K is for Clotting But Also For Bone Health

Vitamin K - easy to remember - K is for "clotting", well there is actually lots more to it!  Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamins (the others being A, D, and E).  While it is best known for clotting, it is also involved in bone mineralization, a critical part of making bone. It also promotes healthy liver function.

But, let's go back to the bone part.  We are all familiar with how prevalent osteoporosis is in this country.  We are bombarded with the advertisements and the need for calcium supplements to magically cure this condition.  As I've mentioned previously it is not just calcium, but there are 18 nutrients required to build bone.  One of them is Vitamin K.  And guess what? Most people are not getting enough of this vitamin either.  It is readily available, but of course you have to like vegetables!  The top food sources are the Cruciferous family of vegetables: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.  It is also in the dark green leafy vegetables (think kale), eggs, and liver.  For optimal health you should be eating these foods daily.  Your blood, liver, metabolism, and bones depend on it!

Female Sexual Health and Dysfunction

very dissapointed in women get dysfunction

Sexual function is one of the most underreported areas in women’s health today. According to the National Health and Social Life Survey from 1992, 43% of the women studied reported concerns with their sexual functioning over the course of one year. However, for a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction to be made, these concerns must be associated with personal distress. It is important to remember that what may be considered “abnormal” for one woman may be “normal” for another. Although a sexual complaint may not signify dysfunction, it is still important to discuss the problem with your clinician as it may also be a sign of underlying disease.

A woman’s sexuality can be affected by many factors including: relationship issues, medical illness, hormonal changes, cultural factors, psychological factors, aging, menopause, body image, pregnancy, breastfeeding, early learning about sexuality, history of abuse, and partner sexual dysfunction.

Sexual dysfunction can be broken down into five separate disorders: desire, arousal, orgasmic, pain, and aversion. Although each has a specific medical definition, significant overlap of these disorders is often seen in women.

Significant advances have recently been made in the areas of research and treatment of female sexual dysfunction. If you have concerns regarding your sexual health, discuss them with your physician. It is the first step in getting the treatment that is right for you.(stanford school of medicine)

Important, Communicating about sex

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Talking with your partner about what you like and what you want can take your sex life in new and fulfiling directions and deepen your relationship as whole, says sex and relationship counsellor.

No one is a mind reader

In many couples, one or both partners feel that the other doesn't understand how to satisfy them sexually. And I know from my work at a sex and relationships counsellor that this can knock the confidence of both people.

The problem is that when it comes to sex we expect to be instant experts, with instinctive knowledge of what pleases us and a partner. But actually, sex is just like any other skill. If we want to learn how to drive a car or ride a bike, we have to start as beginners and take lessons. And with sex, to understand your own responses and your lover's, you have to learn and practice.

This is because everyone responds differently to sex and sexual arousal. Some like gentle touches, others prefer heavier, rougher contact. One person will be turned on by something another finds unpleasant or uninteresting. Unless you're psychic, the only way to get to know your partner's tastes, and for them to get to know yours, is by communicating.

Say what you'd like to try

Talking about what you like and dislike has several benefits. Not only can simply talking about sex add to your excitmement, but the more you talk, the more relaxed and confident you'll be with your partner. I know from my work that most people would like more variety in their love lives, but they're held back from suggesting whatever they'd like to try, whether it's oral sex, bondage or new positions, by embarrassment or fear of rejection.

But you don't have to come out with a bald request. One good technique is to find the option you fancy on the web or in a magazine or a book, and point it out, saying, "That looks fun. Want to try it?" The chances are that, far from being put off, your partner will jump at the chance to experiment.

Non-verbal cues

Communication is vital but there's no need to subject each other to a commentary or a barrage of instructions. You can make your needs known with a range of non-verbal cues. (For more ideas see Bedroom talk).

Let them know when they've hit the spot

Next time you have sex, make sure your partner knows when they've found the right place. If they need a bit of guidance, gently move their hands to demonstrate what turns you on. Make the communication two-way; listen and notice the movements and sounds your partner makes, so you can pick up their likes and dislikes, too.

Be honest, positive and demonstrative

If you're going to say what you'd like and ask what your partner wants, there are three important points to keep in mind.

Be positive. Don't tell your partner they're terrible in bed. Remember something they did that you really liked and say, "When you did that, I really..." They'll get the message.

Be honest. There's no point in faking it or saying you like something you don't, because that gives your partner no incentive and no guidance to do better.

Be demonstrative  And Erogenous zones

The most sensitive sexual areas are

Breasts, nipples, genitals and lips

Ear lobes, fingers, toes

The soft skin inside the elbows and knees, the small of the back and the nape of the neck

Phosphorus - While Calcium Gets All the Notoriety This Mineral is Quite Important Too!

We are bombarded with messages about the importance of calcium for our bones.  Well, without phosphorus all the calcium in the world will not do you much good.  In fact, it may cause harm if there is too much calcium and not sufficient phosphorus.  Phosphorus is the second key mineral by content in our bones.  It supports healthy bone formation, energy production, cell growth and repair (remember blood cells are made in our bones), collagen synthesis (that's what helps make the bone), cardiovascular function, and nerve and muscle activity.  It is a key part of calcium and sugar metabolism.

What happens when the calcium to phosphorus ratio is out of balance? Too much phosphorus and less calcium causes the body to pull calcium out of its storage spots and we get teeth and bone erosion ultimately leading to osteoporosis.  By the way - do you know how many people get too much phosphorus?  It comes from drinking carbonated beverages.  Phosphorus helps make them bubble! Another reason soft drinks are not good for us, besides the sugar or artificial sweeteners being used.  On the reverse, too much calcium and not enough phosphorus causes excess calcium in the tissues.  This leads to things like kidney stones, cataracts, and arthritis.

