, there’s no need to compartmentalize. Your bones and your heart benefit from the same healthy habits:

• Eat a whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
• Get regular physical activity, including weight-bearing and resistance training, which supports both cardiovascular fitness and bone density.
• Don’t smoke, and take steps to manage blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
• Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and whether bone density testing is right for you. By the way, this last piece of advice applies to everyone. Although less likely, men with risk factors can get osteopenia and osteoporosis too.

The post The hidden link between heart health and bone strength appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s why a lot of women choose to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to counteract some of those symptoms. But HRT isn’t for everyone, and may elevate risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers, as well as heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism.

But what if I told you there was an all-natural way to practically eliminate one of the most bothersome symptoms of menopause?

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The vegan diet and hot flashes

About 80 percent of menopausal women suffer from vasomotor symptoms commonly known as hot flashes. They can occur during the day or night (or worse, both), interfering with sleep and quality of life.

Back in 2022, researchers looking for ways to counteract these uncomfortable symptoms conducted the Women’s Study for the Alleviation of Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS). The study involved 84 women who reported having two or more moderate-to-severe hot flashes daily.

The women were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an intervention group asked to follow a low-fat vegan diet that included a half cup of cooked soybeans a day, or a control group that continued their usual diets for 12 weeks.

The results were remarkable. The vegan diet…

• Decreased overall hot flashes by 95 percent
• Eliminated severe hot flashes
• Led to a 96 percent decrease in moderate-to-severe hot flashes
• Reduced daytime and nighttime hot flashes by 96 and 94 percent, respectively

As if that weren’t enough, participants following the vegan diet lost 6.4 pounds on average.

“We do not fully understand yet why this combination works but it seems that these three elements are key — avoiding animal products, reducing fat, and adding a serving of soybeans,” explains lead researcher Neal Barnard, MD, president of the Physicians Committee and adjunct professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine.

“Our results mirror the diets of places in the world, like pre-Westernized Japan and modern-day Yucatán Peninsula, where a low-fat, plant-based diet including soybeans is more prevalent and where postmenopausal women experience fewer symptoms.”

But to get more insight into how a vegan diet affected these changes, the researchers conducted a secondary analysis of the WAVS data — and have recently released their findings…

Peak Urinary Tract^™

A natural daily cleanse to promote and maintain a healthy urinary tract, for men and women!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Changes to the gut microbiome made all the difference

The researchers discovered something unusual in the gut microbiomes of the women that could account for the relief provided by the vegan diet…

When comparing stool samples from a subset of 11 participants at the start of the study and again after 12 weeks on a vegan diet, they found changes in the amount of several types of gut bacteria.

They saw an association between decreased severe daytime hot flashes and a reduction in the abundance of Porphyromonas and Prevotella corporis bacteria. Prevotella corporis has also been found in the gut of rheumatoid arthritis patients and appears to have pro-inflammatory properties.

In addition, a decrease in Clostridium asparagiforme was linked with a reduction in total severe and severe nighttime hot flashes. This bacteria has been shown to produce trimethylamine-N-oxide, a compound associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, a reduced abundance of Clostridium asparagiforme could partly explain the benefits of a plant-based diet for cardiovascular health. It could also provide a possible link between hot flashes and cardiovascular disease. For women, the risk of heart disease begins to climb during menopause and skyrockets in the years following.

The researchers also found changes in the levels of other bacteria could play a role in alleviating hot flashes by stabilizing estrogen levels, reducing inflammation and increasing satiety.

“Women who want to fight hot flashes should feed the bacteria in their gut a vegan diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans, which also leads to weight loss and protects against heart disease and type 2 diabetes,” says study co-author Dr. Hana Kahleova, director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Sources:

1. Vegan diet fosters changes in gut microbiome that reduce hot flashes by 95%, finds new study — EurekAlert!

2. A dietary intervention for postmenopausal hot flashes: A potential role of gut microbiome. An exploratory analysis — Complementary Therapies in Medicine

3. Hot flashes — Mayo Clinic

The post 3 ingredients that stop hot flashes, start weight loss in menopause appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It’s a trend, they say, that cannot be explained by genetics alone.

So, what’s to blame?

Could it be due to higher rates of obesity? Maybe it’s lack of exercise?

Or is it something more sinister, such as the chemicals our government allows manufacturers to add to products that come into contact with the food we eat?

Recent research points to the latter…

Potential to cause breast cancer and beyond

As far back as 2007, an organization called Silent Spring published a list of 216 chemicals that can cause breast cancer in rodents.

Of course, if there’s anything the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t do when it comes to protecting the public, it’s to act quickly.

So, researchers, writing in the journal Frontiers in Toxicology, set out to compare the Silent Springs list with another database known as Food Contact Chemicals Monitored in Humans, or FCChumon, which is a list of food contact chemicals detected in human breast milk, blood, urine, and tissues.

They found that nearly 200 chemicals connected to breast cancer are used in the making of food packaging and plastic tableware, and dozens of those carcinogens can migrate into the human body.

Among them were 642 endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may stimulate estrogen or progesterone production, another known risk factor for breast cancer.

While the study focused on breast cancer-causing toxins, the team found the dangers of the products we use every day to store and eat our food span the cancer universe.

“There is strong evidence that 76 known or potential breast carcinogens from food contact materials recently purchased all over the world can be found in people,” said study coauthor Jane Muncke.

After analyzing different forms of food packaging and tableware, researchers discovered chemicals including:

• Benzene – A known carcinogen linked to breast cancer development
• 4,4’-Methylenebis-(2-Chloroaniline) – Classified as a probable carcinogen that may cause bladder cancer
• 2,4-Toluenediamine – A toxin known to cause breast and other types of cancers in animal studies
•  3,3′-Dimethylbenzidine and o-Toluidine – Dyes used to color plastic and paper, which, according to the EPA, have the potential to metabolize to carcinogenic amines both in and on the human body.
• Forever chemicals – Bisphenols, phthalates or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are linked to high cholesterol, cancer and various chronic diseases.

And while researchers determined that most exposure to carcinogens comes from plastics used in food packaging, a whopping 89 suspected carcinogens were found in paper and cardboard containers.

“Paper has additives such as emulsifiers and adhesives, say if papers are glued together, or there’s a plastic layer glued to the paper,” Muncke points out.

Protect yourself from lurking carcinogens

All of those plastic storage bags, containers, and dinnerware, as well as paper plates, that we use because they are so convenient, present a real and present danger to our health.

So, what can you do to combat this danger?

First, banish the plastic from your kitchen. This includes discarding plastic containers and opting for glass containers to store your food.

Also, be sure always to use a glass dish when putting food in the microwave instead of plastic.

Next, replace any plastic water bottles with glass or stainless steel.

For added protection, toss your non-stick pans, which are coated in cancer-causing forever chemicals.

Most importantly, support your body’s natural detoxification processes, which involve your colon and liver.

The liver, of course, is the body’s primary detox organ. But considering this onslaught of toxins, it’s often overworked, especially if you are overweight. Read here about 8+ ways to relieve your liver’s detox load.

Next, check your transit time. That’s the amount of time your colon processes waste to leave the body. If it takes longer than 24 hours, you’re allowing chemicals to sit in your colon up against the intestinal endothelium, where they can leach into your bloodstream.

Sources:

Chemicals linked to breast cancer leach into our foods, study finds — CNN

Risk Management for Benzidine Dyes — EPA

The post The chemical exposure behind early onset breast cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

As soon as an additive is linked to health issues, European regulators tend to err on the side of caution.

For example, you may remember when I wrote about five food additives they’ve banned across the pond and beyond, but are still being fed to us in America — chemicals linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and type 2 diabetes.

Well, it looks like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is finally coming around on at least one of those additives found in drinks enjoyed by almost 65 percent of Americans daily — and linked to thyroid toxicity…

Peak Vitality^™

Peak Vitality^™ helps support and strengthen adrenal gland function for improved energy, hormone balance, mood and focus!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The additive that makes sodas toxic

In November 2023, the FDA proposed a measure that would ban the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in the U.S.

Used to keep the citrus flavoring in beverages from separating, until now the FDA has considered its use in small quantities as safe.

But the agency was prompted to revisit this safety classification after scientific evidence from toxicology studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that an accumulation of BVO is toxic to the thyroid.

Your thyroid produces hormones that are instrumental in helping control blood pressure, body temperature, metabolism and response to other hormones. Disrupting the function of the thyroid means throwing these key processes out of whack.

And that’s not all. Brominated vegetable oil has also been linked with skin and mucous membrane irritation, fatigue, loss of muscle coordination and memory problems.

BVO was given the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) designation by the FDA in the 1970s. However, as a result of these recent findings, the FDA now deems the continued use of BVO in food as unsafe.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Some beverage manufacturers jumped ahead of the game to remove BVO from product formulations a few years ago when questions first began to arise about its safety. One prominent example is PepsiCo, which removed BVO from its citrus-flavored Gatorade in 2013 because consumers perceived the product in a negative light.

But according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), up to at least 90 products common on your grocer’s shelves contain BVO — mostly sodas, sports drinks and juice-like drinks with a citrusy flavor, including regional and store brands. You can view EWG’s complete list here.

The state of California has already made moves to ban the use of BVO and three other food ingredients within its borders: potassium bromate, propylparaben and FD&C Red No. 3, or red dye No. 3. By 2027, manufacturers will no longer be able to use these four ingredients in food sold in California.

The FDA says it continues to assess the safety of various chemicals in food based on the latest scientific findings and legal requirements, including the recent California law. In fact, the agency is in the process of reviewing FD&C Red No. 3 and says a decision on the chemical is forthcoming.

Going forward, the FDA plans to streamline the process of evaluating chemicals in the food supply by creating an “Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements, and Innovation.” This office is part of the agency’s proposed Human Foods Program (HFP) transformation to enhance its review of food chemical safety.

Peak Thyroid Support^™

Specially Formulated with Essential Nutrients to Support Healthy Thyroid Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Dodging brominated vegetable oil

While the FDA’s announcement about BVO is good news, it could take a while for its proposed ban to take effect.

Until then, you’ll want to check your beverage labels to make sure BVO isn’t an ingredient.

Of course, one surefire way to reduce the danger of accidentally ingesting BVO is to ditch sodas —and it’s far from the only reason you should…

A large study found that postmenopausal women who drank one or more sweetened beverages per day were 78 percent more likely to develop liver cancer, compared with women who didn’t (or consumed less than three servings per month). The researchers also concluded that even consuming just one a day increased the likelihood of liver cancer by 73 percent!

And of course, aspartame, the most commonly used artificial sweetener in sodas has been listed as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer research arm of the World Health Organization.

These reasons add up to why sweetened beverages are considered one of the two worst ultraprocessed foods for our health.

It looks like giving them up altogether is the wise thing to do.

Sources:

FDA moves to ban drink additive linked to thyroid issues, memory loss — UPI News

California bans four food additives linked to health issues — UPI

FDA Proposes to Ban Food Additive, Continues Assessments of Additional Chemicals — U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Why Is Red Dye No. 3 Banned in Cosmetics but Still Allowed in Food? — Consumer Reports

The post The thyroid-poisoning additive in popular drinks appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But what happens if you become hard of hearing?

Your friend must knock harder for you to hear them at the door.

This is kind of what happens to your body as you develop insulin resistance.

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

Supports Improved Oxygen Levels… Healthy Circulation… and Balanced Hormones for Better Overall Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What is insulin resistance?

Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that is crucial for converting food into energy or storing that energy for later use.

When your blood glucose levels rise after a meal, the pancreas responds by producing insulin. The insulin, in turn, helps sugar enter your cells so that the amount of sugar in your bloodstream falls back to a normal range.

The “knock at the door” is insulin telling your insulin-sensitive muscle, liver and fat cells that glucose needs to get in.

But changes in the body can cause those cells to become hard of hearing. They don’t respond as effectively as they should to take up or store glucose from your bloodstream.

What does the pancreas do? It produces even more insulin.

Your blood sugar level might be normal, but you need way more insulin to get it into a normal range because the cells have lost their sensitivity. At this point, you are insulin-resistant.

Eventually, the pancreas can’t make enough insulin to knock as loudly as it needs to, and blood sugar levels start to rise. At this point, if things are not corrected, prediabetes, then type 2 diabetes could be around the corner.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Who is at risk for insulin resistance?

Genes and older age can make us more prone to insulin resistance, but two lifestyle factors — excess belly fat and physical inactivity — are considered the two main contributing factors.

Other factors that may increase the risk for insulin resistance include:

• A diet high in processed, high-carbohydrate and high-fat foods requires more insulin. These foods tend to be high glycemic index foods.
• A family history of type 2 diabetes.
• Having high triglycerides, high LDL cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol.

Some hormonal conditions are associated with insulin resistance, including:

Cushing’s syndrome: Cortisol, best known as the stress hormone, is necessary in the conversion of blood sugar to energy. However excess cortisol (which can occur due to chronic stress or Adrenal fatigue) can counteract insulin and cause insulin resistance.

Hypothyroidism (or low thyroid): The thyroid plays a big role in regulating your metabolism. When it doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, it slows glucose metabolism which can lead to insulin resistance.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): People with PCOS are more likely to be overweight and have metabolic syndrome. That sets a great many of them up for insulin resistance.

Hypertension, heart disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are also linked to insulin resistance.

Some drugs can set you up for insulin resistance, including glucocorticoids (prednisone is one), some antipsychotics and some HIV medicines.

What are the early signs of insulin resistance?

• A waistline over 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women
• Blood pressure readings of 130/80 or higher
• A fasting glucose level over 100 mg/dL
• A fasting triglyceride level over 150 mg/dL
• A HDL cholesterol level under 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women
• Skin tags
• Patches of dark, velvety skin called acanthosis nigricans
• Eye changes that can lead to diabetes-related retinopathy
• Feeling hungry or tired all the time
• Extreme thirst
• Irregular menstrual periods

Peak Thyroid Support^™

Specially Formulated with Essential Nutrients to Support Healthy Thyroid Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Get your insulin sensitivity back

Make no mistake: insulin resistance is a sign that your metabolism is seriously out of whack.

If your pancreas is showing signs of exhaustion, the sooner you start an all-out effort to get your metabolism back in line, the better. Starting here:

Lose a few pounds. Excess weight, especially belly fat, tops the list of causes of insulin resistance. If you need help finding the energy to exercise, enlist the help of the antioxidant, PQQ, found to go after visceral fat while delivering the energy the body needs to exercise.

