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Assistant Beauty & Health Editor

Assistant Beauty & Health Editor

Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in womens, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.

Image by Lyuba Burakova / Stocksy

An estimated 25% of adults in the U.S. struggle with arthritis, making it a rampant (and often under-discussed) issue.The most common cause of arthritis is general wear and tearhowever, researchers have found another unexpected link that may be helpful for those struggling.Here's what to know:

For this study, researchers looked at 2013 to 2016 data from an ongoing U.S. database called The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey2 , or NHANES for short. This study included a total of 10,439 people, mainly aged 20 years and older, 48% of whom were men.

The association between arthritis and low testosterone held up for both men and women. This makes the case that testosterone level testing may be helpful for anyone struggling to understand the root of their arthritis, no matter their gender.

This study found other correlations, too, such as smoking, waist circumference, BMI, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseaseso testosterone is certainly not the only thing to consider.However, it's an important one, especially for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who tend to have low testosterone levels3 due to declining adrenal function.

Knowing this association exists may inspire those who are struggling with arthritis to get a hormone test if possible. From there, your health care provider can give you personalized advice and treatment for both hormonal health and joint comfort.

Though testosterone is best known as a male sex hormone, this research reminds us that it's important for women's health, too.

You may also look to DHEA supplements. "The body synthesizes DHEA before converting it to testosterone, making it a reasonable choice for supplementation," Vinjamoori says. However, it's best to consult your health care provider before starting this supplement to ensure it's a necessary part of your routine.

And rememberthis finding is solely an association, not a statement of cause. So, more research is needed to determine if low testosterone causes arthritis or if the correlation is related in another way.

A new analysis study found that patients with arthritis had significantly lower testosterone levels than those without arthritis. This could be a sign that testosterone may play a role in arthritis onset or progression, but more research is needed to be sure. In the meantime, men and women can support their testosterone levels through lifestyle changes and consult a physician if they're interested in hormone testing.

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Low Testosterone Associated With Arthritis In Men & Women | mindbodygreen - mindbodygreen

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As men age, they undergo a natural process known as andropause, akin to the female experience of menopause. This transformation signifies a gradual decline in testosterone production, a hormone critical to male well-being. It's an inevitable process, with testosterone levels diminishing by roughly one per cent each year after the age of 30, says Dr. Martin Galy, Body Identical Hormone Lead Physician at 23MD, a specialised cosmetic and medical clinic. However, the impact varies among individuals, depending on their initial testosterone levels.

For some men who start life with naturally high testosterone levels, this decline may not significantly affect them. Their bodies maintain sufficient testosterone to support essential functions. In contrast, approximately 20 to 30 per cent of men who began adulthood with mid-range or lower testosterone levels might face challenges in their midlife, typically in their early to mid-40s, he adds.

Related:New approach to detect colorectal cancer in the UAE

As testosterone levels drop, they can experience symptoms related to andropause, often mirroring menopausal symptoms in women, including mood swings, depression, irritability, weight gain, hot flashes, reduced libido, and erectile problems.

The consequences of untreated andropause can be severe, potentially leading to long-term health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. However, awareness of andropause remains limited, as it has not received the same attention as menopause in women. This knowledge gap presents a significant challenge in healthcare, as many men suffering from andropause may not recognise the root cause of their symptoms. They might be misdiagnosed and prescribed treatments for unrelated conditions like depression or erectile dysfunction, leaving the underlying hormonal issue unaddressed.

To address these challenges, it is crucial to raise awareness about andropause and its symptoms among middle-aged men, encouraging open discussions.

In terms of solutions, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers offer safe and effective treatments for andropause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), often administered through gels or creams applied to the skin, can help restore testosterone levels to a more balanced state, replicating the body's natural hormone production rhythm, explains Galy. This medical intervention not only alleviates symptoms but also reduces the risk of long-term health complications.

Dr. Martin Galy

Testosterone can be administered in two primary forms, each with its unique benefits and considerations. The first method involves the application of testosterone in the form of creams or gels that are absorbed through the skin. This approach is widely regarded as a safer alternative, thanks to its ability to mimic the body's natural testosterone production. The key distinction lies in its ability to provide a natural peak in testosterone levels twice daily, aligning with the body's circadian rhythm.

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In contrast, the second method entails the use of injectable forms of testosterone. While injectables are effective in elevating testosterone levels, they do so without the natural peaks and troughs experienced with transdermal application. This constant elevation of testosterone may present some associated risks. Notably, high testosterone levels can stimulate the bone marrow to produce excessive red blood cells, leading to thickened blood. Thickened blood can pose risks of clotting, potentially resulting in blood clots and even heart attacks.

In light of these considerations, a cautious approach is recommended. For middle-aged men seeking HRT with testosterone, experts often advise starting with transdermal methods before considering injectable forms. This step can help mitigate potential risks while striving for optimal hormone balance.

In essence, HRT serves as a vital tool in restoring and maintaining hormone balance for both men and women. It has the potential to alleviate symptoms, enhance well-being, and improve overall health. By embracing the right approach, guided by medical expertise, individuals can embark on a journey towards a healthier, more balanced life through HRT.

