Posted on

4 Surprising Habits That May Lead To Cancer

While quitting smoking and eating right are certainly important to your health, they aren’t the only habits to consider.

There are many seemingly harmless things you do every day that could be bad for you — so bad that they could up your cancer risk.

Sitting Too Much

A desk job, a long commute or binge watching your favorite show: They may seem benign, but don’t be fooled. They all keep you on your tush for too long, and prolonged sitting has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Researchers from the American Cancer Society (ACS) found that women who spent more than six hours a day of their leisure time sitting had a 10% greater risk of cancer than women who spent three hours of their free time sitting. Some studies have found that sitting for long periods of time ups your chances of developing colorectal, ovarian and endometrial cancer, as well as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Working the Night Shift

While you may not be able to change your working hours, it’s important to know that shift work may be increasing your cancer risk. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls it a “probable carcinogen.”

One study found that women who spent more than 30 years working the night shift were more than twice as likely to develop breast cancer as those who didn’t. Research has also shown a link between men who work the graveyard shift and increased prostate cancer risk.

Researchers suspect that irregular sleep patterns could affect melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep, and one that may also prevent tumor growth. Other factors may also play a role.

Worrying Too Much

We’re all victims of an occasional nagging worry, but chronic stress and anxiety could indirectly up your cancer risk.
The theory is that people who are chronically over-stressed may also engage in other unhealthy habits, such as overeating, not exercising, smoking or drinking too much alcohol, all of which have been linked to different types of cancer.
Stress also lowers your overall immunity, leaving you susceptible to many different diseases, including certain cancers.

Drinking Beverages Loaded with Sugar

Too much added sugar is bad for you for many reasons. Not only can it make you gain weight, it also increases your risk for a slew of health problems, including cancer.

One study found that women who drank more than four sugary drinks per week increased their risk of endometrial cancer by 78% compared to those who didn’t drink them at all, possibly due to sugar’s impact on estrogen and insulin levels.

One easy way to cut back on added sugar is to stop drinking sugar-loaded beverages. A 20oz bottle of regular cola alone contains 65 grams of sugar (16+ tsps. of sugar), which means trading it in for water or unsweetened tea could go a long way in improving your health and lowering your cancer risk.

Posted on

7 Natural Ways To Lower Inflammation

Inflammation is a proven killer but there are simple things you can do to reduce it.

Inflammation is more than a buzzword; it’s one of the ways your body protects itself. Inflammation is a general response to some kind of stress that’s being placed on the body. White blood cells and other chemicals are mobilized to an area to combat whatever injury there is.

The problem comes when the immune response continues after the damage is cleared up, or if there is no damage in the first place.

If inflammation goes too far, or goes on for too long, it can contribute to serious health problems, from cancer to heart disease to depression.

So, what can you do about inflammation? Here are seven natural ways to fight back.

Get Up and Move

You know that soreness you feel after a workout? That’s inflammation, but a temporary, non-harmful kind. Studies show that exercising regularly actually reduces the other kind-the bad inflammation in your blood vessels that leads to heart disease and various problems. In fact, a small March 2017 study found that even one moderate 20-minute cardio session helped reduce this bad inflammation.

Researchers think that some of the chemicals released during exercise counteract the effects of the chemicals that increase inflammation. Plus, you secrete hormones and neurotransmitters that can cause you to experience a sense of well-being. If you’re new to exercise or have been out of the game for a while, start with a brisk walk and go from there.

Butt Out!

Add inflammation to the long list of health risks from smoking. Smoking affects every cell in your body. The tobacco burning itself and the byproducts are both hugely inflammatory.

Quitting is hard-the US Surgeon General’s office declared nicotine to be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Still, it’s one of the best things you can do to cut your chances of disease-and reduce inflammation. In fact, one small study of women at risk for heart disease found that signs of inflammation were lower in the weeks after quitting. Setting a quit date can help you put the smokes down for good.

Get Enough Shuteye

Sleep is restorative. It allows your body to rebuild and repair itself. Research suggests that not getting enough sleep can raise inflammatory markers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night.

But be careful-it may not be as simple as the more sleep, the better. A 2016 meta-analysis published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that sleeping for a very long time was also associated with more signs of inflammation.

Cut Your Stress Levels

In the distant past, stress helped our ancestors fight off or flee from hungry predators. It’s still a trigger of thatimportant fight-or-flight response, but times have changed. Now, while there are still plenty of serious things to worry about, some stressors are more like: Did I pay the electric bill on time? Will I be late to work? Can I get the kids to soccer practice?