Exercise more. Many studies have also found that resistance training can increase insulin sensitivity among men and women with or without diabetes.

Eat healthy foods.  Add more soluble fiber and colorful fruits (like berries) and vegetables to your diet. The more colorful the better, as these contain antioxidants that have been shown to help with weight loss and curb insulin resistance. Cut back on high glycemic foods like carbs (which stimulate excess insulin production), sugars and processed starches. Also, eat much less red meat.

Keep your vitamin D levels healthy. Several studies have connected low vitamin D levels to insulin sensitivity.

Boost CoQ10 levels. Research has also shown that low CoQ10 levels correlate to insulin resistance.

Get more sleep. Give up night owl habits, like staying up late and getting less sleep. Getting more sleep can help reverse its effects.

Reduce stress. Ongoing stress keeps your cortisol level high, which stimulates the breakdown of nutrients and increases blood sugar.

Sources:

What Is Insulin Resistance and How Do You Know if You Have It? — NY Times

Insulin Resistance — Cleveland Clinic

The post Insulin resistance: Early signs and ditching the diabetes danger appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Some believe genetic makeup is a factor, but the truth is, in less than one percent of people, Alzheimer’s is caused by specific genetic changes that almost guarantee they will develop the disease.

For the rest of us, the answer seems to lie in a combination of genetics, other health conditions and lifestyle and environmental risk factors that impact the brain over time — including sleep patterns, lack of exercise, diet, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, alcohol and air pollution, to name a few.

But there is one lifestyle-related element that scientists are just beginning to focus on: stress.

A previous study found that having chronic stress or depression more than doubled the risk of Alzheimer’s. And in those who had both chronic stress and depression, the Alzheimer’s risk was four times as high!

This is only one study. But there is more research that indicates the stress connection should be taken seriously — especially for women…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The role of cortisol in Alzheimer’s

A team of researchers led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) notes that so-called “sporadic” Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of cognitive decline in older adults. During this prolonged asymptomatic phase, amyloid beta accumulates into amyloid plaques, ultimately leading to progressive cognitive decline.

Unfortunately, these biological changes are already well-established by the time symptoms appear, which is why effective early interventions are needed.

Some investigators have zeroed in on cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol is necessary for maintaining cellular balance and triggering the stress response, also known as the fight-or-flight response.

But when the release of cortisol in the body becomes chronically elevated, it can cause all kinds of problems.

Some studies have already indicated that higher blood cortisol levels are linked to an increased likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s.

Stress, Alzheimer’s and post-menopausal women

To shed further light on these findings, researchers from the University of Texas Health San Antonio led a comparison of cortisol levels in 305 cognitively unimpaired, middle-aged participants from the Framingham Heart Study. A little under half of the participants were women.

Approximately 15 years later, they assessed the burden of amyloid beta and tau protein using PET scans. This allowed them to investigate cortisol’s impact at an earlier stage in Alzheimer’s development, when interventions might be most effective.

The findings were sobering. The researchers discovered high levels of cortisol in midlife were linked to increased deposits of amyloid in post-menopausal women. No significant associations were observed in men.

The researchers theorized that post-menopausal hormone changes may amplify cortisol’s effects on amyloid buildup. Both estrogen and testosterone have neuroprotective effects that might mitigate cortisol’s negative impact on neural tissues, but levels of both hormones drop dramatically in menopause. This indicates that both stress reduction and hormonal interventions may help prevent Alzheimer’s in at-risk women.

Dr. Arash Salardini, a professor at UT Health San Antonio and first author of the study, adds that follow-up of the study cohort is necessary to determine whether these early amyloid changes translate into clinical symptoms, as well as to clarify the causal role of cortisol in Alzheimer’s development.

Peak Krill Oil^™

You probably already know how important omega-3s are to support heart and brain health. But there are five reasons you may be getting yours from a less than adequate source, starting with a powerful antioxidant that delivers DHA into your brain cells… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Women and their higher burden of Alzheimer’s

None of this is really surprising. More than two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer’s are women, and hormones have been indicated previously.

But understanding the involvement of yet another hormone, cortisol, gives us one more target to focus on to reduce the odds.

If you’re a woman and you find yourself constantly stressed out, talk to your doctor about testing your cortisol levels. Certain medical conditions, including Cushing’s syndrome, adrenal fatigue, adrenal tumors and pituitary tumors, can cause chronically elevated cortisol levels.

Depression and anxiety have been linked to elevated cortisol levels due to the disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates cortisol production. 

 If outside stressors are the problem, lifestyle interventions, like these, may help:

• Yoga. With its emphasis on slow, deliberate movement and breathing, yoga not only helps mellow you out but has also been shown to help build up the brain’s left prefrontal cortex, an area responsible for critical mental functions such as learning and memory.
• Meditation. Research has shown that practicing meditation regularly can increase brain density, boost connections between neurons, decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, provide clarity of thought and increase positive mood endorphins.
• Emotional regulation. By purposely changing your focus and heading off negative emotions and stress before they arise, you can reduce ruminating — which is linked to cognitive decline and brain aging.
• L-theanine. A 250 to 400 mg dose of this amino acid daily can help lower your cortisol levels and sharpen your focus and attention.

Sources:

Stress can lead to Alzheimer’s disease in women who are post-menopausal, UT Health San Antonio study finds — EurekAlert!

Elevated serum cortisol associated with early-detected increase of brain amyloid deposition in Alzheimer’s disease imaging biomarkers among menopausal women: The Framingham Heart Study — Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease — Mayo Clinic

The post How stress becomes a post-menopausal Alzheimer’s trigger appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), or “broken heart syndrome,” also known as stress cardiomyopathy, is a condition in which the heart is weakened by a surge of hormones resulting from physical or emotional stress.

It’s often brought on by things like surgery, infection, or the deep grief of losing a loved one.

A 2012 study found that a person is 21 times more likely to have a “heart attack” the day immediately following the death of a loved one.

Women appear to fall victim to TC at rates higher than men. But a disturbing finding indicates men may be at graver risk from the condition…

Peak CoQSol10 CF^™

Coenzyme Q10 is essential for good health. Our cells use it to produce energy the body needs for basic functions, including cell growth and maintenance. The problem is, you can start seeing declines in your CoQ10 levels as early as your 20s plus… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Higher TC death rate in men

Researchers at the University of Arizona examined data on nearly 200,000 patients in the US between 2016 and 2020. They discovered that while the incidence of TC rose slightly for both males and females, females were more likely to develop the condition.

That wasn’t the most startling finding, though. While the condition was more common in women, men died from TC at roughly twice the rate of women, with 11.2 percent of males dying compared with only 5.5 percent of females. The overall TC death rate was 6.5 percent.

“We were surprised to find that the death rate from takotsubo cardiomyopathy was relatively high without significant changes over the five-year study, and the rate of in-hospital complications also was elevated,” says interventional cardiologist M. Reza Movahed from the University of Arizona.

One theory as to why there’s such a difference in death rates is that physical stress TC is more common in men than in women. Physical stress-caused TC is more likely to result in death than TC resulting from emotional stress.

Physical stress can occur when a surge of hormones, like adrenaline, temporarily disrupts the heart’s normal function. Physical stressors can include events such as illness or surgery.

Movahed noted that age-related findings could prompt earlier diagnosis of TC and remove the assumption that TC only occurs in the elderly.

While it’s true that people over the age of 61 had the highest rates of TC, there was a 2.6 to 3.25 times higher incidence of the condition among adults ages 46-60 compared to younger adults (31–45 years). Researchers attributed that increase to accumulated stressors, under-treated cardiovascular risks and hormonal changes in middle age.

Peak DIM^™

Helps Support Healthy Hormone Balance for Both Men and Women by Keeping Excess Estrogen in Check!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Better diagnosis, better treatment for broken heart syndrome

According to the study, some complications resulting from TC included congestive heart failure (35.9 percent of patients), atrial fibrillation (20.7 percent), cardiogenic shock (6.6 percent), stroke (5.3 percent) and cardiac arrest (3.4 percent).

Because the symptoms are so similar, TC is often confused with heart attack or chest pain. The researchers hope their study will raise awareness of TC, enabling it to be diagnosed and treated more effectively.

“Some complications, such as embolic stroke, may be preventable with an early initiation of anti-clotting medications in patients with a substantially weakened heart muscle or with an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation that increases the risk of stroke,” Movahed says.

Looking beyond this study, there are still many unanswered questions about how TC can be detected and how the risk of TC-related complications can be reduced.

Unlike a heart attack, stress cardiomyopathy doesn’t involve blocked coronary arteries. So, even if you’ve been given a clean bill of heart health but experience any of the following signs — seek medical care asap, and follow up with your doctor about your risks for TC:

• Sudden chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Sweating or dizziness

Previous research found that beta-blockers may help in treating broken heart syndrome by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. 

Sources:

Men Are Dying From ‘Broken Heart Syndrome’ at Twice The Rate of Women — Science Alert

The risk of death or complications from broken heart syndrome was high from 2016 to 2020 — American Heart Association

High Mortality and Complications in Patients Admitted With Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy With More Than Double Mortality in Men Without Improvement in Outcome Over the Years — Journal of the American Heart Association

The post Why are more men dying from ‘broken heart syndrome’ appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And despite new medical advances and age-old traditional approaches, chronic pain still holds millions of people prisoner.

Many turn to opioids, and still more make liberal use of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and other pain relievers, unaware of their potential dangers.

But a team of scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, has discovered something that could radically improve the way we treat chronic pain…

It may also explain why some painkillers work better for women than men and why postmenopausal women experience more pain.  

Peak Krill Oil^™

Supports Heart Health, Immunity and Moods, Naturally!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Hormones and immune cells trigger natural opioid

The meninges are the tissues that surround and protect the spinal cord and brain. Until now, it was assumed that this protection was their only role.

However, the research team discovered that the meninges are filled with T-reg cells (immune cells). To learn what their function was using mice, the researchers disabled these cells in mice.

When they did this, they found that the female mice became more sensitive to pain, while male mice did not.

When the scientists looked a little further, they were amazed to discover that the female hormones estrogen and progesterone were prompting the immune cells to produce the natural opioid enkephalin.

This series of events explained why the female mice became more sensitive to pain when their T-cells were disabled.

“The fact that there’s a sex-dependent influence on these cells — driven by estrogen and progesterone — and that it’s not related at all to any immune function is very unusual,” said first author of the study, Elora Midavaine, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow. 

The researchers have begun investigating the possibility of engineering T-reg cells to produce enkephalin on a constant basis in both men and women for pain relief. 

“If that approach is successful, it could really change the lives of the nearly 20% of Americans who experience chronic pain that is not adequately treated,” says Dr. Allan Basbaum, the study’s co-author.

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Towards ‘natural opioid’ pain relief

More research is needed to learn precisely how the hormones and immune cells work together to produce this natural opioid. Still, the discovery of this sex-dependent pathway is likely to lead to new and much-needed approaches for managing pain… 

It could be especially helpful for women who have gone through menopause and no longer produce estrogen and progesterone, many of whom experience chronic pain, and may not be candidates for hormone replacement therapy.

Additionally, it may help physicians choose medications that could work more effectively for their patients — depending on their sex. Certain migraine treatments, for example, are known to work better on women than men. 

We know this because this is not the first time that hormones, particularly female hormones, have been found to act on pain receptors…

Previous research also found that the actions of a female hormone are responsible for increased functional pain in women. Functional pain refers to pain that occurs without injury. Migraines and fibromyalgia (both conditions that affect far more women than men) fall into this category.

Until then, this natural opioid can be put to use, check out these 18 prescription-free ways to help ease pain.

Sources:

Estrogen and progesterone stimulate the body to make opioids — Eureka Alert

Chronic pain: medication decisions — Mayo Clinic

The post Sex hormones can trigger opioid-like pain relief appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And if you’re in the over-50 crowd, you may feel even more discouraged.

I’m here to tell you there IS a way to start climbing that mountain. No drugs involved. It’s research-based, and it CAN help you control that seemingly ever-present hunger…

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

At middle age, you start feeling changes in your body you may chalk up to aging: energy levels hit rock bottom, weight soars, muscles become soft, skin becomes wrinkled and slack and desire tanks. You may feel past your prime — but science says that’s wrong! MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Study proves that moderate exercise suppresses appetite

“People understand that exercise helps ‘burn energy.’ A lot of people assume that exercise also increases hunger and energy intake afterwards,” says Professor Timothy Fairchild of Murdoch University’s School of Allied Health in Australia.

But a study authored by Professor Fairchild and a group of experts in exercise physiology disproves this notion.

The study shows that, rather than increasing appetite, moderate-intensity exercise helps to control appetite.

Professor Fairchild notes that this study proves that “even moderate-intensity exercise can have immediate and beneficial effects on appetite control in males with obesity.”

And if you’re intent on avoiding weight-loss drugs, this study has even more good news for you.

“Despite a strong focus on weight loss drugs in society at present, this study shows that lifestyle factors still have a strong and relevant role in helping people to live their healthiest life,” Associate Professor Fairchild said.

“In fact, the hormones which have been shown to increase after exercise are the same hormones which the most successful weight loss drugs are mimicking.”

What is moderate-intensity exercise and how much do you need?

So what exactly qualifies as moderate-intensity exercise?

In short, if your heart rate goes up to 50% or 60% higher than your resting heart rate, you’re doing moderate-intensity exercise.

That means you’re doing an activity that makes your heart beat a little faster and your breathing a bit harder. It’s a level of exercise that feels somewhat challenging but doesn’t make you completely exhausted.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

Give your Body the Optimal Alkalizing Nutrients you Need for Healthy pH Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

For people with obesity, the CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week. This can be broken down into 30-minute sessions, five days a week.

Walking, water aerobics, and riding a stationary bike are examples of moderate-intensity exercise.

All of the following fit the definition of moderate-intensity exercise:

• Walking two miles in 30 minutes
• Biking five miles in 30 minutes
• Swimming laps for 20 minutes
• Running one and a half miles in 15 minutes
• Doing water aerobics for 30 minutes
• Playing volleyball for 45 minutes
• Playing basketball for 20 minutes
• Jumping rope for 15 minutes
• Walking stairs for 15 minutes

If none of these seem appealing, don’t forget that regular household activities can also qualify as moderate-intensity exercise:

• Washing your car for 45 minutes to an hour.
• Gardening for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Raking leaves for 30 minutes.
• Dancing for 30 minutes.

Mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming can also give you a moderate-intensity workout!

Sources:

Moderate exercise keeps appetite at bay — Science Daily

Acute effect of exercise on appetite-related factors in males with obesity: A pilot study — Physiological Reports

How sedentary people with obesity can ease into regular exercise — Healthline

What Does ‘Moderate-Intensity Exercise’ Mean Anyway? — Cleveland Clinic

The post How to naturally suppress your appetite like those weight loss drugs   appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the fatigue. I used to be someone who could charge through the day with seemingly limitless energy.

Now, I need a lunchtime nap to feel fully functional, and I often fall asleep on the couch right after dinner.

I asked my doctor why I was feeling so tired all the time, and they gave me the usual hand-waving answer of “you’re just getting older.”

But after doing some digging, I discovered that women in midlife are two to four times more likely to experience debilitating forms of fatigue… and one reason for that fatigue often gets overlooked.

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Menstrual bleeding and your energy level

There are multiple menopause symptoms that can make women feel fatigued, including hot flashes, sleep problems, pain and depression. But one team of researchers decided to explore whether abnormal uterine bleeding might be another factor.

In The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), researchers assessed daily menstrual calendar data from more than 2,300 midlife women to determine whether episodes of prolonged (PMB) or heavy (HMB) menstrual bleeding recorded during the 6 months before a follow-up visit were associated with four specific symptoms of fatigue including feeling worn out, feeling tired, not feeling full of pep, or not having energy.

SWAN revealed that one in three women transitioning through menopause had episodes of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), which includes HMB and PMB.

Despite this high incidence, only a few previous studies have focused on the problem, and no known studies have attempted to link AUB to fatigue or decreased quality of life. Heavy menstrual bleeding, particularly, is connected to iron deficiency anemia, which causes fatigue.

The study results concluded that HMB and PMB during the menopause transition were associated with an increased risk of fatigue, even after adjusting for other causes. These findings suggest that greater clinical awareness is needed of menopausal bleeding changes, particularly when fatigue is also reported.

Iron deficiency and related anemia can be easily treated, so early assessment in women with these symptoms could help a lot.

“This study highlights the need for greater clinical awareness of abnormal uterine bleeding, particularly given the increased frequency during the menopause transition and its association with low energy or fatigue symptoms,” says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society.

“Educating women about the possibility of prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding during the menopause transition and the potential health consequences is also needed.”

Peak CoQSol10 CF^™

Gives Your Cells the Energy They Need for Optimal Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What to do if you are iron deficient

If you’re going into menopause and notice your menstrual bleeding has gotten much heavier, speak with your doctor. Shopping for a gynecologist who specializes in menopause treatments may be helpful. Treatments, including hormone therapies, may be available that can help.

It’s also imperative for your doctor to determine if an iron deficiency or anemia is present. But beware: they will probably prescribe an iron supplement, and that supplement will likely be ferrous sulfate. This type of iron can irritate your stomach, liver and lymphatic symptoms, and it’s not as well absorbed as other forms of iron.

The most easily absorbed and least irritating iron supplements are ferrous gluconate, iron gluconate and iron picolinate. The usual daily recommended dose of iron for women over 50 is 8 mg per day. Still, if you’re experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, you should probably stick with the dose of 18 mg per day recommended for women under 50.

Alternatively, you could also take a daily tablespoon or two of blackstrap molasses, giving you up to 20 percent of your recommended daily dosage of iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

There are also plenty of food sources of iron you can add to your diet, including:

• Red meat
• Chicken
• Fish
• Eggs
• Barley
• Oats
• Brown rice
• Beans
• Lentils
• Nuts like almonds, pistachios and pecans
• Dark leafy greens like spinach, Swiss chard and kale

Sources:

Are you just tired or are you menopause tired? — EurekAlert!

Abnormal uterine bleeding is associated with fatigue during the menopause transition — Menopause

The post The overlooked menopause symptom stealing your energy appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But your circadian rhythm controls other essential functions, including your response to stress throughout the day.

Disrupt your body’s clock, and you end up feeling stressed — and not just because you’re sleep-deprived.

What’s really amazing, though, is that all of this stress regulation begins in the gut — about as far away from the brain as you can get.

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The importance of the gut-brain axis

The gut-brain axis is like a superhighway that runs between your gut and your brain.

One affects the other, and research is constantly finding more ways that the two influence each other — and your health. The connection is undeniable at this point.

And while a connection between stress response and circadian rhythm may seem farfetched, it is anything but.

Professor John Cryan and a team of researchers at University College in Cork, Ireland, have pioneered research showing that the gut microbiome controls the body’s hormonal responses to stress in a time-dependent manner that closely mirrors circadian rhythm.

The team confirmed that oscillations of gut microbes across the day are critical for regulating stress hormone secretion — and that depletion of gut microbiota leads to a hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s central stress response system.

They identified specific bacteria in the gut, particularly a Lactobacillus strain known as Limosilactobacillus reuteri, responsible for excessive activation of the body’s stress response system, centered in the brain’s hypothalamus.

“Our research has revealed an important link between the gut microbiota and how the brain responds to stress in a time-specific way. The gut microbiome doesn’t just regulate digestion and metabolism; it plays a critical role in how we react to stress, and this regulation follows a precise circadian rhythm.”

In practical terms, this means that maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is vital to keeping your stress response system working around the clock — so it’s got your back anytime you need it.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

Give your Body the Optimal Alkalizing Nutrients you Need for Healthy pH Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Keep a balanced gut to stress less

We already know that the health of the gut is linked to the health of the body. All sorts of diseases, from breast cancer to Alzheimer’s to heart disease, have been linked to the gut microbiome.

So, how do you maintain a healthy gut? By keeping it balanced. Not surprisingly, that hinges on what you eat — and don’t eat. Here are a few tips:

Supplement probiotics. Taking a daily probiotic can have a direct influence on brain health.

Eat more fiber. Most Americans get nowhere near the recommended daily allowance of fiber. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains are the best foods to help load up on soluble and insoluble fiber.

Add fermented foods to your routine. Some fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir can provide both probiotics and prebiotics. Kimchi and sauerkraut contain probiotics.

Pop some polyphenols. Berries, green tea and cocoa promote healthy bacteria and inhibit bad bacteria in the gut. Previous research found polyphenols regulate the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, improving mood and memory function.

Cut down on sugar. Sugar feeds the bad bacteria leading to dysbiosis, inflammation and promotes leaky gut — a condition where the gut walls become permeable, allowing bacteria and toxins to leak into the body and cause illness.

The more plant-based foods you eat, the greater the variety of bacteria in your gut that are ready to travel that superhighway to your brain and keep your stress response under control.

Sources:

Gut microbes play a key role in regulating stress responsiveness throughout the day, research finds — Eureka Alert

Gut microbiota regulates stress responsivity via the circadian system — Cell Metabolism

The post Balance this organ to balance your stress response appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

One of the less-talked-about impacts of diabetes is its effect on the health of skeletal muscle, which accounts for more than 50% of the body’s weight.

And when diabetes and obesity coexist, as they often do — experts call that “diabesity” — the damage to skeletal muscle can be profound…

In fact, diabesity is one reason that exercise is more challenging for people with diabetes.

Diabesity induces stress and dysfunction in skeletal muscle at the cellular level, including the mitochondria. This damages muscle mass and structure and impairs metabolism and function.

Investigators are exploring ways to counteract this impact. And they may have found one in a hormone more people may be familiar with as a popular sleep supplement…

Peak Longevity Platinum^™

Promotes Cellular Energy, Supports Heart & Brain Functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Melatonin protects against muscle damage

There are three types of muscle fibers:

• Slow twitch, also known as red fibers due to the large number of mitochondria they possess;
• Fast twitch, or white fibers;
• and intermediate.

Every muscle has a specific proportion of these fiber types, which vary and change depending on the type of movement being performed. For example, during short periods of intense muscular activity, white fibers with glycolytic (or anaerobic) metabolism are dominant, while during prolonged periods of low-intensity muscular activity, red fibers with oxidative (or aerobic) metabolism predominate. Red (slow) fibers are thought to be more energy-efficient than white (fast) fibers.

In diabesity, the necessary proportion of fiber types goes out the window…

Previous research indicated melatonin could be helpful, so an international team of researchers led by the University of Granada (UGR) administered melatonin to obese and diabetic rodents for 12 weeks to gauge its impact on muscle health.

What they discovered was fascinating…

Melatonin was able to restore the healthy proportion of these fibers, increasing oxidative fibers and reducing glycolytic fibers — ultimately reversing the effects of “diabesity.”

In other words, it improved the muscle’s ability to burn fat (reducing fat accumulation) and produce energy.

What’s even more interesting is that melatonin showed effects similar to those of prolonged aerobic activity, especially improving mitochondrial function and regulating calcium levels in cell compartments. This reduces cellular stress and prevents programmed cell death.

“We discovered that melatonin restores calcium levels in the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum, which helps to reduce cell damage,” says study lead Dr. Ahmad Agil, a professor of pharmacology at UGR.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Melatonin as ‘diabesity’ therapy in humans

These findings open up a new frontier for the use of melatonin, not only to improve muscle energy but as an innovative therapy to combat “diabesity.”

“Our results reinforce the idea that melatonin could have therapeutic applications in metabolic diseases, improving the muscle health of patients,” Dr. Agil says.

However, the researchers stress that clinical studies in humans are needed to confirm these results and determine optimal dosing.

“If we can demonstrate its effectiveness in humans, we could have an innovative treatment that would improve the lives of millions of people,” Dr. Agil says. Until then, he adds, maintaining a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle during the day and proper rest at night is key to preserving muscle health and preventing the adverse effects of diabesity.

If you want to try adding a melatonin supplement to your health regimen, the common recommendation is 1 to 2 milligrams about 30 minutes before bedtime. You can work your way up to 5 milligrams, but it’s important that you don’t take more than 10 milligrams at a time, or you could risk side effects that include drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, irritability and waking up in the night.

If you have kidney or liver problems, it may take you longer to clear melatonin, so your upper limit may be even lower than 10 milligrams. Talk to your doctor before starting a melatonin supplement so you can get advice on the right amount for you.

Sources:

Melatonin protects against muscle damage and restores the proportion of fibers altered by obesity and diabetes — EurekAlert!

Melatonin Ameliorates Organellar Calcium Homeostasis, Improving Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis in the Vastus Lateralis Muscle of Both Sexes of Obese Diabetic Rats — Antioxidants

Melatonin Dosage: How Much Should You Take — Sleep Foundation

Melatonin and your sleep: Is it safe, what are the side effects and how does it work? — UC Davis Health

The post The sleep supplement that combats ‘diabesity’ appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Some are intentionally produced, such as microbeads, plastic pellets, and microfibers, while others result from the breakdown of larger plastics due to wear and tear.

Regardless, microplastics have been found throughout the human body, breaching the blood-brain barrier in seconds, lodging in blood clots and arterial plaques, and taking up residence in organs like the liver and kidneys.

But they’re not just piling up. They contain endrocrine-disrupting chemicals that wreak havoc on our hormones and their functions.

Thankfully, an international team of researchers has made an exciting discovery about how we protect ourselves from some of the harms…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The secret lies in potent polyphenols

Antioxidants such as polyphenols are the substances that give fruits, vegetables and flowers their vibrant colors. Anthocyanins, a particularly potent group of polyphenols, are abundant in red, blue, and purple produce, as well as some nuts.

Previous research shows eating foods high in anthocyanins can lead to drastic reductions in acute inflammation and oxidative stress — two hallmarks of disease.

The team of researchers from Finland, China and Canada conducted a review of scientific literature to determine the impact of anthocyanins on microplastic-induced hormone dysfunction.

They found encouraging evidence that anthocyanin consumption can protect against a range of microplastic-induced effects on hormones, reductions in testosterone and estrogen, decreased sperm counts, lower sperm quality, erectile dysfunction and ovarian damage.

Microplastics have been found in the testicles and semen of males and ovarian tissue, placenta and breast milk of females. They also have been found in fetuses.

Some anthocyanins have demonstrated the ability to protect the integrity of the blood-testis barrier, which prevents microplastics from entering the tissue.

In another study, mice exposed to the same substances in microplastics that cause diseases were treated with anthocyanins. They showed increased sperm count and motility and an overall reduction in testicular damage.

Research also indicates anthocyanins can help restore testosterone production by protecting the cells responsible for producing it.

In women, anthocyanins could mitigate microplastics’ impact on fertility and sexual development. When rats with health issues that can be caused by microplastic exposure were treated with anthocyanins, they protected the ovarian tissue and normalized levels of estrogen and other hormones.

In essence, anthocyanins hold the potential to significantly reduce the toxic impact of microplastic consumption, offering a beacon of hope in the face of this environmental health crisis.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Anthocyanins against microplastics

While the research reviewed in this study focused on reproductive issues, the hormone disruption caused by microplastics can also impact heart and brain health.

Previous studies investigating anthocyanins show their mighty antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties promote heart and brain health.

“The search for natural compounds to counteract these harmful effects is ongoing, with anthocyanins emerging as a promising candidate,” the study’s authors write.

The best sources of anthocyanins include:

• Blue, purple or red-skinned berries such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, elderberries, cranberries and bilberries
• Dark cherries
• Purple grapes (which also contain the powerful antioxidant resveratrol)
• Red cabbage (which contains over 36 different kinds of anthocyanins)
• Eggplants
• Purple asparagus
• Pomegranates

Keep in mind that anthocyanins can be degraded through high-temperature cooking methods. If you want to preserve the anthocyanin content of these foods, it’s best to consume them raw or gently steam or boil them.

Sources:

Antioxidants in fruits and flowers seem to counteract harmful effects of microplastics, study shows — The Guardian

Exploring the potential protective role of anthocyanins in mitigating micro/nanoplastic-induced reproductive toxicity: A steroid receptor perspective — Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis

Anthocyanins keep heart disease, diabetes and obesity away — Easy Health Options

The post How potent antioxidants protect your hormones against microplastics appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I’ve found the ones that are genuinely effective contain very specific ingredients, like retinol. Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is available in over-the-counter skin creams and serums and by prescription. It works by exfoliating the skin and increasing collagen production, resulting in skin with a plumper, more youthful appearance.

If you’re in menopause and are taking an estrogen supplement, you may notice a change in your skin’s appearance. That’s because estrogen can raise collagen count and increase skin hydration. For this reason, some anti-aging creams contain natural forms of estrogen.

