Gestational Diabetes: Prevention and Natural Treatment

 

“You have an entirely different body now,” my midwife said at a routine prenatal visit during my second trimester. While that’s not completely true – I would jump at the chance to trade in the bulging disc in my lumbar spine for a new, healthy one – it is partially accurate. The pregnancy hormones that drive the growth and development of a baby can alter the environment inside the mother’s body in unpredictable and unwanted ways. Among these, the body may change how it makes and utilizes insulin, which creates problems controlling blood sugar levels. Approximately one in ten pregnant women develop gestational diabetes and it’s becoming increasingly common.

Baby Bump Balm with Manuka Honey

During pregnancy, up to 90 percent of women develop stretch marks. Many products claim to prevent them but few have been proven effective. The pool of research studies in this area is small, but there is some evidence to support the use of natural remedies.

7 Things To Do Before You Get Pregnant

Pregnancy is a life-changing experience. Like any big event, thoughtful preparation can ease the transition and improve the outcome. Give yourself the best chance for a happy pregnancy and a healthy baby by taking time now to optimize your fertility and do some advanced planning. These seven steps will help you get ready for the exciting changes ahead.

Eating For a Healthy Pregnancy

We should always eat healthy, but it's particularly important during pregnancy. After all, the building blocks needed to create a baby comes from what a pregnant woman eats. These six guidelines are a good place to start.

7 Ways to Get Your Skin Ready for Summer

Skin is the body's largest organ and it's our first line of defense against foreign invaders like microbes and environmental toxins. More than any other part of the body, this protective outer layer is exposed to damaging environmental conditions like the winter weather that leaves skin dull and dry. Fortunately, skin is always repairing and renewing itself, and we can support that natural process. With summer just around the corner, it's a good time to give our skin some extra special care. These seven steps will get you started.

6 Signs You Need to Detox

As our awareness of environmental toxins and their impact on our health continues to grow, detox products and protocols are becoming increasingly popular, from fasting and raw food diets to foot baths and body wraps. These things may be good for us—or not—and they may help minimize our exposure to toxins, but they don’t detoxify our bodies.

5 Tips for a Heart-Healthy Valentine's Day

Research studies show that love plays an important role in cardiovascular health. This Valentine's Day, forget the candy and celebrate with some heart-healthy activities instead. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening, a night out with friends, or time with the family, here are six ways to connect with loved ones and support heart health at the same time.

DIY Lemon Coconut Salt Scrub

 

Use this simple sea salt scrub to soften winter-hardened skin. Lemon gives it an uplifting aroma, salt acts as an exfoliator, and coconut and almond oils moisturize skin. Apply it to your body but avoid delicate areas like the face.