Roles of a Cardiologist

There are many issues that affect the human race health wise. This has led to the need of getting specialists trained in all areas so as to handle all issues that may arise. You may have issues with your blood vessels, the cardiovascular system and even the heart.

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The Value of a Pediatric Endocrinologist

Pediatricians are an important part of the society and they come in handy in any place where there are children in need of medical assistance. Just like different physicians, a pediatrician needs to have traits such as patience, dedication, perseverance and so on. Extra traits for pediatricians There are other traits that pediatricians should possess so as to make them ideal for their post.

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10 of the Healthiest Vegetables You Can Eat

Onions

You’ll get the most out of this veggie’s cancer-fighting antioxidants by eating it raw; cooking onions at a high heat significantly reduces the benefits of phytochemicals that protect against lung and prostate cancer. (Find out how many times men should ejaculate for even more prostate cancer protection.) Try combining chopped raw onions with tomatoes, avocado, and jalapeño peppers for a blood sugar–friendly chip dip. Finish with a splash of lime juice. Learn why you should never double dip, though.

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Natural Trauma Care

What if the unthinkable happens? You have an accident, but you are nowhere near a hospital. What do you do? Is there such a thing as "natural trauma care"? The answer is a resounding YES.

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8 Normal Reasons Your Belly Is Bloated (and 4 Times to Worry)

You OD on veggies

If your belly feels a littler bigger than usual, don’t freak. “Unless it’s associated with weight loss, nausea, or vomiting, bloating is very common and usually not worrisome,” says Robert Burakoff, MD, clinical chief of gastroenterology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It’s often nutritious foods that could be the culprit of a little extra air in your tummy. Chowing down on beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, apricots, or carrots can lead to bloat, says Gina Sam, MD, director of the Gastrointestinal Motility Center at Mount Sinai Hospital. (These are more of the 7 worst foods for your belly.) Foods high in lactose, dairy’s main sugar, and foods high in fiber, which can lead to the release of bloating gases hydrogen and methane, can puff you up too, says Dr. Burakoff. If your diet is leaving you bloated, use these nighttime tricks that banish bloat while you sleep.

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This Is the Best Exercise to Flatten Your Belly, According to Science

If belly pooch is your biggest enemy when it comes to weight loss, you’re certainly not alone. While it would be great to just wave a magic wand and make the flab disappear, there’s actually something that comes pretty close: exercise. One exercise in particular is scientifically proven to whittle your waistline—and make your belly fat practically vanish into thin air. (On the flip side, these tricks to flatten your belly don’t require a lick of exercise.)

A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness has recently revealed the best way to flatten your stomach. Over the course of eight weeks, 39 volunteers exercised four times per week. While one group performed four regular cardio and strength workouts, the other group did two regular workouts and two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. Then, researchers used a series of tests to assess the participants’ progress.

The final results couldn’t have been more clear: Not only did the HIIT group lose more weight overall, but they also lost more inches to their waistline when compared to the conventional exercise group. The HIIT participants also significantly reduced their levels of visceral fat, which is found in your abdomen and associated with health problems such as type 2 diabetes. What’s more, the HIIT group also showed an increase in their cardio respiratory fitness, while their counterparts did not.

Thanks to the short, intense bursts of energy required for HIIT workouts, your body gets pushed to its absolute limit, causing it to burn fat for the rest of the day, researcher say. Four of these training sessions per week could be the secret to getting the six-pack you’ve always dreamed of. Ready to get started? This exercise can flatten your stomach in 10 minutes.

If you don’t have a gym membership yet, you can still banish your belly fat for good. Just focus on your plate, instead. These 10 foods fight belly fat; incorporate them into your diet, and you’ll be on your way to a slimmer waistline in no time.

[Source: Women’s Health]

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After Cutting Out This One Daily Habit, This Woman Lost Nearly 30 Pounds

Improving Digestion - Tips, Tricks and Essential Facts

Given the important role played by the digestive system in ensuring proper functioning of the human body, every individual must take an interest towards improving digestion. While a good digestive system has a positive impact on the overall functioning of the body, the reverse is equally true.

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14 Things Healthy, Happy People Do on Their Lunch Breaks

They head outside

After you step foot in the office in the morning, lunchtime might be your only chance to escape your building. As little as two minutes in the fresh air to feel the sun or watch the rain could help your mind and body reset from the pressure of the day. Here’s how walking can boost your mood.

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Does Your Heart Stop When You Sneeze: What's the Truth?

Just before sneezing, a lot of people relax slowly. This improves pressure in the chest and briefly inhibits the blood flow to the heart, which can reduce hypertension and boosts the heart rate.

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The 7 New Rules of Counting Calories to Lose Weight

Figure out how many calories you actually need

If you’re looking for scientifically proven ways to start losing weight right now, your first order of business is to answer the question: How many calories should I eat to lose weight? “A good guideline is 2,000 calories per day for adults,” says Scott Kahan, MD, MPH, the director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness in Washington, D.C. But the best way to get an accurate picture of how many calories you need to maintain or lose weight is to plug your numbers into a Basal Metabolic Rate calculator. “You enter your height, weight, gender, and age, and based on these four variables, the calculator will tell you what your daily calorie burn is,” he says. This number refers to how many calories you burn by doing absolutely nothing for 24 hours—and represents the minimal amount of energy (i.e. calories) you need in order to function. To answer your question, “how many calories should I eat to lose weight?” estimate how many calories you burn with exercise and add it on, then subtract 500 calories from the total number to determine how many calories you need to cut out to start shedding pounds.

Joy L. Bauer, MS, RD, CDN, the founder of Nourish Snacks and the health and nutrition expert on The Today Show, makes it even easier: “I recommend trying to stay within a calorie range versus landing on a specific number,” says the New York City-based nutritionist and author of several books including From Junk Food to Joy Food. “For most women trying to lose weight, I’d suggest 1,200 to 1,600 calories per day,” she says. “For men, between 1,600 and 2,000 calories would be their target range.” This is how to cut 3,500 calories in one day (Yes, really.)

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8 Healthy Trail Mix Makeovers That Can Save You Tons of Calories

Pumpkin pie spiced nuts trail mix

There are more reasons to use pumpkin than just in a pumpkin spice latte (and here are some of our delicious faves). Pumpkin spice can really amplify the flavor profile of traditional trail mix and it works well with other ingredients, like almonds, cinnamon, and sunflower seeds.To increase the healthy fat content and keep the mix low-sugar, Elizabeth Ann Shaw, MS, RDN, CLT, dietitian and blogger at Shaw’s Simple Swaps, shares a secret—she uses nuts over too many sweet ingredients, like dried fruit, to fill up on protein and not sugar. “Nuts are the great building block of a solid trail mix blend that will help increase your satiety since the majority of their nutrient density comes from their unsaturated fat content,” as well as other key nutrients, such as protein, fiber, and magnesium. Get the full recipe.

