For millions of people, medical problems such as an impacted colon require the insertion of a rectal suppository. While not difficult, this process provides some discomfort. Most medical professionals recommend a lubricated glycerin suppository for easier insertion. The entire process takes about 20 to 25 minutes from preparation to the completion of the .
Instructions
1. Wash your hands thoroughly in hot, soapy water. If you wish to wear a pair of gloves, put them on immediately after washing your hands. Make sure that you use a clean pair of gloves.
2. Open the package of the glycerin suppository. Keep the suppository in the package until you are ready to use it.
3. Position yourself comfortably either sitting or laying on your right side. Make sure that you can easily reach your rectum.
4. Take the suppository out of its package and hold it between your thumb and middle finger, with the tapered end facing away from the palm of your hand. The tip of your index finger should rest on the flat end of the suppository.
5. Place the tapered end of the suppository on your rectum. Gently push the suppository with your index finger into the rectal opening. Continue pushing it until finger clears the sphincter, then remove your index finger, leaving the suppository in. If you do not insert it far enough, the suppository slides back out.
6. Tighten your sphincter muscle to hold the suppository in place. Sit or lay still for approximately 15 minutes to allow the suppository to work.
7. Clean your hands after your bowel movement in hot, soapy water.
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It is important to get all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to replenish what it burns during your workouts. Many turn to nutritional supplements such as Animal Pak. This product has several supplements packaged in individual packs. The number of packs you take will depend on your exercise regimen.
Instructions
1. Make an assessment of your current training regimen. Are you in the offseason, in maintenance, on a special diet or preparing for a competition?
2. Take all of the supplements in one pack of Animal Pak per day if you are in the offseason or simply maintaining your physique. Drink a full glass of water with the supplements to ensure proper absorption. The average athlete needs to take only one pack per day.
3. If you are in a heavy training course, take all of the supplements in two Animal Pak packs per day. These should also be taken with water, but you can take them at different times of the day. You do not have to take two packs per day unless you are in very strenuous training or an elite athlete.
Hair loss and breakage can be caused by many things. Taking care of your body, as well as your hair, will keep your hair healthy and free from breakage. Most breakage occurs when the protein connectivity is broken down and the hair becomes weak.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can cause hair loss. Getting enough sunlight or taking a vitamin supplement can help with this problem.
Biotin Deficiency
Biotin makes the hair strands strong and prevents them from breaking. Breakage occurs when the body isn't receiving enough biotin from the diet; try biotin vitamins to avoid biotin deficiency.
Improper Dieting
Hair, skin and nails require proper nutrition to grow and be healthy. Eating a well-balanced diet is important for your hair.
Improper Hair Care
Using too many harsh chemical can severely damage the hair. Depending on your hair type, certain combs and brushes can cause hair breakage and loss.
Not Enough Protein
The majority of the hair strand (88 percent) is made up of three different types of protein: keratin, collagen and elastin. Hair experiences breakage when the protein is broken down and the connectivity is weakened.
Health Reasons
Some health conditions and reactions to medication can cause the hair to become brittle and break. A doctor can either treat the condition or prescribe a different medication.
Tags: your hair, cause hair, broken down, occurs when, when protein
Choose a high-quality dog food formulated especially for puppies.
Vitamins can give your puppy the proper nutrition that can help it grow into a healthy adult dog. Choosing a vet-approved, vitamin-enriched dog food will go a long way toward helping the puppy thrive. It can be harmful to give your puppy vitamin supplements that can cause it to grow too big or too quickly. Rapid growth spurts in puppies can cause added stress to its body and damage muscle, bone and ligaments in the process. Some vitamin supplements are safe and beneficial. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any vitamin supplements.
Vitamin A
Dogs can develop a condition known as Vitamin A responsive dermatosis. This condition causes seborrhea, a foul odor, thick foot pads and scales on the abdomen and chest, especially the nipple area. Another effect of this condition is hair that pulls out easily, often resulting in hair loss. Vitamin A responsive dermatosis is more common in cocker spaniels and may or may not be due to a lack of Vitamin A in the diet. According to Pet Education.com, this condition improves with supplementation of Vitamin A. Puppies that suffer from Vitamin A responsive dermatosis will need extra Vitamin A in their diet for their entire lives.
Fatty Acids
While fatty acids are not classified as vitamins, they are an essential part of a puppy's diet. Dogs produce some of the fatty acids necessary to be healthy. However, dogs do not produce all of the important fatty acids, known as essential fatty acids. According to Pet Education.com, essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 are important in preventing conditions such as heart problems, cancers, yeast infections, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and dry hair coats. Puppies will benefit from supplementing with omega-3 and omega-6, and many dog foods now contain these vitamins.
Vitamin C
According to Vetinfo.com, Vitamin C should never be included in a puppy or dog's diet. This is because a dog makes all of the necessary Vitamin C naturally and supplementing with this vitamin can cause a myriad of physical problems. Feeding your puppy a Vitamin C supplement or a dog food that is high in the vitamin, can cause adverse health affects as it grows, such as liver disease, kidney disease and several types of bone diseases.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important part of a puppy's diet. Known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D plays an integral role in regulating calcium and phosphorus in the puppy's body. According to Pet Education.com, Vitamin D is important in skeletal growth, muscle control and nerve functions. Puppies can be deficient in Vitamin D, which may lead to rickets (bone demineralization). For this reason, most veterinarians recommend adding Vitamin D to your puppy's diet. While Vitamin D toxicity is rare, a puppy that received an excess of Vitamin D could have large amounts of calcium deposited in the heart, soft tissues and muscles.
Raw spinach offers many vitamins and nutrients conducive to good health.
Raw spinach contains nutrients vital for a healthy life, including calcium, iron and vitamins C, A and E. You can purchase the green, leafy vegetable in pre-washed, ready-to-eat packages, but many prefer to buy spinach in a more unaltered form with a still-intact root system. You can also choose between organic or conventionally grown spinach. After preparing raw spinach, include it uncooked in a salad or cooked in a wide variety of main and side dishes. Try adding spinach to homemade lasagna or an omelet with tomato and cheese.
Instructions
1. Squeeze two or three tablespoons of lemon juice into a medium-sized bowl. Fill the rest of the bowl with water. The acidity of the lemon juice will kill any bugs left in the spinach after picking.
2. Run the spinach briefly under a cold, running faucet to wash away dirt.
3. Rip the largest stems off the spinach. You'll come back through later and get the smaller stems. For now, just make sure you tear off the largest ones and any remaining roots.
4. Place the spinach in the the lemon and water mixture. Let the spinach soak in the mixture for about five minutes.
5. Place the spinach in a colander. Run cold water over the spinach, sifting through the leaves with your fingers so that the water hits all the areas. Wash for about 30 seconds, or until the spinach appears clean.
6. Shake the colander to remove excess water from the spinach. If you wish, pat a cloth or paper towel over the spinach to soak up excess water.
7. Pick the spinach up with your hands, two or three leaves at a time, and rip off the remaining stems. Place the leaves on a cutting board as you go and discard the stems. The stems are edible, so it's OK if you don't remove them entirely.
8. Chop the spinach on the cutting board by piling the leaves on top of one another and pressing down on the pile with a sharp knife. Continue until the pieces are the size you want for your recipe.
Tags: bowl with, cutting board, excess water, lemon juice, over spinach, Place spinach
Hair loss is frequently fairly easy to fix--if you know the cause of it.
In women, hair loss is usually associated with hormonal changes. By adjusting the way your body produces hormones or responds to these changes, you can regrow your hair and get thicker and fuller hair in the bargain. However, since can signify a number of health problems, be sure to work with your doctor to insure that regrowing your hair is not not simply masking a larger issue.
