Denician Angeleia

Archive for November, 2011

Surgery for weight loss treatment may be considered by your doctor if you are extremely overweight or obese. There are many types. Some modify your stomach, limiting how much food can be held there. Others work to prevent calorie and nutrient absorption. Some are a combination of both types. Your doctor might consider the following:

- Gastric bypass surgery. This surgery is very popular because of its long term results. It combines restriction and prevention of absorption of food, which is redirected from your stomach to your intestine.

- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. This procedure involves removal of most of the stomach. It is utilized for people who are extremely obese. There is a risk of malnutrition if the patient is not closely monitored.

- Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). In this restrictive-type procedure, an inflatable band separates your stomach into two pouches. This also is a popular procedure because it usually results in slow weight loss. When you lose weight gradually, you are much more likely to keep the weight off long term.

Having surgery for weight loss should be considered a last resort measure. It is not always the best thing to do. But it is an option your doctor may consider if you weight is extreme. In any case, it is important to begin a healthy diet and maintain it. Increased activity is also important. Seek out friends and family who will support you in your weight loss efforts. Consider joining a support group for individuals who need to lose weight.

Eating disorders are about much more than food and weight. They stem from multifaceted psychological issues. In fact eating disorders may have life-threatening physical and emotional consequences. Today if we carefully study the current scenario then we can see that eating disorders, such as compulsive or binge eating, anorexia and bulimia has widely affected millions of people in every walk of life. It is more kind of psychiatric illnesses and addictive disorders that has affected many people across the globe.

Thousands of people die every year from the physical problems caused by eating disorders. Most sufferers never seek eating disorder treatment and those who attempt to control eating disorders usually follows procedures like dieting, fasting, over-exercising, laxatives or using simple pills. These strategies can produce short term control, but they do not provide an answer to eating disorders and can often make things even worse. However, with the right type of eating disorder treatment, people can get well and gradually learn to eat normally again. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is just one of the few treatment procedures that follow a psychotherapeutic approach and aims to control dysfunctional emotions, behaviors through a goal-oriented and organized procedure.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that generally gives emphasis to the vital role of thinking in what we do and how we feel. It is primarily based on the idea that our thoughts affect our feelings and behaviors. Focusing on this prime fact, therapists try to help people in re-shaping their feelings about food and bodies so that suffer can make healthy choices instead of disordered ones. As Therapists follow a psychotherapeutic approach, they try to learn what their clients want out of life. During this eating disorder treatment procedure, therapist’s role is to listen, educate and encourage, while the client’s roles is to convey concerns, learn and execute that learning.

It is important to understand that eating disorder is not just associated with eating habits or diet. It is connected with many other factors, including society, family or psychological issues and cognitive behavior therapy touches on all of these factors. Many people from all across the world who have effectively recovered from eating disorders through this behavioral therapy state that their sessions actually helped them attach with their emotions. They learned a good attitude toward eating and improved their self esteem. They learned how to eradicate pessimistic thought patterns and turn them into an optimistic voice.

Today, it has achieved wide popularity both for therapists and consumers. However to make cognitive-behavioral therapy more effective, be sure you work together with your counselor toward on common goals. It is just like an active type of counseling.

What price will one pay for beauty? While mascara, like other cosmetics, is used by millions of women everyday, the health risks involved are rarely made known to the public. This article is not intended to scare anyone from using mascara, but to inform those who do, to carefully read the label so that an educated decision may be made as to whether or not that particular brand, may cause any toxic side effects. Today there are natural alternatives available in the world of cosmetics that may offer some solution to this problem.

To address the question regarding mascara as a cause of one developing cataracts. After researching The American Optometric Association’s (AOA) website, there was no reference made to cataracts forming as a result of wearing mascara, thus making that theory inconclusive and a myth. What is a known fact is that mascara can cause eye irritations, and conjunctivitis (swelling of the conjunctiva) commonly known as pink eye. These eye infections usually occur from sharing make up with others, or from keeping the mascara too long. It is recommended to throw out mascara after 3 months once opened and also if someone else uses your mascara. Exercise caution when applying mascara and eye liner, many people have suffered corneal abrasions from an accidental jab or scrape.

