Category: Health

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week: Rapid Weight Loss Guide | Credihealth

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Can you shed 10 pounds in just one week? With advice floating around, figuring out what truly works can be tricky. Interestingly, Harvard Health also found that rapid weight loss can be achieved with the right balance of diet and exercise, but it’s crucial to approach this goal safely to avoid any health risks.

Losing weight quickly doesn’t mean starving yourself or spending all day at the gym. There are natural ways to achieve this goal and specific workouts that can help. (How to lose 10 pounds in a week workout) routines focus on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that maximizes calorie burn within a short period.

On the other hand, knowing (how to lose 10 pounds in a week naturally) involves understanding the foods that fuel your body and enhance your metabolism without resorting to drastic dieting measures.

Keep reading to discover the safe and effective strategies that can help you achieve this ambitious weight loss goal.

How Weight Loss Works?

Understanding how weight loss happens is key to figuring out (how to lose 10 pounds fast in a week). Losing weight is about burning more calories than you eat. This means eating less food that has a lot of calories and doing exercises that burn calories fast.

It takes a calorie deficit of approximately 3,500 calories to lose one pound of weight, meaning to lose 10 pounds in a week, you would need a deficit of 35,000 calories or 5,000 calories per day.

To start with, (how to lose 10 pounds in a week diet) plans usually suggest cutting down on foods that are high in sugar and fat. Instead, you eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

These foods fill you up without adding too many calories. Drinking plenty of water is also a big part of this diet plan. Water helps you feel full, so you eat less, and it keeps your body working well.

Trying to lose a lot of weight quickly can be hard and might not be safe for everyone. It’s always a good idea to talk to a doctor before starting any diet or exercise plan, especially one that aims for quick weight loss.

Did you know?

People who engage in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can burn up to 30% more calories than other forms of exercise in the same time frame.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week with Liquid Diet

Starting on (how to lose 10 pounds in a week liquid diet) means you consume only liquids. It’s a quick method that significantly cuts down calorie intake. Imagine sipping on broths, vegetable juices, and smoothies exclusively.

A popular choice is the cabbage soup diet, where you essentially live on (how to lose 10 pounds in a week cabbage soup)—a mix that’s both low in calories and filling. This kind of diet pushes your body to use stored fat for energy, but it’s crucial to be cautious.

Such drastic calorie reduction can miss essential nutrients, highlighting the importance of not extending this diet beyond a week without professional guidance.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week: Keto Style

A keto diet, or ketogenic diet, is a way of eating that is low in carbs and high in fats. This causes your body to go into a state of ketosis where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbs.

Some foods you might eat on how to lose 10 pounds in a week on keto include avocados, cheese, nuts, and fatty fish. The quick drop in carb intake will lead to rapid weight loss but this type of diet requires careful planning to ensure all nutritional needs are being met while still staying in ketosis.

The Military Diet: A Closer Look at How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week

The military diet, also known as the 3-day diet, is simple yet strict. It promises (how to lose 10 pounds in a week without exercise) by following a rigid meal plan for three days with no physical activity needed.

After those three days are up, you can return to eating more normally for the next four days. The diet specifies certain foods like eggs, green beans, and cottage cheese. Although it’s advertised as being designed for fast weight loss—(how to lose 10 pounds in a week military diet)—most of what’s lost is just water weight and long-term sustainability may be questionable.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week Vegan/Vegetarian

On the other hand, if you want (how to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week vegan) or (how to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week vegetarian), then you’ll be focusing on plant-based foods. This means eating fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains while cutting out all animal products from your meals entirely.

Cutting meat & dairy out of your diet will reduce calorie intake considerably which should result in significant amounts lost over time; however, it’s crucial that proteins vitamins minerals, etc., are carefully balanced through well-planned vegetarian or vegan diets so not only does this help with weight loss but also general well-being.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week Meal Plan: Simple and Nutritious Ideas

When considering (how to lose 10 pounds in a week with exercise), you must fuel your body with the right foods for energy throughout each day.

Similarly, finding out (how to lose 10 pounds in a week without dieting) is all about making sensible food choices that naturally create a calorie deficit.

Below is a simple and nutritious meal plan that includes easy-to-find foods suitable for a global audience. This plan is designed to be used alongside a regular exercise routine for best results.

Day Breakfast Lunch Dinner Snacks
Monday Oatmeal with sliced bananas and almonds Grilled chicken salad with vegetables Steamed fish with quinoa and greens Carrot sticks and hummus
Tuesday Scrambled eggs with spinach and tomato Turkey wrap with whole grain tortilla Stir-fried tofu with broccoli Greek yogurt with mixed berries
Wednesday Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts Lentil soup with whole-grain bread Grilled salmon with asparagus Apple slices with peanut butter
Thursday Whole grain toast with avocado Quinoa salad with chickpeas and feta Chicken curry with mixed vegetables Cucumber slices with cottage cheese
Friday Smoothie with spinach, banana, and oats Sushi-grade tuna salad (no exotic sushi) Vegetable stir-fry with brown rice Mixed nuts
Saturday Banana pancakes with a drizzle of honey Grilled vegetable and hummus wrap Beef stew with carrots and potatoes Dark chocolate (in moderation)
Sunday Poached eggs with grilled tomatoes Chicken Caesar salad without croutons Lentil and vegetable stew Pear slices with almond butter

Always consult with a healthcare provider or a dietitian before starting any new diet, especially if you aim to lose a significant amount of weight quickly.

Exercise Strategies for Weight Loss

Losing ten pounds within one week is quite ambitious therefore it would be necessary to combine both dieting and exercising. When it comes to working out there are certain exercises that can kick-start your weight loss especially if done correctly.

We’d like to take you through some effective routines and how they can help you achieve your goals.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week Workout: Effective Routines

If you want to lose a significant amount of weight within a short period then focus more on exercises that burn large amounts of calories. So (how many calories to lose 10 pounds in a week)?

On average, one needs to burn approximately thirty-five thousand calories more than consumed over seven days to shed ten pounds; although this may seem like too much but doable through an appropriate routine.

To focus specifically on (how to lose 10 pounds of belly fat in a week), you need a combination of cardiovascular exercise and strength training. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is especially effective, as it keeps your heart rate up and burns more calories in less time.

Incorporating exercises such as sprints, jumping jacks, or fast-paced bodyweight movements can help accomplish this. Core-focused exercises will also strengthen and tone the abdominal area which contributes to losing belly fat. As always, remember that consistency and intensity are what make these work for you.

The Importance of Cardio: How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week on Treadmill and By Walking

Cardiovascular exercise is important for burning calories and improving heart health. When thinking about (how to lose 10 pounds in a week on a treadmill), it’s all about the intensity and duration.

  • If you’re wondering (how to lose 10 pounds in a week by walking), simply walk at a brisk pace that makes your heart rate increase. Walking for an hour or hour-and-a-half every day could result in significant calorie burn and weight loss.
  • Fasting can be used as a tool for weight loss but should be approached with caution. Combining (how to lose 10 pounds in a week by fasting) with walking or treadmill workouts can boost fat burning; however, ensure you get enough nutrients and stay hydrated.

High-Intensity Workouts: Losing 10 Pounds in a Week with Burpees

Burpees are known as one of the most calorie-burning exercises per minute making them great for (how to lose 10 pounds in a week with burpees). This move targets various muscles including the chest arms core legs providing an overall body workout that speeds up fat loss.

Here’s how you can add burpees to your routine:

  • Start by aiming for three sets of burpees resting one minute between each set trying to do 10-15 in each set.
  • As you get better at it increase either the sets or the amount of burpees per set so that your body continues to be challenged.
  • Consistency is key. Try to do burpees at least four times a week within your workout routine for optimum results.
  • Remember, when aiming for (how to safely lose 10 pounds in a week), listen to your body. Pushing yourself is important for weight loss but don’t overdo it as this may lead to injury.

Ensure there’s enough rest and recovery time between sessions; taking this balanced approach will help you achieve weight loss goals while remaining healthy.

Special Circumstances and Considerations

Losing weight quickly requires careful planning, especially under special circumstances where health and well-being could be at risk if not properly managed. Let’s explore how certain groups like breastfeeding mothers and teenagers can approach this goal safely.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week While Breastfeeding

For new moms trying to figure out (how to lose 10 pounds in a week while breastfeeding), it’s crucial to approach weight loss with caution. Breastfeeding mothers need extra calories to produce milk, so extreme dieting can harm both the mother and the baby. A more gradual approach to weight loss is advisable.

To start losing weight safely at home, focus on eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients and lightly increase physical activity. (How to lose 10 pounds in a week at home) for breastfeeding, mothers could include exercises like walking with the baby in a stroller, postnatal yoga, or light home workouts that don’t exhaust them. Remember, the goal is to lose weight without compromising the quality and supply of breast milk.

Weight Loss for Teens: How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week for Teenagers

Teenagers looking to lose weight face their own set of challenges. At this stage, the body is still growing and developing, so it’s essential to ensure any weight loss plan is balanced and nutritious.

  • Smoothies: Incorporating smoothies can be a healthy part of (how to lose 10 pounds in a week drinking smoothies), provided they are made with fresh fruits, vegetables, and a protein base like yogurt or almond milk. Avoid adding extra sugars.
  • Exercise Plan: A balanced (how to lose 10 pounds in a week exercise plan) for teenagers should include a mix of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Activities could range from swimming, cycling, or team sports to keep motivation high. Always start with what’s enjoyable to ensure it becomes a sustainable part of your lifestyle.
  • General Tips: (How to lose 10 pounds in a week for teenagers) centers on making healthy food choices, staying active, and maintaining a balanced approach. Instead of drastic diets or intense workout regimes, aim for gradual changes that promote a healthy relationship with food and exercise.

