Admitting you have a problem with substance abuse and seeking help through rehabilitation is a great first step, but it does not guarantee success. It is important to realize that detox and recovery is a challenging process with many potential pitfalls. However, the benefits are worth the difficulties and there are several ways you can give yourself a better chance of a successful rehab.

Successful Detox

A successful rehabilitation starts with a successful detoxification. The detox process is when your body purges itself of the chemical toxins introduced by drug or alcohol dependency. Withdrawal occurs because your body has become used to the substance that has been cut off. Your body reacts by going into shock through symptoms like sweating, nausea, diarrhea, head and body aches, constipation and sleeplessness. These pains and afflictions can be lessened with some common remedies for a smoother detox:

� Drinking lots of water alleviates symptoms like coughing and nausea. Water is lost excessively due to sweating. So consistently replacing it will give your body the hydration it needs to get through withdrawals.

� Eating healthy foods also gives your system the vitamins it needs for a successful detox.

� Over-the-counter medications can also help if used responsibly. Pain-killers like ibuprofen dull body aches and headaches.

� Mental distractions, like lighthearted entertainment, can help you with emotional symptoms like irritability and anxiety.

Choose the Right Help

Choosing the right therapist or counselor is an important step in your rehabilitation. There are a variety of different counselors and mental health professionals and you may respond well to some and not others. Therapists generally delve into your past to uncover the root of a problem while a counselor may help you to move forward. Each approach has merit and success may depend on how the recovering addict responds. Before you begin, interview you potential professional. It is good to approach therapy with an open mind but you shouldn't stay with anyone who isn't helping you.

Focus on the Little Things

When trying to accomplish something big, one way to make it seem less insurmountable is to focus on small daily accomplishments. Plus, establishing a positive routine is a great way to manage recovery on a day-to-day basis. For instance, instead of just having the goal to never drink again, fill your day with positive productive goals. Celebrate each little victory and keep your optimism and determination through each failure.

Develop a Support System

Creating a support system of friends and family during and after rehab offers accountability and help in times of stress. While you're in rehab you should make a network of peers who can empathize with your issues and counselors who can help you manage them. After rehabilitation friends and family can give you continued love and support. Stay in contact with a sponsor or relapse prevention program so you have someone you can speak to about any issues you're having. In Florida, the addiction treatment capital of the world, Ambrosia Drug Treatment Centers offer continued help even after rehab is over.

�Be Prepared for a Break in Focus

Sobriety may be your number one goal right now, even during cravings, but there may be moments when you truly want another drink or to relapse back into drug abuse. Be prepared for these thoughts and have a plan for when you are feeling them. This is when the accountability of a good support system comes in handy. Talking to a close friend, sponsor or a counselor can help immensely. They can remind you of why you wanted to get sober in the first place and help you refocus your efforts.

�Current research carried out at Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Medical School found that while most women are aware of what finding a lump in their breast could mean, few were aware of the danger signs associated with a change in the breast or nipple, with regards to shape and size.

In the UK, breast cancer is currently the most common cancer with women having a 1 in 8 lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. As with many cancers, the earlier breast cancer is detected, the higher chance of survival. Current statistics show those diagnosed with the earliest stage of breast cancer have a 90% five-year survival rate. This figure drops to around 15% for women diagnosed with the most advanced stage. A woman's breasts can change throughout her lifetime due to various factors such as hormonal fluctuations with their menstrual cycle or pregnancy. However, it's important to be aware of any changes that could be due to breast cancer and how to recognize the initial symptoms.

�Breast Awareness' � noticing changes in your breasts

Being �breast aware' means getting to know the normal look and feel of your breasts and the changes and fluctuations in size and appearance you can expect with each monthly menstrual cycle. A change in the size or sensitivity of your breasts is common for many women and it is also not uncommon for women to have one breast bigger than the other. Unexpected changes in the breast, particularly asymmetrical ones, should be your main concern. Dr Sarah Cant, policy manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, highlights the importance of the �Touch, Look Check' or TLC approach with regards to being breast aware. Touch and look and if there are any unusual changes to your breasts visit your GP as soon as possible.”

