11 Proven Health Benefits of Garlic

December 14, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Before discussing garlic, allow this short digression on modern medicine and the Western world.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates, The “Father” of Western Medicine

Ironically, Hippocrates is considered the Father of Western medicine, particularly with quotes like, “Let food by thy medicine and medicine thy food.” Most in the Western world look at food in many ways; as medicine, however, they do not (one need only look at current obesity rates.)

Let’s consider the rampant increase in prescription drug use. Have you ever considered just how obsessed Westerners are with popping pills? More than half of Americans – over 163 million people – take at least one prescription medicine every day.

The average number of pills each person takes? Four. The total number of prescriptions filled by Americans has increased over 85 percent – and in just the last 20 years.

What can explain such a drastic increase? It’s not like there has been an epidemic of some kind. People are living longer lives now than at any other time in history. (One may argue that immunizations and advanced surgical techniques have significantly influenced life expectancy more than drugs.)

Prescriptions versus Natural Remedies

Vinay Prasad, M.D., professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University has one theory. When asked why Americans and their physicians are so dependent on prescription drugs, Prasad asks rhetorically, “The question is, where did people get this idea? They didn’t invent it …” He continues, “They were spoon-fed that notion by the culture that we’re steeped in.” In other words, perhaps more drugs are prescribed than necessary. Perhaps a lot more.

People studying the issue note drug companies’ intense, if not downright immoral, marketing efforts. In a 2017 editorial piece featured in USA Today called “Prescription drug costs are up; So are TV Ads Promoting Them,” the publication interviewed a media research company president. This individual cites the total money spent by the industry in 2017: $6.4 billion.

Is that the reason why we rarely, if ever, hear about natural solutions to what ails us? The fact that there’s not enough money in it? Some food for thought. (Pun definitely intended.)

The myriad health benefits of garlic – a cheap, freely available food – provide an outstanding example of the potential of natural ingredients as medicine.

11 proven health benefits of garlic

Bear in mind that each claim made regarding each of the medicinal properties of garlic has at least one quality study behind it (in some cases, more than one.) So, what are these health benefits? Let’s get to it!

1. Garlic is very nutrient-dense

If our body is a vehicle, nutrients are the fuel. Nutrients are critical to all underlying biological activity that supports life. More specifically, nutrients allow for a healthy body, bodily functions, and cellular energy.

Garlic is a very nutrient-rich vegetable (and yes, it is a vegetable, not a seasoning!) with high concentrations of manganese (23% recommended daily allowance, or “RDA”), vitamin B6 (17% RDA), and vitamin C (15% RDA). Garlic also has a proper dose of selenium, calcium, copper, potassium, phosphorous, iron, and vitamin B1.

But the chemical properties of raw garlic, namely allicin, provide its inherent medicinal qualities.

2. Garlic contains potent natural compounds

Scientists continue to demonstrate the medicinal properties of garlic’s natural ingredients, most notably allium sativium, or allicin. Per the introduction to a study published in Vitro Pharmacology, where researchers study the potential effects of garlic compounds in patients with brain cancer, allicin demonstrates potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial characteristics.

A sulfur-containing compound, other studies show that allicin possesses additional medicinal properties, like cardioprotective, antihypertensive, and nephroprotective properties as well. As we’ll discuss, allicin supplements help combat and prevent major diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

3. It boosts the immune system

Per a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, “Garlic contains numerous compounds that have the potential to influence immunity.” Immune cells are responsible for modifying the inflammatory response, which can lead to illness and disease if either suppressed or excitatory.

The same study – a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial – discovered that participants who consumed aged garlic extract (AGE) over a 90-day period tested for:

Reduced cold and flu severity
Less severe symptoms while sick
Fewer self-reported days of “suboptimal” functioning
Fewer missed days of school and work

These results led the authors to conclude that AGE supplementation may enhance immune cell function while reducing the effects of cold and flu symptoms.

4. Garlic improves oral health

Garlic has medicinal qualities in the treatment of various oral infections and diseases. Studies show that it aids in the treatment of the following:

Periodontitis
Inflammation of the gums and essential structural components of the teeth
Oral thrush, a fungal infection which causes lesions to develop on the gums, inner cheeks, mouth, tongue, and tonsils
Sore mouth from dentures

Experts observe that allicin has antimicrobial properties against a variety of bacteria, including bacteria which are resistant to many pharmaceutical-grade medicines. Garlic appears to act on oral bacteria by inhibiting the sulfur that many bacteria require to survive. Finally, it also seems to have value as a complementary treatment for some oral prescription medications.

5. It may prevent gastric cancer

Raw garlic has been found effective against the bacteria H. pylori, one of the most abundant bacteria in the digestive system. While many can live with H. pylori and never experience symptoms, it isn’t uncommon, particularly in developing countries. After some time, the bacteria may cause sores – ulcers – in the lining of the stomach and upper intestines.

A meta-analysis of 18 studies involving nearly 143,000 people found a strong correlation between the amount of garlic consumption and a reduced risk for gastric (stomach) cancer. Additional research is needed regarding its effect on H. pylori infection, however.

6. Garlic reduces high blood pressure

Taking garlic by mouth can reduce systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 7-9 “points” (mm/Hg) and diastolic pressure (DBP) by 4-6 mm/HG in people with high blood pressure. Blood pressure machines read out in the format systolic over diastolic (systolic/diastolic).

In a 2013 study, researchers found that patients given garlic tablets registered a reduction in both SBP and DBP when compared with the prescription beta-blocker, atenolol.

7. Garlic may help suppress allergies

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, found that the compound ethyl acetate in aged garlic extract may suppress the immune protein FceRI, which is connected with the rise of inflammatory markers during allergic responses. Also, AGE inhibits the release of histamine, which may prevent allergic reactions.

8. It helps fight cancer

The anticancer properties of garlic are among the most researched topics in either traditional or alternative medicine. Studies continue to successfully demonstrate garlic’s therapeutic effects on lung, liver, breast, stomach, esophagus, skin, colon – and even brain cancers.

Concerning the last, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) discovered that yet another compound in garlic – diallyl trisulfide (DATS) – serves as a potential weapon against glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of brain cancer, with a life expectancy of just around 14 months.

