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Top 10 - Sources of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are magic food components. Research shows that these substances could help the body fight cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease by thwarting the action of harmful free radicals.But which foods are the real antioxidant bombs? Norwegian and US scientists recently compiled an extensive list. In terms of the highest antioxidant content per serving, the winners were:
1. Blackberries
5,75 millimoles per 100g serving
This wonderfully delectable summer fruit came out tops. Blackberries give an antioxidant kick of 5,75 millimoles per serving.
Blackberries are also fat-free, and a source of folic acid and vitamin C, so there's no holding back. Whip them into smoothies, make a wicked fruit coulis to serve with desserts, or simply have them fresh.
You can freeze blackberries and use them all year round. This can be done by coating the berries with a mixture of sugar and ascorbic acid (ask your pharmacist), but it is generally better to freeze lightly boiled berries to which sugar has been added.
2. Walnuts
3,72 millimoles per 100g serving
Nuts are great health foods – they're cholesterol-free, generally low in sodium and a great source of vitamins and minerals. But in terms of antioxidant content, walnuts seem to beat the rest of the nut family with 3,72 millimoles per serving.
Toss these nuts into salads, mix them into muesli, or include them in rice pudding or apple tart. Just make sure that you have no more than a handful of walnuts per day. If you're overweight, cut this amount to a handful no more than three times per week.
3. Strawberries
3,58 millimoles per 100g serving
Strawberries are sexy, fun and – best of all – so low in calories that you can eat as much as you like without giving your weight a second thought.
These fruits should also form part of your diet for another reason: they're packed with antioxidants and clock in at 3,58 millimoles of these health-boosting components per 100g serving.
There's no need to tell you that strawberries are a great addition to desserts, smoothies, salads, and even cocktails – just make sure you eat them as fresh as possible.
4. Artichokes, cooked
3,56 millimoles per 100g serving
The humble artichoke also made the top-10 list. Apart from the 3,56 millimole/100g antioxidant punch, artichokes are a good source of iron.
These veggies also help to reduce bowel upsets and help to let good bacteria flourish in your gut. Cook artichokes for 20 minutes with a slice or two of lemon, a bay leaf and salt. The leaves and the heart can then be eaten.
5. Cranberries
3,13 millimoles per 100g serving
The cranberry really is a super-food. Numerous studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit can help to prevent and treat urinary tract, and possibly other, infections.
One reason why cranberries are so healthy, is because of their high antioxidant content (3,13 millimoles per 100g).
As cranberries are generally too tart to eat fresh, go for the canned varieties and use these in both sweet and savoury dishes.
6. Raspberries
2,87 millimoles per 100g serving
Raspberries have a long history of being used to treat conditions ranging from tonsillitis to stomach aches and also to strengthening the womb in pregnancy.
Now we know that these berries are not only a good source of antioxidants (2,87 millimoles per 100g serving), but are also high in vitamin C.
Ask your grocery store if they stock fresh or frozen raspberries, and use them in fruit salads, deserts or eat them with yoghurt for breakfast.
7. Blueberries
2,68 millimoles per 100g serving
Another berry, this time the blueberry, made the list. This only goes to show that berries really are super foods.
Apart from the high antioxidant content (2,68 millimoles per serving) there is also preliminary evidence that berries can thwart cholesterol and help prevent liver cancer.
Blueberries are not sour and can be eaten raw. This will preserve their vitamin C content.
8. Cloves, ground
2,64 millimoles per 100g serving
Who would have thought that cloves, a great addition to anything from chicken dishes to Christmas mince pies, could have magic health-boosting properties?
Well, this spice made the top 10 antioxidant list – and with good reason. It contains 2,64 millimoles of antioxidants per 100g serving.
While it's more difficult to get your daily antioxidant injection from this spice – simply because we generally use it in small quantities – you should still try to incorporate it in your diet.
9. Grape juice
2,56 millimoles per 100g serving
You already know that a daily glass of wine can kick-start your health. But plain old grape juice seems to be even better – at least when it comes to levels of antioxidants (2,56 millimoles per serving).
Research shows that red grape juice can improve cholesterol levels and inflammatory markers associated with heart disease. This action has been linked to the antioxidant content of the juice.
But be warned: grape juice has a high sugar content and can add quite a few calories to your diet. Don't drink more than one glass of juice, diluted with water, per day.
10. Cranberry juice
2,47 millimoles per 100g serving
As mentioned above, cranberries have strong anti-inflammatory effects and are particularly useful in preventing urinary tract infections.
As fresh, raw cranberries are too tart to eat, cranberry juice is the ideal way to tap the benefits of this fruit.
Try to drink a small glass of cranberry juice every day – especially if you're prone to urinary tract infections. Or combine cranberry juice with iced Rooibos tea for a refreshing summer drink.
Reference:
Halvorsen BL, Carlsen MH, Phillips KM, Bohn SK, Holte K, Jacobs DR Jr, Blomhoff R. Content of redox-active compounds (ie, antioxidants) in foods consumed in the United States. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Jul;84(1):95-135.
Source: www.health24.com
Top 6 Foods That Boost Memory
Top 6 Foods That Boost Memory - Even the onion! The exam sessions mean mental and physical exhaustion. But there are some mental vitalizers helping you finish the course without problems or stress. After various hours of studying, the eyes get tired too. Tired eyes can be relieved by washing the area with fresh water, which gives a refreshing and relaxing sensation. When tired eyes are accompanied by an itchy sensation, a couple of cotton patches soaked in Eufrasia can be applied on the eyelids.
1.Lecithin is a natural complex of phospholipids encountered naturally in soy beans and also in many structures of our body, like the membranes of the brain cells. The main ingredient in soy lecithin is phosphatidyl choline, which increases the amount of choline in the body, a chemical employed by the brain as precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that boosts memory capacity, intellectual skills and focusing. There are special types of lecithin rich in phosphatidyl cholines on the market.
2.There are various minerals and aminoacids crucial for the right functioning of the neurotransmitters and other brain functions. These minerals must be supplemented in case of intellectual effort: chrome, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and zinc.
