Suffering from Hirsutism?

Hirsutism may be defined as the terminal hair on the body of women in the same pattern and sequence which develops in the normal post pubertal male, caused by a high level of Androgen in the female. This means excessive growth of hair where normally you wouldn't find hair. And the main reason for Hirsutism is the increase in the male hormone Androgen.

Women with hirsutism have increased androgen activity, either due to increased production by the ovaries, the adrenals, exogenous sources (primarily anabolic steroids), or from increased number of androgen receptors in the hair follicles. Androgens convert the fine unpigmented vellus hairs to pigmented and coarse terminal hairs at sex-hormone dependent sites, such as the face and lower abdomen. Most hirsutism is benign. However, sometimes it is a warning sign of a serious underlying condition (e.g., neoplasm, Cushing's syndrome) and typically manifests along with signs of virilization. Hirsutism affects 8% of adult women.

Causes

Identifiable causes of hirsutism are generally related to increased secretion of androgens from the ovaries or adrenal glands.

This can result from a variety of conditions, including:

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) – often associated with infertility

Tumors on the adrenal glands or ovaries

Cushing's syndrome

Severe insulin resistance

Genetic: Inherited growth patterns due to parental growth structure.

Tweezing, waxing, moles and birthmarks.

Obesity

Hirsutism may also be caused by:

Medications that can cause hair growth – phenytoin, minoxidil, diazoxide, cyclosporine, and hexachlorobenzene

Anorexia nervosa

Anabolic steroids

Danazol – a substance used to treat endometriosis

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) containing androgens

Birth control pills containing high levels of androgen hormones

Risk Factors:

The following factors may increase an individual's risk of hirsutism:

1) Genetics – hair patterns are inherited

2) Anorexia nervosa

3) Race, ethnicity/ climate: people in warm Mediterranean countries tend to have a heavier hair growth than those from colder climates. The condition is more common in women predominantly of European ancestry than it is in those of Asian, native American or African ancestry; it is also more common in dark-skinned women

4) Menopause

5) Obesity

Signs and Symptoms

1) Male-pattern hair growth in women (e.g., abdomen, breasts, upper lip)

2) Irregular menses, anovulation—signs of defeminization

3) Acne

4) Malodorous perspiration

5) Loss of female contour—sign of defeminization

6) Virilization—deepening of voice, frontal balding, clitoromegaly, enlarged shoulder muscles

7) Overweight

8) Cushing's syndrome—central obesity, hypertension, diabetes, thinning of skin

Diagnosis

The first step is to conduct a physical examination. During the physical exam, the doctor will inspect the body for all sites of abnormal hair growth and ask questions about the onset and progression of the condition. A doctor may also perform a pelvic examination to determine whether tumors or cysts are present on the ovaries. After performing the physical examination, one of the following may be necessary to identify the cause of hirsutism:

Laboratory tests - may detect elevated androgen levels

CT scan, MRI, pelvic ultrasound - used to identify cysts or tumors on the ovaries or adrenal glands

Laparoscopy - an instrument is inserted into the abdominal wall to detect cysts or tumors on the ovaries.

Warnings and Precautions

Studies suggest that obese women with PCOS may be less likely to develop hirsutism if they consume a low-calorie diet.

Certain herbs and dietary supplements may boost androgen levels thereby promoting hirsutism. They should therefore be avoided by those with the condition.

These include:
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Pregnenolone
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Integrative Treatment Strategy

The main goal in treating hirsutism is to identify and treat the underlying cause. The secondary objective is to control symptoms. Treatment of the underlying cause may involve one or more of the following:

1) Discontinuing drugs and/or herbs that can induce hirsutism.

2) Surgical removal of adrenal or ovarian tumor if present.

3) Weight loss programs for obese patients, particularly if insulin resistance is also present.

4) Administration of antiandrogen drug therapy as indicated.

5) When no cause is identified and/or the cause is not readily treatable, approaches to control symptoms and for adjunctive care include:

6) Employment of various cosmetic therapies to conceal or remove hair, including bleaching, depilation (shaving, chemical removal), and epilation (temporary hair root removal by waxing or plucking, permanent removal by electrolysis).

7) Psychological support, needed by many .

Lifestyle

Eating a balanced diet and getting adequate exercise can help control weight, which may diminish or prevent hirsutism related to obesity.

Drug Therapies

There is no drug that is FDA approved for hirsutism. Therapy, usually lifelong, takes 6 months or longer prior to results becoming visible.

Glucocorticoids—suppress ACTH and inhibit androgen secretion; used for 21-hydroxylase deficiency; however, they can induce Cushing's syndrome and cause hirsutism as well; care should be guided by an endocrinologist.

Oral contraceptives—suppress ovarian secretion of androgens, as in cases of PCOS; appropriate if fertility not desired; lowest level of progestogen should be used (e.g., desogestrel or norgestimate). Often used in combination with antiandrogens.

Dexamethasone—for androgen suppression; 1 mg at bedtime; especially effective for late-onset 21-hydroxylase deficiency; treatment failure indicates possible adrenal tumor

Antiandrogens reduce hair growth in up to 70% of patients.

Spironolactone—inhibits androgen production and blocks receptors; 50 to 200 mg/day; contraindicated with renal insufficiency; common side effect is increased frequency of menses which can be controlled by oral contraceptives.

Cyproterone acetate—available in Australia, Canada, and some European countries; available in the United States for compassionate use only; 25 to 50 mg/day taken in combination with, and for first 10 days of, oral contraceptive cycle; can cause hepatic failure; teratogenic.

Finasteride—5a-reductase inhibitor 1 to 5 mg/day (approved for benign prostatic hypertrophy in men); studies suggestive for value in case of hirsutism in women; teratogenic.

Flutamide—effective but may cause hepatic failure; teratogenic.
Glucophage (metformin)—normalizes insulin levels and lowers luteinizing hormone and testosterone (Nestler and Jakubowicz 1996).