Final Thoughts

Remember, rapid weight loss can sometimes lead to health issues, including nutrient deficiencies and loss of muscle mass. Therefore, it’s essential to approach your weight loss journey with a balanced diet and realistic exercise goals.

Before you start any drastic weight loss plan, it’s highly recommended to consult with a doctor. They can provide personalized advice and ensure that your weight loss goals are safe to achieve.

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Grooming for Success: How Your Appearance Can Impact Your Career – You Must Get Healthy

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In today’s professional world, personal grooming holds significant importance. Similar to how a visit to a reputable med spa, like Modern Luxe Med Spa, can refresh and revitalize your skin, grooming routines can enhance your professional image, making a lasting impression on those you encounter.

Throughout this discussion, we’ll examine the impact of first impressions, the significance of grooming habits, and practical strategies for overcoming grooming challenges.

Whether you’re preparing for a job interview or aiming to leave a lasting mark on clients and colleagues, join us as we explore how grooming help you land your dream job.

The Power of First Impressions

First impressions are formed within seconds of meeting someone, and they often have a lasting impact on how others perceive us.

In professional settings, where decisions about hiring, promotions, and business opportunities are made, the power of first impressions cannot be underestimated.

Your appearance, including grooming habits, plays a significant role in shaping these initial perceptions.

Research has shown that individuals who present themselves well are often perceived as more competent, trustworthy, and capable than those who do not.

This phenomenon, known as the “halo effect,” suggests that positive attributes associated with physical appearance can influence judgments in other areas, such as professional competence and personality traits.

In job interviews, for example, candidates who are well-groomed and neatly dressed are more likely to make a favorable impression on hiring managers.

Similarly, professionals who take pride in their appearance are often viewed more positively by clients, colleagues, and superiors, leading to greater opportunities for career advancement and success.

Dressing for Success

The way you dress is an integral part of your overall grooming and can significantly impact how you are perceived in the workplace.

Dressing appropriately for different professional environments demonstrates respect for company culture, attention to detail, and an understanding of the expectations associated with your role.

In conservative industries such as finance or law, for instance, formal business attire may be expected, including suits, ties, and polished dress shoes.

In contrast, creative industries like advertising or design may allow for more flexibility in attire, allowing individuals to express their personal style while still maintaining a professional appearance.

Regardless of the industry or dress code, the key is to dress in a manner that conveys professionalism, confidence, and respect for the occasion.

Investing in high-quality clothing that fits well and is appropriate for your role can go a long way in enhancing your professional image and making a positive impression on others.

By paying attention to your attire and grooming habits, you can ensure that you present yourself in the best possible light, setting the stage for success in your career endeavors.

Personal Hygiene and Grooming Habits

In addition to dressing for success, personal hygiene and grooming habits are crucial components of presenting a polished and professional image in the workplace. Maintaining good hygiene not only promotes physical health but also contributes to a positive overall impression.

Effective grooming habits encompass various aspects, including hair care, skincare, oral hygiene, and grooming of facial hair.

Regular bathing, washing your hair, and keeping your nails clean and trimmed are fundamental practices that demonstrate attention to personal hygiene.

When it comes to facial grooming, whether you choose to be clean-shaven or maintain facial hair, it’s essential to keep it well-groomed and neatly trimmed. Invest in quality grooming tools such as razors, trimmers, and skincare products tailored to your skin type to achieve a polished look.

Skincare is another critical aspect of grooming that often gets overlooked. Establishing a skincare routine that includes cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from the sun not only promotes healthy skin but also helps prevent common issues such as acne, dryness, and premature aging.

Finally, don’t forget about oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are essential for maintaining fresh breath and a bright smile. Consider incorporating mouthwash and breath fresheners into your routine for added confidence in professional interactions.

By prioritizing personal hygiene and grooming habits, you demonstrate professionalism, self-respect, and attention to detail, all of which contribute to a positive professional image and enhance your career prospects.

Confidence and Self-Presentation

Confidence plays a significant role in how you present yourself in professional settings, and grooming can be a powerful tool for boosting self-confidence. When you look good, you feel good, and that inner confidence reflects in your outward demeanor and interactions with others.

Taking pride in your appearance and grooming habits can instill a sense of self-assurance and empowerment, enabling you to approach challenges and opportunities with greater poise and conviction.

Confidence is contagious, and others are more likely to respond positively to individuals who exude confidence and self-assuredness.

Moreover, grooming can be an act of self-care and self-expression, allowing you to cultivate a sense of identity and personal style that aligns with your professional persona.

When you feel comfortable and authentic in your appearance, you are better able to project authenticity and credibility to others.

Self-presentation goes beyond physical appearance; it also encompasses your demeanor, body language, and communication style. By combining good grooming habits with strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude, you can create a compelling professional presence that leaves a lasting impression on others.

Ultimately, grooming for success is about more than just looking good; it’s about cultivating a confident and authentic professional image that reflects your capabilities, values, and aspirations. By investing in your grooming habits and self-presentation, you can position yourself for success and unlock new opportunities in your career journey.

Implementing Grooming Best Practices in Your Daily Routine

Now that we’ve explored the importance of grooming for professional success and identified common challenges, let’s delve into practical strategies for implementing grooming best practices into your daily routine.

By incorporating these tips into your lifestyle, you can maintain a polished appearance and enhance your professional image with ease.

Establish a Consistent Routine: Consistency is key when it comes to grooming. Set aside time each day for grooming tasks, such as showering, shaving, and skincare.

Establishing a regular routine will help you stay on track and ensure that grooming remains a priority in your daily schedule.

Invest in Quality Products: Choose grooming products that are tailored to your skin type, hair texture, and grooming preferences.

Invest in high-quality skincare, haircare, and grooming tools that deliver results and support your grooming goals. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different products until you find what works best for you.

Optimize Your Morning Routine: Streamline your morning routine to make grooming more efficient. Organize your grooming products in a designated area, lay out your clothing the night before, and prioritize essential grooming tasks to avoid feeling rushed. By starting your day with a well-executed grooming routine, you’ll set a positive tone for the day ahead.

Schedule Regular Maintenance: Just like any other aspect of your professional life, grooming requires regular maintenance to stay on top of. Schedule routine appointments for haircuts, beard trims, skincare treatments, and dental check-ups to keep your appearance fresh and polished. Planning ahead ensures that grooming remains a consistent part of your self-care routine.

Stay Informed and Educated: Keep up-to-date with the latest grooming trends, techniques, and products by staying informed and educated. Follow grooming experts, read reputable grooming blogs and publications, and seek advice from professionals in the field.

Knowledge is power when it comes to grooming, and staying informed will help you make informed decisions about your grooming routine.

By implementing these grooming best practices into your daily routine, you can maintain a professional appearance and boost your confidence in the workplace. Remember that grooming is not just about how you look; it’s about how you feel and how you present yourself to the world.

Grooming plays a significant role in shaping professional success and personal confidence. By prioritizing grooming habits and maintaining a polished appearance, individuals can enhance their professional image, make positive first impressions, and unlock new opportunities in their careers.

Remember that grooming is a journey, not a destination. It requires ongoing effort, commitment, and self-care to maintain a polished appearance and project confidence in professional settings. By investing in your grooming habits and presenting yourself authentically and professionally, you can position yourself for success and achieve your career aspirations.

So, embrace the power of grooming, take pride in your appearance, and step confidently into the world, knowing that you’re presenting your best self to the world. Here’s to grooming for success and all the opportunities it brings in your career journey.

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What Is Aloe Vera Good For?

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Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint. It was originally published August 14, 2017.

When you think of aloe vera, you may remember it as a spiky plant with tiny spines along both sides of the thick, variegated leaves that fan out from their base. A succulent plant that grows wild in tropical regions, including the warmest areas and arguably thousands of households across the U.S., aloe vera has had a plethora of uses for thousands of years, both medicinal and nutritional. An open access website of peer-reviewed journals and blogs, Biomed Central, notes:

“Such extensive human use of aloe vera is nothing new; historical sources suggest aloe vera trade routes were well-established in the Red Sea and Mediterranean regions as far back as the 4th century B.C … Over 500 species of aloes exist, spread over Africa, the Middle East and various Indian Ocean islands.”1

Part of its popularity is that it’s a striking plant to look at, but the gel inside the leaves also has strong healing capabilities for a number of maladies and conditions. In fact, the gel could easily remedy many of the problems thousands of people purchase creams and lotions for, purportedly containing extracts from the aloe vera plant, but often containing only a fraction of the healing power available from the genuine article.

Aloe vera’s commercial success for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food use worldwide, is estimated to be somewhere around $13 billion annually. As Medical News Today reveals:

“Aloe vera contains various powerful antioxidant compounds. Some of these compounds can help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria … Aloe vera definitely has some unique therapeutic properties, especially when applied as an ointment for the skin and gums.”2

Where Does the Healing Come From?

It’s the gel inside the leaves that contain the highest levels of bioactivity, but here’s what’s really amazing, according to holistic nutritionist and author Laura Dawn, who launched Happy and Raw.3 Aloe vera’s got you covered at least eight different ways, as it’s:

Disinfectant

Antibiotic

Antimicrobial

Antiseptic

Antibacterial

Germicidal

Antiviral

Antifungal

These capabilities come from aloe vera’s many compounds and phytonutrients, such as vitamins A, C and E, choline, folic acid and B1, B2, B12 and B3 (niacin). Minerals include selenium, zinc, calcium, iron, copper, manganese, potassium, magnesium and chromium. You’ll also find high amounts of:

  • Polyphenol antioxidants — These help combat free radicals, which contribute to disease, infections and hasten the aging process.4
  • Fatty acids — Aloe contains plant sterols, which are valuable fatty acids, including campesterol and B-sitosterol, as well as linoleic, linolenic, myristic, caprylic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids.5
  • Amino acids — There are about 22 amino acids, called the “building blocks of protein,” that are necessary for your body, and aloe vera contains 18 to 20 of them, including all eight of those considered essential for human health.