3.Eat many fruits and green vegetables rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Bilberries, blackberries, grapes, fish and fish oil, eggs, spinach and almonds are also recommended.
4.Caffeine boosts memory. So, coffee and tea (black or green) are good for your memory. Caffeine proved to protect intellectual skills in older women. Female subjects who drank over three cups of coffee (or the same caffeine amount in tea) daily scored better in memory tests than those who only had one cup or less of coffee/tea daily.
5.Chocolate not only boosts serotonin, the "pleasure hormone", but also comes with large amounts of epicatechin, which improves the brain blood flow and boosts memory.
6.A recent Japanese research found a new quality of the old onion: it boosts your memory! Subjects experiencing memory loss reported improved recall abilities after ingesting lightly cooked pieces of onion. An anti-oxidant chemical in onions seems to attach to toxins in the brain, helping in eliminating them. The sulfur containing chemical is turned on when onions are slightly heated in a pan, but overcooking can damage the chemical's memory-boosting qualities. The same active chemical is also encountered in other members of the Allium genus, like garlic (Allium sativum) and leek (A. porrum).
Source: news.softpedia.com
Viagra for Women
In 2004, Pfizer Inc., the makers of the Viagra pill—introduced to improve men’s sexual health and functioning—announced that they would be abandoning eight years of previous research conducted in an attempt to develop a drug similar to Viagra to improve female libido and sexual health. Other products designed to improve sexual health in women are available, but can these Viagra alternatives provide effective results when it comes in increasing sexual desire in women?
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra works by blocking an enzyme that acts as an inhibitor of blood flow. In men, this can cause penile tissue to swell. When a man takes Viagra, there is an increase in blood flow to the genital areas, which thus helps to treat erectile dysfunction or impotence in men.
The same enzyme inhibitor affecting male sexual dysfunction influences pelvic blood flow in women. The Viagra research team attempted to find a link between arousal in women and pelvic blood flow in the early stages of trials. However, this attempt failed, and some researchers even suggested that genital arousal in women does not necessarily produce sexual desire in women as it typically does in men. Women may define sexual arousal based on mental and emotional, as well as biological factors.
According to some of the researchers working on the Viagra team, Viagra for women or a Viagra alternative may help women facing sexual dysfunction due to side effects of other medication. In cases where sexual desire is inhibited due to emotional or psychological factors, a female Viagra solution may not be applicable.
Women and Sexual Health
Approximately 43% of women suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction in women is characterized by a lack of desire, arousal, or orgasm. Lack of desire is considered to be the most common complaint among these women. Approximately 20% of these women report having difficulties with lubrication, which can be assisted by Viagra-like drugs that may increase blood flow to the genitals.
Some common factors that inhibit women’s sexual health include:
* family concerns
* relationship concerns
* illness or death
* financial or job worries
* childcare responsibilities
* previous or current physical or emotional abuse
* fatigue
* depression
Physical factors that may be contributing to sexual dysfunction in women include:
* hypertension
* heart disease
* cancer
* diabetes
* thyroid disorders
* neurological diseases
* autoimmune disorders such as lupus
* prescription drugs such as anti-hypertensives and depression medication
* over-the-counter medications
* drug and alcohol abuse
Solutions Available: Alternatives To Viagra
Currently, drug companies are looking to provide a treatment similar to Viagra for women that would increase the blood flow to the genitals in order to increase lubrication and relax vaginal muscles.
Some products and treatments already available include:
* L-arginine amino acid cream purported to increase vaginal blood flow using the same amino acid previously used by athletes to increase muscle development
* DHEA or the use of supplements of the male hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone, which is produced both by the adrenal gland and ovaries and converted into testosterone and estrogen. However, use of these supplements carries the risk of heart attacks, breast cancer, and emasculating side effects may also occur
* Testosterone Therapy for women who have undergone an oophorectomy (ovary removal) or a hysterectomy. A testosterone patch has recently been created to improve sexual health in women, but has failed to gain approval by the FDA
Many of these products and treatments require close monitoring by a physician since side effects can be severe and include irreversible changes in a woman’s voice or facial hair. In addition, all of the above options have yet to be scientifically validated.
The best treatment for sexual dysfunction in women may simply be exercise, counseling, and vaginal lubrication products which can act as more natural alternatives to Viagra and improve your overall health and wellness.
Source: http://womens-health.co.uk/
Top 10 Weirdest Chinese Foods
Did you know that Westerners are some kind of barbarians in the eyes of a Chinese? Because how the heck can you eat fermented milk emulsion (read cheese), which stinks worse than a skunk? Of course, for them, it’s very tasty to eat rats, dogs, cats. A Chinese folk speech says more or less that they can eat everything that has four legs, except tables; everything that flies, except for airplanes; and everything that is found on water, except boats.
1. In a Chinese market you will see from bats and snakes to cranes and herons (it is said that their meat prolongs life...how? That's a real scientific puzzle...), while in the western world most water birds are rejected because of the strong mud stench.
2. You may have heard that the tiger is menaced by the high demand of tiger penis bone on the Chinese black market. For the same people, the tiger penis bone is the symbol of the tiger’s power, including the sexual one. Of course, it’s like chewing chicken or pork bones, but the poachers are menacing the wild tigers because of such stupid beliefs.
3. But the Chinese imagination does not stop here, and for them, each penis in the world is like a panacea. Penises are thought to increase yang (virility) and women are not advised to eat testicles, due to the testosterone content. There are specialized restaurants in penis delicacies. Some penises are served raw, like sushi, others can be cooked. You can serve dog clammy testicles and penis, which is gray and shiny. Dog penis is low in cholesterol and is considered to be quite efficient in boosting the male sex drive, but also for treating all sorts of conditions. Giant salami-shaped donkey penises are considered good for the skin...The double penis of the snakes is considered to increase potency. Sliced and pickled ox penis, which has bland and with a rubbery texture, is considered a general energizer. You can also eat in such a restaurant yak, seal, horse, goat and deer penises. Some westerners compare the tastes of some penises with overcooked squid. The black market delivers also the highly desired tiger penis, at a price of $5,700 (£3,000), but it must be ordered months in advance. It seems that it tastes the same as other penises, but many people in China just like to order tiger to show off, and prove they have quite a lot of money.
