Healthy Living

Contrary to the popular opinion that you don’t have to worry about a problem if you don’t know about it, this is not applicable when it comes to your heart. This is because ignorance can be to your detriment if you don’t pay attention to subtle signs that something is wrong. Fortunately, some signs might seem normal to you but indicate that you might have a problem with your heart. These signs are not just for you to be informed, but to recognize them and take action. These signs include:

• Sexual problems:

  Did you know that heart problems precedes erectile dysfunction in men? This is because a buildup of plaque in the arteries interrupts blood supply to different organs, including the genitals. For a lot of women, certain changes in blood pressure and cholesterol levels begin around menopause. While menopause does not signal an unhealthy heart, the accompanying risk factors can lead to cardiovascular issues.

   

• Jaw pain or Toothache:

   Jaw pain, or a toothache, can be a sign of reduced blood flow to your heart muscle. The pain can radiate from your chest to your jaw, unknown to you. If you are experiencing jaw pain that doesn’t stop or is getting worse, it’s time to visit a hospital. This is especially true if you have good oral health.
  

• Heartburn/Ingestion: If you have persistent gastrointestinal distress like uncontrollable hiccups, it could signal a pending heart attack. This is particularly true if it is accompanied by nausea, feelings of indigestion, heartburn, or lightheadedness. Therefore, before making a snack out of antacids daily, consult a medical professional. 

• Swollen feet and ankles:

   If you spend a lot of time on your feet or in uncomfortable high heels (for the ladies), you have likely experienced swollen feet. However, having swollen feet and ankles that won’t go away is a sign of heart failure. This is because fluid can build up in the feet and ankles due to poor blood circulation around the body.

   

• Leg pain/cramps:

  We all experience leg cramps every now and then (unless you’re superhuman). They can occur from sitting for a long time, dehydration, or if you play sports. In some cases, severe lower leg pain and cramps can be a sign of reduced blood flow to the legs. This condition, called peripheral artery disease, happens as a result of the narrowing of the arteries in the legs. This interferes with blood flow to your legs. You might experience cramps and pain while walking, which cease when you stop to rest.

These symptoms are for you to tune in to what your body is telling you and to protect your heart with NATURE’S FIELD CARDIOVIT. When it comes to your heart, you’d better be safe than sorry.

On this World Heart Day, ensure you take great care of your heart with NATURE’S FIELD CARDIOVIT. Remember that the more you know about your heart, the better you can take care of it.

Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid; that is, it is produced in your body normally. However, when your body is overwhelmed with stress or you get older, your need for arginine increases as a result. 

This amino acid is best known for its role in blood circulation. Consequently, this is why it helps in the management of high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction. If you would love to know how L-arginine helps with erectile dysfunction, click on this link https://www.naturesfieldng.com/2023/06/22/how-l-arginine-helps-with-erectile-dysfunction/

Here are some rarely-known but important facts or benefits about L-arginine you should know:

1.  It can help with neuropathy:
   

   Diabetic neuropathy is a complication associated with diabetes. It occurs as a result of damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to your legs. It is associated with intense pain and numbness in the legs. Arginine has an incredible effect as it opens up your blood vessels that supply the nerves. This increases oxygen supply to the nerves so the nerves can heal themselves.

2.  It is the only precursor of nitric oxide:
   

   Nitric oxide is an important chemical that helps open up your blood vessels to improve blood flow. Arginine is the only precursor of this vital chemical; without arginine, nitric oxide cannot be made in the body. This is why arginine helps in the management of high blood pressure, hypertension, and peripheral artery disease.

3. Arginine can help improve the symptoms of sickle cell patients:
   

    Sickle cell disease affects the red blood cells and their ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. Arginine metabolism is disturbed in sickle cell disease since arginine plays a vital role in the production of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow.

   Due to the interaction between the availability of arginine and levels of nitric oxide in your body, low levels of arginine lead to oxidative stress and disrupted vascular function. Hence, arginine is essential in sickle cell disease.

