The Interplay Between Cortisol, Serotonin, and Diet: Why It Matters for Health and Weight Management Let's start with a few key concepts that are well-documented: Cortisol is known as the "stress hormone." In small amounts, it's beneficial—it helps wake you up in the morning or gives you the energy to run from danger (like fleeing from a lion). However, chronically elevated cortisol is harmful. Long-term stress can suppress the immune system and contribute to fat accumulation, especially around the abdomen (think “beer belly” obesity). Serotonin regulates several key bodily functions, which we can call the six F's: Fight, Flight, Food, Falling Asleep, Feeling Good, and... Sex. Like cortisol, serotonin must be in balance: too much or too little can cause...
Vitamin D is an extremely important vitamin that has powerful effects on several systems throughout your body.Unlike other vitamins, vitamin D functions like a hormone, and every single cell in your body has a receptor for it.Your body makes it from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to sunlight.It’s also found in certain foods such as fatty fish and fortified dairy products, though it’s very difficult to get enough from diet alone.The recommended daily intake (RDI) is usually around 400–800 IU, but many experts say you should get even more than that.Vitamin D deficiency is very common. It’s estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide have low levels of the vitamin in their blood.According to a 2011 study, 41.6% of...
20 Signs of Gluten IntoleranceBy Simi Gluten is a widespread name for the proteins that can be usually found in wheat products. Barley, rye, oats and other kinds of grains contain gluten too. People who eat gluten-loaded foods can feel a plethora of symptoms. These can be described as allergic reactions. They will feel the intolerance within the digestive tract and that can yield many intestinal inflammations. Small intestines can suffer as well. Problems like an unpleasant feeling in the stomach can easily become long-term damage. Since, for now, you can’t be tested for gluten intolerance, there is not much that you can do. One thing that helps is doing the test to rule out celiac disease.During normal digestion, enzymes...
Stress Management: Doing Progressive Muscle Relaxation IntroductionHave you ever had an aching back or pain in your neck when you were anxious or stressed? When you have anxiety or stress in your life, one of the ways your body responds is with muscle tension. Progressive muscle relaxation is a method that helps relieve that tension.In progressive muscle relaxation, you tense a group of muscles as you breathe in, and you relax them as you breathe out. You work on your muscle groups in a certain order.When your body is physically relaxed, you cannot feel anxious. Practicing progressive muscle relaxation for a few weeks will help you get better at this skill, and in time you will be able to...
Emotional Eating and How to Stop ItDo you eat to feel better or relieve stress? These tips can help you stop emotional eating, fight cravings, identify your triggers, and find more satisfying ways to feed your feelings. Young woman illuminated by open refrigerator in front of her, platter of donut-shop pastries in hand, gorging What is emotional eating?We don’t always eat just to satisfy physical hunger. Many of us also turn to food for comfort, stress relief, or to reward ourselves. And when we do, we tend to reach for junk food, sweets, and other comforting but unhealthy foods. You might reach for a pint of ice cream when you’re feeling down, order a pizza if you’re bored or lonely,...