Instructions
1. Identify the problem. Contact your doctor and work with them to eliminate major health issues. Hair loss often indicates thyroid problems or major hormone changes due to menopause. It is possible that treating these issues will resolve your hair loss without further action on your part.
2. Nourish your hair from within. One of the reasons many pregnant women appear to "glow" is that their hair becomes long, thick and lush due to prenatal vitamins. However, you do not have to get pregnant to regrow your hair. Hair vitamins do the same thing as neonatal vitamins, but are designed for use by women who are not pregnant. Insuring that your hair is getting the nourishment it needs is the first step to thicker, fuller hair.
3. Stay hydrated. Particularly in winter months when the climate is hard on hair anyway, staying hydrated is vitally important if you want to delay or halt hair loss. Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. This will strengthen existing hair and alleviate hair loss.
4. Try a potato hair mask. Potatoes have been a popular and natural hair loss treatment for years. Apply a blend of mashed potatoes, one egg yolk, one teaspoon of vegetable oil, one teaspoon of liquid honey and a tea-spoon of fine salt to your scalp once a week. You could get results in as little as a month.
5. Relax. The most common cause for hair loss is stress. Particularly if you fiddle with your hair when you are stressed out, you may actually be causing your own hair loss problem. Take time each day to meditate or take a scheduled break from your hectic schedule to calm and sooth yourself--perhaps with a hot cup or tea or aroma-therapeutic bath.
Tags: your hair, hair loss, fuller hair, Hair loss, regrow your, regrow your hair
Carrots contain a large selection of nutritious vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C and K. C is well-known as an immune system booster, while vitamin A aids vision (hence the carrot's cult status among the near-sighted). Along with vitamins, carrots contain minerals like potassium, calcium and iron. Calcium contributes to strong bones, while iron enriches blood cells. Carrots are just as healthy raw or cooked, hot or cold.
Carrots, Cancer and Heart Health
According to Organic Facts, "Researchers at the Wolfson Gastrointestinal Laboratory in Edinburgh, Scotland, revealed that cholesterol level reduces by 11 percent if 7 ounces of raw carrots a day is taken for three weeks." Carrots help reduce bad cholesterol, increasing heart health and greatly reducing chances of cardiac arrest. The carrot's healthy amount of beta-carotene, meanwhile, possibly assists in reducing incidence of cancer. Scientists have also found that the high fiber content of carrots may help to reduce cases of colon cancer by up to 24 percent.
Carrots and Lungs
The high vitamin A content of carrots also contributes to greater respiratory and lung health. Richard Baybutt, a professor at Kansas State University, notes that emphysema victims suffer from a vitamin A deficiency that increases lung tissue degradation. He says, "There are a lot of people who live to be 90 years old and are smokers. Why? Probably because of their diet." Smokers that include healthy, nutrient-packed foods, including carrots, stand a better chance of fighting cigarettes' chemical compounds that leach away vitamin A. Baybutt even recommends that those exposed to second-hand smoke should increase their consumption of carrots, just to be safe.
The Satisfaction Factor
Carrots are a great dietary addition because they're filling, delicious and simple to eat. There aren't many foods that are healthy, versatile and tasty, but carrots fill all of these requirements. Those trying to watch their weight often find that carrots satisfy hunger cravings easily, since they contain lots of bulky fiber that fill the stomach.
In order to stave off over-consumption and trigger fullness, it's important that foodstuffs fulfill all of the five senses. Carrots do this well--they come in many colors, are crunchy or smooth (depending on the recipe) and have a neutral, sweet but clean flavor and scent. Carrots are one of the most efficient health foods around.
Tags: Carrots Healthy, content carrots, help reduce
Garlic supplements are known to have antibacterial and antiviral properties, and you can use them to help treat genital herpes. Allicin is the active ingredient in garlic. Diallyl sulphides found in garlic may help reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and improve circulation, but not in everyone. Garlic also contains vitamin C, B6, selenium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese, and flavonoids.
Garlic's Disease-Fighting Compounds
Garlic for Treatment of Herpes
Garlic has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, and contains 80 sulfur compounds. These compounds are used in sulfa drugs. Garlic is also recommended as a natural treatment for the herpes virus.
According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, adverse effects of garlic may include bad breath, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal upset. It may also enhance the metabolism of certain medications, including cyclosporins and saquinavar.
Garlic and Herpes
The Microbiology of Herpes
According to Dr. J. North at the Department of Microbiology, Brigham Young University, garlic extract has proven 100-percent effective with both Herpes Simplex Virus-Type 1 (HSV-1), which causes oral fever blisters, and Herpes Simplex Virus-Type 2 (HSV-2), which causes genital herpes. Dr. North also finds that garlic has proven effective with Human Rhinovirus, which causes colds, and Parainfluenza 3, which causes flu and respiratory illness. He states that garlic has proven 90-percent effective with poliovirus. It may also help inhibit the production of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) by strengthening the immune system.
25 Viruses in the Herpes Family
Garlic Gels for Herpes
According to Dr. Richard Hunt, professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of South Carolina, there are 25 viruses in the Herpes family. Some of these are well known, and include the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpes Associated Virus (KSHAV). Garlic is the most popular treatment for the various forms of Herpes, and is available in tablets or gels.
Premarin cream is a frequently prescribed hormone cream that can be used to counteract the symptoms associated with hormone deficiency. Use of the cream has gone in and out of favor over time. Some women who have experienced side effects are looking for a more natural, nontoxic way to remedy their symptoms. There are vitamin and herb related treatments that might offer help.
Identification
is a prescription medication that can be given to treat menopausal changes of the vagina, such as dryness and painful intercourse. The cream is a mixture of different female estrogen hormones manufactured from the urine of female horses. Premarin replaces the natural estrogens that a woman no longer produces. There are many potential side effects to the cream like dizziness and an increased chance of blood clots along with some development of male characteristics (like a mustache) when you stop using the cream.
Significance
Menopause is the largest cause for the need of Premarin cream. The vaginal dryness is only one of many different symptoms of menopause which includes hot flashes, depression, palpitations and heavy bleeding. Menopause begins when the female body begins to produce fewer hormones than usual, an amount that continues to decrease as you get older. Since this problem affects all women with a uterus, Premarin and other hormone replacement therapies have been prescribed for millions.
Vitamin Treatment
Certain vitamins and supplements may be able to help increase your body's natural hormone production. To help replenish your body during menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, use Vitamin C, potassium and the Vitamin B complex. Vitamin E may control hot flashes, increase hormone production and heal vaginal dryness. Black currant oil may also increase the production of estrogen. Lastly, the mineral selenium can help to maintain hormonal balance in the body.
Herbal Treatment
Multiple herbs will help to stimulate or balance your hormone levels during menopause. Black cohosh is an herb that has been used by women for hundreds of years; it may stimulate natural estrogen production. False unicorn root is also a stimulant to the hormones of the ovary and is often used in the early stages of menopause. Ginseng, licorice and chaste tree can also be used to increase your natural hormone production (ginseng and licorice) while balancing your levels of estrogen and progesterone (chaste tree).
Warnings
Premarin cream should only be used as directed as an overdose of the cream can increase the risk of its potential side effects. Vitamins and herbal remedies should also only be used in doses recommended by your doctor or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Herbal remedies can cause allergic reactions and also interactions with any medications that you may be taking. Consult your doctor or an integrated medical practitioner to ensure you are taking proper precautions.
The RDA, or recommended daily allowance of cholesterol stands at 300 mg. Certain foods contain much more than that with just one serving, so careful consideration must be made when selecting your daily diet.
