This post has been contributed by Sheila Zhou. Hormones are chemicals secreted by glands that relay signals from cell to cell, and they play a vital role in triggering how your body is feeling and functioning. Hormones affect different organs and are responsible for causing physical symptoms and altering your mood, metabolism, reproduction, energy levels and physical appearance. The human body consists of various types of hormones but for women the main sex hormones are oestrogen and progesterone. Studies prove that women experience hormonal ups and downs at every age and stage of their lives. These fluctuations vary from pre-menstrual i.e. premenstrual syndrome (PMS), peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms. Although all females have the same hormones, the experiences when it comes to symptoms can vary from person to person. According to Sheila Zhou, expert Scientist at USANA Health Sciences, leading producer of high quality supplements, “Hormones for women during their menstrual cycle can either be your best friend or your worst nightmare. Too little or too much can affect your skin tone and weight, or make you feel extremely irritable and tired.” These experiences of hormonal fluctuations can be challenging to deal with. To avoid them, Ms. Zhou shares her expert recommendations for balancing your hormones naturally: 1. Have a nutrient rich diet At any stage of your life eating well-balanced meals is important for good health. In order to achieve optimal nutrition, your diet needs to consist of a balance between clean proteins (beans, seeds, wild caught fish), healthy fats (coconut oil, avocado), antioxidant rich vegetables (broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes) and healing spices and herbs (cinnamon, turmeric). Sometimes, despite having a rich nutritional diet, your body can feel far from optimum, and that is when the benefits of taking health supplements come in. Some natural botanic extracts such as soy isoflavones, black cohosh, dong quai, licorice and chasteberry help support women’s health during menopause, providing relief from a variety of menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes. Soy isoflavones has also been shown to support bone health in menopausal women. 2. Avoid or limit the use of endocrine disrupting chemicals and opt to use natural skincare Endocrine disrupting chemicals are unnatural chemicals found in man-made products, such as plastics, toxic household cleaning products and pesticides. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are extremely harmful to your body because they alter your balance of hormones, therefore triggering changes in the way it functions. Avoiding or limiting your use of household products with these chemicals will prevent these harmful toxins from entering your system. Even though you don’t ‘consume’ these chemicals, endocrine disrupting chemicals can be absorbed through your skin, meaning you are exposed when any of these products come in contact with your body. By opting for preservative-free skincare and hair products such as USANA Sense range of products, you are eliminating the risk of disrupting the amount and type of hormones being produced. As you age, many females tend to use more anti-aging beauty products to iron out all facial imperfections. The downside to using anti-aging cosmetics is that some beauty products contain harmful chemicals. Instead of going to the cosmetic aisle however, try taking grape seed extract supplement instead to achieve that healthy age-less glow. Proanthocyanidins in grape seed extract not only helps with improving skin-aging appearance but assists in overall cardiovascular health as well. 3. Get more sleep and interval exercise Regulating a sleep cycle at 7-9 hours a day is essential for hormonal control, especially as cortisol (the stress hormone) is regulated at night. Cortisol helps your body respond to stress appropriately and prevents your body from getting sick. When your body is alert your cortisol levels increase. Sleep deprivation also increases the level of cortisol in your body and makes you more prone to developing diabetes or obesity.So getting adequate amounts of sleep prevents fluctuations in hormones and prevents your cortisol levels from increasing too drastically. Getting more exercise is another significant way to balance our hormones naturally. Interval exercise releases hormones needed by the body, reduces stress levels, enhances immune system and regulates metabolic function. To view the full range of USANA Health Sciences nutritional, weight management and personal care products visit www.usana.com. USANA Health Sciences was founded in 1992 in the United States by microbiologist and immunologist, Dr Myron Wentz. The products are backed by an accredited team of scientific experts and USANA has been awarded a 5-star rating for its nutritional products – the highest of any available in Australia in the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (4th Ed) by Lyle McWilliam, an independent Canadian biochemist.
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This post has been contributed by Laura. Unless we’re unlucky, we all grow old. In a life full of uncertainty, this is a fact. Have you heard the quote, “Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many”? We cannot prevent old age, but we can ensure we live a happy and healthy life for as long as possible. As we get older, many changes occur in our body. Our skin becomes more fragile, and we are prone to wrinkles and age spots. We lose bone density and muscle mass and feel weaker as a result. Our body shape changes, as does our hair and nails. None of these changes are welcome. The aging process relies a lot on our genes. However, there are several lifestyle changes we can make to prevent premature aging. Stop Doing Things That Are Bad For Us We all have bad habits. We all do things that are not good for us, even though we know the risks. As we age our bodies heal at a slower rate. If you indulge in unhealthy habits, now is the time to change. 1. Quit Smoking If you have smoked for several years with few or no consequences, you’re lucky. Smoking is one of the most detrimental habits we can pick up. Apart from a range of serious diseases, it can also cause death. Quitting could be one of the kindest things you ever do for yourself. 2. Reduce Processed And Sugary Foods Eating a balanced diet and getting the right nutrients can improve energy levels and mental agility. It can also prevent age-related diseases. Eat enough fruit, veggies, protein, and healthy fats. Reduce your intake of sugar, processed foods, and alcohol. The right diet will make you feel healthier and more vital. 3. Stay Out Of The Sun The sun’s harmful UV rays can damage the skin and cause premature aging. Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and cover up exposed skin. Always wear sun lotion with an adequate SPF, even on cloudy days. 4. Get Some Exercise Keep your body fit and active by ongoing physical exercise. This need not be vigorous. Walking, swimming, and gardening, etc. is all fine. Getting enough exercise will prevent your joints from becoming stiff. It will also give your heart a workout and keep your muscles active. 5. Cut Out Excess
Depending on your circumstances, a few treats here or there won’t harm you. In fact, they may help in terms of your mood and happiness. Use common sense. Make healthy choices for most of the time and reward yourself with a few treats. Seek Help As we age, our ability to do the things we used to do decreases. There is no shame in this. It happens to everyone. Getting help from family and friends will assist you to live independently for longer. If family and friends are too far away, you could always consider in home care. Packages can be tailored to your specific requirements, allowing you to choose the services that will help you. Living with confidence in your own home, with the right support is important to many people. Many people in their later years report that they have enjoyed their old age. By making healthy choices and seeking assistance, they are able to keep their independence. And they can sit back and enjoy their lives and their families.
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin which can be depleted by stress. I take B6 myself and it's a very important vitamin for those with pyroluria. Supplementing can benefit depression, inflammatory conditions, blood sugar and many other health conditions.
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