How Sex is Good for Our Health 

When we talk about making love we think of romance, love, relationships and something warm and exciting that makes us feel feminine. What we don’t realize is that there are actually benefits for our health when we make love.

 So how does sex benefit us in terms of our health?

 1. After an orgasm we are relaxed and experience a calm sense of wellness. Many times people will go to sleep after having sex and if you have sex at night and sleep then you probably will sleep better and wake up feeling more refreshed.

 2. When we become aroused our heart rate starts pumping at a faster rate and blood flow to our brains increase. Your organs get a better flow of blood and oxygen and your brain ultimately works better.

 3. When you make love regularly you have a stronger desire to keep your body in shape. You want to look good for your sexual partner so it’s a good motivation to exercise and keep fit. And, as an added bonus, sexual intercourse burns between 90-150 cal/hour.

 4. When you reach orgasm the hormone DHEA, which is Dehydroepiandrosterone, increases secondary to the sexual excitement. DHEA can boost your immune system, improve your thinking, improve your skin and work as an antidepressant. All of these factors can contribute to lengthening your life.

 5. For women, having sex can increase their estrogen levels which can prevent heart disease.

 6. The hormone Oxytocin is secreted into your body when you have sex and it can act as a pain reliever. An added benefit is that it can act as a “bonding hormone” making women feel as if they are more bonded to their partner.

 And, obviously we feel as sense of connectedness and being desired and loved.

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Foods that are GOOD for your HEART:

 Anti-oxidants are good for your heart because they decrease inflammation that may be affecting your heart arteries by eliminating the damaging oxygen free radicals.

 Such foods that are high in anti-oxidants are:

 Fruits and vegetables…

 Red grapes

Cranberries

Tomatoes

Onions

Tomato juice

Any berries

 These are just some …

 and

 Garlic – a clove/day or a pill 400 mg/day, can be beneficial for high blood pressure.

 Extra virgin olive-oil – has phytonutrients and monounsaturated fats which increase your “good” HDL cholesterol.

 Omega 3 Fatty Acids –

Decrease the triglycerides in your blood which can cause plaque in your heart arteries.

Can decrease your blood pressure.

Help your platelets in your blood become less “sticky” which can decrease clotting in your arteries.

 It is good to have 2-3 portions a week such as;

Wild salmon

Mahi-mahi

Catfish

Flounder

Tilapia

 4oz Red Wine –

 Can increase your “good” HDL cholesterol

Relaxes you

Contains anti-oxidants

How Spirituality Affects Your Health 

Recent studies have shown that spirituality could be as important as fitness or nutrition for your health. Stretching this point even further some scientists believe that not having any spiritual beliefs could be a potential risk factor for a person. Researchers have found that in general, people who are spiritual have a more positive outlook on life and look at disease or illness in a different way than a non spiritual person. 

But, what do we mean by the term spirituality? We understand that spirituality is not religion and that it is different for each person.  Possibly some of the points listed below could define spirituality;

 1. A metaphysical reality greater than oneself. 

2. A higher power, whether it is religion, nature, a higher consciousness, or the essence of something else.

3. A connection to yourself and others as well as the world and environment.

 4. A sense of meaning and purpose in your life.

 5. An awareness of ourselves and who we are.

 We know for a fact that spirituality gives us a more positive outlook and a belief in a brighter feature. When people suffer ill health spiritualism helps patients because their beliefs comfort them, help them to be more optimistic and they are more likely to achieve health goals, as well as believe that they will get better. Because of this it has been shown that patients recover from surgeries faster, their sense of hope and optimism is better, they have less depression, and they experience less anxiety and fear and overall have a general sense of well-being. 

 Another point about spirituality is that we now know that prayer, meditation, imagery and visualization all help us to heal.  When other people pray for us the positive energy can manifest positive results for us.

