Foods to Slow the Effects of Aging

Everyone is trying to reverse the effects of aging on their skin to look and feel younger. Until someone has figured out time travel, there’s no escaping the reality that we will continue to age. However, there are many ways to slow the effects of aging on our skin, including some very cost-effective methods with food you can enjoy from your own home!

 

  1. Grapefruit: As a good source of Vitamin C, it acts as an antioxidant that promotes collagen production, keeping your skin supple. Other sources of Vitamin C include oranges and other fruits.
  2. Green Tea: Inflammation can pose a serious problem to your skin. However, recent research has found that one of the ingredients, polyphenols, help to reduce the signs of aging as well as boosting the immune system. Other sources of this incredible antioxidant include red wine and dark chocolate.
  3. Walnuts: As a source of omega-3 fatty acids, it helps reduce inflammation and the damage to your skin caused by oxidation, which occurs naturally. It’s a healthy fat that also helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and reduce joint pain. Other sources of omega-3 include salmon and chia seeds.

 

It’s not just eating the right food that can help slow down the effects of aging on your body. Staying hydrated, doing exercise regularly, and cutting the bad foods such as those high in sugar is important in preventing skin problems such as fine lines, wrinkles, and even adult acne.

At the Solstice Health, we know that skincare can be enhanced with supplements and lifestyle changes in addition to skin treatment. We offer non-surgical and natural options and treatment programs to help you look your best. Contact us today at 262-239-7353 book a consultation to learn more.

5 Natural Solutions for Allergy Relief

Allergy sufferers dread the coming seasonal changes, because they know they will be sneezing and scratching their eyes like there’s no tomorrow. But there are a few ways that you can beat the allergy with a number of simple and natural remedies. There are drugs that can relieve the symptoms, but the best way to keep allergies at bay is by boosting the immune system, which is best done with natural solutions.

1.     Eat an allergy-preventing diet

One of the simplest ways to stop allergies in their tracks is by watching what you eat. You want to eat things high in alkaline and rich in anti-inflammatory properties, such as green vegetables, gluten-free grains, yogurt, and coconut milk. These foods help to boost the immune system, which is your first line of defense when it comes to keeping seasonal sniffles at bay.

2.     IV Nutrient Therapy

IV Nutrient Therapy is a powerful boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants delivered directly into the bloodstream, which provides an immediate and lasting boost of energy and well-being. This specialized therapy allows nutrients to be absorbed much faster and at higher concentrations than in supplements and can help provide rapid relief from symptoms of hay fever.

3.     Ward off allergies with some vinegar

When the allergies strike, it’s always important to drink plenty of water, but a way to boost it is by mixing a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice into a glass of water. You can also take advantage of its allergy-beating properties by putting a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into your neti pot to help flush your sinuses.

4.     Explore essential oils

There are a wide range of essential oils that work in many different ways in helping to treat or prevent allergies. Tea tree oil can be applied topically to treat rashes and kill pathogens that are the cause of allergies. You can also add a couple drops of peppermint oil or basil oil into your water, tea, or food as a natural remedy for sinusitis and other allergy symptoms.

5.     Boost your gut health with probiotics

Your gut is one of the main components in having a strong immune system, so it’s important to make sure it’s in tip-top shape. The best way to ensure this is by consuming foods rich in probiotics. Yogurt is commonly available and rich in probiotic bacteria. Other great sources of probiotics include other foods such as fermented soybeans, kimchi, and kombucha tea.

 

Source: https://draxe.com/8-natural-allergy-relief-remedies/

If you are experiencing seasonal allergies and are looking for some relief, find out more at https://solsticewi.com/iv-nutritional-therapy/

5 Reasons to get an Ergonomic Desk Chair

Do you spend 8 hours a day behind a desk for work? You may think that because you are not in a manual labor job that you are not at risk for neck or back pain.  Unfortunately, this is not true. Sitting in a chair all day can have several negative effects on your body due to the stress it inflicts on your spine. An ergonomic chair might be a good solution for you.  This type of chair is specifically designed to provide rest to the main structures of your body. Check out the below 5 reasons you need an ergonomic office chair.


Good posture.

An ergonomic chair has features like a headrest and backrest to promote good posture. Good posture is one of the most important things you can do for your body. When you have good posture your muscles, bones and joints are aligned perfectly and can function as they should. If you fail to maintain good posture, you may find yourself dealing with chronic back pain, neck pain, and overall fatigue.