Surgery and Other Procedures

A physician may recommend the following surgical procedures in severe cases of hirsutism:

Tumor removal – if a tumor on the ovaries or adrenal glands is the cause

Ovary removal after childbearing years – if ovaries are producing elevated levels of androgens

Herbs

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination. Talk with your health care provider about which herb may be best for you.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily, for antioxidant, anticancer, and immune effects. Use caffeine-free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.

Saw palmetto ( Serenoa repens ) standardized extract, 160 mg two times daily, for hormonal support. Used for antiandrogen effects in clinical practice. Two in vitro studies have demonstrated that a liposterolic extract of saw palmetto inhibited androgen activity in human tissue cells

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus castus) standardized extract, 20 - 40 mg daily before breakfast, for hormonal balance. Has been used by trained clinicians during treatment of early stages of PCOS; the herb is thought to reduce levels of androgen.
Black cohosh ( Actaea racemosa ) standardized extract, 20 - 40 mg two times a day, for hormonal balance. Used by some herbal specialists with the intention of reducing both LH and excess androgen.

Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ) seed standardized extract, 80 - 160 mg two to three times daily, for detoxification support.

Rhodiola ( Rhodiola rosea ) standardized extract, 100 - 600 mg daily, for antioxidant and anti-stress activity.

Goats rue (Galegae officinalis herba) the constituent galegin has demonstrated a hypoglycemic effect in vitro (Blumenthal 1998; Gruenwald et al 2000);

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) taken orally, fenugreek has a hypoglycemic effect (Gruenwald et al 2000) and, therefore, may have some application in the case of hirsutism secondary to insulin resistance.

Spearmint tea:Women with excess body hair are often advised to take birth control and/or a variety of other prescriptions and/or undergo painful hair removal processes. However, a new study from Turkey suggests that simply drinking two cups of spearmint tea a day may significantly reduce mild hirsutism. You should be able to get spearmint tea in most health stores. Spearmint tea is similar to mint tea, but naturally sweeter.

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:

1) Try to eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test for food sensitivities.

2) Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes) and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).

3) Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.

4) Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy), or beans for protein.

5) Use healthy oils in foods, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.

6) Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.

7) Drink soy milk, for bone health and hormonal balance.

8) Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.

9) Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.

10) Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, five days a week.

You may fulfil nutritional deficiencies with the following supplements:

A multivitamin daily, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins, and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium.
Calcium-D-Glucarate, 200 mg two times daily, may help the body detoxify hormones and decrease symptoms of hirsutism.

Diindolylmethane, a natural supplement commonly sold under the trade name Indolplex, 120 mg daily, can help the body process hormones in the most beneficial way, creating helping balance the underlying hormonal balances which may be causing hirsutism.

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 - 3 tablespoonfuls oil daily, to help decrease inflammation and help with immunity.

Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg, one to three times daily, as an antioxidant and for immune support.

Probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus ), 5 - 10 billion CFUs (colony forming units) a day, when needed for maintenance of gastrointestinal and immune health. You should refrigerate your probiotic supplements for best results.

Astaxanthin, 2 - 6 mg daily, for immune and antioxidant support.

Alpha-lipoic acid, 25 - 50 mg twice daily, for antioxidant support.

Ipriflavone (soy isoflavones) standardized extract, 200 mg three times a day, for breast cancer support.

Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant and immune activity.

Melatonin, 2 - 6 mg at bedtime as needed, for immune support and sleep. Consult your health care provider if you are taking prescription medications, as melatonin.

Acupuncture

One small study of women with hirsutism found that acupuncture markedly reduced both hair density and hair length and significantly reduced their levels of the male sex hormone testosterone (a type of androgen). This study is promising, but further research will be required to determine whether greater numbers of women with hirsutism would benefit from acupuncture and what causes of hirsutism respond best to acupuncture.

Homeopathy

The most common medicines are Thuja, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Lycopodium and Apis mel, medorrhinum, sabal serulata, thyroidinum, calc carb, Radium brom, calcarea flour, calcarea phos, belladonna colocynthis, mag phos, Cimicifuga racemosa, senecio Q, thalaspi, kreosote, Sabina, pulsatilla, sepia, nat mur, ignatia, etc.

Sepia: for facial hair in women, yellow tinting of skin.

Thuja occidentalis: for unwanted hair growth especially in moles.

Oleum Jacoris: The use of a special cream in Homeopathy, using the homeopathic medicine Oleum Jacoris, has proved to give wonderful result in the reduction on the growth of hair in people suffering from Hirsutism. Richfeel Oleum Jacoris Cream for Hirsutism.A unique cream that gradually discourages the growth of unwanted hair on the face or body.

Try these Facial Hair Removal Tips

1) Mix 30 grams of sugar with 10 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice in 150 ml of water. Mix well and then apply it on the face in the direction of the hair growth. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Then rinse with cold water, rubbing the facial area gently. The granular sugar and lemon mixture will act as a gentle exfoliating agent and remove facial hair. The lemon juice will act as an astringent and natural anti septic. Repeat once every week to find an improvement.

2) Another face mask that can help in reducing hair growth on the face and remove unwanted hair is easy to make and use every week. Squeeze 10 ml lemon juice into 40 ml honey and prepare a mixture. Take a cotton swab and rub this mixture in the direction of the hair growth. Rinse after 15 minutes. Repeat twice a week for 2 weeks and then use it every week to find an improvement in the facial hair condition.

3) An easy to use facial mask to help remove unwanted hair is to squeeze 10 ml lemon juice into a cup of water (150ml). Add 30 grams of Gram flour into this mixture and mix thoroughly. Apply this yellow mixture on the face. Wait for 15 minutes and then scrub your face in the direction of the hair growth to remove unwanted hair.

There are various Other Method to Treat Hirsutism. The common ones are:

a. Plucking;
b. Threading;
c. Waxing;
d. Electrolysis;
e. Use of medicine which are hormonal by nature;
f. And lastly laser therapy for hair removal.

The laser therapy for hair removal is the latest therapy in the world to remove excessive growth of hair. But its efficacy and efficiency is still not proved.

