Weight loss gt fad diets

How do I know if my gut needs healing? I have Hashis and understand that healing my gut could help. I do not have andy stomach or bowel issues though. I do have puffiness, weight gain, joint pain, slight skin issues (trying to note connection with what I eat that causes redness/inflammation on my cheeks and some breaking out), fatigue.
Do I need to get bloodwork for a baseline or can I just modify my diet and see what happens?
Any recs for a protocol to follow?

Been on contrave (generic version-naltrexone and bupropion)- since Jan 24. I’ve consistently lost weight at every weigh-in, but this week I gained .6 lbs. 😕 we have done a lot of celebrating- it was my sons bday so we went on a weekend trip, it was teacher appreciation week at work so lots of treats, this weekend is Mother’s Day and me and my husband’s 21st anniversary. I’m not dieting and am focusing on learning how to eat intuitively. I know fluctuations are normal but after finally hitting the 25 lb weight loss mark, it is still discouraging to see the number go up. I’m just looking for some fellow Contravers that are on the same journey as me that can give me some reassurance! Also, on another note, I have been considering weighing in once a month instead of once a week. Does anyone else do this?

Mention of WEIGHT LOSS!!! no numbers !!!
After a relapse, my dietician and I set target weight goals for the next time I saw her, this was /three weeks ago. I had the plan to gain roughly a kg a week just cause i feel i really need to make up for lost time but if that wasn't the case, as long as it was going up, I'd be okay I went back on track with the meals for like two weeks and started gaining again, I was quite happy with the trajectory, but the past week had been really bad mentally, lots of triggers and shit in my personal life and I saw her yesterday, it went down and is now lower than what we started with. But I swear, I just had one bad week where the meals slipped and exercise went up, in comparison to the two weeks, I was doing really well with 3 full meals. And even during the bad week, I managed a supplement on certain days. I'm just really baffled by how the weight dropped so much in just a week. And I keep cursing myself over all the lost time, I am now behind on the weight restoration plan. And each kg lost feels like a week lost. I planned it all out, a new weight goal each week cause I just want it to be over. and i want be okay and weight restored by the end of the summer. I really do. I just want to be recovered. I am so tired. But its so much easier to lose weight than it is to gain. Like genuinely how did I lose more in a week, than I've ever gained...
I'm just so tired. Despite how much my brain wants to get better and how tired I am of this small life, I keep stumbling.

Hi all, I am usually like clock work on my pills but I fell asleep the other day and didn't take my BC at the usual time. I woke up 12 hours later and took it right away but it was already took late I had my period/cramps. I have been on this pill forever and have never had any issues. I'm wondering if this is normal to need to be that consistent? I've kept up with taking it at the needed time since and days later still have cramps + period.
I am on Ozempic for diabetes/cholesterol (NOT for weight loss) and I'm wondering if this is the reason why or if it is unrelated and just my fault for taking my pill late? Just wondering if anyone else has to be that on time with their pills or if this is rare? I'm not due for my pill pack to be out for two more weeks.

I started taking Mounjaro in August 10, 2023. I was 338 lbs and had just come back from a doctor’s appointment where my A1C was 6.0 and my triglycerides were 189. I was 52 years old at the time and worried that if I didn’t improve my health, but I wouldn’t be around to enjoy the retirement. I work so hard for all these years. So I decided to ask my doctor about weight loss meds and after some back-and-forth, he agreed to start me on Mounjaro. Quickly responded and lost over 20 pounds in the first month. It was so different than any other weight loss program I’ve ever tried before.
I have d been diligent with my eating and worked out every day and many other programs had no success and losing weight. It was different this time. I made great changes to not only the volume of food that I ate, but also the type of food that I put in my body. I did a lot of reading on Reddit to learn all I could about how best to eat and exercise while on this medication. With the age of the appetite suppression offered, I was able to eat high protein, healthy fats, and low-carb meals well exercising each day on cardio and weightlifting. I wasn’t sure how far I would go with the weight loss journey, so I wanted to take full advantage of the medicine for as long as it was working for me. I as I lose my next 4 1/2 pounds I will finally just be overweight again and not obese for the first time 20 years. I am cautiously optimistic for the future and my hope remains hopeful
Today, still have approximately another 50 pounds to lose, but I am finally hopeful that I can actually do it. As I lose my next 4 1/2 pounds I will finally just be overweight again and not obese for the first time 20 years. I am cautiously optimistic for the future and my hope remains hopeful.

