Healthy Eating Should Include A Low Sodium Diet To Help Lower Blood Pressure

Close to three-quarters of adult Americans are overweight and over a third are obese. One in every three adult Americans has high blood pressure, putting them at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke. There are countless diet plans, exercise regimes, and miracle drugs available promising to help you lower blood pressure and weight. But, even exercise and medications can be undermined by poor eating habits. What it really comes down to is healthy eating and a low sodium diet.

Healthy eating begins with learning about proper nutrition, which will help you feel better physically and emotionally, have more energy, and just be healthier overall. Once you learn some basics, you can maintain a healthy diet while still enjoying the food you eat. There are many tools available to count calories or to give you an idea of how much to eat of what foods. But they don't necessarily help you to understand the concepts of basic nutrition.

Here are 4 easy tips for healthy eating and a low sodium diet:

1. Remember the rainbow

Fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet. They have essential enzymes, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants you just can't get from supplement pills. And what's great is that they're color coded.

Just about all fruits and vegetables help to lower blood pressure, fight all types of cancer, bad cholesterol, and harmful free-radicals.

Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables also promote healthy joints, alkaline balance, and healthy bones.

Green fruits and vegetables also reduce the risk of cancer and support the digestive system, vision, and the immune system.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables fight inflammation, and various forms of cancer. They also support vision, the immune system, digestion, and aid in the absorption of calcium and other minerals.

White fruits and vegetables are powerful immune system boosters and fight colon, breast, and hormone-related cancers.

Always try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and it is best not to add artificial sweeteners, try stevia or a little honey to your fruit. if you need to, and to use salt substitutes, salt alternatives like fresh lemons, or salt free seasonings on your vegetables instead of salt even sea salt because of the sodium.

2. The protein perception

While protein is important, many of us eat more than we need. It is suggested that protein should make up only 10% to 35% of a diet. This averages out to look like about 1/3 of your plate (about the size of the palm of your hand) and the remaining part of your plate should be about 2/3 vegetables accented with some fruits, nuts and oils.

We also eat too much processed meat which is high in sodium. While fresh, lean meats are a good source of protein, there are great alternatives such as eggs, beans, nuts, and tofu.

3. Healthy fats do exist

There are two main types of healthier fats: Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are actually needed for skin, nails, hair, heart, and brain health. Sources of monounsaturated fat are plant oils, nuts, seeds, and avocados. Polyunsaturated fats, including the Omega-3s, are in fish, walnuts, and sunflower, avocado, corn, soybean, and flaxseed oil. Note: Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are typically liquid at room temperature and when chilled.

Nuts and seeds can be a great healthy snack, (definitely a healthier choice than potato chips) just watch out for and avoid the added salt.

4. Everything in moderation (including moderation)

Forbidding yourself eating certain foods that you love is just setting yourself up to fail. Instead, work toward eating them less often or as an occasional indulgence. And, you know what? Occasional indulgences are a good thing and will actually help you stick with better eating habits. Just be sure to keep them occasional for long term success.

About 75% of people who have a heart attack, stroke, and/or chronic heart failure have high blood pressure. With healthy eating and a including a low sodium diet you can achieve and maintain lower blood pressure.

Botox and The Overactive Bladder

Can Botox be used as a viable treatment option for those with an over active bladder or incontinence? There are many studies asking this same question, and the answer is that yes, Botox may be just as good as medication for relieving symptoms of an overactive bladder.

How? It relaxes the bladder muscles, which means that urinary incontinence due to nerve damage can be helped using Botox.

A recent study was done to use Botox injections in the bladder to reduce the episodes of urinary incontinence. The results were as good for Botox as for study participants that used a daily pill for helping control urinary incontinence. For 70% of the participants, at the six-month marker, the average was three leaks a day, as compared to the average of five at the beginning of the study, and for some, the incontinence went away completely.

The effects of Botox on the bladder and for bladder control don't last forever, incontinent individuals who choose this route will need injections at least yearly, and possibly more often (every nine months) to help control their symptoms. Botox is a more expensive option, at roughly $1000 per injection.

Why would you choose Botox over a pill or other medication? One of the biggest reasons is that not only is it FDA approved, but it means a one time injection versus a daily pill. Right now, most insurance will not cover this option, but if the FDA gives it more widespread approval for incontinence treatment, it will be a very viable option, and likely be covered by insurers.

