Month: February 2015

The DANGER of Skin Creams (and what to use from your Kitchen instead)

Did you know that your skin is your #1 largest organ?

Not only that but the skin is the first in your line of defense against all the nasties out there.

Just the other day in class we were taking about the ways that our skin protect the body. It is called the non specific response to pathogens….think of the response you get when your skin is cut.

In fact it is true to say that if you do not care for your skin then you are weakening your immune system, which means your body will prioritize everything it can to help you fix your immune system, instead of trying to lose fat.

Sounds far fetched but true.

Yet when it comes to face wrinkles  so many people choose ‘Botox’ when there are natural, and cheaper alternatives out there from your kitchen.   

==> A “50 cent facelift” right in your kitchen (+ the DANGER of skin creams)

We recently learned first-hand from one of the most beautiful women we know, while reading her book.  The results are more impressive than the cost of her skin treatment, which is a whopping 50 cents…

==> Look 5 Years Younger In Minutes & Never Leave Home

Take care

Kathy

 

Your GENES May be Preventing Your JEANS from Fitting

If you have trouble fitting into your JEANS — it may well be because of your GENES!

It’s true.

Scientists recently discovered a gene that controls your body’s “fat-burning switch”.1 When it’s not working properly, your fat burning slows down. And the pounds creep on.

This gene is crucial to fat loss because it stimulates the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (or cAMP), a cellular messenger that tells your body to break apart stored fat and to burn it.

That’s why I call this gene your body’s “fat-burning switch”.

But when that gene is switched OFF, it doesn’t stimulate enough cAMP, losing fat becomes an uphill battle — even if you go superlow-carb with diet and super high-intensity with exercise!!!

Unfortunately, you really ARE stuck with the genes you were born with.

But the new and exciting news is this: your genes don’t have to control your destiny — or how much fat you carry around.

Because scientists have discovered a remarkable natural compound that does what your genes have trouble doing: help you lose unwanted fat by stimulating cAMP production and boost your metabolism.

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A Miracle for Those Fighting Fat Gain Over 40
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This groundbreaking discovery has been used for thousands
of years in Ayurvedic medicine to assist with heart, lung and digestive function. But now, a flood of new research shows it can also be a godsend for those fighting fat gain after
turning 40.2

That’s because multiple studies show this herb is one of the only natural compounds that can stimulate the production of fat-destroying cAMP and help you overcome the two major genetic hurdles that can interfere with fat loss — with no dangerous side effects.

First, by increasing the production of cAMP, it can trigger your body to release stubborn fat that’s locked up in your fat cells.

Second, because it can help improve thyroid function, it can also give an extra shot-in-the-arm to your metabolism.

This ensures your fat-burning furnaces will be white hot and ready to incinerate the released fat when it gets there.

==> Activate your fat loss gene with THIS…

There’s also a pretty shocking chart you’ll see on the next page, so make sure to check it out.

PS — Remember, your genes are what they are, but that doesn’t mean you are destined to be overweight.

You CAN turn the tables on your genetics with the smart use of these safe, natural compounds that have been proven to enhance your natural ability to burn fat.

References

1 Martin LF, Klim CM, Vannucci SJ, Dixon LB, Landis JR, LaNoue KF. Alterations in adipocyte adenylate cyclase activity in morbidly obese and formerly morbidly obese humans. Surgery. Aug 1990;108(2):228-234; discussion 234-225.

2 Seika Kamoharaa SN. A Coleus forskohlii extract improves body composition in healthy volunteers: An open-label trial. Personalized Medicine Universe. 2013;2(July):25-27.

Discover Why the Gluten-free Diet can be Very Tricky

Yes, you read that right. The gluten-free diet can be very tricky for the simple fact that gluten can be hiding in many foods and you may not know which foods contain gluten. Following a gluten-free lifestyle is tough enough as it is without gluten playing hide and seek with you.

This article will highlight place where gluten may be hiding so that you can spot it a mile away. Of course, before even going into foods that may contain gluten, you need to be aware of foods that you can and cannot eat.

