Is Overexercising Affecting Your Sperm Count?

 

It’s a general fact that exercise is essential to your lifestyle, whether you are the daily jogger, the gym-buff or the weekend warrior. With healthy, grinning faces boasting an amount of weekly calories burned away and muscles that could dent a car, there hardly seems to be a downside to it.

 

Naturally, sex and fertility hardly ever seem to play a part in exercise – but too much of a good thing can be a very terrible extreme.

 

Ladies want the sexy curves to go with that impossibly daring outfit, but it never hurts to look after yourself in the meantime!

 

For women of average weight, there is the issue of Amenorrhea: a delay in the menstrual cycle that lasts for more than three months. Long-term, excess exercise combined with not enough food is sometimes the cause of this, which can then affect your fertility in the long run. To avoid it, consider a greater intake of calories if you do not wish to lessen the amount of training that you do.

 

In other cases, it should be noted that obesity can affect your fertility when your body becomes overheated – on the other side of the scale, exercising for a long duration can also affect the oestrogen levels.

 

Men are not entirely out of the picture though. Some may love a grubby man who can flex, lift and sort out their carburettor, but long-term, exhaustive exercises can lessen the sperm count, as well as your likelihood to conceive. Arguably, heavy-resistance training can increase testosterone, which can then have a chain-effect on other hormones – fertility included.

 

Does this mean chucking out the running shoes altogether?

 

Far from it!

 

Instead, like your diet, work out in moderation and don’t be too vigorous – any exercise still maintains your muscles – as long as you keep note of what you’re doing and how much you’re doing; there will be a chance to have a healthy family, as well as a happy body without pushing yourself too far.

 

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Categories: count, exercise, Fertility, long, Long term, nbsp, overexercising affecting, sperm count

Is Overexercising Affecting Your Sperm Count?

 

It’s a general fact that exercise is essential to your lifestyle, whether you are the daily jogger, the gym-buff or the weekend warrior. With healthy, grinning faces boasting an amount of weekly calories burned away and muscles that could dent a car, there hardly seems to be a downside to it.

 

Naturally, sex and fertility hardly ever seem to play a part in exercise – but too much of a good thing can be a very terrible extreme.

 

Ladies want the sexy curves to go with that impossibly daring outfit, but it never hurts to look after yourself in the meantime!

 

For women of average weight, there is the issue of Amenorrhea: a delay in the menstrual cycle that lasts for more than three months. Long-term, excess exercise combined with not enough food is sometimes the cause of this, which can then affect your fertility in the long run. To avoid it, consider a greater intake of calories if you do not wish to lessen the amount of training that you do.

 

In other cases, it should be noted that obesity can affect your fertility when your body becomes overheated – on the other side of the scale, exercising for a long duration can also affect the oestrogen levels.

 

Men are not entirely out of the picture though. Some may love a grubby man who can flex, lift and sort out their carburettor, but long-term, exhaustive exercises can lessen the sperm count, as well as your likelihood to conceive. Arguably, heavy-resistance training can increase testosterone, which can then have a chain-effect on other hormones – fertility included.

 

Does this mean chucking out the running shoes altogether?

 

Far from it!

 

Instead, like your diet, work out in moderation and don’t be too vigorous – any exercise still maintains your muscles – as long as you keep note of what you’re doing and how much you’re doing; there will be a chance to have a healthy family, as well as a happy body without pushing yourself too far.

 

The post Is Overexercising Affecting Your Sperm Count? appeared first on .

Categories: count, exercise, Fertility, long, Long term, nbsp, overexercising affecting, sperm count

Causes of miscarriage

 

There are many reasons why a miscarriage may happen, although the cause is often not identified.

If a miscarriage happens during the first trimester of pregnancy (the first three months), it is usually due to problems with the unborn baby (foetus). About three in every four miscarriages happen during this period.

If a miscarriage happens during the second trimester of pregnancy (between weeks 14 and 26), it may be the result of an underlying health condition in the mother.

These late miscarriages may be caused by an infection around the baby which leads to the bag of waters breaking before any pain or bleeding, In rare cases, they can be caused by the neck of the womb opening too soon.

 

First trimester miscarriages

Most first trimester miscarriages are caused by problems with the chromosomes of the foetus.

 

Chromosome problems

Chromosomes are blocks of DNA. They contain a detailed set of instructions that control a wide range of factors, from how the cells of the body develop to what colour eyes a baby will have.

Sometimes, something can go wrong at the point of conception and the foetus receives too many or not enough chromosomes. The reasons for this are often unclear, but it means that the foetus will not be able to develop normally, resulting in a miscarriage.

It is estimated that up to two thirds of early miscarriages are associated with chromosome abnormalities.

 

Placental problems

The placenta is the organ that links the mother’s blood supply to her baby’s. If there is a problem with the development of the placenta, it can also lead to a miscarriage.

 

Things that increase your risk

An early miscarriage may happen by chance. However, there are several things known to increase your risk of problems happening.

The age of the mother has an influence:

• in women under 30, 1 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage


• in women aged 35-39, up to 2 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage


• in women over 45, more than half of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage

Other risk factors include:

• obesity


• smoking during pregnancy


• drug misuse during pregnancy


• drinking more than 200mg of caffeine a day (one mug of tea contains around 75mg of caffeine, and one mug of instant coffee contains around 100mg of caffeine)


• drinking more than two units of alcohol a week: one unit is half a pint of bitter or ordinary strength lager, a small glass of wine or a 25ml measure of spirits

Second trimester miscarriages

 

Long-term health conditions

Several long-term (chronic) health conditions can increase your risk of having a miscarriage in the second trimester. These are:

• diabetes (if it is poorly controlled)


• severe high blood pressure


• lupus (a condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue)


• kidney disease


• an overactive thyroid gland


• an underactive thyroid gland


• coeliac disease (having an adverse reaction to gluten)

Infections

The following infections may also increase your risk:

• rubella (German measles)


• cytomegalovirus


• toxoplasmosis


• bacterial vaginosis


• HIV


• chlamydia


• gonorrhoea


• syphilis


• malaria

Medicines

Medicines increasing your risk include:

• misoprostol (used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)


• retinoids (used for eczema and acne)


• methotrexate (used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)


• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used for pain and inflammation)

To be sure that a medicine is safe in pregnancy, always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before taking it.

Read more about medicines during pregnancy.

 

Womb structure

Problems and abnormalities with your womb can also lead to second trimester miscarriages. Possible problems include:

• non-cancerous growths in the womb called fibroids


• an abnormally shaped womb

Weakened cervix

In some cases, the muscles of the cervix (neck of the womb) are weaker than usual. This is known as a weakened cervix or cervical incompetence. A weakened cervix may be due to a previous injury to this area usually following a surgical procedure.

The muscle weakness can cause the cervix to open too early during pregnancy leading to a miscarriage.

 

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where the ovaries are larger than normal. It can lead to hormonal imbalances inside the womb.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is known to be a leading cause of infertility. There is some evidence to suggest it may also be linked to an increased risk of miscarriages in fertile women. However, the exact role polycystic ovary syndrome plays in miscarriages is unclear.

