Month: December 2018

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Lose with acupuncture

An Australian study on acupuncture has shown stunning results in the effect of acupuncture in suppressing apptetite and as we know many people have a problem with appetite and that causes them to fail on diets. Why not try to lose by suppressing your diet with acupuncture. Most people are scared to try acupuncture for anything because of course no one wants to be poked with needles. From everything that I have heard the needles used in acupuncture do not hurt at all and there is so much history and success with this method of health treatment that we should really be taking this more seriously.

Objective of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Many over people are aware that diets can help with loss but have difficulty in suppressing their appetite. Acupuncture stimulates the auricular branch of the vagal nerve and raises serotonin levels, both of which have been shown to increase tone in the smooth muscle of the stomach, thus suppressing appetite. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points on appetite suppression.

Testing method for acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Sixty over subjects, randomly divided into an active and a control group, used the AcuSlim device twice daily for four weeks. The active group attached the AcuSlim to the acupuncture ear points shenmen and stomach, whereas the control group attached the device to their thumb where there are no acupuncture points. The goal of a 2 kg loss was set and changes in appetite and were reported after four weeks.

Results of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Of those who responded, 95% of the active group noticed suppression of appetite, whereas none of the control group noticed such a change. None of the control group lost the required 2 kg, with only 4 subjects losing any at all. Both the number of subjects who lost and the mean loss were significantly higher in the active group (p 0.05).

Conclusion of acupuncture and appetite suppression study

Frequent stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points is an effective method of appetite suppression which leads to weight loss.

So there we have it. This seems to be a great study in showing that acupuncture is indeed a great way to help you perhaps lose weight. Why not book an appointment with the needles and find out if it will work for you.

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Getting more from your workouts

Last night on the Biggest Loser I found that the over arching theme to the show seems to be that people were working out harder than they ever had before. Actually some of the people did not even know how hard that they could push themselves.

Our mind is very slow to adapt when it comes to diet and exercise. If you live a sedentary lifestyle of years and then begin to work out your body will think that it can run let’s say 100 feet. So you run 100 feet and your chest is sore and you are out of wind. Now let’s say you do this every day and after two weeks you finish this ‘workout’ of running 100 feet and you are still winded and your chest is sore. Your mind thinks that you are just as strong but really you could push yourself a lot harder.

Discomfort is a trigger to the brain telling you that you have pushed yourself to hard and no one like to be in discomfort. Most trainers know that you have a sticking point in your own mind where you think that you cannot go any farther or harder. This is just a psychological sticking point that is not real but just a level that you are not comfortable going past. The trouble is that this is the level where all of your gains come from.

I am a victim of this lack of pushing myself as easily as anyone else. The thing that helps is to remember before your workout that you are setting low levels of limits on yourself and to set goals every single time that you workout.

Another way that you can make yourself work out harder on a regular basis is to read and see success stories. I am sure that this is the reason that I watch the Biggest Loser and also the reason that success stories are always so popular in the sports sections in newspapers be it home run kings or the greatest quarterback this week kind of stories.

Stop looking at how hard you are working as being the hardest that you can work out. There is always a step farther, a pound more, a minute quicker. Try today to make sure you have great goals and you will make greater improvements in your health and fitness endeavors.

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Menopause Treatment Options

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT replaces the hormones that a woman’s body no longer makes. The most important hormone used in reducing menopausal symptoms is estrogen, but taking estrogen alone can increase a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus). This isn’t a problem in women who have had a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), but in women who still have a uterus estrogen is usually combined with another hormone, progestin, to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. But even combination HRT can have serious side effects, and the decision about whether to go on this treatment is one each woman must make for herself after discussing it with her doctor.

Bisphosphonates: These drugs are used to help prevent and treat osteoporosis that may result from reduced hormone levels. While they are not quite as effective as estrogen, they are not hormonal and, therefore, don’t carry the same risks as HRT. However, it is important to remember that every drug carries some risk.

Menopause Treatment Options

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs):

These drugs have some of the benefits of estrogen, including improving bone strength, without some of the risk that estrogen has. However, SERMs tend to cause more hot flashes and may increase the risk of gallstones or blood clots.

Complementary and alternative therapies (CAM):

Menopause Treatment Options

Menopause Treatment Options

Some women going through peri menopause may find relief from their symptoms from CAM therapies, including dietary and herbal supplements, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, massage therapy, biofeedback, homeopathy, and naturopathy. It is important to remember that not all complementary and alternative therapies have been studied scientifically, and some may have negative effects on other conditions you may have. Before you decide to try one of these therapies, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that what you are planning is safe for you.

Helping Yourself

In addition to taking medication, there are ways you can help reduce your symptoms.

To ease hot flashes:

Dress in layers so you can remove some clothing when you begin to feel warm.

Avoid foods and beverages known to trigger hot flashes, such as alcohol, caffeine, spicy food, and sugar.
Practice stress management techniques.
Exercise to improve your circulation.

To reduce vaginal dryness

Ask your pharmacist to recommend a vaginal lubricant.

If over-the-counter products don’t work, talk to your doctor about the prescription products that are available.

To reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Menopause Treatment Options has to also be aimed at osteoporosis because of the reasons named above. They really are linked and here are a few things that you can look at to help.

  • Get enough calcium and vitamin D. If you aren’t sure you are getting enough of these nutrients from the foods you eat, ask your pharmacist about supplements.
  • Exercise regularly; -bearing exercises (such as walking) are best for strengthening bones.
  • Ask your doctor if you should have a bone density test.
  • To reduce the risk of heart disease:
  • Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly.
  • Eat a nutritious, heart -healthy diet that is low in saturated and trans fats and high in fibre.
  • Be active. Check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program to make sure the activity you have chosen is appropriate for your overall physical condition.

If you have any questions about Menopause Treatment Options or ways to lessen the symptoms and reduce your risk of developing heart disease or osteoporosis, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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