RatihChubby » Health

MEDICAL ASPECTS OF ISLAMIC FASTING

ratih_euy — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:21:02 +0000

By : Shahid Athar, M.D

There are over I billion Muslims in the world, including about 8 million in North America. The majority of them observe total fasting (no food or water) between dawn and sunset during the month of Ramadan. They do so not to lose weight or for any medical benefit, but because it is ordained in the Quran which says, “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed for those before you (i.e. Jews and Christians) so that you may (learn) self-restraine” (2:183).

According to Islamic Law, children below twelve, sick patients, travelers and women who are menstruating or nursing a baby are exempt from fasting. In addition to staying away from food or water for the whole day, they are asked to stay away from sex, smoking or misconduct during the time of the fast. In addition, they are encouraged to do more acts of piety: prayer, charity, or reading the Quran during this month.

Food is needed by the body to provide energy for immediate use. This is done by burning up carbohydrates, that is, sugar. Excess of carbohydrates which cannot be used are stored up as fat tissue in the muscles and as glycogen in the liver for future use. Insulin, a hormone from the pancreas, lowers blood sugar and diverts it to other forms of energy storage, that is, glycogen. To be effective, insulin has to be bound to binding sites called receptors. Obese people lack receptors. Therefore, they cannot utilize their insulin. This may lead to glucose intolerance.

When one fasts (or decreases carbohydrate intake drastically), it lowers one’s blood glucose and insulin level. This causes a breakdown of glycogen from the liver to provide glucose for energy needs and break-down of fat from adipose tissue to provide for energy needs. On the basis of human physiology described above, semi-starvation (ketogenic diets) have been devised for effective weight control. These diets provide a calculated amount of protein in divided doses with plenty of water, multivitamins, etc. These effectively lower weight and blood sugar, but because of their side effects, should be used only under the supervision of physicians.

Total fasting reduces or eliminates hunger and causes rapid weight loss. In 1975, Allan Cott in his Fasting as a Way of Life, noted, “Fasting brings a wholesome physiological rest for the digestive tract and central nervous system and normalizes metabolism.” It must be pointed out, however, that there are also many adverse effects of total fasting. That includes hypokalemia and cardiac arrhythmia associated with low calorie starvation diets used in unsupervised programs.

STUDIES ON ISLAMIC FASTING

Dr. Soliman from University Hospital, Amman, Jordan has reported that during the month of Ramadan 1404 AH (June-July, 1984 AD) healthy Muslim volunteers@2 males and 26 females ranging in age from 15-64 and 16-28 years respectively-were studied. They were weighed and their blood levels of cortisol, testosterone, Na, K, urea, glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and serum osmolality were measured at the beginning and at the end of Ramadan. There was significant loss of weight in males from a mean of 73.8 +/-6.2 kg to 72.0 +/-7.1 kg (P less than 0.01) and in females from 55.2 +/-4.8 to 54.6 +/-4.2 kg (P less than 0.05). Blood glucose levels rose in males from 77.7 +/-23.6 mg/dl to 90.2 +/31.2 mg/dl (P less than 0.05) and in females from 76.0 +/-7.6 mg/dl to 84.5 +/-11.1 mg/di (P less than 0.002). All other parameters did not show significant changes.

Dr. F. Azizi and his associates from the University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran has reported the following. Serum levels of glucose, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, protein, albumin, FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, TSH, T4, T3, and T3 uptake, as well as prolactin and TSH responses to TRH were evaluated in a group of nine healthy men before and on the 10th, 20th, and 29th days of Ramadan. Mean body weight decreased from 65.4 +/- 9.1 to 61.6 +/- 9.0 kg at 29th day. Serum glucose decreased from 82 +/- 4 mg/dl on the 10th day, and increased thereafter (76 +/- 3 and 84 +/- 5 on the 20th and 29th days of fasting respectively). Serum bilirubin increased from 0.56 +/- 0.17 to 1 43 +/-.52 mg/dl on the 10th day, and decreased thereafter (I. I. +/- 0.4 on the 20th and 29th days). All changes returned to basal values four weeks after fasting. There were no significant changes in serum levels of Ca, P. protein, albumin, and any of the measured hormones. Prolactin and TSH responses to TPH were also unaltered. He concluded that 1) intermittent abstinence from food and drink for 17 hours a day for 29 days does not alter male reproductive hormones, hypothalamic-pituitary- thyroid axis or peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones and 2) physicians caring for Muslims should be aware of changes of glucose and bilirubin during Ramadan.