What you have is this chronic low-grade stress. But the body’s still interpreting it with the fight-or-flight mechanism. Though there’s evidence the stress hormone cortisol helps keep inflammation at bay, when stress levels are chronically high, cells develop a tolerance, cortisol can’t do its job as well-and inflammation goes unchecked. This constant tension can harm your physical and mental health, leading to conditions like heart disease and depression.

Eat Antioxidants

Free radicals are nasty little molecules that harm cells on a subatomic level. If there are too many around and they do enough damage, free radicals can even kill cells, leading to chronic inflammation.

But free radicals have natural predators known as antioxidants, which can stop the cell death process and help prevent inflammation. What’s the best way to get antioxidants? Food! Eating a diet rich in fresh, plant-based products will provide you with enough nutrition and antioxidants to combat those cellular stresses. Antioxidant-rich nibbles include berries, nuts, tea, coffee and high-cocoa chocolate.

Another great source of antioxidants is molecular hydrogen which is our featured product of the week. Check out the multiple benefits of this miraculous supplement.

Avoid Certain Carbs (Especially Added Sugar)

Anybody dealing with or who wants to prevent chronic inflammation should get sugar out of their diets as much as they can. Added sugar and refined grains may trigger the release of chemicals that cause inflammation, and also limit anti-inflammation molecules. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 36 grams of added sugar a day for men and 25 grams for women. Consider reducing the amount of sugar in your diet.

Pop an Aspirin

Certain powerful prescription drugs can lower inflammation, but plain old aspirin can also do the trick. A healthcare provider might recommend a daily regimen of aspirin for someone between the ages of 45 and 75. Aspirin blocks some of the chemicals, known as prostaglandins, that cause inflammation. However, it has the potential for side effects such as stomach bleeding and allergic reactions, so it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider before taking it regularly.

Posted on

How Much Fiber Do I Need To Lose Weight

One of the more confusing aspects of nutrition and healthy eating is fiber. Most people know that it is necessary for good overall health and colon health, but it is also beneficial for weight loss. Of course, simply stating that fiber is good for weight loss isn’t going to help too many people, so let’s get into some beneficial sources and amounts to get the weight loss process moving.

Good Sources of Fiber

Foods that are derived from plants are the only true sources of fiber. These include fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and grains. No meats, dairy products or processed foods are naturally high in fiber, so keeping your attention focused in the plant world is your best bet.

Some of the best sources of fiber you’ll find include various types of beans, dried prunes, apples, pears, dark leafy greens, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, broccoli and whole grains. There are two types of fiber; soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is beneficial for lowering LDL cholesterol, lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease and regulating blood sugar. Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water and helps to prevent constipation and keep you regular.

How Much Do I Need?

Studies show that the average American adult consumes about 15 grams of fiber each day. This may sound like a decent amount, but women need roughly 25 grams per day and men need 38 grams per day to maintain optimum health. Consistently being 10 to 20 grams short on a daily basis can add up over time and cause some serious problems, including weight gain.

Why It Helps

High fiber foods aid in weight loss a couple different ways. The added bulk helps you to feel full longer, so you won’t overeat and take in excess calories. High fiber foods also usually require more chewing, which causes you to eat slower and will help you realize that you’ve eaten enough before you eat more. High fiber foods are usually lower in fat and sugar, too.

It is important to rely mainly on whole foods for your fiber, and avoid overly processed grains and low fiber foods if you are trying to lose weight. White flour and processed, high carbohydrate snack foods can stimulate your appetite and you can just eat and eat without feeling full at all. There are a multitude of high fiber snacks and meals out there, if you are motivated to look for them. Successful weight loss requires dedication on several different fronts, and adding more fiber to your diet can certainly complement your other efforts.

Our weight loss team at New Life Wellness & Weight Loss is here to help. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have.

Posted on

4 Types Of People Mosquitoes Love Most

After a long, summer day of barbecue and pick-up sports, you may find yourself covered in bites … while your friends are untouched.

What makes certain people more attractive to mosquitoes? It depends, mostly, on your genetics; 20 percent of people are considered “high attractors,” meaning they’re especially prone to bites.

Mosquito bites are generally harmless, aside from being bit painful, but with illnesses such as Zika, malaria and West Nile virus on the rise, it doesn’t hurt to protect yourself.

