The Pros and Cons of Processed Food

Processed foods by general definition are edibles that are physically or chemically treated to prevent them from rotting. The result has been an extension in shelf life. It can be vegetable, meat, or your favorite dessert.

Source: srnutrition

The goal is to increase the longevity of the food for storage and later use. Food Item that we pack in such a manner saves it from contaminating.

This term is common in canned goods. However, in a broad sense, it can be any edible item that has some additive to it. A newly harvested crop or raw meat is used as a raw ingredient to store it for later use.

Thus, there are many pros and cons to using processed food. Here are some of them:

Pros of Processed Food:

• Variety:

If we only eat what we can buy from around our market or the area we live in, then we will be hard-pressed to find different kinds of vegetables and meats. In some countries, getting your hands on fresh food is difficult. In urban areas, it is tricky to get things like raw meat and fresh eggs.

Source: srnutrition

It will mean that we won’t enjoy a variety of food. Processed food can solve that problem for us to a great extent.

• Longevity

Food often goes through the process with the intent to preserve them. The purpose is to use them when things are scarce. In some places, the weather becomes too cold or too hot for anything to grow. At such a time, people rely on canned foods to keep themselves and their loved ones fed.

The food receives treatment before they are sealed shut. It involves salting, freeze-drying, or vacuum sealing food items. They can be convenient during a disaster. Since processed food is usually affordable,  you can use them at any given moment.

• Salt and Minerals:

Salt is usually the main ingredient for preserving processed food. It has an antibacterial property, which is why it is used all over the world for keeping food safe. Moreover, salt and other minerals are essential for your body. It helps you in lots of ways. Thus it can be a great supply for you if you are not meeting your minimal daily needs.

Source: thetakeout

• Ready Meal:

Nowadays, people have such a busy lifestyle that it has become increasingly challenging to cook a meal. An excellent option is MRE or Meal Ready to Eat as they are commonly known.

They come in different dishes and sizes. You can prepare your food in less than 15 mins. They are usually pre-cooked, so all you have to do is either heat them directly or pour some water and then heat them in a microwave or oven.

You can even take them outdoors with you if you go hiking or camping. Since a lot of companies are making them, you can make the dish of your desire in any part of the world.

Source: alloutdoor

• Better Taste:

There are particular foods that taste much better after they have been through the process. Dried fruits such as peach and apricots can fill up your belly and provide you with a delicious treat at the same time. More often than not, the taste of the fruits will increase in flavor.

They can help us in our craving because, at times like these, we desire food rich in fats. It may not be the most healthy of choice, but it sure lifts our mood. The food that is frozen also lasts longer while retaining all the essential vitamins and minerals.

• Healthy Choice:

If we feel like eating some healthy food, but nothing is available in your local shops, or the farmer's markets are away, then canned food can provide you with a lot of healthy options. You can have salmon fish or canned soup, or tuna for lunch or dinner.

As with everything artificially created or preserved, there are some cons to it as well. Here are some cons of processed food:

Cons of Processed Food:

• Loss of Nutritional Value:

As the food receives a chemical or physical treatment, their structure changes. It means that some of the benefits which you can get by eating it fresh are gone. The vitamins are either completely gone or significantly reduced. Sometimes to supplement these lost nutrients, an establishment will add additional supplements. However, they are a lot less than what you will get when you eat it fresh.

• Preservation:

Since preservatives are added to food to increase their life, they can be harmful to people in large amounts.

When processing food, the consumable items pass through different pipes and barrels in a factory. To prevent serious problems from happening, the factory should do regular maintenance. Moreover, they should only use the best quality of pipes and other essential elements like high-quality industrial valves at http://en.siovalve.com/ and more.

Since a lot of times, a canning company uses an excessive amount of salt in preserving, so the food becomes an unhealthy item. If you consume such food, you run the risk of having high blood pressure.

• Quality of the Food:

Different companies are preparing processed food. Since the competition is so severe, some of the companies cut corners by choosing low quality food. They do that to gain more profit, and you inadvertently end up with a low-quality product.

Source: today

 Conclusion:

Although there are a lot of merits and demerits of eating processed food, one can argue that it is more about making a healthy choice. In some places where access to fresh fruits and vegetables are limited, people tend to use alternative in the form of canned products. Moreover, raw foods are way too expensive for many people to afford.

Nowadays, with the advancement in food packaging, it is somewhat safe to eat canned food if you are unable to get your hands on fresh produce. The simple answer is to select a processed food by reading the label first and making sure you buy from a reliable company.

This is a guest blog entry.

What is the Most Effective Treatment for Correcting Refractive Errors?

Over 20 percent of children suffer from refractive errors which have been found to run in families. Refractive error, also known as refraction errors, means that the shape of your eye is causing a problem with focusing and bending light accurately onto the retina. Most common refractive errors are farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and nearsightedness (myopia). However, they can be fixed by eye specialists who will recommend you glasses, contacts, or surgery if required. To learn about the treatment, you can take to counter these eye conditions. Make sure you read the article until the end.

What Is Astigmatism?

It may sound terrifying, but it means that your eye shape is neither accurate nor completely round. Usually, everyone has a rounded eye shape to some degree. Perfectly round eyeballs makes light come into it and bend accurately, which gives you a clear vision. In astigmatism, an abnormal curvature of the cornea makes light bent more in one direction, which means distant objects may look blurry and wavy.

What Is Hyperopia?

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is another frequent refractive error. In this eye condition, distant objects may look clear, and those up-close do not come in proper focus. Farsightedness occurs when your cornea has a little curvature, or your eyeball is too short. Usually, in children, hyperopia causes them to over-focus, which leads them to double vision or other eye conditions. However, some people may not notice any difficulties with their vision.

What Is Myopia?

The last common refractive error is Myopia or nearsightedness. Like hyperopia and astigmatism, light does not bend correctly. Due to its abnormal bending, images appear unclear. Myopia can also be caused by the cornea being too curved for the length of your eyeball. In this condition, objects that are close to you appear clear while those that are at a distance seem blurred.

What is the Treatment for Correcting Refractive Errors?

LASIK is the most advanced and commonly performed laser eye surgery to counter the above mentioned refractive errors. The word LASIK is the acronym for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis." In this procedure, the cornea of the eye is reshaped with the help of a laser. It enables light to enter the eye and to focus correctly onto the retina for clearer vision. It can correct low, moderate, and high levels of refractive errors.

If you live in the northeastern area of the United States and want to improve your vision, then you should consider visiting the Kremer Eye Center. They have a wide range of surgical options and lasik in Pennsylvania. It is essential to know that in most cases, LASIK is a pain-free procedure which takes only about 15 minutes for both eyes.

How the Procedure Goes?

Before surgery, your eye specialist will perform a thorough examination to make sure your eyes are ready for the procedure. The doctor will analyze the shape and thickness of your cornea, tear film on the surface of eyes, eyeball size, refractive errors, and other eye conditions.

