Dr. Curtis McElroy

Author: docmac

  • The Benefits Of Probiotics

    The Probiotic Advantage in Fermented Foods

    The word ?probiotic? means, ?for life.?

    Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that reside in your intestines and that encourage the production of microflora in your gut ? which, in turn provides you with a health body system.

    When an imbalance occurs between the healthy probiotic microflora and pathogenic microorganisms, the gut becomes an environment that could cause illnesses and diseases.

    The following  are several reasons that your body systems may become  imbalanced resulting in problems with your health:

    * Too many antibiotics and strong, over-the-counter medications.
    * Toxins in the environment.
    * Diet where too many processed, sugary and acidic food and drinks are consumed.
    * Chronic stress.
    * Cleaners and personal care products that contain anti-bacterial chemicals.

    Consuming foods that contain pribiotics and probiotic supplements will help keep your gastrointestinal tract and other systems of the body in proper health by balancing out the good and bad bacteria or restoring your gastrointestinal tract with the proper microorganism that are involved in maintaining optimal digestive health.

    Probiotics can be found in many foods such as yogurt.

    Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir and other types of dairy products also contain beneficial probiotics.

    Some of the ways that probiotics can benefit your health are:

     Urinary Tract Health – Evidence exists that probiotics can ward off bad bacteria that can invade the urinary tract and cause infections. Even though antibiotics can cure these infections, they may return.
    Immune System-Probiotic foods can help you maintain beneficial intestinal floral that helps keep your immune system healthy.

    Allergies– been conducted in pregnant women who had a history of allergies and took probiotics during the pregnancy. These studies show that there was a reduction in the child?s incidence of allergies.

    Digestive Health- We all have various types of bacteria in our digestive systems that help to break down food and help our bodies absorb essential nutrients. Many doctors are now prescribing probiotics to help restore that balance of bacteria that taking drugs have caused.

    Obesity-Research has shown that our digestive bacteria help us maintain a healthy weight. Probiotics are very healthy and low-calorie too, so they?re a good alternative to other means of lowering the chances of obesity.

    Women’s Health– Women can benefit from probiotics because of the effects it has on the reproductive organs. They can also be instrumental in preventing cramps and difficult menstruation.

    Probiotics are very beneficial in maintaining and restoring  proper digestive health.

    Educate yourself about fermentation and the probiotics derived from fermentation then talk to your doctor to see if probiotics are something you should be consuming to achieve optimal health.

    Simply put, probiotics are considered the ?good guys? in keeping our digestive systems clean and our immune systems working well. It?s worth the time and effort to investigate the beneficial effects of fermentation and the probiotics it provides.

  • The Effect High Blood Pressure Has on Your Body

    The Effect High Blood Pressure Has on Your Body

    If you have been told you have high blood pressure, you are probably wondering what effect it has on your body. High blood pressure that is untreated can result in many harmful effects on the body that can lead to many health problems.

    It is important to understand the basics of high blood pressure and how it can negatively impact your body.

    What Is Blood Pressure?

    Blood pressure is the force generated by your blood on the walls of your blood vessels when the heart beats and when the heart is relaxing.

    Your blood vessels are basically a set of interconnected tubes. The pressure of your blood flowing through them keeps them open. Much like your garden hose gets open and taut when filled with water, your blood vessels fill with blood.

    If your blood pressure is too low, blood cannot be transported properly to all the cells of your body.

    If your blood pressure is too high, your risk of  heart disease, stroke, kidney and eye problems goes up.

    It’s important to keep your blood pressure in the normal range for optimum health.

    When looking at your blood pressure readings, the bottom number or lower number is the pressure generated on the blood vessels when your heart is relaxing between beats.

    This lower number is called the diastolic blood pressure.

    Under most circumstances the ideal number for diastolic blood pressure is 70-80.

    The higher number is referred to as the systolic blood pressure and is generated by the pressure on the walls of the blood vessels when the heart contracts.

    The ideal number for systolic blood pressure is 120-130.

    Your healthcare provider can take your blood pressure using a special cuff and instrument called a sphygmomanometer. You can also find digital machines in pharmacies or purchase one yourself to keep at home.

    Ocassional elevation of your blood pressure is not usual.. Stress, infections, and activity can cause blood pressure to increase.

    Taking your blood pressure while at rest will give you a picture of your overall blood pressure. If your readings are  consistently high it is important that you see your healthcare provider, so they can recheck your blood pressure and determine if further intervention is needed.

    Breaking Down Blood Vessels

    Perhaps the greatest damage that high blood pressure does is to damage the vessels that move the blood around your body. This is a critical transport system that delivers oxygen and nutrients and takes away carbon dioxide and wastes.

    In particular, high blood pressure affects the arteries. These are vessels that take blood away from the heart to deliver oxygen and nutrition. They are under higher pressure than veins, which take blood back to the heart.