Removing Unwanted Hair - Depilation & Epilation

Temporary hair removal can be achieved through depilation or epilation. Continued use of these methods works well for many women.
Depilation is the removal of the part of the hair above the skin's surface. It can produce results lasting several hours to several days. Two main depilation methods are shaving and creams. Shaving is inexpensive, virtually painless, and provides good results in the privacy of your own home.

Epilation is the removal of the entire hair from the follicle. Tweezing can work well for small areas. Waxing or sugaring works by applying a sticky paste and then peeling it off the skin, along with the hairs embedded in it. Friction, using a mitt with a rough surface, is used mainly for fine leg hair. Threading involves rolling a twisted thread across the hairs to catch and pull them out. Rotary epilators are similar to electric razors, except they have tweezers that pull your hairs out.

Removing Unwanted Hair - Electrolysis

Electrolysis is one of the oldest hair removal methods and has a reliable track record for hirsutism. In the hands of a well-trained and experienced technician, it is safe and effective. A thin metal probe is slid into a hair follicle and electricity flows along the probe to damage the follicle so that the hair does not re-grow. Electrolysis can be expensive, painful, tedious and difficult for large amounts of hair. If done improperly, it can result in infection, scarring, and possible re-growth of hair.

Removing Unwanted Hair - Laser Treatment

Laser hair removal is newer than electrolysis. Lasers use a special light wave that is absorbed by dark hairs and damages the hair follicle. Laser therapies have not been in use long enough for hirsutism to fully determine how permanent the hair destruction is.
Laser treatment should not be used by dark-skinned women and is less effective with blond, red or white hair. Light-skinned women with dark hair get the best results. Laser treatment is useful for large areas of hair. Most types of laser hair removal are considered safe if performed properly. Hair re-growth will occur in some women.

Reducing Hair Growth with Natural Methods

A healthy diet, supplementation, exercise, stress management, and quality healthcare will have a profoundly beneficial effect for PCOS women with hirustism.

Different Weight Loss Formulas

Ten Golden Rules of Dieting
By Scott Haywood

Modifying our diet is one of the keys to losing weight.
But the statistics on diet successes aren't good and only a very small percentage of dieters achieve permanent weight loss.
To help you become one of those that do achieve permanent weight loss from dieting, here are Ten Golden Rules to Dieting that you can trust to help you lose those unwanted inches and pounds.

Rule 1: Never Skip Breakfast
The old saying that 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' is certainly on the money when it comes to dieting.
Nothing gets our metabolism going faster than breakfast after a good night's sleep.
Sleeping causes our metabolism to slow right down and breakfast kick-starts it again for us.
But always remember that just as important as having breakfast itself, it's also important to choose healthy breakfast options like wholegrain cereals and breads, low-fat dairy products like milk and yogurt, and fruit or fruit juice.

Rule 2: Drink Plenty of Water and Get Plenty of Sleep
Drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep are critically important when we are dieting.
As well as helping to keep us healthy, drinking sufficient amounts of water can help us when dieting because it helps keep us feeling full and stops us from feeling hungry, and when we drink plenty of water we usually drink less soda, coffee and alcohol, all of which can add significant amounts of calories to our daily intake.
New links to the importance of sleep to weight loss are being uncovered all the time.
One case in point was a series of studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association which showed that sleep loss can make weight loss far more difficult than it needs to be.
So to make sure your weight loss doesn't encounter any hidden barriers to success, drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep.

Rule 3: Count your Calories
Do you know how many calories you need to maintain your current weight and do you know how many calories you therefore need to consume in order to lose weight?
Once you know these things, you also need to keep track of how many calories you consume each day so that you can compare them to your target and make any necessary adjustments.
Writing down your calorie consumption after each meal will help you realize how much of an effect the little piece of candy here and the occasional cookie there has on your weight.
Writing down your calorie consumption needn't be hard, most of us eat the same things week in week out so chances are you'll only need to get to know the energy values of a relatively small number of foods and drinks in order to keep track.

Rule 4: Don't try to lose weight quickly
Gaining significant weight usually takes years and so should losing a significant amount of weight.
Our bodies don't like sudden and significant change; in fact it is built to resist it.
This resistance has a scientific name called homeostasis.
When our body heats up to a temperature above its preferred level what happens?
We sweat, which is an automatic response designed to cool us down to the preferred level again. That's homeostasis at work.
When we lose weight too quickly, what happens?
Our body automatically slows down its metabolism, that is, the rate at which we burn energy to survive and function. That's homeostasis at work again.
In addition to keeping our body from fighting against us on the weight loss front, losing weight too quickly doesn't work because early rapid weight loss usually results from losing body fluid and muscle tissue which is not healthy nor helpful in our battle to lose weight.
Rapid and significant weight loss from dieting alone is usually indicative of a very calorie restrictive diet which is also counterproductive because for most of us it is unsustainable.

Rule 5: It's not just what you eat that counts
Weight gain isn't a sign that we have been eating the wrong food; it is a sign that we have been eating too much food.
The great news about this is that we don't need to all start eating lettuce to lose weight; we just may need to cut down a little on the foods we enjoy each day.

Rule 6: Keeping your metabolism up
Muscle and activity keep our metabolism up which is why weight training to build or maintain our muscle mass and aerobic activity like walking, jogging, cycling and swimming are so important to those of us wanting to lose weight
Dieting alone is not the best route to weight loss and to staying in an ideal weight range.
To lose weight safely and keep it off for as long as possible, always combine dieting and exercise.

Rule 7: You won't continue to eat foods you don't like
Most diets fail because they require us to eat plenty of foods we don't actually like.
If we don't like what we're eating we're not going to stick with our diet for more than a week or two.
The key to successful dieting is to reduce the amount we eat and introduce healthier and lower calorie options of the foods we like gradually into our diet over time.

Rule 8: Watch what you drink as well as eat
Almost everything we drink, except water, has calories in it.
Drinks highest in calories are typically sodas, colas and alcoholic drinks.
If we typically drink a lot of any of these high calorie drinks, it may be them and not what we're eating that is causing us to get fat.
This being the case, for many of us simply reducing these drinks or eliminating them altogether from our diet may be all that is necessary for us to lose a significant amount of fat and weight.

