One Big Health Nut

Heavy drinking poses danger to women’s hearts!

Vicki — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:27:05 +0000

You have heard the spiel before; heavy drinking is not good for you. And maybe you listen and drink in moderation or not at all. If you haven’t listened and drink heavily every weekend, then here is your reason to slow down on your alcohol consumption. Heavy alcohol consumption causes significant health problems.

Experts have found that the heavy drinking of alcohol directly impacts your risk of a heart attack. Heavy drinking will cause high blood pressure, stiffening of the arteries and heart muscles in men. And women who drink heavily will suffer an enlarged heart increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack. Once the heart becomes enlarged it is almost impossible to undo.

Heavy drinking is defined differently for men as opposed to women. Men who drink over 21 alcoholic drinks a week are considered heavy drinkers. A woman that has more than 14 drinks a week is labeled a heavy drinker. Women’s bodies are less able to tolerate the alcohol and so are more affected by the heavy drinking than men. The lesson here is to drink alcohol in moderation to enjoy without the weight gain or the damage to the heart.

The alternative to hip replacement for arthritis sufferers!

Vicki — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:18:21 +0000

If you are suffering with osteoarthritis in your hip, you are probably frustrated with the limited medical options available to you. Pain management doesn’t offer a permanent solution and often leaves you still suffering. Hip replacement surgery is generally not recommended for people with osteoarthritis until later in life, usually around 55 to 60 years of age. The replacement parts have a limited life span of about 20 years. So you must live with the pain and the limiting effects osteoarthritis has on the quality of your life.

You may not know this, but there is another option for younger people living with osteoarthritis. The procedure is called hip resurfacing. This surgery has been around for almost a decade and is intended for middle aged arthritis sufferers. The surgeon will reshape the top of the thighbone. Then a metal cap is fitted over the reshaped thighbone, sitting inside a thin metal hip socket. The metal cop blocks the nerve endings on either side, blocking the pain. The surgery is said to almost completely eliminate the pain from osteoarthritis within 5 years. It will also make any surgeries that may be necessary in the future more successful and easier to perform.

Stroke risk factors and how to lower your risk!

Vicki — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:28:12 +0000

Stroke risk factors are determined by heredity, lifestyle, and sometimes the environment. You should be familiar with the risk factors. Knowing whether you are at a higher risk could help you recognize the signs of a stroke faster and save your life. Knowing the risk factors could also help you lower your risk of having a stroke. By making changes in your life that affect the likelihood of your suffering a stroke, you could prevent a stroke from happening to you.

Some risk factors for stroke you cannot change. If you have had a stroke or heart attack before, your chances of stroke are 10 times higher than someone who hasn’t. Men are more likely to suffer a stroke than women. But women are more likely to die from a stroke than a man. A family history of stroke increases your risk of stroke. And the risk of stroke increases with age. The general rule is that after 55 your risk of stroke doubles every ten years.

Although there are risk factors you cannot change, there are many you can. Smoking is a major stroke risk factor. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are also contributing factors to your risk of stroke. Both can be affected by a poor diet. Heart disease and artery disease will raise your risk of heart disease. Diabetes is considered to be a risk factor. It is believed it is because people with diabetes are highly likely to suffer from many of the already named risk factors above. Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are also noted as risk factors.

Other factors are attributed to increasing the risk of stroke. Low income people are more likely to suffer a stroke. Drug use has been associated with the risk of stroke also. Many of the drugs abused are damaging toe the heart and the body in general decreasing your overall health. Alcohol is also linked to strokes. It has also been documented that people in the southeastern United states, sometimes known as the “stroke belt”, has been associated with a higher risk.

What do you do to lower your risk of stroke? The answer is simple, diet and exercise. Oh, and of course don’t forget to quit smoking. Eating the right foods can help lower your cholesterol, your blood pressure, and fortify your body. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. The old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” was popularized for a reason. Cut out saturated fats and lower your sodium intake. Stay away from trans fats. And exercise, exercise, exercise; your body needs exercise. Exercise will also lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Thirty minutes of exercise a day won’t kill you; but not exercising might.

