Why does my weight keep fluctuating?

Food intolerances can lead to weight fluctuations in both men and women, because the body mounts an immune response to the food it doesn’t like, which can lead to inflammation and associated water retention and water weight gain. High insulin levels can also lead to weight gain. High insulin levels can be triggered by eating too frequently, too much, and by snacking on too many high-sugar foods. Constant snackers are in a state of constant high insulin. Insulin is the hormone that tells the body to lay down fat because insulin is also the main fat storage hormone in the body. It tells fat cells to store fat and prevents stored fat from being broken down. Your weight can also fluctuate when you build muscle, although you might look slimmer and fit into your clothes more easily. Muscle weighs more than fat and is more metabolically active, however, your weight will be higher on the scales. Other causes of weight fluctuations include having too much salt in the diet, dehydration, as well as other hormonal imbalances such as PCOS.

What’s the healthiest way to increase fibre intake?

Fruits and vegetables tend to be the best sources of fibre. Whole grains, legumes, and beans are also great ways to increase the amount of fiber you’re getting from your diet. So are green leafy vegetables and all those brightly coloured fruits and vegetables that take centre stage in your favourite grocery store’s produce aisles.

What’s more important to men’s health: diet or exercise?

A combination of both is probably your best bet. They both play such a critical role. A little bit of any exercise always beats no exercise. Whether it’s getting up and down out of your chair 10 times in a row once every hour or if it’s taking a gentle stroll down the block, you really need to exercise the muscles in your body.

What are some foods that are a good source of vitamin D for people with arthritis?

Vitamin D is not the easiest vitamin to get from food, mainly because its food sources aren’t the most popularly consumed. Cod liver oil and swordfish are the best natural food sources, followed by fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. Next would be canned tuna fish and vitamin D-fortified milk, yogurt and orange juice. Sardines, eggs (yolk) and fortified cereals have fair amounts of vitamin D.