Testosterone is a sex hormone that is essential for the health of both men and women but is present in significantly higher levels in men. Testosterone plays a role in male sexual health, muscle mass, bone density, energy levels and fertility. It is normal for testosterone production to decrease with age, but lifestyle and environmental factors often contribute to an accelerated decrease of this hormone.
The gluten-free diet has become increasingly popular in recent years. A gluten-free diet can be tremendously helpful for some individuals but is not indicated for everyone. Gluten is a protein found in grains including wheat, rye, barley and some oats. Reasons to follow a gluten-free diet include a diagnosis of Celiac disease or a confirmed gluten-sensitivity.
The foods we eat have a direct influence on our mental health. Our mood is determined by the presence of certain neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, in the brain. Serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine are the three neurotransmitters that have the most influence over our mood.
Were you ever told to “finish your veggies” or not to get up from the table until you “cleaned your plate?” Most of us were conditioned from an early age to follow external cues when it comes to food consumption. This discouraged our innate tendencies to be attuned to our bodies and to listen, quite literally, to our gut instincts.