Generally, a corneal topographer, which is an automated instrument, is used to undergo a wavefront analysis. It sends light waves through the eye to give an even more accurate map of abnormalities affecting your vision. Your doctor will also recommend that you stop wearing contacts and lenses before you undergo LASIK eye surgery. The results of LASIK should enable you to see clearly without any contacts and glasses.

This is a guest blog entry.

Does Physician Licensing Serve a Useful Purpose?

When you need a physician you simply book an appointment and visit one. Of course, you may spend a few moments considering which is the best one for your specific need, but you probably don’t waste much time considering whether they are licensed or even fully qualified.

After all, the state takes care of this, right?

In a perfect world, yes. The state will monitor the creation of any medical practice and ensure it is fully licensed and compliant, for the safety of its clients.

Unfortunately, there remains the possibility that a physician could be practicing without the proper license.

Fortunately, you can verify the status of any physician through the HCP license validation product.

What HCP License Validation Does

HCP license validation will verify for you whether the Health Care Provider is licensed, what state it should be operating in, its current address, the field of specialty, and a whole host of other information.

It will tell you everything you need to know to confirm that the medical professional you want to see is capable of offering you the right service.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t speak to family and friends to see if they have had treatment with a specific physician. Their experiences and social media can be extremely helpful.

Does This Make Licensing Redundant?

Actually, no. The need for licensing remains as important as ever. It can be argued that the licensing authority exists to aid medical professionals, at the very basic level it is an indication that the physician is professionally qualified.

Knowing that a physician is licensed will help you to feel confident about your choice of treatment, being able to verify that license and see any other relevant information will make it easier for you to make the right decision when choosing a physician.

The licensing procedure and even the monitoring of qualified professionals needs to be improved. In many cases licenses are not verified or suspended until there is an issue, this is something that needs to be adapted and improved.

The risk of being sued for malpractice has dramatically increased in recent years, this has made physicians and hospitals more cautious.

But, for this to really have value, it is essential that the licensing boards verify licenses quicker and investigate even small issues. The information can be used by licensing validation products to ensure you know all of the relevant facts about your chosen medical professional.

With the right controls on licensing and the ease of access to data, it should be possible to know exactly what type of care you’ll receive. This could actually reduce the number of incidents of malpractice. Coupling this with an increased level of vigilance and monitoring by hospitals and you may not have a perfect system, but you’ll have something that is significantly better than what is currently available.

This is a guest blog entry.

Understanding Health Care Licensing and Certifications

You’ve probably used the same doctor for years and would happily recommend them to your family and friends. In fact, recent research suggests that this can actually reduce your risk of death!

While this is potentially great news, have you ever stopped to consider whether your doctor is licensed, certified, or both? You may assume they are licensed, and they certainly should be. But, assuming something is not the same as checking it.

Licensing Vs. Certification

To become a physician you need to spend years studying to earn a degree in medicine and your specific field of interest. You’ll also need to get the relevant experience and you must have a health care license.

This is obligatory and issued by the state, not by a medical board such as AMA.

Licenses are issued for a set period of time, although renewal can require very little effort.
In contrast, certification is voluntary. This simply confirms your skillset and will improve the credibility of any doctor. In fact, having a certificate will confirm to your consumers that you take your profession seriously and are good at what you do.

The Issue

The problem is that you can study and get a license, but this doesn’t make you a good doctor or that you really know what you’re doing in a practical situation.

The licensing board doesn’t have the time or enough people to check the practices of every doctor. In reality, they will only react to incidents, which is when they’ll want to check licenses and may even terminate a doctor’s license to practice.

This leads to the problem that a doctor can keep practicing even though they are not that good at what they do.

In addition, unless you are involved with a malpractice case, or it is high profile, then you’re unlikely to know what is happening to a specific doctor. It is relatively easy for them to move and continuing practicing without many of their patients knowing.

The Solution

Fortunately, hospitals are keen to monitor the doctors in their care and can find a life sciences aggregate spend solution that is acceptable to their budget and time available. This monitors all the relevant information regarding any physician and their practices/medical experiences so far.

The great news is that it’s not just medical professionals that can access this information. Any doctor or consumer can also take a look.

For a patient, this means the ability to verify that the doctor is properly licensed and qualified. The doctor can also use the service to ensure that their record is accurate and reflects their commitment, level of service, and care.

Data has become extremely easy to store and access, which means that it can be used to improve the services offered and verify licensing or certification.

Of course, as this area grows there will be more onus on you to verify the level of treatment you’re going to get.

Don’t forget, any doctor found running an unlicensed practice can face criminal charges. By using data and verifying the competency of your chosen doctor you’ll actually help to reduce the number of unlicensed doctors able to practice.

This is a guest blog entry.

Oral Care: How to Improve Your Oral Hygiene

Many of us dream about having a pearly white smile. Not only is it a good reflection of great oral health, but it is also a huge contributor toward your overall well-being. Looking after your teeth and gums is incredibly important, so here are a few ways on how to improve your oral hygiene.

Royalty Free Photo

Finding the Right Toothbrush

If you struggle with reaching the back corners of your mouth when brushing, you should consider purchasing a new toothbrush. You may not realize it, but the toothbrush you use could be doing more harm than good to your oral health. It’s important to use a brush that has soft bristles, otherwise, you could cause inflammation in your gums. You may also want to consider purchasing an electric toothbrush, which can give your teeth and gums a thorough clean.

Use a Fluoride Toothpaste

Keeping your teeth healthy and strong is crucial, so you should be using a toothpaste that contains fluoride, helping to strengthen your teeth and slow down and reverse tooth decay. It’s important that you get the most out of each tooth when brushing, so make sure to look out for toothpaste that is ADA accepted. This means that the toothpaste has been evaluated by the ADA (American Dental Association).

Brush Twice a Day

We all know how important it is to brush our teeth twice a day. If you don’t brush regularly, your teeth will accumulate food particles and plaque which can result in bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. It’s best to brush your teeth after a meal but try and refrain from brushing straight after eating acidic foods or drinks like fruit juice or coffee. Getting yourself into a routine is important, so why not set an alarm on your phone to remind you to brush?

Lifestyle Changes

Making small but subtle changes to your lifestyle can make a big impact on your oral health. If you are a smoker, you are probably aware of the damage you are doing to your teeth and gums. The types of foods you eat can also cause tooth decay. Although it won’t be easy, stopping smoking will bring a wide range of benefits, as well as improving your oral health. You should also try and stick to a balanced diet and incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into your meals.

See a Dentist

Finding the right dentist is incredibly important. Whether you’ve had a bad experience in the past or have a fear of the dentist’s chair, you may want to consider joining Elite Dentistry of Simi Valley. Based in California, the dentist offers a full-service state-of-the-art technology approach to oral health care.

Whether it be using the right toothbrush, brushing your teeth twice a day, making lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking or seeing your dentist every six months, these are just a few things that you can do to improve your oral hygiene. Also, make sure to floss your teeth once a day and if you experience any pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your dentist.