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The One Food You Should Never, Ever Eat at Night (or Risk Gaining Weight)

Research shows that eating late at night can make you gain weight, but if your tummy starts rumbling after the sun goes down, you shouldn’t ignore it either. Going to bed hungry could keep you tossing and turning and cause you to binge eat later on. (Find out what else happens when you go to bed hungry.) Experts don’t necessarily advise filling up on an entire meal before you hit the hay, but it’s OK to nibble on a small snack.

Although not all foods are off limits in the evenings, you should definitely stay away from one in particular. And chances are, it’s so convenient and yummy that you’re already munching on it after 8 p.m.

That no-no nibble? A bowl of sugary cereal. It certainly does a great job of relieving the midnight munchies, but most commercial brands are loaded with refined sugars and fructose corn syrup. Just a few cups’ worth can send your blood sugar soaring and then crashing down as you snooze. Not only does that cause a less restful night’s sleep, but you’ll also wake up feeling ravenous—making you more inclined to scarf down anything in sight before you head out the door. And if this becomes a habit, it can take a serious toll on your waistline.

Not all cereals are created equal, though. So for those who absolutely must have this breakfast staple at night, read the labels carefully and choose brands that contain whole grains and fiber. And keep your portions small, or risk your diet going out the window the next morning.

Other good picks to curb the late night munchies include high protein, low-fat and carb snacks like Greek yogurt. Throw in a handful of berries or a teaspoon of natural honey if you’re craving a sweeter fix. Chowing on this one food at night could help you burn fat in your sleep, too. And when you wake up in the morning, opt for the perfect breakfast to keep you burning calories all day long.

[Source: SheFinds.com]

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11 of the Best Diet Tricks for a Skinnier Halloween

What’s scarier: creepy costumes, or candy corn?

Tempting treats, probably, whether you’re following a strict weight-loss plan or just aiming to eat healthy without too much added sugar. But there are ways to ease the damage Halloween can do to your diet, from when you buy your candy to how you portion it out. Here, some of the best tricks we’ve heard for sticking to a skinnier Halloween.

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Eating This One Food Can Stop Your Junk Food Cravings for Good

Uh-oh—you just started a new diet, but your mouth is watering for a juicy burger, salt-soaked fries, and a giant soda. If you take one bite, you know that your resolve will come tumbling down. What to do?

Dealing with food temptation can be tough. We hear ya! Junk food cravings come in every shape and size, but all are scientifically proven physiological reactions that shouldn’t be ignored.

Of the many ways to steer clear of processed fare—and here’s how to train your brain to hate the junk—there’s one that stands out from the rest. And luckily for dieters everywhere, it couldn’t be simpler. (These science-backed tips to stop your strongest food cravings can’t hurt, either.)

The solution: Eating just one raisin very, very slowly.

Sounds crazy, right? But it can actually work, according to Dr. Leslie Korn, an expert in mental-health nutrition and author of the new cookbook The Good Mood Kitchen. Korn says that the process of mindfully eating a grape releases chemicals that can curb your worst cravings.

To try it for yourself, start by picking up a raisin and examining its various dips and grooves. You can sniff it, too. While you do so, pay attention to your body’s reaction, such as a watering mouth or rumbling stomach, for example.

Next, place the raisin on your tongue and move it around in your mouth, inspecting the fruit’s texture. As you slowly chew the raisin, take note of its soft center and various flavors. Then swallow it, and stay still as you imagine the fruit moving through your body, all the way down to your stomach. Finally, ask yourself a simple question: “What does my body really need?”

That’s it! In five minutes or less (and for just a few calories), you just said adiós to your appetite. How? “The raisin exercise couples our awareness with our ability to exert control over our ‘automatic’ reactions,” Korn told The New York Post. Translation: You are teaching your body to say no to late night binge eating. (But if you absolutely have to munch in the p.m., here’s what to eat.)

This practice of mindful eating launches a chemical reaction called parasympathetic dominance, which slows your heart rate and breathing. Levels of an anti-anxiety neurotransmitter called GABA also rise, which stabilizes your appetite and improves digestion later on (like during your next meal or snack).

Although Korn recommends using a raisin due to its unique taste and texture, she says that munching on a small bite of almost anything could do the trick. So if you don’t have a raisin in the pantry, these healthy snacks can satisfy every craving, too.

[Source: The New York Post]

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This Is Why Ditching Your Diet (for a Few Weeks) Will Help You Lose Weight

Losing weight can be a tricky beast. Maybe your first weeks of fitness and healthy-eating yielded great results and now you’ve hit a plateau. Maybe you’re a late-night snack junkie, who frequently wrecks their day’s progress (and make their skin look old) with late night calories. Or maybe you just haven’t found the right tactic to keep the weight off for good.

Fad diets come and go, and maybe you’ve found one that works for you. But there might be a good reason to ditch it for a few weeks, and not just because Oktoberfest is coming up. According to Today, taking periodic time off from your diet might just be the key to weight loss that you’ve been looking for.

A study recently published in the International Journal of activity involved 51 obese men split into two separate groups with two separate eating regimens. The first group would strictly follow a diet which would slice their daily caloric intake by a third for 16 straight weeks, while the second group would follow the same diet, but would take every other two weeks off from it.

The surprising results saw the men in the second group lose 50 percent more weight then the men in the first, despite dieting for half the aggregate time. The results reflect the body’s habit of adjusting appetite to respond to calorie intake; when the body starts taking in fewer calories than usual, it increases your appetite and also works to conserve more energy, leading to fewer calories being burned.

The adjustment is what study co-author Nuala Byrne calls a “famine reaction.” The study was conducted by the University of Tasmania, where Byrne is a professor.

“Our body senses the change in energy intake… and brings out the artillery to defend our energy stores,” Byrne told Today, “This doesn’t mean we can’t be successful in long-term weight loss, we just need to have a better understanding of how the body works.”

After the study was completed, both groups of participants gained back some of the weight lost, but the group who took part in intermittent dieting managed to still be, on average, 18 pounds lighter than their continuous dieting counterparts.

Need some help losing weight? Check out these fast, easy tips proven to help you lose weight.

[Source: Today]

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Beware: Following These 3 Fad Diets Could Raise Your Risk of Diabetes

Gluten-free diet

A gluten-free diet eliminates the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. It is the only treatment for celiac disease and may also provide relief for people with IBS, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy. Some people without gluten intolerance or sensitivity may think it’s a good idea to cut out gluten to lose weight, but many nutritionists, including Nichole Dandrea, MS, RD, don’t recommend it. “Since this diet eliminates whole grains, there is a risk of consuming processed carbohydrates that that are devoid of fiber and essential nutrients—vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients,” she explains. “A lower fiber intake may result in higher glycemic foods and increased glycemic load.” In simple terms, that means higher blood sugar. Here’s how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. On the contrary, she adds, “if someone is following a gluten-free diet that consists of naturally gluten-free whole foods such as sweet potato and quinoa, plus lots of vegetables, and nuts, seeds and legumes for protein, then it may not have an effect on diabetes risk.” To avoid increased diabetes risk, eat unprocessed whole plant-based foods that are naturally gluten-free. Is there a dangerous link between a gluten-free diet and heart disease?

