Body Health

Breast cancer has long been a problem for American women, but recently it’s gotten even worse. The American Cancer Society report, "Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2013-2014 (PDF)," states that in 2013, over 39,000 women in the U.S. "were expected to die from breast cancer. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women." Could an armpit cleanse reduce your chances of breast cancer?

Families living with eczema know it can be a big challenge, especially for babies. According to the National Eczema Association, 31.6 million Americans suffer from eczema. They state that childhood eczema in the U.S. is 10.7% overall and as high as 18.1% in individual states and about 1 out of every 3 children suffers with moderate to severe eczema. With such great numbers, moms need to understand this irritating problem and what to do when you discover it in your family. And if your child or family has a history of allergies, you should be aware of the symptoms of eczema since it is more likely to occur in your child.

I’ve dealt with back pain since I was twelve. I remember getting up in the middle of the night for a glass of water and having my back go out. I was stuck bent in half and unable to move and crying out for my mother. Years later an injury at work hurt my back again. I felt useless, unable to walk or move as I usually would. I had prescription pain meds which helped, but only when I was able to take them. I couldn’t drive or work on the medication, and most of my days were spent working, and driving to and from work. My doctor suggested other ways to cope and deal with the pain. If you suffer from back pain, then you know the struggle too. You are constantly aware of your pain and searching for ways to alleviate it. In fact, half of all working Americans say they have back pain symptoms each year.

There are probably a ton of personal products in your medicine cabinet, but is there also coconut oil in there? If not, make room. This tropical oil has been gaining some serious popularity recently, and it’s not without merit. Coconuts are loaded with nutrients– iron, magnesium, calcium, and even vitamin C. Coconuts are also high in antioxidants, which mop up harmful free radicals and help prevent chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Iodine is essential to the human body although we don’t produce it ourselves. Without sufficient levels the thyroid can’t properly function, and this can lead to a whole host of problems. It’s thought that up to 40% of the world is lacking enough iodine. Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of brain damage, yet it’s completely preventable. Worldwide, iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, which is when the thyroid produces too many hormones and releases them into the body. Thyroid problems can lead to problems such as rapid heart rate, menstrual cycle changes, arrhythmia, muscle weakness, double vision, and other issues. It’s crucial to get enough in your diet or with supplementation to avoid these dangers of deficiency:

Sleep, it may be the most important thing you do each day, even though you’re not really doing anything. A good night’s sleep should never be underestimated. When your body sleeps it gets to work restoring your body’s energy, repairing tissue, and stimulating the brain to form pathways for learning. It’s vital to our survival, and our health. The CDC estimates 50-70 million adults in America suffer from sleep or wakefulness disorder. With that many people effected, it’s worth looking at the possible causes, as well as the implications of sleep deprivation. Just like other areas of your life, it might be time to change your habits to improve your health.