No matter how efficient your diet & workout plan, you are bound to face a weight-loss plateau at one point or another. But this does not mean your weight-loss trend has ended, it just means that you need to revise your tactics and fitness routine to overcome the plateau and march ahead! Plateaus are common to anybody who's been on the same diet and exercise plan for a while, which is the reason why you don't see the same results you saw at the beginning. But its not as scary or difficult to break a weight-loss plateau. I've done it myself, and I hope my ideas help you achieve similar results too!If you've been eating right and exercising often, you've probably been losing weight at a rate of one or two pounds a week. However, as you get closer to your optimum weight, it usually gets harder to lose those last few pounds. You know you've hit a weight-loss plateau when more than two weeks have gone by without any further change in your weight, while you still follow the same regimen! So the first thing you do is review your exercise and diet program, find out what's wrong and make amendments. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started!

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Do easy ways to lose weight exist? Everyone knows that diet, lowering caloric intake, and exercise, increasing the number of calories you burn, combine into a formula for losing weight. But sticking to the diet is the hard part. It won’t be easy, but with a little work it sure is easier. Here are some tips to make it easier. Keep a daily log of everything that passes your lips. Writing down everything you eat and drink, even water, will help you eat less. Studies show that people who keep track of what they eat end up eating 15% less. That’s significant. On average Americans consume 245 calories a day from drinks. Switch from juice, soda, and other calorie drinks to water. 245 calories a day is nearly 90,000 calories in the course of a year. That’s 25 pounds. Water isn’t that bad, is it? Keep in mind too that juice and soda don’t trigger a feeling of fullness, despite their calories. Eat five or six smaller meals a day instead of three large meals a day. Eating more meals with smaller portions results in eating 30% fewer calories. Furthermore, even the same number of calories eaten in smaller portions during more frequent meals can result in weight loss. You’re less likely to binge because the body releases less insulin. Make sure your wardrobe only includes the ’skinny’ clothes. If you don’t have clothes that are comfortable when you’re heavier, you’re more likely to be reminded to keep slim every time you dress. And if you have to purchase a whole new wardrobe you’re less likely to gain weight. Use smaller plates. It’s proven that people eat what’s in front of them. Use the salad plates instead of dinner plates. Similar to the idea of using smaller plates, serve your food on the plate rather than in bowls on the table. When the plate is empty the meal is over, instead of spooning another portion onto your plate. Don’t eat white bread, sugar or white rice. Those foods are loaded with carbohydrates which lead to higher blood sugar and weight gain. Do eat whole grain breads and brown rice. Don’t be concerned with the sugar, pretty soon you won’t miss it. Weight loss isn’t easy, but relatively speaking there are easy ways to lose weight. Don’t think it won’t take a little work. If weight loss were easy everyone would be slim all the time.

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Water is the most needed chemical compound of our body. Without the daily necessary amount of water our body functions would be forced to shut down. The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size. To function properly, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoid dehydration; the precise amount depends on the level of activity, temperature, humidity, and other factors. Most of this is ingested through foods or beverages other than drinking straight water. It is not clear how much water intake is needed by healthy people, though most advocates agree that 6–7 glasses of water (approximately 2 litres) daily is the minimum to maintain proper hydration. Medical literature favors a lower consumption, typically 1 liter of water for an average male, excluding extra requirements due to fluid loss from exercise or warm weather. For those who have healthy kidneys, it is rather difficult to drink too much water, but (especially in warm humid weather and while exercising) it is dangerous to drink too little. People can drink far more water than necessary while exercising, however, putting them at risk of water intoxication (hyperhydration), which can be fatal. The "fact" that a person should consume eight glasses of water per day cannot be traced back to a scientific source. There are other myths such as the effect of water on weight loss and constipation that have been dispelled.
Determine how much water you need. You've probably heard the "8 by 8" rule - drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (2 quarts, 1.8 liters) - but the amount of water a person needs varies depending on his or her weight and activity level. Another way to determine your specific recommended water intake is to divide your weight (in pounds) by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you need each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., strive to drink 75 ounces of water daily. For those who use the Metric system, divide your weight (in kilograms) by 30 (ex. somebody weighing 70 kg is going to need 2.3 liters per day). Keep in mind that these recommended intake numbers are controversial and some experts believe they are a gross exaggeration. See "warnings" below for more information.
Signs of Dehydration. You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active, you lose more water than if you are sedentary. Diuretics such as caffeine pills and alcohol result in the need to drink more water because they trick your body into thinking you have more water than we need. Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles,lower back pain, headaches and constipation. A strong odor to your urine, along with a yellow or amber color indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B Vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.
Dangers of Too Much Water. Don't start drinking an extra gallon of water a day - that can kill you, especially if you are fasting or eating very little. Water taken in must be in balance with body salt - electrolytes. The body needs to maintain salt balance or risk hyponatremia with heart attack and even death. Drinking too much water dilutes the salt in your blood and tissues - and can kill you. Healthy athletes have died from drinking too much plain water and not replacing salt. Dieters should not plunge into drinking gallons of water a day in hopes of burning a few more calories. Drink an extra few glasses, yes. But a gallon is too much.

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Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible – all which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and incorporating them in a way that works for you.Choose the types of foods that improve your health and avoid the types of foods that raise your risk for such illnesses as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Expand your range of healthy choices to include a wide variety of delicious foods. Learn to use guidelines and tips for creating and maintaining a satisfying, healthy diet.

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Healthy Fats and Oils to support brain and body functionsFoods rich in certain omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA can reduce cardiovascular disease, improve your mood and help prevent dementia. The best sources for the EPA and DHA omega-3 fats are fatty fish such salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and some cold water fish oil supplements. Canned albacore tuna and lake trout can also be good sources depending on how the fish were raised and processed.You may hear a lot about getting your omega-3’s from foods rich in ALA fatty acids. Main sources are vegetable oils and nuts (especially walnuts), flax, soybeans, and tofu. Be aware that our bodies generally convert very little ALA into EPA and DHA, so you may not get as big of a benefit from these foods.Some people avoid seafood because they worry about mercury or other possible toxins. But most experts agree that the benefits of eating 2 servings a week of cold water fatty fish outweigh the risks.

