Female Care » body

Spoil Mom-to-Be

Article Poster — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 06:52:58 +0000

Okay Mom-to-Be, who said you couldn’t still enjoy a luxurious spa like treatment at home? If you are experiencing any kind of discomfort, this would be the ideal time to relieve some stress. Do you have aching muscles or just feel like you need a little lift? The doctor needs to order a spoil-yourself- treatment. There’s no room for guilt. Who said being a mom meant no more spoiling just for you? Besides the feel good hormones that will run through your body from pampering are perfect to ensure a healthy happy baby. In order to have the benefit of happy hormones, you need to spoil yourself more than just once.

Your body now more than ever needs the perfect skin treatment. Your skin is stretching and it is important to moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize some more. A yummy selection of body butters, scrubs, and foot and hand creams that smell so good you’ll want to eat them, are at your fingertips. But remember this is only for your skin, not your tummy. Hey, have fun with it and have berries, bananas, or other fruits to match the indulgent fragrances.

If you are at the end of the fabulous nine months packing that cute hospital bag, don’t forget to get one of those gift sets. Just between us, tell your husband you’d like a treat and let him surprise you at the hospital after the birth of your child. Get one of those cute bath sets. It would be perfect. It would be an ideal token to get one with a couple of towels so you can have one embroidered with the name of the baby and when it was born.

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Healthy Spring Clean(s)ing with Dandelions!

Article Poster — Tue, 17 May 2011 14:56:19 +0000

They’re popping up and showing their sunny yellow faces, bringing smiles to the enlightened. At last, Spring has arrived! Time to start gathering, and cleaning the winter sludge from your body.

This is NOT just a useless weed! Dandelion has been safely used as a medicinal herb and food for centuries. Dandelion (taraxacum officinale) – The name of the genus, taraxacum, is derived from the Greek word taraxos (disorder), and akos (remedy), because it was considered to be a cure all for every health problem. Native Americans were using Dandelion long before the discovery of America for a wide variety of ailments.

Traditionally, this abundant weed has been used as a tonic and blood purifier, for constipation, inflammatory skin conditions, eczema and acne, joint pain, and liver dysfunction, including liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, gout, and jaundice.

It’s also used in the treatment of flu, gallstones, kidney and urinary disorders, hypoglycemia, dyspepsia with constipation, edema associated with high blood pressure and heart weakness.

Dandelion is unequalled for detoxification, hepatitis, and acute infections. It’s a powerful diuretic but doesn’t deplete the body of potassium like many diuretics. It’s very rich in minerals like iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and boron and vitamins A, B, and C. It also contains saponins that prevent tumor growth and up to 25% inulin, a phytochemical that seems to selectively nourish and increase the body’s supply of good intestinal bacteria such as bifidobacteria.

Externally the fresh juice will fight bacteria and help heal wounds. The latex contained in the plant sap can be used to remove corns and warts. When placed in a paper bag with unripe fruit, the flowers and leaves release ethylene gas to ripen the fruit quickly. A liquid plant food can be made from the root and leaves. A dark red dye is obtained from the root. Or make your own cosmetic skin lotion from the appendages at the base of the leaf blades, distill in water, then splash on to clear the skin and fade freckles.

Gather edible leaves and flowers anytime, roots in spring. The young leaves are less bitter and delicious when tossed with sea salt, lemon juice and olive or flax oil, and flowers are eaten raw in salads or dipped in batter and fried. Get the kids out to gather a gallon of flowers and make your own wine. Be sure to hide away a bottle for a special winter gathering. You’ll love a taste of summer during the Winter Solstice. Gather, chop fine and slow-roast the roots for a delicious coffee substitute. What a versatile and generous weed!

We all need this FREE medicine, and you’ll definitely notice the difference with a cleaner, healthier body. There’s no need to kill, spray herbicides or otherwise eradicate this healthful weed from your manicured lawns. Don’t you believe that every green, growing plant is here for us to use beneficially? Spread the word, not the poison.

