Author Archives: Lisa Fielding

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About Lisa Fielding

Lisa Fielding is the VP Marketing of femMED. For the past 25 years, Lisa has enjoyed various roles within the marketing and advertising industry, culminating in her role with femMED. A busy mom with 2 young children, 2 dogs and a cat named George, Lisa, like all working moms, strives to find the right balance between all things work and play. A firm believer in taking charge of your own destiny, Lisa is passionate about women's health and encourages women to become their own health advocates.

Top Ten Reasons Why Sex Is Good For You

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For many women, it may take more than roses and candlelight to get their engines started. Approximately 40% of women experience low sexual desire at some point. This may be a primary condition (a woman never felt much sexual desire) or secondary condition (a woman used to have sexual desire, but no longer has interest). Not surprising, having more sex actually helps boost your libido and having sex comes with a whole host of benefits, for both men and women:

  1. Sex relieves stress.
  2. Sex boosts immunity.
  3. Sex burns calories.
  4. Sex improves heart health.
  5. Sex boosts self-esteem.
  6. Sex improves intimacy.
  7. Sex reduces pain.
  8. Sex reduces prostate cancer risk.
  9. Sex strengthens pelvic floor muscles.
  10. Sex improves sleep.
So the next time you’re not “in the mood” remember these benefits and like Nike says…Just Do It.
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Deep Wrinkles May Be a Health Warning

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Researchers recently found that deep wrinkles may be a sign of an increased risk for bone fractures. In a study of 114  postmenopausal women, it was discovered that those who had numerous, deep wrinkles on their neck and face were more likely to have low bone density in their hips, spine, and heels and this relationship was independent of age or of factors known to influence bone mass.

Since collagen is found in both skin and bones, it makes sense that a loss of collagen in one area, may indicate a loss in another. If you do have deep wrinkes, you should book an appointment for a  bone density scan and consider a comprehensive bone health supplement that includes calcium., magnesium and vitamins D and K2 to protect against further bone loss.

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Vitamin E Deficiency-Are You at Risk?

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Vitamin E benefits many functions in the body. It is a powerful antioxidant whose main job is to protect cells from free radical damage. It also plays a role in supporting a healthy immune system. It is used to prevent and treat heart disease, cancer, macular degeneration, and cataracts, reduce oxidative stress, and improve cognitive function.

Vitamin E deficiency is rare, except in those who are malnourished or who have mal- absorption conditions (celiac disease, cystic fibrosis); however, many people receive less than the recommended amount of vitamin E and this is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

Symptoms of vitamin E deficiency include impaired balance and coordination, damage to sensory nerves, muscle weakness and damage to the retina of the eye.

Drugs that deplete vitamin E: cholestyramine, colestipol, isoniazid, mineral oil, orlistat, sucralfate, phenobarbitol, phenytoin, and carbamazepine.

Vitamin E may enhance the blood-thinning effects of warfarin. Since it is difficult to achieve the recommended amount of vitamin E from diet alone, supplements are often necessary to achieve the amounts needed for disease prevention.

Food sources that are good sources of vitamin E include:  Vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, safflower oils), nuts, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables.

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Vitamin C Deficiency Symptoms

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Vitamin C health benefits include the production of the tissue that holds muscles and bones together, promotes wound healing; supports immune function and keeps gums healthy and since vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant it may reduce the risk of some cancers and prevent signs of aging. It also is helps your body absorb the iron from plant foods. 

It is found to be helpful in the prevention of cataracts, macular degeneration, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and colds and improves wound healing and response to stress.

Severe vitamin C deficiency symptoms include scurvy (bleeding, bruising, hair and tooth loss, joint pain, and swelling), which is rare today. Marginal deficiencies are common among the elderly, alcoholics, and those with cancer, chronic illness, or stress. Vitamin C deficiency symptoms include fatigue, easy bruising, poor wound healing and appetite, anemia, and sore joints.

Drugs that deplete vitamin C include oral contraceptives, aspirin, corticosteroids, and furosemide. Large doses of vitamin C (greater than 1,000 mg/day) may reduce the effect of warfarin (blood-thinning drug).

Natural and synthetic forms are chemically identical and have the same effects on the body. Vitamin C from calcium ascorbate is buffered and therefore less acidic and less likely to cause upset stomach. Side effects may include upset stomach, diarrhea, kidney stones (in those at risk), and excess iron absorption.

It is easy to get the recommended amount of vitamin C from foods including: citrus fruit, tomatoes, red peppers, broccoli, strawberries, and potatoes.

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Vitamin A Health Benefits

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Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin which is stored in the liver. Found in animal foods and converted from beta-carotene in plant foods, vitamin A health benefits include: healthy vision, gene expression, reproduction, embryonic development, red blood cell production, and immune function.

Deficiency is rare in Canada, but common in developing countries due to malnutrition. It causes night blindness, dry eyes and skin, and impaired growth.

Drugs that deplete vitamin A include:  cholestyramine, colestipol, mineral oil, and neomycin.

Vitamin A supplements from beta carotene should be avoided by those at risk of lung cancer (smokers) since a number of large scale studies have shown an increase in lung cancer rates when smokers consumer beta carotene in a supplement.

Those with liver toxicity (alcoholics, liver disease) should also avoid beat carotene supplements since beta carotene is stored in the liver.

Doses greater than 10,000 IU daily should be avoided by pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects.   Supplements of vitamin A beyond what is provided in a multivitamin are not recommended due to risk of toxicity. To avoid this risk, choose a multivitamin that contains beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A in the liver, but is not associated with health risks. Eating a lot of beta-carotene from foods can make your skin look yellow, because  beta-carotene (which is a yellow-orange pigment)is stored in the cells under our skin. This may look odd but it is not harmful to your health.

Foods that provide vitamin A health benefits include: liver, dairy products, and oily fish (Beta-carotene is found in orange and green vegetables and fruit).

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