Health and Fitness

Prescription fat loss pills are fat loss drugs so strong that they usually need to be prescribed by doctors, for patients who have difficulty in reducing weight with the help of exercise and diet alone.

Although there are many varieties of fat loss pill the most efficient and popular prescription fat loss drugs are those that work by blocking fat absorption from the intestine or by signaling the brain to decrease appetite.

In America prescribed fat loss pills have to be approved by the FDA (American Food and Drug Administration). The UK also has a similar body, they make sure all drugs are a safe as possible before they can be prescribed by your doctor.

Prescription fat loss pills would usually only be prescribed for those who are obese and suffer from certain chronic conditions, like high blood pressure or diabetes. Where a person has BMI (Body Mass Index) 30 or more with no obesity linked conditions and a person with BMI 27 or more with obesity linked conditions.

These pills should be taken only under a doctor’s guidance as these may cause mild to moderate side effects. In some cases, severe side effects have been reported.

The most common prescription fat loss pills are appetite suppressants. The most popular among these is Meridia.

Another kind of prescription weight loss pills is an inhibitor of fat absorption. Xenical is the only approved medicine of this type used for treatment in US.

Xenical can block about 30% of dietary fat. Both of these drugs are popular and can be used for no more than 2 years. But it should be kept in mind all these drugs are not a cure- all.

The patient’s motivation and commitment for a healthy lifestyle is also required for the treatment to succeed.

Cheap Contact Lenses

Times are tough theres a credit crunch on. Now you can save money on your contact lenses. Lens catalogue offers you big savings of up to 70% off contact lenses.

Lens Catalogue

Just because your weight is perfect does not mean you are not fat

If you though that weight was everything, be prepared to be shocked. There is no doubt that most of you might have seen the chart at the doctor’s place which mentions the weight of a normal human body according to their age. You have just taken your weight and have observed that it was within the stipulated parameters. So there is no need for you to get dismayed, right? You might be wrong too. Few people bother to note that there is another column that mentions the height of the body too. This is extremely important and you should check out this column too. If your height is not sufficient and your body weight is as per the chart, then there are chances that you are fat.

It is high time you started fighting this silent killer before it devours you. Do not be your own judge. There are many fitness centers in your city or town with knowledgeable instructors who can judge whether your body fat is within limits or not. They are also the proper person to guide you with various exercises and dietary routines that will help you to maintain a slim and healthy body. The first thing, however, that you need to observe and keep a watch out on, is your dietary habits. Try to cut down on the fatty junk foods, as they are the prime reasons of increasing your body weight. Yes, that slim and thin wafer of potato contains sufficient fat to make you fat, if consumed beyond a certain limit. Limit is the key word.

You can eat any food as long as you keep them within a certain limit. The trick lies in being the master and not the slave. A brisk exercise at the beginning of the day and in the evening plays a long part in keeping you fit and stops fat from accumulating in your body. Many people think that fat loss is tiresome and might make them sick and undernourished, but this is not true. Yes, there are certain exercises that might not suit your body and you should first consult your physician or health instructor to select ones that are best for you. A chat with the dietician helps too. There are various supplements and fat loss pills and some of them do work wonders in helping to burn away the excess fat in your body.

But again, they should be taken after consultation with your physician. Remember, it is not tough to remove excessive fat from your body. All you need to do is to maintain a strict exercise routine and maintain it regularly. Within a few days you will feel the difference and feel the pep returning in your body as the fat melts away. Nobody likes fat and nobody wants a big tummy. Everyone loves to be slim and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Most do not know how easy it is to maintain a slim figure and that just spending a few minutes daily will help them achieve the same.

Zinc probably the most well known of all minerals is indispensable for human beings.

Zinc is the component of many enzymes. Zinc is required in the metabolic breakdown of proteins and glycogen. It helps in the synthesis of the glucose regulating enzyme insulin by the pancreas and also in the maintenance of immunity.

