by admin | Sep 2, 2020 | Health Awareness
Eating habits can be driven by many factors, including stress, boredom, and real hunger. Snacking outside of your true hunger cues can cause you to take in extra calories, and will likely have you reaching for “comfort foods” with little nutritional value. Here’s what you can do to adopt more mindful eating habits.
The Cause of Boredom-Based Eating
Eating during periods of boredom is actually a type of emotional eating. While physical hunger drives a need for sustenance, emotional eating prompts a specific craving. Moreover, with emotional eating, it can take longer to feel satisfied (sometimes, up to 20 minutes). Physical hunger, on the other hand, can typically be quelled quickly. While physical hunger may begin with a rumbling in your stomach, emotional hunger is triggered by the brain.
You might also find yourself eating while stressed. Like eating while bored, eating while stressed acts as a distraction. Cravings are driven by dopamine, the feel-good hormones which are released when you eat something delicious. Boredom or stress can prompt us to go looking for a pick-me-up, or dopamine release, and oftentimes, snacking is the quickest fix.
How to Stop Eating While Bored
Fortunately, there are ways to stop using emotional eating as a coping mechanism for stress, boredom, or other challenges. First, you must start by identifying whether you are indeed an emotional eater. Consider creating a food diary to track your eating habits. Don’t just write down what you ate and when, however. Also write down how you felt: On a scale of 1-10, how physically hungry did you feel at the time? How long had it been since your last meal or snack? Were you experiencing listlessness or any type of stress? Perhaps you had just had an argument with a loved one — keep track of all this information to look for patterns in your eating habits.
If you suspect that you are an emotional eater, the next step is to start practicing mindful eating. This is simply the process of recognizing your emotions and physical state. By bringing awareness to these factors, you can begin asking yourself whether you’re really hungry, or if you’re experiencing boredom or emotional turmoil instead. If you are indeed hungry, pause and observe your body’s natural cues. Legitimate hunger can be satisfied with healthy choices, and especially protein-rich foods such as eggs, nut butter, beans, and lean protein. Round out your meal or snack with a healthy carbohydrate, like whole grain toast, apple slices, or wheat pasta.
As you’re eating, try to take it slowly, savoring every bite. Limit distractions; for instance, try to avoid eating while watching TV or scrolling through social media. Eat until your hunger is satisfied and you feel full.
In addition, you can get out of the habit of eating while bored by planning your meals out in advance. Have ingredients for healthy dishes on hand and prep food early enough so that you’re not feeling famished by the time your next meal is ready. You can also prepare nutritious breakfasts and lunches in advance, such as smoothies, overnight oats, and delicious salads.
Also, make sure you’re staying hydrated. Sometimes, thirst can be confused for hunger. Dehydration can produce signals similar to those of hunger, so drink a glass of water if you’re feeling hungry despite having eaten fairly recently.
Finally, you can also try going for a walk, doing a quick yoga routine, or finding another healthy distraction if you’re really struggling to stay away from the fridge. While these tactics may just seem like other distractions from boredom or stress, they can also help to clear your mind in a healthy way. Learning to practice mindful eating isn’t something that happens overnight. Yet, with patience and reflection, you can become more in tune with your body and its true needs.
For more helpful Health Awareness articles, please visit stemedix.com/blog.
by Stemedix | Aug 31, 2020 | Ozone Therapy, Autoimmune
People with autoimmune conditions face significant challenges. Their symptoms may range from uncomfortable to debilitating, and oftentimes, the medications used to control them are ridden with unfavorable side effects. Understandably, these patients often seek alternative treatments to address their pain without further diminishing their quality of life. One such treatment is ozone therapy.
Ozone Therapy for Autoimmune Disease
While ozone therapy is in many ways an innovative treatment, the medical field has been leveraging its capabilities for over a century. In the 1840s, ozone was first used to disinfect hospital rooms. During the first World War, it was used to help clean wounds. Ozone doesn’t require harsh chemicals to kill bacteria; its unique molecular structure (three oxygen atoms instead of two) gives it the ability to seek out and destroy pathogens. The third atom breaks off, oxidizing the phospholipids and lipoproteins of the bacteria or other harmful agent.