Ketogenic diet

A ketogenic or “keto” diet significantly limits carbohydrates, the body’s preferred source of fuel, to force it to burn fat for energy instead. (Here’s what it’s really like to follow the ketogenic diet.) In a ketogenic diet, the foods you’re allowed to eat are high in saturated fat, which ultimately elevates triglycerides levels, according to Beth Warren, MS, RDN, CDN. “This can contribute to insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes,” she says. “Additionally, because of the high-fat content in foods, if calories from fat are not calculated, a person can gain weight, which can also contribute to diabetes in the long run.” A keto diet, she adds, also lacks fiber from foods such as legumes, such as beans, lentils, and whole grains. “A diet high in fiber is shown to help combat the risk for diabetes.” Here’s how to get more fiber in your diet without even trying.

Paleo diet

A modern paleo diet—limited to foods you could hunt or gather way back in cave times, such as meats, fish, nuts, leafy greens, regional veggies, and seeds—helps some people lose weight and others beat chronic pain, but it can increase the risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes. “While this diet consists of unprocessed foods, which is a good thing, it can also be devoid of fiber and essential nutrients that are naturally high in whole grains and legumes,” says Dandrea. “It’s also high in animal-based protein, which increases intake of saturated fat.” (These are the signs you’re eating too much bad fat.) But there is a way to do Paleo without hiking your risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes, and that’s to follow a plant-based paleo diet that’s high in vegetables, nuts, and seeds. “Some Paleo enthusiasts still avoid whole grains and legumes, however, which have been shown to help in preventing diabetes and helping with blood sugar control given the high fiber content,” Dandrea adds.

If you’re tempted to change your diet, make sure you speak to your doctor first. And if you already have diabetes, here are 15 of the best foods for diabetes, according to science.

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9 Months in, Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury Continues to Improve Paralyzed Patient's Life

Asterias Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company, which is dedicated to regenerative medicine. Recently they have launched a new medicine AST-OPC1 that offers embryonic stem cell based treatment for patients with spinal cord injuries. The medicine was under trail for a while and now it has been declared completely safe and highly effective for patients with spinal cord diseases.

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Are Poor Quality Surgical Instruments Posing a Threat to Patients?

The quality of surgical instruments and other equipment is yet another factor that is often overlooked but critical to success of the surgery. A surgical instrument must be made to the exact specifications and should undergo a critical examination procedure. are these posing a threat to the patient's health?

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Eating A Low GI Diet for Increased Energy Levels

Are you ready to hear the one lifestyle change I've made that has improved my energy levels more than any other? Hold on to your seats: It was switching over to a Low GI Diet.

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You Can Reverse Type 2 Diabetes—If You Lose This Many Pounds

More than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even more alarming is the fact that many don’t even realize they have the deadly condition—and those are just two of the many surprising facts about type 2 diabetes. Despite the staggering numbers, there is a way out: Not only do exercise and a good diet help, researchers now know exactly how much weight type 2 diabetics need to lose to resolve many or all of their symptoms.

In research from Scotland that was just published in BMJ, investigators tracked patients with type 2 diabetes for almost 10 years, and found that those who had followed a restricted-calorie diet and lost at least 33 pounds no longer had diabetes. These findings built on a series of clinical trials begun in 2011, in which people who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were able to maintain a normal blood sugar level while staying on a calorie-restrictive diet, Time magazine reports.

One of the study’s authors, Mike Lean, professor of human nutrition at the University of Glasgow in Scotland explained to Time that type 2 suffers need to act within the first five years of their diagnosis to see the most effective results. “Type 2 diabetes is a disease best avoided by avoiding the weight gain that drives it,” he said. “For people who do develop it, evidence-based weight-loss programs could help them achieve lasting remission. Not all can do it, but they should all be given the chance with good support. Taking tablets or injections for life to reduce blood sugar is a poor second-rate treatment.”

Many people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes aren’t aware the cure is in their hands, Lean explained. Doctors must also take the lead, he says, so that patients understand they don’t have to spend a lifetime on medication. Lean and his colleagues recommend that more programs arming patients and their providers with the information that weight loss can cure type 2 diabetes.

Lean recommends that “patients should do their best—by any available and safe method—to lose weight and keep it off. People with diabetes should start to demand support for sustained weight loss, but it will never be simple, and they themselves have to make big long-term changes.” Looking for ways to kick start that weight loss? Here are some tried and true tips to lose weight.

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This New Skin Patch Dissolves Excess Body Fat Anywhere You Put It

Say goodbye to pricey gym memberships, fad diets, and every other weight loss tool out there. Pretty soon, a simple skin patch could make the fat melt right off your body—no effort required.

Does it seem too good to be true? The numbers don’t lie. Trials with mice show that these patches reduce fat by as much as 20 percent in treated areas.

The miracle medication was developed by researchers at Columbia University and the University of North Carolina. And not only could it give you the metabolism of your dreams, but it could also help combat conditions like obesity and diabetes. (You can also lose belly fat with these easy home remedies.)

Here’s how it works: The patch’s grid of microscopic needles lightly pierces the area where the fat is stored, delivering nanoparticles of weight loss drugs underneath the skin. Those drugs then transform energy-storing white fat (the bad kind) into energy-burning brown fat (the good kind). Although a growing body of research has focused on how to activate this conversion—a process called browning—this is the first type of treatment to deliver the drugs via a patch.

“There are several clinically available drugs that promote browning, but all must be given as pills or injections,” pathologist Li Qiang from Columbia University said. “This exposes the whole body to the drugs, which can lead to side effects such as stomach upset, weight gain, and bone fractures. Our skin patch appears to alleviate these complications by delivering most drugs directly to fat tissue.”

To test the patches, researchers applied them to obese mice every three days for four weeks. The treated mice had two patches applied on different sides of their bodies: one containing one of two browning drugs—either rosiglitazone (also called Avandia) or a chemical called CL316243—and the other containing empty nanoparticles.

The patches containing the medication produced a 20 percent reduction in fat on the treated side of the obese mice, compared to the patches with no browning drugs, according to the final results. Mice who received the browning patch also showed lower fasting blood glucose levels than their control counterparts.

More research is needed to determine if this drug will be safe for humans to use, of course. But the results look promising so far. Until then, you can get a head start with these 42 fast, easy tips for weight loss.

[Source: ScienceAlert]

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Go the Laparoscopic Way for Removal of Your Gallbladder!

Rapid technological strides in the medical field over the past decade have altered the way surgeries are performed today. Many emergency and elective surgeries can be done through a minimally invasive technique in today's times. The code word for this minimally invasive technique is 'Laparoscopic surgery' which is being increasingly used in today's times for removal of colon, spleen, uterus, ovaries, gallbladder and so on. A brief on laparoscopic gall bladder surgery is being given below.