This is a guest blog entry.

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for Long-Term Care

To many people, arranging for the care that they will need when they are old and weak isn't something that bothers them. The need seems far away and irrelevant. However, research suggests that most older people need long-term care at some point. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, if you're 65 or over, there is a three-quarters chance that you will need long-term care. Long-term care is a term that is used to refer to the assistance that older adults need with basic activities such as cooking, visiting the toilet, mobility, or bathing. Usually, long-term care is provided in the recipient's own home, or at an assisted living facility. Wherever it is provided, care can be costly. Some studies indicate that it can cost as much as $4,000 a month and around $3,500 within San Antonio Texas.

Many seniors do not plan for as much expense. For this reason, often, they need to cut back on the amount of care that they receive and get by with only a little care. If you're over 40, you need to think about how you will take care of yourself when you're old and weak. It can especially help to determine to avoid the top three mistakes that people make regarding long-term care.

The first mistake: Avoiding the subject of long-term care. 

It isn't pleasant to discuss long-term care with your spouse or children. It can be hard to think about moving yourself to an assisted living facility. It’s important to remember, however, that your family is an important part of your long-term care plan. In the early stages of an age-related disability, family members are the ones who help.

Usually, care by family members starts with help with activities such as shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Over time, seniors can begin to need intimate care with visits to the toilet, the shower, or for following doctor's advice for treatment. In some cases, people are forced to depend on their family members for help with these activities. Many seniors discover that their loved ones are unable to offer as much care as they would like. It's important to talk about how much time they may have and to work out alternatives.

The second mistake: Depending on Medicare or Medicaid for your long-term care

Medicare provides valuable healthcare for the elderly. It can offer health coverage for everything from visits to the doctor to prescription drugs and even hospitalization. Many people believe that Medicare offers coverage for long-term care, but it doesn't. The reason people believe it does is that Medicare often pays for nursing care for a few days after hospitalization. They take this to mean that nursing care is always covered.

When care by nursing staff or other caregivers is needed for frail health, rather than for recovery from an illness, Medicare doesn’t usually help. Medicaid may be able to pay for long-term care, but it doesn't apply to care provided in the home, and recipients need to have nearly no income and no assets to qualify.

For the above reasons, it is wise to choose a residential care home (still known as an assisted living facility in most places) rather than a big commercial nursing home. This reduces the cost to a resident as well as giving them more personalized care. Medicaid will pay for all their medication needs and even trips to the doctors or hospital. Heartwood Seniors (a San Antonio Assisted Living senior care home) claims most of their resident are on Medicaid and that the residents enjoy it.

This is a blog entry by Michelle Gheliuc.

Why Sleeping Sideways Is Good For Mothers

In nine months of carrying a baby, expectant mothers experience a wide range of emotions that can make it hard to rest and relax - from excitement and fear to stress and exhaustion. The last thing they need is to be tossing and turning all night because they can’t get comfortable, but that’s a common complaint. For new moms-to-be, sleeping sideways can be the best way to attain deep, renewing rest. If they aren’t already accustomed to a sideways sleeping position, expecting a baby is a perfect time to get into this habit.

Experts suggest sideways sleeping as the recommended position for expectant mothers. Luckily, it’s a position that nearly 75% of the world already sleeps in and it’s the most natural way to rest. But sideways sleeping has some incredible health benefits for baby and mom.

Of course, sleeping any way you can get comfortable is important when you're pregnant. If sideways sleeping works for you or you can adjust your bed and pillows to make it work, here are some great benefits your health and your baby’s development.

What Sleeping on Your Side Does for You When You’re Expecting

Typically, the way you once comfortably slept no longer works when you’re further along in your pregnancy. There are so many body changes you have to adjust for, including the increasing size of your belly, the onset of back pain, and the pressure on your organs as your baby grows - your sleep position will likely be one of the changes you make while expecting.

Sleeping on your side, specifically on the left, can help you with many common pregnancy symptoms, such as:

• Heartburn. When you are lying flat on your front or your back, your esophagus and stomach are at the same level, allowing acids to flow back and forth easily. To avoid heartburn, keep your head and shoulders elevated in a natural curve. It won’t always relieve all of the symptoms since there are many other factors at play, but it should greatly reduce them.

• Back pain.  Almost every expecting woman will experience back pain at some point during her pregnancy. There are many reasons for this. You are gaining weight necessary for a healthy pregnancy, typically somewhere between 25 and 35 pounds, which adds pressure that your spine hasn’t had time to adjust to. This new strain on your back and pelvis nerves contributes to new aches and pains.

This same weight gain, and the back pain that accompanies it, can cause you to unconsciously shift your posture. It’s a cycle that causes more back pain.

Another reason for back pain among expectant mothers is the production of relaxin, a hormone that prepares your ligaments and joints for childbirth. It’s necessary, but as the ligaments loosen, you may experience backaches.

With the multitude of reasons for a pregnant woman's back pain, there has been much research on the subject of alleviating it. Sleeping on your side with a supportive mattress is one of the best ways to help reduce the strain of the extra weight and the bodily changes that occur during pregnancy.

• Poor circulation. Somewhere around month five of pregnancy, you’ll start noticing symptoms of poor circulation, although this can happen at any time. Swelling, shortness of breath, and other signs are hinting that your circulatory system is undergoing extra stress.

Swelling can be caused by your diet, especially if you drink caffeine, have significant sodium in your meals, or if you are physically inactive and spend too much time in the heat. Shortness of breath is natural when the baby starts growing and adds pressure to your lungs.

If you’re noticing poor circulation in your body, sleeping on your side may help. Sleeping on the left-hand side improves blood flow to the heart, letting it freely circulate throughout your body. If shortness of breath is a problem, sleep on your left side in a natural fetal position, hunching your torso and bending your knees. This position avoids adding the pressure of your uterus to your liver and lungs. Placing a pillow between your knees can help make this a little more comfortable on your back and hips.

Your baby will benefit from sleeping sideways on the left, too. Since your circulation is improved because of your position, so is the baby’s. Your little one will get more nutrients through the placenta, improving development and health.

Get Comfortable, Mama

Your comfort is important. When you are stressed, your baby is feeling it. Stress can cause back pain, insomnia, and swelling, and make a long nine and a half months feel a lot longer. But what was once comfortable before your pregnancy may not be anymore.

Learning how to sleep on your side, particularly your left side, is going to help you and your baby get that much-needed rest to prepare you for being a new mom.

This is a guest blog entry.

Important Things to Know Before Buying An E-Bike

Are you planning to purchase an electric bike? There are several things to consider while opting for an e-bike. The type of battery, whether it is an e-bike for men or women, kind of motor used in it and many other factors should be taken into consideration.

 The Services You Need

Before buying an electric bike, it is better to start by considering the level of service that you need from your e-bike. Think about whether you need to get a flat tire or a replaceable part. If you get a flat tire on the trail you can put a patch on it, whenever required.

