Did your 50th birthday bring the gift of some unwanted pounds?  Are you struggling to stay on top of your weight, even though you're not eating any more than you used to?  Is it becoming harder to maintain the size and shape you were in before you turned 50?
 
If you answered yes to any of the above, you're not alone.  As you age, a variety of changes take place in your body that make it increasingly difficult to manage your weight.  Your metabolism slows down, hormone levels decrease, and your total body fat tends to increase as your ratio of muscle to fat shifts.

When it comes to essential nutrients that your body needs for optimal health, selenium is a true workhorse and multitasker.  It plays a role in a variety of functions throughout your body, supporting good health and well-being in many different ways.
 
Selenium is a trace mineral, which means your body only contains a tiny amount of it.  You probably have a grand total of less than 1mg of selenium in your body, most of which is contained in your liver, kidneys, pancreas, and thyroid gland. 

In men, selenium is also found in the testes and the seminal vesicles, the glands that produce most of the components that make up semen.  This makes selenium an especially important nutrient in men's health, as it supports fertility by improving sperm production and sperm motility.

Think back to a time when you were engrossed in an activity you enjoy.  The time flew by and you were in a good mood.  Your mind felt calm, focused and relaxed.  If you suffer from physical ailments, you may even have found that your aches and pains didn't seem so bad.

This scenario demonstrates the mind-body connection, and how the mind can impact the body. 

If the cold, dark winter months are dragging you down, you're not alone.  Many people find this time of year challenging.  Rest assured, warmer weather and sunnier days are just around the corner!  In the meantime, there are plenty of things you can do to lift your spirits. 
 
Here are 10 ways to boost your energy and mood during the winter months. 

For an activity that yields so many benefits, walking is greatly underrated.  It's a safe and easy form of exercise you can do at any fitness level is.  You can build things up as you progress by walking more quickly, walking for a longer period, or walking on more challenging terrain. 

For people who walk regularly, it often becomes a part of their daily routine that they look forward to.
 
If you're just getting started, or you're struggling to maintain a consistent walking routine, here are some ways to make things more enjoyable.

As people look for ways to improve their health, dietary supplements are growing in popularity.  From eye health to gut health, supplements can serve as a valuable aid to help you achieve and maintain optimal health throughout your entire body.

Usually in the form of tablets or capsules, dietary supplements are nutritional substances that support proper functioning of all your body's systems and organs.  They may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids (the building blocks of protein) or herbal extracts. 

Interested in taking supplements to support and improve your own health?  Here's what you need to know to take them safely and get the most out of them.

You don't have to adopt a strict vegetarian or vegan diet to enjoy the benefits of plant-based foods.  You're probably (hopefully!) consuming some plant-based foods in your diet already, like fresh fruits and vegetables; beans, peas, and lentils; and grains. 

These nutrient-packed foods all work to boost your health and well-being naturally.
 
Here are 10 changes you can look forward to when you start eating more fresh, plant-based foods.

Do you struggle to get a good night's rest?  Do you have difficulty falling asleep, or find yourself waking up repeatedly throughout the night?  Is it hard to get out of bed in the morning, because you feel tired and sluggish, instead of feeling refreshed and energized?
 
During the period when you're asleep, all the systems in your body undergo a process of rest, repair, and rejuvenation.  Optimal physical and mental health depends on adequate sleep and dreaming.  When you toss and turn all night long, you miss out on the restorative and protective aspects of sleep; both your physical and mental well-being are compromised as a result. 


The impact of poor sleep quality.

It doesn't take long before your body starts feeling the impact of poor quality sleep.  After just a few days, inadequate sleep leads to:

One of the great things about the human body is that it is an excellent communicator.  As you eat, drink, move, and engage with the world around you, your body responds.  If something isn't quite right, your body will find a way, whether subtly or dramatically, to let you know about it. 

This is excellent news, as it provides you with an opportunity to assess what is happening and make changes to improve the situation. 
 
One of the areas where your body sends clear, unmistakable messages to you is pertaining to your diet.  Here are 5 ways your body will let you know that your current diet isn't working for you and needs some changes.