The following changes could be indicative of breast cancer and would warrant a consultation with a trained professional.

• A swelling, lump or tissue thickness in an area of the breast or armpit
• A change in the size, shape, contour, texture or temperature of one or both breasts
• Dimpling of the skin
• A retraction, change in shape, dimpling, itching, burning or ulceration of your nipple
• Clear, bloody or coloured discharge from the nipple
• A rash on or around the nipple

Many of these changes can also be due to other medical conditions and experiencing one or more doesn't necessarily mean you have breast cancer. However, it is important to seek advice at the earliest point to either treat the underlying condition you may be suffering from, if not to just put your mind at rest.

Breast Lumps

For the majority of breast cancer diagnoses, a lump in the breast is the first, most obvious physical symptom. However, it's important to remember that around 90% of breast lumps found during self-examinations are benign, non-cancerous lumps. These lumps could be cysts (small, fluid-filled sacs), fibroadenomas (a non-threatening collection of fibrous, glandular tissue) or simply due to a change in the breast tissue caused by hormones. If you do find a lump you should still consult your GP who may then send you to a breast cancer specialist to rule out cancer as a cause of any suspicious lumps. Most cysts can be drained and solid lumps, if requested, can often be surgically removed. If your lump does turn out to be cancerous, there are many treatment options available with a higher chance of a cure the earlier you start treatment.

Breast Pain

Pain in your breasts is not commonly associated with breast cancer and most women will find their breasts are sore or tender in the days leading up to a period. Breast pain can also sometimes be caused by an ill-fitting bra, stress or even side-effects of birth control. However, there are many different types of breast cancer and some can present with pain in the breast in the early stages.�If you do experience unusual, intense or uneven pain, you should seek professional advice at the earliest opportunity.

Seeking Advice

Some research suggests that delaying a GP visit by three months could lower your chance of surviving some cancers by as much as 7%. If you notice any of the above symptoms and are worried about your health, make an appointment with your GP or healthcare provider as soon as possible to get a professional opinion.
It's understandable that some people are really anxious about visiting a doctor, especially about something as sensitive as breast cancer, but no doctor will ever say you're wrong to have raised a concern� says Dr. Michèle�Badenoch�DCH�MRCGP, General Practitioner at Blossoms Healthcare.

�

You have probably heard the term Botox in relation to the cosmetic industry and in particular to the injections that soften the appearance of wrinkles. However, Botox has many other uses apart from helping us to look younger. In fact, it is an important neurotoxic protein employed in a number of different medical procedures.

Botox is just one of the commercial names for the botulinum toxin, a purified protein and neurotoxin produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. Other brands derived from this toxin include Myobloc, Xeomin and Vistabel.

How is Botox Used?

The range of ways Botox can be used is numerous, often providing a solution to common medical problems. Some of the less widely known benefits of the drug include treatment for:

Migraines � Injections of Botox can be used as a preventative measure against severe migraines, a treatment available on the NHS. Although its effectiveness against chronic headaches has been questioned by some, Botox offers a safe, quick and easy approach to relieving the condition.

�

Excessive Sweating � Otherwise known as hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating can blight many people's lives. Injections of the botulinum toxin will block neural control of the sweat glands, effectively stopping your brain from sending these signals to where the treatment is applied. This is most commonly the armpits but also the hands, feet and face.

�

Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome � Muscles affected by upper motor neuron syndrome are weaker than usual, have decreased movement control and also have a reduced ability to efficiently lengthen. By injecting Botox into the affected muscles, it will give the recipient an increased level of control over their movement.

�

Cosmetics � Of course, the most well-known use of Botox is within the cosmetic industry and in particular for people who wish to defy the process of aging. In technical terms, the injected toxin will block transmitters between the motor nerves which transmit to the muscles. When this happens, the muscle is relaxed and so cannot contract properly. The result is a lesser chance of wrinkles and smoother skin.

