Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Little about Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. It can be dissolved in fat. Vitamin K is carried through the body by fat and is stored in fat tissue. There are three forms of Vitamin K:

* phylloquinone, which is found in food

* menadione, which is man-made

* menaquinone, which is produced by the body

What food source is the nutrient found in?

Vitamin K can be found in the following foods:

* collards, kale, and other green leafy vegetables

* members of the cabbage family including broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts

* liver

* cheese

* milk

* egg yolk

* some fruits

Intestinal bacteria produce some vitamin K in the body.

How does the nutrient affect the body?

Vitamin K makes several proteins that help blood to clot when bleeding. It also makes other proteins for blood, bones, and kidneys. Along with vitamins A and D, vitamin K is important for strong bone development.

Information

The Recommended Dietary Allowance, called RDA, for vitamin K for adult males, age 25 years and older, is 80 micrograms (mcg) per day. For women, age 25 years and older, it is 65 mcg per day. For pregnant and lactating women, the RDA is also 65 mcg.

Vitamin K deficiency is rare. It is often the result of impaired absorption rather than not getting enough in the diet. Newborns are at risk for vitamin K deficiency. This is because their digestive tracts contain no vitamin K-producing bacteria. For this reason, doctors often give injections of vitamin K to newborns. The main symptom of vitamin K deficiency is blood that's slow to clot. Prolonged use of antibiotics can also cause a low level of this vitamin because they destroy some of the bacteria in the gut that help to produce vitamin K.

No symptoms are known to result from consuming too much vitamin K. Moderation is always the best approach. The most toxic form is supplements. People taking blood thinning medicines, such as aspirin or warfarin, may need to limit their intake of vitamin K-rich foods. This is because the vitamin's pro-clotting actions can work against this type of medicine.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Little about Belching

Belching or burping is also medically referred as eructation or ructus. Essentially it is a process of releasing gas from the digestive tract through the mouth. A typical odor or sound may also accompany the process of gas release. Belching is a common universal phenomenon and not limited to few people with any specific disorder. Infants to older adults belch or burp to expel air that has been swallowed in excess. Belching relieves the abdomen of discomfort caused due to the excess air.

Belching can also form as a habit to many people and such belching or burping may not be related to the accumulation of air in their stomachs. Instinctively people resort to belching on account of any form of abdominal discomfort to expel gas and ease the existing discomfort.

Though it sounds like a simple exercise, technically belching is a co-coordinated activity. For egs: the larynx is raised to ensure no liquid or food passing with the air from the stomach get into the lungs and this process also relaxes the upper cardiac (esophageal sphincter) such that air can pass more easily from the esophagus into the throat. The lower cardiac (esophageal sphincter) also needs to open so that air can pass from the stomach into the esophagus. During these activities, the diaphragm descends such that it increases abdominal pressure and decreases pressure in the chest similar to taking a breath. The change in pressure ensures air flows from the stomach in the abdomen to the esophagus in the chest.

Symptoms of Belching

- Burping Sounds

- Odor accompanying burping

Causes of Belching

- Eating or drinking too fast such that excessive air is swallowed in the process

- Consumption of carbonated drinks such as: soft drinks, champagne, beer may cause burping in which case the gas released is from the drink itself

- Certain disorders such as Gastro esophageal reflux disease may cause involuntary burping

- Certain established eating patterns or habits lead to burping as a sign of completing a meal.

Home Remedies for Belching

- Eating slowly or have small meals

- Avoiding chewing gum and carbonated drinks

- Excessive consumption of onions and chocolates may also cause burping, Avoid such foods

- Avoid alcohol especially among individuals suffering from chronic belching or excessive belching

- Reducing stress, following exercise tips from medical practitioners and inducing relaxation can help treat belching

Diet for Belching

To reduce belching avoid gulping food or drink too rapidly.

- Some foods may initiate the belching process such as milk and sugars.