9. Garlic has anti-aging properties

Research shows that topical application of garlic extract may produce anti-aging effects due to its ability to increase the growth and lifespan of skin cells. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that adding garlic extract into skin cell cultures resulted in “some youth-preserving, anti-aging, and beneficial effects” due to garlic’s seeming ability to synthesize new skin cells.

Like many others, the study also notes garlic’s potential to inhibit cancer cells, concluding “the results of (this study) have applications for both anti-aging and anti-cancer research.”

10. It lowers cholesterol levels

In a 2013 meta-analysis of 39 primary trials published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, researchers from the University of Adelaide (Australia) conclude that garlic is effective in reducing serum cholesterol. Per the study, it also reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol in individuals with elevated cholesterol levels. The study notes that the reduction of cholesterol levels found in the study equates to a 38 percent lower risk of a coronary event at age 50.

However, the researchers note, garlic treatments may only be minimally effective in improving HDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides.

11. Garlic prevents obesity

Multiple studies have shown that garlic may reduce body weight and fat storage. Scientists have observed that garlic acts on two types of proteins – AMPK and uncoupling proteins – in fat, liver, and muscle tissue. It appears to convert certain macronutrients into energy as opposed to storing them as fat.

A compound in garlic, ajoene, is thought to actively decrease fat tissue by generating hydrogen peroxide, which in turn actives protein kinases that neutralize fat cells.

Final Thoughts on the Health Benefits of Garlic

Need we say more? Let’s just close with this thought. You can buy fresh garlic bulbs at almost any grocery store, for only a small percentage of what you would spend on even simple cough or flu medication.

Whether diced or crushed, it adds a great flavor to many dishes. It also gives you an immune system boost at the same time. So what are you waiting for? Start enjoying the natural, and tasty benefits of garlic with your next meal!

[Note: the information found in this article is not meant to serve as medical advice. Ensure you consult your primary care physician before starting, stopping, or making changes to your current medical or health care plan.

Harvard Scientists Explain 12 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young

December 14, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Your brain capacity isn’t fixed! In this article, we’re going to talk about the wonderful, potentially life-altering truths of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be better positioned to keep your brain young and healthy!

If there is one thing that you take away from this article, please let it be this: your mental capacity is not fixed. Your intelligence isn’t fixed. Your memory isn’t fixed. Nothing regarding mental capability is static. You can have a young brain. If you don’t have a young brain, you can make your brain young!

For a long time, scientists claimed that your brain could only change for the worse. You were born with a certain amount of brainpower, and that was it. Provided you didn’t suffer some traumatic injury; your brain would remain mostly unchanged until you died. Then, scientists clamored on about the “horrific” effects of aging on the brain. Not a peep was spoken about the human mind’s constantly-evolving nature – the sheer dynamism.

How is keeping your brain young even possible?

“Your brain – every brain – is a work in progress. It is ‘plastic.’ From the day we’re born to the day we die, it continuously revises and remodels, improving or slowly declining, as a function of how we use it.” – Michael Merzenich, Ph.D., a pioneer in the field of neuroplasticity

First, let us point out the obvious: if you don’t challenge your brain throughout life, it will eventually slow down due to aging. Let’s briefly go over what happens to the structure and function of the brain as you progress through life.

In one’s late 20s, the brain begins to lose neurons due to
The cerebrum, the outermost area of the brain, begins to thin, resulting in a reduction of synapses. (Synapses are chemical “messengers” that transmit information from one brain cell to another.)
At about 60, the brain’s frontal lobe and hippocampus regions begin to shrink. At 75, you will have lost approximately one-tenth of the neurons you had when born.
Theoretically, fewer brain connections and synapses result in slower cognitive processing.

Now, even with these changes, it is possible to keep your brain young provided that enough time is devoted to cognitive exercise (more on this later.) Numerous people of “advanced age” have retained most – if not all – of their cognitive abilities.

It’s all about how you choose to use your brain.

Neuroplasticity changes everything

“Not so many years ago, the predominant belief was that the brain was not plastic at an older age – and we contributed to an appreciation that the brain is in fact continuously plastic.” – Michael Merzenich, Winner of the 2016 Kavli Prize in Neuroscience (source)

Disseminating the truth of neuroplasticity – and its implications – hasn’t been easy. Outside of doctors, scientists, and a few other experts, most laypeople haven’t the slightest clue what the term means. This is a shame, since the very dynamic nature of human brain can very well change their lives.

In the simplest terms, the fact that your brain is neuroplastic implies that it is moldable or malleable. This means you can take steps to promote a young brain. More specifically, neuroplasticity means:

Plasticity is a common result of changing stimuli.
Interaction with the environment produces physical changes in the brain.
Connections between neurons reassemble in response to changes in the environment. (This is why humans are adept at adapting to outside changes.)
The brain can at least partially recover structurally and functionally from trauma.
Neurogenesis – the spawning of new brain cells (neurons) – continues throughout adult life in some areas of the brain.

12 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young

Let us now dive into what we can do to keep our brain healthy, young, and smart – according to Harvard scientists! Onward!

Challenge your brain

The pioneers of neuroplasticity discovered that stimulation and active engagement in an activity produce physical changes in the brain. The brainier the task, the better.

Building up a “cognitive reserve” – knowledge, memories, etc. can safeguard the brain against damage later in life. Some examples of challenging tasks include learning a new instrument or language. Additionally, do crossword puzzles, play brain games, perform mental calculations, and read if you want a young brain!

Watch your diet

Per a study published in the journal Neural Plasticity, numerous research studies have found that diet “(affects) brain structure and function, and cognitive function in aging adults” while “(modulating) neuroplasticity substrates…” Among the different neuroplasticity processes that diet influences are:

Inflammation: a defunct inflammatory response can cause brain damage
Antioxidant defenses: free radicals and toxins can build up in brain cells, causing damage
Neurogenesis: the spawning of new brain cells (neurons); a.k.a. the building of a young brain
Neurotrophic signaling: communication between proteins that assist in neurons’ development, function, and survival.

To put your best brain forward, eat a diet that is a balance of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.

