By: Joe Barton
GERD cures have been around for centuries and have worked for centuries. However, these gastro esophageal reflux disease remedies seemed to take a back seat after the release of antacids. Because people naturally love convenience, antacids seemed to be the obvious choice for treating acid reflux.
Unfortunately, most GERD sufferers discovered that it was only a matter of time before antacids started to lose their effectiveness. Therefore, stronger and harsher medications were prescribed which often had the same results as antacids. ]]>
By: Laurel Levine
Did you know that the best aging skin moisturizers are free of petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin? Actually, no one, regardless of their age, should use lotions or creams containing those ingredients. They are not actually moisturizing. Manufacturers know that, but they continue to use them, because they are cheap. Here?s a look at some of the most moisturizing ingredients available.
Glycerin
Glycerin is used in more expensive lotions and creams, because it is an effective moisturizer. It can improve the skin?s moisture content by about 5%. It can be derived from synthetic or vegetable sources. Either source seems to be effective, but most of us prefer the natural vegetable form, rather than the synthetic.
Avocado Oil
Avocado Oil is an excellent moisturizer, because it is very similar, on a molecular basis, to the skin?s own sebum. Sebum is the natural lubricant produced by the sebaceous glands within the skin?s layers.
Research has shown that avocado oil contains compounds called sterolins that can help reduce age spots. It has also been shown to stimulate the production of collagen, something that normally slows down with age.
Avocado oil is typically found in nighttime aging skin moisturizers for the face. Most people feel that it is a little too heavy for used during the daytime, although it does not cause greasiness or clog the pores.
Coenzyme Q10
Several studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 is effective for reversing wrinkles and roughness caused by sun damage. It is becoming a more common ingredient for anti-aging products of all kinds, but most companies don?t include enough of it. So, they aren?t always effective.
As far as aging skin moisturizers go, coenzyme Q10 has been shown to improve moisture by about 30% over the course of six weeks. It is assumed that all of these benefits are due to the antioxidant activity of COQ10. It is known to repair damage done to cellular DNA by free radical molecules. Dermatologists have said that the molecular damage done by free radicals over the course of a person?s life are the causes of wrinkling, sagging and all of the signs of age.
Shea Butter
Shea butter?s molecular composition is nearly identical to that of the skin?s own sebum, which makes it one of the most effective moisturizing ingredients in the world. The only problem is that many companies use lower grades or add other ingredients that interfere with its beneficial effects.
Aging skin moisturizers that contain a high grade of Shea butter are proven to soften and smooth over the course of four to six weeks. The ingredient is most often found in nighttime creams.
Functional Keratin
Keratin is a protein found in all of the skin?s outer cells. Functional keratin is a form that can be used by our cells. Most forms are denaturalized. So, they cannot be absorbed into the cells.
In conclusion, one of the functions the keratin performs is to absorb water or moisture. Aging skin moisturizers containing function keratin have been shown to improve the skin?s moisture content by over 20% after the very first use. So, now you know about the effective ingredients that are available. Say good bye to dryness forever.
If you]]>
By: Dr. Steven Vaughn
Do You Know How Your Body Mass Index (BMI) Controls Weight Loss?
Ask Dr. Steve-
Dr. Steve, A friend of mine told me that they had their BMI measured by their doctor to see how much body fat they had. What is BMI?
Robert S. Bakersfield, CA
Robert,
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person?s weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such a underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorpitiometry (DXA).
BMI can be considered an alternative for direct measures of body fat. Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
How is BMI used in Weight Loss?
BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI.
However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.
Why do Healthcare Professionals use BMI to measure overweight and obesity?
Calculating BMI is one of the best methods for population assessment of overweight and obesity. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. The use of BMI allows people to compare their own weight status to that of the general population
Pounds and inches Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703.
Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5?5? (65″) Calculation: [150 ÷ (65)2] x 703 = 24.96
There are three critical building blocks that must be stacked together to achieve weight loss: eating healthier and smaller portions (consuming fewer calories), increasing expenditure of energy through simple exercise (using up more calories) and having the mind set (mental discipline) to change your habits into a positive life program of health and vitality.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_8196.shtml
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By: Dr. Tom Pousti
With massive weight loss, in a short period of time, patients are often left with a significant amount of excess skin. Because of the rapid weight loss, the patient?s skin doesn?t ?bounce back? adequately, resulting in a multitude of problems including problems with moisture, skin break down, hygiene and body image problems (aesthetic concerns). This excess skin remains a reminder of the person?s past problem with obesity and limits the patient?s satisfaction with the weight loss he/she has achieved. Although patients are often very pleased with the improvement in their medical issues (such as diabetes and high blood pressure) achieved after weight loss, they are still not happy when they look in the mirror. Plastic surgical procedures after weight loss may help the patient achieve their goals and significantly improve their self-image. It is important to work with a plastic surgeon with extensive experience due to the fact that treatment of the post-bariatric surgery patient is unique in that the patient?s skin elasticity has been permanently decreased, potentially resulting in faster recurrence of some of the patient?s presenting complaints. Dr. Pousti has helped many patient?s in this situation.
As patients lose weight, their face and neck skin often show signs of weight loss often associated with aging. They may notice loose skin of the eyelids, lower face (jowl) or neck area. Face and neck lifting surgery help eliminate loose skin and the underlying muscle and fatty tissue. The re-suspension of the tissues helps rejuvenate the face and neck area.
Many patients complain of ?empty, droopy, saggy? breasts after weight loss ? in fact, patients often say that they were happier with their breasts before weight loss than after (just like some patients are happier with their breast during pregnancy than after). Most patients after massive weight loss, benefit from breast augmentation (saline or silicone gel breast implants) along with breast lifting (mastopexy) surgery. The mastopexy operation serves to raise the nipple-areola complexes higher on the chest wall (by removing redundant or loose skin) while the breast augmentation serves to increase fullness of the breasts especially along the superior pole of the breasts. Usually, after significant weight loss, both breast implants and breast lifting are required for optimal results.
Saline Implants
Saline implants have a silicone rubber shell that is inflated to the desired size with sterile saline. The implants are placed under the pectoralis muscle deflated and therefore, the incision used for this type of implant is minimal. These implants can be overfilled to achieve a more rounded appearance.
Saline implants have some advantages over silicone implants. Silicone implant ruptures are harder to detect. When saline implants rupture, they deflate and the results are seen almost immediately. When silicone implants rupture, the breast often looks and feels the same because the silicone gel may leak into surrounding areas of the breast without a visible difference. Patients may need an MRI to diagnose a silicone gel rupture. Saline implants are also less expensive than the silicone gel implants.
Silicone Implants
Silicone implants have a silicone rubber shell that is filled with a fixed amount of silicone gel. Most silicone gel-filled implants are not adjustable and therefore, the incision used to place the silicone gel implant is larger than the incision needed for saline implants. The silicone gel implant cannot be overfilled ? it comes in an exact size that cannot be manipulated.
Silicone implants vary in shell surface (smooth/textured), shape, profile, volume, shell thickness, and number of shell lumens.
Some surgeons feel that silicone implants have a more natural look and feel than saline implants because silicone gel has a texture that is similar to breast tissue. Each patient differs in the amount of breast tissue that they have. If a patient has enough breast tissue to cover the implant, the final result will be similar when comparing saline implants versus silicone gel implants. If a patient has very low body fat and/or very little breast tissue, the silicone gel implants may provide a more natural result.
As of 2006, the FDA has approved the use of silicone gel implants manufactured by the Mentor Corporation and Allergan (formerly McGhan) for breast augmentation surgery.
