Sleep Loss Increases Blood Pressure

Sleep loss creates many problems. Many of these problems have been well proved. Risk for heart attacks greatly increases if one has chronic sleeping problems. The risk for heart disease arises due to various reasons. The first and foremost reason is the weight gain and the subsequent onset of obesity. Obesity is a complication which breeds many other diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Recent reports indicate that sleep loss may provide an additional complication. It has been shown that elderly people who suffer from sleep problems are likely to acquire hypertension. Thus, increased blood pressure can also increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Drawbacks of Melatonin Supplements

Melatonin is secreted from the pineal gland in the brain. It has been called the hormone of darkness because the maximum secretion of this hormone occurs at around midnight. This hormone has two functions. It can act as an antioxidant. Thus, it can help to control the amount of free radicals produced in the body. It also promotes sleep. The secretion of melatonin is inhibited by light. Therefore, it is better to switch off all lights in the bedroom before going to sleep.

Several studies have shown that melatonin supplements are better than sleeping pills in producing normal sleep. However, melatonin supplements suffer from some drawbacks.
 It may produce daytime sleepiness in some individuals. This will affect performance at workplace. Affected people should avoid driving and handling heavy machinery.

 Some individuals who take melatonin supplements tend to indulge in sleep walking.

 It tends to affect the efficacy of medicines taken for other problems.

 It may produce headaches and occasionally, nightmares.

 Sometimes it may produce abdominal discomfort.

Diagnosing the Weight Problem Correctly Is Essential

When you are eating more than what is normal practice, there would be no surprise in seeing your weight go up. However, if you are gaining weight in spite of keeping the calorie intake under control, you have to look elsewhere.

 Sleep loss is one of the major reasons. Sleep loss can produce weight gain in two ways. One of the reasons for lack of sleep is that you may be staying up late and during this process, you are more than likely to indulge in some snacking. Also sleep loss leads to an increase in the circulating hormones including the hunger hormone ghrelin. Thus, sleep loss promotes more eating without you realizing it.

 Another reason for weight gain may be an underactive thyroid gland. Thyroid hormones promote overall metabolism. Thus, when the thyroid gland produces lower amount of hormones, metabolism slows down and this promotes weight gain.

 Stress is another reason for weight gain. Stress increases the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone promotes weight gain. This weight gain would also be experienced in a condition called Cushing’s syndrome where also there is increased secretion of cortisol.

 Intake of some drugs can also lead to weight gain. Medications like the antidepressents, antipsychotic drugs, steroids, drugs for diabetes and hypertension can lead to weight gain.

Thus, when you put on weight, it is important to diagnose the problem correctly.

How To Get Good Sleep

How To Get Good Sleep Sleep debt is increasing all over the world. One of the reasons for this is the altered and modern lifestyles of people. People tend to stay awake for - blogReaction

Foods Are Better Than Statins In Lowering LDL

High blood levels of blood cholesterol have been considered as a risk for coronary heart disease. It is believed that any cholesterol value above 200mgs per dl is considered unsafe. A much better yardstick is the circulating LDL levels. In order to reduce the blood levels of cholesterol and LDL, drugs called statins have been prescribed. These drugs act by blocking the synthesis of Cholesterol in the body. The use of the statins suffers from several drawbacks. These include muscle damage and the decreased availability of vitamin D in the body. Several studies have suggested that lowering cholesterol through natural methods is better than using statins.These foods are mainly of plant origin.

Eating placenta- a new phenomenon

The placenta is an organ connected with pregnancy. It connects the uterine wall with the growing fetus. Both the embryonic tissue and the maternal tissues contribute to the formation of the placenta. In spite of deriving a component from the ‘foreign’ fetus, the placenta is not rejected by the immune system of the mother. The placenta serves as the medium for nutrient supply to the growing fetus. It also permits gas exchange with the mother’s blood supply. It also functions as a kidney allowing for removal of waste products. The placenta is usually eliminated from the body after the delivery of the baby. The usual procedure adopted by hospitals is to dispose of the expelled placenta along with other hospital waste.

It has been reported that some of the pregnant women in the Western countries and in particular, the US, have been asking the hospitals to permit them to take their placentas home with them. You may wonder as to what they are going to do with them. These women plan to eat their own placentas. It is believed that pregnant women are emotionally attached to the placenta and therefore, it has been suggested that eating the placenta would keep away the phenomenon of postpartum depression. Such women also believe that eating the placenta increases milk secretion although there is no scientific study supporting this line of thought. In fact, even a cookery book has been published giving placenta recipes.