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How to Stop Emotional Eating: 7 Mind Tricks That Shut Down Cravings

Stop emotional eating: Write a 5 x 5 list

Distraction gets a bad rap in our culture: it’s associated with mindless behavior like texting while driving (or walking, for that matter) or with a lack of focus. But distraction—when it means redirecting our attention in a focused, purposeful way—can be one of your best weapons against emotional eating. It “can shake loose thoughts of eating and put an end to the loop of food chatter that makes you mindlessly munch,” writes Dr. Albers in 50 More Ways. “By giving yourself something else to do or focus on, you give yourself time for the thought about food or the emotion driving you to eat to cool down and dissipate.” Trying this exercise: Take out a piece of paper, and write down five quick lists of five items each: five people you can call when you feel down, upset, or angry; five ways to relax (ex: take a hot shower); five places to go to calm down (ex: your porch); five things you can say to yourself under stress (ex: “This too will pass”); and five activities to distract yourself (ex: watch a show on Netflix). Display this list on your refrigerator or a kitchen cabinet. Next time you’re driven to snack to soothe yourself, look at the list, and choose one of the 25. Do it for five minutes, and be sure to give it your entire attention.

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Catharsis: From Grief To Freedom

According to the demographics, health or change in physical functioning of a person's body is the rapid cause of a mood change. From general sickness to a brief stint at the hospital any illness alters our psychological state for a period of time. Whereas, In case of severe procedures like amputation the story reads itself differently. Most people who undergo amputation face mental crisis, bringing about a stagnation in the quality of their life, stopping the wheels of their personal progress dead in tracks. The certain stages of grief associated with amputees is quite a confrontation, but without any dead ends. Regionally speaking, Leg amputation in India is followed by a brief stint of rehabilitation, allowing the patient to go through a couple of leg prosthetics trials. This physical rehabilitation therapy is accompanied by cognitive care, highlighting the mental state of the patient at that point of his life. Before going ahead with the surgery, the Doctor shall rundown the procedure and future prospects after the amputation.

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5 Major Perks of Buying Medical Equipment Online

The above are some of the primary reasons why medical equipment online shopping is something that you should opt for. Nevertheless you should go for a thorough background check prior to placing the order. This includes checking whether the supplier is licensed or not and also assessing what the other purchasers have to say about the supplier.

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50 Daily Habits of Naturally Thin People

Work out when you wake up: Burn 10 calories

When your eyes open, sit up slowly without using your hands. With legs straight out, lean forward until you feel a gentle stretch in your back and hamstrings. Hold; then, using your abs, lower yourself flat. Rest and repeat two more times. This strengthens your core. These are other morning habits of naturally thin people.

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The One Myth About Obesity That You Need to Stop Believing

At some point or another, more than half of all Americans have been obese. It’s a health condition which carries with it higher risks of heart disease, diabetes, and sudden death, but it’s far from permanent. Someone can bring their weight back down through diet and exercise, but is it possible to be obese and healthy at the same time? No, according to a new study from the University of Birmingham.

The findings, which were recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, took a look at the vital signs of participants consider both normal weight and obese, but healthy, over the span of five years. The study concluded that even though the obese participants were “metabolically healthy,” they were still putting their health at serious risk.

The specific numbers to note for obese participants included a 49 percent higher chance of developing heart disease and a 96 percent higher risk of suffering from heart failure, compared to their normal weight counterparts.

The research took into account a sizable sample size for the study, 3.5 million British adults in total. The lead author of the study, Dr. Rishi Caleyachetty, spoke to the Independent about the debunked “fat but fit” notion.

“Metabolically healthy obesity is not a harmless condition, and it would be incorrect to think so. It’s actually better not to use this term as it can create a lot of confusion,” said Dr. Caleyachetty.

If you’re looking to lose weight, these proven, science-backed tips are a solid starting point. But the real secret to weight loss might just be in your bathroom.  

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Healthy Living - Three Important Health Tests

Constant assessment of your health is a must if you want to live a long and disease free life. Sadly, many people are not taking the time to have the assessments carried before they run into serious health problems: full blown health issues that could have been avoided. Fortunately, by educating yourself on the health tests you should be taking, you can have a better idea of which tests to get done to optimize your well-being. Let us go over three such tests so you can ask your doctor about them at your next check-up...

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If You’re Trying to Lose Weight, Avoid This One Food at All Costs

Some weight loss connoisseurs might swear by artificial sweeteners from dawn till dusk. After all, they are the healthier, no-calorie equivalent to real sugar, right? Not so fast. Aside from being one of the foods nutritionists never eat, a new report suggests that sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose might have the opposite effect, making you gain weight instead of lose it. The horror! (You might want to try these healthy snacks for weight loss, instead.)

Researchers reviewed 37 studies, including both randomized (short-term) and observational (long-term) trials. While the results in the randomized trials found no significant impact of sweetener use on body mass index (BMI), the observational studies noted a small increase in BMI tied to the use of sweeteners. These studies also reported a 14 percent higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes and a 32 percent higher chance of cardiovascular troubles for the heaviest compared to the lightest users.

“We were really interested in the everyday person who is consuming these products not to lose weight, but because they think it’s the healthier choice, for many years on end,” Meghan Azad, lead author of the review and a research scientist at the University of Manitoba, said. At the moment, “there is no clear benefit for weight loss, and there’s a potential association with increased weight gain, diabetes and other negative cardiovascular outcomes.”

Scientists still aren’t sure why artificial sweeteners have such a negative impact on our health. Some hypothesize that the sweet stuff could increase our craving for sugary foods, change the way our bodies handle real sugar, or alter our metabolism for the worse. On the other hand, if we feel proud for turning up our nose at real sugar, we may feel tempted to cheat on our diets later on. (Here’s what happens to your body if you stop eating artificial sweeteners for good.)

These results don’t indicate a direct cause and effect relationship, of course; lots of different habits and lifestyles can determine overall health. And having a diet soda every once in awhile won’t kill you, ultimately. However, it can benefit your long term health by making some simple changes to your diet. Azad recommends nixing your sweet tooth entirely and opting for more savory alternatives, such as plain or fruit-infused water, black coffee, or plain yogurt mixed with fruit. You can try these swaps for dramatic weight loss, too.

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50 Things Your Doctor Wishes You Knew About Losing Weight

Even nutritious foods can make you gain weight

“Many people think if it’s healthy you can eat as much as you want, but it’s important to limit ‘recreational’ eating, no matter how healthy the snack.” (When you do snack, make sure you’re choosing the right kind; try these 30 healthy snacks.) —Fiola Sowemimo, MD, Board-Certified in Internal and Bariatric Medicine

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15 Worst Weight-Loss Tips Doctors Wish You’d Stop Following

You can lose pounds in days

Don’t follow any diet with a number in the title—”The 7-Day Diet,” or “The 48-Hour Diet,” for instance. “That implies there’s an endpoint,” says Philadelphia medical weight loss expert Charlie Seltzer, MD. The problem with those quick fixes? “You’re not addressing the things that have made you overweight in the first place,” he says. Uncovering the behaviors and making a plan to overcome them is what creates lasting change.