Lay off the alcohol

Research shows an existing correlation between alcohol use and dementia, a neurological condition primarily targets the elderly. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulty thinking and organization, losing track of time and day, forgetting how to perform routine tasks, and personality changes.

There’s nothing wrong with a drink or two but save the hangovers for special occasions.

Listen to music to promote a young brain

While we may not think too much about popping in our earplugs and jamming out to our favorite tunes, it turns out that there is a complex symphony happening upstairs.

Johns Hopkins University researchers placed jazz and rap musicians into an MRI machine to see what happens inside the brain and told them to improvise some tunes. They found that our brain has to seriously up its computing power to make sense of what amounts to a random sequence of beats.

Don’t multitask

Multitasking, besides being a myth, stresses out the brain. And anything that stresses out the brain contributes to aging. Instead, try single-tasking – directing your attention to the task until finished. It’s less stressful, more effective, and may even be more enjoyable. Not to mention, it will help you maintain a young brain.

Beware of negative emotions

Speaking of stress, negative emotions are about as toxic as it gets. Besides sapping your energy, negatively-charged feelings can contribute to anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation and exhaustion. People who experience negative emotions frequently are stick with lower life satisfaction, more stress, and expedited signs of aging.

If you’re stuck in a cycle of negative emotions, try learning a relaxation practice like meditation, yoga, or diaphragmatic breathing. Additionally, avoid toxic people and situations as much as possible.

Get regular exercise for a young brain

Exercise may be the best thing you can do for your mind. Physical activity increases blood flow, releases “feel good” hormones, and promotes neurogenesis. According to Harvard University researchers, animals that exercise appear to have more “efficient, plastic, and adaptive” minds.

Try getting at least 30 to 45 minutes of moderately intense exercise three times per week.

Watch your blood pressure and blood sugar

Both high blood sugar and high blood pressure increase the risk of dementia and cognitive decline in old age. Simple lifestyle habits like eating right, exercising regularly, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight can protect your brain and heart.

Make sure you visit the doctor once or twice a year for routine checkups. Discuss ways to monitor these conditions with your physician if you have a history of high blood sugar or high blood pressure.

Don’t smoke

Do you want to age too early? Smoke. Besides increasing the risk of stroke, nicotine addiction causes anxiety and irritability due to cravings and withdrawal. Smoking is also the strongest predictor of premature aging and wrinkling in men and women.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but it is possible with the right approach. Visit smokefree.gov for more information.

Monitor stress

Not all stress is avoidable, but episodes of hair-tugging stress fests should rarely happen, if ever. Chronic stress causes a continuous release of stress hormones which can interfere in normal functioning. Your risk of cardiovascular disease increases as does your risk of stroke.

Chronic stress is hazardous and requires a solution. While figuring out how to reduce your stress, consider a contemplative practice like mindfulness meditation, which has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress.

Talk to people

The simple act of listening to someone else’s perspective prompts the mind to try and think in different ways – a component of “flexible thinking.” Indeed, meeting new people boosts the brain’s executive function, allowing you to remain focused, tune out distractions, and improve short-term memory.

If you struggle with talking to people, try joining a club or online group to get things started. If the group is local, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet up. Promote a young brain by interacting positively with others.

Get your beauty sleep

Yes, beauty sleep is a real thing! But more important than your outward appearance is what’s going on upstairs. Sleep deprivation, which ages the brain, is more common in older adults than younger adults. Shortage of sleep causes continuous low-grade inflammation, leading to numerous health problems, including a stroke.

If you are having difficulty sleeping, connect with your healthcare provider. Aim for a minimum of seven hours each night.

Final Thoughts on Ways to Have a Young Brain

The above ideas and tips might seem like small things, but they can make all the difference. They can affect your cognitive health and your life positively. Believe that you deserve to live a healthy and happy life, both now and in the future. Take the steps you need to create that life for yourself, and you will find yourself with a young brain and a youthful attitude toward life.

5 Ways A High Fat Diet Can Help You Burn Fat and Lose Weight

December 14, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Quick note: Before we get too far into diets and dieting, please first consider your overall goals to lose weight and your general state of health. Also, please keep in mind that we are not advocating any diet, e.g., the Keto diet. Such diets are quite extreme and, as we’ll discuss, best reserved for short-term weight loss. When in doubt, seek the advice of a licensed medical professional in your effort to lose weight.

Introduction: The “Fat Scare”

“Together with other recent analyses of sugar industry documents, our findings suggest the industry-sponsored a research program in the 1960s and 1970s that successfully cast doubt about the hazards of sucrose…” – Kearns, C., et al., “Sugar Industry and Coronary Heart Disease Research.” (source)

From the second half of the twentieth century, until about 20 years ago, many people had a misplaced fear of dietary fat. “Fat? Why?” Well, as you will read, the food industry, in particular, the sugar industry, engaged in acts of misinformation by lying to the public and producing sources of information that were not only false but damaging to the public’s health.

We insist – as do food scientists, nutritionists, researchers, and scientists – that the main culprit for heart disease, obesity, and other medical conditions is not fat, but sugar. Evidence to the same is both convincing and overwhelming, as we’ll discuss.

We will cover a few things in this article, including the sugar industry’s efforts to deceive the public, the science behind low-fat diets, the case for healthy fats, and the ten ways a high-fat diet can help you burn fat and lose weight.

The Story of Ancel Keys

Let’s rewind the clock to the year 1956 when the work of American physiologist and researcher Ancel Keys led the American Heart Association (AHA) to “inform people that a diet which included large amounts of butter, lard, eggs, and beef would lead to coronary disease.” While Key’s hypotheses in this and other regards were not altogether incorrect, the scientist – and worse, the U.S. government – incredulously showed little interest in furthering research into sugar’s effects (and dangers).

It is not an exaggeration to state that the modern American diet was largely shaped by the conclusions of Keys and his contemporaries in the government. Even when faced with legitimate contradictory evidence, prominent scientists, including Keys, refused to acknowledge the relationships between sugar, poor health, and heart disease. Subsequent studies discredited many of Key’s central findings, particularly his dubious claims regarding the supposed heart benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

The promulgation of dietary and health misinformation bears, at least partial, responsibility for the continued adoption of low-fat diets. This, despite overwhelming evidence that such diets are not only ineffective, but unhealthy. Many academics and corporate hacks – two groups that aren’t always mutually exclusive – were of little help. Let’s discuss one of the more scandalous affairs involving entrenched special interests and a school named Harvard University.