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Water is the most needed chemical compound of our body. Without the daily necessary amount of water our body functions would be forced to shut down. The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size. To function properly, the body requires between one and seven liters of water per day to avoid dehydration; the precise amount depends on the level of activity, temperature, humidity, and other factors. Most of this is ingested through foods or beverages other than drinking straight water. It is not clear how much water intake is needed by healthy people, though most advocates agree that 6–7 glasses of water (approximately 2 litres) daily is the minimum to maintain proper hydration. Medical literature favors a lower consumption, typically 1 liter of water for an average male, excluding extra requirements due to fluid loss from exercise or warm weather. For those who have healthy kidneys, it is rather difficult to drink too much water, but (especially in warm humid weather and while exercising) it is dangerous to drink too little. People can drink far more water than necessary while exercising, however, putting them at risk of water intoxication (hyperhydration), which can be fatal. The "fact" that a person should consume eight glasses of water per day cannot be traced back to a scientific source. There are other myths such as the effect of water on weight loss and constipation that have been dispelled.
Determine how much water you need. You've probably heard the "8 by 8" rule - drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (2 quarts, 1.8 liters) - but the amount of water a person needs varies depending on his or her weight and activity level. Another way to determine your specific recommended water intake is to divide your weight (in pounds) by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you need each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., strive to drink 75 ounces of water daily. For those who use the Metric system, divide your weight (in kilograms) by 30 (ex. somebody weighing 70 kg is going to need 2.3 liters per day). Keep in mind that these recommended intake numbers are controversial and some experts believe they are a gross exaggeration. See "warnings" below for more information.
Signs of Dehydration. You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active, you lose more water than if you are sedentary. Diuretics such as caffeine pills and alcohol result in the need to drink more water because they trick your body into thinking you have more water than we need. Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles,lower back pain, headaches and constipation. A strong odor to your urine, along with a yellow or amber color indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B Vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.
Dangers of Too Much Water. Don't start drinking an extra gallon of water a day - that can kill you, especially if you are fasting or eating very little. Water taken in must be in balance with body salt - electrolytes. The body needs to maintain salt balance or risk hyponatremia with heart attack and even death. Drinking too much water dilutes the salt in your blood and tissues - and can kill you. Healthy athletes have died from drinking too much plain water and not replacing salt. Dieters should not plunge into drinking gallons of water a day in hopes of burning a few more calories. Drink an extra few glasses, yes. But a gallon is too much.

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Nairobi -Malaria is a vector-borne, infectious parasitic disease transmitted from human to human by mosquitoes. It is the leading killer of children under five and infants in Africa. According to the World Health Organization's latest figures, an estimated 247 million cases of malaria worldwide led to nearly 881,000 deaths in 2006.Some 91 per cent of those deaths were in Africa and 85 per cent of the deaths were children under the age of five. This is equivalent to 2,051 children dying each day.According to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, almost half the world's population, some 3.3 billion people, is at risk of malaria. This number is increasing due to deteriorating health systems, growing drug and insecticide resistance, climate change, and war.Malaria is estimated to take over 1 per cent off Africa's Gross Domestic Product each year, costing the continent around 12 billion dollars.Of 647 million people at risk in Africa, 39 per cent were covered by insecticide treated nets in 2007. However, only 23 per cent of children and 27 per cent of pregnant women actually slept under a net, according to the WHO.The World Health Assembly has set a target of 80 per cent mosquito net coverage by 2010- a goal highly unlikely to be achieved.The malaria parasite enters a human host through an infected Anopheles mosquito. It then develops until it can be passed on to the next mosquito which bites the infected human, beginning the cycle again.Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting and other flu-like symptoms. If drugs are not available for treatment or the parasites are resistant to them, the infection can rapidly kill. (dpa)

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Since the biggest reason we lose hair after surgery seems to be a lack of nutrients getting to our hair follicles, then it makes sense that getting more nutrients to our hair will minimize hair loss.Nothing will keep you from losing any hair at all. Even without weight loss surgery, you lose a certain number of hairs every day. Afterwards, you’re going to lose more. It cannot be prevented.But there are things you can do that seem to help. First off, be sure you’re getting all of your protein. My doctor recommended 60 grams or more a day. I’ve found 80 to be a better number, both for weight loss and for my hair. (Many other doctors recommend 80 as a minimum.)Hair is built with protein. That’s what it’s made of. So making sure you’re taking in enough protein will help keep your hair healthy. At least, healthier.TIP: Even a full year after gastric bypass, I find it impossible to get 80 grams of protein from diet alone. I’d never survive without shakes and protein snacks.This website focuses exclusively on protein for bariatric patients. They’ve got items I haven’t seen anywhere else, and daily specials that can be fantastic - including free samples every now and then! Drinks, powders, cereals, chips - you name it, they’ve got it:

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Asthma is one of the commonest chronic medical conditions to affect children and it has been affecting an increasing number of children in the past 10 years.Children with asthma, like adults with asthma, should see a doctor for treatment of their asthma. Treatment may include allergy testing, finding ways to limit contact with things that bring on asthma attacks, and taking medicine.Young children will need help from their parents and other caregivers to keep their asthma under control. Older children can learn to care for themselves and follow their asthma self-management plan with less supervision.Asthma medicines for children are like those adults use, but doses are smaller. Children with asthma may need both a quick-relief (or "rescue") inhaler for attacks and daily medicine to control their asthma. Children with moderate or severe asthma should learn to use a peak flow meter to help keep their asthma under control. Using a peak flow meter can be very helpful because children often have a hard time describing their symptoms.Parents should be alert for possible signs of asthma in children, such as coughing at night, frequent colds, wheezing, or other signs of breathing problems. If you suspect that your child has asthma or that your child's asthma is not well controlled, take your child to a doctor for an exam and testing.Your doctor will choose medicines for your child based on the child's symptoms and test results. If your child has asthma, you will need to go to the doctor for regular followup visits and to make sure that your child uses the medicines properly.

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Otitis Media (Ear Infection)What is otitis media?Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear. This inflammation often begins when infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems spread to the middle ear. These can be viral or bacterial infections. Seventy-five percent of children experience at least one episode of otitis media by their third birthday. Almost half of these children will have three or more ear infections during their first 3 years. Although otitis media is primarily a disease of infants and young children, it can also affect adults.Are there different types of otitis media?Yes. There are two main types. The first type is called acute otitis media (AOM). This means that parts of the ear are infected and swollen. It also means that fluid and mucus are trapped inside the ear. AOM can be painful.The second type is called otitis media with effusion (fluid), or OME. This means fluid and mucus stay trapped in the ear after the infection is over. OME makes it harder for the ear to fight new infections. This fluid can also affect your child's hearing.How does otitis media happen?Otitis media usually happens when viruses and/or bacteria get inside the ear and cause an infection. It often happens as a result of another illness, such as a cold. If your child gets sick, it might affect his or her ears.It is harder for children to fight illness than it is for adults, so children develop ear infections more often. Some researchers believe that other factors, such as being around cigarette smoke, can contribute to ear infections.Why are more children affected by otitis media than adults?There are many reasons why children are more likely to suffer from otitis media than adults. First, children have more trouble fighting infections. This is because their immune systems are still developing. Another reason has to do with the child's eustachian tube. The eustachian tube is a small passageway that connects the upper part of the throat to the middle ear. It is shorter and straighter in the child than in the adult. It can contribute to otitis media in several ways.The eustachian tube is usually closed but opens regularly to ventilate or replenish the air in the middle ear. This tube also equalizes middle ear air pressure in response to air pressure changes in the environment. However, a eustachian tube that is blocked by swelling of its lining or plugged with mucus from a cold or for some other reason cannot open to ventilate the middle ear. The lack of ventilation may allow fluid from the tissue that lines the middle ear to accumulate. If the eustachian tube remains plugged, the fluid cannot drain and begins to collect in the normally air-filled middle ear.One more factor that makes children more susceptible to otitis media is that adenoids in children are larger than they are in adults. Adenoids are composed largely of cells (lymphocytes) that help fight infections. They are positioned in the back of the upper part of the throat near the eustachian tubes. Enlarged adenoids can, because of their size, interfere with the eustachian tube opening. In addition, adenoids may themselves become infected, and the infection may spread into the eustachian tubes.Bacteria reach the middle ear through the lining or the passageway of the eustachian tube and can then produce infection, which causes swelling of the lining of the middle ear, blocking of the eustachian tube, and migration of white cells from the bloodstream to help fight the infection. In this process the white cells accumulate, often killing bacteria and dying themselves, leading to the formation of pus, a thick yellowish-white fluid in the middle ear. As the fluid increases, the child may have trouble hearing because the eardrum and middle ear bones are unable to move as freely as they should. As the infection worsens, many children also experience severe ear pain. Too much fluid in the ear can put pressure on the eardrum and eventually tear it.