Are there any down sides? Like any treatment option, using Botox to treat an overactive bladder does have risks. For some it will lead to urine retention, which means an increased risk of needing a catheter to drain the bladder. For many, a Botox injection leads to a urinary tract infection. And for some frequent UTI's.

A doctor would perform the Botox injection. Most report that it is not painful, as a numbing agent is used for the site of injection. Botox is not as much a solution as it is a management option, as it can help reduce episodes of incontinence and help individuals regain a sense of control. It is a great first line treatment, and a great option for those adverse to taking pills, or not wanting a daily reminder of their condition.

Chances are we will see a lot more about Botox and overactive bladder treatment as it gains some steam and more FDA approval.

3 Big Problems With Big Wellness Programs For Small Businesses

Some of the masters and mavens of big workplace wellness programs are touting their wears to the small business community.

Don't drink the "Kool-Aid" just yet! They do indeed have some interesting information to share. But like Billy Joel said in his song, only the good die young − "Virginia, they didn't give you quite enough information..."

Problem #1 -- Too Expensive: Even at $100 per employee per year (PEPY), that's far too expensive. Some workplace wellness programs go as high as $650 PEPY.

I can show you how to implement a great, common sense wellness program your employees will love with just the help of a couple volunteers. Using local and online resources and events organized by local or national organizations, you can have a robust wellness program and not spend a dime.

Problem #2 -- Academic: Complexity + High Cost + Clinical = Big Wellness Programs. These programs evolved out of the minds of academics for application in big populations with big budgets. It's a "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" assortment of credentialed brainiacs that run them. And to their credit, they've gotten documented results in lowering healthcare costs (for the short term) within the silos of the big, self-funded workplaces.

But as my Grandpa used to say, "that would be like hunting ducks with a cannon," for you. Wellness experts spend an enormous amount of time trying to demonstrate a return on investment (ROI) on these monster programs. But your investment will be almost nothing. There's very little downside for a small business that does wellness using existing resources.

Problem #3 -- Administratively Intense: Think of a big wellness program as a jumbo jet. The only difference being that if you want to use it − you must learn how to fly it. The word "comprehensive" is rightly used to define wellness programs in Fortune 1000 settings. There must be thousands of seminars, webinars, consultants, certifications, and laws to keep up with if you want to run a program like the big guys. Keep your wellness efforts simple by focusing on awareness and communication.

An Example of the Simple

Here's a quick idea of how you could build a workplace wellness campaign tied to a local event that's been produced by a national organization.

The Billion Calorie Count UP from the American Heart Association (AHA) is a nationa- based walking program. As you learn more about the program, you'll see how you could easily piggy-back it, and show your employees and dependents how and why to participate. There are tools and communication online to help, and a map showing where the local events will be around the country.

In fact, you can sign your organization up to be an AHA's Fit Friendly Worksite and have all the tools and resources you need to get your employees engaged, and participate on a local level with other workplaces interested in wellness.

Have your wellness volunteer(s) tap into the AHA's Billion Calorie Count UP by...

• becoming familiar with the program by going to AHA's Website and acquiring all the free tools and communications they'll need.

• locating other local workplaces that might like to join yours in participating in the event.

• having employee volunteers produce homemade posters and flyers for the event.

• getting a buddy program going to prepare for the event by scheduling walking times together.

• asking an employee to serve as a journalist, and video the event and interview participants from your company. Ask employees to contribute photos, articles, and videos of the preparation, participation, and positive experiences.

• tapping into the AHA's national blogs and let everyone know your story.

• contacting the local media and tell them what you're doing.

• considering setting up a Facebook page for your wellness program and post the stories there.

The Billion Calorie Count UP is just one of thousands of ideas that would cost you tens of thousands of dollars to produce yourself, and provides your workplace a network to plug into that you could not have produced at all.

So be weary of any brainiacs bearing the gift of a pricey, "comprehensive wellness," Trojan Horse for your small business. It won't be Brad Pitt inside yours.