Therefore it is concluded from the above two studies that the pre- scribed fast does not cause any adverse medical effect and on the contrary, may have some beneficial effect on weight and lipid metabolism.

WHY ISLAMIC FASTING IS DIFFERENT FROM ORHER TYPES OF FASTING

The prescribed fast of Muslims is different from the so-called “Diet Plans” because it has beneficial features of both plans. Its unique medical benefits are due to the following factors:

1. As compared to other diet plans, fasting in Ramadan does not cause malnutrition or inadequate calorie intake since there is no restriction on the type or amount of food intake before beginning the fast or upon ending the fast at sunset. This was confirmed by M.M. Hussaini in 1974, when he conducted dietary analysis of Muslim students at the University of North Dakota, State University at Fargo during Ramadan. He concluded that calorie intake of Muslim students during fasting was at two-thirds of NCR-RDA.

2. Fasting in Ramadan is voluntarily undertaken. It is not a prescribed imposition from a physician. In the hypothalamus part of the brain there is a center called “lipostat” which controls the body mass. When severe and rapid weight loss is achieved by starvation diet, the center does not recognize this as normal and, therefore, reprograms itself to cause weight gain rapidly once the person goes off the starvation diet. So the only effective way of losing weight is slow, self-controlled, and gradual weight loss which can be achieved by modifying our behavior and changing our attitude about eating especially by eliminating excess food. Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and self-training in terms of food intake thereby causing hopefully, a permanent change in lipostat reading.

3. With the prescribed fast, Muslims are not subjected to a diet of selective food only (i.e. protein only, fruits only etc.). An early breakfast, before dawn is taken and then at sunset the fast is broken with something sweet i.e. dates, fruits, juices to offset any hypoglycemia followed by a regular dinner later on.

4. Additional prayers are prescribed after dinner which help metabolize the food. Using a calorie counter, I counted the amount of calories burnt during the special night prayer of Ramadan (tarawih). It amounted to 200 calories. This form of prayer as well as the five daily prescribed prayers use all the muscles and joints and can be considered a mild form of exercise in terms of calorie output.

5. Ramadan fasting is actually an exercise in self discipline. For those who are chain smokers or who nibble food constantly, or drink coffee every hour, it is a good way to break the habit.

6. The psychological effect of Ramadan fasting are also well observed by the description of people who fast. They describe a feeling of inner peace and tranquility. The prophet advised those fasting, “If one slanders you or aggresses against you, tell him ‘I am fasting.”‘ Thus personal hostility during the month is minimal. The crime rate in Muslim countries falls during this month.

It is my experience that within the first few days of Ramadan, I begin to feel better even before losing a single pound. I work more and pray more. My physical stamina and mental alertness improve. As I have my own lab in the office, I usually check my chemistry, that is, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride before the commencement of Ramadan and at its end. I note marked improvement at the end. As I am not overweight, thank God, weight loss is minimal. The few pounds I lose, I regain soon after. Fasting in Ramadan will be a great blessing for the overweight whether with or without mild diabetes (Type 11). It benefits those also who are given to smoking or nibbling. They can rid themselves of these addictions in this month.

FASTING FOR MEDICAL PATIENTS: SUGGESTED GUIDELINES

As mentioned earlier, the sick are exempt from fasting. But some, for whatever reasons, do decide to observe fasting. For physicians treating Muslim patients, the following guidelines are suggested.

Diabetic Patients: Diabetics who are controlled by diet alone can fast and hopefully, with weight reduction, their diabetes may even be cured or at least improved. Diabetics who are taking oral hypoglycemia agents like Orinase along with the diet should exercise extreme caution if they decide to fast. They should reduce their dose to one-third and take the drug not in the morning, but in the evening at the time of ending the fast. If they develop low blood sugar symptoms in the daytime, they should end the fast immediately. Diabetics taking insulin should not fast. If they do, at their own risk, they should do so under close supervision and make drastic changes in the insulin dose. For example, they should eliminate regular insulin altogether and take only NPH in divided doses after ending the fast or before the pre-fast breakfast. Diabetics, if they fast, should still take a diabetic diet during the pre-dawn meal, the ending of the fast meal, and dinner. The sweet snacks common in Ramadan are not good for their disease. They should check their blood sugar before breakfast and after ending their fast.

