Health Facts Matter

The Risk Of Searching For A Diabetes Cure

Grace — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:11:06 +0000

With an economic value that is expected to reach $500 billion in 2020, pharmaceutical companies have been racing to find a cure for diabetes, or at least a drug to control the disease that does not have life threatening side effects. In recent years pharmaceutical companies have come under fire for rushing diabetes drugs to market without properly studying their side effects.

For instance, Takeda, the manufacturer of the diabetes drug Actos, has been criticized for not properly alerting patients and health practitioners to an increased risk of kidney failure and cancer. Many an Actos lawsuit has been filed alleging the company put profit before patient safety.

On Jan. 23, 2011, alone three companies announced diabetes-related ventures.

First was the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which publicized the company’s move to establish a type 1 diabetes research and development center in Washington. The center will be in operation summer of this year.

Novo Norsdik is the maker and marketer of the recently approved type 2 diabetes drug Victoza (Liraglutide). Victoza, which received FDA’s approval in January 2010, was linked to thyroid cancer. It is the same diabetic drug cooking show host Paula Deen has been endorsing.

Victoza is an injection administered under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. It is commonly administered, with or without food, on a daily basis. Side effects include headache, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, heartburn, sneezing, loss of appetite, runny nose, tiredness, burning sensation or difficulty when urinating, rash, unexplained body pain, cough, and vomiting.

Another pair in the race was healthcare consulting firm Scientia Advisors, which revealed strategic alliance with Joslin Diabetes Center, a diabetes research and clinical care center, to develop and market new products designed for cures of diabetes. Joslin has around 30 clinical sites in the country and two clinical sites outside the United States.

The said announcements came after U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) denied Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and AstraZeneca Plc a clearance to make experimental diabetes pill dapagliflozin available in the U.S. market.

On Jan. 19, 2012, FDA rejected application of makers of dapagliflozin over concern for bladder and breast cancer and liver impairment risks of the drug. This is not the first diabetes drug linked to bladder cancer. In 2011 an FDA study statistically linked Actos bladder cancer and the extended use of the drug.

Dapagliflozin is the first-of-its-kind diabetic therapy for hyperglycemia. It stood clinical trials and was proven to help patients lose weight and lower blood pressure. In clinical trials, however, 19 participants developed bladder and breast cancer. FDA said the drug also has potential for liver risks.

A study conducted on 20, 191 patients by Lahey Clinic Centre revealed that users of Actos and Avandia had 72 percent increased risk for congestive heart failure (CHF).

Health practitioners are hopeful that pharmaceutical companies and medical researcher will eventually develop a diabetic drug with the least side effects.

While drug companies are still on the search for cures of diabetes, numbers of people developing type 2 diabetes are growing. The World Health Organization (WHO) said there are at least 346 million people around the globe who have diabetes. Number for people with increased risk for the disease is at 1.7 billion.

In the U.S. alone, the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) pegged Americans with diabetes at 25.8 million in 2010, both diagnosed and undiagnosed. The figure included all age groups.

In 2009, average cost for a diabetic patient was at $11,700 contrasted to the $4,400 for the rest of the population.

Get Real Information Of How Hoodia Works

Grace — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:36:08 +0000

There is a reason why doctors and nutritionists alike encourage us nonstop to eat more of this food and less of that. Science has made it easy for us to figure out which foods contain the nutrients that our bodies need. However, these healthy foods are in constant competition with other products that appeal more to our taste buds but which contain significantly fewer vitamins and minerals, and what’s more, these unhealthier foods also give too much fats and calories to ever be considered safe for frequent consumption. This battle between healthy versus fattening is never-ending and has led to the demand for appetite suppressant foods that can lower our cravings for eating more than we really need.

Hoodia gordonii products are one of the most popular appetite suppressants available. Almost all hoodia items advertise themselves as containing real hoodia extract that comes from the plant, which is located in only a few places in the deserts of Africa. As a matter of fact, hoodia gordonii is actually classified as an endangered plant because of the high demand of hoodia products, and this has created a wave of homeopathic hoodia items that contain too little hoodia gordonii extract to provide any appetite suppressant benefit. This means that if you want to try hoodia products, you should make sure they contain enough extracts of the plant to give results to your body, and you can do so by getting them checked with your doctor.