Top Fitness Apps for Personal Trainers

With smartphone fitness apps becoming more sophisticated by the day, you can find some excellent (and FREE!) personal training apps to help boost your fitness activity. Fitness apps are pretty handy to have on your phone, to keep you motivated and training hard. Some will not only give you handy tips and advice, but also act as digital personal trainers. Here are some of the best apps to use and recommend to your friends:

Cardio Trainer (FREE)

This is great for cardio workouts because it records your progress, heart rate and the calories burned, there is also a music player to help keep you motivated. There are a number of different interval training programs (more on the Pro version) and other cool technologies that will keep you focused. It is GPS-enabled showing you the details of any exercise with voice feedback so you don't have to check your phone every minute.

FitnessBuilder Plus

FitnessBuilder Plus gives you the option of selecting a live-streamed personal trainer to guide you through any of over 750 workouts or you can use any of the over 5,600 workouts to create your own routine. A number of the plans extend over a period of time to help you reach long-term goals.

StrongLifts 5x5 (FREE)

Tracking your workouts is super easy with this app. It can tell you how much weight to lift, keep track of your body weight, view your past workouts and more. A great way to mark your progress, this app does all the thinking for you, so you can focus on the lifting!

Skimble Workout Trainer (FREE)

The Workout Trainer can help you lose weight, tone up, run faster or lift more with the help of real-life personal trainers. You'll be walked through each exercise with step-by-step audio, images and video. Don't have a lot of time? You can also select a random workout using the "Shakerciser" that offers brief workouts too!

Couch to 5K

Creating a running plan isn't the easiest thing for a beginner, but with the Couch-to-5K you can get ready for a 5k run in just nine weeks. Select your motivating coach to guide you throughout your workouts, share your progress with friends and track your distance.

Podrunner (FREE)

Music while you work out is always a great motivator - improving your endurance, speed and overall enjoyment of your workout, but creating the perfect playlist for your exercise routine can be tricky. With Podrunner you can search, sort, view, download and play any beat and create your own playlist. You can change the speed to suit your workout!

GAIN Fitness Cross Trainer (FREE)

Personal trainers share customizable routines that you match to your goals. The plans are varied to suit your preferred exercise style. The app is also complete with audio instructions and motivation. Keep track of your workouts on the app's calendar, which you can even program to remind you when it's to break a sweat.

Choosing a Doctor for Your Liposuction

You want to be as careful selecting the doctor who will perform your liposuction as you would be selecting one for any other kind of surgery. While this procedure is relatively minor, you could be at risk for serious complications if it is performed by an unqualified professional. It is also vital that your doctor does a good job of managing your expectations.

There is really no specific qualification that will guarantee the doctor you choose will be the best one to provide your liposuction. However, you should still only consider those who have the proper amount of training and experience. There are many different types of doctors who perform this type of procedure, so make sure the ones you are choosing from specialize in the surgery if possible.

Liposuction typically takes place in either a doctor's office or an outpatient facility. Because of this, you may assume that your doctor will have the proper training needed. That may not be the case. It is very important that your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This entity holds doctors to extremely high standards, and requires them to undergo rigorous training.

Once you have narrowed down your choices to three or four doctors, schedule consultations with all of them. Ask as many questions as you can think of. If necessary, either write them down or bring someone with you to make sure no important questions slip through the cracks. You also need to have as clear a picture as possible regarding the cost of your liposuction before you commit to anything. If one doctor offers a much lower price than others, you don't want to risk the chance that you may be skimping on the quality of care for a reduced price.

Don't assume that because they are talking to a doctor that automatically means that person will be performing the surgery. You need to be aware of who will be taking care of your procedure so that you can be as comfortable as possible. Also, find out how often the doctor has performed the exact procedure that you will be having. He or she may specialize in facelifts and only perform liposuction sporadically. Get photos of recent operations so that you can judge the results for yourself.

Find out how long you can expect to spend recovering from your procedure just in case you need to take time off from work or make arrangements for someone to take care of any children you may have. Get as clear an idea as possible of the side effects that may arise too, and how much discomfort is expected. Once you have asked all of the necessary questions and you've found a doctor who you are comfortable with, you can plan you procedure stress-free.

Understanding Self Defence

Self Defence is the term used to describe a wide range of strategies and tactics in order to keep you safe. Self Defence should be considered as a continuum ranging from insuring that issues don't arise all the way through dealing with the legalities and after effects of a situation. An effective self defence system must take into account the tactics required for different situations and also the environment

The key areas

• Prevention Tactics - These are pre-planned approaches to self defence, this includes home alarms and security, planning your travel routes and understanding and taking action on the risks that exist.