Whole Eggs
Whole eggs typically contain 220 to 245 mg per egg. This is nearly your entire RDA, which means eggs should be avoided if cholesterol is a significant health factor for you.
Meat Products
Lean cuts of meat and chicken are recommended. Avoid processed meats like hot dogs and bologna, as well as fried and battered foods.
Milk Products
The term "fat free" is a winner with milk products. Skim and 1 percent milk are highly recommended. Avoid whole milk and any type of sweetened milk.
Fruits & Vegetables
Eat fresh, frozen or dried fruits and vegetables. Even canned fruits are good if not accompanied by thick, sugary syrups. Be leery of any vegetable cooked in butter, creams or sauces.
Fats & Oils
Canola, olive and peanut oils rank among the highest recommended. While salad dressing and mayo are acceptable, butter and hydrogenated margarine are to be avoided.
Snacks
Angel food cake, animal crackers and jello are very low in cholesterol. You should omit ice cream, potato chips and cookies from your diet.
Adults need a variety of vitamins and minerals for a healthy body and lifestyle. Essential vitamins D, C, E, beta-carotene, B, K and iron taken daily prevent the onset of sickness and disease, as well as promote overall well-being. Vitamins, although sometimes produced by the body, come from either food or supplements.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D builds strong bones and teeth. It helps the body absorb calcium and prevents degenerative disease, such as osteoporosis and bone loss, which are both difficult to reverse. D also strengthens tooth enamel and promotes healthy skin.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is often taken for common cold and flu symptoms because of its antioxidant effects and ability to subdue toxins. It also heals damaged tissues and strengthen the walls of the blood vessels. Vitamin C maintains the integrity of the vascular and circulatory systems.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and toxins in the body. E strengthens the immune system so it can defend against harmful carcinogens that cause sickness and disease. E also maintains the vascular system and relieves symptoms of PMS.
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene helps with proper cell and tissue growth, preventing the onset of cancer and disease. It helps the body's defenses against free radicals and toxins.
Vitamin B
The vitamin B family reduces stress and regulates the central nervous system. It also protects the skin against ultraviolet damage from the sun, especially in those with fair complexions. Vitamin B keeps the skin youthful and free of physical abnormalities, like discolorations and sunspots.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K prevents blood clotting, which can lead to heart attacks and disease. It also promotes calcium intake to the bones. K also reduces pain and relaxes muscles.
Iron
Iron is essential for hemoglobin production in the red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron also prevents the onset of anemia, which is caused by low levels of iron in the body.
Dealing with infertility is difficult for those trying to conceive a child. Drugs such as Clomid, Serophene and Pergonal are available to treat infertility, but if you want to treat infertility naturally, many vitamins are available for the same purpose. Read on to learn treat infertility with vitamins.
Instructions
For Men
1. Use vitamin C. Taking between 200 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C prevents sperm from bunching together, referred to as sperm agglutination. Sperm that are not bunched together move more quickly toward the egg, increasing the chances of fertilization.
2. Take vitamin E. Studies have shown that taking 400IU of this antioxidant daily aids the body in sperm production.
3. Increase your Selenium intake. Selenium is actually a mineral and can be taken in pill form, but it is also found naturally in red meat and seafood. Keeping your Selenium intake at about 70 mg a day protects the sperm by helping to prevent oxidation.
4. Choose vitamin B12. This vitamin helps to increase sperm count and aids in their motility, the measurement of how many sperm, per sample, are moving.
For Women
5. Increase vitamin A intake to improves hormone production. An increase in hormone production can increase chances of conceiving.
6. Take B-Complex vitamins such as Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Folic Acid and Cyanocbalamin, all of which increase hormone production.
7. Add vitamin C to your diet. Vitamin C aids in the production of cervical fluid, helping the sperm reach the egg more easily.
8. Go for the vitamin E. Studies have shown vitamin E to increase the quality of the egg, thereby increasing the chances of a successful fertilization.
Tags: hormone production, your Selenium intake, have shown, , increase hormone
A&D Ointment is a diaper rash ointment and skin protectant. Also commonly used as a topical treatment for burns and cuts, many tattoo shops recommend A&D Ointment for their newly-inked clients. A&D can also be used for post-chemical peel care to protect the newly exposed skin from environmental irritants. If you have sensitive skin, it is important to research the ingredients in any over-the-counter product before use, since many ingredients on very young, new or open skin can cause adverse reactions. If there is no known sensitivity to any ingredients, apply the ointment liberally on clean, dry skin as often as necessary.
Active ingredient: Lanolin (15.5%)
Lanolin is a fatty, wax-like substance derived as a byproduct from sheep's wool. Lanolin is commonly used in hair products, hand creams, lip products and moisturizers for its emollient properties. Emollients soften and moisture the skin by creating a barrier which prevents transepidermal water loss, or TEWL, which is the natural loss of moisture through the skin. By creating a barrier against evaporation, the skin stays moisturized even when no additional moisture is applied externally.
Lanolin can be very soothing, but can also have a sensitizing effect that causes allergic reactions. People already prone to eczema may be especially sensitive to lanolin.
Active Ingredient: Petrolatum (53.4%)
Commonly known as petroleum jelly, petrolatum is another emollient. Petrolatum is similar to lanolin in weight and occlusive properties, but it is derived from petroleum hydrocarbons. Cheap and readily available, petrolatum is a common ingredient in lip products and ointments. Its low cost, ready availability and extremely long shelf life make petrolatum a popular vehicle for skincare products. While petrolatum is unlikely to cause allergic reactions, it may cause or aggravate acne.
Inactive Ingredient: Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil is the ingredient that gives A&D Ointment its name, due to its high content of both of these vitamins. By weight, cod liver oil has the highest concentration of vitamins A and D of any food, as well as having a high number of essential fatty omega-3 acids. Vitamins A and D have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Cod liver oil is extracted from the livers of fresh fish in the Gadidae family.
Other Ingredients: Fragrance, Light Mineral Oil, Microcrystalline Wax and Paraffin
These ingredients make up a very small percentage of the overall product. In the case of A&D ointment, the fragrance used is not specified and might be used only to counteract the sometimes unpleasant smell of lanolin.
Light mineral oil, microcrystalline wax and paraffin are all petrolatum products and all function similarly as emollients. Paraffin is a wax used to increase the thickness of the ointment.
Dog food allergies are common and cause things like itchy, irritated skin, hair loss, watery eyes, vomiting and diarrhea. Finding the right hypoallergenic food can sometimes be challenging. There are special dog foods made with limited numbers of natural ingredients and no common allergy causing ingredients such as corn, wheat and soy. Though these dog foods are usually more expensive, they will save you money in the long run on veterinary bills, treatments and medications.
Blue Buffalo
All Blue Buffalo dog food contains no corn, wheat or soy since so many dogs are allergic to these common cheap filler ingredients. They use only real meat, whole grains, vegetables and even fruits to make their high-quality dog food. In addition, every variety of Blue Buffalo dog food contains LifeSource Bits, which are a mixture of vitamin, minerals and antioxidants to help strengthen your dog's immune system.
Royal Canin
Royal Canin uses all natural ingredients, vitamins, minerals and no fillers. They have a specific Hypoallergenic HP dog food that is a complete and balanced hydrolyzed protein diet. The diet is specifically formulated to assist in the diagnosis and management of adverse food reactions.
Solid Gold
Solid Gold offers dry dog food with bison or lamb in them. Going with more exotic proteins such as these increases your chances of finding a suitable food for your dog. Their food has all natural ingredients in them along with rice, some fruits, and minerals and vitamins, which also help with your dog's growth and coat.