These are both well-established skincare ingredients. But scientists are constantly looking for the next wave of anti-aging substances. And they’ve found potential in more hormones produced by the human body…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Certain hormones may be key

A team of international researchers decided to study the hormones pivotal in skin aging to better understand the connection between the two. These included insulin-like growth factor 1, growth hormone, estrogens, retinoids and melatonin. Some of these were found to have incredible and unexpected biological effects on skin function and hair aging, as highlighted by distinct genetic deficiency syndromes.

The researchers also reviewed the emerging roles of additional endocrine players. These include alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which is responsible for skin pigmentation; members of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis; oxytocin; endocannabinoids, which are found in CBD products; and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulators. These were discovered to have very promising effects, such as on UV-induced genotoxic stress, which is involved in the development of photoaging and pigment synthesis within skin and hair.

“Our paper highlights key hormone players that orchestrate pathways of skin aging such as degradation of connective tissue (leading to wrinkling), stem cell survival and loss of pigment (leading to hair graying),” says lead author Dr. Markus Böhm of the University of Münster in Münster, Germany.

“Some of the hormones we studied have anti-aging properties and may be used in the future as agents to prevent skin aging,” Böhm says.

The skin is the largest organ in the body and experiences both intrinsic (or chronological) aging and extrinsic aging caused by environmental factors such as sun exposure.

“Skin is not only a target for various hormones that control pathways of skin aging but itself is certainly the largest and richest site for hormone production besides classical endocrine glands,” Böhm says.

“Further research into these hormones may offer opportunities to develop new therapeutics for treating and preventing skin aging,” he adds.

Peak Longevity Platinum^™

Promotes Cellular Energy, Supports Heart & Brain Functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Getting your hands on these hormones

Some of the hormones researched in this study are inaccessible. For instance, you can’t go into a drugstore and purchase a bottle of insulin-like growth factor 1 or growth hormone off the shelf.

However, others — like melatonin — are readily available. Melatonin is especially intriguing as a potential anti-aging substance for the skin because it is inexpensive and well-tolerated. It’s also an antioxidant as well as a regulator of mitochondrial metabolism.

You can purchase melatonin supplements either in drugstores or online. There are also skincare products that are formulated with melatonin. Just make sure you’re getting these products from reputable, high-quality sources.

Endocannabinoids, such as those found in CBD products, can also be obtained in drugstores and online. These substances have been found to promote an increase in new cell growth while decreasing the number of damaged cells. You can find endocannabinoids in both skincare and supplement forms, though the same caveat holds true as with melatonin. In fact, you need to be especially careful when buying CBD products, as some contain little to no CBD or get their CBD from impure sources.

Oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone,” is one of four main neurotransmitters in the brain responsible for helping you feel happy. It’s not available in over-the-counter form, but there are ways to increase your body’s production:

• Get a hug from a family member or friend
• Have an orgasm
• Sing (or cry)
• Exercise
• Pet a dog

Also, make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D, as it may be involved in the regulation and function of oxytocin.

Sources:

Hormones may have therapeutic potential to prevent wrinkles, hair graying — ScienceDaily

Endocrine Controls of Skin Aging — Endocrine Reviews

Anti-aging – Statistics & Facts — Statista

Retinol — Cleveland Clinic

Hormones in Personal Care Products — Breast Cancer Prevention Partners

The post Harnessing the anti-aging potential of hormones appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In fact, they’d become a part of my wellness practices. When I’d take a relaxing bath, I always lit a candle or two to create a spa-like atmosphere…

When I’d ready myself for a little mindful meditation, lighting a candle in my quiet space was part of a routine that helped me clear my mind.

And during certain times of the year, especially holidays, candles just help set the mood.

That’s why I was surprised to learn that something I was doing to create positive feelings in my home presented some significant health hazards.

Here are the health dangers you need to be aware of, as well as a few simple tips to decrease your risks…

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Your body is exposed to an onslaught of chemicals and pollutants daily. Once inside, they travel a superhighway – your circulatory system – reaching every inch of your body and interfering with vital functions. Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™ is formulated with nutrients that help flush these harmful toxins out of your body! MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The problem with candles

Common issues people experience due to candle use include everything from vertigo, headaches and respiratory issues to watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, chest tightness and a dry or irritated throat.

However, those might actually be the least of your worries…

According to researchers reporting in the Annals of Medicine & Surgery, “When scented candles are lit indoors, several harmful gasses are released. They range greatly, from those known to have no effect on health except for those that may be cancerous.”

These gases can contain:

• Carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide – These increase levels of indoor air pollution, lowering the quality of air you breathe.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) – Compounds like benzene, formaldehyde, naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene have been found in candles and are well-known carcinogens.
• Phthalates or endocrine disruptors – These significantly impact hormone levels and worsen allergy and asthma symptoms. Phthalates are specifically found in scented candles because they are used to make synthetic fragrances to give the candles their aromas.
• Particulate matter – When candles are burned, a mix of solid and liquid particles (or soot) is formed. Unfortunately, these particles are so tiny that when you breathe, they are capable of entering deep into your lungs, where they are swept into your bloodstream. This could raise your chances of not only respiratory issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma but also lung and other cancers.

Additionally, the toluene derivatives and benzidine-based dyes that are used to color many candle waxes can lead to their own dangers, since they have been associated with urothelial cancer development — a type of cancer that mainly attacks the bladder and kidneys.

Peak DIM^™

Helps Support Healthy Hormone Balance for Both Men and Women by Keeping Excess Estrogen in Check!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Tips for safer candle use

So, how can enjoy burning candles in your home more safely?

First, it’s important to note that the National Candle Association recommends following the candle manufacturer’s instructions for ideal burn time, while not exceeding four hours of candle use per day.

Also, only burn candles in a well-ventilated space and limit the number you burn at the same time. This matters because most candles are made with paraffin wax which produces more VOCs and soot compared to natural waxes such as soy or beeswax. So, choose candles made from these natural materials if you can.

Some experts suggest candles scented with essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes to minimize your phthalate exposure; however, highly concentrated and potent essential oils can emit VOCs.

Reducing soot exposure can also help. Easy ways to do this include:

• Trimming candle wicks to one-fourth of an inch.
• Removing debris around the wick.
• Snuffing out candles before they begin to smolder.
• Never place candles near fans, air conditioners or open windows where air movement interferes with the candle’s oxygen supply.

Finally, after putting out scented candles, air out the room to get rid of the chemical compounds produced while burning.

And because it never hurts to do everything you can to rid your body of all of the harmful toxins that you’re exposed to on a daily basis (including the chemicals from candles), check out these five ways to detox daily without a diet.

Sources:

The unknown risks of scented candles! what science has to say: an editorial — NIH

The Dirty Truth About Scented Candles — MEDPAGETODAY

The post The hidden hazards of burning candles in your home appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In fact, sleep is now officially recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) as part of the Essential 8 — a set of lifestyle measures proven to enhance cardiovascular health. 

So how does sleep protect your heart? What happens to your body during sleep? And how can you make rest a priority in your daily life?

Sleep: A Cornerstone of the Essential 8

The AHA added sleep to its list of Essential 8 because research has confirmed that good-quality rest is critical to overall health, including the health of your heart.  During sleep is when your body performs vital functions: repairing tissues, regulating hormones, and giving your heart and blood vessels a much-needed break. Without enough rest, these critical processes are interrupted, increasing your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and even heart attacks.

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What Happens During Sleep

Sleep is more than just downtime for your body. When you sleep, especially during deeper stages, your heart rate and blood pressure drop, reducing the workload on your cardiovascular system. This nightly “reset” allows your heart to recover and prepare for the day ahead. Additionally, your body regulates essential hormones during sleep, such as:

• Stress hormones: Levels of cortisol, which can raise blood pressure, naturally decrease during sleep.
• Hunger hormones: Sleep balances ghrelin and leptin, the hormones that control hunger and fullness. 

What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep

Skipping sleep, or even regularly getting less than seven hours a night, puts your heart at risk. Here’s how:

• Higher Blood Pressure: Without the nighttime drop in blood pressure that occurs during sleep, your heart and blood vessels remain under constant stress.  Sleep apnea, specifically, can be the sole reason someone has hypertension.  So if you snore and have high blood pressure, discuss sleep apnea screening with your physician.
• Increased Inflammation: Poor sleep is linked to higher levels of C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker tied to heart disease.
• Elevated Stress Hormones: A lack of sleep can raise cortisol levels, contributing to higher heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
• Weight Gain: Sleep deprivation alters hunger-regulating hormones, making overeating more likely. 

Over time, these factors can lead to conditions like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes — all of which strain your heart and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Peak Vision Support^™

Unique Dual Nutrient Formula Supports Healthy, Clear Vision and Protects Eyes from Blue Light!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to Prioritize Sleep

The good news? Sleep is something you can control. Here are steps to help you get the quality rest your heart needs:

1. Stick to a Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. A consistent schedule reinforces your body’s circadian rhythm, helping you fall asleep and wake up more easily.
2. Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Ease into sleep with calming activities like reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath. This signals your body that it’s time to wind down.
3. Limit Stimulants: Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and heavy meals in the hours leading up to bedtime. These can disrupt your ability to fall or stay asleep.
4. Turn Off Screens: Blue light from phones, tablets, and TVs can interfere with your body’s melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep — power down at least an hour before bed.

If You’re Still Struggling

Poor and non-restorative sleep has wide-ranging health effects. This blog has focused on cardiometabolic health, but not getting enough nightly rest can contribute to cognitive decline and even cancer risk. 

So if you’ve tried everything and are still struggling, talk to your doctor.  For perimenopausal women, hormone replacement may be the answer.  For others, sleep apnea evaluation may be appropriate.

In some circumstances, a formal referral to a Sleep Medicine specialist is required. The one thing NOT to do? Ignore your sleepless nights. 

The post What happens to your body and heart during sleep appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But honestly, nothing beats that warm glow I get when I give a gift I’ve put so much thought and effort into to a friend or family member.

I love watching them open the gift and seeing their faces light up when they uncover what I’ve given them.

I’ve often wondered if everyone feels that way about gift-giving. The answer is, they do.

It turns out the old adage “it’s better to give than to receive” is true — and the reason is based on science…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The love hormone: an unexpected benefit of gift giving

When you give a gift, particularly to someone you have a close relationship with, it activates key reward pathways in your brain, says Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas, science director at the Greater Good Science Center, a research center at the University of California, Berkeley.

Over the past decade, several studies have shown that spending money on someone other than yourself promotes happiness. And here’s why…

When we are generous — whether donating money to a charity or giving a loved one a present they really want — it creates more interaction between the parts of the brain that process social information and feel pleasure.

“Oftentimes, people refer to it as the ‘warm glow,’ this intrinsic delight in doing something for someone else,” Simon-Thomas says.

You can thank your brain for that — and for activating pathways that release the neurotransmitter oxytocin, the “love hormone” that signals trust, safety and connection.

Studies have indicated that oxytocin may have potential to treat conditions like osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and tinnitus, and may have benefits that impact addiction, depression, anxiety, anorexia, autism spectrum disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also improves life satisfaction.

These feel-good effects on the brain begin long before you even hand over the gift. It starts when you start thinking about what to get and extends to shopping for and wrapping it. The whole experience activates those same reward pathways, Simon-Thomas says.

Studies suggest receiving a gift could engender a similar response in the brain. “If you’re given a gift from someone who cares about you a lot and you really love what they have gotten you, that is going to yield a very similar oxytocin-laden reward response,” Simon-Thomas says.

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Stress may offset that effect

While gift-giving and receiving can often lead to hopefulness and excitement, it can also bring up other emotions, including stress and anxiety, says Dr. Scott Rick, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

“When it goes right it can be a wonderful thing but can also come with a lot of anxiety over how much you’re spending or whether or not they will like the gift,” Rick says.

And when gift-giving becomes stressful, it can suck the joy out of the gift-giving experience.

“If you are really stressed that is overwhelming your ability to anticipate or savor the experience, then dopamine and oxytocin aren’t what’s being released in your brain,” Simon-Thomas says. “You’re probably just feeling stressed the whole time.”

In this case, she adds, it’s important to shift your mindset. If you’re stressed about finances, set expectations with friends and family up front. Instead of spending money, consider giving the gift of your time, whether to perform a needed task for them or to do something together. You can even give a handmade book with coupons that can be redeemed for one event, such as going to a movie together or washing the dishes for the giftee.

“A good gift involves some sacrifice — money, time or both,” Rick says. “It shows that you understand and know the person and can surprise them.”

As long as you’re giving from the heart, you could probably expect loads of the love hormone in return. But to boost oxytocin and other “good feel” hormones year-round, try these tips.

Sources:

What happens in your brain when you give a gift? — American Psychological Association

A neural link between generosity and happiness — Nature Communications

Does spending money on others promote happiness?: A registered replication report. — APA PsychNet

The post The scientific reason it really is better to give than receive appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Lately, however, we’ve discovered that BMI is not the most accurate way to measure just how much of our weight can be attributed to body fat.

And when body fat is associated with a deadly cancer, this really matters…

What is hormone-positive breast cancer?

Contrary to what you may think, there’s more than one type of breast cancer.

Estrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer, also called hormone-positive breast cancer, means there are specific estrogen receptors on the tumor cells.

When estrogen binds with these receptors, it stimulates the cancer cells to grow and reproduce. Therefore, one of the main goals of therapy or intervention with hormone-positive cancer is to reduce hormonal stimulation as much as possible.

Why weight matters for post-menopausal women

Estrogen is made by the ovaries during the years before menopause, but it’s also made in fat cells where enzymes convert other hormones to estrogens. After menopause, fat is the primary source of estrogen production in the body.

So of course, maintaining a healthy weight is a prime way for post-menopausal women to reduce their risk for this type of breast cancer.

But more than weight, the amount of excess fat a woman is carrying is of primary importance in determining her risk for this cancer.

Traditionally, body mass index (BMI) has been the way body fat has been measured.

But now we’re finding that it’s not the most accurate way.

BMI underestimates ER+ breast cancer

BMI does not account for age, sex, or ethnicity. So a team of Spanish researchers used another validated measure of body fat that does account for these factors, known as CUN-BAE.

Both BMI and CUN-BAE numbers were obtained for 1033 white post-menopausal women with breast cancer, as well as for 1143 who were cancer-free but matched for age and sex.

