31‏/12‏/2009

I have used slimming cream on my body and have started to feel my skin itch where it?

I have used slimming cream on my body and have started to feel my skin itch where it?

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was applied. What could that possibly mean? Why am i itching?


Will slimming cream increase your likelihood of getting skin cancer?I have used slimming cream on my body and have started to feel my skin itch where it?
it shows you have a sensitivity to one of the chemicals in it. Slimming cream- you means someone is selling something that says it will slim you. see if they have a money back guarantee- if the do- get your money back.I have used slimming cream on my body and have started to feel my skin itch where it?
You might be slightly allergic to it. I would stop using the cream and take some Benadryl to help with the itching. It might also be wise to see a doctor.
slimming creams works by increasing the blood flowing. may be that causes itching.
Allergic reaction. Stop using it, see a doctor if it gets worse.
Yoga for slimming and slimming exercises

Yoga for slimming and slimming exercises

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Obesity is the biggest lifestyle challenge that faces modern civilization today. Apart from increasing the risk of developing many different and often untreatable lifestyle diseases, obesity also reduces the scope of movement of the body. Obesity doesn’t occur overnight. It is a slow process which presents itself so slowly that sometimes the person is not aware of the increasing weight and the problems that it brings with it.

A graver problem that faces us today is that of child obesity. While there was a time when children were active and never faced the problem of obesity, unless it was hereditary, today the change in the lifestyle of parents has led to problems of obesity even in children. The first sign of obesity is weight gain. Slowly the body begins to lose its shape. There is a gradual decline in the ability to move freely. In fact, you may even experience a fall in the rate of overall activity. This is because when you weigh more, more energy is expended for the simplest of movements, as a result of which tire more readily.

Yoga for Obesity

There are many
slimming exercises which can help you shed off the extra pounds that you have piled up. However, slimming yogapresents one of the most effective exercise techniques when you are looking for weight loss and slimming. Though there are no specificexercises for slimming in yoga, most of the poses and postures improve the digestive system and increase the metabolism. The poses of yoga also help tone and firm muscles, improving postures, realigning the body to eliminate structural flaws, and increase aerobic capacity to improve both blood circulation and energy reserves.

There are different yoga poses and postures which help you to reduce fat from specific areas of your body. These poses also make your body more flexible so that the scope of movements is improved.

Pranayama or the breathing exercises, though not specifically designed for slimming, help improve the capacity of the lungs, increasing the amount of oxygen in the body. This in turn allows for better oxidation of food and improves core strength, immunity, and energy levels. One of the
best slimming exercises in yoga which involves the use of both poses and pranayama is the Sun salutation. This is basically a series of poses that benefit various parts of the body in different ways. The sun salutation should ideally be performed every morning.
Slimming Pills Will Encourage Your Weight Loss Efforts

Slimming Pills Will Encourage Your Weight Loss Efforts

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Slimming pills have been put available with the concept of serving to obese men and women lose weight and improve their overall health; but, of these medications work best when combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan. Therefore, individuals with a body mass index of twenty seven+ are typically prescribed slimming pills, if diet and exercise alone haven’t helped with weight loss. Use of weight loss medicine is best confined to individuals who are in serious would like of treatment; slimming pills must never be used for cosmetic weight loss purposes. Reductil, when combined with adequate lifestyle changes and a strong willpower, will help you meet your desired weight loss efforts.

Slimming pills

The slimming pill market is most likely the largest world over and is still growing at an unprecedented pace. Similarly, pharmaceutical firms are making an attempt their level best to create real solutions and higher the present medications to effectively handle overweight and obesity problems. First out there were the amphetamine-kind diet pills that were not a lot of of a success and were soon banned. Nowadays we tend to have slimming pills that job on the brain to suppress appetite, or in the gut to inhibit a certain quantity of fat from being digested. These prescription-solely slimming pills are closely regulated by the FDA. But even the drugs manufactured along with your best interest in mind, could carry bound health risks if not used with caution.

Over the counter weight loss pills, herbal or otherwise, are half of an unregulated trade that’s out to expand and capture larger market-share. This has fuelled the growth of dangerous and ineffective slimming pills; these medications rarely have proof to back their weight-loss claims. So, it’d be best to stick to prescription weight loss pills that are both safe also credible.

Will Reductil work with different weight loss medication?

Reductil and Xenical are the 2 medications that have been currently approved for weight loss and weight maintenance. Whereas, Reductil is a combined norepinephrine-serotonin reuptake inhibitor, Xenical could be a gastric and pancreatic lipase inhibitor.