Hypertensive or Cardiac Patients: Those who have mild to moderate high blood pressure along with being overweight should be encouraged to fast, since fasting may help to lower their blood pressure. They should see their physician to adjust medication. For example, the dose of water pill (diuretic) should be reduced to avoid dehydration, and long acting agents like Inderal LA or Tenormin can be given once a day before the pre-dawn meal. Those with severe hypertension or heart diseases should not fast at all.

Migraine Headache: Even in tension headache, dehydration or low blood sugar will aggravate the symptoms, but in migraine during fasting, there is an increase in blood free fatty acids which will directly affect the severity or precipitation of migraine through release of catecholamine. Patients with migraines are advised not to fast.

Pregnant Women (normal pregnancy): This is not an easy situation. Pregnancy is not a medical illness. Therefore, the same exemption does not apply. There is no mention of such exemption in the Quran. However, the Prophet said that pregnant and nursing women do not have to fast. This is in line with God not wanting anyone, even a small fetus, to suffer. There is no way of knowing the damage to the unborn child until delivery, and that might be too late. In my humble opinion, during the first and third trimester (three months) women should not fast. If however, Ramadan happens to come during the second trimester (4th-6th months) of pregnancy, a women may elect to fast provided that 1) her own health is good, and 2) it is done with the pen-nission of her obstetrician and under close supervision. The possible damage to the fetus may not be from malnutrition provided the Iftaar and Sahoor are adequate, but from dehydration, from prolonged (10-14 hours) abstinence of water. Therefore it is recommended that Muslim patients, if they do fast, do so under medical supervision.

Get Real Nutrition From Real Foods

ratih_euy — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:04:49 +0000

Recent research shows that specific chemicals in foods such as sulforaphane, a phytochemical in broccoli - work with your genes to ratchet up your body’s natural defense systems, helping to inactivate toxins and free radicals before they can do the damage that leads to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even premature aging.

Many people think popping a multi-vitamin supplement to get their nutrients is just as good as what comes from real foods. They don’t realize that it is far better to get vitamins and minerals from natural foods and juices. Our bodies utilize the vitamins and minerals from real foods more efficiently.

And most people find it much easier to select a variety of whole foods they enjoy eating instead of trying to make heads or tails of the entire selection of vitamin and mineral supplements that are available. And any of us who’ve swallowed a multi-vitamin or a mineral supplement can say without a doubt that the taste leaves a lot to be desired

Supplements are also difficult for our bodies to break down and use, making it difficult to get the full punch from the vitamins and minerals they contain.

Conversely, by consuming plenty of nutrient-dense food to get the equivalent means the nutrients are going to be easier for the body to process and utilize, and less likely to be wasted. We are also processing nutrients throughout the course of the day when we obtain them from food, instead of just getting them from the one a day approach.

Many of the supplements available today use fillers and binders to hold them together, plus coatings on the tablets themselves. These are products the body does not need and will not use. Some people find they are allergic to the dyes and fillers used in vitamin pills.

However, the body uses the fiber that binds fruits and vegetables. Often the skin of a vegetable, like the potato, is the most nutritious part. In addition, sometimes the vitamin and mineral supplements can upset our stomachs, making taking them even more difficult the next day.

In many cases, combining supplements can counteract their effectiveness and can produce stomach upset when dealing with the taste and smell of some supplements. On the other hand, a variety of fruits and vegetables enhance the flavor of a nutritious meal and their fiber aids digestion.

If you’re looking to lose weight, eating fresh food is vital to a weight loss plan. Also, eating fresh fruits and vegetables help hair, skin and teeth stay attractive and healthy. And when you think about it, fruits and vegetables are the original to go food.

It’s simple to grab for an orange, apple, banana, grapes, or quickly toss a few vegetables together for a salad to take to work.So when you’re looking for well-balanced, healthy, reliable nutrition, don’t reach for the bottle. Reach for the food!

Fantastic Method to Eliminate Cellulite….

ratih_euy — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:48:42 +0000

Contrary to popular myth that cellulite is irreversible, cellulite can be removed!

