June 11th 2024
–
Wellness Mama Blog | Simple Answers for Healthier Families
–
We don’t go out to eat often, but when we do, I love Japanese food. It’s relatively easy to find gluten-free dishes, and the salads and stir fry are wonderful There’s even a local restaurant that cooks in coconut oil! One of my favorite things at our local Japanese restaurant is their ginger salad dressing (which probably […]
Got milk? Well, you might want to reconsider that after listening to this episode. I explore the truth about milk with Dr. David Ludwig, including its nutritional value, health risks, and the impact of modern dairy farming practices. Together, we challenge the conventional wisdom that promotes high dairy intake and we discuss the latest scientific research that questions its necessity and safety. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how dairy affects your health and what alternatives might be better for your diet.
This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, AG1, and Cymbiotika.
Streamline your lab orders with Rupa Health. Access more than 3,000 specialty lab tests and register for a FREE live demo at RupaHealth.com.
Get your daily serving of vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and more with AG1. Head to DrinkAG1.com/Hyman and get a year’s worth of D3 and five Travel Packs for FREE with your first order.
Upgrade your supplement routine with Cymbiotika. Get 20% off with free shipping on all orders. Head to Cymbiotika.com and use code HYMAN.
Permanent body art has moved from the back alleys into the mainstream, bringing with it a whole new world of reasons why peeps choose to get inked. Gone are the days when tattoo styles were just anchors, skulls, or hearts declaring “Mom.” Now, they’re as meaningful as they are beautiful, acting as marks of personal history, pains, and triumphs.
Whether it’s a butterfly’s whisper or a dragon’s roar, each tattoo carries a weight far beyond its visual appeal. If you’re thinking of getting inked with a symbol of inner strength, continue reading to learn more about tattoo designs that adorn your body and serve as powerful reminders of who you are and all you’ve overcome.
Photography by B Krokodil/Stocksy United
Symbols of strength in tattoos
Ready to wear your strength on your sleeve — or wherever you fancy? Consider these epic tattoo symbols to amp up your style and shout out your inner power and resilience:
Lion: Step aside, Simba! This isn’t a Disney reboot. A lion tattoo is a roaring manifesto of courage and kingship. Perfect for anyone who’s ever felt like the ruler of their own wild life or survived a jungle of challenges.
Eagle: Not only for the patriotic at heart, the eagle tattoo screams freedom and high-flying dreams. This birdy skin art could be a solid choice if you’re all about soaring through life on your own terms while aiming for the sky.
Bear: A bear tattoo shows strength mixed with a pinch of wisdom. It’s the ultimate mark for peeps who protect what’s theirs and stand tall even when going solo feels like the only option.
Oaktree: The oak tree is nature’s OG survivor. These incredible trees are deeply rooted with branches that can weather any storm. It’s the ideal symbol for anyone who’s ever stood firm despite all the fuckery that life throws their way.
Phoenix: Talk about a glow-up from the ashes! The phoenix tattoo is about overcoming, rebirthing, and slaying despite the odds. Snap this up if you’ve ever turned an ending into a beginning.
Symbolism tattoos
If you fancy a little more mystique or modern symbolism with your skin art, try these tattoo designs:
Dragon tattoo: Channel this mythical beast for a tattoo about mastery, mystery, and not taking no for an answer when fate breathes fire.
Butterfly tattoo: Who said change has to be painful? Okay, it often is, but a butterfly tattoo celebrates graceful transformation. A butterfly tat could work well if you’ve come through a metamorphosis with your wings outstretched.
Semicolon tattoos: The semicolon tattoo is a powerful pause, showing that you chose to continue your story when things got tough. More than a grammatical symbol, this inking shows the world that your story isn’t over.
Lotus tattoo: From murky waters rises the pristine lotus. This tattoo is for anyone who’s ever found beauty and strength in their struggle, showing that purity and beauty can emerge from the darkest waters.
Considerations before getting a tattoo
Loving the tattoo ideas, and you’re ready to ink? Hold that needle! Here’s what you need to mull over first:
Meaning: Tattoos are forever (sort of), so it’s vital that the symbolism behind your chosen design truly resonates. Yes, it’s about aesthetics, but it’s about finding something that holds deep personal significance, a symbol that will still mean something to you years later.