Canidae
Canidae also has hypoallergenic dog food. They offer things like turkey, chicken, lamb and fish with brown rice, herbs, vitamins, minerals, probiotics and other natural ingredients that are all good for your dog. They do not use corn, wheat, soy, grain fractions or other fillers.
Eagle Pack
Eagle Pack dog food offers antibiotic-free lamb, pork and fish meal for a hypoallergenic protein. Their natural dog food also has whole grains, fruit orchard and herb garden ingredients, fibers, purified fats, quality oils and fatty acids.
Hills Science Diet
Hills Science Diet also offers a line of dog foods called Prescription formula diets, which are made specifically for dogs with food allergies and skin conditions.
Nature's Recipe
Nature's Recipe offers dog food with carefully selected grains, protein sources, fat sources and antioxidants. They have canine allergy formulas to provide the nutritional needs of your dog and help alleviate and prevent allergic reactions to food.
Tip
There are also many other brands of hypoallergenic dog foods on the market. The best thing to do to find the right hypoallergenic food for your dog is to check with a veterinarian, your dog food supplier and to check and compare the ingredients on the bags. It may take time trying out different formulas to figure out what ingredients your dog is allergic to and what brand works best for him.
The Lifeforce Diet, now known as the McCombs Plan, markets itself as an approach to detoxification that allows you to "activate the endless life-force potential that resides in every cell of our bodies." But what medical theories are the plan based on, and how does it purport to work? Find out if the McCombs Plan is the key to a long, healthy life and if it's right for you.
About the McCombs Plan
Placing the blame for poor health on the overabundance of antibiotics and an imbalance of certain organisms in the body, the McCombs Plan claims to improve the overall health and functioning of your body with a 16-week detoxification program. In addition, the plan claims it will result in weight loss because of improved body functioning. The program was developed by Jeff McCombs, a chiropractor, and promises a healthier mind, body and spirit after detoxification. There are four main components to the plan: supplements, water, sweating and following a Yes/No foods list.
Supplements
The McCombs Plan detox program calls for a regimen of dietary supplements during the 16-week detox program and through further "maintenance" steps. "Candida Force" is said to eliminate candida, a family of fungi that live in mammals and which some alternative medicine practitioners claim cause fatigue and weight gain when overabundant. "Detox Essentials" is a blend of vitamins and herbs said to encourage detoxification. And "Flora Prime," a mix of "good" bacteria, including Acidophilus, is taken starting in the seventh week to help balance bacteria in the digestive system.
The possible efficacy of these supplements is debatable. While the benefits of vitamin C and Acidophilus have been proved and are widely accepted by medical practitioners, the theory that too much candida can cause ill health lacks credible evidence. Further, it should be noted that these supplements are only available directly from the McCombs Plan website, and carry a hefty price tag. And bear in mind that supplements are not well regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration for safety or efficacy. Talk to your doctor before taking these supplements to avoid potential side effects or interactions with other medications you may be taking.
Water and Sweating
Like most detoxification programs, the McCombs Plan calls for drinking water---and a lot of it. For example, a 150-lb. person needs to drink 2.8 liters of water, or about 12 8-oz. glasses to flush toxins from the body. This is in line with the Institute of Medicine's recommendations, though women can probably drink a little less. The plan also calls for getting rid of much of this water by sweating, either by taking a hot 30-minute bath or a 10-minute steam in a sauna six times a week. This is said to aid in detoxification through the skin.
Yes/No Foods
The diet component of the McCombs Plan is a Yes/No list of acceptable foods, prescribing a diet of only Yes foods for at least the first eight weeks. The Yes foods may look familiar to low-carb dieters: They include most meats, vegetables, fruits, eggs, brown rice, tea and coffee. On the No list is virtually anything else, including dairy, grains, soy and sugar. While following this diet strictly is sure to result in weight loss for many people, it should be noted that such a restrictive diet may be very difficult for some to keep up. Be sure to discuss this diet with your doctor, especially if you have any ongoing health conditions.
The Key to a Long Life?
The McCombs regimen offers a plethora of good advice on healthy living. It suggests a number of very nutritional foods, and getting enough water is always a good idea. However, the McCombs Plan also raises many concerns. The first is the cost of the program: The McCombs Plan website offers everything you'd need, including a $4,000 sauna, and costs of strictly following the program could total hundreds or thousands of dollars before you'd see any noticeable changes.
Further, the McCombs Plan is based on the alternative medicine theory of autotoxicity, the idea that your body builds up toxins that it is unable to rid itself of. While this is an ancient theory, it has been largely debunked by modern medicine. Also, the plan does not call for exercise of any kind, despite the fact that exercise is almost universally regarded as key to good health. Will this plan make you lose weight? Perhaps. Limiting certain foods and drinking lots of water will result in weight loss, though this has nothing to do with balancing your candida levels, and sweating will make you shed water weight.
As for a longer, healthier life, the plan has been around for only 15 years, so when it comes to longevity, the verdict is still out.
Tags: McCombs Plan, result weight, result weight loss, these supplements, weight loss, alternative medicine, detox program
Food items are more than their sum of carbohydrates, calories and proteins. In fact, the various vitamins and minerals found in each different food item have the power to boost the immune system, cleanse the body and burn fat. However, not all foods are created equally. Some foods contain more vitamins or minerals than others and every different food stimulates the body in different ways. Nonetheless, there are many different foods that can be found on the grocer's shelves as well as most pantries that can help burn fat and boost the metabolism.
Fruits
Citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines and grapefruit are among the highest fat burning foods. Vitamin C dilutes fat content. The acidity of vitamin C essentially cuts through fat reducing the fat contents effectiveness to stick within the body. Vitamin C offers the body a boost, which is essential to any fat burning regiment. Tomatoes also contain vitamin C, which can result in fat burning. Although orange and tomato juice may help increase metabolism, it is not nearly as effective as the real fruit. Kiwi fruit is also an effective fat burner. These little tangy fruits are high in vitamin C and known to boost metabolism as effectively as citrus fruits. Other fruits that have fat burning and metabolism raising qualities include apples and fresh berries, which have ample amounts of pectin. Pectin coats the cells within body, limiting the amount of fat they can absorb. In addition pectin is water binding and flushes out excess fat. Berries, especially raspberries, are rich in pectin. However, apples (most notably apple peels) are the most pectin-rich fruit.
Vegetables
There are several vegetables that are known to have fat burning and metabolism boosting qualities. One of the most notable is the cucumber. Cucumbers are high in sulphur and silicone, both of which help the body rid itself of fat content. Cucumber seeds have stimulant properties that boost metabolism rates. Another vegetable known as a fat burner, the beet, is not as universally beloved. Beets are rich in iron, potassium, magnesium and fiber. They enrich the blood and aid in liver function, thus helping to rid the body of fat through elimination. Carrots, broccoli, asparagus and cabbage are all other examples of fat burning vegetables. Onions and garlic also make great fat burners. Since lettuce is also fat-burning food, garlic oil can be used as a salad dressing.
Dairy
Believe it or not, dairy is a fat burning food. The process of converting dairy down into lactic acid causes the body to utilize the energy stored in fat. Low fat dairy products such as cheese, milk and yogurt boost metabolism and burn fat.
Other Foods
There are a number of other foods that help rid the body of fat including tofu, chili peppers and apple cider vinegar. Tofu, made from soy, is high in protein and low in calories and jump starts metabolism and generates muscle tissue, burning calories along the way. Chili peppers are high in the compound capsaicin, which heats up the body and metabolism similar to the effects of a thermogenic product. The acidity in this fermented product heats up the body like a thermogenic. However, vinegar also combats fat in the same way as vitamin C; it dilutes it and flushes it from the system.