Rule 9: Avoid extremes of any kind
Balance is not only the key to a happy, healthy life; it is also the key to a healthy diet and dieting.
Be very weary of any diets that completely cut out some foods or food groups or severely limit some foods or food groups, for example very low or no-carb diets.
Diets that are extreme in one way or another are likely to be very unhealthy at best and very dangerous to our health at worst.
If you're ever considering such a diet, which will probably promise very rapid and significant results, remember what we said about rapid weight loss and how our body is designed to maintain the status quo.

Rule 10: Seek help
If you have a lot of weight to lose, you've got a better chance of success if you get help.
If your weight is affecting your health to such an extent that it is or is becoming life-threatening or is leading to you suffering from weight related diseases like type-2 diabetes, seek medical help from a doctor or professional help from a dietician or another suitably qualified health care professional to lose weight immediately.
Even if your weight isn't directly affecting your health now, it is a great idea to get help in your battle against the bulge from professionals like dieticians, personal trainers, gyms, psychologists (overeating is often caused by emotional factors) or weight loss program providers and other weight loss specialists.
In addition to getting professional help, non-professional help, support and encouragement is also vital in improving your chances of dieting success.
For this type of help turn to friends, family and the support of other people with similar weight related goals, such as those that can be found on weight loss forums.
Good luck with your weight loss and remember that if you keep in mind the ten golden rules of dieting you are sure to be a dieting success story in the making.


How-To Drop Weight and Become Healthier Using These 7 Simple Everyday Life Tips
by Monty Lee

These days more and more people are getting intellectual instead of physical jobs. Sitting in the office chairs all-day long has become a norm for many of us. Stress, busyness and rush make us forget about regular food and stuff our stomachs with cheeseburgers and sodas, which don't do anything good for our bodies.

As a result of such crazy life rhythm, we rarely find time for exercises, gyms or balanced nutrition. As a matter of fact, it's one of the reasons why there are now more that 60% of U.S citizens that have overweight. However, it is possible to change your lifestyle and lose your weight if you are willing to.

These 7 day-to-day life tips provided below will help you to drop your extra pounds, become more energetic and healthier.

1. Drink More Water
Our bodies need a lot of water. Water removes waste from our organisms and carries various nutrients into all our organs and cells. Your body also loses water by using it for various ways. For this reason you have to replace it and drink water more often than you are used to.
Start your day with a glass of water in the morning. Drink a glass of water before any meal. Take a bottle of water with you when you go to work. Your body needs approximately 3-5 liters of water during one day. So don't hesitate to drink plenty of water wherever and whenever you can.

2. Eat Fruits and Drink Fruit Juices
Eating fruits and juices helps you eliminate toxins from your body. Eating a variety of fruits also helps you get enough fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. That's why you should eat fresh fruits and drink natural fruit juices as often as possible.
Fruit juices from stores are often sweetened. If you want to drink juices, make fresh juices yourself. If you think it takes too much of the time, then look for juices with labels that say "100% fruit juice". These are much healthier for your body as long as they contain much more vitamins.

3. Eat Lots of Vegetables and Vegetable Salads
When it comes to losing extra pounds, vegetables are a great choice. They are natural and contain different vitamins, minerals and tons of other useful chemicals known to provide benefits for your body. Vegetables are low in fat and calories; they help control blood glucose levels, reduce blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of colon and other cancers. All these features also help control your weight effectively.
If you feel that eating vegetables alone isn't great choice for you, then make some salads. Mixing vegetables together gives you even more different vitamins and health benefits. There are tons of tasty, healthy salad recipes on the internet. You can also use you imagination to make some great salads.

4. Eat Only When You Are Hungry
How many times you've been to a party where you saw lots of different and tasty looking meals, which you were offered to try.
Don't eat, because you are offered to. Eat only when you want to.
Many people also like snacking. In between meals or when have nothing to do. Quit snacking. Most snacks contain a lot of fat and calories. Replace your usual snacks with vegetables or fruits. These are healthy to your body and you'll never get fatter, only thinner.

5. Carry Healthy Food with You
Many of us work busy office jobs and don't have time to eat regularly. In this case, bring your own made food with you. Instead of bringing sandwiches with meat, take vegetable salads, carrots, chicken salads. Any low fat food will do. This way, you won't have to wait for a break to fill your stomach. You'll be able to have fixed times when eating food.
It's also important to try to eat about 5 times a day, rather than 3 or 2. Eat in smaller quantities, but more often. This helps you to increase your metabolism.

6. Work out When You Can
Working out in a gym is not only a great way to grow some muscles, but also to drop a few pounds. Exercising helps you burn your calories instead of storing them in your body as fat. Our bodies were made to be active, so exercising slowly and easily can actually help you get more energy and make you feel much better.
At the end of the week, try to lose all the stress and burn your calories in a gym or having some kind of physical activity at home. If you have time, then try to do easy exercises everyday.

7. Don't Lie Down or Sit When You Can Move
Many of us like to watch TV lying on a couch or sitting in a comfortable chair. Of course, when you come home after hard working day, you're tired, and all you can think of, is a couch and a remote in your hand. But such laziness won't help you lose weight. Contrarily, it will make you grow some more pounds.
So don't lie or sit, when you can walk and move. Instead of staring at TV, like a goofy, go ahead and work out in your garden for example, clean your garage, fix your car, go to walk in park or beach. Breathe fresh air and move more often. Not only does it help to reduce stress after work, but also ups your mood and makes you more energetic.

In Conclusion
Remember that all these tips will help you to lose weight, but only if you are determined and are ready to devote some of your time. Don't expect to slim down 4 sizes after eating 5 carrots and drinking orange juice.
Your body, just like many things in this world, needs time. So be patient. And if you will honestly use at least some of these tips, you are going to change your lifestyle, which in the end will lead you to a thinner and healthier body.