How to Be a Healthy Vegetarian

Article Poster — Sat, 14 May 2011 06:31:26 +0000

Becoming a vegetarian is a difficult thing to do; it’s hard to go from being a carnivore to the veggie life. It’s getting a little easier now you can buy; mock meats, soy dairy products; even fake fish at almost any grocery store. More restaurants are starting to cater to the vegetarian community, places like Denny’s, The Hard Rock Café, Ruby Tuesdays and TGI Fridays all have veggie burgers on their menus. You can buy frozen meatless beef patties all the way to soy Buffalo wings. Finding the foods isn’t the problem; it’s being able to stay healthy doing it. Here are some steps to make sure you know what you’re eating, and how to do it without hurting your body.

Try easing your way into your new diet. Cook your favorite meals, but instead of using meat try substituting with mock meats or vegetables. For example when you make spaghetti, instead of using ground beef put crumbled veggie burger or ground meatless beef. Don’t jump right into vegetarianism; you might rob your body of vitamins and essentials proteins. Add a lot of vegetables to your diet, dark leafy greens are a high source or fiber and proteins. Like with all diets it’s good to avoid a lot of junk food and drink a lot of water. Variety in your diet is important for being a healthy vegetarian. Eat lots of; fruits, vegetables, nuts seeds, and whole grain products. Be creative and mix it up.
Reading labels is a big part of being a vegetarian especially those who try and avoid anything with animal products. There are things to watch out for like, gelatin which is in Jell-O, and is made from animal: skin, hooves and bones. Also lard which is pig fat. You should always read labels, just to know what you’re putting into your body.
Vegetarians are very likely to become anemic if they don’t eat right, from the lack of iron which you would normally get from red meat. Foods that contain a good source of iron are; dried beans, spinach, chard, and dried fruit. To help your body absorb for iron eat foods containing vitamin C. Foods like oranges, tomatoes, fruit juices and broccoli are all a great source of vitamin C. Another important vitamin is calcium, which is needed for bone and joint health. It’s especially important for teenagers and kids that are still growing. Try eating broccoli, tofu enriched with calcium, and/or low fat milk or fortified soy milk.
But there are a lot of healthy upsides to a cruelty free diet:

Vegetarians live on average six to ten years longer than meat eaters.
Reduced risk of types of cancer, and heart disease ( 50% higher risk for meat eaters)
Less chance of becoming obese (though most mock meats have less fat than the real thing- they are not fat free. So if you’re looking to lose weight make sure to look out for that)
Vegans (vegetarians who eat no dairy or eggs) are less likely to develop acne.

It’s also always good to exercise, even just light exercise, take your dog for a walk or do stretches. Keeping your body active is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of life it’s hard to give yourself the kind of care you deserve. If you’re a busy person and don’t have time eat like you should, I suggest meal replacement shakes. They are enriched with tons of vitamins and great for your body. When you’re on the go take carrot and celery sticks with you and sank on those. Peanut butter, rice cakes, popcorn and juice bars are all fast easy snacks that are good for you.
Becoming a vegetarian might be a hard transition, but it’s worth it to protect animals and their rights. I strongly believe in the idea that the more vegetarians there are the fewer animals killed. It’s not only a great gift for animals, the environment; it’s great for you and your body.

Understanding the Dangers of Flip-Flops

Article Poster — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:17:40 +0000

During the summer months, it’s rare to see anyone who isn’t wearing a pair of flip-flops. Although many people consider flip-flops to be a comfortable alternative to real shoes, the popular summer footwear could be causing more harm than good.

One problem with flip-flops is they can cause overpronation. Overpronation is a condition where the arch of a person’s foot flattens when they step down on their foot. This causes the foot to roll inward (toward the center of the body). Everyone’s feet pronate naturally; however, because flip-flops are made of spongy foam, they allow your feet to pronate more than normal. Over time, overpronation can cause pain in your feet, legs, and back.

In addition to causing overpronation, flip-flops can also cause you to trip easily. Because of their loose fit, it is easy to trip on your flip-flops while walking, especially when walking on uneven ground or when walking up or down a set of stairs. In addition, the straps often break while walking, further increasing the risk of tripping. Doctors treat numerous patients each summer for injuries caused by wearing flip-flops.