Eleven popular summer beverages guaranteed to add pounds!

Vicki — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:54:06 +0000

Lazy summer days make you want to lie in the hammock in your backyard sipping on a cool drink and daydream or read. What could be more enjoyable than an afternoon spent like that? Not too many things, right. But there is a potential problem hidden in this image. The problem with this picture isn’t the rest and relaxation, although I’m sure there are a thousand chores that could and should be attended too. It is the drink you are sipping on that could ruin your lazy afternoon.

You work hard all week and deserve some time to slow down and enjoy life. What you don’t need is something else to worry about, like excess calories and fat. Many of the popular drinks being offered as summer treats are laden with ridiculously high amounts of fat and calories that will make your clothes tighter and your bathing suit a little less flattering. So below is a list of ten of the worst summer drink culprits that is guaranteed to increase your short size after one or two sips.

1. The Jamba Juice Peanut Butter Moo’d Power Smoothie: Calories 1170, fat 30g, sugars 169g

2. Baskin Robbin’s Large Heath Bar Shake: Calories 2310, fat 108g, sugar 266g

3. Starbucks Venti Strawbetties and Crème Frappuccino Blended Crème: Calories 750, sugars 120g

4. Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Coolata w/ cream: Calories 410, fat 22g ( go w/ skim milk and cut your calories and fat almost in half)

5. Dairy Queen Chocolate Malt drink: Calories 880, fat 22g

6. Dairy Queen Med Chocolate Shake: Calories 770, fat 20g

7. Starbucks Mocha Venti w/ whole milk: Calories 508, fat 27g

8. Rita’s Ritaccino: Calories 754, fat 211g

9. Chick-fil-A’s Cookies and Cream Milkshake: Calories 790, fat 33g, Sugars 100g

10. White Castle Chocolate milk shake: Calories 1230, fat 32g

11. Jack In the Box Strawberry Shake: Calories 1220

5 ways to fight cellulite

Vicki — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:24:37 +0000

Combating cellulite is an exasperating task, especially in the summer months. Since cellulite appears most often around the thighs and buttocks it is difficult to disguise and can cause great despair. What you need are some options that help reduce the appearance of cellulite so it is not so noticeable.

1. Make your own cream. Cellulite creams are expensive. In the current economy, every penny counts. Combine ground coffee and your favorite lotion. Rub the mixture on the cellulite repeatedly throughout your day. Caffeine is the number one ingredient found in almost every cellulite cream.

2. Apply Self-tanning lotion. Cellulite is less obvious when you are tan. But tanning in the sun is dangerous and can turn deadly. Don’t turn to sun worship to fix your cellulite dilemma. Buy a self tanning lotion and apply.

3. Drink plenty of water. Water reduces the snacking urges that add pounds and limits the liquid calories you consume. A hydrated body usually has healthy plump skin that helps cover the dimples created by cellulite.

4. Massage the cellulite affected area. Increased blood flow seems to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. You can do this while rubbing cream on the area or when taking your shower. Read the instructions on any cellulite cream product and you will find a sentence directing you to massage the area. It works.

5.And (you knew it would be in here) exercise and eat a healthy diet. Reducing the size and number of fat cells will lessen the cottage cheese appearance caused by cellulite. A high fiber diet is recommended.

What is a stroke is and how will it affect your life?

Vicki — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:39:15 +0000

A stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel by a clot or when a blood vessel bursts. The blockage prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain by obstructing blood flow. Most strokes (over 80%) are ischemic strokes caused by a clogged blood vessel. A leading cause of the blockage is the underlying condition known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits line the walls of the vessels preventing blood from flowing.