Besides, you must visit the local bike shop to make sure that they deal with the servicing of electric bikes so that you can go there if any problem arises. Additionally, you need to confirm the warranty period of the bike before purchasing it.

Upgrading Option

The planning of purchasing a bike requires you to think long-term. You should think and be sure about upgrading it later or replacing the parts. Check whether the parts are available online or not. Parts of the brands like Bafang and Tektro are easily available online.

The Right Amount of Power
 
Power is an important factor when it comes to an electric bikes. There are several options like 250 watts, 500 watts, 750 watts and many other combinations between these numbers. 250-300 is the power ideal for professional cyclists. 500 watts is easy to climb hills. 750 watts come with high speed.

Type of Motor

E-bikes are available with three major types of motor. The geared hub is a motor that ensures reliability and improves the capability for riding. Direct-drive hub motors are also reliable, but those are heavier and ensure more powerful applications. Mid-drive is the most popular kind of motor that causes more wear and tear on the chain.

Pedal-Assist and Throttle

Pedal-assist and throttle are the features that you need to know about. Pedal-assist is a must-have feature for all e-bikes, whereas throttle comes with some of the bikes. You should opt for one that includes both of these features.

Kind of Sensor:

Rotation sensor and torque sensors -- these two are employed for the pedal assist. Although both of these serve the same basic function, you should understand which one is better for you. Rotation sensors know whether you are pedaling or not and how quickly you are pedaling. The torque sensor is a bit smarter than rotation sensors and it is employed in the high-end bikes.

Quality of Battery

The battery is the most significant element in the e-bikes. So, you need to make sure that the bike you are purchasing has high-quality cells inside. LG, Panasonic and Samsung, these brands integrate high-quality battery in the bikes.

The Capacity of The Battery

You can compare the battery capacity by getting informed about amp-hours and watt-hours. You can use the formula v*ah = watt-hours, which means the voltage-time amp hours is equal to the watt-hours.

Range of Cycling:
 
Some brands claim that their bikes cover 20-40 miles of range and some others claim covering 80-100 miles of range. However, it does not matter. When you compare the battery capacity by using the formula, you can get the same results for both.

By employing these tips, you can make a realistic decision while buying an electric bike.  

This is a guest blog entry.

Life as a Medical Student: 5 Things You Have to Know

The life of medical students isn’t simple and we all know it. Medical school is considered one of the hardest educational institutions a student can enroll into. However, it is rewarding both financially and mentally. Becoming a doctor is a life-changing endeavor that only the bravest and kindest people choose to undertake.

Since it is hard, most students give up even before testing the medical waters. There are so many myths about the life of a medical student that are simply off-putting. However, studying medicine can be the greatest and most fulfilling thing you’ll ever go through in life. If you know the five things below, you are definitely ready for the challenge.

1.    Yes, You Really Need All That Information

Everything you’ll learn as a medical student will serve you in your future career. Studying medicine isn’t like studying math equations that most people don’t ever use in life. When it comes to medicine, you need to know so much information.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/three-person-looking-at-x-ray-result-1170979/

So, when you study dozens of difficult subjects during your medical students life, don’t just try to memorize them just to pass your exams. As a doctor, you’ll have an obligation and unique power over people’s lives. Your goal, job and promise will be to do your best to save and help people. For this, you’ll need that knowledge to last.

Studying anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology is important. There’s no subject that’s more important than the next one since you might need any of these when making an important diagnosis or treating a patient. So, starting with basic things like what home blood pressure machine to use to how to treat a life-threatening disease – you should try to keep your professional knowledge fresh and truly wide.

2.    It Won’t Be Easy

I’m not saying this to scare you off. In fact, a career in medicine is the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. But, be prepared for a hard, yet worthy journey. Medical students have more to study, more classes to attend, and many practicals that will take up a great deal of time. Out of all students, medical students have the least free time.

Be mentally ready for an exhausting period. If you are, you’ll find a way to juggle everything much faster and easier. With the right schedule, you can make everything happen.

If you can’t do it on your own, learn to delegate. Ask for help or get tutoring to be able to focus on the things that are more important in the moment. It won’t be easy, but once you’re certified and start working, it will be the greatest decision you’ve made in your life.

3.    It Isn’t All About the Medicine

Most students think that when they enroll into a medical school, it will all be about studying anatomy, biology, and basically – medicine. But, it isn’t that way. The scope of medicine is much bigger than this. In addition to studying the body of patients, you’ll also have to learn their behavioral patterns, boost your communication skills, and learn how to work under pressure and in complex situations.

Medicine requires a great deal of skills, so don’t be afraid to get yourself out there. Mingle with people, start relationships with people in the field, explore different opinions and points of view.  This is all vital to being a doctor and more importantly, it allows you to have a life outside of medicine, too. When you have to study real hard, you definitely need a break from all of it.

4.    Medicine Isn’t All about Pictures and Books

Subjects like anatomy can’t be learned just by watching pictures or others performing their tasks. If you want to be a success, you’ll need practice. You can’t know it all just from reading books. Unless you get involved with scalpels, even if it is on a dummy, you won’t be able to treat patients properly.

While at school, you must try to get as much hands-on experience as you possibly can. Practice makes perfect, especially in medicine.

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 5.    You’ll Never Stop Learning

Medicine changes every single minute. This means that, even if you get certified, you won’t stop learning. And you shouldn’t. There are amazing medical discoveries that change the world for the better. Be prepared to study for life. The more practice you have, the better doctor you’ll become. The more interested you are in learning about medicine, the more fulfilled will your life be.

Conclusion

Are you ready to hop on the medical train? It’s the most satisfactory job in the world, and not just in the financial sense! So, roll up your sleeves and start working on the greatest career you can ever pursue.

Author’s Bio:

Connie Elser is a career consultant for students who finished or are just about to graduate from college. She believes that people should pursue their passion instead of financial prospects. According to Elser, if the job does not make you happy, you’ll never do it well.

5 Foods To Include In Your Diet For Healthy Skin And 5 Delicious Recipes To Help You Get Started

Healthy skin is achieved both from within your body as well as outside it.

The modern gentleman is not afraid to get a facial at a men’s salon. Some may even opt for a lactic peel facial such as those offered by Face of Man (this treatment uses a range of lactic acids that helps rehydrate skin). Even cosmetic clinics that traditionally targeted women such as Victorian Cosmetic Institute now offer specialized services for men.

In addition to grooming services, diet can play a huge role in the appearance of your skin. This is because the right dietary choices help ensure that your skin is getting the vitamins and minerals that it needs to stay fresh, young and glowing.

Most of you already know that a well-rounded selection of foods from each food group has health benefits. But did you know there are certain foods that offer additional skin benefits? Keep reading to find out what to add to your grocery list today.

