Still “Weighting” to See Results?

Very often we may be doing all of the right things and still wondering why we are gaining weight from one week to the next. However, something we may see as our best friend may also be the culprit: water.

There are a variety of factors that may cause water retention such as:

* Dehydration: although it may seem counterintuitive when one does not give their body enough water, fluid retention may occur. The body knows that it is not receiving sufficient water and will work hard to keep the little water that it is getting as a protective mechanism – as it does not know when it will receive water again. By drinking sufficient water, the body realizes that water is not scarce and will allow the water it has stored to be released once again.

* Salty Foods: while it is true that sodium is needed to balance the water in your cells (intracellular water), as well as facilitate proper nerve and muscle function, and allow for proper nerve and muscle function, an excess of salt, or sodium, may result in increased water weight. The recommended minimum daily intake of sodium is 180 mg, while the maximum daily amount deemed safe for consumption is 2400 mg. For every 400 mg of sodium consumed, the body can store up to 32 ounces of water, which can essentially be 2 lbs! One teaspoon of salt contains 2,325 mg of sodium; if the body has already reached its daily need, this can result in an additional water weight gain of 6 lbs. This can be avoided by minimizing sodium consumption and being more cautious about reading labels. Also, increasing water consumption can help to balance out sodium levels and flush out some of the water weight.

* Vigorous Exercise: when we work out intensely, our muscles retain water which helps to repair and nourish the muscle cells that were worked. You may have experienced this if you ever did a high intensity or heavy workout, such as higher weight squats or leg press, and felt like your legs were bigger the next day. Ensuring you are well hydrated and consuming sufficient amounts of potassium will help to balance the water and electrolytes in and around your cell. Great sources of potassium are spinach, bananas, yogurt, coconut water, and sweet potatoes.

* Stress: If an individual is constantly stressed, their cortisol will be elevated. The body begins to hold onto water weight as it is preparing its organs and muscles to enter “Flight or Fight” mode. Managing stress more efficiently and incorporating adrenal support could help reduce this water retention. During the days leading up to your period, the hormones are changing: high levels of Estrogen can lead up to 10 pounds of water retention! Avoiding sodium, sugar, and caffeine can be beneficial as these can lead to additional water weight or dehydration. A Magnesium supplement will help reduce stored water weight as it works by absorbing water and eliminate additional intestinal waste out.

* Carbohydrate Consumption: When you are sticking to a diet and following a protocol, but decide to have a cheat meal it will definitely be reflected in your scale weight. The body needs 3-4 grams of water to process every 1 gram of carbohydrates you consume. To put that into perspective, if you decided to cheat at dinner with 1 cup of pasta, 1 breadstick, 2 glasses of wine, and a slice of Black Tie Mousse Cake, your body would easily store at least 1.5 pounds of water weight. However, most restaurants serve anywhere from 3-4 cups of pasta in an entrée so if you eat that, in addition to more cheat items, the stored water weight could easily amount to 3 pounds or more.

The Benefits of Adding Vitamin E to Your Diet

Better Blood Flow, Better Skin, Better Eyesight are just a few of the benefits that accompany sufficient supplementation of Vitamin E in your diet.

Just as Vitamin E increases blood flow to the skin, it also increases blood flow to the scalp, leading to healthier hair growth.

This nutrient is a great antioxidant that essentially prevents and removes what would be the equivalent of rust in your body. Due to its antioxidant capabilities, it’s able to prevent cellular damage and prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Oxidized LDL is a highly reactive molecule which can cause tissue damage, because it’s searching for some way to stabilize itself.

Vitamin E increases nitric oxide levels, which aide in the flexibility of the arterial walls, thus decreasing the risk of atherosclerosis and improving blood flow.

This nutrient is extremely important for optimal functioning of all three types of muscle cells in our body and contribute to red blood cell formation.

The body’s ability to efficiently use Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Iron, and Selenium are dependent on Vitamin E. This nutrient ensures cells are given nutrients they need so they can perform their necessary duties.

Lastly, Vitamin E will not only contribute to a healthy body, but also a healthy mind. Several studies have shown it’s able to protect the brain from highly destructive molecules that have been associated with Alzheimer’s.

Another study showed Vitamin E had the ability to prevent the loss of dopamine, one of the neurotransmitters shown to be reduced in individuals with Parkinson’s.