Recent clinical trials have shown that when Reductil and Xenical are combined with a healthy diet program you will lose three times a lot of weight than when attempting to diet while not the utilization of either of this weight loss medications; this trial was strictly disbursed under the steerage of registered medical practitioners. Doctors have been terribly enthusiastic with this latest positive news.

But, combining both these medication is very a lot of in the trial stage; until this is approved, combining these medication wouldn’t be such a good idea. Moreover, this may not work for everybody. Therefore, until then you would like to require all the requisite precautions with these drugs and use them as stand alone medicine for weight loss and weight maintenance.

Weight loss medication

There is no dearth of weight loss medication; the market is sort of flooded with them. But, using something other than prescription drugs could damage your health. If you fail to lose weight by diet alone, you’ll flip to prescription slimming pills; these are certain to assist your weight loss problems. But, weight loss slimming pills aren’t any miracle pills; consistent lifestyle changes combined with medication can bring the specified weight loss results. Some fashionable weight loss drugs include Reductil, Xenical and Alli.

* Reductil is an appetite suppressant and works within the brain; it is a prescription medication that comes in 15mg dose strength
* Xenical inhibits the digestion of concerning thirty% of the fat within the diet and works within the gut; it is also a prescription drug that comes in 120mg dose strength
* Alli encompasses a similar mechanism of action to Xenical; it is an over the counter drug and comes in 60mg dose strength - 0.5 of that of Xenical

25‏/12‏/2009

Low-Carb Hanukkah

Low-Carb Hanukkah

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منخفضة الكربوهيدراتHanukkah starts tonight and goes through next week.One of the traditions of the holiday is to eat foods fried in oil. Did you know that there are different kinds of latkes? They don't have to be made from potato, and I have some alternative latke ideas. It's also becoming more popular to eat a kind of fried doughnuts called sufganiot as they do in Isreal. I can't say that I've made an authentic replication of those, but my low-carb doughnuts could be used instead.
EAT LESS, LIVE LONGER? THAT'S RIGHT - A SECRET OF LONGEVITY

EAT LESS, LIVE LONGER? THAT'S RIGHT - A SECRET OF LONGEVITY

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It's a pretty good bet that a diet high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and Omega-3 fats will stack the odds in your favor when it comes to longevity. But, what about the amount of food you eat? Could that make a difference?

In 1982, some inventive research scientists decided to investigate the effect of a calorie-restricted diet on longevity and disease. They divided a few hundred male rats into two groups; one group was allowed to eat all the rat chow they desired and the other group was allowed to eat about two-thirds of what they would have normally consumed when left to their own devices.

The results set the stage for some of the most interesting anti-aging research of the past decade . Here's what happened to the rats -

The ones who received the normal diet lived their normal maximum life span of about 1,000 days usually dying from cancer, kidney disease or the deterioration of their hearts. That's a pretty typical story for a rat-nothing out of the ordinary.

However, rats fed the limited calorie diet were a whole different story. These rats lived 1 ,500 days on average, a whopping 50% percent increase in life span . Even better, they avoided much of what we would consider the accompaniments of aging-feebleness, low energy, sluggish behavior and grizzled appearance.

For example, their coats which normally turn gray after age two, stayed shiny and white for 3 and a half years and even longer! They performed better running mazes more successfully than their "normal eating" lab mates.Immune systems were stronger; their rates of diabetes and cancer were far lower and had fewer cataracts.

When they finally did die, most of them just expired.

Said Edward Masoro, Ph.D., a physiologist at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, "When we look inside them, they are completely clean."

Calorie restriction, at least in rodents, was shown to be a demonstrable anti-aging strategy.

There have now been more than two thousand animal studies confirming these results across species as varied as yeast cells, fruit flies, monkeys and mice . Scientists have produced these dramatic effects hundreds of times under all sorts of laboratory conditions.

Because humans live much longer than, say, rats or fruit flies, and because of the ethical and practical considerations, there are no long-term definitive studies on calorie restriction and humans - nevertheless, some people are voluntarily practicing calorie restriction )

And here's the amazing part - those who do practice calorie restriction are showing the same effects as those seen in the animal studies-less disease, fewer "markers" of aging and much thinner bodies!

Why eating a lot of 'polyunsaturates' is not necessarily healthy

Why eating a lot of 'polyunsaturates' is not necessarily healthy

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Conventional nutritional wisdom dictates that we eat a diet rich in 'polyunsaturated' fats. At least part of the rationale for this relates to the fact that we are told that these fats help to reduce the risk of heart disease (you will, for instance, often see or hear 'polyunsaturates' being referred to in adverts for the highly-processed, chemicalised, non-food that we know as margarine). Having our fill of polyunsaturated fats may not be such a good idea, though. There are two main forms of polyunsaturated fats - omega-6 and omega-3 – and these have generally different biochemical effects in the body. Omega-6 fats tend to encourage inflammation, for instance, while omega-3 fats do the reverse.