One study shows aloe vera contains 75 potentially active compounds, including lignin, saponins and salicylic acids and amino acids, 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds traditionally known as laxatives. It also provides campesterol, β-sitosterol and lupeol, and the hormones auxins and gibberellins that help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory action.6

As an adaptogen, aloe boosts your body’s ability to adapt to external changes and increases your ability to deal with stress, be it physical, emotional or environmental. Scientists believe adaptogens balance your system and stimulate your natural defense and adaptive mechanisms, further helping to combat illness and disease. Also:

“Aloe alkalizes the body. Disease cannot manifest in an alkaline environment. Most people are living and subsisting on mostly acidic foods. For great health, remember the 80/20 rule — 80 percent alkaline forming foods and 20 percent acidic. Aloe vera is an alkaline forming food. It alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.”7

Topical and Internal Benefits of Aloe Vera

The first aloe vera-based ointment for sunburn entered the marketplace in 1959, but studies allow that it’s effective for first- and second-degree burns. Whether it’s a burn, puncture wound, cut, psoriasis8 or bug bites, topically applied aloe vera exerts powerful healing benefits.

Aloe’s analgesic qualities help with pain relief while preventing and relieving itching as an antipruritic. Being astringent, aloe gel causes body tissues to contract, which helps reduce bleeding from minor abrasions. As an antipyretic, it’s used to reduce or prevent fever, and being 99% water, it’s great for hydrating your skin. Happy and Raw asserts:

“Aloe increases the elasticity of the skin making it more flexible through collagen and elastin repair. Aloe is an emollient, helping to soften and soothe the skin. It helps supply oxygen to the skin cells, increasing the strength and synthesis of skin tissue and induces improved blood flow to the skin through capillary dilation.”9

The Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry notes that aloe helps the body cleanse itself,10 and a four-study review acknowledged that it could reduce the healing time of burns by as much as nine days in comparison with conventional medicine’s remedies.11 In addition, aloe vera:

Reduces dental plaque, kills plaque-forming bacteria and Candida albicans12

Helps heal and alleviates pain of canker sores13

Improves cardiovascular health as beta sitosterol helps optimize cholesterol

Aids digestion; reduces constipation due to the compound aloin, or barbaloin14

Lowers blood sugar levels15

Reduces inflammation

Helps detoxify your body

Boosts your immune system due to polysaccharides

May improve skin, increase collagen production16 and alleviate wrinkles

From all the above advantages from using aloe vera, weight loss is considered to be a secondary benefit simply because things like improved digestion, reduced constipation (aka regularity), detoxification and lowered blood sugar are all related, and have a varied but direct impact on your weight.

Growing Aloe Vera Plants for Medicinal (and Other) Use

Native to tropical regions, aloe vera plants can grow outdoors even in Northern climates during warm weather. Growing them in the ground is very straightforward. Rather than just plain soil, I would highly recommend adding compost and a layer of wood chips, which improve the soil quality and provide valuable plant nutrients.

One thing about growing aloe vera is that it’s incredibly easy to do, and the baby plants they produce are so plentiful, you can remove new shoots fairly regularly and pop them into separate pots to give away or fill several window sills with the spiky succulents.

They grow faster when their roots aren’t crowded, so leave several inches of space in between so they’ll grow bigger faster. It’s probably no surprise that these plants love bright light, but especially if they’re in a pot, allowing them to bake in hot sun and high temperatures all day might scorch and kill them. Indirect light is best. If you don’t grow it yourself, you can purchase a plant from many health food or grocery stores.

Water your aloe plants well, but to keep rot from setting in, allow at least 1 or 2 inches of top soil to become completely dry in between waterings. Water less often in the winter. Additionally, when placing aloe vera plants in pots, even tiny plants, the pots must have drainage holes at the bottom. Otherwise they’ll eventually become waterlogged and die unless you pick them out, dry the roots for a few days, then place them in dirt again.

When a plant gets large enough, you can cut individual leaves off, as close to the ground (or just under the soil level) as you can. Carefully slice off the little spines on each side, slice off 2 or 3 inches (or as much as you need), then cut through the flat side of the leaf to expose and scrape off the gel for use as a cooling aftershave lotion or sunburn remedy.

In fact, fresh gel from an aloe plant (rather than an aloe product) is one of the best remedies for sunburn. You can even slice open the leaves and open like a book to lay the exposed gel directly on skin needing its healing properties. For a refreshing drink, place a few teaspoons of the gel (not the skin) in a small glass bowl and use a hand mixer or high-speed blender for several seconds, then add a bit of fresh lime juice.

Products Containing Aloe Vera (or Claiming to) Not Always What They Claim

It’s already been mentioned that the most potent way to get the effects of aloe vera is to use the plant itself, not some product containing percentages along with a lot of other stuff, including chemicals. There is such a thing as certification by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC), which was created in the early 1980s due to rampant abuse in the representation of many different consumer products claiming to contain at least a percentage, but many did not.

There are still “wannabe” (aka scam) products with zero aloe content out there hoping for a corner of the market. In addition, Happy and Raw includes a paragraph addressing intake precautions:

“This plant is incredibly medicinal, yet there are some cautions against long-term use. Just because a little is beneficial, doesn’t mean that a lot is more beneficial. This is an incredibly potent plant and should be used with a level of respect for its potency.

Long-term use can lead to loss of electrolytes, especially potassium. Tip: Avoid taking aloe internally during pregnancy, menstruation, if you have hemorrhoids or degeneration of the liver and gall bladder.”17

If you don’t currently have an aloe vera plant in your home, you may find having one helpful for many of the problems listed above, or to try it as a fresh, healthy drink.

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How to Calculate & Control Portion Sizes

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Are you tired of second-guessing your portion sizes, wondering whether you’re eating too much or too little? You’re not alone!

Portion control is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and it’s high time we take the mystery out of knowing how much to eat. In this guide, we’re digging into the science of portion control and giving you five easy ways to manage your food intake. Time to discover the secrets to a balanced and healthy diet!

Understanding Food Portions

It turns out that we’re better at eating everything on our plates than our mothers thought we were. So, if we overserve ourselves too often, we may end up gaining unwanted weight. That’s why we’re giving you the scoop on portion sizes, and why taming them can be your secret weapon against overeating.

What’s the difference between portion and serving sizes?

Before we discuss portion control strategies, we need to clear up the difference between portion and serving sizes.

  • Serving size: A standardized amount used for nutritional information
  • Portion size: The amount of food you choose to eat

You know those nutrition facts labels you find on the back of every food package? Think of them like cheat codes for deciphering what you’re eating. The serving size is the recommended amount for one serving. Whether it’s a cup of cereal, a piece of chicken, or a handful of nuts, the serving size sets the stage for the rest of the nutritional details.

Sizes of foods can be so inconsistent — just think about the last piece of fruit you ate — so having standard serving sizes makes sense. If you eat a larger portion, you need to do some math to determine what you’re actually consuming.

For example, suppose you’re making a sandwich with two slices of bread. Look at the bread’s nutrition facts label. If it says that a serving size is only one slice, you’ll need to double the calories, sugar, etc. to accurately track what you’re eating.

Can you lose weight by cutting portion sizes?

Wondering if downsizing your portions can help you lose weight? Good news: It absolutely can! If you consume fewer calories than what your body needs, your body taps into its stash of stored fat. That means you’ll be burning fat, which leads to weight loss.

Scientific studies consistently support the idea that reducing portion sizes for weight loss can make a difference. This proves it’s not only about quality — although that’s important, too — but also about quantity.

Can you gain weight by increasing portions?

On the flip side, consistently consuming larger portions can help if you’re trying to gain weight. When you up your portions, you’re giving your body more fuel to work with, which can help you pack on those desired pounds.

The key is to make sure you’re increasing portions with nutritious, calorie-dense foods to support your overall health while achieving your weight gain goals. Think hearty servings of healthy fats, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates to help you gain weight in a healthy way.

5 Easy Ways To Calculate and Control the Size of Your Portions

Portion control is a secret ingredient in your recipe for a healthier lifestyle. So, let’s explore five effective ways to master the art of portion control to manage your intake of calories, essential macronutrients, and micronutrients.

1. Use a small plate as a portion control guide

Here’s how to fill your plate for healthy portion control:

  • Vegetables: Fill half your plate with colorful raw or cooked vegetables. You can mix in a small portion of fruit on this half of the plate, too.
  • Proteins: Reserve a quarter of the plate for lean meats like chicken or other protein foods like beans.
  • Carbohydrates: The remaining quarter can be dedicated to whole grains or starchy vegetables.

Choosing a smaller plate that measures 9 inches (23 cm) across may help you keep portions in check..

2. Avoid eating directly from food packages

Ever find yourself mindlessly munching straight from a bag of chips? Guilty as charged, right? Getting those snacks onto a plate or into a bowl can help.

By portioning your snacks, you’re controlling calories without depriving yourself. This simple step prevents you from losing track of how much you’re eating.

3. Measure a balanced diet’s portions using your hand

Say hello to your built-in visual portion size guide, aka your hands! Turns out they’re pretty clever when it comes to estimating portions. Let’s break it down with an average adult fist in mind:

  • Proteins: The palm of your hand is an ideal serving size of meat or a plant-based protein portion.
  • Fruits and vegetables: Aim for a fist-sized fruit portion or starchy veg, but a portion of vegetables like leafy greens can be a bit larger.
  • Carbohydrates: For your pasta, rice, or quinoa, a single portion is about one cupped handful.
  • Fats: Limit fats to the tip of your finger.

Using your hand as a rough guide at every meal simplifies portion control and helps you keep tabs on the types of macronutrients (carbs, proteins, fats) your body needs for overall health.