Instead of wearing flip-flops, you should consider wearing a pair of sandals with good arch support. Find a pair that is comfortable and provides decent arch support. One brand of sandal with good arch support is Chaco. If you insist on wearing flip-flops, here are some tips to reduce the chance of injury:

Don’t buy cheap flip-flops: Find a pair that offers adequate arch support. Also, make sure they fit well, so you will be less likely to trip on them. Chaco also sells a line of flip-flops that use the same footbed as their athletic sandals.
Avoid wearing flip-flops when participating in physical activity: Many injuries from flip-flops occur when people are participating in physical activities, such as running or walking. If you are going to be active, don’t wear your flip-flops. They can cause you to trip and seriously injure yourself, and they don’t provide any protection for your feet.
Don’t wear flip-flops for extended periods: Flip-flops are okay for wearing to the pool or beach, or for stepping outside for a few minutes. However, don’t make flip-flops your primary shoe during the summer months. If you insist on wearing them throughout the day, try alternating between flip-flops and other shoes each day.

Flip-flops don’t offer the arch support and foot protection of other shoes. In addition, the loose fit makes tripping a risk for flip-flop wearers. They are okay to wear for short periods; however, extended wear can cause foot, leg, and back problems. You may not notice the problems immediately, but once they do become noticeable, you may have done permanent damage. If you don’t like wearing regular shoes and socks during the warmer months, purchase a pair of sandals with adequate arch support. If you absolutely can’t resist wearing flip-flops, try to alternate between flip-flops and other shoes in order to prevent damaging your lower body. Even though flip-flops seem like comfortable shoes, you will be more comfortable in the end if you will avoid this popular footwear as much as possible.

Understanding Varicose Veins: Basics, Symptoms, Treatment, & Prevention

Vitamin D -The Unique Vitamin

Article Poster — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:37:38 +0000

Sunshine, not food, is where most of your vitamin D comes from. So even a healthy and well balanced diet, that provides all the other vitamins and nutrients, is unlikely to provide enough vitamin D. To get enough vitamin D you need to spend some time outside with some bare skin on most days during the summer months.

How is vitamin D different to other nutrients?

You make vitamin D under your skin when you are outside in daylight, which is the reason vitamin D is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin. By definition, a vitamin is a nutrient that we cannot make in our body. Vitamin D is actually a hormone rather than a vitamin. Very few foods contain vitamin D naturally.

What does vitamin D do in your body?

Vitamin D makes sure you absorb enough calcium for your bones and teeth. Even if you have a calcium-rich diet, without enough vitamin D you cannot absorb calcium into the body. Its importance as a hormone is also being recognised. It helps maintain a healthy immune system and reduces the risk of some forms of cancer. Population studies suggest that lack of vitamin D may increase the risk of chronic health conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

When is vitamin D made in skin?

The amount of vitamin D you make depends on how strong the sunlight or ultraviolet light is. You will make more in the middle of the day than early morning or late afternoon. Similarly you will make more when you are in direct sunlight than in the shade or on a cloudy day. Ultraviolet B rays enable vitamin D to be made, yet sun damage caused by excessive ultraviolet B exposure increases the incidence of malignant melanoma and other skin tumours.

You do not have to sunbathe to make enough vitamin D and most people make enough by spending some time outside on most days in the summer with some bare skin such as hands, face and arms or legs. You need to make enough during the summer to build up a store to last you through the winter.

You will make less vitamin D under your skin:

If you have a dark skin
If you always cover up when you go outdoors
If you are housebound, or rarelyleave work during lunchbreaks
The further north you live
If the air is quite polluted
When you use sunscreen above factor 8

It is possible to make a smaller amount of vitamin D when the skin is covered by fine material, such as fine silk, or 10-20 denier tights. Strong sunshine at the Equator is sufficient to make vitamin D year-round. It is estimated that here in the UK ultraviolet light is only strong enough to make vitamin D on exposed skin in the middle of the day (probably about 10am – 3pm) during the summer months: April to September. Exposing skin for about 20 minutes (but longer for older people or those with darker skin) before applying sunscreen during these times, on most days, will probably ensure you make enough vitamin D to last you the whole year.