What do you mean? Why are you skeptical about a 25 year old having these? In Army years, 25 is getting long in the tooth and the end of your twenties. 25 year old is about to enter Army Middle Age. Lemme 'splain. Ever hear of dog years?
Paradoxically, you grow up quick while forever being treated like a child (and thus maintaining a grown ass manchild's mentality). Most 25 year olds in the Army have been NCOs for a while and are typically in charge of anywhere between a half dozen up to a couple dozen men at times. (Baker's dozens!)
So back to dog years. You know, like for every human year, a dog ages seven? It's kind of like that, but for every seven human years, a soldier ages ten. So your 25 year old is 30. At age 32, where a regular humans are entering their prime of life, a soldier enters Western human middle age. *Which is Army middle age, but that's another thing. By the time he's 39 Gregorian calendar years, a soldier's 50 dog years old. Or is that human years? IDK, my brain don't do math so good no more because of the big bangs.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are some smoking hot 50 year old cougars and silver foxes (we're back to the canines again, though I'd lost the plot, didn't you?) out there, but ain't none of them spent time humping a ruck on a 12-miler for time in boots and load bearing equipment that don't fit quite right, right after you just did one yesterday, for time, only no explanation; either dehydrated bone dry when you pee, it's a shade of orange or over hydrated till you puked because assholes can't figure out that people expend water at different rates and that's how you end up with water poisoning (didn't know that was a thing, did you?); stood out in the sun in the desert all day for the asshole officer to come give a speech about how much he cares about the well being of soldiers, meanwhile, even the black guys are getting sunburned; was forgotten and left behind and it was by sheer luck, grit, determination, wit and fortitude you made it back alive and stumbled into another unit on your own two days later, meanwhile your were reported as AWOL ("Lucky" for you, you "lost" serialized equipment along the way and they gotta go back and look for proof of your abandonment and plenty of dudes are gonna see your name, date/time, and direction of movement carved on a rock, complete with nastygrams.) <--- Points to the soldier who can correctly identify the era/place origin of that last soldiering "legend." Plus the chiggers and the ticks up your ass (no, really, tick checks and all), not to mention being an Airborne trooper fortunate enough to steadily grind the cartilage from his knees over a steady diet of carrying your body weight around for days and weeks on end if you were because the unlucky ones ended up with their tibias where their femurs ought to be on a bad jump where the jumpmaster just ignored the winds on the dropzone because the colonel just HAD to get his jump in (wait, I heard him call it the first time at 25 knots steady. Winds don't from 30 mph to zero in 15 minutes. And... SPLAT goes a lot knees and hips ankles that night. As well as faces, backs and shoulders, but who's counting? Not the Army. There's a line of 18 year olds all signing up to be paratroopers out the door and around the corner, so ¯_(ツ)_/¯.)
So where was I? Yeah, 25 year old.
18 year old enlists straight out of high school, typical 3-4 hitch hating the Army because his recruiter lied to him about how he'd be more satisfied getting some vocational skills out of the enlistment than the dwindling chances to shoot terrorists in the face, decides not to re-up and leaves slightly disgruntled after the one enlistment at Spec-4, which is typical if you don't screw up anything too badly. Dude could've left the service 2-3 years ago, as far as you know. Don't see why he couldn't be 25 years old and these not be his uniforms.
But honestly, in ten, twenty, thirty year's time, he'll look back upon his service days (looks like he was in Korea, and the waning years of 2010s was prime time to be in Korea for a young single soldier) as the best years of his life. Also, leaving the smiley faces on the motorcycle along with his uniform makes me worry a little about his mental health. I'm not you, but if I were your position, I'd try to find the guy and tell him that it may not mean much to him now, but some day, he's going to regret not having kept them and that maybe you can send them to him, or at least the unit/corp insignia and ribbons (or if you have the space, keep it for him until he such time that he can retrieve them (for a reasonable amount of time, of course) - that's a much more meaningful gesture than the hackneyed, "Thank you for your service," for someone who might be a troubled or confused young man.)
Or sell them to the surplus store. But for the love of god, don't throw away a serviceable service uniform. That'd be a terrible end for something that once and still stands for something and people still take pride in wearing and having worn. (Even though the ASU blues era will come to be regarded a terrible aberration.)
Sorry, super wordy tonight. Working through my own shit. I'll have a Dick's Deluxe, fries and a strawberry milkshake.

