The woman I want to be looks something like the woman I saw in a recent Athleta catalog. She�s effortlessly jumping across a babbling brook in a verdant forest�while wearing sleek slate-gray workout tights and a quilted jewel-toned hoodie. Or wait: Maybe I�m the lady doing yoga on the beach in a slouchy pale-pink tank top, who I saw pictured in the window at Lululemon. While I definitely admire both of their strong bodies and what looks like adventurous spirits (as well as their choice of vacation spots)�I also really, really want those clothes.
Confession: I�ve never met a pair of leggings I didn�t love. As far as I�m concerned, if I could spend 90 percent of my life in slimming, strategically seamed workout wear that makes me feel ready to leap and bound, I would.
But it comes with a catch. If I want a piece of new gear, I�ve got to earn it. I have to be out there logging miles, slogging through spin class, grimacing through the ridiculously hard thigh portion of barre workouts. I need to be using the stuff so much that occasionally the items actually wear out and have to be replaced! It�s simple: The more consistent I am with my exercise regimen, the more justified I feel bringing home a new goodie.
Judging from what I wear the majority of the time�note that I work from home�you�d think I was pretty much always coming from or going to the gym. But that�s the point. The last person I want to be is the lady who looks like she is suited up for the gym but whose main cardio is gabbing at school drop-off. Oh, and my little sweat-for-spandex bargain also works once the gear has come home with me. On a day when I�m short on motivation, a cute new top is often what gets me out the door.
Look, I�m not aiming to be the best in the class, the fastest in the park, or even a seven-days-a-week exerciser. I�m only trying to keep myself on track when it comes to my spending, my sweating, and my style. Some people need a prize at the finish line. Me? I need something dangling at the starting gate�something just within reach and preferably ankle-length.
Synopsis: Finding the right healthcare provider for you isn�t always easy, especially if they aren�t in the mainstream. This article provides tips and strategies for people looking to find a healthcare provider that will meet their specific needs.
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The term �alternative healthcare,� sometimes lumped into CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) isn�t always associated with good things in the general populace. The phrase all on its own lends itself to sounding very much second class.
Yet alternative healthcare is anything but; many practitioners are utilizing the latest treatments that�for reasons of funding or sometimes more sinister political agendas �simply don�t have enough studies yet done to fully back the care as �mainstream.�
Finding those expert caregivers isn�t always easy. Doctors aren�t like restaurants; it can be difficult to base your decisions on their online reviews because every patient�s circumstances are unique.
Luckily, there are a few tricks to finding good healthcare.
Determine the Type of Care You Need
Before you seek care, you need to figure out what you actually need care for. Different specialties handle treatments that may be specific to your particular needs. For instance, a Chiropractor deals with the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system.
Functional medicine doctors handle many traditional complaints with minimal use of drugs and surgery and are more open to alternative treatments. Chinese medicine has also proven effective for numerous problems, from allergy elimination to pain relief. Physical therapists can help with recovery from injuries.
If you aren�t sure what the best type of doctor is, consider visiting major websites. For instance, the IAOMT.org� website is a good place to visit if you need dental care that goes beyond what your regular dentist may offer. FunctionalMedicine.org�helps you locate a variety of practitioners based on their field of expertise.
Worst case scenario, you may be in for one �wasted� trip to one of these doctors to determine who is best to visit.
Be Prepared to Travel
The type of doctor you need to see may not live nearby; some patients travel hundreds of miles to see a specialist that can deal with their condition. My own doctor drives nearly two hours to see a chiropractor that can address his specific condition (there are other chiropractors in the area, but none with the technique he needs).
This is especially true if you live in a more rural area, as some smaller towns may only have a small handful of traditional doctors and few if any alternatives. You can get good results by searching online by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to alter your IP address.
You might consider this strategy because local results tend to be more thorough and exact while doing searches about a distant area give broader and less helpful results. A VPN is just an app that lets you connect to remote servers found in other locations; for instance, you could access a server in Los Angeles even if you live in Nevada and get results local to LA.
Obviously, local docs are preferable, but that�s not always good enough.
