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Each day we encounter a number of different physical, emotional, physiological, chemical, nutritional or environmental stressors that we need to respond or adapt to. Whether it’s stress induced from a workout, the pressure to hit a deadline, harsh chemicals looming in the air or mending a difficult relationship, the way your body physically reacts to stress will always be the same—the same physiological systems will be involved and the same hormones will be released. While not all stress is bad, when we experience too much for too long, there can be serious consequences to our health.  from Life Time Weight Loss Blog https://ift.tt/2zzw6em

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Whoever coined the phrase “good things come in small packages” must have had seeds on the brain. Small but mighty, many seeds pack a pretty powerful nutrition punch. Many deliver a concentrated dose of protein, fiber and healthy fats in a very small serving. Plus, seeds don’t have an overwhelming flavor, which make them an ideal addition to salads, smoothies, soups, yogurt, puddings and breakfast cereals. So if you’re wondering which seeds you need to be eating on your weight loss meal plan—look no further! We’ve got it all mapped out for you! Go Nuts for Nuts: 10 Nuts to Add to Your Diet Read More Here are nine (super) seeds you need to be eating in your daily diet: 1. Chia Seeds To kick off our list of seeds you need to be eating, we’ve got a fan-favorite. If the word “chia” conjures up images of clay figurines covered in plant “hair,” you’re probably surprised to hear that this edible little seed tops our list. But the chia seed, which was a staple in the ancient Aztec di...

How much you sleep can be just as important to you reaching your weight loss goal as how much you eat. When dealing with sleep deprivation, a cascade of reactions in your body is triggered that can interfere with everything you do to help you lose excess weight while you’re awake. We’ll explain how in a moment, but let’s start with this fact: About 35 percent of U.S. adults are not getting the recommended minimum of seven hours of sleep each night, according to a study by the Centers of Disease Control. Stress is a common cause of sleep loss, but lifestyle habits such as watching television or scrolling through social media while in bed, late-night eating and inconsistent bedtimes and waking hours have also been linked to reduced sleeping time. The more you can do to sleep a consistent seven or more hours per day, the stronger your likelihood of weight loss success. How to Get More Sleep & Completely Change Your Life Tonight Read More Here’s five ways sleep deprivation is ...

Decades ago, concern was raised that the milk of dairy cows frequently contains a leukemia-causing virus—more specifically, bovine leukemia virus (BLV), the leading cancer killer among dairy cattle. Most U.S. dairy herds are infected with the cancer virus. “Thus the question of whether dairy cows naturally infected with BLV release infectious virus into milk is an important public health consideration” and the subject of my video Is Bovine Leukemia Virus in Milk Infectious? . Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania decided to put it to the test. And indeed, infectious virus was demonstrated in the milk of 17 of the 24 cows tested, indicating that “humans are often orally exposed to BLV.” Just because we’re exposed to it doesn’t mean it’s causing human disease, though. How do we know BLV can even infect human cells? We didn’t until 1976 when it was discovered that BLV can indeed infect human, chimpanzee, and rhesus monkey cells. Nevertheless, that still doesn’t mean BLV necessa...

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BABY NAME REVEAL! Baby Boy #2!

Eating a vegetarian diet—or even just a few meatless meals per week—can have a potentially huge impact on your health and the world around you. But if you’re new to vegetarianism, or want to try it out, you may be asking a common question: Where will I get my protein? How to Order at a Vegetarian Restaurant Read More If you’re on a weight loss program, it’s an important question. Protein doesn’t just build muscle—it makes you leaner, too. It takes longer to digest than carbohydrates, helping you feel full for longer.  So what’s the answer to your plant-based protein question? Here’s 10 sources of meatless protein that each include a Nutrisystem -approved way to enjoy these belly-filling, muscle-building foods: 1. Black Beans Protein Power: According to the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are 8 grams of protein in a 1/2 cup. That’s more than you’d get from a large hard-boiled egg, which clocks in at a little more than 6 grams of protein. Extra...

We are all fatheads. Indeed, about half the dry weight of our brain is fat. Lower levels of the long-chain omega-3 fat DHA in some areas of Alzheimer’s brains got people thinking that perhaps DHA is protective. Since the level of DHA in the brain tends to correlate with the level of DHA in the blood, cross-sectional studies of dementia and pre-dementia patients have been done. The result? The dementia and pre-dementia subjects do tend to have lower levels of both long-chain omega-3s, EPA and DHA, circulating in their bloodstream. This doesn’t necessarily mean that lower omega-3 levels cause cognitive impairment, however. It was just a snapshot in time, so we don’t know which came first. As I discuss in my video Should Vegans Take DHA to Preserve Brain Function? , maybe the dementia led to a dietary deficiency, rather than a dietary deficiency leading to dementia. What we need is to measure long-chain omega-3 levels at the beginning and then follow people over time, and, indeed, th...

Open-flame cooking brings out the best flavor in just about every food. When you grill vegetables and fruits, their natural sugars caramelize and they taste even sweeter. Many favorite fruits are fast and easy to grill, and they make a deliciously different ingredient, side dish, snack, or treat. Because they are nutrient-rich, filled with fiber , and low to medium on the Glycemic Index, fresh fruits are SmartCarbs you can enjoy without impeding progress toward your weight loss goal. Just be sure to consult your Grocery Guide for proper portion sizes . Ready to try grilled fruit? Here are a few tips for success with all fruits and hints for enjoying 10 great tastes of the season: Basket, Pan or Skewers The grates that came with your grill are shaped for cooking meat, but less substantial ingredients, such as pieces of fruit, are prone to falling through as they heat up. When grilling fruit, put it in a wire basket or on a tray with small holes that allow the flames to touch the f...