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Understanding the impact of andropause on men's health - Omnia Health Insights

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A recent study conducted in the Netherlands on women suffering from social anxiety disorder revealed that participants with stronger avoidance tendencies experienced larger reductions in fear during a therapy session after receiving testosterone, compared to when they received a placebo. However, this effect did not persist into subsequent sessions, nor did it impact the severity of their symptoms. The study was published in Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Social anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by an intense and persistent fear of social situations. Individuals with this disorder often experience overwhelming anxiety and self-consciousness in social interactions, leading to a strong desire to avoid social events (i.e., to social avoidance). Physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat may accompany these feelings of distress. Social anxiety can significantly impact a persons daily life, hindering their ability to form relationships, attend social gatherings, or perform in public.

The standard treatment for the disorder includes therapy and psychiatric medications, but scientists are constantly looking for new treatment options as well. One potentially promising substance for this purpose is testosterone, the male sex hormone. Previous studies indicated that its administration can stimulate approach behaviors in healthy individuals, but also in highly avoidant individuals with social anxiety disorder.

Study author Moniek H.M. Hutschemaekers and her colleagues aimed to investigate whether administering testosterone to women with social anxiety disorder during exposure therapy would effectively reduce their social avoidance tendencies. The hypothesis was that testosterone would be most effective in women with the highest avoidance tendencies. To explore this, the researchers conducted an experiment.

The study included 55 female participants suffering from social anxiety disorder, aged between 18 and 43 years. They were recruited from an outpatient clinic specializing in anxiety disorders at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and from the community.

The researchers randomly assigned participants to receive either testosterone or a placebo treatment. The testosterone treatment involved a solution containing 0.5 ml of testosterone and other substances. The placebo solution contained the same substances, excluding testosterone. Four hours before the first exposure therapy session, participants held their assigned solution under their tongue for 60 seconds. Neither the participants nor the researchers administering the treatment knew which solution each participant received.

Participants underwent two public speaking exposure sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. These sessions are termed exposure sessions as they confront participants with an activity they fear in this case, public speaking. The first session occurred after the administration of either the placebo or testosterone treatments, while the second session was scheduled a week later.

Participants completed assessments of social anxiety symptom severity (using the Social Phobia Scale), fear levels (using the Subjective Unit of Distress Scale), and approach-avoidance tendencies (using the Approach Avoidance Task) at multiple time points before and after the exposure sessions. They also provided saliva samples at eight different times throughout the study to enable the authors to monitor their testosterone levels.

The results indicated that those assigned to the testosterone treatment, particularly participants with higher avoidance tendencies, showed a greater reduction in fear immediately after taking testosterone compared to those with lesser avoidance tendencies. This effect was not observed in the placebo group.

However, analysis of the results from the second session did not reveal a correlation between avoidance and fear reduction in the testosterone group. Intriguingly, after considering baseline testosterone scores, stronger avoidance scores were linked to lower overall fear levels in this group. The study authors found no effect of testosterone on social anxiety symptoms or the relationship between these symptoms and avoidance tendencies.

The current study adds to a growing body of literature indicating that individuals with SAD [social anxiety disorder] who enter exposure treatment with strong social avoidance tendencies may benefit from additional treatment with testosterone, the study authors concluded.

The study sheds light on the effects of testosterone administration on women with social anxiety disorder. However, the study sample was very small. Due to this, researchers were not able to detect small effects.

The paper, Social Avoidance and Testosterone Enhanced Exposure Efficacy in Women with Social Anxiety disorder: A Pilot Investigation, was authored by Moniek H.M. Hutschemaekers, Rianne A. de Kleine, Mirjam Kampman, Jasper A.J. Smits, and Karin Roelofs.

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Testosterone might temporarily help reduce avoidance tendencies in women with social anxiety disorder - PsyPost

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New research has uncovered a significant relationship between the level of neighborhood disorder a pregnant woman experiences and increased levels of testosterone during pregnancy. This finding, published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, opens new avenues in understanding how our environment can directly influence prenatal development.

The genesis of this research lies in a body of evidence suggesting that where we live can significantly affect our health. Prior studies have shown that characteristics of neighborhoods, such as the prevalence of crime or the condition of buildings, can influence a range of health issues from heart disease to mental health disorders.

These findings led researchers to wonder about the specific impact of neighborhood environments on pregnant women and their unborn children. Notably, earlier studies have linked neighborhood characteristics to pregnancy outcomes, like preterm births, but how these environments affect pregnancy at a physiological level remained less understood.

Our lab focuses on environmental and psychosocial exposures that impact maternal and child health particularly during pregnancy, said study author Zorimar Rivera-Nez, an assistant professor at Rutgers School of Public health and a resident faculty at Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI).

Pregnancy is a very critical time for child health, and adverse exposures during this time can impact health later in life including in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. In this case, we studied alterations in sex-steroid hormones during pregnancy as a possible pathway or mechanism for psychosocial stressors to impact the babys health.