Seek Referrals
Another great way to find doctors that can help is by seeking referrals. This can be done directly through your current doctor or by seeking out patients that have similar problems. Those that experience good results tend to want to spread their success by recommending good doctors.
One place to find concentrated reviews for specific doctors and practices is on Facebook. In many cases, there are support groups that have formed to discuss dealing with varying diagnoses and diseases.
These Facebook groups usually have members that are seeing physicians or have already been to physicians and want to share their knowledge. In some cases, Facebook groups are even run by practitioners that hope to spread awareness of the treatments they have available.
Healthgrades.com�is nice for reviews as well, but you should always be cautious of reviews that you can�t discuss with the reviewer.
Check Magazine Directories
Nationwide, you can access health directories to look for doctors available in your area. One of the more well-known sources is a magazine called Natural Awakenings. They publish listings of doctors practicing alternative medicine; you�ll find them available for free at grocery stores and some newsstands.
These types of magazines are also a great place to read about the latest advances in treatment and about different types of care being offered. While the publishing standards aren�t quite as high as a scientific journal such as The Lancet, they serve as a good starting point, particularly for treatments that don�t lend well to randomized controlled studies.
Go to Expos
Serving as both an advertising opportunity for businesses and as an educational tool for patients, natural health expos held across the country are a great place to meet with doctors and staff face to face without having to actually pay for an office visit.
These conventions are perfect for viewing a variety of different professions and seeing what each has to offer. You�ll be given dozens of pamphlets; some will offer free samples of products, while others will actually demonstrate what it is they do.
You can use these opportunities to ask specific health questions to �interview� each doctor to see if they�re the right fit for your needs. It�s also a good place to shop around for different prices because many alternative treatments aren�t covered by insurance (or the offices themselves are cash practices and don�t take insurance at all).
6. Taking Control of Your Health
When visits to your doctor let you down or you�re just looking for better alternatives, you�re in for a bit of work. The process for finding a truly appropriate doctor for your condition(s) may be tedious and sometimes even expensive.
Yet the results are certainly worth the time and money. When you�ve put the time in to find that doctor that fits just right, the results will speak for themselves. Having a good healthcare practitioner to serve as a pillar of support in your life can truly turn around an otherwise dark situation.
And for those that already feel healthy, remember that prevention is the best medicine. Seeking a doctor that believes in maintaining maximum healthy function is a great way to avoid chronic diseases later in life.
Will you be at the helm of your health? Tell us what great healthcare means to you and how you intend to get it.
About the Author: Cassie is a health enthusiast and technology writer. From her own experiences, she has learned a multitude of ways to efficiently locate doctors to treat conditions in ways that might otherwise be foreign to her primary care doctor.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most prominent autoimmune arthritis. It is caused by a defective immune system that causes your defense system to target your joint linings. It affects the wrist and small joints of your hands, including the knuckles, other joints in your fingers and can eventually spread to your knees too.
It is considered one of the most disabling forms of arthritis as it affects both sides of the body, making it different from other forms of arthritis. It can also affect skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood and even your nerves which is why it is one of the most feared forms of arthritis.
Over the years, several ways of treating rheumatoid arthritis have been discovered. Although there is still no cure for the condition, the treatment can significantly heal those that are newly diagnosed and can slow down the process that in the patients that have been suffering from the condition for a while.
When your immune system attacks your own body, certain chemicals lead to pain and inflammation on your joints. Medical experts are still unclear about what is the exact cause of inflammation in joints. Some suggest that is due to genetic make-up of the individual while other blame environmental factors such as cigarette smoke and infections.
New treatments have been introduced by rheumatologists to suppress the pain and reduce the inflammation caused by this condition. A major reason for why the inflammation needs to be controlled is because of its effect on your heart health. Inflammation can lead to the buildup of plaque in the walls of your arteries. People with this form of arthritis are advised to consult with their doctors regarding the prevention of heart disease.
Other than medication, regular exercise, specific foods and drinks also help you treat rheumatoid arthritis.
A Virginia-based rheumatologist, Mahsa Tehrani has found that certain organic teas help with the reducing of inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
�Tea has fantastic�anti-inflammatory properties�which can theoretically help with the underlying inflammation,� she claims.