4. Arginine increases the secretion of insulin:
   

   Arginine increases the amount of insulin released by the pancreas when you consume a high-carbohydrate meal. This results in better control of blood sugar levels, as more insulin will reduce the spike in blood sugar levels.

And there you have it! These rare facts or benefits as shown above highlights the crucial importance of L-arginine in your body. What is the best way to ensure you meet the needed levels of arginine in the body? Supplementing with NATURE’S FIELD ARGININE will help fill any gaps in your protein deficiency.

Add NATURE’S FIELD ARGININE to your supplement routine and enjoy the cardiovascular protective effects of this versatile amino acid.

A lot of things can make you have wrinkles. These include internal factors such as age(which you can’t do anything about) and external factors such as sunlight exposure, smoking, and stress which you can do something about.  Have you tried countless skincare products but your stubborn wrinkles persist? Do you want to achieve youthful complexion and skin texture without wasting more money on different products? Look no further than Evening Primrose Oil for those wrinkles!

WHAT IS EVENING PRIMROSE OIL? 

This is a supplement made from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. Its incredible benefits are attributed to the two essential omega-6 fatty acids that it contains. These are linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). 

LA and GLA are powerhouse fatty acids for the health of your skin. Evening primrose oil plays an immense role in making your skin look younger. It improves its smoothness and hydration. Evening primrose oil is a suitable choice regardless of your skin type and texture. It also helps alleviate some skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.  

HOW DOES EVENING PRIMROSE OIL REDUCE WRINKLES?

Two major causes of premature aging in the skin are UV damage due to excessive sun exposure and excessive water loss. This leads to loss of elasticity, discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles.

The GLA in evening primrose oil helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles because it helps to decrease something called transepidermal water loss (TEWL) that happens to your skin while asleep. 

Although transepidermal water loss is a normal process that occurs in your skin when there is excessive water loss, your skin is prone to aging and wrinkles. Therefore, evening primrose oil is known as the chief remedy for skin issues due to the GLA and LA that it contains. 

OTHER PHENOMENAL BENEFITS OF EVENING PRIMROSE OIL

• Relieve PMS symptoms: Evening primrose oil is highly effective in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, such as depression, irritability, and bloating. 
• Arthritis: GLA helps to ease the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens your bones. Evening primrose oil helps to decrease bone loss and increase bone density.  
• Optimal skin health by promoting beneficial skin bacteria: Part of a healthy skin barrier is a healthy microbiome. The linoleic acid in evening primrose oil helps to promote a beneficial skin microbiome. The helpful bacteria on your skin assist in the prevention of overgrowth of detrimental bacteria which contributes to breakouts.  

Because NATURE’S FIELD EVENING PRIMROSE OIL helps with hormonal regulation it can reduce the symptoms of PMS and menopausal hot flashes. 

However, one of the most fascinating things about evening primrose oil is that it helps to alleviate a host of conditions caused by inflammation coupled with its benefits to your skin. This makes it a must-have for all women! 

Adding NATURE’S FIELD EVENING PRIMROSE OIL to your lifestyle is a great way to keep your skin glowing and say goodbye to stubborn wrinkles. 

Do you know when your menstrual period started or ended? Do you understand how to calculate your days of ovulation? If all of these seem complicated to you, then pay attention and read this article thoroughly.

Monitoring your menstrual cycle is vital for your health and overall well-being. It is important to know when you have a missed period or your menstrual bleeding isn’t as normal as it should be. Also, irregularities in your menstrual cycle could affect your plans for conception and indicate that something isn’t going well with your reproductive system. That being said, here is all you need to know about your menstrual cycle and how to monitor it.

WHAT IS THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

The menstrual cycle is a monthly series of changes that occur when your body prepares for pregnancy, which may or may not happen. This cycle begins on the first day of your period, that is day 1, and ends just before your next menstrual period. The hormones progesterone and estrogen usually fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle and cause your menstrual symptoms.