The opposing actions of omega-6 and omega-3 fats means that for optimal health, an ideal balance of these fats is required. In previous research, a relative excess of omega-6 over omega-3 (as is typical in the Western diet) has been liked with an enhanced risk of a variety of conditions including cardiovascular disease (eg heart disease and strokes), 'auto-immune' disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis), diabetes and depression. You can read more about these associations here and here .

In this context, I was interested to read a recent study which sought to assess the relationship between fat intake and ulcerative colitis - a condition characterised by inflammation in the lining of the large bowel (typical symptoms include episodes of pain, bloating and diarrhoea which can be bloody). This research followed more than 200,000 men and women aged 30-74 over a four-year period [1]. Dietary factors including intake of linoleic acid (the most abundant omega-6 fat in the diet) were assessed. Individuals with the highest intake of linoleic acid, compared to those with the lowest intakes, were about 2 and a half times more likely to develop ulcerative colitis. The authors estimated that about a third of all cases of ulcerative colitis might be due to a glut of linoleic acid in the diet.

This research adds to a significant body of evidence that suggests that blanket recommendations to eat plenty of 'polyunsaturates' may be doing some harm in the form of increased risk of certain chronic diseases. This research gives us another good reason to think about reducing our intake of omega-6 fats (eg refined vegetable oils and margarine).

18‏/12‏/2009

Carb Counts for Bananas

Carb Counts for Bananas

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Did you know that it is a myth that bananas should always be kept at room temperature? The banana industry has been trying unsuccessfully to correct this misinformation for years. Although the skins will turn black in the refrigerator, the fruit will spoil less quickly if it's refrigerated. On the other hand, bananas have quite a bit of sugar, so low-carb dieters will probably not want to buy them very often.
Getting Started on a Low Carb Diet

Getting Started on a Low Carb Diet

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1. Become Informed

Read about various low carb diets, or zero in on one. Ideally, read one

2. Start Making Easy Changes

While you are learning about low-carb eating, you can start to make some changes towards reducing unhealthy carbs in your diet. Choose one or two things to change at a time. You may be surprised that some results can be achieved with less effort than you thought.

3. Decide on an Approach

There is no one low carb diet. The span a range of carb levels and food choices, though essentially all of them cut out most sugars and starches. Again, the best thing to do is to read one of the books – go to your library and browse, and zero in on something that looks doable to you. Essentially all of the popular books can be purchased used online for very little money.

Alternatively, if you just know you’re not the kind to read a book and follow someone else’s idea of a diet, the “No White Diet" works for many people. Basically, you just stop eating food with , white flour (pasta, bread, cake, donuts, etc), white rice, and potatoes (some include milk). This effectively cuts back on the carbohydrate in your diet, especially the high types. Just realize that there are also white foods, such as tofu, cauliflower, and onions, that are low in carbs and good for you!

4. Get Familiar with What You Can Eat

It’s easy to fall into thinking a lot about what you can’t eat, but much more productive to focus onAt first, it's probably best to keep it simple - for example, you can just eat the same dinner as before, substituting vegetables for the starch.

5. Plan Your First Week

Nothing stops a new eating plan faster than getting to the fourth day and realizing you have no idea what to snack on, or fix for dinner. Planning a full week of menus and snacks gives you a buffer period when you don’t have to worry about it.

6. Get Support

Inevitably, things you didn’t think of will come up. The first two weeks of a diet change can be difficult. The temptation when trying something new is to chuck it overboard at the first obstacle. To be successful, you must accept that unexpected “speedbumps” will happen, and make a commitment ahead of time to work through them. This is the time to get advice from others who are ahead of you on the road.
Laura Dolson's Low Carb Food Pyramid

Laura Dolson's Low Carb Food Pyramid

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There is no one way of eating that is best for everyone. The recognizes this by attempting to tailor guidelines to the individual.

That pyramid, however, has too much carbohydrate for people who have difficulty processing sugar (all carbohydrate breaks down into sugar in the body). Many of these people are , diabetic, or somewhere along what I call the "road to diabetes."

The pyramid presented here is not meant to give precise advice to anyone, but merely to be an illustrated eating guide for those whose bodies do better with less carbohydrate.

For information on each part of the pyramid, click on the thumbnails below.