You can even use your hand to approximately figure out the serving sizes you’ll find on a Nutrition Facts label without digging out the measuring cups:

  • 1 cup: your fist
  • 1 tsp: your fingertip
  • 1 tbsp: poker-chip-sized circle in the palm of your hand
  • 3 oz (of meat): the palm of your hand
  • 1-2 oz (of meat): cupped hand
  • 1 oz (of meat or cheese): your thumb

4. Outsmart restaurant portions by cutting them in half

Let’s face it – sometimes restaurant portions are notorious for being on the larger side. But don’t fret! There are ways to enjoy eating out while avoiding overeating and feeling bloated.

First things first, use the tips in this article to determine what your body needs. If you feel the portion you’re served is larger than what you need, box it up and take it home!

Splitting up a restaurant meal whatever way you want helps prevent unintentional calorie overload and gives you delicious leftovers for the next day. Less cooking? Yes, please!

5. Use a food diary or tracking app to control calorie intake

Harness the power of your smartphone to keep your calorie intake in check. We’re already glued to our phones all day anyway, right? So why not put that screen time to good use?

Using a food diary or tracking app like MyFitnessPal can effortlessly monitor what you’re noshing on throughout the day. It’s like having a personal nutritionist in your pocket, guiding you toward your health goals with every tap and swipe.

Control Your Weight With a Variety of Foods in the Right Proportion

Let’s talk about keeping that scale in check while still enjoying your food! It’s like having your cake and eating it too — well, maybe just a thinner slice.

The secret is balancing your plate with a mix of tasty foods in just the right portions.

We’re not here to say, “Ditch this, ditch that.” It’s all about the variety. Why is this mix of foods so essential? It’s like giving your body a VIP pass to all the nutrients it craves. And it also keeps your taste buds happy!

Depriving yourself of what you crave can backfire, leading to that frustrating cycle of yo-yo dieting. By giving your body what it needs and what you want, all in the right portions — and keeping track! — you can lose weight sustainably.

Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight isn’t about diet misery or locking up your favorite snacks. It’s about making friends with lots of different types of foods, keeping those portions in check, and living your best life.

How MyFitnessPal Can Help

Cracking the code of portion control is like having a superpower on your quest for healthy eating patterns that let you thrive. Honestly, you just need a few good tricks up your sleeve.

Swap big plates for smaller ones, snack in moderation, use MyFitnessPal to track your food intake and monitor your progress, and let your hands be your portion sidekicks. With these simple moves, you’re the boss of your portions without feeling deprived (‘bye FOMO).

Originally published December 20, 2017; Updated April 17, 2024

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This Heart Attack Hits Young Women, But Doctors Often Unaware

Post By Health

April 16, 2024 — Toniya Farmer was driving on an Atlanta interstate when severe chest pains started. She called 911, had pain and difficulty breathing and believed she was in imminent danger. 

When she made it to a local emergency room, she said that she was having a heart attack. Yet none of the hospital staff responded until a man in the waiting room asked aloud if anyone had heard her. 

“I guess that I looked too young to be having a heart attack,” said Farmer. 

Her story highlights the larger issue of gender differences in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease. Findings from the 2014-2020 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey showed that U.S. women visiting emergency departments wait 29% longer, on average, to be seen and evaluated for heart attacks than men. 

These delays can be life-threatening, especially for younger women who are at risk for spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a type of heart attack that accounts for as many as 1 in 3 acute heart events in women under age 50.

“There are still biases that heart attack patients just look like older, white males,” said Erin Michos, MD, director of Women’s Cardiovascular Health and associate director of preventive cardiology at the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Baltimore. “SCAD patients don’t have the risk factors that we think about for heart attacks; they have normal cholesterol, normal blood pressure, tend to be healthy-appearing, exercise regularly, and eat healthy diets.”

Getting to the Heart of SCAD

Unlike most heart attacks (which result from the buildup of plaque or formation of blood clots in the arteries), SCAD results from a tear in the middle layer of the artery walls where blood begins to pool, causing the layers of the wall to separate. This eventually restricts blood flow. The average patient is premenopausal and between 44 and 53 years old, but SCAD also accounts for anywhere from 15% to 43% of heart attacks in women who have recently given birth. 

Researchers believe that SCAD may be related to hormones and their influence on connective tissues, pre-existing connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or abnormal cell growth in the artery walls (fibromuscular dysplasia) that causes arteries to bulge. 

Another theory is immense emotional or physical stress. 

“In about 50% of cases, we see extreme emotional stress and in about 20% to 30%, very intensive exercise,” said Michos. “We’ve hypothesized that these stressors rev up the sympathetic nervous system, blood pressure, and heart rate increase, and you have this adrenaline surge; that might be the thing that initiates the event if the artery is already fragile or prone to tear,” she said.

Faces of SCAD

The lack of answers and information about SCAD have significant effects on women who experience them. 

“The frustration that these patients have is real,” said Sharonne Hayes MD, founder of the Women’s Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. “They’re not getting answers. They worry that they are going to die, about having another SCAD,” she said.

Nakeia Jackson is a traveling nurse who lives in Alton, IL.  She had her first SCAD when she was 28. Now 34, Jackson said that she doesn’t trust small community hospitals to do the right thing. “They don’t know how to treat them,” she said.

After 24 hours of stabbing chest pain and no answers, she headed straight to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis and the doctors who would save her life. 

“I was blindsided,” said Jennifer Maxwell from Cedar Rapids, IA. She had her first of three SCADs at the age of 40. Now 55, Maxwell said that she had been training for a marathon outdoors in the cold Iowa winter when she awoke one day with tightness and pressure in her chest and shortness of breath, and she headed to a local hospital.

“The hospital didn’t take it seriously” she said. “They didn’t put monitors on me, did not call a cardiologist, did not do an EKG,” she said. “I felt unheard,” she said. “The attending physician told me that I was 40 years old and healthy, and that it was just anxiety.” 

SCAD Sisterhood

SCAD leaves indelible marks. Initial treatments range from watchful waiting to medication management plus advice to avoid highly rigorous activity and heavy lifting, all of which are intended to bypass potential triggers. But the evidence supporting these treatments is spotty and somewhat weak. “We’re guided by incremental evidence. We have had some great breakthroughs but we’re not there yet,” said Hayes. 

Doctors are also unable to predict which women will have repeat events, a dilemma that leaves many women with mental health issues as they navigate the aftermath. “It’s understandable; they were young and did everything right and then this bad thing happened to them,” said Michos. “They live with anxiety, but too much anxiety might make things worse, so part of my counseling is to encourage patients to get help for stress and anxiety.”

The dearth of evidence and sound medical treatments have bound many of these women together, well beyond clinic and emergency room walls. Connecting with others with similar experiences has made significant differences in their lives. 

“I feel empowered,” said JoAnn Girardo, a 61 year-old SCAD survivor. She attributed a lot of her success to an organization called WomenHeart, where she found invaluable resources that eventually prompted her to volunteer as a “champion,” a group of advocates and educators. 

“Seeing that other women are thriving, not just surviving, is very encouraging, she said. “Others have found solace through SCAD Research, a nonprofit that raises funds to support scientific research, provides education, and hosts several groups on Facebook for survivors and their families.

When you ask these women what they wish they had known before their SCAD, their advice comes rapidly:

  • Girardo: “Learn to use your words correctly and don’t minimize your situation; the doctor only knows what you are telling her.”
  • Farmer: “Find a doctor that is in alignment with you. If you see a doctor that doesn’t give you the answer or doesn’t answer the questions you ask, go to another one and don’t stop until you get the answer you need.”
  • Jackson: “Any symptoms that you think might possibly be a heart attack, go get checked out immediately. A lot of physicians are not familiar with SCAD, so you really have to advocate for yourself.” 
  • Maxwell:  “You can’t assume when you talk into the ER and say you have chest discomfort that someone is going to know it’s your heart. Women present cardiac symptoms differently than men. So you need to make sure that you are fighting for yourself.”

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9 Foods That Fight Hot Flashes: Effective Dietary Choices | Credihealth

Post By Health

Are you tired of the sudden warmth that feels like a summer day in your body, especially when you’re trying to relax or sleep? Nearly 75% of women going through menopause experience hot flashes, making it one of the most common symptoms.

It’s like your body decides to turn up the heat at the most inconvenient times. But what if we told you that your kitchen holds the secret to cooling down these unexpected heat waves? There are 9 foods that fight hot flashes, offering you a more comfortable passage through menopause.

The link between hot flashes and diet is stronger than you might think. Your diet plays a crucial role in managing menopause symptoms. Specifically, maintaining stable blood sugar levels can be a game-changer for reducing hot flashes.

Wondering how? Foods that help regulate your blood sugar can also keep those hot flashes at bay, making your days and nights more bearable.

But it’s not just about blood sugar and hot flashes. So, if you’re curious about which foods to add to your diet and how they can make a difference, keep reading to discover how to make your menopause experience a bit cooler.

What are Hot Flashes and Why Do They Occur?

Ever woken up feeling like you’re wrapped in a warm blanket, even if the air conditioner is on full blast? That’s what hot flashes in the morning can feel like. They’re sudden bursts of heat that make you feel uncomfortably warm, often followed by sweating and sometimes even chills.

But why do they happen? Well, while scientists are still figuring out all the details, it’s clear that changes in your body’s hormone levels during menopause play a big role.

Another factor that can trigger hot flashes is your sugar levels. Yes, what you eat, especially sugary snacks or drinks, can make those hot flashes more frequent or intense. High hot flashes and sugar levels are linked because when your sugar levels spike, your body can react by turning up the heat.

So, is there a way to reduce hot flashes naturally? Absolutely. Adjusting what you eat, reducing sugar intake, and choosing foods that help balance your hormones can make a big difference.

