Month: July 2020

Pandemic Weight Gain: Here is How To Lose Those Extra Pounds

Just finished an awesome workout (HIIT on the rebounder was on the menu today), and I am ready to tell you my tips on losing those extra pounds. Rebounding is one of the best workouts you could have at home, with documented benefits for weight loss, heart, lymphatic system, and bone health. Plus, it is great for your mood, too.    Let’s face it. It is easy to gain weight. The aging process itself makes you more likely to gain weight over time. But now we have another problem: the pandemic  weight gain, aka  “quarantine 15”. In a poll of over 1,000 Americans, almost 50% of the women and almost 1 in 4 of the men said they’d gained weight “due to COVID restrictions.” Another survey based on the opinion of 900 participants found more than 50% of men and about 1 in 3 women reporting weight gain. [R] There are several factors involved in this pandemic weight gain. The stress factor (nr 1, in my opinion), followed by lockdown restrictions, which meant staying home and working from home, frequent snacking, less exercise, changes in the diet, and more sleeping troubles.  Since I’ve got some extra pounds as well, not the expected “quarantine 15”, but about 10 pounds, including a few pounds gained during the winter. So I had to take some action. Here are my key tips to...

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June/July 2020 MS News- The Benefits Of Some Diets, Supplements, Exercise, Stress Management & More

Herbs & Supplements  Medical cannabis. There is evidence that cannabis has therapeutic symptomatic effects in MS, according to this new study that reviews the pros and cons of using cannabinoids for MS and other conditions. A second study found that a spray (CBD-THC combo) helps reduce pain and spasticity associated with MS.  Olive leaf polyphenols. Olive leaf polyphenols show some potential to help manage MS, suggests this new study (animal models of MS). Technical:  attenuated the clinical course of EAE; reduced the oxidative stress (by decreasing the concentration of MDA); upregulated antioxidant enzymes (SOD1, SOD2, and GPX1), SIRT1 (overall and microglial), and anti-inflammatory M2 microglia; downregulated proinflammatory M1 type; and preserved myelin integrity.  Curcumin and other herbal ingredients. Medicinal plants that can help in MS/ other neurodegenerative conditions. Although this new study focuses on curcumin, other beneficial plants include Ginkgo biloba, Panax ginseng, Bacopa monnieri,  Salvia officinalis, and Hypericum perforatum. Saffran. Saffran back in the news. Saffron syrup can be effective as an adjunct therapy for fatigue reduction in those with MS due to effectiveness and good safety profile, according to this new study.  Yarrow and other related herbs. The health benefits of the achillea genus (which includes) 100 species, including yarrow, are reviewed in this study– for MS, and many other conditions. If you check past MS news you will find a few well-designed studies on the benefits...

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