Zinc can be found in small amounts in all tissues. Zinc is also required to maintain in the normal functioning of the prostate gland and growth of the sex organs. Zinc is indispensible in maintaining the sense of smell.

The biochemical process involved in the sense of smell requires adequate amounts of zinc to bind the particles with the concerned receptors.

The Normal level of Zinc is 96 microgram per 100 ml of blood for a healthy adult (both male and female) and about 89 microgram in the case of children. Normally our body contains around 1.4-2.3 grams of zinc.

Foods like milk and milk products, meat and fish are good sources of zinc. The recommended daily intake should be 15.5 gram as the bioavailability of zinc is low. Pregnant and nursing women and growing children need a higher amount of zinc in their diet.

Low blood levels of zinc can lead to pernicious anemia, liver diseases, heart attack, diabetes and thalassemia.

Copper is an important mineral for human beings. Many enzymatic reactions in our body necessitate the use of copper in a harmonic way. Except taking part in enzymatic reactions, copper also assists in the biological transfer of electron particles through the nerves and the muscular tissues.

After absorption in the gastrointestinal system, it is carried through blood via ceruloplasmin – a protein present in plasma. Copper is stored in your body in your liver after making an albumin-copper complex.

An average healthy young adult contains about 100-150 mg copper inside their body in various forms. Copper is found in most foods. Therefore, deficiency of copper is not common.

The blood level of copper is increased in Wilson’s disease, a type of liver disease as it is not excreted out from the body through bile. This disease can lead to severe liver or brain damage.

Chronic use of copperware to prepare foods can lead to toxicity. The increased amount of blood copper can also be seen in cases of blood cancer, severe anemia, Hodgkin’s disease, hemochromatosis and hyperthyroidism.

Recommended Daily Intake of copper is 0.9 grams a day and the daily requirement is 2.2 micrograms per day for a healthy young adult.

Ephedra is a naturally occurring plant found in various parts of the world, but mainly in Asia. It refers to the species Ephedra sinica or Ephedra sinensis. It is also known as ma huang and has been commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicines for treating common colds, asthma and bronchitis for more than 5000 years.

Ephedrine is the main active alkaloid that is present in an ephedra plant constituting about 40-90% of the total content while the rest is pseudoephedrine and other compounds.  Ephedra is a thermogenic and a stimulant. It stimulates the heart and central nervous system. It is used to treat asthma, cough, nasal decongestion, headache and other flu like symptoms.

Ephedra is also used in some dietary supplements to reduce weight, for it is beleived to give increased energy and enhanced performance in sports. It stimulates the heart and the brain, increases metabolism, increases body heat and expands the bronchial tube that makes breathing easier.

However, the safety of the drug has been questioned and it has been found to trigger many side effects. Studies show that it causes heart and psychiatric problems including problems of high blood pressure and stroke. It can cause kidney diseases, gastric irritation, heart damage and sleep problems. Numerous incidents of ephedral toxicity causing stroke, heart attack and sudden death have been reported. Considering the side effects, in 2004 the US FDA banned the use of dietary supplements containing ephedra or its alkaloids.

Mesothelioma is a cancerous condition of the mesothelium – the cellular lining that is covering the viscera. But by citing ‘Mesothelioma’, we specify the disease occurring in the lung tissue due to prolonged exposure to asbestos.

Long standing asbestos exposure triggers the mesothelial cells to grow rapidly. Once the disease process has started, the mesothelial cells continue to grow by leaps and bounds. They even spill over and propagate to other adjacent organs, the process is called metastasis. Gradually all the viscera become affected and stops working properly. Ultimately the patient dies.

Asbestos exposure is by far the major cause of the disease. Smoking does not directly trigger mesothelioma, but the combination of asbestos and smoking definitely are the predisposing factor of other forms of lung cancer. Old age is also another risk factor.

By doing a CAT scan mesothelioma can be diagnosed. But for confirmatory diagnosis a biopsy is a must – may it be open biopsy or a CAT scan guided biopsy.