The Connection Between Food and Hot Flashes

Some days your hot flashes seem more like a mild inconvenience, while on other days they’re a full-blown heatwave. The food you eat plays a big role in this. We’re talking about foods that decrease hot flashes, making your day-to-day life a bit more comfortable.

It’s interesting to note that what’s on your plate doesn’t just affect your waistline but also how often you feel like you’re sitting in an oven. For instance, have you ever noticed that you sweat when hungry? That’s your body’s way of reacting to the need for fuel, and sometimes, it can also trigger a hot flash.

And here’s something you might not have put together: can high sugar cause hot flashes? Absolutely. When you indulge in a sugary treat, your blood sugar levels spike and this can signal your body to turn up the heat.

So, by choosing foods that decrease hot flashes and keeping an eye on your sugar intake, you can help manage these uncomfortable moments. It’s about making smarter food choices to keep your internal thermostat in check.

9 Foods That Fight Hot Flashes

Discovering the right foods to ease menopause symptoms can feel like finding a hidden treasure. Among these, are 9 foods that fight hot flashes, making your journey through menopause a bit smoother.

Let’s dive into each of these lifesavers and understand how they help.

1. Soy Products

When exploring what foods help with hot flashes, soy products stand out. They are rich in isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen that mimics estrogen in the body.

This can be particularly helpful when your estrogen levels are dropping. Including soy milk, tofu, or edamame in your diet might offer you some relief from those sudden heat waves.

2. Flaxseed

Flax is a fantastic source of lignans and omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to help with menopause symptoms. Try sprinkling ground flaxseed on cereal or blending it into smoothies as an easy way to incorporate it into your diet.

3. Whole Grains

Some of the best foods for hot flashes are whole grains like oats, barley, and quinoa because they’re high in fiber and B vitamins. These nutrients can help control blood sugar levels, which may reduce how often you experience hot flashes.

That oatmeal you have for breakfast might be more than just filling—it could also help keep you cool!

4. Leafy Greens

Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are low-calorie but packed with vitamins and minerals. They’re also high in fiber and vitamin E, which have both been shown to potentially help ease hot flashes.

Adding leafy greens to meals is an easy way not only to boost nutrition but also to support temperature regulation within the body.

5. Berries

Looking for advice on how to control hot flashes? Try adding berries to your daily eating routine. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries contain plenty of antioxidants, vitamins A and C, plus lots of water!

Berries fight inflammation throughout the entire body while keeping you hydrated overall – this is important when managing sudden heart attacks.

6. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts such as almonds or seeds like sunflowers provide magnesium; vitamin E; omega-3s—all good fats necessary during menopause years—and beyond! Healthful fats found here do double duty by both satisfying hunger pangs and regulating internal temps so bodies don’t overheat too frequently.

7. Cold Water Fish

The top foods to prevent hot flashes include salmon, mackerel, and sardines. These types of fish contain omega-3 fatty acids which have many health benefits including reducing inflammation in the body which can help with reducing the severity and frequency of hot flushes.

8. Yogurt and Fermented Foods

Yogurt is a fermented food that contains probiotics. These healthy bacteria promote gut health, which in turn affects menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. Eating yogurt or other fermented foods may be one way to take care of those sudden feelings of warmth.

9. Water

Last but not least – water! Staying hydrated helps your body manage its cooling system. Drinking enough water throughout the day will make you more comfortable and reduce the intensity of hot flashes.

By including these nine items in your diet, you can naturally approach managing menopause symptoms while still eating well. Remember that what works for someone else may not work for you, so listen to your body and find the right balance.

Dietary Habits to Adopt

Having proper dietary habits is important when looking for natural ways to help with hot flashes during menopause. It’s not just about what you eat though – it also matters how and when you eat!

Here are some habits that could make a difference:

  • Stabilize blood sugar by eating small meals regularly throughout the day. Unstable blood sugar can worsen menopause symptoms, answering the question, does low blood sugar cause hot flashes? Yes, it can contribute to them.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water daily – this prevents dehydration-induced hot flashes from occurring frequently or intensifying them once they start happening
  • Include foods in your diet that contain phytoestrogens such as soy products which can act as natural estrogen in the body and help balance hormones.
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, especially later in the day, to see how to minimize hot flashes at night. Both of these substances affect sleep quality and may trigger hot flashes.
  • Support overall health with a well-rounded diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Did you know?

Certain breathing techniques can also play a role in managing hot flashes. A study found that slow, deep breathing exercises, practiced regularly, could help reduce the frequency of hot flashes by as much as 52%. This simple, natural remedy can be a great addition to your menopause management toolkit, alongside incorporating the 9 foods that fight hot flashes.

Foods to Avoid

When dealing with menopause symptoms it’s important to know what not to eat just as much as it is essential to know what you should eat. Some types of food can lead to discomfort and disrupted sleep because they are known as foods that trigger hot flashes and night sweats.

These are some examples:

  • Spicy foods: These have always been considered triggers for night sweats and hot flashes.
  • Caffeine and alcohol: Both of them contribute to hot flashes and dehydration, therefore making them worse.
  • High sugar content foods: If you’re wondering, does eating sugar make hot flashes worse? The answer is yes, it can. Sugar can cause spikes in blood sugar levels, leading to hot flashes.
  • Processed Foods: Processed items are rich in salts and sugars which can compromise general well-being while exacerbating menopause symptoms at the same time.
  • Chocolates: Unfortunately for many ladies out there wondering does chocolate causes hot flashes, yes it does. It consists of both caffeine alongside sugar hence capable of triggering such conditions among some females.

Being conscious about these dietary habits or even simply avoiding certain meals altogether might just help make your journey through menopause easier than expected by keeping you from overheating too often during this phase.

Final Thoughts

To find comfort during menopause, understanding and incorporating the 9 foods that fight hot flashes can be a game changer. It’s a natural approach that can impact your daily life, reducing the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.

Is it possible to cure hot flashes entirely? The truth is, while dietary changes can reduce their severity and frequency, hot flashes may not disappear completely for everyone. This is why consulting a healthcare provider is crucial. They can offer personalized advice and treatment options tailored to your specific needs.

 

You can also read: Best Menopausal Supplements For Hot Flashes, Mood Swings, And More

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Could Your Hand Sanitizer Affect Brain Health?

Post By Health

Toxic chemicals found in hand sanitizers and other disinfectants, as well as household items like furniture and electronics, could be harming brain development in children and future generations. This includes quaternary compounds — used widely in disinfecting agents — and organophosphate flame retardants, which are found in many household items.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio found quaternary compounds were damaging to oligodendrocytes, a type of glial cell in the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, while flame retardants increased the risk of neurodevelopmental problems.1 Both chemical classes are widespread in the environment, raising the risk of population-wide health risks.

Hand Sanitizer Compound May Harm Brain Development

Quaternary ammonium compounds, also referred to as QACs or quats, are a popular ingredient in hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes. Usage of both products has increased significantly in recent years.

Clorox increased production of its disinfectant wipes to 1.5 million packs per day during the pandemic,2 while an industry trade group survey found 83% of households had used disinfectant wipes at least one time in the past week and 92% of consumers had used a cleaning, disinfecting or sanitizing wipe.3

Use of hand sanitizers also rose during the pandemic, with usage as high as 25 times per day in children and more than nine times daily for adults.4 You may also be exposed to QACs in a number of other common products, including wood preservatives, mouthwash, detergents, shampoos, fabric softeners, eye drops and herbicides.

The cumulative effects of such exposures are unknown, but in a study on mouse pups, researchers found the chemicals in the animals’ brain tissues just days after administering an oral dose. Not only does this suggest that QACs cross the blood-brain barrier, but they may also cause damage to oligodendrocytes in the brain.5

Oligodendrocytes play an important role in forming the myelin sheath, a fatty layer that surrounds the axons of nerve cells. This myelin sheath is essential for the fast transmission of electrical signals, allowing for efficient communication within the nervous system. Damage to oligodendrocytes, which act similar to insulation around electrical wires, can lead to several neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis.

After 10 daily doses of a QAC called cetylpyridinium chloride — starting just five days after birth — the mice had reduced numbers of oligodendrocytes in their brains. Study author Paul Tesar noted, “Loss of oligodendrocytes underlies multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases. We now show that specific chemicals in consumer products can directly harm oligodendrocytes, representing a previously unrecognized risk factor for neurological disease.”6

The scientists also tested QACs in brain organoids, which are three-dimensional cell cultures used as a model for studying brain development and disease mechanisms. Similar damage was found.7 Typically, oligodendrocytes keep developing from before birth into adulthood, but the study suggests QACs may kill them.

“We found that oligodendrocytes — but not other brain cells — are surprisingly vulnerable to quaternary ammonium compounds and organophosphate flame retardants,” study author Erin Cohn said in a news release. “Understanding human exposure to these chemicals may help explain a missing link in how some neurological diseases arise.”8

QACs Also Linked to Immune System, Respiratory and Reproductive Adverse Effects

When you use QAC-containing products like cleansers, disinfectants, personal care items and more, you can be exposed by ingesting the chemicals, inhaling them or absorbing them through your skin. Beyond damage to brain cells, QACs are also linked to multiple adverse health outcomes including:9

  • Dermal (skin) and respiratory effects
  • Developmental and reproductive toxicity
  • Disruption of metabolic function such as lipid homeostasis
  • Impairment of mitochondrial function

In fact, the National Pesticide Information Center states that children should not use antimicrobial wipes because they contain QACs, and children are more likely to have higher rates of exposure due to putting their hands in their mouths.10

Separate research found the chemicals also contribute to antimicrobial resistance and pollute the environment, including causing acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic organisms.11 Writing in Environmental Science & Technology, researchers explained that QACs are a “chemical class of emerging concern”:12

“QAC use is increasing, without high-quality evidence of their effectiveness in reducing transmission of infectious disease in many settings and applications. Meanwhile, greater indoor usage is consistent with higher indoor exposure, which is a concern given the recent discovery of adverse health outcomes in laboratory animals at relatively low (ambient) exposure concentrations.

