Lisa Nelson, RD

Following keto, paleo, plant-based, Mediterranean or something in between? Remember the 4-4-9 rule.

Functional medicine expert Bryce Wylde explains why everyone, no matter what diet plan you follow, will do better by incorporating healthy fats.

Whether for health or weight loss, there may never be a way of eating that is perfect for everyone. “About 25 percent of people gain weight while following a strict keto diet,” observes Functional Medicine expert Bryce Wylde, BSc, DHMHS, Homeopath. “Some people gain weight on carbohydrates. Others do not. Some people are better off eating vegan. But one thing is universal: Everyone would do really well to incorporate healthy fats into their diets.” 

As a clinical practitioner, Wylde understands that an individual’s DNA at least partially dictates how their body responds to food. “There are genes that dictate whether your body tends to store fat or burn it as ketones. There are genes that influence if people are good starch metabolizers. They can eat rice and beans all day without issue. For others, it might be best to sway over to meats and fats.” 

He encourages people not to go all the way down one road dietarily unless they understand themselves better. “In the most general terms, you can have your DNA analyzed then use a self-decode website to turn those results into actionable items.” 

The 4-4-9 rule and other healthy eating tips 

In the meantime, Wylde offers his advice for fueling your body with the right nutrients. 

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Not Feeling Great? This Might Be Why

Contributed by Ryan Peterson.

So, you’re simply not feeling great and you’re unsure of why that might be. There are so many reasons this could be troubling you, and here, we’re going to list a few of them.

1. Stress

We lead busier lifestyles than ever, and we don’t feel worthy if we’re not being productive. Maybe you’re biting off more than you can chew and doing too much. Stress can have many physical symptoms, such as feeling run down and sleepy. Evaluate the stress in your life and determine if you need to cut back at work or at home. 

2. Your Lifestyle 

Your lifestyle in general could be an issue if you’re not feeling great. Maybe you’re burning the candle at both ends, working hard but playing even harder. Do you have some bad habits you need to kick to the curb, like eating junk, smoking, and other issues? Were injured and you haven’t yet found first-class legal representation for injury victims, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. Whatever happened, try to assess your lifestyle honestly and figure out whether this could be the reason for your feelings. 

3. Malaise 

Malaise is a vague term, and many people can experience it. It involves weakness, discomfort, feeling like you have an illness and fatigue. However, these symptoms can be connected to many conditions. You should contact your doctor for an evaluation. Below are just a few of the conditions that malaise can be a result of:

  • HIV
  • AIDS
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Lyme disease
  • Hepatitis
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • The flu
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes 
  • Congestive heart failure 
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How To Support A Loved One After A Heart Attack

Contributed by Ryan Peterson.

According to the CDC, the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US is heart disease. That’s about 647,000 people every year. 

While medical treatments and interventions continue to improve outcomes for many people, the road to recovery is still a long one. If your partner or a member of your family has experienced a heart attack, then the support they need afterward in important for their long term recovery. 

Do your research

You need to be well informed on the subject of heart disease. Educate yourself on the condition so that you are not constantly asking questions they may not be comfortable answering. 

If they have a specific rehabilitation program or diet, learn this inside and out so you are able to help them follow it, even when they themselves don’t feel like it. 

Be prepared to support them in their new lifestyle which will probably mean big changes to diet and exercise habits as well as taking supplements, medications, and possibly Neuroscience Vitamins. Why not join them in their new healthy lifestyle and improve your health too? 

Emotional support and guidance 

In addition to the physical recovery, there is a mental journey. A person who survives a heart attack can react in many different ways. Some people feel they’ve been given a second chance at life, others feel like their life is irrevocably changed forever and it’s only a matter of time before something else bad happens. 

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The Parts Of Your Health You’re Probably Neglecting

Contributed by Ryan Peterson.

When it comes to taking care of your health, there are some things you know you must do. Exercise, healthy eating – they’re talked about all the time, which means they’re always on our mind.

But what about the other parts of your health like your sight and hearing? It’s those things that can be taken for granted, and it can come as a shock when something goes wrong.

