Category Archives: Health

Why You Should Change Your Diet Today

11/03/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

There are so many benefits to eating healthy, it can make you wonder why we don’t all do it. Let’s be honest, eating junk food is not good for us but it makes us feel good or fills us up when we are too busy to make ourselves something decent to eat. With this in mind, here are some reasons why you should ditch the bad habits and make some healthy changes to your diet.

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marijana1 from Pixabay

Better sleep

Sleep is one of those thighs that we need but it seems to evade us. If we can make our diet a bit better, our sleep schedule can improve as well. This is because the change in sugar levels can help us to sleep instead of keeping us awake. If you seem to feel tired a lot of the time, then you might want to take a look at the amount of sugar that goes into your body every day. It can take time for you to notice the change to your sleep pattern but you should feel the benefits within a couple of days of ditching the sugar.

Better loving

We shouldn’t have to say this but being unfit does not make a great time in the bedroom, especially if you are tired. If you have realised that things are not great in this department, you should have a look at potential issues. Is it awkward to discuss Erectile Dysfunction Treatment? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Definitely. Give yourself those tough talks and get your bed antics back to rival your 25-year-old self again. The only people who will benefit from this are yourself and your partner.

More energy

On the back of the previous points, it is worth mentioning that overall a healthy diet will give you more energy. This is important as you have stuff to do and responsibilities. You don’t have time to feel tired. You need to be sleeping well during the night so that you can blast through your day. If you have more energy, you will have the time to get things done, enjoy time with your family, and enjoy your time on this planet a lot more. And, if you have more energy, you will not be as grouchy, so people will want to spend more time around you too.

Save money

We are all looking for ways to cut back on our bills, but what if the biggest culprit is our food bill? Could we save money by switching our afternoon chocolate bar to an apple from the fridge? The answer is yes! The chocolate bar in question might not cost much but they add up. Try to take away some of the nasty treats that you seem to eat and swap them for something easy and healthy. The end result should be gaining some pounds instead of gaining some weight.

And there you have it, some reasons why you should make the change to healthy eating today, and they are all for your own benefit.

Going Healthy, Health, Life

DHT: The Hormone That Can Cause Baldness

11/01/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Have you noticed your hairline receding recently? If so, you must be scratching your head as to what is causing it. After all, hair loss occurs due to many reasons.

You may be losing your hair because of stress or genetics. However, if you are a man, then the cause is most likely hormonal. DHT is a substance in men that can result in male pattern baldness.

If you want to learn more about DHT, you’re in the right place. Below we have detailed everything that you must know about it.

What Is DHT?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen (sex hormone) that is made as a byproduct during the formation of testosterone. It is the primary hormone that results in the development of male sex characteristics. For example, during puberty, DHT can result in:

Voice deepening
Increase in body hair
Growth of male sex organs
Change in fat storage
Increase in body mass

Besides these, DHT offers other benefits too as you grow old. For example, it maintains your muscle mass. Additionally, it plays an integral role in sexual health and fertility promotion.

How Can DHT Levels Rise?

DHT is linked to hair loss when its levels in the body reach an extreme high. That is why you may wonder what exactly increases this hormone’s quantity in the bloodstream.

Well, testosterone produces DHT with the help of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. About 10% of testosterone is responsible for this action, as per research.

All this means that anything that increases your testosterone levels will also cause DHT to rise in your body. This can happen due to vitamins, supplements, dietary changes, and much more.

However, there is one thing that you should note. Typically, DHT results in male pattern baldness when the individual is genetically predisposed to it. This means that they have genes for hair loss that make them sensitive to this androgen.

How Does DHT Result In Hair Loss?

If you are susceptible to hair loss because of genes, you’re most likely to face male pattern baldness due to DHT. This can happen in females as well. That is because women also have some quantity of testosterone in their bodies.