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Cosmetic SurgeryCosmetic surgery is now more popular that ever with reality TV shows such as extreme makeover increasing public awareness about cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery procedures. Although in the past cosmetic surgery was only availble to the rich and famous, it is now becoming popular amongst the general public.The Medic8 guide to cosmetic surgery aims to provide a comprehensive non-biased overview of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures, the benefits, the risks involved and what you could expect from the cosmetic surgery procedure that you are intrested in.What is Cosmetic Surgery?Cosmetic surgery involves having a surgical procedure carried out by a plastic/cosmetic surgeon to improve the "look" of a particular part of your body. Cosmetic surgery can not only improve physical appearance but it can also have emotional and psychological effects. Procedures such as breast enlargement or a facelift could have a great influence on an individual's self esteem and confidence levels.Cosmetic Surgery has its risksAs with any surgical procedures there are risks involved and it is important that before undergoing any cosmetic surgery procedures that you are fully aware of all the potential risks and potential side effects and discuss these with your surgeon.

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Kidney StonesIf I have a Kidney stone when should I call a doctor?If you have a kidney stone, you may already know how painful it can be. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without help from a doctor. But sometimes a stone will not just go away. It may even get larger. Your doctor can help.You should call a doctor when you have:extreme pain in your back or side that will not go awayblood in your urinefever and chillsvomitingurine that smells bad or looks cloudya burning feeling when you urinateThese may be signs of a kidney stone that needs a doctor's care.What is a kidney stone?A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in the kidney out of substances in the urine. A stone may stay in the kidney or break loose and travel down the urinary tract. A small stone may pass all the way out of the body without causing too much pain. A larger stone may get stuck in a ureter, the bladder, or the urethra. A problem stone can block the flow of urine and cause great pain.Are all kidney stones the same ?No. There are four major types of kidney stones.The most common type of stone contains calcium (KAL-see-um). Calcium is a normal part of a healthy diet. The calcium that stays behind joins with other waste products to form a stone.A struvite (STROO-vite) stone may form after an infection in the urinary system. These stones contain the mineral magnesium (mag-NEE-zee-um) and the waste product ammonia (uh-MOH-nyuh).A uric (YOOR-ik) acid stone may form when there is too much acid in the urine. If you tend to form uric acid stones, you may need to cut back on the amount of meat you eat.Cystine (SIS-teen) stones are rare. Cystine is one of the building blocks that make up muscles, nerves, and other parts of the body. Cystine can build up in the urine to form a stone. The disease that causes cystine stones runs in families.What do kidney stones look like?Kidney stones may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl. Some stones are even as big as golf balls. Stones may be smooth or jagged. They are usually yellow or brown.What can my doctor do about kidney stones?If you have a stone that will not pass by itself, your doctor may need to take steps to get rid of it. In the past, the only way to remove a problem stone was through surgery.Now, doctors have new ways to remove problem stones. The following sections describe a few of these methods.

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Normally, your cells grow and die in a controlled way. Cancer cells keep forming without control. Chemotherapy is drug therapy that can stop these cells from multiplying. However, it can also harm healthy cells, which causes side effects.
During chemotherapy you may have no side effects or just a few. The kinds of side effects you have depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy you get. Side effects vary, but common ones are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, pain and hair loss. Healthy cells usually recover after chemotherapy, so most side effects gradually go away.
Your course of therapy will depend on the cancer type, the chemotherapy drugs used, the treatment goal and how your body responds. You may get treatment every day, every week or every month. You may have breaks between treatments so that your body has a chance to build new healthy cells. You might take the drugs by mouth, in a shot or intravenously.
National Cancer Institute
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You have many choices to make about your cancer treatment. One choice you might be thinking about is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard care. Standard care is what medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, and allied health professionals, such as registered nurses and physical therapists, practice. Alternative medicine means treatments that you use instead of standard ones. Complementary medicine means nonstandard treatments that you use along with standard ones. Examples of CAM therapies are acupuncture, chiropractic, and herbal medicines.
CAM treatments do not work for everyone, but some methods such as acupuncture might help with nausea, pain and other side effects of cancer treatment. In general, researchers know more about the safety and effectiveness of standard cancer treatments than they do about CAM. To make sure nothing gets in the way of your cancer care, talk to your doctor before you try anything new.
National Cancer Institute

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Cancer of the eye is uncommon. It can affect the outer parts of the eye, such as the eyelid, which are made up of muscles, skin and nerves. If the cancer starts inside the eyeball it's called intraocular cancer. The most common intraocular cancers in adults are melanoma and lymphoma. The most common eye cancer in children is retinoblastoma, which starts in the cells of the retina. Cancer can also spread to the eye from other parts of the body.Treatment for eye cancer varies by the type and by how advanced it is. It may include surgery, radiation therapy, freezing or heat therapy, or laser therapy.Start HereDetailed Guide: Eye Cancer(American Cancer Society)Intraocular (Eye) Melanoma (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)Also available in SpanishRetinoblastoma (PDQ): Treatment(National Cancer Institute)Also available in Spanish

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Cancer that starts in a bone is rare. Cancer that has spread to the bone from another part of the body is more common.There are three types of bone cancer:Osteosarcoma - develops in growing bones, usually between ages 10 and 25Chondrosarcoma - starts in cartilage, usually after age 50Ewing's sarcoma - begins in nerve tissue in bone marrow of young people, often after treatment of another condition with radiation or chemotherapyThe most common symptom of bone cancer is pain. Other symptoms may vary depending on the location and size of the cancer. Surgery is often the main treatment for bone cancer. Other treatments may include amputation, chemotherapy and radiation.National Cancer InstituteStart HereBone Cancer: Questions and Answers(National Cancer Institute)Also available in SpanishDetailed Guide: Bone Cancer(American Cancer Society)

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Also called: Glioma, MeningiomaThere are two main types of brain cancer. Primary brain cancer starts in the brain. Metastatic brain cancer starts somewhere else in the body and moves to the brain. Brain tumors can be benign, with no cancer cells, or malignant, with cancer cells that grow quickly.Brain tumors can cause many symptoms. Some of the most common areHeadaches, usually worse in the morningNausea and vomitingChanges in your ability to talk, hear or seeProblems with balance or walkingProblems with thinking or memoryMuscle jerking or twitchingNumbness or tingling in arms or legsNo one knows the exact causes of brain tumors. Doctors can seldom explain why one person develops a brain tumor and another does not.National Cancer InstituteStart HereBrain Cancer(Patient Education Institute)Also available in SpanishWhat You Need to Know about Brain Tumors(National Cancer Institute)