Outside these times and seasons ultraviolet light may be too weak to make vitamin D. If you are concerned about the risk of skin cancer, and always use a high factor sunscreen or cover your skin when outside, the only way to ensure a healthy vitamin D status is to take a supplement.

Who may not makeenough vitamin D?

Babies and young children who are growing quickly need a lot of vitamin D
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers need more than other women.
Pregnant teenagers are vulnerable because their own bones are still developing and they need extra for their baby
The elderly because their skins are not as good at making vitamin D
People with darker skins living in the UK or other northern climates – that is those of Asian, African, Afro-Caribbean and middle-eastern origin. They make less vitamin D than white people do
If you always cover most of your skin when you are outside
Children and adolescents who spend little time playing outside
Anyone who spends very little time outside during the summer – the housebound, shop or office workers, night shift workers.

Which foods contain vitamin D?

Oily fish such as salmon, sardines, pilchards, trout, kippers, eel are the only foods which naturally contain reasonable amounts of vitamin D.
Cod liver oil contains a lot of vitamin D.
Eggs and meat contain small amounts.
Margarine, some breakfast cereals and infant formula have added vitamin D.

What happens if you don’t haveenough vitamin D?

Babies and children can get rickets.
Very young babies sometimes have fits.
Adults can get osteoporosis (brittle bone disease) or osteomalacia which causes pain in their bones.
Adults are also more likely to get breast cancer or prostrate cancer.
Some scientists believe that more people are getting Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and some bowel diseases because of not having enough vitamin D

Who needs a vitamin D supplement?

Anyone with a dark skin, or who covers most of their skin when outside in summer
Pregnant and breastfeeding women need 10 mcg of vitamin D daily. This is to make sure they have enough for their fetus and their breast milk. Babies born with low levels of vitamin D and those who do not get enough in breast milk may have fits or develop rickets. Breastmilk is fairly low in vitamin D but will be very low when the breastfeeding mother is deficient herself.
Breastfeeding babies need 7 mcg vitamin D daily from six months of age.
Formula fed babies need 7 mcg vitamin D daily when they begin to have less than 500mls formula each day.
Young children up to five years of age need 7 mcg daily.

Where are vitamin D supplement savailable?

Vitamin D only supplements are not widely available. Vitamin D is available as part of the children’s Healthy Start vitamin drops (containing A, D and C) and Healthy Start vitamin tablets for pregnant and breastfeeding women (containing C, D and folic acid) which are available from NHS health clinics, children’s centres and some retail pharmacies and are free to Healthy Start beneficiaries.

Vitamin D is included in broad-spectrum one-a-day multivitamin supplements, and in calcium supplements prescribed by your GP to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Can someone have too much vitamin D?

Taking a vitamin D supplement as well as spending a lot of time outside in sunshine will not be a problem. However do not take two or more supplements with vitamin D. Remember that cod-liver oil contains vitamin D and should be counted as a vitamin D supplement.

Always choose a supplement tailored to the age group or condition, as fish liver oils and high dose multivitamin supplements often contain vitamin A, too much of which can cause liver and bone problems, especially in very young children, and the elderly.

Weight Gain during Pregnancy

Article Poster — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:31:07 +0000

How much weight gain is appropriate during pregnancy depends on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). For a pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5 to 25, the ideal weight gain should be somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds. An initial weight gain of 2 to 5 pounds is usually followed by a weekly gain of 1 pound in a normal pregnancy. If you have twins the gain usually falls between 35 and 45 pounds. Women who were overweight at the time of conception usually gain around 15 pounds and those who were underweight gain between 30 to 40 pounds. In case of obesity, your gain should not exceed fifteen pounds.

