Category: Supplement

Safe Diet Pills

A nagging question in the minds of dieters is how safe these diet pills are amidst reports of the side effects and health hazards these drugs pose against their users’ health.

Studies reveal that diet and weight loss pills can have a significant effect on a user’s blood pressure, overall health and metabolism.

Most of these diet pills have unpleasant side effects, promote drug dependency and interfere with other medicines we take. They are not designed to control obesity x96 depending on a person’s health status, the perceived advantages may be outweighed by perceived risks. At best, these pills should be viewed as short term aids for the severely overweight dieters. Clinical studies reveal that to be effective, these diet pills should be used together with a comprehensive weight loss program consisting of an exercise regimen and effective diet plan.

Those who are obese, overweight or at risk of weight-related health problems such as diabetes may be able to use diet pills safely. On the other hand, those who suffer irregular heart beats, angina, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, and glaucoma eye disease — and especially those who are pregnant — are more likely to be in danger even if they use ‘safe’ diet pills.

Typically, ‘unsafe’ diet pills and weight loss programs work on metabolism while ‘safe’ diet pills work by blocking the absorption of enzymes in the body that convert digested fat into tissues of fat. Safe diet pills may help weight watchers lose those unwanted pounds.

Available over the counter, non prescription safe diet pills aid in rapid weight loss and often provide added bursts of energy. Safe diet pills may help you look and feel good and provide you with more energy to enjoy life.

Fruit Cake

The fruit cake with all its fruits and nuts has been around for centuries. Making a rich fruit cake is a very laborious process. They are made well in advance and stored in a cool dry place in order to preserve its traditional great taste and flavor.

The procedure for making a fruitcake takes a few days. First, the fruits and nuts need to be prepared. They are soaked for 2 or 3 days in alcohol, preferably brandy or rum. If you don’t want to use alcohol, fruit juice can be substituted. The cake recipe should be followed strictly to obtain the desired result of a wonderful tasty cake. For those who do not like a particular fruit or nut, they can be substituted according to individual tastes. The only thing to remember is that the weight specified in the recipe for the fruits and nuts should be maintained.

After the fruits and nuts are prepared, the batter is made. All the fruits and nuts are mixed in the batter and baked. Fruit cakes are baked at a low temperature for a long time until they are done. It should be tested with a cake tester to see if it is fully done. One point to remember when baking these cakes is to keep a container of water in the oven. This prevents the cake from becoming dry. They should be cooled before taking out from the container.

All the effort put in to making fruitcakes is worth it, as they make an excellent, great tasting treat any time of the day.

PMS

PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, is experienced by an estimated 85 percent of all women at some point during their lives. PMS is an umbrella term used to describe a number of physical and emotional changes that women undergo in the days between ovulation and the onset of the monthly period. These changes are attributed to changing hormone levels in the body.

Increased levels of certain hormones may result in specific PMS symptoms. The secretion of too much prolactin from the pituitary gland causes breast tenderness. Excessive prolactin secretion can also interfere with ovulation and may result in irregular periods. Another hormone, aldosterone, is secreted by the adrenal glands. Aldosterone levels normally increase after ovulation. This hormone acts by causing fluid retention, which in turn leads to bloating, headaches and breast swelling in some women. The brain does not utilize the mood-stabilizing neurotransmitter serotonin efficiently in some women, resulting in depression or anxiety. Endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers, may be secreted in reduced amounts by the pituitary gland, contributing to depression and to increased pain sensitivity. Increased sensitivity to insulin may result in episodes of low blood sugar, which in turn may increase irritability.

It is not fully understood why some women experience PMS, and others don’t. Women with a close blood relative who also has PMS are more likely to suffer from PMS themselves. The types and severity of symptoms vary from one woman to the next. A more severe form of PMS is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.

In general, PMS tends to become worse the closer a woman gets to menopause. PMS-like symptoms can also be triggered when a woman undergoes major hormonal changes (such as those that occur during pregnancy), when on hormonal contraceptives or after a miscarriage or childbirth.

