Pros & Cons of Lap-Band Surgery

Many people struggle with trying to lose weight. Some are able to drop extra pounds by simply dieting and exercising on a regular basis. Unfortunately, however, some people fail to lose a significant amount of weight with these methods. A person who is considered very overweight may decide to undergo restrictive surgery in order to lose a large amount of weight. One type of restrictive surgery is called lap-band surgery and it has both pros and cons.

Identification

Lap-band surgery, also referred to as laproscopic adjustable gastric banding, is one of the most common surgical weight loss procedures. In fact, it is only second in line as the most commonly performed weight loss surgery, following gastric bypass surgery. For this type of surgery, a doctor puts a silicone band around the upper portion of the patient's stomach. With the lap-band in place, the stomach's capacity is reduced to about 1 oz. of food. A saline solution runs into the band, allowing it to be tightened or loosened, altering the stomach's capacity.

Potential

One of the major pros of lap-band surgery involves potential weight loss. According to the Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery, patients who undergo lap-band surgery lose an average of about 50 to 60 percent of excess weight. While this is a significant amount of weight, it's important to keep in mind that the results from this and other types of weight loss surgeries vary.

Pros

According to WebMD, lap-band surgery is considered less invasive and risky than some other types of weight loss surgeries. In fact, it can be reversed, if desired, allowing the patient's stomach to go back to its original size. Additionally, this type of surgery doesn't impair a person's absorption of nutrition. As such, vitamin deficiencies that may develop after other types of weight loss surgeries are rare with lap-band procedures.

Complications

There are some uncomfortable effects that have been associated with lap-band procedures. According to MedlinePlus, nausea and vomiting may be among the most common. However, they may be relieved by adjusting the lap-band. Additionally, some people experience minor complications as a result of the surgery. Such complications occur in less than 10 percent of these surgeries and may include such things as infections and bleeding.

Risks

One major consideration with lap-band surgery is the risk of death. It is estimated that death occurs in about one in every 2000 lap-band patients. Your risk level may differ, depending on your health and other factors. As such, it is best to discuss your complication risk with your doctor before deciding on the surgery.

What Is a Good Diet for Cancer Patients?

Cancer patients have a lot on their plates--from the psychological effects of knowing that a growth within their body is threatening their health, to the physical rigors of conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Speaking of plates, though, what diet is appropriate for cancer patients? Can they eat anything, or are there foods that might be best avoided?

Fruits and Vegetables

Tomatoes are recommended for those with prostate cancer. The lycopene in tomatoes, which is a powerful antioxidant, has been found to reduce some cancer and even heart disease. Other vegetables which have demonstrated some cancer-fighting abilities include garlic, soy, cabbage, ginger, parsnip, parsley, celery, carrots and cilantro. Onions, citrus, flax seed and cauliflower, while less proven, are nevertheless believed to fight cancer to a moderate degree. Most fruits only help, too, as they are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, potassium and folate--all of which helps the body fight cancer. Especially recommended: fresh berries, apples and bananas.

Beverages

While highly caffeinated drinks like coffee and some teas should be avoided, other teas have shown to be beneficial for cancer patients. These include green teas, black teas and oolong teas. Alcohol should be avoided by cancer patients.

Grains and Dairy

Cancer patients should feel free to consume dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese and butter. Still, cancer patients should avoid more than three servings of dairy each day. Whole grains are highly recommended for cancer patients. True whole grain products are a fantastic source of antioxidants. In additional, whole grains contain lots of B vitamins, vitamin E, fiber, iron and magnesium. Such whole grains include popcorn, bulgar, barley, oatmeal, wild rice, brown rice, whole wheat, millet and sorghum.

Vegan Culinary Schools

Those who follow a vegan diet enjoy a healthy plant-based diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Aspiring vegan chefs often face a dilemma when considering a culinary education, as most institutions focus on cooking that relies heavily on animal products and may not offer courses in vegan cooking. Although vegan culinary institutions are not located in every state, there are several schools in the nation that offer quality programs.

Natural Gourmet Institute

The Natural Gourmet Institute offers both part-time and full-time chef's training programs that focus mostly on plant-based cooking with some instruction on preparing organic chicken, eggs, and seafood dishes. The 619-hour program includes coursework in kitchen equipment use, natural ingredients, whole grain baking, culinary science, fundamentals of nutrition, and plenty more. Located in Manhattan, the school is set in a 4,800-square-foot space complete and has teaching and professional kitchens that are equipped with quality restaurant equipment.

Natural Gourmet Institute

48 W. 21st St.

New York, NY 10010

212-645-5170

naturalgourmetinstitute.com

The Professional School of Natural Cookery

Located in Boulder, Colorado, The Professional School of Natural Cookery specializes in the art of preparing whole plant-based foods through its signature "Language of Cooking" technique, a method that focuses on cooking with creativity and intuition and without the use of recipes.

The professional program offers a 16-week foundations diploma, covering fundamentals of savory cooking, baking, desserts, nutrition, and gastronomy. Upon successful completion of the program, aspiring personal chefs can choose to take the personal chef program, which includes classes in fine dining cooking and business.

The Professional School of Natural Cookery

P.O. BOX 19466

Boulder, CO 80308

303-444-8068

naturalcookery.com

Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts

The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts offers an exclusively plant-based professional chef training program. Culinary students receive training in preparing vegan, vegetarian, ayruvedic, raw, and macrobiotic techniques and recipes. The extensive 900-hour chefs training program consists of 541 classroom hours, 174 hours of assisting, a 160-hour externship, and 25 hours of presenting a final cooking demonstration. The program also includes business classes.

Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts

1700 Lamar Blvd. South

Austin, TX 78704

512-476-2276

naturalepicurean.com

Living Light Raw Foods Culinary School

Focused on raw foods, Living Light Raw Foods Culinary School has a Gourmet Raw Food Chef training program that can be completed within 35 days. The training program includes a fundamentals course in raw foods, knife skills, nutrition, ethnic flavors, spa cuisine, and catering. Those who hope to advance their training can matriculate into the Gourmet Raw Culinary Arts Professional Certification program, which includes coursework in kitchen management, food design, recipe development, and pastry arts, as well as an internship and externship program.

Living Light Raw Foods Culinary School

301-B Main St. N.

Fort Bragg, CA 95437

707-964-2420

rawfoodchef.com

How to Lose 20 Pounds in a Month

Did your close fit a lot better when you were 20 pounds lighter? Now is the time to stop making excuses and start shedding the weight. This article will tell you how to safely lose 20 pounds in one month.

Instructions

1




Lose 20 pounds in one month by changing 2 things in your life. Nutrition and Fitness. Even if your already on a diet and working out at the gym you might be doing it all wrong. First you want to start by attempting to eat 4-5 meals a day. Breakfast, small meal, Lunch, small mean 2, Dinner. At each meal you should try to have at least one protein, one fat, one carbohydrate, and one vegetable. Try to keep your portions small. This micro meal is going to be the ticket to kick starting your metabolism. You need to look at your body like a fire and to keep you going you'll have to continue to put more logs on the fire or food in your belly.

2




Drink at least 2.5 liters - 100 ounces of water every day. This will fill you up faster and reduce your appetite. Drink plenty of fluids and no more than 1 cup or juice or milk a day. Although juices have lots of vitamins they also have high calories and sugar which turns into fat. Avoid drinking diet soda, Splenda sweetened beverages like Crystal Light, and any carbonation at all. Who knows how these artificial sweeteners and carbonated sugary drinks affect your metabolism, just drink water instead. You should also say no to caffeine and coffee if you can or at least cut your consumption down in half. If your not willing to do this then your not really concerned about your health.

