Health News

Popular Weed-Killer Ingredient Glyphosate Disrupts Gut Bacteria

Before researchers uncovered the complexities of the gut microbiome, people commonly believed that the gut’s only function was to carry and process food. However, separating nutrients from waste is just the most obvious function of that system and we now know that the gut is host to a complex community of microorganisms. This community has been named the gut microbiome and it houses up to 500 different types of bacteria, although less diverse microbiomes may have as few as 300 types of microorganisms. Glyphosate, a main ingredient in a popular weed killer, has recently come under scrutiny due to its possible effects on the human gut microbiome. New research finds glyphosate disrupts gut bacteria, leading to the belief that certain herbicides aren’t as safe for human health as previously thought.

Why is the Health of the Gut Microbiome So Important?

When we talk of bacteria, most people associate the term with viruses and other substances that harm the human body. While there are harmful bacteria in the gut microbiome, there are also many strains of bacteria that are beneficial to human health. Research in recent years has found that bacteria in the gut microbiome help the brain regulate emotion, boost the functioning of the immune system, protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes and help the body fight cancerous cells. These are just a few of the benefits that maintaining a healthy and diverse gut microbiome provides.

New Studies Find Glyphosate Disrupts Gut Bacteria

While the average person may not have heard of glyphosate, it’s used in the majority of businesses and residences. That’s because it’s the primary ingredient in the herbicide Roundup®, manufactured by Monsanto. While most people believe this product is safe to use on food plants, new research may have found that it has a devastating effect on the gut microbiome when foods sprayed with the weed killer are ingested. The findings indicate that there’s a link between the use of glyphosate and an increase in chronic diseases.

In one recent study, it was found that continually eating foods that have been sprayed with glyphosate products increases the risks of developing obesity, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and other severe medical conditions. The researchers found that this was a cumulative effect that worsens over time, because of the way glyphosate interacts with our gut bacteria. Plants have something called the shikimate pathway, which helps them synthesize amino acids. Glyphosate attacks that pathway and prevents the plant from synthesizing those amino acids. Since people don’t have this biochemical pathway, it was presumed that products containing glyphosate were safe for human consumption. However, the bacteria in our gut microbiome does possess this pathway and, as we eat foods that were exposed to glyphosate, the compound attacks and destroys the helpful bacteria in our guts.

Other research indicates the problem may be especially widespread, pointing to a 1,000 percent increase of glyphosate in the blood supply of humans over the past two years. While the previously mentioned study points to the fact that glyphosate disrupts gut bacteria, additional research has found that other ingredients in herbicides interact with the glyphosate to pose even more health risks. Studies conducted on laboratory rats found a correlation between herbicide exposure and reproductive health problems. The researchers found that the exposed rats developed abnormal genitalia and exhibited lower levels of sex hormones.

Although the manufacturer asserts that their product is safe, there’s also concern that the glyphosate in the products may also be a carcinogen. While the herbicide manufacturer argues that the evidence is tainted by the special interest groups conducting the research, Philip J Landrigan, a professor at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York, argues that the evidence merits further research. Future studies may settle the issue of glyphosate’s carcinogenic properties, but, in the meantime, there seems to be more than enough evidence that the compound does adversely affect the gut microbiome.

How Can You Maintain a Healthier Gut Microbiome?

Take a Prebiotic/Probiotic Supplement

A high-quality supplement, such as Florachron, can help you maintain a healthier gut microbiome in two ways. First, the probiotics in the supplement will promote the growth of helpful bacteria. Secondly, prebiotics are excellent sources of living bacteria that are essential to good gut health. Taken together in a single supplement, these compounds will help you maintain a healthier and more diverse gut microbiome.

Eat Food Slowly

When you rush through your meals, the foods you eat aren’t being properly digested. By taking the time to chew your food properly, you’ll give your digestive system a chance to keep up with the influx of food. This will help your body to more efficiently extract the nutrients and beneficial bacteria in those foods.

