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Talyala May 2014 Newsletter

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the May edition of the new Talyala newsletter.

Hope you all have a chance to enjoy the magical autumn weather. This week in Melbourne we have woken up to crisp cool mornings and sunny days. It is wonderful to have a chance to crunch through all the autumn leaves on our walk to school every morning.

Take care,

sigMia

 

In this Issue

  • Many Strategies For life-long Weight Loss
  • Gout and Joint Swelling and Pain
  • Anti Aging Cream Ingredients to Avoid
  • Arthritis Neck Pain
  • Safe Diets to Lower Cholesterol

Many Strategies For life-long Weight Loss

Strategies for Life-Long WeightlossLosing weight could be a long term challenge for more people than you think. The formula to successful weight loss is fairly simple, burn much more calories than you put in your body.Simple arithmetic, right? Well, it could get quite complicated when you factor in all of the reasons why someone is overweight in the first place. Read on for how you can finally win your battle with the fat.If you’ve been experiencing weight issues, you probably already know that reducing your weight can happen with trendy diets, but the results are typically short lived. If you want something which will serve a lifetime, you have to incorporate lifestyle changes (tips at helpweightlossdiet.com).When you make the decision to lose weight, it must be your own decision depending on your own personal desire and not the desires of those around you.If you wish to seriously lose weight, you’re going to have to make a commitment. This determination can’t come at a time when you’re dealing with other major life changing phases. For instance, if you’re dealing with financial issues, or severe marital problems, you may want to postpone this new journey. Starting at a time when you’re already spread thin is setting yourself up for failing.Sure, reducing your weight is about taking control of your choices and facing years of poor eating habits. However, you ought to be able to surround your self with people who love you and can give you the support you need to help you through this challenging time. Seek support when you’re feeling weak, this is necessary to your success.Setting reasonable goals will help you remain grounded. You don’t want to be overly passionate the first few days of your lifestyle change that you completely update your system. This won’t last. You can not shock your body into behavior training.

Instead, you have to make sure you’re gradually changing the habits that lead to current weight from the start. Make sure you succeed by incorporating realistic goals into your plan.

Just because you change the way you eat doesn’t mean you have to give up taste. Yes, you may have to get used to foods that are less processed and thus have no preservatives. However, once you get used to the natural taste of food, you’ll question how you ever ate any other way.
Yes, it is true that you can lose weight by transforming the way you eat. However, if you want to see quicker results, add an exercise routine to your list of things to do most days of the week. This will help you burn calories faster and thus lose weight quicker. You will also notice that exercise not only helps weight loss, it also helps you sleep better, feel better and look better!

Gout and Joint Swelling and Pain

GoutGout has often been called the “disease of kings.” It was noted many years ago that gout usually affected nobility and the wealthy. This observation resulted from the richer diet available to those of means during those times. Now, most of us eat like “kings.” The disease shows rare economic discrimination.

It occurs when uric acid, a break-down product of normal protein degradation which is normally dissolved in the serum of the blood, crystallizes in a joint and greatly irritates its lining. The skin is often quite red over the joint during an attack. It is most common in men from ages 40 to 60. Women are rarely affected until after menopause.

Multiple joints may be involved, but usually only one joint is affected at a time. The joints of the base of the big toe, knee, hip or the ankle are the most commonly involved.

It most often occurs especially in men when the kidneys are unable to get rid of uric acid as quickly as it is accumulating in the blood. In addition, this may be due to eating too much high purine protein products. Decreasing kidney function as you get older is a part of the normal aging process. When the concentration of uric acid gets high enough, some passes from the blood into joint fluid where it forms long needle-shaped crystals. The needle shape reflects what patients often experience during an attack of a million needles in the joint accompanied by terrible pain. Even the skin of the joint is usually red from the inflammation. It is most common on the days after holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter due to the increase of ingested food and alcohol.

The doctor can be generally certain of the diagnosis just by listening to the patients and examining them. Many infections and other types of arthritis may look and act just like gout. Therefore, it may be necessary to withdraw some of the fluid from the involved joint. The fluid must be examined under a special microscope lens and tested to be sure of the diagnosis.

Blood tests of the concentration change of uric acid in the blood can be helpful in making the diagnosis. However, 30% or more of people experiencing an attack will have a normal serum uric acid at the time they visit the doctor’s office. After the first attack, other blood and urine tests may be necessary to determine the cause of the high uric acid. Uric acid levels may change for other diseases that may lead to causing the flair, but they are not primary gout.