Safe Diet Pills

A nagging question in the minds of dieters is how safe these diet pills are amidst reports of the side effects and health hazards these drugs pose against their users’ health.

Studies reveal that diet and weight loss pills can have a significant effect on a user’s blood pressure, overall health and metabolism.

Most of these diet pills have unpleasant side effects, promote drug dependency and interfere with other medicines we take. They are not designed to control obesity x96 depending on a person’s health status, the perceived advantages may be outweighed by perceived risks. At best, these pills should be viewed as short term aids for the severely overweight dieters. Clinical studies reveal that to be effective, these diet pills should be used together with a comprehensive weight loss program consisting of an exercise regimen and effective diet plan.

Those who are obese, overweight or at risk of weight-related health problems such as diabetes may be able to use diet pills safely. On the other hand, those who suffer irregular heart beats, angina, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, and glaucoma eye disease — and especially those who are pregnant — are more likely to be in danger even if they use ‘safe’ diet pills.

Typically, ‘unsafe’ diet pills and weight loss programs work on metabolism while ‘safe’ diet pills work by blocking the absorption of enzymes in the body that convert digested fat into tissues of fat. Safe diet pills may help weight watchers lose those unwanted pounds.

Available over the counter, non prescription safe diet pills aid in rapid weight loss and often provide added bursts of energy. Safe diet pills may help you look and feel good and provide you with more energy to enjoy life.

Diabetes

Diabetes has acquired its name from the Greek word “siphon”. Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism and the endocrine system, and is a blood-related disease. It has two forms: Diabetes mellitus (from the Greek word for sugar) and Diabetes insipidus. The main causes of this disorder are that either the body does not produce enough insulin, as happens in type 1 diabetes, or it does not use the available insulin in a proper manner, as in type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body convert glucose into energy. The factors which contribute to diabetes include lack of exercise, excessive weight, age, poor diet and, most importantly, genetics.

The symptoms of diabetes are fatigue, as the body does not get enough energy due to non-absorption of glucose, unquenchable thirst due to frequent urination, and weakening of the eyesight as a consequence of loss of excess body fluid in the form of urine. A diabetic person is also susceptible to frequent infections, like urinary tract infections, colds and flu. Another symptom is a tingling or burning feeling in the hands and feet. Most of the time diabetes goes unchecked because the symptoms are harmless.

A number of tests have been devised to help find out if you are diabetic. The fasting plasma glucose test, done in the morning, is a relatively cheap and easy test. It measures the blood sugar levels when one is not eating. The random plasma glucose test does not require fasting and can be done at any time. This type of test is the easiest and does not require any preparation. The oral glucose tolerance test involves checking blood glucose while fasting and then asking the patient to drink a super-sweet solution, after which the test is repeated, the results are compared to the standard, and if your reading is higher than normal then you have diabetes. Other tests involve glycated hemoglobin, urine tests and finger-prick tests.

Hot Flash Remedy

Menopause is a natural transition from the normal reproductive stage of a woman. It causes a reduction and fluctuation of hormonal levels. More importantly, it causes emotional disturbances.

The sum total of all creates many disorders, including hot flashes for the menopausal women.

A hot flash attack dilates the blood vessels on the upper body and allows more blood to flow. It creates a hot feeling on the neck and the face, a flushed face and other symptoms. It may last from a few seconds up to an hour.

In intensity and duration it may be mild, moderate or severe. The first line of defense is to identify the trigger and avoid it. It is possible to manage the problem when it is mild, without any medication. Lifestyle modifications, reducing stress and some dietary changes can take care of the problem. In moderate hot flashes, additional nonprescription medication is necessary. Vitamins E and B6 and Peridin-e tablets help reduce the effect. Herbal remedies that may help include black cohosh, ginseng, dong quai, wild yam root, prime rose oil and sage tea. But the effect of herbal remedies in the case of women who have had breast cancer is not known. So care should be taken in such cases.

Acupuncture is a very promising line of treatment. Dr. Tomasz M. Beer of OHSU Cancer Institute says, x93Acupuncture is a low toxicity treatment that may offer important symptomatic relief to cancer patients who suffer from hot flashesx94. When the problem is severe and does not respond appreciably to management, hormonal replacement and other prescription drugs become necessary.

