Archives for General Health category

If you think taking supplemental calcium is only good for bone health, think again. Calcium is a multifaceted nutrient. It happens to be the most abundant mineral in our bodies. Aside from its well-known role in promoting bone health, calcium is important for maximizing enzyme activity, facilitating nerve function, and helping to regulate heart rhythm and muscle contraction. Low calcium intake has not only been associated with poor bone health, but may also contribute to poor blood pressure and even abnormal cell growth.

The benefit of calcium now appears to extend to a completely new arena, which is cholesterol metabolism. In a recent study published in the American Journal of Medicine, 223 women were randomly assigned to take either 1 gram (1,000 mg) of calcium daily in the form of calcium citrate or an inactive placebo for one year1. Investigators measured levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol at the onset of study, and then again periodically over the 12-month period. At the end of the trial, both HDL cholesterol and HDL-to-LDL ratios had increased more for women taking the calcium supplement compared to those taking placebo.

On average, women taking calcium saw an increase in HDL cholesterol levels of about 7%. Authors indicated that this is another reason to encourage postmenopausal women to take calcium. Further studies are suggested to see if similar benefits are obtained with men, and whether or not calcium supplementation may affect cardiovascular health.

The Right Form of Calcium is Critical

When taking calcium it’s important to use the right form. Studies show that calcium carbonate has variable absorption, depending on stomach pH. Calcium citrate malate is believed to be most efficiently absorbed in the stomach and intestines. There may actually be as much as a 1000% increase in absorption rates with calcium citrate malate compared to other forms of calcium. Evidence supporting the incredible benefits of calcium citrate malate was published on September 4, 1997 in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine2. Several hundred elderly patients were studied. Half were given 500 mg elemental calcium citrate malate with 700 IU vitamin D, and the other half was given placebo. The results were excellent.

Calcium/vitamin D supplements improved bone health and appeared to reduce fracture rates by more than 50%. In addition, certain forms of calcium other than calcium citrate malate may contain toxic heavy metals. The worst offenders are carbonate (especially oyster shells, a common form). It’s very important to take magnesium in addition to calcium supplements. Most people consume only about half of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)/Daily Values (DV) of magnesium in their diets. Low levels of magnesium may lead to poor bone and cardiovascular health.

For more information visit Hypercet - cholesterol and blood pressure formula.

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Sleep Disorder

During normal breathing, air passes through the throat on its way to the lungs. The air travels past the soft palate, uvula, tonsils, and tongue. When a person is awake, the muscles in the back of the throat tighten to hold these structures in place preventing them from collapsing and/or vibrating in the airway. During sleep, the uvula and soft palate frequently vibrate causing the distinctive sounds of snoring.

The LAUP procedure is a laser surgical procedure designed to sequentially trim and shorten these structures, thus preventing or reducing snoring.

Risks and Complications

You have the right to be informed that the surgery may involve risks of unsuccessful results, complications, or injury from both known and unforeseen causes. Because individuals vary in their tissue circulation and healing processes, as well as anesthetic reactions, ultimately there can be no guarantee made as to the results or potential complications. The following complications have been reported in the medical literature. This list is not meant to be inclusive of every possible complication. They are listed here for your information only, not to frighten you, but to make you aware and more knowledgeable concerning this surgical procedure.

1. Failure to resolve the snoring. Most surgeons feel that about 85% of patients who undergo a LAUP will have a significant or complete resolution in their snoring; and an additional percentage of patients will notice reduced levels of snoring such that their sleep partners will report that it’s level is no longer offensive.

2. Failure to cure sleep apnea or other pathological sleep disorders. Pathological sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, are medical problems which may have associated serious complications. At this time, the LAUP procedure has not been proven to cure these disorders.

3. Bleeding. In very rare situations, a need for blood products or a blood transfusion. You have the right, should you choose, to have autologous or designated donor directed blood pre-arranged. You are encouraged to consult with your doctor if you are interested.

4. Nasal regurgitation, a change in voice, or velopharyngeal insufficiency when liquids may flow into the nasal cavity during swallowing (rare).

5. Failure to resolve coexisting sinus, tonsil, or nasal problems.

6. Need for revision, or further and more aggressive surgery.

7. Prolonged pain, impaired healing, and the need for hospitalization

For more information visit Melatrol - natural sleeping aid.