Natural Thermogenic
Thermogenic supplements and foods work to burn calories by heating up the body. The process of creating heat within the body requires calories and fat burning. There are a number of supplements on the market that are made to simulate this process. However, many foods, which may be considered safer than supplements, have the same qualities. Capsaicin, found in chili peppers and many other spicy foods, as well as ginger and another compound called chromium found in mushrooms, brown rice, whole grain and eggs. Other thermogenic food items include green tea, which helps burn fat without increasing heart rates like commercial supplements, and a compound called lecithin, found in soybeans and egg yolks.
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N-Acetyl Cysteine supplements can aide in hair growth.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) is a modified form of cysteine--a sulfurous amino acid that if taken regularly can aide in hair growth along with other health benefits. NAC is available in supplement form but can be found in foods such as brussel sprouts, broccoli, eggs, fish, garlic, seafood and whole grains. The benefits of NAC are optimized when taken with vitamin C.
Function
NAC is processed through the liver in the body and acts as a powerful antioxidant in several areas of the body. Cysteine supplements are not safe to take for a long period of time because of it's tendency to convert to cystine in the body which can result in kidney and bladder stones. NAC as a modified version is safer to take for longer periods of time continuously and is found to be a more potent form of the amino acid than cysteine by itself.
Benefits
The body does not produce sulfur on it's own but it is a necessary nutrient for the health of your hair. Therefore, it is vital to receive this mineral in the body through diet and/or supplements such as NAC--which is a sulphurous amino acid. A sulfur deficiency can cause the hair to be weak and brittle and experience slow growth. Taking NAC supplements or incorporating the foods that carry the nutrient will bring back luster, strength and healthy growth of the hair by supplying the much needed sulfur to your blood stream.
Forms
NAC can be found in a supplement at most vitamin and health shops but can also be found in certain foods in your grocery. Whole eggs are the most natural and potent carrier of this amino acid as an alternative to taking supplements. The benefits of NAC can also be experienced by eating greens such as brussel sprouts and broccoli as well as peppers, garlic, fish, whole grains and whey protein.
Considerations
Although NAC is a more stable form of cysteine by being less likely to convert to cystine and cause kidney and , the likelihood--even though small--is still present. As recommended by Advanced Health and Life Extension, taking two or three times the amount of vitamin C of your NAC dosage will help the supplement continue to work as an antioxidant rather than an oxidant.
Dosage
It is recommended to start off with a small dosage of NAC supplements eventually working your way up to higher dosages to avoid digestive problems. According to Vita Viva-Info, it is recommended to start off with 500 milligrams a day for the first week slowly increasing with your consistent use. You can safely take up to 12 grams of NAC supplements twice daily to see a decrease in hair loss and increase in hair growth.
Warning
According to the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, should you have an allergy to eggs, dairy products or taking diabetic medication you should not take the NAC or cysteine supplement as you may experience severe headaches.
ADHD affects about 5 percent of American children between the ages of 6 and 17, and its causes are, as yet, generally speculative. We do know, however, that while ADHD is not caused by diet, certain foods can exacerbate ADHD symptoms and others actually work to help calm children. While every child is different and will respond differently to dietary interventions, here are some basic nutritional guidelines to help you figure out what to feed a child with ADHD.
Remember, though, that you should always consult your child's physician before adding or eliminating foods from your child's diet, including vitamins and other supplements.
Complex Carbohydrates
All carbohydrates are broken down by your body into glucose (sugar), but complex carbohydrates take longer to break down and are used more efficiently by the body. Many pediatricians recommend eating more complex carbohydrates and avoiding the simple carbohydrates, like cakes and white bread.
Examples of complex carbohydrates to incorporate into your child's diet are: wheat bread, oatmeal, potatoes, brown rice, macaroni and spaghetti, and pretty much all fruits and vegetables. Additionally, avoid refined sugars, such as soda, candy and snack cakes, since this is practically all glucose already and is processed by the body too quickly, resulting in a "sugar rush" that can make your child irritable and even less able to focus.
Proteins
Proteins are the building blocks of the body, helping cells and tissues to regenerate and repair themselves. Thus, a diet rich in good proteins can assist overall functioning and help your child feel better.
Good proteins can be found in eggs, meats, poultry, fish, beans, peanut butter and cheese. Some physicians suggest adding proteins in the morning and for afternoon snacks, as they assist concentration and can help lengthen the time medications work.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
There are three main types of omega-3 fatty acids---DHA, EPA and ALA---that have been identified as essential to good brain function. Increasing the amount your child gets of these nutrients can significantly improve focus and assist your child in actively controlling his behaviors.
Good dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish---like salmon, herring, anchovies and sardines---ground flax meal or flaxseed oil (also known as linseed), walnuts, and poultry and meat or their byproducts (eggs, milk, cheese) from animals that have been fed a diet of lots of leafy greens.
However, omega-3 fatty acids are also commonly available in supplement form, and are now carried in the "gummy" vitamins that are popular with kids. These can also provide a good balance of other vitamins and minerals your child needs. Consult your doctor regarding the recommended dosage for your child.
Foods to Avoid
Often there are hidden elements in our food that can have a significant impact on children with ADHD. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children with ADHD avoid foods with artificial colors---especially red and yellow---and some common preservatives like MSG (monosodium glutamate), aspartame, and nitrates. While you don't have to be militant about this, cutting back on foods that have these ingredients, and trying to eat more unprocessed, natural foods could help. Fortunately, many of the foods that contain these products are sugary snacks and candies that you are probably eliminating anyway.
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Vitamin C is an essential water soluble vitamin that helps protect your immune system. According to Natural Standard Research, "Vitamin C is necessary in the body to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels and aids in the absorption of iron."
Features
Peppers
Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits and vegetables like spinach, broccoli, red peppers, cabbage and cauliflower.
Benefits
According to Russell Jaffe, M.D., "80 percent of people require at least 10 g of vitamin C daily for optimum physiological function." Most vitamins are available in pills, powders and liquid. The main difference between these forms is the rate at which your body absorbs the vitamins. Liquids are absorbed more quickly than pills and powders, which means the vitamin will become active sooner. Some people have trouble absorbing vitamins in pill form and must take them in liquid form.
Significance
Sailors and scurvy
During the 16th century, sailors who were out to sea for long stretches of time were coming down with scurvy. They were unaware at the time that a simple solution existed. In 1747, British naval surgeon James Lind figured out that the vitamin C in lemons combated scurvy. From then on, all ships had lemon juice on board.
Considerations
Many beauty companies have added vitamin C to their products, claiming that it helps fight wrinkles. Researchers at the University of Leicester and Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology found that vitamin C could lead to better skin regeneration.
Warning
Before buying liquid vitamin C, check the ingredients. Sugar and other ingredients may be added to your liquid vitamin that you may not need or want. Talk to your doctor to discuss if liquid vitamin C is right for you.
Tags: liquid vitamin, pills powders, that helps, that vitamin, vitamin that
When taking blood thinners for a heart condition, you must monitor the International Normalized Ratio (INR) and keep it within a certain clotting range. The amount of food you eat containing Vitamin K is the primary reason the INR fluctuates. Blood tests are required weekly to monthly, depending on test variations, and your medication dosage is adjusted accordingly. Keep a consistent diet to reduce the frequency of blood tests and medication dosage changes.
Instructions
1. Limit your consumption of high Vitamin K vegetables to a few ounces per day. Vegetables that are highest in Vitamin K include spinach, kale, parsley, swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, broccoli and turnip greens. If you want to eat larger amounts, be consistent day-to-day so that a consistent medication dosage can be established.
