Health and Diet Blog

Caroline Miller asked:




Traveling with an infant doesn’t have to be the stuff of nightmares. You don’t have to be the mom or dad that everybody glares at mid air, when your child is throwing a tantrum. Flying with a baby requires a lot more planning and foresight than flying with preschoolers or older kids. Plan accordingly, make sure your carry on luggage includes a few essentials and you can have a relatively hassle free flight without going hysterical.

First, take your car seat along. The American Academy of Pediatric recommends that children below the age of 2 years be strapped to a child seat on flight. This makes it easier for you, because you won’t be left holding the baby uncomfortably on your lap. Your baby is also likely to feel more comfortable in a familiar car seat, and therefore less cranky. Remember to book your child’s eat in advance, and take care of seating assignments. Car seats are normally allowed for window seats, or at the center of a row in between aisles.

If you balk at the thought of purchasing another ticket for your baby, remember some parents will give you a free seat for your baby during off season times when planes tend to be not so full. While making reservations, confirm with your travel agent that the airline is open to giving you an available free seat for your baby.

Some airlines will also allow you to book a baby bassinet or cot, although your child will have to be lesser than 8 months old to take advantage of this.

Your carry on bag should contain disposable bibs for meal times, a bowl and spoon, and feeding bottles. Make sure you take along a small tin of baby food – although crew might offer you baby food, it might not be the one you’re baby’s used to eating. Take along a bottle of pre boiled water which you can then ask the crew to warm up again if you need.

A good idea for breastfeeding moms – Ask for a window seat. Take a small blanket or thick sheet and use a couple of pins to attach it to your seat and the seat in front, to create a privacy screen for you. If you don’t have a window seat, ask other passengers if they can trade. Put on your most helpless look, add a pleading tone to your voice and no one will say no!

Anna Hart asked:


Most people think of heartburn as a normal part of life – uncomfortable, but normal. Everyone they know gets heartburn at one time or another. They know the television ads by heart – the ones that show people thumping or rubbing their chests to indicate they have heartburn. Typically, people take an antacid and suffer until the burning sensation passes.

Heartburn symptoms are indeed common, but that is no reason to treat them too lightly. Heartburn symptoms do not happen by accident. They are a warning issued by your digestive system.

Heartburn symptoms must be considered in the context of their closely-related concerns: acid indigestion, acid reflux, acid regurgitation, non-cardiac chest pain, and sour stomach. Heartburn symptoms should also be considered in relation to GERD symptoms.

Heartburn symptoms closely resemble the symptoms of all the above, especially symptoms of acid.

Frequently-described Heartburn Symptoms

Heartburn symptoms are most frequently described as a burning sensation. Some may say they feel heat or warmth in the upper abdomen. Others describe heartburn symptoms as pain in the lower chest.

Heartburn symptoms occur behind the sternum – the central breastbone. The location, near the heart, is the reason for the name “heartburn,” but the heart is not involved. Some have described their heartburn symptoms as a feeling that the heart is on fire.

In addition to the burning pain, heartburn symptoms can include trouble swallowing, nausea, gas, and bloating.

Heartburn symptoms last as long as 2 hours for some. Some people have difficulty sleeping due to heartburn symptoms.

Why Heartburn Symptoms Need Attention

Heartburn symptoms, whether mild or serious, occasional or frequent, need attention. Let’s look at some of the reasons, beginning with one of the most serious.

1. Heartburn symptoms can feel much like heart attack symptoms. If you have heart disease, or are at risk for heart disease, seek medical attention immediately, even though you believe it may be heartburn. It is not worth risking serious or fatal results.

2. Heartburn symptoms, if frequent, can lead to serious medical concerns such as cancer of the esophagus. The acid that washes back into the esophagus can damage the sensitive linings of the esophagus, and lead to GERD. As it worsens, cancer can develop.

3. Heartburn symptoms are not isolated pain. They occur because something is not right in your digestive system. Heartburn symptoms are warnings. Just as you should not ignore warning lights on you car’s dashboard, you should not ignore the warning provided by heartburn symptoms.

Cause of Heartburn Symptoms

Heartburn symptoms are caused by a malfunction of the sphincter muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. This ring of muscle, the lower esophageal sphincter, is known in shorthand as the LES.

The first job of the LES is to open so that swallowed food can enter the stomach. Its second job is to close quickly to keep stomach food and juices from washing back into the esophagus.

When the LES is weakened, pressured, or relaxes inappropriately, it malfunctions. Stomach juices, and even bits of food, reflux (wash back) into the esophagus. Since the linings of the esophagus are not meant to handle the strong stomach acids, the nerves react with a sensation of burning.