• Avoidance Tactics - These tactics cover situations such as being confronted with aggression or being targeted by street criminals or predators. The key tactics here are situational awareness, assertiveness, focus, verbal de-escalation strategies and decision making


• Physical Escape Tactics - These set of tactics focus on the use of Physical force to ensure your safety. This includes breakaways, escapes from being held, defence against striking and striking in your own defence. Physical tactics must also include issues such as multiple attackers, tight spaces, ground defence and weapons.


• Legal Considerations - An understanding of the legal view on self defence is important in a complete self defence solution. Interpretations can vary, but in general most observe the concept of reasonable force. The question that is considered is whether your actions were reasonable and in-line with the threat faced, and was the level of force appropriate. A simple guideline is always to be focused on escape, so the moment you can safely leave the scene you must. Self defence law also allows you act in the defence of others and property.

Environment is also a factor in an overall self defence plan, as risk and vulnerability may change with location.

The following considerations should be taken into account

• At Home - As already mentioned home security such as alarms and appropriate locks on doors and windows should be considered, but other factors that should be taken into account include escape routes, secure rooms to retreat to, emergency communication and ensuring incidental weapons such as kitchen knives are not available to intruders


• At Work - A significant amount of time is spent at work so you should also consider your safety while at work. Ensure you understand you company's approach to dealing with security, do they vet staff, are your required to be alone with others, is there a risk from visitos or customers, does your work put you at risk. If any of these factors are a cause for concern action should be taken.


• Socialising - A significant amount of crime happens around socialising, often alcohol is involved and security awareness can be lowered. These factors are very well understood by predators seeking to use these situations to their advantage.


• Commuting - How you travel must also be a factor in self defence, make sure you understand the risk associated with types of transports and locations. Late night buses, trains and subways can be high risk. If you are travelling to a unfamiliar destination or using an unfamiliar route make sure you adequately understand the route and risk. Try to have an emergency get home plan, either someone you can call or the money for a taxi.


• International Travel - When travelling to new countries we can find ourselves at risk. The experience can be unfamiliar and often overwhelming. Ports of entry are often targeted by unsavoury characters who want to take advantage of the confusion felt by new arrivals. Make sure to preplan you entry and know how you will leave the port before you arrive and consider organizing to be met and picked up by a trustworthy source. When booking accommodation make sure to assess the location and environment from a safety and risk perspective. In general but especially when on unfamiliar territory try not to show off valuables which might attract a predator.

In summary a complete self defence system must take provide you with the tactics to safe in various different situations and must also deal with the environments you inhabit.

Patrick cumiskey is the founder of Skiltful

Wellness Engagement: Why I Love Cartoons In Health Communication

Laughter is a universal language. A place of common ground. Cartoons make us laugh because they allow us to suspend belief and enjoy the preposterous. Humor is the teaspoon of sugar that makes the medicine go down.

"That Barney Rubble, what an actor."
Night Shift 1982

Cartoons work in health education because they're...

• approachable, non-threatening, and non-judgmental
• familiar -- we see ourselves in them
• direct, able and willing to deliver the terrible truth
• non-pc and unimpressed
• memorable − they leave an impression
• different, unique, and interesting
• diverse, come in all colors and shapes, and don't care

Cartoon characters can be naïve, outrageous, endearing, cunning, and approachable. They can span time periods, take on different forms, and exaggerate to the point of the ridiculous. And all the while, they mock us with their own unique perspective on the human condition.

Who in their right mind would suggest calling people LAZY?

Not me! That's not exactly a motivation technique favored by trained wellness coaches.

We can laugh at ourselves via the truth of "their" cause. Cartoons can deliver messages in ways that connect and get through. And they accomplish it without being offensive.

English Undergrad Says Dr. Seuss America's Best Author

I recall being in an English Lit class in college. The professor asked the students to stand and tell the class who our favorite author was and why. I told them mine was Dr. Seuss. And I thought he was onto a good thing with color coding fish, as in "one fish, two fish, green fish, blue fish." The professor wasn't impressed with my sophomoric exhibition, which is part of the reason I was a C+ student. Everyone got a great laugh, however.