1. Avocados

Avocados have more going for them than their creamy texture and delicious taste. They are packed with healthy fats that your skin needs to stay supple, no matter your age. At the same time, research has found that avocados contain compounds that may play a role in protecting your skin from skin damage now and in the future.

Your daily avocado is a great source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that counteracts free radical damage for youthful-looking skin. Finally, you'll also get some vitamin C, another antioxidant that helps produce the collagen needed for healthy skin.

Recipe Suggestion: Black bean and avocado salsa

Ingredients:

• 2 jalapenos
• 1 clove garlic
• ½ red onion
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• black pepper
• 2 scallions (spring onions)
• 1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 (ripe) avocado, cubed
• bunch of roughly chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine jalapenos, garlic, onion, salt and pepper.
2. Add the beans, lime juice, scallions, and olive oil and toss to combine.
3. Fold in the avocado and coriander.

2. Sweet Potatoes

You can tell by their orange colour that sweet potatoes are a rich source of beta-carotene, a nutrient that is converted to vitamin A inside your body. Vitamin A is important because it works as a natural sunblock, protecting you from the damaging effects of the sun's rays, including sunburn and wrinkles. That beta-carotene also works to give your complexion and healthy and youthful-looking glow.

Click here for a delicious buffalo chicken stuffed sweet potato recipe.



3. Red Capsicum

Red capsicum, also known as red bell peppers, is another ideal source of beta-carotene, which as you'll remember converts to vitamin A, offering antioxidant benefits. But the perks don't stop there.
Red capsicum is also a prime way to boost your vitamin C intake, with one cup offering up over 300% of the daily intake recommendations. This double dose of skin benefits helps keep your skin from ageing by fighting sagging and wrinkles and boosting your collagen stores for healthier skin all over your body.

If you have an oven, this roasted capsicum and walnut dip is going to rock your world!

Ingredients

• 2 red capsicums
• 250 gram cream cheese
• ½ cup finely chopped roasted walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 220°C.
2. Quarter the capsiucms and discard the seeds and membranes.
3. Roast capsicums in oven, skin-side up, until skin blisters and blackens.
4. Cover capsicums with cling wrap for 5 minutes then peel away the skin.
5. Once peeled, chop capsicums coarsely.
6. In a food processor (or blender), blit the capsoium and cream cheese until smooth.
7. Fold in chopped walnuts.

4. Salmon

Considered one of the healthiest varieties of fatty fish, salmon contains a wealth of omega-3 fatty acids, which are necessary for keeping your skin supple and hydrated. At the same time, those omega-3 fatty acids help battle inflammation, which is wonderful for people who suffer from acne and redness and many kinds of autoimmune conditions that affect the skin.

Salmon also contains vitamin E, which is necessary for protecting your skin from free radical damage. You'll also get a healthy dose of protein, which maintains the skin's integrity and keeps it strong. You can reap these rewards by eating salmon baked or grilled, but smoked salmon is another easy way to get the most out of it.

This recipe for Crispy Skinned Salmon With Bean Puree from Woolworths is an easy one that any bloke can whip up in under 25 minutes.

5. Cucumbers

One of the best things about cucumbers is that they are 96 per cent water, which means they're ultra-hydrating for your skin. They're also a great source of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C, all of which play an important role in skin health.

Unlike with some other skin-healthy foods, you can actually place cucumber directly on the skin, especially under the eyes, to fight puffiness and dark circles, as well as treating sunburn and alleviating the pain and discomfort that goes with it.

Cucumber can also be used as a facial mask to battle redness, irritation and acne by infusing it with antioxidants and other important vitamins and minerals.

Recipe Suggestion: Cucumber Rolls Stuffed With Feta

Ingredients:

• 2 Lebanese cucumbers
• 180g full cream fetta, strained, oil reserved
• 1 ½ tbsp toasted pine nuts
• 1 tbsp dill (or mint) roughly chopped
• 6 pitted kalamata olives, roughly chopped
• 1 ½ tbsp Greek-style yoghurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 long red chilli, deseeded, finely chopped
• mixed salad leaves

Directions:

1. Thinly slice cucumbers lengthwise into 2mm slices (a vegetable peeler or mandoline makes life easier). 
2. Place cucumber strips on a paper-towel-lined plate then set aside (one of the reasons why cucumbers get a bad rep is because they become soggy - this process removes extra water from the cucumbers). 
3. In a bowl, mash the feta using a fork. Add pine nuts, olives, dill, yogurt, and lemon juice. Mash with a fork to combine. 
4. Spoon 1-2 teaspoons of the mixture at one end of each strip of cucumber and roll it up. 
5. To serve, scatter chopped chili and drizzle with the reserved oil from the feta.

These terrific foods are a great boost to healthy skin, working from the inside out to give you a beautiful, glowing, youthful complexion.


About The Author
Hi there! I'm Katie - a freelance writer and topic researcher based in Australia. Outside of work, I like to Netflix binge and eat gelato. Plus, my fur baby keeps me busy.

Benefits of facelift surgery

These days, cosmetic surgery is getting much more popular all around the world. It’s because everyone wants to look attractive and that can be possible if you have a good-looking face. Have you ever thought about getting a neck and facelift? Some people believe that facelift surgery will affect their natural look, but that is not true. You can get a younger look from a facelift. Now, you must be thinking about what to expect from a facelift? To answer all of your queries, we have decided to share with you the benefits of facelift surgery. Let’s have a look.

1.    Tighten your sagging skin

Sagging skin is the most prominent sign of aging. As soon as this sign appears on the face and neck, people start using anti-aging creams. But here it must be kept in mind that anti-aging creams will stop working after a certain time. Under such a situation, facelift surgery can work the best as it will tighten the facial muscles and deep neck, and allows the removal of extra skin by slowly pulling the skin to avoid tension on incision line. As a result, the treated person will get a smooth younger look without a pinched or tight appearance. Cosmetic facelift surgery provides an amazing outcome without a lengthy post-surgical recovery period or excessive swelling.

2.    Removes deep creases

Deep lines and wrinkles can make you feel self-conscious. As you age, the tissue structure and volume losses make your neck and face look worn and falling. Facelift surgery will treat deep tissue structures and align them to their correct position. This surgery will use fillers or fat to restore any volume loss. A facelift will soften the nasolabial lines and restore volume to make you look younger naturally.

3.    No more loose jowls

You might have seen redbone coonhounds and bulldogs with loose jowls. Such an appearance is not desirable for humans as they feel embarrassed with hanging jowls. Facelift surgery can help remove loose jowls by giving you a sleek tighter jawline and leaner look. This surgery will restore and sculpt your jawline to a natural, sharp position. So, you don’t need to be embarrassed if you have loose jowls as you can benefit from a facelift.

4.    Redefine and tighten your neck

As individuals get older, the skin around the face and neck starts to sag, wrinkle, and droop. So, they start looking more aged than their actual age. A majority of adults complain about the sagging or fattening of the neck skin and that under the chin. The terms ‘multiple chins’, ‘gobbler’ and ‘turkey neck’ are often used for this condition. If you are going through this condition then nothing to worry about as a neck and facelift can help solve your problem.