Increased production and usage is anticipated to result in higher QAC concentrations in wastewater, which is a pathway for broader environmental exposure and potential risks to biota. This is especially concerning given that some environmental concentrations already exceed protective aquatic toxicity thresholds.”

Flame Retardants Associated With Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The Case Western Reserve University researchers also analyzed levels of the flame retardant metabolite, BDCIPP, in children. Data from 1,763 children between the ages of 3 to 11 revealed that nearly all had BDCIPP in their urine.

However, Science Alert reported, “Those with the highest levels were two and six times more likely than those with low exposure to experience adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes such as motor dysfunction or requirements for educational assistance.”13

Past research also linked greater exposures to flame retardants during pregnancy with lower intelligence in the child. Specifically, for every 10-fold increase in prenatal exposure to another type of flame retardant, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), there was a 3.7-point decline in IQ test scores in children.14

Past research has also demonstrated that children born to mothers with higher levels of flame retardant chemicals in their body had a 4.5-point average decrease in IQ,15 while exposure in childhood is strongly associated with poor attention span, reduced fine motor coordination and a decrease in cognitive ability.16 Flame retardants may even change important processes, including tryptophan metabolism, in the placenta that can affect the developing brain.17

“Our findings suggest that more comprehensive scrutiny of the impacts of these common household chemicals on brain health is necessary,” Tesar said in a news release. “We hope our work will contribute to informed decisions regarding regulatory measures or behavioral interventions to minimize chemical exposure and protect human health.”18

What Else Is Lurking in Hand Sanitizer?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a running list of “hand sanitizers consumers should not use.”19 It includes products that were tested by the FDA and found to contain benzene, acetaldehyde, methanol, acetal or other toxins.

Others on the list were found to have microbial contamination, were made at the same facility as products that contain benzene and other toxins or were packaged in containers resembling food or beverage containers, posing an increased risk of accidental ingestion.20

Valisure laboratory also tested 260 hand sanitizer products, including liquid and non-liquid products. They found that 44 batches, or 17%, contained benzene. The highest benzene level detected was 16.1 parts per million (ppm), which is more than eight times the FDA’s interim limit of 2 ppm.21

Benzene is found in crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke, and is also widely used to make chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibers, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs and pesticides. Benzene interferes with cells, causing bone marrow to not produce enough red blood cells, triggering anemia, for instance. It can also cause immune system damage, including changes in antibody levels and loss of white blood cells.

After long-term exposure, benzene causes cancer in humans, particularly leukemia, and is known to lead to irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in ovary size in women.22 In their guidance on how to use hand sanitizer safely, the FDA also states that hand sanitizers are drugs,23 which can cause alcohol poisoning in children if even a small amount is consumed.

Writing in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, researchers with Vellore Institute of Technology in India called for the development of natural alternatives to replace toxic hand sanitizers, noting:24

“The unintended exposure of children to hand sanitizers poses a high risk of potentially fatal complications. Skin irritation, dryness, cracking, peeling, hypoglycemia, apnea, and acidosis are examples of unintended consequences of hand sanitizer. The sanitizer reportedly kills normal microbial flora on hands, which usually promotes innate immunity among children under 12.

Children are more susceptible to the toxicity associated with the chemical constituents of marketed chemical-based hand sanitizers; however, the studies to develop sanitizer formulations for children are rudimentary … Additionally, it is reported that many chemical-based hand sanitizer formulations, especially alcohol-based ones may also contain contaminants like methanol, acetaldehyde, benzene, isopropanol, and ethyl-acetate.”

Use Hand Sanitizer Sparingly, If at All — Wash Your Hands Instead

Overuse of hand sanitizers and other disinfectants can backfire. There are potential adverse effects to human health from inhaling disinfectants, as such chemicals are known to accumulate in the lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, brain and blood. Exposures were certainly elevated during the pandemic for many people, who were exposed to disinfectants by inhalation and oral routes, as well as via the skin and eyes.

There are also significant environmental concerns due to the “unusual release and dissemination of higher concentrations of biocide-based products into the surface and underground waters and also wastewater treatment systems.”25 When disinfectants and biocides enter the environment, they can wipe out beneficial bacterial species that are keeping drug-resistant microorganisms in check.

“[I]f the biocide concentrations reach the sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC), this event may augment the selective pressure, boost the horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and drive the evolution of AMR [antimicrobial resistance],” scientists warn.26

Remember, there’s little hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes can do that soap and water can’t. Unless you’re in a hospital setting, where disinfectants are sometimes necessary, you should use hand sanitizers sparingly and only when truly necessary, which typically will be hardly at all.

In most cases, simple hand washing is all that’s necessary to keep your hands clean. In a study that compared the effect of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and hand washing using ozonized tap water or soap and water to remove E. coli, washing with soap and water was the most effective.27

As an added bonus, one week of hand washing reduced individual exposure to flame retardants by about half. House cleaning for one week to reduce dust was also an effective way to significantly reduce exposure to dangerous flame retardant chemicals.

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10 Amazing Things The Body Does To Keep Us Alive – You Must Get Healthy

Post By Health

The human body is a marvel of biological engineering, which is beyond exceptional.

It has various physiological and homeostatic mechanisms that function to keep us alive and comfortable.

The human body was designed to be adept at responding to changes in the environment both anatomically and physiologically.

If you need more reason to appreciate the marvel that is the human body, read on to find out ten amazing things the body does to keep you alive and well.

 

Here are 10 remarkable things the human body does to keep you alive.

1. Shedding dead skin cells

The skin sheds about 30,000 to 50,000 skin cell, every single minute of your life.

This mechanism is important in getting rid of dead skin cells and harmful organisms on the surface of the skin.

Note that only the eyes do not shed. Shed skin are quickly replaced. [1]

Without the continuous shedding and replacement of skin cells, our skin would be unable to effectively protect us from environmental hazards such as pathogens and UV radiation.

Accumulation of dead skin cells could lead to infections, impaired wound healing, and various dermatological conditions.

2. Fetal stem cells repair

When a woman is pregnant and an organ in her body is damaged, the baby in the womb sends stem cells to repair the damaged organ. [2]

If the fetal stem cell repair mechanism were absent, pregnant women might experience prolonged recovery from organ damage, potentially compromising their health and the health of the fetus.

This could lead to increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

3. Temperature regulation 

The normal human body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius. If the body is to go markedly above or below this number, it will lead to death.

However, the body does a lot of amazing things that stabilize the body temperature despite the environmental temperature, such as, shivering, sweating, vasoconstriction and vasodilation. [3]

This physiological response is crucial because if the body didn’t have the ability to regulate temperature, we would be at risk of hypothermia or hyperthermia, conditions that can quickly become fatal.

4. Stomach lining regeneration

The stomach produces acid secretions that can excoriate the stomach lining.

However, your body grows an entirely new stomach lining every 3-4 days. [4]

Nevertheless, if these regular regeneration of the stomach lining didn’t occur, the acidic gastric juices would erode the stomach wall, leading to ulcers, bleeding, and possibly life-threatening issues.

5. Information filtering 

Your brain forgets some information to protect you from the overload of information, and emotional distresses.

This action helps you to think more quickly and assimilate new information better. [5]

Now just imagine for a second that we did not have the ability to forget unnecessary information and distressing situations.

Our brains would become overwhelmed, leading to cognitive dysfunction, reduced decision-making capability, and mental health issues such as anxiety and stress.

6. Self-healing

The body has the ability to self-heal. If you are cut or injured, bleeding is immediately stopped in minutes.

Destroyed cells are immediately regrown. This is very important because we would have all been dead if not for this amazing mechanism. [6]

The absence of self-healing would mean that even minor cuts and injuries could become open gateways for infection, leading to sepsis or other serious health complications.

7. Adaptation to starvation 

You might have probably read about people who have had to endure harrowing days or weeks without food before they were rescued.

In cases of extreme starvation, how does the body react to keep us alive? It first uses all the glucose and stored glycogen to keep the body going.

This lasts for about 6 hours, before it turns to the fats and ketone bodies, before moving on to proteins.

This mechanism can help you survive hunger for up to 70 days. However, that depends on some factors like weight and the amount of fat present. [7]

Although we need to eat everyday, the body’s ability to adapt to starvation by metabolizing different energy sources helps us to avoid quickly succumbing to energy deficits, leading to organ failure and death in a matter of days rather than potentially surviving for weeks.

8. Fight-or-flight response 

Have you ever been a faced with a dangerous situation and your body reacted in such a way that left you astonished?

When the body is faced with a life-threatening situation, it secretes hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This reaction is known as an acute stress response.

During this reaction, the released hormones, speeds the heart rate, slows digestion, and increases blood flow to major muscle groups, and changes a lot of other autonomic nervous functions, that gives you a burst of energy and strength.

This response is essential in a flight or fight situation. [8]

Let’s say we don’t have this acute stress response. Our ability to react to life-threatening situations would be severely compromised.

We would lack the necessary physiological changes that prepare our body to confront or flee from danger, which could be detrimental to our survival.

9. Acquired immunity 

The body has the ability to recognize former pathogens that have attacked the body previously and destroy them.

This is known as acquired immunity. Acquired immunity is immunity you develop during your lifetime.

It can come from a vaccine, exposure to a disease, or another person’s antibodies (infection-fighting immune cells). [9]

The absence of this acquired immunity would result in our bodies not remembering previous pathogen encounters, leading to repeated infections and increased susceptibility to diseases.

Vaccines and natural immunity would be ineffective, leaving populations vulnerable to epidemics.