 

Misconceptions about miscarriage

An increased risk of miscarriage is not linked to:

• a mother’s emotional state during pregnancy, such as being stressed or depressed


• having a shock or fright during pregnancy


• exercise during pregnancy (but discuss with your GP or midwife what type of exercise is suitable for you during pregnancy)


• lifting or straining during pregnancy


• working during pregnancy


• having sex during pregnancy

The post Causes of miscarriage appeared first on .

Categories: health conditions, Long term, miscarriage nbsp, ovary syndrome, polycystic ovary, Rheumatoid Arthritis, thyroid gland, trimester miscarriages, weakened cervix

Causes of miscarriage

 

There are many reasons why a miscarriage may happen, although the cause is often not identified.

If a miscarriage happens during the first trimester of pregnancy (the first three months), it is usually due to problems with the unborn baby (foetus). About three in every four miscarriages happen during this period.

If a miscarriage happens during the second trimester of pregnancy (between weeks 14 and 26), it may be the result of an underlying health condition in the mother.

These late miscarriages may be caused by an infection around the baby which leads to the bag of waters breaking before any pain or bleeding, In rare cases, they can be caused by the neck of the womb opening too soon.

 

First trimester miscarriages

Most first trimester miscarriages are caused by problems with the chromosomes of the foetus.

 

Chromosome problems

Chromosomes are blocks of DNA. They contain a detailed set of instructions that control a wide range of factors, from how the cells of the body develop to what colour eyes a baby will have.

Sometimes, something can go wrong at the point of conception and the foetus receives too many or not enough chromosomes. The reasons for this are often unclear, but it means that the foetus will not be able to develop normally, resulting in a miscarriage.

It is estimated that up to two thirds of early miscarriages are associated with chromosome abnormalities.

 

Placental problems

The placenta is the organ that links the mother’s blood supply to her baby’s. If there is a problem with the development of the placenta, it can also lead to a miscarriage.

 

Things that increase your risk

An early miscarriage may happen by chance. However, there are several things known to increase your risk of problems happening.

The age of the mother has an influence:

• in women under 30, 1 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage


• in women aged 35-39, up to 2 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage


• in women over 45, more than half of all pregnancies will end in miscarriage

Other risk factors include:

• obesity


• smoking during pregnancy


• drug misuse during pregnancy


• drinking more than 200mg of caffeine a day (one mug of tea contains around 75mg of caffeine, and one mug of instant coffee contains around 100mg of caffeine)


• drinking more than two units of alcohol a week: one unit is half a pint of bitter or ordinary strength lager, a small glass of wine or a 25ml measure of spirits

Second trimester miscarriages

 

Long-term health conditions

Several long-term (chronic) health conditions can increase your risk of having a miscarriage in the second trimester. These are:

• diabetes (if it is poorly controlled)


• severe high blood pressure


• lupus (a condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue)


• kidney disease


• an overactive thyroid gland


• an underactive thyroid gland


• coeliac disease (having an adverse reaction to gluten)

Infections

The following infections may also increase your risk:

• rubella (German measles)


• cytomegalovirus


• toxoplasmosis


• bacterial vaginosis


• HIV


• chlamydia


• gonorrhoea


• syphilis


• malaria

Medicines

Medicines increasing your risk include:

• misoprostol (used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)


• retinoids (used for eczema and acne)


• methotrexate (used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis)


• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used for pain and inflammation)

To be sure that a medicine is safe in pregnancy, always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before taking it.

Read more about medicines during pregnancy.

 

Womb structure

Problems and abnormalities with your womb can also lead to second trimester miscarriages. Possible problems include:

• non-cancerous growths in the womb called fibroids


• an abnormally shaped womb

Weakened cervix

In some cases, the muscles of the cervix (neck of the womb) are weaker than usual. This is known as a weakened cervix or cervical incompetence. A weakened cervix may be due to a previous injury to this area usually following a surgical procedure.

The muscle weakness can cause the cervix to open too early during pregnancy leading to a miscarriage.

 

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where the ovaries are larger than normal. It can lead to hormonal imbalances inside the womb.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is known to be a leading cause of infertility. There is some evidence to suggest it may also be linked to an increased risk of miscarriages in fertile women. However, the exact role polycystic ovary syndrome plays in miscarriages is unclear.

 

Misconceptions about miscarriage

An increased risk of miscarriage is not linked to:

• a mother’s emotional state during pregnancy, such as being stressed or depressed


• having a shock or fright during pregnancy


• exercise during pregnancy (but discuss with your GP or midwife what type of exercise is suitable for you during pregnancy)


• lifting or straining during pregnancy


• working during pregnancy


• having sex during pregnancy

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Categories: health conditions, Long term, miscarriage nbsp, ovary syndrome, polycystic ovary, Rheumatoid Arthritis, thyroid gland, trimester miscarriages, weakened cervix

Symptoms and Causes of Environmental Illness

 

The world is full of potential dangers that we are often unaware of. Sometimes, things that seem like errant health complaints can actually be the result of exposure to what are called environmental toxins. These include a variety of unpleasant substances that we come into contact with in the course of our daily lives. From tainted drinking water at one’s place of employment causing gastrointestinal issues, or a leaky furnace causing a homeowner headaches, environmental toxins are a real threat.

 

What Is Environmental Illness?

Environmental illness is a blanket term that refers to any number of different health complaints with roots in exposure to an environmental toxin. Environmental illness can range from mild to severe and exposure can occur in the home, on the job, or even regionally. While many environmental illnesses are more irritating than dangerous, there is potential of severe, long-term health risks associated with continued exposure to certain environmental toxins.

 

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of this can be very widely varied. From things like headaches and rashes, to more serious issues like paralysis and respiratory problems, the potential symptoms from environmental illness are incredibly varied. Some of the most common causes of environmental illness, black mold and unsafe water, display symptoms similar to those of common illnesses. If you and those in your household suffer from chronic allergies, you should have your home inspected for mold. Chronic flu-like symptoms could indicate the presence of unclean drinking water, according to an expert from Brothers Plumbing Ltd. If you suspect your drinking water may be unsafe, have it tested immediately—contaminated water could lead to serious health complications.

 

Who Is At Risk?

Anyone can potentially be at risk for an environmental illness. Those whose jobs or homes leave them exposed to any number of well-known environmental contaminants will be at an increased risk for an environmental illness. Workers in mines, heavy industry, who are exposed to chemicals, and more, will be at a much higher risk of health problems that result from long-term exposure to environmental toxins.

 

Long-Term Implications

We all know of “black lung” and other types of diseases that notoriously effect those from certain industries and vocations, the number of different dangerous chemicals we are exposed to has dramatically increased in recent years, and the long-term effects of some of these chemicals, like asbestos, have only become well known after workers began to suffer from the related health problems.