Wellness Managers Should Know

These 3 Things About Employee Engagement

There are three things every Wellness Manager should know about a workplace audience in regard to getting them to read or watch anything:

1. They don't want it.
2. They didn't ask for it.
3. They don't have time for it.

But if the message of health is part of a visually interesting and humorous cartoon, those three points of resistance turn into:

1. What is this?
2. Oh, now that is funny!
3. Hey, did you guys see this?

Cartoon characters prefer to tell us a short story through images and prompts. Great applications of the graphic arts provide us with a "blinding flash of the obvious." And a wonderful illustration can echo through the limbic center of our brain, changing our perspectives. And changing our mind.

I grew up with Yogi Bear, Popeye, Underdog, Huckleberry Hound, the Road Runner, Tom & Jerry, and Bugs Bunny, to name a few. And look how cartoon animation still produces box office blockbusters.

Gain Weight The Good Way

Have you ever heard bodybuilders talking about wanting to gain weight and wondered what on earth they mean? Most people think of gaining weight as gaining fat, which, for body builders, or any other health conscious individuals for that matter, is not quite the idea! Gaining weight, assuming you're more interested in being fit than being fat, means looking to gain muscle weight/mass.

Far from being a matter of simply eating large amounts of food, gaining weight, the good way, is less about how much food you eat than about what you eat, and how you utilize what you eat. Eating more carbohydrates is an obvious first move when gaining weight is your goal. When adding muscle is also part of the plan, carbohydrates give you the energy you need to be able to lift weights... or indulge in whatever form of physical exercise your personal fitness program dictates.

If you choose to work out with weights, increasing your muscle mass requires either lifting progressively heavier weights, or increasing the number of repetitions for each specific exercise. Don't force yourself to lift weights that you cannot handle; lift weights that are heavy enough so that you can do at least 5 to 10 repetitions, per set, using that weight. Once you can do 10-12 sets using a certain amount of weight, you might advance to heavier weights or increase the repetitions, as you choose.

Fill up on carbohydrates before you work out. Porridge, milk, bananas, whole grain breads, brown rice and such foods all boost your energy and have high amounts of fiber, which is why they are great options for anyone wanting to gain weight. Once you are done working out concentrate on eating lean proteins; Beef, eggs, chicken, veal, and fish are good options where proteins are concerned. These are all foods that help reduce the wear and tear of your muscles, which is essential for good recovery after exercise.

Finally, a sensible attitude to sleep is as important as the food you eat. Plenty of rest allows your muscles to recover and grow, so that you regain your strength and are ready to continue the regimen of healthy eating and exercise. And ready to gain the weight you want... the good way.

Following these simple steps will help you to get closer to your goal and towards having the body you always wanted. Well, get started now!

Tips on Getting Hair Extensions

Most people that get hair extensions go to their hair stylist for them. Sometimes there are people who want to try to do hair extensions at home to save some money. If you do intend to try to place these items in your hair at home then the following tips may help you out.

Hair stylist recommends that you purchase a weft of hair when you are going to be putting these extensions in at home. The weft of hair is a section of hair strategically sewn together along the upper edge. You will also need to purchase some extension clips, and have those clips attached to the weft by a seamstress. You need to attach two or more clips so the weft hold firmly in place.

Make certain that you are purchasing the correct length that you need. Human hair extensions are some of the most popular and if you are buying lengths that are longer than you need and then having to cut portions of them off you are wasting money.

Clip in extensions are the cheapest versions and the easiest home inserted versions. The clip in styles allows you to add a little length or volume anytime you want to, without spending a great deal of money. The trick to these clips in styles is for you to tease the natural hair right at the root. This will allow your clips to fasten securely and hold in place.

When you are using an extension to create an up-style, such as a pony tail then you want to put the extensions in upside down. By placing them in upside down they will be in the proper position when it is time for you to sweep the hair up. Make certain they are placed under a layer of your natural hair so that no one can see the extension.

When you do need to trim some of the length from the extender you have to clip it into your hair to get the length correct. It is best if you part your hair down the middle and then comb all of one side to the front. Clip in the extender about one inch from your part line. Brush the hair smoothly and trim the additional hair to length. Repeat the process on the other side of your head.

