Menopause and Weight Loss

Menopause occurs due to a complex series of hormonal changes in the body. It is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for over 12 months. The process of menopause does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual process and this transition period is a different experience for each women.The average age of menopause is 50 years old, but menopause may occur as early as the 30s or as late as the 60s. There is no reliable lab test to predict when a woman will experience menopause.

 

Symptoms of Menopause include abnormal vaginal bleeding, hot flashes, vaginal and urinary infection, and mood changes.

Complications that women may develop after menopause include hot flushes, osteoporosis, weight gain and heart disease.

 

Weight Gain During Menopause: 

Many women experience weight gain during and after menopause. However, losing weight during and after menopause can be challenging because a woman’s metabolism begins to slow down. Even so, if menopausal women are serious about losing weight during and after menopause, it can be achieved as it is possible to lose weight during and after menopause. Hormonal changes during menopause affect the way 

fat is distributed throughout the body, which means this weight is likely to accumulate around your stomach. On top of the increased health risks, the extra pounds creeping around your middle section could result in health issues, from cardiovascular ones to self-esteem problems. The best way to fight these feelings is to confront weight gain head-on with a lifestyle overhaul. A series of positive, healthy changes will help you lose weight during menopause, and keep it off.

Losing Weight During Menopause

• Exercise: Exercise is important to boost the slow metabolism. Working out twice a week for about 30 minutes, which is a combination of fast walking and running is suitable for a menopausal woman to keep off the weight. No matter what type of aerobic exercise you do, you can add high intensity intervals to it.
• Weight Training: Women lose muscle mass for years, but more after the age of 50. Muscle burns more calories than fat every second of the day, so if your lifestyle is sedentary, one need to add weight lifting to their weekly routines to help replace the muscle they are losing. Be sure to learn how and what to do from a trained professional.
• Eating Fibre Rich Food: Boost fibre. Most of us need to work hard not to gain weight during and after menopause. Fortunately, eating fibre-rich foods can help: fibre helps us feel full on less. Aim to eat between 25 and 35 grams of fibre each day.The best sources of fibre: whole grains like quinoa (1/2 cup = 3 grams), barley (1/2 cup cooked = 3g) and air-popped popcorn (3 1/2 cups = 4g). You can also get fibre from lentils (1/2 cup cooked = 8 grams), fruits (for example, 1 large apple = 5g or 1/2 cup raspberries = 4g) and veggies (for example, 1 cup cooked spinach = 4g).
• Deal with the Sugar Addiction: Try avoiding or limiting the intake of sugar and sugar products like sweet dishes, muffins, cakes etc. Replace them with healthier options like fruit smoothies, fruit salad to curb sugar cravings.

• Fluid Intake: Even mild dehydration can make you feel tired and sluggish so you move less, which doesn’t help with staying slim. As we age the dryness in the body also increases so one need to keep themselves hydrated. It is advised to drink at least 10 glasses of water and keep sipping in between green tea and lemon tea.
• Sleep: Menopause can sure mess up the joys of sleep. Lots of research has shown that staying up late increases levels of the hormone, ghrelin, which increases carbohydrate cravings. 
• Eliminate Chemicals from your life: While it’s true that for your metabolism to function optimally you must balance your hormones, the best way to do this is with clean living. Toxins in our food, water, cosmetics, cleaning products, and so on are filled with chemicals that throw our weight and overall health into a state of havoc. The simple solution is to go natural. Use olive oil as a moisturiser instead of the expensive face cream loaded with chemicals. Eat as clean as you can and go organic whenever possible to avoid pesticides, preservatives, hormones, and antibiotics in foods.
• Avoid Crash Diets: Skipping meals or following extreme diet plans that cut out vital nutrients, like carbohydrates, are not sustainable or healthy. These also cause a decrease in the hormone leptin – which regulates fat distribution by controlling appetite and metabolic rate – and force your body to burn muscle tissue instead of fat. This ultimately may slow your metabolism, making weight gain more likely once you start eating normally again.
• Ease Bloating: Cutting the amount of salt and processed carbohydrates in your diet, as they can make you retain water. But don’t skimp on whole grains, which are rich in heart-healthy fibre, as well as fruits and vegetables. Drink lots of fluids to ease bloating which will also aid in weight loss. 
• Eat Foods Rich In Phytoestrogens: Certain foods contain a phytochemical called phytoestrogen, which for various reasons either encourages estrogen production or strengthens the body’s estrogen-receptors. When there’s more estrogen around, the body doesn’t have to hold on to those estrogen-filled fat cells and you can start to lose those few extra “impossible” pounds!
• Natural Supplements: Very often taking a natural supplement that helps keep the body’s systems in balance can assist women who are trying to lose weight during and after menopause. Natural supplements usually have little or no side effects and make women feel more energetic and healthier.
When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s easy to get frustrated if the results of your efforts are not immediately noticeable. Be patient; just as the extra weight didn’t appear overnight, it won’t disappear straight away, either. Gradual, steady weight loss at a rate of around one pound a week is advisable for losing weight and keeping it off. Rather than a quick fix, you are making a permanent lifestyle change that will help you maintain a healthy weight in the long term. 