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is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar, levels are too high. When you are pregnant, too much glucose is not good for your baby. Out of every 100 pregnant women in the United States, between three and eight get gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that happens for the first time when a woman is pregnant. Gestational diabetes goes away when you have your baby, but it does increase your risk for having diabetes later.
If you already have diabetes before you get pregnant, you need to monitor and control your blood sugar levels.
Either type of diabetes during pregnancy raises the risk of problems for the baby and the mother. To help reduce these risks, you should follow your meal plan, exercise, test your blood sugar and take your medicine.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesStart Here

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If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, this can cause problems with other body functions, such as your kidneys, nerves, feet, and eyes. Having diabetes can also put you at a higher risk for heart disease and bone and joint disorders. Other long-term complications of diabetes include skin problems, digestive problems, sexual dysfunction, and problems with your teeth and gums.
Very high or very low blood sugar levels can also lead to emergencies in people with diabetes. The cause can be an underlying infection, certain medicines, or even the medicines you take to control your diabetes. If you feel nauseated, sluggish or shaky, seek emergency care.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Start Here

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means your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. If you can't control your diabetes with wise food choices and physical activity, you may need diabetes medicines. The kind of medicine you take depends on your type of diabetes, your schedule, and your other health conditions.
With Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much glucose stays in your blood. If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need to take insulin.
Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, can start when the body doesn't use insulin as it should. If your body can't keep up with the need for insulin, you may need to take pills. Some people need both insulin and pills. Along with meal planning and physical activity, diabetes pills help people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes keep their blood glucose levels on target. Several kinds of pills are available. Each works in a different way. Many people take two or three kinds of pills. Some people take combination pills. Combination pills contain two kinds of diabetes medicine in one tablet. Some people take pills and insulin.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesStart Here

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Do you know what causes the most blindness in U.S. adults? It is an eye problem caused by diabetes, called diabetic retinopathy. Your retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. You need a healthy retina to see clearly.
Diabetic retinopathy happens when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside your retina. You may not notice at first. Symptoms can include
Blurry or double vision
Rings, flashing lights or blank spots
Dark or floating spots
Pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes
Trouble seeing things out of the corners of your eyes
If you have diabetes, you should have a complete eye exam every year. Finding and treating problems early may save your vision. Treatment often includes laser treatment or surgery.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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Also called: Diabetic nephropathy
If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, this can damage your kidneys. Your kidneys are filters that clean your blood. If they are damaged, waste and fluids build up in your blood instead of leaving your body.
Kidney damage from diabetes is called diabetic nephropathy. It begins long before you have symptoms. An early sign of it is small amounts of protein in your urine. A urine test can detect it. A blood test can also help determine how well your kidneys are working.
If the damage continues, your kidneys could fail. In fact, diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure in the United States. People with kidney failure need either dialysis or a kidney transplant.
You can slow down kidney damage or keep it from getting worse. Controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure, taking your medicines and not eating too much protein can help.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesStart Here

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Also called: Diabetic neuropathy

If you have diabetes, your blood sugar levels are too high. Over time, this can damage the covering on your nerves or the blood vessels that bring oxygen to your nerves. Damaged nerves may stop sending messages, or may send messages slowly or at the wrong times.

This damage is called diabetic neuropathy. About half of people with diabetes get it. Symptoms may include

• Numbness in your hands, legs or feet
• Shooting pains, burning or tingling
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea
• Problems with sexual function
• Urinary problems
• Dizziness when you change positions quickly

Controlling your blood sugar can help prevent nerve problems, or keep them from getting worse. Treatment may include pain relief and other medicines.

Start Here

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Diagnostic imaging refers to technologies that doctors use to look inside your body for clues about a medical condition. A variety of machines and techniques can create pictures of the structures and activities inside your body. The technology your doctor uses will depend on your symptoms and the part of your body being examined. X-rays, CT scans, nuclear medicine scans, MRI scans and ultrasound are all types of diagnostic imaging.
Many imaging tests are painless and easy. Some require you to stay still for a long time inside a machine, though. This can be uncomfortable. Certain tests involve radiation, but these are generally considered safe because the dosage is very low.
For some imaging tests, a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube is inserted in your body. This tool is called a scope. The doctor moves it through a body passageway or opening to see inside a particular organ, such as your heart, lungs or colon. These procedures often require anesthesia.

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is suspending publication of five-year-old Mom & Baby magazine and scaling back Natural Health’s frequency to eight from 10 times a year starting in 2010.
Meanwhile, the staff of AMI's Men’s Fitness were expected to be told that they would be furloughed for 12 days between now and March 2010. Shape’s staff was told the same news three weeks earlier.
Launched five years ago, Mom & Baby came out twice yearly with a rate base of 500,000. It was distributed mainly at doctor’s offices.
Natural Health will now be produced by Fit Pregnancy’s staff, which used to produce Mom & Baby. Eileen Chiafair, the publisher of Natural Health, and its editor, Mary Bolster, left the company when their jobs were eliminated. It was unclear if other staffers will lose their jobs.
This round of cost cuts is just the latest for AMI. Just a few months ago, it cut the rate base at Men’s Fitness and Natural Health, along with celebrity weekly Star, to keep costs in line with falling ad revenue.

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Subsisting on a diet drawn from one food group isn't healthy or gratifying. Even eating cupcakes 24/7 eventually would get old! And yet when it comes to feeding our sexual appetite, many of us rely on one mode to sate all of our romantic cravings. Turns out, women who order the same meal at the same restaurant every time, so to speak, are missing out. Engaging in different shagging styles not only prevents boredom in the bedroom, but "it also fulfills your many physical and emotional needs, allows you to express different aspects of your personality and enables you to grow sexually as a couple," explains Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a sex and relationship therapist in New York City. No one is saying you have to install a trapeze in your bedroom or invite the neighbors to join in. But just as following the food pyramid's guidelines will improve your overall diet, integrating different types of sex into your regular routine can recharge your romance.
Building your own sex pyramid is easy: It's all about finding the right balance for you. The foundation should be whichever style nourishes you on the deepest level, your second favorite kind will fill the spot immediately above, and so on. Use the following recommendations to guide you, and be sure to take your personal preferences and lifestyle into account. Quickie sex might be closer to the base of a busy mom's pyramid but nearer the top for a single gal. Whatever your individual mix, striving to enjoy each of these types will guarantee that you'll have a healthy, well-rounded and satisfying sex life.

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You may be troubled by that thinning hair line. You may be alarmed by the number of hair you lose each day. You may be having a difficult time going out to spend your day with co-workers and friends because you are ashamed of how your hair looks like now. Trouble is, you are not that ready yet to fight your hair loss dilemma.Seeking treatment for hair loss is not that easy. It is always assumed that you have a lot of questions in mind that you need answered. Plus, consider the fact that the remedy recommended for that problem of yours could only be given after you have been scrutinized by your hair specialist. That's why, I suggest you have to prepare yourself before you actually combat hair loss.Preparing for TreatmentYou see, my friend, you need not jump into a medication just because you want to take things the easy way. It might be convenient at first but in the long run, there is a greater tendency that you are led to the wrong path. You know what I mean, right? Here are some tips you need to help you settle for the best hair loss treatment yet:· Consult your doctor. When you see your crowning glory wearing and tearing apart, it is about time you seek professional help. It is best to do this from the time you actually noticed that change. Don't wait for the situation to worsen.· Discuss the symptoms and causes. Once you get into your physician's clinic, explain the symptoms associated with your hair loss problem. You may start by informing him how much hair you've lost for the past days. In the process, you will be able to track the real cause of your predicament.· Prepare for diagnosis. Your health care provider will surely help you out with this. You need not worry as he will recommend several laboratory tests necessary for you to undergo and evaluate your condition. These series of exams are known to help you with the following courses of action you need to take.· Have the results evaluated. The entire process is just like taking school examinations. You have to take the tests before you get the result. In fighting hair loss, you are bound to have the results checked in order for you and your doctor to discuss the treatments you may undergo. Your physician's prescription will depend from these results.· Listen to your doctor's recommendation. The start of the treatment now enters the scenario. Your doctor may either give you oral medication in the form of supplements or he may suggest that you have hair transplantation