Budget Low-Carb Eating

Budget Low-Carb Eating

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Learn how one low-carb blogger fed her family for a week at $3 per person per day, and other advanced strategies for low-carb eating on a budget.

Back to Basics

When thinking about saving money while eating a diet low in carbohydrates, it helps to go back to look at the basics of the diet, and think about how we can save money on each one. When we do this, we realize how we often spend a lot on non-essentials. Then we can figure out which of those "extras" we want to add to the basics.

The basic elements of a low-carb diet, which make up the vast majority of the foods we need to eat, fall into three categories: protein, vegetables, and fats. Let's take each one, and find ways to save money. Bear in mind that I'm only talking about cost, and leaving aside other important considerations, for example, the importance of eating a variety of foods, the nutritional value of any given food, convenience, the distance the food traveled to get to you ("carbon footprint"), organic vs not, the care the animals received, etc. On the other hand, the good news along these lines is that a low-carb diet will usually be based largely on fresh (or frozen) whole foods with little processing.


How to save money on protein, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, soy, and dairy products.

11‏/12‏/2009

‘Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show’ Episode 312: Shane Ellison Says Eat High-Fat, Low-Carb And Stop Taking Drugs

‘Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show’ Episode 312: Shane Ellison Says Eat High-Fat, Low-Carb And Stop Taking Drugs

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I’m sure most people who get into the pharmaceutical industry have good intentions to make the world a better place with the work they are doing. And I don’t think everyone involved in making prescription drugs is sinister by nature. But an obvious culture of corruption focused on the billions upon billions of dollars that are pouring in to the coffers of these companies thanks to perpetuating the health myths and slick marketing cannot be ignored. Today’s podcast interview guest used to work as a chemist at a major pharmaceutical company and now is fighting for people to educate themselves better about natural ways to improve their health.
Slim Fast Recalls Ready-to-Drink Cans

Slim Fast Recalls Ready-to-Drink Cans

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slimfast.jpg


Testing on the product found that it was contaminated with a bacteria called B. cereus, which can cause a mild case of stomach upset or vomiting.

It's unclear whether the recall is due to consumer complaints, quality testing, or both. According to ABC News, an FDA spokesman said that testing was done after "several consumers" complained about the product, but Unilever spokeswoman Anita Larsen assured consumers that quality testing is part of their regular routine.

Unilever is stressing to consumers that an infection with B. cereus is unlikely to be serious. If you've got any of the product in your home, however, you should throw it out immediately. Call Unilever at 1-800-896-9479 to get a full refund. Keep in mind that the recall only affects their ready-to-drink cans, not their powdered drink products or nutritional bars.

And since we're a blog, let's discuss: What do you think about Slimfast as a diet aid? Would you or have you used it? The last time I used it regularly was shortly after high school, when the idea was to drink a can each for breakfast and lunch, followed by a healthy dinner. Now we know, of course, that that's far too few calories for anyone to consume in a day, but starving yourself was stylish then.

Though we all should be filling up on a variety of fruits, veggies, and colorful foods to maintain or lose weight, does Slim Fast still have a place for those who need a little control to maintain their willpower (especially now that their diet plans are a little more balanced)? Or does what we know now about healthy weight loss make this product little more than a diet dinosaur, past its prime?

What do you think?

The Biggest Loser: Dangerous Weight Loss

The Biggest Loser: Dangerous Weight Loss

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The Biggest Loser: Dangerous Weight Loss

the biggest loser.jpgWhile there is no clear definition of what constitutes "unsafe" weight loss, it's probably fair to say that "The Biggest Loser" flirts with that blurry line at the best of times. Add some additional measures to the already-extreme methods imparted on TBL contestants and you have a recipe for a potentially dangerous situation.

At least a couple of Biggest Loser contestants have admitted to intentionally dehydrating themselves to accelerate their progress.

Therein lies the most fundamental problem with TBL - using scale weight as the sole determinant of success and hence victory. This obviously leaves things open to all sorts of behind-the-scenes tactics to shed more weight. Moreover these are just a couple of examples, but who knows what kind of pills, laxatives or other adjunct measures contestants are trying.

In the world of reality TV, drama matters - the more extreme the weight loss, the greater the drama, the greater the ratings. Also, severe caloric restriction + intense exercise very make people grumpy - there's your built-in drama right there.

When it comes to contestants, $250K is a good chunk of change. Add to that, the possibility of endorsements, book deals, magazine covers and suddenly the stakes are pretty high.

To quote this article

Drama is one thing when you're vying for the attention of a washed up hip hop star, airing your dirty laundry, eating bugs, or repelling down skyscrapers, but it is entirely different ethically when health risks are involved."