Another benefit you can get from asking your doctor to verify hoodia products is the added protection you get from having them checked by medical professionals. Hoodia gordonii is supposed to contain a compound called P57 that causes the appetite suppression. However, giant corporations like Pfizer and Unilever have refused to create their own brand of hoodia products due to less than satisfactory results they got from trying to isolate and synthesize P57, and in fact some reports also state that regular consumption of hoodia products can lead to negative results like liver problems. And since only smaller companies with less access to the latest technology have released hoodia products, you should think twice before trying any hoodia item right away.

The hoodia plant in itself is also not a good source of nutrients, and it’s not comparable in any way to leafy green vegetables with their high vitamin content or even dairy products rich in vitamin B12, and in fact you may be better off taking a multivitamin pill or a B12 injection for better health. Hoodia products should be regarded with caution, and no matter how eager you are to start losing weight, always check with your doctor any hoodia item before trying it out.

Create an Airbrush Finish Through Make Up Brush Selection

Grace — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:41:05 +0000

For many of us makeup application has probably developed from crude beginnings, from a process of trial and error and rarely do we spend time on getting our application perfect with brushes preferring to use our fingers instead.

However insider spa and beauty tips are all about getting application right through the right brush selection, which will help to create an air brushed finish and a beautifully made up face. This article takes you through the basics of brush selection, so you have the confidence to apply your makeup the professional way:

Blusher Brush: For applying any powder based cosmetic the bristles should be made of a natural hair, so that they are gentle against the surface of your skin. With a blusher brush the edges of the brush should be rounded for easy application, especially when trying to get the consistency just right on the apples of your cheeks.

Contouring Brush: Again this bristles will usually be made from natural hair and be quite firm to touch. Contouring brushes characteristically have a tapered head, which allows you to apply your contouring blush in the exact right place.

Bronzer Brush: This brush is very tightly packed and has a short round end. It is used to push the bronzer into the skin, rather than giving the appearance of just sitting on top, helping to create a natural looking finish.

Foundation Brush. The best make up brushes used to apply a wet base are synthetic, because natural bristles will absorb to much product. The foundation brush has a flat edge which can be laid close to the surface of the skin as possible, helping to create a smooth application, this will ensure your base gets applied evenly and gets into any corners.

Concealer brush: Made from synthetic fibers with a rounded head, this brush is usually a lot smaller then the foundation brush so it can get to those hard to reach areas.

Eye shadow brush: Bristles are densely packed in the brushes for the eyes so that they appear quite firm, it is flat with a rounded head so that it can be easily manipulated to blend eyeshadow over the lid.

Eyeshadow blending brush: This has a dome head and longer bristles. It is soft and fluffy and is used for blending eye shadows together and for softening edges. It can also be used for applying powder under the eyes to set concealer.

Slanted Eyebrow brush: This brush is used to fill and enhance the eyebrows with powder.

Eyeliner Brush: This is much smaller then any of the other brushes and is used to smudge eyeshadow into eyeliner, or to apply loose pigment with precision as close to the root of the lashes as possible.

To finish you need to be sure that you blend everything in well so that it looks as natural as possible. A blending brush will help you to achieve this, which is used for buffing foundation into an airbrush finish, helping your finished application will look as flawless as possible.

How To Handle Lisinopril And Dry Cough

Grace — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:34:06 +0000

If you do a survey of people taking Lisinopril as a way of controlling high blood pressure or hypertension and certain heart ailments, you may find that developing a persistent dry cough ranks high as one of the most common side effects. A dry cough can get very irritating to have to deal with everyday and although it’s definitely not as dangerous as other known Lisinopril side effects like chronic diarrhea, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and liver problems, it gives very little comfort to tell someone this, especially when the cough becomes really stubborn. Most doctors will advise their patients to bear the cough as well as they can, since the benefits of Lisinopril on the body is usually far more important than having a cough as a side effect.