With these unique capabilities, ozone therapy is a powerful option for treating autoimmune conditions such as lupus and Lyme disease. When the ozone runs through a person’s circulatory system, it kickstarts the immune system by triggering the release of key hormones and proteins. In doing so, it helps to regulate the immune response, thereby alleviating symptoms without the need for harsh drugs.
Although ozone therapy isn’t a cure-all, it does present an option for those seeking an alternative treatment for their autoimmune disease to help improve their quality of life. If your symptoms haven’t subsided through traditional means or you’ve been frustrated by the side effects of medications, this treatment could offer a new alternative worth exploring. Contact a Care Coordinator today for a free assessment!
by Stemedix | Aug 24, 2020 | Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy is an emerging treatment gaining traction in the chronic illness community. In this unique therapy, the naturally-occurring gas, ozone, is mixed with oxygen using a special medical device to deliver powerful healing properties. Here are just a few of the treatment’s incredible capabilities.
Immune System Regulation
In autoimmune diseases, the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue due to a faulty immune response. Research suggests ozone therapy can reduce inflammatory markers, which cause oxidative stress and affect the immune response. It may, therefore, be beneficial in conditions such as asthma.
Defense Against Bacterial, Fungal, & Viral Infections
Ozone therapy has long been researched for its potential to protect against bacteria, fungus, and viruses. In particular, it’s been found to reverse bacterial infections related to tick bites. It’s also widely used to help treat viruses such as the flu.
Reduced Risk of Subsequent Heart Attacks
For individuals who have already suffered one cardiac event, avoiding future heart attacks is critical. According to one study, heart attack survivors who receive ozone therapy have a reduced risk of experiencing another attack. The risks of tissue death and irregular heartbeat also drop.
Improved Joint Mobility
Ozone therapy appears to hold benefits in the realm of musculoskeletal disorders. It can increase oxygen levels within the blood, which seem to benefit conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and bursitis, among others.
Reversal of Post-Stroke Brain Tissue Damage
When the brain’s blood supply is cut off as a result of a stroke, brain cells die, resulting in lasting damage. By restoring oxygen in the brain quickly via ozone therapy, medical experts may be able to help control the damage caused by stroke. Moreover, research shows the treatment could even reverse damage that’s already been done.
Accelerated Wound Healing
Stubborn wounds, such as foot ulcers in people with diabetes, can benefit from ozone therapy. With increased oxygen levels in the blood, wounds may heal quicker and more effectively.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Inflammation is believed to be the root cause of many chronic illnesses. Ozone therapy is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to reduce oxidative stress in the body, thus minimizing the risk of DNA damage and acting as a powerful antioxidant. It can also bolster enzyme activity, which acts as the body’s natural antioxidant system.
Pain Relief
Chronic pain is extremely prevalent in the U.S. Back pain, in particular, it can be debilitating in some instances. Fortunately, ozone therapy is emerging as an alternative to habit-forming drugs and invasive surgery. It’s shown particularly promising results for controlling back pain.
Stem Cell Activation
Stem cell therapy is a type of regenerative medicine that uses the body’s natural repair kit to promote healing. Stem cells can self-renew and give rise to virtually any cell type. While this treatment is remarkable on its own, ozone therapy can help to improve the cells’ ability to activate, promoting better clinical outcomes when treating challenging conditions such as chronic conditions and musculoskeletal injuries. Contact a Care Coordinator today for a free assessment!
by Stemedix | Aug 17, 2020 | Autoimmune, Stem Cell Therapy
Autoimmune diseases encompass more than 80 chronic conditions, many of which are debilitating with symptoms that can affect all body organs. In these conditions, the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. An estimated 50 million people in the U.S. have some form of autoimmune disease, making it an extremely prevalent healthcare concern. While the traditional treatment for these conditions often includes the suppression of the immune system, stem cell therapy has led to much research for an alternative option for patients.
