WE ARE all like multilayered onions—with every layer revealed, there is an undiscovered facet of who we are and can become.

If an onion is not the best of metaphors, consider the lotus. Its mystical potential is like a thousand petals. While on the road of life, we have the capacity to rise above whatever circumstances or challenges we encounter.

Find some answers to your various questions below.

At age 45, I am starting to lose my muscle tone, no matter how hard I work out. Help.

You cannot fight your biology but you can work with it by boosting it somehow. Metabolism slows down in your late 20s. But you can delay it if you commit to healthy lifestyle.

Sign-up for a fitness and lifestyle consultation. You can start from there. To slowly break in your body, throw out all processed foods as much as possible to build more muscle.

Disabuse your mind about the evils of carbohydrates and too much protein. Just keep a healthy balance. Too much carbs can raise your blood sugar. Then again, too much protein may stress your kidneys through a condition called ketosis.

Anti-inflammatory foods that can help you get healthy:

Wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, (bottled if not fresh)

Spinach, virgin coconut oil

(Note: it is the good fat the MCT oil/lauric acid that speeds up metabolism)

Sprouts, leafy greens (kale, especially)

Berries

Bananas (potassium rich)

Grapefruit (the universal diet food)

Papaya (best almost ripe because of its enzyme content)

Beef (preferably grass-fed, organic)

Mushrooms, raw nuts (macadamia rates highest, pecans)

Headaches have never been my problem but lately, I have been experiencing mild to sharp headaches. What’s happening to me?

Any headache deserves your attention. Here is a tried and tested gauge. You could simply be dehydrated. If you didn’t drink 10-12 glasses of water today, then you are definitely dehydrated. Drink some water. Your headache should disappear within 20 minutes. If it persists, then it’s best to see your doctor.

Primary headaches are due to pain-sensitive areas of the head and over-activity.

Kinds of primary headache: cluster, migraine, tension, Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalagia (TAC).

Do you know that there are exercise, sex-induced, cough-related and chronic-daily type headaches?

Some triggers are: stress, alcohol, poor posture, food allergies, interrupted sleep patterns.

Secondary headaches include those caused by a simple hangover, brain freeze (from ice cream or an ice-cold drink), acute sinusitis, dental problems, ear infection to more serious conditions like brain tumor, concussion and brain aneurysm.

Do not underestimate a headache.

How do I get back my vitality? Climbing a 10-step stairway puts me out of breath.

Anyone can lose drive and energy due to exhaustion. It is estimated that a third of the working population suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is normal to feel fatigue at day’s end. But if you have been feeling the same way for three to five months, it is worth looking into more seriously.

Side effects of stress: high blood pressure or low blood pressure, palpitations, irregular breathing, liver problems, thyroid problems, rheumatism and diabetes.

That’s right, even if you are watching your diet, you could register high on sugar and cholesterol tests.

To do:

See your doctor.

Undergo a physical examination.

Change your lifestyle by removing your stressors (if possible)

Engage in mind-body exercises (yoga, taichi)

Cut back on work (if you can)

Balance your work and home life.

Go on short trips to break your work pattern.

Adopt a more positive attitude in life.

This week’s affirmation:

“My life will change beginning today.”