Herbal Detox: How to Detox Your Body Naturally

Detoxification:

Detoxification is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body.This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver where the toxins are processed for elimination.The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren’t properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected. A person feels lighter and more energized after detoxification. These toxins are sometimes external and sometimes also formed in the human body as a by-products of some physiological processes.

These toxins are sometimes external and sometimes also formed in the human body as a by-products of some physiological processes.

Kind of Toxins Produced in the Body:

A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms. The term was first used by organic chemist Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919).

Toxins can be small molecules, peptides, or proteins that are capable of causing disease on contact with or absorption by body tissues interacting with biological macromolecules such as enzymes or cellular receptors. Toxins vary greatly in their severity, ranging from usually minor (such as a bee sting) to almost immediately deadly (such as botulinum toxin).

It is important to recognize that toxins can be found externally (outside the body) which are called exogenous toxins or created internally (inside your body) which are known as endogenous toxins.

Exogenous Toxins: Examples of external toxins are food, water, pollution, second hand cigarette smoke and pesticides.

Endogenous Toxins: Internal toxins, on the other hand, include bad bacteria and yeast create dangerous toxins right inside your body. These toxins are produced by the body as a by-product of biochemical processes, and may tend to accumulate in the joints or various muscle groups.

Technically speaking, there is a third category of toxins, known as autogenous toxins. These are the toxins that one is born with, in the form of pathogens or toxic compounds, generally from environmental/dietary exposure over multiple generations. These toxins are usually passed down from the maternal line, from the mother to the baby in the womb. However, these are in a sense just exogenous toxins that happen to be absorbed from the mother rather than from the environment.

Toxins can further be classified according to the location of the body where their effects are most noticeable:

• Hemotoxins (for example, found in some snakes) destroy red blood cells and cause general tissue damage.
• Phototoxins (for example, alpha-terthienyl found in marigold plants) cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.
• Necrotoxins (for example, necrotising fasciitis – flesh-eating bacteria) destroy cells they encounter and cause general tissue damage.
• Neurotoxins (for example, tetrodotoxin found in pufferfish and some grey side-gilled sea slugs) affect the nervous system of organisms.

The seven most deadly (to humans) chemical substances (toxins) are:

• botulinum toxin A (from bacteria – Clostridium botulinum)
• tetanus toxin A (from bacteria – Clostridium tetani)
• diphtheria toxin (from bacteria – Corynebacterium diphtheriae)
• dioxin (manufactured)
• muscarine (from mushrooms – Amanita muscaria)
• bufotoxin (from the common toad – genus Bufo)
• sarin (manufactured).

The main sources of Toxins are given below:

• Food
• Water
• Drugs and Medicine
• Pesticides
• Environment (Air, Smoke etc.)
• Beauty and Personal Care products
• Stress and Negative thinking

Fortunately, the human body has a strong tendency to move toward health when fed in a right way. Engaging in a natural detox program the body works to clean itself, shed accumulated toxins, and replace damaged cells with new cells. To maximize your detoxification experience, be sure that you use only an all-natural procedure. After all, you can’t expect to lighten your body’s toxic burden by adding more chemical pollutants to it. Herbal detoxification methods are available today to meet this growing need and are a sound investment in improved health and wellness.