Nobody wants to see a show where people lose 2 pounds a week on a sensible exercise and nutritional program.

It isn't uncommon for contestants to lose 15lbs in a single week. And we have to remember that TBL contestants are pre-screened and medically monitored throughout their extreme regimen.

For the average Joe/Jane, the Biggest Loser ups the ante of weight loss expectation. We may not have a ton of money to gain from being thinner but fitting into a wedding dress, going to a sunny destination and other occasions that call for fast weight loss can spark some risky behaviour.

Exercising in heat or other dehydrating methods can cause heart problems and potentially fatal electrolyte imbalances. Gallstones, nutritional imbalances, irritability and constipation are also common in very rapid weight loss over the course of several weeks.

At the very least, extreme weight loss methods don't last.

Poll: Video Game Exercise and Our Children

Poll: Video Game Exercise and Our Children

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Poll: Video Game Exercise and Our Children

fun-exercise-bike.jpg

The folks at Nintendo really came up with a marketing genius when they developed Wii with all its exercise based games.

They've basically given overweight people an excuse to spend more hours in front of the TV screen in the name of exercise. Now with the FXB (Fun Xercise Bike) overweight children can ride through a virtual world of fitness.

What ever happened to fresh air and riding real bikes outside? Why does every aspect of life need to be centered around the magic glowing box?

I'm all for motivating kids to exercise more, but I'm not sure the FXB is the right course to take. When I was a kid my real bike became a spaceship, a race car, a motorcycle, and even a boat all via my imagination and creativity. Are we stealing this ability from our children by encouraging them to live in a virtual world where the imagination isn't needed?

What do you think? Participate in the poll and comment below.

4‏/12‏/2009

Weight Loss Surgery as a Slimming Solution

Weight Loss Surgery as a Slimming Solution

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Although dieting is used on a wide spread basis, in extreme cases it may simply not be enough to create effective weight loss in some people. Some individuals with metabolism problems may experience extreme difficulty in weight loss due to the inability to burn calories at a rate a normal individual might. Others may experience weight that is much more easily taken care of through surgery rather than in other ways. When these problems occur, weight loss surgery is sometimes considered as a solution to a weight loss problem. Weight loss surgery can include many different types of procedures and techniques. There are several options available for those who are considering weight loss surgery, including liposuction, restrictive surgeries, and malabsorptive surgeries.

In liposuction, body fat is reduced by removing pockets of fat to improve the contours and image of the body. Most often, a stainless steel tube attached to a pump is used to create small tunnels in the fat, which collapse after the surgery to create a better body image with less fat. In restrictive surgery, the stomach is made smaller by either removing a portion of it or by closing it so the individual feels full with less food. This works by reducing the overall food the person can consume in their diet, making a calorie deficit and causing reduced weight. A malabsorptive surgery works by removing some of the small intestine or by moving where it enters the stomach. This causes less food to be completely absorbed, and results in decreased calorie intake overall, aiding in weight loss.

Some of the benefits that weight loss surgery can include may be faster weight reduction and the lack in rigid dieting plans. For chronic obesity, this can drastically reduce a person's weight without long, drawn out diets that may or may not work. Some of the risks that weight loss surgery has include malnutrition after a target weight is reached, vomiting, gallstones, and surgical complications. And although weight loss techniques have significantly improved over the last few years, there still remains the "ifs and buts" about using it as a replacement for dieting and weight loss beyond chronic or significant obesity.

Even despite these risks, however, many people may find that weight loss surgery is the only real solution to their problems--either because of significant weight issues or electively. People considering weight loss surgery should discuss the option with their physician carefully before making a decision. Various procedures, techniques, and alternatives should be considered in a weight loss solution and the risks involving each discussed. In general, it is advised by many health care professionals that weight loss surgery is not used as an "easy out," but as a last resort since the risks may outweigh the benefits in an elective, non-critical surgery.

Selecting The Right Level Of Shapewear Control

Selecting The Right Level Of Shapewear Control

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Body shapers come in different control levels, from light to tight. Slimming undergarments have various levels of control. Light body shapers are good for beginners or those who want less targeted control and more comfort. Tighter control plus size body shapers are great for those who need extra slimming benefits, enhanced weight loss, and long-term targeting. With technological advances, firm and extra firm slimming garments have become more comfortable and provide the more support and control.

After it is decided what size, type, and control level of the plus size body shaper will be best, decide which outfits will typically be warn with the slimming undergarment. This will allow the choice to be the body shaper that will conceal best with the chosen outfits. Shapewear gives the option to wear outfits in the best flattering way possible.