“It’s the sugar, stupid!”

In the ‘60s, the Sugar Research Foundation (SRF; now called the “Sugar Association”) paid three less-than-ethical Harvard University scientists to “downplay the link” between sugar and coronary heart disease, as reported by the New York Times in 2013.

In 2016, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) published a scathing article in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This article details the corporate malfeasance of the then-named Sugar Research Foundation. After examining troves of internal SRF documents, reports, and statements, the research team reported the following:

In 1965, the SRF sponsored an academic article, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This article dismissed sucrose (sugar) as a potential contributor to heart disease. UCSF researchers found evidence that SRF “set the (article’s) objective, contributed articles for inclusion and received drafts.” These are all visible indications of faulty, biased research.
Evidence contrasting SRF’s claims that sugar did not increase the risk of heart disease began surfacing as early as November of 1962. SRF officials were aware of this.
In July of 1965, D. Mark Hegstead, one of the two Harvard researchers tasked with overcoming the mounting case against sucrose (in particular, fructose), informed the head of research at SRF that the latest research “could threaten sugar sales.”
“SRF funding and participation” of Hegstead and colleagues 1967 article (published in the journal New England Journal of Medicine) was not disclosed – a scandalous omission suggesting collusion of said parties.
UCSF researchers conclude the article with this: “Policymaking committees should consider giving less weight to food industry-funded studies…and include…studies appraising the effect of added sugars on multiple CHD biomarkers and disease development.”

5 Ways a “High Fat” Diet Can Help You Lose Weight

Despite what the sugar industry would have you believe, not all fats are bad. In fact, there is such a thing as “healthy” fats, (i.e. monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats). There are also “unhealthy” fats, (i.e. saturated fats) – and these should be strictly limited, if not avoided.

In fact, the right kinds of fats – in the right amounts – can even help speed up your goals to lose weight! Here are five ways fat can help burn… well, fat:

Healthy fat helps keep you full

One of the more difficult aspects of being able to lose weight is not eating when you’re not supposed to! (Sorry, that’s a bit obvious, huh?)

A study published in the journal Appetite confirms what many people already know: healthy fats in the form of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (FA) help to manage and suppress appetite in overweight and obese individuals. Good dietary sources of omega-3 FAs include: nuts and seeds (chia seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts); plant oils (canola oil, flaxseed oil, and soybean oil); and fatty fish (mackerel, tuna, and salmon.) Dietary sources omega-3 FAs include cereals, eggs, nuts, poultry, and whole grains.

Healthy fat accelerates the ability to lose weight

Consuming more fats and proteins and moderating carbohydrate intake help shed excess water weight and speed digestion. In a 2007 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association of 311 overweight women, participants who adhered to a high-fat diet lost more weight (and had lower blood sugar levels) than those on low-fat diets. Moreover, researchers concluded that high-fat diets reduce obesity risk in premenopausal women.

Healthy fat trims the tummy

Belly fat is not merely unsightly; it is potentially dangerous. “Visceral fat,” in medical parlance, is a “major risk factor” for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers.

High-fat, high-fiber foods such as avocados or high-fat, high-protein foods such as yogurt, can help burn abdominal fat. Recent studies demonstrate that the medium-chain fats in coconut oil can both increase metabolism and decrease fat storage from high-calorie intake.

Healthy fat protects against metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is “a cluster of metabolic disorders.”

Think high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, low healthy cholesterol (HDL) count, and high glucose levels. Metabolic syndrome affects around 23 percent of the population and is directly linked to obesity and physical inactivity.

Omega-3 FAs may help to prevent metabolic syndrome by promoting blood vessels and heart health. In addition, omega-3s help raise healthy (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Healthy fat boosts heart health (Take that, sugar industry!)

Finally, a diet rich in healthy fats promotes heart health. This is critical to both the voluntary and involuntary processes underlying fat and weight loss. Unlike the nutritionally worthless ingredient known as sugar, healthy fats – in the form of monounsaturated fats – improve blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease the risk of heart disease.

Of course, a healthy heart is necessary for proper blood circulation. This, in turn, aids metabolic processes, promotes proper digestion, and supports exercise.

Final Thoughts on How a High Fat Diet Can Help You Lose Weight

“Last year, an article in the New York Times reveals that Coca-Cola, the world’s largest producer of sugary beverages, had provided millions of dollars in funding to researchers who sought to play down the link between sugary drinks and obesity.” – The New York Times

While the sugar industry seemingly takes every opportunity to spout untruths about fat, they divulge little info on their products. While dietary fat offers many health benefits, including (ironically) fat loss, sugar provides no nutritional value whatsoever. Natural sugars found in fruit offer nutrition to the body, of course.

Food scientists have since discredited the assertions made by sugar industrialists that their product is safe. Despite this, entrenched corporate interests continue spending millions of dollars combating the advances of modern food science and nutrition. These include beverage, candy, and soda companies.

To be safe, it is best to adhere to the latest recommended daily intakes for macronutrients, including fats. The Daily Reference Intake (DRI) for total fat is 20 to 35 percent of total calories from fat (TCF); or about 44 to 77 grams of fat per day, assuming a 2,000-calorie diet. Of this amount, the intake of each fat type is as follows:

- Monounsaturated fat: 15 to 20%
- Polyunsaturated fat: 5 to 10%
- Saturated fat: less than 10%
- Trans-fat: 0%

31 Proven Ways to Save Money (Without Making More)

December 14, 2018 by Power of Positivity

Wanting to learn how to save money is an admirable endeavor. But with so much going on in our lives, it can be hard to pinpoint money-saving opportunities. Learning how to save money does not have to be difficult though! It’s a good idea for everyone to have a little cash set aside in the form of an emergency fund in case tougher times come upon you.

To help you with your cost-saving journey, we’ve brought together some great tips on how to save money!