Plastic Surgery Societies Applaud the FDA?s Decision to Approve Silicone Breast Implants
For Immediate Release: November 17, 2006
Arlington Heights, Ill. (November 17, 2006) ? The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the two largest plastic surgery membership organizations, applaud the FDA?s decision today to approve (manufacturer?s) silicone breast implants and return these devices to the U.S. market. This decision comes 14 years after the FDA restricted access to the silicone implants because of safety concerns. ?This is a great day for American women and the plastic surgeons who care for them,? said Roxanne Guy, MD, ASPS president. ?Silicone breast implants have been scrutinized more than any medical device, and we applaud the FDA for making its well thought-out decision and allowing American women to make informed choices about their health care.?
Patients will also often complain of loose skin of the abdomen and/or back areas. The redundant folds of skin may be ?depressing? to patients who have worked hard to drop their weight (and maintain it) only to be left with even looser skin. Unfortunately, like the issues described above, these areas of excess skin do not improve despite the most rigorous diet and exercise schedule. Ironically, the redundancy of skin may worsen despite patients? best efforts. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery serve to remove the excess skin of the abdomen while tightening up the abdominal wall muscles. This operation serves to improve the contour of the abdominal wall while the patient is standing, leaning over and sitting down. At the same time, the pubic area (which is often of concern to patients after weight loss) may be reduced and ?lifted?. If the pubic area is not addressed during the abdominoplasty procedure, the patient often will be dissatisfied with the end result of surgery.
Often patients will complain of excess skin circumferentially at the level of the abdomen and lower back. Lower body lifting and belt lipectomy procedures serve to remove redundant skin of the abdomen and back circumferentially ? this operation serves to improve the contour of the buttocks, hips, thighs and abdomen.
Weight loss can leave loose or ?hanging? skin of the upper arm, between the elbow and shoulder. This area is addressed using the brachioplasty or arm lifting surgery. One of the keys of this operation is to plan the resulting scar to fall at the lower edge of the arm so that the scar is not visible from the front or back view. This operation may be extended to address the excess skin of the upper chest as well (upper body lift).
Patient often complain of extra skin of the thighs as well. This area can be treated using the thigh lifting techniques. A medial thigh lift will address the inner thighs while the lower body lift addresses the outer part of the thighs.
When considering any type of plastic surgery, choosing your surgeon is one the most important decisions a patient makes. An astute patient will evaluate the doctor?s credentials, training, specific board certification and experience. Before and after procedures, meeting with previous patients and reading patient testimonials may be useful. Connection with the plastic surgeon is critical to individualize each patient?s case. Safety is of primary concern and factors such as medical problems, age, exercise tolerance and length of surgery are some of the factors considered during the consultation. Care must be taken not to attempt too much surgery simultaneously as this may result in complications. During the office visits, the surgeon will get to know more about the patient?s health history as well as expectations and goals. Patients are educated regarding the procedure, post-operative care and especially potential limitations and/or possible risks and complications of any planned procedure.
Dr. Pousti is well qualified to assist patients after massive weight loss. He is board certified in General Surgery as well as Plastic Surgery and has been trained at some of the finest institutions in the United States. He has been in private practice for over 12 years and has had the privilege of helping thousands of patients reaching their goals after significant weight loss.
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_8180.shtml
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By: Laurel Levine
Let?s face it. No one wants to see the signs of aging skin, but we often think of them as inevitable. But, the latest information indicates that preventing aging skin is possible, if we are consistent and follow a healthy skincare routine. The factors that are most important include striving for good nutrition and using only the best skincare products.
When it comes to good nutrition, a number of studies have been conducted recently concerning how different foods may contribute to, prevent or even reverse the signs of aging skin. Let?s start with fish.
Fish, particularly salmon, is recommended by popular anti-aging doctors and nutritionists, alike. Fish provides the protein necessary for building new skin cells and fibers. What many people don?t realize is that the skin?s epidermis is continuously regenerating throughout our lives. The process just gets a little slower as we get older.