Bare in mind that a cataract is formed when the lens of the eye, which is clear, becomes cloudy or opaque. According to the AOA, ” The lens is located inside the eye, behind the iris, which is the colored portion of the eye. The lens focuses light on the back of the eye, the retina. The lens is made of mostly proteins and water. Clouding of the lens occurs due to changes in the proteins and lens fibers.1″ If the lens is encapsulated inside the eye, then it is highly unlikely that make up or debris could get inside. Most problems, as mentioned before, from mascara are related to the surface of the eye, like the conjunctiva (a thin membrane that covers the front of the eye and inner eyelids.)

Also, the AOA website states that the causes of cataracts are mostly age related. Cataracts can also develop from smoking, exposure to ultra-violet rays, poor diet, heredity, trauma, heavy alcohol use, people with diabetes are more prone to get cataracts, certain medications such as corticosteroids, Chlorpromazine and other phenothiazine related medications can increase the risk of cataracts. They also claim that it is extremely rare for babies to be born with cataracts or to develop them.

In conclusion, while there is no proof that mascara causes cataracts, it would be a wise decision to do whatever possible to protect one’s vision. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, wearing UV coated optical or sunglass lenses, have your vision checked annually, try to avoid excessive eye strain, use computer lenses for prolonged computer use. Quite simply take care of your vision, it is the most prized of all the five senses.

Here are just some of the typical ingredients found in some commercial mascara: 2

1. Beeswax – Stearic Acid (skin irritant).

2. Silica (skin & eye irritant, drying, potentially toxic).

3. Isostearic acid (eye, skin, mucous membrane irritant).

4. Shellac (resin secreted from insects, may cause dermatitis, irritant).

5. Myristic Acid (skin irritant, mutagen) – very toxic causing cancer).

6. Glyceryl Hydrogenated Rosinate (can cause contact dermatitis (derived from egg yolks and soybeans).

7. Xanthan gum (may cause eye & skin irritation, extracted with toxic solvents, contains “approved” levels of lead & arsenic).

References

1. American Optometric Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aoa.org/cataract.xml

2. “A Consumer’s Dictionary Of Cosmetic Ingredients” by Ruth Winter, M.S. Three Rivers Press; 5th edition (July 20, 1999)

Digestive health is necessary for one’s overall general health and is a concern for all age groups, including infants, children, baby boomers and the elderly. In particular, demand for digestive health aids has shown a significant increase amongst teens and young adults for enhancing weight loss.

Factors Driving Growth of Nutritional Digestive Aids

Rise in digestive health concerns – Unhealthy lifestyles have negatively impacted digestive health in a number of ways. Poor dietary habits and stress lead to the loss of good bacteria, which often results in chronic digestive problems.

Rise in obesity – Increased emphasis on the importance of diets and weight loss regimens to fight obesity has led consumers to seek digestive aids that optimize healthy digestion and weight loss.

Rise in digestive health research – Scientific advances in understanding how optimal digestive health can impact other aspects of health and well being are driving sales of digestive aids. The use of enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics separately or in combination is becoming more widespread.

Growing consumer awareness – Today, more Americans are familiar with herbal or natural ingredients for supporting digestive health. As a result, they are more open to trying new products based on scientific research that help:

Boost immune health – About 70 percent of the immune system is located in the digestive tract. A variety of friendly bacteria in the intestines can help reduce the chances of infection and illness. Optimize digestive health – Proliferation of healthy bacteria assists in the synthesis of Vitamins such as K, B12 and other B complex vitamins. This also leads to the better absorption of nutrients and expulsion of unhealthy fats.

Consumers are finding nutritional supplements to be a better choice – Unlike pharmaceutical digestive drugs or aids that do not address the causes of poor dietary health, nutritional supplements for digestive and colonic health offer a more comprehensive approach and help people better meet their health needs.

Consumers prefer self-help – Herbal colon cleanse products and enzymes offer the best relief with minimal side effects. As a result, herbal colon supplements have experienced remarkable growth in the recent years.

Top Digestive Aids

Fructans
According to Global Industry Analysts, the world’s largest market research company, fructans such inulin and FOS represent the biggest segment in the U.S. probiotics market with mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) predicted to be the fastest growing product. Fructans are used to help prevent chronic inflammatory disorders such as Crohn’s disease.