31 Ways You Can Save Money When You’re on a Tight Budget

Read on to learn more about how to save money today:

1. Shop Around For a More Competitive Bank

If your current banking establishment is charging you a monthly or yearly fee, it would be to your benefit to shop around and try to find some better offers. Many banks these days offer accounts with zero fees and quite a few also offer bonuses for signing up with them!

2. Sell Off Your Collectibles

If you fancy yourself a collector, it may be time to rethink this. Throughout the years, different products have come along that many assumed with appreciate in value with age. Years later, the value of many of these objects has only dropped. Avoid jumping on the next fad that comes along and try to sell any of your old “collectibles”.

3. Sign Up For Customer Rewards Programs

Create a separate email address and sign up for every free reward program that is offered by retailers in your area. This way, your main email does not get spammed with unwanted emails, while you can still benefit from the deals offered to members when you need to!

4. Instead of Buying Gifts, Make Them

For the next birthday or holiday on your calendar, consider crafting your own gift to give out instead of purchasing something from a store. A handmade gift shows you really care and can be seen as much more thoughtful. Crafting something by hand can also be fun and is a great hobby!

5. Try Repairing Damaged Clothing

The next time a piece of clothing becomes ripped or torn, or you happen to lose a button, consider repairing the garment instead of just trashing it and buying a new one. Most basic clothing repairs can be done by anyone with a little research and practice, and is a great way to save money!

6. Children Can Be Entertained For Cheap!

It may be tempting to go all out and spend big bucks on your child in order to give them the time of their lives but it is actually fairly easy to entertain a child for very cheap. Arts & crafts, sports, or riding a bike are all cheap and easily accessible activities for you and your child, and have the added benefits of being either creative endeavours or ones that can increase their physical fitness!

7. Clean Out Your Closets

Dig through all of your closets and get rid of everything you no longer wear. Don’t just trash it though, consider selling it on Craigslist or eBay, have a yard sale, or even donate it for a tax deduction.

Selling your old, unused clothing is a great way to make a little extra cash while also getting rid of unwanted clutter!

8. Start Drinking More Water!

By drinking more water, not only will you save money by not having to buy more expensive beverages such as soda or juice, but you’ll also reap various health benefits as well! An added bonus of drinking more water is that you’ll likely stay fuller, longer, and will likely end up eating less during meals. All this adds up to some great cost cutting!

9. Avoid Fast Food and Convenience Stores

Instead of stopping at the nearest convenience store or fast food joint when hunger strikes, consider stocking up on simple, cheap, and healthy replacements to take along with you to snack on instead. Taking a little time out of your day, once a week is all it takes to prepare yourself for a whole week of snacking on the cheap!

10. Stop Smoking!

If you happen to be a smoker, you likely know that the habit is not only unhealthy but can also be quite expensive. Consider, if you haven’t already, trying to quit or cut down on the habit. Your lungs, wallet, and family will all likely be better off!

11. Double Up Your Next Casserole!

The next time you find yourself making a casserole, consider doubling or even quadrupling it! You can eat one right away and then freeze the others for quick and convenient meals later on. By preparing multiple meals at once like this, you can also take advantage of buying in bulk, which increases the cost savings!

12. Turn Off The Lights!

You might not think anything of leaving the lights on. It can’t really make that much of a difference in my utility bill, can it? Yes, it does add up after a while! If you aren’t using a light, try to make it a habit to turn it off. Over time, the savings will add up!

13. Yard Sale Smartly

Yard sales can be a great opportunity to find great deals on items you’ve been needing such as shoes, clothes, housewares, and tools. The trick to truly taking advantage of these saving is to limit yourself to only purchasing things that you actually need and not being suckered in by low prices and the idea of a “good deal”.

14. Switch Out Old Light Bulbs With LEDs or CFLs

If you haven’t already, now is a great time to replace your old light bulbs with energy-efficient CFL or LED light bulbs. They cost a little more upfront, but they last much much longer than older bulbs and use a great deal less electricity over their lifetime.

15. Try a Programmable Thermostat

Consider installing a programmable thermostat in your home or apartment if you haven’t already. Being able to schedule when your home is heated or cooled in order to cut costs when you aren’t around is a great technique that’ll keep more cash in your pocket!

16. Change Our Clean Your Auto’s Air Filter

New air filters for your car can cost as little as $10 so you should make it part cleaning or replacing it a regular part of your car’s maintenance routine. A clean filter can improve your mileage by up to 7%, which can save you more than $100 for every 10,000 miles driven!

17. Build Your Shopping List Around Weekly Flyers

Before you head out on your next shopping trip, take a little at your grocery store’s weekly flyer and build your shopping list and week’s meal plan around what’s on sale. Making this a habit is a great way to save money every month and you’ll likely start branching out and trying things you might not have otherwise!

18. Compare Prices and Consider Switching Stores

Try to keep track of the prices of your regular purchases and compare them to what other grocery stores are charging. You may find you’re missing out on some real cost-cutting opportunities by not shopping somewhere else! Take note of what store has the best deals on the majority of your regular purchases and consider making the switch!

19. Avoid Buying As a Means of Stress Relief

For many of us, in times of stress, spending a little money can be just the thing we needed to offer us a bit of relief. It might be time to consider what else you might be able to do to wind down instead of spending money needlessly on things you don’t need. Other options such as exercise, reading, watching a movie, doing some yard work, or even taking a nap all have their benefits. Besides, they will also be much cheaper in the long run!

20. Cancel Underutilized Club Memberships

If you’re paying fees for club memberships that you hardly use, such as a country club or gym membership, now might be the time to consider canceling it! You’ll always have the chance of renewing later if you do decide you want to partake, but in the meantime, while you aren’t utilizing the service it is just needlessly costing you money!

21. Trying Buying Used Items

Buying used items is a great way to save yourself a load of cash! It’s not uncommon that you find an item you’ve had your eye on at a much lower price with a little bit of digging at consignment shops, used equipment stores, or used game stores. Many of these items are still in perfectly usable order, and it’s not uncommon to find clothing items ridiculously cheap that may have only been worn once!

22. Wash Your Hands!

Making it a habit to wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom is a great way to keep yourself from becoming sick, which can save money on medical bills and potential time out of work!

