In This Issue

7 Ways to Detox Your Body

Exercise and Your Period

Can Your Body Become Resistant to UTI Meds?

Is Sunscreen Safe During Pregnancy?

Best Vitamins for Women Over 40

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7 Ways to Detox Your Body

Need to get back on track from overindulgence? Or, perhaps you want to look and feel your best before you head on out to the Jersey shore? Try these DIY detox tips to get yourself back on track:

1) Start with water. Drink a tall glass of water with juice from half of a lemon in the morning. Lemon helps re-hydrate the system and promotes digestion, which will help the flow of waste out of your body.

2) Move your body. Regular exercise encourages circulation in the blood and lymph system. Doing so will also enhance digestion, reduce tension, lubricate joints, and strengthen your body. It's a proven fact. Studies show that people who exercise regularly have far fewer total toxins in their systems.

3) Drink a lot of tea. Not only is tea full of antioxidants, it hydrates you (especially if it's herbal) and fills you up. This means you will be less likely to overeat or eat the wrong things. Keep in mind, the caffeine in tea is different than the caffeine in coffee-it's gentler on your system. It'll also give you a pick-me-up, but minus the jitters.

4) Eat Organic. A colorful variety of fruits and veggies should be the main focus of your diet, along with whole grains, beans and legumes, and small amounts of nuts and seeds. Dark green vegetables, for instance, are full of micronutrients and are very low in calories, so you can eat a lot of them.

5) Sleep. Even though you're not putting anything harmful in your body, not getting enough sleep can be harmful to you. Sleep deprivation can pack on the pounds, so aim for at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night.

6) Cut your sugar intake. Start by decreasing the amount of sugar you consume. And that includes honey, molasses, and artificial sweeteners. If you eat more sugar, you ask your body for more insulin, straining your pancreas and wearing yourself. In the long term, this kind of habit can cause you to become chronically fatigued and pack on excess weight.

7) Exfoliate. Think of all the chemicals in sun-tan lotion you've been applying on your skin over and over. Skin brushing and oil massages will help exfoliate the toxins from your skin and refresh circulation.

Source: Shape

Exercise and Your Period

Your menstrual cycle may be a drag on your mood, but it doesn't have to slow down your workout schedule. But do you really have to change up your exercise routine due to your period? And can exercising when you're bleeding pose more serious risks than simple inconvenience? Get the facts below so you don't have to avoid the gym:

FACT: Your period does not hamper your performance.

Top athletes don't let a little bleeding slow them down, and you don't have to either. A West Virginia University study found that female runners performed equally well whether tested during the first half or second half of their menstrual cycles. The one caveat may be for women with severe premenstrual and menstrual symptoms, such as serious cramps and heavy bleeding.

FACT: Your workout can reduce PMS symptoms.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends regular aerobic exercise to help relieve PMS. You probably don't need a scientist to convince you of that! Set foot in the gym when you're PMS-ing and you'll boost your mood, ward off fatigue and facilitate a better night of zzz's.

FACT: Your period shouldn't keep you from the gym.

Most of you are game to hit the gym no matter what time of the month it is. It's recommended that regardless of what phase of your menstrual cycle you're in, you should still maintain the level of exercise they kept throughout their cycle.

Source: Shape

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August 2016

Enjoy your best summer ever!

As we begin the last official full month of summer, it's an ideal time to take advantage of the nice weather and take control of your health. Whether you're gearing up for a week-long vacation at the beach (or a "stay-cation"), or just returning from a week of relaxing and over-indulging, it's time to get back on track. Having too many drinks or going beyond your normal eating pattern happens, but you don't need to do a mad rush to get back into shape. Here are 7 Simple Ways to Detox Your Body so you can feel your best right through Labor Day weekend and beyond.

Antibiotic resistance is becoming a growing global problem, and for many women that's having an unexpected effect. One very common infection among women, the urinary tract infection, is becoming increasingly resistant to the drugs used to treat it. Check out, Can Your Body Become Resistant to UTI Meds? to find out more.