These hormones are essential to maintain pregnancy and to sustain baby growth. Evidence suggest that neighborhoods characteristics impact pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birthweight, here we explore as sex steroid hormones as a potential pathway for those adverse outcomes.

To explore this, researchers conducted a study involving 262 pregnant women who were in the first trimester of their pregnancies. These women were recruited from outpatient obstetric clinics associated with Rochester University Medical Center between December 2015 and April 2019.

To ensure a focused study group, the researchers set specific criteria for participation: the women had to be at least 18 years old, carrying a single baby, free from major substance abuse or psychotic illnesses, and able to communicate in English. Those with major endocrine disorders, high-risk pregnancies, or significant obstetric problems were excluded from the study.

Once enrolled, these women embarked on a journey through their pregnancies with the research team, attending face-to-face visits during each trimester. The researchers were particularly interested in two aspects: the womens neighborhood environment and their hormone levels.

To gauge the level of stress in their neighborhoods, a City Stress Inventory questionnaire was administered in the third trimester. This tool is a well-established method to measure neighborhood stress, comprising 18 questions about various aspects of neighborhood life, including the presence of vacant buildings and personal experiences of violence. The answers to these questions were then used to develop a comprehensive picture of the level of disorder and violence in each womans neighborhood.

Alongside this, the researchers were tracking changes in the womens hormones. Blood samples collected each trimester were analyzed for five key hormones: estrone, estradiol, estriol, total testosterone, and free testosterone. These hormones were chosen because of their crucial role in pregnancy and fetal development. The technique used for this analysis was liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, a highly accurate method for hormone measurement.

The researchers found that as the level of neighborhood disorder increased, so did the concentrations of testosterone in the womens blood across their pregnancies. This was particularly true for women carrying male babies. In contrast, no significant relationship was observed between neighborhood disorder and the four other hormones measured.

It is interesting that we observed alterations in androgen levels, which have been associated with stress in animal studies, Rivera-Nez told PsyPost. This is similar to what we observe with other stressors that alter endocrine pathways.

The relationship between neighborhood conditions and hormone levels was most pronounced in the third trimester of pregnancy. The researchers found that the higher the level of neighborhood disorder, the greater the increase in testosterone during this critical period of fetal development.

Overall, the findings highlight that where you live impact your health, in this case pregnancy health, Rivera-Nez said.

While the study found a correlation between neighborhood disorder and increased testosterone levels during pregnancy, its crucial to understand that correlation does not imply causation. The exact mechanisms behind this association remain unclear, and further research is necessary to unravel these complex interactions.

Study participants come for Rochester and we may not be able to generalize these findings to the United States as a whole, Rivera-Nez noted. Also, while we know stress impact pregnancy outcomes the pathways for this impact are still unknown. Our study is one of the first ones trying to determine the possible pathways, as such similar studies are needed in other populations.

I would like to reiterate that maternal stress and neighborhood characteristics have an impact on population health and this impact may have long-term consequences, particularly for exposures that occur while baby is in utero, she added.

The study, Associations between neighborhood stress and maternal sex steroid hormones in pregnancy, was authored by Megan C. Hansel, Hannah R. Murphy, Jessica Brunner, Christina Wang, Richard K. Miller, Thomas G. OConnor, Emily S. Barrett, and Zorimar Rivera-Nez.

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Neighborhood disorder linked to increased pregnancy testosterone levels - PsyPost

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CALGARY, AB, Dec. 5, 2023 /CNW/ - Calgary welcomes a ground-breaking addition to its healthcare landscape with the opening of Rufus Health, the first dedicated Testosterone Clinic in Alberta focused on enhancing men's health and well-being. The clinic, located at 124, 2210 2nd Street S.W. in the former Holy Cross Hospital in Mission, officially opened its doors on November 15, 2023.

Calgary, renowned for its vibrant community and commitment to health, is now home to a specialized facility designed to address the unique needs of men seeking to optimize their testosterone and overall wellness. Testosterone levels begin to decline when men reach their late 30's and early 40's, and 40% of men in Canada over the age of 45 suffer from testosterone deficiency. Lifestyle and environmental factors including stress, poor diet, a lack of physical activity and lack of sleep can negatively affecttestosterone levels even further, and if left untreated may decrease life expectancy.

Key Services and Features of Rufus Health:

Rufus Health is led by Founder, Roger Balm who was wintering in the United States and was tested with low testosterone, and described his first TRT experience as, "it felt like someone plugged me into a wall like a phone charger, and right away my mood was upbeat, I felt more alert, and my energy was better." After returning to Calgary Roger thought it would be relatively simple to resume his TRT treatment, however it ended up being far more challenging, which was the impetus to starting Rufus Health.

Medical Director, Julie Bakko, said "checking testosterone levels is as easy as having a simple blood test examining a number of key bio markers, however the results are merely numbers without a full assessment, and whether it's to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life or simply getting back to feeling good, we are excited to provide personalized, evidence-based care that enhances the vitality of our clients."