3




Exercise at least 60 minutes a day for 4-5 days a week. I know other programs tell you that all you need is 20 minutes a day 3 days a week but this is about losing weight and like the contestants on the Biggest Loser TV show you really need to work hard to burn calories. If work out at the gym try to mix up your workouts including elliptical machines, treadmills, stair climbers, bikes, and even other cardiovascular exercises like rowing or swimming are great fat burners. Try to do at least 25-100 push-ups and 100-200 sit-ups to keep your heart rate up at some point in your workout. Remember to stretch good before and after your workout. Try not to include your stretching in your workout time or the time it takes to get to the gym. Start your time from when you actually start to lift weights, run, or start your workout machine. Bring a towel to wipe the sweat off and if your not sweating then your not working hard enough. You need to get your heart rate up to burn more calories. Increasing your intensity will guarantee you better results. Do all this and you will be on your way to losing 20 pounds in one month.

How to Treat Dog Stomach Problems

Dog stomach problems can be manifested in different ways: diarrhea, vomiting, constipation or any combination of the three. Fortunately, these symptoms are not always indicative of a more serious problem, though of course they can be. If the problem is not serious, you can treat your dog's stomach problems and have Fido feeling better in no time. Read on to learn how to treat dog stomach problems.

Instructions

1

Monitor your dog's condition. If the dog is having diarrhea or vomiting, make sure there is no blood present in the discharge. Call your veterinarian immediately if it seems your dog's stomach problems might indicate a more serious condition.

2

Give the dog water only for a period of 12 to 24 hours. Add rehydration salts to the water to keep the dog from dehydrating due to excessive vomiting or diarrhea.

3

Feed the dog bland food only following the 12- to 24-hour period. Give small meals frequently to start. Keep the diet bland by mixing cottage cheese or hamburger with rice.

4

Administer Imodium AD or Pepto-Bismol to control your dog's stomach problems. Consult your veterinarian for dosage amounts, as this will vary according to the size and weight of your dog.

5

Supplement your dog's diet with a natural remedy to promote healthy digestion. There are several products available, such as Digestive Support, that can help ease symptoms of your dog's stomach problems.

How to Do an Apple Cleansing Fast

This simple and effective cleansing fast, adapted from Edgar Cayce's "Handbook for Health," will make you feel great with minimal interruption to your normal life. We recommend you read "How to Understand an Apple Cleansing Fast" (see Related eHows) and consult your doctor before beginning this fast.

Instructions

1

Prepare for your fast by eating lightly the day prior to starting. Avoid the temptation to eat a big "last supper" the night before. Instead, have a green salad to brush your system clear and prepare your body.

2

Eat nothing but organic apples, red or yellow, for three full days. Drink plenty of water or apple juice as well.

3

Take two tablespoons of olive oil on the fourth day to aid in digestion and facilitate your movements following the fast.

4

Begin breaking the fast on the fourth day by drinking orange juice in the morning and eating a light meal of fruits and vegetables in the afternoon. By dinner you should be ready to add some light grains to your diet.

5

Eat regularly on the fifth day and return to a normal, healthy diet, and regular exercise schedule.

6

Repeat this cleansing diet once a month for two to three months to clear your entire alimentary canal, liver, kidneys and your system in general.

About Natural Body Cleanse Detox

Natural body cleansing, or detoxification, is a way to remove harmful chemicals, toxins and debris from all parts of the body. Without these toxic substances impairing health, a person can feel better, have more energy and fewer illnesses. The human body is self-cleaning and self-healing, but with too much disease-causing germs and wastes in the cells and tissues, the body is not capable of performing health-saving functions in a meaningful way. The best way to help the body function at higher levels is to internally cleanse the body using natural methods.

Function

Detoxifying or cleaning the body is simply a way to remove the accumulated waste that is in the body. The toxins enter the body from polluted air, contaminated water and chemical-laden foods. People are exposed to all these unhealthy substances each day. The removal of this debris is a very important part detoxification.

Types of Detoxification

Cleaning the body naturally involves eating better and exercising more. Improving your lifestyle by eliminating cigarettes, excessive alcohol use and recreational drugs will greatly improve your overall health. Herbal remedies are also popular ways to clean out the colon, kidneys and liver--all organs that help in removing wastes and toxins from the body.

Better Diet

Drinking lots of water each day helps to flush wastes from the body and facilitates bowel movements. Eating more fiber also helps to create large, loose stools. Ridding the body of fecal matter is one of the many components of body cleansing. Herbal colon cleaners can also help but it is better to add more whole grains, fruits and vegetables to the diet. Eating organic food also helps the cleaning process. Organic foods contain fewer toxins like insecticides.

Losing Weight and More Exercise

The body retains toxins in the fatty cells throughout the body. Losing weight can reduce the fat and the amount of toxins in the cells and tissues. Exercising is an excellent way to burn fat. Actually any type of physical activity from yoga to walking helps to improve health. Exercising helps with cleansing the body in another way. By getting the muscles moving through the body, the intestinal muscles are kept active and this helps to bring about bowel movements, which eliminates harmful wastes.

Fasting

One natural way to detoxify the entire body is to go on a fast. A fast takes many forms. For some people no food is eaten, and water is the only thing that is consumed. With other fasts, fruit and/or vegetable juices are allowed. In other types of fasts, broths are possible. These fasts give a body a chance to self-cleanse by greatly reducing the activity of the digestive system. With less energy spent on digestion, the body uses the surplus energy to clean itself. Fasts can last one day every week or a two- or three-day fast. People in relatively good health can go on a short fast. But longer fasts should be discussed with a doctor. There are also medical clinics that supervise month long fasts.

How to Cleanse Your Body Before Dieting

Before dieting, you might decide to detox. Many alternative health specialists believe that detoxification can help the body lose weight by allowing nutrients to be metabolized more quickly. The body cleansing will require that you abstain from most foods and drink a large amount of vegetable juice in order to fight malnutrition.

Instructions

Juice Cleanse

1

Avoid foods like sugar, dairy, wheat, coffee, yeast, alcohol and gluten days before the juice fast.

2

Fast from solid food for 5 days.

3

During this fast, only drink vegetable juice.

4

After 5 days, slowly begin to work food back into your diet.

Cleanse Your Digestive System

5

Eat foods that contain probiotics or take probiotic supplements.

6

Eat natural laxatives like peppermint and Vitamin C-rich foods.

7

Consider finding a hydrotherapy clinic.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in Seven Days

Losing 10 pounds in seven days is not entirely impossible, but it does take a drastic lifestyle change and concentrated dedication to achieve such results. To burn one pound of body weight, you must burn 3,500 calories. Therefore, the math in losing 10 pounds would suggest that you must burn 35,000 calories. When the daily calorie consumption is drastically dropped, you will lose more than just fat; you will also burn water weight and a small amount of muscle.

Instructions

1

Combine the ingredients listed above for a weight loss jump start recommended by TV trainer Jillian Michaels. This recipe is made to flush out excess water weight you may be carrying around in your body.

2

Eat five or six small meals a day instead of three large meals to optimize your metabolism. Cut out snacking altogether and drink plenty of water in between meals to keep your stomach full.

3

Consume caffeine, which is known to boost your metabolism by six percent and provide a significant pre-workout boost. Sources of caffeine include coffee or caffeine supplements.

4

Perform as much high-intensity cardio exercise as possible. Exercise each day of that seven-day period, possibly twice or even three times per day.

5

Research other extreme weight loss methods such as "The Cabbage Soup Diet." This offers a set meal plan to follow to help you achieve your results. Though boring, it does get results.

Highest Insoluble Fiber Content Foods

Fiber, which comes in two types--soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble (does not dissolve in water)--is essential for maintaining a healthy stomach, intestinal tract and colon. Consuming insoluble fiber helps food pass through your digestive tract and increases stool bulk to help waste pass through more quickly, thereby preventing constipation and irregular stools. Men age 50 and younger need 38 grams of fiber a day, while women of the same age group need 25 grams; and men and women older than 50 need 30 grams and 21 grams, respectively. Insoluble fiber is found in wheat bran, whole wheat flour, nuts, beans and vegetables.