 

Whether it be exposure on the job or in the home, long-term exposure to dangerous environmental toxins can cause a wide variety of potentially negative health effects. Being aware of the potential dangers, risk factors, and symptoms, can better help one protect themselves from potential dangers, or even identify the root cause of a lingering health complaint. Environmental illness is a general term for health complaints associated with exposure to certain environmental toxins, and taking heed of the information provided here is a way to stay in the best of health possible.

 

Categories: Causes, drinking water, environmental illness, environmental toxins, health complaints, health problems, Long term, potential dangers, Symptoms, term exposure, toxins nbsp

Fitness Expert Proves You Can Gain Muscle on Ketogenic Diet

 

Fitness expert Mike Roussell, PhD, recalls, ‘The other day, I was on a phone call with a good friend and fellow strength coach, Joe Dowdell, CSCS, of Peak Performance in New York City. I told him my current deadlift personal record stood at a respectable 420 pounds but that I aspired to pull a 500. He told me it was “doable.” Great. Then I threw him a curveball worthy of Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw. I wanted to add 80 pounds to my deadlift … while following a ketogenic diet. Joe let out a big sigh. Staying on a ketogenic diet means eating so few carbohydrates that when your glycogen stores empty, your body cashes-in on a process called “ketosis” for energy. The carbohydrate threshold to stay in ketosis will vary by individual, but the guideline for most folks is fewer than 50 grams of carbs.’ But how can you eat so few carbs and still build your muscle wellness?

 

‘I was dead-set on eating fewer than 20 grams of carbohydrates per day,’ Roussell details. ‘How low is that? One medium banana would place you over your daily limit! Wait, don’t carbs stimulate muscle growth? How could this work in the long term? More important, can I add 80 pounds to my deadlift without eating much carbs? These questions and more piqued the scientist in me. So I set out to find the answers not only by poring over the scientific literature but through real-world application on the gym floor as well.’ The question is, then, did he do it?

 

‘Carbohydrates create anabolism largely by setting off a cascade of hormone-driven events,’ Roussell explains. Chief among these events is secretion of a hormone called insulin from the pancreas. Many people realise that insulin regulates blood glucose levels, but insulin is not a one-trick pony. It is so multifunctional that many experts believe it to be absolutely integral to muscle synthesis—among other things. For example, one of insulin’s many roles is driving amino acid uptake; in other words, it gets amino acids out of your bloodstream and into your muscles. Thus, carbohydrates and the ensuing insulin response obviously have a great deal to do with muscle growth.’

 

Roussell comments, ‘It’s clear that carbohydrates are anabolic. It’s time to circle back to my original deadlift conquest. Was building strength and muscle possible while on a ketogenic diet? Dowdell’s sigh notwithstanding, I found that the answer is an emphatic yes! Don’t get me wrong, being ketogenic while training hard was no cakewalk. In three and a half months, I packed 80 pounds into my deadlift and pulled a new PR of 500 pounds on my first attempt. It turns out that while carbohydrates are anabolic, I am still able to achieve an anabolic feat in the nearly complete absence of carbohydrates. The human body is an amazing machine, possessing the ability to make intelligent adaptations to a variety of situations.’

 

So how did Roussell’s body adapt? ‘In a chronically low-carb environment, the body doesn’t follow the normal biochemical rules because it has to change,’ Roussell notes. ‘It becomes much more efficient with muscle glycogen, it up-regulates gene expression of certain enzymatic machinery needed for maximum performance, and it adapts as needed to excel in the presence of far fewer carbohydrates and much less insulin. Quite simply, my adventure in carbohydrate-less anabolism was to prove that you can perform at a high level on minimal carbohydrate—at least in the short term. Carbohydrates are not required to flip the protein synthesis switch, but perhaps there are other ways to make the overall anabolic process more efficient and effective. Does that mean everyone should adopt a ketogenic diet? I don’t think it is for everyone (and perhaps not for the long-term), but it’s still interesting to see what your body can achieve through thick and thin.’

Categories: carbohydrates, fitness expert, gaining muscle, Insulin, ketogenic, ketogenic diet, Long term, Muscle, muscle growth, Real Life, roussell

Give it a Go: 8 Sexy New Ideas for Long-Term Couples to Try

You might think you have your sexual health and wellbeing sorted. You know what you like, and you know what you don’t like, so it’s smooth sailing from here on in, right? Wrong. According to sexual wellness expert Marissa Gold, ‘There are two primary phases in most people’s sex lives—the sex you have before you get into a relationship, and the sex you have after.’ And, let’s be honest, the latter phase isn’t the one you brag about to your friends at brunch. As a long-term couple, things change and your sex life needs to change with it, or else you’ll be bored in the bedroom – and no one wants that. Improve your sex life in any relationship by giving these sex tips for couples a try.

 

1. Role-Play the Opposite of Your Personalities: ‘Is your guy a go-getter who handles everything in your relationship?’ asks Gold. ‘Tie him to the bedpost. Is he on the shy side and lets you call all the shots? Hand him some bondage tape and tell him to take over. Most people like to play a role in bed that’s not what they play in real life.’

 

2. Do That Thing He’s Always Begging You to Do: Gold points out, ‘Most men are pretty vocal about their sexual fantasies. It’s the male equivalent of our nagging them to pick up their socks. Does your guy really, really want you to dance for him? Try anal sex? Dress up like a French maid, perhaps? Since you’re the only woman he’s allowed to have sex with and all, it’s worth a try!’

 

3. Try A Position You’ve Never Done Before: Gold explains, ‘Doing new things together is a bonding experience, and let’s be honest—it’s probably been a while since either of you did something new in bed. Just throw out a sex position, or ask him if there’s one he’s never tried, and go for it. Best case? Someone loves it. Worst case? You have a good laugh.’

 

4. Leave Your Underwear at Home on Date Night: ‘OK, it’s a little cheesy,’ Gold admits. ‘But it’ll make your typical routine of sharing the burrata appetizer at your neighbourhood Italian restaurant a little more fun. As you’re leaving home, as you’re walking in, or as you’re sitting down, just let him know. And wear a body-con dress and heels so he can fantasize about the easy access.’

 

5. Have Sex When You Don’t Really Feel Like It: ‘Let me be clear,’ Gold cautions. ‘Never do anything you really don’t want to do. However, relationships are about compromise, so if you’re turning him down more than you’re turning him on, you might consider some pro bono (he-he!) sex once in a while. It will go a long way in your relationship, because once a guy feels neglected or rejected, he might stop trying to do all those things you like too.’

 

6. Treat Him Like a Sex Object Sometimes: Gold notes, ‘What kind of sex do people have during affairs? The kind of sex where clothes get ripped and lamps get broken. A lot of people crave that kind of passion, which we all know is hard to maintain when you’ve slept together literally hundreds of times. So consider it an investment in your monogamy and treat him like the jerky-but-so-hot football player you wanted just one night with in college and take the guy. He’ll like it, promise.’

 

7. Don’t Forget About Oral: Gold comments, ‘Every woman knows that men love oral sex, and every man knows that at some point in a long-term relationship, he’ll probably stop getting it. In his ideal world, you’ll keep doing it because you want to, so don’t make it seem like a chore (even if you kind of feel like is). P.S. This rule works both ways.’

