Tag Archive for nutrition

New Year’s Resolution Check-Up

January 14, 2009 Clear Passage Physical Therapy No comments

Two weeks have passed since New Years – the night we all vow to make changes. New Year’s resolutions can be invigorating and motivating; they are an opportunity to examine our lives and note the difference we would like to make in the upcoming year.

But two weeks have passed now and some of us are left wondering, “Have I bitten off more than I can chew?” In the spirit of change, many of us get carried away and create long lists of things we would like to change or choose particularly hard resolutions. As the realities of daily life set-in, we realize we may not be able to accomplish everything we had hoped. Feelings of disappointment and guilt are sure to follow when we don’t live-up to our high expectations.

So where do we go from here? First, just because you may have “fudged” a few resolutions or not followed through on others, it doesn’t mean they should be thrown in the trash and forgotten. Every day is a new day and with it comes the opportunity to start fresh. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t changes to be made. Instead of heaping a load of changes onto our lives in one day, we can take a better approach. By gradually implementing new resolutions, we can make changes that last.

You can start by making a list of all of your goals. Then, try breaking your goals into smaller, attainable goals. For example, if one of your goals is to do everything you can to conceive this year, ask yourself, “What steps can I take to ensure that?” Jot down all the different ways you could improve your chances of conceptions. Some items on your list might include:

  • Meet with my gynecologist
  • Improve my nutrition
  • Exercise regularly
  • Complete a relaxing activity each week
  • Research treatment options with which I am comfortable

Once you have your list, separate each goal into weeks. For example, we could divide our sample list this way:

  • Week 1: Schedule appointment with gynecologist
  • Week 2: Research treatment options with which I am comfortable, so I am prepared to speak with my doctor
  • Week 3: Improve my nutrition by eliminating white sugar, white flour, and other processed foods
  • Week 4: Begin exercising three times a week. Find a work-out buddy or sign-up for an exciting exercise class.
  • Week 5: Start doing yoga, meditation, or a quiet walk in the park to remain calm
  • Week 6: Research other changes I can incorporate into my life to help me conceive
  • Week 7: Add beneficial foods to my life – eat more fruits and vegetables
  • Week 8: Exercise 10 minutes longer every 3 days, or exercise 4 times a week.
  • Week 9: Add a second relaxing activity to my week

Although these gradual changes are not as instantly satisfying as completing an entire set of goals in one day, you are more likely to stick to your resolutions when they gradually become apart of your daily life and routine. Then, when the ball drops and 2010 begins, you will be able to look back at 2009 and be surprised at all you have accomplished.

Recent Posts , , , ,

Cinnamon to Treat Insulin Resistance in Women with Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome

January 7, 2009 Clear Passage Physical Therapy No comments

For years, doctors mainly addressed Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) by treating the symptoms, not the cause. Doctors understood that PCOS occurred because of a hormonal imbalance, but they were unsure what caused this hormonal imbalance. Recent research has shown that insulin resistance may cause PCOS. Insulin resistance causes glucose to remain in the blood stream, resulting in elevated levels of blood sugar. The body eventually becomes glucose intolerant, which can lead to PCOS. In fact, some doctors believe PCOS is an early form of diabetes. More and more doctors are treating PCOS by addressing the insulin resistance.

A pilot study published by Fertility and Sterility (July 2007) examined a natural treatment for insulin resistance in women with PCOS – cinnamon. The study examined 15 women with PCOS who were given daily doses of oral cinnamon or a placebo for eight weeks. After eight weeks, the women who took cinnamon had a significant reduction in insulin resistance while the women who had the placebo experienced no change.

The scientists who conducted the pilot study would like to create a larger study to measure other factors such as the affect of cinnamon on the menstrual cycle. Until then, if you have PCOS and have tested positive for insulin resistance, you may want to consider drinking cinnamon tea or adding some extra cinnamon to your recipes.

Recent Posts , ,

Diet and Endometriosis

November 18, 2008 Clear Passage Physical Therapy 2 comments

By Jackie

Endometriosis severely impacts the lives of thousands of women. Many women continue to be frustrated by treatment options – from laparoscopic surgery to medications that cause a menopausal state. If you happen to be one of these women, you can still do quite a bit to take your health into your own hands.

Research continues to show the link between what you eat and the severity of endometriosis symptoms. That’s right, pain relief may be waiting in your fridge – or more importantly, by avoiding some things in your fridge.

A recent study published in Fertility and Sterility found that dietary therapy is “more effective than surgery plus placebo to obtain relief of pain associated with endometriosis stage III-IV and improvement of quality life.” Furthermore, the study founds that dietary therapy is equally effective as hormonal suppression treatment.

So what exactly is dietary therapy? Dietary therapy is founded on the principle that endometriosis is extremely estrogen sensitive. Furthermore, cramps during your period are caused by prostaglandin synthesis. Dietary therapy focuses on reducing or increasing food that can impact the delicate balance of these hormones.

A great website, www.endo-resolved.com provides an explanation of the dietary therapy and what follows is a brief summary. Let’s start with foods to avoid:

  • Wheat, refined and concentrated carbohydrates, refined sugars and honey, and dairy. WHY? Because they cause inflammation
  • Red meats, caffeine, fried food, margarine, and hydrogenated fats. WHY? Because they stimulate negative prostaglandins
  • Soy and soy products WHY? Because they have a negative influence on estrogen
  • Tinned and frozen packaged food, additives, and preservatives. WHY? Because they increase the chemical load on the system

You might be thinking – well what exactly can I eat? There’s a host of healthy food that includes whole grains (excluding wheat and rye), beans, peas, brown rice, vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, etc. Some especially good food and oils include evening primrose, walnut oil, flax seed oil, mustard greens, broccoli, cabbage, and turnips.

Dietary therapy for endometriosis is no small change, and it can be overwhelming. So start small. You can start by designating one day a week for your diet. Then slowly, over time, add additional days.Want to read more about what you can do about your endometriosis? Visit our studies of interest page.

Endometriosis, Recent Posts , , , ,

Does Everything Happen for a Reason?

November 3, 2008 Clear Passage Physical Therapy No comments

by Jackie Schuld

I grew up hearing the old adage, “Everything Happens for a Reason.” I’ve tried to apply the principle to different obstacles in my life, but in September, my mother was diagnosed with recurrent ovarian cancer. As my mother faces a life-threatening illness, it hardly seems fair to think such a painful thing is happening for a reason.

In my job, I speak with infertile women almost every day. I believe that they too must find it painful when people suggest that everything happens for a reason. Did they do something to deserve this struggle? Is there something they need to be taught through infertility? Asking these types of questions only adds unneeded stress and guilt. I believe the old adage still has value, but it is better used when examining life retrospectively.

So what do women do when they are still in the midst of their struggles? Instead of trying to find a reason, women may be better served to use the time to look introspectively. Women can seize the opportunity to examine their lives and see how much time they are devoting for their personal health and well-being. Examining areas like nutrition, exercise, relaxation, personal relationships, and personal happiness can open the doors for growth and change.

This is especially important for women who struggle with infertility. The constant cycle of treatments, charts, medication, and schedules can be very draining and stressful. By taking the time to focus on themselves, infertile women are not only creating something good from an unfortunate situation, they are improving their fertility.

If you would like to read how nutrition, exercise, and stress affect infertility check out our studies of interest at http://www.clearpassage.com/resources/studies.php

Fertility, Recent Posts , , , ,
  Recent Entries »