Read through to see what attracts mosquitoes to certain kinds of people-and how you can avoid becoming one of their targets.

Pregnant Women

Mosquitoes use carbon dioxide (CO2), the gas we exhale, to find their targets; amazingly, they can find people from almost 165 feet away! In fact, larger people, including pregnant women, emit more CO2 than an average sized person, making them bigger targets for bites. Mosquitoes can also sense higher internal temperatures, which is linked to pregnancy.

Imbibers

Most people love to sip a cold beer at a backyard barbecue, but beware-drinking alcohol increases your chances of being bitten. Scientists aren’t sure what attracts mosquitoes to liquor, but some believe drinking can raise your internal temperature.

Alcohol appears to be the only food or drink that attracts mosquitoes, but unfortunately, there aren’t foods that repel them: Dutta says wives’ tales about eating garlic or bananas to ward off bugs are simply myths.

Athletes

Mosquitoes love sweat. They’re attracted to the chemicals found in perspiration, so be prepared if you’re planning to play an outdoor sport or activity.

If you still want to be active outdoors, Dutta says to maintain proper hydration to reduce the chemicals in your sweat. “If you’re hydrating, what you’re sweating out will be more diluted.”

Blood type is a huge factor that’ll increase your risk of mosquito bites-specifically, people with type O blood. Mosquitoes are 83 percent more likely to land on people with type O than people with type A, B or AB blood. People with type A blood are the lucky ones-they’re the least likely to get bitten.

There’s not much you can do regarding your blood type, but there are measures you can take to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

What You Can Do to Prevent Bites

Repellent with 30 percent DEET is your best bet in preventing irritating bites. If you want a more natural repellent option, a combination of eucalyptus and lemon oil can be just as effective as low percent DEET. I would also recommend wearing long sleeves and pants to create a barrier between your skin and mosquitoes.

And if you do get mosquito bites?

Calm that area down with an oatmeal bath, calamine lotion or anything to reduce the irritation of that area, which will make you less likely to scratch.

Posted on

Is Sleeping Naked Better For Your Health?

A National Sleep Foundation poll reports that 12% of Americans sleep au naturel and studies are mixed on whether what you wear to bed matters. We waded through the research to provide some answers on the supposed benefits of sleeping in the buff.

SLEEPING NAKED COULD …

Improve Your Relationship
For couples, sleeping naked could increase relationship satisfaction. A survey of more than 1,000 adults found 57% of those who slept naked felt happy in their relationships (compared with 48% who wore pajamas).
Here’s a fun fact. If you and partner both sleep naked, the skin-to-skin contact will release the feel-good hormone [oxytocin].

Research shows even non-sexual contact with the skin boosts levels of oxytocin. The hormone, also released during sex, is associated with lower levels of depression, stress and reduced blood pressure.

Improve Your Sleep
Feeling overheated makes it harder to get a good night’s rest. Researchers at the University of Amsterdam found increasing skin temperature just 0.4º Celsius was linked with worsened insomnia and increased nighttime waking.

You do sleep better if you’re cooler.

But layers are important to prevent heat loss, so have an extra blanket on the bed in case you catch a chill. Performance sleepwear and sheets made of breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics can also help regulate your body temperature.

Preserve Sperm Quality
In a 2015 study, researchers tracked 501 couples for 12 months to assess links between underwear choice and sperm quality. The data showed men who wore boxers during the day and slept naked had better overall sperm quality and higher fertility than those who chose tighter-fitting underwear, like briefs.

The connection relates to temperature. When the testicles are too warm, it’s harder to make good sperm. Sleeping in briefs keeps the testicles snug against the body, increasing the temperature. Sleeping naked – or wearing boxers – gives testicles more room to move, thus improving sperm quality.

Lead to Insomnia
Stripping down to avoid overheating could help you get more restful sleep or it could cause you to wake-up repeatedly during the night. It all comes down to temperature.

Research found that men who slept in cold temperatures spent more time awake and less time in stage 2 sleep, the stage associated with lowered core body temperature. Results were similar in research done on women: Cold stress impaired sleep and led to less time spent in stage 3 (slow wave) sleep, the cycle associated with drifting into a deep sleep.

THE VERDICT

So, what is the takeaway? Sleep naked or wear pajamas.

The most important thing is being comfortable physically and psychologically when you go to bed so wear [or don’t wear] whatever works for you.