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Call them old wives' tales, or Grandma's beliefs, but myths can often be quirky and cute until they start to cause harm. Listed below are some common nutritional myths that need to be de-bunked as they can greatly impact your long-term health.1. If a label says fat-free, it usually means it has 0 calories.When a label reads 'fat-free', it just means that a fat substitute has been used, not that it is low in calories! Usually, fat-free foods are high in sugar calories and maybe even in sodium. Beware: Fat free = 0 calories is too good to be true.2. If I skip a meal or two, I will lose weight.Quite the opposite, in fact. Skipping meals can make you put on weight because:It results in a slowing of your metabolism.Your body begins to believe that you are going into starvation mode, so that it body converts all the food you eat into fat.When you do eat, you begin to overindulge or binge on junk foods instead.Light meals at frequent intervals are your best option -- and never, ever skip breakfast.3. Say NO to nuts, bananas and milk if you want to lose weight.The issue is with quantity. If you stick to the correct portions, these foods can easily be included as healthy foods for a weight loss diet.Yes, nuts, bananas and milk are dense in energy but rich in nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins and essential fats necessary for growth and development). If losing weight is the concern, stick to these portions -- 6-8 almonds (45 calories), 4 walnut halves (45 calories), 10-16 pistachios (45 calories), 1 extra small (4 oz) banana (60 calories) and 1 glass of low-fat milk (100 calories).4. The best way to control diabetes is by avoiding all starch and sugar/ carbs.No. The best way to control diabetes is by keeping blood sugar levels under control.Most foods have carbs in them, so does that mean a diabetic stops eating everything? The best way to control diabetes is by eating a diet rich in complex carbs such as whole cereals (oats, whole wheat, ragi, bajra, jowar, masoor and rye), whole pulses, legumes, fruit and vegetables in recommended portions and at specific intervals.5. Avoid oranges and other kinds of citrus fruit when you have a cold, as these are cold foods.Just because someone you know may be sensitive to citrus fruit when ill, it doesn't mean you are sensitive too. In fact, citrus fruit is high in Vitamin C and is known to help stave off a cold.There is no such thing as a cold food or a hot food, just as there is no such thing as good food or bad food. One should heed one's own body signals and respond to them accordingly. Our immune system reacts to a particular food when we have a cold, cough, fever, the runs or sneezes only if it is sensitive to them.6. 100 percent fruit juice is a healthy substitute for fruit.None of the commercially available fruit juices have 100 percent fruit content. The majority of these prepared fruit juices contain not more than 10 percent fruit.For example, a serving (4oz) of apple juice has approximately 15g carbs (sugar), and 0.5g fiber, whereas a small (about 100g) fresh, crunchy, juicy apple has 15 g carbs, and 2.4g fibre.

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Health:1. Drink plenty of water2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants (factory)4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy5. Make time for prayer6. Play more games7. Read more books than you did in 20088. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day9. Sleep for 7 hours10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, SMILE !!

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1. No BreakfastPeople who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.2. Overeating It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.3. SmokingIt causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.4. High Sugar consumptionToo much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.5. Air PollutionThe brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.6. Sleep DeprivationSleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.7. Head covered while sleepingSleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects. 8. Working your brain during illnessWorking hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.9. Lacking in stimulating thoughtsThinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.10. Talking RarelyIntellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brainThe main causes of liver damage are: 1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.2. Not urinating in the morning.3. Too much eating.4. Skipping breakfast.5. Consuming too much medication.6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificialsweetener.7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying,which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil.Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should beeaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not storeTAKE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.................

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Be it health or sexual fallacies or wrong perceptions about beauty, once accepted, myths are tough to be dumped. Here are some of the most common beauty myths that we get experts to bust.Myth #1: Sun screen isn't required during winters/cloudy daysWe believe in what we see and accordingly perceive a myth as the gospel truth. As the name suggests, sun screen doesn't imply that it needs to be applied only when Sun is shining bright. Experts say that the harmful UVA and UVB rays continue to render their damaging effects even when it's cloudy.Fact : "Ultra violet (UV) rays are even stronger on cloudy days and they easily penetrate, even more so, through the clouds. These rays can infiltrate the skin and that's the reason why we get a tan even while sitting in an air-conditioned car. We don't feel the burn because it's cold inside, but our skin gets damaged significantly. All air hostesses and flight crew should wear UV protection on an aircraft because at the altitude at which they fly, the atmosphere is much thinner and the harmful rays penetrate through the windows of the aircraft," warns ace make-up artist Cory Walia.Myth # 2: Chocolates and fried food causes pimples and acneDenying the notion that eating chocolates and fried food leads to pimples, medically supported studies have shown that the prime cause behind pimples is extreme stress or dead skin cells blocking the skin's pores.Fact : "Formation of pimples is an allergic reaction attributed to certain factors that the body is unable to process. It's basically an interaction between digestive fluids from the liver and the hormones in the body and when there is a clash between the two, excessive toxins and amino acids are pushed into the blood stream. These fats accelerate the growth of pimples. You will see very beautiful people who eat two bars of chocolate every day and still their skin keeps glowing," explains Walia.Myth #3: Drinking lots of water makes the skin beautifulExcess of anything is bad and the same holds true for this age-old belief that states that drinking lots of water makes the skin glow. Though water intake does contribute towards the betterment of our skin's texture, too much of it will only result in bloating and leading to several trips to the restroom.Fact : "Water helps flushing out the toxins from our body, but one need not go overboard. It's a good idea to go on a Detox program once in a week where you should ideally consume 4-5 litres of water and this can include a liquid diet of vegetable and fruit juices. When you are eating wrong, doing no exercise etc, then there can be radical damage that causes ageing and disease, as it is thinning the collagen in our skin, so the water enters the body only in a limited quantity," shares skin care expert Jamuna Pai.