Using BMI, they found an estimated 19.9 percent of breast cancer cases to be hormone-positive, but using the alternative measurement, about 41.9 percent were determined to be hormone-positive.

“Our findings suggest that the population impact could be underestimated when using traditional BMI estimates, and that more accurate measures of body fat, such as CUN-BAE, should be considered when estimating the cancer burden attributable to obesity in postmenopausal breast cancer.”

The team also noted that, when planning effective strategies to prevent breast cancer, this difference is crucial.

Lose weight to reduce risk for ER+ breast cancer

If you’re a woman who is beyond menopause, the best way to help prevent estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, other than maintaining a healthy weight, is to control cholesterol.

Research has shown that byproducts of cholesterol can bind to estrogen receptors and promote the growth of ER+ tumors.

Following a healthy low-fat diet can help you do both…

Whole grain fiber foods, like barley, oats, and brown rice are great at lowering cholesterol. A high-fiber diet promotes the binding of both cholesterol and estrogen in the colon, which reduces reabsorption.

In fact, a Swedish study found that fiber intake from fruit and cereal may play a role in reducing breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women, particularly.

But cutting down on dairy fat and saturated fats is also a must.

Other foods can help tame estrogen and guard against cancer as well, including:

Manuka honey. Researchsuggests that this medicinal honey could be developed into a natural supplement or even a standalone treatment for ER-positive breast cancer, especially for patients who experience resistance to the commonly used therapies.

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale contain diindolylmethane (DIM), a compound that promotes the healthy metabolism of estrogen.

Green tea. Green tea contains powerful polyphenols that have proven to play a role in resisting a variety of cancers — liver, breast, prostate, lung and skin cancers, among others.

Don’t forget to exercise. Combining aerobics and strength training gets you the most cancer protection from both cancer incidence and mortality.

Sources:

Around 40% of postmenopausal hormone positive breast cancers linked to excess body fat — Eureka Alert

Burden of postmenopausal breast cancer attributable to excess body weight: comparative study of body mass index and CUN-BAE in MCC-Spain study — Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

The post The underestimated factor for ER+ breast cancer appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But the condition it’s most closely linked to is diabetes.

In fact, the two are so likely to go hand-in-hand that doctors have coined a term for it – ‘diabesity.’

According to Cleveland Clinic endocrinologist, Jay Waddadar, MD,” “Diabesity is a disease with enormous potential to cause ill effects on the body in the long run. Diabesity is a silent disease that damages your body if it’s not controlled, even while you feel fine.”

However, not everyone with obesity develops diabetes, and a team of scientists at Rutgers University believes they’ve uncovered why and how it could help others…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Stress and obesity-induced insulin resistance

Scientists have long thought obesity causes diabetes by impairing the way insulin signals within the liver and fat cells.

However, while looking at hormone levels in mice, the Rutgers team discovered that overeating in normal mice increases the stress hormone norepinephrine within days, resulting in stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.

This insight quickly led the researchers in a new direction: determining what effect excess production of this hormone has in spurring diabetes development.

To do so, they fed genetically engineered mice (unable to produce stress hormones) the same obesity-inducing high-fat and high-sugar diet. But even though these mice ate as many calories and got just as obese as normal mice, they didn’t develop metabolic disease.

Their conclusion?

Overeating and obesity increase the body’s sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight response), raises the level of the stress hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine and causes insulin resistance.

The new findings may help explain why some obese individuals develop diabetes while others don’t and why stress can worsen diabetes even with little weight gain.

“Many types of stress – financial stress, marital stress, the stress associated with living in dangerous areas or suffering discrimination or even the physical stress that comes from excessive alcohol consumption — all increase diabetes and synergize with the metabolic stress of obesity,” said Christoph Buettner, chief of endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Reduce the effects of stress

“We hope this paper provides a different take on insulin resistance,” Dr. Buettner added. “It may also explain why none of the drugs currently used to treat insulin resistance, except insulin itself, directly increases cellular insulin signaling.”

That makes addressing how stress impacts the body, specifically diabetes, something that can’t be ignored. And while overeating and stress can partner up to increase the risk for diabetes, developing healthy eating habits should still be at the top of any list to lower those risks.

Stress, however, can be harder to tame. There are a few lifestyle factors that can help manage stress, including exercise, medication or prayer and learning to say “no.”

However, we can’t talk about stress and the body’s natural fight-or-flight response without discussing the adrenal glands.

The adrenals secrete several hormones including epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and cortisol, which have similar functions — including increasing the heart rate and force of heart contractions, increasing blood flow to the muscles and brain, relaxing airway smooth muscles, and assisting in glucose (sugar) metabolism.

All of these functions are necessary for the fight or flight response needed during times of short-term stress. But when stress becomes chronic (long-term), the adrenals become fatigued. Cortisol output can contribute to a recurrent stress loop that can’t be resolved appropriately, potentially resulting in elevated norepinephrine.

It becomes difficult to rein the fight or flight response back in with hormones that normally would, like DHEA, and we can experience problems with blood sugar, weight gain, low energy levels and more.

Adaptogens are active ingredients in certain plants that help your body adapt to stress. Some adaptogen herbs, including ashwagandha and holy basil, have been shown to improve the body’s response to physical and emotional stress:

• Ashwagandha has a positive effect on the endocrine and nervous systems by regulating metabolism and how the brain responds to stress.
• Holy basil also helps to balance blood sugar and cholesterol and also provides a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Sources:

Researchers suggest stress hormones explain how obesity causes diabetes – EurekAlert!

Diabesity: How Obesity Is Related to Diabetes – Cleveland Clinic

Adrenal Glands — Johns Hopkins Medicine

Adaptogens — Cleveland Clinic

The one thing that reverses the amazing benefits of healthy fats – Easy Health Options

The post Obesity’s fight-or-flight response driving diabetes appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

However, the truth is that heart disease kills more women each year than breast cancer by far.

In fact, according to the American Heart Association, one in 39 women in the U.S. will die from breast cancer each year, while 1 in 3 dies from cardiovascular disease.

That works out to roughly one death every minute, with menopause playing a significant role in women’s cardiovascular risks.

This makes menopause a dangerous time in life for a woman due to changes in her heart health. And according to studies presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meeting recently, there are five particular dangers women should be aware of…

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

#1 – Irregular heartbeat

Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), found that 1 in 4 women are likely to develop irregular heart rhythms post-menopause. Known as atrial fibrillation, if not treated, it’s the most common cardiac cause of stroke. Fortunately, it’s possible to reduce the risk of AFib by 60 percent with regular exercise.

#2 – Elevated risk of heart failure

Scientists also found that women who went through menopause late – at age 55 or older – and who lived with obesity were at a significantly higher risk of heart failure.

#3 – Higher chance of heart disease

On the other end of the spectrum, research presented at the Association’s 2022 Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference (EPI), showed that women who naturally experienced early menopause (by the age of 40) had a 40% higher chance of coronary heart disease over their lifetime, compared to women who did not go through early menopause.

Coronary heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease) occurs when blockages or damage to the vessels prevent the arteries from delivering enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This can lead to a heart attack.

#4 – Dementia dangers

Results of another 2021 study found that women who experience very early menopause were 35% more likely to develop some type of dementia later in life, compared with women who enter menopause around age 50.

#5 – Effects of loneliness on the heart

Additional research in 2021 showed that menopausal heart danger can be compounded by social isolation. The study showed that women who experience loneliness post-menopause were at a 29% risk of cardiovascular disease.

Peak Vitality^™

Peak Vitality^™ helps support and strengthen adrenal gland function for improved energy, hormone balance, mood and focus!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Support your heart health starting now

As the researchers noted, “More women in the U.S. are living longer, and a significant portion of them will spend up to 40% of their lives postmenopausal, so it’s important to monitor a woman’s health and lifestyle and develop intervention strategies to protect heart health.”

So what can you do to promote better heart health before, leading up to and during your menopause years?

Exercise, follow a Mediterranean-style diet and consider adding the veggie that gives back the heart protection menopause steals to your daily diet…

When women stop producing estrogen, they’re losing more than a sex hormone. Estrogen helps maintain nitric oxide (NO) levels in the body. NO is a signaling molecule found in the endothelial cells that line artery walls — where its chief function is to act as a powerful vasodilator and an important regulator of the cardiovascular system.

In one study, researchers at Penn State determined that beetroot juice, a naturally occurring dietary source of NO, improved blood-vessel function in menopausal and postmenopausal women so much that if it could be maintained over the postmenopausal years, the risk of heart disease could be significantly reduced.

NO may also help with the weight gain linked to heart failure. In a study using mice, researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, found that mice on NO therapy gained 17 percent less body weight than the control mice.

That same study saw the mice on NO therapy had improved cerebral blood flow and improved spatial learning abilities. That’s a win since better brain blood flow is associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment.

As a doctor, I think adding beets to our healthcare arsenal is one of the simplest things women can do for the threats we face when menopause comes knocking.

Beets can be enjoyed in salads, pickled, juiced with other veggies and added to smoothies.

Sources:

Hot news flash: Menopause can impact a woman’s heart health — EurekAlert!

3 amazing benefits of summer’s best heart-healthy vegetable — Easy Health Options

The post 5 serious health threats tied to menopause appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I still love the taste of licorice, but as an adult I’ve switched to pure licorice.

But as someone with mild hypertension, I’m a LOT more careful about how much of the stuff I eat.

Licorice root has both good and bad effects on the body.

The World Health Organization has set guidelines for how much licorice it’s safe to consume.

But guess what? Now, they’re questioning those guidelines. And it looks like their judgment was off.

If you’re a licorice lover — and over 40 — you’ll want to read this…

Peak Vision Support^™

Two out of three people suffer with blurred vision, eye fatigue and dry, irritated eyes. Researchers expect the number of people with age-related macular degeneration and cataracts to nearly double by the year 2050. The cause of this decline in our vision is… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The benefits of eating licorice

Licorice is a well-known herb in traditional Chinese medicine.

There are more than 300 compounds in licorice root, some of which have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties.

Licorice drops are well-known for soothing a sore throat. In moderation, licorice can ease stomach discomfort and kill oral bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Research has even found that one of those compounds, glycyrrhizic acid, may help fight prostate cancer.

But glycyrrhizic acid is a double-edged sword…

The risks of eating licorice

An excessive amount of glycyrrhizic acid can cause serious imbalances in your electrolyte levels, particularly potassium. It also affects the body’s fluid balance through effects on an enzyme in the kidney.

Both of these can cause high blood pressure, which can trigger heart problems, including abnormal heart rhythms and congestive heart failure.

So, getting back to the WHO’s guidelines … just HOW MUCH black licorice can you safely enjoy without worrying about your blood pressure and heart?

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The guidelines were wrong

The standing guidelines from the World Health Organization state that 100 mg of glycyrrhizic acid per day (about 3.5 ounces) is probably safe to eat for most individuals.

Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden had their doubts. They set out to test whether this limit is truly safe.

When you and I eat licorice, we don’t know how much glycyrrhizic acid we’re consuming.

But in this study, half of a group of 28 women and men aged 18-30 were instructed to eat licorice where the glycyrrhizic acid content was known to be exactly 100 mg.

The other half, the control group, ate a product that contained salmiak, which adds to the salty flavor of licorice.

At the end of two weeks, those who ate licorice saw their blood pressure increase an average of 3.1 mmHg.

In addition, those who ate licorice saw a decrease in renin and aldosterone, the two hormones that regulate the body’s fluid balance, another factor in causing hypertension.

About a quarter of the participants were especially sensitive to the effects of licorice. This group also had elevated levels of a protein that the heart secretes more of when it needs to work harder to pump blood through the body, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

So where does this leave licorice lovers?

As with all sweets, over-indulgence is not a good idea. But in this case, you’re not just looking to avoid weight gain. Too much licorice candy could land you in the hospital, or worse.

The FDA “encourages moderation,” while warning: “If you’re 40 or older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could land you in the hospital with an irregular heart rhythm.”

For me, licorice is an occasional treat. I limit myself to 1-2 pieces every few days.

Use good judgment. It’s probably best to treat yourself once every so often, rather than keeping a bag of licorice candy in your cupboard. That way, your risk of eating too much isn’t as great.

Sources:

Small amounts of licorice raise blood pressure, study finds — Science Daily

A low dose of daily licorice intake affects renin, aldosterone, and home blood pressure in a randomized crossover trial — American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

What are the benefits of licorice root? — Medical News Today

The post Even a little licorice can raise your blood pressure appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It’s long been acknowledged that being overweight or obese dramatically increases your risk of heart disease.

A few years ago, I wrote about metabolically healthy obesity as a way of explaining why some obese people have better cardiovascular health than people of healthy weight.

But is it pounds that count, or something else entirely?

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The history of body mass index

Since the 1990s, body mass index, or BMI, has been the standard way to estimate a person’s percentage of body fat. It’s a number that is calculated from a person’s weight and height.

BMI was originally meant to describe the risk of a population as a whole. But because it’s so easy to calculate, it became a clinical tool. A doctor can calculate your BMI with nothing more than a scale and a tape measure.

But BMI doesn’t distinguish among different types of weight.

“Weight can be composed of so many parts of us: our water weight, bone weight, fat, and muscle,” says Dr. Beverly Tchang, an endocrinologist and assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine.

“You can have someone come in with a normal BMI, and they already have prediabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol,” she says. “That’s probably because that normal BMI is missing the fat distribution detail.”

There’s an alternative to the BMI, and it’s turning out to be the prediction tool we need.

BRI: A better predictor of your heart’s risks

Body roundness index (BRI) combines waist circumference and height, reflecting the proportion of abdominal and visceral fat a person carries. Actual weight in pounds is not a factor in this formula.

A study recently showed why BR, is a far more accurate way to assess an individual’s risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers in China analyzed BRI measurements in a group of almost 10,000 adults between 2011 and 2016.

They assigned people to three groups based not only on their BRI, but on how it changed over time: a low-stable group, a moderate-stable group, and a high-stable group.

Compared to participants in the low-stable BRI level group, the risk of cardiovascular disease in the moderate-stable BRI level group increased by 61 percent, and the risk in the high-stable BRI level group increased by 163 percent.

“Our findings indicate that six years of moderate-to-high stable BRI appeared to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, suggesting that BRI measurements may potentially be used as a predictive factor for cardiovascular disease incidence,” says senior study author Dr. senior study author Yun Qian.