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When someone is suffering from hypothyroidism the thyroid gland is impaired, producing too little thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is  primarily due to a dysfunction of the thyroid gland itself. If you have hypothyroidism, you can start taking control with thyromine. Act now to  work towards looking better and feeling better.

Thyroid Gland and Hypothyroidism!The thyroid gland makes four hormones: Thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), diiodothyronine (T2) and monoiodothyronine (T1). The hormones contain iodine, and the figures  tell about the number of iodine atoms in each hormone molecule. T3 is not made  directly, but is produced from T4. T3 is a more efficient hormone than T4.  Therefore this conversion is important. The hormones produced by the thyroid  gland control the body’s metabolic rate and a dysfunction to this gland can  affect every organ in the body.When the thyroid is under-active it creates a general depression of many of  the cellular systems and oxidative processes in the body that are needed for  energy production. This can cause the metabolic activities in the cells to  decrease. Metabolic wastes can then filtrate into the organs, causing them to  become sluggish. Thyroxine determines how quickly nutrients are converted  into energy and how efficiently food is burned within the body. Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland does  not produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, specifically thyroxine. There are several symptoms, which can indicate a thyroid  condition. The most common indicators of an under active thyroid are  unexplained weight gain, moodiness, fatigue, constipation, sensitivity to cold  temperatures, sudden clumsiness, fragile hair and nails and many more. An under  active thyroid undermines your whole life. Thyromine can help give  you your life back.

How Thyromine Works?Thyromine ingredients consist of L-Tyrosine, Bovine Thyroid  powder, Bovine Adrenal Powder, Guglipid, Nori, Piper Longum Extract  and Ginger Extract. Thyromine works very well for people who have  hypothyroidism. For example L-Tyrosine works to stimulate the metabolism.  Guglipid works to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Adrenal  Powder from Bovine helps regulate your body’s stress levels. Piper Longum  Extract increases the production of thyroid hormones and stimulates the immune  system. Finally, Ginger extract works to prevent blood clots and is used to  treat digestive problems. Thyromine can make your life come together  because of its combination of natural ingredients that help your thyroid to  perform normally.

For more information visit Thyromine - thyroid health supplement.

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IBS Medications

There are currently many possible treatment choices for patients with IBS to  try, and research is continually being done to find new effective medications.  Nonetheless, many of the commonly used drugs to treat IBS have not been  definitively proven to be superior to placebo. An extensive review by Klein of  randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials performed between 1966 and  1988 found that none of the studies provided sound statistical evidence to  suggest that any of the medications used were beneficial in treating IBS,  chiefly because of poor trial design and statistical analyses in the published  studies. More recent improvements in the design of trials has yielded evidence  to support the use of smooth muscle relaxants and antidepressants in  pain-predominant IBS, use of the antidiarrheal loperamide for diarrhea, and the  use of fiber for constipation. The emergence of combination medications, as well  as the increased use of neurotransmitter regulators, will most likely enhance  the efficacy of future IBS treatments.

Bowtrol is the only natural remedy  that is clinically proven effective for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If you are  suffering from constipation, diarrhea, or both in alteration, abdominal pain,  bloating, and heartburn more than once a month, you are not alone. Irritable  Bowel Syndrome (also called IBS) affects about 25 million to 50 million people  in US alone.

For more information visit Bowtrol.

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Artificial nails have come to stay. It is rare to find a woman who doesn’t wear it these days. This naturally follows that they are used in covering their natural toes and to make them more beautiful. However, women have been known to use artificial nails to cover up nail fungus infection hence resulting in a coined word “artificial nail fungus”.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t cure nor solve the problem. Instead, it worsens it. Let me explain. Nail fungus grows in a favorable environment in which there is a lot of moisture and it is dark. Now when you apply artificial nails to the already infected toe nails, it creates an environment that is both dark and has a lot of moisture. Since these fungi grow only in areas that are airless and on feet that are both damp and warm, the artificial nail thus inhibits the easy flow of air around the toenail.