    Having constantly high pressure causes the cells that make up the inside of your blood vessels to become damaged. They can actually become hardened. You might think at first that this makes them stronger, but it actually makes them weaker.

    The tissue of the blood vessels needs to be elastic so that it can stretch when pressure increases and go back to its original shape when pressure decreases. But when arteries become hard, they can’t expand and contract.

    Then as you eat a diet that’s high in fats, those fats can collect in the hardened areas of the arteries and eventually cause blockages. Because this system delivers blood to all parts of the body, many parts of the body can get reduced nutrition and oxygen.

    Eventually blockages can lead to heart attacks – a condition where the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen and tissue actually dies. You can also become the victim of a stroke – bleeding in the brain that has the same result of tissue death.When arteries become weak, they can develop aneurisms. These are areas of weak walls in the arteries that bubble out. As they bubble out, they become stretched and unnaturally thin.

    Eventually these can burst and can be a cause of stroke. You can also bleed to death internally when an aneurysm bursts and there are often no symptoms that this is even happening until it’s too late to repair.

    If all this sounds pretty scary – it should. Heart disease and stroke are the number one killers of both men and women – higher than any cancers or other illnesses. This isn’t something to be taken lightly.

    Hurting Your Heart

    While we’ve discussed how heart attacks can happen when arteries are damaged, there are some other problems that high blood pressure can cause for the heart.

    When your heart is constantly under arterial high blood pressure, it has to work harder. This constant wear and tear on the heart can cause it to simply get weak and wear out.

    Even if you don’t have a heart attack, you can still suffer from heart failure. As the heart becomes weaker, it’s not able to pump nutrients and gases to the tissues and this begins to affect all systems of the body.

     

    If you have had a heart attack that’s damaged your heart, this progression into heart failure can happen even faster. This greatly increases your risk of future heart attacks and heart failure.

     

    You can also have problems specifically in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. These are called coronary arteries. They’re specialized in that they deliver blood from your heart back to your heart to provide it with oxygen and nutrients.

     

    If they become hardened or blocked, they can cause your heart to perform at a lower rate and even cause a heart attack. They can also cause you to have an irregular heartbeat or chest pain.

     

    Normally your heart is about the size of your fist, but when you have high blood pressure you can suffer from an enlarged heart on one side. The left side of your heart is responsible for delivering blood to the rest of the body.

     

    When you have high blood pressure this side can get harder and can also get larger. An enlarged heart is not as efficient as a heart that’s the normal size for your body. This can increase your risk of a heart attack and heart disease.

     

    Killing Your Kidneys

     

    Your kidneys are also greatly affected by having high blood pressure. These are actually the organs that regulate your blood pressure. They do that by decreasing or increasing the fluid in your blood.

     

    When you have high blood pressure, your kidneys can actually develop scars. Within your kidneys are millions of tiny blood vessels that become damaged when they’re exposed to constant high pressure.

     

    As they become scarred, they’re less able to do their job of filtering blood. This can cause your body to not be able to filter waste properly and can lead to kidney disease.

     

    You can also have an aneurysm in your kidney blood vessels. This type of aneurysm is very deadly because of how much blood travels through your kidneys – your entire blood supply passes through them. You could die from massive internal bleeding.

     

    Finally, you may develop kidney failure. Kidney failure is the inability of your kidneys to filter waste either because of damage to large or small arteries that deliver blood to them.

     

    When this happens you may have a buildup of toxins and have swelling due to increased body fluids. Over time you may require the process of dialysis. This is when blood is removed from the body and filtered in a machine then sent back to the body.

     

    Ultimately, when you have kidney failure you may need a kidney transplant. However, the list for this is very long and the poorer your overall health is, the less likely you are to get an organ transplant.

     

     

     

    Brain Damage

     

    High blood pressure is also very bad for the brain. As we already discussed, high blood pressure puts you at increased risk of stroke. The effects of a stroke can include paralysis, memory loss, and even death.

     

    However, there are other problems associated with high blood pressure. For example, people with high blood pressure are at a greater risk for dementia. This can be a result of not having enough oxygen being delivered to the brain.

     

    You can also have impairment to your brain that keeps you from being able to process information. The earlier you begin to have high blood pressure, the greater the damage will be as you age.

     

    Problems in the Bedroom

     

    One of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction in men is high blood pressure. High blood pressure affects all the blood vessels in the body and can decrease flow to the penis.

     

    But don’t think that you’re off the hook if you’re a woman. Women also rely on strong blood flow to the vaginal area for sexual arousal and satisfaction. It’s important to both sexes to keep blood flowing freely.

     

    In fact, treating high blood pressure often eliminates the need to take drugs such as Viagra for sexual dysfunction. Your best bet for good sexual health is good heart health.