However, you need to have an effective treatment as cellulite is a build up of several years and is not an overnight accumulation. It is the improper distribution of fat which is joined to the connective tissues in the body. The connective tissues are those which help n the distribution of fat below the skin surface and sometimes due to accumulation of toxins in the body, uneven distribution takes place leading to cellulite or lumping. You need not be obese to have cellulite, as even models are known to suffer from it!

It has a drastic effect on your self esteem and especially in the summer months you feel embarrassed wearing short skirts and minis. However, it not restricted to women as equal number of men suffer from it. Cellulite accumulates usually on the buttocks, things and hips which makes it unsightly when you need to wear a swimsuit.

Accumulation of toxins is one of the biggest reasons for cellulite formation as built in toxins hinder proper blood circulation. You must be wondering as to what you eat to accumulate so many toxins- well, think about all the preservatives, alcohol consumption, smoking, colors and artificial flavors all contribute to some extent for the toxin built up in the body. Improper drinking of water becomes the last straw.

To completely flush out toxins, one must drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water which goes a long way to eliminate cellulite also as all of these are inter connected. Proper exercise and inclusion of fresh fruits and vegetable also helps. With research and study, many herbal creams and oils are now available which help in smoothening out the skin. The orange peel look is attributed to lumping up of fat cells under the thin layer of the skin. Effective remedies help in breaking the fat cells accumulations while walking, leg squats, leg exercises also help in proper blood circulation. A rejuvenating massage is also a good idea to reduce the cellulite lumps as massage helps to increase blood circulation and breaks muscle, fat lumps in the body.

There are many anti-cellulite creams, essential oils and lotions available which are known to be effective in curing cellulite completely. However, left alone cellulite creams will not be effective unless you exercise and increase blood circulation in the body but it can definitely go away, is a fact.

Vitamin C… Is it Important??

ratih_euy — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:26:08 +0000

Vitamin C is necessary for normal growth and development. Vitamin C is required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is necessary to form collagen, an important protein used to make skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.

Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Vitamin E and beta-carotene are two other well-known antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals, which are by-products that result when our bodies transform food into energy.

The build up of these by-products over time is largely responsible for the aging process and can contribute to the development of various health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and a host of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Antioxidants also help reduce the damage to the body caused by toxic chemicals and pollutants such as cigarette smoke.

The body does not manufacture vitamin C on its own, nor does it store it. It is therefore important to include plenty of vitamin C-containing foods in your daily diet.

There is C vitamin in almost every fruit and vegetable but some have far higher C vitamin content than others. Cranberries and melons have high C vitamin content. In fact, tropical fruits have the highest C vitamin amounts of all fruit. Hot peppers are amongst the richest sources of the c vitamin when it comes to vegetables. The hotter the pepper, the higher its C vitamin content is.

Unfortunately, the C vitamin is water soluble so many vegetables lose their effectiveness as a c vitamin provider if they are boiled for a long time. Steaming or quick stir frying vegetables ensures that more of their C vitamin content is retained. The recommended daily amount of the C vitamin is easily obtained from eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day if they are consumed raw or cooked quickly.

Vitamin C toxicity is very rare, because the body cannot store the vitamin. However, amounts greater than 2,000 mg/day are not recommended because such high doses can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.

Too little vitamin C can lead to signs and symptoms of deficiency, including:

Dry and splitting hair
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
Bleeding gums
Rough, dry, scaly skin
Decreased wound-healing rate
Easy bruising
Nosebleeds
Weakened tooth enamel
Swollen and painful joints
Anemia
Decreased ability to fight infection
Possible weight gain because of slowed metabolism

A severe form of vitamin C deficiency is known as scurvy, which mainly affects older, malnourished adults.

Snoring….

ratih_euy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:00:17 +0000

Snoring is a kind of sleeping disorder. It is a respiratory structured vibration and it results in sound. This condition is caused due to obstructed air movement in breathing process and it happens while sleeping. It is a condition that affects about 20% people throughout the world.

Many adults in which men are most common snores but in many cases problem may increases with the increase of age. Snoring means you stop breathing for periods and those periods can be more then 10 seconds at a time when you sleep. The conditions sometime results in serious problems but the medical treatment can prove helpful if you use them at earlier stage.

What is snoring?

