Marla Ahlgrimm Discusses The Pros And Cons Of Pedicures

Summer is coming, and that means you’re going to let your toes see the sunlight from now until November. For most of us, this means getting a pedicure. However, Marla Ahlgrimm recommends caution when choosing a pedicure provider. 

 

Pedicures are popular beauty treatments that involve cleaning, trimming, and polishing the toenails. Your pedicure may also include callus removal, exfoliation, and a lower leg massage. These are great ways to pamper yourself and make you feel your very best. But not all pedicure shops are the same, and Marla Ahlgrimm says there are stark advantages and disadvantages of getting a pedicure. 

Pros 

• Improved foot health. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, pedicures may help to improve the health of your feet by removing dead skin, preventing calluses, and promoting healthy new skin growth. Regular pedicures can also prevent and treat nail fungus and other foot infections. 

• Relaxation. Getting a pedicure is a great way to relax and unwind after a hectic week. Many salons and spas offer a tranquil atmosphere complete with soothing music and massage chairs that are ideal for de-stressing. 

Marla Ahlgrimm: It's Time To Advocate For Your Health

As women, it's important to speak up for our health and well-being, says Marla Ahlgrimm. With our time focused on kids, work, and our relationships, it's easy to put our health needs on the side shelf and forget about them. However, taking care of ourselves should be a top priority.  

 

Here are some tried-and-true tips on how to advocate for your health: 

 

Get regular check-ups and screenings. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm says that the best way to advocate for your health is to get regular check-ups and screenings. This includes annual physicals, mammograms, pap smears, and other screenings as recommended by your primary healthcare provider. By staying current with these tests, you stand a better chance of catching health issues early on so that you can take action before they become more serious. 

How To Choose The Right Pharmacy

According to retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, the vast majority of people choose their pharmacy based on location alone. However, while location matters, it should not be the number one reason that you choose somewhere to fill your medications and counsel you on their use. This is especially true if you have a chronic condition that requires multiple medications. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that there are five other major considerations to keep in mind when you’re choosing a pharmacy. These are: 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Fasting And Health

Fasting is nothing new, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Our ancient ancestors fasted frequently, even if it wasn’t by choice. Because our bodies have evolved to go long times without food, they have developed an amazing mechanism to utilize what they’ve got and to recycle damaged cellular material.  

 

How Our Ancestors Fasted 

 

Before modern times, food was scarce. Our ancestors did not have access to grocery stores, and they primarily hunted and foraged for their own food. Sometimes, they may have gone days without any nutrition at all. Marla Ahlgrimm says this triggered an evolutionary protection that allowed the body to utilize stored components to maintain health. We can use this today to reverse some of the issues caused by free access to food 24 hours per day.  

 

But Is It Healthy? 

 

According to women’s health expert and retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, fasting can be healthy when done correctly and under the guidance and care of a trained healthcare or nutrition professional. 

 

Science Backs It Up 

 

There have been countless research studies done on the potential benefits of fasting in humans, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The vast majority of these have shown great promise. Most researchers have come to the same conclusion that fasting works to cleanse the body of toxic materials. Further, Marla Ahlgrimm says that fasting creates what’s called a metabolic switch, which is where the body uses fat instead of sugar for energy. 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Health Changes Largely Triggered By Hormones

Around the age of 40, most women begin to feel a bit “different” than they did in their 20s and 30s. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, this is partly psychological, but there is a bigger picture that many women don’t think about at first. A woman’s hormones begin to change with age, and this can trigger anything from a low libido to weight gain to irritability and fatigue. 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the primary culprit for most of these changes is estrogen. Estrogen is also responsible for the major changes that pubescent girls experience, including pubic hair, breasts, and the beginning of her menstrual cycle. In addition to estrogen’s known necessity to childbearing, it also protects the bone, affects mood, and works to keep cholesterol controlled. Estrogen is also found in tissues throughout the body, including the skin and heart. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the primary source of estrogen is the ovaries. This is where eggs are made. Estrogen is also produced by the adrenal gland, a small gland located at the top of each kidney. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that estrogen moves to the bloodstream and impacts every cell in the body. Although estrogen levels change throughout the month, they are highest mid-menstrual cycle and lowest once a woman’s period begins. 

Marla Ahlgrimm Discusses A Common Brain Cancer In Today’s Q&A

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, brain cancer is actually quite rare. However, when a woman or man does get cancer of the brain, there is around a 20% chance that it will be glioblastoma. Unfortunately, although science does know quite a bit about this condition, it’s highly aggressive, and there is no cure. 

 

Q: Where does glioblastoma form? 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Typically, a glioblastoma cancer will begin around the cerebrum. This is the largest part of the brain. As an astrocytoma, glioblastoma grows in star-shaped cells that turn into tumors that do not require an outside blood supply; they make their own. This contributes to the aggressiveness and mortality rates. 

What Is A Nickel Allergy?

Nickel allergies are common among men and women alike. However, some women experience nickel allergies after undergoing routine medical treatments, says Marla Ahlgrimm. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, contact dermatitis is a common condition that affects millions of people. And nickel is one of the most common allergens. Although usually a harmless substance, some people’s bodies simply reject contact with nickel and nickel alloys. Nickel can be found in everything from cosmetics to costume jewelry to your laptop and eyeglasses. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that some people have an idiopathic allergy – idiopathic means there is no known cause. However, women who have undergone certain implanted birth control procedures may develop a nickel allergy over time.