Whole Grains

Foods made from whole grains include oatmeal, bread, pasta and rice. Examples of whole grains are oatmeal, brown rice, bulgar and whole wheat flour. Aside from providing insoluble fiber, whole grains have many health benefits, such as helping reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease, helping with weight management and providing essential vitamins and minerals. These include B vitamins (helps with metabolism), folic acid (encourages the forming of red blood cells), iron (carries oxygen in the blood), magnesium (helps build bones and release energy from muscles) and selenium (maintain a healthy immune system). Whole grains that have the highest insoluble fiber content in a 1-cup serving include barley bran (97.5 grams), barley (24.4 grams), wheat bran (22.9 grams), dry millet (13.8 grams) and whole wheat (12.5 grams).

Nuts

Aside from being a good source for insoluble fiber, nuts offer many other health benefits. Although each nut has different health qualities, all nuts provide unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats), which help lower bad cholesterol levels; omega-3 essential fatty acids, which helps promote a healthy heart, skin and hair; l-arginine, which is a substance that helps make your arteries more flexible to prevent blood clots; and vitamin E, which is needed for a healthy heart and moisture for your skin, eyes and hair. Nuts with the highest insoluble fiber content in a 1-cup serving includes almonds (14.3 grams), chestnuts (13.2 grams), pine nuts (13.1 grams) and coconut (11.9 grams). One medium-size coconut has 31.8 grams of insoluble fiber.

Legumes

Beans and other legumes are a good source of insoluble fiber with a packed nutritional content. The Department of Agriculture recommends eating at least 3 cups of legumes each day. Legumes contain iron, calcium, copper, zinc, potassium and folic acid. As a vegetarian option, legumes make a good source for protein. There are about 16 grams of protein in 1 cup of cooked legumes. Legumes help stabilize blood sugar levels as the soluble fiber slows the entry of glucose from food into your bloodstream so that your body has to produce less insulin (increased levels of insulin are a precursor to diabetes). A study by the USDA found that eating a 1/2 cup of beans a day helped lower LDL cholesterol levels. Eating beans may also help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Legumes with the highest insoluble fiber content in a 1-cup serving include roasted soybeans (16.7 grams), lentils (14.1 grams), yellow split peas (14.1 grams) and pinto beans (10.9 grams).

The Step 1 Diet

The American Heart Association does not actually use the term Step 1 diet anymore. The dietary guidelines were revised in 2000 and began to build upon the Step 1 diet more. However, it is still simple to understand what the Step 1 diet is because it is the basic building block for the American Heart Association recommended diet.

Purpose

The purpose of the Step 1 diet that the American Heart Association recommends is to reduce high cholesterol levels. The Step 1 diet restricts people to a diet with a total fat of 30 percent for the total amount of calories. It requires that the amount of cholesterol that you take in must be less than 300 mg per day. The Step 1 diet was actually meant for people to have a starting point if they had been diagnosed with high cholesterol levels.

Importance

The American Heart Association emphasized the importance of a diet that is low in saturated and trans fat as well as high in fruits, whole grains and vegetables. They also looked at fat free or low fat dairy products as well as lean meats, fish and poultry as a healthy platform in your diet. The Step 1 diet has all of these elements found within it.

How Much Coconut Oil Should You Take a Day?

Coconut oil is healthy in moderation.

Coconut oil is good for you

The oil benefits your immune system.

Coconut oil has many health benefits. The oil has strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It has been shown to help boost your immune system in much the same way mother's milk does.

it should be used in moderation

Coconut oil should be used in moderation

Though the coconut oil will help boost your immune system, it is best not to take too much. The oil consists of saturated fat which can raise your cholesterol level and should only be eaten in moderation.

Bottom Line

Cococnut oil is a health boon if used in moderation

It is best to consume about 3 to 4 tablespoons a day. You should have about one tablespoon per meal three times a day. This will give you enough coconut oil to benefit your immune system, but not too much to be a health risk.

What Are the Causes of High Testosterone Levels in Men?

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. High levels of testosterone in men can be caused by multiple factors, including diet, genetics and the environment. Elevated testosterone levels can impact the lives of men in various ways.

Excessive Exercise Raises Testosterone Levels

Testosterone is produced by both men and women. Testosterone is a type of steroid that acts like a hormone. Normal exercise is important for maintaining a healthy body, but excessive exercise can cause elevated testosterone levels. Increased physical activity will raise testosterone levels.

High Testosterone Foods

Levels of testosterone fluctuate naturally, but improper diet can increase testosterone levels. Oysters and red meat and poultry increase levels of testosterone. Increased intake of these foods will cause a noticeable increase in testosterone.

Genetics and High Testosterone

Genetics play a significant role in the testosterone levels of individual men. Some men have naturally higher testosterone levels, and this can be determined by a series of monitoring tests conducted over several months.

Steroids and Testosterone Level

Some chemicals such as steroids can drastically increase a man's natural testosterone level. Extremely high levels can lead to self-destructive and violent behavior. Steroids and the accompanying high testosterone levels are a toxic mix.

Zinc and Testosterone

Zinc has been linked to increased testosterone levels. Eating foods high in zinc can result in an increase in testosterone. Some dairy products, such as yogurt and cottage cheese are high in zinc. A person would have to eat a great deal of these foods to increase testosterone levels significantly.

The Best Foods to Eat Before Running a 5K

Low Protein Diet Menu

The Atkins diet popularized the trend of the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that has swept the nation. Breakfasts of steak, eggs and bacon with no toast have invaded kitchens around the United States. Protein, however, is not the easiest substance for the body to process in large amounts. In fact, there are certain health conditions that require the body take in less protein in order to help the body to continue to function properly.

Why a Low Protein Diet?

A low-protein diet is typically prescribed if you have kidney disease or if your kidneys are not functioning properly for any reason. This is not to say that there should be no protein. Protein is quite important for the body as it regulates upkeep, repair and growth of every part of your body. It is important to have sources of protein in any diet. When the protein is digested, a waste product called urea results. When a kidney is not functioning properly, urea builds up in the blood stream which can lead to a loss of appetite and fatigue. According to the National Kidney Foundation, with a low-protein diet, you can reduce the workload on the kidneys allowing the healthy part of the kidney to not have to work overtime.

What Should You Eat?

The goal here is to consume the amount of calories you need while eating less protein (40 grams or less usually) than you usually do. The main portions of your meals should consist of fruits and vegetables, followed by nuts, grains and beans, followed in a distant third by meat and dairy. It is difficult but not impossible to get a full day's recommended amount of calories (2,000 calories) with mostly fruit and vegetables, but it will take a very large amount of these items to do it. This is why one of your greatest assets in the process will be healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. While nuts still have some protein and some like walnuts, almonds and cashews are a great source of calories and healthy fat, vegetable oils are very low in protein and have the ability to add a great deal of protein-free calories to your diet. While the National Kidney Foundation recommends adding more candy, sweeteners and canned fruits to your diet, this seems a bit of a cop out. A little bit more effort could replace those calories with fresh salads and natural fruit smoothies. Make sure to measure all milk products you take in, using the protein calculator in the Resources below. Also, slice the meat that you eat very thinly so that it will seem like there is more protein in the sandwiches that you eat, a sort of mental trick to get you through the diet. There are also low-protein foods manufactured with the companies Dietary Specialties, Med-Diet, Inc., and Ener-G Foods that can help you lower the protein in the products that you love the most.

What Should You Stay Away From?

Meat and dairy are the highest protein foods you can eat. Make sure to lower your portions of chicken, beef, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese. Peanut butter is also high in protein, and as a spreadable product, it can often be overused. Be careful of these foods so as to be kind to your kidney as it tries to recover, recommends Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology.

How to Lose Weight With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Losing weight is difficult for most individuals, but if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it can seem nearly impossible. The effect of PCOS on your metabolism and endocrine system often causes weight gain and results in your body fighting your weight-loss efforts. However, there are ways to lose weight even with PCOS, and losing weight can help relieve some of your symptoms, so it's definitely worth the effort.