The most commonly injected areas on the face are the forehead, between the eyes and around the corners of the eyes. The effects will start to materialize between 3 and 10 days after the treatment is applied, where wrinkles will begin to soften and the face start to radiate.� Botox remains popular, and in many cases addictive, as further treatment will be required approximately 3 to 4 months after the first series of injections.

There are possible side-effects associated with Botox so it is best to take the advice of a doctor or skin specialist before going ahead with the treatment. Bruising is one of these effects but this is relatively normal and should pass in a short amount of time.

For more information, check out these sites:

• Health: How Stuff Works – Botox
• ABSAMC
• Medical News Today Guide

�

We know that twins can be either identical or fraternal. They can of course also be triplets or quadruplets as well as conjoined or chimerical. But for the sake of simplicity and brevity, we shall simply look at the twins we are more likely to encounter or perhaps give birth during our lives � identical twins and fraternal twins.

Identical twins are indeed fascinating – seeing two people who are mirror images of each other is quite something. For us unique human beings, these natural carbon copies of each other challenge our concept of uniqueness�.� We expect people to be different and not to be exact replicas of each other. But twins are actually very different � they have different personalities and abilities and are clearly distinguishable on a level of personality. In some cases, even fraternal twins may be strikingly similar or indistinguishable if they are of the same sex of course.

Conception of Twins

Identical twins are conceived when a female ovum is fertilized by a male egg. The egg then splits into two forming two twins. Each new individual carries a copy of identical genetic material given the fact that they developed from the same single fertilized egg. Scientifically, identical twins are referred to as monozygotic twins.

Fraternal twins, that form about 75% of the total incidence rate for fraternal and identical twins, are formed in when two ova are fertilized by two sperm cells. Normally, women only release one egg during their cycle, in some cases, they may however, release two or sometimes more eggs. In some cases, if the mother has had intimate encounters with more than one male, she may conceive fraternal twins with different fathers. Although uncommon, this phenomenon does occur and is known as heteropaternal superfecundation.

Chimeric twin

We have just mentioned how identical twins or fraternal twins come into existence. Despite identical and fraternal twins being the most common and well know type of twins, there are actually many other types including chimeric twins. A chimeric twin carries the DNA and even the blood group of 2 people. They may have 2 distinct DNA profiles and 2 different blood groups. Chimeric twins come into being when two fertilized eggs fuse together; one egg absorbs the other egg, quite literally. This phenomenon had baffled scientists for a long time; in a well-known case, a mother turned out to be unrelated to her children. In other cases, different tissue samples from the same person yielded different DNA profiles.

Twin DNA testing

Sometimes parents or twins themselves want to determine with 100% accuracy whether they are fraternal or identical. Today, twin zygosity DNA testing is available to help twins or parents of twins get the answers they need. Twin tests are normally done by means of at home kits. All the twins need to do is provide their DNA samples by rubbing the buccal swabs they find inside the kit inside their mouth for around ten or fifteen seconds. Once they have done this, they will need to fill in some forms authorizing the DNA test. Following, they can post their samples for analysis and wait for their results. The results will show the twin's DNA profiles and display the genetic markers tested for each twin. Of course, if the twins are monozygotic (identical) then they will have matching DNA profiles. If they are dizygotic twins, their DNA profiles will be similar but not the same.

But why would anyone want a twins DNA test?

Perhaps because fraternal twins can sometimes look so strikingly similar that you might wrongly assume them to be identical. But there are other reasons.

Organ transplants amongst identical twins have a higher chance of success than when the transplant takes place between normal siblings or close relatives. The chance of organ rejection is greatly reduced in monozygotic twins because their immune systems do not perceive organs donated from each other as alien� and thus, do not trigger the autoimmune response. Many times doctors do not need to administer an immunosuppressant or even carry out any type of tissue typing to ensure compatibility between the organ and the receiver. Besides this, identical twins also have an identical blood group which means they are ideal donors for each other.

Twin DNA testing is not a common DNA test, especially given the low incidence rate of twins (be they identical or fraternal). The test can however, help to confirm whether the twin siblings are identical or not which in turn can be useful in those rare instances where a blood transfusion or organ transplant is required.

