It’s every woman’s beauty dilemma, cellulite. Although a very lucky few are miraculously immune from it, most women would have to deal with the fact that it’s a part of the reality of life, since it’s also one of the inevitable signs of old age. There are numerous alleged causes of this condition, as well as proposed solutions. From surgery to diets to weird pantyhose stockings, treatments and products have come up in answer to insistent demands for a way to get rid of it from the female physique, once and for all. And you bet that the lineup wouldn’t be complete without something which belongs to the group of topical application products.
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Archive for February, 2008
Do Cellulite Creams Offer a Miracle Cure?
Breast Augmentation, In Light Of Old Age
In an effort to reverse the aging process, or to achieve a more voluptuous figure, women have gone to great lengths to nip, tuck, tighten, enhance, or stretch every part of their bodies. Some look great after a procedure, some improve (in an artificial kind of way), and the rest have horror stories to tell the unwary. These scenarios are especially observable with a popular cosmetic procedure, breast augmentation. This method is done in numerous ways, but the one which affords dramatic results in quicker time is through implants of either silicone or saline. And although the clinical use of the technique is still under very severe scrutiny, women apparently would not hesitate to have their breasts done; after all, it is touted to be harmless, and the benefits last for a lifetime.
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Do You Keep Bad Cholesterol Under Your Control?
There are 2 main types of blood cholesterol – LDL also known as Bad cholesterol and HDL also known as Good cholesterol.
What is the impact of excess LDL in your body?
Majority of the body’s cholesterol is converted as LDL. This is mostly made up of small amount of protein and fat. The presence of too much LDL cholesterol in the blood may result in building of plaque in the inner walls of the arteries. More and more plaques will narrow the arteries and may eventually block the flow of blood and thus resulting in heart attacks and strokes. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular diseases caused by LDL cholesterol kills 16.7 million persons in a year through out the world.
What are the benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol?
Lowering LDL cholesterol involves exercising regularly, losing excess weight, and following a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Reducing the level of LDL cholesterol is the first step in preventing atherosclerosis and heart attacks. The benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol are as follows:
• Prevents or reduces the formation of new cholesterol plaques on the artery walls.
• It reduces the existing cholesterol plaques on the arteries.
• It helps to widen the narrowed arteries.
• It decreases the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
• It helps to prevent the rupture of cholesterol plaques that initiates blood clot formation.
What are the causes for high LDL cholesterol levels?
The factors which are responsible for high LDL cholesterol levels are:
Genetics – If any of your family members have cholesterol problems or heart disease, you are at a higher risk for having problems.
Excess weight – Over weight results in the increase of LDL cholesterol levels.
Food habits – Avoid food items that are high in cholesterol, and food items that are high in trans and saturated fat. These foods items increase the bad cholesterol level and also increase the risk of developing heart disease.
Age factor – The risk of bad cholesterol increases as you become older.
Physical activity – Lack of physical activity increase the LDL levels, which increases your risk of developing heart diseases.
What is the optimal level of LDL Cholesterol?
It is good to check the cholesterol level at least once in every five years. A cholesterol test is known as a lipid profile test. These tests are usually done in connection with a routine physical exam. The Optimal level of LDL cholesterol is below 100mg/dL. If your LDL Cholesterol level is 160 mg/dL, then you are at the risk of bad cholesterol.
What are the treatments for increased LDL cholesterol?
Treatment for cholesterol is aimed at lowering the LDL cholesterol, lowering triglyceride levels, and increasing HDL cholesterol. Reducing LDL cholesterol by 1% decreases the risk of heart disease by 2% and on the other hand, a decrease in HDL cholesterol by 1%, increase in the risk of heart disease to 2 to 3%.
A low cholesterol diet and regular exercise are essential to reduce bad cholesterol level. A drug therapy is often recommended to lower bad cholesterol, in addition with proper diet and regular exercise. The decision to treat a patient with drug therapy or dietary therapy is usually based on a patient’s LDL level, presence of heart disease and other risk factors.
Maintain Lipoproteins in Your Blood for a Healthy Living
Lipoproteins are molecules that consists proteins and fat. Lipoprotein can transport cholesterol through the blood. Lipoproteins circulate in the blood and contain cholesterol, fat and protein in varying levels according to the need of your body.