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Monsoon is the time where your skin behaves a little strangely and is often unstable; it can suddenly get oily and then turn dry and dehydrated. Hence, it is necessary that you properly take care of your skin during this season in order to look your best through the rains. High humidity can cause eruptive skin problems, and make you look very dull. More so, if your skin is oily. Sweat and oil secretions are deposited on the skin, making it look dull, and this attracts dirt and pollutants from the atmosphere more easily. This is the reason why eruptive conditions like rashes, spots and pimples are common during the monsoons. Additionally, during monsoons, one is prone to patchy hydration and poor cell cycle turnover. During monsoons, we tend to ignore our skin. There is no visible Sun, hence sunscreen is not used; due to increased humidity we do not feel it necessary to moisturize our skin. However, skin care is critical in monsoons to maintain a healthy glowing complexion. Summer is the season for growth - our skin cell turnover increases; this leads to piling up of dead layers of skin by the time monsoon begins. Also, the UV rays that harm the skin are invisible and do penetrate the clouds. And without right skin care, our skin starts looking dull and lifeless. While monsoons spell pleasant weather and respite from the sultry summers, what would make this season ever better is an effective skin care regime that will keep you glowing. Simple treatments can be used to replenish the skin glow, and keep the skin healthy An ideal professional treatment should combine: 1.Anti-oxidants (e.g. Citric acid) – this takes care of the dullness, patchiness and imparts an even tone to the skin, 2.Gentle exfoliating milk peels (e.g. lactic acid peel) – this removes the dead and dull skin, and stimulates skin regeneration, 3.A hydrating, lightening mask to add up to the glowing skin For optimal skin health, this treatment needs to be repeated once in 4-6 weeks, however if your lifestyle includes a lot of outdoor activities and travelling, it may be advisable to go for the above suggested treatment once in 3 weeks. This treatment complemented with the right daily skin care would be the ideal recipe to keep your skin radiant and glowing even in this dull weather.

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Monsoon is the time where your skin behaves a little strangely and is often unstable; it can suddenly get oily and then turn dry and dehydrated. Hence, it is necessary that you properly take care of your skin during this season in order to look your best through the rains. High humidity can cause eruptive skin problems, and make you look very dull. More so, if your skin is oily. Sweat and oil secretions are deposited on the skin, making it look dull, and this attracts dirt and pollutants from the atmosphere more easily. This is the reason why eruptive conditions like rashes, spots and pimples are common during the monsoons. Additionally, during monsoons, one is prone to patchy hydration and poor cell cycle turnover. During monsoons, we tend to ignore our skin. There is no visible Sun, hence sunscreen is not used; due to increased humidity we do not feel it necessary to moisturize our skin. However, skin care is critical in monsoons to maintain a healthy glowing complexion. Summer is the season for growth - our skin cell turnover increases; this leads to piling up of dead layers of skin by the time monsoon begins. Also, the UV rays that harm the skin are invisible and do penetrate the clouds. And without right skin care, our skin starts looking dull and lifeless. While monsoons spell pleasant weather and respite from the sultry summers, what would make this season ever better is an effective skin care regime that will keep you glowing. Simple treatments can be used to replenish the skin glow, and keep the skin healthy An ideal professional treatment should combine: 1.Anti-oxidants (e.g. Citric acid) – this takes care of the dullness, patchiness and imparts an even tone to the skin, 2.Gentle exfoliating milk peels (e.g. lactic acid peel) – this removes the dead and dull skin, and stimulates skin regeneration,

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Are your beauty products doing more harm than good? Today, there are tons of beauty products on the market, all touting miracle worthy results. Whether the product erases fine lines, plumps lips or makes skin appear younger, you can bet there is a skin care product that promises to take care of those unsightly 'imperfections.' Unfortunately, some of the same products that claims these results can also do great damage to your skin and your health.Truth be told, the FDA doesn't approve beauty products. And, many beauty products contain ingredients that are less than healthy for you. Many ingredients used by the beauty industry are manufactured, are synthesized in a laboratory or are toxic...none of which are great for your skin.Here is a list of ingredients worth avoiding:1. Benzoyl Peroxide2. Diethanolamine (DEA), Monoethanolamine (MEA, Triethanolamine (TEA)3. Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate (DLS)4. DMDM Hydantoin & Imidazolidinyl Urea5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) & Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)6. Sodium Laureth Sulfate & Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES)7. Parabens (Butyl, Ethyl, Methyl, Propyl)8. Petrolatum (Petroleum jelly)9. Phenoxyethanol10. Phthalates11. Polyethylene glycol & Polyethylene (PEG)12. Propylene Glycol (PG) & Butylene Glycol(TO get the details of each of these products, click here)Your skin, just like your heart, is an organ...it is your largest organ, as a matter of fact. It is living, it is breathing and its primary function is to protect your body against infection and excessive water loss. Your skin is also instrumental in insulating your body, as well as synthesizing and protecting the vitamins you absorb. So, just like you wouldn't want to put chemicals or preservatives directly into your heart, you don't want to put them on your skin.When in doubt, if you can't pronounce the ingredient or if it looks 'chemically' or manufactured, there is a good chance it might not be the best. Although the FDA does not regulate these companies and their products, do look for labels that state that they don't contain these chemicals and opt for those that claim that they are 'all-natural'. You can also use EWG's Cosmetic Database to check up on the products you buy to be sure.Have you found products containing these chemicals bother you? Do you have any stories of bad reactions to these ingredients?Related Topics:* When All Natural Products Aren't: Kiss My Face* Skin Care Products: Worth the Price?* All Natural, Organic and Toxic?* Sheer Balance Beauty Guide* Beauty Products Worth Avoiding

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While it may have been Jon and Kate Gosselin’s most unusual family that landed them a reality show, it is their all too common marital problems—to which many of those watching can probably relate—that have made them a household name in recent weeks. Here are five trigger points that have tested Jon and Kate in their reality-TV run—and how to make sure the same stressors don’t take a toll on your relationship. Read more

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Take our sex poll and let us know what’s up between the sheets in this crazy time. Read more

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Each decade will have its own drama, be it child rearing, layoffs, second careers, and middle-aged angst, along with a big helping of the in-sickness-and-in-health stuff. Here’s how to have a healthy relationship every step of the way.

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Latest news about the safest, smartest birth control options for women over 30. Read more

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How Much Sex Is Enough in a Relationship: Our Sexpert Weighs in

Expert advice on how to be intimate with your partner. Read more

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Top Stories
You're in Control Birth control options have come a long way since your mother’s time. From no-period pills to discreet patches, there are plenty of options to fit your lifestyle. Read more
Smarter Choices, Healthier You We’ve pulled together the latest medical information on sex, sexually transmitted diseases, and lifestyle issues affecting women today so that you can make the safest, healthiest decision for you. Read more

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By Amy SpencerFrom Health magazine
House M.D. star Jennifer Morrison—now also in the hit movie Star Trek—shares how she beats bad days, what keeps her strong, and why she’d rather not know what’s in the soy chai lattes she loves. (Get her fitness tips here.)
Q: So, tell the truth: Were you a Star Trek fan growing up? Not at all. I hadn’t seen any of them and still haven’t! When I got the call to go in and meet for it, I was like, “I don’t think I’m going to get this. I don’t know anything about Star Trek.” It ended up turning out to be to my advantage because [director] J.J. Abrams wanted to have a new fresh take on it.

