Health and Fitness

Dr. Oz unveils detox diet to revitalize metabolism: Lose 10 pounds in 10 days

Posted by menyok on in Health and Fitness

Can you give your metabolism a makeover that boosts fat-burning and weight loss? Yes, says Dr Mehmet Oz. On his Feb. 24 talk show, Dr. Oz unveiled a new detox diet that helps you shed up to 10 pounds and prevent disease in just 10 days.

Dr. Oz explained that his detox diet is based on the research and weight loss program designed by his guest expert, Dr. Mark Hyman, author of “The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet: Activate Your Body’s Natural Ability to Burn Fat and Lose Weight Fast” (click for details).

Dr. Hyman says that benefits of the 10-day detox plan include:

  • Lose up to 10 pounds
  • Reverse chronic health problems such as joint point and type 2 diabetes
  • Alleviate brain fog and allergies
  • Prevent conditions such as acne and headaches
  • Help autoimmune disease

However, he told Dr. Oz that to succeed with both weight loss and prevention of disease, you will need to eliminate the following foods from your meals and snacks during the 10-day period:

  • Processed foods unless it is a canned whole food such as sardines or artichokes with only a few real ingredients such as water or salt
  • Any food or drink that contains added sugar (including honey, molasses, agave, maple syrup, organic cane juice or artificial sweeteners), especially any sugar-sweetened beverages or fruit juices
  • Anything that contains hydrogenated oils and refined vegetable oils (like corn or soybean oil)
  • Any foods with artificial sweeteners, preservatives, additives, coloring, or dyes
  • Anything sugar or flour based (cookies, cakes, candies, etc.)
  • Grains (rice, oats, quinoa) and all foods made from flours (crackers, pasta, bread, pretzels, etc.)
  • Starches (sweet potato, potato, squash, parsnip, beets, etc.)
  • Beans and legumes (chickpeas, lentils, peanuts, kidney beans, etc.)
  • Dairy (yogurt, sour cream, cheese, milk, etc.)
  • Coffee and anything caffeinated (tea, soft drinks, lattes, etc.)
  • Alcohol (wine, beer, spirits, etc.)

What Do Flea & Tick Bites Look Like?

Posted by menyok on in Health, Health and Beauty, Health and Fitness, Health and Medicines

Under normal circumstances flea and tick bites are more bothersome than troublesome; the majority of victims (both human and pet) exhibit only minor discomfort with no lasting effects. But for those with allergies or who have come into contact with a tick that is carrying a disease, the consequences of even one bite can be far more complicated. Knowing what to look for will help you know when a bite is treatable at home and when it’s time to consult a physician.

Flea Bites

Flea bites first appear about a half hour after the actual bite and typically on, though not limited to, the feet and ankles. The bite will present as a small raised bump with a single bite mark in the center. Bites on people or animals with sensitivity to fleas might exhibit a red bump surrounded by a reddened halo. Because a single flea is capable of biting up to 400 times, the bites will usually occur as a few bites close together or in clusters.

Signs of Trouble from a Flea Bite

Some dogs develop flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), which will result in excessive itching and scratching that can lead to open sores and hair loss. Secondary infections from severe scratching can also occur. In people who are sensitive to insect bites, flea bites can swell into painful red mounds that can become infected or in the case of hives, a rash of raised red bumps. Consult a physician if the itching and swelling is not relieved by applying ice packs, by taking an antihistamine or if other symptoms including fever follow the bite.

Tick Bites

The bite of a tick is painless and because they are small enough to be hidden by fur, are often not noticed until the tick itself has swelled with blood. Once the tick has been removed, a red mark where the mouth parts pierced the skin may be the only indication of the bite.

Reasons to Call a Doctor after a Tick Bite

A doctor should be consulted if a rash consisting of raised red bumps appears at the site of the bite or if a severe headache or fever occurs two to 14 days following the bite. If the bite is infected, which might occur if the entire tick is not removed, it could show red streak marks originating from the bite area and possibly produce a yellowish drainage. A red ring that resembles a bull’s-eye surrounding the bite may indicate Lyme disease and could appear three to 30 days after the bite.

Prevention

Discovering even one flea bite on your ankle or a tick on your dog, could mean there are hundreds more fleas and ticks in the vicinity, a problem that can only be truly solved by treating your house and yard with a pesticide specifically designed to eliminate the pests. Staying vigilant against a re-infestation can greatly reduce the chance for any future health problems for you and your pets.

How to Wear Braces as an Adult

Posted by menyok on in Health, Health and Beauty, Health and Fitness, Health and Medicines

You were one of the lucky ones who got through adolescence without the humiliation of wearing braces. Twenty years later, though, as your orthodontist glues those little pieces of metal to your teeth, you are about to find out what it’s like to wear braces as an adult. However, with some minor lifestyle adjustments, you can survive wearing braces as an adult.

Instructions

  1. Invest in oral-hygiene tools. Wearing braces as an adult draws your attention to your oral hygiene. You will quickly discover how hard it is to clean your teeth and gums when you have a mouth full of wires. A water pick, a device that uses a small, high-pressure stream of water to remove debris from small spaces in your mouth, can be a lifesaver. Ask your orthodontist which one he recommends. Also invest in a selection of different sized toothbrushes and a fluoride rinse. When your teeth feel clean, you will be less self-conscious.
  2. Drink plenty of water. Drinking water washes food particles out of your mouth, dilutes sticky or acidic substances and keeps your mouth lubricated. Moist tissue slides better across braces and won’t get caught on rough edges and tear. Also, drinking water helps maintain fresh breath, making you less self-conscious.
  3. Abstain from sticky foods. Give up trying to chew gum or eat candy while you have braces. Also, pass on food with small particles, like popcorn. These foods will get stuck in your braces and increase your anxiety of being seen with food stuck on your teeth. Your orthodontist should provide you with a list of foods to avoid.
  4. Learn snappy come-backs. Be prepared for strange comments about your appearance with braces from friends and strangers. Kids usually just get “railroad tracks.” Because the braces make you look like a teenager, adults get interesting descriptions of people’s preferences for younger partners.
  5. Smile. Know that as an adult, your self-esteem goes deeper than your appearance. Allow your personality to shine through the braces because that’s what most people really like about you. Remember, it’s only a temporary condition, anyway. The braces will come off and your teeth will be straighter than they’ve ever been.