4. Aborted reindeer fetus is also considered good for the skin.
5. Sharks have pervaded the Earth for over 450 million years, before any plant or animal got out of the water and colonized the terrestrial surface. Now they face extinction due to a human caprice: Chinese fin shark soup. Once, shark fin was a gift offered just to emperors and shark fin soup is traditionally served at Chinese wedding banquets and on different occasions when the host wants to leave a great impression on the guests with expensive dishes. With the growing number of wealthy Chinese businessmen, the number of this kind of ignorant hosts is increasing as well. Some also think it is healthy, but the fin is nothing more than tasteless cartilage, sought more for its texture, than for its flavor. "Hammerhead, Great White and Basking sharks were some of the species at risk. Shark fin is becoming cheaper and eaten by a growing number of people in China — perhaps by around 100 million people a year.", signals a WildAid report. A 2006 research showed that, annually, 73 million sharks are killed for their fins and the demand for shark fin soup grows with 5 % per year.
6. A Chinese delicacy is the bird's nest soup. It’s made from the nest of a few species of swift, called cave swifts, renowned for building saliva nests. Such nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans. When dissolved in water, the nests get a gelatinous texture. Yammy! Bird saliva! In Hong Kong a bowl of this soup costs between US$ 30 to 100.
7. Perhaps the best known Chinese cuisine ingredient is the dog meat, as this seems to be the most repulsive for the westerners. Cats, too, are not for cuddling, but eating. The problem is that carnivore meat has an extremely powerful flavor that makes it repellent for the westerners. The Chinese have no problem with that, and they will eat practically any known wild carnivore encountered in China. This comes with a feed back: researchers have found that the SARS epidemics were caused by the consume of civet cats, and the virus was transmitted from them to humans. Civet cats are a type of carnivore not related with true cats but with mongooses, and from whose perianal glands the famous civet perfume is extracted. 
8. Balut (boiled duck embryos) is better known from the Philippines, but it has a Chinese origin, where it is called maodan ("hairy egg"). Maodan is served skewered. Fertilized duck eggs are left, on average, 17 days and then boiled. The nearly-developed embryo is consumed in the shell. Maodan is thought to be an aphrodisiac and it is in fact a high-protein, hearty snack. "The flavor is savory and delicious; the texture satisfying" said Western travelers who surpassed the idea of eating something with s**t and feathers... Why is the maodan made from duck eggs and not from hen eggs? "Chicken maodan" has a bad taste, to say the least ... Question of tastes...
9. Neither the superstitions nor the good work made by bats in combating insects stop the Chinese from consuming bats, sometimes skinned alive. This has come with a feedback: bats too are among the causes of the SARS epidemic.
10. Well, in China Dracula could have indulged freely in ... snake blood, which is believed by Chinese to raise the libido... You can drink it at fast-foods, and they deliver it in only seconds. But the show is really a horror movie. The snake curls and whips its body in agony as the handler slits open its chest and rips out a heart that continues working for several minutes. Then its body is stretched vertically and clamped at each end as droplets of red blood fall into a plastic jug half-filled with water. 
I know that the Chinese cheese is made of soy, not milk, and it is called tofu. But I still prefer to call wine what comes from grapes, and not the infamous snake wine, an alcoholic beverage found not only in China, but in many Southeast Asia countries. The snakes, preferably venomous ones, are preserved to have the snake poison dissolved in the liquor. Still, the venoms, which are proteins, are inactivated by ethanol.
There are two varieties. A large venomous snake can be put into a glass jar of rice wine, often with many smaller snakes, turtles, insects, or birds, and left to ferment for months. Snake blood wine is produced by mixing the snake blood and bile with rice wine or grain alcohol. The snake meat, liver, and skin can be cooked to accompany the drink. This wine is believed to cure all kinds of conditions, from farsightedness to hair loss, and helps increase the sexual performance. Of course, that's nonsense.
Source: news.softpedia.com
Epilepsy during pregnancy
Consulting your doctor is very important if you suffer from epilepsy and want to get pregnant. The medications you take for your epilepsy may cause complications and may be harmful for your unborn baby. So, it is very wise and essential that you consult your neurologist or family physician before you try to get pregnant.
Most of the time, women with epilepsy are able to have healthy babies. However, they are at greater risk than non-epileptic women to have more complications during their pregnancies and labor. During pregnancy, some epileptic women even with their continued use of epilepsy drugs may suffer from an increase in seizure activity while other women may not suffer any seizures at all. The reason for this may be because during pregnancy, a woman may experience a lot of vomiting which may cause low concentration of anti-epileptic medication in her bloodstream. Therefore, it is very important to seek your doctor's advice because any increase in seizure activity would be very harmful for the baby. People with epilepsy are also most likely to fall and suffer from lack of oxygen during seizures. So, having a seizure during pregnancy could be very dangerous.
Women with epilepsy also have increased chances of giving birth to a baby with defects. These defects are caused by the anti-epileptic medications and may cause deformities in the face, limbs and fingers and toes. Your baby may also be born with ventricular septal defects and neural tube defects. So, consult your doctor about the abnormalities before you get pregnant. Your doctor may recommend you to take ultrasound and an amniocentesis test, which identify birth defects.
Finally, before you get pregnant, you doctor may also recommend that you take a dose of Folic acid every day to help minimize abnormalities in your unborn baby. He or she may also advise you to take Vitamin K to guard hemorrhage in the newborn baby. So, before you get pregnant, set up an appointment with you physician and discuss with him the possibilities and complications of having seizures during pregnancy. Also, speak to him or her about your medication about adjusting your drug dose or changing your drug dose. However, always keep in mind that you never to change your drug dose without consulting your doctor.
Source: womens-health.co.uk
Premature Births Mean Less Fertile Individuals
Premature babies are considered those born before 37 weeks. Even if there are a lot of studies showing the short term effect on the health of the babies of the premature births, a new research investigating about 1.2 million births in Norway pointed the effect of a premature birth in the health of the adults. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, shows that premature babies have an increased risk of dying as children and to reproduce as adults. The academic results of the premature born people were lower, too.