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor drug taken to keep the blood vessels from constricting or narrowing too much and is one of the most popular medications for controlling hypertension and to help those having gone through or are suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Most people taking Lisinopril regularly are lucky enough not to experience any kind of side effect, but for the unlucky few, even a very low Lisinopril dosage can lead to severe side effects, or at least the common dry cough. Until today there are no clear statistics on the percentage of people developing the cough when taking Lisinopril, or exactly how Lisinopril causes it.

Much like the relationship between Methotrexate arthritis, Lisinopril can keep hypertension under control, but if the dry cough gives you problems like difficulty speaking, sore throat from the constant throat clearing, and sleep problems because of the chronic condition, talk to your doctor about how you can best manage the condition. Taking cough syrup and other medications can work, but be careful of risking drug interactions with Lisinopril, which is known to react negatively with several other medications. The cough is also known to disappear on its own as soon as Lisinopril therapy is stopped, but you should only stop taking Lisinopril with the consent of your doctor. High blood pressure and heart disease are far more fatal conditions than a dry cough, no matter how irritating it is, so talk with your doctor on other ways you can make the cough better. In some cases, switching to a different ACE inhibitor may help, or lowering the Lisinopril dose for a while can get rid of the cough for good.

Jal Neti – Nasal Cleaning for Sinus Problems

Exercising Your Way Through Knee Pain Relief

Grace — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:34:06 +0000

Knee pain is a common affliction that affects millions of individuals yearly. It can be triggered by an a number of different factors which include sustaining a recent injury, over stressing the knees with too many physical activities, as well as a slew of medical conditions such as gout, arthritis, and infections.

For those suffering from nagging sports related knee pains, or the recent victim of an accident or fall that has impaired their capacity to move, knee exercises are the easiest, safest, and most affordable solution to your problem.

As you place tension and stress on your lower limbs each day, it is necessary that you make sure that your knees can hold out. Knee calisthenics have a way of boosting the strength of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that give you the agility and flexibility to move with ease.

Strengthening your knees through any of these simple yet highly effective stretching exercises can ensure that you will be ready to run, sprint, and jump anytime of the day.

Knee Stretches

Tightly wound and weak muscles can easily give in to pulls and injury. This is why it is necessary to properly stretch and give the muscles that support your knee a work out to make sure that they are strong enough to resist injury or trauma.

1. Heel Slide Extension – with your back on the ground, angle your left knee towards a bent position while the foot rests firmly on the floor. Gradually slide the heel outwards and hold for 10 seconds before resuming your original position. Repeat at least 10 times alternating on each leg.

2. Hamstring Extension – resume an upright position and place one foot in front of the other with the toe raised upwards. With your balance in check, gradually bend the back knee all the way to your hip until it is completely stretched. Hold, release and repeat switching between each knee.

3. Seated Chair Extension – use two chairs and place them across each other. Take a seat on one of the chairs and rest your foot on the other one and see to it that your knees are slightly elevated. Carefully press on your knees moving them close to the floor. Hold for a few seconds, release and repeat.

4. Knee Flex Extension – while seated, take out a long bath towel and circle it around your foot. Slowly tug on the towel until your bent knees are raised off the floor. Switch between each leg and repeat five times.

Knee Strengthening Exercises

As your knees absorb the shock of each step and momentum change, it is vital that you talk to your doctor about incorporating these simple fitness routines into your workout. They will strengthen the muscles connected to your knees while improving your overall balance and flexibility. In addition to the exercises below, there are custom made orthotics for plantar fasciitis and knee pain. What few people understand is that the common causes of heel pain can lead your body into making minor adjustments that then begin to affect your knees. When you speak with your doctor about new knee strengthening exercises it is a good idea to also bring up the possibility of supports or orthotics to re-align your feet and improve the entire support network for your knees. Now on to the exercises:

1. Wall Slides – with your back firmly against the wall, slowly slide down until you reach a comfortable seated position. Hold this position for a few seconds before sliding back up. Repeat at least ten times.