Eating fish is also recommended for preventing aging skin, because it contains omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Those nutrients fight free radical damage and chronic inflammation, which are two of the causes of cellular aging. One study showed that taking a daily fish oil supplement improved the skin?s firmness by 10% after three months.
Another showed that taking a soy-based supplement, which included fish protein and antioxidants from tea, grape seed and tomato, improved the skin?s structure and firmness after six months. Yet another indicates that the antioxidants found in green tea and some kinds of chocolate improved circulation and hydration, making the skin look smoother.
Eating more fruits and vegetables is recommended for preventing aging skin, because of all of the different antioxidants they provide. Research has shown that the skin?s level of naturally occurring antioxidants gets lower and lower as time goes by. We need to give it all of the help that we can.
Many of the creams and lotions that reduce the signs of aging skin contain antioxidants and other nutrients found in the foods mentioned above. When you apply these nourishing lotions, you are feeding your skin?s cells directly.
The antioxidant coenzyme Q10 has proven benefits for reversing wrinkles and should be helpful for preventing aging skin, as well. Certain proteins, like keratin, but not collagen or elastin, are known to improve the skin?s moisture content and firmness, while reducing inflammation and stimulating the production of antioxidants within the skin?s cells.
Moisturizing oils like avocado and grape seed provide the essential fatty acids necessary for lubrication and protection. Extracts from plants like kelp and algae have been shown to help reduce the signs of aging skin, as well.
Many experts say that avoiding overexposure to the sun is a big part of preventing aging skin, but the use of sunscreen is not that helpful. It really depends on how much time you spend out of doors and how many antioxidants are present in the skin?s layers to counter free radical damage.
So there you have it. If you do spend a great deal of time outside, use a broad-spectrum sun-block that contains zinc oxide. Other sun-screening compounds are simply not that effective. Sunscreen won?t do anything to counter the signs of aging skin, but that?s okay. Other ingredients will.
If you]]>
By: Dickie White
There is a new trend in the strength and conditioning world- old school, hardcore training. And the movement leading it all? The tire flip! Naysayers argue that it?s primitive and that it?s ?not functional? because you are never going to have to flip a tire in competition unless you are a professional strongman. However, I believe those who argue against the tire flip have not had the pleasure of performing the exercise. It is a fantastic, full-body strength and conditioning tool that trains the same low positioning and powerful leg drive that you definitely find yourself using many times each match. To not do it would be foolish, especially because it is something you can add to your strength and conditioning program for free. That?s right, you can get large training tires for free from your local commercial tire dealer. Most large tires you would select would cost the company at least $50 to properly dispose of it so you should be able to get any number of used flipping tires for free. In fact, if the commercial tire dealer tries to charge you something just leave and go to the next one.
Now, onto selecting a tire that will best suit you. The first thing you need to look at is how high it sits off the ground. If you cannot get your chest on it in the bottom position of the lift you will not be able to flip a tire of any significant size. In fact, if you can?t drive your chest into it you?ll greatly increase your risk of a bicep tear as you?ll have the tendency to lift too much with your arms. Basically, whenever your chest escapes the tire you?re biceps are supporting a tremendous amount of weight. You wouldn?t try to curl 400lbs on a barbell would you? Then avoid doing it with a tire. The second thing you need to check out on the tire is if you can get your hands under it. I know this may seem obvious, but the last time I went ?tire shopping? I ended up getting a tire that was too low and too flat. Don?t let your pride get the better of you because you have a great deal of difficultly moving it at the tire dealer. I?m fortunate enough to know the owner of the place down the road from my gym so I can make mistakes when selecting my tires and he doesn?t charge me for taking them back if they aren?t working for the wrestlers I train. Unless you have a great relationship with the owner of your local commercial tire dealer, be sure you?ve made a selection that will work for you.