So I get my tirzepatide through my weight loss doctor already pre-filled. I'm almost at maintenance! I'll be doing maybe 1 more month at 15mg and then we are going slowly backwards and spacing it out. I got this text message ad from a place called TyGenix. They claimed to have 3 months of Tirzepatide for $950. But then I wanted to know the mg of the vials it is 10mg so that would be 2.4 shots if I stayed at 12.5mg or 2 shots at 15mg.
They flipped out on me saying my dosing is too high?here is how they dose 0.25ml 0.50ml 0.75ml and 1ml and they recommend the max is 1ml. I have no clue what that means. Their vials are 10mg/500mcg/5ml

I have ibs and autism, not been diagnosed with anorexia. I always had a weird relationship with food due to my conditions. I had binge eating disorder in high school and my weight was constantly fluctuating. I had just come out of 3 years being bullied on a daily basis at school and the aftermath trauma caused the binge eating.
I went through a tough time with some life events recently. First time in my life I liked not eating, it felt like I was closer to not being alive. Like I really enjoyed feeling the symptoms, the dizzyness and everything. But now things are getting better in my life, however I still feel very weak, my bones are showing, I'm dizzy all the time, probably low iron too. I struggle to bring myself to eat well. I want to go out and experience life without feeling dizzy and without fearing like I will pass out. I am in a foreign country and I'm not sure if I'm covered for hospital recovery or something. I feel very weak physically and I have lots of hair loss. I ate the adult recommended amount of calories yesterday and it's not enough, it seems like my body needs more now in the recovery phase

Introduction:
Welcome to our ultimate guide to achieving healthy, vibrant hair! In this comprehensive blog post, we'll delve into the intricacies of proper hair care, covering everything from selecting the right products to addressing common concerns like dryness, split ends, and hair loss. Whether you're a hair care novice or a seasoned enthusiast, this guide has something for everyone. Let's embark on a journey to unlock the secrets to gorgeous, luscious locks!

1. Understanding Hair Care Products:

Hair care begins with choosing the right products tailored to your hair type and specific needs. Let's explore the various categories of hair care products and their functions:
Shampoos: The foundation of any hair care routine, shampoos cleanse the scalp and hair strands, removing dirt, oil, and product buildup. Look for sulfate-free formulas to maintain hair health and moisture balance.
Conditioners: Essential for replenishing moisture and nourishment, conditioners help detangle hair, reduce frizz, and improve manageability. Consider using a deep conditioner or hair mask weekly for added hydration and repair.
Serums and Oils: These lightweight, often silicone-based products provide shine, smoothness, and protection against heat and environmental damage. Apply a small amount to damp or dry hair to seal in moisture and tame flyaways.
Styling Products: From mousses and gels to creams and sprays, styling products help you achieve your desired look, whether it's voluminous curls or sleek, straight hair. Choose products that suit your hair texture and desired style without weighing it down or causing buildup.
To ensure you're making informed choices, consult reputable sources like Allure, Byrdie, and Into The Gloss for product recommendations, reviews, and ingredient insights.

1. Essential Tips for Healthy Hair:

In addition to using the right products, adopting healthy hair care habits is crucial for maintaining optimal hair health. Here are some essential tips to incorporate into your routine:
Limit Washing: While it may be tempting to wash your hair daily, over-washing can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Aim to wash your hair 2-3 times per week, or as needed, depending on your hair type and activity level.
Minimize Heat Styling: Excessive use of heat styling tools like flat irons and blow dryers can damage the hair cuticle, causing breakage and split ends. Whenever possible, opt for air-drying or use heat-protectant products to shield your hair from damage.
Protect from UV Rays: Just like your skin, your hair is susceptible to damage from UV radiation. Wear a hat or use hair products containing UV filters when spending extended periods in the sun to protect your hair from UV-induced dryness and color fading.
Eat a Balanced Diet: Your hair's health is closely linked to your overall well-being. Incorporate nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, fruits, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids into your diet to support healthy hair growth and strength.
For evidence-based dietary recommendations, refer to studies from reputable sources like the American Academy of Dermatology and Harvard Medical School.

