Typically, you can immediately tell that acute inflammation has occurred when an injury you had has started to turn hot, red and inflamed. For instance, when you scrape your knees due to an accident, you can see the inflammation occurring right away before your eyes. The symptoms of this situation are hard to miss. So, when your body is trying to heal itself from injuries that just had happened, you can always conclude that acute inflammation is taking place.
Chronic inflammation on the other hand tells a different story. When your immune system has been permanently “turned on” due to factors like unhealthy diet, allergens, toxins and poor lifestyle choices, chronic inflammation begins. As a result, the immune system constantly sends “cell-fighting” chemicals to inflamed areas that can damage the surrounding healthy tissues and cellular material. You can consider it like a forest fire that never burns out.
Recent research suggests that the main culprit of modern diseases like obesity, heart disease and diabetes is chronic inflammation. In addition to that, chronic inflammation can make you feel washed out and very tired. Since your body is attacking itself, you can expect that you’ll get sicker and sicker by the day if some form of intervention is not done sooner than later.
You can get yourself checked by seeing a doctor and getting some medical lab tests done. What they usually do to you is test the c-reactive protein levels of your blood. A high C-reactive protein indicates chronic inflammation is indeed wreaking havoc in your body.
Aside from getting some blood work done, there are numerous markers that identify whether you have chronic inflammation or not. It can reveal itself in a variety of ways, but here are the top 6 clues your body might be communicating to you.
Excess Fat Around Your Waist
Chronic inflammation is associated with excessive fat deposits in the waist area. The size of the belly fat is somewhat proportional to how much inflammation your body is currently undergoing. For men, the classic “beer belly” is a determinant that inflammation has been taking over their health.
High Blood Sugar
Individuals who have high blood sugar levels due to poor diet choices are susceptible to inflammation. High blood glucose increases the inflammatory cytokines running in your blood vessels. When this happens, it also increases the “advanced glycation endproducts” or AGEs which are pro-inflammatory molecules in your blood stream.
Digestion Problems
A person experiencing indigestion, gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation is usually someone who’s suffering from a leaky gut. Having Leaky Gut Syndrome allows toxins – often from the food you eat to escape the gut and enter the bloodstream. When this happens, a widespread case of inflammation in the body occurs.
Feeling Tiresome
Constant fatigue may not just be a result of stress. The cells in your body can’t exactly keep up with the demand of energy they need to feel alert and invigorated due to the over activity of pro-inflammatory cells in your body. This means the energy your body produces is simply being routed to support your body’s inflammatory response, and little is left for proper cellular metabolism.
Skin Issues
Skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, and blotches are all signs of an inflamed body. According to medical practitioners, skin problems (especially psoriasis) are manifestations of internal inflammatory conditions. Individuals suffering from obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are usually the ones who are experiencing skin problems.
Suffering From “Brain Fog”
Inflammation can affect the chemistry inside your brain. Because pro-inflammatory cells can penetrate the blood brain barrier, it can cause oxidative damage and can potentially put you at risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the symptoms include anxiety, depression and impaired working memory.
How Do You Turn Chronic Inflammation Around?
Because the health signs are pointing to chronic inflammation, changing your lifestyle can be a solution to becoming healthier again.
You can begin by cutting out foods that can cause weight gain. These foods include saturated fats, excess salt, sugar, and carbohydrates. Eat more lean proteins like fish, turkey and chicken. Low-carb vegetables should also be eaten at least 4x a day.
Eating foods that are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties will also be a huge help in turning off your internal fire. Foods like blueberries, and raspberries are known for their antioxidant content. Also, you can include turmeric in your daily diet. Turmeric curcumin can significantly reduce inflammation, redness and pain in the body.
Eliminate toxins like insect repellants, chemical fertilizers or even plastic products. They emit toxins in the air that can agitate your body’s inflammatory response within seconds.
Turning over a new leaf and living a healthy lifestyle is the best and the simplest prescription in solving chronic inflammation. Be smart with your life choices and you’ll be in your way to proper healing.
Bio:
Katrina Rice is a mom and a freelance writer. She strongly believes in the concept of holistic wellness through healthy and natural living, travelling and immersing one's self in new activities. A self-proclaimed health enthusiast, she hopes to inspire more people to take more action to their lifestyle to fight inflammation-related diseases.
The seasons are changing and with that we now need outerwear. Especially here in Toronto, Canada. Our seasons are so unpredictable we find ourselves needing a variety of coats. We also want to keep in style and up to date in fashion and also have versatile and functional winter coats that is a truly made-in-Canada Company.
A lot of time I find myself leaving the house in the morning, heading to the gym and then having to go to a meeting. I need outerwear that can fit all of my daily events and I have found it in The Wild North. I have a coat for every possible weather scenario now and I feel beautiful in the styles and comfortable in each and every coat.
A few facts about the company that I love:
They Live in Harmony with the Environment - As a truly made-in-Canada company, they choose to source our material, such as wild fur, from Canadian northern communities because they strongly believe in protecting our habitat from industrial forest clear cutting. They also support local industry and advocate outdoor activities to encourage people living a fulfilling lifestyle that is in harmony with nature.