2. Hamstring Curl – Stand against a wall and make sure that your thighs are in direct contact with the surface. Bend one of your knees upwards as far as you can go. Hold for a few seconds before swapping with the other knee. If you have ankle weights at home, you can try to use them to add extra tension to your exercise routine.

3. Step – Ups – using a low bench or 2-feet high step, stand up firmly onto it and step down. Go back up and down in a rhythmic motion. Start with only a few turns and gradually progress as you begin to get stronger. For better results, do some arm pumping while stepping up and down for a full body workout.

4. Leg Raise – sit on a chair and extend one of your legs out. Keep this position for roughly 60 seconds before gradually lowering the elevated leg by bending the knee. Hold midway for half a minute before resuming your old post.

5. Abductor Raise – lie on the ground with your body tilted to the side supported by your elbow and with one leg bent and the other in a straight line. Work on your top leg by slowly lifting it up until you feel your lower limbs stretch. Hold for 10 seconds before pulling it back down.

6. Biking – whether on a mobile or stationary bike, biking is an excellent way of strengthening the quads, hamstrings, and knees while extending your range of movements. When using a stationary bike, see to it that your knee is at a 15 degree angle.

A good combo of knee stretching and strengthening exercises should be done daily. For rookies, start out small until you adjust to the new routine and slowly add additional repetitions or ankle weights as your strength improves.

While you may start out with a bit of difficulty, always keep in mind that slow and steady will lead to a lifetime of mobility and pain free steps.

Achieve The Perfect Shave While Keeping Your Skin Healthy

Grace — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:02:06 +0000

Achieving the perfect shave is a goal for many men who want to look and feel good. And well, the truth is that in this World we live in, first impressions are very important so we must always walk with healthy skin. Unfortunately many men try to achieve this by using products that do a bad job or by using a bad technique for shaving. If you want to get a good shave you need the best products and you have to learn how to use them.

Here are some of the best products you can use for shaving that will bring you great results without hurting your skin (at least not too much, because shaving always does some damage that we need to revert).

Pre-shave oil. According to classic shaving enthusiasts, this product is the first one we must apply when we shave. The best pre shave oils for men are formulated using a blend of natural essential oils. The goal of this product is o prepare the skin for shaving and provide a layer of protection to the skin. It can be used alone or preceding the application of shaving cream.

Classic shaving razors. Traditional shaving is making a comeback and this has prompted the renewed interest in double edge safety razor and straight edge razors, tools that bring us the best results. There was a time when it was almost impossible to find these razors but now you can even find them online.

Shaving soaps/creams. If you are not satisfied with your aerosol foam, you should try these products. Compared to them, foams are really useless. A good shaving cream or soap will soften the beard, help the razor glide and nurture the skin, protecting it against excessive damage. In the last few years men have started using these products even for male pubic shaving because of the protection they bring.

Shaving cream warmers. These are interesting appliances that will warm up your shaving cream or gel, so when you use them you actually get better results. Warm shaving cream will open up the pores and create a richer lather, helping us achieve the perfect shave.

As you can see from this list, there are different products we can use to get great results when shaving, and they are available to buy in online or local stores. Using top quality products is a must, but it is only one factor in the art of shaving; you have to also invest some time in mastering the right shaving technique and in learning how to use these products to take maximum advantage.

Morning Facial Care Tips

Grace — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:45:06 +0000

When one looks at things they can do for their face, there are things that they can be doing in the morning as well as the afternoon. Some have to learn what these things are as they are finding that they have skin they were not looking to have. There are things that someone can do about this. If one is not doing these things, then they might want to look at how they can apply these things. It might take a bit of time, but it can do some great things when a person can make the time for this.

Cleaning the face is something that someone should be doing each morning. If you are going to do this then, you will want to use lukewarm water. When the face is washed a creamy wash works wonders. Bar soap and cheap skin care products is not something that you want to use. Patting the face dry is something someone can do as well. When it comes to drying, a blotting technique should be used.