Bio

Karl M McDonald is a free-lance writer specializing in the field of DNA and genetics. The author is a graduate in forensic science who has received his education in both the US and the UK. Karl has currently taken a backseat in the world of academia and dedicated himself to his two kids. He currently works as a free-lance writer from home during his free time. The author normally specializes in writing about genetics and forensic science.

The Truth About Antiprespirants

Who doesn't break in sweat during stressful times? Almost all of us have encountered stressful times in our lives and along with fatigue comes sweat that drenches�our armpits and leaves us smelling awful. Yes, every stressful activity leaves us sweaty all over especially on our armpits, hands and feet. This is why we use antiperspirant products most of the time. We hate that messy wet feeling that comes with sweat.

So why do we sweat that bad? Sweating is said to be a balancing mechanism of the body; it is one way by which the body regulates our temperature with regards to the temperature of our environment. Some people sweat more than most people, and may suffer from a condition called hyperhidrosis. There is no exact cause for hyperhidrosis; however, there may be some genetic factor involved as this trait seems to run in families. Other experts say that excessive sweating is often triggered by things such as emotion, anxiety, a spicy diet and heat. The problem with excessive sweating is that it not only causes embarrassment to the sufferer but also leads to sore and irritated skin which may become infected later on.

One way of dealing with excessive sweating is to use antiperspirants regularly. But are these antiperspirants safe for use every day? It is said that antiperspirants were made to stick with you throughout the day, even if you have just showered off. This is why we need to be careful in choosing our antiperspirants.

Antiprespirants And Its Ingredients

One substance in antiperspirants�which you have to avoid is triclosan. Triclosan�is an antibacterial and antifungal substance, however, it is also considered as an endocrine disruptor. It changes the way your thyrpid hormone functions, leaving your metabolism disturbed.

Two other substances common in antiperspirants are parabens�and BHT. These two are also known as hormone disruptors because they act as estrogens. High levels of estrogen in the body can wreck a woman's reproductive cycle and can affect male fertility.

Some antiperspirants contain formaldehyde, which has the ability to cause cancers in humans. However, antiperspirant manufacturers have claimed that their products contain only a very minimal amount of this substance, which cannot increase cancer risk. However, environmentalists say that exposure to formaldehyde is everywhere from furniture to glue to paints. If people are exposed to formaldehyde on a regular basis, there is the danger of increasing the risk for cancers.

Antiprespirants�may also contain steareths�whichcan�also cause cancers. Aside from these carcinogens, antiperspirants can contain various allergens that may incite a deadly hypersensitivity reaction. Some of these allergens are the fragrances incorporated in antiperspirants, and these fragrances can be phalates, a substances with is also toxic.

The aluminium in your antiperspirant�can cause skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. It also act as a toxin in itself while blocking pores. We know that the pores in our skin act by eliminating toxins from the body. If these pores are blocked, toxins may accumulate in our blood stream and may also affect our lymph glands located in our armpits.

Seek Natural Ways

The question is, do you really need an antiperspirant? It may be that using an antiperspirant is one way of going against the natural ways of the body. The body eliminates waste products through the pores of the skin through sweat. If we block this process, how can the body eliminate toxins and other waste materials from the body? How can the body get rid of free radicals and potential carcinogens.

Perhaps, now will be the time to choose more natural ways of maintaining good hygiene. That is, with the use of natural or organic products which barely have a trace of these harmful chemicals. Perhaps if we start now, we might lessen our risks. To know more about living healthily, you can browse through the other articles in this site.

Ever since we were small we were taught by our parents and teachers to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. They have certainly made their point. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of fiber, an indigestible portion of plants with various health benefits.

Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber is classified into two types: soluble and insoluble. The soluble fiber type is the one that is easily digested by the gut. Through the process of fermentation in the colon, it is changed into gases and other by-products that can slow down the digestive process of the gut. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, does not dissolve in water but can be a bulking material for the gut. It can absorb water in the intestines, thus permitting easy movement of the bowels and easy defecation. They increase movement of digested food within the digestive system.