You can visit a hair salon and have extensions cut and chosen specifically for you. You will get more natural looking styles with these salon purchased items. The salon can show you how to use sponge rollers to create curly effects on these hair pieces.

You can add thickening spray and scrunch the hair piece up to give it a look like you have been outdoors or in the wind. You can use smoothing serums to make the hair piece appear straight and sleek. There are many different ways to use and style these pieces to create the looks you are trying to achieve. The best thing you can do is play around with the different styles when you are not going anywhere until you can create them.

Living a Stress-Free Life - Starting Now

In today's fast paced world, countless people just can't conceive what it might mean to live a stress-free life. Stress is thought to be "part of life, because that just is how life is." Many positive life experiences, like buying a new home, or getting married, can be stressful. This kind of stress is par for the course. But negative stress has its roots in pain, not pleasure, and it's something that you can, and should, live without. When you choose something (or someone) to be part of your life or lifestyle, your first thoughts are rarely of the stress that might come along with your choice. Change in circumstances or in your perception of your personal world, are often triggers for unanticipated stress. If you're already living with the results of some dubious choices, the following tips might help you to restore some balance to an overly stressful life:

Surround yourself with people who are positive and believe in you: Not many people understand how a negative person or group can affect them. Negative people, at their least harmful, might make you feel a little uncomfortable; at their worst they will want you to feel as miserable and angry as they do themselves. Avoid them at all costs and you'll be avoiding a major source of stress!

Be a go-getter: If there's a particular goal you want to achieve. Go for it! There's a whole lot of stress to be had in spending your days wishing you'd done things differently yesterday and even more in regretting the fact that you didn't try at all.

Appreciate the small things: As we get older, we sometimes stop seeing the little things that used to bring us joy. Material possessions become more important. Make it a habit to look at the world through the eyes of your (stress free) inner child, appreciate the beauty of the natural world. Take time to "stop and smell the roses", as the old saying goes.

Steal some time for yourself: Escape the rat-race, if only for a few fleeting moments and spend some time in self-reflection, self-improvement, or self-indulgence! Practice your dance moves, your Yoga positions, or your guitar chords. Do whatever makes you happy and your stress levels will decrease, by default.

Living a stress free life is sometimes as simple as refusing to remove the 'rose colored spectacles', that nobody minded you wearing when you were a kid. Leave stress to the 'grown-ups', adjust your focus, change your perspective, adjust your attitude, and rediscover the simple pleasures in life.

Body Contouring - Four Procedures to Improve Your Body Shape

Body contouring surgery, a form of cosmetic surgery is provided to improve the overall body shape. It has to be performed by a licensed and professional plastic surgeon if the best results are to be obtained. The procedure of body contouring involves targeting a specific body part or area that requires cosmetic refining or modifications. This procedure can be performed on almost all parts of the body to enhance the appearance. Breast augmentation, arm lift, thigh lift, tummy tuck and liposuction are among the most sought after aesthetic procedures.

Body Contouring Surgery - Some Options

Liposuction: It is one of the most popular body contouring procedures, requested by both men and women. Liposuction involves the procedure of removing excess fat deposits from the patient's body. At present, safe and effective body sculpting workstations are available that have taken liposuction to a new level, making it much simpler. These include Smartlipo Triplex (uses laser energy), BodyTite (uses radiofrequency energy) and Vaser 2.0 (uses ultrasound).

Breast Lift: This is a procedure many women undergo to improve the appearance of the breasts. Unflattering changes such as sagging of the breasts are a major concern for women. The problems are either age related ones, or after effects of pregnancies. Breast lift surgery involves removing excess skin and fatty deposits from the patient's breasts and tightening the surrounding tissues. This enables the breasts to acquire a more youthful and attractive appearance. The procedure performed under general anesthesia, usually takes around three hours for completion.

Tummy Tuck: Also known as abdominoplasty, tummy tuck surgery procedure is yet another body contouring surgery that is equally popular. Persons having excess skin in their abdominal involves the removal of stubborn and excess fat deposits in the middle lower section. The remaining skin is then stretched and if necessary, a new navel is created and the area is sutured. The procedure requires around three to five hours for completion. The outcome of the surgery is a flatter, smoother and firmer abdomen for the patient; the unsightly stretch marks would disappear completely.