When you feel bloated and irritable during your period, it can be difficult to muster enough energy to exercise. While you may want to skip exercising, you could be avoiding the one thing that will help you to look and feel better. But have you ever wondered if you should avoid certain exercises, or reduce your exercise intensity during your menstrual cycle? Get the facts about Exercise and Your Period so you can get the low-down on how your period does - and doesn't - affect your workout routine.

During these past few months, most of us have been slathering on oceans of lotions every day, but we don't think about what might be passing the skin barrier and being absorbed into our bodies. When you're pregnant and have a developing baby in your belly, this is a vital concern. Due to an increased sensitivity to the sun, pregnant women can - and should - wear sunscreen. But are they safe for use during pregnancy? Be sure to read, Is Sunscreen Safe During Pregnancy? so you know which ingredients are considered safe, and which ones to avoid. (Note: Even if you're not pregnant, you may want to check out our sunscreen tips before you head outside!)

After age 40 and approaching menopause, a woman's nutritional concerns shift. You may be focused on keeping a stable hormonal balance through perimenopause and preventing age-related conditions and diseases. Your need for some nutrients goes up, while for others, such as iron, it goes down. Supplements can help you keep an even nutritional keel, although food sources of vitamins and minerals are always the optimal choice. To help ensure you're getting the right vitamins - and the right dosage -- we've assembled the Best Vitamins for Women Over 40.

Enjoy this last month of summer - there's still time to get outside, get moving and get healthy!

With warm regards,

The Practitioners and Staff of Lawrence OB/GYN

Can Your Body Become Resistant to UTI Meds?

Urinary tract infections are evil, but they've got one saving grace: a round of antibiotics will usually knock them out quickly. There's just one problem: doctors are starting to warn women that using these bring-us-back-from-the-brink-drugs too often could result in them losing their effectiveness.

"Unfortunately, we're seeing a resistance to the antibiotics used to treat UTIs more and more-it's become somewhat of a national trend," says Sandip Vasavada, M.D., urologic director at the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Female Urology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery.

Health officials have been warning us about the risks of antibiotic resistance for years, but patients haven't exactly taken heed. Every time we take an antibiotic, bacteria is given the chance to practice fighting it off. The bacteria that manage to survive (thanks to certain mutations or resistance genes) pass on their survival tactics to the next generation and so on.

A 2012 study found that the resistance of E. coli (the culprit behind most UTIs) to one of the most commonly prescribed UTI antibiotics, ciprofloxacin, had increased five-fold from 2000 to 2010. (Frequently taking antibiotics ups your odds of forming a resistance, but Vasavada says some women show a resistance even after just one round of drugs.) Scary stuff, considering half of all women will develop a UTI in their lifetime, according to research, and some suffer from them four or more times a year. (Most aren't a big deal, but left untreated they can lead to a more serious kidney infection.)

Right now, effective UTI drugs that aren't antibiotics do not exist on the market, and there isn't much solid research when it comes to preventive therapies. (There's some evidence that cranberry can ward off a UTI, but Vasavada says docs don't know how much you'd need to drink or how many cranberry pills you have to take for the benefit.)

So how can you protect yourself? Vasavada says peeing after sex, wiping front to back, and drinking lots of liquids (which keeps you peeing and flushing out that bacteria) may help you avoid a UTI. And if you do think you have a bladder infection, it's always best to head to the doc and get a culture to make sure it's the real thing. Even if you feel like you can spot a UTI burn a mile away, it's best to check in with your doc to make sure treatment is absolutely necessary.

Source: Women's Health

Is Sunscreen Safe During Pregnancy?

The effects of UV rays on the skin are well documented. Skin cancer, premature aging, and sun spots are all linked to sun exposure and overexposure. Sunscreens are the best option to block UV rays from damaging the skin, but are sunscreen products safe for use during pregnancy?

Sunscreens block UV rays by including one of three ingredients - oxybenzone, zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide. Oxybenzone is the ingredient pregnant women want to avoid. In some research studies, oxybenzone has been linked to low birth weight in female infants. While these studies could not pinpoint oxybenzone as the sole reason for low birth weight, there is no reason to put your baby at risk if there is a viable alternative that is considered safe for use during pregnancy.