1. Combatting Dryness and Split Ends:

Dryness and split ends are common concerns that can detract from the appearance and feel of your hair. Here's how to address these issues effectively:
Hydrate Regularly: Invest in moisturizing hair care products enriched with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, and shea butter to hydrate and nourish dry hair. Consider incorporating a weekly deep conditioning treatment or hair mask to restore moisture and improve elasticity.
Trim Regularly: Regular trims are essential for maintaining healthy hair and preventing split ends from traveling up the hair shaft. Visit your hairstylist every 6-8 weeks for a trim to remove any damaged or split ends and keep your hair looking fresh and vibrant.
Protective Styling: Minimize exposure to environmental aggressors and mechanical damage by opting for protective hairstyles like braids, buns, or twists. These styles help reduce friction and manipulation, preventing further damage to fragile ends.
For expert advice on combating dryness and split ends, consult renowned hair care experts featured in publications like Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Harper's Bazaar.

1. Addressing Hair Loss and Weakness:

Hair loss and weakness can be distressing issues that affect both men and women. Here are strategies to promote hair growth and strengthen weak hair:
Identify Underlying Causes: Hair loss can be attributed to various factors, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, stress, and medical conditions. Consult with a dermatologist or trichologist to determine the underlying cause of your hair loss and develop a targeted treatment plan.
Scalp Massage: Stimulate blood circulation to the scalp and promote hair growth by incorporating regular scalp massages into your hair care routine. Use your fingertips to gently massage the scalp in circular motions, focusing on areas of thinning or shedding.
Nutritional Support: Support healthy hair growth from within by ensuring you're getting an adequate intake of essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E, B vitamins, iron, zinc, and protein. Consider taking supplements or modifying your diet to address any deficiencies.
For evidence-based recommendations on addressing hair loss and weakness, refer to studies published in reputable journals such as the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and the International Journal of Trichology.
Conclusion:
Achieving and maintaining healthy, beautiful hair requires a combination of proper care, effective products, and lifestyle habits. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can nurture your hair from root to tip and unlock its full potential. Remember, consistency and patience are key when it comes to hair care, so embrace the journey and enjoy the transformation!

12yo MN cat. No prior health issues other than obesity and a botched declaw he recently had corrected in April. Also had a dental simultaneously and had all upper incisors removed.
I adopted a new cat recently. According to the shelter, he was 18lbs with a BCS of 9/9 when I took him home with me. This was sometime between the last couple days of February/first couple days of March. On April 8th he weighed in at 17.5 when he went in for surgery - a dental + corrective declaw because he had P3 remnants and claw regrowth on 5/10 front toes.
Yesterday we went to the vet for what appears to be tracheal bronchitis. He's stable and fine but just suddenly couldn't meow and was gagging. I noticed yesterday that he weighed in at 16.8. I told the vet he was 18lbs in early March and she told me not to make him lose weight too fast, but didn't clarify what "too fast" is, exactly. I have a recheck in 2 weeks and can ask about it there but we weren't there yesterday for weight, we were there for bronchitis, so I didn't discuss the weight loss any further.
He is on Purina Pro Plan Overweight Management - the one you have to have prescribed. I feed him according to the instructions, he gets canned and dry, but he honestly doesn't eat much. Like he eats enough (I think?) but he seems to prefer grazing throughout the day and I'm not honestly positive he's consuming the entire allotted portion he gets daily.
So just wondering if from 18lbs to 16.8 over the course of about 60 days is too quick?? I definitely don't want to cause issues and I know obese cats are at a higher risk of hepatic lipidosis.