A general rule of thumb is that most natural foods do not contain gluten. Eggs, meat, poultry, vegetables, seafood, dairy, beans, nuts, legume and fruit do not contain gluten. Feel free to eat these to your heart’s content.

While there are grains that contain gluten, there are many that don’t and are perfectly safe to consume even if you’re gluten intolerant. Rice, soy, yucca, teff, millet, quinoa, tapioca, millet, potato, yucca, cassava, maize and oats (gluten-free) are all safe foods to eat. You do have choices.

Now, let’s look at why you may inadvertently end up getting gluten in your diet. In many cases, it may not even be your fault. Gluten may creep into your diet because of cross-contamination or even deceptive or poor labeling.

For example, in stores that package their gluten-free food, they often use the same preparation area for non-gluten free foods. Some crumbs from the bakery section may find their way into the cut fruit packages if a common preparation is used.

Even at home, one family member might use a knife on the whole-wheat bread and leave crumbs in the butter. The gluten intolerant person may get these crumbs into their body without even realizing it. So, separate containers will be required.

Another matter that you may totally have no control over is for processed foods. Even with products such as canned fruit or vegetables, the manufacturing line may be processing gluten containing foods too. There is a very real possibility of cross-contamination despite what the labels say.

In cases like these, you may have to contact the manufacturer and get reassurance that their product line is solely dedicated to gluten-free products. This is a hassle but it is a necessary inconvenience, especially for those who have celiac disease.

Living on a gluten-free diet is a lifelong challenge. There is no easier way to say it.

You need to be aware of foods that contain gluten. Like mentioned earlier, natural foods such as meat do not contain gluten. However, processed meats such as sausages, meatballs and ground meats may use wheat-based filler. Now you have a meat that contains gluten.

Sauces, gravies and marinades may contain gluten too. That dollop of tomato sauce you just added to your plate may have gluten flour in it. That bag of potato chips may be seasoned with ingredients that contain wheat starch.

So, you need to be alert all the time. You need to research and exercise due diligence in getting as well-informed as you can. Ultimately, this will help you make the best choices when deciding if the food you plan to eat is something you should be eating. Forewarned is forearmed.

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Keep Your Blood Sugar Level Under-Control

Controlling blood sugar (glucose) levels is one of the most important aspects of diabetes management. It will make you feel better in the short-term and it will help you to stay fit and healthy in the long term.

The National Committee on Prevention Detection Evaluation, the chromium and many interesting articles. People who do not have diabetes keep their blood glucose levels within a narrow range for most of the time. The beta cells in the pancreas are able to produce just the right amount of insulin at the right time and they are constantly fine-tuning the blood glucose level. People with diabetes do not have this fine control over their blood glucose levels.

This might be because the beta cells have been destroyed and there is no insulin production at all, as in Type 1 diabetes. Alternatively, it may be that the body does not respond to the insulin and/or not enough insulin is produced when it is needed, as in Type 2 diabetes. The approach to managing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is slightly different, but whichever type of diabetes you have, you will still need to step in and take over that fine-tuning of your blood glucose level.

Controlling blood glucose levels is a bit like trying to lasso an unruly animal. Blood glucose is dynamic; it changes constantly and it is influenced by a host of factors including your choice of food, how much you eat, the timing of your medication or insulin, your emotions, illnesses, your weight, and your body’s resistance to insulin.

Some of these factors are relatively constant from day to day and are quite easily accounted for; some factors are more variable. No two days are ever exactly the same, or entirely predictable, and this makes it difficult. So, blood glucose is not easily lassoed.

In practical terms, you will need to learn about those things that raise your blood glucose level and those things that lower your blood glucose level. Then you will need to balance these factors on a day-to-day and possibly even hour-by-hour basis.

This means coordinating medication, food and activity levels, whilst making appropriate allowances for stress, illness or changes in your daily activities.

You will be aiming to avoid the extreme highs and lows, trying to manipulate your blood glucose toward the normal range. You will be doing regular finger-prick blood glucose tests and using these results to help balance those things that make your blood glucose rise with those that make it fall. When you have evened out your blood glucose level you will still need to keep an eye on it and continue to make adjustments.