Here�s a list of teas Tehrani recommends:
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is known for helping with healing the digestive system but an Italian study in 2016 found that patients that were given regular doses of ginger reported a better quality of life and significant improvement in pain. To make the tea, just slice up some ginger root and let it steep in boiling water for 10minutes. Note that ginger can act as a blood thinner, so if you�re already on blood-thinning medication, opt for a different tea.
Green Tea
Amongst the many benefits of green tea, is its ability to block the effects of RA without impacting cellular function. According to medical experts, green tea can be considered an alternative to medicine in the future for those suffering from RA.
Rose Hip Tea
Rose hip tea is not as common as other teas. The rose hip is the fruit of the rose plant that appears when the plant is not flowering. The fruit is a concentrated source of vitamin C and is regularly used in home remedies. A study published in Australian Family Physician in July 2012 found that the composition of nutrients found in the rose-hips have anti-inflammatory properties which benefit those with arthritis.
Black Tea
The box of regular black tea bags is loaded with quercetin, a bioflavonoid which has anti-inflammatory effects. However excessive amounts of black tea can have adverse effects, the high caffeine content can leave you feeling jittery and can reduce the impact of medication.
Willow Bark Tea
Willow bark tea is an ancient Chinese remedy. Its effects are similar to those of aspirin and several medical studies have found that it helps with joint pain and osteoarthritis. The study revealed that willow bark extracts have anti-inflammatory and pain-killing effects. That being said, willow bark extracts should not be consumed with people on many medications, pregnant women and those younger than 16.
Nettle Leaf Tea
Nettle leaf has been used in Europe to relieve muscle, joint pain, and arthritis for many years. A study published in 2015 found the antioxidant activity in the nettle leaf extracts hinders one of the main enzymes responsible for inflammation. Nettle is easily available in most grocery stores. Pregnant women and those with kidney and bladder issues should are advised not to consume nettle.
Rheumatoid Arthritis may be the most disabling forms of arthritis and it may not be curable, however, early detection and proper treatment can help mitigate its effects. Medication significantly reduces the symptoms of RA but those suffering can look for alternative solutions as well.
About the Author:
Rachael Everly is an undergraduate student who loves to write on the topics related business, finance, health, lifestyle and education. Follow @Rachael Everly for further updates.
Most of us already know that eating less and moving more are the keys to dropping extra pounds. But if you’re already doing everything right and can’t seem to lose weight or are even gaining it you may have a hidden health condition that’s sabotaging your efforts. And the symptoms may be so subtle that even your doctor can miss them. Here, some possible weight-loss blockers and how to get the help you need.
A Sluggish Thyroid
Your thyroid gland makes hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) disrupts your metabolism, as well as many other aspects of your health. Some estimate that as many as 10 percent of adults have hypothyroidism, which is more common in women and is most often diagnosed in the 40s and 50s.
Could this be you? Besides weight gain or an inability to lose weight, you may notice fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, joint pain and muscle weakness, heavy periods, increased sensitivity to cold, even depression. Many people with low-grade hypothyroidism just feel off, with no obvious signs of being truly sick.
How to get tested: Ask your internist to run a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) screening. In general, the higher your TSH level, the slower your thyroid is. While traditional normal’ values are between .45 and 4.5, if your level is above 2, you might still struggle to lose weight, explains Jamie Kane, MD, medical director of Park Avenue Medical Weight and Wellness in New York City. Your doctor may also want to check your levels of T-3 and T-4, the two main thyroid hormones. But hypothyroidism isn’t always a straight numbers game; more and more doctors are now treating the symptoms, not just the blood-test results. If a patient isn’t feeling well, it’s often because her thyroid isn’t functioning as well as it should for her body, says Erika Schwartz, MD, an internist in New York City.
How it’s treated: Your doc will usually start by prescribing a low-dose T-4 thyroid hormone like Synthroid. If your symptoms don’t improve, discuss upping your dosage or switching to a combination of T-3 and T-4.