An attack marked by severe joint pain usually gets the patient to the doctor’s office. If this is very severe, intravenous fluids are begun to start the “washing out” process. A medication that neutralizes the crystals in the joint can be given by mouth or intravenously in the most severe cases. About 80% of people do not tolerate it when orally given. Steroids (cortisone or prednisone type drugs) may be given either as an injection, by pills, or be injected directly into the joint to further calm the massive inflammation.

“Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs” (NSAID’s) are the mainstay of treatment of the acute attack. People who have a history of ulcer or similar stomach problems may do better with one of the newer NSAID’s that are gentler on the stomach. IV medications may stop the flare-up and have you comfortably walking out of the office in an hour.

About three quarters of the people having an attack will have a second attack within 2 years if nothing is done to treat and decrease the uric acid levels. It almost never goes away without significant changes. Those who have attacks may develop chronic pain and permanently crippling changes in the joints. You and your doctor need to prevent this from happening. We must determine the exact cause of the crystallization. Other tests may be necessary to determine the exact cause of the problem, including, an intra-articular sample of fluid. Medications particularly diuretics (“water pills”) are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Medications can interfere with either the production or elimination of uric acid. Medication changes can help to prevent recurrence. High blood pressure, diabetes, low thyroid, and other disease remarkably increase the chances of getting an attack. The chance of getting another attack is greatly decreased by disease control and uric acid control. Obesity, overuse of alcohol or caffeine, dehydration or a high purine diet can all increase your likelihood of having another attack. Allopurinol and other medications can be used to lower uric acid. Medicines must be given carefully because sudden changes can actually cause an acute attack.

Review all medicines with your doctor. Identify any medications that may contribute to your attacks. Regular use of aspirin can contribute to your likelihood of getting a flare. Alcohol is the only substance that both increases production of uric acid and decreases its elimination. Decreasing or eliminating use of alcoholic beverages may, in itself, entirely prevent further attacks. Increase significant volumes of fluid–your intake of water. Beverages containing caffeine or alcohol result in dehydration, not rehydration, and thus are counter-productive. As we age, our awareness of being dehydrated decreases. By the time we feel thirsty, we are already more than “a quart low.” A gout sufferer needs to make a habit of drinking replacement fluids throughout the day. Always tell your doctor about your problem. With care, the physician can avoid prescribing medication that could increase your uric acid level and precipitation of crystals.

Obesity contributes to crystallization. Fat to water ratio increases with obesity, and this results in dehydration. Fasting diets can precipitate attacks. Discuss your new diet with a nutritionist and physician. Diets high in fat and protein are usually effective for people in losing weight. High fat intake increases your likelihood of getting attacks. Liver, kidney, and sweetbreads are particularly high in uric acid. Cold-cuts (lunch meat) and processed meat products including hot dogs, sausage, and meat organs are problematic. “White meats,” particularly turkey and pork, contain more of the substances that become uric acid than red meats. Occasional portions of these foods will usually not cause you to have an attack. However, a regular diet of these meats increase your chances of having crystallization. General moderation of your meat intake in combination with a well balanced diet and increased water intake are best for you. Drink lots of water.

An exercise program is an important part of a weight loss program. Over-doing it in the weight room, or taking on heavy muscle work can actually cause muscle breakdown. Over-exercise raises uric acid levels. Decreased exercise results in severe muscle soreness and dehydration. Sensible changes in your diet and lifestyle and working together with your doctor can decrease problems and save your joints from further permanent damage.

 

[box style=”rounded”]Anti Aging Cream Ingredients to Avoid[/box]

CosmeticsAnti aging creams are probably one of the most popular anti aging products available in the market at present. It’s cheap and readily available which makes it a very popular choice among women as well as men.

However, unknown to many, there are lots of skin care dangers you can get in such creams that promises remarkable anti aging results. Some of these creams in the market contain ingredients that can cause harm to the skin. Fortunately, you can avoid this from happening by knowing what ingredients to avoid when looking for an anti aging cream.

Let me share to you some of them.