Estrogen therapy has proved to be the most effective therapy for hot flashes. But the potential side effects, like endometrial cancer, make it the last resort. An anti-depressant drug, venlafaxine, offers a good nonhormonal treatment for hot flashes. The Mayo Clinicx92s Dr. Charles says, x93I am not aware of any other non-hormonal treatment that has been studied that is as effective.x94 The Mayo Clinic came out with a paper which mentioned a pro-gestational agent, MPA, as the most effective nonhormonal treatment for hot flashes. Blood pressure medications like clonidine and Methyldopa also offer some relief for hot flashes.

A menopausal woman suffering from hot flashes has to take an informed personal decision in consultation with her physician on the line of management and treatment to be adopted.

Calcium

The need for calcium in our daily diet can never be overstated. Not only does it give us energy with all that it does for our bones and teeth, it is also an essential nutrient for our bodyx92s routine activities, keeps the heart beating at a steady pace, and the nerves, muscles and blood in good working order.

Calcium in the body in required amounts is the key to its efficient functioning. According to the USDA, the daily intake of women aged 20-29 years is 778 mg per day; while that of women aged 30-50 years is 719 mg. However, men in the age group of 20-29 years need 1075 mg per day.

If we do not get these required amounts of calcium from low-fat dairy products, milk and broccoli, the body will x91stealx92 as much calcium as it needs from your bones for its specific functions. Over time, this only reduces your bone strength and causes osteoporosis, a disease of fragile and brittle bones.

This is why we must eat a large variety of nutritious foods, and balance it with plenty of physical activity to maintain our weight or decrease our obesity. To get the best out of your food, choose a diet that is high in grain products, vegetables, fruits, and food low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol but moderate in sugars, salt and sodium.

Calcium-rich food can be found naturally in dairy products, apart from certain other foods too. By incorporating calcium in your daily diet, it will help build bones and teeth and maintain bone strength, while also helping in muscular contraction, blood clotting, and maintaining cell membranes. The amounts of calcium our bodies absorb depend upon our bodyx92s needs for calcium. While Vitamin D accelerates calcium absorption, calcium absorption tends to decrease with age.

Calcium Magnesium

Calcium and magnesium are two elements that are highly essential for the body. They are mentioned together because they mostly function as a group. Calcium is the most abundant element in the body and is extremely essential for the growth and development of the bones. However it is not very easy for calcium to get absorbed within the body and hence most of it is flushed out. Magnesium is the element that helps calcium to get absorbed within the body.

Calcium and magnesium are retailed together in the form of tablets. Since both of them are better absorbed in the body in their chelated forms, one should look for their citrates, gluconates, aspartates, glycinates or lactates in the ingredients.

When the diet is insufficient in magnesium, calcium does not get absorbed in the blood and bones. Instead, it collects in the soft tissues, leading to arthritic pains. A common misconception was that arthritis is caused due to the deficiency of calcium. It is actually not the deficiency, but the malabsorption of calcium that is the culprit. A diet supplemented with magnesium can remedy the situation by allowing calcium to get absorbed in the blood and the bones.

Osteoporosis, i.e. the softening of long bones, is also caused due to improper absorption of calcium in the body. A diet well-balanced with magnesium can treat conditions of osteoporosis. Magnesium and calcium together can also reduce pain during menstrual cramps and pregnancy in women.

A proper ratio of calcium and magnesium in the body is 2:1. Higher proportion of calcium is required because it has difficulties in getting absorbed in the body. It is advisable to have at least 1000 mg of calcium and 500 mg of magnesium in the daily diet.

There are many natural foods that are rich in both calcium and magnesium. Calcium is present in all dairy foods such as butter, cheese, yoghurt, etc. It is also present in turnips and kelps. Magnesium is found abundantly in nuts such as almonds, cashew nuts and brazil nuts. It is also found in good proportions in buckwheat, brown rice, dandelion greens and corn.