  Listed below are some ways that spirituality can be of benefit to us;

 1. When we pray, meditate or have positive thoughts there is a change that happens in our bodies.

 2. Our brains release chemicals that are natural painkillers and mood enhancers.

 3. Our blood pressure decreases.

 4. Stress and anxiety levels are decreased.

 5. We sleep better.

 When I was an operating room nurse I worked with an anesthesiologist who would say a prayer for the patient before the surgery. At first it seemed unusual as we had not seen any doctor do this before. But after a while the OR team realized that the prayer said for the patient couldn’t hurt, and that it made us stop for a moment and think about the patient and what they were undergoing, humanizing it for us. We also had more of a bonded feeling working towards the good and end result for the patient.

 To conclude, I have seen first hand what positive thinking can do for your health and for curing medical illnesses. Whether it is called spirituality or not, the point is that a belief in something greater than us and a trusting outlook does help in the healing process.

A little about 2 TOXIC Substances we ingest:

 Did you know this about Caffeine?

 1. It can cause sleep disorders

2. It can contribute to eating disorders

3. It can cause hostility if you drink too much.

4. It can trick the central nervous system by ordering the release of adrenaline which can cause body tension, headaches and muscle spasm.

5. It can be addictive.

6. After stopping it you could experience a greater sense of well-being and feel less nervous.

 And what about ALCOHOL?

 1. It converts into glucose (blood sugar) and causes some of the same problems as when you take in too much sugar.

2. It can cause a toxic liver.

3. It can interfere with brain receptors (called neurotransmitters) causing your body to require more alcohol.

4. Can cause memory loss.

5. Can decrease your functions for reasoning, planning and prioritizing.

6. When alcohol is stopped the body can regenerate itself.

Taking Care of Your Body

 Ways to Stay Young & Healthy

 1. Brain exercises- 

Studies have shown that by doing brain exercises even for a 2 week period can show on brain scans that memory has improved.

Exercises could include:

Crossword puzzles

Sodoka 

2. Green tea-

 Green tea has shown to reduce breast cancer, and is being tested as to helping to prevent bladder, rectal and lung cancer by blocking the signaling network that is linked with progression of cancer.

 3. Yoga-

 Increases energy

Better Posture

Greater Flexibility

Less Stress 

Through breathing you become more aware of the connection between your mind and body. Cells are oxygenated. Yoga poses usually make you work the inside of your body as well as outer so it may help the organs as well. Yoga also helps to build bone mass.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become brittle and more likely to break. Women are 4 times as likely as men to suffer from this condition.

 Risk factors include:

 1. Small thin frame.

2. Caucasian or Asian descent.

3. A history of you or a family member having broken a bone as an adult.

4. Postmenopausal.

5. Early or surgically induced menopause.

6. History of taking high doses of Thyroid, immunosuppressive or chemotherapy medications.

7. Diet low in calcium and or dairy products.

8. Physically inactive.

9. History of smoking or drinking alcohol in excess. 

As many as 10 million people (8 million women) will suffer from this disease this year. Women can lose up to 20% of bone mass in the 5-7 years following menopause. 

Be sure to get a Bone Density Test for diagnosis, and make sure you are getting enough Calcium, Vitamin D and doing weight bearing exercises.

Infertility can be a devastating condition for women who have been affected by it. I believe that it is a natural part of our make-up to want to birth children and nurture them. At least 10% of American couples face this challenge.

 Causes that can contribute to this condition are: hormone dysfunction, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids, endometriosis, anorexia, inflammation of the cervix, or an immune response that causes the woman’s body to produce anti-bodies to the man’s sperm.

 Many causes of infertility cannot be prevented. However, practicing lifestyle habits that promote a healthy environment for conception can be beneficial. These would be things such as: avoiding smoking, minimizing the use of alcohol and caffeine, stop using any recreational drug, follow a nutritious diet and exercise.

 Treatments can vary, including treatment of the initial causing problem, taking fertility drugs, transplantation of the embryo and psychological support.

 There are new findings suggesting acupuncture combined with traditional therapy may be helpful, as well as some herbal therapies.

When you suffer from constipation it can be like a nagging toothache. To relieve symptoms and return to normal elimination patterns it is important to first try natural remedies.

 Increase your fluid intake Increase your activity level

Eat prunes/pear juice/prune juice/figs

However if these remedies do not work, try massaging your abdomen with an essential oil such as chamomile. The next steps could be;

Flaxseed, 1 TBS. 2-3 times/day in 2 cups of liquid.