They want you to live A Free-Spirited Winter Season - They believe in bringing one piece winter outerwear and accessory with timeless design and superior quality on your Christmas trip, skiing in Whistler and visiting Vancouver city along the way. I love that they create versatile and functional winter wear fashion lines that inspire you to fully experience the winter season and not have to hide indoors, including some of the most breathtaking views the snowy weather brings.
Their winter fashion is unlike any other company out there. The focus on the European trend driven, these simple, yet sophisticated looks are made with finest material, quality fabric, and high-fill-power down insulation. Keeping you warm and comfortable for the weather. They create contemporary and luxurious pieces that bring fashion back in winter. You will be glad of the change of season when you have fun wearing with different outfits from going to concerts, fine dining, and a long walk along the Harbourfront.
Another reason I fell in love with this company is that their coats are also light resistant so that they won't fade, water resistant at grade 4, which means that water slightly sticks to the upper surface of the fabric.. On top of this they use their fabric can withstand significant contact with minimal colour transfer and there will be minimal colour change over time with perspiration. I have had many coats in the past fail to meet these standards and I was having to continually replace them because of these faults.
My three favorite coats that I want to share with you are:
I love the weight of this coat. I find it easy to wear when I am getting in and out of my truck. It isn't big and bulky nor is it heavy. Its so warm I would wear it on any cold wintery day without ever second guessing. The coat is down-filled with a convenient two-way zipper, inset knit cuffs and removable fur trim hood, the Lila Classic Winter Jacket provides protection from the elements, with a classic modern style. Designed with a flattering fit, this medium length women’s winter jacket has a wool and silk blend outer shell that is exquisite to the touch! My favorite feature of this coat is the hidden pocket on the inside that perfectly fits my Iphone Plus.
My favorite thing about this coat is that it is multipurpose and you can actually wear it three different ways! You can wear it together or each separately. It's the perfect fall coat because here in Toronto the weather can be one way in the morning and another way in the evening. Its also great if I am attending a dinner party after work and need to dress up. The removable external short jacket has a 100% wool shell with genuine leather sleeves. Inner medium length vest has a 100% wool shell lined with 3M ThinsulateTM insulation.
This coat is gorgeous and so warm! I love the detachable hood and its stylish for any event. It is also extremely light and comfortable. The blue accent on the fur is an eye catcher and adds just the right hint of colour to the coat. It is definitely a classic winter jacket with 100% wool shell and leather panels draped over the shoulders lends itself to classic elegance.
The jacket consists of elements that will keep you warm in extreme weather. Elements like Tibetan lamb wool hair, which covers the inside of the hood, down fill insulation, and an adjustable belt allow for heat retention.
Give True North a follow on their social media channels and stay warm this winter with one of their amazing coats!
The Real-Time Nutritional Biosensor, One X, Nears $50K Funding Goal on Indiegogo to Give Individuals Control Over Diet and Lifestyle
One X measures antioxidant levels directly from one’s palm and helps individuals make healthier choices by tracking habits that impact their body
Mountain View, CA - One X’s Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for their nutritional biosensor has raised over $44K, putting them just $6K shy of their $50K funding goal. One X is designed with the most advanced materials and sensors to provide the most accurate insight on how habits, such as nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress, alcohol, pollution and sun exposure, impact the body and its health.
One X is the first real-time nutritional biosensor that measures skin carotenoids from fruit and vegetable consumption and the effects of eating well. By measuring skin carotenoids, One X’s feedback reflects what the body effectively absorbs and actually stores. One X has an elegant, functional design with a soft touch and ergonomic shape, and it’s the first non-invasive, consumer antioxidant tracking system.
“We believe in creating an accessible way for everyone to uncover how their lifestyle affects their daily wellness, and we want to provide them with ways to improve their health,” said One X CEO Anthony Weil. “One X is perfect for families, couples and anyone looking to improve their day-to-day health. We used the perfect blend of science and technology to develop something that’s simple, portable and affordable for most.”
Users activate the device through the finger-touch sensor to automatically pair their measurement with the One X ID. By using fingerprint recognition, it allows the tracking of up to five different individuals on one device. Users will then hold One X in the palm of their hand for 20 seconds and will start to see the lateral LED start displaying the ongoing measurement. One X automatically syncs with the mobile app so that users can easily check their previous antioxidant levels and quickly track their progress. Individuals can also set challenges with their friends and measure their family at home.
One X is available on Indiegogo and will give individuals control over their diet and lifestyle in ways that other diets, apps and tracking devices fall short. Early adopters can pre-order one for $109, which is over 50% less than the market retail price. For more information on all of One X’s features, visit http://bit.ly/OneXIndie.
ABOUT ONE X
Based out of Mountain View, California, One X was created with the vision to empower everyone to take back control of their health. One X’s non-invasive design was created to be simple and affordable so that everyone can measure how their lifestyle impacts their body. For more information, visit www.one-x.co.