Refined sugar and alcohol interfere directly with the amounts of calcium and magnesium in the body. Both of these substances eliminate more magnesium out of the body in the form of urine. As a result, magnesium is unavailable for the absorption of calcium and its level goes down too. Hence, people suffering from bone related problems must reduce their intake of both refined sugar and alcohol.

Build Muscles

The human body consists of various systems performing a multitude of functions. Every action is determined and stimulated as per the nervous system. Similarly, the actions to move a limb or any other body part are conditioned by the muscular system. Muscle, known for its elasticity, contracts to help the various body movements. Not only this, muscles also determine the shape of the human body. It is. therefore, necessary to keep the muscles in shape, for an active and proper functioning of the body. This can be achieved by Building Muscles.

Building Muscles help to break down fat and maintain a healthy body. In the human body muscle tissues are re-built from the broken down muscle tissues. The muscle gains in mass when the breakdown activity or catabolism is overtaken by re-building activity or anabolism. Muscles build up with the increase in muscle mass or fibers.

With the growing awareness of the importance of exercises to ‘look good and feel good’, more and more people are going in for Building Muscles. Exercises varying from aerobic and cardiovascular to weight training help to Build Muscles. A regular practice improves blood circulation and supplies oxygen to nourish muscles. This will help to burn fat and Build Muscles.

The exercise is supplemented with a diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin D, E, B, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Of course, water is equally important to prevent electrolyte or mineral salt (loss in potassium, sodium) imbalance of the body, and dehydration.

Muscles are the powerhouses that burn calories. So a body with more muscles means the body burns more fat and increases bone density. An aging body especially tends to gain fat and weight, affecting muscles. Therefore, one needs to build muscles as a precaution to prevent ill health and prevent chances of osteoporosis. But in case of body builders, they take up weight training, a good calorie diet with proper rest to Build Muscles. They also take supplements to increase muscle mass by improving muscle growth. These may vary from ordinary health drinks to steroids and growth hormone injections.

Breast Enlargement Surgery

Breast enlargement is the third most common cosmetic surgery performed in the United States. Clinically known as augmentation mamoplasty, surgical breast implants have seen an increase of more than 20% over the past four years.

Mostly, all breast surgery today is performed with saline filled implants that consist of a silicone shell filled with sterile saltwater. Saline filled implants are safe because the body absorbs the saline solution in case the implant ruptures or leaks. At present, the FDA does not approve silicone gel breast implants because they are not proven to be safe.

Women looking for breast enlargement should have realistic expectation of the outcome. Though the implantation can improve an individual’s appearance and self-esteem, the desire to match the looks of one’s ideal won’t necessarily materialize. The outcome will depend upon individual factors such as health, the chest structure and the shape of the body, the type of surgical procedure and the size of implant, prior breast surgery, and the skill and experience of the surgical team.

Prior to the surgery, it is important to ascertain whether the American Board of Plastic Surgery certifies the surgeon. In addition to this, an individual should question the doctor regarding the risk or complications involved in breast augmentation, the size, shape and texture of implant, the contents of implant, the remedial measures if anything go wrong with the surgery, and the time of recovery. The plastic surgeon must also be informed about the individual’s medical records. Any weight reduction program or future planning of pregnancy should be told to the surgeon because this can affect the long-term result of breast enlargement.

A breast enlargement surgery takes 1-2 hours or more depending on the type of surgery and is usually done under local anesthesia. The implant is placed either under the breast tissue or the chest muscle beneath the breast. The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, but sometimes hospitalization may be necessary for some individuals.

Complications may occur with this surgery. The common complications are breast pain, breast hardness and numbness in the nipples that may last for years. Some individuals may also develop an infection that may require the removal of the implants for several months until the infection clears. Implants may also occasionally leak, rupture, wrinkle, or change shape necessitating a second surgery to replace the damaged implants. Differences in shape and size of the breast after the surgery may also occur in some cases.

While there is no scientific evidence that breast augmentation causes breast cancer, the presence of breast implants can make it technically difficult to detect breast cancer on a mammogram.