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How to Treat Your Endometriosis by Changing Your Diet

Smiling black woman cutting vegetables in modern kitchen interioAbdominal discomfort, bloating, lower back pain — period cramps are no fun! Once a month, the majority of women experience period-related symptoms that usually are fairly mild. But imagine cramps so severe that you can’t function, you vomit and sometimes you even pass out. This is what some women with endometriosis experience every time.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that typically lines the uterus falls outside the uterus onto the fallopian tubes, the bladder, the abdominal cavity as well as other areas. This condition can cause lesions and inflammation inside the uterus, leading to extreme pain, scar tissue formation and even infertility. More than six million women in the United States suffer from endometriosis and, sadly, treatment doesn’t work for everyone. But, what if you could cure your endometriosis just by changing the food you eat? Today we are going to discuss how to treat your endometriosis by changing your diet.

First, let’s talk about why changing your diet is so important. Changing your diet will decrease inflammation, decrease estrogen levels, encourage weight loss, reduce bloating and increase your energy levels. All of these things are extremely important when it comes to managing endometriosis.

So, how should you change your diet? Here are some tips.

Incorporate more anti-inflammatory foods.
Foods such as berries, leafy greens and salmon all help to decrease inflammation. Spices such as turmeric are an excellent anti-inflammatory and can be added to many foods to give them a little kick of flavor and inflammation fighting power. Remember some of those foods we talked about in last week’s 8 Pantry Perfect Foods? Well things like chia seeds, flax seeds and coconut oil are also great to help cut inflammation.

Up your magnesium intake.
Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant, so it makes sense that it would help to ease your cramps. Try adding some spinach to your omelet in the morning or making some avocado toast.

Don’t forget about iron.
Iron is lost through the excessive bleeding you experience while on your cycle, so it’s important to replenish what you’ve lost. Navy beans, beef and even molasses are all excellent sources of iron.

Keep in mind that all of these things can be supplemented into your diet. In addition to eating magnesium rich foods you can take a magnesium supplement, and the same goes for the iron.

Changing your diet and lifestyle should decrease your symptoms and allow your endometriosis be more manageable if not going away all together.

To learn more about women’s health check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard.

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8 Perfect Pantry Foods

Smiling Sportive Woman Squeezing Juice From OrangeEating well is a full time job. It takes proper planning and careful consideration. What you keep in the house is just as important as what you put on your plate. It can be easy to prepare meals and set aside healthy foods for the week, but what about when hunger strikes and you need to reach for something in the cupboard? If your house is stocked with junk food, such as chips and candy, it will be hard to achieve your wellness goals. Today, we’re sharing 8 staples that you should keep in your pantry at all times. They’re great to grab as a snack or to add nutrition to meals, and they are healthy and delicious!

Coconut oil
Everyone is on the coconut oil craze, but for good reason! Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid so it’s one of those “good” fats. Due to its fatty acid properties, coconut oil is great for stabilizing blood sugar. So next time you’re craving something sweet reach in your cabinet and take a spoonful of coconut oil. If your craving doesn’t subside add another spoonful to some melted dark chocolate and dip some strawberries in there. The coconut oil gives the chocolate a touch of sweetness and creaminess, and makes the perfect healthy snack!

Apples
We all have heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, it’s true. Apples contain antioxidants that help to boost your immunity. They also contain a lot of fiber so they make a great snack, especially when you’re looking for something with a bite to it. Fruit is best to eat on an empty stomach, your body will digest it better. Plus fruit is so easy: just wash and enjoy!

Nutritional flakes
A lot of people haven’t heard of them, but these little flakes but they pack a huge punch when it comes to flavor and nutrition. Yeast flakes are derived from wood pulp, whey or molasses and contain a ton of B vitamins to give you energy. They’re also a great source of protein! These flakes have a nutty or cheesy taste and are delicious when sprinkled on veggies. They are also perfect to add to freshly popped popcorn for movie night! But make sure you add them after everything is cooked, because heat can destroy their health benefits.