Drink More Water

There are many benefits to staying hydrated, including the benefit of protecting your gut microbiome. Water helps strengthen the lining of your intestines, which is where the gut microbiome resides. Water also helps protect the bacteria in the gut by providing the nutrients that bacteria needs to exist.

Pay Attention to Your Gut

It may help to keep a journal of your meals and note any strong digestive reactions that you experience. This will help you pinpoint foods that adversely interact with your gastrointestinal system. Once you know which foods are causing bad reactions, you can eliminate them from your diet.

Choose a Healthier Diet

The gut microbiome primarily relies upon the foods we eat for obtaining beneficial bacteria. When your diet mainly consists of high-sugar and high-fat processed foods, you’re depriving your gut of that beneficial bacteria and ingesting a greater quantity of harmful microorganisms. By switching to a Mediterranean diet, or other diets which are heavy on plant-based foods and lean meats, you can work to correct that imbalance and build a stronger gut microbiome.

The Best Time of Day to Take Nutrients for Cognitive Health

Nov 14 by Ewcopywriting

As people age, it’s normal to experience a natural decline in cognitive ability. This is why seniors can tend to be more forgetful, less patient and exhibit a decline in critical thinking abilities. However, some seniors experience more severe cognitive degeneration as a result of a condition known as dementia. Dementia involves a more rapid decline of mental functioning that can cause the individual to exhibit severe memory loss, an inability to perform complex tasks and changes in social behaviors. There are several factors that may increase the risk of more serious cognitive decline as you age. Consuming an unhealthy diet and lack of physical and mental activity are just a few. In addition to adhering to a healthy diet and getting enough physical activity, taking dietary supplements at the right time of day can make a big impact on your future cognitive health. Knowing the nutrients for cognitive health and taking the right supplement at the right time of day can help protect against mental decline.

Which Nutrients for Cognitive Health Should Be Taken During the Day?

Each person’s bodily functions are controlled by a biological clock called the circadian rhythm, which mandates how the brain regulates certain processes. In part, this means that certain nutrients are more important to the body at specific times of the day, and that taking these nutrients at those designated times will help the brain and body function more efficiently. Here is a short list of nutrients for cognitive health that should be taken in the morning or early afternoon hours.

Vinpocetin

Derived from myrtle seeds, this powerful nutrient acts as an antioxidant. As such, it supports healthy blood circulation, ensuring optimal levels of oxygen are delivered to the brain. It also helps improve the brain’s metabolic rate, so it can better communicate with the central nervous system to regulate various bodily functions more effectively.

Inositol

This is a carbohydrate used by the brain to deliver messages to the cells. Primarily, it helps regulate the level of neurotransmitters sent to a cell and manages the way the cells process insulin. As a result, increasing inositol levels in the brain can help soothe the symptoms of anxiety and may help support healthy blood glucose levels.

Choline

Research has found that choline is necessary to cardiovascular health in that it supports healthy blood pressure, affects lipid levels and lowers the risks of plasma homocysteine. In terms of cognitive health, higher levels of choline can help the brain produce phosphatidylcholine, a compound found to slow the rate at which dementia progresses.

DMAE

Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) is essential for the processing of choline in the brain. Without a sufficient supply of this compound, the brain cannot synthesize the neurotransmitters produced by choline, and that can lead to increased cognitive dysfunctions.

Huperzine A

Derived from Chinese club moss, Huperzine A helps boost the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. Researchers are hopeful that this substance may one day become the basis for an Alzheimer’s disease treatment.

NADH

Since NADH is a metabolite, it improves energy levels in the brain and can positively impact memory recall, alertness, mental clarity and concentration. This compound has been eyed as showing promise in relation to a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E

The mitochondria is the engine that powers each cell and these compounds are responsible for keeping the mitochondria functioning. Without coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E, the cells would stop producing the energy they need to thrive. Unfortunately, the body reduces the production of these vital nutrients as we age, so a supplement may be necessary.

What Nutrients for Cognitive Health Should You Take at Night?

Just as specific nutrients are best taken during the day, there are some nutrients for cognitive health that should be taken in the evening hours. By taking a supplement that contains these ingredients prior to going to bed, you’ll ensure your brain will make better use of them. This can help support healthy cognitive functioning as you sleep.