Boys have a risk of premature birth 60% higher, which is accompanied in short term by potentially lethal conditions, like the respiratory distress syndrome. The American-Norwegian team monitored 60,354 premature births. In the case of babies born very early, at 22 to 27 weeks, mortality levels were, by the age of six, 5 times higher in boys and 10 times higher in girls. By the age of 13, the boys of this category had a mortality level 7 times higher than their full-term counterparts, while the girls were not impacted by the premature birth.
In the case of those born between 28 and 32 weeks, boys had a 2.5 higher likelihood of dying compared to their full-term counterparts, while mortality rate was not affected in the case of premature girls. The overall death level for all premature born children was relatively low, around 1%.
But the prematurely born individuals had lower chances of finishing secondary school and to have their own children. 14% of premature-born men and 25% of premature born women had their own natural children, compared to 50% of the full term born men and 68% of the full term born women.
The cause of premature birth are not clearly known, but poor diet and lifestyle are involved. Moreover, individuals analyzed in this research were born as far back as 1967, when intensive care units for premature babies were not common.
Still "premature birth is a bigger problem than people think. These findings support the argument for further research to be done into finding the causes of premature birth, so that more babies can be given the best chance of being born healthy," Jane Brewin, the head of the UK leading baby charities, Tommy's, told BBC News.
Source: news.softpedia.com
Vitamins and Healthy Sperm
Mexican men know the secret of the chili. It's about folate, a vitamin abundant in liver, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, sunflower seeds and legumes (beans and their relatives). It may sound more familiar to you that women of child-bearing age must have proper levels of folate (vitamin B9) in their diet for delivering healthy babies, but a new study published in the journal Human Reproduction and carried out by a team at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reveals that what the father eats counts too. And guess what? Folate levels in male diet appears to have the same importance. Low levels of this vitamin have been connected to sperm chromosomal abnormalities.
"Our study is the first to look at the effects of diet on chromosomal abnormalities in sperm. These abnormalities would cause either miscarriages or children with genetic syndromes if the sperm fertilized an egg," said co-author Suzanne Young, at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health.
Folate is required for the synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins during cell division. It also controls the levels of homocysteine, an amino acid which can cause heart issues when overcoming a certain threshold.
Low levels of folate in women just before and during pregnancy (less than 400 mg daily) has been connected to greatly increased risk of embryos developing neural tube malformations, like spina bifida or anencephaly (undeveloped brain). Many countries (US started from 1998) require the addition of folate to breads, cereals and other grain products. Follow-ups connected this measure with a drop in the cases of neural tube birth defects.
Sperm health and diet
1 to 4 % of a healthy male's sperm displays abnormal chromosome numbers (aneuploidy), a result of defective meiosis. Eggs fertilized by such a sperm develop into an embryo prone to miscarriage or a fetus with aneuploidy, translated to severe conditions (for example, an extra chromosome 21 is the cause of Down syndrome while an extra X chromosome in boys triggers Klinefelter syndrome).
The research was made on a poll of 97 men, aged 22 to 80, current or ex-employees of a government research laboratory. The subjects were chosen after excluding smokers and subjects with already known fertility issues. Questionnaires assessed average intake of dietary and supplemental nutrients. One week later, semen samples were collected. The team considered factors like age, alcohol use and medical history.
Subjects having the highest consume of folate had 19 % less aneuploid sperm cells than those with moderate folate consume, and 20 % lower rates compared to subjects consuming low levels of folate.
"Increasing folate intake can be as simple as taking a vitamin supplement with at least 400 micrograms of folate or eating breakfast cereal fortified with 100% of the RDA [recommended daily intake] for folic acid. In addition, green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, can have up to 100 micrograms of folate per serving," said Young.
Various nutrients in the diet were taken into account.
"The results of the different analyses were different, which gave us some confidence that we could look at the effect of these micronutrients separately. The definitive way to answer this question would be with a randomized control trial with folate supplementation," said Young.
The team did not find a connection between sperm aneuploidy and the other nutrients, like zinc, calcium, beta-carotene and other vitamins. Researchers warn that momentarily this is just a connection, as the cause-and-effect relationship has not been investigated.
"We did come up with enough evidence to justify a larger, clinical and pharmacological trial in men to examine the causal relationships between dietary folate levels and chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm. This information will help us set dietary folate levels that may reduce the risk of miscarriage or birth defects linked to the fathers," said lead researcher Andrew Wyrobek, chair of the Radiation Biosciences Department at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
So, did you get your daily 400 mg of folate?
Source: news.softpedia.com
The Fattest Man on the Planet: 560 kg (1,244 pounds)
Guinness World Records is going to register him. Mexican Manuel Uribe had reached 560 kilos (1,244 pounds) weight but has already lost 200 kilos (444 pounds) because of the Zone diet. Uribe wants to also break the record for drastic slimming.
"I'm happy to be included in the Guinness World Records as the fattest man on the planet. I'm also happy that I have managed slimming 200 kg", said Uribe, now aged 42.
He lives in Monterrey (northern Mexico). It is reported that Guinness authorities have informed him that he will be on the 2008 edition of the Records Book and on the 2009 one for the most incredible weight loss in a year (200 kilograms). He celebrated the event, managing to go out of the house aboard a trailer. Guinness offered him for his weight performance a glass plaque.
His photograph is included in the 2008 Guinness Book of Records alongside a description of the treatment he has had and offers of surgery he has received so far.
Uribe has been suffering from obesity for 20 years. At 20 years, he was working in US and weighed 130 kg (289 pounds) at a height of 1.95 m. He looked for medical help in 2006, when he reached 560 kilograms. Uribe appeared then on a TV channel asking to be helped to escape excess weight that kept him captive in the house for almost 20 years.
For the moment, Uribe cannot move by himself and lives immobilized on bed, his mother taking care of him. At 362 kg (800 lbs), Uribe is still morbidly obese but in March 2007 he set a goal: to slim till 120 kg (254 pounds).