10. Liver’s regeneration

The liver is extremely important in the body; it does a lot of metabolic and homeostatic functions.

As the largest internal organ in the body, the liver has the ability to regrow if part of it is removed due to injury, disease, or surgery.

It can even grow to be just the right size for the body it’s in, isn’t it amazing? [10]

If the liver could not regenerate, any significant damage to the liver would lead to a permanent loss of function, synthesis of crucial proteins.

Furthermore, loss of liver function can result in life-threatening conditions such as liver failure and systemic toxicity.

Conclusion

There’s so much more remarkable things our body to ensure that we kept alive.  These are just a few, and yet they must fascinated you as read them. Thus, we should always appreciate our magnificent body, by acknowledging it’s awesome abilities. Thanks!

 

This article was first published on July 9, 2016, and later modified on April 15, 2024.

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Even Women Doctors Find Their Symptoms Aren’t Taken Seriously

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In early 2014, Ilene Ruhoy, MD, PhD, was not feeling well. She tired more easily than usual, had frequent headaches, and was sometimes dizzy and nauseous. A hospital-based neurologist, Ruhoy made appointments with several of her colleagues. “Everyone kept telling me that I was working too hard, that I was too stressed out, that I should take some time off,” she recalls.

At first, she was inclined to believe that; after all, she was working a lot. But as the headaches became more persistent, she grew more concerned. She typically got one or two migraines a year, but now she was having headaches weekly. “It wasn’t normal for me and I kept saying that, but they kept sort of dismissing it.” She repeatedly asked for an MRI – doctors aren’t allowed to order one for themselves – but since her neurological exam was normal, her doctors refused.

Then, one day, Ruhoy’s hearing began going in and out while she was grocery shopping, an experience that rattled her enough to make yet another appointment, this time with a primary care doctor who was a friend. “I just cried to her and I said, ‘I really just need you to order an MRI.’”

When Ruhoy emerged from the MRI machine, the technician told her to go directly to the emergency room. She had a 7-centimeter tumor pushing the left side of her brain to the right.

The next day, about a year and a half after she first started complaining of symptoms, she underwent a 7 1/2-hour brain operation. The tumor has grown back twice since then, which she says likely wouldn’t have happened had it been caught earlier.

For Ruhoy, the experience was “a wake-up call” about how frequently women’s symptoms are dismissed in the medical system. “There’s gender bias. That’s for sure,” she says.

This bias contributes to gender disparities in diagnosis and treatment in various clinical contexts. One study of emergency room patients with acute abdominal pain found that the women waited 65 minutes to receive pain medication, compared to 49 minutes for the men. Another concluded that women with knee pain are 22 times less likely to be referred for a knee replacement than men. Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed and sent home from the ER in the middle of a heart attack or a stroke. For a wide range of conditions, from autoimmune diseases to cancers, they experience longer diagnostic delays than men.

In part, the problem is rooted in long-standing gender stereotypes. Viewed as especially prone to “hysterical” symptoms, women are more likely to have their complaints misattributed to psychological disorders or – as in Ruhoy’s case and so many others’ – “stress.” Making matters worse, there’s also a knowledge gap: Until the early 1990s, women were left out of much clinical research, and even today doctors know comparatively less about women’s bodies, symptoms, and common conditions.

The problem is sometimes portrayed as one that can be overcome by women learning to more effectively communicate their symptoms or becoming more empowered to advocate for themselves. But the experiences of female doctors-turned-patients like Ruhoy underscore how insufficient such individualistic solutions are. Ruhoy points out how much she had stacked in her favor: “I’m educated, obviously. I was able to articulate myself. I was never hysterical. I was very clear in my communication with my concerns. And I was speaking to people who knew me. And yet I was dismissed amongst all that.”

For women health care providers, used to having authority in the exam room, it often comes as a shock to find their symptoms minimized or disbelieved by other doctors, even their own colleagues, when they become sick patients. Meanwhile, their dual roles give them a valuable perspective on the biases and structural barriers that leave too many women dismissed and misdiagnosed, as well as the fundamental changes in medicine needed to overcome them.

When Sarah Diekman was a 27-year-old medical student, her health began to unravel. She was often lightheaded, as if she was on the verge of passing out. Brain fog made keeping up with her studies impossible, and she took a leave of absence during her fourth year. Worst of all was the fatigue, which eventually became completely debilitating. “I could hardly get out of bed. I could hardly make a bowl of ramen noodles.”

“I saw at least 30 doctors in 2 years of being extremely sick almost every day,” Diekman recalls. Most said she had anxiety and depression – and perhaps “medical student syndrome,” in which aspiring doctors supposedly become convinced they’re suffering from the diseases they’ve just learned about. Even her gastrointestinal problems were attributed to a psychological problem. Having lost weight because she had excruciating pain and nausea whenever she ate, she made an appointment with a GI specialist. But instead of testing, she was offered a referral to a GI psychologist on the assumption that she had an eating disorder. She recalls thinking, “This is not about my thoughts. I’m afraid to eat because it hurts.”

Desperate for any help she could get, Diekman didn’t challenge her doctors’ conclusions. “I tried every step of the way to just do what they said and be the best patient.” But she also searched for answers on her own. One day she saw a patient in the clinic whose symptoms seemed similar to hers and later looked up more information about the patient’s condition: postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Convinced it explained her illness too, she flew across the country to see the POTS experts at the Mayo Clinic, who confirmed her self-diagnosis with the autonomic nervous system disorder.

Eighty percent of POTS patients are women and girls, and Diekman’s diagnostic delay is typical of many patients with chronic illnesses that disproportionately affect women, like autoimmune disorders and chronic pain conditions. Marked by invisible symptoms, like pain and fatigue, that are often minimized or labeled as psychosomatic, such conditions have also been under-researched and neglected in medical education, leaving many doctors ill-equipped to diagnose them. “It wasn’t in my textbooks,” Diekman notes. “It’s probably under-recognized because it mostly affects women. And it presents with symptoms that are really stigmatized in women” (Awareness of POTS has been on the rise recently as many long COVID patients have the condition).

For women who also belong to other marginalized groups, additional biases contribute to dismissive treatment. Alicia Miller, a hospital-based doctor who asked to be identified by a pseudonym, thinks her symptoms after a childbirth complication weren’t taken seriously for a trifecta of reasons: “I’m ambiguously brown. I’m overweight. And I’m a woman.”

Research shows patients of color receive inferior care compared to their white counterparts. For example, Black patients are 22 percent less likely than white patients to receive pain medication. Stigma against overweight patients is also pervasive within medicine – and often even consciously held. In one study, more than half of doctors admitted to viewing obese patients as “awkward, unattractive, ugly, and noncompliant.” Miller had long observed the tendency for doctors to blame any and all symptoms on fat patients’ weight. “Overweight women – it’s all their fault. ‘Oh, you’re fat. That’s why you have allergies.’ ‘Oh, you’re fat. That’s why you have pain.’ ‘Oh, you’re fat. That’s why you have diabetes.’”

Still, she had assumed that her authority as a doctor might counteract these biases. “But it didn’t.” In labor with her third child, Miller suddenly felt a severe pain in her left hip; the rest of her body went numb. The epidural had been placed wrong, into her spine. In the weeks following the birth, the hip pain never went away. She sent emails to the doctors on her delivery team, asking if she should get it checked out, but they said to wait and see if it got better in a few weeks. As it got worse, they couldn’t fit her in.

A couple of months after the birth, after passing out from the pain, she went to her hospital’s emergency department. “It felt like my hip had broken.” She’d alerted her doctors she was on her way and had them paged to the ER, but they didn’t come. Without doing a physical exam, the ER doctor ordered an MRI without contrast and told her it didn’t show anything wrong. Her discharge notes said she had “postpartum pain” – which, Miller points out, “is not a diagnosis.”

Once home, a doctor friend from a different hospital came to check on her and found she had no reflexes in her leg. An urgent MRI – with contrast this time – at the friend’s hospital revealed that her nerve was crushed, requiring a spinal surgery.

It’s easy for any patient to wonder if the fault lies with them when dismissed by a health care provider. That’s perhaps especially true when the provider is a trusted peer. “I initially blamed myself that perhaps I wasn’t adamant or stubborn enough when I was telling them my symptoms, or was it something about me?” Ruhoy recalls. Eventually, she “realized it was about them and their hubris” and felt some bitterness towards the colleagues who missed her tumor. “One apologized to me and it meant a great deal. One never said a word. The others checked in on me now and then.” Still, to providers-turned-patients, it’s clear that disparities persist not because most doctors hold consciously prejudiced views, let alone intend to do harm. While it may be about hubris, it’s not often about malice. “I don’t think any of the doctors that dismissed me truly didn’t care about me. I mean, I know they did; most of them are my colleagues, my friends,” Ruhoy says.

In fact, for many providers, the experience of becoming a patient prompts them to rethink some prior experiences with patients of their own. “I think of many patients and often wish I could go back in time with what I know now,” Ruhoy says. She recalls once seeing an 18-year-old woman with multiple diagnoses and a plethora of complaints. “Because this patient was seeing so many specialists and tests that were ordered were normal, she was diagnosed with conversion disorder” – a diagnostic label for unexplained neurological symptoms that was known as “hysterical neurosis” until 1980. “But it is clear to me now that she had a connective tissue disorder that was not diagnosed.”

“I think our system is broken,” Ruhoy says. With ballooning patient caseloads, minutes-long appointment slots, and endless administrative tasks, many doctors don’t have “the time – or even the patience – to really sit and think deeper and look further” when faced with a patient whose symptoms aren’t immediately explained. In a fee-for-service system, bottom-line considerations actually incentivize against doing so. “The system does not financially incentivize making the correct diagnosis or reward the extra time it takes to make a complex diagnosis,” says Diekman, whose experience as a patient inspired her to go to law school after medical school to better understand how policy and legal matters shape medicine.