     

    You can also have trouble sleeping. Studies note that high blood pressure and sleep apnea go hand in hand. Sleep apnea keeps you from getting enough sleep and actually puts you at risk for heart disease and other problems.

     

    Eye Opening Issues

     

    Your eyes are also very sensitive to changes in your blood pressure. The blood vessels of the eyes are very small and fragile and particularly vulnerable to damage from high blood pressure.

     

    When the retina is not supplied with blood correctly, it can become damaged. You can have blurred vision or even a complete loss of vision when blood pressure goes unchecked.

     

    You’re particularly at risk for this type of problem if you also have diabetes. Diabetes and high blood pressure greatly increase your risk of eye disease and loss of sight.

     

    You can also have blocked blood vessels leading to your optic nerve. This, too, can lead to permanent blurred vision and even blindness. It’s critical that you pay attention to your blood pressure to have good vision.

     

    Finally, problems with high blood pressure can lead to a buildup of fluid in your eye. This excess pressure can cause damage and scarring inside the eye and lead to permanent vision deterioration.

     

    Bad to the Bone

     

    You can even suffer from bone loss as a result of problems with your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure lose more calcium than those who have normal blood pressure.

     

    As calcium leaves the bones and enters the bloodstream, bones can be left weak and brittle. This increases your risk for osteoporosis and broken bones. In fact, most hip fractures in seniors are really a result of bone disease.

     

    While men can suffer from osteoporosis, women are generally more at risk after menopause. It’s important to keep track of your blood pressure and take corrective

  • Does Your Body Image Affect Your Health

    The Pitfalls of Comparing Yourself to Others

    It’s natural to compare yourself to others. Humans naturally look around them for acceptance and guidance. If you didn’t compare yourself to others, you might not know how to behave or what to aspire to. For example, children model the behavior that they see in the adults in their life and in their peers. Role models give us an example of what we want for our lives. Yet comparing yourself too much to others can cause problems.

    There Are Always People Who Are Better Than You

    It’s an undeniable fact that there are people who are smarter, more artistic, wealthier, and in better shape than you. Conversely, there are people who pale in comparison to you. However, if you get into the habit of constantly comparing yourself to others, the natural tendency is to focus on those who are better than us. This leaves you feeling bad about yourself.

    Stop comparing. Who cares about the people that are better or worse than you? It has absolutely no impact on who you are, what you look like, and what you’re capable of.

    Resentment Sets In

    If you’re in the habit of comparing yourself to others, and feeling badly about the comparison, it’s a common tendency to resent the person you’re comparing yourself to. That’s unfair to them and it’s not a positive mindset for you. Living in a world of negative body image, resentment, and jealousy can consume you. It can eat away at your relationships, your personal success, and your satisfaction with yourself and your life.

    Instead of resenting people that you compare yourself to, try appreciating their strengths and assets. If you see a person, for example, that has a body that you wish you had, try saying “good for her or him”.

    It Doesn’t Get You Anywhere

    Nothing is accomplished when you compare yourself to others on a regular basis. It doesn’t help you. You don’t suddenly have the nose you always wanted and you don’t lose weight by comparing yourself. It sets you up not only for a negative view of your body but also for a lifetime of unhappiness. It’s unproductive.

    However, when you take a look at what you like about your body and you start taking steps to appreciate your body, that is productive and positive. For example, buy a piece of clothing that flatters you. Get a massage or take a yoga class. Start eating more vegetables and drinking fewer sugary drinks. When you stop comparing yourself to others and begin to take action to take better care of yourself, your body image improves and you begin to live a more positive and productive life.
    Three Steps to a Better Body Image
    A positive body image is an important element of a satisfying and rewarding life. Your body image impacts your self-esteem. It affects how you relate to other people and the risks that you take. If you feel bad about how you look, it’s time to take some steps to improve your body image. You are a beautiful person and it’s time you believed that.

    1. Take One Small Step to Take Care of Your Body

    This isn’t about losing weight or starting an exercise program. This is about beginning to take steps to appreciate your body. Find one small thing that you can do to make yourself feel good in your own skin and proud of your body. Maybe you begin drinking water instead of soda. Maybe you take five minutes each morning to stretch.

    Or perhaps you go to the doctor for a physical or you get a massage. Whatever you choose, make it something that is easy for you to do and makes you feel connected to your body. When you start taking better care of your body, you begin to learn to appreciate it. One small step can lead to a larger lifestyle change and a positive body image.

    2. Surround Yourself with Positive Support

    Body image messages come from the people in your life and the media that you consume. If your friends and family are critical of you, of themselves, and of others then it can rub off on you. You may compare yourself to others more often than is healthy. You might take what’s said personally.

    And if you watch television and read magazines, then you’re inundated with unrealistic body images. Consider choosing media and people that support a positive body image. Find role models and start taking steps to focus on the positive rather than the negative.