The effects of a stroke can vary greatly. Strokes block oxygen to the brain. Lack of oxygen can cause permanent and irreparable damage to brain cells. The region of the brain that was affected may not function properly or, in some cases, ever again. Whichever body part or function that region of the brain controlled will not function properly if at all. The extent of the damage is also dependant on how much of the brain tissue was affected.

The extent of the neurological damage can cause many problems. Paralysis to the body could occur. If the stroke affected the left side, the paralysis would be on the right. And if the stroke targeted the right side, the left side would suffer paralysis. Vision problems and memory loss are possible. Speech and language problems may ensue. Changes in behavior styles are also possible. Recovery can be a long and arduous process, impacted by the amount of time the brain was lacking oxygen.

If food allergies are keeping you from losing weight, consult an expert!

Vicki — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:29:38 +0000

Eating a healthy diet is important. Whether your goal is to lose weight or build muscle, your body requires a variety of foods to obtain the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Some people may find developing a healthy diet plan to be difficult, though. Many people suffer with food allergies or take medications that make it tricky to eat healthy. What do you do if you can’t eat fruits or vegetables or are allergic to healthy grains like wheat?

Allergies to healthy foods limit your diet choices impeding your ability to eat a healthy, balanced diet. How can you get the vitamins and minerals your body needs if you aren’t able to eat the foods that provide the nutrients. With limited choices you may feel that your situation is hopeless and resort to eating the things you can. Problems arise when the foods you are able to eat are full of fat and calories or are primarily fast burning carbohydrates. Food options full of fat and calories will keep you from losing weight and could contribute to weight gain.

Instead of throwing in the towel and resigning yourself to a diet of fats and fast burning carbohydrates, turn to the experts for help. There is an entire field of experts dedicated to the field of nutrition. Dieticians and nutritionists can offer you the help you need. Dieticians and nutritionists possess a Bachelor’s degree in fields specific to food and nutrition. They help plan nutrition programs specific to the person’s needs. Nutritionists and dieticians are trained to help people with medical or weight issues. You will be able to learn what foods can help you develop a healthy diet from a nutritionist.

Finding a nutritionist or dietician may be easier than you think. Contact your health insurance company. Your health insurance company may be able to recommend a nutritionist or dietician for you. Many health insurance companies also offer discounts or incentives to their customers that work with a nutritionist. You could also talk to your primary care doctor. Your doctor is already familiar with your health issues and should be able to recommend a nutritionist or dietician for you.

Relaxation alleviates stress and averts serious health problems

Vicki — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:25:24 +0000

When you think about health, lying around is probably not the first activity (or lack there of) that comes to mind. But it should still be on your mental ‘To do’ list. Relaxation is an essential element to a healthy body. You cannot expect to maintain good health without having some down time. Without time to relax, your stress level will be high. Statistics indicate that stress is a major risk factor for many dangerous health conditions.

What could be a better reason to relax than your health? Experts agree that stress should be dealt with and alleviated. High levels of stress or chronic stress can lead to heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, and many other detrimental health conditions. A ‘cure’ for stress is relaxation. And if relaxing will help lower your risk of the above chronic conditions, shouldn’t it be a priority on your ‘To do’ list?

Summer offers numerous relaxing activities. You can lie in a hammock in your backyard and read or sleep. Don’t have a hammock? Buy one! Your spouse won’t complain of the expense when you explain it is essential to your health. If the hammock is not for you, you could try going to the beach. The sun, the sand, and the water can have a very relaxing effect. You could also try fishing either on a boat or on the side of a lake. A vacation is a great way to escape the stress of everyday life and relax. If you are just not an outdoor person, try a massage.

It is difficult to consider relaxation and essential activity when you have so many things you must get done. You have to put things into perspective and realize that unless your body and mind has a chance to heal from the detrimental effects of stress, you could do irreversible harm. Relaxation should be a priority. Besides the important health reasons, relaxation will improve your quality of life. What are you working so hard for everyday if not to relax at some point?

What should you eat before your work-out?

