Showing posts with label blood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blood. Show all posts

Thursday, 4 May 2017

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT FAST AND EASY WITH THE JAPANESE MORNING BANANA DIET




Did you know that you can lose up to 10 pounds within one week without engaging in the usual strenuous exercises or changing your dietary habits?

According to Hitoshi Watanabe, a Japanese, all you have to do is eat bananas and drink warm water every morning.
You can eat anything else for lunch and dinner.
Should you feel hungry between the meals, you can eat some fruits.
During this diet program, you should avoid intake of alcohol and milk.
You should also not eat anything after 8 pm; your dinner should be earlier than 8 pm.
You need to be in bed by midnight, as sleeping late is associated with obesity.
What makes the morning banana diet so unique?
§  It is super-healthy
§  Bananas have a high fibre and potassium content, and they boost energy
§  Bananas are cost effective
§  With regular breakfast, your metabolism will be enhanced, keeping you from overeating in the course of the day
§  Without coffee in the morning, you can quickly control blood glucose as well as your appetite
§  Warm water boosts metabolism
§  This morning diet helps reduce alcohol intake
§  If you avoid eating after 8 pm, you’ll be able to minimise late night craving and keep your weight in check
§  Banana diet is also effective in eliminating cellulite

                                                                                                                                                 source: BannanaJapanDiet





Monday, 24 April 2017

WHAT THE URINE COLOR STATES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH



Did you know that your urine tells a lot about you?
The smell, consistency, and colour of your urine can be used to determine your way of life as well as the state of your health. At least 95% of urine is water, whereas the rest is a concoction of components that include chloride, urea, potassium, sodium, creatinine, among other dissolved ions.
Urine is commonly yellow in colour, and this is attributed to the existence of urobilin, which is a biochemical waste product formed from the breakdown of old red blood cells.
You will find the following urine colour chart quite helpful:


1. Transparent.
Appears like: Water.
This is an indication of over-hydration, which can water down vital salts, such as electrolytes, thereby creating a troublesome chemical imbalance in your blood.


2. Light yellow urine colour.
Appear like: Pale straw colour.
This is an indication a well-hydrated body. Keep up the excellent work!


3. Cloudy.
Appears like: An unclean martini.
A urine colour with a dirty martini seek to it could be a manifestation of a bladder infection. The cloudiness is occasioned by mucus, proteins, and tissues that are breaking down and coalescing.


4. Medium yellow urine colour.
Appears like: Lemonade.
You should drink some water as you might be dehydrated.


5. Dark yellow.
Appears like: Apple juice.
You seriously need to drink something. It may also be caused by heavy intake of  B vitamins.


6. Orange.
Appears like: Tang.
You are certainly dehydrated and you need water. According to Jill Buckley, M.D., orange-hued urine colour might also indicate the presence of bilirubin, which is a yellow-colored by-product of the natural breakdown of old red blood cells.


7. Pink.
Appears like: White Zinfandel.
This could be blood or you might have eaten plenty of beets. According to Sur, just a drop of blood in urine turns it pink, and you should see a urologist in this case. It could be due to an infection or an early indication of bladder cancer.


8. Darker pink.
Appears like: Cabernet.
This could be an indication of a significant amount of blood in your urine, and it might be a sign of a potential bladder infection or cancer. Also, kidney stones can trigger blood in the urine.


9. Dark pink.
Appears like: Red wine.
This is a great deal of blood, especially old blood that turns dark as it embolisms and breaks down.  According to Sur,

“The existence of old blood is really worrisome because it suggests a substantial amount of blood”

Likewise, it could mean that whatever is causing the bleeding has actually existed for a while. Sur says that if there is a great deal of (possibly old) blood,

“I want to put a scope inside. As far as I’m worried, it’s cancer up until tested otherwise.”



10. Brown.
Appears like: Coke.
This can be attributed to certain drugs, such as an antibiotic called metronidazole and the anti-malarial chloroquine. Bingeing on fava beans or rhubarb can also offer urine color of a cola-like color. That flat Coke appearance can  also be triggered by some kidney and liver disorders, or from excessively intense exercise. 

The muscles utilize myoglobin to catch oxygen for energy. Hence, exaggerated exercise can  trigger substantial muscle damage, making the myoglobin to seep out into your blood stream and through to your urine. This causes the urine to turn dark brown. In such situation, you need to visit a physician for a myoglobin urine test; excess myoglobin in the blood can overwhelm the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.


11. Blue/Green.
Appear like: A Jell-O shot.
Excessive consumption of foods tainted with synthetic dyes can paint your urine in carnival colours. 

It could also be the case of negative effects of medication like Uribe, which is used in the treatment of UTIs. The effect is attributed to the component methylene blue. It is harmless, nonetheless. 

Just continue taking your medication with plenty of water without worries.

Check out this graphic for more information:


 Comment, or share with a friend you do care!



                                                                                                                                                                     source: UrineColour





Monday, 6 March 2017





10 Nail Symptoms and What They Mean for Your Health


Did you know that the color, texture, and shape of the nails are all a window into the body? Although some nail symptoms are innocuous, others may be a sign of chronic disease, even cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology,
“Nails often reflect our general state of health. Changes in the nail, such as discoloration or thickening, can signal health problems including liver and kidney diseases, heart and lung conditions, anemia, and diabetes.”