Controlling blood glucose is a continuous process and it will require your attention from now on, for the rest of your life. Don’t worry! It may sound daunting to you right now, but it will soon become second nature.

People who do not have diabetes have blood glucose levels between 4 and 8 mmol/l for most of the time. In general, people with diabetes should try to aim for test results between 4 and 10 mmol/l most of the time. Some people – pregnant women, for example – will need to aim for tighter control. Other people – young children, the elderly, or those at risk of severe hypoglycemia, for example – will need to aim for higher levels.

Your diabetes team will give you individual guidance on the blood glucose levels that you should be aiming for.

In the short term, controlling blood glucose levels is important in order to avoid diabetic emergencies – very high or very low blood glucose levels. Both of these conditions are unpleasant and can be dangerous, so they should be avoided if at all possible.

High blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetes, if caused by a lack of insulin, can lead to a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis or ‘DKA’ which can be fatal if it is not treated in time.

The Basics Of Weight Loss

For some people, simply exercising and eating less can cause them to lose a lot of weight. These are the kind of people who easily gain weight but lose what they have gained just as easily.

However, there are people who easily gain weight but struggle to lose them in the end. Despite hours of running in the treadmill, these people will simply drive themselves to exhaustion but will not be able to shed so many pounds. They will soon realize that their efforts are not enough and it is about time to make use of additional help.

For the past few years, weight loss pills, drinks, treatments, and regimens have become more in-demand in the market. One possible reason for this is that the market itself has expanded due to the increased population of people becoming overweight or obese. More and more people are also gaining weight fast because of the kind of lifestyle they live and the food they eat. Because of the proliferation of weight loss products in the market, it has become difficult to choose what product to use.

This decision is actually quiet easy to make. One simply needs to look at the basics. This means looking at the main component/s that makes any product effective in reducing weight. As a guide, a list of the more commonly known weight-losing components are shown below

L-Carnitine – for consumption and disposal of fat in the body because it is responsible for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria

Panax Ginseng – serves as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, and in the treatment of type II diabetes, including sexual dysfunction in men

Banaba Extract – balances blood sugar, regulates insulin level, supports weight loss

Chromium Picolinate – needed for glucose utilization by insulin in normal health, body development for athletes and as a means of losing weight

Quercetin (Polyphenol) – reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, has significant anti-inflammatory activity because of direct inhibition of several initial processes of inflammation. For example, it inhibits both the manufacture and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory mediators

Hydroxyctiric Acid – for modulation of lipid metabolism

Theobromine – treatment for edema, syphilitic angina attacks, and degenerative angina, used as a treatment for other circulatory problems including arteriosclerosis, certain vascular diseases, angina pectoris, and hypertension, and an aid in urinating, and heart stimulant

B Vitamins – support and increase the rate of metabolism , maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, promote cell growth and division

The components listed above are all obtained from natural sources. Certain supplements contain them, however, their effectiveness is not totally guaranteed. In case those supplements do not benefit a person, other options are still available such as drugs like Xenical. All these still need to be taken together with regular exercise and healthy eating. Any weight-loss regimen and treatment need a balanced lifestyle for optimal results to be obtained. Also, a disciplined and consistent attitude is necessary.

Some free ways to get relief from arthritis pain.

Anyone who suffers with arthritis knows pain management is important. Without it, you may be unable to function from day-to-day. Unfortunately, many home remedies and over-the-counter medications require money.

Although there are, many products available and you can purchase a bottle of pain medication for a few dollars, that may be money you just don’t have to spare and with long term use the cost can add up fast. So, what should you do, just live with the pain? No, there are many ways to seek arthritis pain relief and many are free!

– Regular exercise

Right about now you may be thinking exercise isn’t possible. After all, your joints are in pain. However, the majority of physicians recommend regular exercise for arthritis relief. Yes, this is true. Exercise can help and should be incorporated it your daily routine, not just those suffering from arthritis.

When it comes to arthritis, exercise does wonders for the body. It assists with weight loss and promotes healthy freedom of movement. This movement strengthens the muscles surrounding the joints, which provides extra protection and reinforcement.