The Best Way to Use Low-Carb Control
by: Melissa White

The benefits of low-carb dieting are easy to see and make clear why so many are choosing a low-carb way of life. For example, there isn't any counting of calories or measuring portions. In addition you do not have to cut out all the food you enjoy. You can continue eating burgers, cheese, and bacon. Putting yourself on an eating plan for most people is generally complicated and yet the low-carb diet plan is simple enough for anyone. Cut your carbs down and watch the pounds fall.
No more waiting around for your diet to show results. You will be able to see the results right away. Because of the very simple fact that the amount of calories you consume does matter, by cutting down on your carb intake you will be at the same time cutting out a large amount of calories without trying directly.
Keep yourself in check. As you are minimizing the amount of carbohydrates you are eating you want to make sure that your body is getting enough nutrients. When you are following your low-carb regime here are a few things to keep in mind:
First, make sure you maintain a good fiber intake. You can do this while still sticking to your low-carb plan. Keep away from those bad carbs, such as the ones consumed from sugars. Have the low levels of carbohydrates that you do eat come from whole grains or vegetables. In fact these good carbs that you do choose to eat also aids in weight loss, this is a bonus. Your plan might change names from the low-carb eating plan to the low-carb/good-carb eating plan.

Second, try to minimize the amount of saturated fat you consume. Some low-carb plans you may find are high in saturated fats, one of the worst kinds of fats. They raise your LDL cholesterol levels, which may put you at risk of heart disease.
While eating your low-carb diet, you can reduce your saturated fats by choosing leaner protein sources such as poultry, seafood, and lean pork and beef. Make sure you cut away all visible excess fat on meets. Choose low fat or nonfat dairy products. You should also replace butter with vegetable oils such as olive or canola oil. Try to eat smaller portions of all these foods.

All in all, be smart with your food choices and it will be to your benefit.
Low Carb Dieting Tips: When You Reach Your Plateaus
by: Melissa White

We all get to that place in our weight loss plan where we seem to be getting less result, if any. Many of us may feel like it is hopeless and that we have gone as far as we can.

A plateau refers to an extended period of time during our weight loss efforts where there is no weight loss according to the scale AND no loss of inches according to the tape measure. This can happen even if you are sticking to your low-carb diet plan. If this seems to be your case chances are that you aren’t as stuck as you may think. There are a few things you can do to keep your body in check:

1. First, take your measurements. There is a chance that if you aren’t seeing the pounds drop in numbers that you are still loosing inches. So don’t stop your low-carb eating plan.

2. Second, check to see if your clothes that used to be a little tight now seem a little looser. Your body may still be loosing fat. Now your body is at the point where it is starting to add lean muscle. And since fat is more bulky then lean muscle your cloths will begin to change the way that they fit you.
These plateaus can last for about three to four week. This is normal, so keep up with your low-carb eating plan as well as your regular exercise, and you will soon see the results. The changes that low-carbing makes to your body will last a lifetime so don’t worry about a few weeks.

Now perhaps you have reached plateaus in your low-carb weigh loss plan that is lasting longer than the regular four weeks. There are a few things that could be causing this upsetting stall in your weight loss.

#1) Your Carbohydrate intake may be too high. Some people need to keep there introductory low-carb diet level there entire weight loss period.

#2) Hidden Carbohydrates. You may be eating foods that you think are low-carb and yet you can be fooled. By sneaking into your diet these unwanted carbohydrates can add up fast. Know what foods you are able to eat and stick to those in your low-carb diet.

#3) Overeating. Eat when you are hungry and don’t over do it. Just because you are eating the right foods doest mean that you can eat until you are overfull.

#4) Not Enough Exercise. You need to be exercising to boost your metabolism and help your body to burn unwanted fat. Especially weight training, which builds muscle that will essentially eat that same fat.

#5) Not drinking enough water. A bare minimum recommendation is 64 fluid oz (that's 8 - 8 oz glasses) of water a day. If you aren’t consuming enough water you can try to substitute with non-caffeine teas and diet sodas. Remember that these aren’t the same as water but will help a little and are low in carbs.

Remember these tips and don’t give up on your low-carb diet.
7 Strategies to Stop Eating Junk Food!
by Jenny Mathers

FACT: Obesity accounts for 300,000 deaths in the U.S. alone.
Research into junk food and fast food restaurants have found that there is a direct relationship between the number of fast food restaurants located within your local area and obesity rates.
The way in which we eat, and what we eat, is of vital importance to our state of health. The convenience and habitual nature of the problem mean that fast food consumption is so in-grained, that healthy eating is near impossible.

There are no easy ways to fix junk food habits and make them into healthy habits, but I do have 7 quick strategies that you can easily put into place to start into motion your new lifestyle without junk food. I recommend implementing these one at a time, to ensure that you don't overload and burn yourself out.

1. Do your shopping every week. Make it a regular habit to do your groceries every single week on the same day.

2. Make a shopping list on the computer with all the regular foods that you buy, to ensure that you aren't going to run out of food at the end of the week, tempting you to reach for the fast food pamphlet, running out for take-away or buying unnecessary food items.

3. Don't starve yourself !!!!!!! Eat 6 small meals instead of 3 large ones, snacking on healthy foods such as a fat burning apple, protein packed, metabolism raising light salad with boiled eggs and flaxseed oil dressing.

4. Make food your hobby. Join a cookery class. There are often many community classes that you can enroll in inexpensively to learn how to prepare interesting food.

5. Unplug the TV at the point. You will be less likely to sit there and watch it aimlessly if you have to make a conscious effort to turn it on. Particularly around 6-8 pm, the junk food restaurants will advertise, watch a DVD during these times. A recent review of childhood obesity research, has, not surprisingly found that the amount of time you spend watching TV has a direct affect on being overweight.

6. Try this recipe when you are feeling peckish to curb your need to buy junk food, or feeling the urge to have a smoke.

2 eggs beaten
1 Chopped lean bacon rasher - no fat.
1 chopped canned tomato
1/4 cup soy milk/low fat milk
1 finely chopped leaf spinach/frozen spinach
sprinkling of low fat cheese

Mix ingredients together in mixing bowl. Transfer into a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 2 minutes or until eggs have solidified. Eat with low GI bread. You'll find that depending on the quantity eaten, it can be a filling snack or light dinner.