Location and size: Where do you want your tat? And what size? A sleeve might not be ideal if you’re in a conservative career, whereas a tiny tattoo on your ankle might give you the subtlety you need. Location and size impact the visibility and impact of your ink, so choose wisely based on your lifestyle.
Artist: Not every tattoo artist is a fit for your specific vision. Do your homework and research artists who specialize in the tattoo style you want, whether photorealistic, traditional, or watercolor. Look at portfolios, read reviews, and meet in person to ensure they understand your vision.
Safety: The importance of getting inked in a sterile, professional environment cannot be overstated. Check that the studio follows rigorous health and safety practices to avoid the risk of infection or complications. This means everything from sterilized equipment to disposable needles.
Tattoos are powerful, personal, and permanent. They’re your stories, triumphs, and sometimes secrets, inked in indelible lines.
Whether you choose a symbol of strength, a marker of memory, or a declaration of independence, a tattoo can empower and inspire you. So, take your time and th-ink about it carefully!
Read the full article here:
https://greatist.com/discover/strength-tattoos
You’re feeling a bit under the weather, but you don’t want to lose the momentum of your fitness routine. So, should you push through and hit the gym, or is it better to rest and let your body heal? Let’s break it down.
Is it a bad idea to work out when sick?
Sleep is the best way to help your body recover quickly when you’re sick. But if you’re determined to rise and grind, you could use the “neck check” to decide whether to lace up those sneakers or stay in bed.
Many sports doctors use this theory to say that if your symptoms are above the neck — sniffles, sore throat, or a mild headache — you’re generally good to go for a light workout. But if you’re dealing with chest congestion, a hacking or juicy cough, diarrhea, a fever, or an upset stomach, it’s better to take some time to catch up on your Netflix watchlist.
Big disclaimer: there’s little scientific evidence behind the “neck check,” so use your best judgment.
When is it safe to exercise?
If you’re going with the above-the-neck rule, exercising with the following symptoms is probably okay.
Mild cold
Going super hard if you have a mild cold is not a good idea. But a light workout, like a walk or a chill Peloton sesh, can be a great way to stay active without overdoing it. Stretching or light yoga might also do the trick.
Minor earache
Stick to light activities like walking for most earaches. Avoid intense workouts like weightlifting, yoga, or pilates, as they can throw off your balance and put pressure on your sinuses, exacerbating the pain.
Mild sore throat
Light and short workouts are likely fine if your sore throat is mild and lacks fever, cough, or swallowing issues. Remember to stay hydrated — it can ease your sore throat and is beneficial during exercise.
Stuffy nose
Light activities like brisk walks or gentle bike rides can help for allergy-related stuffy noses. If your nose is blocked, stick to very light activities, focusing on breathing. Skip workouts if you have a fever, chest congestion, or a productive cough with phlegm until you’re symptom-free.
When you shouldn’t work out
If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, the workout can wait.
Fever
Working out with a fever increases dehydration risk and can worsen the fever. Plus, fever saps your muscle strength and coordination, making you more prone to injuries. So, do yourself a favor and skip the workout until you’re back to normal.
Cough
An occasional cough is your body’s way of clearing out irritants, but a frequent or phlegmy cough could signal a respiratory infection like a cold, flu, or even pneumonia or asthma. While a tickle-induced cough isn’t a gym deal-breaker, a persistent one is.
Stomach bug
Diarrhea and vomiting can dehydrate you, and physical activity only makes that dehydration worse. Feeling weak? That’s a recipe for injury. Plus, stomach bugs are highly contagious. If you feel antsy, stick to light stretching or yoga at home.
Flu
The flu hits your respiratory system hard, with symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, headache, cough, and congestion. If you’ve got the flu, take it easy and give your body some well-earned R&R.
When can you workout again?
Once symptom-free, ease back into exercise gradually. Start with less intense workouts to avoid overdoing it. As your symptoms fade, you can gradually return to normal activity.
Regular exercise may shorten recovery time, particularly for acute respiratory infections. Listen to your body’s signals to gauge your strength. If you’re still contagious, opt for home or outdoor workouts, so you don’t spread those germs to fellow gym-goers.