Using a toner is the next process that a woman should do. This will get rid of any excess makeup and other stuff that is left on the skin. Residue clogs the pores. When a person goes to get rid of this, they can notice the skin looking better. This can get the pH levels back in order as well. pH levels helps to give a person the skin that every other person dreams of having. That is what some people do not understand.

Moisturizer is something that someone wants to use daily. The thing about finding a moisturizer is that it has to be one that works with the individual. This gives the skin a soft and smooth feeling which is how skin should feel. This gets rid of any dryness that a person might have and gets rid of any lines that might be on the face too. If the sun is out, then you can apply this on top as well.

Make up should be the last thing that goes on. The foundation should be the type that matches the skin that a person has. The thing one wants to remember about this is that they want make up to look natural and not artificial. These are the things that a person should be doing in the morning and this means each morning at that. If they are not doing this, then there are going to be some issues that arise and really bad skin might just be one of those issues which they will face.

Bodybuilding Nutrition

Grace — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:39:08 +0000

If you want to look like a bodybuilder, it’s all about nutrition. You have to eat the right amount, of the right calories, at the right frequencies, so that your body has everything he needs to stay lean and build muscle. I’ll go over some of the simple rules you need to follow, so that you can incorporate a bodybuilder’s eating schedule into your life. It’s not an easy thing to do, but it’s a simple thing. It’s all about willpower. If you can follow the instructions I’m going to give you, you can get down to 8% body fat, while maintaining your muscle mass and even gaining muscle.

First, let’s talk about what we want to avoid. The things on your blacklist include sugar, sodium and saturated fat. If sugar isn’t burned off immediately, it’s stored as body fat. Sodium can make it hard to lose fat because it makes you retain water and causes your body to hold onto fat. Saturated fat is not the type of fat want to be taking in, in high quantities. Unsaturated, healthy fats, however, can help you lose body fat. Avocados and nuts are good examples of those. Some foods you want to avoid include milk (because of its high sugar content), breads, any baked goods, candy, fried foods, starchy foods like potatoes, fruit juices, soda and anything prepackaged because of its high sodium content.

Next, let’s talk about what we want to consume. The top foods on your list should be chicken breasts, vegetables (Vegetables should be your main source of carbohydrates), fish (such as tilapia and salmon as well as others), turkey, steaks (in moderation), quinoa, beans (black, kidney, white, pinto, as well as others), nuts, hydrolyzed whey protein powder, cottage cheese, organic peanut butter and oats. The goal here is that you want foods that are high in protein and low in sugar, saturated fat and sodium. Carbohydrates are okay, but they need to be slow burning carbohydrates. Quinoa and oats are examples of slow burning, high quality carbohydrates, that also contain protein. Beans are another slow burning carbohydrate that are also high in fiber, which makes the carbohydrates burn even slower, which is a good thing. Foods that are high in fiber are your friend. Fiber is a very effective weight loss and body cleansing aid.

A good way to break up your calorie intake would be 50% protein, 30% slow burning carbohydrates and 20% unsaturated fats. It’s not about cutting your calorie intake, per se, it’s more about modifying your calorie intake. Just keep in mind that you do need to eat a lot to lose body fat and gain muscle. Eating keeps your metabolism up and a high metabolism is necessary for fat burning. When switching over to eating like this, when you haven’t done it before, you will see a rapid decrease in body fat in the first month. The best way to break your eating schedule up is five or six small meals per day, rather than three larger meals. This will keep your metabolism up and help your body avoid storing fat, that comes with eating large meals. You should be eating every 2 to 3 hours. Unsalted, mixed nuts are great for snacking on between meals. Drink lots and lots of water, as this will make it easier for your body to shed fat. Follow this guide and I guarantee you will start to see those abs show through in no time! To learn about how to take supplements like a bodybuilder, see my top supplements for muscle gain post!