B Vitamins

Specifically, vitamins B1 and B2 are essential to the functioning of cells in the brain because they support oxygen-rich blood circulation to the brain. They also help improve overall cell functioning, which is important for protecting memory and concentration.

Folic Acid

This compound is essential in that it protects cellular health and reduces the risks of developing anemia. In the brain, it helps in the production of new cells and protects cells from damage, which makes it important for slowing the progression of cognitive decline.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

A common ingredient in many supplements, Acetyl-L-carnitine helps to balance mood, improves memory recall and makes learning easier. It has also been shown to help the body burn more fat and promotes lean muscle growth.

Phosphatidyl Serine

The neurotransmitters that allow our cells to communicate rely on Phosphatidyl serine. Research has found that, as Phosphatidyl serine production declines with age, it causes memory and critical thinking to become inhibited as we age.

Panax Ginseng

As an antioxidant, Panax ginseng protects the cells from damage caused by free radicals. It can also improve the functioning of brain receptors, strengthening concentration, memory and critical thinking. Studies have found that the effects of Panax ginseng are temporary, meaning you must keep taking a supplement to continue enjoying this compound’s benefits.

While the brain does produce many of these nutrients naturally, there’s a decline in their production as people reach their senior years. As there are fewer of these compounds in the brain, the symptoms of cognitive decline become more evident. Taking a supplement that contains these nutrients consistently can help ensure you don’t experience a deficiency that could harm your cognitive health.

Drinking More Coffee Boosts Gut Health

Nov 09 by Ewcopywriting

Previous research has found that drinking coffee can provide a growing list of health benefits, from protecting cognitive functioning to strengthening cardiovascular health. While these benefits may seem unrelated, new research has discovered that they may all be attributed to the way in which coffee affects the gut microbiome. A new study finds drinking more coffee boosts gut health, adding another option to the multitude of ways you can strive to naturally maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

New Research Finds Coffee Boosts Gut Health

The human gut microbiome is home to trillions of bacteria, and each person’s microbiome is different. A more diverse gut microbiome provides greater protection against illness, disease and infection. Since the foods and beverages we consume affect the diversity of the gut microbiome, it’s easy to see how a beverage like coffee could possibly affect our susceptibility to certain medical conditions. A study at Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine sought to identify just how coffee affects the gut microbiome in order to learn more about how coffee benefits our health. Specifically, the study wanted to define how the caffeine in coffee interacts with the microorganisms in the gut.

The researchers, led by Dr. Dr. Li Jiao, recruited 34 participants for the research project and evaluated the health of their colons via endoscopy and colonoscopy exams. The subjects were also asked to complete a survey, which inquired about their diets and their coffee intake. From there, the researchers separated the subjects into two groups based on their coffee consumption. Those who drank coffee with the equivalent of 82.9 mg of caffeine or more per day were assigned to the high-coffee-consumption group, while those consuming up to 82.9 mg daily were determined to be low-consumption subjects.

Once the results were examined, the researchers found that those who drank larger quantities of coffee had a greater amount of the beneficial bacteria Faecalibacterium and Roseburia in their guts. The research team also found a higher presence of other beneficial bacteria. Additionally, the presence of a harmful bacteria, Erysipelatoclostridium, was found to be much lower. These results were found to be consistent regardless of age and the quality of the individual’s diet. Previously, Erysipelatoclostridium has been linked to metabolic syndrome. It boosts the levels of glucose and fat transporters in the small intestines, which increases the risk of obesity in individuals who eat poor diets.

The researchers concluded that drinking more coffee can help maintain a healthier and more diverse gut microbiome, while limiting the presence of harmful bacteria. This may explain why people who drink more coffee are better able to maintain healthier weights and achieve greater benefits when pursuing healthier lifestyles.