Ensure The Slimming Undergarment Is The Right Fit  Read more at Suite101: Plus Size Body Shapers: Choosing Slimming Undergarments | Suite101.com http:

Ensure The Slimming Undergarment Is The Right Fit Read more at Suite101: Plus Size Body Shapers: Choosing Slimming Undergarments | Suite101.com http:

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If the slimming undergarment is too loose or too tight, it will either not work or make the body's appearance worse. It can twist, have no effect, or be uncomfortable to wear. To fit the body shaper correctly, pull up the slimming undergarment, while unrolling the shapewear, until the point is reached where you want the plus size body shaper to work.

Then sit, bend, and stretch, to make sure it is comfortable while you sit and stand. If the waist moves or rolls, this may be a sign that another size is needed or that the body shaper is worn down and needs to be replaced. Ensure the slimming undergarment is void of wrinkles and bulges, especially paying attention to the crotch area.



Plus Size Body Shapers

Plus Size Body Shapers

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Slimming undergarments are available to compliment and show-off a women's body.Though they can be used on a daily basis, they are also perfect to use during special occasions or to compliment specific outfits. Many plus size body shapers are available that are designed to feel comfortable and look wonderful by complimenting the silhouette under dresses, skirts and jeans (see for the type of selection available). Slimming undergarments allow a woman to choose what and what not to show-off.

Choosing Plus Size Body Shapers

The following are tips when selecting a slimming shapeware product that will work best:

Measure The Target Area

The first step is to know which area you want to focus on and then to ensure you have accurate measurements of this area. With this information, the right size can be found base on the manufacturer's specifications.

Note, however, like with all clothing sizing may be different, so pay attention to the sizing chart provided by the manufacturer . And whatever you do, do not buy your shapewear one size too small. A smaller garment will not hold you in more or give you more control it will just make you unnecessarily uncomfortable. Instead, go up to the next level of control.(If you have moderate control go to a firm control garment). Look for pieces that have a cotton blend so that the garment can breathe and you can feel more comfortable.



29‏/11‏/2009

Slimming gene regulates body fat

Slimming gene regulates body fat

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Scientists at the University of Bonn have discovered a previously unknown fruit fly gene that controls the metabolism of fat. Larvae in which this gene is defective lose their entire fat reserves. Therefore the researchers called the gene 'schlank' (German for 'slim'). Mammals carry a group of genes that are structurally very similar to 'schlank'. They possibly take on a similar function in the energy metabolism. The scientists therefore have hopes in new medicines with which obesity could be fought. Their research bas been published in 'The EMBO Journal' (doi: 10.1038/emboj.2009.305).

If scientists decipher the function of a gene, they are allowed to name it. With the fruit fly Drosophila there is a rather paradox convention. The names always indicate what the fly looks like if the respective gene is defective. That is also the case with the schlank gene. If it is unimpaired the fly larva can build up fat reserves. It becomes fat. 'Larvae with a mutation of schlank, however, remain slim,' Professor Michael Hoch from the University of Bonn explains. 'In extreme cases the defect can even lead to death.'

Together with Dr. Reinhard Bauer and other employees the development biologist has explored what exactly 'schlank' does. According to their research the gene contains the instructions of what is known as ceramide synthase. Ceramides serve as raw materials for the gauzy membranes that enclose all of the cells in the body. Moreover, schlank also has a regulatory function. It promotes lipid synthesis and at the same time inhibits the mobilisation of fat from the fat reserves.

Mouse gene saves fly larvae

There is a chance that this is not only the case in fruit flies. Humans also produce ceramide synthases however not just one as Drosophila does but rather as many as six different ones. For this purpose humans rely on a group of genes so-called Lass genes. Ceramide synthases are extremely important for animals. Mutations in the corresponding genes lead to severe metabolic disorders and to malfunctions of organ systems. That is why our Lass genes look surprisingly similar to the schlank gene of fruit flies.

This resemblance is so striking that Lass genes from mice can partially compensate for the defect schlank gene in mutant flies. 'We introduced a mouse Lass gene in mutant Drosophila larvae,' Michael Hoch says. 'Normally the larvae died immediately after hatching. Thanks to the Lass gene they resumed building up body fat and survived until the next development stage.'

Up to now, the Lass genes of mammals have not been connected with the regulation of the lipid metabolism. 'But due to the strong parallels with schlank we think such a function is very probable,' Professor Hoch presumes. 'If this is the case they would be a promising approach for new medications for obesity.'