Takeaway
You probably shouldn’t workout if you have:
a fever
a bad cough
stomach bug
flu
You may be able to exercise if you’re dealing with something minor, such as a:
mild cold
minor earache
mild sore throat
stuffy nose
P.S. Check in with a healthcare provider if you’re unsure when it’s safe to start exercising again.
Read the full article here:
https://greatist.com/health/working-out-when-sick
Ah, creatine! It’s a popular supplement promising muscle gains and enhanced performance. But as you’re hitting the gym harder and seeing results, there are some potential side effects to be aware of. Here’s the lowdown.
What is creatine?
Creatine monohydrate is a naturally occurring substance found in muscle cells. It helps to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — your muscles’ go-to fuel when working hard.
Although you can find creatine in foods like red meat and seafood, many gym enthusiasts and athletes boost their stores with supplements. Why? Because more creatine equals more ATP, which means more energy for high-intensity activities. More fuel means more mileage!
Now, here’s where things get hairy. You might dial up your body’s DHT (dihydrotestosterone) production when you uplevel creatine. DHT is a derivative of testosterone and plays a big-league role in developing male characteristics. But here’s the catch: while DHT might beef up your alpha vibe, it’s also notorious for thinning out hairlines in peeps predisposed to male pattern baldness.
So, do creatine supplements cause baldness? Maybe! The buzz mainly stems from a small 2009 study where college-aged rugby players loaded up on creatine and saw their DHT levels increase significantly.
Because DHT can shrink hair follicles and shorten the hair growth cycle, it may seem logical to blame creatine for contributing to hair thinning. However, it’s important to remember that these findings are a one-hit wonder — they haven’t been seen again in other studies. Plus, let’s not forget that intense workouts alone can pump up these hormones, too.
As a result, the jury’s still out, making the creatine-and-baldness saga a hot topic for gym gossip and scientists alike.
How much does creatine increase DHT levels?
The same 2009 study found that after a week of taking high-dose creatinine at 25 grams per day, DHT levels rose by 56%. When the researchers dropped the dose to 5g daily for two more weeks, levels remained 40% higher than baseline. These findings contrasted with the control group participants who took a placebo.
Creatine and hair loss
Does this mean creatine could spell disaster for your do? Well, creatine boosts DHT, the usual suspect in male pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia. However, your disposition to hair loss and the effects of DHT is genetic, meaning that it’s inherited.
Some folks are more prone to DHT’s hair-ruffling effects because of how their androgen receptor gene is wired. Hormones like testosterone and DHT bind to androgen receptors, typically triggering normal hair growth. However, variations in the AR gene make the androgens extra effective, making you more likely to experience hair loss.
So, while there isn’t much evidence to say that creatine supplements cause hair loss, the connection to increased DHT levels is worth considering if your family reunions look like a convention for bald eagles.
Long-term effects of creatine
Beyond the potential for a breezy scalp, creatine is actually solid in the safety department, with long-term studies giving it a thumbs up. However, although creatinine doesn’t pose a risk to healthy individuals, it might not be your best move if you have kidney, high blood pressure, or liver disease.
Another thing to keep in mind is that creatinine loves to hang onto water, so expect some extra bloat and weigh-in surprises as your body adjusts.
When to see a doctor
Thinking of starting a creatine kick? Chatting with your doctor first is always wise, especially if you have other health conditions or take medications. They can advise you and rule out any potential interactions.
If you’re taking creatinine and notice changes to your hair, a check-up is a good idea. Shedding a few strands is normal, but it’s a red flag if you start losing clumps of hair. Rapid hair loss can indicate underlying health issues that go beyond your hairstyle.
Furthermore, consult a doctor if hair loss is weighing on your mind. They can offer solutions or treatments to manage your hair loss and stress.
Takeaway
Creatine is celebrated for its muscle-building prowess, but rumors of a link with hair loss exist. The good news is there’s little conclusive evidence directly connecting creatine supplementation to permanent hair loss.
However, creatine loading may boost DHT levels, a hormone linked to male pattern baldness, especially in people genetically predisposed to hair thinning.
So, if you’re concerned about hair loss, it might be wise to talk with a doctor before adding creatine supplements to your muscle-building routine.
Read the full article here:
https://greatist.com/health/creatine-dht
