Why Should We Exercise in the First Place?

I don't know about you, but I don't wake up at 5:30 or 6am every morning and say 'oh goodie, let's exercise'.....I'm a normal person and I like my sleep - but I get up and do it anyway.  So, why do exercise?  Here are a few good reasons:  not only is exercise great for your circulation, muscle tone, weight, and general physical wellbeing; when you exercise, 3 chemicals (natural antidepressants) are released in the body.  These are serotonin, dopamine and endorphins.  The release of these natural chemicals gives you that 'feel good' high that comes with exercise, much the same feeling when you receive a relaxing acupuncture treatment.  Human Growth Hormone and DHEA are also released during exercise.  These are the hormones that make you look and feel younger.  When we hit the age of 40, the levels of these naturally occurring substances drop substantially, so the more you exercise, the more you will stimulate the growth of these hormones and the more they will release into your body in an efficient manner.  

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  nobody has any excuse why they can't exercise at least 20 minutes every day...this includes a brisk walk at lunchtime.  Get moving today and get that 'feel good' rush.  If you're too tired, then come in for acupuncture treatments to energize you and get you started with your exercise program!

The Best Diet For Long-Term Weight Control

Here's the skinny on long-term weight control.  Dieting alone isn't going to do it for you.  What will work is constant negative energy balance.  This means you need to consume fewer calories than you expend.  This is the most important key to keeping off excess pounds for the long haul.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  regular exercise helps to maintain lean muscle mass and helps maintain negative energy balance.  The release of endorphins (the body's natural opiates) during exercise will de-stress you, and help with your sleep.  The increased circulation caused by aerobic activity will help produce more oxygenated red blood cells, improve lymphatic circulation and aide in the natural detoxification process.  If you are a 'couch potato', why not try going for a brisk half hour walk before your favorite shows come on the boob tube?  You'll feel better, sleep better and most likely stop reaching for so many chips and dip!

Acupuncture and Sub-Fertility

Acupuncture boosts the effectiveness of high-tech reproductive medicine procedures. Clinical studies have found that adding acupuncture to traditional in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments increased pregnancy success. There is also evidence that acupuncture stimulates blood flow and egg production in women who can't or decline to use fertility medications to help them get pregnant. Studies have shown a clear link between acupuncture and the body's natural "feel good" brain chemicals (endorphins).

Acupuncture also appears to affect two areas of the brain that control hormone production (the hypothalamus and pituitary glands) as well as the ovaries. Acupuncture may also "boost" the uterine lining when it is too weak to sustain a pregnancy, a problem known to increase the risk of miscarriage.

If you’re having difficulty becoming pregnant, why not try a natural, drug-free method to boost your fertility?