7. When eating out. Avoid the restaurants with the all-you-can-eat option. These restaurants unfortunately encourage people to eat until they are bloated. Researchers found that 20% of weight gain among freshman University students could be attributed to their eating in the all-you-can-eat student dining halls.

2 Ways to Start Burning Fat Quickly
by Adrian Bryant

1. Start Exercising first thing in the morning.

As soon as you wake up in the morning workout for at least 30min to an hour. Studies show that working out in the morning has been shown to burn up to 3x as more fat as opposed to working out at any other time during the day. Here’s Why:

During the day your body’s main source of energy is the carbohydrates that you get from eating your meals. As you sleep at night for 6+ hours your body uses up all those carbohydrates as energy for various bodily functions that go on even while you sleep. When you wake up in the morning your body doesn’t have any carbohydrates as energy to use and it will look to burn body fat instead for energy.

For you to take advantage of this morning fat burning opportunity you have to exercise first thing in the morning. Don’t eat breakfast because if you do you’ll just give your body some carbohydrates as a source of energy instead of the body fat that you want to burn for energy.

Another great thing about working out first thing in the morning is that your metabolism gets revved up after your morning workout. Morning workouts keep your metabolism elevated throughout the day. An elevated metabolism throughout the day only means that you’ll burn more calories and lose more weight. If you workout at night you may still burn fat while you workout but as soon as you go to sleep your metabolism will slow down and you’ll miss out on all the extra fat that you can burn during the day if you had exercised in the morning. When you sleep your metabolic rate is always at its slowest.

Other reasons why its good to exercise first thing in the morning is that you get the workout out of the way, and working out in the morning will also reduce your level of stress throughout the day.

Advanced Tip: Want to burn even more fat? Add another workout to your daily routine 4-6 hours after your morning workout. Keep your already high metabolism higher by adding a 2nd workout during the day. If you're seriously thinking about adding a 2nd workout to your daily routine then tries to do your cardio workouts in the morning. Mostly fat calories are burned doing cardio at moderate intensities. Make your 2nd workout of the day a workout with weights. Mostly carbohydrate is burned doing weight-training workouts. The muscle that you build from weight training will also help you burn fat. 1lb of Muscle burns 50 calories a day or 1lb of fat every 70 days. Not only will you be burning more calories, you’ll look better – whatever your weight is.

2. Eat Breakfast

Another way to keep your metabolism revved up all day long is to eat breakfast. After you workout in the morning as discussed earlier, just have breakfast and you’ll give your body the perfect 1-2 combination to jump start your metabolism.

Eating breakfast in the morning is what gets your metabolism started. Don’t skip breakfast and wait until mid-morning or afternoon to eat, your metabolism will run slower causing you not burn any extra fat.

Think about this way-Your metabolism is a fireplace that’ll burn fat all day long for you if you operate it correctly. When you eat breakfast you are basically throwing a log onto that fireplace to get it started burning fat.

Eating breakfast will help stop those cravings you may have later on in the day and along with working out in the morning, eating breakfast will also keep you energized throughout the day and lower stress levels.

Advanced Tip: Instead of eating only 2 more meals during the day like lunch & dinner, try to eat 4-5 more small mini-meals spaced 2-3 hours apart during the day. Remember the fireplace? By eating these mini-meals you'll be throwing just the right amount of "wood" on the fireplace to keep your metabolism burning calories throughout the day. Don't shut down your metabolism by eating big lunches or dinners, keep those metabolisms of yours burning fat all day long.

Morning Checklist
1. Workout for at least 30min after waking up in the morning
2. Eat a healthy breakfast
3. Burn fat & lose more weight during the day

Use these 2 tips to reveal that six-pack, fit into that dress for an upcoming event like a wedding or reunion, or to impress that special someone. Whatever your fitness goal is these 2 tips above will surely help you reach them.

HomeoPathic Formulas:

1) A few months ago I discovered that Natrum Phosphoricum (Nat Phos) 6x which I had given a few friends who came to me complaining of acidity after meals, also had a most unusual reaction on their weight. They discovered that they shed their weight by between 2 to 3 kg per month, on their normal daily regimen of eating and exercise. They informed me that they passed more water than usual and that they felt much lighter in their bodies and were happy to be able to use their old garments which they had been compelled to discard over the years.

My discovery may be considered as unbelievable but it is indeed true as anyone who is overweight can discover for him or her self. The use of Nat Phos 6x on a daily basis is quite safe as it constitutes a concentration of only 1/1Millionth of the salt. It promotes Peristalysis in the stomach and gut thereby reducing the build up of acidity in the stomach which leads to heart burn. It has been in use for many years as the ultimate remedy for acidity especially after a heavy meal but it has never been used, as far as I know, to reduce weight. The dose is 3 tablets Nat Phos 6x taken twice daily or 2 tablets taken thrice daily, preferably after meals.
(Source- abc forum)

2) PHYTOLACCA BERRY's Mother Tincture is perhaps the safest and sure fire way of loosing excessive fat around abdomen. With Phytolacca Berry once you loose the excessive fat and weight you don't get it back because you body takes care of itself after that and keeps you from gathering up excessive fat. It is prescribed after having a baby too, to get the tummy to loose its flab and to make it flatter and tighter. And after loosing weight with this you don't get flabby it tightens up the flab and skin along with helping your body to shed the excessive accumulation of fat around the girth
The dosage is 15 to 20 drops of the tincture in half a cup of hot water thrice a day half hour before or after meals.
Avoid Chocolates, Coffee, Mints, Red Meat and Carbonated and Alcoholic drinks while taking Homeopathic Medicines. You have to take it for at least 30 to 45 days after that you start to feel the results.
To the best of my knowledge its the safest and the most sure fire way of loosing fat and weight and keeping it of for keeps. Excellent remedy for Obese people who cant seem to shed weight despite trying. (source- Yahoo Answers)

3) Esculentine & Phytoline are great fat reducing remedies when taken together in tinchure form. Take 5-5 drops of each remedy with some
Water thrice daily in an empty stomach. First it will reduce the flabbyness of muscles then gradually it will reduce extra fats from your body with out any side effects.

