<![CDATA[ENLIGHTEN Alternative Awareness & Healing - Wellness News]]>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:06:45 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[The Diet mentality...]]>Fri, 08 Dec 2023 14:27:16 GMThttps://www.enlightenfredericton.com/wellness-news/the-diet-mentality
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]]><![CDATA[Men's hormone health...]]>Mon, 04 Dec 2023 19:34:48 GMThttps://www.enlightenfredericton.com/wellness-news/mens-hormone-health
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Hormone health for Men
Are you or a men in your entourage experiencing changes in mood, weight, energy levels, or sexual drive - supporting their hormone health through diet and nutrition might be a good place to start.
Hormones 101
Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that tell our cells what to do. They coordinate mood, digestion, energy levels, and bodily functions. Hormone levels can change with diet, activity levels, medical conditions, sleep and age. For men, these hormone fluctuations can impact appetite, metabolism, sexual drive, risk of chronic disease, and body composition.
If you have a hormone imbalance, diet and medical treatment can work together to solve potential nutrient deficiencies and to support the production of certain hormones.
Key Male Hormones
There are some key hormones that are essential to men’s hormonal health. Once you have a good understanding of what these hormones do and how they impact your health, it will make it easier to follow the right nutrition recommendations to keep these balanced.
  • Insulin is released from the pancreas after you eat and takes glucose from the blood to cells for energy. It helps maintain normal blood glucose levels and weight management which can affect energy levels and the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
  • Leptin and Ghrelin are responsible for hunger and appetite control. Leptin is released from fat cells and helps control appetite and maintain weight, whereas ghrelin is responsible for stimulating appetite.
  • Thyroid Hormones. Both an underactive or overactive thyroid can lead to unfavorable symptoms such as weight and body temperature changes, fatigue, low mood, infertility, and sexual dysfunction.
  • Testosterone plays an important role in fertility, sexual function, bone health, and muscle mass. Testosterone has beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors, which include cholesterol, endothelial dysfunction (nonobstructive coronary artery disease), and inflammation. Men with low testosterone levels are more likely to suffer a cardiovascular event and develop insulin resistance.
  • Cortisol is a steroid hormone released in times of stress and increases blood pressure and heart rate. It helps modulate the immune system, supports anti-inflammatory responses, the nervous system, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. Long-term exposure to high stress levels can alter the level of another stress hormone DHEA which in turn will lower testosterone production.

For Further Inquiries
www.enlightenfredericton.com | 1299 Hanwell Rd., Fredericton, NB | +1 (506) 206-1222
]]><![CDATA[do you suffer with Stress & anxiety...]]>Mon, 04 Dec 2023 19:11:41 GMThttps://www.enlightenfredericton.com/wellness-news/do-you-suffer-with-stress-anxiety
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Stress and Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of anxiety disorders. Stress and anxiety often occur together and when left untreated, chronic stress can increase your client’s risk for conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and Alzheimer's disease.
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If you are struggling with stress and anxiety, you can make dietary changes to improve their mental health. Stress and anxiety treatment can involve therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes with nutrition playing an important role in managing the condition by regulating neurotransmitters and blood sugar levels. Here a key nutrients you need in your diet and/or as supplements :

Magnesium
Research shows that magnesium plays a role in migraines and depression. It can help with chronic pain and anxiety. Many people do not reach their daily recommended intake of magnesium through diet, which contributes to hypomagnesia and increases anxiety-related behaviors.
Foods naturally rich in magnesium may help a person to feel calmer such as spinach, pumpkin seeds, legumes, bananas, and oats. These foods are also good sources of the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted to serotonin in the body and may promote relaxation and anxiety relief.

Vitamin B6
Getting enough vitamin B6 through diet is an important way to support the body during stress and reduce anxiety. Women who consume more vitamin B6 are less likely to experience anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Vitamin B6 is also more effective when combined with magnesium in adults with severe stress.

Iron and Vitamin C
Low iron is a known contributor to anxiety and depression. Women who are more likely to experience anxiety are also more likely to have low iron status.
There are two types of iron found in foods: heme iron (from red meat and other animal products) and non-heme iron (from spinach, legumes, and dried fruit). High-quality protein sources typically contain more iron and produce the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which have the potential to improve mental health.

For better absorption of non-heme iron, we encourage clients to pair it with vitamin C-rich foods like citrus, tomatoes, or peppers at mealtime. These foods also have antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation and prevent damage to cells.

For Further Inquiries
www.enlightenfredericton.com | 1299 Hanwell Rd., Fredericton, NB | +1 (506) 206-1222
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