The Important Tole of Fats In Your Diet To The Diabetic Concerns
[ No Comments ]Posted on July 1, 2009 by admin in Advice, Health, Health Advice, Tips, Treatment
Diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas has difficulty with producing an adequate amount of insulin to maintain proper blood sugar levels. This condition is currently among the top killers of individuals worldwide. However, with proper nutrition, many of the negative effects of this disease can be arrested and, in some cases, reversed.
That is not to say that diabetes is curable; however, it is preventable. If you’re past the point of prevention; then, diabetes is a manageable condition. Many diabetics are overweight. In fact, one of the risk factors for developing diabetes is obesity. Therefore, the connection between diabetes and diet is firmly established.
However, towards the second half of the 20th century, there was a huge movement in the United States. Some call it the “War against Dietary Fat”. Unfortunately, as dietary fat consumption went down, body fat went up. The RDA requirements, which became the basis for the Food Pyramid cautioned Americans to eat fats only sparingly.
The rationale behind this was the high numbers of individuals who died from cardiovascular disease. Diabetics are also at an increased for cardiovascular problems so, naturally, diabetics were told to steer clear of fat.
The fat wars made all fats suspect. The problem with that all-or-nothing approach is that not all fats are bad for your health and a diet that is too low in fat or contains no fat is not healthy. There are certain fats that are essential to good health. Fats, along with amino acids, are the building blocks of proteins. Proteins fuel many body processes including vital brain and metabolic functions.
The bad fats are commonly found in red meat, some dairy products, and certain butters and oils. These are also known as saturated and/or hydrogenated fats. Saturated fats can cause the bad cholesterol (LDL) to rise as well as provide an increased risk in the development of certain cancers. Hydrogenated fats are manufactured fats. You can tell if a fat is hydrogenated if it hardens at room temperature.
These fats, which are often found in butter and shortening as well as some cookies, cakes and such are also known as transfats. Bad fats are evident in many oils that are used in cooking such as vegetable and corn oil. All of these products are also traditionally high in calories and low on nutrition. The benefits of these fats, if there are any, pale in comparison to their drawbacks.
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Symptoms Of Kawasaki Disease
[ No Comments ]Posted on January 14, 2009 by admin in Advice, Health, Health Advice, Tips, symptoms
Kawasaki disease is an illness that involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes, and most often affects kids under age 5. The cause is unknown, but if the symptoms are recognized early, kids with Kawasaki disease can fully recover within a few days. Untreated, it can lead to serious complications that can affect the heart.
Kawasaki disease occurs in 19 out of every 100,000 kids in the United States. It is most common among children of Japanese and Korean descent, but can affect all ethnic groups.
Signs and Symptoms
Kawasaki disease can’t be prevented, but usually has telltale symptoms and signs that appear in phases.
The first phase, which can last for up to 2 weeks, usually involves a persistent fever higher than 104° Fahrenheit (39° Celsius) and lasts for at least 5 days.
Other symptoms that typically develop include:
- severe redness in the eyes
- a rash on the stomach, chest, and genitals
- red, dry, cracked lips
- swollen tongue with a white coating and big red bumps
- sore, irritated throat
- swollen palms of the hands and soles of the feet with a purple-red color
- swollen lymph nodes
During the second phase, which usually begins within 2 weeks of when the fever started, the skin on the hands and feet may begin to peel in large pieces. The child also may experience joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. If your child shows any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
Complications
Some Tips Of SkinCare To Help Minimize Product Induced Irritations
[ 2 Comments ]Posted on December 2, 2008 by admin in Health, Health Advice, SkinCare, Tips
Whether young or young-at-heart, male or female, irritations on your face sometimes come with obvious signs such as redness, rashes, and blotches. But, symptoms such as overactive oil glands, blemishes and dried-up skin cells are also common irritation signs that you might be ignoring. In fact, you might be treating a blemish or oily skin with more of the same irritants making matters worse. These irritations can impair your skin’s immune ability, cause inflammation and accelerate the aging process; and no one wants that. Steer clear of these short and long term sufferings with a few of these strategies.
Read the ingredients of the products applied to your face. Don’t stop at the front of the bottle with its claims of wonder, turn it around and read just as you would read the labels on the food you eat. Terms such as “hypoallergenic” and “noncomedogenic” are not regulated by any government agencies and can be used by manufacturers without guidance; so learn to trust only you. Opt for products that have simple formulas because they lower the chance of irritation. Fragrances, though nice and a great selling point, are one of the primary culprits of irritation. Don’t be fooled by a product that seems to have no scent, sometimes the chemicals used in the product’s formula are so unappealing that a neutralizing fragrance is added. Also, stay away from products that have a high content of alcohol, usually listed as the first or second ingredient. Alcohol cleans and disinfects but dries out all skin types.
Know the exceptions to the ingredients rule; there are some inherently irritating chemicals that can be good for you. Alphahydroxy acids, preservatives and tretinoin (a form of Vitamin A) can bring benefits to your skin. If you have sensitive skin, place a small amount of a product with these exceptions on the inside of your wrist and don’t wipe it off – allow it sit. If an irritation doesn’t occur such as redness, swelling or itching, the product will probably be fine for your face. Purchase a small quantity and be cautious.
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