Instructions

1

Have your doctor approve any weight-loss attempts. However, many doctors don't understand PCOS and the impact it has on a patient's ability to lose weight and the ease with which they gain weight. Because of this, your doctor may oversimplify weight loss. Make sure that you're under the care of an experienced doctor who understands that treating your PCOS with other therapies may help you be more successful in losing weight.

2

Talk to your doctor about whether the prescription medication Metformin is a good option for you. This medication is traditionally used by diabetics, but it's now being prescribed to many women with PCOS, and the results have been very promising. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, which worsens their symptoms and causes them to have trouble with their weight. Taking Metformin can help resolve your insulin resistance and make weight-loss efforts more successful.

3

Consider a low-carbohydrate diet. Many women with PCOS find that this is the most effective method for weight loss. A low-carb diet especially works well for those who have insulin resistance.

4

Remember to exercise, even if it is in small amounts. PCOS has a huge impact on your endocrine system and metabolism. Exercise is often the key to making your weight-loss plan work.

5

Be patient. Your PCOS will likely mean that you lose weight more slowly than your friends do. Remember to celebrate small victories and focus on overall health and fitness, instead of just the number on the scale.

How to Cope After Gall Bladder Surgery

Recovering from Gallbladder surgery is different for everyone, but the bottom line is that even with the laparoscopic method, your organs must be rearranged in order to get to the Gallbladder, which causes bruising, swelling and discomfort. These steps will help you cope with the pain and discomfort experienced after Gallbladder surgery.

Instructions

1

Take the pain medication. This isn't the time for "being a man" or "toughing it out." Your doctor prescribed them for a reason.

2

Have someone on hand to help you at all times. Whether it be a spouse, family member or friend, you need someone to assist you with everything from sitting up in bed to sitting down on the toilet as your abdominal muscles will be very sore. From a laying position, have them place one arm behind your back to lift you into a seated position while you hold onto their other hand or arm. From a seated position, have the person stand in front of you, place both your hands on his shoulder and slowly use your leg muscles to stand.

3

Eat low-fat and fat-free foods only. Until you know how your digestive system will handle heavier foods, stick to mild, bland and light foods.

4

Eat small amounts of food several times a day. Keeping nourished will help stave off nausea sometimes associated with pain medication. Eat small portions to avoid feeling full, which will place pressure on your internal organs and cause pain.

5

Drink hot liquids if you feel any chest and/or shoulder pain in the hours and days following surgery. This pain is caused by the air that was puffed into your belly during surgery in order to create more space for the surgeon to work. It is not cause for alarm.

6

Take short walks. Walk around the inside of your house at first and then work up to outdoor walking. This promotes healthy blood circulation, which in turn promotes healing.

7

Follow up with your doctor. He will want to see you one week after surgery and again approximately 5 weeks later.

8

Follow your doctor's orders regarding bathing. Your stitches need time to heal and washing them too soon can damage them.

9

Take anti-diarrheal medication if you are having trouble digesting after the first month. This can last for weeks, months or years, although some people never have any digestive issues. Be sure to tell your doctor in your follow-up visits.

How to Take Metformin Weight Loss

If you are diabetic or are at high risk of diabetes, you can use prescription metformin weight loss. Metformin is a popular prescription drug used in the treatment of diabetes that often results in weight loss as well. Consult with your doctor before using prescription metformin weight loss or diabetes.

Instructions

1




Get a prescription for metformin from your doctor. If you're diabetic, this step is easy. Otherwise, determine if you're pre-diabetic and ask your doctor if could benefit from metformin for weight loss. Try to stay away from the extended release version, which takes much longer to deliver metformin's weight loss.

2




Take prescription metformin as directed by your doctor. If you eat low carbohydrate meals, metformin weight loss will be much more effective. For diabetics and some pre-diabetics, it does not take too much carbohydrates for metformin weight loss to completely fail.

3




Exercise (light to moderate) for 30 minutes. Metformin weight loss is more effective with exercise since there is less fat gaining sugar in your blood.

Liver Cleansing Diet Information

The liver filters out all of the toxins that we put into our bodies. It is necessary sometimes to cleanse the liver through diet, which can help and even heal conditions like fatty liver and skin problems. Here are the main elements of the liver cleansing diet.

Eliminate Foods

Eliminate foods that aggravate the liver. These include red meats, alcohol and sugary or salty foods.

Whole Grains

Eat as many whole grains as you like. The most valuable for the liver cleanse are oats, especially oat bran (see Resources below).

Fruit

Try to eat an abundance of fresh fruit. Fruit naturally cleanses and flushes the liver, so the more fruits you eat the better your liver will function (see Resources below).

Vegetables

Eat plenty of fresh, raw vegetables. Vegetables are high in fiber, which aids in digestion and help the liver flush out toxins.

Water

Make sure to drink plenty of filtered water. Water is the key to the liver flush, so you want to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.

Vegetarian Diet for Hypothyroidism

The thyroid, located at the base of the neck, is a large endocrine gland that controls the body's basal metabolic rate. An underactive thyroid, a condition referred to as hypothyroidism, slows the metabolic rate and increases the possibility of obesity. While the majority of people with hypothyroidism need to take medication, the foods you consume can also have an impact on your thyroid. The vegetarian diet works well to benefit those diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Dietary Guidelines

While there is not a vegetarian diet specifically created for combating hypothyroidism, certain dietary guidelines can prove helpful: Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and stay away from refined sugars. Increase your consumption of whole grains, beans, legumes and proteins. Snack on raw seeds, apricots, prunes and dates. Cook foods in olive or coconut oil. Eat several small, well-balanced meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar consistent and help with energy. A diet rich in fiber is generally advised, but for people with hypothyroidism, too much fiber can have an adverse affect on thyroid medication. Because iodine is directly related to thyroid function, be sure your diet is rich in sources of iodine, such as sea salt and foods made with seaweed. While iodine supplements are available, you should be able to get enough iodine from natural sources. It is rare for people in developed countries to have an iodine deficiency, and too much iodine can be bad for your health.

Soy or No Soy?

There is constant debate about whether or not soy products should be consumed by those with hypothyroidism. The main concern is whether or not the isoflavones (phytoestrogens) in soy have an adverse affect on the thyroid. According to Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D., an endocrinologist at Mayoclinic.com, there is no evidence that shows this correlation. Soy can, however, negatively affect the body's ability to absorb synthetic thyroid medications. Take your medication when you wake up, on an empty stomach, and wait 3 or 4 hours before consuming soy products. The same advice holds true for calcium supplements, iron and antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Another debate revolves around whether it's safe for people with underactive thyroid to eat cruciferous vegetables. This carries important implications for vegetarians, especially. Cruciferous vegetables include brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, kale and cauliflower. These vegetables contain goitrogens (goiter producers) that may interfere with thyroid hormone regulation. Goitrogens are also found in corn, lima beans, peanuts, sweet potatoes and turnips. According to Andew Weil, M.D., noted health expert, because goitrogens are inactivated by light steaming or cooking, you can continue to take advantage of the valuable antioxidant and cancer-protective effects of these foods.

Important Considerations

Exercise has been shown to help with metabolism and issues of weight gain and lethargy often spurred on by an underactive thyroid. Never start a new diet or exercise program or take a dietary supplement without first consulting your physician.

How to Eat a Diabetic Diet

Knowing how to eat a diabetic diet can save your life if you have diabetes. Diabetes can affect your entire body. Diabetics should eat healthy food such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. Plan your meals ahead of time so that you are not tempted to snack on improper foods.

Instructions

1

PORTIONS - Plan each meal so that it is made up of 50% non-starchy vegetables, 25% whole grains or starches, and 25% lean meat, low in saturated fat. This is called the plate method because you can easily glance at your plate and see if you have the proper portions.

2

SERVING SIZES - Learn appropriate serving sizes. Your clenched fist is about one cup. The palm of your hand is about the size of three ounces of meat, your thumb is about 2 tablespoons and your cupped hand will hold about one ounce of nuts or seeds.

