By: @KaylaBarnesSince the beginning of time, we have tried to find ways that alcohol could be a part of a healthy diet. As a certified brain health coach, I hate to be the one to say this, but alcohol is not health-promoting. Although alcohol contains a beneficial compound, called resveratrol, you would have to consume a very unhealthy amount of red wine to receive an adequate amount of it. Where instead, you can just take a supplement of resveratrol. Now, let's talk about what alcohol actually does to the brain. For starters, alcohol can significantly reduce blood flow to the brain. When we have proper blood flow, we optimize our oxygen and nutrient delivery. We also optimize our brain's glymphatic system (ie. cellular waste removal system) that is most active at night. How do we confirm that alcohol reduces blood flow to the brain? As a certified brain health coach, I review and analyze SPECT scans (ie. brain scans) that show blood flow, and two of the biggest culprits in reducing blood flow to the brain are alcohol and THC. Alcohol also reduces the quality of our sleep. Sleep is essential to brain health. During sleep, we store memories, and our brain's cellular clean-up occurs, which is crucial for clearing out “plaques” that can lead to neurodegenerative disorders later on. If we decrease the quality of our sleep with alcohol consumption, our brains will suffer. Many think that alcohol helps them sleep. Alcohol can help you initially fall asleep, but it will disrupt your deep stages of sleep (ie. deep and REM) and keep your brain from achieving the restoration it needs. Research also suggests that long-term alcohol consumption of more than one drink per day can lead to neurodegeneration, ranging from poor message signaling to full-on cell death. Alcohol can also cause damage to the blood-brain barrier, making it more permeable. So, do we have to cut out alcohol completely? Well, that depends. If you want to go by the book for health optimization, I recommend cutting it out entirely or significantly reducing your consumption. The good news is that if we primarily practice brain-healthy habits, we can enjoy a glass of wine or two now and then with significantly less impact than if we are not leading a brain-healthy lifestyle. In the case that you do choose to partake in alcohol consumption from time to time, I recommend organic and biodynamic red wine, which will ensure that your libation is free from toxic coloring and additives that are often used in conventional wines. I recommend skipping hard liquor and beer altogether. |
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The Wellness Club

Adverse Reactions to Food: Allergies versus Intolerances
By: @dermahealthnutrition Many food-related symptoms are mistaken for "allergies" when in fact they may be food intolerances. Food allergy and food intolerance are two distinct reactions with unique characteristics in terms of their underlying mechanisms. Accurately distinguishing between the two conditions is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately for improving the wellbeing of those affected.

5 Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
By: @coreflexpilates Many of us know about the physical benefits of exercise, but what about the psychological benefits of exercise? Exercise can help ease anxiety and depression, improve your sleep and keep your memory in check. Here are five benefits your mental health will get from regular exercise. Better Sleep - E

Irregular Periods: What Do They Mean?
By: @drmelissa.co A woman’s period is a vital sign. Just like your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and breath rate, a woman’s cycle is indicative of her health overall. An imbalanced period indicates suboptimal health. The menstrual cycle is incredibly complex and requires a constellation of factors to align for it to occur at regular intervals. Factors that can delay a period or...

Micro-Needling with PRP for Facial Aging
By: @drmelissa.co Facial treatments that slow and treat the signs of ageing have become increasingly popular as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, more invasive methods like injectables and surgery. Micro-needling is one I am frequently asked about, as it can benefit the skin’s appearance, soften fine lines and improve overall texture and plumpness — but

A New Way to Navigate Break-Ups
By: @ericabassotherapy As a society we have historically romanticized long-term relationships and marriages even if they are totally unhealthy. All of us have likely applauded the model grandparents who stuck it out in their marriage for fifty-plus years, without thinking to inquire about how they both truly experienced the relationship throughout that time. When it...

Sulforaphane: The Powerful Nutrient in Broccoli Sprouts
By: @emma.walsh Broccoli sprouts might be small, but you likely know that this tiny green superfood is packed with health benefits. This is thanks to the high concentration of an antioxidant called sulforaphane. It’s a sulfur-rich phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables, but is most potent in broccoli sprouts. You might not have heard...

People Pleasing: What Causes It And Strategies To Stop
By: @ericabassotherapy Do you often confuse ‘being nice’ with doing things out of fear of being disliked or rejected by others? In my therapy practice I commonly work with individuals who struggle with people pleasing tendencies. People pleasing is not a formal mental health condition, rather a set of behaviors that involve placing the needs of others above one’s own needs. This excessive wish...

Treating Acne: Which Blood Tests Can Be Helpful
By: @drmelissa.co When one of my patients presents with skin concerns, a component of my plan is always testing, particularly when it comes to acne. Acne is a concern that can arise for a variety of reasons and bloodwork is a helpful tool in understanding its root cause. Without understanding the cause of breakouts,...

The Energetic Properties of Foods
By Dr. Natazia zu Stolberg, L.Ac, DACM Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Nutrition extends beyond just the nutritional content of a particular food by focusing on specific medicinal properties as well as the energetic properties each food holds, and how these energies interact with the body. Foods are categorized as cold, cool, neutral, warm or hot. In TCM, maintaining a predominantly warm diet...

Microneedling With Exosomes: The Benefits And The Science Behind It
By: @snatchedbh In recent years, microneedling has gained immense popularity as a non-invasive skincare treatment for a variety of skin concerns, including acne scars, fine lines, and overall skin rejuvenation. But what if we told you there's a way to enhance the benefits of microneedling even further? Enter "microneedling with exosomes" a cutting-edge skincare technique that's been making waves in...

Why Cold Water and Smoothies are Making you Bloated
By Dr. Natazia zu Stolberg, L.Ac, DACM In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the stomach is seen as a pot, with the fire under it being our metabolism. This digestive fire is crucial for the efficient breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients and smooth flow of Qi...

10 Ways To Calm Anxiety
By: @curanaturopathy Anxiety is a complex and multifaceted emotional and physiological response to perceived or anticipated threats, which we commonly refer to as stressors. This response is characterized by various cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and physical symptoms. It’s no doubt that anxiety serves a true purpose as a natural and adaptive reaction to prepare us to deal with challenges...