A body has to work hard as compare to other to suck air into the lungs and it can cause the tissue in the back of the throat to vibrate excessively like a wind instrument, whenever this wind instrument makes a sound it results to snoring. A study concludes that 30% of women and 45% of men snores.

Causes

Whenever we breathe, the air flows in and out through nose and mouth and produces sound. When we exercise the air moves more quickly and thus produces more sounds. When we sleep the area that is at the back of throat sometimes narrows and the amount of passing through this can cause the tissues surrounding the opening to vibrate, then it can cause the snoring. Different people who snore may have various reasons for the narrowing of the area at the back of the throat. The narrowing can be in the nose, mouth, or throat.

Important things

A person who is caused by snoring should sleep on its side in spite of sleeping on its back. A diet which is helpful in lose weight should be taken for avoiding snoring. If you elevate your head and torso then it will prove helpful in minimizing snoring. Alcohol, cigarettes, sedatives and antihistamines should be avoided. Practice of Paranayam daily will be helpful in getting rid of snoring as this particular kind of yoga clears your nasal passage and helps you sleep well.

Benefits and Risks of Acupunture

ratih_euy — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:06:41 +0000

Usually, science driven societies are optimistic about the ideas linked to acupuncture and their effectiveness. Even though this ancient practice has become more known in the past ten years, it is still a procedure that is not completely understood. By understanding how the process is done, the possible side effects and the outcome, you can determine if this ancient Chinese medicine practice is right for you.

The experience of getting acupuncture done, despite what many think, is not as painful as it looks. Acupuncture is generally painless when you are going through the process. Usually, the effects will be no more noticeable than a mosquito bite, but this is even considered rare. Most likely, going through the process of acupuncture will either give you more energy or cause you to relax into a state of meditation.

During the procedure, you can expect the acupuncturist to be prepared with several practical things. The needles that are used will generally be of an inch to several inches long. The needles are made out of sterilized silver, stainless steel or copper and are considered safe by the same standards used in any hospital.

In order to ensure that the needles are safe, there are several places that will regulate what is being used. The National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has a specific department that ensures that all needles that are used are sterile and safe. If you want to be certain, you can make sure that the acupuncturist you go to have a CNT, also known as a Clean Needle Technique Certification. This will ensure that there are no problems with the procedure in terms of other health issues.

Of course, there are still other risks that may occur. By standards of other procedures, acupuncture is not as risky. The most serious problem may be a punctured organ. However, these are uncommon with most practices. This is the only major problem that one may run into. Beyond this, the only possibilities for problems may be things such as dizziness, nausea or bruising.

If you are considering acupuncture as an option for any possible reason, you will also want to make sure you know exactly what you are getting into. Overall, acupuncture is considered to be a safe process, as well as helpful in relieving any kind of imbalance or misguided energy. Before walking into this ancient Chinese medicine practice, you will want to make sure that you know the procedure and the possible outcomes.

Power Foods For A Healthy Diet And For Type 2 Diabetics

ratih_euy — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:59:43 +0000

Type 2 diabetics cannot eat like a normal person and have to avoid eating in excess. They have to control their glucose level by eating in moderation or more but smaller meals per day than normal persons. Every meal has to carry as much nutritional value as possible and fortunately there are many natural foods that are loaded with nutrients. These foods are excellent for everyone not just type 2 diabetics. The foods help you maintain or lower your weight, they fight disease and help you live longer.

These are some of those super foods:
Beans
Blueberries
Broccoli
Carrots
Chilis
Oats
Oranges
Pumpkin
Salmon
Shitake mushrooms
Soy
Spinach
Tea (green or black)
Tomatoes
Turkey
Walnuts
Yogurt

Blueberries: Have antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, and these berries are also high in potassium and vitamin C. These berries can lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory. As rule darker berries have greater anti-oxidants and it does not matter if the berries are fresh or frozen.

Salmon: Salmon and other fish are rich in Omega 3 which is excellent for maintaining a healthy heart, joints, and memory. It helps lower the risk of heart disease, it helps arthritis, and may may help with memory loss and Alzheimers. Preferred fish are wild salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel. Two or three servings per week are required to have a meaningful effect on your health. Other foods that contain omega-3 are fortified eggs, flax seed, and walnuts.