The reason oxybenzone cannot be pinpointed as the cause of birth defects is due to its effect on the skin. This chemical is used to help other chemicals absorb through the skin. Unlike zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which lie on the surface of the skin, products with oxybenzone permeate the skin allowing chemicals to absorb into the bloodstream.

Pregnant women should read labels for lotion, skin care products, lip balm, and lipstick. Surprisingly enough, the chemical can also be found in perfumes and hair conditioners. Oxybenzone has been linked to allergies, damage to cells, and disruption of hormones. A study performed by the CDC found traces of oxybenzone in 97% of participants. Women and young girls were found to have higher concentrations potentially due to use of skin care and beauty products.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be found in stores alongside sunscreens and products containing oxybenzone. These are considered safe during pregnancy. Before buying any skin care products, pregnant women should read all product labels.

Source: Baby Med

Best Vitamins for Women Over 40

Certain vitamins are very important as you age. After age 40, you have a greater risk of bone loss, a disease called osteoporosis, as well as chronic illnesses. Taking a daily multivitamin may be an easy way to get all of your vitamins for the day, but you should also eat a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole-grain foods, all of which are full of nutrients. Vitamin supplements may interact negatively with some of your medications so let your doctor know if you decide to take any types of vitamins.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is most commonly known for its role in boosting your immune system and relieving cold symptoms. After age 40, vitamin C is one of several vitamins you want to pay attention to since it also acts like an antioxidant. Free radicals from digestion, cigarette smoke or pollution in the environment wreak havoc on normally healthy cells. They increase inflammation and cell oxidation, thus increasing your risk of certain cancers, heart disease and age-related macular degeneration, which leads to vision loss. Keep your body healthy and young by consuming the recommended 75 mg of vitamin C daily. Smoking increases oxidation and cell damage and increases your vitamin C needs to 110 mg, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. Red peppers, strawberries, broccoli, citrus fruits and kiwis are all naturally rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin D

Bone loss is a natural part of aging, but you can minimize bone loss and risk of fractures by getting enough daily vitamin D. This vitamin helps your body absorb calcium, the most abundant mineral in your body. They work together to keep your bones and teeth strong. You can get vitamin D from a few sources: the sun, dietary supplements or from certain foods. Exposing your skin to direct sunlight allows you to synthesize some vitamin D, but this should not be your only vitamin D source. Vitamin D supplements come in D2 or D3 forms, which are both beneficial, but vitamin D3 may be stronger for fracture prevention. Each day, you need 15 mcg or 600 IU of vitamin D, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, milk or orange juice provide some vitamin D, as do some animal foods, including salmon, sardines and whole eggs.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E also has antioxidant properties in addition to playing a role in red blood cell formation and normal immune function. Taking birth control pills, smoking or natural aging each increase your risk of blood clots. This vitamin may help reduce your risk of clots by widening your blood vessels. According to MedlinePlus, healthy adults need 15 mg of vitamin E daily, which you can get from vegetable oils, nuts, leafy green vegetables or fortified cereals.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps keep your aging eyes healthy and supports normal vision, especially night vision. This powerful vitamin also supports bone strength and healthy skin. One type of vitamin A, a carotenoid called beta-carotene, works alongside vitamins C and E, fighting off free radicals and keeping cells and tissues healthy. For optimal health, consume 700 mcg of vitamin A daily, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Animal foods, such as meat, eggs, dairy and seafood, are some of the best sources of vitamin A.

Calcium

Hopefully you've already been intent on keeping up your calcium intake through your 20s and 30s. Now is not the time to slack off, however, as your risk for osteoporosis increases as you age. Calcium is bulky and thus usually not found in a multivitamin supplement--you'll want to take 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day in a separate supplement form if you're not getting that amount through food sources such as milk and other dairy products, fortified cereals and soy milk, tofu, canned fish and leafy green vegetables.

Source: Livestrong

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