Arm Lift and Thigh Lift: In arm lift surgery or brachioplasty, excess fat and skin are removed from the upper arm and arm pit regions. While the excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is lifted and tightened, thereby giving the arm a firmer appearance. A similar method is adopted in the thigh lift or thighplasty surgery, where excess skin and fat is removed from the thigh and buttocks area. The time taken for the arm lift and thigh lift surgeries varies from patient to patient.

Enhance Your Sporting Performance With ZMA Supplements

It's likely you have heard of people that take ZMA tablets. Generally known as Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate, ZMA is a sporting supplement manufactured to boost the performance and physique of athletes and body builders. In several muscle building circles, ZMA use is becoming as widespread as protein supplements and anabolic steroids. This surge in popularity is particularly remarkable since the ZMA dietary supplement hasn't been out there for very long. Many studies are being conducted to learn more of ZMA as a body health supplement.

The constituents of ZMA are vitamin B6, Zinc and magnesium. These three are very important in fortifying your whole body. It has been reported that pro athletes and those that undertake strenuous training and workouts have problems with reduced levels of zinc and magnesium in their bodies. Deficiencies in adequate food in combination with water loss through sweat is usually behind this insufficiency. Zinc is the substance accountable for the synthesis of protein and the development of cells inside the body. And Magnesium? Well that's employed for sustaining a healthy immunue system as well as keeping your bones robust and healthy. Those that have low levels of magnesium in their bodies normally have difficulty with attempting to sleep. Vitamin B6 also serves a crucial function, as it is to blame for turning protein into energy.

The three minerals mentioned provide numerous benefits but mixing them makes their effect much better on the body. It is really quite beneficial, therefore, to mix all these nutrients in a pill or powder. A ZMA nutritional supplement could also help decrease catabolism. As you may know already, catabolism is referred to as a destructive metabolism, and it isn't really good, specifically for active people. Lessening catabolism can give more opportunity for your whole body to get more robust. An additional benefit of taking ZMA is that it can help you recover more quickly after exercise. Body builders and pro athletes take advantage of this since it lessens the time they need to get over muscle sores and it provides them with additional time to train and workout. In addition to that, taking ZMA may help stop sports athletes getting ill, as it beefs up the body's immune system.

Besides the stated benefits associated with ZMA tablets to athletes and energetic people, these supplements offer many additional benefits. It improves sex drive, lowers muscle cramps and ensures better sleeping patterns.Though there are no known side effects connected with ZMA health supplements, there are particular precautions that anyone taking it ought to adhere to. Firstly, never take ZMA without first talking to your physician. For ZMA capsules to be more effective, men and women taking this pill should watch their diet program. Eating food such as beef, chicken eggs and sea food is highly recommended. It is also imperative that you keep in mind calcium can avert zinc assimilation, so do not incorporate too much calcium in your diet.

Vascular Surgery As Treatment for Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis refers to the build-up of plaque on the coronary arteries. Presence of this dangerous condition can mean that the proper amount of blood is not reaching the heart. When this happens, a heart attack is possible.

Because this issue is so dangerous, it's important that you pay attention to any warning signs of atherosclerosis. One sign of a potential problem is having unusual chest pain during exercise or heavy physical activity. This type of chest pain is known as angina and is a red flag that you may have a blocked artery.

If your doctor determines that you have blocked arteries, you will most likely be referred to a cardiologist to discuss vascular surgery. The type of vascular surgery that addresses this condition is called an angioplasty, and there are several variations available.

A balloon angioplasty involves the use of a catheter that has a small, ballooned tip at its end. Once the surgeon places that tip at the appropriate spot within the artery, the balloon is inflated to create open space in the blocked area. The artery is essentially stretched open to allow adequate blood flow to the heart.

A variation of this vascular surgery introduces the use of a stent, which is a small piece of metal mesh tubing. In these surgeries, a catheter is used to insert the stent into the troubled artery. Again, the balloon tip is inflated, which allows the stent to gently expand. That stent acts as a support system for the artery and holds it open at an ideal size so that blood can flow correctly. The stent stays there after the balloon and surgical equipment are removed. Within several weeks the artery heals itself around the stent. Patients who are at a high risk of recurrence may have a special kind of metal tubing implanted that contains prescription medications.