Out-Of-Whack Hormones
As many as 1 in 10 women of childbearing age have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition in which a woman’s ovaries produce an excess of male hormones. In addition to causing ovulation problems and infertility, PCOS may go hand-in-hand with insulin resistance, a glitch in the way your body processes blood sugar, which is often associated with excess fat storage, especially around the waist. Left untreated, insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes. Could this be you? You may have irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, acne, some male pattern balding, and trouble getting pregnant, along with unexplained weight gain (though not everyone with PCOS has weight issues).
How to get tested: Your gynecologist or internist can test your levels of sex hormones for an imbalance of testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen, says David Katz, MD, director of the Yale Prevention Research Center. She may then test your blood sugar and insulin levels or perform an ultrasound to check for cysts on your ovaries.
How it’s treated: Lifestyle changes are usually the first step. If you’re already eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, you may have to kick it up another notch to see results. If you have insulin resistance, Dr. Katz says, you’ll also want to cut out refined carbs and added sugars. If you’ve made these changes and still don’t notice a difference, your doc may prescribe a drug called metformin, which is used to treat insulin resistance as well as assist with ovulation (if you’re trying to get pregnant).
Trouble-Making Foods
Most people know if they’re allergic to certain foods like nuts or shellfish, but many aren’t aware of food intolerances. While a true food allergy results when your immune system mistakenly identifies a food as harmful and mounts an immediate response, food intolerances can have a variety of causes, including lack of a certain digestive enzyme (as with lactose intolerance) or sensitivity to food additives, and tend to manifest over time, says Elizabeth W. Boham, MD, RD, a family practitioner at The UltraWellness Center in Lenox, Massachusetts. Eating a trouble foodthe most common being dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, corn, and nutscan lead to bloating and water-weight gain, among other symptoms. Experts estimate that food intolerances affect as many as 1 in 10 people.
Could this be you? You may regularly have bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipationas well as seemingly unrelated symptoms like mild asthma, eczema, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue.
How to get tested: An internist or gastroenterologist can help you diagnose the problem, but you can begin to figure it out for yourself through an elimination diet. Dr. Boham suggests that you start by removing gluten and dairy (these are the biggest culprits) from your diet for two to three weeks. If you don’t notice a difference, also eliminate eggs, corn, soy, and nuts, and consider nixing additives such as food coloring and preservatives. After a few weeks, slowly reintroduce the possible culprits, one at a time, noting any reactions.
How it’s treated: If the reaction is severe, you’ll need to cut the offending food from your diet. For mild reactions, try a daily probiotic supplement, which restores the good bacteria in your gut necessary for digestion and can help prevent bloating and water weight gain. Dr. Boham recommends one with at least 10 billion live bacteria per pill.
Pills That Pack On Pounds
Weight gain can be an unwelcome side effect of some drugs, including anti-depressants, steroids, and, more rarely, birth-control pills (due to a temporary increase in water retention).
Could this be you? You may notice weight gain within a few weeks of starting a new medication, though it could take several months before you see any effects, Dr. Kane says.
How to get tested: No special test is needed; you know if you’re gaining weight.
How to get tested: No special test is needed; you know if you’re gaining weight.How it’s treated: Talk to your doctor, who may be able to prescribe an alternative. In the case of anti-depressants, bupropion has been shown to cause less weight gain and possibly even lead to weight loss. With birth control pills, switching to a version with a lower dose of hormones might minimize weight gain. But remember, treating the condition you’re taking the drug for is your biggest priority, so you should never go off any meds on your own.
A research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in September 2015 demonstrated that nearly 50 percent of adults in the United States may have pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Approximately 9 out of 10 people may have undiagnosed pre-diabetes while 1 out of every 4 people may have undiagnosed diabetes. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control also revealed that about 30 percent of all individuals with pre-diabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
While these statistics have become dangerously alarming in the United States, the increasing issue of pre-diabetes and diabetes cases in adults has been growing throughout the world. Over the last decade, for instance, Great Britain has seen a drastic rise in both pre-diabetes and diabetes cases as well. According to a BBC News report, approximately more than one-third of British adults have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, as compared to a 2003 report, where only 11.6 percent of British adults had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. By 2011, the amount of individuals diagnosed with the conditions had almost tripled to about 35.3 percent.