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The 20 Healthiest Foods to Eat in Every Food Group

Grain: Oats

When in doubt, always go for whole grains. Oats fit the bill perfectly. They’re packed with beta glucan, a type of soluble fiber that helps keep your cholesterol in check, according to Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN, founder of simplecravingsrealfood.com. Plus, you can use them to bulk up recipes, like meatballs and meatloaf, to save a few calories. Go for steel cut, slow cooking, or (unsweetened) instant—whatever you prefer. They all deliver on fiber and you’ll eat more of what your schedule allows and you enjoy. These are the tasty oatmeal toppers you haven’t thought to try.

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25 Nutritionist-Approved Ways to Speed Up Your Metabolism

Drink up

Jumpstart your metabolism as soon as you wake up by drinking a large glass of water. Founder of Hispanic Food Communications, Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, suggests placing a glass by your beside before you go to bed and drinking it first thing every morning. If you don’t like water, most other liquids count as well, according to the latest recommendations, as do fruits and veggies with a high water content such as mandarin, watermelon, and cucumber.

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The Real Secret to Weight Loss Might Just Be in Your Bathroom

Weight loss is a tricky task to conquer, even with a full arsenal of tips. More than half of Americans have been obese at some point in their lives and more than 90 percent of men suffer from this dangerous weight condition. There isn’t one single way to achieve one’s ideal weight, but there may be a new location worth looking—your toilet.

According to Men’s Health, poop might be the answer to weight loss (and also to many a juvenile bathroom joke). Fecal matter contains a litany of information about your gut bacteria and sending to have it analyzed can help better tailor a plan to drop those pounds.

In a study recently published in the International Journal of Obesity,  people’s ability to lose weight depends heavily on bacteroides and prevotella, two forms of gut bacteria which help digest the fiber in your diet. Some people have higher concentrations than others and the only way you can know is if you have your number two shipped off to a lab.

The study gathered together 62 overweight participants and randomly assigned them either a specifically higher fiber, fruit and vegetable-dominated diet or a standard diet which was heavily meat and fat-based. The participants with the higher-fiber diet lost 7.5 pounds while the regular diet participants lost just shy of four pounds over a six-month span.

This is where the poop pops on the scene; after the initial half-year trial, all participants were shifted to the high fiber diet, and it was found that the people with the higher concentrations of bacteroides and prevotella reaped the greatest losses. In fact, in both segments of the study, it was always the participants with higher concentrations of the crucial gut bacteria that enjoyed trimmer waist lines and greater fat loss.

There isn’t much you can do to up the number of gut bacteria you have, so don’t go licking any doorknobs just yet. Try these workouts that burn the most calories—or, if you’re exercise-averse, here’s how you can lose weight without a lick of exercise. 

[Source: Men’s Health] 

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More Than Half of Americans Have Had This Dangerous Health Condition in Their Lives

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2014, one in three American adults are obese and one in 13 American adults are considered to be extremely obese. For children, the number is a bit less consuming, as about one in six children or adolescents ages 2 to 19 were considered obese.

The negative health side effects of obesity can range from higher blood pressure and in turn, higher risk of sudden death, to decreased energy and altered mood. Even though the numbers mentioned above peg approximately one-third of Americans as falling into this dangerous category, another number may note a sign of progress; according to Men’s Health, over half of Americans have been obese at some point in their lives.

If the numbers were both steady at above 50 percent, that might be additionally disconcerting, showing a sort of inertia when entering this category. A Boston University study analyzed Body Mass Index (BMI) statistics nationally from 1988 to 2014 and found that 51 percent of American men and 52 percent of American women have been obese at some point in their lives. (Did you know that 90 percent of American men have this dangerous weight condition?)

Anyone who has a BMI above 30 is considered to be obese. A “normal” BMI is considered to be anywhere from 19-24, “overweight” covers 25-29, and “extreme obesity” starts at 40. Calculating BMI takes into account a given person’s weight in relation to their height. (Although, BMI isn’t always the best judge of one’s health.)

If you’re looking to lose weight, inform yourself with any one of these proven ways to lose the extra pounds.

[Source: Men’s Health] 

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Neglected Fracture Symptoms & Treatment

We have often heard of fractures and dislocation of bones in children. But dislocation or fracture of bones in growing children are completely different that of in adults. The paediatric fracture also known as neglected fracture should always be dealt with special care and concern. The paediatric fracture further is treated by a skilled orthopaedic surgeon to eliminate the deformities of the bone present or to remove the functional disability.

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Kidney Transplant: Back to Basics

This is one of the most common questions as far as kidney transplant is concerned. One of the most common reasons people go for a kidney transplant is when they have a kidney failure. Read on to know more about when a patient has to go for this transplant.

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15 Pictures That Prove Calorie-Counting Won’t Always Help You Lose Weight

So Tell Me Again What Mindfulness Is

Defining what mindfulness is is not an easy task. Often the best response is to say it is what you make your mindfulness practice to be. Alternatively we can look to what it should and shouldn't be.

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Giving Up Meat Was Like Nothing I Ever Expected—Here’s Why

Confession time. I used to think I needed meat. I thought digging into a juicy cut of something that was once alive was a fundamental part of my personality. It defined me in some incremental way. And yet, just a few weeks ago, it all snapped into place. There was no trickle effect here; my mind flooded with an immediate realization. I no longer wanted to eat meat. I simply woke up one morning—in more ways than one, you might say—and haven’t wrapped my lips around a single burger since. Here’s why.

Meat and animals = the same thing

Wandering aimlessly down the aisles at my local supermarket, I’d paw at the various packages of faceless meat products. Faceless being the operative word. Never having to see the animal I was about to eat was a huge part of how I maintained my lifestyle. I was squeamish about eating meat off the bone because it was ‘too real’ or, to put it frankly, “too close to being an animal” for my liking. Perhaps I should have known even then; I was a closet veggie through and through. (Thinking of giving up meat? Here are the easiest ways to going vegetarian.)

Despite adoring the flavor of the stuff, the idea of eating animals had always made me especially queasy. This realization came a to fruition just over a month ago. My partner was describing in graphic detail a meal he’d recently eaten. At the heart of his quippy anecdote was the fact that the pork belly on his plate had been joined to a few extra ribs; he’d gotten more meat for his money and was utterly thrilled. Instead of partaking in his glee, I felt a confusing sense of unease.

Are we destroying the planet?

