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LifeCrest, Guadalupe, CA (2025)

07/12/2025

Understand the importance of testosterone on overall health
"Testosterone is the androgenic s*x hormone responsible for hair growth, muscle mass and strength, s*x drive, s***m production, bone density, fat distribution and more," says Gatlin. "We start seeing a natural decline in testosterone levels between the ages of 30 to 40. Some decline is to be expected, but certain habits and medical issues can drive these levels even lower."

Common causes of low testosterone, also called low T, include:

Being overweight, particularly belly fat
Physical inactivity
Poor nutrition
Excessive alcohol consumption
Medical problems, including untreated sleep apnea and unmanaged diabetes

06/27/2025

Carrageenan
Derived from red seaweed, carrageenan acts as a thickener, emulsifier and preservative in many different food products.

Common sources of carrageenan include almond milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, coffee creamers and dairy-free products like vegan cheese.

For decades, there have been concerns about the safety of this common food additive and its potential effects on health.

One animal study showed that exposure to carrageenan increased levels of fasting blood sugar and glucose intolerance, especially when combined with a high-fat diet

Test-tube and animal studies have found that carrageenan triggered inflammation, as well (36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source).

Carrageenan is also believed to negatively impact digestive health, and may be associated with the formation of intestinal ulcers and growths (38Trusted Source).

One small study found that when people in remission from ulcerative colitis took a supplement containing carrageenan, they experienced an earlier relapse than those who took a placebo

Unfortunately, current research on the effects of carrageenan is still very limited and more studies are needed to understand how it may affect people.

If you do decide to limit your intake of carrageenan, there are plenty of resources online that can help you find brands and products that are carrageenan-free.

06/08/2025

Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners are used in many diet foods and beverages to enhance sweetness while reducing calorie content.

Common types of artificial sweeteners include aspartame, sucralose, saccharin and acesulfame potassium.

Studies show that artificial sweeteners can aid in weight loss and help manage blood sugar levels.

One study found that people who consumed a supplement containing artificial sweeteners for 10 weeks had a lower intake of calories and gained less body fat and weight than those consuming regular sugar.

Another study showed that consuming sucralose for three months had no effect on blood sugar control in 128 people with diabetes (31Trusted Source).

Note that certain types of artificial sweeteners like aspartame may cause headaches in some people, and studies show that certain individuals may be more sensitive to its effects.

Still, artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe for most people when consumed in moderation.

However, if you experience any negative side effects after using artificial sweeteners, check ingredients labels carefully and limit your intake.

05/28/2025

High-Fructose Corn Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener made from corn. It’s frequently found in soda, juice, candy, breakfast cereals and snack foods.
It’s rich in a type of simple sugar called fructose, which can cause serious health issues when consumed in high amounts.
In particular, high-fructose corn syrup has been linked to weight gain and diabetes.
In one study, 32 people consumed a drink sweetened with either glucose or fructose for 10 weeks.
By the end of the study, the fructose-sweetened beverage caused significant increases in belly fat and blood sugar levels, plus decreased insulin sensitivity compared to the glucose-sweetened beverage.
Test-tube and animal studies have also found that fructose can trigger inflammation in the cells.
Inflammation is believed to play a central role in many chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Additionally, high-fructose corn syrup contributes empty calories and added sugar to foods without any of the important vitamins and minerals that your body needs.
It’s best to skip sugary snacks and foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup.
Instead, go for whole, unprocessed foods without added sugar, and sweeten them up with Stevia, yacon syrup or fresh fruit.

05/15/2025

Guar Gum
Guar gum is a long-chain carbohydrate used to thicken and bind foods. It’s widely used in the food industry and can be found in ice cream, salad dressings, sauces and soups.
Guar gum is high in fiber and has been associated with a multitude of health benefits. For example, one study showed that it reduced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as bloating and constipation.
A review of three studies also found that people who took guar gum along with a meal had increased feelings of fullness and ate fewer calories from snacking throughout the day.
Other research suggests that guar gum may also help lower levels of blood sugar and cholesterol.
However, high amounts of guar gum may have adverse effects on health.
This is because it can swell 10 to 20 times its size, potentially causing issues like obstruction of the esophagus or small intestine .
Guar gum may also cause mild symptoms like gas, bloating or cramps in some people.
Nevertheless, guar gum is generally considered safe in moderation.
Additionally, the FDA has set strict guidelines on how much guar gum can be added to foods to minimize the risk of negative side effects .

05/06/2025

Sodium Nitrite
Frequently found in processed meats, sodium nitrite acts as a preservative to prevent the growth of bacteria while also adding a salty flavor and reddish-pink color.
When exposed to high heat and in the presence of amino acids, nitrites can turn into nitrosamine, a compound that can have many negative effects on health.
One review showed that a higher intake of nitrites and nitrosamine was associated with a higher risk of stomach cancer.
Many other studies have found a similar association, reporting that a higher intake of processed meats may be linked to a higher risk of colorectal, breast and bladder cancer.
Other studies suggest that nitrosamine exposure may also be linked to a higher incidence of type 1 diabetes, although findings are inconsistent.
Still, it’s best to keep your intake of sodium nitrite and processed meats to a minimum. Try swapping out processed meats like bacon, sausage, hot dogs and ham for unprocessed meat and healthy sources of protein.
Chicken, beef, fish, pork, legumes, nuts, eggs and tempeh are just a few delicious high-protein foods that you can add to your diet in place of processed meats.