How can you classify lipoproteins?
There are five classifications of lipoproteins. The good lipoprotein refers to High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and bad lipoprotein refers to Low Density Lipoproteins, called as LDL. Lipoproteins differ in their level of proteins and lipids. High Density Lipoproteins, Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL), Intermediate Density Lipoproteins (IDL), Chylomicrons, Low Density Lipoproteins and Lipoprotein (a) are the main kind of the lipoproteins.
What are the risk factors of lipoprotein?
Atherosclerosis, heart attack, angina, stroke, aneurysm are some of the risk factors. Abnormalities in the levels of lipoproteins can cause the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is hardening of the arteries which can lead to heart attack, angina and stroke. Lipoprotein (a) is similar to low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Both are rich in cholesterol and their higher level can cause atherosclerosis. A blood test can help to find out lipoprotein-a, and its risks for heart problems.
Blood accumulating under the skin (hematoma), fainting and excessive bleeding are some of the other risk factors apart from heart disorders. Atherosclerosis can harden the arteries; make cholesterol deposition and blockage in the arteries. Smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure can also be risk factors of the atherosclerosis.
What are the recommended levels of lipoproteins in blood?
The desirable total cholesterol level is- minimum 200 mg/dl and the maximum should be 240 mg/dl. But the patients with atherosclerotic disease should maintain around 200 mg/dl. A minimum level of triglecerides is 200 mg/dl and the maximum level is 400 mg/dl. Minimum level of Low density lipoproteins (LDL) is 130 mg/dl and the maximum level is 160 mg/dl. But for the atherosclerotic patients 100 mg/dl is recommended. Less than 35 mg/dl of HDL cholesterol level is considered to be low. The average level of HDL cholesterol is 45 mg/dl to 55 mg/dl. The higher level of HDL cholesterol can cause atherosclerotic disease. However, low cholesterol levels of triglycerides, LDL and HDL will increase the risk of atherosclerotic disease.
How are lipoproteins levels managed?
Low density lipoproteins
If the LDL cholesterol is higher than desirable level, that can be reduced by eating low fat diet. Weight loss and the intake of soluble fiber such as oatmeal, beans and psyllium products can also help. Drug treatment is needed if you have very high LDL cholesterol levels with risk factors of atherosclerotic disorder.
High density lipoproteins (HDL)
Low HDL cholesterol should be raised by exercise. If you are having the habit of smoking, then by quitting your smoking, you can improve HDL level. Medications are rarely used in the treatment of low HDL.
Triglyceride
High triglyceride levels can be controlled by weight loss, reducing alcohol intake and minimizing estrogen-containing pills. If you are a diabetic patient, control of diabetes can help. You can use medications for very high triglyceride levels.
Triglycerides and Your Health
Triglycerides are an important measure for your heart care. If your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and cholesterol level are in increased level, then your doctor will tell you to lower your triglycerides. (more…)
Too Much Dwelling On Her Thighs
If there’s one thing I could do to change my body, I would really concentrate and focus on my thighs. Ever since a remark made by a colleague sometime back, I’ve been very conscious about them. The clear comment directed at me, was “urgh, what ugly thighs”. My boyfriend would say I was being too sensitive, but it’s really a girl thing which only girls can understand. We want every inch of our body to be perfect. Well it’s been made even more frustrating when everything else about my body seemed fine. I guess its true I am a bit paranoid since everyday I make sure that I look into the mirror to check whether there’s any difference, especially after the treatment of lipid absorption cream which I’ve applied.
Well you could be asking why I’m so concerned about my thighs. It looks flabby, sometimes like a stump of an elephant leg. The worst part about it is that I love to wear skirts. I have to stick to wearing jeans and pants, which I don’t like at all. Perhaps another thing that irritates me the most is the sight of protruding veins that appear closer to the knees that makes me even more agitated. The veins are just plain ugly and it’s really an unwelcome sight. Adding insult to injury, I also have a scar on my right leg that was caused by an injury when I feel down from my bicycle when I was young.
All these combined together gave me a real good reason to really look into having plastic surgery. So far I’ve consulted 3 different plastic surgeons, each with their own opinion and approach. I haven’t decided on which one to choose yet because I am saving money to fund the operation. I just hope that once the surgery is done my thighs will be transformed into a complement of my whole body. – Jasmine