Pregnancy is undoubtedly a woman’s fulfilling moment, as she gets a first-hand glimpse of what life is about by bringing one out from her womb. Unfortunately, this otherwise euphoric experience is hindered by what her body goes through during and after pregnancy, and one of the concerns includes the ever-dreaded possibility for stretch marks. Unless a woman is genetically blessed with elastic skin, she cannot escape this condition, as ninety percent of all women acquire stretch marks in the latter half of their pregnancy. But just because it is unavoidable doesn’t mean there’s nothing which you can do about it. You can reduce, even prevent stretch marks, if you take to heart the following recommendations during your pregnancy.
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Archive for February, 2008
Prevent Stretch Marks With These Proven Methods
Lavish Your Skin With the Beautiful Glow Of Health
Even though the cosmetic industry has caught on in the ‘all-natural, organic’ fever, there are still a few labels which choose to go with the traditional formulations, to their due shame. It is but natural to assume that since organic commodities provide for the best benefit in your body that going for natural cosmetic alternatives will afford similar results. Be sure that your theory is not a hare-brained idea, but a well-founded fact. Natural cosmetics allow for skin rejuvenation, by giving it plenty of skin nutrients, without the tendency to block the pores like previous formulations do.
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Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease through Lowering Cholesterol
Cholesterol can help your body to build new cells and hormones. Cholesterol enters your body from your diet. The major contributors of high cholesterol diets are animal foods, milk, eggs and meat. High level of cholesterol in your body is a risk factor for heart disease.
Can high cholesterol cause heart disease?
Higher levels of cholesterol in your blood can build up its parts in the walls of your arteries, causing atherosclerosis. This makes your arteries narrowed and blood flow to the heart is blocked. If enough blood cannot reach your heart, you may suffer and the result will be a heart attack.
There are two forms of cholesterol. They are Low-density lipoprotein (LDL known as “bad” cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL known as “good” cholesterol.) Low-density lipoprotein – LDL is the main source of artery clogging. HDL helps to clear the cholesterol from the blood. Triglycerides are also fat content in our blood. Higher levels of triglycerides can also cause heart disease.
How can you reduce your risk of heart disease?
You need to control high blood pressure if you are suffering from it and stop smoking habits. A low saturated fat diet and low cholesterol eating plan will be very helpful. Maintain a desirable weight and participate in regular physical activity. Some of the drugs which are used to treat high cholesterol are as follows: fibric acid derivatives, niacin, bile-acid resins and statins. Avoid grapefruit juice while taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, because it can interfere with the liver’s function.
Can exercise and diet help to lower cholesterol?
Cholesterol-lowering medicine can be effective if they are combined with a low-cholesterol diet and regular exercise. There are some food items that can reduce your cholesterol level. They include herbals and vitamins.
Fruits and Vegetables are very needful. Citrus fruit, apples, berries, carrots and cabbage are having soluble fiber and pectin. These fresh fruits and vegetables are good for your health and you can also prevent many disorders. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat which helps to lower your cholesterol level. Eating the almonds with the skins is beneficial if you have elevated cholesterol.
You can avoid eating egg yolks. However you can eat egg white. Try the soy and rice milks and skim milk for better health. Fish with omega3 acids can prevent blood clotting and lower your blood cholesterol. Olive Oil can also lower blood cholesterol. You can use olive oil instead of animal fats to lower your cholesterol and improve your health. Oats and Barley have a soluble fiber to lower your cholesterol. So, you can consume two to four cups of oats and barley everyday to reduce the cholesterol level.
Will you get any side effects due to cholesterol-lowering drugs?
There are some side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. They are as follows: abnormal liver function, skin rashes, abdominal pain, heartburn, decreased sexual desire, dizziness and constipation
Breast Implant Myths Debunked
Breast augmentation is a procedure which has been practiced successfully for decades, but popular and unpopular public opinion have sprouted out numerous rumors about its safety and effectiveness, to the point that the rumors have turned into urban myths. While there are exceptional cases which prove some of the following myths as facts, these could’ve been easily avoided if the procedure was performed under ideal conditions, and by a qualified doctor. They nonetheless persist; but you can spread the word, and debunk the myths.