Treatment depends upon the location of the disease, the stage of the cancer and the patient’s ability to tolerate the medication. Three modes of management are available – surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the condition when a man cannot keep firmness of his penis (the male sex organ) long enough to have sex with his partner. To be stamped as a case of ED, the condition has to be of long duration.

Mere occasional flaccidness is not included in the pathogenesis of this disease. It should not be confused with the term ‘impotence’ as this includes all features that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction. The term ‘impotence’ signifies decreased libido, difficulties with the ejaculation and to attain orgasm. When we call a case as ED, we rule out the latter causes. It can affect a man at any age, but the common victim is men over 60 years. The main pathology of ED is reduced blood supply in the penile muscles preventing the ability to maintain the rigidity.

The major causes of ED include –

High blood pressure

Obesity

Diabetes

Cardiac problems

Stress

Anxiety

Depression

Alcoholism and excessive smoking

Hormonal disorders (hypogonadism)

Brain or Spinal cord injuries

Sometimes after bladder and prostate surgery

Certain medications

Getting a proper clinical history is the key to diagnose a case of ED. There are some tests like ultrasonography of the penile musculature, Nocturnal tumescence test and Dynamic infusion cavernosometry with cavernosography to help to pinpoint a case of ED.

Psychological evaluation and behavioral therapy is required if the main cause is from psychogenic. There are some good medication like Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil. These drugs increase blood flow to the penile blood vessels by increasing the lumen. Surgical intervention can be made to implant a device inside the penile muscles to maintain the rigidity.

For a free online consultation click here

The chances of getting cancer are increasing among people from all walks of life, thanks to modern lifestyle, overall genetic and environmental metamorphosis.

Is there any natural way to fight against cancer? A healthy lifestyle, regular physical exercise and a balanced nutritious diet can definitely beat cancer.

According to the recommendations from American Institute For Cancer Research, at least 2/3^rd of your total diet should be vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains and beans. Certain antioxidants can definitely prevent the genetic changes that occur in the pathology of cancer.

Following is a list of foods that can help to fight against cancer –

Avocado: this is particularly rich in glutathione, beta-carotene and potassium. Avocados can destroy free radicals in our body which are responsible for cancer formation.

Carrots: Carrots are also good source of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Optimum use of carrots can prevent cancer of the liver, lungs, mouth, stomach, breast and prostate cancer.

Broccoli: Rich in a typical chemical compound indole 3-carbinol. This is especially helpful in preventing breast cancer.

Garlic: Has been used for ages in Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for treating any kind of growth in the body.

Mushrooms: A good source of beta-glucan which hit the cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying.

Oranges, lemons, grapes, grapefruits: all these fruits are good source of antioxidants which fight against cancer cells.

Green tea: The Chinese have used green tea to treat cancer for a long time.

The list is not exhaustive. There are hundreds other foods that can help to fight against cancer.

An anti oxidant is defined as a molecule that can either prevent or slow down the process of oxidation.

The oxidative process generates free radicals, free radicals can have a very detremental effect on your health and are responsible for several diseases.

Free radicals inside any cell can slow down its growth and will eventually make the cell die.  Antioxidants prevent the natural aging process of our body, because they antagonize the oxidative process. These qualities help antioxidants fight disease.

The Human brain is very susceptible to damage by the free radicals that are generated by oxidative procedures because of its high level of metabolic reactions and increased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Doctors prescribe various forms of antioxidants to treat different forms of brain injury.

All exercise produces an amount of free radicals. So anyone undertaking physical activity requires supplementation of antioxidants.

Dietry Sources of Antioxidants

The most powerful dietry antioxidants include – Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Glutathione, Melatonin, Selenium, Molybdenum etc.

There are some naturally occurring antioxidants found within the human body – ALC (Acetyl L Carnitine) and ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid).  Both of them are part of Omega-3 fatty acid group. Omega-3 fatty acids are well known to be a potent antioxidant.

Foods that contain are larger amount of antioxidants are – broccoli, cabbage, spinach, yeast, beef besides the heart and kidney as well as dairy products.