Uribe's weight history:
1966 - Birth weight 6lbs (2.7 kg)
1984 - (18) 121 kg (19 stone)
1988 - (22) 128 kg (20 stone)
1995 - (29) 245 kg (39 stone)
1999 - (33) 502 kg (79 stone)
2000 - (34) 552 kg (87 stone)
Previous Diet
Breakfast - 4 eggs, beans, 3-4 tortillas stuffed with cheese and meat, fizzy drinks, coffee, milk
Lunch - Half a chicken, 4 meat and cheese tortillas, salad, fizzy drinks, pasta, bread
Dinner - 3-4 eggs with ham, beans, 3-4 cheese and meat tortillas, bread or pasta, fizzy drinks, coffee, milk
Current Diet
Breakfast - Six eggs without yolk fried in olive oil, onion and tomato, one apple, one grapefruit, water
Lunch - Grilled chicken, grapefruit, apple, sugar-free lemonade, salad, sugar-free jelly, water
Dinner - Peppers stuffed with mince, one apple, grapefruit, salad, water
Snack - 2.5 bars of diet chocolate, water
Source: news.softpedia.com
Ovulation Bleeding
Ovulation Bleeding is different from menstrual flow. The color of Ovulation Bleeding varies from pink to red, is light and for 1 or 2 days duration. If bleeding occurs at 2 weeks interval then it is due to lack of ovulation and can be due to irritation to cervix or polyps in cervix or uterus. A clinical examination with an ultrasound image of pelvic organs can confirm the cause of Ovulation Bleeding.
The exact cause of bleeding during ovulation is not clear and could be due to emerging follicles. Hormones prompt ovaries to produce around 20 follicles that contain an immature egg, and out of this only one follicle matures. It is during this process of maturing and bursting out from the follicle that pain or bleeding occurs. Few women are discomfited by bleeding, as it is a signal of ovulation, or they bleed slightly in middle of their cycle. Severe or long-lasting bleeding during ovulation is sometimes symptomatic of certain gynecological conditions, including endometriosis. It is prudent to consult a doctor because if left untreated can affect health. Also if bleeding is heavy during ovulation or lasts longer than 3 days then take medical advice.
Women with regular menstrual bleeding can differentiate between Ovulation Bleeding and the menstrual period. If periods are irregular, or it is uterine bleeding, then she is not ovulating regularly. A physical examination of the uterus helps detect causes of abnormal bleeding. An ultrasound examination or a diagnostic hysteroscopy helps detect sub-mucous fibroids, polyps and other problems. During a diagnostic hysteroscopy, it is possible to remove polyps for examination and take a sample of the uterus lining.
One needs to remember that bleeding during mid-cycle does not indicate menses. If Ovulation Bleeding is accompanied by pain or acute discomfiture, then start worrying. Take precautions and get medical help before the condition is further aggravated.
Source: Elizabeth Morgan (e-ovulation.com)
Ovarian Cysts and Endometriosis
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs similar to blisters that are situated within or on the surface of an ovary. Many women develop them during their reproductive years, and most women will have at least one during her life. While most ovarian cysts are harmless and present little to no discomfort, they can produce symptoms that can even be life threatening, especially if the cyst ruptures.
Often, women may not feel any symptoms from ovarian cysts, but in some cases they can experience symptoms similar to endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis or ovarian cancer. Menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain (during or before periods, during sexual intercourse or constant pain radiating to the back and thighs), nausea, breast tenderness, vomiting, and pressure on the bladder or rectum are some common symptoms. There are three types of ovarian cysts including follicular or functional ovarian cysts, corpus luteal ovarian cysts and endometrioma or chocolate cysts.
Endometriosis can cause complex ovarian cysts (endometriomas), commonly called chocolate cysts (because they are filled with a thick chocolate-colored material) that are usually sized between 0.4 in. (1.02 cm) and 4 in. (10.16 cm). 60% of women with endometriosis experience ovarian involvement. Small cysts are formed outside of the ovary, which enlarge and produce endometriosis of the ovary. Hormone stimulation during the menstrual cycle produces many small cysts that eventually occupy the normal ovarian tissue. They can rupture and eventually lead to severe pelvic pain.
Chocolate cysts and any other cysts can be dangerous, so it is important to contact a doctor as soon as possible if one of the more serious symptoms appears. It is always advisable to have a check-up once in a while.
Source: Josh Riverside (e-endometriosis.com)
The Human Sperm Cell
A Human Sperm Cell or Spermatozoa
The mature sperm cell (spermatozoa) is 0.05 milliliters long. It consists of a head, body and tail. The head is covered by the ac cap and contains a nucleus of dense genetic material from the 23 chromosomes.
It is attached from the neck to the body containing mitochondria that supply the energy for the sperm's activity. The tail is made of protein fibers that contract on alternative sides, giving a characteristic wavelike movement that drives the sperm through the seminal fluid, which also supplies additional energy.
Some sperm have two heads or two tails and if the testes are too warm they may die or spermatogenesis may not occur.
Sperm swim at a rate of about 1 to 4 mm (0.12 inches) per minute. That’s an average, it’s different for every man. Some sperm cells are 'better' swimmers than others. Why? They need to wave their tales more than 1000 times just to swim 1.25 cm or a half an inch. Why some are better than others is still a mystery to many fertility specialists. Anyway...
Sperm cells are made in the testes where it takes about 72 days for one sperm to grow. Sperm production requires a temperature which is three to five degrees below body temperature. The scrotum has a built-in thermostat, which keeps the sperm at the correct temperature while they’re being stored. If it becomes too cool on the outside, the scrotum will bring the testicles closer to the body for warmth as you probably know from jumping into a cold pool of water or ocean. That’s why the testes hang away from the body -- so sperm can develop at the temperature they need. (95° - 97° F or 35° to 36° C)
Semen contains small amounts of more than thirty elements, including fructose, ascorbic acid, cholesterol, creatine, citric acid, lactic acid, nitrogen, vitamin B12, and various salts and enzymes. Let’s go back to the inside of the head of the sperm. All normal cells have 46 chromosomes but sperm have half that number or, 23. If and when the sperm joins ups with the female’s, egg (ovum) which also has 23 chromosomes, together they add up to 46 chromosomes.