 

8. Don’t Wear Frumpy Outfits to Bed Every Night: ‘To a lot of men, the moment you wear sweatpants to bed is the exact moment when the romance officially dies,’ says Gold. ‘This is hard, because you want to wear those comfy sweats as much as he wants to stop doing sit-ups every day. But consider an upgrade to lingerie (or at least retire the baggy T-shirt) every once in a while and watch the magic happen. Bonus: Not only will he love it if you’re a little sexier when you hit the sheets, you might find it puts you in the mood too.’

Categories: gold, long, Long term, nbsp, oral sex, people, positions, relationship, Role Play, sex life

If You’ve Lost Your Partner Your Mental Health Could Suffer

Mental health disorders cost the healthcare system in the United States more than any other area of wellness. Many adults in the States, as well as other countries across the globe, find their wellbeing affected by mental health conditions including depression and anxiety; these sorts of conditions are now becoming as common as bacterial infections.

 

Some people, however, are at greater risk of developing serious mental health problems, despite any treatment they may be on. As the age of the population continues to increase over the next decade, more and more people are going to experience the trauma of their spouse dying. This can leave them with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety.

 

Losing a spouse is a major, life-changing event. Many couples are married for decades, and so the loss of a spouse (especially when it is sudden) can result in serious shock and a variety of related mental health conditions.

 

Many who suffer this kind of loss will recover from the bereavement in time and with a bit of counselling or medical help, but for others there remains a long-term psychological impairment. Many who suffer this kind of long-term psychological impairment find that they have difficulty managing their day to day life and managing general tasks.

 

If you have recently suffered the death of a spouse, it is important that you realise that the psychological complications of bereavement are completely normal. The bereavement process varies in length and will have varying effects, but the quality of life that you are left with should not deteriorate substantially.

 

It is important to recognise the risk that you are at, and to then surround yourself with a support network to help you manage your bereavement. There is a tendency to become isolated, and this actually increases the likelihood of mental health conditions, so actively work to engage with activities outside of your home. You may even be able to find a support group to attend.

Categories: conditions, health, health conditions, Long term, mental, Mental Health, nbsp, psychological impairment, term psychological, widow

DIY Corporate Wellness Programmes: 5 Things to Consider

If you’re wondering whether or not a corporate wellness programme might benefit your company, make sure you know what you’re doing! According to Joshua Love, the president of national corporate wellness company Kinema Fitness, ‘As the president of a corporate wellness company, Kinema Fitness, I have noticed a recent trend in the way companies are approaching employee-based wellness programmes. Namely, companies are taking employee wellness more seriously now. They are truly trying to figure out the right solution to combat rising health issues and healthcare costs. Unfortunately, too many companies are trying to implement wellness programmes with little to no experience or game plan for success. As a result, more programs fail than succeed.’

 

But where are these companies going wrong? Love notes, ‘Corporate wellness cannot be treated as a band-aid, and you definitely won’t be able to find it in a fitness app. Engagement, motivation, support and strategy are the keys to a successful programme. If employees are not involved in the solution, it’s difficult to succeed. Preventable wellness is a complete lifestyle and behaviour change and change takes time and commitment.’ So here are a few things to bear in mind when you’re designing a wellness programme for your company:

 

1. A Higher Level of Awareness is Essential: People ‘are becoming more and more health conscious,’ admits Love. ‘But due to higher stress, longer work days and constant multitasking, it is more difficult to find the time to act on wellness goals. Creating an on-site wellness programme is important because the majority of an employee’s time is spent at the workplace.’

 

2. Many Chronic Diseases are Preventable: Love points out, ‘According to the CDC, chronic diseases account for 75% of total healthcare costs. They are also the most preventable type of disease. Such illnesses include heart disease, stroke, cancer and obesity. The only way to prevent disease is with actionable steps to halt progression. When old habits are years in the making, you cannot expect behaviour change to happen overnight. However, when a person is able to commit mentally, emotionally and socially and on a conscious level, progress is possible. An employee wellness programme needs to address this through consistent education and layers of accountability.’

 

3. Be creative: ‘Corporate wellness shouldn’t be boring,’ Love asserts. ‘Creating unique and dynamic programmes that consistently evolve over time ensure the best possibility of long-term success. Human beings need to be challenged and stimulated in different ways and different means to create change. Challenge your programme to stay on the latest trends; it will help to appoint a wellness lead that takes direct responsibility over the operations.’

 

4. Combat Rising Healthcare Costs: ‘Healthcare costs are rising year after year,’ notes Love. ‘Employers, especially those at small companies, can simply not afford to take on this burden any longer. As a result, they are passing the costs on to their employees through higher deductibles. But healthier employees can actually help their own bottom line.  Some employers are now lowering employee’s contributions with rebates if they do participate in a wellness programme.’

 

5. Corporate Wellness is Complex and Long-Term: Love argues, ‘The success of corporate wellness is driven by the unique strategy behind it. It involves a framework that outlines short and long-term goals for the employee and the employer. Corporate wellness needs support, leadership, commitment from the vendor, employer and employees. A successful programme takes time and constantly evolves so it can be integrated into the fabric of the company’s culture. Corporate wellness is not just one solution. It is the culmination of many solutions that work together under one strategy. It involves layers of physical activity, education, communication, incentives, and a long-term commitment.’

Categories: Awareness, behaviour change, Chronic Disease, Chronic Diseases, corporate wellness, corporate wellness programme, Employee Wellness, healthcare costs, Long term, takes time

Desire Discrepancy: How to Get in Sync with Your Partner

If you’re in a long-term relationship, sexual health can get put on the back burner. Sure, you’re in love and closer than ever, but you’re not trying to impress each other anymore, and things can get a bit stale. Ask any long-term couple about their sexual wellness, and you’ll probably hear something along the lines of ‘It’s not as hot as it used to be, but I guess it’s still pretty good.’ Pat Love, PhD, the author of Hot Monogamy and The Truth about Love, explains that it’s normal for every couple to experience waning sexual passion. However, your sexual wellbeing may be different to your partner’s.

 

About 18 months into a relationship, many couples experience desire discrepancy — or when one partner has a greater sex drive than the other, says Love. This imbalance occurs once you’re out of the infatuation stage, and is why sex often goes from hot to cold in committed relationships. However, the good news is that you can get your sexual desire back in sync with your partner. Love explains that all you need to do is appreciate and respond to ‘your partner’s language of love,’ because ‘the way to get what you want is to give what your partner desires.’ While you may express love by buying gifts for your partner, for example, he/she may actually need you to spend time together, take care of annoying tasks or express your feelings vocally. Love comments, ‘You have to honour the reality and experience of the other. You have to jump in there and respond to the cues; you have to find out what says, “I love you” to your partner.’