Even the growth of your nails may be a sign of your underlying health. Healthy nails grow up to 3.5 millimeters on a monthly basis, but factors like medications, trauma, nutritional status, and aging process have a huge effect on their growth.

In case you notice any changes in your nails, such as changes in shape and thickness, discoloration, or swelling, consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. Although the change may be harmless, sometimes something as serious as diabetes could be the cause.


10 Nail Symptoms and What They Mean for Your Health
1. Yellow Nails
There are many reasons why your nails may yellow, such as aging, smoking, and use of nail polish and acrylic nails. If they are yellow, crumbly, and thick, it is very likely that a fungal infection is an underlying cause. Although rarely, conditions like thyroid disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and psoriasis could also be to blame.

2. Dry, Cracked or Brittle Nails
Lifestyle factors play a significant role in this case, such as if you are exposed to chemicals, live in an area with low humidity, have your hands in water very often,  or use nails polish remover on a regular basis.
Fungal infection and thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, may also be the causes of cracking and splitting.  Brittle nails may result from a deficiency in biotin or vitamins A and C.

3. Clubbing
Clubbing is described as an enlargement of the fingertips, accompanied with the nail becoming curved downward.  It can be related to low oxygen in the blood and lung disease as well as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and AIDS.
Spoon nails.

4. White Spots
White spots on the nails are typically signed of nail trauma.  They are usually not a big deal and tend to fade away or grow out in a while on their own.  In some instances, they may indicate a fungal infection.

5. Horizontal Ridges
According to John Anthony, M.D., a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio “This is typically the result of direct trauma to the nail or a more serious illness, in which case you’ll see it on more than one nail at a time … Your body is literally saying, ‘I’ve got better things to do than making nails’ and pauses their growth.”

Also known as Beau`s lines, horizontal ridges may also be the result of uncontrolled diabetes, zinc deficiency, circulatory disease, or psoriasis.  On the other hand, another type of horizontal line called Mees` lines may be due to malaria, leprosy, carbon monoxide poisoning, arsenic poisoning, and Hodgkin`s disease.

6. Vertical Ridges
Vertical seams are most common in older individuals, as they are a sign of aging and are not a cause for concern. In some cases, vertical ridges may be a sign of nutrient deficiency as a deficiency in magnesium and vitamin B12.

7. Spoon Nails
If the nails curve upward at the edges, resembling a spoon, it is very likely that you are deficient in iron or suffer from heart disease or hypothyroidism.

8. Pitting
Having multiple pits on the nails is typically a sign of psoriasis. “Typically, pitting occurs in around half of the people with psoriasis and 80 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis,” Chen says. Nail pitting may also be caused by connective tissue disorders or alopecia areata, the disease that causes hair loss.

9. Dark Discolorations
If you notice black streaks and painful growth on the nail, consult a doctor right away as they may be due to melanoma.

10. White Nails with a Strip of Pink
If your nails are white with a strip of pink, it may indicate congestive heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, or liver disease.

Simple Nail Care Tips

Eat a balanced, whole-food diet ( high in protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals)

Protect the nails from excessive exposure to water or chemicals

Minimize the use of nail polish and artificial nails

Keep the nails trimmed relatively short

Rub some coconut oil onto the nails on a regular basis to keep them moisturized





source:nail tips


Saturday, 26 November 2016

How Many Eggs a Week are Good For Your Heart Health?


Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. It is fine to have them regularly as a part of our healthy diet. Eggs contain essential vitamins and minerals, good quality protein and are a source of unsaturated fats including omega-3 fats. However, eggs have gotten a bad reputation because the yolks are high in cholesterol. In fact, a single egg contains 186 mg of cholesterol, which is 62% of the recommended daily intake.




Eggs and Blood Cholesterol

The egg scare started in the 50s and 60s of the last century during a promotional campaign against cholesterol. It induced the belief that cholesterol in eggs would raise blood cholesterol and contribute to heart disease.
Patients and doctors still hold to the idea that eggs are unhealthy because of their high cholesterol content, although many studies have shown that the amount of cholesterol in eggs has a frail influence on our cholesterol blood levels. Cholesterol levels are much more affected by the saturated and trans fats we eat.
A study in the British Medical Journal reports that seven eggs a week, combined with a low-fat, high-complex carbohydrate and high-fiber diet does not raise cholesterol levels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announces that eggs are significantly lower in cholesterol than previously thought. Also, they are quite a bit higher in vitamin D.
What has been overlooked till now is the fact that eggs are also one of the richest sources of choline, a component of lecithin, which many people have eliminated or reduced in their diet. Choline dissolves fats and cholesterol. It keeps the cholesterol in the egg moving through the bloodstream and does not allow it to stack up on arterial walls.
Lecithin breaks fats into small droplets, and this way improves digestion. It also keeps cholesterol soluble, which supports its movement through the bloodstream and prevents blockages or clots.