While exercise is necessary, it isn’t always free. If you’re on a budget, wisely plan your workouts. Instead of opting for a gym membership so you can use the treadmill, walk around your neighborhood or inside a shopping center. There are also excellent walking videos that you can use in the comfort of your own home, like Walk Away the Pounds and don’t forget to search YouTube for free Power Walk options.

Here is a website dedicated to walking from home:
http://www.walkathome.com/

Instead of signing up for an aerobics class, turn on some music in your home and move around. Something as simple as stretching your fingers daily can provide long-term pain relief.

Although this exercise may be painful at first, it will get easier overtime. Remember any type of movement will reduce joint stiffness. This should not only provide pain relief, but it lessens the risk of additional complications. For, individuals with arthritis who don’t learn the little or no treatment later find themselves dealing with severe stiffness, the inability to move, and deformities. Combine diet and exercise to lose weight.

Right about now, you may be thinking dieting isn’t free either. In reality it is. You already buy food and drinks. You need these to survive. Carefully choose your foods. Eliminate those high in fat and calories.

Weight loss is an easy way to lessen the pain associated with arthritis. The less weight you have pressing on the joints, the less pain you will experience. If you don’t have any weight to lose that’s good, but you still need to be aware of the importance and many health benefits of healthy eating.

Avoid applying too much pressure to the painful joints. Many suffering from severe arthritis will experience pain no matter what the activity, while others will only experience pain when trigged.

For example, individuals who have pain in their elbows should still exercise moderately but avoid lifting heavy items that can trigger a flair-up. They should also be careful to lift items properly.

Yes, it is easier to reach down and grab a box, but this can put undo strain the elbows. Instead, properly squat down and lift with your entire body. Avoiding joint pressure will not eliminate arthritis pain, but it will lessen the severity.

– Ask for help

As we have discusses before, some arthritis sufferers trigger severe pain by trying to complete tasks they shouldn’t. If you have severe arthritis in your hands, don’t spend hours trying to open a jar. Not only will you get frustrated with your inability to open it, you increase the risk of severe pain. Instead, ask for help.

Getting relief from arthritis symptoms doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Just make sure you try to exercise regularly, eat healthy, limit strenuous activity, and ask for help. Doing so will lessen the pain you experience, without costing you a penny.

Overview of Some Causes of Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), also known as vaginal bacteriosis is the most common cause of vaginal infection for women of childbearing age.

Although it frequently develops after sexual intercourse with a new partner,it is important to remember that bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection (STD). BV is however more common in women with multiple partners.

Bacterial vaginosis is often confused with candidiasis (yeast infection) or Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis) These conditions are not caused by bacteria but are caused when there is an  imbalance of the naturally occurring bacteria found in a womans vagina. Smoking and using hygiene products are linked to a higher risk of developing BV.

According to the National Health Service in the UK, around 12% to 30% of adult women in the UK are affected with BV. About 20% of pregnant women in the UK are also affected with BV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA estimate that 16% of US women are affected. Bacterial Vaginosis occurs in 1 of 3 women so very few of us have the pleasure of not having this condition at some stage in our lifes.

Bacterial vaginosis can sometimes be asymptomatic meaning that about 50% of women with BV have no symptoms. Doctors say treatment is not required if the woman is found to have BV but has no symptoms. Sometimes BV can occur and also disappear for no obvious reason.

Even though antibiotic medication will work in up to 90% of cases, 25% of women will develop BV again within four weeks.
A pregnant woman with BV has a higher risk of complications and could give birth before the 37th week of pregnancy.

So What are the signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?

As stated above 50% of all women with BV have no symptoms . If a woman does have symptoms, she does not necessarily need to get tested to find out.

The main sign is vaginal discharge:

A vaginal discharge which is watery and thin
This vaginal discharge can become grey or white and may have a strong and unpleasant smell that is often described as fishy

The following symptoms also occur but are much less common:

A burning sensation during urination
An itching around the outside of the vagina

So What causes bacterial vaginosis?

Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally found in a female’s vagina – an imbalance in the vagina’s naturally occurring bacterial flora.
To date nobody fully understands why this imbalance occurs. The vagina contains mostly good bacteria and few harmful bacteria. With bacterial vaginosis the harmful bacteria grow in numbers and as yet Doctors do not know what role these harmful bacteria play in causing BV.

A female’s vagina should contain the lactic acid bacteria, called lactobacilli. These bacteria naturally produce lactic acid which makes the vagina slightly acidic. This acidity prevents other bacteria from growing there. If the vagina has lost this acidity then other bacteria will have the opportunity to grow. In addition to this if If there are fewer lactobacilli the vagina may become less acidic…a double edged sword.

Any female can develop BV. There are however some behaviors or activities that can upset the balance of these naturally occurring bacterial flora and increase the risk of developing BV.

These are below

Douching where you use water or a medicated solution to clean the vagina
Having a bath with an antiseptic liquid
A new sex partner
Multiple sex partners
Having a perfumed bubble baths with some scented soaps
Smoking
Using an Intrauterine device, such as a contraceptive device that is made from plastic and copper and fits inside the uterus
Vaginal deodorants
Washing your underwear with strong detergents

However:

Women who have never had a sexual partner may be affected.
On another note I can assure you that You cannot get BV from touching a toilet seat, touching bedding or swimming pools

REFERENCES

Bacterial Vaginosis – News Medical

Sep 14, 2013 … Bacterial vaginosis, also called BV is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. It happens when the normal balance of …

STD Facts – Bacterial Vaginosis

Mar 11, 2014 … Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Fact Sheet from CDC. What is BV? How common is BV? How do people get BV? And more…

Bacterial Vaginosis Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments – WebMD

Mar 12, 2014 … Bacterial vaginosis causes specific symptoms that can be different from two other common types of vaginal infections, vaginal yeast infection …

 

 

Low Glycemic Diets

Introduction: low glycemic diets are good for everyone but the people who need these diets most are Diabetics and those trying to lose weight. Foods are measured by GI glycemic indexing.

What is glycemic indexing (GI)? The glycemic index ranks from 1 to 100.This is the method by which foods are measured and shows the amount a food will raise blood sugar and insulin levels. The rate at which your blood sugar rises is very important in managing diabetes and weight maintenance. High glycemic foods are those that are quickly digested and turned into sugar. They will cause a considerable rise in high blood sugar. Foods ranking 70 or greater on the GI scale are considered high glycemic foods.

Examples of these foods are:

Foods high in sugar or glucose

* Baked or mashed potatoes

* White Rice

* White (not whole grain) bread

* Cookies, cakes, muffins, doughnuts-made with refined white flour

* Junk foods

Low glycemic foods include some fruits and vegetables they are 55 or less on the GI scale.

Examples of these are:

* Most fruits (apples, pears, oranges, berries, etc.)

* High fiber grains (bran, whole grain wheat’s)

* Pastas
* Whole milk

* Low-fat yogurt

* Lentils

* Whole grain cereals

Why use a low Glycemic Diets:

High glycemic foods can cause weight gain and are dangerous for those suffering from Diabetes. High glycemic foods increase your appetite, and cause your body to increase triglycerides. They can also lead to weight gain. Cutting carbohydrates is not enough. You need to be aware of how all the food you eat measures up to the GI index.

Protein foods such as cheese, vegetables, eggs and fresh meat are not included in the GI index because they do not include large amounts of carbohydrates. Therefore these foods can be eaten when you are on a low glycemic diet.

Diabetes is a life threatening disease when not taken care of and it is very important to be aware of the glycemic index of the foods you eat. One of the first methods of treatment is to put these patients on a low glycemic diet. This will help them to lower their blood sugar levels and maintain a normal blood sugar level.

Obesity: A low glycemic diet will also help you lose weight. Eating more protein foods and low glycemic foods will help you drop those pounds and when you maintain a low glycemic diet will help you sustain your weight.

Eating in a healthier manner is just a matter of understanding the different foods and paying attention to what you eat. Educate yourself a little on which foods are high in protein and low in glycemic levels and you will be able to improve your health and have more energy to do the things that are really important to you.