It hardly takes a genius to answer that question. Yes. Yes, we are. Climate change is happening, one horrendous hurricane at a time (seriously, it’s one of the worst hurricane seasons ever). There was a point when I simply had no clue of the extent to which the meat industry was contributing to the problem. I wasn’t alone in that ignorance either. Yet, while considering a change of diet, I really started to look into the facts of the matter.

The figures were worse than I’d expected. Livestock and their byproducts are responsible for 51 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report by Worldwatch Institute. Or, to rephrase that, the industry alone produces an unfathomable 32.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide every single year. What’s more, the UN has stated that a shift to a vegan diet could stop global poverty, hunger, and the impact of climate change. The facts are right there.

Decision time: Bye, bye meat

You could call my decision to go meat-free a snap one. It happened in an instant. I can’t proclaim to have spent months mulling over the idea—turning it around in my mind until I had my definitive answer. That’s not how it happened. It was hardly even a conscious choice. At least, it didn’t feel like one.

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I was sitting in the shared work space I use, listening to some soft background music as I typed away. And yet, the same notion kept coming to me. That thought in the depths of my mind kept niggling and nagging away. I no longer wanted to be a “meat-eater.” There. I said it.

But what will people think?

Now, I wish I could say that I’m the kind of person who didn’t give a flying monkey’s what people thought. Sadly, I’m not that girl. Telling people about my choice wasn’t about them; it was an affirmation to myself. I’d expected indifference. After all, it wasn’t a major change; not really. What I got instead was one of two strikingly opposing opinions.

“But we’re supposed to eat meat!” my friend spluttered over her freshly poured glass of prosecco. She was two in and ready to tell me what she really thought. Her opinion was clear-cut—meat was a part of our natural diet. We needed it. And I was, as she so bluntly put it, stupid to think otherwise.

She and her opinion were in the minority, though, as I soon found. What I mainly got from many of my family and friends was nothing short of sheer support. Another friend of mine, Becky, went one step further. She wanted to come along for the ride with me; go meat-free too. We even set-up an Instagram account to document the journey.

Spoiler: Vegetables are cheap

In my disdain of eating things that were once alive and my fear for the earth, I’d missed one major bonus here. Vegetables, legumes, and grains are cheap. Seriously. Or, to put things a little more accurately, meat is unbelievably expensive. The first few times I headed to the store to pick up some foodie treats, I was amazed at how little cash with which I had to part.

I used to buy a few cuts of meat per week; some chicken breasts, pork chops, mince meat, perhaps a steak. That part of the shop will cost £25 to £30 alone (that’s about $32 to $40). Cutting that chunk of the cash out is a huge deal. Even with buying twice as many non-meat items, which I soon found I had to, I’m now left with far more money on leaving the store. (Here are more tips on how to eat healthy on a super tight budget.)

Learning to cook (all over again)

I’ve never been the world’s greatest cook. Not by a stretch. My mom is a wonderful cook (her curries are out of this world) and yet, those genes don’t seem to be in my makeup. Or perhaps, I never tried hard enough. Either way over the years, I’ve mastered a few simple dishes to get me through. There was just one problem; they all consisted of animal products and little else.

My new vegetarian diet didn’t quite account for chili con carne or spag-bol, so I’d have to try a new approach. In the first few days after my decision, I scoured the web for vegetarian meals with some extra bang and tried them out for myself. While I’m still a novice here, my favorite dish so far has been some spiced chickpea wraps from a recipe from Thug Kitchen. I fully recommend you try it.

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Facing my fear: Avocado

Unpopular opinion here: I don’t see the big deal about avocado. I mean, sure, it looks kind of attractive, if fetishizing fruit is your bag. But, I just can’t comprehend the way that people rave about this stuff. It’s the biggest deal in vegetarian meals since, well, sliced bread. The small green emoji adorns many a comment box. I get the picture. The world is avocado mad—you all have “avocado fever.”

Until very recently, though, I’d never even tried it. To me, it looked chalky and a little weird in texture. But, taking a new veggie stance meant trying new things too. So I did. I tried a very small bite. And, you know what? It tasted just fine. Nothing more. Nothing less. Though admittedly, avocados have many health benefits.

The secret of plant protein

The myth is as simple as it is effective: no meat equals no protein. I’d believed this for as long as I’d been able to understand what protein was and why we need it in our diets. Without this key food group, our bodies would not be able to repair damaged cells or, indeed, create brand new ones. It’s therefore essential to our growth and health.

And yet, meat is not the only food that contains protein in abundance. Quite the contrary. In fact, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, list lentils, chickpeas, bulgur wheat, and spinach (to name but a few) as protein sources (here are some other sources of protein that aren’t meat). So, I started including some or all of the above in my meals. What’s more, I could never have predicted the way this dietary change would affect me physically.

I actually feel stronger than ever

Disclaimer: I’m not a “gym freak.” I go two-to-three times a week, every week. Still, staying healthy and active is a massive part of my lifestyle. I attend the same classes much of the time—Tuesday’s being Body Attack. It’s hard going.

So, on attending my first BA class after completely ditching meat, I was a tad nervous. What if I was suddenly extremely weak? What if I threw up? (It wouldn’t be the first time, but that’s another story for another day.) A few minutes in, though, the change was clear. Whether it was psychosomatic or otherwise, I felt stronger. I went harder, for longer, and enjoyed the class more than ever.

I may not have been imagining this newfound strength. Earlier this year, a study from the American Society for Nutrition found that people’s muscle mass didn’t differ depending on whether they got their protein from red meat or legumes, i.e. veggies were as strong as meat-eaters. Plant power was doing its job.

My meat cravings are disappearing

In short, I feel healthier, happier, and richer. But wait just a minute here, what about my cravings? One of the things that had troubled me the most about cutting out meat was that I’d ultimate start lusting after the stuff—dreaming of juicy pork chops on the regular. And yet, it just hasn’t happened. At least not in any major way. Instead, I’ve been enjoying the realms of being veggie and all the exciting new meals it entails.

I’ll admit that there is one thing I keep wishing I could eat… just one more time. Spicy chicken wings. Those deep-fried chunks of sin are my kryptonite. Luckily, I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s merely the crispy, tasty batter that’s got me hooked. And, if that’s the case, it can easily be replaced by a whole host of substitutes. Erm, deep-fried avocado “wings,” please?

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Smelling These 6 Foods Could Help You Lose Weight—Seriously!

Extra virgin olive oil

A study from the German Research Center for Food Chemistry found that even just smelling EVOO may lead to greater feelings of fullness. When an aromatic extract was added to yogurt, participants consumed fewer calories and had a better blood sugar response compared to those who were given plain yogurt without any added extracts. (Concerned about your levels? Learn the symptoms of high blood sugar.) They also had higher increases in serotonin, a hormone associated with satiety. This is great news for olive oil enthusiasts because this potent substance is also loaded with MUFAs, the healthy fats that help blast belly fat. (Check out these signs you need to eat more healthy fats.) But not all EVOO is created equal—find out how to tell if you’re buying fake olive oil.