 

That said, Susan Townsend, director of the Relationship Enrichment centre in Towson, Maryland, points out that first you have to be able to talk about sex, and that’s where couples often hit a brick wall. Let’s face it; we’re British and we don’t like talking about sex, so often couples don’t say anything or say things in such a way that it closes off communication. Let’s say you want more kissing during foreplay. In order to relate this desire, you tell your partner, “You know, you never really kiss me enough.” That is not a desire; it’s a criticism. A better way to word it would be, “I’ve been thinking. Instead of jumping into sex it would be really nice to spend more time kissing first.” Townsend notes, ‘You wouldn’t believe the leap in sexual communication when people start saying, ‘Instead of doing…, I’d rather you do…’

 

After you say your sexual desire in a positive way, your partner then needs to repeat it back to you to make sure they’ve understood you correctly. You make corrections until he/she gets it right, and then thank your partner for hearing you. Following on from this, you ask your partner if he/she is willing to make that change, and he/she can reply with a “yes” or “no” or agree if certain conditions are met. This communication technique is known as “mirroring” and creates a deeper level of emotional intimacy, which often leads to greater sexual passion. You may not always get what you want, but you’ll have a much better chance of getting your desires met if you learn to transform your criticisms into requests.

 

Once you’ve mastered this technique, sex expert Lana Holstein, MD, author of How to Have Magnificent Sex: The 7 Dimensions of a Vital Sexual Connection, says it’s time to make a contract. The fatigue and grind of daily life bury even the best sexual intentions, which is why Holstein recommends couples contract ‘a deal for sexual wealth’ to create a ‘good sex division’ of their relationship. Holstein explains, ‘We don’t always feel “in the mood,” but usually after we’re … into it, we’re glad to be there and often relieved.’

Categories: Communication, desire, desire discrepancy, Long term, nbsp, partner, relationship, sex contract, sexual, sexual desire, sexual passion

Are You In A Sex Slump? Here’s How To Escape It

If you’re in a long-term relationship, you may have found your sex life bearing the brunt of your familiarity and comfort levels. It can be difficult sometimes to make sex exciting and passionate when you spend all of your time with someone, but the effort is well rewarded when you do! There are loads of ways to make sex more passionate, and one of the easiest ways to get back in the mood is to talk about when you first met and the things which made you fall in love in the first place – these feelings of nostalgia almost always bring the passion back to your relationship immediately. Once you’re there, what can you do to make things more interesting? Here are some tips on how to combat those excuses for why the passion has gone, and how to make sex feel more exciting again.

There’s too much else going on

In between, work, the kids and your social life, sex is invariably the last thing on your mind. But while it may sound counterintuitive, eyeing up a handsome stranger could be just the thing to spike your libido. Checking out other people puts sex back in your mind, getting you thinking about the next time you’ll have the chance to get steamy in the bedroom with your partner. So don’t be afraid of eyeing up that cute barista at your local coffee place or flirting with the guy on the bus – it could be the best thing that’s ever happened to your sex life. Just remember that the rule is to look, not touch!

You’re never in the mood

There’s always an excuse, such as a headache, a deadline at work or looking after the kids all afternoon that’s made you tired. It’s no surprise that with so much going on, we’re not really interested in having sex. But sometimes the best thing to clear your mind and help you relax could be just that. Sex is renowned for being a great stress buster, it can perk you up, and it can help you to feel more connected to your partner as well which is great for increasing intimacy. No-one ever feels bad having sex once they’ve done it, so next time you feel the excuses piling up, just ignore them and do it anyway – you won’t regret it!

You’re in roommate mode

When you’re spending all your time doing chores around the house, dealing with the finances and taking care of the kids, you wind up feeling more like housemates than lovers. That’s to be expected, but there are ways you can overcome this and get back to being the passionate couple you once were. Making out with your partner can help you feel like love-filled teenagers again, and can remind you that you’re in a relationship rather than a friendship. Often, the amount of time people spend kissing when they’re in a relationship decreases over time as they settle into a long term relationship. So make the effort to keep up the make-out sessions and enjoy the feeling of romance entering your relationship again.Regular date nights are a great way to do this, as it strengthens your relationship and the passion, and also forces you to make the effort to set time aside for each other each week – something that can be easier said than done when you’re in a long-term relationship.

Categories: Advice, feel, Long term, mind, relationship, Relationships, Sex, sex life, term relationship, time, ways

Mental Health Time Off: Why You Need to Go Back to Work

Mental health concerns can significantly affect your corporate wellness, having an impact on your job performance and attendance, as well as your wellbeing in general. This may cause you to lose your job, while not having a job at all can make mental health problems worse. According to Kristin Tinker (PGCPPP, PGDPsyc, BSc, BCom), Manager of Rehabilitation Services at Resilia, Research supports the fact that employment is generally the most important means of obtaining adequate economic resources, which are essential for wellbeing and participation in today’s society; work is central to individual identity, social roles and social status.’ At the other end of that scale, there has been a strong link shown between  worklessness and poor mental and physical health.

 

Tinker explains, ‘Overall, there is a growing awareness that long-term work absence, work disability and unemployment are harmful to mental health and wellbeing. The Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) and the RoyalAustralasianCollege of Physicians (RACP) recently released a Consensus Statement on the Health Benefits of Work. They identified that work, in general, is good for health and wellbeing and long term work absence, work disability and unemployment have, in general, a negative impact on health and wellbeing.’ It is a well-documented fact that not having a job comes with significant financial pressures, and strains your family and relationships.

 

‘Research has shown that being out of the workforce for an extended period can lead to an increase in mental health difficulties, as well as physical health issues,’ Tinker points out. ‘Physical health issues caused by being out of the workforce include an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Finally, being out of the workforce has been shown to play a significant part in establishing long-term patterns of unhealthy behaviour, such as lack of exercise and increased drinking and smoking. Therefore, the sooner an injured worker is able to return to work, the less likely further difficulties will arise.’

 

If you have left work due to a psychological injury, you are less likely to return to work than those who leave due to a physical injury. However, there is a strong correlation between returning early to work and mental health. Tinker adds, ‘Work absence perpetuates itself; the longer someone is off work, the less likely it will be that they will return to work.’ You should go back to work as soon as possible, not only for financial reasons, but for your wellbeing. Once a health professional gives you the go-ahead, you should return to work for many reasons. Returning to work as soon as possible:

 

• offers therapeutic benefits


• helps to promote recovery and rehabilitation


• leads to better health outcomes


• minimises the harmful physical, mental and social effects of long-term sickness absence


• reduces your risk of long-term incapacity


• promotes full participation in society, independence and human rights


• reduces poverty


• improves your quality of life and wellbeing

 

So what’s getting in the way of you returning to work? Tinker details, ‘Research has identified that there are a number of barriers that may exist that can prevent a person from returning to work and treatment needs to specifically target these issues. Where flags are identified, communicated to stakeholders and actively managed, return to work prospects are improved. Identifying and being aware of the specific flags relevant to an individual can assist in treatment and referral options.’ So, if you’ve had to take time off work due to mental health concerns, speak to your GP and employer about potential barriers to your returning.

Categories: absence work, health concerns, health issues, Long term, Mental Health, physical health, return to work, term work, time off, work absence, work disability

12% of Women Suffer Semen Allergy – Does That Mean No Sex?