04/22/2025

Artificial Food Coloring
Artificial food coloring is used to brighten and improve the appearance of everything from candies to condiments.
In recent years, though, there have been many concerns about potential health effects. Specific food dyes like Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 have been associated with allergic reactions in some people.
Additionally, one review reported that artificial food coloring may promote hyperactivity in children, although another study showed that some children may be more sensitive than others.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential cancer-causing effects of certain food dyes.
Red 3, also known as erythrosine, has been shown to increase the risk of thyroid tumors in some animal studies, causing it to be replaced by Red 40 in most foods.
However, multiple animal studies have found that other food dyes are not associated with any cancer-causing effects.
Still, more research is needed to evaluate the safety and potential health effects of artificial food coloring for humans.
Regardless, food dyes are found primarily in processed foods, which should be limited in a healthy diet. Always opt for whole foods, which are higher in important nutrients and naturally free of artificial food coloring.

03/27/2025

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a common food additive used to intensify and enhance the flavor of savory dishes.

It’s found in a variety of processed foods like frozen dinners, salty snacks and canned soups. It’s also often added to foods at restaurants and fast food places.

MSG has been a subject of heated controversy since a 1969 study of mice found that large amounts caused harmful neurological effects and impaired growth and development (1Trusted Source).

However, this additive is likely to have little to no effect on human brain health as it’s unable to cross the blood-brain barrier (2Trusted Source).

MSG consumption has also been associated with weight gain and metabolic syndrome in some observational studies, although other research has found no association (3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source).

That being said, some people do have a sensitivity to MSG and may experience symptoms like headaches, sweating and numbness after eating a large amount.

In one study, 61 people who reported being MSG-sensitive were given either 5 grams of MSG or a placebo.

Interestingly, 36% experienced an adverse reaction to MSG while only 25% reported a reaction to the placebo, so MSG sensitivity may be a legitimate concern for some people (6Trusted Source).

If you experience any negative side effects after consuming MSG, it’s best to keep it out of your diet.

Otherwise, if you’re able to tolerate MSG, it can be safely consumed in moderation without the risk of adverse side effects.

03/14/2025

Nourish Your Body With Real Foods
The simplest and most effective way to eat healthy is to focus on real foods.

Choose unprocessed, whole foods that resemble what they looked like in nature.

It’s best to eat a combination of animals and plants — meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, as well as healthy fats, oils and high-fat dairy products.

If you’re healthy, lean and active, eating whole, unrefined carbs is absolutely fine. These include potatoes, sweet potatoes, legumes and whole grains such as oats.

However, if you’re overweight, obese or have shown signs of metabolic issues such as diabetes or metabolic syndrome, then cutting back on major carbohydrate sources can lead to dramatic improvements.

People can often lose a lot of weight simply by cutting back on carbohydrates because they subconsciously start eating less.

Whatever you do, make an effort to choose whole, unprocessed foods instead of foods that look like they were made in a factory.

03/03/2025

Avoid Excess Stress
A healthy lifestyle involves a wholesome diet, quality sleep and regular exercise.
But the way you feel and how you think is also very important. Being stressed all the time is a recipe for disaster.
Excess stress can raise cortisol levels and severely impair your metabolism. It can increase junk food cravings, fat in your stomach area and raise your risk of various diseases .
Studies also show that stress is a significant contributor to depression, which is a massive health problem today.
To reduce stress, try to simplify your life exercise, take nature walks, practice deep-breathing techniques and maybe even meditation.
If you absolutely cannot handle the burdens of your daily life without becoming overly stressed, consider seeing a psychologist.
Not only will overcoming your stress make you healthier, it will also improve your life in other ways. Going through life worried, anxious and never being able to relax and enjoy yourself is a big waste.

02/19/2025

Sleep Like a Baby
Sleep is very important for overall health and studies show that sleep deprivation correlates with many diseases, including obesity and heart disease.
It’s highly recommended to make time for good, quality sleep.
If you can’t seem to sleep properly, there are several ways you can try to improve it:
Don’t drink coffee late in the day.
Try to go to bed and wake up at similar times each day.
Sleep in complete darkness, with no artificial lighting.
Dim the lights in your home a few hours before bedtime.
For more tips on how to improve your sleep, check out this article.
It may also be a good idea to see your doctor. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, are very common and in many cases easily treatable.

01/29/2025

Lift Things and Move Around
Using your muscles is extremely important for optimal health.
While lifting weights and exercising can certainly help you look better, improving your appearance is really just the tip of the iceberg.
You also need to exercise to ensure your body, brain and hormones function optimally.
Lifting weights lowers your blood sugar and insulin levels, improves cholesterol and lowers triglycerides.
It also raises your levels of testosterone and growth hormones, both associated with improved well-being.
What’s more, exercise can help reduce depression and your risk of various chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and many more.
Additionally, exercise may help you lose fat, especially in combination with a healthy diet. It doesn’t just burn calories, but also improves your hormone levels and overall body function.

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