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When you are healthy, you are also wealthy. Not in a monetary sense, but in a body sense. Nothing is more important than your health, and if you were wealthy, you would not be able to spend money if you were in poor health. To make sure that you are in the greatest of health, you must exercise on a regular basis and eat foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. If you have poor food eating habits, then even small changes to your diet can really help a lot. The main thing is to be able to distinguish between healthy foods and not so healthy foods. You have to eat many vegetables and fruit, and grains, and stay away from foods with too many calories, and a lot of fat. You need five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. This is not always easy to do, so drinking fruit and vegetable juice along with healthy food can help. Making small changes gradually is much easier than trying to change your entire diet all at once. Writing down what you eat and drink everyday can give you a good picture of what you eat. This will help you decide which foods you need to eat more of and which ones you should cut back on. If you find yourself at a loss, ask a nutritionist for help. They can advise you on the proper nutrition you need to be your healthiest. Newspapers and magazines do not always have the right information. Do not rely on vitamins, as these are not as good as the real thing. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain many more vitamins and minerals. Try changing around what you eat, since variety is the spice of life. The same old foods get boring eventually, so look for new healthy recipes to incorporate into your daily menu. Avoid fried foods whenever possible, as these are high in fat and cholesterol. Baking or grilling low fat foods is much healthier. Do without salad dressing that is too oily, as they contain many calories. Try drinking diet drinks that do not contain sugar, or water and tea, as these are much better for you, and contain no calories. Sleep is also important when you are trying to lose weight. It will also give you the energy you need to exercise everyday. When you are sleepy, your body makes you think that you are hungry, which can lead to eating more calories than you need to. Sleep will make you feel better all around, and you will have energy to spare. Exercise will give you more energy the more you do it. When starting an exercise program, begin slowly with walking, and add more as your confidence level rises. Swimming, aerobics, and running are also great options. If you eat healthy everyday, and follow a good exercise program regularly, you can be sure to have a body that is full of the wealth of health.

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Vitamins are essential nutrients that your body needs so that it can function effectively. Most vitamins are sourced from the foods you eat but some can be produced by your body as well. They are distinguished from minerals because they come from plants and animals whereas minerals come from the soil and water. Vitamins contain no calories and are not used by the body for energy but without them your body's cells cannot perform certain important functions. In this article I am going to be providing you with a simple introduction to each of the thirteen vitamins. 1) VITAMIN A:- The main function of vitamin A is to assist with vision. A deficiency can lead to a condition called night blindness where you struggle to see in dim light and if left untreated this can develop into full blindness. 2) VITAMIN B1 (THIAMINE):- This vitamin's main function is to work with other B-complex vitamins and help the body convert blood sugar into energy. Not getting enough vitamin B1 can cause beriberi which has a number of undesirable symptoms including pain, loss of feeling in your extremities and in the worst cases death. 3) VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN):- Vitamin B2's main function is to work with the other B-complex vitamins and help the body's cells break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins for energy. A vitamin B2 deficiency can lead to skin problems and also damage the eyes. 4) VITAMIN B3 (NIACIN):- The main function of this vitamin is to work with other B-complex vitamins and help the body's cells convert blood sugar into energy. Not getting enough vitamin B3 can lead to the development of pellagra, a condition which causes diarrhea, dementia, delirium and ultimately death. 5) VITAMIN B5 (PANTOTHENIC ACID):- The main function of vitamin B5 is to work with the other B-complex vitamins and help the body's cells convert food into energy. Not getting enough of this vitamin is very rare but can lead to abdominal pain and muscle weakness. 6) VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE):- This vitamin's main role is to help the body's cells break down proteins into a form they can use. A vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to weakness, tingling in your extremities and seizures. 7) VITAMIN B7 (BIOTIN):- The main function of vitamin B7 is to work with other B-complex vitamins and help the body's cells break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins into a form they can use. Not getting enough can lead to hair loss, skin problems and depression. 8) VITAMIN B9 (FOLIC ACID):- The main role of vitamin B9 is to work with vitamin B12 and help the body produce DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) which both contain important genetic information. A deficiency can lead to anemia, diarrhea, stunted growth and weight loss. 9) VITAMIN B12 (COBALAMIN):- The main function of this vitamin is to work with vitamin B9 and help the body produce DNA and RNA. Not getting enough vitamin B12 can lead to pernicious anemia, a condition where your body produces fewer, larger red blood cells. 10) VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID):- Vitamin C's main function is to assist in the production of collagen, a key component of connective tissue in animals that helps wounds heal. Being deficient in this vitamin can lead to scurvy, a condition which causes bleeding, swollen gums and slow healing wounds. 11) VITAMIN D:- The main function of this vitamin is to help the body use calcium and phosphorous which both help to strengthen your bones and teeth. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak bones that bend, break and fracture easily. 12) VITAMIN E:- Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects your body's cells from damage. Failure to get enough of this vitamin can lead to age spots (brown spots on the skin), hemolytic anemia (a condition where your blood cells become delicate and rupture) and other forms of cell damage. 13) VITAMIN K:- The main role of this vitamin is to help the blood clot. Being deficient in vitamin K makes it difficult for your blood to clot and in the worst cases can cause heavy, uncontrollable bleeding. As you can see each of the 13 vitamins are unique but collectively they are essential for good health. Being deficient in any of the above vitamins can lead to numerous health problems and stop your body from functioning properly. However, eating a healthy, balanced diet should allow you to consume adequate levels of each of the 13 vitamins and keep your body performing at an optimal level.

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Vitamin A was the first of the thirteen vitamins to be discovered. Its discovery has been credited to McCollum and Davis between 1912 and 1914. The main function of this vitamin is to promote healthy vision but it also does a lot more. In this article I am going to help you learn about this vitamin by discussing five things you should know about vitamin A. 1) IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTHY VISION:- As I mentioned above this vitamin promotes healthy vision. This benefit was first noticed by the ancient Egyptians who used liver (a rich source of this vitamin) as a remedy for night blindness (a condition that makes it difficult or impossible to see in dim light). The reason for this is that night blindness is a symptom of vitamin A deficiency which can develop into full blindness if not treated. 2) IT IS A FAT SOLUBLE VITAMIN:- This vitamin is fat soluble which means that it dissolves in your body's fatty tissues. Fat soluble vitamins are generally more resistant to heat and light meaning that they are relatively stable when cooked. They can also be stored by your body for later use meaning that if you do not consume much vitamin A on a certain day your body can get its daily requirements from these stores. 3) IT CAN BE SOURCED FROM PLANTS AND ANIMALS:- Vitamin A that is sourced from animal products is called retinol whilst the plant source is referred to as carotenoids. Animal sources of this vitamin include liver, butter, eggs cheese and milk. Plant sources include carrots, peas and spinach. 4) IT HAS OTHER BENEFITS TOO:- Although healthy vision is the most well known vitamin A benefit this is not its only function. It is also essential for healthy growth (especially bone growth), the production of sperm cells and keeps your eyes, skin and mucus moist. 5) YOU CAN GET TOO MUCH:- Most people do not realise that you can overdose on vitamins. However, excessive consumption of vitamins can be just as bad as not getting enough. Overdosing on vitamin A generally leads to bone problems with osteoporosis (reduced bone density) and bone fractures both being symptoms associated with this. I hope this article has given you a better understanding of vitamin A and shown you that there is more to it than just promoting healthy vision. Although this is one of its key functions it is also required for healthy growth, reproduction and much more.

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Most people who surf the net or work with computers probably get minor aches and pains from time to time. These back, shoulder and neck pains often seem fairly minor, and most of the time get better after a little while. The actual root cause can sometimes come from other areas of life, such as sports injuries, a poor mattress, gardening, just the ageing process. But there seems little doubt that spending long hours hunched over a keyboard is at least a contributory factor to back pain.

