Women’s Issues Category
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
In my work as a researcher and advocate for women’s issues, I’m often approached by other women who want to know my “secret” for staying fit and youthful-looking. Well, there’s really nothing secret about it—I eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and work out regularly. There is a wonderful supplement, however, that I’ve studied a lot and have been taking for quite some time. You’ve probably heard about it, but perhaps you haven’t yet taken advantage of it. What I’m talking about is omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in fish oil as well as some plant and nut oils. I highly recommend that women educate themselves on the benefits of fish oil and avail themselves of it regularly.
So what exactly are omega-3 fatty acids and what do they do? Essential omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish and fish oils. Fish oil contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), while some nuts (English walnuts, for example) and vegetable oils (such as canola, soybean, flaxseed, and olive oils) contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Research now supports taking DHA and EPA in the form of dietary fish or fish oil supplements for an abundance of health benefits, such as promoting heart health, reducing age-related risks, and improving your mood and the ability to handle stress. The body can’t produce it, so these essential fatty acids must be part of your daily diet.
Tina Turbin
Tags: Aging, anti-aging, Baby Boomers, diet, fish oil, Health, nutrition, Omega-3 supplements, tina turbin, tina turbin author, Tina Turbin researcher, Tina Turbin writer, Women's Health
Posted in Advice, Author, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Cooking, Exercise, Gluten-Free, Health, High Quality of Life, Managing Life, Motherhood, Natural Alternatives, Women's Health, Women's Issues | 19 Comments »
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Women absolutely need to exercise regularly. There are so many long-term health benefits to be enjoyed from this habit, such as increased longevity, improved heart health, and lower risk for age-related health risks. For these reasons alone, you should be working out. However, there are short-term advantages you’ll be enjoying in no time such as higher energy levels, improved mood, and better sleep. Get started with just twenty minutes three times a week and gradually increase this over time.
Tina Turbin
Tags: Advice, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, energy, Exercise, moms, momtherhood, tina turbin, Women's Health, women's issues
Posted in Advice, Author, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Exercise, Goals, Health, High Quality of Life, Managing Life, Motherhood, Natural Alternatives, Women's Health, Women's Issues | 13 Comments »
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
This is a new one for me folks. As a researcher and writer, one who is VERY involved in the gluten-free and celiac arena I am constantly learning. This I feel we all need to be aware of and as a women I really wanted to get this out.
. With upwards of 4,000,000 Americans suffering from Sjögren’s syndrome, it is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders. Nine out of 10 patients are women. With that said, please read on:
Here are some of the connections between Celiac and Sjögren’s :
- Celiac disease and Sjögren’s syndrome have an autoimmune background and a close association.
- In one study, the prevalence of celiac disease amongst patients with Sjögren’s syndrome has been found to be in the range of 4.5% and 15%.
- According to Patinen et al., the co-occurrence of celiac disease and Sjögren’s syndrome should be recognized because of its effects on dental and oral mucosal health. In their 1994 study, they suggested that a gluten-free diet treatment might alleviate autoimmune inflammation.
- On the basis of these findings, Szodoray recommends screening and follow-ups , and regular gastrointestinal care of Sjögren’s syndrome patients to help identify celiac disease cases as well as help to avoid severe malnutrition and intestinal malignancies.
The symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth, Sjögren’s may also cause dysfunction of other organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. People can experience extreme fatigue and joint pain and have a higher risk of developing lymphoma.
About half of the time Sjögren’s syndrome occurs alone, and the other half it occurs in the presence of another autoimmune connective tissue disease.When Sjögren’s occurs alone, it is referred to as “Primary Sjögren’s.” When it occurs with another connective tissue disease, it is referred to as “Secondary Sjögren’s.”
All instances of Sjögren’s syndrome are systemic, affecting the entire body. Symptoms may remain steady, worsen, or, uncommonly, go into remission.
Since symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome mimic other conditions and diseases, Sjögren’s can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed. On average, it takes nearly seven years to receive a diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome. Wow, so similar Celiac disease!
Since the disease was first identified in 1933 by Dr. Henrik Sjögren, it has been proven to affect virtually every racial and ethnic group. General awareness about Sjögren’s syndrome is still lacking and increased professional awareness is needed to help expedite new diagnoses and treatment options. Again very similar to our Celiac disease needs in this country.
Please share your experiences with this autoimmune disease as well as celiac, please.