Soy: Helps lower cholesterol. High cholesterol is often found in person with type 2 diabetes and a diet should therefore include foods that help reduce cholesterol. Studies have show that a diet rich in soy fiber, proteing from oats and barley, almonds, and margarine from plant sterols lowed cholesterol as much as the most widely prescribed cholesterol medicine. Include tofu, soy milk, or edamame as a part of your regular diet to help reduce your cholesterol levels.

Fiber: Also helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and also aids in weight loss. A diet high in fiber will help maintain your cholesterol and glucose at healthy levels. Most natural foods are great sources of fiber, such as whole grains, beans, fruit, and vegetables. Beans should be fresh, frozen or dried. Canned beans have higher levels of sodium.

Tea: Green and black tea have properties that help lower cholesterol and inhibit cancer. Studies have show that men that drink green tea regularly had lower cholesterol levels that those that did not and similar studies showed that green tea was effective in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Green tea is an excellent substitute for soda.

Dark Chocolate: has antioxidants and properties that help lower blood pressure. High blood pressure is likewise found in type 2 diabetics. Dark chocolate should have a 60% or higher cocoa content. Darker chocolate has lower sugar levels and if you are a diabetic that is going to cheat, this is what you should consume.

Carrots: Contains beta carotene which helps reduce stroke risk by half for men who already have symptoms of heart disease

Chili Peppers: The heat source in chilis, capsaicin, which is an antioxidant that contains properties that thins blood to help prevent strokes, it also lowers cholesterol, protects DNA against carcinogens.

Spinach: Contains vitamins A and C, folic acid and magnesium which help control cancer, reduces heart disease and stroke risk, blocks free radicals and may help prevent osteoporosis.

Shitake mushrooms: Contain beta-glucan, which stimulates immune system and contains properties that help prevent cancer

Tomatoes: Contain lycopenes which stimulates immune function and may slow degenerative diseases.

The Healthy Way to Gain Weight

ratih_euy — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:10:32 +0000

Many people are getting into weight gain because they believe that this is one of the fastest ways to have a fit and sexy body once they exercise regularly. However, there are instances that people cannot wait so they resort to various means of gaining weight without realizing that it can be unhealthy for them. If you are one of those who can’t wait to gain weight, here are some healthy weight tips for you:

1. Add up on calories. Since calories are the building blocks of muscles and the primary course of a person’s energy, people who are looking forward to gain weight should increase their calorie intake. Studies show that people who want fast weight gain should add up 1,000 or more extra calories but this cannot be health for everyone especially to those who are used to eating a little or to those who have been into dieting.
For starters, adding up 500 extra calories would do you good and it can be increased when proper adjustments have already been done.

(REMINDER: Always read the nutrition facts label of food to see its calorie content per serving. This information guide can be seen at the top section of the packaged food)

2. Load up on snacks all throughout the day. Eating snacks especially those that are high in calories, carbohydrates, and protein often during the day can help you gain weight the healthy way because this prepares your body for a larger amount of food during full course meals.

3. Always opt for foods that have higher calorie content. As mentioned, calories help people double up their body mass. If you are really into gaining weight the fast and healthy way, always choose the foods that have the highest calorie content more often.

4. Increase your food intake. Experts say that people who are looking forward to gain weight the safe and healthy way should try eating larger portions of foods during meal time. For those who are little eaters,it is best not to force yourself to eat large portions because you might vomit or be full in an instant. What you can do is to eat smaller meals but double up your eating schedule and eat foods that have the highest content of calories.

5. Don’t eat foods with saturated fats. Calories contain fats but it doesn’t mean that you should consume all the foods that have calorie content even if they have saturated fats. Studies show that saturated fats can make a person more prone to increased cholesterol condition and other illnesses and conditions relate to saturated fats.

REMINDER - Always choose foods that don’t only have high calorie content but nutritious and healthy as well. Always opt for fruits, vegetables, meats, and other poultry products. Avoid consuming dairy and other whole-milk products, skin or chicken, sausage and bacon, butter, sour cream, and meats with high-fat as well as majority of the snack foods available in major supermarkets and groceries nationwide.

Always stay healthy. These healthy weight gain tips do not promise the same result to everyone since people have their innate genetic build up. What they should do is to visit their physicians first and ask for a thorough examination to ensure that they are fit enough to gain some weight. If they are fit, the physician will also guide the person on the kinds of foods that he or she should eat to ensure one’s health.