Coffee Provides Other Health Benefits

Prior to finding that coffee boosts gut health, it was discovered that drinking coffee helps people maintain healthier weight. The goal of the study on caffeine and fat targeted how caffeine affects the white fat (fat stored by the body) and brown fat (fat usually converted into usable energy) in the body. The researchers found that brown fat was stimulated by coffee consumption, although it remained unaffected by water consumption. While it couldn’t be determined whether the effects were due to the caffeine or another ingredient, the researchers are confident that the consumption of coffee does help burn fat. They hope to pinpoint the component responsible for the thermogenesis of brown fat with additional research.

In another study, scientists were looking for ways to use coffee bean husks to benefit human health, since the husks constitute a significant amount of waste in the coffee bean production process. The University of Illinois study found that the husks are not toxic to humans and, more astonishingly, they possess great antioxidant properties. They hope this will lead to treatments for obesity, because those antioxidants can attack the low-grade inflammation that occurs alongside obesity. Together with an increased concentration of fat in the body, that inflammation causes the body to become more insulin resistant, raising the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The researchers found that the protocatechuic acid and gallic acid, which were found in the coffee bean husks, helped to block fat accumulation in the cells. Additionally, these antioxidants reduced the release of inflammatory agents and lowered the level of oxidative stress in the cells. Although the research is new, the team hopes to continue to evaluate the possibility of using coffee byproducts to improve health. If future research confirms these findings, using coffee byproducts may provide more eco-friendly ways of improving human health.

Another study showed that drinking three or more cups of coffee a day could improve arterial health. Unfortunately, these health benefits were restricted to people who had never smoked cigarettes. For those non-smokers, arterial health was improved by 63 percent as a result of increasing coffee consumption. This is important, because poor arterial health raises the risks of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.

How Can You Naturally Improve Your Gut Microbiome?

Your gut microbiome relies heavily on the foods you eat to maintain a diverse community of bacteria, which is why eating plant-based foods is so important. However, there are other lifestyle factors that can affect the diversity of your microbiome. Here are just a few ways you can improve the health of your gut.

Take a Probiotic Supplement

You can boost your gut health by adding a daily probiotic supplement to your routine. In addition to benefiting your gut microbiome, these supplements can also protect your intestinal health.

Eliminate Stress

Living a stressful lifestyle has a range of adverse effects on your health. This includes disrupting the healthy functioning of the microorganisms in your gut. If you feel stressed, take time to meditate, read a book, or go for a walk.

Get More Exercise

Those who engage in more physical activity have healthier gut microbiomes, especially when their physical activity is accompanied by a healthier diet. While you should get a minimum 30 minutes of moderate- to high-intensity exercise daily, getting more will benefit your gut and overall health.

Sleep Better

Getting enough quality sleep is also important for a healthy gut. If you’re not sleeping soundly through the night, reduce evening caffeine intake, buy more comfortable bedding and try to reduce late-night distractions.

Curcumin Kills Bacteria: Could it Be a Solution to the Antibiotic-Resistance Crisis?

Nov 06 by Ewcopywriting

Resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem worldwide, as more and more bacterial strains become resistant to the very antibacterial medications that could eradicate them and the dangerous health conditions they cause. Fortunately, new research may have pinpointed a natural remedy that could offer a more effective treatment to everyone. A new study finds that curcumin kills bacteria, which may be good news for people suffering from medication-resistant bacterial infections.

New Research Discovers Curcumin Kills Bacteria

One type of bacteria alone, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), affects up to 79 percent of the planet’s population, yet it is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotic medications. Thus, a joint study with researchers in Germany and in the U.K. has been looking for natural, alternative ways to combat the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

Their study focused on the use of capsules filled with natural ingredients, but primarily containing curcumin, which is a compound found in the turmeric plant. Curcumin was included because its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities have been established through previous studies. In the study, capsules were coated with lysozyme, which is an enzyme engineered to fight bacterial infections. Dextran sulfate, a substance used specifically to treat Helicobacter pylori infections, was also added to the capsules. The researchers found that curcumin kills bacteria by preventing the bacteria from clinging to the walls of the stomach. This suggests that a treatment that combines curcumin with antibiotics might have the best chances for effectively eradicating the Helicobacter pylori infection in most people.