5.    Improves facial contours

A mid facelift can also give a smoother appearance to the lower eyelids and cheeks whereas a lower facelift provides an eye-catching jawline contour, level the neck area, and eliminate jowls. Plus, you can also restore the structure of your nose with a rhinoplasty. Have a look at before/after rhinoplasty results before getting any treatment.

This is a guest blog entry.

Tips for choosing the right fitness equipment

You can consider your effective exercise program based on the requirements of your body. A multibillion-dollar worth industry has surfaced on the claim of fitness provision. However, remember that this equipment is beneficial if you use them regularly. They can only provide beneficial results if you learn to use them properly. They also reduce the chances of any minor or major injury. Keep it in mind that the exercises equipment comes in a diverse range of sizes, shapes, and prices. Here is the basis for you to choose the fitness equipment for yourself.

Cardio equipment

Cardio equipment based on burning calories and fats is often found in the gym. They are designed to simulate walking, running, cycling, and stair climbing. The heavy-duty to lighter home-based version based equipment helps in maintaining physical fitness. The price of these types of equipment is based on various factors. The price depends on factors such as motorization, programming, measurement of heart rate, and add-ons.

• Ski machine: You can use it for exercising your arms and legs continuously. In cross country skiing, the skis could be independent or you have to support them. The sliding motion supports your knees and helps in attaining stability. 

• Elliptical trainers: This impact-free machine provides circular up-and-down motion to your body. It requires some time to manage the unusual motion. Look out for comfortable pedals and handlebars. The resistance, speed, and grading can be adjusted to attain stability. 

• Rowing machines: Rowing machines allow you to have a total body workout as it works the legs, arms, and back. The pulley model is more comfortable for managing the unusual motion. 

• Stair-steppers: Beginners may find this machine hard for the knees as it is strenuous. The right machine with handrails and stair platform can help in tremendous foot exercise. Using this machine is equivalent to stairs climbing. 

Machines like stationary bicycle and treadmills can also be considered for aerobics.

Strength equipment

To build strength in the body, you can consider the devices that allow you to harness gravity and manage weight or tension. If you are new to working out, consider selecting the basics such as a comfortable pair of shoes, resistance band, and tubing. Go for a nonslip and well-padded mat for floor-based exercises. Strength equipment includes ankle weights, hand weights, resistance bands, and tubing, etc.

Confused about choosing fitness equipment?

Making the right choice for your fitness equipment is not that challenging. All you need to know is your fitness goals. Make sure you research well before considering any deal or discount offer. Make sure you are aware of the arrangement of your home. Also, make sure that you are planning to use the equipment regularly. 

Know the different types of equipment and choose the one that goes well with your fitness goal. For example, you should go for strength equipment if you want to gain muscles.

Remember that your budget has nothing to do with the exercise regimen. Maintenance of a healthy body is crucial. In case, you are unable to join gyms or attain the equipment at your home, you can get the pre-owned equipment. For example, the pre-owned dumbbells starts at a very low rate that starts from $0.85/LB!

This is a guest blog entry.

Should You Be Taking A Pre-Workout Supplement?

Exercise plays an important part in keeping the body healthy and to reduce the risk of obesity, which has a number of complications that can lead to a shortened lifespan. While some people are able to walk into the gym and perform well without any help, others may find it difficult to give it their all. Muscle fatigue may set in quickly after the workout session has started, leading to poorer performance. The result is usually a person being unable to gain the maximum benefit from the workout that they participate in.

People who need a boost in the gym, as well as those who wish to achieve specific results, often turn to supplements to help them reach their goals. While post-workout supplements have become popular to help with muscle synthesis and recovery, many are also turning to pre-workout supplements. Several claims have been made about these products that are taken before working out. In this post, we take a look at whether or not pre-workout supplements are truly as helpful as some claim they are. We also consider what pre-workout ingredients seem to be the most effective.

What Are Pre-Workout Supplements?

The term “pre-workout” really explains what this type of supplement is. A pre-workout supplement is a special formulation, which can be available as a capsule or a powder, which is usually mixed into a smoothie or simply mixed with some liquid. These supplements contain various ingredients that focuses on providing an enhancement in the user’s performance during a physically challenging workout protocol.

When it comes to considering the use of a pre-workout supplement, it is important to understand that there are different types of these supplements on the market. While most of these products do focus on providing an enhancement in both physical and mental performance, some contain special ingredients added to their formula for more targeted results.

Some supplements provide a boost in energy alone, allowing the user to work out for longer without experiencing fatigue so quickly. Others included ingredients that could yield an improvement in physical strength, allowing for more challenging exercises to become "explosive." There are also a number of pre-workout supplements that contain vasodilator ingredients, which boosts blood flow to muscle tissue during physical activity. This, in turn, helps to reduce muscle fatigue further and can help to speed up recovery after the workout.

What Are The Benefits Of Pre-Workout Supplements?

The benefits of pre-workout supplements really depend on the specific product that a person decides to use. Some of these products are designed only to help the user last a little longer during a workout session, prolonging the onset of lactase, which is known to lead to muscle fatigue. Other pre-workout supplements, however, have a more significant number of benefits to offer.

Some of the potential benefits that a user may experience when they use a pre-workout supplement, based on the inclusion of popular ingredients, include:

• The inclusion of caffeine or other types of stimulants helps to improve overall performance and provides a boost in cognitive function. This makes the user more alert and also gives an increase in endurance. Fatigue can also be reduced with the inclusion of caffeine, and the metabolic rate is increased, which means excess fat can be shed faster.
   
• When creatine is used in a pre-workout supplement, it will usually lead to a considerable increase in energy during a workout session, which is great for both strength training and cardio exercises. Creatine has also been shown to provide beneficial effects for increasing muscle growth, and it may also aid in providing a boost in physical strength.
   
• L-Arginine is an amino acid that is sometimes included in pre-workout supplements to increase blood flow during workouts. This amino acid is converted to nitric oxide, which is a vasodilator. Blood vessels expand due to the presence of nitric oxide. This helps to deliver more blood, nutrients, and oxygen to muscle tissue during a workout. This may help to reduce muscle fatigue and improve physical performance. The increase in blood flow to the muscles may also aid in the post-workout recovery process.

Other ingredients to look for as well include B-alanine, Taurine, and Betaine. These are, however, not all of the pre-workout supplements and compounds that may help a person experience a boost in their performance.

Should You Take A Pre-Workout Supplement?

With pre-workout supplements becoming more-and-more popular, a lot of people are starting to look into adding one of these products to their workout routine. Even though research does support the effectiveness of these supplements, some claims have been made that they could not be as effective as some of the other options that a person can use.

This leads to the question of whether or not a person should take a pre-workout supplement before they start to train.