Alright, now that we?ve got the boring stuff out of the way here?s how you actually flip it. The big pointer to keep in mind is to get your chest on the tire as you take a grip on the treads. Take a stance that is comfortable for you. My wrestlers take an athletic stance with their feet slightly behind them allowing them to explode into the tire at an angle. Once you have it lifted, drive your knee under it and switch your grip from an underhand position to an overhand which will allow you to drive the tire over. Here?s an older link of a couple of my pee-wee studs flipping- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa24ndGRYyI&feature=channel_page
Finally, the last thing to consider before getting a tire is deciding where you?re going to store it. If you have a place at your house that?s probably the best option. If that won?t work though, talk to your coach; there may be a place in the wrestling room for it. What?s good about storing it in the wrestling room is that everyone on the team can benefit by having it available. If those two options don?t work, considering talking to the owner(s) of the gym you are a member at. It can be stored outside and may help to attract new members. They?ve certainly helped my gym out, but then again, I cater to a very select crowd of hardcore workout fiends.
Now that you have all the info, stop sitting around and go get yourself a tire!
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_8189.shtml
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By: James Pendergraft
The ailment known as hypothyroidism is something that more women than men experience and this is due to a hyper active thyroid gland. The reasons why a woman may suffer from hyperthyroidism may vary and some of these reasons often have certain symptoms that women find hard to cope with. Some women who have hyperthyroidism experience weight loss when they find that they have this ailment. But what is the relationship between weight gain and this problem? Is it true that some women do not lose weight with this problem but instead gain weight from it?
Weight Problems Due to Hyperthyroidism
While there are some women who claim that they gained weight due to hyperthyroidism, the more common occurrence in women who have this problem is weight loss. There are a few women who do claim that they gained considerable weight after they have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Some women who suffer from this predicament actually suffer from hyperthyroidism due to what is called Graves]]>
By: Jamie Hanson
A lot of nutritionists say that in order to shed off those unwanted pounds, it]]>
By: Zoey Eber
Ever wonder how medicines for ADHD might affect your child? Read on and get the scoop on what]]>
By: Jane Furtado
Our current culture is fixated on health, youth and longevity. New ways to turn back the hands of time are spoken about everyday. Everyone wants a healthier, better body and wants to slow down the aging process and feel better about themselves. However, all of these wants can sometimes be tall orders when you are also living a busy life, meeting demands and watching your budget. If you are reading this article, you have probably searched for ways to do all of this affordably and you have probably been left disappointed. We are happy to report that we have a solution and a source of hope for you.
The answer lies in a tiny, little berry called the Acai Berry which is found deep in the Amazonian Rainforests and has been a celebrated food in the Brazilian culture. The Acai Berry is considered a Superfood and is really considered to be the fruit of all fruits because it has a huge amount of nutrients all under one roof. It contains Vitamin A, C, E, B1, B2 and B3 along with Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper and Zinc. The Acai Berry is a terrific source of protein and actually has the same amount as an egg, without the cholesterol. This wonder berry also is rich in healthy fats such as the Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9.
With Acai Berry there is nothing to lose and much to be gained; health is wealth. It is proven that people who have Acai Berry in their daily diet have a lower risk of developing debilitating diseases like Heart Disease, Alzheimer?s and Cancer as well as chronic conditions like Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. In addition, outside of preventing against disease, Acai Berry also slows down the gene that manages the aging process, helping to smooth wrinkles and provide you with a smoother exterior.
The challenge for years has always been in the fact that you would have to eat mass quantities of this spectacular Superfood to get the maximum benefit. However, it is now available to you and other health conscious consumers to take one, affordable pill each day to turn back the clock and regenerate your health without having to drink or eat obscene amounts of the raw fruit.
This powerful supplement provides you with the opportunity to reap amazing results both internally and externally. It is completely natural and the supplement has taken all of the best qualities of the fruit and brought everything together into one pill.
Why not take advantage of a miracle that Brazilians have known about for centuries. Toast your good health with the Acai Berry Daily Supplement!
Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_8167.shtml
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