The middle section controls the sperms activities. The sperm or (spermatozoa -- which are the little swimming critters) make up only about 5% of what a man ejaculates each time he ejaculates. This represents about 100 to 400 million of them! Therefore, they are very, very, very tiny, in fact a single sperm is the smallest cell in the body. The rest of what a man ejaculates in his ejaculate, which is about a teaspoonful (5 ml), is made up of water, sugar, protein, vitamin C, zinc, and prostaglandins.
Semen or seminal fluid is the mixture of sperm and the secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and the bulbourethral glands. Over the course of a man’s life, he’ll produce more than 12 trillion sperm. There’s some sexual health trivia for you.
Source: Amy Otis, RN (sex-ed101.org)
Female Impotence
Female impotence, or female sexual dysfunction, is a catchall term used to describe difficulties in having sexual desire, enjoying sex, being adequately aroused or having an orgasm. A woman may experience decreased sexual desire for a number of reasons including stress and exhaustion. She may be unable to enjoy sex because she has one of several sex pain disorders, which in turn may be caused by an underlying condition. Women with breast cancer or gynecologic disorders may experience sexual dysfunction.
One type of female impotence is analogous to male impotence and may be caused by decreased blood flow to the clitoris during sexual intercourse. Psychosocial factors such as previous or ongoing sexual or physical abuse or an unresolved conflict over sexual identity may also play a role in female sexual dysfunction.
To provide appropriate treatment to a woman suffering from sexual dysfunction, her physician first has to overcome the challenge of separating intrinsic from extrinsic reasons for such dysfunction. Besides pain during sex or the presence of a clear underlying disorder, it may be difficult to distinguish between a woman�s inability to become aroused and have an orgasm from the technique used by her partner to stimulate her. Many women may only be able to have an orgasm through clitoral stimulation but gender roles and other barriers may get in the way of a woman expressing her needs to her sex partner. Mental stimulation plays a major part, if a woman is dissatisfied with her sex partner for other reasons, this may translate into decreased libido with that partner. This is called situational sexual dysfunction and the woman may experience no problems with a partner she considers more appealing.
Where an underlying reason can be identified, female sexual dysfunction is treatable. In many cases, a doctor may recommend counseling for a woman and possibly her partner.
Source: Kent Pinkerton (e-impotence.com)
Kissing is Good For You
Reasons Why Kissing is Good for You!
It helps prevent tooth decay (better than brushing your teeth?) Dr. Peter Gorden, Dental Advisor at the British Dental Association, explains. “After eating, your mouth is full of sugar solution and acidic saliva, which cause plaque build up. Kissing is nature's own cleaning process”, he adds. “It stimulates saliva flow and brings plaque levels down to normal.” I asked my dentist and after he blushed, he agreed.
It relieves tension. A passionate kiss is a great relaxation technique, says stress consultant, Michelle Kay Mcnabb. " When your mouth is in a kissing position, you are almost smiling and as our emotions and body language are so closely linked, it's almost impossible to smile and feel tense at the same time," she explains. "Also, your breathing becomes deeper and your eyes close when you kiss; that's what you do when you relax. It's a perfect way to shut out the world."
It helps you lose weight.-- just how long can you do that? You need use 3000 calories to lose one pound, i.e., 30,000 minutes, 500 hours... "A long kiss makes the metabolism burn up sugar faster than usual," says Claire Potter. "The calories burned depend on the intensity, but you can rely on 10 calories for every 10 minutes."
It slows the aging process. (That's important! ) "Kissing helps to tone your cheek and jaw muscles, so they're less likely to sag," says Cosmo's Fitness Consultant, Claire Potter.
It increases fitness levels. (Okay, now there is really no reason why you can't start some exercise now). “Your heart is pumping, your pulse is racing..."If kissing is exciting, you release adrenaline into the bloodstream and your heart pumps more blood around your body,” says Dr. Susan Hotchkies. "It's a great cardiovascular workout."
It’s a good indication of what's to come. (Make sure he or she is not married, please). Kissing a new guy or gal gives you the perfect opportunity to check out his or her pheromones - the chemical messengers that signal sexual attraction. " The first kiss is always a good way to work out if there's any chemistry between you, "says Paul Brown, a sexual and marital therapist. " In humans, it's thought that smells plays a vital part in subconscious attraction, and if your pheromones aren't 'in tune', you're unlikely to hit off!
It boosts self-esteem. There's nothing better than a passionate kiss for a major dose of feel good factor. "In theory, when you're kissing, you're happy. And when you're happy, you feel good about yourself," says psychotherapist Paul Zeal.
Don't leave kissing out of romance. Kiss someone special today and see if your love life improves.
Source: Amy, RN (coolnurse.com)
Orgasm Benefits
An Orgasm is Good For You
According to JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association), 43% of American women suffer from some form of 'Female Sexual Dysfunction -- often placing the blame on themselves for their inability to reach orgasm. Stop blaming yourself. If you are alone, masturbation will help you find what feels right for you. If you have a partner, talk to them. Often the clitoris is under stimulated during sexual intercourse - which is how many women have an orgasm. If you have orgasms from your cervix being stimulated, tell your partner this. (Or, whatever else does it for you).
Orgasms: Relieve tension! The faster heart beat, the increased blood flow and muscular tautness associated with sexual pleasure all come to a relaxing conclusion with an orgasm, and in the process relieve tensions pent up in your nervous system.
Orgasms: Help you sleep better. While an orgasm is followed in the male by a quick drop in blood pressure and sudden relaxation, the effect on women is more progressive but no less important. Orgasms act as a natural tranquilizer. That wonderful release of endorphins is very calming.
Orgasms: Calm your cravings for junk food and sometimes for cigarettes. Sexual stimulation activates the production of phenetylamine, a kind of natural amphetamine that regulates your appetite. So, before you pig-out, maybe go to your room. :)
Orgasms: Burn calories.
