Stay Fabulous in 40s

    In your fabulous 40s, you still feel invincible—these are great years, after all.

    But subtle changes are occurring that need to be addressed before they become problems. Here are some of the most common health shifts women experience:
        Metabolism: Slowing by 2% per decade.
        Muscle: Down by 6 to 7 pounds from 10 years ago.
        Bone: Dropping by about 1% a year since your mid-30s.
        Libido: Declining because of high stress levels and hormonal changes.
        Stress: Especially high because of worries about kids, parents, health, career, and finances.
        Depression: More likely now than later in life.

    Establish the following 8 preventative habits now and you'll not only counter these changes—you'll stay healthier, sharper, more energetic, and more fulfilled for years to come.

Source : www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/8-things-every-woman-her-40s-should-do

Unless you're one of the lucky few to hit it big in the genetic lottery, staying fit ain't easy. And if it's this difficult now, imagine what it's going to be like in 10, 20, 30 years. But before you begin planning your future as a wobbly, overweight hunchback, understand that getting in the shape of your life for the rest of your life doesn't have to be daunting.

In fact, if you find your fitness workout groove now, you'll set yourself up for success in the future. Studies show that working out may lower a woman's risk of breast cancer by 37 percent, osteoporosis by 45 percent, and heart disease by 14 percent. So we tapped dozens of doctors and fitness experts to find out exactly what you should do to add years to your life.

The bottom line: Whether you're fresh out of college or funding Junior's tuition, the moment to launch your lifetime fitness plan is now. Then simply adjust your total-body workouts throughout the years to give your muscles, bones, and heart what they need to keep working well enough to keep up with you.

Source : www.womenshealthmag.com/health/health-in-your-40s

Women Health Care after 40 years Of age

 Age 40 is a milestone when the risk of many health conditions increases. This makes the birthday a perfect time for taking stock of your health, experts say.

Whether people have demanding jobs, aging parents, growing children or all of the above, it's easy to put health aside. But 40 is the time to evaluate your wellbeing, and to plan for the long-run.

"Forty is a good time to take a deep breath, and, although you have a lot of other things out there, do a little introspection and say, 'OK, there's some things I need to do to make sure I stay healthy,'" said Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, an internist at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta.

And if you're not there yet, there's no reason to wait, said Dr. William Zoghbi, professor of medicine at the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center in Houston and president of the American College of Cardiology.

"It's not like people are going to wake up and say, 'I'm 40, I'm going to change everything I'm doing to get healthier,'" Zoghbi said. Instead, "the earlier they can start, the better it is for them."

Source : www.livescience.com/25445-stay-healthy-after-40-tips-midlife-aging.html

Fate Says: Your Muscles Start To Shrink

After 45, most women who don't lift weights start losing a significant amount of muscle, most of it from the lower body. Less junk in the trunk may sound like a good thing, but decreased muscle mass leads to a slower metabolism. The fast-twitch muscle fibers—the stringy part of your muscles responsible for generating power—are at the highest risk. They allow you to, say, jump to snag a shirt from the top shelf of your closet or sprint to your 10 o'clock appointment.

Cheat Fate: Jump Around

Maintaining muscle power and strength requires fast, explosive movements (think sprinting and jumping)—the kind of thing most of us stop doing once we graduate from middle school.

Keep your power levels high with this jump squat. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, arms hanging at your sides. Keeping your torso as upright as possible, quickly bend your knees and lower your hips back and down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Then immediately jump straight off the floor as high as you can. Land as softly as possible, sinking back down into squat position—that's one rep. Repeat the jump. Do three to four sets of six reps, resting 1 minute in between sets.

Fate Says: Where's the F%$&#! Sandman?

Sleep studies show that women over 40 spend more sleepless nights (and not the coed naked kind) than 20-somethings. Experts aren't sure why exactly, but one thing is clear: less sleep = less energy = half-assed workouts.

Source : www.womenshealthmag.com/health/health-in-your-40s

Fact and effects Of Chocolate

Anyone who has a chocolate addiction knows just how difficult it is to keep away from what was known by the Aztecs as the ‘food of the gods’. Those who scoff at such notions, quoting inconclusive scientific studies to bolster their argument that chocolate is not addictive, have obviously never been through the craving that plagues the chocolate addict. They should learn about some of the compounds that make chocolate such a delicious but oh so addictive treat!