3

CARBOHYDRATES - Check with your doctor to find out how many carbohydrates and calories you should eat in a day. Generally speaking men can eat 60-75 grams of carbohydrates per meal and women can eat 45-60 grams of carbohydrates per meal.

4

FOODS TO EAT - Eat healthy foods every day, such as 9 or more servings of fruits and vegetables. Whole grains such as brown rice, whole grain bread and whole grain pasta. Lean meats such as turkey and fish. Yogurt, cottage cheese, and nuts are also excellent snacks for individuals with diabetes. You can learn to eat the right foods for your diabetic diet.

5

FOODS TO AVOID - Avoid foods that are high in sugars or carbohydrates that become sugar. Foods such as candy bars, alcohol, cereal, white rice and peanut butter should be avoided. Eat brown rice, vegetables and fruit and fish. Steam your vegetables with garlic to give them added flavor.

6

FIBER - Eat plenty of fiber each day. If you have diabetes it is recommended that you consume 25-30 grams of fiber each day. Get your fiber naturally by eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

Now you know how to eat a diabetic diet.

Fibromyalgia Diets

Fibromyalgia is far from being a rare disorder. An estimated 10 million individuals in the United States suffer from this syndrome. A healthy diet that is low in fat and high in fiber, with an emphasis on lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables may be helpful in reducing symptoms.

Carbohydrates and Fiber

Avoid refined carbohydrates such as white flour, sugar and processed desserts. Instead, focus on whole grains that are naturally higher in fiber.

Use honey in moderation.

Dietary fiber intake should be mostly from soluble-fiber foods such as fruits, oats and legumes.

Protein Sources

Increase your consumption of poultry, fish and vegetable proteins. Good sources of vegetable protein include legumes and soybeans.

When choosing meat or poultry, remove all visible fat and skin.

Avoid all processed meats, especially those that are cured, smoked or nitrate-cured, such as bacon, hot dogs and luncheon meat.

Vegetables and Fruits

Eat a variety of vegetables. Good choices are broccoli, spinach, carrots, squash, green beans and brussels sprouts.

Whole fruits are a better choice than juices. This is due to the level of fiber in the whole fruit. The best fruits are apples, berries, kiwi fruit, peaches and cantaloupe.

Fats and Dairy

Include omega-3 fats in your diet. Good choices are flaxseed, oily fish such as salmon or tuna, nuts and olive or vegetable oil.

Decrease saturated fats and stick with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats instead.

Choose soy milk or reduced-fat cow's milk if you are not intolerant. Eat reduced-fat or fat-free cheese and yogurt.

Some individuals are helped by eliminating dairy products all together. Switching to soy, nut or rice-based products may be helpful.

Healthy Fluids

It is important to drink 6 to 8 glasses of fresh water daily. This assists in flushing out toxins.

Limit your intake of coffee. Herbal tea is permitted.

Eliminate soda, both regular and diet. They are highly acidic and lack nutritional content.

Alcohol should be avoided, except for the occasional glass of wine, which is rich in anti-inflammatory agents.

What to Avoid

Avoid the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) and the artificial sweetener aspartame. Each acts as an excitotoxin that can overstimulate the area of the brain that is responsible for pain transmission.

Products containing aspartame include diet soft drinks, artificial sweeteners (Equal, Nutrasweet), and packaged diet desserts.

Products high in monosodium glutamate include oriental foods, soups, gravies and salad dressings.

Check food labels carefully before buying and ask about these ingredients when dining out.

Final thoughts

Probiotics such as yogurt and kefir are especially important for proper digestion and acidophilus supplementation.

Taking an over-the-counter plant-based digestive enzyme with meals can assist with digestion. Also, avoid drinking during meals, which allows for a higher level of natural digestive enzymes.

There are many possible causes for exacerbation of fibromyalgia symptoms. Try to keep a journal of your food intake and symptom correlation in order to better pinpoint what makes you feel better.

Life After a Colectomy for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis causes pouches in the digestive tract to become infected and inflamed. Those who present with serious complications or who have not healed through conventional treatments might require a partial colectomy--removing the diseased part of the colon and rejoining the remaining portions. Typically, a partial colectomy will not produce any long-term hindrances. The University of Chicago, the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine offer the following information for recovery from this procedure.

Hospital Recovery

You need to stay in the hospital until you can eat a normal diet and achieve normal bowel function--this can be anywhere from a few days to a week. Initially you will receive IV nutrition and a liquid diet and eventually move to solid foods.

Diet

You need to consume a low-fiber diet for six weeks after your operation. You want to reduce the volume and frequency of bowel movements to avoid stressing the intestine. After this point, you can add high-fiber foods gradually. Eat 5 to 8 meals daily instead of three big ones.

Rest and Recovery

After a couple of weeks of rest and modified activity, you can typically resume normal activities. You should not lift anything heavy for at least six weeks, however. Within a couple of months, you should feel back to normal.

Work

If you can be active around the house for eight hours and wake up the next day feeling rested, you are probably ready to return to work. You might need to modify your activities or hours temporarily, depending on your line of work.

Warning Signs of a Problem

Call your doctor if you have a fever over 101 degrees, changes in bowel habits or if you have not had a bowel movement in four days after coming home, are throwing up or have black, tarry stool, a swollen and/ or painful abdomen, trouble breathing and have swelling in the legs.

How to Create a Weight Loss Chart

A good way to measure weight loss progress is to create a chart. A chart will create a visual representation of your weight loss over time. You can draw a chart by hand, but it's less time-consuming to let a computer do it for you. Using a spreadsheet program, all you need to do is enter the data and choose what type of chart you want. A bar chart or line chart is best for displaying weight loss over time.

Instructions

1

Open a blank worksheet in Microsoft Excel.

2

Enter your data in columns or rows as you want it plotted in the chart. For example, in the first row, enter "Month." Tab over and type "Weight (in pounds)." This will display the month of the year on the horizontal axis of a column chart and your weight on the vertical axis. It will adjust accordingly, depending on what type of chart you choose.

3

Enter each month in the "Month" column below. Enter the numerical values of weight in the "Weight" column.

4

Highlight all the cells.

5

Click the "Insert" tab. In the "Charts" group, click the chart type you want. For a simple weight loss chart, choosing "Column" would work well. In the drop-down list, select the specific style of chart. You can always go back and change it later. The embedded chart appears on the screen.

6

Click the chart to select it. The "Chart Tools" tabs appear, including "Design," "Layout" and "Format."

7

Under "Design," make a selection in the "Chart Style" group to change the look of the data. You also can change the chart type in the "Type" group. Adjust different parts of the chart on the "Layout" tab, such as the placement of the chart title, axis titles and legend. The "Format" tab is for changing text attributes and styles.

8

Select text in the chart to edit it. For example, if you want to rename the title of the chart, click the text, delete it and retype.

9

Position the chart how you like and save it. Print it out for personal use if you like.

How to Naturally Balance Hormones in Women

Many women find themselves experiencing a wide variety of health issues, and want to figure out how to deal with these problems. Sometimes, a hormonal imbalance is causing some of the problems. This article will explore how to naturally balance hormones in women.

Instructions

1

Assess your condition to see if you might have a hormonal imbalance. Clues to this imbalance would include irregular periods and severe PMS, feeling sad or depressed, frequent bouts of diarrhea, loss of energy, and feeling overwhelmed. There is a self quiz about hormonal health, on the website listed in the resources. This can give you an idea that your hormones may be out of sync.

2

Go to your doctor, if you think you may have a hormone imbalance, especially after taking the quiz or having some of the symptoms above. The doctor will be able to give you tests to find out your hormone levels. This is also important because there may be something else more serious wrong with you, that needs diagnosis.

3

Tell the doctor you want to re-balance your hormones naturally. This way you can avoid hormone replacement therapy. The doctor can give you other recommendations as well as monitor your progress by re-checking hormone levels periodically.

