Ronit Mor, NDIt’s no secret that ancestry searches through personal DNA tests have been a hot topic over the past several years. If you’ve done any research on this current trend, there’s no doubt you’ve run across the controversial subject of the MTHFR gene. While there are hoards of conflicting information about the MTHFR gene, it’s important to dissect the fact from fiction.
What is the MTHFR gene? MTHFR, abbreviated for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, is a gene we all carry. In fact, we have two copies of it—inherited from our parents. The MTHFR gene provides instructions for making the MTHFR enzyme. This rate-limiting enzyme is a key factor in the processing of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Ronit Mor, NDThinking about eliminating gluten from your diet? You’re not alone. According to a survey conducted in 2013, one in every three Americans claimed to cut down or avoid gluten in their diet. But if you’re still on the fence about adjusting your eating habits, here are some facts about why and how nixing gluten can improve your health.
What is gluten? Gluten is a complex two-part protein—consisting of gliadin and glutenin. It is the gliadin component that causes the negative reaction within the body. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, etc. The word gluten has a Latin origin and means glue. Fittingly so, because gluten helps food maintain its shape, acting as a glue that holds food together. Ronit Mor, NDDid you know Americans are finding it harder and harder to grab a good night’s rest? According to a consumer report, a staggering 68 percent—about 164 million Americans—struggle with sleep at least once a week. Not only that, but 45 percent of Americans say that poor or insufficient sleep affected their daily activities at least once in the past seven days, according to the National Sleep Foundation
What is causing my lack of sleep? Losing valuable shut-eye can be blamed on several varying factors. Anxiety, stress, and depression are some of the most common causes of sleeping problems along with anger, worry, grief, and trauma. Russell Skinner, MDChronic fatigue syndrome has baffled those in the medical profession for decades, but now research is surfacing linking this mysterious condition to inflammation.
What is chronic fatigue? Fatigue is usually defined as a state of exhaustion and decreased strength accompanied by a feeling of weariness, sleepiness, and irritability, with a cognitive component. With chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), the extreme exhaustion is prolonged, comprising of a myriad of symptoms ranging from moderate to severe. When someone suffers from CFS, physical or mental activity can make it worse, but rest doesn’t make it better. Ronit Mor, NDSummer has begun, and with it comes extended daylight. For many people, these long days are brimming with vacations, parties, and other enjoyable events. While these activities are most certainly fun, there could also be an element of stress involved. How our bodies handle stress, whether big or small, is important to our well-being, and excessive stress can be problematic for our overall health. To get a better glimpse at how the body manages the triggers of stress, you must go to the source of it all—the HPA axis.
What is the HPA axis? The HPA axis is the interaction that exists between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. This axis is the interconnecting of the central nervous system with the endocrine system and is responsible for regulating functions such as stress response in the body. Ronit Mor, NDIn many ways, the brain acts like a computer. It serves as a memory bank, an information database, and the central control station for the rest of the body. Just like the files downloaded on a computer can affect its performance, the foods partaken can alter the function of the mind.
Food affects your mood! It’s important to be aware that your daily diet has a direct correlation to your brain and how it operates. Some foods are harmful and can even trigger mood disorders such as depression. What is depression? Depression is a common and serious neurological disorder that negatively affects how one feels and behaves. Some symptoms associated with depression include increased sadness, anxiety, loss of appetite, dejected mood, and a loss of interest in pleasurable activities. Ronit Mor, NDDiabetes, or hyperglycemia, is a condition in the body that causes the levels of glucose (a type of sugar made from the carbohydrates in the diet) to rise higher than normal.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, sometimes called adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a metabolic disorder that affects the way the body handles glucose. If someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it means their body doesn’t use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. The root causes which could trigger type 2 diabetes are lifestyle related, usually developing because of several factors, including: |
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