�Fiber is made up of components such as cellulose, starch, dextrins, pectins, inulins, waxes, beta-glucans and other polysaccharides. Food containing fiber is often determined as to whether they contain soluble fiber or insoluble fiber. The consumption of either fiber is beneficial to our health since it enables the body to produce healthy compounds that can help in the digestion of food and in the movement of bowels.

�Benefits of Consuming Fiber

�Consuming fiber�has a lot of benefits. Eating fiber-rich foods can promote regular bowel movements. It can soften stools and make it easier for you to eliminate them. Fiber also promotes good bowel health because it prevents colon-related diseases such as hemorrhoids, colon cancers and colitis. A fiber-rich diet can also lower your cholesterol levels and can help you lose weight and keep it off. It can also help lower elevated blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut. Consuming fiber makes you avoid sugar spikes that are responsible for uncontrolled diabetes.

reverse diabetes

�Fiber, Obesity and Diabetes

�A recent study made by a French-Swedish team of researchers from CNRS, Inserm�and the Université Claude Bernard Lyon have found out that consuming fiber can actually make people lose weight and protects against diabetes. They speculated that this may be due to the fact that fiber promotes the growth of normal intestinal flora and regulates glucose metabolism during meals. The results of this team were published in the journal Cell on 9 January 2014. The researchers believed that the intestine and the organisms that live in it are responsible for glucose metabolism in the body. For blood sugar levels to be maintained within normal limits, the intestine and its flora should be kept healthy, and fiber promotes gut health.

�The researchers acknowledged that fiber exerts its benefits in the gut through the process of fermentation, since it cannot�be directly digested by the intestines. The process of fermentation is carried out by bacteria in the intestines. These bacteria transform ingested fiber into short chain fatty acids that can be used by our bodies for a lot of important processes. Examples of these fatty acids include butyrate�and propionate. Aside from maintaining gut health, consuming fiber can also burns fat and makes us lose weight.

�The researchers fed rats and mice either with fermentable fibers or with short chain fatty acids�butyrate�and propionate. They observed that these animals became less fat than the animals which were fed a normal diet. The rats and mice were also protected against diabetes because their bodies were made more sensitive to the effects of insulin. Thus the researchers acknowledged that the weight loss and fat burning effects of fiber were due to its being fermented into short chain fatty acids such as propionate�and butyrate. Fiber also provides the intestines with raw materials for glucose production.

�So start consuming a fiber-rich diet now if you want to lose unwanted fat and keep it off. You can also check out this site for other articles on how to lose weight and eat healthy.

The Changes with Aging

Age is a state of mind but you cannot escape from its effects. Sooner or later your skin will develop wrinkles and you will have gray hair. But aging is not just skin-deep; aging can decrease your level of functioning, making you weaker, more inflexible and more prone to illnesses. As you age your heart begins to beat slower than before and your heart may become bigger. You may also develop stiffer blood vessels, making your heart pump harder to overcome this stress. This can further lead to the development of high blood pressure. Your bones and muscles may also shrink in size and become less dense. This further weakens them and makes you prone to fractures and other injuries. This is why older people are shorter than younger ones, due to the loss of strength and flexibility of muscles.

Aside from these changes, you feel more constipated, have loss of bladder control, and have a less efficient memory. So what must you do to combat these aging changes? One way to do so is to eat the right foods.

Anti-Aging Foods

Eating foods rich in Vitamin B12�can build up stamina. This is because as we grow older, we lose a lot of Vitamin b12, especially during the ages of 50s and 60s. Vitamin B12�is found in animal foods and can help regulate the body's metabolism. It is also essential in maintaining the health of the brain and the rest of the nervous system. It is said that the body cannot assimilate Vitamin b12 levels well after the age 50.

Fiber-rich foods can be a solution to constipation and other gut-related problems. Fiber can stimulate the bowels to move more, thus facilitating easy digestion of food. About 21 to 30 grams of fiber is enough, which can be taken from fiber-rich foods such as whole wheat bread and cereals, fruits, vegetables and legumes.