4

Find ways to reduce your stress and relax. Stress is a major factor disrupting the natural hormone cycles of women. You can help to balance your hormones naturally by figuring out how to not let things bother you, and to just unwind after a day of hard work. Take a mental holiday now and then, or go on a vacation somewhere relaxing. Get enough sleep each night. You basically want to find ways for rest and relaxation to be part of your normal week.

5

Exercise. Start an exercise program, and stick to it. If you don't have a lot of time, make it something simple. For example, you could start walking one mile after work three evenings per week. Come up with something you can do every week on a consistent basis, so your body can adjust your hormonal balances and keep the balance steady.

6

Use food to balance your hormones naturally. You want to eat at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily, including leafy vegetables, berries, and citrus fruits. Eat whole grains, seeds and nuts, and fish such as salmon or tuna. For more information on specific foods to incorporate into your diet, you can see the website listed in the resources.

7

Take natural supplements. These should include supplements of vitamins and minerals and essential fats.

How to Lose a Pot Belly

A pot belly is a collection of fat around the abdominal area. If you're tired of having those extra pounds hanging over your jeans or are getting sick of beer-belly quips from friends and relatives, you may want to take steps to reduce (or hopefully even lose altogether) this unwelcome pudge. Here are some tips for how to lose a pot belly.

Instructions

1

Limit your intake of beer and other alcoholic drinks.

2

Develop proper posture. Stand erect, walk tall, sit straight and avoid slouching.

3

Eat dinner at least 2 to 3 hours before going to bed.

4

Add exercise to your daily routine. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

5

Walk as much as you can. Brisk walking is considered the best exercise for all age groups.

6

Do abdominal crunches and stomach exercises to tone your muscles and help trim the area. This won't get rid of the fat, but it can start to improve your stomach profile.

7

Sign up for an appointment with a fitness specialist or personal trainer to set up an exercise schedule designed especially for you.

8

Improve your eating habits. Minimize fat intake. Eat out less. Avoid junk foods and fried foods; instead, choose salads, lean proteins, whole grains and fruits. Drink lots of fluids (8 to 10 glasses of water a day) while avoiding sugary carbonated sodas.

9

Tell a trusted friend or family member about your efforts. Once you tell someone else, you'll feel more committed to making a change, and you can check in that person with progress reports as your belly shrinks.

10 Day Detox

A 10-day detox can be a long haul, but the potential benefits are worth the effort. There are many products out there that offer a "miracle" detox plan; beware that many claims are overblown, and not everything works for everyone.

One cleanse that effective for a lot of people is called the Master Cleanse, or the "Lemonade Diet." The cleanse involves drinking large quantities of a lemonade-like drink for 10 days, and stimulating the colon to flush itself.

Getting Started

Before you get started with the Master Cleanse, give yourself a few days to prepare yourself mentally. Cleansing your body can also result in cleansing emotional poison, and you might feel overemotional during this time. It's best to start a cleanse when you are in a secure, supportive environment.

Unlike some other cleanse programs, the Master Cleanse requires very little investment. You need a boatload of lemons (preferably organic, because they're free of pesticides), grade B maple syrup, cayenne pepper, an herbal laxative tea, and uniodized sea salt. You can also take psyllium to further cleanse the colon.

Refer to sites like www.mastercleanse.org and therawfoodsite.com/mastercleanse.htm for information and links to testimonials, so you know what you are in for.

Before the Cleanse

Before you actually begin the cleanse, spend a few days getting your system ready for drinking the lemonade drink. Some people skip this step, and get right to the cleanse. The first "pre-day," cut out meat and processed foods. The second day, eat only fruit and vegetables and soup broth. The third day, drink only 3 liters of fresh-squeezed orange juice mixed with 2 tablespoons of grade B maple syrup. Drink water copiously.

During the Cleanse

After three days of prep, you are ready to flush your system. Part of this involves doing a "salt water flush" each day. For this, mix between 2 teaspoons and 1 tablespoon of sea salt with 1 liter of water. Drink the entire thing as quickly as possible. After about 30 minutes, the water will literally "flush" through your system, and you'll be in the bathroom a lot for the next hour. Because of this, time your salt water flush to happen when you can be near a bathroom. This part can be the toughest for some people to stomach, as the water is very salty and the result is not pleasant. If your body does not seem to be flushing out all that water, try raising or lowering the amount of salt until you get the desired effect.

Throughout the day you'll also be drinking the lemonade concoction to keep your energy levels up and help you feel full. Make a large quantity of this at the beginning of the day, so you'll have some whenever you need it. Prepare a one-quart portion with 14 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice (with as much pulp as you wish to add), 14 tablespoons maple syrup, and as much cayenne pepper as you'd like. About 1/2 teaspoon is a standard amount. Combine the ingredients with one quart of water. Drink the lemonade drink throughout the day, whenever you feel hungry. Drink as much water as you can throughout the day. The important thing is to flush the body.

You can further eliminate toxins by drinking an herbal laxative tea once a day, whenever you will be near a bathroom. The herbal tea can be a nice change from drinking the lemonade concoction all day. You can also include psyllium into your routine for further flushing.

People have different reactions to drinking lemonade for 10 days. Some people are ravenously hungry, others seem content. Some people experience a social withdrawal during this time, because suddenly they can't meet a friend for coffee or go out to dinner or do all of the other food-centered activities they're used to. Some people are shocked to find mysterious things in the toilet after 10 days of cleansing--but that's the point--to get that stuff out!

After the Cleanse

When you've finally completed the 10 days of lemonade, you could be tempted to go right out and grab a pizza. Don't do it! When you come off the cleanse, take the same steps that you took at the beginning, only backward. Drink only fresh-squeezed orange juice with maple syrup the first day, fruits, veggies and broth the second, and stay away from meat and processed foods the last day. You may feel so good from your cleanse that you don't desire those things anyway.

Are Cashews Healthy to Eat?

Cashews are small beige seeds that grow from the bottom of a fruit called a cashew apple. You can snack on these seeds raw, roasted, or as a cashew nut butter spread. Cashews are a primary ingredient in many Asian dishes and are packed with healthy vitamins and minerals.

Heart Healthy Oleic Acid

Cashews are loaded with heart-healthy fat. Three-fourths of its fat content is made up of the unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid. Oleic acid is good for lowering triglyceride levels, which is especially helpful to people with diabetes.

Regulates Blood Pressure

Magnesium deficiencies can lead to an increase in blood pressure, muscle cramps and muscle spasms. These spasms include spasms of the heart and lungs. A 1/4 cup serving of cashews contains 23 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium.

Antioxidant Copper

Cashews contain 38 percent of your recommended daily value of copper. Being deficient in copper can eventually lead to iron deficiency, brain disturbances and burst blood vessels. Having a sufficient amount of copper in your diet can prevent these occurrences by helping your body utilize iron correctly. Copper also has the added bonus of eliminating free radicals.

Weight Management

According to a 2009 study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who eat nuts at least twice a week are less likely to gain weight over those who don't eat nuts at all.

Safety

Cashews have to be shelled before you can eat them. The shells are made of caustic resin, which is a hazardous additive used to make insecticides and paint varnishes.

How to Take Apple Cider Vinegar

Taking tangy apple cider vinegar is sure to make you pucker, but a few studies have shown its good for your health.Known mostly as a folk remedy and health tonic, apple cider vinegar has been used for thousands of years. It gained popularity in the U.S. in the late 1950s after a Vermont doctor promoted the health benefits of apple cider vinegar in his book. Taking apple cider vinegar has proven good effects for diabetics and dieters. A 2007 University of Arizona study concluded that taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered the blood sugar levels in the morning 4 to 6 percent for people with Type 2 diabetes. Several studies have also shown the vinegars effect on obesity. You can take apple cider vinegar many different ways. Read on for more information.

Instructions

Taking Apple Cider Vinegar

1

Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to an 8 oz. glass of water. Take it as a health tonic. Add a tablespoon or two of honey to sweeten. If you don't like the sour taste, add two tablespoons to your glass of vegetable or fruit juice. You won't be able to taste it.