Coconut Benefits

Grace — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 09:08:06 +0000

Coconuts do not receive the attention they deserve. Despite the efforts of several academics such as Mary Enig and Jon J. Kabara the mainstream of scientific opinion in North America and Europe refuse to recognize the many benefits of coconuts. People in India, Africa, the South Pacific, Southern Asia and the Caribbean have known for many generations just how important the coconut is for health and beauty. Indeed the Sanskrit name for the coconut is ‘the tree that provides everything for life’.

Young green coconuts hold coconut water. This water is unusual in that it is a match for blood plasma, and can be used for emergency blood transfusions. Coconut water also contains high levels of electrolytes that make it an effective and low sugar isotonic drink. Coconut water also helps to detox the intestinal tract and has been known to bring relief for urethral and kidney stones.

Older coconuts contain a white meat. This meat can wringed out to release coconut oil and coconut milk. Both these coconut products contain mostly medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that are much better for humans (and dogs) than the long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) found in soy, sunflower and vegetable oils. This means coconut oil and coconut milk are less fattening than other oils.

Another advantage of coconut milk and coconut oil is that they contain lauric acid in significant amounts. This is also found in breast milk and is a known antimicrobial agent that protects the body from disease and also boosts the immunity system. Many people who regular take coconut oil or milk never catch colds. It has also been shown to lower rates of cancer and heart disease.

An important benefit of coconuts is that they provide good alternatives for people with food allergies. For those with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance coconut flour is ideal as it can be used to make cakes and bread. For those with lactose intolerance coconut milk is a great alternative that contains lots of minerals and vitamins needed for health.

Women around the world have used coconut oil as a moisturizer and hair conditioner for centuries. Coconut oil is rich in anti-oxidants that stop free radicals forming and causing the signs of aging. For hair, coconut oil restores the balance of natural oils and gives hair a natural luster.

The sooner the Western world frees its academia from the agribusiness sector and looks to promote healthier foods such as coconuts the better we will all be.

Cost and Complications of Adult Braces

Grace — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:54:06 +0000

If you’re considering getting adult braces, it is very important to do research first and ask people who have actually tried the devices. You can also have a professional check your mouth, teeth, jaws and gums first to know the complexity and type of problem to approach. There are a number of risks to watch out for as well. Also, be prepared for the cost of treatment. The price will depend on the type of adult braces you use and the other procedures that might be required for optimal results.

Complications to Watch Out For

Talk to a reputable orthodontist and have him explain some of the known and common complications and risks that come with wearing adult braces. In some instances, the patient might develop changes in the shape of his jaw, face and cheekbones. Plaque can quickly develop if food stays around and in the adult braces. The person should always practice proper oral hygiene. Flossing and brushing teeth regularly can greatly prevent the development of decalcification or loss of calcium in the teeth, tooth decay, unpleasant mouth odor or teeth color changes.

Other individuals can develop allergies to the metal and elastics found in the braces. Anaphylactic reaction can result from latex allergy, while those sensitive to nickel can also develop complications. People can use latex-free elastics and titanium or gold-plated adult braces as an alternative. Mouth sores are caused by irritation from different parts of the devices. This can be helped by dental wax or silicone and oral rinses to treat the sores.

More Risks

People need to take proper care of their braces. A mouth guard is required when playing sports or getting involved in strenuous or physical activities. Also avoid hard and sticky food that tend to damage and attach to the oral devices, such as toffee, corn and hard pretzels. It will take longer for the braces to have an effect on teeth if the braces are damaged. To take care of soreness and add comfort, dentists usually recommend sugar-free gum. Other dentists might not recommend gum since it can stick to the braces. Pain and discomfort is very common especially after first application of the devices. People might find it very painful or hard to chew and eat for a few days.

About Cost

Adult braces will need to stay in your mouth from 6 months to 6 years, depending on your age, the conditions and severity of the problem. On the average, treatment lasts 1 year and 4 months. The cost is determined by the type of braces used, the duration of treatment and if one or both arches are included. In the United States, the cost can be around $2,000 to $5,000. Some people find that going to Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore can give them good quality adult braces at a fraction of the cost. They can have their orthodontist back in the United States do the adjustments later on. Ask for discount rates and tax deductions on treatment.