Nuts
Peanuts, pistachios, almonds — all three of these nuts should be pantry staples! Nuts make a great snack, they’re a little salty and have some crunch, a much healthier alternative to potato chips. They’re full of fiber and protein to keep you full all day long!

Flax seeds
Flax seeds look like sesame seeds, but they contain a different set of nutritional values. One tablespoon of ground flax seed contains almost 2 grams of fiber! With all of the fiber packed into these tiny seeds, they are great for digestion. Flax seed also helps lower cholesterol, because they’re a great source of omega 3s, and they can even aide in weight loss! These seeds don’t have a lot of flavor, so they’re perfect to add to oatmeal, yogurt or even smoothies. Try adding them to your kids’ favorite smoothie; your kids won’t even notice they’re there! Just make sure you grind them up before using them, and store them in the freezer. Whole flax will pass right through you, making you miss all of its nutritional value. And once they’re ground, the oils in them can cause them to go rancid quickly, so freezing is always the best storage option.

Apple cider vinegar
You should always keep some apple cider vinegar in your pantry. Apple cider vinegar is alkalizing and helps to kick your metabolism into high gear! Adding a tablespoon or two to a glass of water first thing in the morning is a great way to start your day. It can also be used to make healthy salad dressings. Just make sure you get the organic apple cider vinegar fermented with mother. This contains the most health benefits.

Chia seeds
These tiny seeds are a pantry must-have! You can add them to so many different foods to enhance texture and to add nutrients. Like flax seeds, chia seeds are packed with fiber and omega 3s. One ounce of chia seeds contains 10 grams of fiber! That’s almost a third of the recommended daily value of fiber for adults. They are great sprinkled on avocado toast, used as a salad topping or they can even be used to make chia seed pudding. They swell and absorb liquid, so add some to your favorite milk, let it chill over night in the fridge, and in the morning you’ll have a healthy breakfast on the go!

Quinoa
This ancient grain is full of goodness! Swap rice for quinoa or use it to make a summer salad. This grain is gluten free and contains a boat load of protein. It’s delicious when added to chili to add extra protein to keep you full all day long!

Stocking your pantry with healthy foods will get you to your weight loss goals that much quicker! Pick up these delicious treats next time you head to the grocery store or farmers market, you won’t regret it!

To learn more about nutrition and women’s health, check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It contains 6 interviews by top female health professionals plus two workout videos and 3 bonus videos on mind-body wellness with MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard.

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How To Spot A Stroke F.A.S.T.

Young Female Patient Talking To Male Nurse In Emergency RoomWhen it comes to a medical emergency, acting quickly can be the difference between life and death, but fast takes a whole new meaning with strokes.

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is cut off. There are two different types of strokes. The first is ischemic. An ischemic stroke is when blood supply is cut off by a blood clot. This is the more common of the type types.

The second type is a hemorrhagic stroke. These are less common, but more dangerous and often lead to death. In a hemorrhagic stroke, an aneurysm bursts causing a blood vessel to leak.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke is key to prevention and getting help for yourself or your loved one. Today, we’re going to discuss how acting F.A.S.T. can save a life!

F – Facial drooping
One side of their face may be drooping, whether it be their eye lids or their smile, their face might seem off. Ask them to smile, does their mouth seem crooked?

A – Arm weakness
This isn’t the typical weakness after an intense lifting session, people who are having a stroke can barely life one or both arms. They may also be experiencing tingling and numbness in one or both arms.

S – Slurred speech
You may be having a hard time understanding the person. Their speech my be slurred, slow or jumbled. Or they may be unable to talk at all.

T – Time
You must act quickly! If you notice any of these signs in yourself or your loved one, even if they disappear, call 911! Also, check the clock. This way you know exactly when the symptoms began. Time is important in strokes.

If caught early enough, 80% of strokes can be prevented. Use F.A.S.T. to spot these signs and symptoms and act quickly.

For more information on women’s health and women’s heart health check out the Women’s Mind Body Wellness Summit. It includes 6 interviews with top female health professionals as well as two workout videos and three bonus videos on mind-body wellness from MyHealthSpin Founder Lori-Ann Rickard!