Healthy happy you.
If you ever suffer from cramps, bloating, insomnia, breast tenderness, headaches, acne, or food cravings, your hormones may be in flux and need to be balanced. Hormones are crucial to our well-being since they impact our bodies at the cellular level and, if stabilized, many of the above symptoms can be alleviated. According to The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels, the toxins in processed Read more
Dear Fit, During my period, I get very uncomfortable lower-back pain, like a dull ache. I used to think this was just me, but I recently spoke to another female friend who says she gets the same pain. I'm sure it has something to do with everything going on down there, since it often comes with cramps, but why exactly does this happen? Any tips for treating it? — Oh My Aching Back Period pain Read more
Cramps during that time of the month can be debilitating — so much so that the last thing you want to do is hit the gym. One thing you should know is that exercise can actually help relieve those painful cramps. Here's WebMD's explanation: Exercise relieves cramps because it helps release beta-endorphins, which are internal opioids -- your own “human morphine,” according to Gustavo Rossi, Read more
When Aunt Ruby comes for her monthly visit don't let your menstrual cramps get you down or cramp your style. Here are five ways to deal with the pain and general malaise of cramps. Apply heat to your belly or back to increase blood flow and ease the pain. Using a heating pad is much easier than drawing a hot bath. Get your fill of foods rich in Omega-3s. They can help block the production of Read more
It is being reported that a new study suggests that Chinese herbs might be more effective in relieving menstrual cramps than drugs, acupuncture or heat compression. Not only did the research find that the herbs helped to relieve pain, but it was also found that they reduced the recurrence of the condition over three months. The herbs said to work were Chinese angelica root (danggui), Szechuan Read more
When you've got tummy cramps or lower back pain from your monthly visitor, sometimes taking a pain reliever doesn't really do the job. Applying heat to your belly or back can do wonders. I always like taking a hot shower or bath. But if you don't feel like getting all wet and going through the long ordeal of drawing a bath, lie on the couch with your favorite romantic comedy, some chocolate, and Read more
From pimples to bloating, cramps to spontaneously bursting into tears, PMS and period symptoms not only have the ability to ruin your day, but they can also put a damper on working out. Since exercise actually alleviates many of these uncomfortable feelings, here are some of the best ways to handle common PMS symptoms while working out. Bloating: Swelling in your lower abdomen doesn't always Read more
After my last experience with Indian bitter melon, I was a little nervous to experiment with my next ingredient. Just like the last time, I scoured the shelves of Berkeley Bowl, looking for something intriguing but not too intimidating. I settled on a purple, prehistoric-looking ingredient known as a banana flower. The banana flower is also known as a banana blossom or heart, but frankly, I Read more
PMS is a party and a half, isn't it ladies? We break out, have crazy mood swings, crave sweet and salty treats, become exhausted, get major menstrual cramps, have headaches and backaches, and one of my personal favorites — bloating. Some women experience sore breasts too, but why is that? A week or so before Aunt Flo arrives, your body begins producing oodles of estrogen and progesterone. Read more
Oh, great. Not only are menstrual cramps uncomfortably painful, they also cause actual changes in the brain. According to new research, period cramps cause structural changes in areas of the brain associated with pain and emotion. The study followed 32 women with an average of 10 years of painful cramping associated with their periods and 32 who did not. Researchers found no difference in total Read more