I've spent a lot of time on this sub and thought that I would finally make a post to ask for some advice. Sorry in advance for the long read.
I am just about to turn 20 and have been struggling with my mental health for the past 12 years of my life. Most of this was due to bullying at school which lead to me attempting suicide at the age of 8 as well as being hospitalised twice, once for a mental breakdown which resulted in me getting sedated and another due to me trying to jump out my window and then kept in hospital for 3 days. This lead me to suffer from severe social anxiety and an attachment disorder with my parents where I got incredibly anxious about leaving them. I then suffered from lots of bullying as well from the ages of 11-16 which has left a lot of deep insecurities on me.
Edit: I also began losing weight at 16 due to bullying about my weight which lead me to develop issues with food though I am not sure if it would be a clinical eating disorder. I still suffer from anxiety and stress about food and especially my weight. I have a lot of issues with my body image despite being in objectively good shape and have received compliments about my appearance. I get really in my head about food and have absolutely no structure when it comes to eating except that I try to eat a fairly low processed food and carb diet.
Another bit of information is that I have suspected for a while that I may be autistic since I have lots of sensory issues as well as struggles feeling emotions such as empathy and picking up on social cues and understanding people. I have also experienced autistic meltdowns fairly often where I get overwhelmed and often result in head banging to stop myself from thinking. I also have always been very obsessive and get new hyper fixations which generally last for a few months until I begin to lose the level of interest in them though it never fully goes.
Due to all of this I have been borderline suicidal for most of my life and the last year and a half has been particularly bad since leaving home to go to university and at one point was self medicating with alcohol. In the last few months my mental health has taken a turn for the worst and had a bad mental breakdown/autistic meltdown at Christmas and tried to wrap and elastic cord round my neck. After that I began looking at options for therapy, which I have now started, mostly pushed by my parents and girlfriend but also got really hyper focused on psychiatry. I have also been referred for a diagnosis for Autism.
In my research I came across OCD and I believe that I have that as I have always had a lot of trouble with disturbing intrusive thoughts, rumination for hours and hours about things that caused me anxiety. Reading in the OCD sub made so much of my life make sense to me and why I act the way that I do. I have also obsessively researched into antidepressants to try and find out all the information that I could on it in.
At the end of March I started the SSRI Citalopram (Celexa) at 10mg which took a about a week to start causing side effects which were: sharp increase in anxiety, apathy to food, fatigue, insomnia, hyperactivity, trouble focusing, increased sensory problems, jitteryness/restless leg syndrome, increased suicidal ideation and mental breakdowns/autistic meltdown. After a month of this medication during a mental breakdown I attempted to kill myself by strangling myself with dressing gown cord.
Due to this I then went back to my GP the next day and got my medication swapped to the SSRI Sertraline (Zoloft) at 50mg which I have now been on for 10 days. I was also given 6 Diazepam (Valium) at 5mg for when I get really overwhelmed.
Since being on Sertraline I have been struggling exceptionally with focus and sitting and in research as to why I found that ADHD can be exacerbated by SSRIs which would explain the uptick in my symptoms from starting when I began taking them. When reading up on ADHD I realised that I have been suffering from symptoms of this for years where I always struggled with concentration on tasks that did not interest me, did poorly in exams, engaged in risky behaviours, only could work when stressed and deadlines approaching, always fiddling with something, feeling the urge to climb and do pull ups on scaffolding, issues with impulsively speaking, had to be walked like a dog when a young child due to endless energy and chronic procrastination.
I was never considered for ADHD as I always performed well in school in maths and science but much worse in the subjects that did not interest me. I was also fairly well behaved due to my social anxiety being quite debilitating at times.
So that is my backstory up to the present and here is where I am at the moment. My plan is to come off the Sertraline basically cold turkey as I have only been on it for a short amount of time and am on a very low dose. Then I am trying to get diagnosed for ADHD and then try some medication for that to see how that helps me with my inattention and hyperactivity. After that I will then antidepressants again to help me with my depression, anxiety and OCD. I plan to try the SSRI Fluvoxamine (Luvox) as it seems to be better for OCD and has a nicer side effect profile without any major drug-drug interactions with ADHD medication.
Edit: I have now begun tapering off Sertraline. The GP I saw was a complete idiot who knew nothing and didn’t seem to understand anything. He asked me questions like “so why don’t you kill yourself? What do you have to look forward to?” He was googling to check if what I said about my medication and tapering was correct. So anyway I’m gonna be on 50mg every other day for a week and then 25mg every other day for a week. I have also been referred for an ADHD diagnosis and plan to get that done privately and to see a psychiatrist about medication and mental health in the future.
If anyone reads this I would really appreciate any advice you could give me on my plan and any tips to help.