Pre-diabetes is medically characterized as having a fasting blood sugar of 100-125 mg/dl or a hemoglobin A1C of 5.7-6.4 percent. Researchers medically defined diabetes as having a fasting blood sugar greater than 126 mg/dl or a hemoglobin A1C > 6.5 percent, a measure of long term glucose control.
Health Complications Related to Diabetes
A majority of the complications associated with pre-diabetes and diabetes can develop gradually over time. Individual�s who�ve had the condition for an extended period of time, and who also maintain less control of their blood sugar levels, may have a higher risk of suffering other complications commonly associated with type 2 diabetes. If these issues are not treated accordingly, they could eventually lead to disabling or even life-threatening complications.
Common complications associated with pre-diabetes and diabetes include:
Skin and tissue infections: Damage to blood vessels and nerves can affect the proper circulation and blood flow to the skin. This can result in the death of skin cells which may lead to a variety of changes in the skin as well as in other important structures of the body.
Foot damage: The Improper blood flow and circulation as well as damage to the nerves in the feet can increase the risk of experiencing a variety of foot issues. If left untreated, these foot complications, such as cuts and blisters, can develop into serious infections which can often heal poorly. Severe infections may ultimately require toe, foot or leg amputations.
Eye damage or retinopathy: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina which can potentially lead to blindness. This complication of the condition also increases the risk of other serious vision conditions, such as the development of cataracts and glaucoma.
Kidney damage or nephropathy: The kidneys are made up of millions of tiny blood vessel clusters, known as glomeruli, which function by filtering waste from the blood. Type 2 diabetes can damage these blood vessel clusters, affecting their normal function to properly filter the blood. Severe damage to the glomeruli can lead to kidney disease or kidney failure which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage: Increased blood sugar levels can injure the walls of the capillaries, tiny blood vessels which nourish the nerves, particularly those found in the legs. Peripheral neuropathy can cause pain, tingling and burning sensations and numbness along the upper and lower extremities. If this type of nerve damage is left untreated, the symptoms mentioned above may worsen, resulting in loss of strength and balance as well as the complete loss of feeling in the affected limbs. A majority of people with advanced stages of peripheral neuropathy experience chronic symptoms of pain and they may be unable to walk without the help of a cane or walker. Some people may need to use a wheelchair. Nerve damage can also affect the nerves of the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, peripheral neuropathy may lead to erectile dysfunction.
Cardiovascular disease: Pre-diabetes and diabetes also dramatically increases the risk of developing a variety of cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain or angina, heart attack, stroke and narrowing of arteries, or atherosclerosis. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to experience heart disease or stroke.
Hearing impairment: Individuals with diabetes have double the risk of experiencing hearing loss and other auditory complications than adults without the condition.
Alzheimer�s disease: According to various research studies, type 2 diabetes has been linked to the development of Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer�s disease.
Risk Factors Leading to Diabetes
Pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes can develop due to a variety of risk factors. Knowing these factors can help individuals be more aware of their chances of developing the condition in order to help them take the necessary precautions to prevent diabetes from developing.
Several risk factors contributing to pre-diabetes and diabetes include:
Weight: Excess weight and obesity can cause the development of insulin resistance, one of the most common reasons behind pre-diabetes and diabetes in adults.
Inactivity: Sedentary individuals who engage in less exercise and physical activity can be at greater risk of developing the condition. Physical activity and exercise helps control weight, utilizes glucose as energy and improves insulin sensitivity.
Family history: A person�s risk of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes can increase if a parent or sibling has the condition. Although Type 2 Diabetes is not hereditary, it can develop due to lifestyle habits. Your family history can help predict the probability of developing diabetes.
Race: Research published in JAMA revealed that African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian-Americans are at higher risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Age: The risk of developing pre-diabetes and diabetes does increase with age. This is generally believed to be due to inactivity associated with aging, loss of muscle mass and weight gain. However, pre-diabetes and diabetes has also dramatically increased among children, adolescents and younger adults over the past several years.