27‏/11‏/2009

Weight Loss Surgery as a Slimming Solution

Weight Loss Surgery as a Slimming Solution

أكمل المقال

Although dieting is used on a wide spread basis, in extreme cases it may simply not be enough to create effective weight loss in some people. Some individuals with metabolism problems may experience extreme difficulty in weight loss due to the inability to burn calories at a rate a normal individual might. Others may experience weight that is much more easily taken care of through surgery rather than in other ways. When these problems occur, weight loss surgery is sometimes considered as a solution to a weight loss problem. Weight loss surgery can include many different types of procedures and techniques. There are several options available for those who are considering weight loss surgery, including liposuction, restrictive surgeries, and malabsorptive surgeries.

In liposuction, body fat is reduced by removing pockets of fat to improve the contours and image of the body. Most often, a stainless steel tube attached to a pump is used to create small tunnels in the fat, which collapse after the surgery to create a better body image with less fat. In restrictive surgery, the stomach is made smaller by either removing a portion of it or by closing it so the individual feels full with less food. This works by reducing the overall food the person can consume in their diet, making a calorie deficit and causing reduced weight. A malabsorptive surgery works by removing some of the small intestine or by moving where it enters the stomach. This causes less food to be completely absorbed, and results in decreased calorie intake overall, aiding in weight loss.

Some of the benefits that weight loss surgery can include may be faster weight reduction and the lack in rigid dieting plans. For chronic obesity, this can drastically reduce a person's weight without long, drawn out diets that may or may not work. Some of the risks that weight loss surgery has include malnutrition after a target weight is reached, vomiting, gallstones, and surgical complications. And although weight loss techniques have significantly improved over the last few years, there still remains the "ifs and buts" about using it as a replacement for dieting and weight loss beyond chronic or significant obesity.

Even despite these risks, however, many people may find that weight loss surgery is the only real solution to their problems--either because of significant weight issues or electively. People considering weight loss surgery should discuss the option with their physician carefully before making a decision. Various procedures, techniques, and alternatives should be considered in a weight loss solution and the risks involving each discussed. In general, it is advised by many health care professionals that weight loss surgery is not used as an "easy out," but as a last resort since the risks may outweigh the benefits in an elective, non-critical surgery

6‏/11‏/2009

Slimming cures

Slimming cures

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EUROPEAN bank presentations used to be filled with graphs of assets that sloped pleasingly upward. For those at the mercy of the European Commission, they now all lurch sickeningly downward.

On October 28th the commission approved plans to split Northern Rock, which was nationalised by the British government last year, into two. The bigger surprise came two days earlier when ING, the biggest bank in the Netherlands, said that it would dismember itself—splitting its banking and insurance businesses and selling its American online-banking arm—and shrink its balance-sheet by almost half. Such butchery was unexpected. Earlier plans for “back to basics” banking entailed salami-slicing businesses worth just €2 billion-3 billion ($3 billion-4.5 billion).

The commission’s competition watchdogs, however, insisted that ING should pay a price for having been bailed out twice. The Dutch government injected €10 billion into the bank in October 2008. In January it then took on most of the risk on ING’s €28 billion portfolio of toxic assets. As penance the bank will have to pay the government an extra fee of €1.3 billion for the “insurance” of these assets, as well as lopping off large parts of its business. “ING is trying to present its enforced break-up as the next step of its back to basics strategy, but it is nothing of the sort,” wrote analysts at CreditSights, a ratings firm. “It is a humiliating climb-down forced on it by the European Commission.”

The split of its insurance and banking businesses will probably do ING good. Its market value has historically been worth less than the sum of its parts (see chart) and its plan to sell insurance and pensions through bank branches never really paid off. Other banks with insurers are also struggling, especially as regulators force both businesses to hold more capital.

More troubling for ING’s future is that it will have to compete with one hand behind its back. The commission has forbidden it from offering the most competitive prices. With such restrictive conditions attached to government aid, the bank is doing its best to wriggle out from under it. It plans to sell €7.5 billion worth of shares to repay half of the government’s money.

The restructuring of ING and Northern Rock, alongside an earlier decision to shrink Germany’s Commerzbank, provide the strongest indications yet that the commission’s watchdogs are determined to cut European banking’s national champions down to size. Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, which were both big recipients of British government bail-outs, are expected to have to sell off large parts of themselves.

A more bustling European banking market would be no bad thing, but the commission risks causing unintended damage to cross-border banking by forcing banks to shrink. Commission officials insist they are encouraging banks to keep cross-border operations going if they are profitable. But, frets Pierre Louis, a competition expert at Dechert, a law firm, Europe’s single market in banking is “the innocent bystander” that may end up getting hurt.