Tina Turbin
Tags: Advice, Author, celiac, celiac disease, gluten, Gluten-Free, humanitarian, tina turbin, tina turbin author, women's issues, writer
Posted in Advice, Author, Gluten-Free, Health, Natural Alternatives, References, Women's Health, Women's Issues | 11 Comments »
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
About 70 million Americans experience sleep problems ranging from chronic sleep disorders to sporadic sleep troubles. Studies show that just one night of insufficient sleep can affect memory, productivity, and even the ability to carry on a regular conversation. In my work as a writer, researcher, and humanitarian, with several radio interviews a week, I can’t afford to not be at my mental peak, and chances are you can’t either. Long-term sleep deprivation can have serious effects such as higher risk for high blood pressure, depression, heart attack, decreased immunity, obesity, and diabetes. As you can see, getting enough sleep should be as much a part of your health regimen as eating well and exercising. Fortunately, by making a few adjustments to your diet, you can improve the quality of your sleep.
Tina Turbin
Tags: Health, Motherhood, Natural Alternatives, natural remedies, quality of life, sleep, tina turbin, Tina Turbin researcher, Women's Health
Posted in Advice, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Goals, Health, High Quality of Life, Managing Life, Motherhood, Natural Alternatives, Parents, Women's Health, Women's Issues | 22 Comments »
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
How much sleep you get can make or break your day and also your health. Read on for some tips for how to get a better sleep by some simple changes to your diet.
Eating more plant carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, can have a significant impact on your slumber. These foods help to produce a gradual, steady rise of blood insulin, helping the entrance into the brain of the amino acid tryptophan, a neurotransmitter that helps induce sleepiness and improve mood. (This explains why a glass of warm milk before bed can help to improve sleep, as it provides a dose of tryptophan while also inducing a release of insulin.)
It’s important to eliminate the foods and drinks that can disturb sleep. Caffeine—found in soda, coffee, some teas, and chocolate—will interfere with sleep if you ingest it within four hours of bedtime—sometimes even within six hours. Alcohol can cause drowsiness, but metabolizing the sugar can disrupt slumber and also cause body temperature to rise too much. Sugary foods eaten right before bed can also raise body temperature and leave you restless during the night.
Diet can also indirectly affect your sleep. If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to experience sleep apnea and its symptoms of heavy snoring and interrupted breathing. Eating a lot of simple carbohydrates (sugary treats) and refined starches (white flour and white rice), which cause blood sugar to spike and fall, may cause an imbalance in the hormones that regulate metabolism, disrupting the body’s natural rhythms and thus disrupting sleep.
It may not require a total makeover of your diet to reap the benefits of good sleep, but even some minor adjustments with these tips in mind can be helpful. The changes you make will not only improve your sleep but your overall health. There’s nothing to lose in making these changes—except your sleep troubles!
Tina Turbin
Tags: Advice, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, diet, Exercise, Health, helpful tips, nutrition, sleep, tina turbin, Women's Health
Posted in Advice, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Exercise, Health, High Quality of Life, Managing Life, Motherhood, Natural Alternatives, Women's Health, Women's Issues | 21 Comments »
Wednesday, December 15th, 2010
One of the challenges you’ll face in “life after mom-hood” is with your partner. Divorce among couples with “empty nests” is extremely common. Believe it or not, raising your children has been part of the stable foundation of your relationship, something you two shared in common as a goal. Just as you yourself will need new goals, so will you and your spouse. You two should decide on something to create together, a vision as ambitious as starting the business you always dreamed of or as ordinary as Friday Night Date Night.
Life after mom-hood is something you’ve been looking forward to for some time now, after all. You deserve to make it as rewarding as it was raising your children!
Tina Turbin
Tags: Aging, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, life after mom-hood, marriage, moms, Motherhood, quality of life, Relationships, retirement, tina turbin
Posted in Advice, Author, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Family, High Quality of Life, Motherhood, Relationships, Women's Issues | 26 Comments »
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010
In studying women’s health issues and meeting women in my work, it’s clear that loneliness is not only not fun, but it’s actually unhealthy. Researchers have recently asked if people who are alone are at greater risk of dying, and studies are showing that they are—if they feel lonely.
Recent studies are confirming the negative health indicators associated with loneliness. One study found that drug use among young people was higher among those who said they were lonely. Older lonely people tended to have higher blood pressure and poorer sleep quality and were found to be more tense and anxious. Another study found that college freshmen with small social networks and who claimed to be lonely had weaker immune responses to flu vaccinations and higher levels of stress hormones in their blood.
“People with social support have fewer cardiovascular problems and immune problems, and lower levels of cortisol—a stress hormone,” says Tasha R. Howe, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Humboldt State University. Why is this? “We have always needed others for our survival. It’s in our genes. Therefore, people with social connections feel more relaxed and at peace, which is related to better health.”