Typically, DHT can bind to specific receptors present on your hair follicles beneath the skin. The androgen alters the phases of the hair growth cycle by shortening the growing period and extending the resting phase.

As a result, the follicles weaken, reduce in size, and eventually die. When your follicles are no longer functioning, no new hair growth takes place. So when your old hair falls off, you are most likely to suffer from baldness.

However, there is one interesting thing about DHT that will pique your curiosity. It is that this androgen affects other areas of the body too. For example, it is responsible for increasing hair on the chest, back, and much more.

How To Prevent Hair Loss By DHT?

DHT is a hormone whose amount in the bloodstream can be varied. This means that the baldness it causes can be prevented. You may have heard about shampoos helping to reduce the levels of DHT. Well, they can be effective but do not prevent balding altogether.

The definitive method of reducing DHT in the body is by taking finasteride. This is a pill that prevents the conversion of testosterone to this androgen. When no DHT is made, you are less likely to suffer from hair loss.

Finasteride is a type of DHT blocker that is most effective on the market. You can combine it with minoxidil to have more noticeable results. Typically, a 1mg dose daily is necessary for preventing baldness.

Additionally, there are natural options to reducing DHT:

What Happens When DHT Levels Are Too Low?

You have learned everything about high levels of DHT up till now. However, this does not mean that a low amount is beneficial. When the quantity goes below the normal range, you will suffer from other problems.

In all genders, low levels of DHT can delay the individual from hitting puberty. Besides that, in men, it may also result in incomplete development of the sex organs. In addition, prostate tumors can develop because of a lack of DHT too.

Bottom Line

That was all you needed to know about DHT. The hormone is beneficial in many ways but comes with some risks too. If you have the gene for hair loss, you must keep your DHT levels in check.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Lifestyle, Tips

The Best Prep For Runners

10/25/2021 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

If you have been running for a while and want to take it to the next level, or perhaps you are new to running and looking to get yourself in the zone before you slip your trainers on – this post is for you.

Preparing for a run isn’t simply tying your running shoe laces up and being done. Your body goes through several processes as it is running, and it needs to be in the best condition to do that.

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Photo by Brian Erickson on Unsplash

Here are a few simple things you can do to prepare yourself for running.

Gear

If you have been running in whatever is comfortable up until now, then it is time to change the game up. The running gear you use has a significant impact on your performance.

At a minimum, you should be looking to invest in the following:

Running shoes are designed for the ground you run on. If you want to use Vibram shoes for a natural foot shape, keep in mind you will likely need extra support by Achilles tendon taping.
Sunscreen is essential even on overcast days – opt for sweatproof sunscreen.
A sun hat and sunglasses designed for running
Slimline hydration pack or bottle
Reflective accessories and clothing

Choosing running shoes isn’t an easy task; you must get measured in a professional running store. You might have high arches and need extra support, or perhaps you have a wide foot.

No matter what the issue is, you need to have the perfect fit. Poorly fitting trainers will leave you prone to ankle and knee issues.

Need more tips? Choosing Running Shoes

Starters timetable

If you have been running for a while, this section isn’t for you. Starting your running journey might not begin with how you think. Your body needs to be conditioned to run and run well.

Start by combining jogging and walking between 4 and 6 times a week. Jog for a few minutes and walk for a few minutes as the weeks pass, minus some walking minutes and add them to your jogging speed. After a few more weeks, try jogging the whole way one or more times a week.

Experienced runners

After you have been running for a while, it’s time to go a little harder. Instead of a gentle warmup, start pushing your body hard. This is called priming and is often underappreciated to get into the zone and perform your best immediately.

Your body adapts to the demands of running hard, and the longer your run, the more effortless it becomes, so use your warm-up and the first round on the track and go all out.

Something runners have in common is the drive to do something and achieve it. Once you have been running for a while, it’s time to set yourself some big goals—sign up for some marathons and races. The deadline on your fitness will mean you are more focused than you have ever been before, and that can be a beautiful thing.