Low testosterone is rarely talked about and as a result under diagnosed. Men often brush off adverse symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, mood changes, reduced libido, decreased muscle strength, etc. as part of "growing older" or the consequences of a busy life. But according to Bakko, "no matter how "young" you are, or how hectic your life is, you shouldn't feel weak, tired, irritable, or exhausted every day."

About Rufus Health:Rufus Health is the first dedicated testosterone replacement therapy clinic of its kind in Alberta. Dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive care to enhance men's health and vitality. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on the latest medical advancements, the clinic aims to empower individuals to achieve optimal well-being.

https://www.rufushealth.com

SOURCE Rufus Health Corp.

For further information: Tracy Logan, Chief Marketing Officer, [emailprotected]

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New Testosterone Clinic Opens its Doors in Calgary, Empowering Men's Health and Vitality - Canada NewsWire

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Boulder, Colorado, where I was born and raised, is sometimes called the fittest city in America. Septuagenarians go skiing before work, high-school delinquents hang out at the climbing gym, and people do not so much hike as trail run. Every year, the town hosts the BOLDERBoulder, one of the largest road races in the country and a sort of festival day in honor of the local god of exercise. I first ran the ten-kilometre course when I was six, not an unusual age of initiation for locals, and discovered that I was a bizarrely good runner. Three years in a row, I finished first out of some four hundred girls my age, and fifth or sixth out of a similar number of boys. At twelve, the last year I raced, I ran what was then the sixth-fastest time ever recorded by a twelve-year-old girl in the races three decades of results. My parents were baffled. This was no gene of theirs, surely, but it also didnt seem to be hard work. I didnt care about running, and I never trained.

What I did work at, harder than I have worked at anything since, was soccer. Colorados Front Range produces many excellent soccer playersall of the United States goals in last summers Womens World Cup were scored by players who grew up within an hours drive of Boulderand the great disappointment of my cushy childhood was realizing that I was not to be one of them. I failed, year after year, to make the local clubs first team. I made my high schools varsity team as a sophomore but didnt start a game until I was a senior. If you had asked me at fifteen if I would rather be a little better at soccer or one day find true love, I wouldnt have paused to think. I didnt dream at night of love but of wide green spaces, well-timed tackles, and chipped shots.

The other dream of my youth, which I did not then see as bearing any relation to athleticism, was to be rid of my acne. From puberty on, it wavered between demoralizing and disfiguring. At the end of college, I finally got on Accutane, which left me with a toxified liver andfor two glorious yearsthe skin of a baby. Then the acne came back, worse than ever. It looked like I had picked a fight with a wasps nest and lost. In the fall of 2022, I moved to Mexico City and saw a dermatologist there. I wanted another round of Accutane, liver be damned. She agreed, all but wincing, that the situation was dire, but insisted that hormonal causes like polycystic ovary syndrome, or P.C.O.S., first be ruled out. This was annoying: the blood tests were expensive, and several American dermatologists had explained to me that hormonal acne fluctuates over the menstrual cycle, whereas mine stayed bad all month long. But I was desperate, and I did as she said.

A week later, the blood tests came back. In a one-room office in downtown Mexico City, a grandmotherly gynecologist who called me hija and my breasts mamas explained that I had a condition called hyperandrogenism: an excess of the sex hormones associated with men, including testosterone, and very likely the cause of the past decade of acne. My estrogen levels were considerably lower than those of most premenopausal women; they were typical of prepubescent children of either sex. My free-testosterone levelsone of three forms of the hormonewere well above the usual female range. In most women my age, the concentration of androstenedione, a precursor to testosterone, is between thirty and two hundred and eighty-five nanograms per decilitre. Mine was six hundred and twenty. It was all the weirder, the doctor said, because for years I had been on hormonal birth control, which tends to suppress androgen levels.

I received all of this in rapid medical Spanish. There was a processing lag, and then shock and something like fear. I remember nodding a lot, and wanting to cry. But I had never identified as anything other than a girl or a woman, and, after five minutes dazed reflection, I saw no reason why a blood test should change that. And what a relief to know that my acne stemmed not from, say, sins committed in a previous life but from something as blameless and adjustable as hormones. The kindly doctor suggested three medicines: a dietary supplement, a new birth control containing drospirenone, and a pill called spironolactone. This last, I happened to know, is prescribed to trans women in the U.S. as a component of hormone-replacement therapy. I would learn that it can also be used alongside birth control by intersex women who must lower their total testosterone levels in order to compete in certain lite sports.

Like many other longtime followers of womens sports, I had in the past few years watched the debate over the sex line growsurreallyfrom a debate among fans of womens track to a national wedge issue. If you take out a loan, you pay it back, Tim Scott said this year during the first Republican primary debate. If you commit a violent crime, you go to jail. And, if God made you a man, you play sports against men. This summer, Nikki Haley called biological boys playing in girls sports the womens issue of our time.

Before my blood tests, on the rare occasions when I considered my stance on the issue, I had viewed myself as a member of the putative victim groupsports-playing cis women who really like to wineven as I was not particularly afraid that increased gender diversity would destroy womens sports as we know them. (Anyone who thinks that legions of men will declare themselves women only to compete in an easier division is, I think, missing something crucial about the nature of masculine pride.) After the blood tests, I was still sports-playing, still cisgender, and still tediously competitive. But now, in a sporting world that increasingly divided the sexes based on hormone levels, I was less sure about who was the threatened and who was the threat.

