A healthy lifestyle doesn’t need to void of alcohol. Reach for sulfur-free red wine to skip the sulfites, a common allergen that causes hypersensitivity reactions. Sake, or Japanese rice wine, also packs a punch in a small serving. Make a light cocktail with seltzer, liquor, and muddled fruit. Honey mead is made with fermented honey, while kombucha is made with fermented tea. Despite these healthy options, be sure to drink in moderation.
Hair oil can be easily prepared at home using readily available herbs. These highly nutritious herbal liquids nourish your hair far more than a range of cosmetic products stacked up at the nearest retail outlets. Hibiscus, amla, basil, and bhringraj are a few herbs commonly used for the preparation of hair oils. Liquids infused with these herbs are instrumental in fighting several hair problems.
Telogen effluvium is the second most common type of hair loss. It affects the hair follicle’s lifespan, and is caused by hormonal imbalances like intense stress, thyroid disorders, or severe weight loss. To treat telogen effluvium, work on achieving balance through exercise. Yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy have also been proven to reduce the body’s stress levels. If you smoke, know that the nicotine disrupts hormonal balance. Work on quitting to protect your body and hair.
When you’re feeling down, certain habits and activities will turn things around. Try sipping on water, as mild dehydration may cause irritability and fatigue. Soak up the sun to promote serotonin production. Snack on dark chocolate, a sweet treat that reduces cortisol, the stress hormone. Eating fatty fish will also offer brain-friendly omega-3 fats. To recharge the mind, practice aromatherapy, meditation, and yoga. The benefits are even greater when combined.
As you get older, bones weaken and become more prone to injury. To avoid speeding up bone loss, avoid high-salt foods, soda, and lots of coffee. These foods increase calcium urinary excretion and makes it easy for bones to deteriorate. Lack of sleep and drinking too much alcohol will also throw off the balance of bone-forming cells. Smoking cigarettes makes it hard for bones to repair, but exercise is the best way to maintain bone density.
With the right foods, it’s possible to protect your immune system everyday. Start by eating turmeric and garlic to enhance immune cell function. Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb, protects the body from the harmful effects of stress. For powerful antioxidant properties, consume green tea and ginseng. Medicinal mushrooms like cordyceps and reishi will fight inflammation, oxidative stress, and infection, all while reducing the risk for obesity. At a healthy weight, the immune system will be able to flourish.
Rumor has it that eating carbs at night is terrible for the body. The idea is that extra carbs are stored as fat, since metabolism slows down during sleep. In reality, it also increases as the night goes on, so overall metabolism is similar to the daytime. Plus, not all carbs are equal, and complex ones will actually help weight loss. Heavy, greasy foods shouldn’t be eaten before bedtime, along with salty snacks.
There’s a healthy way to gain muscle, just like losing weight. Genetics play a part with factors like satellite cells, which are linked to muscle growth, and distribution of muscle fiber type. You’ll also be able to work out harder if you have a high VO2 max, the maximum capacity of oxygen consumption during physical activity. Aerobic exercise is the best way to boost it! Ultimately, gaining 1 to 2 pounds of muscle a week is safest.