Fungal nail infections are more common among the toe nails than among the finger nails. But please note that any finger nail that isn’t natural but attached to the real finger nail is a huge contributor to the spread of the fungal infection. It is understandable that when the nails look yellowed as a result of the infection, the natural inclination is to want to put it out of sight and hide because of the stares you get on the fingers or toenails. But know that when you hide the nails under artificial nails, you are creating a more enabling environment that will foster the faster growth and spread of the fungus. So, while it is covered, no one else of course sees the nails while it keeps getting destroyed and the condition worsens. If this gets to the extreme, you may not even be able to hide it any longer as the nail becomes so bad that it is virtually impossible to even apply the artificial nails. This is the reason it is better for you to nip the “monster” in the bud.

The spread of the fungus nail infection is even more common among the women than men because of the flourishing beauty industry. It is common fact that women these days visit nail shops where professional nail experts help apply the artificial nails they want. Now, it very easy for women to get their pedicures and manicures done for them at these shops and because of this, nail spas are very rampant and well patronized by women and even some men. However, these same shops which are a source of satisfaction to women can also be a source of sadness as they beautiful nails they go to sculpt their nails, can become infected by the nail fungus infection. This is possible because certain women who also visit these shops may have the nail fungus growing in their fingernails.

For more information visit Zetaclear.

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American Lung Association Report Shows 2007 Shaping Up to be a Banner Year for Tobacco Control Policies.

Cigarette smoking has been identified as the number one preventable cause of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Smoking is responsible for approximately one in five deaths in the United States. From 1997 to 2001, smoking killed an estimated 438,000 people in the United States each year. This includes an estimated 259,494 male and 178,404 female deaths annually. Among adults, the three leading specific causes of smoking attributable deaths were from lung cancer (123,836), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (90,582) and ischemic heart disease (86,801).

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses * U.S., 1997-2001. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) 2005; 54(25); 625-628.

These statistics alone ought to be reason enough to warrant strong tobacco control laws such as cigarette tax increases and increased funding for tobacco prevention programs, but every year new studies show that the harmful effects of smoking not only effect the smoker, but also the workers and general public exposed to secondhand smoke.

This website is home to the online version of State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI), which tracks state tobacco control laws, such as state restrictions on smoking in public places and workplaces and state tobacco taxes, on an ongoing basis. It is the only resource of its kind in tobacco control today providing up-to-date information on tobacco control laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You can learn more about SLATI here.

Below is a list of just some of the reports and information on tobacco control laws and policy found on this site. Please explore the various areas and learn how to get involved in the important fight for strong tobacco control laws and policies. As many of the inspirational people who are living with lung disease will tell you, it’s a fight we cannot afford to lose.

For more information visit Nicocure.

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Obstructive sleep apnea in normal children is almost always caused by  enlarged (hypertrophic) tonsils and adenoids). These children will display the  typical sleeping patterns of sleep apnea. They have loud snoring, frequent  pauses with breathing at night, frequent awakening from sleep, restless sleep,  nightmares, and bedwetting (enuresis). During the daytime, these children are  mouth breathers, may have excessive daytime sleepiness, and poor school  performance.

Other more rare causes of sleep apnea include any congenital (present from  birth) or acquired cause of upper airway obstruction.

The treatment of obstructive sleep apnea is directed to the cause of the  obstruction.

As noted above, most cases of obstructive sleep apnea in children is caused  by enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Surgical interventions are therefore directed  to what is causing the obstruction. In the case of enlarged tonsils and  adenoids, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is usually successful in relieving the  problem. If the problem is not the tonsils and adenoids, the cause of the  obstruction must be determined. For example, surgery of the jaw may be required.  In some cases, even a tracheostomy is necessary. Non-surgical therapies include  oral prostheses (difficult in children), medications (steroids, stimulants), and  weight reduction.

In almost every case of obstructive sleep apnea in children who do not have  unusual anatomic problems, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is a safe and  effective treatment, and is highly recommended.

For more information visit Melatrol - natural sleep aid.

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Got constipation? Well most of us do once in a while for some and frequently for others. In this article we’ll look at how you can get all the constipation help you’d probably need. While this is not all inclusive in itself, you can consort other sources for all the constipation help you might need. Most people who suffer from constipation will tell that it is one of the most uncomfortable experiences they’ve had. There are various reasons and causes of constipation:

1. Consumption of fast foods and foods that lack lots of fiber.

This is the single major reason behind most occurrences of constipation. Because we live in an “instant” age, fast foods have become the order of the day. People just don’t know what it is to eat healthily. As long as you can grab some sandwich, burger or fried chicken and the stomach feels full, everything’s settled. As a result, foods are not readily digested. All the fiber necessary to stimulate bowel movement are almost non-existent.