Few ways to naturally detoxify the body are given below:

• Eating Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Fibres: What goes in must come out, but sometimes our body has a hard time of getting rid of waste build-up in the intestines. Increase your fibre intake gradually so your body can make the adjustment without putting you through too much discomfort and also detoxify the body. Plenty of insoluble fibre, figs, prunes, plums, including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables are good for our body to detoxify. Radishes, cabbage, broccoli and other green leafy vegetables are also excellent detoxifying foods.

• Avoiding Processed Foods:Any type of packaged food, whether it seems healthy or not, is made with additives and preservatives of some type. Just like pesticides, these can and will build up in your intestines as toxins over time. Avoid foods that contain additives or are nutritionally bankrupt, e.g. cold drinks, artificial sweeteners, canned and tinned foods.

• Avoid Toxins Triggering Foods:You might not realize it, but excessive alcohol or caffeine can build up toxins in your body. The same goes for processed foods, fried foods, extra sweet foods or others that are made with unnatural ingredients. Anything that doesn’t come from the earth or that has chemically enhanced ingredients isn’t good for your ability to naturally cleanse or feel healthy and strong.Avoid excess amount of sugar, salt, saturated fats, caffeine, cigarettes, and alcohol, all of which act as toxins in the body.

• High Fluid Intake:Drinking water helps cleanse your body flushing out potential harmful toxins through your urinary tract. Some say the water detox-cleanse is one of the best way to detox your body without affecting your diet. Include enough of fluid in the diet in the form of fresh water, lemon water, buttermilk, herbal tea etc.

• Exercise:When you are exercising you are not only helping the body to shed fat and excess weight, but you are also helping to get rid of toxins that may build up in your body. As you sweat these toxins can come out and therefore the detoxification takes place.

• Proper Sleep:Proper sleep is required to keep the body toxins free.

• Go Organic:Instead of consuming conventional foods its better to go organic as organic foods contain lesser of toxins.

• Body Massage: We generally think that massages are only for relaxation, Massages helps you to naturally detox the body and get rid of the things that may have been making you sick. Get into this as a regular habit and you will feel a very positive effect from it, above and beyond relaxation at the core.

• Replace regular tea with Herbal Green Tea:Herbal green tea offers important antioxidants that our body needs in the most natural form. It offers a slight caffeine boost that can help to get you jump started in the morning, just as a cup coffee or regular tea does. So if you choose to replace your morning cup of tea/coffee with a cup of herbal green tea you still get a caffeine boost and some actual health benefits as well. The antioxidants present in the herbal green tea helps to flush out toxins from the body giving it a refreshing feel.

• Try Acupuncture:This is one of the best forms of cleansing or detoxification, but only few of us know much about it. Acupuncture is a part of holistic medicine that may help to naturally heal some of your biggest health problems, while also helping you to cleanse any blockages of toxins in the body.

• Fast Once a Week: Simply fasting once a week and replacing foods with natural juices made from fresh fruits and vegetables can really help. You don’t have to do this often, but you should make it a priority in your life.

• Try Yoga:Yoga is not only a great form of exercise, but can also help you to meditate as well. So you get rid of stress as you work through the movements. This is good for the body and the mind as you have a chance to recharge. As you move through these poses and breathe properly, you are relieving stress and helping the body to cleanse in a very natural and effective way. You are getting deep down into muscle tissue as you would with a massage, and you are also helping to breathe out toxins that have built up in your system over time.

• Include Super Foods: The great thing about super-foods is that they contain important nutrients and antioxidants which our bodies need to fight off infections. The presence of these antioxidants and nutrients in the body help to fight off harmful toxins and substances that may compromise our immune system and our overall health so the inclusion of them in our diets is critical. Try to incorporate super foods into every meal and enjoy how beneficial they are. They not only make for healthy and low fat food choices, but they also help you to boost your antioxidant intake. Some of the super foods are flax-seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, almonds, blueberries, blackberries and avocados.

Note: Do not go on a heavy detox if you are pregnant, lactating, elderly, have high blood pressure, are underweight or against your health practitioner’s recommendation.