If you ever needed an excuse to get out of going down on your partner, this may be it: a semen allergy. According to a new report from Dr. Michael Carroll, a lecturer in Reproductive Science at ManchesterMetropolitanUniversity, this is actually a real thing that affects the sexual health of approximately 12% of women. Carroll asserts that this is more likely to have an impact on your wellness if you’re between the ages of 20 and 30. But how do you know if you have a semen allergy?

 

Semen allergy presents with certain symptoms immediately or up to 60 minutes post exposure. While the symptoms of semen allergy can vary depending on who you are as an individual, a number of symptoms can impact your wellbeing, including:

 

• itching


• irritation


• welts and hives


• dizziness


• difficulty breathing


• vaginal swelling


• painful urination

 

Award-winning wellness writer Hope Gillette adds, ‘Some women can also experience eczema and in extreme cases… anaphylactic shock—a life-threatening condition—is possible.’ However, there can be a just as problematic emotional impact from semen allergy. In an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, Katie and Nathan (names changed), a North Carolina couple, detailed their experience with the condition. ‘In a normal romantic relationship, you want to feel attractive to your partner and want to do things that make you feel sexy,’ Katie explained. I feel like we actually started to define ourselves — minimizing things to avoid sex. Funny, I started thinking I wouldn’t wear sexy underwear. … What seemed like medical problems had bigger effects.’

 

The problem with semen allergy is that it often goes undiagnosed. Gillette notes, ‘Though rare, allergy to sperm is no different in basic form than other allergies; the body’s immune system—for an unknown reason—reacts violently to an outside substance, flaring up defences and causing a range of symptoms. While it’s impossible to know why a woman has a semen allergy, awareness of the condition may help more women seek treatment. Most women, especially those who haven’t been in a long-term relationship, experience burning or pain after intercourse and immediately think they’ve contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or they are dealing with a UTI. These women may seek STI or UTI testing, and when results come back negative they may forget about the incident, because by that time most minor symptoms have passed. Women with more severe symptoms and those who are in long-term relationship are most likely to seek medical treatment and therefore be diagnosed.’

 

Once you’ve confirmed with your doctor that you are allergic to semen, ColumbiaUniversity states that the best method of prevention is avoidance. ‘This is relatively easy if the couple is willing to use a condom during intercourse,’ Gillette comments. ‘If this is not possible for some reason (attempting to become pregnant, for example), a woman is advised to take an antihistamine about an hour before semen exposure. This can help in the most mild situations but may not prevent all symptoms from occurring. It is not advisable either to make an habit of this practice.’

 

However, pregnancy is still possible without semen-to-skin contact. Gillette advises, ‘Artificial insemination is an excellent option for women with a semen allergy. If that is not possible, in vitro fertilization is also an option, and a semen allergy does not affect a woman’s overall fertility.’ Carroll adds, ‘There are numerous cases published of successful pregnancies achieved naturally and through assisted reproductive technology in women with this condition. We were able to reassure our patients that HHS (hypersensitivity to human semen) does not cause infertility.’

Categories: allergy, Long term, nbsp, pregnancy, Research, Semen, semen allergy, Symptoms, term relationship, Women

What to Expect During Recovery after a Serious Injury

Recovering after a serious injury is a very frustrating time for many people. Some might feel confused by their symptoms or unsure of their doctor’s orders. While some people might feel anxious about what to expect during their recovery period, they are also likely to feel depressed by any lack of mobility they might be experiencing. While these feelings are completely normal, it helps to know what you might expect during the recovery period. There are different things you can do to ensure a smooth recovery.

 

Don’t Rush

Many people become injured all over again simply due to lack of patience. If the treating physician has recommended bed rest, then following those orders is always the best option. You should always be cautious when you are moving around so that you do not fall or re-injure yourself. Also, your doctor will probably tell you to listen to your body’s cues. If you feel like you need to rest, then rest. If the patient experiences any swelling or pain, their body is probably trying to tell them to rest.

 

Recommended Treatment

Depending on your injury, you may be recommended to have surgery. This probably sounds scary if you have never gone through a surgery before. Trust your doctors recommendations, but if you feel you need a second opinion, by all means, get a second opinion. The surgery and other recommend treatments will most likely be able to assist with the healing process. Although you may experience increased pain in the days following surgery, the treatment will help decrease chronic pain in the long run.

 

Pain Management

Patients should be advised to closely follow doctor’s orders concerning medication. It is very easy to become dependent on muscle relaxers and pain medication while recovering after a serious injury. You should also only take advised medication as recommended. If they have any side effects or if the patient is still in a great deal of pain, they should immediately alert their physician. Medication should never be discontinued without the doctor’s direct approval.

 

Ongoing Care

After the patient starts to recover from a serious injury, their doctor will recommend rehabilitation and ongoing chiropractic care. These treatments will help strengthen your body after a serious injury. Regaining strength lost during injury and the initial recovery period is crucial in long-term recovery success. At rehabilitation facilities, such as Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centres of Ontario, patients learn and implement a variety of exercises and therapies for their injuries. These exercises are often helpful in the overall recovery after a serious injury because they can be done at home at the patient’s convenience. In addition to rehabilitation, chiropractors in Scarborough can provide long-term care to lingering discomfort. Chiropractors can perform quick manual procedures to manipulate the body and provide relief from pain, pressure and tension.

 

While recovering from a serious injury has the potential to be a highly stressful time, following doctor’s orders and knowing what to expect can be helpful. If you have any specific concerns regarding an injury, please contact your physician.

Categories: doctor, feel, Injury, Long term, Pain, recovery, recovery period, serious

Could Prenatal POP Exposure Lead to Long-Term Asthma?

Environmental wellness is always a concern to consider, but this becomes even more vital when you’re pregnant. Not only are you watching out for your own wellbeing; you also have a baby growing inside of you and the outside toxins you’re exposed to could put your baby’s wellness at risk. It’s no secret that prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may be harmful to a child’s developing immune system – this has been suggested by plenty of previous research – but few studies have looked into the long-term health outcomes of POP exposure, until now. Findings recently published in Environmental Health Perspectives show that if your baby is exposed to certain POPs while still in the womb, he or she may have an increased risk of developing asthma that persists into young adulthood.

 

Todd Jusko, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Rochester, who was not involved in the study, comments, ‘The focus in immunotoxicity studies has often been on immunologic intermediates, such as immune cell counts. This study is unique in that it looks at a long-term clinically relevant outcome.’ For the study, Danish researchers evaluated the relationship between asthma and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), the pesticide hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and dichlorodiphenyl- dichloroethylene (DDE) – which is a daughter compound of the pesticide DDT. Lindsey Konkel, editor for Environmental Health News and The Daily Climate, explains, ‘PCBs, HCB, and DDT have been banned or restricted for many years due to concerns over human health effects, but they persist in the environment and the human body. Although levels of these chemicals have been dropping in the human population, diet—especially seafood consumption—remains an important route of exposure.’