33 y/o male 5’10” ~190 lbs ~20%bf Intense Weight Training 5x/Week Diet pretty clean (3K Cals/day) Fruit/veggies/high fiber and protein. Sugar is for special occasions. Alcohol is for special occasions. Sleep around 6-8 hours a night. Two kids 1.5&3.5 years old
As the title states yesterday 5/10 I started having some strange fatigue, weakness in my legs (feels specifically in the quads), and feeling just shaky in general.
For reference I take:
1) .25L (200mg/ml) Testosterone Cypionate 2X per week for a total of 100mg per week. 2)Vyvanse 30mg/day.
The only recent changes in my life are a new job which means I can’t telecommute for a few months. So my workouts have been around 830 pm 3x per week and the other two around noon on the weekends.
I’ve also developed a mandibular Tori recently which has been causing some discomfort. (Not infected as far as the dentist could tell)
My concern with all the above is that I’ve been taking 75-150mg of zinc daily for a little over a month at night as part of a sleep/nighttime supplement (zma). Could I be experiencing an iron/copper deficiency?
Or could it be as simple as being a bit run down from late workouts and sleep is a bit messed up.
I can work on cutting down the zinc and upping the iron rich foods (though I eat eggs/chicken/beef/oats/broccoli like every day).
Bloodwork done last month came back within normal ranges for EVERYTHING except HCRIT was like 50.7. Metabolic/Lipids/CBC good otherwise (Though I dont think my iron was included)
Just looking for some feedback as the ol anxiety is a bit elevated with these symptoms.
Thanks in advance!