5‏/11‏/2009

How to Decide Which Slimming Diet is Right for You

How to Decide Which Slimming Diet is Right for You

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How to Decide Which Slimming Diet is Right for You

It seems almost every month, an exciting new diet that promises miracle results appears in the news and on the TV chat programmes. Over time, it’s hard to know which diet you should try. After all, there’s so many to choose from.

There are liquid slimming diets, high protein diets, low-carb diets, cookie diets, blood type diets, vegetarian diets and even diets claiming to shrink your belly. Generally speaking most of these diets all have a few things in common:

  • They demand that you dramatically decrease the amount of food you eat
  • You must shop for specific products and only eat those items on a consistent basis
  • They may require you to make time-consuming meals
  • You’ll often be stuck making one meal for the family while you eat something entirely different
  • You’ll almost always be hungry to some extent

At first, you may be excited to try one of these weight loss diets. But after a few days or even a week of being a diet Spartan, chances are, that dieting zeal will turn into discouragement. So it’s important to understand, that if you want results, then you’ve got to take the right actions to achieve those results.

And despite what the marketing hype says, you will not peel off six or more pounds of weight weekly. If you do lose several pounds a week then the diet may not be healthy. Healthy weight loss is a slow process that if followed over many weeks will help you realise your weight loss goal. So what’s my point in telling you this?

When exploring diet options, you want to go with a diet that fits your personality, your palate and your schedule. Let me give you a few examples:

  • If you’re a busy person, then a slimming diet that requires constant trips to the shop and meals that take too long to prepare will fail you.
  • Suppose you can’t handle eating too much meat all the time, following a high protein meat based diet will end up failing you too.
  • Likewise, a vegetarian style diet may not work for you if you tend to feel run down easily.
  • And some foods on these diet plans may give you headaches or just not agree with you.

Here’s another issue to think about. Some slimming diets are extremely limited in what you can eat. So if you’re the type of personality that needs lots of variety, and you get bored easily then you need to find a diet that offers you lots of options and a variety of foods to choose from, otherwise you’ll just give up in a few weeks. The bottom line is this, you need to really shop around and really evaluate what’ll work best for you.

Don’t get caught up in the marketing hype. It’s easy to feel compelled to follow a certain diet that may be showcased on certain TV chat programmes. Remember those diets might work great for those people but not so well for you. Find the diet that’s right for you.

After all, before you buy a new car, or any other significant purchase, you tend to spend time looking at prices and options. Well you have only one body and one life to live. And how you feel affects every area of your life so doesn’t it make sense to carefully evaluate slimming diets based upon your daily schedule, your needs, your body’s reaction to certain foods and other criteria?


30‏/10‏/2009

Hope for sex-boost slimming pill

Hope for sex-boost slimming pill

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Scientists are developing a pill which could boost women's libido and reduce their appetite.

The hormone-releasing pill has so far only been given to female monkeys and shrews who displayed more mating behaviour and ate less.

The team from the Medical Research Council's Human Reproduction Unit in Edinburgh believe a human version could be available within a decade.

But a psychologist said low-libido was usually caused by relationship issues.

Up to 40% of women are thought to experience a lack of sex drive at some point in their lives.

'Rump presentation'

The Edinburgh team, led by Professor Robert Millar, have been looking at the properties Type 2 Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone.

When it was given to monkeys, they displayed mating behaviour such as tongue-flicking and eyebrow-raising to the males, while female shrews displayed their feelings via "rump presentation and tail wagging".

When couples come to me and they are not having sex, the last thing they want to do is examine their relationship
Lesley Perman-Kerr, psychologist

But the animals also ate around a third less food than they normally would.

Professor Millar hopes to achieve a similar rise in libido and fall in appetite in a pill for women.

He told the Scotland on Sunday newspaper: "This hormone is distributed in the brain in areas that we suspect affect reproductive behaviour.

"It is considered a major pharmaceutical endeavour to address the area of libido.

"So the next stage is to produce a drug that simulates the actions of this hormone.

"It is most likely that we will do it in partnership with a pharmaceutical firm. It could be available to women within the next 10 years."

He said it may also be possible to develop a pill which worked for men, but he has so far not carried out any tests on male animals.

But psychologist Lesley Perman-Kerr said relationship problems usually had a psychological, rather than a biological, basis.

"Some women have problems specific to libido.

"But often if they go off sex, it's more to do with their relationship than their level of libido.

"When couples come to me and they are not having sex, the last thing they want to do is examine their relationship.

"They want to believe that it's nothing to do with their relationship."