The rationale for separating men and women in lite sports is well established. Across many sports with quantitatively measurable results, the best men perform between nine and twelve per cent better than the best women. In sports that rely on explosive strength, the sex gap is even bigger: a fifteen-year-old boy has jumped farther than any woman on record. Male athletic superiority is not absolutewomen are better at very long-distance swimming, for example, and a Brazilian woman named Maya Gabeira surfed a bigger wave than anyone else in the 2019-20 season. Nor does it hold true across time: improvements in nutrition, equipment, recruitment, and training have led the best women today to run as fast as the best men did a hundred years ago. But, among contemporaneous athletes, the pattern of dominance is uncontroversial. The United States Womens National Soccer Team, to my abiding shame, once lost, 25, in a scrimmage against teen-age boys on an F.C. Dallas developmental team.

The hard question for sports administrators, then, is not whether to have a sex line in lite sports but how, exactly, to distinguish between brawny but nevertheless legitimate women and dishonest male infiltrators. This proved, as early as the nineteen-thirties, to be difficult. Joanna Harper recounts in Sporting Gender, a lively history of intersex and trans athletes, that the best runners in the womens division at the time tended to be bulky and sharp-jawed; they had gravelly voices and, as an added strike, often were not married. Helen Stephens, Stella Walsh, and Kthe Krauss, respectively the gold, silver, and bronze medallists in the hundred-metre sprint at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, all faced suspicion around their sex. The fourth-place finisher, a German teammate of Krausss, complained that she was the only woman in the race.

At the time, it was not unheard of for a top American athlete to allay suspicions about her sex by adopting more feminine dress or entering into a marriage of convenience. (Sex and sexuality were often conflated.) Stephens, who would later have a forty-year partnership with a woman, defended herself by suggesting that she was attractive to men: she liked to tell a story about the Olympic host, Adolf Hitler, grabbing her ass. Helen is absolutely a girl, Stephenss mother told reporters, adding that she attends dances regularly at college. On the other hand, Walsh, who was also a lesbian, did not keep up with such feminine niceties as shaving her legs. I am not beset by the temperamental tempests which women are supposed to have, she reportedly said.

Decades later, Walsh, who spent the rest of her career coaching kids in Cleveland, would be killed in a parking-lot robbery. The autopsy results, which were leaked, revealed that she had atypical genitalia: a hole in the perineum for urination, but also small testes. Further testing showed that she had what is called a mosaicism of chromosomes: in her case, some cells with a single X chromosome and others with XY. Walshs ex-husband, whom she had married in order to switch her running eligibility from Poland to the United Statesthey divorced after three monthslater told journalists that theyd had sex infrequently, and only with the lights off. A close friend described Walsh as a self-conscious woman who lived a tragic life.

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Who Gets to Play in Women's Leagues? - The New Yorker

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If you need a pick-me-up and want to consume a beverage with a few extra health benefits, try a cup of freshly brewed tea instead of grabbing another coffee. Besides being great for soothing a sore throat or being full of free radical-fighting antioxidants, tea is also known to impact weight loss. Keep reading to find out the best types of tea for weight loss so you can start sipping and burning those extra calories!

Besides being beneficial for a slimmer waistline, drinking tea daily might actually help to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by more than a quarter. A study led by the University of Adelaide in Australia and Southeast University in China found that individuals in the study who drank dark teas also decreased their risk of developing pre-diabetes by 15 percent. Dark tea contains many compounds created during the fermentation process that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Even more evidence of the benefits of drinking tea has been found in another study examining how both green tea and red wine contain compounds that are linked to fighting toxic plaques in the brain that can lead to Alzheimers. Sticky beta amyloid plaques can disrupt neural pathways in the brain when they clump together, leading to symptoms like confusion and memory loss. Green tea contains green tea catechins and resveratrol, both compounds known to inhibit plaque production.

If youre looking for a healthy drink to sip, why not try tea? StudyFinds researched the best teas for weight loss and compiled a list of our top finds. Which one will you try next? Let us know in the comments below!

Green tea is a great place to start, as it is one of the most common types of tea. Matcha is another form of green tea you can easily find at most coffee shops to replace coffee. If youre too sensitive to caffeine for darker teas, green tea contains a naturally occurring amino acid called L-theanine, which can help to calm caffeine related jitters. Green tea is one of the most well-known types of tea, and is linked with many health benefits, says Healthline. Its also one of the most effective teas for weight loss. There is substantial evidence linking green tea to decreases in both weight and body fat.

Green tea contains catechins, naturally occurring compounds that are known to increase metabolism and fat burning capabilities. Although all true teas contain some catechins, green tea has the highest levels by far, writes EatingWell. As previously mentioned, catechins are the active component in green tea that has been of interest to researchers. The most well-known and abundant catechin in green tea is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

One Clinical Nutrition study found green tea extract can led to weight loss and even reduced waistline in women after 12 weeks, writes Womens Health. This might be because green tea extract significantly lowers ghrelin levels in the body, which is a gut hormone. (An added bonus: Green tea also lowered cholesterol in the participants!)