The most obvious impact of the weight gain can be seen in the form of pains and aches that you will have as your pregnancy progresses. A back ache is the most common complaint, followed by an awkward walk (thanks to your new found tummy). Another complain is of swollen legs, but that has nothing to with weight. It is a result of increased blood flow.

If you’ve had weight problems in the past or are generally finicky about your weight, you might find the gain hard to accept. But there is absolutely no reason to get agitated about the extra weight. In fact it is a sign of a healthy child growing inside you. You just need to pay attention to what you’re eating in terms of nutritional value. Also, you can track your weekly weight gain, and if you have any doubts in mind, you can consult your doctor. Tracking will also help adjust your diet according to the gain in order to get the best for your child. A stop on junk food and a start on some exercise will also help you along the way. Understand that eventually, all those extra pounds will wear off once you’ve delivered your little one.

After your delivery, it is good to consult a dietician to chalk out a diet that’ll help you shed the extra weight, especially if you plan to breastfeed your child. Most doctors recommend eating healthy during pregnancy, and continuing the diet for some time post-delivery for best results. And most mothers end up losing half of the weight they’ve gained within the first two months after delivery. A healthy baby usually weighs close to 8 pounds, and all the extra fluid and tissue that develop during pregnancy account for another 8 to 12. And of course the increased size of the breasts and the uterus adds another 6 or so. After all, weight put on in nine months deserves at least that much time to go away. So don’t worry about the weight gain even if you’re a model. Just eat healthy, and keep track of your weight, and keep pestering the doc!

How to Get Pregnant Fast Naturally

Article Poster — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:13:09 +0000

Once you have made the decision to try for a baby, chances are you don’t want it to take forever and would like to know how to get pregnant fast. Fortunately, there are a number of simple steps you can take which will maximize your chances and get you on the right track not only to conceive quickly, but healthily too.

Body Weight

Being outside the normal healthy weight range for your height (whether underweight or overweight) can have an adverse effect on ovulation, with both groups displaying disruption. Steps should therefore be taken to get within the healthy weight range. If you are overweight, even slightly reducing body fat can help and if underweight, just a little gain can trigger ovulation.
Alcohol and Drugs

If both parties regularly drink, fertility can decline by around 50%. Alcohol is know to have an adverse effect on an early pregnancy so it makes complete sense to avoid it throughout pregnancy. It goes without saying that illegal drugs should be avoided. With regard to over the counter and prescription drugs, always mention to the pharmacist that you are trying to conceive and check that the drugs are safe. Less considered is the potential effect of caffeine. It is known that caffeine (as found in coffee, tea, chocolate and some fizzy drinks) can reduce the chances of conception so keep consumption to a minimum.

Smoking

For couples wanting to know how to get pregnant fast, smoking is best avoided. Men who smoke have a sperm count which is 17% less than their non-smoking counterparts. In women, fertility is reduced by around 30%. Therefore, if becoming pregnant is your priority, it is sensible to avoid smoking altogether.

Taking Exercise

Regular exercise is the key to good overall health and an active couple are much more likely to achieve conception. However, it should be noted that overexercising in women can adversely affect fertility as it can cause ovulation to stop.

Diet

Eating a well-balanced diet containing all essential nutrients, including trace elements, is important for both parties. Taking a good multivitamin supplement recommended for pregnant women can prove beneficial. Try to avoid foods with artificial additives, processed meats and always wash fruit and vegetables to clean off pesticides.

Ovulation

Knowing when ovulation is likely to occur will massively help couples wanting to know how to get pregnant fast. The best way to determine this is to use an ovulation predictor as it takes away the guesswork of using the cervical mucous method or taking basal body temperature. Once you know which days of the cycle you are likely to ovulate, ensure that you have intercourse a couple of days before the day, on the day itself, and for a day afterward.

There is no doubt that although these tips will not guarantee a quick conception, they should certainly improve the odds of this happening. Despite researching and putting into practice tips on how to become pregnant quickly, naturally, some couples still do not conceive after several months. Rather than leaving matters completely to chance, it makes sense to implement a tried and tested method which is guaranteed to work.