HOW LONG IS A MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

The menstrual cycle is usually 28 days long but can differ for women. Your period is regular if it comes every 24 to 38 days. What this means is that from the first day of your period to the exact day when your next period starts, it will take at least 24 days but not more than 38 days. Still confused? Here’s more explanation:

Assuming your period starts on August 10, 2023, this signifies that the 10th is the first day of your menstrual cycle. Then, if your next period starts on September 4, 2023, this implies that your cycle is 25 days long (use a calendar to check yours).

HOW CAN YOU MONITOR YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

The following is a guide to help you monitor your menstrual cycle:

• First of all, you can do this manually or with an App and note down some information, such as the date of your previous periods, and notice how long your period lasts.
• Next, you check the length of your menstrual cycle (that is, how many days it is) using the method previously mentioned.
• You can then estimate when your next period will likely come. To do this, you start on the first day of your most recent period (this is day 1) and count the number of days your menstrual cycle lasts. The day after the last day of your cycle is when your next period will likely begin.
• Be sure to write down your symptoms, how heavy your bleeding is, or any regular patterns you notice so you can detect any changes.
• Also, note your ovulation days. This is typically days 10–15 of your menstrual cycle. You are most fertile between two and five days before you ovulate and the day you ovulate. This is important if you’re trying to conceive. 

HOW DOES THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE AFFECT YOUR HEALTH?

Your menstrual cycle affects your overall health because menstrual irregularities can imply a health condition you might not know. These possible conditions include:

• Anemia: If your period gets lighter and lighter or you notice a whitish, diluted flow, it could be a sign of anemia.
• Cancer or STD: Spotting between periods can be indicative of cervical or ovarian cancer or a sexually transmitted disease.
• Diabetes: Women with irregular periods, beyond 40 days, are at high risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): If you notice that you have prolonged or heavy flow longer than one week, it could be a sign of PCOS.
• Fibroids: Heavy and prolonged menstrual periods accompanied by large blood clots and intense pain can indicate uterine fibroids or serious hormonal issues.

Monitoring the menstrual cycle is not only a “woman thing”. Knowing how the menstrual cycle works as an individual will give you a better understanding of female body mechanics (and not stereotype women as being moody without a reason). The female reproductive system is a complicated network that is not too difficult to decipher if you make an effort.

This will also help you understand why managing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and hormonal imbalance with NATURE’S FIELD VITEX CHASTE BERRY is a recommended necessity.

Menstrual irregularities are one of the most common causes of infertility. Hence, being aware of them is always a better option for controlling and treating them. If you’re looking for a way to balance your hormones, control PMS symptoms and stress levels, or just give your skin an extra bit of TLC due to its antioxidant protection, NATURE’S FIELD VITEX CHASTE BERRY is the answer!

It is incredible how little you know about sleep, although it is essential for your health and improves your brain’s performance and mood. If you are fond of waking up groggy and disoriented after 4 hours of sleep or even less, you are doing more harm than good to your health. However, some general misconceptions about sleep are not true. In this article, we are setting the record straight to make you understand the myths you should not believe about sleep and the corresponding facts. These myths include:

Myth 1: The older you get, the less sleep you need.

Fact: You may know someone older who gets up at the crack of dawn and seems to function well (especially mothers or grandparents). It is common to attribute this to the age factor, but it isn’t. Older people can struggle with sleep due to different factors such as lifestyle, lack of exposure to daylight, etc.

Myth 2 : Segmented sleep during the day makes up for sleep-deprived

Fact: Segmented sleep occurs when you break your sleep into two or more shifts. This means sleeping for 3–4 hours at night and taking naps at intervals during the day. One of the facts about segmented sleep is that it is hazardous to your health because nighttime sleep is when your body undergoes restoration, long-term memory building, and strengthening of your immune system. You don’t achieve that with daytime naps, as you rarely fall into deep sleep while taking a nap.

Myth 3 : Watching TV helps you fall asleep.

Fact: Watching TV before bedtime causes the release of blue light, which suppresses the body’s ability to produce the sleep hormone melatonin.

Myth 4 : You must always get 8 hours of sleep every night.