As research continues, the hope is that analyzing the molecular makeup of curcumin will help scientists create a more direct method of targeting bacteria in the body. In doing so, bacteria which are resistant to traditional antibiotics may be treated more successfully by targeting them at a molecular level.

Curcumin May Also Provide Relief for Those Suffering From Anxiety

Ongoing research into the health benefits of curcumin has found that it possesses many medicinal properties. Curcumin has been found to positively impact metabolic syndrome, arthritis and hyperlipidemia, while another study found that it can also help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety; the anti-inflammatory properties in curcumin help reduce the chronic inflammation that’s associated with anxiety and depression. It also works as an antioxidant, helping to reduce oxidative stress, which also helps to reduce the presence of stress hormones that drive the symptoms of anxiety.

During the research, it was discovered that, while curcumin can provide these health benefits, it’s lack of bioavailability may prevent the substance from interacting with the body. The cells in the body are unable to effectively absorb the compounds in the curcumin, which means any treatment that may be derived from the substance would be ineffective. Fortunately, further research found that combining the curcumin with the piperine found in black pepper increased the substance’s bioavailability by up to 2,000 percent. Coupling these two spices may provide the key to treating anxiety naturally, if future research confirms these findings.

Another consideration in using curcumin as a treatment for anxiety is the side effects it can produce. In addition to physical side effects, such as abnormal stool, diarrhea and rash, it may also cause headaches. As researchers continue to explore the possibility using curcumin as the basis for new anxiety treatments, they may also have to address the side effects it may produce.

Could Curcumin Help Treat Cancer?

Currently, curcumin can’t be used as an effective treatment for cancer, but that may change in the future. Researchers are exploring this possibility because of the role that curcumin plays in reducing inflammation. Swelling and inflammation is common in patients with cancer, and inflamed areas are often the first locations to develop cancerous cells. Since curcumin is both an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, researchers hope those properties can be enhanced to support healthy cell growth.

In laboratory testing and studies conducted on mice, curcumin showed promise in slowing the spread of cancer. It also helped to protect healthy cells from the damage caused by radiation therapy, suggesting it could be used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments. When used to supplement chemotherapy, curcumin was found to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. The promise that these studies have shown has encouraged further research to proceed.

Current research is focused in two directions. First, some research is focused on using curcumin to prevent the development of cancerous cells. Since it can help to modulate inflammation, scientists hope it will similarly affect the growth of cancer cells. A second area of research is examining the possibility of a curcumin treatment for slowing the spread of cancer in the body. Either coupled with radiation and chemotherapy, or as a treatment of its own, the hope is that curcumin may provide a way of slowing the growth of cancer cells. While curcumin alone may not necessarily cure cancer, it could help reduce the rate of growth and allow cancer to be treated more successfully via other methods.

As more research focuses on the benefits that curcumin provides, we’re discovering that this natural compound can help with a number of medical conditions. While alternative treatments for bacterial infections and cancer may still be a few years away, there’s no denying that this substance has a positive effect on human health. In the meantime, taking a supplement that includes curcumin as an ingredient may be beneficial for whole-body health. As with starting any new supplement, check with your doctor to make sure it won’t adversely interact with other medications you may be taking. This will help you safely add a curcumin-based supplement to your daily routine.

Which Foods and Fibers Are Best for Supporting a Healthy Gut Microbiome?

Oct 30 by Ewcopywriting

Past research has confirmed that trillions of microorganisms thrive in our large intestines, comprising what we call the gut microbiome. This collection of bacteria influences our health in a variety of ways, including how likely we are to develop medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Research has found that one of the primary ways that bacteria is introduced into this system is through the foods we eat, leading researchers to study how diet can affect the gut microbiome. Now that we recognize the importance of a healthy gut microbiome, new research focuses on how to develop a more diverse population of gut bacteria.

Which Foods Promote a Healthy Gut Microbiome?

In a recen tstudy led by Laura Bolte, a researcher at the University Medical Center Groningen, researchers looked at how 160 different factors in an individual’s diet affected their gut microbiome. The subjects chosen for the study were separated into four different groups: subjects with Crohn’s disease, subjects with ulcerative colitis, subjects with irritable bowel syndrome and subjects who had not been diagnosed with any digestive disorder.