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New method could improve vaccines for both seasonal flu and bird fluHOUSTON -- (March 17, 2009) -- A new computerized method of testing could help world health officials better identify flu vaccines that are effective against multiple strains of the disease. Rice University scientists who created the method say tests of data from bird flu and seasonal flu outbreaks suggest their method can better gauge the efficacy of proposed vaccines than can tests used today.Rice's Michael Deem, the lead scientist on the project, will present the group's results March 19 at the American Physical Society's 2009 meeting in Pittsburgh. The results are also slated to appear in the forthcoming book "Influenza: Molecular Virology" from Horizon Scientific Press.Avian flu, or bird flu, is a particularly deadly type of flu that's transmitted from birds to humans. It hasn't yet evolved into a form that can be transmitted readily between humans, but scientists and world health authorities are trying to prepare for a potential outbreak. Because the virus mutates continually, creating a vaccine in advance is problematic. For example, scientists have already found that a vaccine designed for the 1997 strain of bird flu does not work against a 2003 strain."Current vaccines contain only a single version of a given flu subtype," Deem said. "We wanted to gauge the effectiveness of a vaccine that contained multiple versions of a given subtype."World health authorities currently test the efficacy of proposed flu vaccines using either ferrets, which can contract the same forms of flu as people, or genetic assays. Rice's new computerized method could be a cheaper and faster alternative.With the new method, flu virus mutations are assigned numerical scores. Deem, Rice's John W. Cox Professor of Bioengineering and professor of physics and astronomy, and colleagues developed the method so they could assign a number that captured the amount of difference or similarity between strains. The method can also be used to test how effective a vaccine will be against divergent strains. To verify this, the team checked their results against flu vaccine data collected by the World Health Organization from 1971 to 2004."For seasonal influenza, we validated our model against observational data compiled by the World Health Organization's Global Influenza Surveillance Network," Deem said. "We also ran tests against bird flu data. We found that multiple-component bird flu vaccines appeared to be helpful in controlling the simultaneous multiple introduction of bird flu strains."Influenza viruses are like chameleons. They constantly change the patterns on their outer surface to avoid being targeted by antibodies. This rapid mutation rate is the reason seasonal flu vaccines must be changed annually. However, the vaccines sometimes offer less than ideal protection against newly evolved strains. It takes about six months to produce annual vaccine supplies; also, ideal vaccine strains are often difficult to produce by the standard hen’s egg technology, and alternative strains are substituted."Oftentimes, bird flu seems to emerge with multiple strains, and something similar can happen with newly released or evolved strains of seasonal flu as well," Deem said. The computational approach Deem will discuss is able to estimate the need for and the efficacy of a multiple-component vaccine in the face of the emergence of multiple flu strains.Each year, world health authorities create a flu vaccine that protects against three types of seasonal flu -- two subtypes of type A flu and one subtype of type B.

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Chlorella is one of the most scientifically researched foods in history. It is green algae that grow in fresh water. Chlorella is one of nature's best foods, providing you with a rich variety of amino acid (protein), vitamins, enzymes, minerals and carbohydrates. Actually, chlorella is considered to contain every nutrient required by the human body. Each Chlorella microorganism is composed of a nucleus, starch grains, chloroplasts and mitochondria surrounded by a cell wall composed mainly of cellulose. Chlorella is a green single-celled microalgae that contains very high concentrations of chlorophyll. It also supplies high levels of Beta Carotene, Vitamin B-12, Iron, DNA, RNA and Protein. The cell wall in this high quality Chlorella has been broken down mechanically to aid digestibility. Some of benefits of chlorella are given below. Chlorella Improves Digestive System: It has such high chlorophyll content, people who have chronic bad breath is often overcome in just a few days with chlorella. Foul smelling stools are also very much improved and chlorophyll has been recognized to relieving constipation. Chlorella carries enzymes like chlorophyllase and pepsin, which are two digestive enzymes. Enzymes perform a number of important functions in the body. Chlorella has a lot of different types of enzymes that our bodies require.
Chlorella Control Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure Studies have revealed that chlorella tends to control blood sugar in cases of hypoglycemia. In hypoglycemia, blood sugar is too low. Proper levels of blood sugar are essential for normal brain function, heart function and energy metabolism, all of which are crucial in sustaining good health and preventing disease. High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors in heart attack and stroke, which account for more fatalities in the United States than any other disease. Laboratory experiments have shown that regular use of chlorella reduces high blood pressure and prevents strokes in rats.Modern techniques have helped in the processing of chlorella as its full nutritional properties can now be accessed due to the techniques used to dry the alga. So you can take chlorella supplements for the betterment of your health.

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Ten point plan on going to sleep at night: 1: UNWIND ......RELAX: It's essential that your mind be geared for sleep. Sit down for half an hour or even an hour before bedtime. Let the mind wander .take it quietly, gently unwinds. Tensions and anxieties are gently released from the system through this simple way. 2: READ A BOOK: Many find it especially relaxing and mentally soothing to read for a while before the lights are out. This helps gear the mind to a low-key pitch which is an essential prerequisite for prompt and relaxing sleep. 3: SHORT BOUT OF ACTIVITY: Frequently a short, casual stroll before bed will similarly remove tensions and anxieties from the mind. Just amble, tiredness and a lovely sense fatigue. These days’ jogging is popular. 4: WARM BATH: There is little so relaxing as a nice warm shower or bath. The latter is more effective but it takes a bit longer. This warms the blood a little giving a soporific effect when it circulates to the brain centers. 5: WARM DRINK: Many people find a warm to hot milk drink very relaxing. Indeed recent research reported in the BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL indicates this definitely improves sleeping ability. It is preferable to have tea or coffee for this contains caffeine which is a nerve stimulant and will have the converse effect. Either milk as such, or with any of the many commercial0 additives is suitable. Take your pick. 6: WARM BED: It is desirable for the bed to be nice and warm. In summer this happens automatically, but in cooler weather, an electric blanket is the answer to cold bed problem. Warmth breeds relaxation, contentment and nervous satisfaction. 7: COMFORTABLE BED: Sleep comes best and fastest when the bed is comfortable. A bed you find that doesn’t allow you to relax completely will never a good starting point for prompt, restful slumber. 8: RELAXATION: You must learn to relax the entire system completely and utterly once you go to bed. When all the forgoing routines have been followed and you hit bed, gently stretch out into the most comfortable lying position you can find (it may on flat of the back or one side, rarely on the stomach) start with the left toes and systematically relax this part. Work up to the ankle, lower leg, knee, and thigh. Do the left side then the right. Then the whole body in the same way. 9: RELAXING THOUGHTS: As you relax the various joints and muscles system, you gradually phase out all conscious thoughts from your mind. This takes practice and time .It will not come overnight on the first occasion. You must work at it, and stick to the routine. Some prefer to think of happy-occasions, of relaxing situations-lying in the sun on the beach or on a freshly mown lawn. Mind pictures must be on pleasant experiences. These will give a way today dreaming thoughts, visions and sensations. Then they gradually become vague and vaguer, as you gradually drift into oblivion. 10: DEEP BREATHS: As you care for your mind in this manner, gradually take deep breaths. They should be rhythmical, deep, slow and regular. Softly, slowly, rhythmically as you breath in ... out....in....out......you then count. Slowly, very slowly taking one figure with each two to three breaths .Finally you softly tell yourself you will be fast asleep by the time you count to ten. "One ...in, out....in, out....in, out....two...in, out....."

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