Made from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, chocolate is the food that is most craved for globally. It contains several chemical compounds that are associated with moods and emotions, a fact borne out by the many people who like to eat chocolate when they are depressed or stressed.

Four of these chemical compounds are known to trigger the release of mood enhancing chemicals and neurotransmitters within the brain. They are phenylethylamine, theobromine, anandamine and tryptophan.

Phenylethylamine is believed by scientists to cause the release mesolimbic dopamine in the pleasure centers of the brain, a process similar to what happens during an orgasm. This is probably the reason why so many women claim to find chocolate to be better than sex! However, before all you men start blaming chocolates for the lack of sex in your life, you should know that very little phenylethylamine actually reaches the brain.

The obromine has a stimulating effect that is similar to caffeine, but of a much lesser intensity. While withdrawal from theobromine can cause migraines, it is unlikely that this compound by itself can cause cravings for chocolate.

Anandamine has an similar effect to marijuana on receptors in the brain. While chocolate doesn’t contain enough of this compound to produce the high that smoking marijuana gives, it could be one of the causes of chocolate craving.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is needed by the body to produce serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that calms and relaxes people and creates a sense of well-being. This probably is one reason why people eat chocolates during times of anxiety.

Source : www.home-remedies-for-you.com/articles/1797/wellness/a-delicious-addiction.html

The first step, as always, is to admit you have a problem.

Here are just a few ways to identify if you’re harbouring this crippling condition.

1. You’ve had to ration your intake

2. You only like the purer stuff

3. Whatever the flavouring, when the craving hits, anything will do

4. You can’t even go for a quiet pint without getting chocolate involved

Source : www.dailyedge.ie/signs-you-are-addicted-to-chocolate-1035459-Aug2013/

Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Kids

Do you remember when you learned to ride a bike? The most important part was getting the balance right. Once you could balance easily, the pedals could turn smoothly, to drive the wheels and get the bike moving.

The same thing is true when it comes to choosing our food. Once we have learned to carefully balance the amounts and types of foods eaten, all the organs in the body will function smoothly and the body will work efficiently.

Following these ten tips will help you stay fit and healthy. It’s as easy as riding a bike, once you’ve got the balance right!

1. Food is Fun… Enjoy your food

Sharing a meal with family and friends at home or at school is a great way to enjoy food. It is fun to see other people’s choice of food - what do your friends eat? Do you try different foods every day? Check out your lunch box or dinner plate. How many different kinds of fruit and vegetables can you spot?

2. Breakfast is a very important meal

Just like cars, buses and trains cannot run without fuel, our bodies need energy to work. Especially after a night’s sleep, energy levels are low. So, whether you are off to school, or out and about at the weekend, start the day with breakfast. Plenty of carbohydrates is just the ticket: try toast or bread, or cereal with milk, fruit or yoghurt.

3. Eat different foods every day, variety is the recipe for health

You need over 40 different nutrients (such as vitamins and minerals) every day for good health. Since there is no single food that contains them all, it is important to balance your daily choices. In fact there are no good or bad foods, so you do not need to miss out on the foods you enjoy. The best way to make sure you get the right balance is to eat a wide variety of foods each day.

Source : www.eufic.org/article/en/expid/10-healthy-eating-tips-kids/

Is your preschooler refusing to eat anything other than chicken nuggets? Or would your toddler rather play than eat anything at all?

If children's nutrition is a sore topic in your household, you're not alone. Many parents worry about what their children eat — and don't eat. However, most kids get plenty of variety and nutrition in their diets over the course of a week. Until your child's food preferences mature, consider these tips for preventing mealtime battles.

1. Respect your child's appetite — or lack of one

If your child isn't hungry, don't force a meal or snack. Likewise, don't bribe or force your child to eat certain foods or clean his or her plate. This might only ignite — or reinforce — a power struggle over food. In addition, your child might come to associate mealtime with anxiety and frustration or become less sensitive to his or her own hunger and fullness cues.

Serve small portions to avoid overwhelming your child and give him or her the opportunity to independently ask for more.