The fact that needs to be considered here is that not everyone may truly benefit from pre-workout supplements - and without some thorough research, a person may end up buying the wrong product. For example, a person who is sensitive to caffeine might buy a pre-workout that contains this ingredient as a stimulant. In turn, adverse effects may be experienced.

When a person sits down and carefully thinks about their goals and why they would like to turn to a pre-workout supplement, and they do some research, then it is possible to get a product that will yield effective results.

Generally, a person can usually benefit from this type of supplement if they find that their performance is lacking while they are working out. A pre-workout may also be good for those who want to maximize strength in the gym, as well as people who need a way to speed up muscle recovery.

Conclusion

The use of pre-workout supplements is relatively common. These products are no longer only used by bodybuilders, but the general population who wants to maximize their performance during workout sessions have also started to take advantage of such supplements. Understanding what pre-workout supplements are, how they work, and when they are appropriate is important for a person looking to possibly at this to their training program.

References

https://primevallabs.com/blogs/news/best-pre-workout-ingredients

https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/the-complete-guide-to-pre-workout-supplements.html#what-is-a-pre-workout-supplement

https://www.verywellfit.com/can-a-pre-workout-product-improve-physical-fitness-4154378

This is a guest blog entry.

How can you take care of your teeth and gums?

Teeth are an important part of the body. According to research, teeth are the hardest and toughest body part. We all have a set of 32 teeth, and taking care of them is vital. Teeth are no doubt tough but the gums around them are sensitive and need special attention. If you are someone who thinks a visit to the dentist every 6 months is essential, then you are on the right track. But along with the visit to the dentist, you also need to care for the gums and teeth. If you think that the dentist will do wonders after months of carelessness regarding your teeth, you would be wrong. In this case, the dentist won't be able to do any magic for your teeth.

According to Allonfourdentalimplants.ca websites, here are some tips that will help you in taking care of the teeth and gums.

• Make sure you floss every day and remove the food particles that are left behind. Letting them stay and not flossing will increase sensitivity and will lead to tooth disease.
• Use the kinds of toothpastes which contain fluoride. Fluoride will help in killing the bacteria. You can also use mouth wash 2-3 times a day. It will also clean your teeth and mouth and will help you have fresh breath.
• Avoid using sticky food. The more food sticks to your teeth, more bacteria develop. This will eventually lead to cavities.
• Brush your teeth at least two times a day. You need to make sure that your teeth are clean before you sleep and in the morning. If the teeth are not cleaned at night, the bacteria sit there all night. This will cause tooth decay.
• If you habitually drinking alcohol, make sure you keep it moderate. Excess use of alcohol will damage your teeth. Also, avoid smoking as it will ruin the health of your teeth.
• Cut down on sugars. If you eat an excess amount of sugar, the bacteria which are already there in your teeth will make an acid with the combination of sugar. This is why you will see the black patch on your teeth. The reason behind this is that the acid destroys the enamel of the teeth and makes it look black.

If you follow all the tips, you will not come across the issue of tooth decay and cavities. These are the two major issues that happen among the people of all ages. Be it a young kid or an old person, both are affected by it. But the scale of severity can depend upon the age and the choice of habits.

Healthy eating habits, limited use of candy, flossing, brushing properly, and visiting a dentist are a few things that will lead you to the healthy dental regimen. If your case is severe or you want expert advice, check North York Smile Centre which offers dental implants. This way, you will be able to have an amazing smile and the teeth without cavities.

This is a guest blog entry.

What You Need to Know About Common Medical Mistakes

When you visit your doctor or enter the hospital for treatment or a surgical procedure, you expect that all the members of your health care team will have the education, training, knowledge, skill, and background to make you better. The last thing you expect is that someone will make a mistake that leaves you worse off than before. Unfortunately, however, medical errors do occur. In fact, they now represent the third leading cause of death in the United States, outranking such things as strokes, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Medical mistakes can happen virtually anywhere, including the following:

•    Hospital
•    Clinic
•    Surgery center
•    Medical office
•    Nursing home
•    Pharmacy
•    Your own home if you have an in-home caregiver

An Ohio medical malpractice lawyer recently discussed common medical mistakes.

Common Medical Errors

Medical mistakes come in a variety of types, but some of the most common include:

•    Medication errors
•    Anesthesia errors
•    Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis
•    Failure to timely treat
•    Inadequate monitoring after a procedure
•    Failure to properly follow-up after treatment
•    Hospital acquired infections
•    Failure to properly read x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, etc.
•    Failure to act on test results
•    Failure to take proper safety precautions
•    Technical medical errors such as equipment failure

Specifically, the following represent the most common types of medical errors and therefore of medical malpractice:

•    Birth injuries
•    Nursing home abuse and neglect
•    Leaving a foreign object in the patient’s body during surgery
•    Administering the wrong or inadequate anesthesia prior to and during surgery
•    Failing to properly treat in the emergency room or discharging a patient too soon
•    Pharmacy errors such as giving the wrong prescription to a patient or failing to sufficiently explain dosing times and amounts

Medication Errors

As you might expect, medication errors represent the number one type of medical mistakes. What may shock you, however, is that close to 1.3 million people per year become the victim of medication errors in the United States. Most such errors involve giving the wrong medication (16% of errors), giving the wrong dose of it (41% of errors), or choosing the wrong medication administration route (16% of errors). Senior citizens, those 60 years of age or older, face a particular risk for medication errors and account for approximately half of all U.S. medication errors.

Standard of Care

You may have never specifically thought about it, but your doctor, by law, owes you a duty of care. That standard of care, however, varies from specialty to specialty. For instance, the standard of care your surgeon owes you is considerably different than the one your primary care physician owes you.

Determining which standard of care your physician owed you always becomes of paramount importance if you become a victim of medical error and consequently file a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Once you and your attorney have determined which standard of care your doctor was required to perform under, the next issue becomes determining if, how, and to what extent (s)he breached that standard. Here you undoubtedly will need to rely on the testimony of your expert witnesses. Keep in mind, however, that any expert witness your attorney calls to the stand must be thoroughly familiar with the defendant’s standard of care and himself or herself be a physician who likewise practices under it. In other words, you cannot use a surgeon as an expert witness if you are suing an emergency room physician.

Even if you can prove that the defendant gave you substandard care by falling below the standard to which the law holds him or her, you must also prove that the physician’s breach of his or her duty of care was the proximate cause of your injury. Proximate cause is a legal term that means actual cause; i.e., one sufficient to support liability. The more direct and necessary your physician’s negligent action was for the injury you suffered to have occurred, the better chance you have of proving proximate cause.

This is a guest blog entry.

Choosing the Right Health Fund: 3 Points You Need to Consider

Health insurance looks like a complicated algebra problem. You pay X per month and a fraction of charges up to some maximum. This makes choosing the right plan a complex decision. So, we’ve broken down the 3 most important points to consider so you can find the right health fund.