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The Real Score With Anti-aging Creams
Among the many concerns which haunt women is that inevitable wrinkle on the skin, particularly on the face. They may be laugh lines or crows feet, it doesn’t matter. The fact is that these are considered unappealing, and must be wiped out completely if it were only possible to do so. But unfortunately, skin wrinkling is one of the signs of the onset of aging, and unless the latter is resolved, its indications cannot be removed completely. Nonetheless, numerous anti-aging creams flood the cosmetic market, and will undoubtedly continue on pouring forth as long as there are women who are willing to do anything it takes to regain their silky-smooth skin. Most of these products are effective, in the sense that they feed the skin with the essential vitamins, in addition to protecting the skin from foreign elements; this is how far the ‘anti-aging’ process is supposed to go, and not turn back the clock and reverse the normal aging process. You’ll have better benefits from an anti-aging cream if it contains one or most of the following key ingredients:
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Good Cholesterol Can Help You to Keep Your Health Better
The cholesterol in a person’s blood originates from two major sources; food consumption and liver production. Cholesterol can’t dissolve in the blood. Cholesterol is divided into two types- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and High-density lipoprotein (HDL). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is also known as “bad” cholesterol where as High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as “good” cholesterol.
Why is high-density lipoprotein called as good cholesterol?
HDL or high-density lipoprotein is known as good cholesterol because it helps the body to eliminate the bad cholesterol (LDL) and thereby reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, the more bad cholesterol a person has, the more HDL cholesterol is needed. About 25-30 percent of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. It helps to remove excess cholesterol from arteries and thus prevents the formation of blocks. High levels of HDL are considered as beneficial because it attaches LDL to it as it passes through the arteries. When the LDL is attached to the HDL, it is carried along with the blood and it is passed into the liver where it is broken down and eliminated. HDL cholesterol levels can be raised by following a healthy diet and taking necessary medications and supplements.
Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. It is better to think high, incase of HDL cholesterol i.e., 60 mg/dL or above. An HDL level below 40 mg/dL increases the risk of heart related problems. The average amount of HDL required for a normal person is 40 to 50 mg/dL.
Keeping HDL level of 60 mg/dL or above is considered a “negative risk factor” and will reduce the 10-year risk of suffering a heart attack and strokes. Researches found out that women are at increased risk of heart attack. Thus studies have proven that an HDL level of 60 mg/dL or above can improve the function of brain cells and protect against strokes and mental decline.
What are the steps to improve HDL cholesterol level in your body?
High HDL cholesterol helps to increase your lifespan. There are many methods available to improve HDL cholesterol level in your body. This includes dietary and lifestyle changes, regular exercise and Fenobrate therapy to attain desired level of HDL cholesterol. I have given some of the tips to improve your HDL cholesterol level as follows:
• Maintaining a healthy weight helps to increase the HDL cholesterol level. If you are over weight, try to reduce your weight. For every 2 pounds you lose, your HDL may increase by .35 mg/dL.
• Try to engage in more physical activity as it helps to increase the HDL cholesterol level by 3 percent to 9 percent.
• Use only foods that contain healthier fats. Try to avoid those foods that contain Trans fat, which raises LDL cholesterol and lowers HDL cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats which are found in canola, peanut and olive oils are healthier.
• Drink alcohol only in moderate amount. Moderate use of alcohol particularly red wine has the capability to increase the level of HDL cholesterol. Smoking lowers the level of HDL cholesterol and leads to the formation of blocks in arteries. So, avoid smoking if you are having the habit of smoking.
What are the food items that can promote HDL level in your body?
Foods such as fish, Soya products, fiber rich foods, beans, oat bran and onions help to increase the HDL level in your body. Fruits such as orange, apple, grape and citrus foods and also red wine can promote HDL level in your body. Use oils such as olive oil, cashews, peanuts, avocado, corn oil, peanut oil, canola oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, fish etc in your food to promote HDL level in your body.