2. Select vegetables low in Vitamin K such as corn, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, onions, green beans, peppers and tomato.
3. Eat other foods low in Vitamin K, including meats, fruits, grains and dairy.
4. Use oils that are low in Vitamin K such as corn oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil and sesame oil. Canola oil and soybean oil have the highest Vitamin K content.
5. Be aware of how caffeine or alcohol affects the INR test result.
Tags: medication dosage, Blood Thinner, Control Diet, Control Diet When, Diet When, Diet When Taking, highest Vitamin
Research by James H. Hollis and Richard D. Mattes at the Department of Foods and Nutrition at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana suggests that including three servings of dairy products in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet can help dieters lose weight.
Dairy
Dairy is a broad term used to describe all products containing milk and milk derivatives such as milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream.
The Diet
To lose weight, individuals must consume of low fat dairy products each day while also reducing total calories consumed. One eight-ounce cup of milk or yogurt, 2 ounces of processed cheese or 1.5 ounces of natural cheese are all one serving of dairy. To reach your daily requirements, try eating one cup of yogurt with fresh fruit and low fat granola for breakfast. At lunch enjoy a large vegetable salad with shredded cheese over the top and a cup of vegetable low fat soup. For dinner, enjoy one serving of lean meat such as chicken or fish, over rice with vegetables and eat cottage cheese with berries for dessert.
Why it Works
The calcium found in dairy products is said to help the body break down and burn body fat, resulting in increased weight loss.
Obesity
Research by Michael B. Zemel and associates at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota revealed that obese individuals who consumed at least three servings of dairy each day on a reduced-calorie diet lost more weight and body fat than obese individuals who were also on a reduced-calorie diet but did not consume dairy.
Opponents
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine filed a lawsuit against the dairy industry for its claims that milk helps with weight loss. The committee of physicians behind the lawsuit claim scientific evidence shows that dairy causes weight gain, or alternatively, has not effect on weight, therefore making the dairy industry's claims deceptive and misleading.
Tags: , reduced-calorie diet, servings dairy, three servings, three servings dairy, dairy industry, dairy industry claims
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease characterized by red elevated patches on the skin along with some white and silvery scales. The skin may also appear shiny and sometimes such circumscribed elevations may contain pus (pustules) in severe cases. Psoriasis of the fingernails occurs in about 50 percent of patients with psoriasis. Nail changes take place around the nail plate, nail bed, nail matrix and the skin at the base of the nail. Nail psoriasis may affect one or all fingernails at the same time. Symptoms include the following: salmon patch (a clear yellow-red nail discoloration) appears under the nail plate; nails may appear pitted due to loss of keratin cells (cells that make up the nail); appearance of beau lines (abnormal lines that appear from the sides of the nails rather than the root tip); thickening of the skin under the nail (subungual hyperkeratosis) that may lead to separation of nails on the nail bed(onycholysis); abnormal white areas (leukonychia); crumbling (onychodystrophy) of the nail plate, and thickening of the nail (onchomycosis). Treatments of these symptoms are dependent upon the site and severity of the condition. Read on to learn more about treat psoriasis of the fingernails.
Instructions
1. Apply some topical cream or ointment around the fingernails. Calcipotriol is a Vitamin D derivative that is otherwise known as calcipotriene (Dovonex) in the United States, and is found to be very effective in treating psoriasis. Apply it over the affected nail folds daily. Application of topical corticosteroids is also recommended. This method works best when nails are enclosed with a cellophane wrap that is applied at bedtime. Put some 5-fluorouracil cream on the nail matrix for six months. This may help improve pitting and subungual hyperkeratosis of the nails.
2. Go for an intralesional method. Injection of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide along the proximal nail folds of the nail matrix can be of help, but this method is painful.
3. Visit for proper instructions about PUVA treatment. PUVA, or photochemotherapy, is a type of treatment involving the use of Psoralen (P) and exposing the skin to UVA (long wave ultraviolet radiation). Prescription medication Psoralen can be applied in two ways: it can be painted over the affected area or it can be taken orally.
4. Ask your doctor about some helpful oral medications. Oral medications such as ciclosporin, methotrexate and retinoids (Soriatane) are the usual prescriptions for generalized psoriasis but may also be beneficial for nail psoriasis.
5. Consult with your doctor or surgeon if your case is qualified for a chemical or surgical avulsion therapy. This type of method is rarely advised and is most likely the last resort for severe cases. It involves removal of the entire nail or nails. Newly grown nails of the operated area may appear just as bad as it was, or maybe even worse, than what it looked like before the procedure.
6. Use some topical anti-fungal creams if fungal infection is present with nail psoriasis. Thickening of the nails (onchomycosis), caused by fungal infection, can be treated by systemic applications of anti-fungal agents. Some cases of nail psoriasis are made worse due to the presence of fungi infecting the already weakened nail areas. So it is important to treat as well to decrease infection. But, it should be noted, that fungal treatment alone will not heal nail psoriasis.
7. Perform some home nail care to improve the appearance of your affected nails. Prepare a bottle of tar bath oil and a large basin filled with warm water. Take the cap of the tar bottle and fill the cap with oil and pour three caps worth into the warm water. Soak your fingers on the solution for 20 minutes, carefully pat them dry, and place some moisturizing cream on your nails.
8. Keep your nails short. Constantly trim your affected fingernails to avoid further complications. Long psoriatic nails are more susceptible to tearing when the surface of the nail is rubbed on certain areas, which will only make matters worse. Observe extra care of your affected fingernails. If you are working with your hands, make sure to wear gloves for further protection.
9. Gently even the surface of your thick and pitted fingernails with a nail file and apply nail polish on it to ameliorate its appearance. Do it smoothly and be very extra careful to avoid further damage. You can also attach some artificial nails to make your nails look more appealing. Make sure that you are not allergic to the kind of glue you are using.
Tags: fungal infection, nail matrix, nail plate, nail psoriasis, your affected, your doctor
Supplements help athletes recover faster from workouts.
Many people take bodybuilding supplements, particularly athletes such as bodybuilders and football players. Bodybuilding supplements can include high-potency vitamins, weight gainers, protein powders, diet pills, energy bars, carbohydrate drinks and even fat-burning aids. Anyone who starts a bodybuilding supplements business probably usually has an interest in bodybuilding and nutrition, and that enthusiasm helps. However, it takes more than just enthusiasm to get a bodybuilding supplements business off the ground. There are certain key steps a person must take to start their bodybuilding supplements business.
Instructions
Starting Your Bodybuilding Supplements Business
1. Decide which products you want to feature. Determine whether you want to focus on just a few key products or an entire line of bodybuilding supplements. Contact some local gyms and health clubs in your city. Ask them who supplies their products. Write down all of the supplier names. Ask each gym or health club owner if they would consider using a new supplier before you hang up.
2. Go online and find out more about the suppliers. Make a note if these companies are from the local area or in another city. Go on the Internet and see if their other local suppliers selling in your city. Study their website, the products they sell, their prices and how they promote their products. Decide whether you want to sell more premium brands or adopt a discount-pricing strategy.
3. Search the web for a wholesale supplier. Call the ones of interest and ask them if they will drop-ship or ship individual orders to your customers. Choose a wholesale supplier that best fits your needs on unit cost and service.
4. Pick a name for your bodybuilding supplements business. Contact your local county administration office and have them send you an application for your vendor's license as well as one for registering your name or DBA (doing business as). Send you application in along with the required fee.
5. Create a website for your business or get one designed for you. Make sure your website is functional before you approve it. Add paydirect.com, fastpay.com or paypal.com on your website for accepting credit card payments.