You can check your posture by doing the mirror test. To perform this test, you must stand in front of a full-length mirror and look to see if:

  • Your head is straight
  • Your shoulders are level and in line
  • Your hips are level and even
  • Your ankles appear straight

Comfort

Simply put, ergonomic chairs are more comfortable than your traditional office chair.  They are user-friendly and can be adjusted to fit your individual needs.

Reduces risk of back pain.

Ergonomic chairs have backrests and a reclining function that help alleviate stress on your back. This helps support the natural curve of your spine. Ergonomic chairs are tall enough to support your entire back.  Some traditional chairs are too short.

Reduces risk of neck pain.

Most traditional office chairs do not provide any neck support.  Going without neck support for an extended period of time can cause stiffness in your neck and shoulders. The ergonomic chair’s headrest allows you to stretch out and be supported.  This is a great feature for people who spend the majority o the day answering phone calls.

Reduces pressure on hips.

Ergonomic office chairs even help reduce pressure on your hips.  Normal chairs have hard surfaces to sit on which creates pressure on your hips.  The ergonomic chair is deep enough to support your hips and buttocks.

Do you suffer from aching joints? We may have a solution for you! Call Solstice Health today to schedule an appointment. 262-444-5020

5 Simple ways to Relieve Stress and Unwind

 

We all need to disconnect and reset once in a while to help us regain focus. Everyone does things differently, but here are some simple ways to relax and unwind at home.

 

1.     Take time to Laugh — Laughter is a powerful medicine. It can often help melt away your anxieties naturally, boost your immune system, and improve your mood.  Take some time to watch a funny video, or hang out with friends who make you laugh.

 

2.     Boost your Oxytocin – In a similar vein, spending time with people we trust and love helps boost our oxytocin levels. Trust and physical connection help boost oxytocin and serotonin levels and reduce stress. So, carve out some time each to put your cell phones (technology) aside and engage with a friend, a partner, a pet, or your kids. Even if it’s only 15- 20 minutes, it can make all the difference.

 

3.     Take some time to Breath – Deep breathing exercises are a great way to relax without having to go anywhere.  Deep breathing activates the body’s relaxation response.  There are many different types of breathing exercises including diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing, and paced respiration. But taking a minute a few times a day to take a few breaths. Try setting a breath reminder on your phone.

 

4.     Go for a Walk –  Exercise helps to lower cortisol, reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and boost confidence. All of these things make a walk a wonderful way to start the day, end the day, or take a break during the day. Next time you need a quick break, try walking around the block and see how much better you feel!

 

5.     Write is in a Journal – Sometimes ruminating gets the best of us. One was to break the habit is to start writing it down. The act of physically putting a pen to paper with your thoughts is cathartic and helps to process large stresses that are constantly arising for us.  Get a notebook and spend 15-20 minutes in the morning freewriting what comes to mind, and see how it helps.

 

Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-ways-relieve-stress-anxiety

 

For more information on how we can help improve your quality of life visit https://solsticewi.com/

WHY ARE ANTIOXIDANTS IMPORTANT?

Antioxidants help us to balance out the effects of free radicles and oxidative stress. They include vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients such as; Vitamin C, selenium and carotenoids that the body makes or ingests.

Free Radicals are highly unstable, energetically imbalanced molecules. They cause a chain reaction of oxidative stress or damage to our cells by stealing an electron to become stable, thus leaving the other party unstable. Oxidative stress can lead to rapid aging, cancer, heart disease, and fatigue.

Trans-fatty acids are also something to keep an eye out for. They are created by hydrogenating oils and can be found in highly processed foods. Check the labels of your packaged, chips, cookies, crackers and cereal for hydrogenated oils and margarine. Even the seemingly healthy snack foods or labels that indicate no trans fats may still contain some trans-fatty acids.

Some Antioxidant foods include:

· Bioflavonoids: citrus fruits, tea, leafy greens, legumes, red wine, buckwheat, and blueberries.

· Alpha Lipoic Acid: liver, spinach, broccoli, and pumpkin seeds.

· Carotenoids: carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and leafy greens.

References:
Bland, J., Ph.D. (1999). Clinical Nutrition: A Functional Approach: Institute of Functional Medicine
Mayoclinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/trans-fat/CL00032 Trans Fats. 2011

Contact us at https://solsticewi.com/ to learn more about how we can help you feel younger and healthier.