Add to this culture of overwork a tendency to prioritize objective tests over patients’ subjective reports of their symptoms. Within this system, Ruhoy says, it’s “almost a reflex” to conclude that it’s “stress” when some tests come back normal, one that affects women disproportionately not only because of gender stereotypes but also because women have been understudied relative to men. “So much of our data is based on research on white cis men,” Miller says. (Even pre-clinical research on animals skews male.) As a consequence, from test ranges to symptom profiles, women are less likely to present like a “textbook” case. “So we need to have a larger differential and really listen to what people are saying,” Miller says.

If there are few rewards to getting the diagnosis right, there are also few costs to getting it wrong. In fact, doctors rarely even learn of their diagnostic errors, a fact that experts say allows the problem to remain hidden.

After Miller’s spinal surgery, she spoke to her hospital’s medical director and requested a review of her case. Her doctors got feedback from her and were required to discuss what went wrong. Miller found them defensive and not very open to genuine reflection. Still, that opportunity for learning may not have happened at all if she hadn’t worked there. While her hospital does have a system through which patients can bring cases to review, she was able to bypass the usual process. “If I hadn’t been a physician and spoken to the medical director, I don’t know what would have happened,” she says. In fact, at one point, her neurologist told her that she’d been lucky: “Our average patient would have ended up with permanent neurological damage and nobody would have ever known,” she recalls him saying.

This lack of feedback is “a really huge problem,” says Diekman. Like most patients, she never went back to the 30 doctors who had missed her diagnosis to inform them she’d actually had POTS. “I didn’t have time for that; I was too busy surviving.” Now a second-year resident, she notices how doctors usually assume that if a patient doesn’t return, it’s because they got better – or weren’t that sick to begin with. In reality, the patient may have eventually received an accurate diagnosis from another doctor – or, in the worst-case scenario, abandoned the search entirely. “Patients give up,” Diekman says. “They become hopeless.”

This breeds undeserved overconfidence: “The worse the physician, the more they think they’re right because the patients never came back and they think they’ve cured them.” It also reinforces the stereotype that women often have symptoms that are “all in their heads.” Never learning that she actually had POTS, the doctors who missed Diekman’s diagnosis were never corrected in their impression that she was a depressed, anxious med student, an assumption likely to influence how they view future female patients.

Increasing the diversity of the health care workforce may be one part of the solution. Many women report they’re taken more seriously by female doctors than male ones. And a small amount of research suggests that may be a pattern. For example, one study found that after a heart attack, women had higher rates of death when treated by a male doctor.

But more women working in the profession will not automatically fix these deeply entrenched problems. “Getting women and women of color into leadership positions is necessary but not sufficient,” says Miller. “We’re shifting titles, but we’re not shifting values.” Too often, women and other marginalized doctors are tokenized, with little power to actually change the culture of medicine. And, frequently, the culture changes them. “Physicians are being dominated by powers outside of their control,” says Diekman. “I think most of them start off as medical students caring about patients and taking careful histories and being the doctors that patients want, and the system slowly incentivizes them away from that and eventually their will is broken.”

For many providers, the view from the other side of the doctor-patient relationship can be profoundly transformative, leaving them more empathetic to patients, attuned to the unconscious biases and systemic problems within medicine that undermine their care, and reflective about the kind of doctors they wanted to be.

After her brain surgery, Ruhoy went into private practice so that she could give herself more time to see patients and think about their cases. “I wanted to be better. And I couldn’t be better under those restrictions in the hospital system.” She now understands her relationship with each patient as a partnership, in which they bring different expertise to their shared goal of the patient’s recovery. Above all, she has become a firm believer in patients’ testimony. “I know that they know their body better than I do, and if they think something is not right, I have no reason not to believe them. Even though every test can be normal, if they insist that they’re having the symptom, I believe it. And so I go looking for ways of trying to find out why and ways to try to help them.”

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A journey to wellness: exploring Portugal’s Longevity Health and Wellness Hotel

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Healthista Editor Olivia Hartland-Robbins visits Longevity Health and Wellness Hotel based in the Algarve, Portugal to experience 3 days of medi-spa detox and healing treatments 

For many, spa treatments are a must when trying to achieve ultimate relaxation on holiday. But Longevity Health and Wellness have taken relaxation and wellbeing one step further.

Portugal, renowned for its stunning coastline, rich history, and vibrant culture, is also home to a sanctuary of rejuvenation and renewal: the Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel, nestled amidst the tranquil landscapes of the Algarve region.

Longevity is a world class, five-star medical spa spanning two floors

The exterior, shaped to resemble a wave is the first glimpse at how the hotel promotes a functional and modern approach to wellness. With state of the art facilities including an infra-red sauna and an Iyashi Dome (a chamber that helps you burn up to 600 calories in just 30 minutes), Longevity is a world class, five-star medical spa spanning two floors with a talented team of medical and wellness experts.

Beckoning travellers seeking a holistic approach to health and well-being, the resort also promotes luxurious accommodations as well as personalised treatments and nourishing cuisine – every aspect of the Longevity experience is designed to promote longevity and vitality.

Whether embarking on a solo wellness journey or sharing the experience with loved ones, a stay at Longevity promises to leave guests feeling renewed, inspired, and ready to embrace a healthier, more vibrant life. 

READ MORE: The Mayr Method Diet – Healthista tries Rebel Wilson approved detox at Park Igls Medical Spa

The Accommodation

Whether seeking solitude or sharing the experience with loved ones, the accommodations at Longevity Health & Wellness Hotel offer a retreat from the stresses of everyday life. 

Upon arrival, guests are greeted with the promise of relaxation and comfort in the resort’s 70 exquisite rooms and suites. Each accommodation is simple yet comfortable, decorated in tones of white, grey and blue and designed to provide a serene sanctuary, blending modern amenities with touches of Portuguese charm. 

From spacious deluxe rooms overlooking lush gardens to lavish suites with private terraces and sea views, every option caters to the discerning tastes of wellness enthusiasts.

READ MORE: The anti-ageing treatment now helping muscle recovery, brain health and a flagging sex life

longevity health and wellness hotel tailored treatments for health concerns

Tailored Treatments

At the heart of the Longevity experience lies its comprehensive range of personalised treatments, crafted to address individual health goals or concerns. Guests can choose to embark on one of the countless life-enriching programmes on offer – each a journey of rejuvenation guided by a team of expert therapists and wellness professionals.

guests can choose from an array of options, including massage therapies, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation sessions

From traditional spa therapies to cutting-edge techniques, the resort’s menu of treatments encompasses a holistic approach to well-being. Whether seeking relaxation, detoxification, guests can choose from an array of options, including massage therapies, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation sessions.

For those seeking a deeper transformation, bespoke wellness programs are available, combining nutritional counselling, fitness coaching, and mindfulness practices to foster lasting lifestyle changes in an attempt to increase longevity. 

READ MORE: Terranam – a Spanish wellness retreat that nurtures all 5 senses

Pure Cafe Longevity health and wellness hotel

Nourishing Cuisine

Healthy living begins with nourishing the body from within, and Longevity elevates culinary experiences to support optimal well-being. The hotel’s dining venues offer a tantalising array of gourmet dishes crafted from locally sourced, organic ingredients.

Guests can indulge in a diverse range of flavours, from Mediterranean-inspired cuisine to international delicacies, all prepared with a focus on nutrition and flavour. Not only is the food on offer tasty but it’s also rich in bioactive compounds and anti-inflammatory components. 

Longevity offers the choice of two restaurants: the casual and relaxed Pure Café with a panoramic view of Alvor Bay, as well as the Mediterranico Restaurant, designed for private dining.

it’s also rich in bioactive compounds and anti-inflammatory components

For those with specific dietary preferences or requirements, the resort’s culinary team is adept at accommodating individual needs, ensuring that every dining experience is both satisfying and nourishing. 

READ MORE: St Michaels Resort – the ultimate staycation for spa lovers & adventure seekers

longevity indoor spa and pool

Serene Spa Facilities

No wellness retreat would be complete without a sanctuary dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation, and Longevity excels in this regard with its state-of-the-art spa facilities.

The spa offers an oasis of tranquility where guests can unwind and rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit. From thermal circuits featuring saunas, steam rooms, and hydrotherapy pools to innovative wellness experiences such as cryotherapy and pressotherapy.

Longevity excels in this regard with its state-of-the-art spa facilities

Expert therapists are on hand to guide guests through personalised spa rituals including clay and seaweed wraps, designed to promote relaxation, detoxification, and revitalisation. Whether seeking a moment of solitude or sharing the experience with a loved one, the spa facilities at Longevity provide a haven of serenity amidst the busy and bustling world. 

READ MORE: Where to travel in 2024 according to your star sign 

outdoor pool at longevity health and wellness hotel

Energising Extras

Aside from the personalised treatments and state of the art facilities, Longevity also hosts daily activities centred around fitness and mindfulness.

With a timetable updated daily, and seasonal adjustments taken into consideration, Longevity offer activities from circuit training, Pilates and Yoga, to Astrology workshops and essential oil workshops, plus many more.

As Europe’s newest medical wellness destination, the five-star Longevity Health & Wellness Retreat is the first of its kind to embrace modern integrative and regenerative medicine with the most advanced wellness and preventative diagnostics, therapies, and programmes. With a philosophy that is keenly reflected throughout the entire property around preventative, personalised, holistic, integrative, and regenerative medicine, Longevity boasts state-of-the-art medical and wellness facilities, a distinguished team of leading industry experts, and a comprehensive menu of revolutionary programmes. 

As a holistic health break designed to cleanse the gastro-intestinal, visceral, and lymphatic systems, Longevity’s Essential Detox Programme starts from £2,171 per person for five nights. 

Book here: www.longevityalvor.com/en/ 

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