How Your Body Regulates Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol has seen as a negative term. When we hear it, we start thinking of medication and heart attacks. The truth is that cholesterol is an essential part of the body. It is an organic molecule, which is an important part of every single cell membrane. It is also used to produce steroid hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol.
The body has evolved elegant ways to ensure that we always have enough cholesterol available. If cholesterol is excluded from the diet, the liver produces it. But when we eat foods rich in good cholesterol, such as eggs, the liver starts producing less. So the total amount of cholesterol in the body does not change a lot.


How Many Eggs to Eat

Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week. This quantity could be consumed without any worries for an increase in their risk of heart disease. Some studies have even shown that this level of egg consumption may prevent some types of heart strokes.
But the situation is different for people who have diabetes.Eating seven eggs a week significantly increases their risk of heart disease. As mentioned above, one medium sized egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol, all of which is in the yolk.
When you decide how many eggs to include in your diet, consider the recommended daily limits on cholesterol in your food:
  • If you are healthy, consume up to 300 mg of cholesterol a day.
  • If you have diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease, limit your daily cholesterol intake to no more than 200 mg a day.
If you like eggs but do not want excess cholesterol, use only the egg whites. They contain no cholesterol.
Eggs are recommended as a nutritious food and can be considering as a balanced diet of a healthy eating pattern that includes the consumption of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Low-fat dairy products, poultry (without skin), all types of fish, legumes, vegetable oils and nuts, and limits the intake of sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red meats.

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Sunday, 20 November 2016

Body Odor As An Indication To Sickness

Body Odor And Health















Do you know that the scent emitted by a person may be one of the first important clues leading to an early diagnosis? For centuries, body odor of humans has been used as a diagnostic tool in the medicine practice. Ancient Greek and Chinese civilizations used body scent to detect infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.

Body smell emanates not only from the skin but also the breath, blood, urine and other body fluids. It can reveal a lot about a person’s health and can be used to identify sickness to a certain extent. According to a Swedish research study by Karolinska Institutet, humans can smell sickness in somebody whose immune system is very active. This ability occurred within just a few hours of exposure to a bacterial endotoxin. “However, in this current study, we have studied the ability of humans to detect disease by smell”, Says Professor Mats J. Olsson, who led the study. “Being able to detect these smells would represent a critical adaptation that would allow us to avoid potentially dangerous illnesses. The question we asked ourselves in this study was whether such an adaptation might exist already at an early stage of the disease, thereby reflecting a biomarker for illness”.

Illnesses and Their Unique Smell

The Research of Professor Olsson and his team suggests that certain illnesses have their characteristic odors.
  • Schizophrenia and several rare inborn metabolism errors, caused by enzyme deficiencies, are revealed by a distinctive body odor.
  • Scrofula, an infection of the lymph nodes, smells like stale beer.
  • Yellow fever can cause a smell of raw meat.
  • An overactive thyroid gland can also cause stinky body odor.
  • Dysfunction in the kidneys and liver can cause a bleach-like smell.
  • Skin conditions such as vagabond’s disease, infected eczema, herpes labialis, and herpes zoster are linked with an unpleasant smell.
  • Syphilis can produce a strong fishy smell.
  • Diabetes emits a fruity aroma similar to that of decomposing apples. This is usually associated with the smell of ketones on the patient’s breath. The sweat also has a specific odor.
  • People with typhoid are reported to emit a smell comparable to that of freshly baked bread.
  • Gingivitis, tonsillitis, and Vincent’s angina can produce a rotten breath smell.
  • People with diphtheria emit a sweetish odor.
  • People suffering from uremia have a urine-like odor in their breath. It is called uremic fetor and is generated by the production of ammonia in the saliva.
  • Osteomyelitis provokes a fetid odor.
  • Diseases of the respiratory tract such as bronchiectasis, lung abscesses, and ozena are also associated with unpleasant smells.

How does Sickness Provoke Body Smell?

Diseases trigger chemical modifications in the body, accompanied by the production of different metabolic compounds. These changes in body chemistry result in various body odors. In the Swedish study, the link between smell and immune activation was to a certain extent associated with the increased level of cytokines. That means, the greater a participant’s immune response is, the more unpleasant odor he or she has. The results of this study strongly support the belief that ill people emit a chemical signal as a part of the sickness response. This body cue can be perceived by others.

When should you visit the doctor about body odor?

Some medical conditions may change how much a person sweats, while others can alter how we sweat, subsequently changing the way we smell. For example, hyperthyroidism (an over-active thyroid gland) can make people sweat much more, while liver and kidney diseases or diabetes can change the consistency of sweat so that the ill person smells differently. You should visit your doctor if:
  • You start sweating at night without any logical reason;
  • You sweat much more than you normally do;
  • You get cold sweats;
  • Sweating disturbs your daily routine;
  • Your body smells differently.
Body odor may in some cases be simply physiological. It can be associated with poor personal hygiene or strongly smelling foods such as garlic. However, there are proofs that, in some instances, bad body scent can be pathological and connected to a disease. The ability to detect body smells would help us avoid potentially dangerous illnesses. Ongoing research on smell diagnoses, electronic noses and “super smellers” like trained dogs is an enormous step in the right direction.