1. Alcohols
Alcohol are often used in most skin care and beauty products. When looking for an anti aging cream, avoid those which contain methanol, ethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. These alcohols can dry up and irritate the skin.
2. Parabens
Like alcohols, parabens are also commonly used in most skin care and beauty products. Anti aging creams, just like many products sold today are laden with preservatives. Paraben is used to help preserve the freshness and prolong the life of skin creams such as anti aging creams. However, this chemical can cause allergic reactions especially to those people who have sensitive skin. Aside from causing allergies, parabens are also known to disrupt the endocrine system which affects the hormone balance in the body. This ingredient has also been linked to fetal development interference and breast cancer.
3. Dioxane
Dioxane is a very harmful chemical that is used by anti aging cream companies to make harsh ingedients milder. Avoid anti aging creams which contain this ingedient because according to studies, prolonged exposure to this chemical can cause cancer. This chemical is already banned by the State of California but it isn’t banned by the FDA yet so it’s still widely used.
4. Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is one of the most common ingredients of anti aging creams. It’s best to avoid products that contain this because it can clog your pores and prevent toxins from being flushed away naturally. It can also cause acne and premature aging. How ironic isn’t it?
5. Fragrance
Skin care products such as anti aging creams need to smell good for customers to buy it. This is the reason why most manufacturers include fragrances in their products to mask the unpleasant odors. Unknown to many, fragrances can cause damage to skin over time. Many kinds of fragrances are even known to be toxic and carcinogenic.

[box]Arthritis Neck Pain[/box]
Arthritis Neck PainOur neck is among the most important parts of our bodies. Any kind of ache or tension in the neck can almost be felt in the whole body, and sometimes it really does course through the various nerves that pass through the neck.
 
There are numerous reasons why people have neck pain, including injury, illness and general muscle strain. For the majority of of these reasons, the stiffness and pain usually disappears with some rest. On the other hand, if the source of the neck pain is arthritis, this can indicate a far more lasting pain that could bring about greater difficulties later on. Arthritis neck pain can not only be painful, but could lead to complications that could result in a loss of mobility in the entire body.
 
The most widespread form of arthritis neck pain is caused by a degradation of the cartilage between the bones of the neck. This may be a direct result injury which was improperly healed, or illness that caused the initial damage. While the cartilage deteriorates, it can result in contact between your bones, which can also come in contact with the nerves in the spine. This can lead to other complications.
 
Arthritis neck pain is often differentiated from other forms of neck pain firstly because of its chronic, repetitive nature. If the pain and stiffness is recurring, this might be a sign of arthritis neck pain. Apart from this, people that have arthritis in the neck might also experience additional symptoms like loss of balance, weakness or loss of feeling in the limbs of the body and also loss of bowel control as well.People with these symptoms should speak with their doctors immediately for diagnosis and treatment, which could cover anything from prescribed medications for the pain, wearing neck braces, and maybe even surgery to replace damaged discs in the neck and spine. Treatment is very important.Apart from conventional treatments, several natural remedies for arthritis might also be used to deal with arthritis neck pain. Herbal remedies, natural supplements and even homeopathic remedies have seen use as effective painkillers, and some of these alternative methods may even halt or reverse the damage to the connective tissues. Oftentimes, these alternative methods might also be combined with conventional treatments; but make sure you consult with your doctor before doing so, to ensure that the treatments do not interact poorly with each other.
 
 

[box]Safe Diets to Lower Cholesterol[/box]

Lower your CholesterolIf you have high cholesterol and want to lower it, you may consider changing your diet.

You can lower your cholesterol by eating foods which include more plant-based foods. Foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes are great excellent substitutes for high cholesterol foods. Choose foods like cereals, breads, rice, pasta, and other grains, as well as dry beans and peas. These are high in starch and fiber and low in saturated fat and calories. These kinds of foods naturally contain a low amount of fat and cholesterol and should be added to your menu; but some bakery breads and sweet bread products that are made with high-fat, high-cholesterol milk, butter, and eggs should be consumed sparingly.

Six to eleven servings of foods from this group each day is recommended. People who have a low HDL (the “good” cholesterol), should keep their carbohydrate intake below the maximum of 60 percent of total calories. Too many carbohydrates will force your liver to increase its production of cholesterol resulting in high cholesterol rather then decreasing the cholesterol in the blood.

Another diet avenue that you can consider taking to lower your cholesterol is to decrease the amount of trans fat you consume. Although saturated fats do increase your bad cholesterol trans fats will do this as well. Trans fat will also lower your HDL levels. This is the good cholesterol. Look at the ingredient list on the food label to see if the food product has trans fats.

Trans fat containing foods usually have words printed on the label like shortening, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, or hydrogenated vegetable oil. The ingredients are listed on the label in descending order of predominance. Close to the end of the list you will find the smaller amounts of trans fat. You can also look on the label under “fat”. The amount of trans fat that is contained in the product is often listed just after the saturated fat. Trans fat is found in foods like salad dressing, vegetable shortening, sweets, baked goods, fried foods, and other processed foods. When trying to lower your cholesterol, these types of foods should be avoided.

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