Fact: As much as we advocate for getting enough sleep, it’s not a written rule that you must get 8–9 hours of sleep every night. This is because your sleep needs are unique to you. Hence, the best strategy is to find the sleep pattern that works for you, and you are good to go. How do you do this? Ask yourself and answer the following questions:

Do you always need an alarm clock to wake up?

Do you find it challenging to get out of bed in the morning?

Are people always telling you that you look tired?

Are you cranky when you wake up every morning?

If the answer to the following questions is yes, then you need to add more hours to your sleep.

Myth 5 : If I can’t sleep, I should wait for sleep to come, no matter how long it takes.

Fact: On the contrary, if you find yourself staring at the ceiling for hours, then get up. It is better than going for your phone, as this will worsen your insomnia. If you lie in bed for 30 minutes or more without sleeping constantly, your body will begin to associate your bed with wakefulness. This can, in turn, prolong your sleep issues.

Myth 6 : Dietary sleep aids cannot manage insomnia.

Fact: A supplement that can safely help you manage insomnia is NATURE’S FIELD CALMNITE. This is because it has natural ingredients such as melatonin, which makes you fall asleep easily and wake up refreshed and energized.

Myth 7 : All sleep aids are addictive.

Fact: – One of the facts about sleep aids like NATURE’S FIELD CALMNITE is that it is non-addictive. This because because it contains natural ingredients like melatonin, valerian root extract, and hop flower powders. These help you gradually regularize your sleep patterns without any hassle.

If you’ve previously believed the above myths, then it’s time you stopped doing so. Also, overcoming your issues with sleep is not impossible and can be as easy as taking a supplement. Before you know it, you’ll be so good at sleeping that you’ll do it with your eyes closed!

Proteins are the building blocks of your body and play a huge role in its development. You are advised to consume protein daily, as it also helps to repair and build body tissues, among other numerous benefits. However, a certain reaction can render the protein you eat unavailable and pathogenic to your body. This is called glycation and is common but widely unknown. 

WHAT IS GLYCATION?

Glycation is a process that occurs when sugar is attached to the protein in your bloodstream. This shouldn’t be confused with glycosylation, which occurs when proteins are modified, which affects their lifespan and interaction with other proteins in your body. Now, let’s break it down.

You must have heard of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). These are not really cholesterols. They are actually transporters (hence the full meaning; low-density lipoprotein), which carry cholesterol in the blood. What renders LDL bad is when it is exposed to sugar and creates a permanent bond with the sugar. It then becomes harmful when it sticks to your arteries. Glycation impairs protein stability and function and leads to the generation of waste products. These waste products called Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs), are the root causes of inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, kidney failure, etc.

HOW ARE AGEs FORMED IN THE BODY?

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are mainly formed in your body by the food you eat when you apply high-temperature cooking processes such as frying, roasting, broiling, etc. Sugary and highly processed foods are also high in AGEs. The body naturally gets rid of AGEs, but they can become too much and accumulate in the body. They can cause the development and worsening of chronic diseases and damage to your organs.

TIPS TO REVERSE THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY AGEs

• Incorporate healthier cooking processes, which include boiling, steaming, and poaching. You should also avoid using sugar-based spices to marinate your food. Also, consume foods low in AGEs, such as fruits and vegetables, seafood, whole grains, etc.
• Use of Supplements that can slow down the damage caused by AGEs: Alpha lipoic acid is an incredible antioxidant that doesn’t only eliminate free radicals from the body but also inhibits the formation of AGEs. Alpha lipoic acid is also crucial for proper carbohydrate metabolism and controls glycation. NATURE’S FIELD ALPHA LIPOIC ACID offers the full benefits of this powerful compound and more.
• Healthy lifestyle changes: AGEs are more likely to build up in your body if you live a sedentary lifestyle. Increase your physical activity, get adequate sleep, and ensure you have any preexisting health conditions under control.

Advanced glycation end products from your diet can accumulate in your body, leading to chronic diseases. It is not too late to do something about it if you have unhealthy eating habits now that you know the dangers these AGEs can cause in your body. Include NATURE’S FIELD ALPHA LIPOIC ACID in your supplement routine, regulate your food and cooking choices, and improve your journey to a healthy lifestyle.