 

Konkel notes, ‘Past studies have reported an association between prenatal exposure to DDE and asthma in children at ages 44 and 7–10. Prenatal HCB exposure has been associated with airway hyper reactivity in rats. Other studies examining prenatal exposure to PCBs and asthma-like symptoms have yielded mixed results; two studies found an association with wheeze in infants and allergic sensitivity in children at age seven while another reported an inverse association with allergic disease.’ However, the authors of the new study argue that previous studies have not followed up with subjects past childhood, and this may be the reason for the divergent findings. According to lead author Susanne Hansen, a doctoral candidate in epidemiology at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, ‘A twenty-year follow-up allows us to distinguish between [true] asthma and asthma-like symptoms, such as wheeze, which may resolve in the first six to seven years of life.’

 

For the study, the researchers examined the blood POP levels of 872 pregnant Danish women. At the age of 20, the children of the mothers who had had the highest blood HCB concentrations during pregnancy were nearly twice as likely to have been prescribed asthma medication as the children of mothers with the lowest concentrations. If the mother had a high level of one particular PCB congener, dioxin-like PCB-118, the child was nearly twice as likely as children of mothers with the lowest levels to have used asthma medications. Michele La Merrill, a developmental toxicologist at the University of California, Davis, asserts, ‘The association between dioxin-like PCB 118 and asthma is an interesting one but not sufficient to suggest a general link between all dioxin-like chemicals and asthma.’ The possibility of such a general link, says Merrill, is ‘a provocative question that would be worth continuing to ask in future studies.’ If you’re pregnant and worried about the long-term effects of POPs, look online or speak to a health professional for ways to reduce your exposure.

Categories: Asthma, environmental health, exposure, general link, Long term, POP Exposure, prenatal, prenatal exposure, Research, studies

Ten Easy Mistakes To Avoid When Trying To Lose Weight

Trying to lose weight is hard. No-one would deny that fact, and yet so many people want to lose weight, so why is it that so many simply find it impossible to do? Are the difficulties simply too much of a challenge for most people? Sometimes it seems that some people are destined to fail in their attempts at weight loss. Part of the problem is that it is easy to make mistakes during this difficult time and those mistakes often add up to a sum of real damage to your prospects of slimming down. So if you struggle in losing weight, it’s worth taking a look at our list of top ten mistakes to avoid if you’re trying to drop the pounds.

 

1. Fad diets

There are so many diets out there that it can be very hard to know which one is the right one for you. Part of the problem is that so many of them are so-called ‘fad’ diets, which are designed to sound like a good idea and produce fast results, but almost always are unsustainable in the long term. The problem is that losing weight is something that needs to take time for it to work forever. So avoid fad diets that promise too much and seem too good to be true.

 

2. Skipping meals or eating only once a day

Research has shown that simply trying to cut out meals from your diet is not an effective way to lose weight. Firstly, it is unsustainable, but secondly because it reduces the speed of your metabolism which is actually bad for you in the long term.

 

3. Dieting with no exercise

Many people think that you can lose weight without actually doing any exercise. This is incorrect and if you want to slim down it’s not enough to rely on your diet, you need to actually get active in order to drop the pounds.

 

4. Only using cardio to lose weight

Cardio exercise is important, but using it alongside weight lifting and other forms of exercising is the most effective way of getting rid of unwanted fat. Weight lifting even helps to improve your metabolism.

 

5. Trying too hard at the start

It is very important that you take it slow at the beginning and don’t try to force yourself to do too much too quickly. This is simply an unrealistic thing to attempt and you will end up failing because you will be putting too much pressure on yourself. Start with easy targets and progress upwards.

 

6. The wrong weights

If you’re weight lifting it is important to use the right level of weight. If you’re not lifting heavy enough weights you won’t see the benefits, while too much might make you not finish your sets or hurt yourself.

 

7. Avoid using momentum

Don’t swing parts of your body in order to give yourself momentum to perform the lift. At best, this is stopping you from getting the benefit from the exercise. At worst it can actually injure you.

 

8. Lack of research

If you want to lose weight it is important to do the proper research. This can include anything from reading books to going to the doctors.

 

9. Overeating

Overeating is a big problem if you’re exercising a lot, but it is something that you really need to avoid otherwise you’ll have real trouble.

 

10. Not enough water

Make sure that you drink plenty of water, it’s the best way to hydrate and it helps you feeling good. It can even help you feel more full up.

Categories: Fad Diets, Long term, Lose, Lose weight, Losing Weight, nbsp, pounds nbsp, weight, Weight Lifting, Weight Loss

Is A Male Birth Control Pill On The Horizon?

The birth control pill celebrated its 50th birthday in 2010, a contraceptive that completely changed and revolutionised the world of female orientated contraception. By 1978, birth control was freely prescribed to both married and single women, and since then women have gained waves of independence in being able to have sex free of the worry of unwanted pregnancy.  Today, the pill is the most popular form of birth control for women under 30 and with good reason. The birth control family certainly has seen many additions over the years, from IUDs to patches and implants, but the majority of these are female-focused. But that looks set to change in the coming years. The male birth control pill has still not graced the contraceptive market, but it seems that pharmaceutical companies are looking into a form of long-term, reversible contraception that’s designed for men. So far, they’ve all fallen short. Men aren’t at a loss when it comes to contraception, with five non-medical options to choose from. These include abstinence, condoms, outercourse, vasectomy and the withdrawal method. But some men complain that none of these options allow them to fully enjoy sex, with condoms affecting the sensation in the penis and vasectomies requiring additional surgery if they want to reverse the procedure.

It wouldn’t eliminate the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, much as the female birth control pill doesn’t, but the male birth control pill could be an attractive contraception alternative for a number of reasons. To begin with, it would enable men and women to share the responsibility of contraception a little more fairly. It would also help alleviate the fear of the long term impact on fertility for women. As female birth control also affects the female libido, a male birth control option could be a more stimulating form of contraception for both partners. But how does this medication work in stopping 120 million sperm from being released during the ejaculation process? The female pill works with hormones to stop the ovaries from producing an egg each month, stopping the risk of fertilisation. But pharmaceutical companies have largely given up on this process for men, as testosterone differs from oestrogen or progesterone. The resulting birth control method would require men to combine testosterone implants with the pill, and most men wouldn’t go to such lengths for contraception.

 

One of the first non-hormonal methods to have a breakthrough is the way of disabling sperm instead of shutting down the production. When sperm are formed in the testes they are immobile, but when they pass through the epididymis they are then able to swim. Researchers believe that blocking the Cs protein, which ‘turns on’ the tails, could immobilise the sperm entirely. There is still much work to be done in forming a pill that men can use. There are risks attached, such as whether men will take the pill and whether women will trust men to take it, but at this stage in the decade-long pursuit for a reversible form of contraception, more research is vital. Recent research suggests that interest in the pill even hitting the market has dwindled considerably. Although people see contraception as a joint responsibility, it seems that not as many men are excited by the concept of the male birth control pill. Only time will tell whether researchers are able to formulate a contraceptive that appeals to both men and women.