Orgasms: Can work as natural pain management. If you ever noticed forgetting about a headache or menstrual cramps while masturbating or having sex, it is not simply a psychological phenomenon. Endorphins, (natural compounds close to morphine) are released by your body during sex and can increase your tolerance to pain by as much as 70% during orgasm. This will vary from person to person. AND, if you are in the hospital... forget trying this due to the lack of privacy.
Source: Amy Otis, BSN, RN (coolnurse.com)
Kegel Exercises
A kegel is the name of a pelvic floor exercise, named after Dr. Kegel who discovered the exercise in 1948. I call them “the invisible exercise”, since you can do them when no one else can tell. Kegels are a series of exercises which can help tighten up the pubococcygeal muscles (PC muscles). These originate from your pubic bone, go under your genitals and attach to your tailbone. Both men and women have them.
After pelvic surgery, pregnancy, or even as we age, these muscles lose their tone. This can result in a loss of bladder control, also called incontinence, a loose vagina, (especially after having a child), an inability to control ejaculation in guys, and a reduction of sexual pleasure for both men and women.
There are several ways to do kegel exercises. One method requires you to have a full bladder, sit on the toilet and start to urinate, then suddenly clamp down and stop the flow. Start and stop several times in a row. If you can’t cut off the flow of urine, but dribble on, you need to start kegel exercises for sure. From now on, every time you urinate start and stop all the way. This is often called “the faucet” and is a good indicator of your progress.
You can also do kegels right at your desk, even right now. Tighten your PC muscles and hold for a count of eight, then slowly release and repeat eight times. Yes, you can do these sitting at the computer or at your desk at work or school. (But don’t let that distract you from your teacher or boss). If you can’t make it to eight or ten in the beginning, use a lower number and do those until you build up to ten.
Another good time to do kegels, is when you are the passenger in a car. Every time you stop at a red light, do some, who will know but you.
Not only does this improve bladder control, but doing kegels regularly will improve your sex life. After doing kegel exercises, a woman will be able to clamp down and grip her partner’s penis increasing both their sexual pleasures. You men should notice an improvement in the 'intensity' of your erections and ejaculations. These exercises are also recommended for guys who experience premature ejaculation. While the penis is not a muscle, the increased muscle tone will improve blood supply resulting in firmer erections and also help a man to delay ejaculation. Kegels can also help prevent leaking urine when you sneeze or cough!
Source: Amy Otis, BSN, RN. (coolnurse.com)
Male Menopause
by: Kevin Stith
Male menopause is the result of decreased levels of the male hormone, testosterone. Most commonly, reduced testosterone is reported by those suffering from underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure. These diseases are common in men over the age of 45.
While some reduction in testosterone levels occurs normally as men age, there are several conditions in which there may be a more rapid decrease. Testosterone production can be interrupted at any age through damage to the testes. The testes make testosterone, and they may be damaged due to an injury, surgery, radiation, infection, or chemotherapy. Testosterone production is mediated by parts of the brain called the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. So if either or both are damaged or not working properly at any age, they do not send the signals required for normal testosterone production to the testes, resulting in reduced testosterone levels.
When testosterone levels drop, men may experience symptoms similar to what women experience when going through menopause. These symptoms include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, depression, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Testosterone deficiency has also been linked to osteoporosis in men.
Significant testosterone deficiency can be treated with hormone replacement therapy. However, most men experience a very gradual reduction in testosterone levels as they get older, and do not require any treatment. Also, hormone replacement therapy carries an increased risk of prostate cancer, and should be carefully considered. If a decision is made to undergo hormone therapy, the treatment can be administered through injections, oral medications, implants and patches. To treat symptoms such as depression, doctors may prescribe anti-depressants. Because obesity is a major factor implicated in testosterone deficiency, a doctor may also recommend certain lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Source: i-menopause.com
The Health Benefits of Yogurt
Yogurt is one of the most versatile types of food out there
Yogurt has become such an integral part of our diets that we've grown used to taking its beneficial effects for granted, without asking too many questions with regard to its contents or the finer details of its inner workings. For the more yogurt-curious among you, here is a short guide to the many health benefits of this familiar product, which has practically taken over the dairy aisle at most modern supermarkets.
Yogurt is of course made from milk, which means that it contains animal proteins (about 9 grams per 6-ounce serving, nutritionists say). It also contains a lot of calcium, vitamin B-2 and B-12, as well as potassium and magnesium. However, the one key component of yogurt which has made the headlines more and more over the past years is something generically known as "probiotics". Experts say probiotics are in fact "friendly bacteria", which occur naturally in the digestive system and many yogurt products contain live strains of these "good bacteria", which studies indicate can help boost the immune system and contribute to the overall health of the digestive tract.
There are still not enough studies to turn these assumptions into hard facts, but scientists have many reasons to believe that yogurt with active cultures may help certain gastrointestinal conditions, including constipation, diarrhea, colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The benefits are believed to come from the fact that yogurt changes the microflora in the intestines, as well as the time food takes to go through the bowel. Also, as mentioned before, certain probiotic strains enhance the body's immune system, boost resistance to and recovery from infection, and improve the success of drug therapy.
Finally, yogurt contains a lot of calcium and vitamin D, which experts say helps fight the most common type of bone diseases - osteoporosis. "The combination of calcium and vitamin D has a clear skeletal benefit, provided the dose of vitamin D is sufficiently high," explains Jeri Nieves, director of bone density testing at New York’s Helen Hayes Hospital. As a result, many of the currently available brands of yogurt with added vitamin D can prove an excellent companion in the fight for the prevention of osteoporosis, particularly for older people. The conclusion is simple: yogurt should not be missing from your diets, and you'll learn to appreciate both its immediate and its long-term benefits.
Source: news.softpedia.com
Chocolates - Healthy Chocolate
Let's face it. We're all going to eat chocolate. But you don't have to feel guilty! Chocolate is actually good for you... it's all the things added to it that are the problem. Here's how you can choose delicious healthy chocolates to enjoy anytime.
Health Benefits
The gift of chocolate to a beloved as a token of love is more than just tradition. Naturally-occurring compounds in chocolate produce that mild euphoria of being in love and contribute to enjoyable interpersonal relations by elevating mood and enhancing sensory perception.