2. Stick to the routine

Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day. You can provide milk or 100 percent juice with the food, but offer water between meals and snacks. Allowing your child to fill up on juice, milk or snacks throughout the day might decrease his or her appetite for meals.

3. Be patient with new foods

Young children often touch or smell new foods, and might even put tiny bits in their mouths and then take them back out again. Your child might need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she takes the first bite.

Encourage your child by talking about a food's color, shape, aroma and texture — not whether it tastes good. Serve new foods along with your child's favorite foods.

Source : www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/childrens-health/art-20044948

Gluten Free foods to complete Your Food List

Wondering which foods are gluten-free and which are not? That's no surprise — the gluten-free diet is extremely tricky, and gluten can hide in some very unexpected places.

If you're just starting out on the diet, it's understandable to get confused and even bewildered by food labels and ingredients lists. Of course, there will be lots of foods that are off-limits on the gluten-free diet. However, there are also plenty of foods you CAN eat.

The following list, which I've broken down into eight categories (fruit and vegetables, meat, milk and dairy products, breads and snacks, dry goods and mixes, condiments, prepared foods and beverages) will explain what you need to know to choose safe products in each category.

On the last page, I've also summarized the list, so that you can print it out and take it to the grocery store (jump directly to the printable gluten-free food list on the last page). However, I recommend you read through the explanations on the preceding pages first, so that you have a firm idea of what to buy and what to avoid. It's just really easy to make a mistake, otherwise ... trust me, I know!

Source : celiacdisease.about.com/od/glutenfreefoodshoppin1/ss/Gluten-Free-Food-List.htm

Every item on the page is gluten free. Any item if altered by a manufacturer can contain gluten. Learn to be a label reader and print out this list and the list of food containing gluten.

Take it with you everywhere and soon you will have it memorized.

The best way to eat on a gluten free diet is to eat unprocessed food. Try to avoid foods in a can, unless they are for sure gluten free. Be careful with frozen foods as many of them contain preservatives and gluten hidden within the ingredients. Generally if its prepackaged I would avoid it.

The best way to be 100% sure your food is gluten free is to buy it fresh and make it yourself.

Source : www.the-gluten-free-diet.com/gluten-free-foods.html

Take Care of Yourself During Transitional Times

Turning 40 is a milestone and often a time of transition. Your children may be growing up or you may be caring for your parents or considering a career change. One change that is inevitable is the transition toward menopause.

The average age of menopause for U.S. women is 51, with most women reaching this milestone somewhere between ages 45 and 55. You're considered "menopausal" when you haven't had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

But, before reaching this milestone, you can experience a number of changes for a full decade before your menstrual cycle finally stops. Every part of your body is affected, from your appearance to the health of your heart and bones.

Source : www.healthywomen.org/content/article/health-your-40s

 Breast cancer screening: While breast self exams are recommended for women of all ages, if you are nearing or are over 40, yearly mammograms should be conducted as preventive measures or to avoid further complications. Apart from regular check-ups, knowing your risk factor and adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you cut the chances of getting this potentially fatal disease.

Heart disease screening: Studies have shown that more women, including young ones, are falling prey to heart diseases in India, whereas in the US, it is the leading cause of death among the fairer sex.

Health experts suggest that women should check their cholesterol and blood pressure annually, particularly if there is a history of heart disease in their families.

Bone density test: Women with a family history of osteoporosis should consult their doctor for a bone density test or DEXA scan. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, women are four times more likely than men to get osteoporosis, and it can happen at any age. Bone disease has become a health concern for women of all age. Women who have irregular menstrual periods or are entering early menopause should also take more care to prevent getting this devastating bone disease.

Regular exercise: Exercise is important in every stage of life, but as you turn 40, you need to do even more to stay healthy as your body experiences several changes like muscle mass declines and the bones start to become weaker. Make sure that you give yourself 45 minutes 3-4 times per week to work out no matter how hectic your schedule may be. If you are not so friendly with the gym stuff, then you can also go for a fast walk. Yoga and Pilates are ideal at this age since they are not exhausting, plus they give great results without taking much of your time.

Source : zeenews.india.com/news/health/tips/what-women-over-40-should-do-to-stay-healthy_21985.html