Probiotics
Different bacteria strains play specific roles in digestive health. The most popular are Lactobacillus, bifidobacterium and acidophilus. These live bacteria provide the host with multiple health benefits.

The Consumer’s Guide to Probiotics states about two million visits to the doctor are related to constipation and about $725 million are spent on laxatives each year. Research shows that probiotics helps to optimize digestive health and promotes immune health in infants and children. Probiotics are also useful after treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics deplete the healthy growth of bacteria in the intestines and a dose of probiotics can help to restore a healthy microflora.

Fiber (Prebiotics)
Fiber includes both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is known to help control blood sugar and healthy cholesterol levels. Non-soluble fiber is used to treat constipation and help regulate normal bowel functions.

Digestive Enzymes
Lack of digestive enzymes can lead to common digestive ailments such as indigestion, bloating, flatulence, and heartburn. It can also lead to food cravings. Most consumers prefer a blend of essential multi-enzymes to address their needs since these ensure proper absorption of all nutrients. The more popular enzymes are papain, bromelain, lipase and others.

Digestive Supplements: A Guide for Supplement Companies
Innovative blends that contain a broad spectrum of nutrients and herbs that approach digestive and colonic health comprehensively have more consumer appeal. Educating the public about digestive health ingredients, how they work and providing supportive scientific research related to the ingredients can help generate consumer awareness, confidence and trust. Specific strains of bacteria with their potency and shelf life viability are important information consumers are looking for on the label. Consumers continue to desire delivery forms that are simple to understand and convenient to use. Consider manufacturing products that are travel-friendly and address unique digestive health needs of on-the-go travelers. Age-specific formulas or condition-specific health formulas appeal to those with specific digestive health needs.

The Digestive Health Market Continues to Expand

Digestive ailments affect 60 to 70 million Americans, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). These include occasional bouts of indigestion, constipation to more serious digestive problems.

According to a report from Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the U.S. market for prebiotics is projected to reach nearly $225 million by the year 2015. In the past 3 years, consumer demand for combination digestive enzymes has risen.

Consumer demand for scientifically-based digestive aids is expected to rise as the digestive health market expands. Contact a quality supplement manufacturer who can offer you a well-formulated private label formula or customize your own formula to meet the digestive health needs of your target audience.

Cystic fibrosis is a very serious disorder that is fatal if not treated properly. A defective gene causes thin body secretions, such as lung mucus, digestive juices, sweat and reproductive secretions, to become thick and sticky. Serious and life-threatening problems may arise due to this thickening. There is no permanent cure for cystic fibrosis yet, but symptomatic treatment is given.

When the lungs and airways are choked, the cystic fibrosis patient coughs and produces very thick sputum. He is short of breath and develops wheezing. Polyps may grow in the nasal passages. The frequency of sinus, chest infections, pneumonia and bronchitis increase.

As the digestive juices do not reach the intestine, due to blocked ducts from the pancreas and liver, the fats and protein are not digested. The stool is bulky, greasy and foul smelling. The cystic fibrosis patient may have excessive appetite but is undernourished and underweight, as the food is not digested properly for absorption. A trypsin test may indicate whether sufficient enzymes from the pancreas are available for digestion.

The sweat may taste salty. When we kiss a child with cystic fibrosis we can taste this excessive salt taste. To diagnose cystic fibrosis positively we measure this saltiness in sweat. Technicians coat an odorless chemical on a small area of the skin in the arm, and stimulate that area with electric current to produce copious sweat. This sweat should contain about 40 m mol/l in a normal person. Above 60 m mol/l of salt in a sweat test will confirm the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. With cystic fibrosis patients the duct that connects the testes and vas deferens may get blocked. Most cystic fibrosis patients are sterile.

Treatment is mainly to ease the symptoms and lead a normal life in spite of the malady. Bronchodilators and mechanical vibrators keep the lungs and airways clear. Enzyme and vitamin supplements keep the digestive system near normal. With correct lifestyle management Americans are living to their 30s and 40s with cystic fibrosis.