Gestational diabetes: A woman who developed gestational diabetes while pregnant, may have an increased risk of developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. If you gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, 4 kilograms, you may also be at risk of developing diabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS: For women, having polycystic ovary syndrome, a common condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and obesity, can also increase the risk of developing diabetes.
High blood pressure: Having blood pressure of over 140/90 mm Hg, or millimeters of mercury, has been associated to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
High cholesterol and triglyceride levels: Individuals with low levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL or good cholesterol, their risk of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes is generally higher. Triglycerides are another type of fat carried in the blood. People with high levels of triglycerides can be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consulting a doctor at this point is important as they can inform you on what your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are.
Preventing Diabetes
Diabetes has become one of the most common diseases of the 21st century, most of which can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Although there are many factors behind this type of nerve damage, such as the use of medications and drugs, approximately 66 percent of all people with diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy over time.
Fortunately, you can avoid developing pre-diabetes, diabetes and ultimately, peripheral neuropathy, by making some simple lifestyle changes. While changing the regular diet you are used to can be challenging, taking such a task slowly can help ease the daunting change. For instance, you can try changing one thing about your diet today. Whether it involves giving up soda or skipping sweets after dinner, this small change can be effortless for many. Now try doing this for 30 days. It will be difficult at first but it will get progressively easier.
For people who already developed diabetes as well as some of the common complications associated with the condition, keep in mind that both type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy can be reversed with the right lifestyle changes as well. By addressing your diet and other lifestyle habits, such as the amount of exercise you participate in and how much sleep you get, the condition and its complications can be tremendously improved. In one 10-year long study of 70,000 diabetes-free women, researchers found that women who either slept less than five hours a night or more than nine hours each night were 34 percent more likely to develop diabetes than women who slept seven to eight hours each night.
In addition, getting the appropriate amount of vitamin D on a daily basis can also help improve diabetes. Evidence demonstrated that vitamin D can be extremely beneficial for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Taking vitamin D supplements if you�re not spending the necessary amount of time out in the sun can in turn help provide the required nutrients and minerals.
In conclusion, diabetes is considered to be one of the most prevalent conditions today, where nearly up to 50 percent of people have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Many factors can often increase the risk of developing the condition but diabetes can be prevented as well as reversed. If you�ve been diagnosed with diabetes or you suspect you may have the condition, make sure to seek professional care to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is an well-known, alternative treatment option utilized to prevent, diagnose and treat a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the spine, primarily subluxations or spinal misalignments. Chiropractic focuses on restoring and maintaining the overall health and wellness of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, can carefully re-align the spine, improving a patient’s strength, mobility and flexibility.
Sweet foods were a rare delicacy for our ancient ancestors.� Today, we have an unlimited supply of sugary foods and beverages at our disposal.� Natural sweeteners can be used effectively in moderation to provide the sweetness that most people crave.� Here are the best natural sweeteners ranked in order based on low glycemic index and additional health benefits.
Every living creature is designed to run off of a simple sugar called glucose.� It is the primary unit in the study of metabolism.� However, there are certainly dangers involved with consuming too much glucose. Those dangers mostly involve elevated blood sugar and insulin which trigger fat accumulation, cellular inflammation and insulin resistance.
Fructose is another simple sugar that is found in nature within fruits, honey and plant/tree nectar.� This is metabolized differently than glucose and can cause even more hazardous effects when consumed in excess.� Most plant based sweeteners such as agave nectar are extremely high in fructose.� Agave was thought to be a good sweetener until health researchers found out the dangers of it�s nearly 80% fructose content.
1. Stevia:
Processed from the leaf of the stevia plant which is native to South America.� This herb derivative has no effect on blood sugar, insulin signaling and triglyceride formation.�� It develops most of its sweetness from glycosides called stevioside and rebaudioside.� �These compounds are 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose and they have the ability to withstand heat and have a long shelf life (1, 2).
Studies have even shown the stevia leaf to have beneficial effects at improving cellular insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of type II diabetes and high blood pressure (3, 4). �My favorite stevia to use personally is Sweet Leaf stevia in the liquid dropper here� I like this brand because it is pure stevia, without any sugar alcohols or other sweeteners added. � Most people also like the flavor better as it has less of an aftertaste.