Vicki — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:32:32 +0000

Exercise requires the right kind of fuel. If you eat the wrong foods, not enough food, or too soon or not soon enough before your work-out you will impact the effectiveness of the work-out. The timing of when you eat and what you eat is important. How can you exercise if you do not have the energy to carry you through your entire work-out?

Start with what to eat. Choose foods that are low-fat but have a high carbohydrate content. A banana is a great choice; small, quick, and easy. You could also eat a whole-wheat English muffin or bagel with a tablespoon of peanut butter spread on it. Try topping it with a couple of apple slices. Yogurt is a popular choice, requiring limited preparation time. Oatmeal is another good option.

How long before your workout is the prime time to eat? This can be individualized. One time frame will not work for everyone. Some people’s bodies will digest food faster than others. You don’t want to have the food sitting in your stomach during your work-out. That can be painful and hindering. You will need to experiment to find out what works for you. I would recommend allowing at least an hour. You may also try drinking water after eating to facilitate faster digestion.

The bottom line is your body needs fuel to be at its best. Without the proper fuel you could just be wasting your time. You won’t be able to run as far, swim as many laps, ride as many miles on your bike, or lift heavy weights. Fatigue from lack of fuel will weaken your body and make you sluggish. It may seem counterproductive to those of you trying to lose weight to eat before a work-out. But eating the right nutrient dense foods will make your work-outs more effective and help with weight loss.

Do Anti-Cellulite creams really work?

Vicki — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:26:34 +0000

Cellulite is said to plague the majority of women, statistics sometimes indicating a percentage as high as 90%. Cellulite is not just an overweight woman’s affliction. If we believe the recent pictures in a popular celebrity magazine, even the skinny and beautiful celebrities like Mischa Barton fight the cellulite battle. The most commonly asked question concerning cellulite is how to get rid of it.

Many women resort to anti-cellulite cream to find the answer. But do these creams actually eliminate cellulite. The answer from the medical community is a resounding no. The medical community agrees that there is no ‘cure’ for cellulite. Logically then it would be clear that anti-cellulite creams will not be able to permanently remove cellulite. But some of the experts allow that anti-cellulite creams may be used to minimize the appearance of cellulite.

Anti-cellulite creams can contain a variety of ingredients. Manufacturers of the anti-cellulite creams regularly claim to have found the new break-through ingredient that will finally end the consumer’s battle with cellulite. But the majority of anti-cellulite creams contain the same main ingredients; caffeine, retinol, and antioxidants or DMAEs. Each of these ingredients reduces the appearance of cellulite by fortifying the skin.

Cellulite is mainly found on women. Experts believe this is largely due to the fact that men have thicker skin which hides the appearance of bulging fat cells that cause cellulite. The ingredient retinol found in the anti-cellulite creams attempts to minimize the appearance of cellulite by improving the skin’s texture. Retinol is said to increase the collagen production which can make skin thicker and better able to hide cellulite. DMAEs, when used in combination with amino acids, are supposed to stimulate the muscles to contract and make the skin appear firmer.

Caffeine is the ingredient present in almost every anti-cellulite cream. Caffeine is said to have the ability to enhance fat metabolism. The reduction in the fat causes the skin to appear smoother. Another theory on why caffeine is effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite has to do with the improved blood flow. Whatever the reason, most of the anti-cellulite creams use caffeine to help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

There are mixed feelings regarding the effectiveness of anti-cellulite creams. Not everyone agrees the creams will reduce the cellulite. Currently there isn’t any definitive scientific evidence supporting the success of using anti-cellulite creams. If you choose to try an anti-cellulite cream it is recommended that you stick with ones that are inexpensive.

L’Oreal has an anti-cellulite cream for day and one for night costing around $14. You should expect to use the anti-cellulite cream for at least eight weeks before seeing any improvement. And you will need to continue using the creams if they are effective to maintain results since the anti-cellulite creams are not capable of permanently removing the cellulite.