23. Do Your Holiday Shopping a Few Days After the Holiday

Try waiting a day or two after a holiday and then go shopping for next year’s decorations. Most items can be found at steep markdown prices! This is a great way to save money on items that only get used once a year anyway!

24. Try Generic or Store Brand Items

Consider giving the store brand or generic brand a shot on items that you find yourself buying frequently. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that it is of similar or sometimes better quality to the name-brand item you had been using previously! A lot of the time, the difference between store and name brand items is in the labels only and you’re actually purchasing functionally the same item!

25. Cook at Home

If you’re like the many nowadays, you probably find yourself eating out more than at home on a given week. Try cooking more meals at home. Over time, your cooking will improve and so likely will your health! Preparing and eating meals at home is a great way to save a load of money while affording you the opportunity to eat healthier foods!

26. Avoid Wandering Around the Mall

Try to avoid going to the mall if at all possible. It may be fun to window shop and people watch, but all too often temptation strikes and you find yourself with a shopping bag full of items you didn’t really want or need! Avoiding the mall is a great way to avoid this situation. Try to find something else to do with your time. Go to the movies, take a hike, or join a local sports team.

27. Cancel Unread Magazine Subscriptions

Though not as common these days, magazine subscriptions still find their way to many people’s doors, and usually don’t get much attention past that. If you find yourself with a stack of unread magazines piling up in the corner somewhere, canceling your subscription is likely a good idea.

28. Eat Your Leftovers

It’s not uncommon for people to turn up their noses at the thought of eating leftovers. This could not be a bigger mistake, however! Leftovers offer you a great opportunity to eat for cheap, and with a little creative modification, they can be made into new dishes entirely!

29. Bring Your Lunch From Home

Going out for lunch every day while at work or school can add up to a lot of money spent every week! Preparing and bringing your own lunch from home is an awesome way to save a boatload of money. Plus, you give yourself the chance to eat healthier foods!

30. Try Repairing Things Yourself

With the internet readily available and great resources such as YouTube available, small repairs and fixes are easily done by yourself. There are many tutorials and videos available online that can show you how to fix pretty much anything. You will likely find the prices much cheaper than the price of a replacement or a repair shop fee!

31. Maintain Proper Tire inflation

Keep your vehicle’s tires properly inflated! For every two PSI of pressure below the level recommended for your model. In fact, you may lose 1% of your gas mileage. With most cars running on tires five to 10 PSI below what they should be, properly inflating your times can net you a 5% improvement in your auto’s gas mileage!

With so many cost-saving opportunities available, being able to save money is made easy. After learning how to save money, you’ll be able to better prepare yourself in case of an unforeseen emergency.

8 Signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (And The Diet to Fix It)

December 14, 2018 by Power of Positivity

According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects between 10 – 15 percent of the population. (1) It’s characterized by gas, cramping, bloating, abdominal pain and other digestive issues.

Given the nature of the symptoms, many people don’t even realize that they have IBS. It’s very common for even chronic sufferers to write off their discomfort as a “sensitive stomach” or “something that they ate.”

Don’t make this mistake! If you suspect that you have IBS, there are things that you can do to minimize your symptoms and live a happier, healthier life.

However, the first step is actually diagnosing your condition. Here are the IBS symptoms that you’ll want to take to a doctor.

1. Persistent Abdominal Pain

Everyone gets a stomachache now and then, but if you’re experiencing abdominal pain multiple times per week, there’s more going on than a bad burrito.

Try to define your pain. Is it sharp or dull? Does it sting, stab or throb? Where is it located? This can help you distinguish IBS from other issues like appendicitis and gastroenteritis.

One of the biggest signs of irritable bowel syndrome is when you feel relief after a bowel movement. If the pain goes away once your digestive track is clear, the issue is probably with your digestive track in the first place.

While there’s no quick fix for abdominal pain, you can try to get to the bottom of it by tracking your daily food consumption. People with IBS have different “triggers” for their condition, so if you notice that you always feel worse after eating certain things, you can start to avoid them or find recipe substitutes.

2. Unusual Stools

Your bathroom habits can tell you a lot about your digestive health, especially when it comes to IBS. You’ll want to pay attention to the state of your stools if you suspect that you have something going on in your gut.

It can also help to understand how waste moves through the body. In healthy individuals, it travels through the intestines at a steady, unremarkable pace, and bowel movements are both regular and pain-free.

On the other hand, if you have IBS, the waste might move through your intestines too slowly or too quickly. It might absorb different amounts of water along the way, so it might come out of your body feeling overly hard or soft.

The best way to tackle this issue is to increase your probiotic intake. (2) Probiotics are healthy strains of bacteria that can improve the state of your gut. They can be taken in supplement form or consumed through certain foods like yogurt, tempeh, miso, sauerkraut and cottage cheese, so you’ll have plenty of options moving forward.

3. Diarrhea

It isn’t pleasant, but diarrhea is one of the most common IBS symptoms. More than a third of IBS patients say that they experience it regularly.

It can be hard to link diarrhea to irritable bowel syndrome since it’s also connected to other digestive issues such as Crohn’s disease. By itself, it might not be enough to diagnose IBS. If you’re experiencing other symptoms on this list in conjunction with diarrhea, however, it’s probably a sign of bigger things.

The solution for loose and watery stools is to watch your fiber consumption. Insoluble fibers will worsen it; they encourage bowel movements, so they’re recommended for constipation and not diarrhea. On the other hand, soluble fibers can help to firm things up and get your bowel movements back on a set schedule.

Here are some examples of insoluble fibers that you’ll want to avoid:

– Cereal
– Beans
– Seeds
– Whole wheat flour
– Vegetable peels

Here are soluble fibers that you can safely add to your diet:

– Oats
– Barley
– Whole wheat bread
– Brown rice
– Dried fruits

4. Constipation

On the flip side, if your IBS isn’t causing diarrhea, it might be causing constipation. Nearly half of IBS patients have problems with hard or painful stools that get caught in the digestive track.

The good news is that there are many ways to ease constipation. The most common piece of advice is to eat more fiber, but as previously mentioned, you’ll need to be careful with the type of fiber that you add to your diet.

