Vim & Vigor - Winter 2017 - Gwinnett Medical Center - 7

in thyroid-boosting nutrients, you'll be
supporting the health and eﬀectiveness
of your thyroid.
Try to make these foods a part of
your weekly menu:
3 Apples
3 Brazil nuts
3 Chicken
3 Yogurt
3 Salmon
3 Olive oil
3 Eggs
3 Garlic
3 Dark chocolate
3 Avocado

IMAGES BY THINKSTOCK

Lower Libido
While studies have
shown that the holiday
months are actually when people
are most likely to conceive, it's not
uncommon for both men and women
to experience a dip in sex drive. There
are a few reasons why winter may be
cooling oﬀ your steamy encounters.
First, men typically experience a
drop in testosterone levels during
these months. As the hormone that's
largely responsible for sex drive, a dip
in levels can lower sexual desire and
sexual satisfaction.
For women, the likely culprit behind
their low libido is the reduction in
serotonin production. Lower levels of
this hormone can make it diﬃcult to
get in the mood and lead to a lack of
interest in sex overall.
The good news is there's a remedy
for this sink in sex drive; exposure
to light may be the perfect solution
for both men and women. Studies
have shown that light exposure can
boost testosterone levels, as well as
support the production of serotonin.
And even better news, just 20 to
30 minutes of sunlight a day should
do the trick.

Cortisol Cutbacks
You may not pay much attention to
the two tiny glands that sit on top of
both kidneys, but your adrenal glands
play an important role in your overall
health. In fact, these two glands
produce hormones that
regulate everything from
your metabolism and
blood pressure to
your immune system
and stress.
One of the
many hormones
that the adrenal
gland regulates is
cortisol. While cortisol
is primarily known as the
stress hormone, it also plays an
important role in the sleep-wake cycle.
To promote restful sleep each night,
your body naturally produces melatonin,
which usually peaks in production
around 9 p.m.
To help you wake up
the next morning,
your body will
secrete cortisol,
which peaks
around 9 a.m.
However, because
the winter months
bring with them
less daylight, this can
cause a dip in cortisol and
a boost in melatonin, making you
feel tired.

How to Have
Healthy Hormones
Thanks to out-of-balance hormones,
winter can often feel like a bit of a drag.
So how can you keep your hormone
levels happy? As it turns out, there are
simple, everyday ways you can support
the health of your hormones, as well
as your overall health and wellness.

WEBSITE

Winter Wellness
The easiest way to enjoy
a happy, healthy holiday
season is to work with your
primary care provider. As
the team that knows you
best, your primary care
provider will ensure that
you always receive the best
care possible for all your
winter health needs. Find a
provider near you by visiting
gwinnettmedicalgroup.com/
pcpscheduling.

3 Be a snow bunny. Even though the
cold weather may seem like a deterrent
for outdoor exercise, it doesn't
have to be. Not only will this
help to boost your serotonin
levels, but it'll also help
you avoid winter weight
gain. And if you exercise
outdoors, you'll get the
added bonus of some
much-needed sunshine.
3 Soak up winter rays.
Whether you're outdoors
getting exposure to natural
sunlight or using light therapy indoors,
this can help to stave oﬀ seasonal
aﬀective disorder and promote healthy
hormone levels.
3 Eat a balanced diet. Even though
it's winter, there's no excuse not to
enjoy fresh produce. In fact, there are a
surprising number of delicious fruits and
veggies available at grocery stores yearround. Try incorporating oranges, beets,
pomegranates, turnips, leeks, kale,
cranberries and more into your diet. ■

WINTE R 2017

7
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