Healthy Support

Is there anything I can do to help my body return to producing cortisol?

I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica two years ago and have been on steroids since. I’m slowly reducing my steroid intake and hope to come off them. Is there anything I can do to help my body return to producing cortisol? I am also taking tablets to protect from stomach bleeds and vitamin D and calcium to protect from osteoporosis.

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a musculoskeletal condition. It has similar symptoms to fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, the main difference being that PMR usually responds well to treatment. PMR is characterised by severe pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints. However, it doesn’t cause progressive disability or deformity, unlike other arthritic conditions.

The corticosteroid Prednisone is the usual prescription for PMR and symptoms typically decrease rapidly. Most PMR patients require steroid medication for two years, with the condition being considered “in remission” once you have managed two to three months

… Read the rest
more
Healthy Support

From Eating Certain Foods to Reducing Stress and Tension

While it’s impossible to stay forever young, there are plenty of things one can do to naturally ease the aches and pains of aging. From eating foods that have anti-inflammatory properties to breathing exercises to lessen chronic muscle pain, these five tips from experts can help reduce tension and aches in simple and easy ways.

Eat Right

“What we eat has a dramatic impact on levels of pain in the body,” says Beth Reardon, Director of Integrative Nutrition at Duke Integrative Medicine. Fruits such as blueberries and tart cherries, spices à la ginger and turmeric, as well as fish and soy products, all have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to give you some relief.

Be Active

“Physical activity reduces chronic pain by building muscle strength and flexibility, reducing fatigue, reducing pain sensitivity and reducing inflammation,” say the experts at Utah State University. For starters, try gentle aerobic activities like

… Read the rest
more
Healthy Support

15 Healthy Snacks to Support Gut Health

<p>Aniko Hobel / Getty Images</p>

Aniko Hobel / Getty Images

Medically reviewed by Barbie Cervoni, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN

The foods that fuel your body have a profound impact on your overall health, including the health of your gut.

While an eating pattern high in ultra-processed foods and added sugar can lead to negative changes in gut bacteria and increase your risk for developing digestive conditions, such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a diet rich in health-promoting foods can protect and support the gut.

Though a number of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and legumes, can help promote optimal digestive health, certain foods—and drinks—are especially rich in gut-supportive nutrients and can be easily consumed as quick and nutritious snacks.

Here are 15 snacks for a healthy gut.

1. Pistachios

Nuts, like pistachios, make an excellent snack choice because they’re shelf-stable, portable, and can be paired with sweet and savory ingredients. Pistachios are

… Read the rest
more
Healthy Support

10 Healthy Foods We Should All Be Eating More Of

Variety is key to any healthy, balanced diet, nutritionists agree. Consuming a wide range of foods is essential in order to provide our body with all the nutrients it needs to function properly. Of course, this is often easier said than done. Most humans are creatures of habit, and it’s all too easy to fall into a routine of repeating the same easy and familiar dishes over and over again.

Is your recipe repertoire in need of a shake-up? Below, discover 10 under-the-radar ingredients we could all benefit from eating more of, and use the list as inspiration to try something new.

Lupin beans

Frequently eaten as an appetizer in southern Europe, this legume is not high on people’s radar in the U.S. But it can help to reduce blood sugar spikes, keep bad cholesterol at bay, regulate blood pressure, and strengthen bones thanks to the fiber, omega-3 and -6

… Read the rest
more
Healthy Support

Naturally Healthy: Support your joints with Joint Complex

A couple of steps I recommend to customers who visit our stores and are looking to support their joints; Firstly, you should consider your footwear especially if you enjoy walking or running or if your job means you are on your feet a lot. Ensuring that you are wearing proper footwear is the first place to start when it comes to looking after your knees.

There are changes you could make to your diet to support joint care. The top ones to avoid are sugar, sweet treats, dairy products, fizzy drinks, coffee, and alcohol. Increase anti-inflammatory foods like oily fish, avocado, olive oil, nuts, seeds, flax, chia seeds, ginger, and turmeric. Increase green leafy vegetables, berries and brightly coloured fruit.

Finally, Joint Complex by Revive Active is an Irish super supplement brand, it’s one of our most popular products. It contains Glucosamine Sulphate, Hyaluronic Acid, and Marine Collagen, which are

… Read the rest
more