You can also try various home remedies to soften the hard stools associated with irritable bowel syndrome. For example, water with lemon is an old trick that can stimulate the enzymes in your gut. Fish oil will give you a boost of omega-3 fatty acids that might help with digestive issues.

Constipation is also commonly linked with magnesium deficiency, so you might try filling your pantry with magnesium-rich foods like legumes, avocados and dark chocolate. It won’t fix your IBS, but it might lessen the frequency of your IBS symptoms.

5. Bloating and Cramping

A whopping 83 percent of IBS patients report problems with bloating and cramping. Most of these issues are related to the release, blockage and build-up of gas, but they can have other internal causes as well.

Bloating is one of the most difficult IBS symptoms to control since it’s so common and general. However, one potential solution is to learn more about FODMAPs.

Officially known as “Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols,” FODMAPs are certain types of molecules that are hard to break down and absorb in the body. (3) They’re most commonly found in carbohydrates and can cause problems for IBS and non-IBS sufferers alike.

Low-FODMAP diets can ease things like gas and bloating. High-FODMAP diets can make them worse. You’ll need to do some research to create a good diet plan, but here’s a quick list to get you started.

Low-FODMAP foods:

– Eggs
– Citrus fruits
– Herbs and spices
– Leafy greens
– Most types of seafood

High-FODMAP foods:

– Dairy products
– Artificial sweeteners
– Anything with high-fructose corn syrup

6. Rectal Bleeding

This can be one of the scariest symptoms of IBS. No one likes seeing blood in the toilet! Before you rush to the emergency room, however, you should know that blood in your stool isn’t an automatic crisis.

For starters, it might be coming from a tear in your anal passage that has nothing to do with your bowels or intestines. Are you constipated a lot? Do you strain? You might have caused small fissures down there, and while they won’t be comfortable, they’re nothing to worry about. They’ll heal quickly and without medical intervention.

Another possibility is hemorrhoids. They can build up if you spend a lot of time on the toilet with a digestive issue. Some might be serious enough to need professional treatment, but most can be managed at home.

If you’re truly worried about the blood in your stool, go ahead and schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. But you’ll probably be okay to wait a few days and see if it clears up on its own. The tears might heal; the hemorrhoids might fade. Rectal bleeding is a common symptom of IBS, but it doesn’t have to be a panic-inducing one.

7. Fatigue

Are you tired all of the time? Do you sleep poorly at night or suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness? Do you wish that you had more energy for your favorite activities?

Fatigue is one of the most pervasive symptoms of IBS. It isn’t clear if the IBS itself causes exhaustion or if people are simply exhausted by dealing with it, but the end result is the same. If you have IBS, you’re probably tired a lot.

Fortunately, there are foods that can improve both your mood and your zest for life. While they might not turn you into the Energizer Bunny, they can stabilize your blood sugar, stimulate your adrenal glands and put more pep in your step.

Here are some high-energy foods:

– Bananas
– Quinoa
– Goji berries
– Brown rice
– Sweet potatoes
– Tuna

One thing to note is that you’ll want to steer clear of caffeine. It isn’t healthy to begin with, and too much coffee and tea can make your irritable bowel syndrome flare up even worse than usual.

8. Lower Back Pain

This is one of the lesser-known irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, but it can still be a significant source of stress and anxiety for those who experience it.

Back pain associated with IBS is usually called “referred pain.” This means that the pain isn’t felt where it actually originates. In the case of IBS, it’s the belly that’s causing all of the trouble, but the lower back is where certain people feel it.

Researchers aren’t sure why this happens. It might have to do with crossed wires in the brain-gut pathway; it might be related to the close proximity of all of the organs in the lower body and how people interpret pain radiating from that area.

Regardless of the cause, however, if you feel stiffness or soreness in your back, it might be a sign of IBS. Talk to your doctor to be sure.

Final Thoughts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

While there’s no cure for IBS, there are plenty of ways that you can manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. The first step is figuring out a diet that balances both your nutritional needs and your digestive issues, but there are other steps that you can take as well. Don’t be afraid to branch out and do more research on irritable bowel syndrome. You never know when you might stumble on a solution that really works for you!

5 Signs Someone Has Hidden Alzheimers

December 14, 2018 by Power of Positivity

“We were heartbroken…”

“For mum, it wasn’t simply forgetting things – it was processes that started to go wrong. Making a cup of tea was so confusing (and) daily tasks became a challenge. Her moods changed…This gentle, five-foot lady became violent.” – Amanda Franks, from Alzheimer’s disease and Mum – our story

If you read tales of people discussing a family member’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, you will probably see the word “heartbroken” used at some point. That’s because watching someone with mid- to late-stage Alzheimer’s is downright heart-wrenching. Many people describe the experience as the hardest thing they’ve ever had to go through.

Alzheimer’s is a dreadful condition that is unsurpassed in the amount of grief it inflicts on patient and loved ones alike. In this article, we are going to talk a bit more about the ins and outs of this horrible condition. Where we can, we will provide hopefully beneficial information on various topics pertaining to Alzheimers, including the early signs, risk factors, treatments options, and prevention.

As you will read, detecting Alzheimer’s disease is no easy task. Many of the symptoms are subtle, if noticeable at all. That said, we are going to do our best to explain signs, based on available evidence, that someone may have hidden Alzheimer’s.

Finally, we are going to wrap things up by discussing newly discovered ways of preventing Alzheimer’s.

“Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.” – National Institute on Aging

Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in the world. The term “dementia” is used to describe a group of symptoms characterized by cognitive decline – including memory loss, difficulty thinking and problem-solving, and diminished language ability. AD is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the number one cause of death in the U.K.

It is estimated that approximately 6 million people aged 65 and older – and 200,000 under the age of 65 – have some form of Alzheimer’s. Approximately two-thirds of Americans diagnosed with AD are women. At the current rate of diagnosis, along with the medical advances that extend lifespan, it is estimated that as many as 16 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s by the year 2050.

As devastating as the disease is, many scientists and researchers are confident that they know more about this condition – and the mechanisms behind it – than at any other time in history. For a long time, scientists couldn’t reach a consensus on the exact cause of Alzheimer’s. Then, within the last couple of years, scientists identified a group of deposits called protein oligomers as the most likely cause (more on this later.)