6. Develop a business plan for your local market and website. Order some business cards. Post fliers at local grocery stores with your phone number. Call on gyms, high school and college coaches and karate studios in your area. Provide them with your business card and a catalog. Place online ads through AdSense on Google.com. Advertise on eBay.com. Create a Yahoo storefront when your business expands. Include your site in various other search engines such as Altavista.com and Lycos.com.
Eating a vitamin-rich and balanced diet is essential to everyone's health, but it is especially true for pregnant women, because they have a greater need for certain minerals and vitamins in order to ensure the health of the child. Taking the proper vitamin supplements reduces the risk of pregnancy complications and birth defects.
Vitamin K
If you are experiencing nausea and vomiting during your pregnancy you may be lacking vitamin K. Good sources of vitamin K are spinach, tomatoes, egg yolks and strawberries, it is more effective when taken with vitamin C.
Vitamin C
Pregnancy drains vitamin C levels from would-be mothers. Therefore, pregnant women should take a 5mg supplement daily along with 25mg of vitamin C. Broccoli, collard greens, horseradish, kale, parsley, cauliflower, papaya and watercress all pack significant amounts of vitamin C.
Vitamin D
A woman's body has an increased need for vitamin D during pregnancy. The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D for pregnant women is 400 I.U daily, and the best food sources are sea bass, swordfish, halibut, herring and milk.
Vitamin B12
Additional amounts of vitamin B12 are necessary, particularly during the second half of pregnancy, as the fetus depletes about 0.2 mcg of vitamin B12 on a daily basis. If you are already deficient in vitamin B12, taking folic acid can cause you to develop severe vitamin B12 deficiency. Lamb, herring, mackerel, crab, oysters, milk, tofu and cheese have moderate amounts of vitamin B12.
Warnings
Taking too much vitamin A can be toxic to the fetus and can sometimes cause birth defects. In addition, taking too much during early pregnancy can cause learning disabilities and spontaneous abortions. Consult with your doctor to ensure you are taking the proper amounts of all vitamins and supplements.
Thinning hair can be stengthened with vitamin supplements.
Thinning hair makes men and women alike seek treatment, as it can affect self-esteem and confidence. Shampoos and hair-care products cannot treat thinning hair, but can only manage what is left, says the Bauman Medical Group. Genetics, medications, medical conditions, illness, stress, surgery and nutritional deficiencies are often to blame for thinning hair. Eating well and taking vitamins and minerals can make hair stronger and boost hair growth, and certain supplements are better than others.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important for cell growth, but too much can damage hair. All excess is stored in the liver and vitamin A toxicity causes hair thinning according to "The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book." So beware of oversupplementation. If an adult takes 100,000 international units daily for a period of several months, toxicity is possible. About 5,000 to 50,000 international units daily is all you need.
Vitamins B and C
Male hair loss can start as early as your 20s and might be due to a lack of folic acid (B9). Taking B vitamins individually is not recommended, says Dr. , unless you are advised to do so by a medical professional. Instead both men and women can benefit from supplementing with B-complex vitamins (50-300 mg for both men and women).
Getting enough vitamin C as you age is challenging. Take at least 500 mg per day of vitamin C, though you can exceed this without toxicity.
Biotin & Zinc
Deficiencies in biotin and zinc can cause, or accelerate, hair thinning. Biotin does not cure baldness but resolves the underlying skin conditions due to deficiencies says Dr. Shari Lieberman. Get 300 micrograms of biotin daily in your supplements. There is no need to take it as an individual supplement, according to "The Real Vitamin & Mineral Book." A good daily vitamin should contain enough biotin, says to Dr. Alan J. Bauman of Bauman Medical group.
Zinc is present in your hair, but is difficult to store so it must be replenished often. You need 15 milligrams of zinc daily. Dr. Shari Lieberman suggests zinc gluconate and zinc citrate (chelated zinc) as the best forms. People tolerate these and they are relatively inexpensive.
Iron
Women can have thinning hair after child birth or as the result of an iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is more common in menstruating and pregnant women and vegetarians. If you know that anemia is a problem, iron supplementation (18-30 mg for women) is necessary for thick hair. Iron glycinate, fumarate or gluconate are suggested to avoid constipation and stomach upset.
Tags: Shari Lieberman, according Real, , Bauman Medical, , hair thinning, international units
Leg pain can occur anywhere, from where the leg joins the hips all the way down to the heels. Commonly caused by cramping (Charley Horse), leg pain is also attributed to injury, past trauma, varicose veins, nerve disorders, irritation or damage to a nerve supplying the leg. This pain generally goes away in a few days, but can cause prolonged and intense pain and swelling. In some instances, leg pain may indicate dehydration or low amounts of certain minerals and vitamins. This can be alleviated by taking Vitamin E, calcium or potassium.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E contains a rich amount of tocopherol, which can help increase circulation to the leg and alleviate symptoms of leg pain, such as cramps and throbbing, when taken on a regular basis. The capsules can be taken in 400 to 800 international units (I.U.) three times a day. Vitamin E can also be directly applied to the leg for immediate relief.
Calcium and Magnesium
Leg pain often occurs as the result of an imbalance of certain vitamins and minerals, which can be alleviated by taking calcium and magnesium supplements at the same time. Calcium acts by contracting the muscle causing the pain, while magnesium relaxes the leg muscles. This combination in particular is helpful in confusing the muscle causing the pain. Many doctors also recommend that individuals with leg pain take calcium citrate instead of calcium carbonate, the form that is often found in antacid tablets. It is advisable to take 500 milligrams of the citrate form with a glass of milk since Vitamin D can help with the absorption of calcium. Magnesium can be taken in 500 milligrams as well.
Potassium
Potassium can also help with leg pain, specifically as it relates to muscle contraction. Low levels of potassium are generally not an issue, especially if an individual is eating a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables; however those who experience leg pain may be suffering from a deficiency. It is recommend to take one 99 milligram tablet of potassium a day. This amount is actually minuscule, amounting to only a few bites of a banana.
Ascorbic acid and sodium bicarbonate may have health benefits.
Ascorbic acid is a form of vitamin C, a vitamin with many health benefits. Sodium bicarbonate is more commonly known as baking soda. The two of them are combined to be used as an alternative cancer treatment that is most effective against cancers of the digestive tract. However, it is important not to overuse baking soda.
Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is water-soluble. This means that the body does not naturally store it. Vitamin C can help to reduce the damage that happens when the body converts fat into energy. Vitamin C is considered by some to help in the prevention of cancer. However, there is no evidence to support this.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is most commonly used in cooking. It reacts with acids to release carbon dioxide. Baking soda is considered by some to be an effective treatment of cancer of the digestive tract. However, as baking soda is mostly neutralized in the digestive tract it does little beyond.
Mixture
Vitamin C, when mixed with baking soda, creates sodium ascorbate and carbon dioxide. In order to adequately mix the two, begin with one gram of vitamin C (building up slowly to five grams over time) and dissolve it in a glass of water. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to the mixture. The baking soda must be aluminum free. This can then be taken orally.
Treatment
When taken, this mixture of vitamin C and baking soda is attractive to cancer cells. This is because vitamin C is almost indistinguishable to glucose, which cancer cells feed on. The cancer cells absorb the sodium ascorbate, which may be damaging to them. This treatment method has not been scientifically tested and does not in any way guarantee results.
Considerations
As with all medical conditions, it is very important to discuss any alternative treatments with your doctor. As vitamin C mixed with baking soda is not a scientifically verified treatment for cancer, it may be best used as a supplement to a recognized treatment. Baking soda should not be taken orally for more than three weeks, and after that time you should not take any baking soda for at least another three weeks.