Psychological Effects Of Exercise – Another Reason For You To Exercise

Many of us get very focused on the physical benefits of exercise, and why not, we lose weight, improve our overall health, and look great. But no matter how much we gain physically we shouldn’t ignore the psychological effects of exercise.

1. Better mood. We’ve all heard of ‘the runners high’ this is achieved after a runner, or anyone doing physical activity, reaches a certain level in their workout and their body releases chemicals that make them feel good.

That only works for a short time during the activity, but we can continue to have a good, more stable, mood permanently. While no one seems to understand what causes this many speculate that the good mood is simply brought on by the knowledge that you are taking good care of your body and you are looking better and getting healthy.

2. Exercise is a proven stress reducer. People who work out on a regular basis are generally less likely to let little unexpected problems get to them. They are usually more ‘even keeled’ no matter what their day throws at them.

This too could be a side effect of the chemicals released by your brain during exercise. Or it could just be a side effect of the knowledge you are taking control of certain aspects of your life so you are more confident in other areas of your life.

3. Higher self esteem. Knowing that you are taking care of yourself, having the confidence and commitment to work out on a regular basis, and of course the improvements in the way you look, all add up to increased self esteem.

It’s tough to feel bad about yourself, or anything else, when you know you are one of those people who workout. There is a certain positive feeling about taking good care of yourself.

Exercise is good for you, we all know that. But now it’s important to realize that there are also psychological effects of exercise that can not only help your body stay healthy, it can keep your mind and spirit healthy too.

5 Ways to Prevent Cross-contamination

A person suffering from celiac disease will react very unfavorably when gluten ends up in their diet. There are millions suffering from various degrees of gluten intolerance. Avoiding gluten and leading a gluten-free life will solve most of their problems.

However, this is easier said than done.

For starters, there is inconvenience involved. You will need to make sure your food does not contain gluten. You’ll have to read food labels, find gluten-free substitutes, etc. Then there is the problem of giving up many comfort foods that you are used to such as cakes, ice-creams, potato chips, etc. These foods may contain wheat based flavouring or fillers.

It’s definitely going to affect many people when they discover that their favorite foods may be off limits to them because of their gluten intolercance.

There is also the issue of extra hassles involved… and that’s what this article is about. Preventing cross-contamination of foods. Cross-contamination occurs when gluten containing foods end up mixed with gluten-free foods. This can occur and it does occur.

1. Thouroughly wash and clean utensils, bread boards, chopping boards, etc. Anytime one particular object is used for both kinds of foods, the probability of cross-contamination goes up.

For example, a knife that was used to cut some whole wheat bread may still have miniscule crumbs stuck to it. If a gluten intolerant person used that same knife to cut an apple, it would be inevitable to get some crumbs on the apple which they will end up eating.

So, all utensils must be washed before use.

2. Separate containers should be used by gluten intolerant people. These containers should be sealed and only contain foods that are gluten-free. You can’t share butter, jam, etc. because of the very high probability of someone else contaminating them.

3. Label all foods in your refrigerator. Especially, once they have been removed from their original packaging. It’s very easy to lose track of who is eating what and how the food has been handled. If you live alone, you do not have such problems. However, if you have family members and they are not gluten intolerant, their actions may affect you.

4. Toasters, ovens, grills, etc. should be cleaned thouroughly before using. If a grill has been used to grill some sausages, the wheat based filler in the sausages may still be lingering on the grill. Of course, marinades, flavoring, etc. will also be there and most of them will have wheat based ingredients. Wash them all well before use.

5. Use separate oil for frying. This is one of those things that people forget. They resuse oil and think that it’s harmless. If someone in the family fries a burger patty in oil, there will be breadcrumbs, fillers, etc. that will end up in the oil. There is a very high chance that these contain gluten.

If you then proceed to fry your gluten-free burger patty and think that all is ok, you’re sorely mistaken. The oil already contains gluten products and it will contaminate your food. Use separate oil for your cooking.

These are just 5 ways that cross-contamination may occur. There are many more ways. So, you will always need to be alert to the possibility of it occurring. In this way, you will be better prepared and reduce any chances of getting gluten in your diet without realizing it.

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