2. Inadequate fluid intake.

People don’t drink fluids these days -at least not enough to compensate for bodily needs. Hence, when the feces gets to the rectum, the little moisture remaining in it is absorbed by the rectum. Because stooling requires moisture to enable the easy passage, it becomes hard to freely pass stool. That’s why there is a lot of straining to get eliminate the waste.

3. Leading a sedentary life.

People who don’t take care of themselves physically, tend to easily develop constipation as a result of the fact they are not involved in any sort of exercise. One of the very first recommendations for those who need constipation help is exercise. The fact that you move around would improve your bowel movements and hasten the relief of constipation.

4. Pregnant women also suffer from constipation as a result of a change in hormonal balance in the body and also because of the pressure of the now occupied uterus on the intestine. Since you have read some of the causes, it would be better if we moved so you can get all the constipation help you need:

5. Eat lots of Fiber

Dietary fiber which is also known as bulk forming laxatives is gotten from the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The easiest way to incorporate this into your lifestyle is by increasing the quantity of fruits and vegetables in your meals and cutting down on the excess of dairy and meat products. In some cases however, some individuals may find it hard to cope with the bulk of fruits needed. When this occurs, it is best that fiber supplements such as wheat bran, oat bran, psyllium seeds be added to the daily diet. To make this routine easier, when you have the itch to grab a snack, pick a fruit instead and you’re on your way to relief. The only downside to this method is if the patient has strictures and adhesions. In this circumstance, it is advisable to consult a physician before getting on in the treatment. Also, some fibers have sugar; as a result, diabetic patients cannot take such. When this occurs, it is best that the patient gets sugar-free fibers. Fibers should not be taken in large quantities suddenly. Small quantities are best for starting. Then, it can gradually increase if the patient finds it necessary. A space of one week is adequate for each phase of increase in fiber content. Sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, Citrucel, Konsyl Fiber, Maltsupex et.c

For more information visit Bowtrol Colon Cleanse.

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Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in the body. Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives cartilage elasticity.

Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are sold as dietary or nutritional supplements. They are extracted from animal tissue: glucosamine from crab, lobster or shrimp shells; and chondroitin sulfate from animal cartilage, such as tracheas or shark cartilage.

What do they do?

Past studies show that some people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) taking either glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate reported pain relief at a level similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Some research indicates that the supplements might also slow cartilage damage in people with OA. Definitive results about the effects of these supplements are expected from an in-depth clinical study currently being conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

For more information visit Joint Advance - joint health formula.

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There are some infections that may scatter through the frames of your nail. An example of a fungal infection that may take place is called an Onychomycosis. Although their visibility is not rare, these infections still seem to be challenging to treat. There are more than 14% reported cases of this disease; however it may still not be accurate. Non-dermatophytic molds like a Scytalidium Dimidatum, and Dermatophytes are the ones who may be responsible for certain infections in the nails. Among the four clinical presentations, the Distal and Lateral Subungual Onychomycosis is the most common. A very dangerous type of infection is a Proxymal Subungual Onychomycosis. This is because they tend to be associated with AIDS.After your nails become infected with Onychomycosis, they tend to be thick, dull, fragile, and frail. When the fungus starts to lift the whole nail off the patient, they will start to feel the pain. As it happens to all of the nails, this will eventually result to further loss.

There have been various ways formulated to treat the fungal infection, and these include surgical procedures and the use of chemicals over the infected areas of the nails by Topical Antifungal solutions. Usually, you would have to use the product for about six months to see the result. Surgical procedures have a high success rate. But there are still chances of permanent nail loss, and the patient may find the procedures painful. Most products have instructions like this, when using Topical Treatment on their infections: Use daily on the area infected. Each morning, the debris that remains should be removed using a spatula. Normally, the treatment lasts for two to four weeks.

After going through the Topical method, and if there are still fungal infections, it may have to be removed surgically. Or, they can also recommend a prolonged treatment. In some cases, an Oral Treatment may already be required. This may take up to 6 months and may even have certain side effects.

For more information visit Zetaclear.

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