Listen to Heartburn Symptoms

Since heartburn symptoms are the result of a malfunctioning LES, it makes sense to learn why the muscle is malfunctioning.

1. Does it need more oxygen?

2. Does it need more potassium or other electrolyte?

3. Is it dehydrated?

4. Would exercise strengthen it?

When another muscle malfunctions, we treat the muscle to strengthen it. Ask your physician how to strengthen your lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Disclaimer: The author is not a professional health care provider, and intends the above for educational purposes only.

Janet Rusky asked:


The Effects of Vitamins for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary from person to person. There are people who experience symptoms of diarrhea with their irritable bowel syndrome while there are some people who experience constipation. Because of this, there are different effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome. Vitamins generally cause chemical reactions in the stomach and these reactions can either be beneficial or harmful to a person’s IBS. Here are some common effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Vitamin C – Also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin has a laxative effect. People should be careful in taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome as it can cause diarrhea when it reaches the stomach. People already suffering from symptoms of diarrhea should monitor their intake of vitamin C very closely.

Taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome may also cause gas and bloating. This occurs when the acid of the vitamin reacts with the alkaline setting of the lower intestinal tract. You can try to observe this reaction by dropping a couple of mentos on a glass of diet coke.

2) Calcium – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can have either a laxative or constipating effect on a person, depending on the type. People suffering from IBS should try to discover hat type of calcium is right for them:

a) Calcium carbonate – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains no magnesium and can relieve symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to diarrhea (IBS-D).

b) Calcium citrate – This type of vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains magnesium and thus, can trigger symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to constipation (IBS-C).

A good advice to follow when taking calcium vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome is to keep the amount at a maximum of 500 mg. This is in order to prevent triggering symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a good idea to take this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome with vitamin D as this helps in the absorption of these nutrients.

3) Iron – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can be quite constipating. People taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome are also prone to stomach upsets. It is also a known fact that Iron interferes with the absorption of calcium.

Tips in taking vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Try to get balanced doses of your vitamins – When buying supplements, make sure that those supplements deliver the right amounts of vitamins you need. It is important that a certain supplement does not contain a megadose of any vitamin as this could trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

2) Always take your vitamins with food – It is important that you not take your vitamins on an empty stomach. Doing so could increase the discomfort brought about by the chemical reactions caused by the vitamins. This is especially true with acidic vitamins like vitamin C.

3) Consult a pharmacist – Remember that there are different effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome. If you are unsure regarding which vitamin supplement to take, you should get help from a pharmacist in finding the mildest vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome.

4) Take separate vitamins separately – Vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome also react in various ways with each other. For the best absorption of nutrients, you should try taking vitamins one type at a time.

Alison Cassar asked:


Bloating is a very common symptom that people often experience after eating a meal. The bloating is usually felt in the lower part of the abdomen and sometimes in the upper section. Bloating usually feels as if there is pressure being applied from the inside and people often report that they can look up to six months pregnant. Bloating after eating is often different to the bloating experienced with menopause, pregnancy and PMS. Bloating after eating feels gassy and is usually relieved after passing wind or burping. This kind of bloating can be caused by certain foods. However, if it happens frequently, it can also indicate a digestive problem such as leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, candida overgrowth, intestinal parasites, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and general food allergies and intolerances. Apart from bloating after eating, a common symptom of all of these conditions is chronic tiredness. This is because your digestive system is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from the food you eat. If there is a digestive problem, its easy to become nutrient deficient and this commonly causes chronic tiredness.

So, how do you know if you are bloating because of foods that you are eating, or because you have a digestive problem? A person with a healthy digestive system will experience far less bloating, even with foods that commonly cause bloating. However, the list of foods below commonly causes bloating in many people.

· Raffinose – a sugar found in beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other vegetables and whole grains. Eaten raw, these foods cause more bloating than when they are cooked.

· Lactose – a natural sugar found mainly in milk and milk products, such as cheese, cream, yoghurt and ice cream. Lactose levels are much higher in milk and non-fat milk than in cheese and yogurt. Lactose is commonly associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

· Fructose – a sugar found in fruits and honey. It’s also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks, fruit drinks and processed foods. Fructose is also considered to be an important contributing factor to irritable bowel syndrome for many people.

· Sorbitol – a sugar found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes, and is also used as an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gums.

· Starches – most starches, including potatoes, corn, rice, bread, noodles and any products made from flour produce gas as they are broken down in the large intestine.

