Natural Health Alternative Blog

Gestational diabetes is one of the lesser known forms of diabetes mellitus. In fact, most women are not even aware of it, as there are a few symptoms that are normally ascribed to the various changes that occur during pregnancy. It is important to note that gestational diabetes can occur even if there is no previous history of high blood sugar.

Gestational diabetes occurs in 3-10% pregnancies and is usually revealed in diagnostic tests performed during pregnancy. There is also no known reason why blood sugar levels shoot up in some pregnant women, but it is believed that it is due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Hormones produced during pregnancy are believed to increase insulin resistance, which impairs glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance is classified as diabetes mellitus type II, a condition where the body’s cells are unable to absorb glucose to derive energy.

According to its medical definition, gestational diabetes is ‘any degree of glucose intolerance with the onset or first recognition of pregnancy.’ Although associated with pregnancy, this does not rule out the possibility of prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes type II before pregnancy. The bottom line is that it can be diagnosed, but whether diabetes subsides after childbirth, it is open to doubt.
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If you are like me and my family and friends, you’ve all just enjoyed at least one day of merriment and fellowship with those you love this holiday season.

Additionally, you’ve also likely been tempted and even given into over indulging in eating. How often do we cook such a “spread?” Worse, if we aren’t cooking we are obliged to eat whatever “Aunt Sally” has labored over.

It’s also a fact that food isn’t the only problem we face in maintaining health. It’s such a busy and stressful time of year when trying to budget for presents, getting our kids to their extracurricular events and finishing up priorities at work.

Often times, these things take a toll on our health. Are you finding time to exercise each day? Are you remembering to visit your doctor and if he/she has prescribed medicine, have you remembered to take it?

“I can’t afford to be sick.” I hear this so often, but so many people these days really mean it. Whether people can’t afford the time to rest or the money they will miss by staying home to rest, the result is the same – it’s your personal health that suffers.

This is why I truly believe in creating a New Year’s resolution. I also encourage each and every one of you to make a resolution this year!

What I also encourage is a plan. Whether it’s quitting smoking, losing weight or exercising daily, the number one reason people fail at their resolution is that they DON’T MAKE A PLAN.

You don’t decide to take a cross-country trip and then just get in your car and go do you? For the logical person, the answer is “no.” We take our car in to the repair shop and get a health check, repairing any mechanical issues before we start our trip.

Additionally, we request time off from work and ensure our absence isn’t going to create issues for others. We pack accordingly to the weather, which we’ve been watching to ensure we have nice weather for our trip.

This is exactly what we need to do when we are attempting to improve our health. Yes, agreeing that a change is needed is a hugely important step but it’s not the only one. Practicality, while not as much fun, is just as important.

Also important is realizing that change is a process. If you slip and miss a day of exercise or over eat, you don’t have to quit your plan. It’s not ruined – go back over your plan and point out “lessons learned” to help ensure success down the road.

For many, losing weight, stopping snoring, and lowering blood pressure are great examples of New Year’s resolutions. They are important because each of these are considered “silent killers.” Most people don’t see or feel the adverse effects until permanent damage has been done.

Many others though, are currently living in pain. Whether its neck pain, headache and migraine, fibromyalgia, TMJ, acid reflux or vertigo, people with these conditions can’t help but be reminded (every day in some cases) that they have a health issue.

Many of you with these conditions have been told by professionals that it’s in your head (fibromyalgia usually gets this response) or that there is nothing to be done for the condition.

If there is something to be done it usually involves prescription medicines, which can have dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects. Often times, these medicines don’t treat the condition or the cure is worse than the treatment due to the harsh side effects of the medicine.

This is why I am so proud of my programs. They are all natural – no pills to remember to take. They are easy to do breathing and relaxation exercises which provide, in most cases, near immediate relief. Client feedback from those who have been helped has been overwhelming!

I encourage you to explore my blog site today. There, you can find more detailed information on each of my programs (located on right side of page).

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“Eat your spinach so you can be strong like Popeye!” While still a child, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but now as an adult, I understand – my mother and the cartoon creator were part of a propaganda conspiracy towards children.

What I also didn’t realize then is just how amazing the health benefits of spinach are. Spinach is at the top of the super foods list for a reason.