Potassium-rich foods can lower blood pressure and can prevent the complications of hypertension such as heart attacks, heart failure, stroke and aneurysms. Potassium can actually counteract the effects of sodium which may be an effect of consuming a high-sodium diet. Examples of foods rich in potassium include potatoes, green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, raisins, dates, tomatoes, citrus fruits, beans and other foods.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also anti-aging supplements. Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can sharpen your memory. As a person ages, he or she experiences cognitive decline; foods rich in omega-3 can improve cognitive functioning. Plus, omega-3 fatty acids can lower cholesterol levels and brings about improved cardiovascular functioning. Omega 3 contains polyunsaturated fats that are needed by our bodies, such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic�acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Good sources of EPA and DHA include vegetables, seaweeds, fatty fish, eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt. �

Antioxidant-rich foods such as berries can also fight against aging. Antioxidants have the capability of protecting our bodies against free radicals which are a result of our body's metabolic processes and pollution. These free radicals act as poisons to our cells and are thought to lead to various illnesses such as dementia, heart disease and cancer. In eating berries, choose the ones darker in color because they contain more antioxidants. Berries have been shown to improve cognitive functioning and memory, prevent cancers and help reduce inflammation. Dark chocolate may also contain antioxidants and may improve moisture and glow of the skin by improving the body's circulation.

If you want to retard aging, you have to eat the right foods. If you want to know more on how to eat healthily, you can read other articles on this site.

Are you a coffee lover? Some people choose to drink coffee to help them stay awake late at night for exams. Now, experts think that coffee is more than just a delicious brew. The latest study shows that coffee can speed up your memory.

So, what is in coffee that makes you stay awake at night and make you retain information for your exams? Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have found out that caffeine not only boosts energy; it also stimulates one's memory. The results of the study, as published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, showed that caffeine enhances memory, with effects for up to 24 hours after taken in.

Caffeine

Caffeine�is a neurostimulant�substance often found in coffee, tea and sodas, though it naturally comes from plant leaves, barks and seeds. It gives a ready boost of energy when drunk, despite the side effects it can bring about such as headaches, palpitations, tremors and heartburn. �Instant coffee usually contains about 30-120 mg per 5 ounces while roast and ground coffee usually contains 40-180 mg per 5 ounces. A tea-bag usually contains 238 to 402 mcg�per ml while loose tea contains about 189 to 295 mcg per ml. After drinking coffee, the body assimilates caffeine and distributes it to the different parts of the body through the blood stream. From there, caffeine begins to stimulate the different systems of the bossy such as the heart, the brain, the nerves, the respiratory system and so on. However, after 24 hours, the effects of caffeine slowly wane off. Caffeine reacts differently to various individuals.

According to experts caffeine can bring about awakening and alertness to an individual consuming it. Coffee lovers report that they able to concentrate more, feel less tired and improve their performance after consuming about one to two cups of coffee or tea. However, individuals more sensitive to its effect shun the substance because it can also bring about lack of sleep, moodiness, anxiety, irritability and nervousness. It is important to note that these side effects are only short-lived and transient. Still, in some people, coffee is prohibited because it can bring about increases in blood pressure, increases in catecholamines, increases in fatty acids and increase in gastric acids further leading to heartburn.

Caffeine and Memory

The researchers of the recent study commented that caffeine has cognitive enhancing effects. They conducted a double blind trial to examine the effect of caffeine in detail to humans with reference to its memory enhancing activities. They commented that caffeine reduced forgetfulness for over 24 hours.

In this study, the subjects enrolled were not regular coffee or tea drinkers. These subjects received a 200-milligram tablet or placebo about five minutes after they were instructed to study some images. Samples of saliva were taken before they were given caffeine tablets to ensure that there was no exposure to caffeine before the study began. After one, three and 24 hours after, salivary samples were obtained again.