- Certain types of vegetables and fruits containing a particular type of starch are not well digested by the stomach but are effective tools to treat bacteria in the stomach such as: beans, lentils, cabbage, bananas, apricots, prunes, onions and sprouts. It is advisable to avoid such vegetables and fruits to prevent belching.

- Foods made from whole grains may also cause gas and consequent belching or burping.

Suggestions for Belching

Weight loss, avoid tight clothes and maintain a food diary

Treating excessive intestinal gas depends on various factors such as: diagnosing the root cause and treatment may include dietary changes and /or medications that reduce the amount of gas.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

Monday, May 19, 2008

How to do "Eye Liner"

1. Widen eyes

To make your eyes appear farther apart, line top lash line from the midpoint of your eye to just beyond its outer edge. Continue line from the outer corner about 1/ inch into you lower lashes-this will draw attention to the outside of your eyes

2. Create drama

Line your inner rims with a pencil eyeliner to give subtle eye makeup a darker, and more intense look(skip it if you have small eyes,or they'll look tiny). Liquid and shadow liners are not formulated for this area-neither one sticks to moist skin.

3. Enhance color

Wear a colored liner that complements your eye shade to make it stand out. If you have blue eyes, pick deep blue or green; for brown and hazel eyes, try olive green or khaki; for green eyes, get gold or bronze; and if they're dark brown, try purple.

4. Brighten eyes

Use eyeshadow and a brush to draw a thin strip of linear along top lashes. It will open up your eyes. If your eyes are smal, avoid lining lower lashes and don't use pencil or liquid liners: They're dark and heavy, so they'll lose up your eyes, making them squinty.

5. Take it off

Use pre moistened eye makeup-remover pads that contain vitamin e or aloe to erase eyeliner. They are the easiest to use to take off all liners -even the waterproof ones-and they will help moisturize the skin around your eyes so it doesn't dry out or get flaky.

Soft,smoky,' big-eyes' look

A: For years,eyeliner had been banished from dressing tables because of its harsh appearance. Now it's back and so on is the smoky eye. Apply a thin line from the inner to the outer corner of your upper lid.

After it dries, run a soft tip pencil of the same color as the liner over the line you have drawn. Finally, run a damp cotton bud over the line. Your smudged smoky effect! Never use a black liner, navy or dark Grey would be a better bet.

Special effect with liner for smoky big eyes

Experiment with two different shades of eye liner. Run a pencil of a light grey, brownish red (according to the color of your dress) on the lower eyelashes first, especially the outer corner of the eye.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Little About Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most adults who get Hepatitis B have it for a short time and then get better. This is called acute hepatitis B.


You can have Hepatitis B and not know it. You may not have symptoms. If you do, they can make you feel like you have the flu. But as long as you have the virus, you can spread it to others.

Sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, it can damage your liver. Babies and young children infected with the virus are more likely to get chronic hepatitis B.

What causes hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It is spread through contact
with the blood and body fluids of an infected person.

You may get Hepatitis B if you:

Have sex with an infected person without using a
condom.
Share needles (used for injecting drugs) with an
infected person.
Get a tattoo or piercing with tools that were not
cleaned well.
Share personal items like razors or toothbrushes
with an infected person.
A mother who has the virus can pass it to her baby
during delivery. If you are pregnant and think you
may have been exposed to hepatitis B, get tested. If
you have the virus, your baby can get shots to help
prevent infection with the virus.

You cannot get Hepatitis B from casual contact such as hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or
sharing food or drinks.

What are the symptoms? Many people with hepatitis B do not know they have it, because they do not have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may just feel like you have the flu. Symptoms include:

Feeling very tired.
Mild fever.
Headache.
Not wanting to eat.
Feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting.
Belly pain.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Muscle aches and joint pain.
Skin rash.
Yellowish eyes and skin (jaundice). Jaundice usually appears only after other symptoms have
started to go away.
Most people with chronic Hepatitis B have no
symptoms.