Of course, several hospitals have refused to bow to these demands. Because of the increasing popularity of this practice several states in the US have enacted laws which state that if a woman wants her placenta, she can have it. The placenta itself does not supply much by way of nutrition. It is rich in iron and vitamin B12. It also contains some hormones. Hence, the placenta cannot act as a nutritional supplement. However, there are several women who are revolted at the thought of eating their own placentas.

Visceral fat Reduced by Fiber

Fiber is that portion of your food which can offer several health benefits. It has been shown that increase in body weight is inversely proportional to your fiber intake. Fiber helps to reduce weight in several ways. For example, fiber provides the satiety factor which makes you stop eating. Fiber, being not digested, cannot put calories into your body. Addition of excess calories into your body is one of the major causes for the development of obesity.

Visceral fat is that fat which is present deep inside your belly and also is surrounding your vital organs like the liver and the heart. It has been shown that increased intake of soluble fiber can help to get rid of the visceral fat. The subcutaneous fat which is present just under the skin is not that bad. However, visceral fat is dangerous as it secretes hormones and other substances which create an ideal environment for the onset of many chronic diseases.

Fiber itself comes in two forms-the soluble and the insoluble forms. Both these forms are beneficial for health. For example, the insoluble fiber plays an important part in removing constipation. It also prevents piles and colon cancer. The soluble fiber is more important in lowering the blood cholesterol. Both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol are lowered in blood. It has been recently shown that soluble fiber is capable of reducing the visceral fat in obese individuals.

There are many vegetable sources capable of offering soluble fiber. Vegetables and fruits contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. For example, the skin of the plums contains the insoluble fiber while the pulp contains the soluble fiber. Some good sources of soluble fiber are legumes, oats, barley, some fruits and fruit juices, some vegetables like carrots, tubers like sweet potatoes and onions. Even coffee contains soluble fiber.

Erectile Problems-Niacin To The Help

One of the major problems which come in the way of successful marriages is the inability of the male to perform. The reason for this is the erectile dysfunction. The very act of sex depends on the presence of an erect penis. Due to various factors, this is sometimes not achieved. This leaves the female partner totally unsatisfied. Niacin is a water soluble vitamin belonging to the B-complex group. This vitamin plays very important roles in several oxidative metabolic reactions. Recent studies have shown that niacin supplements can help overcome erectile dysfunction in men.

Obese Pregnant Women Produce Fat Babies

Obesity produces several complications. Obesity is determined by the body mass index. The body mass index is obtained by dividing the weight in kilograms by the height in meter squared. The normal body mass index is between 20 and 24. A body mass index above 30 is considered as obese. When obese women become pregnant, additional complications arise. Obese women also possess excess fat around their livers. The babies born to them also turn out to be fat. These babies also are seen to have excess fat around their livers. These fat babies tend to grow up into obese adults. Hence, it is important for women to keep their weight under control if they are thinking of becoming pregnant.

Switch Off the Light to Get Better Sleep

Sleep problems are on the increase. One of the reasons for this is the lifestyle of the people who tend to keep awake for long hours. They do so in the presence of light. Light inhibits the secretion of melatonin, the hormone which promotes sleep. Thus, if you want to avoid health problems, it is better to go to bed early and in the presence of darkness.

Weight Loss Improves Sexual Performance

Diabetes affects a large number of people in the world and the numbers are continuing to increase at an alarming rate. While genetic predisposition is one of the major contributors for type 2 diabetes, another looming threat cannot be completely ignored. It is obesity which is fast becoming an epidemic of monumental proportions. It is also known that compared to type 1 diabetics, the type 2 diabetics tend to be obese.

Also several studies have established that Non diabetic individuals who are obese are at great risk for the development of diabetes. Obesity, initially leads to insulin resistance. This is a condition where insulin is present, but is unable to act. Insulin resistance subsequently progresses to type 2 diabetes. One of the problems faced by obese men who are diabetics is the loss of desire for sex and the decreasing ability to perform in the bedroom. Recent studies indicate that these obese diabetics when they reduce the body weight get back their sexual desires. They are also able to sexually satisfy their partners, indicating better performance.Of course, this is applicable even if you are not diabetic.

Bill Clinton Is a Vegan

Bill Clinton, the former President of the USA has turned a new leaf. He has become a vegan. It is to be noted that his daughter is already a vegan. Mr. Clinton who was suffering from overweight problems even during when he was president, had to undergo two surgeries to remove the block in his coronary arteries. Doctors have now advised him that the only way of surviving is to exist totally on plant based foods. Bill Clinton says that he is quite comfortable as a vegan. He avoids meat, egg and dairy products.