Melatonin...What's Its Function?

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Melatonin helps build bones and reduces bone loss.  It supports hair growth, promotes immune response, regulates circadian rhythyms in the brain, slows contractions in the stomach and intestines, and increases the release of digestive enzymes.

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!

Understanding Hormones Part 2

I was bombarded with the same question yesterday....WHAT'S a hormone?
A hormone is a naturally occurring chemical substance that your body produces.  Hormones are in charge of the body's regulation department, and is the control center for the activities and functions of certain cells or organs.

The thyroid gland in particular,  is responsible for the secretion of many hormones.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Hormones are crucial for homoestasis (to be alive!).   Hormones are responsible for growth and reproductive functions, metabolism and digestive processes and what type of mood you're in.  Tomorrow, we'll delve into the pathways of how hormones act (now that you know what a hormone is) and later on in the week, talk about some of the more known hormones and what they do!
Trivia:  did you know that acupuncture alone can help regulate hormones????