Are You Well?

Human beings live in harmony with many types of creatures, big and small. Several of these organisms live on or in our bodies, and we maintain a symbiotic relationship of give-and-take. For example, good bacteria in our digestive tracts help us to stay healthy, providing aid in the digestion of food that cannot be effectively done by enzymes alone.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 35. The good news are that testicular cancer is highly treatable, but self-examinations can help identify the cancer early, when the chance for successful treatment is highest.

If you are interested in being tested for iodine deficiency, ask your health care provider about the urine iodine challenge test. Another simple way to ensure you're getting enough iodine is to get an inexpensive prescription from your physician for SSKI, which is a super-saturated potassium iodine. You simply apply three drops to your skin and rub it in, once a day. If when you touch something with slightly wet fingertips it leaves a yellowish stain, then the iodine is coming out of your skin, indicating your body is saturated, i.e. you're getting enough iodine.

Ladies, we all know those moments when we feel angry, frustrated and emotional, sometimes for no apparent reason. Often we blame this on our hormones. And that’s not just a lame excuse, no matter what your partner says. Hormones, do in fact, play a very important role in women’s health and well being. When hormone levels fluctuate, this can impact on your mood, sexual desire, fertility and ovulation.

When your heart and/or other parts of your cardiovascular system, such as your blood vessels, are not properly cared for, they will fail to function properly, which may lead to certain health issues.*

But the good news is you can maintain normal cardiovascular function by eating a healthy diet and exercising correctly. Here are some of my top recommendations:

Your thyroid gland plays a very important role in your body. It is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It is one of your endocrine glands, which make hormones that control many activities in your body. There are a number of possible thyroid diseases and disorders, and the two of the most common thyroid disorders are hyperthyroidism (when your thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs) and hypothyroidism (when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones). Other diseases include goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland), thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules (lumps in the thyroid gland) and thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland).

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and first line of defense. This “covering” is a complex system made up of nerves, glands, and cell layers, each having a role in your health. It serves as a buffer that helps protect you from extreme temperatures and toxic chemicals, while also producing antibacterial compounds that defend you against infection. Your skin also plays a role in the production of vitamin D.

Although your skin is capable of all of these functions, it needs protection, too. If not cared for properly, it can become dry and rough, produce wrinkles, and/or become susceptible to certain skin problems.

SEE INFOGRAPHIC HERE: Hidden Dangers in Personal Care Products

While a nutritious diet accounts for about 80 percent of the benefits derived from a healthy lifestyle, exercise cannot be ignored, and there's evidence suggesting that exercise protects against telomere shortening as well. Yet another lifestyle strategy that can have a beneficial impact is intermittent fasting.

A study published in Osteoporosis International has concluded that lifetime supplementation with vitamin K1 or, even better, K2, vitamin D3, and calcium is likely to reduce fractures and increase survival in postmenopausal women.

Large crystal rocks, mined in Europe and Asia, are also used as salt lamps. A salt lamp is a lamp carved from a larger saltcrystal, often colored, with anincandescent light bulb or a candle inside. The lamps give an attractive glow and are suitable for use as nightlights or for ambient mood lighting.