How is Hepatitis B diagnosed?

A simple blood test can tell your doctor if you have the hepatitis B virus now or if you had it in the past. Your doctor will also be able to tell if you have had the vaccine to prevent the virus.
If your doctor thinks you may have liver damage from hepatitis B, he or she may use a needle to take a tiny sample of your liver for testing. This is called a liver biopsy.

How is it treated?

In most cases, hepatitis B goes away on its own. You can relieve your symptoms at home by resting, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding alcohol and drugs. Also, find out from your doctor what medicines and herbal products to avoid, because some can make
liver damage caused by Hepatitis B worse. Treatment for chronic Hepatitis B depends on
whether your infection is getting worse and whether you have liver damage. Most people with chronic Hepatitis B can live active, full lives by taking good care of themselves and getting regular checkups. There are medicines for chronic hepatitis B, but they may not be right for everyone. Work with your doctor to decide whether medicine is the right treatment for you.
Sometimes chronic Hepatitis B can lead to severe liver damage. If this happens, you may need a liver transplant.

Can Hepatitis B be prevented?

The hepatitis B vaccine is the best way to prevent infection. The vaccine is a series of three shots. Adults at risk and all babies, children, and teenagers should be vaccinated. To avoid getting or spreading the virus to others:

Use a condom when you have sex.
Do not share needles.
Wear latex or plastic gloves if you have to touch blood.
Do not share toothbrushes or razors.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Little about Vitamin D

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It can be dissolved in fat. Vitamin D is carried through the body by fat and stored in fat tissue. Getting too much can be harmful. Vitamin D can be produced in the body, as well as, obtained from the diet.

What food source is the nutrient found in?

The most reliable source of vitamin D, in the US diet, is fortified milk. All milk sold in the United States is fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D is also present in:

* cheese

* butter

* margarine

* cream

* some soy milks

* eggs

* liver

* fish such as sardines and salmon

* cod liver oil

* fortified cereals

Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin. This is because the body can make vitamin D after sunlight, or ultraviolet light, hits the skin. Ten to 15 minutes of sun exposure 3 times a week is all the body needs. Older people are less efficient with this conversion.

How does the nutrient affect the body?

Vitamin D helps build strong and healthy bones and teeth. It does this by helping the body to absorb the minerals calcium and phosphorous and to deposit them in bones and teeth.

Information

If the body does not get enough vitamin D and calcium, a person is at higher risk for bone mass loss, which is known as osteoporosis. Low levels of vitamin D also increases the risk of bone softening, known as osteomalacia, in older adults. Children who do not get enough vitamin D over a long period may develop rickets, which is defective bone growth. Fortifying milk with vitamin D has made rickets extremely rare in the US.

Vitamin D is measured as micrograms (mcg) of cholecalciferol (koh-li-kal- sif-ah-rall) . The Recommended Dietary Allowance, called RDA, for men and women, 25 to 50 years old, is 5 mcg per day. Children need twice as much daily vitamin D as adults, because their bones are still growing. Pregnant and lactating women also need 10 mcg per day.

Another common measurement for vitamin D is International Units, known as IU. The RDA, in IUs, for vitamin D for adults is 200 IU per day; for children, it is 400 IU per day; and for pregnant and lactating women, it is 400 IU.

In 1997, the recommendations were revised for vitamin D, doubling the amount for adults over age 50, going up to 400 IU or 10 mcg daily. People over age 70 need 600 IU or 15 mcg per day.

No one should have more than 2000 IU or 50 mcg per day of Vitamin D.

Because vitamin D dissolves in fat, it can build up in the fat tissues of the body. This can pose a problem for people taking high doses of vitamin D. While it is almost impossible to get too much vitamin D from foods or sunlight, it is easy to get too much from supplements. High doses of vitamin D can be toxic and cause:

* kidney stones or damage

* weak muscles

* weak bones

* excessive bleeding

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

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