Categories: birth, Birth Control, contraception, control, control pill, female birth, Long term, male birth, men, pharmaceutical companies, Pill, sexual health

Female-Focused Strength Training Tips for a Perfect Body

If you’re tired of putting in loads of effort in the cardio section of the gym and not seeing any results, you may need to change your tactics. According to the National Centre for Health Statistics, just 21 per cent of women use strength training exercises two or more times a week. But what most people don’t realise is that when you skip this vital part of your exercise regime, you lose out on some great exercises which burn fat and help you to maintain a healthy weight. Those two sessions a week can help to reduce your overall body fat by around three percentage points in just 10 weeks, even if you don’t adjust your diet by a single calorie. That could translate to as much as three inches of your waist and hips, with your new found muscle helping to boost your metabolism in the long-term. Although cardio burns more calories than strength training in just thirty minutes, pumping the iron in the gym could help to burn more overall. In fact, in studies, researchers found that women who completed an hour-long strength training workout burned an average of 100 more calories in a day than those who hadn’t lifted a single weight. Look at the figures – with three sessions a week, that is a total of 15,600 calories a year or four and a half pounds of fat – all without having to up your gym sessions at all.

Researchers have found that there are long-term benefits to lifting as well, with muscle accounting for around a third of the average woman’s weight. This has a strong effect on ones metabolism, which means your body can burn extra calories. Muscle eats up calories even when you’re not working out, so if you replace ten pounds of fat with ten pounds of lean muscle, you could be burning 25 to 50 calories a day without having to do anything. You shouldn’t rely on the scales to see if your routine is effective though. Muscle is denser than fat, so your weight is not necessarily the best form of tracking device. So how is it done? You need to begin with three weight-training sessions each week. The best calorie burner, you should aim for total body workouts that work your arms, abs, back and legs. Squats, for example, call on muscles in both sides of your legs, rather than leg extensions which target just one area. If you’re unsure how to begin, speaking with a trainer may be helpful as they can create a programme for you that targets specific areas and includes multi-faceted exercises that work twice as hard.

 

For each exercise you do, you should aim to perform three sets of 10 or 12 reps with a weight that challenges your muscles. You should also fuel your workout effectively, by ensuring that you have enough energy to get you through the workout. Too many dieters make a fatal error in cutting back on protein in order to lose weight. But it’s counterproductive as they lose muscle along with the fat that they may have melted away with the workout. Experts recommend that you should eat one gram of protein for every pound of body weight you have that doesn’t come from fat. For example, a 140-pound woman who has 25 per cent body fat should eat 105g of protein. The best sources of high quality protein is chicken or other lean meats, as well as eggs and soy products.

Categories: body, calories, Fat, fitness, Long term, Muscle, strength, Strength Training, training, weight

How Red Wine Assists in Hearing and Brain Function

 

Researchers have recently discovered that a compound called resveratrol , which is found in red wine and also in red grapes, can help protect against hearing loss and age-related cognitive issues. The research was published by the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. This research shows that rats who were given resveratrol  were far less likely to experience any prolonged effects of noise-related hearing loss if they had taken the compound before long-term exposure to the noise. In other words, taking resveratrol seems to shield the ears from negative effects that usually occur from exposure to prolonged loud noises. This article discusses what these findings mean, their implications, and how you can protect your hearing.

 

The Research

Research indicates that the compound itself may actually reduce the risk of hearing loss. The way it does this is by reducing the bio inflammatory response to loud noises, which medical researchers believe is the reason hearing loss occurs. Bio Inflammation happens when injury occurs. When you’re exposed to loud noises, the body perceives it as an injury to your ear. Just as you will experience swelling of your skin if you get cut, your ear will do same thing if damaged by loud noise, and that inflammation can cause further damage to your hearing. Since this compound seems to reduce the inflammatory response, it can protect you from loss of hearing.

 

Implications

The compound has been proven to at least have some helpful effects. Consuming more of the compound might be helpful to overall hearing health, as well. Since studies show the compound also wards off cognitive disease, it is helpful for more than one part of your body. For those who don’t want to drink or don’t like grapes, you can actually purchase the compound in supplement form, as well. The study has several implications, two of which are the prolonged hearing of individuals who take it, and the introduction of a way to possibly prevent a significant amount of hearing damage.

 

Using Common Sense

Having the compound available is not an excuse to take the supplement and then listen to extremely loud music through your headphones. Always use precautions when you’re around loud noises. Wear ear protection if your job exposes you to loud noises, particularly if you are exposed to these sounds for a prolonged period of time. There are online sources like HealthyHearing.com that can help you find a doctor if you need to see one. Early intervention of hearing-related problems has shown to be very helpful in long-term success of treatment, so at the first sign of hearing problems, see a doctor.

 

Resveratrol is certainly a benefit for those who are seeking a way to prevent hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises. Taking the supplement, or drinking one glass of wine per evening, is good for those who want to protect  their hearing, especially those who work around loud noises or listen to music.  Having the compound available is not an excuse to be irresponsible – always protect your hearing whenever possible. Clearly, this compound will have a positive impact on many people when used as a preventative measure to protect hearing ability and overall health.

 

Kenneth Bassett is a health researcher. He frequently blogs about innovative treatments and preventatives.

Categories: brain function, compound, Hearing, hearing loss, hearing nbsp, inflammatory response, Long term, loud, loud noises, Red Wine

Could a Passionate Kiss Help Revamp Things in the Bedroom?

Kissing may seem like something that only teenagers do at bus stops, but in actual fact a passionate kiss could be the key to safeguarding your sexual wellness and wellbeing.

 

Many couples who have been together for a period of time find that the ‘fireworks’ part of their relationship dies out. They may still be intimate and may still have sex, but most stop kissing passionately. This is not at all uncommon, but it is really important not to underestimate the power of a simple kiss.

 

Second only to the genitalia, the mouth has many nerve endings. It is extremely sensitive to the touch, and kissing can send pleasure signals all over the body.

 

There are many different types of kiss, of course, from the simple peck on the lips that you would give to your grandmother or similar family member, or the more romantic types of kisses. This is such an important subject that there are even whole books on the subject, detailing the different types of kisses that people can engage in. With so much incentive and variety, it is, therefore, rather sad that kisses seem to fade out of long-term relationships.

 

Couples also tend to find that sex can become a bit ‘mechanical’ in a long-term relationship. They describe it as like ‘scratching an itch’, which basically means that it is perfunctory and mutually satisfying, but that it is not mind-blowing or particularly thrilling. That doesn’t mean that mechanical sex is not pleasant, romantic and connecting – it could well be all these things – but it is probably not as passionate as the sex you enjoyed in the early days of the relationship.

 

The trick to reawakening the passion and getting past this mechanical sex could well be to bring kissing back into your relationship. Reintroduce kissing slowly – work at slowly touching one another more, being more affectionate and spending time together. Next time you have sex, move in to a passionate kiss. You will be surprised at where this could lead you!

Categories: Kiss, kissing, Long term, mechanical sex, nbsp, passionate, passionate kiss, relationship, Sex