After 24 hours, all the subjects were tested for their ability to recognize the images from the past day's session. The images after 24 hours were a mixture of those obtained from the day before, those which were added recently and those which were similar to the ones studied before. The subjects who took caffeine were able to correctly identify the images previously shown to them and those which had appeared new and similar to the ones previously studies.

What may have lead to these effects of caffeine on the brain? The researchers hypothesized that caffeine has enhanced an ability of the brain to recognize different items. This ability, called pattern separation, is said to be a deep type of memory retention. Pattern separation, a type of memory retention skill, has been enhanced by caffeine. The memory area of the brain is the hippocampus, a part located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain. Scientists have yet to discover whether and how caffeine directly affects the hippocampus. Probably there are certain brain mechanisms excited by caffeine which lead to this function.

The researchers of this study hoped to study all other aspects of this process as caffeine can be a potential answer to illnesses with cognitive decline such as Alzheimer's. If you are looking for ways on how to improve your memory, you can check the other articles on this site.

Optimal Brain – 30 Vegetarian Capsules

Are You At Risk For Type 2 Diabetes?

Perhaps you have already heard many things about omega 3 and the benefits that it can bring to your health. But today' let us talk about recent news which says that omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce risks of type 2 diabetes. However, let us first review a little information about omega 3, one of the most beneficial supplements nowadays.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are good fats taken from the food that we eat which are not normally produced by our bodies but which are badly needed by our organs and tissues to function effectively. Indeed omega-3 is a miracle substance. Omega-3 can decrease high blood pressure levels and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It can prevent our platelets from excessively clotting too soon. It makes the cell membranes of our cell more fluid as it reduces inflammation on our body tissues. It prevents atherosclerosis and prevents blood sugar levels from rising up, thus promoting weight loss. It also lessens our risk of acquiring cancers. People who have dry itchy skin and brittle nails, chronic fatigue, depression, arthritis, heart and blood vessels disease and diabetes can benefit much from omega-3 fatty acids.

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include deep-sea fatty fish, nuts, flax seeds, sardines and walnuts. Omega-3 fatty acids are mostly available at EPA and DHA. These two are primarily found in fatty fish. Nuts, flax seeds and walnuts contain another type of omega 3 fatty acid, ALA, which can still be converted into EPA and DHA. Algae contains the omega-3 fatty acid DHA. However, omega-3 fatty acids can still be made available to us in the form of supplements such as cod liver oil.

Omega-3 and Type 2 Diabetes

A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland have found out that omega-3 fatty acids, such as those from fish and fish oils, can help reduce the risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes. The study, which was published in the journal Diabetes Care, found out that men who took higher omega-3 fatty acid concentrations lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 33 percent as compared to those who took low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Thus the intake of omega-3 fatty acid truly decreases the risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes later in life.

Type 2 diabetes is a dangerous medical condition with a lot of complicated consequences. It is also the most common form of diabetes around the world. It is either caused by inadequate production of insulin by the pancreas or by the resistance of bodily tissues to the effect of insulin. Diabetes, if left untreated, can lead to eye problems, skin disorders, heart and blood vessel diseases, high blood pressure, depression, hearing problems, infections, gut problems, neuropathies, stroke, erectile dysfunction, and non healing wounds.

Diabetes symptoms include dizziness, nausea, frequent urination, insatiable thirst and hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, sudden or unexplained weight loss, and numbness in the hands and feet. If you have the above signs and symptoms, it is best that you seek consult with your doctor so that proper testing should be done. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed as a fasting blood sugar level greater than 126 mg/dl. Other tests for workup include oral glucose tolerance test and haemoglobin A1 c test. �

However the researchers stressed out that consuming omega-3 fatty acids should not be the only way of lowering your risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Losing weight for overweight and obese people is one way by which blood sugar levels can be maintained at normal levels. Another is choosing to eat healthy foods, particularly vegetables and fruits. The avoidance of one can of soda everyday can greatly reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics. Physical activity at least 60 minutes each week is recommended for adults to stay in shape.

Start your healthy routine today. For more articles on how to lessen your risk for diseases, check the other articles on this site.