During a rotablation version of the procedure, a catheter with an acorn-shaped tip is used. The diamond-coated tip spins around at a high speed and removes plaque build-up on the artery walls. The plaque is safely and naturally flushed from the site by the flowing blood and eventually filtered by the liver and spleen.

An atherectomy is another variation of an angioplasty that involves the use of a specialized catheter that has both a balloon and blades on it. Once the balloon is inflated, plaque squeezes into a window-like opening in the catheter and the blades cut away at the excess fat. Those pieces of fat and build-up that are shaved off are removed with the surgical equipment instead of being left in the body.

Atherosclerosis is a troublesome condition that affects many people, especially as they age. It's important to listen to your body for signs of problems and see a cardiologist for proactive screening when recommended by your primary care physician. While vascular surgery is a good solution for even seriously clogged arteries, it's easier to address issues earlier on before they get to more advanced stages.

A Few Tips on Selecting the Right Kind of Treatment Center for Your Needs

If you are looking for a treatment center, there are a few ways to choose the right one for your situation. This is important since choosing the best one possible can increase your odds of success when it comes to the recovery process. Check out a few of the details you should consider before you make a decision.

You should first find out if the treatment center you are considering is inpatient or outpatient. An inpatient location allows you to essentially live there, offering constant supervision as you deal with your addiction. If you think you could benefit from this, you should look into centers that offer this option. But if you do not believe you need a staff to keep an eye on you around the clock, an outpatient option might be better. In this case, you could keep up your regular routine, such as work or school, and then go to meetings a few times per week or however often they are scheduled. In some cases, you might need inpatient help for a while, after which you can graduate to outpatient meetings once you do not need as much supervision during recovery.

You should also find out what kinds of treatments are offered. Most centers have a mix of methods that they use to treat patients. They often include counseling for each patient, as well as counseling sessions for family members who want to help their loved ones get better. In addition, they might have you meet with other professionals who can help you with your situation. For example, if you have an eating disorder, you might meet with a nutritionist to come up with a good diet for your needs. And if you are on a drug that requires medical supervision during withdrawal, make sure this is available at the treatment center you are considering. Otherwise, you could be putting yourself in danger.

Finally, make sure the treatment center you choose has experience treating patients with the problem you are struggling with. In fact, if possible, find a location that specializes in treating patients like you. This can give you some confidence that you are in good hands, and are not the first person the staff has seen with your particular problem. This can make a big difference during your recovery.

No matter what kind of problem you are dealing with, the right treatment center can give you some hope that you will eventually get better. And for many people, hope is very important right now. Luckily, paying attention to these details can help you choose the right location.

If you need the assistance of a Baton Rouge treatment center, turn to the professionals at Townsend. To learn more about their services and on how they can help you with your

3 Things That Separate Pharmaceutical Quality Control From Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance

Quality is the standard that each and every product relies on to be the benchmark of its reputation. Without it, a product is nothing more than the components with which its made. In the pharmaceutical industry, quality control and quality assurance are two of the most important factors if the company wants to have a positive reputation and be known for reliability and superior products. There are several things that separate quality assurance from quality control.

• Assurance is the evaluation and monitoring of a product, throughout the entire process to make sure each and every item meets or exceeds the standards put in place by the company.

• Control is the monitoring of the techniques and protocols so that the resulting product is exactly what is expected.

• Quality control measures the amount of quality, while quality assurance ensures there is quality to be measured.

Pharmaceutical companies are expected to produce products capable of living up to the claims made on their behalf. Professionals who specialize in quality control and assurance must work as a team and, not only create those products, but prove they are reliable. Without the proof of quality assurance, control would mean little and the product would be compared to others with little or no credibility. While distinctly different, the tasks they perform are similar and apply to different processes and protocols.

Quality Control

Pharmaceutical quality control measures are put in place to ensure each product meets or exceeds the expectations the company and the public have placed on it. If quality is inferior, the team must determine why and then send the needed changes to the quality assurance team so they can begin developing a plan to correct the problem. Whether it is reformulating the product or enhancing specific operations in the manufacturing process, the end product must be able to stand up to the intense scrutiny of the quality control professionals who measure its effectiveness.