The Benefits of Vitamin D

Article Poster — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:58:19 +0000

Vitamin D is an important part of a healthy diet. New benefits of this vitamin are being discovered every day, but many people still do not receive enough vitamin D to reap the wonderful benefits it can provide to their health. Vitamin D is most famous for its contribution to joint and bone health by helping the body absorb calcium. It has been shown that people who take in enough vitamin D are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis and joint pain. This vitamin can also slow the affects of arthritis and lessen back pain in many individuals. Studies have shown that vitamin D can also prevent certain types of cancer.

Vitamin D is one of the only vitamins produced naturally by the body. However, in order for the body to produce vitamin D, it has to be exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight. Generally, an hour per week is more than enough, but surprisingly, many people are still not exposed to enough sun to produce beneficial amounts of vitamin D. Also, studies have shown that as we age, we tend to produce less vitamin D even with adequate sun exposure. These are the primary reasons that many adults have to monitor their diets to make sure they are taking in enough vitamin D. Milk is often fortified with vitamin D, and you can also find good amounts of vitamin D in certain kinds of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Cod liver oil is an herbal supplement that is rich in vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements are also widely available.

While it is important to have enough vitamin D in your diet, it is possible to take in too much vitamin D. This often happens when a person receives a good amount of sun exposure and consumes many foods that contain moderate amounts of vitamin D, but also continues to take a vitamin D supplement. For this reason, it is important to discuss with your doctor whether or not you require a vitamin D supplement as part of your diet.

The Benefits of Vitamin E

Article Poster — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:55:56 +0000

Vitamin E is one of the more well-known vitamins that is included in most vitamin supplements. Its antioxidant powers are particularly strong and are beneficial in different ways than other antioxidant vitamins, so it is good to be aware of the specific health benefits of vitamin E.

One of the benefits of vitamin E is its ability to improve the health of the skin. This benefit can be reaped by taking a vitamin E supplement or by directly applying vitamin E oil to the skin. When used in this way, vitamin E can help to heal scars and burns, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the skin, and can also relieve the scratchy, itchy feeling of dry or irritated skin. As an antioxidant, vitamin E protects the body from free radicals and provides a boost to the body’s immune system. This can not only fight the aging process, but it may also protect against certain types of cancer. Studies have shown that Alzheimer’s patients who maintain high levels of vitamin E see a slower progression of the disease. Vitamin E also benefits the health of the eyes by helping to prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. A few studies have even shown that vitamin E may improve the health of your heart by lowering the level of bad cholesterol in your body and by preventing blood clots.

Vitamin E is most beneficial when taken in a natural form as opposed to a synthetic form. The benefits of vitamin E are optimized when combined with vitamin C, so be sure to be taking in plenty of this vitamin in addition to vitamin E. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that can potentially be toxic if you take too much. Always be sure to discuss with your doctor how much vitamin E can safely be added to your daily diet to ensure you experience all of the health benefits this vitamin offers.

The Benefits of Vitamin K

Article Poster — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:53:36 +0000

Vitamin K is commonly known to aid in blood clotting. When the body is injured, vitamin K initiates the process of healing by slowing and stopping the bleeding. For this reason, vitamin K is often given to patients before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. Although this is the primary function of vitamin K, this vitamin has several more health benefits.

Vitamin K helps the body absorb the beneficial mineral calcium. Recent studies have suggested that vitamin K can help prevent or treat osteoporosis and the loss of bone density. If you have a family history of osteoporosis, it is important to make sure you maintain healthy levels of vitamin K.

There are also recent studies that have suggested that vitamin K also has preventive and treatment benefits for cancer. Several human trials have shown that vitamin K may have anticancer effects.

Vitamin K also prevents the hardening of the arteries, which aids in preventing heart disease and heart failure.

Vitamin K is present in many green, leafy vegetables. Many people do not eat the recommended amount of these foods to receive the benefits of vitamin K. For this reason, most people should take additional vitamin K, especially if you or your family has a history of osteoporosis or heart disease.