Posts by Sara Szal MD
Why Sugar Hurts Your Health
When I was a kid, I figured my discernment would improve as I got older. Then as I got older, I realized that my discernment isn’t fancy: I simply am able to distinguish my inner divine voice from my inner saboteur— the voice of my ego or of grasping. For the next twenty- four hours,…
Read MorePerimenopause & Menopause: How to Balance Your Hormones Naturally
Perimenopause is rough on many women. Menopause too. As a woman, one’s sense of equanimity can feel under attack starting in your forties, sometimes earlier. As your ovaries start to run out of ripe eggs, progesterone drops, and it’s harder to soothe yourself. Cravings increase. Many women, myself included, feel less stress resilient. Then there’s…
Read MoreWays to Wean Yourself Off of Alcohol
In all three of my books and on this blog, I write about how alcohol threatens your hormonal health. It causes weight gain, robs you off your sleep, wrecks your ability to cope with stress and accelerates your aging. While some argue that an occasional glass of red wine might be good for you, my…
Read MoreKimchi Shirataki Bok Choy Bowl
I love this light yet filling Shirataki Bok Choy Bowl. Its quick prep and cooking time makes this bowl a perfect choice for a fast lunch or when you are short on time in the evening. But don’t let its simplicity fool you. It is a nutrient-dense meal and with 6 cups of greens (bok…
Read MoreWhat Really Happens When You Go Gluten Free
We can’t have a conversation about grains without talking about gluten, which is in so many of our favorite products. The word “gluten” is actually the Latin word for “glue”; it is the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that provides elasticity to baked goods, such as bread, cereal, and pizza. The problem is…
Read MoreWhat Happens to Our Hormones After 35
Women, we have it tough. Once we hit our thirties, our hormones just can’t take it anymore. Balance becomes elusive. Mood swings become normal. And our family and friends want to avoid us 90 percent of the time. What gives? Are we doomed to the wild ride leading up to and through menopause? Hormonal flux…
Read MoreThe How-Tos of At-Home Hormone Testing
Many people ask me about self-testing for hormone imbalances. Doing these tests can be insightful and shed light on any particular issues. At-home testing is just one way to take the reins over your medical destiny, learn about the state of your general health, glean important information about how to alter your lifestyle to impact…
Read MoreScreening Recommendations for Chronic Disease
Quick blog today to review the screening recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force. I often get asked how often someone should get their Pap smear or blood sugar checked. I don’t agree with all of their recommendations, but I appreciate that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent, volunteer panel of…
Read MoreTop Questions Women Ask About Aging
As women age, their hormones take off on a roller coaster, often exacerbating any signs of aging. Most aging women have one major complaint: thinning hair and skin problems such as sagging, wrinkling, and even breakouts. Why? The short answer is that hormones are often the culprit; bringing them back into balance will remedy these…
Read MoreWhy do Hormone Imbalances Happen?
Hormone imbalance stems from various factors. In fact, symptoms and sensations you might consider normal as an aging woman are actually from broken hormones that can easily be fixed with some lifestyle adjustments. Here are the main culprits causing hormonal troubles: Stress Hormone imbalance is far too common these days. The main culprit is chronic…
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