There are many other medicines in Homeopathy which are used for weight reduction but a proper case taking is must before selecting Homeopathic medicines: Aurum met, iodium, Coffea cruda, Calc carb, ignatia, Kali carb, Ferr. Phos, Lycopodium, Staphysagria, Silicea, Kali mur, Calcarea Ars, Fucus Ves Q, Thyroidinum, Calotropis 30, Graphites, Thuja, conium, merc sol, Ammon Mur, Carlsbad, nat mur, sulphur,ferrum met, Esculentine & Phytoline, china, antim crude, Argentum nit, etc.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner. Most men experience this at some point in their lives, usually by age 40, and are not psychologically affected by it.
Some men, however, experience chronic, complete erectile dysfunction (impotence), and others, partial or brief erections. Frequent erectile dysfunction can cause emotional and relationship problems, and often leads to diminished self-esteem.

Physiology of Erection

The physiological process of erection begins in the brain and involves the nervous and vascular systems. Neurotransmitters in the brain (e.g., epinephrine, acetylcholine, nitric oxide) are some of the chemicals that initiate it. Physical or psychological stimulation (arousal) causes nerves to send messages to the vascular system, which results in significant blood flow to the penis. Two arteries in the penis supply blood to erectile tissue and the corpora cavernosa, which become engorged and expand as a result of increased blood flow and pressure.
Because blood must stay in the penis to maintain rigidity, erectile tissue is enclosed by fibrous elastic sheathes (tunicae) that cinch to prevent blood from leaving the penis during erection. When stimulation ends, or following ejaculation, pressure in the penis decreases, blood is released, and the penis resumes its normal shape.

Causes

There are many underlying physical and psychological causes of erectile dysfunction. Reduced blood flows to the penis and nerve damage are the most common physical causes. Underlying conditions associated with erectile dysfunction include the following:

• Vascular disease- Arteriosclerosis causes a reduction in blood flow throughout the body and can lead to impotence. Smoking is perhaps the most significant risk factor for impotence related to arteriosclerosis.

• Diabetes- About 60% of men with diabetes experience impotence.

• Drugs- Over 200 commonly prescribed drugs are known to cause or contribute to impotence, including drugs for high blood pressure, heart medications, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and sedatives. A number of over-the-counter medications also can lead to impotence. Long-term use of alcohol and illicit drugs may affect the vascular and nervous systems and are associated with erectile dysfunction.

• Hormone disorders- Hormone disorders account for fewer than 5% of cases of impotence.

• Neurologic conditions- Spinal cord and brain injuries can cause impotence when they interrupt the transfer of nerve impulses from the brain to the penis.

• Pelvic trauma, surgery, radiation therapy- Trauma to the pelvic region or spinal cord can damage veins and nerves needed for erection. Surgery of the colon, prostate, bladder, or rectum may damage the nerves and blood vessels involved in erection. Prostate and bladder cancer surgery often require removing tissue and nerves surrounding a tumor, which increases the risk for impotence.

• Peyronie's disease- Peyronie's disease is a rare inflammatory condition that causes scarring of erectile tissue. Scarring produces curvature of the penis that can interfere with sexual function and cause painful erections.

• Venous leak- If the veins in the penis cannot prevent blood from leaving the penis during erection, erection cannot be maintained. Venous leak can be a result of injury, disease, or damage to the veins in the penis.

• Psychological conditions- Depression, guilt, worry, stress, and anxiety all contribute to loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.

Management:

Supplements

Supplements given below may provide nutritional support in erectile dysfunction. A physician should be consulted before using any product.

• Bioflavonoids – Take 1000 mg daily.
• Flaxseed meal – Grind 2-4 tablespoons daily. Flaxseed meal is a better choice due to its fiber and vitamin content.
• Inositol hexaniacinate – Take 1000-3000 mg daily to improve circulation and lower cholesterol. Diabetics should not take this supplement.
• Selenium – Take 200 mcg daily.
• Vitamin C – Take 1000 mg 3 times daily with meals.
• Vitamin E – Take 400 IUs daily.
• Zinc – Take 30 mg daily.

Herbal Medicine

These herbs may be used to treat erectile dysfunction:

• Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) – Traditionally used for male impotence.
• Damiana (Turnera diffusa) – Traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and for various sexual disorders.
• Ginkgo biloba – Increases arterial blood flow, which may have a positive effect on male sexual function.
• Muira puama (Ptychopetalum olacoides) – Used for erectile dysfunction and lack of libido.

Exercise daily -

• it increases the level of male hormones
• it increases the level of certain neurohormones, which result in mood elevation
• it increases the peripheral blood circulation

Role of diet in Erectile Dysfunction:

Erectile dysfunction occurs when blood flow into the penis is blocked or severely limited. This results in a constant failure to achieve an erection.
The cause of this circulatory slowdown, or lack of blood flow, is atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries. This occurs when cholesterol, originating from the foods we eat, "sticks" to the interior walls of the blood vessels, and creates a hard layer of plaque, thus obstructing healthy circulation.
According to Dr. Neal D. Barnard, M.D., a lifestyle rich in meat and dairy foods , will very likely result in high cholesterol levels, thus causing a blockage, and ultimately ED.

Vegetarians, on the other hand, have an average cholesterol level 23 percent lower than nonvegetarians. Vegans, who in addition to being vegetarians, eat neither dairy nor eggs, have an average cholesterol level of 133, which is 37 percent lower than the general population.

Research conducted by Dean Ornish, M.D., at the University of California, San Francisco, proved that a low-fat vegetarian diet is the best way to begin the cleanup of your arteries.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has put together an ideal diet comprised of four food groups. These include, fruit, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. This no-cholesterol, low-fat plan supplies all of an average adult's daily nutritional needs, including substantial amounts of fiber.