The Power of Wheat Grass Juice

Wheat Grass is a form of grass which is grown by planting wheat kernels in the soil. The parts above the ground, rhizome and roots are used for medicinal purpose. Wheat grass is a concentrate source of nutrients. It is a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, iron, magnesium, calcium and many amino acids. It contains a pigment called chlorophyll which has a close resemblance with hemoglobin.

Wheat grass can be used in the form of juice, powder and fresh leaves. Juicing can be done at home easily by planting the wheat kernels in the mud pot. Wheat grass juice and wheat grass powder can easily be procured from the nearby super market.

Although there isn’t much scientific evidence about wheat grass its benefits and side effects it is still used to treat many health conditions. There are certain benefits and few side effects of wheat grass juice, these are listed below:

Benefits of Wheat Grass Juice

• Stimulates the Thyroid Gland and Aids Weight Loss: Wheat grass has a property to stimulate the thyroid gland so it is beneficial for the people having hypothyroid. The compound found in wheat grass stops the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) from binding to its thyroid receptor sites, slows or even quells the uptake of iodine by the active transport sites on thyroid cell surfaces. Consuming wheat grass juice daily can even reduce the doses of your thyroid medicine and also aid weight loss in hypothyroid patients.

• Powerful Detox: Drinking a cup of wheat grass juice before meals can detox your body in an amazing way, try it with a fruit detox diet before a wedding party or a holiday and see yourself drop down by a size and rejuvenate your skin making it look flawless, fresh and radiant. 

• Improves Hemoglobin and Red Blood Cells: Some health experts have discovered that the chlorophyll of wheat grass is identical to the hemoglobin of the human blood. Because of these close similarities, the human body is able to synthesize hemoglobin from the chlorophyll of wheat grass with an ease. Which is addition serves to increase the number of Red Blood Cells so as to deliver other nutrients and oxygen to the body cells more efficiently.

• Improves Digestion: Because of its alkaline nature wheat grass is helpful in improving digestion related issues like, hyper-acidity, flatulence, relieves the symptoms of peptic ulcers, treats ulcerative colitis, relieves from constipation and diarrhea, and also improves other gastrointestinal disorders.

• Lowers Blood Pressure: It is known that people who include lot of fresh green leafy vegetables in their diet tend to have normal blood pressure. Wheat Grass is a vegetable which is low in sodium content. Wheat grass can provide 4% of an adult’s daily requirement of fiber, this can help to control the blood pressure.

• Slows down Aging: Wheat Grass is loaded with antioxidants and contains all Vitamins and Minerals which are good for skin and hair health. These antioxidants neutralizes free radicals in the body there by slows down the aging process and reveal a more youthful vitality and vigour.

• Immunity Booster: As wheat grass has the ability to increase the red blood cells that is why it is very effective in boosting immunity.

• Treats Skin Diseases: Skin disorders like Eczema and Psoriasis can be treated with Wheat grass. Freeze wheat grass juice in ice cube tray, and rub the cubes across blemishes on your skin as well as on any scars or damaged areas. Alternatively, you could mix a cup of wheat grass juice or wheat grass powder into a warm bath and soak your body in the bath for at least 30 minutes. Your body will be cleansed and will be odor-free.

• Stabilizes Lipid Levels: Wheat Grass juice can help improve the lipid levels, which means it is a good tool to manage dyslipidemia.

• Fights Depression: The vitamin B present in wheat grass is effective to overcome anxiety and achieve a better state of mental health. Wheat grass juice also helps to keep the iron levels stable, which is particularly important for women as Iron deficiency is linked to apathy and depression.

• Reduces Fatigue: Low immunity leads the body to become fatigued frequently. Chlorophyll present in wheat grass juice helps to increase the supply of oxygen to the body cells and tissues and regenerates the tired cells, which heals the body and reduces the symptoms of fatigue.

There are many other health benefits of wheat grass juice which include removing of drug deposits, heavy metals, and cancer-causing agents from the body; and for removing toxins from the liver and blood. It is also useful in premature graying of hair and improving skin health. Wheat grass is also used to treat various disorders of the urinary tract, including infection of the bladder, urethra, and prostate, kidney stones etc.