Real Men Skin Care Products: For Rough & Tough Skin

ratih_euy — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:58:09 +0000

For men skin care products used to be something that was never discussed. But all that is quickly changing as men desire to keep the getting old look at bay. As guys, we have as much interest in maintaining a healthy and youthful complexion as any woman and as a result, the skin care industry has made a range of products targeted for men only. With select skincare products, natural skin care for men can include a range of plant-based ingredients combined to provide thorough and long lasting treatment. And since men’s skin tends to be rougher and more prone to redness, certain skincare products designed for men should contain specific ingredients which focus on smoothing even the toughest skin and reducing inflammation.

While both men and women can benefit from the inclusion of vitamin E and other natural antioxidants as well as shea butter and grapeseed oil for moisturizing and healing, it is not sufficient for men to simply use the same products as women. For men skin care products must also target sun damage, irritation caused by shaving, and redness. In order to do this, you’ll want to look for products which contain some special ingredients not found in most women’s skin treatments. Capuaco butter, derived from the fruit of a South American tree, is rich in essential fatty acids to nourish the skin. Natural skin care for men must include treatment for redness and burning caused by the sun and shaving and almost nothing soothes and heals like capuaco butter.

Also effective in treating inflammation are vitamin B5 and witch hazel. Vitamin B5 enhances the natural tanning process while protecting against sunburn and providing natural moisturizing. The most effective men skin care products are not complete without witch hazel, an antioxidant and astringent which has been used for years to repair damage caused by shaving. Its ability to reduce inflammation and redness makes it particularly effective when it comes to addressing the specific needs of men’s skin. Natural skin care for men should also involve preventing damage, which means avoiding synthetic fragrances and parabens which contain harsh chemicals. Products which draw their fragrance from natural sources and do not include artificial preservatives will be much safer and healthier.

In order to choose the right skin care product, you should carefully check the list of ingredients and read through the manufacturer’s information. Also look for a product line that offers a full money back guarantee…there are a few.

As is true for women, men skin care products can have varying effects depending on ingredients of the product. If smooth, youthful looking skin is your ultimate goal, do the research and find an all-natural product with the ingredients mentioned. Looking better and feeling better is not just for her…don’t hesitate to dab a little product and put your best face forward!

Anti Aging Treatment to Get a More Beautiful Skin

ratih_euy — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:06:32 +0000

To get a beautiful skin and avoid the early signs of aging, there are plenty of anti aging skin care products available for you. You can also look up tips and guides on how to make your skin firmer and healthier. On the other hand, there are treatments for anti aging, which are easy to follow. These treatments will not take up much of your time. The best skin care treatment does not necessarily involve expensive products. You do not have to buy costly products, in order for you to prevent wrinkles from appearing around your eyes and your mouth. Anti aging tips include simple reminders such as drinking water constantly. As simple as this step, you will be able to keep your skin healthy.

Avoid tap water since this contains chemicals that are harmful to your body and to your skin. The sad fact is that there are several individuals that do not consume enough amounts of fluids that are needed by the body.

This can lead to dehydration and premature aging. Aside from anti aging skin care products, water is a great way to keep your skin looking radiant. To make your skin healthy and supple, you have to consume at least eight glasses of water everyday. This anti aging guide is better than any kind of skin care product.

If you need to go out, when the sun is really hot, you have to keep yourself protected. You should wear a hat to keep your face away from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen lotion and cream are anti aging skin care products that keep UV rays from penetrating into the inner layers of your skin. However, you have to remember that there are some products for anti aging that are harsh for your skin. One of the best ways to know if the product is good for you or not would be to check its ingredients. You should be aware of products that contain petroleum and alcohol-based ingredients.

Organic leafy greens are great for maintaining the health of your skin. Green and leafy vegetables are comprised of antioxidants that prevent free radicals from damaging your systems. Free radicals are capable of destroying your cells. Once your cells are damaged, this can cause early symptoms of aging like wrinkles.

Face creams, hand and body lotions, and moisturizers are among the most effective anti aging skin care products. They support your body’s production of elastin and collagen, which help in making your skin appear younger. What is more, these products even out dark spots on your skin and face, and they eliminate wrinkles and fine lines.