Black tea has the highest level of caffeine and is probably the strongest tasting tea on this list. If youre transitioning from coffee to tea and prefer the extra boost of energy and robust flavor, try a black tea blend. Prolonged oxidation, which is commonly referred to as fermentation, also changes the makeup of polyphenols, or plant compounds, in black tea, writes Everyday Heath. While it does contain EGCG like less-processed tea varieties, its a better source of theaflavins. These polyphenols form when black tea leaves are oxidized, and they may offer weight loss benefits, according to a review published in April 2018 in Molecules.

Besides caffeine helping to boost metabolism, black tea also contains flavonoids, an antioxidant that may contribute to faster metabolism, decrease fat absorption, and regulating weight. One small study evaluated the effects of black tea on body composition in 111 participants, notes Forbes. Over a three-month period, regular black tea consumption was found to impede weight gain and minimize waist circumference. Another study from 2016 also touts the possible benefits of black tea, specifically the polyphenols, stating that these polyphenols may inhibit fat digestion and absorption, as well as block the obesity process by reducing oxidative stress.

One of the most potent tea varieties on the market, black tea contains a potent amount of flavonoids which makes it a fantastic beverage choice for people trying to reduce weight, writes Healthify Me. Flavonoids In black tea improve your metabolism and increase fat burning capacity of your body. Research also shows that drinking tea with high flavonoids promotes lower body mass index than those with lower flavonoids.

Oolong tea is a classic Chinese tea made from the Camellia sinensis plant that shares both qualities of green and black tea. Though green tea has long been thought of as the go-to variety for weight loss, some researchers believe that oolonga Chinese tea that falls somewhere between green and blackmay be even more powerful, writes Prevention.

Besides metabolism-boosting caffeine, this tea also contains a multitude of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Polyphenols boost digestion and protect against diabetes, and EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) is known for boosting weight loss and reducing inflammation. This caffeinated tea may help you burn off more energy because it stimulates fat burning and ups your metabolic rate, explains Womens Health.

Similar to green and black tea, oolong tea has some potential weight loss properties, writes Sports Illustrated. One study found that three to four cups of oolong tea per day could help decrease body fat content and reduce body weight through improving the metabolism of fats for energy in the body.

White tea is also made from the Camellia sinensis plant, but the buds and leaves are harvested right before they bloom and are full of tiny white hairs. White tea is processed the least and contains the highest amount of antioxidants compared to other blends. Studies show that white tea is rich in catechins, which may help enhance weight loss, explains Healthline. Furthermore, one animal study showed that white tea extract could reduce fat gain in mice on a high fat diet by boosting metabolism, increasing the breakdown of fat cells, and preventing the formation of new ones.

White tea contains both caffeine and catechins, which work together to help boost metabolism. According to a past review, white tea is the least processed of all the teas, which accounts for its light, delicate flavor, says Everyday Health. The minimal processing also means white tea holds onto a high amount of anti-inflammatory antioxidants and fat-burning EGCG, making it another potentially beneficial brew for trimming weight.

White tea is considered to be one of the most delicate tea varieties because its so minimally processed, writes Sport Illustrated. This tea is made from the same Camellia sinensis plant that produces black, green, oolong and even Pu-erh tea; however, its neither rolled nor fired, which minimizes the oxidation that occurs.

Pu-erh tea also originates from China and is named after the town it was developed in. This tea goes through a fermentation process after the tea leaves are first dried, which changes the flavor and allows the tea to be aged. Part of pu-erh teas weight-loss benefits could be how it helps control blood sugar levels, though results have only been found in vitro and mice, so far, says Insider. Controlling blood sugar levels is important for weight loss because abnormally high blood sugar can trigger cells to store the excess, unused sugar as fat.

Since Pu-erh tea is fermented, it can act as a probiotic, restoring healthy bacteria to the gut that help regulate blood sugar and control hunger, resulting in better weight management. Native to Chinese tea culture, Pu Erh tea inhibits your body from producing more fats, explains Healthify Me. The best time to drink Pu-erh tea is one hour after a meal so that it can eliminate hard-to-digest fats and excess grease from the body.

Fermented Pu-Erh tea hails from Chinas Yunnan Province and is a popular weight loss aid in Asia, writes Womens Health. It contains two compounds, theabrownin and gallic acid. They can help fight off free radicals and clear out toxinsplus, they have anti-obesity effects, according to a study published in Food Research International.

Yerba Mate is the most well-known variation of mate, sold in commercially made cans for easy access. Yet Yerba Mate is a traditional drink that originated in South America, served traditionally in a gourd with a metal straw. Yerba mate is a South American tea made from the leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant which are dried over a fire, writes HealthMatch. Some weight loss properties have been attributed to yerba mate tea, with studies in animals showing it to have anti-obesity effects, but further studies are needed with humans.