· Wheat – in particular, wheat appears to be a major source of bloating and gas. Most people find that if they eliminate wheat and flour products, their bloating nearly always improves.

· Soluble fibre – this type of fibre dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. It’s found in oat bran, beans, peas and most fruits.

· Insoluble fiber – this type of fibre doesn’t dissolve in water and passes unchanged through the intestines and therefore produces less gas than soluble fibre. It is found in wheat bran and most fruit and vegetable skins.

· Legumes commonly cause bloating and gas due to their complex structure of starch and protein. Soaking and cooking legumes well helps to reduce bloating.

Please note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of a personal relationship with a qualified health practitioner nor is it intended as medical advice.

Roxana Ayala asked:




So what makes the antioxidant blueberries form Alaska a miracle? They are not just your ordinary, every day blueberries, but the Kyani Alaska wild blueberries or otherwise known as the “Super Blueberry” help protect from a wide range of diseases, including: Cardiovascular disease, Cancer, Arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes(which is very common) and Obesity. In the bestselling book, “Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life – Superfoods RX,” Dr. Steven Pratt identifies blueberries as one of the three major “Superfoods” that will change your life and your health. Why? Because blueberries contain more disease-fighting antioxidants than any other fruit, Dr. Pratt goes on to say that wild blueberries usually contain more antioxidants than cultivated varieties.The Alaska wild blueberry sits at the top of the blueberry kingdom. Because of Alaska’s harsh freeze/thaw climate and having to protect itself from the 24-hour-a-day summer sun, the Alaska wild blueberry has up to 10 times more antioxidants than cultivated blueberries. Kyani Sunrise also contains, with the Alaskan wild blueberries, pomegranate, wolf-berry, Noni, Aloe Vera, and other berry juices.

 

Along with Kyani Sunrise, which an ounce is taken per day in the mornings, Kyani offers a product for the end of your day. Kyani Sunset is an Omega-3 powerhouse. Sunset combines Alaska wild salmon fish oil with tocotrienols (pure Vitamin E). Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are the two polyunsaturated fatty acids that are good for you. But Omega-6 (which are common in most foods we eat) and Omega-3 fatty acids are only beneficial as long as they’re consumed in balanced amounts. Omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, radiant glowing hair, improves mood and stress, boosts metabolism, controls appetite, maintain a healthy circulatory system, immune system and maintain a healthy respiratory system as well as play a role in supporting breast and colon health. Taking the soft gels daily will be like the equivalent of two servings of salmon per week. Dr. Steven Pratt says, “I tell my patients that blueberries are one of the three major SuperFoods, along with spinach and salmon. If you learn nothing else from SuperFoods Rx, remember to eat blueberries and spinach most days and salmon…these three foods alone will change your life and health.”

 

Kyani also offers a brand new product called Kyani Nitro FX. What is Nitro FX and what are the benefits? Nitro FX is Nitric oxide that helps maintain, repair and defend nearly every cell and system in the body. NO assists in combating pain, inflammation, digestion problem, insomnia, diabetes, and injuries. It also consistently linked to increase energy, improved sexual function, and even weight management. It also promotes optimal heart function by allowing more oxygen, nutrients, vitamins and growth factors to reach crucial points in the body. 

 

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that acts in many tissues to regulate a diverse range of physiological and cellular processes. It’s role was first discovered by several groups who were attempting to identify the agent responsible for promoting blood vessel relaxation and regulating vascular tone. This agent was termed endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), and was initially assumed to be a protein like most other signaling molecules. The discovery that EDRF was in fact nitric oxide – a highly reactive gas- has led to an explosion of interest in this field resulted in over 60,000 papers published in the last ten years and won the Nobel prizein 1998. Nitric oxide has now been demonstrated to play a role in a variety of biological processes including neurotransmission, immune defense, the regulation of cell death(apostasies) and cell motility. Nitric oxide is a short-lived, highly reactive molecule (with a half-life of a few seconds) that is produced from a group of enzymes known as nitric oxide syntheses (NOS).

 

So if you’re ready to be healthy and stay in good shape, DO NOT hesitate to order your Kyani Products! It’s very simple…

 

Becoming a distributor with Kyani is an exciting way of watching your health get a lot better and watching your wealth get to the point where you can spend more time with your family or loved ones, sleep much better at night, have your own schedule, change someone else’ life, and definitely be financial stress free!

 

To learn more about Kyani products and how to become a preferred customer or a distributor, you may visit my website at http://mykyanilife.com/roxy4kyani  or you may contact me directly at roxy4kyani@hotmail.com for help and questions.