You can find it in a variety of flavors including vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, cinnamon, English toffee, grape�and lemon. �If you are noticing an unpleasant aftertaste with the Sweet Leaf brand, than try adding a little bit of sea salt or pink salt (to taste � not too salty) to your recipe using the stevia and this can help remove the after taste. �I have seen a lot of people who once �hated� stevia, completely change their opinion after adding the salt.
2. �Monk Fruit or Lo Han Extract:
Lo Han Extract is also called monk fruit. �The monk fruit plant grows native in Southern China/Northern Thailand.� Lo Han has a very low glycemic index and low sugar content.� It gets the majority of its sweetness from a glycoside nutrient called mogrosides.
These mogrosides are 300 times sweeter than sugar and act as anti-oxidants that have shown abilities to inhibit cancer cell formation (5, 6).� This is a wonderful sweetener but it can be hard to find and expensive. �I like Pure Monk Fruit from Julian Bakery because it is the only one I found without other sweeteners such as erythritol.
3. �Yacon Syrup:
Yacon syrup is extracted from the roots of the Yacon plant which�grows throughout the Andes mountains in South America. �This plant has a long history as a powerful food that has been eaten and used for medicinal purposes in South America.
Yacon syrup is rich in prebiotic fibers (roughly 40-50%) called inulin and fructooligosacchardes (FOS) which are undigestable by the body but feed healthy gut bacteria (7). � Yacon does contain a small amount of sugar through fructose, glucose and sucrose but the rich fiber within it makes it a very low-glycemic sweetener. � The use of Yacon syrup has been shown to reduce obesity and insulin resistance (8).
This is a very low glycemic liquid sweetener derived from the liquid sap of the coconut blossoms. �It is also called coconut sugar. �The glycemic index is 35 making it one of the lowest of natural sweeteners.
Also, the fructose levels are very low at 10% and it contains a wide variety of anti-oxidants, minerals and other nutrients that enhance blood sugar stability.� It can be found in health food stores but is somewhat pricey. �Although I really don�t use coconut nectar or coconut sugar, one of the better brands is Coconut Secret here
5. �Organic, Raw Honey:
This superfood does have an effect on blood sugar and contains approximately 53% fructose so one should only consume this in moderation.� Honey contains a wide array of trace minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, chromium, manganese and selenium.� These nutrients are critical for healthy cellular insulin sensitivity and blood sugar balance.
Raw honey is also extremely rich in anti-oxidants and natural enzymes.�� Honey contains flavonoid anti-oxidants such as pinocembrin and pinostrobin that help reduce oxidative stress in the body and promote better enzyme activity (9). �Finding local raw honey is the best as it contains small amounts of local flower pollen which enhances our bodies ability to adapt to this potential allergen.
It is best to find a local producer so you can get the best locally developed raw honey. �If you cannot find a honey producer in your area, than I would use HoneyTrees here
6. �Organic Blackstrap Molasses:
Molasses is a byproduct of the processing of sugar.� It does have an effect on glycemic index and must only be consumed in moderation.� Blackstrap molasses is a very rich source of iron, copper, manganese, potassium, magnesium and selenium.
This syrup is a dark sap from the xylem of maple trees.� It does contain sucrose, glucose & fructose and therefore has an effect on blood sugar and insulin levels.� Please use in moderation.� Maple syrup contains significant amounts of zinc, calcium, manganese and anti-oxidant phenol vanillin.
One of the better brands on the market is Crown Maple organic maple syrup here
8. Sugar Alcohols:
These include xylitol, glycerol, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, and erythritol.� Sugar alcohol is supposed to just pass through the body unrecognized and metabolized. �This causes no blood sugar imbalances and is considered a safe sweetener.� However, many individuals have reported significant gastrointestinal distress that includes cramping, bloating, gas & diarrhea (10).
There are many blends of stevia-erythritol and monk fruit with erythritol. �If you are noticing unpleasant digestive symptoms with these�it is more than likely the sugar alcohols that are causing it. �So be on the lookout.