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Understanding The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is made up of a network of glands that produce and release hormones that aid in controlling the important body functionalities. The main parts of the system are: adrenal glands, parathyroid, ovaries, hypothalamus, pineal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid, thymus, testes and many others.

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This Diet Could Help You Lose Weight Twice As Fast As Other Diets

Most dieters have one rule: The faster they can lose weight, the better. Now, science has one more tip to get down to that weight goal in a jiffy. (You can also try these 42 fast, easy tricks for major weight loss.)

Lead author Dr. Hana Kahleová, director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington DC, and her colleagues spent six months following weight loss among 74 type 2 diabetes patients. Their new study, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, aimed to determine the most effective diet for weight loss, a conventional diabetic diet or a plant-based, vegetarian one.

Half of the participants were randomly assigned to the conventional diet group, while the other half were assigned to the vegetarian diet group. Both diets reduced participants’ calorie intake by 500 calories per day, and all meals were provided to the participants. Halfway through the study, an aerobic exercise program was added to the participants’ dietary regimen.

The researchers then checked in on the participants’ progress zero, three, and six months into the study, using MRI scans to measure changes in fat composition.

Their results: Although both groups consumed the same amount of calories per day, the plant-based vegetarian diet group lost nearly twice as much weight as the conventional diet group, on average—13.7 pounds as compared to 7.1 pounds. Moreover, the vegetarian group showed greater reductions in muscle fat than their counterparts on the conventional diet.

“What we found is that a plant-based vegetarian diet is a helpful tool for anyone who is serious about staying healthy and lean, especially as we age,” Dr. Kahleová told Medical News Today. She called this result “a metabolic reboot, especially for people who struggle with extra weight, a sluggish metabolism, or type 2 diabetes.”

Thinking of going vegetarian? Learn how to transition your diet, and get started today with these 14 amazing vegetarian dinner recipes.

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If You Don’t Stop Eating These 7 High Carb Foods, They Could Kill You

Killer carbs

Some people are just plain eating too many carbs, and these are the signs you are one of them. If you overindulge on high carb foods, limiting those carbs can be a life-saver, literally. In one study, people who ate a lot of carbs (more than 60 percent of their daily calories) had a nearly 30 percent greater risk of dying during a seven-plus year period than people eating a low-carb diet.

Here’s how the researchers figured this out: In their Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study, they followed people aged 35 to 70 from 18 countries for 7.4 years on average. Participants answered questions about the foods they ate using a standard questionnaire, and researchers categorized them into groups based on their intake of carbs, fats, and protein.

During the study period, 5,796 participants died and 4,784 had heart attacks or strokes. Researchers took a look at their diets and found that those who consumed the greatest amount of carbs were more likely to die, when compared with their counterparts who consumed the least. Fat, however, seemed protective. People who ate high-fat diets (about 35 percent of daily energy intake) had a 23 percent lower risk of mortality, and an 18 percent lower risk of stroke compared to low intake group (11 percent energy).

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The Cellulite Cupping Therapy

The cellulite cups are usually used for therapy referred to as the glide cupping. In such a case, the cups will be moved on the skin. The motion is done across instead of remaining in only one area. So as to make sure that the gliding action is done well and without much effort, oil or cream should be used. Coconut oil may be used, but there are other oils and creams that can aid in the whole cupping therapy.

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Popularity of the No Fire Cupping Therapy

Cupping is gaining more and more popularity in the western world due to the many benefits that are associated with it. It is beneficial to the skin and it is greatly therapeutic as well. However, many people didn't like the fire cups and this is what has led to the development of alternatives. The fire cups can actually be messy and you may not be able to use them without some sort of help.

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Why India Is Considered the Most Favorite Destination for Medical Tourism

Credihealth supports international patients by providing medical tourism service which caters to all aspects of patient care management that include pre-arrival requirements like VISA, scheduling appointments, accommodation, and discharge process. Credihealth's medical tourism service also focuses on cost transparency, assistance in native languages and tackling other challenges faced by international patients.

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All About Orthopedic Doctors

An orthopedic doctor is a professional who specializes in bone related conditions. Situations when you should see the doctor There are plenty of situations when you should see the doctor. Some of these situations include: Difficulty performing everyday tasks: It's common to have joint and bone discomfort especially if you are old; however, if you have been having the discomfort for a long time to the extent that you are unable to execute your daily activities, it's time to visit the doctor.

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33 Healthy Foods That Are Way More Nutritious Than You Realized

Apples

This fruit bowl staple boasts so many nutritional perks, it’s hard to even keep track of them all, so we rounded up all the health benefits of apples. Apples contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to protect brain cells from degeneration and may do the same in humans. Their high natural fiber content may help protect against colon cancer. And, of course, these healthy foods are heroes for your heart. Adults who eat apples are 37 percent less likely to have high blood pressure, and one group of researchers found that women who ate at least one apple a day were 28 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those who ate none.

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7 Little Healthy Habits That Make Your Thyroid Happy

First: What is a thyroid, exactly?

 

Many patients don’t know much about thyroid basics, says Alan P. Farwell, MD, chief of the section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, and director of endocrine clinics at Boston Medical Center. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that controls your metabolism. Generally, an overactive thyroid (called hyperthyroidism) could make you feel anxious, shaky, sweaty, and hot, and cause weight loss and trouble sleeping among other symptoms. Conversely, a person with an underactive thyroid (called hypothyroidism) might feel sluggish, fatigued, and cold, and could experience problems including weight gain and constipation. (This strange skin condition could increase your risk for thyroid problems in the future.) While lifestyle habits like daily diet and activity don’t have much impact on thyroid health, there are a number of things you can do to make sure your thyroid stays healthy. Keep an eye out for the 13 silent signs you may have a thyroid problem.

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Staying Fit Will Drastically Lower Your Risk of This Common Cancer

Working out and staying in shape is not an easy task. It’s a routine, and routines need to be built, and slowly but surely, that daily task ceases being just that, a task, and starts being something recreational, fun, even.  Those catastrophic calisthenics you do every morning were originally the bane of your existence, but now you look forward to them, and gladly reap the benefits.

Staying fit and active serves as a tune-up for your body, but the benefits extend beyond the no-brainer bonuses you’ve known your whole life. According to the New York Times, your morning run may just be lowering your risk of breast cancer.

Aerobic exercises don’t just strengthen your lungs and legs, they improve the human body down to a cellular level. In the new study published in Carcinogenesis, two groups of lab rats, one group naturally fit, one group naturally unfit,  were exposed to equal parts of a known breast cancer-causing agent. All outside factors remained steady outside of the fitness level of both rat packs.

By the end of the study, the unfit rats were four times more likely to develop breast cancer than the fit rats. The cells of the more fit rats were less likely to send biosignals to trigger unchecked cell division; excessive cell division almost always leads to higher cancer rates.