Peak DIM^™

If you’re having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, feeling sluggish, are unable to regulate your mood, or struggle with your sex drive, you could be experiencing a hormone problem called estrogen dominance. Both men and women experience… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to avoid being “round”

To be honest this information isn’t news to us. It’s just more confirmation that fat carried in the midsection — belly fat, visceral fat, call it what you will — is almost a sure ticket to cardiovascular disease.

Back in 2019, I reported that the Endocrine Society listed waist circumference, an indication of excess fat in the midsection, along with four other factors to identify metabolic syndrome as a cardiovascular risk factor.

As with most things, diet and exercise are your two best weapons.

If you’re carrying belly fat, don’t be discouraged if you start exercising and don’t see visible changes. Even when it doesn’t show, it’s altering the composition of that deadly fat by reducing the number of inflammation-causing cells it contains. Inflammation is a significant contributor to heart trouble.

The role of hormones can’t be ignored when discussing belly fat either. Several, including the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, insulin, cortisol (stress hormone), leptin and ghrelin (hunger hormones), not to mention thyroid and adrenal hormones, affect abdominal weight gain.

Discuss having your thyroid levels checked and rule out adrenal fatigue, leptin resistance and insulin resistance, and explore balancing estrogen and testosterone with a trusted healthcare practitioner.

According to cardiologist, Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, “As more studies validate the effectiveness of BRI, we could see a shift in how doctors assess and manage weight-related health risks. While BMI isn’t likely to disappear overnight, it’s clear that it can’t stand alone as the definitive measure of health.”

Sources:

Measure of body roundness may help to predict risk of cardiovascular disease — Eureka Alert

Body Roundness Index Trajectories and the Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease: Evidence From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study — Journal of the American Heart Association

More belly weight increases danger of heart disease even if BMI does not indicate obesity — Science Daily

Could the Body Roundness Index One Day Replace the BMI? — JAMA Network

Time to Say Goodbye to the B.M.I.? NY Times

Body Roundness Index and All-Cause Mortality Among US Adults — JAMA Network

The post What to know about the new heart disease risk measurement appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The most shocking might be perchlorate, a chemical found in rocket fuel (yes, you read that right!), fireworks, flares and matches.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to set a limit on perchlorate levels in water even though anyone with common sense might think any rocket fuel — at all — is way too much, considering the chemical has been linked to brain damage in infants and children and can damage our thyroids.

As if drinking rocket fuel isn’t bad enough, you and your family may be eating it as well…

Peak Thyroid Support^™

The thyroid’s main job is to make hormones that regulate the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, muscles and every other organ and tissue. But to function properly, it needs an adequate supply of iodine — something that gets harder to metabolize with age. That’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Perchlorate in your food

A study from Consumer Reports indicates perchlorate has contaminated our food supply. Scientists analyzed 196 samples of 63 grocery store products and 10 fast food items. About 67 percent of the samples had measurable levels of perchlorate ranging from just over two parts per billion (ppb) to 79 ppb.

When looking at general categories, these had the highest levels of perchlorate:

• Baby/kid food, averaging 19.4 ppb
• Fruits and vegetables, averaging 9.3 ppb
• Fast food, averaging 7.7 ppb
• Baked products and grains, averaging 6.9 ppb
• Dairy, averaging 6.2 ppb
• Meat products, averaging 5.3 ppb

How much ‘rocket fuel’ is safe?

According to Consumer Reports, in 2005, the EPA established an “official reference dose” for perchlorate of 0.7 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day. This means the EPA considers this to be a safe exposure level.

However, many food experts think this level is too high. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set a tolerable daily intake of less than half that amount: 0.3 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.

While none of the foods tested had perchlorate levels high enough for one serving to exceed the EFSA or EPA’s suggested daily limits, children may be especially vulnerable because of their lower body weight.

For instance, a serving of the boxed mac and cheese the scientists tested would hit nearly 50 percent of the EFSA limit for perchlorate in a child between 1 and 2 years old. And servings of the baby rice cereal, baby multigrain cereal and organic yogurt tested would each hit about a quarter of the EFSA limit. That means with one serving of each of those foods, a child would exceed the EFSA’s safe daily limit.

And even if you’re feeding your child healthy food, they still may quickly go over the limit. One serving of cucumbers, baby carrots and collard greens would each exceed 50 percent of the EFSA daily limit for children between ages 1 and 2.

Peak Prostate Support^™

10 Targeted Nutrients to Support a Healthy Prostate!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Danger to the thyroid

Now for the bad news: there isn’t much you can do to avoid consuming perchlorate through your food. Even eating a healthy diet can put you at risk, since perchlorate is found in fruits and vegetables. You can (and should) wash your fruits and vegetables in filtered water before you consume them, which might at least remove any surface-level contaminants.

Also, it’s best to avoid consuming fast food, mac and cheese and processed chicken products like chicken nuggets, since those all contain high levels of perchlorates and are unhealthy for other reasons. And definitely don’t feed those to your kids.

Consuming unsafe levels of perchlorate can affect the thyroid by interfering with iodide uptake into the thyroid gland. Iodide is the salt form of iodine, a mineral crucial to proper thyroid function. This disrupts thyroid functions and could lead to a reduction in thyroid hormone production. That makes perchlorates endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

“Thyroid hormones affect metabolism, and having bad thyroid function could lead, in this case, to type 2 diabetes,” Dr. James Rogers, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, told USA Today. Disruption of the thyroid can also affect the development of the central nervous system in fetuses and infants.

While you may not be able to avoid eating rocket fuel, you can help protect your thyroid function by getting enough iodine. You can eat foods rich in iodide like iodized salt, organic yogurt, cranberries, navy beans and sea vegetables like kelp and wakame. Or you can supplement if your iodine levels are dangerously low.

Also, you can help optimize thyroid function and increase thyroid hormone efficiency by combining iodine with the amino acid L-Tyrosine.

There is one bit of good news: the EPA says it will set limits on perchlorate by Nov. 21, 2025, according to Consumer Reports. Hopefully, they will begin to regulate the disposal of this dangerous chemical so those perchlorate levels don’t go any higher. We may be stuck with what of it has already polluted our waters and soil as it is a “forever chemical.”

Sources:

Is your family eating rocket fuel? Consumer Reports study finds chemical in food, water — USA Today

Why Rocket Fuel Has Been Contaminating Our Food and Water for Years — Consumer Reports

Perchlorate in Food — U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The post Rocket fuel: The toxic danger lurking in our food appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It’s also a great way to power up your health, as long as you’re cautious.

Time in the sun contributes to the amount of vitamin D in your body — the nutrient necessary for health processes that help delay frailty and guard against dementia, ramp up the immune system, promote youthful testosterone production and increase the odds you’ll live longer.

It’s also vital to supporting a healthy heart.

And now there’s one more reason to get your time in the sun — the ability to ramp up your metabolism…

Peak Thyroid Support^™

The thyroid’s main job is to make hormones that regulate the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, muscles and every other organ and tissue. But to function properly, it needs an adequate supply of iodine — something that gets harder to metabolize with age. That’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

UV exposure and the browning of fat

Previous studies on the effects of UV exposure on obesity and metabolic disorders have demonstrated that although UV rays do not directly reach subcutaneous fat when exposed to the skin, they can regulate fat metabolism.

So scientists at Seoul National University Hospital decided to dive into the deep end and see just exactly what processes those UV rays are capable of kicking off…

To do so, the team used two groups of mice — one fed a normal diet and one on a high-fat diet — exposing the power of ultraviolet radiation.

They discovered that even though both groups exhibited an increased appetite due to a decrease in leptin, the satiety hormone, neither of the groups gained an ounce!

According to the team, this is because UV radiation also enhances the secretion of norepinephrine — which increases energy expenditure through the “browning” of subcutaneous fat.

In other words, it turns white fat that does nothing more than accumulate around your hips, thighs and middle, into calorie-burning beige fat.

This means that even if you continue eat at your normal level, maybe more, your body burns it off before it can find its way to your waist.

“Notably, the fact that UV radiation lowers leptin levels and increases norepinephrine, thereby promoting the browning of subcutaneous fat and increasing energy expenditure, provides a groundbreaking clue for the development of obesity treatment strategies,” said Lead investigator Jin Ho Chung, MD, PhD.

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Burn the calories, not your skin

This isn’t the first study to link sunlight to weight. Researchers from the University of Alberta found that the fat cells just beneath your skin shrink when they’re exposed to the sun.

So if you want to turn your own body into a calorie-burning machine with more beige fat, make sure to get enough time outside.

Just be sure to strike the right balance…

Too much sun can harm your skin. And even though this study focuses on UV rays, consolidated evidence from existing research supports the role of vitamin D in regulating adipose tissue (white fat) and obesity prevention.

Another found that “high-dose vitamin D increased sensitivity to leptin without significantly affecting the amount of leptin produced per fat mass. This increased leptin sensitivity did not alter appetite but did increase fat free mass adjusted energy expenditure.”

When choosing a vitamin D supplement, be sure you look for one that contains D3, the most bioavailable form of the nutrient and the one that’s already stored in our bodies. Vitamin D3 is almost twice as effective as vitamin D2 at raising vitamin D levels.

Be sure to dose adequately. Vitamin D is not a one-size-fits-all vitamin.

Sources:

UV Light Increases Appetite But Suppresses Weight Gain – NeuroscienceNews.com

Vitamin D – Mayo Clinic

Vitamin D supplements may benefit heart health, research finds – Medical News Today

Vitamin D and Male Erectile Function: An Updated Review – NIH

Low Vitamin D Levels and Frailty Status in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – NIH

CAN SUNLIGHT MAKE YOU SKINNY? – Easy Health Options

The post Soak up the sun to ramp up your calorie-burning metabolism appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s why doctors will often order a special type of x-ray called a DEXA scan to measure your bone mineral density or BMD.

But it turns out that’s not the only way to tell if you have weak bones…

In fact, according to researchers from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece, all it takes is measuring your arm fat.

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What arm fat has to do with your bones

While it may sound strange that the fat on your arms would play a role in warning about your bone strength, those Greek researchers have the facts to back it up.

The team investigated the link between body fat and bone quality by examining 14 men and 101 women, without osteoporosis and an average age of about 62.

And they found that overall, people who have excess fat on their bodies — irrespective of their body mass index (BMI) — have low bone quality in their spine.

Even more concerning, they discovered that the more belly fat located deep inside the abdomen and around internal organs (known as visceral fat), the lower the quality of the spine’s spongy bone or trabecular bone.

In other words, having more visceral fat means you’re more likely to suffer from a spinal fracture.

This didn’t surprise the researchers since visceral fat is the hormonally more active component of total body fat. This means that this specific type of body fat produces molecules called adipocytokines that kick off low-grade inflammation, which can negatively impact bone quality.

However, while we can all look at our bellies and see if we need to lose weight, the level of visceral fat on our bodies can still be hard to gauge. And that’s where the arms come in.

The researchers then looked at the distribution of body fat under the skin and discovered that people with higher fat mass in their arms were also far more likely to have lower bone quality and strength in their spines.

According to study senior author, Professor Eva Kassi, “This could mean that the arm’s subcutaneous fat, which can be easily estimated even by the simple and inexpensive skin-fold calliper method, may emerge as a useful index of bone quality of the spine, possibly predicting the vertebrae fracture risk.”

Put simply, you can get an idea of how strong your bones are simply by pinching the fat on the back of your upper arm.

Peak Thyroid Support^™

The thyroid’s main job is to make hormones that regulate the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, muscles and every other organ and tissue. But to function properly, it needs an adequate supply of iodine — something that gets harder to metabolize with age. That’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Strengthening your arms and your bones

Even better, the researchers believe that their results also provide a simple clue to boosting bone strength and avoiding osteoporosis by exercising to target visceral fat and focusing on your upper body.

Great ways to do this include:

• Revving it up with HIIT – High-intensity interval training or HIIT helps trigger an “after-burn effect” that can boost your calorie burn and melt away visceral fat even after you’ve finished exercising.
• Adding in resistance training – If you want to build strong bones, focus on building strong muscles through weight and resistance training.
• Avoiding refined carbohydrates and sugar – Sugars and carbs can lead to blood sugar spikes that increase visceral fat. Skip these belly fat boosters and instead reach for foods rich in protein and fiber to help keep your blood sugar on stable footing. And be sure to include anti-inflammatory foods that help your bones.
• Drink the beverage that’s known to actually build bone (nope, it’s not milk!) and turn dangerous white fat in the body into energy-burning brown fat.

With these simple tricks, you can say goodbye to stubborn visceral and arm fat and hello to strong bones.

Sources:

Arm fat may reveal women and men at risk of spinal fracture – EurekAlert!

The post What arm fat can tell you about your bone density appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Low T can lead to everything from depression and memory problems to weight gain and loss of muscle mass.

And according to researchers from Australia and Europe, there’s an even bigger reason to take low-T seriously…

The low T heart problem

A review of 11 studies consisting of more than 20,000 men says low T is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease that can end a man’s life…

The studies in the review followed men for a minimum of five years. The men were between the ages of 49 to 76. And it found beyond a shadow of a doubt that men with the lowest testosterone levels were in trouble.

While a normal range of testosterone in men is considered to be 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), men with levels of 244 ng/dL or lower had up to a nine percent higher chance of dying from any cause compared to men with normal levels.

Even more frightening, men with low T had up to a 32 percent higher chance of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to men without low T issues.

Low T: a weighty issue

If you’re living with low T, losing weight is one of the best ways to fight back. Fat cells lower testosterone by transforming the hormone into estrogen.

But it’s just one way estrogen dominance becomes a problem that can contribute to low T… Xenoestrogens, chemicals found in plastics, pesticides, water and everyday products, are another.

These chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking the hormone estrogen and disrupting hormonal balance.

In men, estrogen dominance affects testosterone, stamina, muscle tone and body fat. It can also impact prostate health.

In women, it can lead to facial hair, menopause symptoms and weight gain. It can also result in skin, bone, breast and thyroid problems.

Diet can help you clobber both…

In one study, researchers found that overweight men who followed a strict Keto diet for four weeks:

• Reduced their body weight, fat mass and body mass index (BMI) significantly
• Improved testicular function
• Showed a substantial increase in all sex hormones
• Dramatically raised their total testosterone levels

The men stuck to a daily limit of 800 calories, eating little protein and minimal carbohydrates, and instead focused on healthy fats and low-carb veggies.

