Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Benefits of Massage Therapy

The benefits of massage therapy are numerous, whatever problems you have, and many of the main benefits are going to be particularly helpful to the symptoms of PCOS.

Stressed out? Need a good way to relax and feel better about life? Why not get a massage? Getting regular massages helps relieve the physical and mental stress from your body, leaving you ready to take on new challenges.

Here are some of the great benefits of massage:

Improves immune system functioning
Studies have shown that the number of white cells in your blood increases after a massage. These are the cells that help the body fight diseases. With regular massage, you can have a stronger immune system and get sick less often.

Improves circulation
By relaxing your muscles, blood is able to flow more freely through your veins. Improved circulation gives you a boost of energy for the rest of your day. Plus, increased circulation in the skin can even reduce the appearance of cellulite if done on a regular basis

Reduces pain
When muscles are tight and tense all day long, they eventually become sore. By relaxing the muscles with a massage, you can ease the pain caused by sore, stiff muscles. Plus, increased circulation further helps relieve pain from the area that is rubbed, and can help relieve tension headaches.

Decreases stress and anxiety
Stress is one of the most prevalent, but preventable causes of health problems in modern society. De-stressing is not only a great way to feel better; it also helps you live longer. If you've ever had a massage, you already know how relaxed it makes you feel. With relaxed muscles, decreased pain, improved circulation, your body lets go of all the daily stress you've been holding on to.

Decreases blood pressure
There was a study conducted that showed that a simple, short touch can immediately cause a drop in blood pressure. Combine this with the improved circulation, relaxed muscles, and decreased anxiety and you get a great way to keep your blood pressure low. You should be careful if you have low pressure to begin with; make sure to get up slowly and take it easy after a massage.

Improves mood
Massage has been shown to make you feel better due to many of the reasons listed above. It is so good at improving mood, it has been used for treating depression in women who had recently lost a child. If massage can help with their depression, it can certainly lift a bad mood. So, think a massage might help you but just don't think you can afford it? You should check out massage schools. There you can get a quality massage at an incredibly low price.

So what are you waiting for? Go out and make an appointment for a massage today. You'll be feeling great in no time.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Benefits of Juicing for PCOS

Previously I posted a recipe for cucumber juice. Now I want to explain just some of the reasons juicing is good for those with PCOS.

Essential Nutrients
Juicing is a great way to get your vitamins and nutrients in one simple and effective blast. This is even more important for PCOS sufferers, especially if you are on the contraceptive pill. Trials have shown that the pill can strip the body of nutrients and alter the vitamin and mineral levels of the body. The vitamins and minerals you should be most concerned about are vitamin B1, B2, B6 and B12, folic acid, vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc. Try juicing leafy green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes.

Energy
Many people with PCOS suffer from energy lows and fatigue, partly caused by blood sugar levels dipping and the effects of insulin resistance, but also possibly from the effects of the other hormone inbalances. Raw foods are a great way to get your essential nutrients and boost your energy levels during the day, but not everybody can face plates of raw or lightly steamed vegetables. Juicing those vegetables (and some fruits) will help make those raw foods more palatable and easier to stomach!

Phytochemicals
These are naturally occuring substances that have numerous health benefits (but can not be stored in the body, so you need to eat them on a regular basis). Again, these are important for everybody's health because they are good for the skin and hair, as well as your heart, mental and reproductive health. They are especially important if you have PCOS because they help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and reproductive disorders. Again, those green leafy vegetables are important, as well as tomatoes, blueberries and cranberries.

I hope this has given you just a "taster" of why juicing can be so beneficial to PCOS sufferers.

A word of warning, if you are Insulin Resistant, fruit juices will be quite high in natural sugars (remember it takes a few apples to make a small glass of juice) and will cause your glucose levels to spike. Try to stick to mainly vegetable juices with a little fruit juice mixed in. Secondly, juicing means you are not benefiting from the fiber you would normally get from eating fruit and vegetables so make sure you are getting your fiber elsewhere.