Rat infestations are not only troublesome, but dangerous. Rats carry many deadly diseases, including meningitis and typhus (See Resources 2). Poisoning rats is one way to deal with an infestation, and the first step is choosing the right poison. Understanding how they work will help you choose the best solution to your pest problem.
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants kill rats by blocking the vitamin K cycle, making it impossible for the rodent's body to produce blood-clotting factors. Most anticoagulants are combined with poisons that damage the rat's capillaries, which leads to internal bleeding. Since the animal's body cannot produce blood-clotting agents, it slowly dies from internal bleeding. Warfarin, diphacinone, coumatetralyl, pindone, bromodialone, brodifacoum and flocoumafen are all listed as anticoagulants used to kill rats in a publication from the New Zealand Northland Regional Council. (See References 1)
Metal Phosphides
Metal phosphides kill rats relatively quickly, with death occurring between one and three days after ingesting the poison. The metal phosphide reacts with acid in the rat's digestive system to produce toxic phosphine gas, which quickly kills the animal by robbing it of oxygen. According to the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, zinc phosphide, the metal phosphide used in baits to poison rodents, is quite attractive and fatal to other wildlife, especially wild birds. (See References 2).
Calciferols
Certain strains of vitamin D can also work as rodenticides. While some vitamin D is beneficial to rodents, the large doses placed in the poison bait become toxic, causing increased levels of calcium in the body. This extra calcium dissolves and circulates in the blood, causing the blood vessels and some internal organs to calcify, leading to heart problems, internal bleeding and even kidney failure. Sometimes these calciferols are mixed with anticoagulants to increase the toxicity of a poison. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is a common calciferol used in rat poison. (See References 3)
Bromenthalin
Bromenthalin kills rats by depressing the central nervous system, causing a buildup of spinal fluid leading to paralysis. Death is quick, usually within one to three days, and the rodent usually dies with only one feeding. This poison works well for rodent populations that appear to be immune to anticoagulants. (See References 3)
Tags: internal bleeding, kill rats, metal phosphide, Poisons Kill, , produce blood-clotting, three days
Kale is a healthy vegetable that is often called a "super food." Kale is a sturdy vegetable and holds its crisp texture well in a salad. The leafy green is also mild in taste so you can mix it with almost any fruit or vegetable and still have delicious kale salads. Kale is a good source of calcium and iron as well as an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Eating a kale-based salad is one of the best ways to combine taste and nutrition.
Instructions
Kale & Vegetable Salad
1. Slice the garlic clove in half and rub it on the inside of the salad bowl. This gives a subtle taste of garlic to the salad.
2. Mix the kale, beet, carrot and olives together in a bowl.
3. Toss with the oil and vinegar dressing.
4. Top with crumbled feta cheese and enjoy.
Kale & Fruit Salad
5. Mix the kale, peach, plum and blueberries in the bowl.
6. Add the honey and oil and to a small cup and whisk together. The honey sweetens the dressing slightly, which helps it pair nicely with the fruit in the kale salad.
7. Add the dressing to the salad and toss together.
8. Sprinkle the pecans on top of the salad and serve.
When you experience a spike in your blood pressure, you may be suffering from a condition known as hypertension. But hypertension itself isn't necessarily a condition all on its own. Sometimes, it can be a symptom of another disorder. This fact helps to establish the very basic forms of high blood pressure, separating into primary and secondary. The most common form of high blood pressure is primary, and it usually develops gradually in relation to your lifestyle. With secondary hypertension, you'll experience a rather abrupt rise in your blood pressure as a result of something else. Regardless of what is causing your blood pressure elevation, a number of factors can play a role in its development.
Age
Of all the factors that play into blood pressure elevation, age is one of the more common. As you get older, there is simply an ever-increasing risk of its development. This is partly due to the health of your arteries, but also the toll your lifestyle may be taking on these particular blood vessels. They may begin to harden and narrow over time.
Diet
Diet can also play a crucial role in blood pressure elevation. If your eating habits involve a great deal of saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium, you're increasing your risk of high blood pressure. However, it's not solely about what you eat; it's also about what you fail to eat. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, namely vitamin D and potassium, can negatively affect your blood pressure. Diets rich in nutrients, such as diets with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats, can often benefit your overall health, including your blood pressure.
Exercise
A lack of exercise can help to cause an elevation in blood pressure. The less activity you take part in, the higher the rate of your heartbeats. As your heart is forced to work at a greater level, the more apt you are to develop high blood pressure. By exercising each day, you're ultimately working the heart and allowing it to beat at a slower rate during times of rest.
Weight
Going hand-in-hand with diet and exercise, your weight can often cause an increased risk of blood pressure elevation. This is largely to the increased volume of blood it takes to serve a wider bodily area. With this increase in blood volume, your arterial walls are sustaining more pressure, elevating your overall blood pressure.
Stress
Another potential cause of blood pressure elevation is stress. When you experience an extreme emotion, your body goes into "fight or flight," releasing hormones that elevate pressure. Though this is a momentary state, stressful situations can drastically raise your blood pressure.
Pregnancy
It is also possible to experience an increase in blood pressure due to a pregnancy. More commonly known as preeclampsia, this can be a dangerous form of hypertension, since the only method of effectively decreasing your blood pressure is through delivery.
Hormones
Hormones can also cause problems with blood pressure. This may be a disorder of a hormone gland or even the formation of a tumor within a gland, but it often changes the balance of your hormone levels, sometimes causing an increase in blood pressure.
Tags: , your blood, your blood pressure, blood pressure elevation, blood pressure, high blood
These plants look very healthy, thanks to proper nutrients in the soil.
Fertilizer plays a key role in producing a healthy plant. Without it, many plants would eventually die. The necessary nutrients plants can't get from other sources are found in fertilizer, which is how fertilizers help a plant to grow. By fertilizing the right way, in the right quantity, you can be assured of a thriving, vigorous plant.
Photosynthesis
Plants are living beings, and like all living beings they eat, breathe, grow and produce waste. This process is called photosynthesis, because it is dependent on light (photo) for the process to take place (synthesis). Botanists do not yet fully understand photosynthesis, but it is certain that fertilizers contribute to the process by providing the plant with its "food."
Effects of Nutrients
Plants absorb ("eat") nutrients through their roots. The nutrients found in fertilizer are water-soluble, and as the roots absorb water, the nutrients are carried along with it. Then photosynthesis takes place, which converts light, nutrients and water into stalk growth, leaf growth and (in the case of edible plants) vitamins.
Types of Nutrients Needed
The three main types of nutrients plants need are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (K) and Potassium (P). Other nutrients needed, but in lesser amounts. are Magnesium (Mg), Sulfur (S), and Manganese (Mn). Farther down the scale are iron, copper, boron and zinc.
Types of Fertilizer
There are two main types of fertilizer: organic and Inorganic. Organic fertilizer is animal waste. This may include cow manure, pig manure and chicken and bat guano. In order for a plant to be certified as organic, only animal waste has to be used to fertilize it.
Inorganic fertilizer is a synthetic (man-made) version of manure. It is manufactured by combining potassium, phosphorous and other chemicals, in effect duplicating organic fertilizer. The end effect is the same: When the fertilizer is applied to the soil, the nutrients leach into the soil, then are absorbed by the roots.
Recommendations
The notion that "If a little is good, then more is better" is a misconception when it comes to fertilizer. Over-fertilizing a plant can be just as harmful as under-fertilizing and can, for example, retard fruit production in tomato plants, according to the University of Georgia. Each plant has its own optimal mix of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium and the trace minerals. The needs of, say, a rose are completely different from those of a pine tree. To determine the best mix for each species, consult your local agricultural extension office.
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