Beyond good feelings, chocolate benefits the body in many ways. In moderation, chocolate can contribute to heart health, help you live longer, suppress a chronic cough, and add needed magnesium to your diet. Chocolate even contains a high level of chromium, which can help control blood sugar.
Health Problems
While chocolate itself is fine to eat, there are some substances present in chocolate products that you should watch out for.
Most chocolate products contain tremendous amounts of refined white sugar, which is harmful to health in many ways.
Chocolate may also contain pesticides. The EPA allows various levels of pesticide residue to be present in cocoa powder, and the FDA Total Diet Study found them in many chocolate products.
Many chocolates also contain the toxic metals cadminum and lead. "Significant levels" of these metals were found in 68% of the common chocolate products tested. There is no safe level for lead, and it is particularly harmful to children.
Healthy Chocolate Choices
Here are some guidelines for choosing the healthiest chocolates.
1. Choose chocolates with the least amount of refined white sugar or other sweetener.
Dark "bittersweet" chocolates with a high percentage of cocoa solids (usually the label will state the exact percentage) have less sugar than semisweet or milk chocolate and also have the greatest health benefits. Keep in mind that flavor additions, such as dried fruits and candied ginger may also add sugar to the chocolate.
2. Choose chocolates sweetened with evaporated cane juice or barley malt.
If the evaporated cane juice used is the unprocessed whole juice of the cane, it acts in the body like a whole food and doesn't give a sugar rush. Barley malt is also a slow-release sweetener, noted on the label as "grain-sweetened."
3. Choose organic chocolates.
Certified organic chocolate ensures there are no harmful pesticide residues.
4. Make your own chocolates.
It's easy to make many chocolate delights yourself, with the exact ingredients you want. Start with unsweetened cocoa powder or baking chocolate and be creative!
5. Choose quality over quantity.
If you are going to eat chocolate, eat really good chocolate. Then, for maximum enjoyment, give the taste of the chocolate your full attention, eat it at a time when you are not famished or overly full, and allow the chocolate to melt in your mouth to make the experience last.
So go ahead and enjoy chocolate, in moderation, as part of an otherwise healthy diet.
Source: ezinearticles.com
Green Tea - A Cup of Good Health
When most of us think of green tea, we always think of the most well known benefits of drinking green tea, namely assisting the immune system in the prevention of colds during the winter months because of its high level of antioxidants.
This is, however, only one of the many benefits of drinking green tea. Recent research into green tea has shown its medicinal value and power in preventing disease, thus the reason the Japanese believed in its ability to prolong life
Another one of the possible benefits of drinking green tea is its potential as a cancer preventive. One of the main ingredients in green tea is catechin, and studies performed at the National Cancer Institute in Tokyo have shown that catechin use lowers the incidence of cancer by more than 50% if consumed in sufficient quantities. This is linked to both the catechin as well as the antioxidants that are found in green tea, and since the Japanese customarily drink at least two to three cups of green tea per day, and the cancer rate is lower in Japan, the link is established.
The benefits of drinking green tea also include its potential to restrict the excessive build up of the "bad" cholesterol. This function is also performed because of the catechin that is the main ingredient in green tea. Other benefits of drinking green tea include one or more of the following:
* Controlling high blood pressure
* Lowering blood pressure
* Suppressing aging
* Refreshing the body
* Deterring food poisoning
* Preventing and treating skin disease
* Preventing cavities
* Fighting viruses
* Acting as a bio-regulatory food
A better understanding of these health benefits can help a person make an informed choice. Incorporate more green tea into your diet and you may reap the same benefits!
A Cup of Hot Tea = A Cup of Good Health.
Tea Consumption Linked to Numerous Body Benefits. A hot cup of tea may do more than relax you. Research shows tea consumption may help prevent a wide range of ailments.
The latest medical research is finding potential healing powers in this ancient beverage. Recent research, for instance, suggests drinking tea may help prevent everything from cavities to Parkinson's disease. And some studies indicate it may even save lives.
The benefits of tea consumption may extend throughout the body, experts believe. Here is a partial list of conditions some research has shown may be prevented or improved by drinking tea:
Arthritis: Research suggests that older women who are tea drinkers are 60 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who do not drink tea.
Bone Density: Drinking tea regularly for years may produce stronger bones. Those who drank tea on a regular basis for 10 or more years had higher-bone mineral density in their spines than those who had not.
Cancer: Green tea extracts were found to inhibit the growth of bladder cancer cells in the lab — while other studies suggest that drinking green tea protects against developing stomach and esophageal cancers.
* Sipping on a cup of hot tea may be a safeguard against cancer. Population studies have linked the consumption of tea with a reduction in risk for several types of cancer. Researchers speculate that the polyphenols in tea may inhibit certain mechanisms that promote cancer growth. Both green and black teas have been credited with cancer-inhibiting powers.
Flu: You may be able to boost your fight against the flu with black tea.
Your best defense against contracting the flu is to wash your hands often and get vaccinated against the influenza virus. Black tea may further bolster your efforts to stay healthy. In a recent study, people who gargled with a black tea extract solution twice per day showed a higher immunity to flu virus compared to the people who did not gargle with black tea.
Heart Disease: A recent study published in the journal Circulation found that drinking more than two cups of tea a day decreased the risk of death following a heart attack by 44 percent. Even less spirited tea drinkers were rewarded: Consuming just two cups a day decreased the risk of death by almost a third. Tea is a rich source of the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin, and research shows that high dietry intake of these compounds is associated with a reduced risk of fatal heart attacks. In one study, people who drank about a cup and a half of tea per day were almost 40% less likely to suffer a heart attack compared to tea abstainers.
High Blood Pressure: Tea lovers may be surprised to learn their beverage of choice touts yet another health benefit: blood pressure control. Drinking a half-cup of green or oolong tea per day reduced a person's risk of high blood pressure by almost 50% in a new study. People who drank at least two and a half cups per day reduced their risk even more. Their risk was reduced even if they had risk factors for high blood pressure, such as high sodium intake.
Parkinson's Disease: Tea consumption may be protective against developing this debilitating neurological disorder.
Oral Health: Rinsing with tea may prevent cavities and gum disease.
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