Sacred Lifestyle Magazine
Sacred Lifestyle is a new online community which helps awaken one's spirit, helps enlighten and inspire us while we continue on our journey. They profile Gurus, Spiritual Guides, and Bon Vivants around the world to share their experiences from healing our bodies to enriching the food we consume to personal utopias and sanctuaries + fashion, products and travel. They featured a a bit of our interviews with Julian Lennon, Gotham Chopra, Pamela Anderson to Brigitte Bardot, to Denise Mari from Organic Avenue, etc.
They are also creating an extension to their Magazine, that will be a market called "The Sacred Lifestyle Market."
The Sacred Lifestyle Market
When: Sunday, August 30, 2015
Where: Ashbridge Estate (1444 Queen Street East)
Time: 12Pm to 6pm
The Market includes Vendors of various parts of Lifestyle - Food, Beauty Products, Fashion, Home etc. We will also have Yoga Studios including Union, Lotus Girl and 889 Yoga hosting Yoga classes throughout the afternoon.
Khloe Kardashian Has The Best Fitness Wardrobe Ever! - @khloekardashian - Train It Right
Dear Khloe,
I thought I had an awesome fitness wardrobe. However my tiny condo only allows me to set up so much. With that said I will admit I am brutally jealous of this closet space but I love it just as much!
Love Train It Right
Lets Talk Libido
It doesn’t matter if you are a man or a woman, young or old you can have problems with your sex drive. This can seriously affect your personal relationships and/or marriage with your spouse. It has lead to separation or divorce in many cases. In men a reduced sex drive is often linked to erectile dysfunction.
Some Ways to Boost your sex drive include:
Libido Enhancers
Technology and medicine have advanced so that you can pop a little blue pill and get the desires that you were seeking in many circumstances. This pill does not solve the problem it is only a quick fix. Basically like just patching a tire instead of changing it. However, this does not always work. When some people take these medicines they have minimal to know effects.
Some people prefer natural libido enhancers. There are products out there from a lot of different companies that have pills that advertise themselves as being “natural.” Oftentimes these products can be packed with random substances that aren’t scientifically proven. This is where the consumer should be careful.
There are some that are packed with herbs and other natural ingredients that can increase your sex drive with all natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven.
Dietary Changes
Also some studies have shown that by taking supplements that include tribulus terrestris, tongat ali, acai berry, chaste berry, ginseng and ginkgo biloba, muira pauma have been shown to be effective. Also Zinc has been proven important in testosterone production. It is found in a lot of meets.
Also taking protein supplements. If one increases their protein intake It helps give you better recovery, more power and stamina and can also aid in naturally boosting testosterone production. Again I recommend Rivals products because I know they have been scientifically tested and proven. http://www.rivalus.net/online-shop/products/promasil-milk-chocolate-2-33-lb
A low carbohydrate diet and low sugar diet. This is because carbs and sugar affect your body’s insulin level in the blood and that directly affects testosterone. The result of this is a decreased libido.
Make sure that you are eating Essential Fats such as Omega 3s. Again they help naturally boost the body’s testosterone level, and blood flow. Examples are fish oils, olive oils, nuts and flaxseed.
Lifestyle Changes
In today’s society more and more people are becoming sedentary and not physically active. This is why in today’s world more and more people are overweight or obese. Obesity has been linked to you guessed it, A low sex drive as well as, poor blood circulation which again effects your libido. This can also lead to erectile dysfunction. So get off the couch and stop being a couch potato and get active. Start out small and gradually increase your activity levels. It is important not to do to much too fast. Grab a friend to keep you motivated and as you shed the pounds watch your libido come back!
Smoking and alcohol can also result in a poor sex drive. Smoking can cause breathing problems, is linked to cancer and can affect your circulation which in turn can affect your sex drive. Also Alcohol can cause a reduced sex drive due to mood swings, depression and again blood flow. So stay away from these two addictive substances if you are having problems with a low sex drive.
Try and stay happy and stress free. Increases stress causes a substance in your body called cortisol to increase and again that will affect your natural testosterone levels. Try and stay calm and relax. Try meditation, pilates, yoga or tai chi to reduce your stress levels.
Overall my advice is don’t abuse your body, stay active, stress free and try and stay away from things that are toxic for your system. This will keep your sex drive active, healthy and hopefully active for many years to come.
Did you know that May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention month? Because this very important month is often overlooked. I am spreading awareness. This is a graphic that outlines some facts & risk factors about the disease. For example, one out of every two women and one in four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Staying active is one of the top ways to prevent this disease. Get active and get your family members active at any age! We can make a difference. For more information click HERE
Sooooooooo this might be a controversial and touchy subject. I love this girl to death. She is Canadian and a real sweetheart. She has marketed her self in the USA very well and has even created a really popular youtube channel. Her videos are edited quite well and she is always happy and energetic.
Despite all these positives I find a negative. She is very thin. The photo below is from a recent FitnessRx interview with Amanda. She has everything you would want in a trainer, but on the downside she is a signed and working fashion model. We all know that comes with weight and body issues. She does acknowledge that she is skinny and even addresses it in a youtube video:
With all her knowledge and marketing is she really giving people a good image of what a healthy and fit trainer who motivates people for lifestyle change should look like? Thoughts?
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