Thus, including Vitamin E through foods such as almonds, spinach, pumpkin, and avocado, or by supplementing with a good multivitamin, one obtain and maintain vitality, contributing to their overall mind and body rejuvenation.

Feeling a bit irritable lately?

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a functional diagnosis with symptoms that include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and altered bowel habits, including diarrhea and constipation.

Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the causes of IBS, or the signs and symptoms.

While there are many factors that play a role in IBS, one area of promising research is the relationship between hormones and bowel function. While it has not been proven that stress is the primary “cause” of IBS, it is known to exacerbate symptoms.

Research has shown that people with IBS have altered cortisol secretion. Approximately two thirds of patients with IBS are women, prompting some investigation into the role of sex hormones in the pathophysiology of the condition, and research has supported this theory.

In men with IBS, symptoms as well as sensitivity to bowel distention are inversely related to testosterone levels. Cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone affect serotonin levels, which may also be why many women experience a change in their bowel habits during their menstrual cycle.

Hormone analysis and treatment isn’t just for individuals with “hormonal symptoms”; IBS sufferers can benefit greatly from balancing hormones, as it can help normalize sensitivity to bowel distention, regulate motility, and reduce symptoms.

For a complete hormone analysis, call AgeRejuvenation for a free consultation at any of our four Tampa Bay locations to find out if Hormone Replacement Therapy is right for you.

How a Food Sensitivity Test can Help You Cope With Food Reactions

All foods are derived from a plant or animal source. They are grouped into families according to their origin.

Many people find that they are sensitive to, or have a reaction to, certain food sources. Someone who is allergic or sensitive to milk will most likely experience a reaction to other sources that are derived from that food family, which can include whey, casein or milk solids.

Hidden sources of dairy can be in sauces, gravies, puddings, breads, muffins, and fried, battered foods.

If you suspect a food sensitivity to dairy, or are sensitive to dairy products, a food sensitivity test can help reveal EXACTLY which sources of dairy are not working well in your body and which should be avoided.

Food sensitivities can manifest in many ways, from gastrointestinal distress to migraines, increased inflammation to even a sore or dull feeling. The AgeRejuvenation comprehensive food sensitivity test looks for sensitivities in every food group and also determines the level of reaction to other common allergens.

Results may vary by individual, so consult your doctor today and see if this is right for you.

Vitamin A and Weight Loss

Vitamin A is integral in immune function, reproduction, and vision; normal function of many organs depend on this nutrient so it is very important to achieve efficient levels for optimal wellness.

Vitamin A has a derivative known as retinoic acid that has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and boost metabolism. Increased insulin sensitivity helps the body to use glucose more efficiently thus preventing fat buildup and energy level drops. Those who implement sufficient Vitamin A intake have been shown to lower their glucose levels, insulin resistance, and body weight. These benefits have been shown to be significant and may yield usage in anti-obesity and anti-diabetic medicine.

To achieve these weight loss and health benefits women should be getting about 700 mg and men should be taking about 900 mg to reap maximum benefit from this vital nutrient.

Vitamin A can be found in animal products such as liver, fish oil, dairy and eggs and it’s pro-vitamin form beta-carotene, meaning the body converts it to vitamin A, can be found in orange foods such as squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

PCOS Affecting Women

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, occurs when the ovaries overproduce male hormones. At least 15% of women are affected by this condition, and it is thought to be hereditary.

Excess facial or body hair
Acne
Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
Irregular periods or none at all
Depression
Decreased insulin sensitivity
Infertility

Lifestyle modification and hormone rebalancing are helpful in reducing the symptoms and severity of health detriments caused by this syndrome.

PCOS has shown significant improvement, if not resolution, through lifestyle changes. Weight loss, even as little as 10 lbs, has been shown to allow the hormones to rebalance and begin regular periods again.

A healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise, and even cessation of smoking have also proven beneficial for improvement of PCOS symptoms.

However, hormone replacement therapy is most effective, as it resolves the imbalance at the source.

Bio identical hormone replacement is most efficacious as it avoids synthetic medications and many practitioners specializing in BHRT are able to use supplements, as well as medication, to alleviate all symptoms of this syndrome in the most efficient and healthy way possible.