As with any research not yet performed on humans, the results are still preliminary, but the researchers are encouraged by the results, as the already held theories on the relationship between fitness and breast cancer in humans. So if you needed an extra incentive for that morning run, take the experts at their word, but still be vigilant about signs of breast cancer that you might be ignoring.

[Source: The New York Times] 

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Top 5 Ways To Have More Energy After Age 40

Your body is a complex machine that needs constant tuning and maintenance to operate at peak levels throughout life. After a certain age, the body slows production of certain hormones and downregulated energy systems. Not to worry, slight tweaks in lifestyle, diet, and exercise can make you feel like you are a teenager again!

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Eat This at Night, and You’ll Practically Burn Fat in Your Sleep

Full disclaimer: We all know that regularly eating at night could lead to weight gain. That’s especially true when it comes to snacks that contain refined carbs and starches—like bread, rice, potato chips, and pretzels—which are low in fiber and high in sugar. Sure, they may be a quick fix; but if you don’t use the converted energy, those calories will be stored as fat, instead. Talk about bad news for your waistline.

But experts say it’s best not to go to bed hungry, either (and here’s why!) So when your tummy starts rumbling after you turn out the lights, you’re probably better off reaching for a low-carb, high-protein snack, instead.

If you’re ravenous, here’s a good choice: mozzarella string cheese sticks. At fewer than 100 calories per pop, these tiny-but-mighty snacks provide a whopping six grams of protein with just one gram of carbs, as well as extra nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. Plus, you won’t have to worry about overeating, thanks to their prepackaged portions.

For lactose-intolerant folks (or those who simply don’t care for dairy), a small handful of nuts like almonds and walnuts will do the trick, too. Although both types of nuts are high in fat and calories, they’re also jam-packed with plenty of protein, vitamin E, selenium, magnesium, and other healthy nutrients. Just remember that when it comes to nuts, a little can go a long way.

Still not satisfied? These healthy snacks will curb your cravings and STILL help you lose weight.

[Source: SheFinds.com]

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Where To Begin On Your Fitness and Health Journey

Starting off on a new fitness journey is hard so i have written this article to help you get started. Once you start doing these steps you will realize how much easier being healthy and fit really is!

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Three Reasons Why You Are Exhausted

In this article it gives you three reasons why you might always feel exhausted and have no motivation to do anything anymore. Listen to these steps and follow some of them and you may notice a dramatic change in your everyday life.

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What Foods Have a Positive Impact on Your Oral Health?

There are many different foods that can actually contribute to your overall dental health. Find out which foods help the most.

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This One Thing You Can Do at Home Will Help You Lose Weight, According to Science

When it comes to eating out, there are way more healthy options available now than ever before. Outside of the acai bowl shops and the juice bars, mainstream food chains are jumping on the healthy eating bandwagon, and taking their route for dinner is always the easy option. Take-out saves time and paying for things that save you time does make you happier, after all.

But if you’re hoping to make some progress on the scale, skip the Subway and roll out the rolling pin; a new study has found that one of the best ways to lose weight is to take care of the cooking yourself, according to Men’s Health.

The study, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, took a look at survey data from 11,000 adults aged 29 to 64 and saw a strong correlation between home-cooking and healthy weight.

Individuals who had at least five home-cooked meals per week were 28 percent less likely to be categorized as overweight on the Body Mass Index (BMI) and 24 percent less likely to have excess body fat than individuals who opted for less than three home cooked meals per week.

Additionally, the home-eaters saw a higher daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and alcoholic beverages than those who tended to eat out more.

Cook your favorite foods at home and then sleep in the next day and you’re on the right path to weight loss. Now that doesn’t sound bad at all.

[Source: Men’s Health]  

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If You Want to Get Better at Golf or Tennis Fast, Do This When You Practice

Golf and tennis aren’t just super fun; they’re really good for you. In fact, tennis is one of the 15 workouts proven to burn the most calories. Now, science has come up with a way for you to excel good at these sports in record time, and it’s all in a new study published in the journal, Scientific Reports.

The research was led by Ian Howard, PhD, of the Computational Neuroscience Department within the University of Plymouth’s Centre for Robotics and Neural Systems, whose previous research demonstrated the importance of follow-through after you make contact with a ball. That study, which found that learning a movement is dependent upon the movement that will be made in the near future (i.e., follow-through), was critically important in inspiring the more recent study because it suggested not only a way that elite athletes can improve their performance, but also a way for stroke victims to re-learn motor skills. Intent on determining whether the movement immediately before a main movement (i.e., the back swing) would have a similar effect on learning, Dr. Howard assembled a research team consisting of himself, two colleagues from Plymouth and a scientist from the Technical University of Munich.

Dr. Howard’s team of researchers had volunteers try two different strategies:

• First, the volunteers did a backswing and then a forward one while grasping the handle of a robotic device. The researchers could mess with their backswing, or let them work on a repeatable motion.
• Group two was asked to watch a computer-generated backswing before doing a forward swing.

What the researchers found was that the more they varied backswings, the slower volunteers learned. However, changing the backswing visuals for the second group did not interfere with learning. In other words, physically developing a repeatable backswing through practice led to much faster learning, reports Dr. Howard. As with his previous research, these findings could help instruct the rehabilitation of stroke victims who need to relearn how to walk, for example—in addition to being key to teaching golf- and tennis-swing mechanics.

Nailing the perfect backswing will take time and effort, but don’t worry. If you ever get discouraged, let these motivational quotes from professional athletes and fitness coaches inspire you to get back out there and keep swinging.

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Sleeping in a Room with This Temperature Could Boost Your Metabolism

Although there’s a scientific reason why we always sleep under blankets, it may be time to rethink that old habit. Opt for a chilly night’s sleep instead; it could be all in the name of weight loss.

Research shows that sleeping in a room between 60 and 67 degrees can boost your metabolism almost instantly. In fact, a study published in the journal Diabetes found that people who slept in rooms that had temperatures of 66 degrees burned over seven percent more calories than those who dozed in warmer rooms. Dozing in cool temperatures could protect you from metabolic diseases like diabetes, the study added.

Why? Researchers believe that in a cool space, our bodies have to work harder to raise our core temperature to the normal 98.6 degrees. More work means more calories torched. And that seven percent can add up fast, burning an extra 100 calories over 24 hours of sleep. (Learn even more ways you can literally lose weight in your sleep.)

Shedding pounds isn’t the only perk, though. According to Dr. Christopher Winter, director at Charlottesville Neurology & Sleep Medicine, snoozing in room temperatures above 67 degrees will actually disrupt your body’s sleep cycle. On the flip side, a good night’s sleep leads to a host of other health benefits, such as protecting your brain from Alzheimer’s disease and boosting your productivity.

Sleeping in a cold room could even combat aging. Research shows that we release more melatonin, an anti-aging hormone, when sleeping at cooler temperatures rather than warmer ones.

All the more reason to turn down the thermostat tonight. Happy snoozing!

[Source: CBS Philadelphia]

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