Treatment

Both partners and men with ED need to try to remember that ED is most often a treatable physical condition. The first step to treatment, however, is trust and a willingness on the part of both partners to discuss the situation with each other, and with a physician.

Sex Therapy

A significant number of men develop impotence from psychological causes that can be overcome. When a physiological cause is treated, subsequent self-esteem problems may continue to impair normal function and performance.

Qualified therapists (e.g., sex counselors, psychotherapists) work with couples to reduce tension, improve sexual communication, and create realistic expectations for sex, all of which can improve erectile function.

Psychological therapy may be effective in conjunction with medical or surgical treatment. Sex therapists emphasize the need for men and their partners to be motivated and willing to adapt to psychological and behavioral modifications, including those that result from medical or surgical treatment.

Medical Treatment

Oral Medication

Oral medications used to treat erectile dysfunction include selective enzyme inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil [Viagra®], vardenafil HCl [Levitra®], tadalafil [Cialis®]) and yohimbine (Yohimbine®, Yocon®).

Selective enzyme inhibitors are available by prescription and may be taken up to once a day to treat ED. They improve partial erections.

Patients taking nitrate drugs (used to treat chest pain) and those taking alpha-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure and benign prostate hyperplasia) should not take selective enzyme inhibitors.

Drug Therapy: Self Injection

Self-injection therapy is one of several available options for treating impotence. It requires that a man or his partner use a tiny needle to inject a small amount of medicine directly into the side of the penis. The injections are relatively painless and create an erection that begins about 5 to 15 minutes after the injection, and lasts from 30 to 120 minutes.

Not all patients respond to this type of treatment. Still, about 70 % of men find that they achieve satisfactory erections with injections.

The drugs typically used for injection therapy include Prostaglandin, Papaverine hydrochloride and Phentolamine

One of the more common risks of injection therapy is prolonged erection or priapism: an erection of more than 4 hours. Priapism only happens in a small percentage of patients but may require a visit to the doctor or emergency room to receive medication to counteract the self-injection medication and relieve the erection. Men need to be aware that any erection that lasts longer than 4 hours needs to be treated by a physician.

Another complication is the possible development of permanent scarring within the penis. Scarring is generally seen in patients who use the drugs too often.

Drug Therapy: Urethral Suppositories (MUSE)

Uretheral Suppositoriers (MUSE) is another drug treatment for impotence. It is based on the finding that the urethra can absorb certain medications into the surrounding tissues, creating an erection. Muse urethral suppositories use prostaglandin E1 (alprostadil), the same medication used in self-injection therapy.

An erection usually begins within 5 to 10 minutes after administering aprefilled muse dosage. The erection lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes, though this can vary from person to person.

The most common side effects associated with muse are an aching in the penis, testicles, and legs and in the area between the scrotum and the rectum, a warmth or burning sensation in the urethra, redness of the penis due to increased blood flow, and minor urethral bleeding or spotting due to improper administration.

Medical Device Therapy (vacuum devices)

Vacuum devices are simple mechanical tools that allow a man to develop an erection suitable for sexual intercourse.

Vacuum devices work best in men who are able to achieve partial erections on their own. Vacuum devices work by bringing more blood into the penis and then trapping it.

Surgical Treatments

Penile Implants

Penile implants involve surgical insertion of malleable or inflatable rods or tubes into the penis. A semi-rigid prosthesis is a silicon-covered flexible metal rod.
Once inserted, it provides the rigidity necessary for intercourse and can be curved slightly for concealment. It requires the simplest surgical procedure of all the prostheses.

Vascular Reconstructive Surgery

A small percentage of men undergo vascular reconstructive surgery to improve blood flow to the penis. Revascularization involves bypassing blocked veins or arteries by transferring a vein from the leg and attaching it so that it creates a path to the penis that bypasses the area of blockage. Young men with only local arterial blockage are the best candidates for this procedure. It may restore function in 50% to 75% of men.

Venous ligation

Venous ligation is performed to prevent venous leak. Problematic veins are bound (ligated) or removed, which allows an adequate amount of blood to remain in the penis. It may improve function in 40% to 50% of men, but some men may experience problems over the long term.

HOMEOPATHIC Medicines

Agnus Castus: This remedy is suitable to old men who have spent most of their lives in excessive venery. These so called “old sinners” are just as excitable in their sexual passions at 60 as at 18, and yet they are physically impotent. It is also useful in paralytic impotence, where there is loss of both sexual desire and erection, and there is coldness of the sexual organs.

Calcarea Carbonica: When night sweats follow every emission, and when coitus is followed by weakness in mind and body, calcarea is the remedy. It is especially useful in shattering constitutions where the patient sweats from any exertion. The sexual desire is excessive and the nocturnal emissions occur about three in the morning or later. The erections are weak and excitable; there is sensitiveness of the urethra and irritable impotence. There is tendency to cold clammy sweat on the hands after emissions, there is pain in the back and head and trembling of the legs. Great weakness follows all indulgence. Calcarea suits these conditions in young people who grow too rapidly.

Lycopodium- Lycopodium is the remedy for cases which have gone on to complete impotency; the erections are absent or imperfect and the genital organs are cold and shriveled. Exhausting pollutions without erections. Lilienthal termed Lycopodium “the old man’s balm”. It corresponds especially to the impotence of old age where there is great despondency.

In Homeopathy there are good medicines to treat this condition. But for proper treatment a homeopath must look for the psychological reasons behind the condition. A detailed case history is necessary, including the sexual history and mental characteristics etc. Along with the medicine such patients often need psychological counseling if the disease is of psychological origin.

Some other medicines commonly indicated in such conditions are argentum-nit, china, caladium, causticum, conium, gelsimium, graphites, dioscorea, digitalis, eryngium aquaticum, sabal-serr., selenium, sulphur, sarsaparilla, sepia, strychninum, yohibinum, kali-brom, arnica, baryta-carb, nuphar lutea, nux-vomica, phosphorus, picric acid, phosphoric acid, staphysagria, zincum, etc.