Of course, the calorie restriction was pretty extreme. But another reason for its success may have been low-carb vegetables — especially broccoli…

Fighting back against hormone theft

Broccoli isn’t only low-carb, it has special benefits because it contains Di-indole methane (DIM).

If you haven’t heard of it, DIM is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables. It doesn’t actually raise testosterone levels, but it puts up a fight against estrogen dominance…

DIM works against “fake estrogens” by binding to the “bad” estrogen metabolites and flushing them from the body.

To get the amount of DIM that research has shown can neutralize the effects of fake estrogens you’d need to eat at least three pounds of cruciferous vegetable DAILY.

Fortunately DIM is also available in supplement form, so you’re not resigned to eating broccoli all throughout the day.

Try to also cut down on your exposure to plastics (especially as water bottles) and look for phthalate-free personal care products.

Sources:

Associations of Testosterone and Related Hormones With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Men:Individual Participant Data Meta-analyses — Annal of Internal Medicine

Low Testosterone (Male Hypogonadism) – Cleveland Clinic

Health Benefits of DIM (Diindolylmethane) – WebMD

The post The dangerous side of Low T: Serious heart health risks appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And what’s even more amazing is how improving one shortfall can make a huge difference — even a lifesaving one.

That’s the story I’m going to tell you today.

It’s a twisted tale of how bad sleep can trump a healthy diet and set the stage for type 2 diabetes…

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Poor sleep, poor blood sugar

While you’re asleep, restorative processes take place. If your sleep is interrupted or cut short, so are these important processes.

If you regularly get less than 7.5 hours of restorative sleep per night, you’re facing the likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease and hypertension — and diabetes.

Research has already proven that the brain waves produced in deep sleep actually predict glucose control for the next day!

Now a new study has succeeded in pinpointing an association between how long you sleep and your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, even when following a healthy diet…

Using data from the UK Biobank, a large biomedical database that serves as a global resource for health and medical research, an international research team followed the health outcomes of 247,867 adults for more than a decade.

They found that although healthy eating habits were associated with a lower overall risk of diabetes, in people who slept less than six hours a day, the risk of type 2 diabetes increased compared to people in the normal sleep category (getting at least 7.5 hours of sleep).

And the lower the sleep duration, the higher those risks went:

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How are sleep and blood sugar connected?

The researchers believe two main factors that could explain their findings…

First, sleep deprivation often leads to an increase in inflammatory markers and free fatty acids in the blood, both of which make the body less responsive to insulin, leading to insulin resistance.

Second, people whose sleep is interrupted, including shift workers, experience disruptions to their body’s natural circadian rhythm.

This can interfere with the release of hormones that meet the body’s energy needs and help keep blood glucose balanced throughout the day. These include glucagon and cortisol.

The daytime secret to better sleep

If you’re concerned about type 2 diabetes, or if you already have pre-diabetes and sleep trouble — this is a wake-up call to work on better sleep.

Exercise may be the help you need — in more ways than one. Recent research has found moderate to vigorous daytime activity can help you feel less tired, have less troubled sleep and better-quality sleep. But that’s not all…

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that some simple lifestyle changes resulted in a 58 percent reduction in the development of type 2 diabetes, compared with the use of the drug metformin.

Those lifestyle changes included:

• Exercise! Walking, biking or swimming are all great low-impact exercises that can help control blood sugar.
• Reducing weight.
• Eating healthier. Choose minimally processed foods, healthy fats, and plant-based proteins.
• And reducing alcohol intake.

Sources:

Scientists Identify a Link Between Sleep And Type 2 Diabetes Risk — Science Alert

Habitual Short Sleep Duration, Diet, and Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Adults — JAMA Network Open

Does Insufficient Sleep Increase the Risk of Developing Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Review —California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology

The post Why sleep trouble can lead to blood sugar trouble appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

ED is often thought of as being a sexual problem. But the truth is those symptoms don’t just signal trouble in the bedroom…

Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection can be a marker of high blood pressure and poor blood flow both of which may be connected to heart problems. It can also be an indication of type 2 diabetes or vitamin D deficiency.

Several lifestyle factors can also impact a man’s ability to achieve an erection. They include:

• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Diet
• Obesity
• Stress

Unfortunately, now there’s a popular leisure-time activity to add to that roster….

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

At middle age, you start feeling changes in your body you may chalk up to aging: energy levels hit rock bottom, weight soars, muscles become soft, skin becomes wrinkled and slack and desire tanks. You may feel past your prime — but science says that’s wrong! MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Leisure time on the computer and risk for ED

Research has linked genetic variants to sedentary behavior, including activities like watching television, using computers, and operating a vehicle.

Oddly enough, a new analysis has linked higher genetic susceptibility to one of these activities — leisure computer usage — to a greater risk of ED in men.

Researchers analyzed data on more than 200,000 men and found that each 1.2-hour increase in leisure computer time increased the odds of ED by 3.57-fold.

Interestingly, no evidence linked watching television or driving for leisure with an increased risk for ED.

In addition, computer use wasn’t linked with depression, anxiety or markers of blood vessel health. However, it was associated with lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which plays a role in sexual health and reproduction in both males and females.

The researchers say the study “offered substantial evidence for a positive causal association between computer use and the risk of erectile dysfunction.” However, further research is needed to substantiate that causal association.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Avoiding ED symptoms

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to avoid symptoms of ED. Here are just a few:

• Boost your nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide (or NO) is a molecule that supports the widening of the blood vessels for healthy blood flow, head to toe and everywhere in between. The easiest way to up your nitric oxide is to get naturally occurring dietary nitrates in your diet from beets or beetroot powder or spinach.
• Exercise regularly. The best way to counteract a sedentary lifestyle is to move your body. Some research shows exercise may help increase follicle-stimulating hormone.
• Clean up your diet. The Mediterranean diet is loaded with fresh fruits, veggies, fish and nuts, all of which help support heart and blood vessel health. They can also help raise testosterone levels to combat ED further. In fact, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to improve erectile dysfunction by up to 40 percent!
• Maintain healthy vitamin D levels. One study found that almost 46 percent of men with arteriogenic ED (a condition where the arteries don’t supply enough blood to the penis to support an erection) were deficient in vitamin D. So make sure you’re getting enough sunlight every day, or that you’re taking a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement.
• Take vitamin K2. This nutrient promotes good heart and blood vessel health and can be found in foods such as natto, butter, egg yolks, certain cheeses, fermented foods like sauerkraut, eel and beef liver.

Sources:

Does sedentary leisure time affect men’s risk of erectile dysfunction? — EurekAlert!

A Mendelian randomization study on causal effects of leisure sedentary behavior on the risk of erectile dysfunction — Andrology

Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Erectile Dysfunction — Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education

Top Foods High in Vitamin K2 — WebMD

The post The leisure-time activity that sabotages a man’s sex life appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

They’re in the fish, fruits, and vegetables you eat…

They’re in the containers your takeout food comes in…

They’re even in the water that pours from your faucet — water you use for cooking, drinking and bathing, giving it multiple ways to enter your body and wreak havoc.

And using bottled water isn’t the answer, either.

But a recent study has found a simple way to remove poisonous microplastics from your water, something you can do easily at home for no extra cost.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The problem with microplastics

Microplastics attract chemicals that cause reproductive disorders, thyroid disease, asthma, and cancers, just to name a few.

These chemicals are known as endocrine or hormone disruptors.

Every time you eat or drink something with microplastics, inhale or absorb them through your skin, you get a heavy dose of hormone disruptors like PCB and phthalates.

Microplastics act a kind of “magnet” for other environmental pollutants as well, concentrating them on its surfaces, ‘ferrying’ them through our digestive tract, and releasing them in a concentrated form in certain areas — thus causing increased toxicity.

And if it couldn’t get worse, microplastics have been found in artery-clogging plaque buildup.

But, until now, I haven’t come across very many effective and inexpensive ways to share what we can do about them…

Boil and strain to remove up to 90% of microplastics

A team from Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University in China added microplastics (about the size of a grain of rice) and nanoplastics (even smaller) to water samples.

They then boiled the water and filtered out any resulting solids. In this process, up to 90% of plastic particles were removed from “hard water,” which naturally forms a build-up of limescale (calcium carbonate) when heated.

This limescale (calcium carbonate) is what you see on the bottom of your teakettle if you live in a hard water area of the country (about 85% of the U.S.).

As the hot temperature forces the calcium carbonate out of the water, it clings to the surface of microplastic particles, trapping them in a solid crust. Then the lime-encrusted plastic is removed just by pouring the water through a simple filter — like the stainless-steel mesh used to strain tea.

Even if you live in an area with soft water (low in minerals), boiling your water can remove a quarter of the microplastics. That’s 25% less for you to be drinking or cooking with.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

“This simple boiling water strategy can ‘decontaminate’ NMPs from household tap water and has the potential for harmlessly alleviating human intake of NMPs through water consumption,” says the researchers.

In addition, try cutting out the use of plastic bags and plastic food containers, plastic wrap and eating utensils.

And remember to eat to protect your gut. Your intestine is your first line of defense from toxins. And when you’ve got a leaky gut, tiny toxin carriers like microplastics can walk right in.

Eating organic produce, getting enough fiber, and taking probiotic supplements are vital to keeping your gut strong enough to defend you from toxic invaders.

Sources:

There’s a Surprisingly Simple Way to Remove Microplastics From Your Drinking Water — Science Alert

Drinking Boiled Tap Water Reduces Human Intake of Nanoplastics and Microplastics — Environmental Science & Technology Letters

Microplastics Infiltrate Every Organ, Including Brain, Study in Mice Shows — Science Alert

A look at hard water across the US — Homewater 101

The post Remove microplastics from water in your own kitchen appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But when the cells in our intestine are slow to repair or don’t fix themselves completely, the result is an “open door” through which harmful microbes and toxins enter the bloodstream, causing a range of metabolic diseases and conditions from diabetes and thyroid disorders to irritable bowel and chronic fatigue syndromes.

This “open door” is better known as leaky gut syndrome.

If you’re a post-menopausal woman, you’re even more vulnerable to leaky gut than men your age. Why?

It comes down to hormones and why, when we lose them, we not only gain weight but also gain a higher risk for metabolic diseases…

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Menopause changes women’s gut microbiome

The gut microbiome refers to all the microbes in your intestines, which act as another “organ” crucial for your health.

A new study has shown that the gut microbiome interacts with the loss of female sex hormones that occurs after menopause. This hormone loss exacerbates metabolic diseases, including weight gain and type 2 diabetes, fat in the liver and the expression of genes linked with inflammation.

As early as 2005, researchers began looking into how the microbiome could contribute to obesity, which is associated with metabolic conditions. At the time, however, most research was done on males.

Using models of mice with and without ovaries, first author Tzu-Wen L. Cross, a professor of nutrition science and the director of the Gnotobiotic Animal Facility at Purdue University, shared that “This is the first time it has been shown that the response of microbiome to the loss of ovarian hormone production can increase metabolic dysfunction.”

“The mice that were recipients of the gut microbiome of ovariectomized mice gained more weight and fat mass, and they had greater expression of genes in the liver associated with inflammation, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis compared with those in the control group,” says Dr. Kelly Swanson, corresponding author of the study.

They also found that the mice without ovaries and those fed the high-fat diet had lower levels of these proteins in the liver and colon. This suggested their gut barriers were more permeable, compromised by either their diet or the absence of female hormones.

In other words, the gut microbiome of mice without ovaries, which hormonally resembles that of post-menopausal women, was much more vulnerable to the metabolic diseases impacted by leaky gut.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to protect your gut

Unfortunately, there’s not much we can change about losing our female hormones.

But a previous study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition in 2021 saw a polyphenol-rich diet improve intestinal permeability in older people — which may be the first step in the right direction.

Polyphenols are natural antioxidants found in a variety of foods. In the gut, they increase helpful bacteria, reduce harmful bacteria, and prevent the inflammation behind heart disease and other chronic metabolic conditions.

The study showed that including up to three daily portions of apple, cocoa, dark chocolate, green tea, cranberries, oranges or pomegranate juice — all polyphenol-rich foods — improved intestinal permeability by making specific changes in the microbiota.

When fecal and plasma samples were analyzed, there was a positive correlation between the polyphenol foods and an increase in cell metabolism products that improved gut health. There was also a decrease in the kind that caused intestinal permeability.

The next step would be to steer clear of a high-fat diet since it also correlated with intestinal permeability in the recent mouse study.

Sources:

Metabolic diseases may be driven by gut microbiome, loss of ovarian hormones — Science Daily

Gut microbiome responds to alteration in female sex hormone status and exacerbates metabolic dysfunction — Gut Microbes

The post The ‘other change’ behind menopausal weight gain and disease risk appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s because not only do heart attacks in women often go unnoticed until it’s too late, but they can be doubly deadly.

Of course, men and women share some similar cardiovascular risks, including unhealthy lifestyle practices, diet and obesity.

But there are two factors unique to women that may give us extra pause when considering our risks — and it may not seem that there’s much we can effectively do about either.

Does that mean we’re doomed?

No, not in the least.

The results of a pair of studies have shed new light on the heart health risks associated with menopause and migraines…

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The menopause-migraine link: Compounded risks

A few years ago, the American Heart Association put forth a statement titled “Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing for Early Prevention.”

It addressed the fact that the menopause transition also mirrors a time of change in women’s cardiovascular health and named specific symptoms we likely feel powerless about that increase the danger level, including entering menopause at an earlier age or the severity of hot flashes or night sweats.

Women who suffer from migraines have also carried some concerns about their risk for cardiovascular events and stroke.

So researchers at Michigan Medicine decided to dig into both menopause symptoms and migraine to define the risk levels of these conditions better…

Their research included a pair of studies that followed more than 1,900 women from the time they were in their late teens to early 30s until their 50s and 60s, gathering health data from yearly exams, blood tests, questionnaires and more.

Just over 30% of the middle-aged women experienced persistent hot flashes and night sweats that began in their earlier years or before.

These are vasomotor symptoms, or VMS, because they happen due to changes in the diameter of blood vessels. Both VMS in menopause and migraines have to do with blood vessel contraction and dilation.

Within this same group of women, approximately 23% also suffered from migraines. This was the only group for whom the researchers found extra risk of stroke, heart attack or other cardiovascular events that couldn’t be explained by other risk factors that have long been known to be linked to cardiovascular problems.

Other women who had migraine but only minimal VMS symptoms starting in their 50s and 60s (even escalating within those age ranges) had no excess cardiovascular risk from the combination of conditions, once other risk factors were taken into account.