Phosphorus is supporting may body systems including the circulatory, digestive, liver, metabolic, nervous, kidney, and most important the musculoskeletal.

Food sources of phosphorus include almonds, brewer's yeast, eggs, fish (halibut, salmon), glandular meats, lean beef, lentils, liver, milk, peanuts, poultry, pumpkin seeds, wheat bran, and yogurt.

Zinc - Did You Know Viruses Like It?

Zinc we are often told is good for the immune system.  True, but apparently viruses like it too!  What does that mean?  Taking that zinc lozenge may not always be the best idea if it is a virus you are fighting.

Yet, zinc is a very important mineral, especially for men.  Zinc is one of the key ingredients for the prostate gland.  Men will want to make sure they are getting sufficient zinc.  One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Zinc supports the formation of many enzymes and insulin.  The same insulin we need for blood sugar control.  It also assists with wound healing, reproductive organ growth and development, and metabolism of phosphorus, carbohydrates, and proteins.  Putting it simply - zinc helps many body processes work.

Zinc also has a special relationship with copper - one of antagonism.  That means if your zinc levels rise, your copper levels will decrease, or if your copper levels rise, your zinc levels will decrease.  This is very significant for women as too much copper can make them "copper crazy".  Too much copper throws hormones out of balance and results in many of the "female symptoms".  What gets copper levels high?  The big three are birth control pills, copper IUDs, and soy (another reason not to like soy).

Zinc is found in many foods including almonds, beets, carrots, cashews, Cheddar cheese, green peas, lamb, lean beef and pork, liver, milk, mushrooms, peanuts, poultry, pumpkin seeds, seafood (crabs, oysters, shrimp), sesame seeds, spinach, wheat germ, whole grains, and yogurt.  Lots of healthy food choices to get your zinc!

Finding Love After a Divorce, Death or Breakup in Valentine’s Day

If this Valentine’s Day is not all romance and roses, these 5 steps can make your Valentine’s Day great.

“People don’t know what to do to find love. It’s not their fault. No one has given them a step-by-step action plan,” said Aurora Winter, an expert at guiding people and author of From Heartbreak to Happiness.

langgar  often coaches people who are newly single after a divorce, death or breakup. “After doing these 5 steps, my clients are much happier – and a number have even gotten engaged or married.”

According to Winter, here are 5 steps to finding love after a divorce, death, or breakup:

Step 1: Get Clear

Get clear on your core values and goals for your new relationship. Describe your ideal partner’s top 12 characteristics and put them in order of priority. For example: a good listener, successful, values family, loyal, kind, creative, attentive, healthy, handsome, self-confident, likes to travel, owns a home.

“People will consistently behave in a way that makes them feel important. What makes your ideal partner feel important?” said Winter, author of From Heartbreak to Happiness. “Get clear.”

Step 2: No Mixed Signals

Now that you’re clear, stay clear. Don’t give any mixed signals.

Look at your list of the top 12 characteristics. The top 3 are your “must-haves.” For example: a good listener, successful, values family.

Don’t even have a coffee date with someone who doesn’t have those top 3 traits. Use your dates to discover if they have the top 6 traits. If they do, that’s a relationship worth exploring.

Step 3: Release the Past

Bitterness, resentment and anger are common after a divorce or breakup. People who have lost a spouse to death frequently yearn for their late husband or wife.

“Nothing repels new love faster than unresolved grief over the past,” said Aurora Winter, who founded the Grief Coach Academy after the sudden death of her husband at the age of 33. “These 5 steps are like a combination lock that opens your heart. Don’t skip any steps. If you have unresolved heartbreak from a divorce, death or breakup, get support to heal.”

Step 4: Improve Yourself

Improving yourself is a powerful way to attract your ideal mate. Do you have the top 12 traits yourself? If not, work on self- improvement.

“When I described my ideal partner, I asked myself if I was a match for the amazing man I had just described,” says Aurora. “I wasn’t. So I got to work on myself. Now, years later, my life partner is everything I had on my list – and more.”

Improve yourself so that you are a good match for your ideal partner.

Step 5: Choose Gratitude

Every day, write down 5 things that you’re grateful for. Notice at least one thing you appreciate about yourself. It might be your kindness, your smile, or your parenting.

Refuse to give any energy to negative or critical thoughts. “So often people self-sabotage because they subconsciously think they don’t deserve their ideal partner. The antidote is gratitude,” says langgar.

Get clear, stay clear, release the past, improve yourself, and choose gratitude and you’ll find love after a divorce, death or breakup.

“If I can go from heartbreak to happiness, you can, too,” says langgar.

Manganese

Manganese may be one of those minerals that you've never even considered for how important it is for the human body.  While calcium gets all the attention regarding bone health, manganese is also very important for bone formation.  In fact, there are 18 different nutrients required for the body to build healthy bone.  For more on that see my earlier post regarding calcium (Calcium Blog ).

Manganese is also important in the formation and activation of enzymes that metabolize oxygen, carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol.  And perhaps even more critical is that manganese is required to detoxify our body from any naturally produced ammonia.  Ammonia is poison to the body, so it must be removed.

The blood, liver, immune, musculoskeletal, nervous, and reproductive systems all utilize manganese.

There are lots of food sources of manganese.  It is prevalent in nuts and seeds (almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts), legumes (garbanzo beans, green peas, lima beans, navy beans, pinto beans), grains (brown rice, wheat germ, oats, rye), vegetables (beets, broccoli, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes), cloves, liver, nutrtional yeast, pineapple, and raspberries.