    3. Choose Clothing That Flatters You

    You undoubtedly have features that are attractive. If the clothing you choose doesn’t fit well or doesn’t enhance your best assets, you may feel negative about your body. Find clothing that that is flattering and makes you feel attractive and proud.
    For example, if you have a lovely neckline then wear V-neck shirts and blouses. Draw attention to your best physical assets. If you have stunning blue eyes then wear clothing that brings out the color in your eyes. Shopping to find clothing that is flattering can be exhausting but it’s worth the effort. Make the clothing you buy work for you.

    These are just a few of the tips you can embrace to begin developing a better body image. Each step you take to feel better and more realistic about how you look is an important one. Choose one of these tips and get started today.

    How to Transform the Way You Feel about Your Body
    The way you feel about your body impacts your daily life. Your body image and comfort level affects your relationships, the risks you’re willing to take in life and your overall satisfaction. The good news is that you can take control over your mindset and transform the way you feel about your body. Here’s how.

    1. Wear Clothing That Makes You Feel Great

    Sometimes when people feel badly about their body, they try to hide it. This isn’t a positive way to start your day. Instead, identify a physical asset that you like and find clothing that flatters that asset. For example, if you have a curvy figure then a belt around your waist highlights your curves. If you have great calves then you might enjoy wearing heels and skirts that showcase your legs.

    2. Keep a Gratitude Journal about Your Body

    Instead of focusing on your flaws, start a practice that helps you focus on your many beautiful assets. Every morning and every night, list three things that you’re grateful for about your body.

    For example, maybe you fell off a curb today and didn’t twist an ankle because your tendons and ligaments are healthy and strong. Maybe you love that your hands are able to throw a ball and your eyes are able to see your loved ones. There are so many things that your body does for you; simply realizing these on a daily basis can change your life.

    3. Do Something Good for Your Body

    Take care of your body. Drink more water. Buy a nice lotion and start taking better care of your skin. Get a massage, take a yoga class, or go play Frisbee in the park. Find something fun that is good for you.

    4. Find an Affirmation that Fits Your Needs

    Affirmations are positive statements that help you overcome negative thoughts. For example, if you often think, “I’m so fat, I hate my thighs,” you might change the thought to “I am perfect and complete just the way I am.”

    5. Don’t Engage in Negative Talk about Yourself or Others

    Sometimes we get caught up in conversations with friends or family where we say things like, “You have such great legs. I hate my legs. They’re too flabby.” Or we start taking about the physical attributes of others in a negative way. This type of negative speak doesn’t help you or anyone else. In fact, it can have a detrimental effect on the people around you.

    It’s not easy to change the way you think and feel – particularly if you’ve been trapped in a negative mindset and body image for a long time. However, it’s well worth the effort to begin to transform the way you feel about your body. Your life will change for the better.

     Three Steps to a Better Body Image

    A positive body image is an important element of a satisfying and rewarding life. Your body image impacts your self-esteem. It affects how you relate to other people and the risks that you take. If you feel bad about how you look, it’s time to take some steps to improve your body image. You are a beautiful person and it’s time you believed that.

    1. Take One Small Step to Take Care of Your Body

    This isn’t about losing weight or starting an exercise program. This is about beginning to take steps to appreciate your body. Find one small thing that you can do to make yourself feel good in your own skin and proud of your body. Maybe you begin drinking water instead of soda. Maybe you take five minutes each morning to stretch.

    Or perhaps you go to the doctor for a physical or you get a massage. Whatever you choose, make it something that is easy for you to do and makes you feel connected to your body. When you start taking better care of your body, you begin to learn to appreciate it. One small step can lead to a larger lifestyle change and a positive body image.

    2. Surround Yourself with Positive Support

    Body image messages come from the people in your life and the media that you consume. If your friends and family are critical of you, of themselves, and of others then it can rub off on you. You may compare yourself to others more often than is healthy. You might take what’s said personally.

    And if you watch television and read magazines, then you’re inundated with unrealistic body images. Consider choosing media and people that support a positive body image. Find role models and start taking steps to focus on the positive rather than the negative.

    3. Choose Clothing That Flatters You

    You undoubtedly have features that are attractive. If the clothing you choose doesn’t fit well or doesn’t enhance your best assets, you may feel negative about your body. Find clothing that that is flattering and makes you feel attractive and proud.

    For example, if you have a lovely neckline then wear V-neck shirts and blouses. Draw attention to your best physical assets. If you have stunning blue eyes then wear clothing that brings out the color in your eyes. Shopping to find clothing that is flattering can be exhausting but it’s worth the effort. Make the clothing you buy work for you.

    These are just a few of the tips you can embrace to begin developing a better body image. Each step you take to feel better and more realistic about how you look is an important one. Choose one of these tips and get started today.

     

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy