Did you know??

?80 percent of women experience menopause weight gain
?Balanced hormones can not only help you lose weight but prevent future weight gain
?Hormones don't make us fat; hormonal imbalance does
?Obesity is the result of poor nutrition, physical inactivity and unbalanced hormone levels
?Higher body mass index (BMI) has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

"Balance begins on the inside. It's critical that we optimize all aspects of our overall health. It's important that we incorporate more nutritionally beneficial foods that are both high in antioxidants and that help to reduce inflammation and avoid foods that may hurt us in the long run, such as those that are high in LDL cholesterol as well as processed foods that are high in refined sugars and carbohydrates. Instead of waiting for the onset of disease, making small improvements now can have a profound effect on our long-term health and longevity." -Jennifer Landa, M.D., BodyLogicMD Medical Director

Here are some ways for you and your family to incorporate balanced nutrition into your daily routines:

?Control cholesterol levels - Despite popular belief, there aren't two forms of cholesterol, but rather two ways that cholesterol is metabolized within the body. Low density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol is naturally synthesized by the liver and then transported to the peripheral (blood) tissues. However, in cases of high cholesterol, excess LDL cholesterol can cause atherosclerotic plaque buildup along the interior walls of arteries (blood vessels that pump blood from the heart to other various organs and tissues throughout the body). Eventually, the formation of plaque can narrow and harden the arteries, constricting blood flow and oftentimes leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis. On the contrary to LDL cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL) are actually good for you. HDL cholesterol can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, by collecting the fatty deposits left behind by LDL cholesterol and transporting it back the liver, where it's either broken down or recycled for future use. Some foods that help to raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) include: oatmeal, walnuts, fish and olive oil.

?Reduce inflammation - Inflammation has been linked to a variety of conditions and diseases such as osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease and cancer. Inflammation is the body's way of protecting or repairing itself from an injury or infection and is oftentimes typified by localized pain and swelling, ranging from mild to severe. Hormonal imbalance, diet, exercise, environmental and lifestyle factors also play a role in the onset of inflammation. Foods such as broccoli, onions, pineapple and spinach have all proven to have remarkable anti-inflammatory properties.

?Get your vitamin D - Vitamin D isn't much of a ?vitamin? at all; it's actually a hormone and a valuable one at that. Vitamin D deficiencies can lead to autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Adequate vitamin D levels have been proven to regulate blood pressure, boost immunity, stabilize insulin production, and according to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin D can also minimize the risk of age-related health challenges such as osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and many forms of cancer. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that over one-third of Americans are considered vitamin D deficient. The amount of vitamin D that each person requires depends on several different factors such as where they live, their skin pigment and age. For most of us, very little vitamin D is derived from our diet; the majority of the vitamin D that we absorb is actually from sunlight (UV radiation activates the production of vitamin D). Testing is available to determine vitamin D levels and if levels are deficient, your doctor can recommend over the counter supplements to raise vitamin D levels to a normal range.

?Avoid environmental toxins - When most of us think of environmental toxins, it's oftentimes assumed that we're referring to chemicals that are clearly labeled as "poison." Unfortunately, many of the toxins we come into contact with on a daily basis aren't classified as poison at all. In fact, many of the cleaning agents we use to rid our homes of germs and bacteria are actually making us sick. Recently, the organic compound known as Bisphenol A (BPA) has been getting widespread media attention - and with good reason. BPA is commonly used in the manufacture of soft plastics such as plastic water bottles and food left-over containers (Tupperware, etc.) and has been linked to hormonal imbalances in both children and adults. In her recent book entitled Hormone Harmony, BodyLogicMD Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alicia Stanton dedicated an entire chapter to environmental toxins such as BPA and discussed how they can act as estrogens in the human body and can oftentimes lead to symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women and men, regardless of age. Other environmental toxins such as asbestos, lead, pesticides and industrial-grade cleansers have a negative impact on our overall health too. Your best bet is to read the label and do your homework.

?Incorporate antioxidants - Antioxidants are molecules that can retard the oxidation of other molecules by ridding the body of free radicals (atoms or molecules that cause oxidative stress). Health problems such as diabetes, macular degeneration (visual impairment), heart disease and cancer have all been attributed to free radical damage. Antioxidants can be obtained through diet or supplementation. Some foods that are naturally rich in antioxidants include tomatoes (lycopene), dark, leafy vegetables (lutein), oatmeal (lignan), carrots (vitamin A and carotenoids), citrus (vitamin C), vegetable oil (vitamin E) and last but definitely not least, red wine (resveratrol). It turns out that drinking red wine in moderation could actually work wonders for your health. The benefits of the "Red Wine Nutrient" known as resveratrol are endless. Scientists are continuing research into its unique healing properties and hope to one day use it to treat cancer.