Adrenal Support What is Adrenal Fatigue and Insufficiency? Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe a collection of nonspecific symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive problems that may be caused by poorly working adrenal glands in people who are under mental, emotional, or physical stress. Some studies show that adrenal fatigue may even be linked to fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism.
The adrenal glands produce a host of hormones for the body, one of them being cortisol- the hormone used to help our bodies deal with stress. When the body is constantly under stress due to a busy or difficult lifestyle, the adrenal glands may over produce cortisol to keep up with the demand of a perpetual fight-or-flight arousal. This excessive cortisol prevents the adrenals from producing other hormones we need. Proponents of adrenal fatigue argue that the condition is actually a mild version of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic stress.
The medical term adrenal insufficiency (also know as Addison’s disease) refers to the inadequate production of one or more of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands as a result of an underlying disease. Adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed by blood tests and special stimulation tests that show inadequate levels of adrenal hormones. In most cases of this disease, the adrenal glands have been damaged by the immune system. Other causes of Addison’s disease include Tuberculosis (TB), Cancer, and AIDS. Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may include:
Fatigue Body aches Unexplained weight loss Low blood pressure Lightheadedness Loss of body hair Skin discoloration (hyperpigmentation) How Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Treat Adrenal Fatigue and Insufficiency The fundamental principle of health and healing in Chinese medicine is the concept of balance. Your body contains both Yin and Yang energy (Qi) and in health, the relaxed Yin state balances the adrenal Yang state. The problem arises when you have an excess of either Yin or Yang influences in your life.
In Chinese medicine, the adrenal glands are part of the water element and relate to kidney energy. The kidneys are seen as the single most important organ affecting the length and quality of your life. They control your internal energy (Qi), your Yin/Yang balance and house your Jing, which is your life force, your aliveness, your creative power and your essence. Adrenal fatigue or insufficiency is due to a kidney Yin or Yang deficiency, and Chinese medicine aims to rebalance the kidneys by using acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and proper dietary and lifestyle choices.
Acupuncture can help sufferers of adrenal fatigue. Chinese medical practitioners will stimulate key points associated with the kidneys to rebalance the Yin and Yang deficiencies and boost adrenal function. Treatments utilizing a combination of massage and acupuncture also promote healthy levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and stimulate production of the “feel good hormones,” serotonin and dopamine. The combination practice relieves the effects of stress on the mind and body and enhances overall immune functions. In some cases, acupressure may be self-applied just inside the ankle between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon. One should massage the area in a clockwise motion for five minutes on each side of the foot and repeat daily for best results. Chinese herbs can greatly benefit those suffering from Adrenal issues. Chinese herbs work to boost your body up from within, over time. Unlike caffeine or energy drinks, herbs will not give you a quick, artificial boost of energy or an adrenaline rush. Stimulating a quick release of adrenaline in this way is often part of the cause of adrenal exhaustion. Instead, herbal tonic formulas will help rebuild what you have been depleting from your body for years. They can restore wellness and true core vitality by restoring the organ systems, like the adrenals and kidneys. While Chinese herbs are one of the more effective ways to address Adrenal fatigue, it will still take 2 months or more before noticeable changes in vitality may be felt. Patience and determination are a must in combating Adrenal fatigue. Your Chinese medical practitioner will personalize an herbal formula specific to your symptoms and condition.
Chinese herbs can greatly benefit those suffering from Adrenal issues. Chinese herbs work to boost your body up from within, over time. Unlike caffeine or energy drinks, herbs will not give you a quick, artificial boost of energy or an adrenaline rush. Stimulating a quick release of adrenaline in this way is often part of the cause of adrenal exhaustion. Instead, herbal tonic formulas will help rebuild what you have been depleting from your body for years. They can restore wellness and true core vitality by restoring the organ systems, like the adrenals and kidneys. While Chinese herbs are one of the more effective ways to address Adrenal fatigue, it will still take 2 months or more before noticeable changes in vitality may be felt. Patience and determination are a must in combating Adrenal fatigue. Your Chinese medical practitioner will personalize an herbal formula specific to your symptoms and condition.
Nutritional Guidance and Lifestyle Changes: Changing one’s diet can have a significant impact on reducing and preventing the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. For many people, there is a correlation between adrenal fatigue and low blood sugar, so it is important to eat wholesome natural foods at regular intervals to avoid a drop in blood sugar, which can worsen your condition. One of the best habits is to eat a protein rich meal first thing in the morning after your body has used up its reserved energy while sleeping. The energy you give your body from breakfast is used up quickly, so it’s a good idea to have an early lunch or at least have a nourishing snack a few hours after breakfast. Avoiding simple carbohydrates is a must throughout the day. It’s important that all of your meals contain protein, fat, and vegetable-based carbohydrates. You need all three components to fuel your body throughout the day. Six to eight servings of vegetables a day is also recommended.
For those that suffer from adrenal fatigue due to blood sugar issues, you should be careful about what and how much fruit you eat and simple carbohydrates. People with adrenal fatigue with fluctuating blood sugar levels should avoid bananas, grapefruit, dates, figs, raisins and oranges- all of which have high sugar contents. Better choices are apples, mango, papaya, plums cherries and pears. If you suffer from adrenal fatigue, you may find yourself in constant need of that next cup of coffee. Unfortunately, this can further deplete the adrenals. Coffee, chocolate, alcohol and soft drinks should all be avoided. Water and herbal tea is your best choice. Other healthy choices are green tea, herbal teas, and natural vegetable juices (in moderation).
One should also eat foods that nurture the kidneys. These foods include pork, sprouts, eggs, beans, barley, sardines, cheese and blueberries. Other foods that may help one’s kidney yin deficiency include kidney beans, black sesame seeds, walnuts, asparagus, sweet potato, string beans, celery, parsley, grapes and plums.
Daily reduction of stress is important for adrenal recovery and fatigue prevention. Regular exercise and sleep are greatly beneficial. Other activities, like meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, etc., are all helpful in reducing stress.
How Western Medicine Treats Adrenal Fatigue and Insufficiency Since Adrenal fatigue or insufficiency often goes undetected or unrecognized as a legitimate medical condition from a Western medical perspective, treatment is usually focused on the symptoms of the patient rather than the underlying cause. Often, Western doctors will likely attribute the signs of Adrenal problems to other ailments or health conditions, like depression, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, or others. An endocrinologist, a medical doctor specializing in hormone balancing, can measure cortisol levels from both a blood test and a saliva test, but would typically be more inclined to look for Addison’s Disease, rather than poor functioning or overworked adrenals. Western medicine does, however, recommend a reduced stress lifestyle that includes regular exercise, proper sleep, and healthy diet to combat and prevent fatigued conditions.

How can I get back my appetite?
How can I increase my weight with this condition. I don't feel hungry at all.