Loneliness can be painful, but you can take steps to begin to widen your social horizons and feel connected to others in no time. Not only will you feel better emotionally, but you’ll be able to enjoy the positive health advantages that good friendship brings.
Tina Turbin
Tags: Friendship, girlfriends, helath, tina turbin, Women's Health, women's issues
Posted in Advice, Author, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Children, Friendship, Health, High Quality of Life, Managing Life, Motherhood, Natural Alternatives, Women's Health, Women's Issues | 21 Comments »
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010
Shopping online can be quite a time-saver. You don’t have to get the kids or yourself ready—just plop in front of your computer in your pajamas with a cup of coffee and this season’s shopping list.
Online shopping will also help you save on money. You can often find great deals, like-new or new items for nearly fifty-percent off at stores like amazon.com and auction sites such as ebay.com. If you don’t like the price at one site, check out another. Sometimes you can even e-mail individual vendors and let them know you saw an item cheaper somewhere else and do some haggling to cut down on the price tag. You’ll also benefit from the fact that, unlike shopping around at the mall or a real-life store, you won’t find yourself tempted to buy other items not on your list just because they’re on sale or because they caught your eye as you were walking by.
Another benefit of shopping online is that you’ll be able to find items which are not sold at your favorite retailers or which are sold at extraordinarily high prices due to the fact that they’re special-ordered. That’s why I shop online for special gluten-free foods. Similarly, you’ll be able to find special items or things that are sold out at your local retailer. Can’t find that rug in blue anymore? Order it online.
Of course, there’s nothing like a fun trip to the mall or your favorite retailers, especially around the holidays. However, like more and more baby boomers are doing these days, check out online shopping before hitting the malls the next time you go shopping!
Tina Turbin
Tags: Advice, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Children, helpful tips, internet, moms, online shopping, shopping, tina turbin
Posted in Advice, Author, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Children, High Quality of Life, Managing Life, Organize, Uncategorized, Women's Issues | 24 Comments »
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
Other research suggests the health benefits of social support. One study, published in the journal Cancer, followed 61 women with advanced ovarian cancer. The women with lots of social support had much lower levels of a protein linked to more aggressive types of cancer, and higher levels of a protein that boosted the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
In 1989, David Spiegel, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, published an influential paper in Lancet, showing that women with breast cancer who participated in a support group lived twice as long as those who didn’t and reported much less pain. Sheldon Cohen, PhD, a psychology professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has shown that strong social support helps people cope with stress. Other studies have demonstrated that less connected people tend to die sooner after having a heart attack than people with a strong social network and that having a large social network may even reduce chances of catching a cold, even though you’re probably exposed to more viruses when spending lots of time with others.
“Friends help you face adverse events,” Dr. Sheldon Cohen says. “They provide material aid, emotional support, and information that helps you deal with the stressors. There may be broader effects as well. Friends encourage you to take better care of yourself. And people with wider social networks are higher in self-esteem, and they feel they have more control over their lives.”
Take advantage of these findings by increasing your social network! There are plenty of people out there to strike up a friendship with and plenty of health benefits to look forward to as your friendships blossom.
Tina Turbin
Tags: Advice, Friendship, girlfriends, Health, tina turbin, Tina Turbin researcher, Women's Health
Posted in Advice, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Friendship, Health, High Quality of Life, Managing Life, Motherhood, Natural Alternatives, Relationships, Women's Health, Women's Issues | 26 Comments »
Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
Now what? Studies show how important it is to have goals and show a direct link between writing your goals down and achieving success. Making goals comes easily to mothers, as they are impelled by the natural desire to help their children thrive. From getting the kids ready for school in the mornings to building their college funds, the objectives were clear and you clearly wanted them.
What would you like to do now? Come up with one or more goals, and you will have something to serve as a foundation for your hard work and dedication in this new life after mom-hood. You know you are strong and capable—you successfully raised a child, after all! It’s time to put that energy now toward something else, perhaps something you’ve always wanted to do since childhood. Whether it’s arts and crafts, volunteer work, or learning Chinese, it’s important to have something to work toward, whatever it is.
After mom-hood, I blossomed more than ever as a woman, launching a children’s book series, researching and illuminating important health issues such as celiac disease, and participating in humanitarian efforts such as improving children’s literacy. These are things that make me who I am, just as being a mother will always make up who I am. The satisfaction from meeting your own personal goals is a gift every mother deserves to give herself.
Tina Turbin
Tags: Baby Boomers, Goals, life after mom-hood, quality of life, tina turbin, Tina Turbin researcher, women, women's issues
Posted in Advice, Baby Boomers, Being a Mom, Goals, High Quality of Life, Managing Life, Motherhood, Organize, Women's Issues | 30 Comments »
