Tip Tuesday! Leptin and Alkaline Foods

By: Dr. Axe

When it comes to dieting, listening to your body’s cues can lead to a successful journey. Knowing when you’re actually hungry and when you’re emotionally eating or just thirsty is essential in long-term weight loss and maintenance. Logically, you know you should stop eating when you are full. However, it can often be more complicated than that. Various hormones in your body trigger you to start and stop eating. What if the hormone that tells you to stop eating could be controlled by the foods you eat?

WHAT IS LEPTIN?

Leptin is a hormone that plays a role in various parts of the body, including the brain, lungs, kidneys, spleen, heart and liver. Primarily, leptin tells your body when you are full. It signals the brain to stop eating based on the expansion of your stomach. The more food in your stomach, the harder leptin signals you to put down the fork.

WHAT EFFECTS LEPTIN LEVELS?

Weight and food consumption are two controllable factors that affect the amount of leptin in your body. Since fat cells produce leptin, body mass index (BMI) has been linked to high levels of leptin in the blood. The more you weigh, the more leptin in your body. Thus, obesity (BMI >30) leads to increased leptin levels.

Also, diet has been shown to affect the levels of leptin in the body. Since leptin and the immune system work together, consuming anti-inflammatory alkaline foods make you more sensitive to leptin levels. This can potentially lead to weight loss and a healthier body.

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Tip Tuesday! Weight Loss: Are you ready to get serious?

By Arleen Fitzgerald, L.I.C.S.W., and Melanie Polk, M.M.Sc., R.D., F.A.D.A.


The best-kept weight-loss secret isn't a fad diet or a pill. It's a lifestyle — and a solid plan.

If you've made up your mind to drop those extra pounds — for good — don't jump in without a course of action. That's because in this case, "ready" and "set" are just as important as "go!"

Step 1: Let your doctor weigh in
A smart place to start is to talk with your doctor. He or she can help you set a healthy target weight — and suggest reliable ways to trim down.

Your doctor might also refer you to a registered dietitian or weight-loss program for extra guidance and support.*

Don't be surprised if your doctor cautions you not to peel off the pounds too quickly. Slow, steady weight loss — 1 to 2 pounds each week — is the best way to have lasting results.

Step 2: Set the stage for success
Here are some more wise preparations:

Get psyched. Think about why shedding pounds matters to you. Do you want to feel your best? Play with your kids without getting winded? Lower your blood pressure? Prevent future health problems?

Stock up. Fill your fridge and pantry with healthy foods. That way you'll have good choices on hand for meals and snacks.

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Tip Tuesday! A sure-fire way to reduce employee stress

By: Rich Henson

Who’s likely to be more stressed: The CFO preparing to explain less-than-stellar quarterly earnings to his Board of Directors?  Or the clerk in accounting, trying to get the proper signature on a weekly travel expense form?

Believe it or not, it’s probably the clerk, according to a study out of Stanford and Harvard.

Researchers found that higher-level leaders had less stress than non-leaders or lower-level leaders, turning on its head the common notion that C-level execs experience the most anxiety.

In other words, climbing the corporate ladder is a good way to manage your stress.

The study measured levels of the stress-related hormone cortisol while asking participants a series of questions.

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Tip Tuesday! 8 Natural Ways to Manage Parkinson’s Disease

By Dr. Axe

Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system resulting from the death of dopamine-containing cells. It’s believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Characteristics include tremors, muscle stiffness, poor balance and difficulty walking. Simple tasks like getting dressed in the morning can become a chore. While there is no cure, there are medications available to boost dopamine in the brain and help manage symptoms. Over time though, symptoms will stop responding to traditional drugs. It’s important to take extra measures to slow down the progression. Below are eight of the top ways to manage parkinson’s disease naturally.

Eat Healthy

It’s important to eat a whole food diet that includes fresh fruit, vegetables and organic meats and remove processed foods and grains completely (for more, check out my Healing Foods Diet). Constipation is common among Parkinson’s patients, so be sure to eat plenty of fiber and stay adequately hydrated. Increasing omega-3 intake can help elevate dopamine levels and reduce inflammation.

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Tip Tuesday! Posture: 3 great ways to straighten up

By Michael R. Rosnick, M.D., M.P.A.
What if you could instantly look thinner, taller and more confident — without spending a cent?

There is a way — stand up straight!

But, proper posture is about more than keeping up appearances. When you stand, sit or lie down properly, you take pressure off your muscles and ligaments. This means less wear and tear on your spine and joints — and a shot at keeping joint and back pain and injuries at bay.

Strike a healthier pose
Whether you're standing, sitting or going to sleep, consider your body position. See the chart below for tips that you can use every day.