2

Make a tangy dressing with apple cider vinegar. Whisk together one cup of olive oil with one cup apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Then, add two tablespoons of maple syrup, one minced garlic clove and two teaspoons of water. Add a bit of salt and pepper if you desire.Pour in a dressing bottle and shake well. This makes a great dressing for basic green salads or any salad that calls for a balsamic vinegar dressing.

3

Take an apple cider vinegar supplement. These are sold at health food stores and packaged as diet pills. A small 2005 study printed in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" concluded that taking vinegar helps people feel fuller and might help obesity. It's not advised to take the pills every day. And when you do, be sure to drink a lot water with it or take it with food. Apple cider vinegar is very acidic and has been known to damage the esophagus when not taken with care.

4

Use it on your vegetables. Sprinkle apple cider vinegar over your baked potato or steamed vegetables for just a bit of tang. It also tastes great on French fries and potato chips, but that's not nearly as healthy.In a 2007 University of Arizona study, apple cider vinegar was shown to slow the rise of glucose levels after a meal. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which is known to slow the digestion of high-glycemic foods, like potatoes. High-glycemic foods cause sharp spikes in blood sugar, which is harmful to diabetics.You can also use apple cider vinegar as a pickling agent. Simply substitute apple cider vinegar for whatever other vinegar is called for in your pickling recipe.Try it as a white vinegar substitute in your coleslaw recipe too.

5

Make an invigorating hot tea by adding two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a mug of hot water. Add honey, stevia or agave to sweeten. Try adding lemon or lime juice, ginger, cinnamon or other spices, if desired. Experiment with adding apple cider vinegar to herbal teas, too. This tea is a great addition to detoxifying diets and cleanses. Sip to relieve your cold or sore throat.

High Cholesterol & High Blood Pressure Diet

High cholesterol means too much cholesterol in your blood, which can adhere to the insides of your blood vessels' walls, collect, and eventually block blood flow. High blood pressure places stress on the heart and increases the chances of blocked or ruptured blood vessels. A healthy diet can help reduce the harmful effects of these conditions.

Significance

High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to heart disease.

Function

Cholesterol levels are affected negatively by high-fat animal products and hydrogenated vegetable products, such as certain vegetable oils and margarine. High blood pressure is affected negatively by too much sodium and caffeine and too little calcium, as well as by high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes.

Features

Avoid foods fried in hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as French fries; foods high in animal fats, including butter and full-fat dairy; high-sodium foods; caffeinated foods and drinks; commercial baked goods made with trans fats. Eat more high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, dark greens and beans.

Effects

Omega-3 fatty acids can help remove cholesterol from the body's blood supply.

Considerations

Because high blood pressure is affected by obesity and diabetes, it's best to avoid foods that negatively affect your weight and blood sugar.

Warnings

The FDA requires food retailers to note on packaging when food contains trans fatty acids, but in many places, restaurants are not required to reveal this information. If you are concerned about trans fats in your diet, ask the restaurant for that information.

High Protein Vegan Foods

A well-balanced vegan diet including whole grains, fruits, vegetables and high-quality, plant-based proteins offers all of the nutrition required for adults or children.
Vegan foods, including grains, nuts, seeds, beans and meat alternatives such as TVP (textured vegetable protein), are healthier protein sources than their meat counterparts. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Benefits

High protein vegan foods are generally more healthful and less expensive than their animal-derived counterparts. Plant-based proteins are more likely to be cholesterol-free and far less likely to increase the risk for hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease when compared with animal-based proteins.

Misconceptions

Early, now-refuted research led people to believe that plant proteins were inferior to animal proteins and that vegans could not acquire sufficient protein from a plant-based diet. This has been disproved.

Types

There is a wide variety of high protein vegan foods, including tempeh (41 g of protein per 1 cup serving), tofu (20 g per 1/2 cup), beans (14 to 20 g per cup), soybeans (14 g per 1/2 cup) and almonds or flaxseeds (8 g per 1/4 cup).

Ease of Use

Plant-based vegan protein sources are easily incorporated into meal planning. For example, meat alternatives such as TVP (textured vegetable protein) can replace ground beef as a cholesterol-free, heart healthy alternative in pasta sauces, and burger patties made from grains, beans and vegetables offer better nutritional value than hamburger patties.

Considerations

There is some concern that vegans can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin B12 is very low (2.4 micrograms per day for adults) and can be obtained through nutritional yeast, fortified cereals and nondairy milk alternatives, some meat substitutes and dietary supplements.

Vegan Diet & High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a major concern in countries all over the world. Many people experience serious health problems caused by high blood pressure, and most don't realize the amount of control they have over their own health. Learning more about what you can do to reduce your blood pressure and improve your overall health and well-being is a simple way to live a longer, healthier life.

The Facts

Two of the main contributors to heart disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In many cases, these symptoms occur together, and they are difficult to treat with medication. Taking multiple medications to treat the symptoms of both high blood pressure and high cholesterol causes various health problems, and the side effects often become difficult for some patients to handle. Luckily, there is a way to treat these symptoms without the use of drugs: the vegan diet.

Significance

According to Dr. T. Colin Campbell, former senior science advisor to the American Institute for Cancer Research and current director of the Cornell-China-Oxford Project on Nutrition, Health and Environment, "The vast majority of all cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and other forms of degenerative illnesses can be prevented simply by adopting a plant-based diet." High blood pressure is no exception. Animal products are the only source of cholesterol in your diet, and they account for the majority of saturated fat. Vegetarians typically avoid such foods, but vegans choose not to eat any meat, dairy, or eggs, eliminating cholesterol from their diets altogether and greatly decreasing their chances of high blood pressure.

Benefits

Approximately 90 percent of Americans suffer from high blood pressure, a major contributor to heart disease. It's estimated that 1.56 billion people will suffer from high blood pressure by 2025, according to Dr. Ed Zimney, of EverydayHealth. Most people have control over their symptoms and don't even know it. The main causes of high blood pressure are poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and too much stress. Incorporating exercise into your normal routine and practicing relaxation techniques can help lower your blood pressure, but nothing works quite like a change in diet. Most people underestimate how much the food they put into their bodies affects their health. According to Dr. William Castelli of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, "A low-fat plant-based diet would not only lower the heart attack rate about 85 percent, but would lower the cancer rate 60 percent."

Time Frame

Typically, the positive effects of a vegan diet are noticeable after just a few weeks. A study done by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition revealed that most people can lower blood pressure and lead healthier lifestyles by adopting a vegan diet. In fact, the average reduction of cholesterol levels in study participants was 11 percent after just 12 days.

Potential

John Robbins, Pulitzer Prize nominee for his work Diet for a New America, believes that the potential health benefits of a vegan diet are enormous. He found that blood cholesterol levels in vegetarians were 14 percent lower than meat eaters, and the blood cholesterol levels of vegans were an astronomical 35 percent lower. Additionally, he found that adopting a vegetarian diet cuts your risk of dying from heart disease in half. Be wary of those who claim poultry is a healthy alternative to red meat. According to John Robbins, "Chicken has about as much cholesterol as beef. There is no escaping the correlation between meat consumption and cholesterol levels." To truly take control of your health and your life, your best bet is to adopt a vegan diet.

Prevention/Solution

The solution to your high blood pressure may be as simple as adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet. If you have high blood pressure, you are more likely to suffer a stroke, die of congested heart failure or have a heart attack. John Robbins found that the "incidence of high blood pressure among senior citizens in countries eating traditional low-fat plant-based diets [is] virtually none." If you choose to adopt a vegetarian diet, your chances of seeing a significant decrease in blood pressure are an unprecedented 30 percent to 75 percent. A simple change in diet can and will help you live a longer, healthier life.

What Are Six Parts of Plants Eaten as Food?