Other uses include treatment of respiratory tract complaints, including the common cold, cough, bronchitis, fever, and sore throat; gout; liver disorders and joint pain.

Side Effects of Wheat Grass Juice

Although Wheat Grass is a store house of health benefits it does possess few side effects also. 

Some of the most common side effects of wheat grass juice are listed below:

• Headaches and Nausea: In some cases continuous consumption of wheat grass often leads to nausea. Sometimes nausea is also accompanied by headache and dizziness, this is basically in response to the rapid detoxification using wheat grass juice. 

• Constipation and Diarrhea: Too much( Excess of Wheat Grass )consumption of wheat grass juice in a short span of time leads to indigestion as body is not able to digest it properly, diarrhea or constipation can be the one of the symptoms depending on how one’s body react to wheat grass. Everybody’s body responds differently so the best way to introduce wheat grass is in small quantities and gradually increasing the doses so that the body can adapt to the change slowly.

• Fever: Mild fever can occur during the first few days of consumption of wheat grass juice due to a sudden chemical shift in the bloodstream as the purification process commences.

• Allergic Reaction: The most serious consequence of consuming wheat grass can be an allergic reaction. Signs of allergic reaction include facial swelling, skin rashes, tightening of throat or difficulty breathing. Stop the use of wheat immediately if you experience these reactions.

• Gluten Intolerance: Although wheat grass is a leafy shrub and it is free of gluten but it can be contaminated with gluten while harvesting or processing of wheat grass juice.

How to Use Wheat Grass and Doses

Wheat Grass juice can be mixed with lukewarm water and taken early morning on empty stomach. Wheat grass juice can also be mixed with other fruits and vegetable juices and consumed, it can be added to smoothies, milk shakes and energy drinks. Most appropriate time to consume wheat grass juice is early morning, on empty stomach, after freshening up.

Doses: 50-60 ml (10-12 tea spoons) of wheat grass juice is safe to be taken on a regular basis, in case you get any of the above mentioned side effects discontinue the use.

Top 10 Easy Summer Beverages To Beat The Heat

Soak up the Sun this summer with these Fruit-filled, kids-friendly punches and shakes that are perfect treats on hot days. Celebrate the summer season with these essential summer coolers. Need some non-boozy options? Try these favourite ones..!!

Drink Up..!!!

1. Quick Tang-Milkshake

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Mix 10 tsp of Tang( Mango flavour )with 500ml of Milk, add ice cubes and shake in the mixer until smooth. Serve with a scoop of ice cream.

2. Ice with Honeydew

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Purée 1 cup each frozen honeydew melon and diced frozen cucumber with the juice of 1 lime and some sugar. Serve chill with a leaflet of Mint.

3. Lychee Sparkler

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Purée 1 cup fresh frozen lychee with 1/2 cup each plain water and rose water and sugar. Serve Chill.

4. Kiwi Punch

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Purée 7 peeled and diced kiwis with 1/2 cup sugar, the juice of 2 limes and 1 cup water; strain and serve over ice.

5. Chocolate-Cherry Shake

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Purée 1 cup vanilla ice cream, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup frozen cherries and 8 chocolate wafers. Serve Chill with crushed Almonds.

6. Raspberry-Pink Lemonade

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Boil 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water and 1 cup raspberries; let cool. Strain into a pitcher, stir well in 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1 cup cold water and ice. Serve Chilled.

7. Virgin Daiquiri

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Purée 2 cups crushed ice, 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1 Cup orange juice, 1/2 cup lime juice and 1 tablespoon superfine sugar. Pour into 2 glasses and serve chill.

8. Mexican Strawberry Water

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Purée 4 cups frozen Strawberries with sugar, water and lime juice of 1 lime, strain and serve chilled.

9. Brazilian Lemonade

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Mix juice of 2 limes, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 cups water and 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk. Blend well in a blender. Serve Chill.

10. Berry Delicious

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Blend together frozen mixed berries, 1 banana, 1 cup strawberry flavoured yogurt, 1 cup milk, sugar and ice. Pour in glasses and Serve Chill.