To conduct their study, the researchers collected stool samples from each subject, while also asking each subject to complete a food frequency survey. They were able to link 61 foods to 123 classifications of bacteria. They also found that 49 foods could be linked to specific microbial groups. This helped the team determine that the Mediterranean diet was the best for promoting a healthier and more diverse gut microbiome.

The Mediterranean diet consists of consuming a greater quantity of plant-based foods, particularly nuts, seeds, vegetables and legumes. While meat portions are minimized, they are still an important part of this type of diet. Meats, such as fish, poultry and lean red meat are permitted in smaller portions. Red wine is also a staple of this diet.

The foods in a Mediterranean diet help reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in the gut, while allowing more helpful microbes to thrive. This is important because a low quantity of short-chain fatty acids has been linked to inflammatory digestive problems such as ulcerative colitis. Eating more plant-based foods helps introduce more short-chain fatty acids into the gut.

What Types of Fiber are Best for Your Gut Microbiome?

Past research has also found that fiber is essential to a healthy gut microbiome, but all fiber may not have the same effects on the gut. While we know that eating a minimum of 22 grams of fiber will help reduce our risks of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other medical conditions, a new study sought to identify which types of fiber interact best with our gut microbiome.

For the study, researchers used mice that were bred to be sterile and lacked their own gut microbiomes. The mice were given 20 strains of a common type of human gut bacteria and were given high-fiber diets for a four-week period. The researchers fed the mice different types of fiber, derived from a variety of sources. Some of the fiber sources included peas, citrus fruits, tomato peels, oranges, apples, cocoa, rice bran and chia seeds.

As the mice were fed a variety of fiber-rich diets, the researchers analyzed how bacterial strains in the gut interacted with each type of fiber. The study revealed that fiber obtained from peas, orange peels and rice bran had the biggest and most beneficial impact on the gut microbiome. They also found that probiotic and prebiotic foods had a strong effect on the gut microbiome. Thus, it appears that high-fiber foods that contain probiotics and prebiotics are ideal in helping to maintain a healthy gut.

How Else Can You Improve the Health of Your Gut Microbiome?

Take a High-Quality Prebiotic/Probiotic Supplement

Each type of food delivers a different selection of bacteria into the gut, so the diversity of your gut microbiome may be limited by the foods you consume. Taking a high-quality daily supplement that provides both probiotics and prebiotics can help your gut microbiome thrive by giving your gut the nutrients and compounds it needs on a daily basis. It can also help you keep your gut healthier and more diverse.

Lower Sugar Intake

An essential part to adopting a healthier diet rich in beneficial bacteria is reducing your sugar intake. Studies have shown that foods and beverages rich in either sugar or artificial sweeteners will cause an imbalance of helpful gut bacteria. This can lead to metabolic disease.

Reduce Stress Levels

Emotional stress has been shown to influence the physical body, especially in terms of disrupting the activities of the microbes in the gut. For this reason, engaging in relaxing activities, such as reading, yoga or meditation, can help keep your gut healthier.

Exercise Every Day

Research has found that athletes have more diverse gut microbiomes than those who live sedentary lifestyles. While athletes likely eat healthier foods and that will partly account for their diverse gut bacteria, it’s also believed that physical exercise helps keep the gut healthy. It controls weight and encourages healthy weight loss, which may be one way that physical activity keeps the gut healthy on a microbial level.

Get Enough Quality Sleep

While you’re asleep, the body is hard at work repairing damage, improving muscular health and performing a variety of other functions. This may also be a time when the gut microbiome is becoming stronger, because research has found that insufficient sleep leads to a compromised gut microbiome. People who don’t get at least seven hours of quality sleep are at a greater risk of developing inflammatory intestinal diseases.

Work-Family Conflict is Detrimental to Women’s Health

Oct 25 by Ewcopywriting

One of the biggest problems most working adults face is finding enough time for both their careers and their families. Trying to maintain the right balance can be stressful in itself, particularly because American workers are spending more time on the job than those of past generations. Today’s workforce is spending 8 percent longer on the job than past generations and as much as 20 percent of the workforce puts in 49 or more hours per week on a regular basis. The stress that work-family conflict creates can have a negative impact on women’s health, but there are natural ways to combat this type of burnout.

What is Burnout Syndrome?

Spending so much time at work does have an effect on the psyche and it’s a condition that has been the subject of research for several generations. As far back as the 1970s, Herbert Freudenberger used the word “burnout” to describe adults who experienced the specific type of depression caused by overwork. While the condition is common, psychologists still haven’t found a concrete method for diagnosing it. Overall, burnout is defined by feelings of exhaustion, a loss of energy and motivation and an inability to effectively cope with workplace challenges.

Burnout is often difficult to diagnose, as in many cases it may be the culmination of other emotional or physical disorders. For example, since some of the symptoms are also symptoms of depression and anxiety, an individual with burnout may really be suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness. Alternatively, a physical illness may also create the stress and conditions associated with burnout.

How Does Work-Family Conflict Affect Women?

Looking at 27 studies, a 2015 research project found that work-related stress was closely related to cardiovascular disease. A newer study looked specifically at how work-family conflict affected cardiovascular health in women. The researchers used a standard scoring system for determining cardiovascular health to determine how their subjects’ concern for achieving a work/life balance affected their heart health. The scoring system looked at seven different factors, including diet, physical activity and blood pressure.

The study consisted of a sampling of 11,000 subjects between the ages of 35 and 74. It looked at subjects from Brazil’s six major states, who came from a broad range of career fields and educational backgrounds. While there were men included in the study, the number of female participants was a little higher. The participants in the study completed surveys with questions about how their work lives affected their personal lives and vice versa.

When the cardiovascular scoring and work/life questionnaires were reviewed, it was found that women experienced a greater level of work interference with their personal lives. Men reportedly had more time for recreation and family time than the women in the study. Men and women appeared equal in terms of how much their families and personal lives interfered with their work time.

Looking at the cardiovascular evaluations, the researchers found that women with more work interference in their personal lives also had lower scores relating to cardiovascular health. The researchers believe one explanation for the relationship between work and personal life conflict and poor heart health may have to do with a desire in women to fulfill traditional domestic gender roles in addition to pursuing careers outside the home.

Even with the increased participation of men in maintaining the household, some women may still be trying to shoulder this burden solely on their own shoulders. As a result, women are more stressed about their roles in and out of the home. The resulting spike in stress levels can cause the inflammation that contributes to cardiovascular health risks.

Natural Ways to Combat Stress and Burnout Syndrome

Take a Daily Supplement

Cutting edge high-quality supplements like Tryptochron, contain the amino acids 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and l-tryptophan. These compounds are essential in creating the hormone serotonin and, as such, can help to naturally boost mood without causing the adverse side effects caused by prescription antidepressants. Since burnout shares symptoms with depression and anxiety, this type of supplement can be useful in helping the body deal with stress and reduce symptoms of burnout.

Get Together With Friends

Burnout pushes people to seek solitude, which can only aggravate depressive and anxious feelings. While it may take some effort, seeking out your friends and spending more time with them can help reduce the stressful work/life feelings you’re experiencing. In addition to finding joy in your friends’ companionship, you’ll also be forcing yourself to create a better balance in your life.

Seek Out Help

While workplace burnout may cause you to want to spend as little time with your co-workers as possible, asking for their help may be just what you need. Sharing that you’re experiencing burnout and stress gives your co-workers or managers the opportunity to direct you to a support group, counseling service or some other type of professional help. Often, counseling is offered as a part of a benefits package, but employees may not be aware that it’s an option.

Take Time Off

One of the best ways you can overcome burnout and work-family conflict while also reconnecting with your family is to take a few days off. You might even benefit from taking a Friday off to create a long weekend without missing too much work. You can spend the time relaxing at home, or you can take your family on a small road trip. By the time you return to work, you’ll be feeling refreshed and better able to tackle any challenges that come your way.