Just this past September, scientists at the University of Cambridge and Lund University (Sweden) issued a statement outlining a potential breakthrough treatment that directly targets the cause of Alzheimer’s. These and other findings give rise to hope that one day this dreaded affliction will be a thing of the past.

The Pathology and “Stages” of Alzheimer’s

The effects of AD are caused by damage – and eventual death – of brain cells, triggered by the buildup of Amyloid beta (A?), amino acid peptides that form the main component of plaques. Amyloid plaques can accumulate for up to 15 to 20 years before producing recognizable symptoms. Once A? accumulates to a certain point, the glial cells that normally “rinse” brain cells of the peptides become hyperactive, causing inflammation and damaging the affected area.

Tau, a critical neural transport protein found in the synapses, begins to entangle, twisting itself into clumps and preventing neuronal firing. Eventually, the neurons themselves begin to die. The first area of the brain usually affected is the hippocampus, the part of the brain that encodes and stores memories. This may help explain why a deteriorating memory is the first noticeable sign for potential Alzheimer’s patients.

5 Signs of Hidden Alzheimers

1. Subtle Memory lapses

As stated, lapses in memory are probably the most common sign of early-onset Alzheimer’s. One may begin to forget why they went into a room. They may struggle remembering the name of an acquaintance – even a friend, or continually misplace things. Or they may forget how to navigate to a place that they frequently visit, like a relative or friend’s home.

2. Trouble completing familiar tasks

Adult children of early-onset Alzheimer’s patients say that they first knew something was wrong when their Mom or Dad couldn’t perform routine tasks without difficulty. In the early stages of AD, this sign is limited to performing routine, complex tasks. For instance, they struggle with playing a board game with multiple rules (e.g. chess). Or they find out they’re not quite as good with recalling directions anymore.

3. Confusion

As AD target areas of the brain responsible for thinking, the patient (or a concerned family member) may notice their mental clarity beginning to fade. They may have a harder time making decisions, finding the right words, or speaking fluently. Sometimes, they will experience confusion about what they’re supposed to be doing for the day. They may wonder whether they’ve already finished a task that is a normal part of their daily routine.

4. Inability to follow storylines

Trouble keeping up with everyday situations is another classic early symptom of AD. Previously, they may have been able to talk to a friend or watch a television episode without problems. Now, they suddenly can’t seem to recall something that was said or done just moments prior. They lose track of storylines and current events.

5. Apathy

Another common sign of early-onset AD is an apathetic attitude. The person may seem unenthusiastic, showing little regard for the goings-on of everyday life. This sign may manifest as listlessness or a lack of interest in once-enjoyable activities, hobbies, or events.

Prevention and Treatment

“Diagnosis doesn’t mean you’re dying tomorrow. Keep living. You won’t lose your emotional memory. You’ll still be able to understand love and joy. You might not remember what I said five minutes ago, but you’ll remember how I made you feel. And you are more than what you can remember.” – Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice

While there are currently as many as 80 medications being investigated for AD treatment, there is restlessness within both the medical and patient communities regarding the ineffectiveness and costliness of many pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for AD. Proponents of current medications cite studies that show that these medicines delay cognitive decline, even in later stages. Critics, most notably AD patients and their families, point to uncomfortable – even harmful – side effects, and their considerable costs.

While some of these drugs may indeed provide a “modest but significant” amount of relief for some AD patients, a growing number of scientists, doctors, and other experts believe that their counterparts are looking for answers in the wrong places.

Alzheimers and Lifestyle

Lisa Genova, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist and author, is adamant that most research efforts have failed. Why? Precisely because they have focused on preventing, eliminating, or reducing the amyloid plaque buildup responsible for the symptoms of AD. Genova and her colleagues believe that the prevention of AD – and perhaps the treatment of early symptoms – lies in lifestyle changes.

Genova points to sleep deprivation, in which just one night of poor sleep increases the levels of A?. Whereas, slow-wave deep sleep allows the glial cells to rinse cerebral spinal fluid throughout our brains, clearing away metabolic waste that accumulates in the brain while we are awake.

Here’s an eye-opening statistic: up to 80 percent of AD patients also have cardiovascular disease. And, while correlation does not imply causation, correcting poor lifestyle choices is a certifiable no-brainer. Particularly, the areas of sleep, diet, and exercise should be a focus. Also implied as potential risk factors for AD are obesity and high cholesterol levels.

Keeping the brain active is another means of potentially preventing many cases of Alzheimer’s Disease. Neuroscientists have proven beyond a doubt that humans are capable of growing new brain cells – a process called neurogenesis. It is apparent that learning new things strengthens neural connections and, most likely, expedites the production of new synapses.

Final Thoughts: “Prevention is the best medicine.”

Nearly every expert on the matter agrees that genetic factors play a big role in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Recent research is uncovering that lifestyle choices may play a much larger role than initially thought.

Although recent, cutting-edge Alzheimer’s research may make headlines, we might be several years from any breakthrough treatment. Meanwhile, convincing research has been put forth indicating that Alzheimer’s may indeed be more preventable than originally thought.

So, engage your brain and get regular exercise. Make sure you are keeping a healthy weight, scheduling checkups, and getting quality sleep. Also, avoid smoking because all these could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Alzheimer’s and dementia are no reason to stop enjoying life, so if your parents or loved ones are suffering from this disease consider bringing them to memory care homes.

In the meantime, let us all hope (and pray, if that’s your thing) for an eventual cure that will forever eradicate this terrible illness.

Challenge your brain

Watch your diet

Lay off the alcohol

Listen to music to promote a young brain

Don’t multitask

Beware of negative emotions

Get regular exercise for a young brain

Watch your blood pressure and blood sugar

Don’t smoke

Monitor stress

Talk to people

Get your beauty sleep

Healthy fat helps keep you full

Healthy fat accelerates the ability to lose weight

Healthy fat protects against metabolic syndrome

Healthy fat boosts heart health (Take that, sugar industry!)

1. Persistent Abdominal Pain

2. Unusual Stools

3. Diarrhea

4. Constipation

5. Bloating and Cramping

6. Rectal Bleeding

7. Fatigue

8. Lower Back Pain

Final Thoughts on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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