January 25th, 2009 by Aaks
Water for good health is an idea that goes back centuries. It is an old belief that an average person should drink at least ‘8 glasses of water’ a day.
A lot of people believe that drinking water throughout the day can cure many diseases. But the ‘8 glasses of water’ per day is just a rule of thumb, not an absolute standard.
Some people force themselves to drink water throughout the day and facing some small problems as well.
According to some kidney experts of the Pennsylvania University, drinking increased amount of water throughout the day is not beneficial for health. Moreover, they said (Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, April 2008), “since water is cleared from the gastrointestinal tract very quickly, it is likely that people who try to diet by not changing their food consumption and just drinking water, will be hungry between meals”.
There has yet to be a study that compares two groups of people and weight loss through water consumption.
In general, to remain healthy one need to drink enough water to replace the amount we lose daily through excretion, perspiration and other body functions. But that amount can vary from person to person. Different things are important like surrounding weather, physical condition and one’s activity level.
In fact, total water intake includes water in other beverages, and the water in food. But how do we know whether we are drinking enough water or not? Some experts say, “If you are not thirsty, your fluid intake is probably ok.” That is why marathon runners and bikers all need to recognise the signs of dehydration.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that athletes drink 16 ounces of fluids a couple of hours before starting sports practice. And certainly people in hot or in dry climates have increased need for water. They need to understand the importance of dehydration.
A German physician, Wilhelm Hufeland (1764-1836), who practiced natural medicine and vitalism, was one of the early promoters of ‘8-10 glasses of water’ a day. He and some other practitioners encouraged their followers to drink lots of water for curative properties and to flush out toxins and impurities. He wrote, “fresh spring or mineral water, was the best drink and an excellent means of prolonging life.” He also added, “Many special curative properties were attributed to fresh, cold water - which was a fortifier of the stomach and nerves.”
Drinking 8 glasses water was rarely questioned until Dr. Valtin’s important investigation in 2002. He tries to find any scientific justification for drinking so much water. Dr. Valtin conducted a 10-month review of the scientific literature and historic documents and interviewed many medical experts. He also tried to uncover a definitive science-based origin for the above conventional recommendation.
Than again, it does not mean that we do not need to drink water. Water is important to maintain a healthy body.
Our body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water. Water transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects our joints and organs. Blood is mostly water, and our muscles, lungs and brain also contain a lot of water. Our body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all our organs.
Anyhow, these views about water have certainly helped the plastic bottled water industries. But remember, bottled water available in our local markets is mostly purified waters. They are not mineral waters. And clearly, we need better sources of information about this bottled water as well.
Posted in Health Care | Comments Off
January 21st, 2009 by Aaks
Many women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) are often oral contraceptives, their cycle and their hormones. This does not treat the underlying cause of PCOS and when the oral contraceptives are not the symptoms of PCOS is discontinued again.
contraceptives may also have adverse effects on the treatment of PCOS. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Endocrine Regulations, oral contraceptives May actually make you gain weight. (1)
In the study in 19 non-obese women with PCOS who were assessed before and after taking Diane 35, an oral contraceptive, which in many countries. Diane 35 is a combination pill containing ethinylestradiol and cyproteroneacetate.
After the women had the pill for 7 months, the researchers found a significant weight gain and elevated cholesterol. The weight gain in these women negates the benefits of the use of birth control pills to reduce the elevated testosterone levels in PCOS patients.
This is an interesting result, since many women with PCOS have problems with weight gain and elevated cholesterol. These symptoms can be triggered by a series of measures are often used to treat PCOS. However, PCOS is not the exclusive domain of women who are overweight or obese. Up to 50% of PCOS patients may be of normal weight or lean.
Therefore, women should be aware of the benefits and risks before deciding to go on oral contraceptives for PCOS. It is important that pro-active about your health and learn as much as possible about the treatments that you will be required.
(1) Vrbikova J, K Dvorakova, M Hill, L. Starka, weight change, and androgen levels during contraceptive treatment of women, the polycystic ovary. Endocr Regul. 2006 Dec; 40 (4) :119-23. PMID: 17201585
Dr. Shackelton is a founding partner of Insulite Laboratories. She directs research and development of the formulas comprising the four Insulite Systems and those in development. Her study of the biochemical and physiological reasons for weight gain led to her focus on Insulin Resistance ? the abnormal response of insulin to glucose - and its growing number of related conditions. http://www.pcos.insulitelabs.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Shackelton,_MPH_ND
Posted in Contraceptives Birth Control | Comments Off
January 15th, 2009 by Aaks
How would you describe your use of combined hormonal contraceptives - you are the perfect "student", it just as you were instructed by your doctor or do you regularly on the emergency contraception (Plan B or the "morning-after pill") for "damage limitation" If you do not participate in the "top class" for their contraceptive behavior, you can also play, swings and roundabouts with your emotions. The result of a study of 26,250 women aged 18 to 49 has just been published and confirmed that is not currently using your contraceptive regime may have a negative effect on your health, your education, your job and your relationship with your partner.
The study was conducted over a period of three months in Spain, where the women a questionnaire to ambulances Departments of gynecology and family planning centers of public and private institutions throughout the country in 2006. The lead investigator of the study, Dr. Inaki lete, Hospital Santiago Apostol, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, assorted information on attitudes and the psychological impact of use of imperfect hormonal contraceptives by women, the three different hormonal contraceptive methods, the combined pill (65%) of the skin patch (12%) and NuvaRing (R) (23%) (etonogestrel /ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring). non-compliant behavior (inconsistent use of hormonal contraceptives) was defined as missing or delays in taking /application /insertion or removal of the pill, patch or ring. Dr. Lete is confidant that the results from the study of health professionals is to "strengthen the role of women, to ensure compliance with the prescribed contraceptive approach. "
The study found that:
- 71% of pill users, 32% of patch users and 21.6% of ring users reported that they are not their hormonal contraceptives properly. The emotional burden of women suffer when they are "in default" was a "concern" and fear '
- between 58.3% and 68.8% were "worried" and between 16.4% and 22.6% were "scared" when they are "in arrears" in the application
- 10 -20% of women reported that incomplete use of their current contraceptive negatively on their work and their relationships with their partners, and about 3% had days of work or to school
- 40% of the pill and patch users had the additional burden (and additional cost) to carry out a pregnancy test at home compared with 29% of respondents with the vaginal ring
- in all groups about 40% of the women called or visited a doctor, there are other costs of their contraceptive prescription
- 14% of pill users, 11% of patch users and 6.3% of user queries ring emergency contraception additional cost to the stress and inconvenience, not to mention the increased side effects
The study also showed that although most women and their imperfect contraceptives was "worried" or "anxiety" at times, they will continue with the same method. If you have difficulty on a consistent application of the regime with your type of contraceptives, and you still have an active sex life, it may be time to consider switching to another method of birth or with an additional method - even if only to reduce your anxiety level.
Not with the combined hormonal contraceptives properly not only increases the risk of pregnancy, but can you "pregnancy scare" attacks. Who to consumers the extra cash for pregnancy test kits, doctor visits and emergency contraception (Plan B), if a bit more vigilance and additional protection would be a few dollars more for sexy lingerie that he likes and send you to the top of a much more fun class!
http://www.earthtimes.org
Carole Pemberton brings you up to date with the latest information on contraceptives to empower you to enjoy your sexuality while successfully managing your birth control.
For A FREE E-BOOK, lighthearted videos, useful guides and a 'no nonsense' website that tells it like it is, visit: http://www.contraceptivereviewer.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carole_Pemberton
Posted in Contraceptives Birth Control | Comments Off