Just take a look at all of the nutrients provided in spinach: vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, magnesium, manganese, Vitamin C, iron, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), potassium, calcium, vitamin E, dietary fiber, folic acid, carotenoids, lutein, omega 3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B3 (niacin), phosphorus, zinc and the list goes on!

Why are these important for health? Let’s start with vitamins A, C, folic acid, dietary fiber and magnesium. These nutrients have been long known for their abilities to ward off cancer, especially lung, breast and colon cancers.

Additionally, folic acid is also important in that it helps prevent a certain birth defect that happens during the first two weeks of pregnancy - before most women even realize they are pregnant. If one keeps in mind that half of all pregnancies are unplanned, this is especially important.

Vitamin A and C are also excellent antioxidants. They actually help prevent the ability of cholesterol to stick to artery walls, which allows for better blood and oxygen flow to the major organs including the heart and brain, thus preventing heart attacks and stroke.

Lutein in spinach has been found to help prevent cataracts. The riboflavin in spinach has shown promise in preventing migraine attacks. The calcium content in spinach is excellent for bone strength and has shown to help prevent against osteoporosis.

A recent study has shown that ingesting 3 servings of dark leafy greens like spinach (kale, collards, Swiss chard, turnip greens and bok choy are also nutrient rich like spinach) per day helped ward of age related memory loss and mental decline by up to 40%!

The iron in spinach is an excellent source for energy which can in turn lead to more physical activity, which can then lead to weight loss and improved muscle tone. At only 40 calories per cup (uncooked), and with more than twice the fiber than regular lettuce, this is a salad which will fill you up.

Unlike the Popeye cartoon, the best way to retrieve the nutrients in spinach is to consume it uncooked as with a spinach salad. Cooked spinach, however, is full of flavor and is quite versatile – it can easily be added to foods for extra taste and nutritional content.

It can be added to lasagna and other pasta dishes, soups and many other meals in order to easily help fulfill your daily dietary needs.

Spinach is great for heart and health but if you have specific concerns, I highly recommend both my High Blood Pressure program and my Weight Loss Breeze program. These programs are all natural, and easy to get started. Best of all, they work!

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As the favorite Christmas song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but is it? Don’t get me wrong, Most people love the holidays. It’s a chance to get together with families, exchange presents and eat like there’s no tomorrow.

The problem is that for many of these same people, the very things listed above can contribute to stress.

In fact, one recent study by a leading mental health group determined that the most commonly reported stressors during the holidays are concern over finances, memories and emotions concerning relatives who have died and having too many activities going on at once.

Also making the list were concerns over spending time with family, over indulging and concerns about being alone.

Of those who reported additional stress, people of color (specifically Latinos and Native Americans) and women reported the most stress. Parents, as compared to people with no children also reported more stress.

Many of my clients write to me asking me how to help reduce their stress level during the holidays. Many are helped just by recognizing what their stressors are but I was amazed by the number of people who know the stressor, e.g., spending time with family and still don’t know what to do.

For many, avoiding the stress simply isn’t an option. By avoiding family, for example, my clients felt that would create even more stress and tension and the damaging effects would be more long term.

All we have to do is get through the holidays, right? Wrong. Starting January 2, many people report feelings of depression, anxiety, feeling “down and even illness.

Why would this happen after the stressful event(s)? This is because stress, unmanaged, can take a huge toll on one’s mental AND physical health.

What can one do about managing stress? Number one is budget. This is a timely subject, given our current economic crisis. If saving extra for the holidays simply isn’t an option, consider cutting back and getting creative in gift ideas.

Don’t feel you have to purchase for everyone. Perhaps agree with your extended family and friends that you will do a gift swap or only purchase for the children. Many who are likely in a similar situation will be actually be relieved to hear you suggest this.

Don’t feel like you need to be responsible for everything. If you are hosting a meal, don’t be shy about requesting specific food items that others need to bring. Also, why not split up get-togethers so as not to burden one person or family with the responsibility.

Also important is to take time for you, even if only an hour a day. Go for a jog, do yoga, read a book or even take a bath. As long as you are focusing on only you - this is the key.

Attending a holiday gathering specifically for adults is also recommended. The holidays are already so focused on your children, don’t feel guilty about getting away from them for an evening and enjoying yourself as a couple or single.

I also highly recommend my all natural programs to treat a number of common but previously considered incurable conditions (located to the right of my blog page) to help in managing stress. The programs are easy to do but best of all, they work!

EL331002