Hey everyone, I’m about to be 25 years old and have been suffering from Ed for about 16 months now. I am engaged and will be getting married in the next 6 months. My fiancé and I are each others only sexual partners being that we began dating in High school. We had sex consistently from 18-23, but then due to religious reasons we decided to wait until marriage. So we have not had sexual contact in about 2 years. But when we were having sex, I never had any issues in bed and would be able to go multiple rounds. I started consuming pornography at 13 and from then to 23 I would say anywhere to from 3-10xs a week. For the last 9 months I have not consumed any pornography. Where I believe my problem began was 16 months ago I had my grandmother and my mother be diagnosed with stage 4 cancers within 3 weeks of each other. The following months were a complete emotional roller coaster. During this I was using masterbation as a form of stress relief and was doing it 2-7xs a day. This is when I began to notice I was not getting as hard as usual. Then the morning erections stopped and it just kept spiraling. So currently I am without pornography which definitely has helped. But the issue I am having is, I am in a cycle of not master baiting for 3-10 days feeling some sort of recovery. After a few days I will start waking up with erections and getting random erections throughout the day. But if I mastebate in that time, all my progress is gone. The only other thing I can say might be relating to this issue is I have put on about 35 pounds in the last 2 years. I am starting to run again and trying to get physically fit again. I believe that will help. Does anyone have any input/experience with recovery from overly masterbaiting? How long did it take to heal? Did weight loss help? Any other tips that can help are appreciated.

Hi, I have PCOS and always assumed I have IR because weight gain etc was my biggest symptom. Long story short, I eat much less than everyone else I know but struggle with weight, hunger etc. You know the drill.
Cut carbs and sugar about ten years ago. Take metformin, currently 1000mg. Over time, feel like I’ve come to manage cravings etc, and generally it has become easier to stay away from carbs and maintain my weight (although wish I was a lower weight). BMI around 24 or so. Do feel like I’m on a perpetual diet though.
Recently I’ve struggled with getting so sleepy/lethargic after meals that I’m unable to stay awake. Was sure it was something with insulin or blood sugar, but fasting and post-meal levels are ok.
Is it possible that metformin and diet has made my IR “invisible” in labs, or that it has “reversed” (as glucose goddess would call it)? That I do have it, but am keeping it “in check” through diet/lifestyle/meds?
Not to bury the lead, but I was able to try dulaglutide for three weeks recently (3 doses total, took them a week apart, 0.75) and it was life-changing. I felt so relieved, mentally light, and didn’t obsess over food constantly. Lost maybe 1 kg (didn’t care about weight loss - the other effects were much more important!!!). Now I don’t have any more and have gone without for a few weeks and guess I am either feeling worse than before or just back to my normal self - but I feel awful. Mentally and physically. Can’t stop thinking about food, eating more, constantly bloated, feeling very down. Lost all self control. To me, it seems my body reacted very well to the meds - dare I say that it felt like the meds were fixing some bodily dysfunction or some kind (I.e. IR).
Any thoughts?

Not sure if this is the right sub for this question: I don’t count anything but am pretty sure I am very deficient in protein intake. Just generally and definitely for my fitness goals.
Currently, I struggle to feel full/satiated which leads to eating too much stuff like nuts/nut butters (I know they are good for me but extremely calorie-dense), cheese or just straight up snacks (crackers, pretzels, etc) to feel full.
My diet is generally healthy. I follow a mostly plant-based diet but will eat fish occasionally (maybe 2-3 times a mo) even though I don’t love it. I eat lots of robust salads, veggies and fruits. I love legumes and tofu —I could eat black beans or lentils at every meal—but worry that eating too much of those foods will make me gain weight due to the starchiness of them.
The plant-based meats (beyond, etc) are high in protein and filling, I feel satiated after eating them, but no way are they healthy. Same for some of the protein powders: I’ve tried KOS, Orgain, but don’t really love the taste. And I’m trying to reduce processed foods in general.
Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated!

I know that this is stupid to ask but are there ANY foods I can eat? Like if I’m out with friends and they buy lunch from a restaurant or fast food place like subway, are there any foods I can get that won’t worsen my fatty liver? My last blood test my alt was 331 and ast was 161 (I’m also 6 weeks pregnant now so maybe that was what caused the huge spike?) but I obviously have been losing weight and eating a relatively balanced diet with mostly veggies and fruits and fish etc. but I was wondering if there’s anything I can eat from restaurants and stuff?