Bottom line: A higher risk of heart issues and stroke was only seen in those with long-term hot flashes, night sweats and migraines.

Peak CoQSol10 CF^™

Gives Your Cells the Energy They Need for Optimal Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Reducing the toll of hot flashes and migraine

Some of the most significant factors, gathered from the women’s early lives, in predicting who would go on to have persistent hot flashes and night sweats were having migraines, depression and smoking cigarettes. The risks were also higher for black women.

According to study leader Catherine Kim, M.D., M.P.H., “These two studies, taken together, underscore that not all women have the same experiences as they grow older, and that many can control the risk factors that might raise their chances of heart disease and stroke later in life.”

“For the subgroup with both migraines and early persistent hot flashes and night sweats, and for those currently experiencing migraines in their early adulthood, these findings point to an added need to control risks and address symptoms early,” she adds.

That’s where she feels the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 can help. And one reason may be its impact on aging…

Following the steps outlined in Life’s Essential 8 checklist has been found not only to improve heart health but also to slow the pace of biological aging.

The Michigan Medicine researchers did not imply as much, but poor lifestyle habits, including smoking or suffering from untreated conditions, like depression, may be linked to phenotypic age acceleration. Compared to chronological age, phenotypic age indicates faster biological aging.

One can’t help but wonder if that impacts the age at which menopausal VMS symptoms may start, which, when combined with migraine, certainly increases the risk for women in their 40s.

But even if you are well past your 40s, it’s never too late to begin practices that promote heart health — and indeed seek help for migraines. Treatments have come a long way, and some supplements have been shown to help.

Sources:

Menopause and migraines: New findings point to power of prevention — EurekAlert!

Life’s Essential 8 — American Heart Association

The post The menopause-migraine link to heart attack and stroke appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Frequently, fibromyalgia symptoms begin after an infection, surgery, stressful events or some type of physical injury. However, it can also strike with no obvious cause.

But a study at York University in England shows that doing yoga exercises can help reduce the physical pain of fibromyalgia, and here’s why…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

A needed boost of cortisol

According to scientists, yoga influences what is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis).

The HPA axis consists of a cascade of endocrine pathways that respond to specific negative feedback loops involving the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland and adrenal glands. One role of the HPA axis centers around the release of the hormone cortisol.

Studies show that women with fibromyalgia have below-average cortisol levels. Those reduced levels make them much more sensitive to stress, pain and fatigue.

It’s been proposed that adrenal fatigue or adrenal insufficiency is part of the cause behind fibromyalgia.

The adrenal glands are small glands that sit atop both kidneys. They’re your “lifesaving” organs — a  nickname they earned because they act as a control center for our “fight or flight” response by secreting hormones that kick in during stressful situations.

However overworked adrenal glands become fatigued and function much less effectively, resulting in insufficient output of cortisol.

The research shows that doing 75 minutes of yoga twice a week for at least two months can beneficially increase your cortisol levels and help the body produce cortisol at the correct times of day.

“Ideally, our cortisol levels peak about 30-40 minutes after we get up in the morning and decline throughout the day until we’re ready to go to sleep,” says researcher Kathryn Curtis. “The secretion of the hormone, cortisol, is dysregulated in women with fibromyalgia.”

She adds that “Hatha yoga promotes physical relaxation by decreasing activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which lowers heart rate and increases breath volume.”

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Give Hatha yoga a try

Hatha yoga is a term that encompasses most types of yoga practiced in the Western hemisphere, including vinyasa, believed to open up the body’s energy channels and let the energy flow more freely.

In fact, in my experience, yoga and other types of strengthening and balancing exercises can also improve your mood and sense of well-being by demonstrating how you can shape your mind and body for the better. No matter what physical problems you may suffer, whether it is fibromyalgia or some other chronic issue, yoga can often help you cope with its symptoms more effectively.

Although today’s conventional doctor seems to feel as though almost every problem should be treated with medication, exercises like yoga, and even vitamins and herbs that reduce pain, demonstrate that you have the potential for aiding your own wellness — and that’s healing that a doctor can’t provide.

There are several easy-to-follow yoga videos available on youtube.com if you don’t have a local yoga studio in your community. But if you do live near a studio, I would highly recommend you go. Part of what makes yoga a soothing, healing experience is personal instruction.

The post Boost this hormone to banish fibromyalgia pain appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Once they’ve undergone processing, they bear little resemblance to their original form. Some ultra-processed foods include soft drinks, pastries, packaged meals, fast foods and snacks like chips and cookies.

These foods are unhealthy as a rule. But what really makes them dangerous are chemicals known as phthalates.

They seep into these foods from the wrapping and packaging and end up in the bloodstream where they can drive heart disease, bring on early menopause, lower thyroid  and testosterone levels and raise risk for type 2 diabetes.

But there’s one group of people for whom phthalates carry double the danger…

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Eating for two means sharing the danger

When a pregnant woman consumes foods containing phthalates, not only does the chemical end up in their bloodstream — it makes its way through the placenta and into the fetal bloodstream.

In other words, not only is mom-to-be now at risk — so is her unborn child.

Those were the findings when researchers analyzed data from the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood (CANDLE) research cohort, made up of 1,031 socioeconomically diverse pregnant individuals in Memphis, Tenn., enrolled between 2006 and 2011. Phthalate levels were measured in urine samples collected during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Once in the fetal bloodstream, phthalates can cause oxidative stress and an inflammatory cascade within the fetus. Previous research has indicated that phthalate exposure during pregnancy can increase the risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, asthma and disorders such as autism and ADHD. 

On average, 38.6 percent of the women’s diets were composed of ultra-processed foods. That’s more than a third. Any additional 10 percent increment was associated with a 13 percent higher concentration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, one of the most common and harmful phthalates.

By contrast, diets high in vegetables, fruits, yogurt, fish and nuts were linked with lower urinary concentrations of this and other phthalates.

Some women in the study may have been more vulnerable to ultra-processed foods due to financial hardships and living in “food deserts” where access to healthier, fresh foods is difficult.

According to the researchers, regulation is needed to prevent phthalate contamination in foods.

“We don’t blame the pregnant person here,” says lead author Brennan Baker, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington School of Medicine.  “We need to call out manufacturers and legislators to offer replacements, and ones that may not be even more harmful.”

Peak Vision Support^™

Unique Dual Nutrient Formula Supports Healthy, Clear Vision and Protects Eyes from Blue Light!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to best dodge phthalates

Is there any way for pregnant women to minimize their consumption of phthalates?

According to senior author Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a UW Medicine pediatrician and researcher at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, pregnant women should try to avoid ultra-processed food as much as they can, and seek out fruits, vegetables and lean meats instead.

But be wary of the packaging even these healthy foods come in, like plastic containers.

When you absolutely can’t avoid plastic packaging, take a look at the plastic number. Plastics numbered 3 and 7 are more likely to contain harmful chemicals like phthalates, whereas plastics 1, 2 and 5 are safer.

For people who aren’t pregnant, I’d suggest detoxing or chelation to help cut down on the chemical load. But during pregnancy that may not be a good idea.

However, adding healthy foods is. It turns out that certain healthy vegetables can bind to chemicals and help remove them from the body. Such foods include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, arugula and dark leafy greens like kale.

Sources:

Pregnant women should avoid ultra-processed, fast foods — EurekAlert!

Ultra-processed and fast food consumption, exposure to phthalates during pregnancy, and socioeconomic disparities in phthalate exposures — Environment International

Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy — Mayo Clinic

The post The double danger moms face from ultra-processed foods appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That means your body responds the same way whether you’re facing a charging dog or a spilled cup of coffee on your clothes as you’re leaving the house.

One is potentially dangerous; the other is not. But your body doesn’t know the difference.

But whatever the threat, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to prepare it for fight or flight.

For some people, however, the line gets blurred. The body begins operating in a constant state of stress where fight-or-flight hormones are always firing.

That in turn can lead to health problems like anxiety and depression, digestive dysfunction, headaches, muscle tension and pain, cardiovascular and sleep problems, weight gain and issues with memory and focus.

Sobering news for those of us who deal with chronic stress. But when researchers at Ohio State University decided to examine stress’s role in a cluster of conditions that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, they did find a silver lining…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How stress inflames metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is influenced by lifestyle and genetics, among other factors. This syndrome includes conditions like excess belly fat, high blood pressure, low HDL (or good) cholesterol and high levels of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides.

People are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome when they have at least three of these five conditions. But another contributing “symptom” may soon be added to the list…

Previous research has shown that inflammation is the common pathway of many diseases and disorders. But few studies have specifically examined the involvement of inflammation in stress’s connection to metabolic syndrome.

Ohio State researchers set out to do that using data from a sample of 648 individuals with an average age of 52 who participated in a national survey.

“We were specifically examining people in midlife — a time that is critical to determine those who will experience accelerated aging,” says senior author Jasmeet Hayes, a psychology professor at Ohio State. “Stress is an important contributor to several negative health outcomes as we age.”

The respondents’ perceived stress levels were analyzed alongside their blood biomarkers for inflammation and physical exam results indicating metabolic syndrome risk factors.

“There’s not much research that has looked at all three variables at one time,” says first author Savana Jurgens.

The researchers calculated inflammation composite scores using blood biomarkers including C-reactive protein and found not only does stress have a relationship with metabolic syndrome — but inflammation explained 61.5 percent of that connection.

“There is a small effect of perceived stress on metabolic syndrome, but inflammation explained a large proportion of that,” Jurgens says.

These findings added to mounting evidence that stress and its connection to inflammation can have a huge impact on health.

“People think of stress as mental health, that it’s all psychological. It is not,” Hayes says. “There are real physical effects to having chronic stress.”

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Managing stress to lower risks

So what is the silver lining?

If stress can raise your risk of metabolic syndrome, lowering stress levels can reduce that risk.

“Everybody experiences stress,” Hayes says. “And stress management is one modifiable factor that’s cost-effective as well as something people can do in their daily lives without having to get medical professionals involved.”

There are many ways to decrease feelings of stress, but there’s one that also helps re-balance the chronic stress flight-or-fight response and decrease the risk of heart events that come with metabolic syndrome. It helps by improving “heart rate variability.”

Your body’s heart rate changes as a normal response to being in “fight-or-flight” or “rest and repair” mode. If you have a high heart rate variability, it shows that your heart can adapt to these changes. If your heart rate can’t adapt to changes between “fight-or-flight” and “rest and repair,” it could trigger inflammation.

The secret? Calming music can increase heart rate variability, lower the potential for inflammation and a heart event, decrease anxiety and increase positive feelings.

Sources:

Stress, via inflammation, is linked to metabolic syndrome — EurekAlert!

Inflammatory biomarkers link perceived stress with metabolic dysregulation — Brain, Behavior & Immunity – Health

Chronic stress puts your health at risk — Mayo Clinic

The post The symptom that pushes metabolic syndrome over the edge appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

In fact, there are tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals on the market, and new ones are being developed all the time.

That can spell trouble for our health, including heart disease and early death.

And if you’re a woman, you may want to pay particular attention to a recent study that shows more than 900 chemicals we’re exposed to in consumer products and our environment carry cancer-causing traits…

Examining endocrine disruptors

Scientists at the Silent Spring Institute decided to explore ways to predict if a chemical is likely to cause diseases such as breast cancer by focusing on whether the chemical has certain characteristics.

“This new study provides a roadmap for regulators and manufacturers to quickly flag chemicals that could contribute to breast cancer in order to prevent their use in consumer products and find safer alternatives,” says lead author Dr. Jennifer Kay, a research scientist at Silent Spring Institute.

Data show rates of breast cancer are increasing in young women — and researchers believe that trend can’t be attributed to genetics alone. “We need new tools to identify environmental exposures that could be contributing to this trend so we can develop prevention strategies and reduce the burden of the disease,” Kay says.

The scientists searched through multiple databases worldwide to identify chemicals that have been found to cause mammary tumors in animals.

The researchers also examined data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ToxCast program to identify endocrine disruptors, chemicals that alter the body’s hormones in ways that could promote breast cancer. They specifically looked for chemicals that activate the estrogen receptor present in breast cells, as well as chemicals that cause cells to make more estrogen or progesterone, which is a risk factor for breast cancer.

Ultimately, the researchers identified a total of 921 chemicals that could promote breast cancer development. What’s worse, people are commonly exposed to 90 percent of those chemicals in consumer products, food and drink, pesticides, medications and workplaces.

Of those 921 chemicals, 278 were found to cause mammary tumors in animals. More than half of the chemicals cause cells to make more estrogen or progesterone, and roughly a third activate the estrogen receptor.

“Breast cancer is a hormonal disease, so the fact that so many chemicals can alter estrogen and progesterone is concerning,” Kay says.

DNA damage is also a cancer trigger. When researchers explored additional databases, they found 420 of the chemicals on their list both damage DNA and alter hormones. This could make them an even higher risk.

The analysis also found the chemicals that cause mammary tumors in animals are more likely to potentially damage DNA and disrupt hormones.

Dealing with chemical exposure

Co-author Ruthann Rudel, director of research at Silent Spring, says historically, identifying chemicals that cause mammary tumors in animals is the best way to predict which ones might cause breast cancer in humans.

“But animal studies are expensive and time-consuming, which is why so many chemicals have not been tested,” Rudel says. “Our findings show that screening chemicals for these hormonal traits could be an effective strategy for flagging potential breast carcinogens.”

Given that there are more than 900 chemicals on Silent Spring’s list, it would be pretty tough to completely avoid exposure to all of them. But there are ways to reduce your chemical burden, and one good place to start is your personal care routine. The Environmental Working Group has a Skin Deep database that can help point you toward safer personal care products.

You can also combat chemical exposure through chelation or diet. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and kale contain plenty of sulfur compounds that help support glutathione production and other detoxification pathways in the body. Considered the “master antioxidant,” glutathione plays an important role in detoxification.

Cruciferous vegetables also contain Di-Indole Methane, which has shown promise against estrogen dominance and estrogen-sensitive cancers like breast cancer.

Sources:

1. More than 900 chemicals, many found in consumer products and the environment, display breast-cancer causing traits — EurekAlert!

2. Application of the Key Characteristics Framework to Identify Potential Breast Carcinogens Using Publicly Available in Vivo, in Vitro, and in Silico Data — Environmental Health Perspectives

The post The cancer 900 chemicals have in common appeared first on Easy Health Options®.