Stem cells can be retrieved from a patient’s own adipose (fat) tissue or donated from healthy screened umbilical cord-derived tissue and have strong anti-inflammatory properties. When strategically redistributed to the patient, they can help control the inflammatory response seen in autoimmune disorders.
Which Autoimmune Diseases Can Be Treated with Stem Cells?
While the possibilities for treating autoimmune conditions with stem cell therapy span far and wide, these are just a few of the conditions that have already benefitted from the treatment:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- RSD-CRPS
- Crohn’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
What Are the Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases?
Although conventional treatment for autoimmune conditions has improved significantly, it still often can be a challenge to help the full scope of symptoms patients face. Moreover, long-term use of certain medications can have serious side effects, including increased risk of infection and cancer risk.
Stem cells regulate the overactive parts of the immune system without compromising its ability to protect against disease. In addition to regulating the immune response, they can also promote widespread healing, making them an especially worthwhile treatment option to consider for people with autoimmune diseases. Moreover, stem cells are well-tolerated with low risk and require little to no downtime or recovery.
What Does the Stem Cell Therapy Process Entail?
The exact process by which stem cells are deployed can vary from one patient to the next. Most individuals with autoimmune diseases will receive stem cells intravenously. In certain cases, patients may also benefit from having stem cells administered at specific points in the body. For instance, people with rheumatoid arthritis may receive joint injections.
Looking Ahead
While the results of stem cell therapy for autoimmune disease will vary by each individual and condition, the stem cells offer an alternative option allowing the ability to modulate the immune system. As research evolves, experts will have an even better understanding of the precise modalities needed to promote the best possible treatment outcomes. Contact a Care Coordinator today for a free assessment!
by Stemedix | Aug 10, 2020 | Stem Cell Therapy, Chronic Pain
Oftentimes, chronic pain sufferers are led to believe their discomfort is simply something they’ll have to endure. While home remedies such as heat and cold therapy and over-the-counter pain medications may provide some relief, it’s typically inadequate. This is despite the fact that an estimated 20% of the U.S. adult population experiences chronic pain.
Whether it’s due to a previous injury, arthritis, or another culprit, chronic pain calls for a more effective approach. For this reason, experts have been studying the use of regenerative medicine to treat it. One therapy in particular which shows promise is stem cell therapy for chronic pain.
Stem Cell Treatment for Chronic Pain
Stem cells are the body’s cellular building blocks from which all differentiated cell types are derived. Not only can they transform into virtually any cell type, but they also have restorative qualities to help repair damaged tissue in the joints, cartilage, and tendons, among other areas. Plus, they can reduce inflammation for further healing benefits.
Many people with chronic pain are ideal candidates for this treatment. People with degenerative diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, are among the prime populations who can benefit. In addition, performance athletes may receive stem cell therapy to repair joints and muscles which have been damaged by trauma. People whose pain doesn’t respond well to analgesic medications, including those with type 2 diabetes or anyone who has had amputation surgery can also benefit from stem cells. Research shows the cells can curb neuropathic pain, unlike many other treatments.
For the more than 54 million people in the U.S. suffering from arthritis, stem cells can provide an alternative option to explore. Since the prevalence of arthritis is only predicted to increase over the next decade, finding a viable option to combat the pain is critical. Stem cell therapy has been studied to show promising outcomes as a non-surgical means to manage the common symptoms of arthritis, including the hips, shoulders, knees, and spine. Patients experience benefits such as improved mobility and flexibility, reduced pain and stiffness, and increased energy.
In addition to these results, patients also experience benefits such as:
- Reduced downtime before returning to normal activities
- Fast results
- Reduced inflammation
While stem cells may not be a cure-all for chronic pain, they are certainly an avenue worth exploring for anyone whose discomfort has persisted after using traditional approaches. Contact a Care Coordinator today for a free assessment!
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