OR

Dandelion root 1 tsp. boiled in water 3-4 times/day.

OR

Laxative tea containing: 3 parts Psyllium seed

3 parts Licorice root

2 parts Rhubarb root

 2 parts crushed Senna pods

2 parts Angelica root

Drink mixture in the evening prior to bedtime.

Remember to always use caution when using herbal laxatives and do not overuse.

What are the Secrets to Longevity? – 8 Factors to Consider                 

What are the secrets to living a long and functional life? Does the secret lie in your genetic make-up, diet, your activity level, how much you sleep, how you handle stress, your mindset, whether you smoke or drink, or how sociable you are? Well, if you said yes to all of these you are most likely correct. In this article I will explore why some people reportedly live a longer, and good quality of life whereas others who are not so fortunate seem to suffer from illness or debilitating disease much earlier than they should, thereby breaking down the systems in their body, causing a shorter life span or a life of poor quality in their later years. So, let’s look at what the fountain of youth really is about.

 1. Let’s first talk about something that may surprise you. This fact has been reported by Dr. Sanjay Gupta and has been reported by other researchers as well. We will give this point to be the first and foremost in terms of importance. It seems as if people who have a purpose or passion in life, something that they wake up in the morning thinking about and go to bed at night with thoughts of, creates people who live a long life. The Japanese call this “ikigai” meaning that they have this sense of purpose. There is also a secondary benefit in this; your brain is working more if you have a purpose or a passion in life. Exercising the brain contributes to living better at an older age.

 2. Genetic factors contribute 25% towards your overall longevity.

 3. People who live to a ripe old age are active almost every day. Not necessarily an active exercise program, but walking, movement of some kind throughout their years. They don’t sit still for long.

 4. Sleep does affect how our bodies function. In some European countries people go to bed at a very late hour and get up at sunrise. But in the afternoon they catch a nap for a few hours. This appears to be very effective for a long life.

 5. People who eat more natural foods, foods that are not processed live longer. In America we are eating large portions of processed foods that have been chemically altered. We do yo-yo dieting and don’t get enough of the natural nutrients that we should. Fast food restaurants have become very popular causing us as a nation to become fatter and less healthy. Also the portion sizes for our servings are much larger than most other countries.

 6. Social contact is another factor that seems to keep people happier and healthier, hence a longer life span. There have been studies done in some Mediterranean countries, such as Greece and Italy and the older people get together all the time. They visit each day and it is the usual thing to eat together and visit. We know that when we feel appreciated and loved we thrive. Many of these older people live in smaller villages and are more supportive than we are with each other, especially in larger cities.

 7. Moderation is another key to living longer. If you eat and drink in moderation you can stay off the fad diets and you are not always trying to play catch up with your weight and your health. Red wine is healthy for you, in moderation. Alcohol does not have the same benefits as red wine. Smoking is definitely something we should not be doing if we want to live a long, healthy life. Smoking can cause many diseases.

 8. You have heard the saying, ‘stop and smell the roses”. This is one more factor to be aware of if you want to live, say to be 100! Studies have shown that people who are able to go with the flow, don’t let life events get the best of them fare far better than others. So if it’s hard for you to do this, try some meditation, yoga or visual imagery.

 So think about these factors and how they might affect your potential for a long life!

What is Coronary Artery Disease?                                     

Our hearts are a muscle about the size of your fist. The heart has 3 main coronary arteries and their branches which run down the center of the heart and supply the heart with the blood and oxygen that it requires to keep functioning properly.

The 3 main arteries are named: Left Anterior Descending this one runs directly down the center of your heart) Right Coronary Artery which goes down the right portion of your heart and the Circumflex Artery which goes down the left portion of your heart. They all have some smaller branches as well. They all come off the Left Main Artery.

 Due to the risk factors which cause heart disease, over a period of time these arteries can become blocked with plaque. The plaque can cause blockages in your artery and that is when you can suffer a heart attack, and or damage to your heart muscle.