Besides being rich in the same antioxidants as other tea varieties, Yerba Mate has high caffeine content, with one serving being about 80 mg. Yerba mate has a large number of antioxidants, and is noted for its high caffeine content and energizing, anti-inflammatory and obesity management properties, explains Sports Illustrated. Similar to green tea, yerba mate also promotes the metabolism of fat in the body through a process called beta-oxidation, which prioritizes the conversion of excess body fat into energy.

Mate tea, including the popular Yerba mate tea, could have some serious weight loss benefits, writes Womens Health. One Journal of Functional Foods study found that mate can help you burn off more calories and lose weight. It can also lower cholesterol, in case you need another reason to brew a cup.

If you cant tolerate caffeine you might want to try a caffeine-free herbal tea. Hibiscus tea is brewed from dried hibiscus flowers and produces a cup of tea that is tart and fruity, similar to cranberry. This tart, tangy tea harvested from hibiscus leaves offers catechins like EGCG and has been shown to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, writes Everyday Heath. One past review of animal and human studies, for instance, suggests that hibiscus extract shows promise in the treatment of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, though the authors say we need more research before recommendations can be made.

The hibiscus plant contains anthocyanins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids all known to reduce the amount of fat a person stores in their body by reducing the size of individual fat cells. Hibiscus tea is a type of herbal tea made from the flowering hibiscus plant. More research is needed to determine how effective it is for weight loss, but some studies indicate hibiscus tea may protect against obesity, writes Insider. One small study of 36 overweight individuals found that participants who took hibiscus extract lost more body fat over 12 weeks than participants who took a placebo.

You can prepare hibiscus tea using the flowers of the hibiscus plant, explains Healthify Me. It has a pleasant, tangy flavor and looks pink with a reddish hue. Drinking hibiscus tea supplies you with certain plant compounds that help boost fat elimination and regulate lipid metabolism genes. According to Penn Medicine, hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure and fat levels and can stave off sweet cravings.

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.

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If youre worn out by seeing little to no results from your weight loss efforts, then you might be interested in trying the CrossFit for weight loss approach. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain what CrossFit is, how it targets weight loss, and offer practical advice to implement it into your fitness regimen.

CrossFit is a high-intensity fitness program designed around functional movements. These programs incorporate aspects from different sports and exercise types, including weightlifting, cardio, and body weight exercises. As a result, it offers full-body workouts that can help individuals burn considerably more calories than traditional gym workouts.

CrossFit excels at creating a calorie deficit, which is key to shedding pounds. By incorporating various intense exercises into ones routine, individuals elevate their metabolic rate, boosting calorie burn even after they finish working out.

In addition, the strength training component of CrossFit helps build muscle mass, which is beneficial for weight loss. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns at rest, promoting long-term weight management.

While CrossFit can be a powerful weight loss tool, its not a magical quick fix. Complementing the exercise regime with a proper nutritional plan is crucial for sustainable results. Consuming a balanced diet that emphasizes lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains will fuel these workouts and promote muscle recovery.

When discussing CrossFit for weight loss, its essential to look beyond the numbers on the scale. CrossFit can lead to significant improvements in overall physical fitness, including enhanced cardiovascular health, increased stamina, and improved strength and flexibility.

As with any fitness approach, its important to start CrossFit under professional guidance to avoid exercise-related injuries. Lastly, remember to listen to your body and understand that weight loss journeys vary from person to person. Stay consistent, patient, and always prioritize health over quick results.

Start your CrossFit for weight loss journey today, and experience the transformative power of this dynamic workout regime!

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8 Tips to Lose Weight Without Restricting Your Calories

If you want to lose weight, going on a strict diet can backfire. The research and my 25 years in the business of helping clients lose weight proves that strict, restrictive dieting rarely results in sustained weight loss. In fact, the opposite is true, says registered licensed dietitian and nutritionist Kimberly Gomer.

This is why most health and fitness professionals emphasize the importance of changing your lifestyle. Gradually adopting new, healthier habits until they become engrained is a much more sustainable approach than dieting its also more likely to lead to lasting change and results. Wondering where to start? Here are eight expert-approved tips to lose weight without dieting.

RELATED: How to Lose Weight With a Calorie Deficit

Gomer suggests eating less restaurant food: Restaurants want to make money so they provide food that is highly processed loaded with fats, sugar, and processed grains. They give you big portions and highly addictive food choices fried and sauced.

When you cook at home, you control what goes into your food. That said, if your lifestyle requires you to order takeout or dine out on a regular basis, you can still focus on making smarter choices. For example, you can share appetizers instead of having an oversized main meal, or order a chicken salad or fish dish instead of a burger. Little swaps can make a big difference in the long run.

Focusing on whole foods over highly-processed options is always a good idea. Eat closer to what mother nature has provided. Read labels to see if a bunch of chemicals, additives, and sugar have been added, adds Gomer. Stick to produce, lean proteins and whole grains instead of packaged snacks.