If you are purchasing erythritol, look for one labeled non-GMO, since this is a corn derived product. �If you have a corn sensitivity, be sure to avoid it. �A good brand is NOW Foods erythritol here�and Xylitol
Sugar Detox Free PDF
What Does Dr Jockers Do:
I personally use stevia as my main sweetener. �I prefer the SweetLeaf brand�here�or the Pure Monk fruit.� I am not against using these other sweeteners as we have many of them in our recipes on DrJockers.com, but I would caution to use them in moderation.
We all love a sweet taste but overconsuming them can lead to increased sugar cravings and blood sugar dysregulation. �Be sure to follow the strategies I discuss in this article�on buffering blood sugar naturally. �I also have a complete program designed to help you overcome sugar cravings, lose weight and improve your energy and mental clarity. �It is called the Sugar Detox Program and you can check it out here
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Sources for this Article Include:
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Brahmachari G, Mandal LC, Roy R, Mondal S, Brahmachari AK. Stevioside and related compounds � molecules of pharmaceutical promise: a critical overview. Arch Pharm (Weinheim). 2011 Jan;344(1):5-19. PMID: 21213347
Shivanna N, Naika M, Khanum F, Kaul VK. Antioxidant, anti-diabetic and renal protective properties of Stevia rebaudiana. J Diabetes Complications. 2013 Mar-Apr;27(2):103-13. PMID: 23140911
Ferri LA, Alves-Do-Prado W, Yamada SS, Gazola S, Batista MR, Bazotte RB. Investigation of the antihypertensive effect of oral crude stevioside in patients with mild essential hypertension. Phytother Res. 2006 Sep;20(9):732-6. PMID: 16775813
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Restaurants are the number-one place to sabotage your diet, according to new research that will surprise no one who�s ever tried to lose weight while eating out.
The year-long study, which was presented at a recent meeting of the American Heart Association, offers insight into tempting foods and the behaviors they trigger. By using a smartphone app, researchers followed 150 overweight people who were trying to stick to a weight-loss plan throughout their daily lives. The people in the study, most of whom were women, checked in up to five times a day and reported where they were, who they were with and whether they had strayed from their eating plan (or were tempted to do so.)
The dieters were also asked to log in anytime they ate (or considered eating) foods or portion sizes they knew were inconsistent with their plan.
Some clear patterns emerged from this deluge of data. People reported the most temptations when they were in a restaurant or bar, or when they were in the presence of other people eating. They noted fewer desires to overeat at home or work, and even fewer when they were in their car or in other people�s homes.
People had about a 60% chance of succumbing to those temptations at restaurants and when they were around others who were eating. Their odds of lapsing at work or in the car were lower, about 40% and 30%, respectively.
�You might think that everybody knows they�re at higher risk when they go into a restaurant, but people go out into these toxic environments and they forget,� says lead author Lora Burke, professor of nursing at the University of Pittsburgh.
People may also see eating out as an excuse to take a break from their diet, she adds. �We remind people that it�s not a diet they can go on and off; it�s a lifestyle,� she says. �It�s okay if they want to go out Friday night and eat wings, but then they need to cut back on Thursday and Saturday.�
Eating at home was a safer bet, though not a foolproof one. People reported fewer food temptations in their homes and those of their friends than they did in restaurants. But when those temptations appeared, people gave in nearly 65% of the time. Even when they were completely alone, people were still likely to lapse about half the time.
Burke says there aren�t yet any commercially available smartphone apps that collect and analyze this type of data for the general public. But such a tool could be valuable for helping people learn and adapt to their diet-related weaknesses, she adds.
�We can go to an individual and say, �These are the high-risk situations you�re vulnerable to, so you need to keep your guard up and practice strategies for sticking with your plan,�� she says. �We could even intervene by sending a message right back to them when they need it, reminding them of why they may need to work really hard.�
Measuring diet in the moment may also provide researchers with data that�s more detailed and accurate. �When we ask people to recall what they ate and how they felt, there are a lot of biases and problems remembering,� says Burke. �This way, we can be there as people are going through weight-loss challenges and find out exactly what they�re feeling, and when.�
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