If a plant has a part, there's a fairly good chance that someone has found a way to eat it. From top to toe, the plant world has more variety than you might imagine. Even plants that are traditionally considered to be part of one group (for example, root vegetables) may have other edible parts, such as their leaves. Does this Spark an idea?

Roots

Potatoes

Starting at the bottom, root vegetables grow both beneath and above the ground. Underground examples include potatoes, yams, parsnips and carrots, while above-ground vegetables include onions, beets and rutabagas. Root vegetables are often high in starch, a form of carbohydrate.

Stem

Rhubarb

The stem of a plant is also often edible. Examples include asparagus, celery and rhubarb, a sweet vegetable whose leaf stems you can use in pies. It's rather tart on its own, but you can use sugar to sweeten it or combine with a sweeter fruit, such as apples.

Flowers

Dandelion

With broccoli and cauliflowers, you eat the flower. However, there are other edible flowers: People make fritters out of elderberry tree flowers, for example, and other flowers, including dandelions, pansies and chive flowers, are edible.

Leaf

Cabbage

You eat the leaves of cabbage, lettuce, chard and some herbs, including mint and rosemary. However, you can also eat the leaves of less obvious vegetables, including beets and peas. Dandelion leaves are a salad vegetable, too.

Sap and Bark

Tapping maple syrup

Maple syrup comes from tree sap. However, it's not the only tree with edible sap: Two more examples are hickory and sweet birch. In the latter case, the sap goes into syrup, tea and beer. According to the University of New Hampshire Extension Service, birch sap production is now a cottage industry in Alaska and may be growing on the East Coast.

Sweet birch bark is also edible, according to Tom Brown in his book, "Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants." However, it requires significant skill to obtain without damaging the tree.

Fruit and Seed

Peas in a pod

Several plant seeds are also edible. Corn holds numerous kernels, which are both fruit and seed. Sunflower seed is edible, as are peas, beans and peanuts. Fruit trees carry the most obvious types of fruit, but tomatoes are fruit, too.

How to Get Pregnant With PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Fortunately, it is also one of the most treatable conditions. If you're trying to get pregnant with PCOS, it's imperative that you know your treatment options so that your road to parenthood can be as smooth as possible. Keep reading to find tips on how to get pregnant with--and despite--PCOS.

Instructions

1

Put your lifestyle in check. Most women with PCOS will notice an increase in fertility after changing their diet and exercise regimen. A 5 percent loss in body weight will make a big difference to their overall fertility and minimize the risk of gestational diabetes once they do become pregnant. Eating a diet low in fat and carbohydrates will help regulate insulin levels and help manage weight gain.

2

Take the right medications. Taking medication designed to treat insulin resistance is the first stepping stone to getting pregnant with PCOS. You should expect to take a drug like metformin for three to 6 months before adding other treatment options, since it takes a while to fully kick in.

3

Get help ovulating. PCOS women have difficulty ovulating properly; so you may have to use drugs such as Clomid to stimulate ovulation. Your doctor may also prescribe injections such as an HCG shot to further stimulate your ovaries.

4

Time it correctly. Taking your basal body temperature and charting it will help you determine the optimum time for conception. Your doctor can help explain when you and your partner should have intercourse, but it's typically the four days surrounding ovulation.

5

Give your partner a little help. Once the doctor determines that you're ovulating correctly, she may order intrauterine inseminations (IUI's). This will make it easier for your partner's sperm to reach your egg and increase your chance of conception.

6

Call in the professionals. If after a set amount of time none of the above attempts work, your doctor will ask you to consider in vitro fertilization, IVF, as an option.

How to Lose Weight With PCOS

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have a hormonal imbalance that can cause irregular menstrual cycles, acne, male-pattern hair growth and excess weight. Researchers don't know exactly what causes the condition, but insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, appears to play a role. Insulin is key to weight loss for PCOS. The cells of women with PCOS resist insulin and its attempt to move sugar from the blood stream into the cells for fuel. This causes two problems. First, excess sugar in the blood stream is converted into fat, primarily around the stomach. Second, the pancreas produces extra insulin to clear the blood of sugar and can cause the blood sugar to drop too low. Low blood sugar leads to sugar cravings because the brain thinks it doesn't have enough energy and asks for more.

Instructions

1

Reduce refined carbohydrates, such as sugar, white flour, potatoes, pasta, sugar-sweetened drinks and white rice. These carbohydrates digest quickly and will cause blood sugar to spike. Choose whole grains instead, including brown rice and whole-wheat bread, because they take longer to digest and release their sugar more slowly.

2

Eat proteins, like beans, lean meats or dairy products, with meals to, again, slow the release of sugar in your blood stream.

3

Exercise daily. A 30-minute walk improves your body's use of insulin. In addition, expending energy will help with weight loss.

4

Eat a 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon daily with meals. Research shows that cinnamon reduces sugar levels in the blood stream.

5

Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. With the exception of starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes, vegetables have little impact on blood sugar, so eat freely. Also, stick to whole fruits, because processed fruits, such as orange juice and applesauce, digest quickly.

How to Reduce High Androgen Levels Naturally

Brands of Plant Enzymes

Your body needs enzymes to obtain nutrients from food. Enzymes are naturally produced in your body and help assimilate calories and initiate the digestion process. According to naturopathic medical doctor Dana Myatt, enzyme supplements can aid digestion, help prevent health issues associated with indigestion and act as natural anti-inflammatories. Plant enzyme supplements are derived from microbe or plant sources and are thought to aid with digestion. Several companies manufacture plant enzymes. Does this Spark an idea?

Enhancing Gifts International

Enhancing Gifts International produces a plant enzyme supplement in capsule form. Plant Enzymes with GR8CF-77 Digestive Support contain nine plant-sourced enzymes, including amylase, bromelain, cellulose, galactosidase, lactase, lipase, maltase, protease and sucrase. Supplements also contain a blend of more than 75 ionic-form trace minerals. According to the Enhancing Gifts website, eating foods exposed to temperatures exceeding 118 degrees, processed foods, irradiated foods, commercially-grown foods and carbonated beverages can deplete the body of enzymes. The website recommends taking one to three capsules two minutes before each meal.

Integrative Therapeutics

Integrative Therapeutics produces several supplements containing plant enzymes. Similase contains a proprietary blend of plant-sourced enzymes. The Integrative Therapeutics website states that the product "is active across a broad pH range in the digestive tract" and can help relieve gas, bloating and other symptoms of indigestion. The recommended dosage is one to two pills before each meal. Similase GFCF also contains a gluten/casein digestive enzyme to aid with symptoms of gluten-intolerance. Similase BV contains an enzyme blend designed to help digest beans and vegetables. NutriVitamin Enzyme Complex with Iron is a multi-vitamin supplement that contains a range of vitamins, minerals and the plant enzymes amylase, cellulose, lactase, lipase, protease and sucrase. Integrative Therapeutics recommends taking two capsules each day.

NOW Foods

NOW Foods' Plant Enzymes VCaps contain five plant enzymes. According to the product website, amylase helps digest starch, cellulose breaks down fiber, protease breaks down protein, papain and bromelain aid in protein digestion and lactase helps digest lactose, or the sugars found in dairy products. NOW Foods recommends taking one capsule twice daily with meals. Other plant enzyme products include Papaya Enzymes, which contain dried, unripe papaya, protease, lipase and cellulose, and are marketed as digestion aids.

Rainbow Light

Rainbow Light's EnzyMend Digestive Aid product is designed to help digest beans, dairy and carbohydrates, and to calm distress from indigestion. Capsules contain 14 plant-based enzymes, including hemicellulase, phytase, glucoamylase, lipase, protease and invertase. The product's website recommends taking one capsule with or before meals. Daily Fruit and Fiber is marketed as fiber supplements. The product comes in powder form and contains papain and bromelain enzymes. The recommended dosage is one scoop per day. Lacto-Zyme Dairy-Eze contains plant enzymes to aid with dairy digestion, including lactase, lipase, malt diastase and invertase. The recommended dosage is one capsule with or before a meal or sprinkled on food.