Getting your steps in daily helps as well. Walking is such an easy, barrier-free way to exercise. It doesn't require special workout gear or a long warm up, it's free and you can do it on your own or as a social activity. For the average man, 10,000 steps will burn around 500 calories. If you keep everything else the same, burning an extra 500 calories means you can lose as much as a pound of fat per week, says certified personal trainer and weight loss coach Joe Johnson.

Alex Oskian, MS, RDN, nutrition coach at Working Against Gravity, recommends aiming to increase your daily NEAT, which stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis all activity outside of formal exercise. Standing while working, biking to work, doing household chores, taking the stairs or playing with your kids are all good examples of NEAT. All of that movement adds up during the day, which will help with total calorie expenditure and aid in the fight against weight gain, says Oskian.

Are you already pretty active? You may want to increase the intensity of your workouts, says Johnson: If you're already working out a few times a week in the gym to get stronger and gain muscle, that's great, but there are a couple of quick hacks you can use to increase the calorie-burning effects of your workouts.

First, you can superset opposing muscles. For example, you could follow a dumbbell bench press with a lat pulldown. You could also simply reduce rest periods between sets, which will keep your heart rate higher for the duration of your workout and help you burn more calories.

Increasing your protein intake can also help you lose weight without going on a diet. As men age, they require more protein to build or maintain muscle, says Oskian. A good rule of thumb is to include a protein food (animal or plant-based source of protein) at every meal and snack. This habit will also help you feel full and satisfied and may lead you to eat less in general.

What are your reasons for losing weight? According to Gomer, knowing your deeper why can be a powerful motivator on your weight loss journey while informing your choices.

Whether youre hoping to drop a few pounds to feel more energetic or because your doctor warned you about your blood pressure, understanding your deeper reasons for making changes will help you focus on the right priorities. It will also make it easier to stick to your new habits.

Do you binge-watch your favorite Netflix show late at night on weekdays? Getting less than seven hours of sleep is not ideal and it can hinder your weight loss efforts. On the other hand, sleeping enough can help you lose more weight. As Oskian puts it, make sure that all your hard work eating healthier and going to the gym isnt going to waste through a lack of sleep.

Staying hydrated is also key. Oskian recommends grabbing water instead of other beverages such as coffee, alcohol or juice. Not only will this reduce your total calorie and sugar intake, but drinking more water also helps keep hunger at bay between meals. Water also carries nutrients and oxygens to your cells and helps flush out waste. Its such a simple yet important piece of the healthy living puzzle.

Follow the tips above and you should start feeling better and dropping a few pounds no diet required. Remember that the most impressive transformations dont happen overnight. They are the result of consistent, sometimes imperfect baby steps. Plus, youll be building a foundation for the rest of your life by focusing on adopting healthier habits that you can sustain forever.

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When you're trying to lose weight, a good part of reevaluating your daily habits happens in the kitchen. In addition to establishing a calorie deficit, practicing portion control, and meal prepping healthy meals at the start of your week, you should know what to includeand what not to includeon your shopping list. If you're an avocado eater, for instance, you're likely wondering if avocados can help you lose weight. We spoke with Laura Burak MS, RD, founder of GetNaked Nutrition and author of Slim Down with Smoothies, who answers that exact question.

Keep reading to learn whether avocados can aid your weight loss journey, and when you're finished, be sure to check out People Swear by the 30/30/30 Plan for Weight Loss: 'Completely Changed My Body'.

Drumroll, please! Avocados can certainly be an excellent addition to your weight loss regimen. Burak explains this fruit is a great source of omega-3 fats and fibera powerful combination that stabilizes blood sugar levels, slows digestion, and keeps unhealthy cravings at bay. Needless to say, by eating avocado, you won't be left searching for a high-sugar ultra-processed snack or food later on. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"Adding avocado into your diet at least once or twice a day simply leaves you more satisfied and less likely to graze and snack and/or eat large high-calorie dinners which is what typically leads to weight gain," Burak confirms.

RELATED: 7 Best Ways To Burn 500 Calories, According To Personal Trainers

Research backs up just how beneficial avocados can be for those who are looking to shed weight and get into shape. According to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey analysis (20012012), individuals who consumed avocados had lower body weights and smaller waistlines than those who didn't eat avocados. In addition, data from a randomized clinical trial of overweight adults revealed that eating half an avocado during lunch was linked to greater satiety and a reduced desire to eat five hours following lunch.

RELATED: People Are 'Souping' for Weight Loss & Say It Can Get You a Flat Belly Fast

In addition to their weight loss benefits, Burak says avocados are "nutrient powerhouses" that naturally add antioxidants to your diet. They can also be enjoyed in various ways and are incredibly tasty, which is a key part of maintaining consistency with healthy eating habits. "In short, adding avocado to your meals makes you both mentally and physiologically happy," Burak says.

Slicing up an avocado and incorporating a few slices into a sandwich or salad can make all the difference in the world. Burak says it can contribute to "a whole other level of satisfaction and happiness." She recommends dicing an avocado and adding it to tacos or a freshly tossed salad. You can also make homemade guacamole, and use it to dip veggies into for a healthy, yet filling snack. "Throw frozen or fresh avocado into a smoothie and you won't even know it's in there," she adds.

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