Total health means taking complete care of yourself, and could mean some adjustments to your existing habits and behaviors. Take a look at the parts of your health you’re probably neglecting, and start taking care of yourself from head to toe.

Photo by Marcus Ng on Unsplash

Your hearing

It’s easy to take your hearing for granted, assuming it will always be there, but it can be debilitating when your hearing starts to suffer, for whatever reason. Hearing loss comes in many forms, but many of them are preventable by taking steps to save your hearing. From protecting your ears from loud noises to keeping the volume down when you wear earphones, there are many steps you can take to keep your hearing in check to protect it for the future.

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Spotlight on Men’s Heart Health

No one knows your body better than you do, so it’s your responsibility to monitor your own health. As important as it is to prioritize preventive care and manage chronic health issues, up to 60% of men don’t go to the doctor when they need to.

Certain health concerns like heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues affect both men and women. They may, however, impact them in different ways. For example, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States but men are twice as likely as women to experience a heart attack.

Researchers suggest this may have something to do with hormone levels, as the higher risk persisted even after taking traditional risk factors like high blood pressure and body mass index into account.

These are the top six heart health risk factors:

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How to awaken your body from an isolation-induced serotonin slump

Steps to make this “happiness molecule” … well … happy again 

Being home 24/7 can mess up our day and night cycles. And the lack of social interactions can affect our moods. These days, we can also throw uncertainty and anxiety into the mix. It turns out that all of these things can impact our body’s supply of serotonin. “Serotonin isn’t just a molecule that contributes to our happiness and wellbeing. It’s also very much in charge of the circadian rhythm. So, when it’s out of whack, our sleep cycles suffer,” explains leading alternative health expert Bryce Wylde, BSc, DHMHS, Homeopath.

What to do if you suspect you are in a serotonin slump 
“Generally speaking in this situation, you want to take steps to build more serotonin in your system,” recommends Wylde. He describes three simple ways to make this happen: 

  1. Eat to balance your blood sugar. “Balancing your sugar will help to balance your serotonin. Right now, your body may be craving cakes, breads and doughnuts. But as you follow a blood sugar balancing diet, you’ll have fewer of those cravings. 

    Start by eating more whole grains, fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables, nuts, beans and seeds. Stay well hydrated. Also try a modified intermittent fasting, where you wake up and fast until about noon.” 
  1. Re-establish better sleep cycles. “Your depth of sleep matters as much as how many hours you’re clocking on your pillow. Start with a cold, dark room; a comfortable mattress and some white noise. Some people find sleep success by taking melatonin or tryptophan supplements but those only work depending on your body’s chemistry. Plus, most of those products will put you to sleep but won’t necessarily help keep you asleep. 

    A more reliable approach is to take Zenbev within an hour of going to sleep. This is made from a balanced combination of simple, food-based ingredients that encourage the body to make melatonin at night and serotonin during the day. Zenbev contains pumpkin seed powder that is still wrapped in the intact protein bundle that allows for slow release. That’s why it works. It has to do with its molecular size. You can’t achieve the same thing by putting pumpkin seeds in the blender.” 
  1. Eat lunch outside. Anxiety burns serotonin. When you start feeling stressed, do some deep breathing. Better yet: Spend time in nature, especially a heavily wooded environment. Plant life emits negative ions, which increase serotonin output in the human body.” 

Wylde also reminds you to get off the couch. “Exercise causes a surge of serotonin production. It also helps the body to manage blood sugar levels. This is why people who exercise frequently tend to be happier and more energetic overall. Just avoid strenuous exercise before bed.”

To learn more about science-based ways to improve your serotonin levels and your sleep, visit www.Zenbev.com

Bryce Wylde, BSc, DHMHS, Homeopath
Bryce Wylde BSc (hons), DHMHS is a leading health expert specializing in integrative and functional medicine, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, and supplementation. As associate medical director at P3 Health in Toronto, and director of My Health Report, he blends the latest in science and technology with traditional and ancient remedies. Wylde is the author of three national best-selling books, previous host of CTV’s Wylde on Health, and regular guest health expert and medical advisor on “The Doctor Oz” show.