Your core: It has your back!
You might think of a strong midsection as the soul mate of a healthy spine. It offers unwavering support — and is a plus for posture. As part of an overall good exercise routine, be sure to include fitness activities that boost core strength. For example, you might do crunches, Pilates or stability-ball workouts.

Put safety first. Talk with your doctor about what types of activity are right for you. For example, certain exercises may not be advised for people with bone loss or disk problems. 

Back basics
Discover more information and resources at myuhc.com. Click "Health & Wellness." Type "good posture" into the search box.

Click here to view chart.

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Tip Tuesday! Quit smoking – without gaining weight

By Michael W. Rosen, M.D., and Melanie Polk, M.M.Sc., R.D., F.A.D.A.
Your quit date is on the calendar. And, you're ready to kick cigarettes for good. But, can you snuff out this habit without piling on the pounds?

If that's a concern for you, here's something you should know: Not everyone who stops smoking gains weight.

Also, let's say you're at a healthy weight now — and you do put on a few pounds. Remind yourself of this: That's still better — and safer — than continuing to smoke.

4 weight-wise ways to quit
As you take this great step for your health, try these stay-slim strategies. They can help keep pounds — and cigarette cravings — in check. And, if you're trying to kick a smokeless tobacco habit, they're useful tips for that, too.

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Tip Tuesday! Speedy relief: 5-minute stress busters

By Arleen Fitzgerald, L.I.C.S.W.

Maybe it's just your average day. You've got places to be, people to see and a to-do list a mile long. Really, who has time to relax? 

You're on the go, go, go. But, while you're at it, stress can be zapping your energy. And, over time that strain can take a greater toll. It can contribute to burnout and a host of health problems, including anxiety, depression and high blood pressure. 

So, when you feel the tension building, take a few minutes and slow it down. You'll feel better right away — and you'll be caring for your long-term peace of mind and health, too. 

Five quick fixes 
You can take yourself from keyed-up to calmer with any of these steps:

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Tip Tuesday! The Truth About Saturated Fat

by Mary Enig, PhD, and Sally Fallon

Fats from animal and vegetable sources provide a concentrated source of energy in the diet; they also provide the building blocks for cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormone-like substances. Fats as part of a meal slow down absorption so that we can go longer without feeling hungry. In addition, they act as carriers for important fat- soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Dietary fats are needed for the conversion of carotene to vitamin A, for mineral absorption and for a host of other processes.

Politically Correct Nutrition is based on the assumption that we should reduce our intake of fats, particularly saturated fats from animal sources. Fats from animal sources also contain cholesterol, presented as the twin villain of the civilized diet.

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Tip Tuesday! Your Weight: Success for Life

Be a calorie-burning machine!

Unused calories are stored in the body as fat. Most days, you can help avoid creating this surplus by eating sensibly and exercising.

But, how about giving yourself an added kick of calorie burning? You can do that by sprinkling more movement throughout your day — in addition to your regular workouts. If you're trying to maintain or lose weight for good health, these seemingly small moments may be a big help.

See tips for how to set your average day in motion.

Link to Article: Website United Healthcare | Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

Discover more information and resources at myuhc.com^®.

Have a great Tuesday!

Why the New ADA’s an Even Bigger Pain Than You Thought | HR Morning

The new ADA substantially expanded the pool of employees who might be classified as disabled. But there’s more: It will also affect how you handle FMLA leave and potential GINA violations.

As you know, the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAA) recently expanded the definition of “disability,” meaning more people than ever qualify as disabled.

But that expansion has also affected other employment laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (GINA).

Here’s a look at just how the new ADA will affect your dealings with the FMLA and GINA, courtesy of Robin E. Shea of Employment and Labor Law Insider.

Link to Whole Article Here from HR Morning

Tip Tuesday: Cayenne Pepper May Burn Calories, Curb Appetite (WebMD)

Study Suggests Pepper May Help Weight Loss When Combined With Other Weight Loss Efforts

Red cayenne pepper may help burn calories and curb appetite, especially in people who aren’t used to eating it, says a new study that was partly supported by the National Institutes of Health and the McCormick Spice Company.

Study researcher Richard Mattes, PhD, RD, distinguished professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., thinks that the pepper is stimulating the trigeminal nerve, one of the main nerves in the head and neck.

“Chemesthesis is the term for chemical irritation, and that’s the sense that this work focused on,” Mattes says. “What we were interested in is, does activation of that system lead to increases in energy expenditure, alterations in appetite and food intake, and so on.”

More Info Link: Cayenne Pepper article and study information on WebMD... 

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Have a nice Tuesday!