The Overall Coverage It Provides 

Here’s the first question you should ask: what does the policy cover that Medicare won’t? This is the main reason people get private health coverage. The Australian government recommends signing up for hospital coverage, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Others would be better served by extras coverage or tailored health insurance policies to cover other needs.

The Type of Coverage You Need 

If you only want health coverage to prevent a medical emergency from breaking the bank, you probably only need basic hospital coverage. If you want the peace of mind of knowing that you can visit the best doctor as soon as you suspect something is wrong, you’ll want extras coverage that covers private primary care doctors and specialists. Don’t just choose health insurance based on today’s situation. If you’re part of a couple and planning on having kids, pick a health plan with broader coverage. Then you’ll have the option to give birth in a private room or see a better OBGYN than the only public one available in your area. Note that you can tailor a policy to cover your own unique needs, such as adding coverage for orthodontics before the kids need braces put on. To compare health funds, visit iSelect.

The Total Financial Bill 

A lot of people pick the cheapest plan because it has the lowest monthly premium. But this comes with its own risks. For example, they may not be able to see their own doctor and receive care at particular hospitals. Consider the benefits that are covered by the insurance policy relative to those you expect to use. For example, you may choose to pay for an eye exam out of pocket if this isn’t something you think you’ll regularly need. On the other hand, if you need regular eye exams to keep up with your changing vision prescriptions you should consider an extras policy. Learn what out of pocket expenses you have to pay for and estimate how much that will be. It may be worth it to pay higher monthly premiums, so you don’t get hit with a hefty bill later on. If you’re dealing with ongoing medical issues, a health insurance policy with higher annual and lifetime limits may be a better deal.

This is a guest blog entry.

How Can Smart Technology Help You Become Healthier?

We are surrounded by smart devices more and more, to the point that what had been touted as the Internet of Things over the last years becomes a reality as we speak. But any technology, no matter how cool, hip, or cutting edge, should have positive effects on people’s lives, or, otherwise, their purpose is lost.

Today, there are many ways in which smart technology can help you keep track of your health or your habits. In case you haven’t tried such a thing before, here are some suggestions for making smart technology work for you, and particularly for your health.

Smart light bulbs that help you sleep better

The home of tomorrow is a smart home. But, if you don’t want to jump the smart home bandwagon just yet, start with something small. For instance, replace the lights in your home with smart light bulbs. These can be controlled from a hub and have positive effects on your sleeping pattern.

What these light bulbs do is that they adjust according to the time of the day so that they follow the natural patterns of your awake/sleep cycle. In the evening, the lights turn to a warm yellow color, helping your body produce melatonin, essential for healthy sleep, while in the morning, they turn to a colder blue color, to help you wake up.

Telemedicine is becoming more popular

Getting enough time with your doctor, especially when you suffer from a chronic disease, can be particularly tiresome. You need to pay visits to the doctor’s office, spend time in crowded waiting rooms, and then go back home through heavy traffic.

Such issues can easily be solved with the means of telemedicine. Besides the communication between doctor and patient that could happen via specialized apps, there is another application of telemedicine that’s actually even more effective.

Patients wear a smart medical device that monitors their health and transmits the information to the doctor’s office. Imagine how convenient that can be, seeing how you don’t need to move at all to communicate these things or have your doctor examine you. This will save you a lot of time and discomfort.

Use a smart scale

A standard scale can tell you how much weight you’ve gained or lost since the last time you used it, but that’s all it can do. It’s time for an upgrade, and that means getting a smart scale. This device not only will read your weight accurately, but will also give you other essential information on your health, such as the percentage of body fat, your body mass index, and can also keep track of your evolution.

Synching your smart scale with an app used for tracking your fitness levels is usually straightforward, so you will be able to enjoy multiple benefits.

Heart-monitoring devices

There are many wearables today that will help you keep better tabs on your health, and a smart heart-monitoring bracelet can be precisely what you need to know when you’re exercising too hard, for instance.

Exceptional devices will not only monitor your heart rate, but will detect other signs, such as shortness of breath, and alert you if you’re pushing yourself. Some can even pick up the symptoms of heart conditions and even heart attacks.

Other uses for your smartphone

The flat, touchscreen device that everyone stays glued to, in this day and age, is a veritable tool for helping you become healthier. You can use it in many different ways, and you can even get a microscope for your smartphone and start examining the world around you. With so many applications at your fingertips, it is easy to use smart technology to your advantage.

This is a guest blog post.

Easy Tips to Keep Your Dog in Shape and Help It Lose Weight

With summer already at your door, you’ll want to spend even more time with your pooch outdoors, running, exercising, and playing. However, your busy working schedule, combined with the hectic family life can easily make you neglect your pet and, most importantly, its eating and sleeping patterns.

Keeping a dog with the rest of the family is not always a great idea because the animal can be overfed by various members. You give it a handful of kibbles right before going to work, while your daughter decides to serve it a delicious snack after she comes back from school.

At dinner, the dog puts on its long face and sad eyes until it’s left cleaning out the food scraps and licking the plates.

Unfortunately, all of these habits that are mainly done out of pure love can end up harming your pooch in the long term, leading it to gain weight and become obese. Along with obesity, it ca also suffer from a long list of health issues which includes limited mobility, back pains and bone pains, heavy breathing, heart problems, and diabetes.

If you want to keep your pet safe and allow it to live a strong, healthy, and active lifestyle, here are some tips you should follow.

Stick to a strict feeding schedule

Decide on just a member of the family that has the task of feeding the pet and don’t give in to its sad puppy eyes every time it wants a treat or a snack. By keeping a strict feeding schedule, your pet can lose a couple of pounds and become more active.

Based on your dog’s age and weight, we suggest feeding it three times a day while a pup and two times a day once it reaches adulthood.

Providing enough food for the entire day is not a smart technique as your pooch might eat it all at once. If you’re worried about overfeeding or not making it home in time to serve your pet dinner, you can always consider investing in an automatic dog feeder that will dispense the right amount of food every time.

Switch to organic food

One of the easiest ways to help your mutt lose a couple of pounds is to control the quality of the food you serve. If it is used to eating kibbles from regular brands that are rich in corn, starch, and empty calories that provide zero nutritional values, it’s high time you switched to organic food.

Check out this review on Wellness CORE grain free food and compare it with other brands and products until you find the mix and flavor your dog loves the most. Remember that the main ingredient in all foods should be proteins, closely followed by veggies or low-carb foods.

Check the ingredients

Not all organic food brands are designed to maintain a healthy weight for your dog, especially if it is not used to running or exercising daily. Therefore, you need to learn to check the labels properly and find the most suitable dog food.

If you’re feeding dry foods and kibbles, look for a minimum of 25% proteins, although a higher amount would be better. Dogs are mainly carnivorous animals so they will need a clean source of proteins, whether we’re talking about eggs, chicken, turkey, beef, lamb or fish.

The fat percentage shouldn’t exceed 16% either, although, ideally, should be around 12%. Keep in mind that apart from kibbles, your dog will also receive snacks, treats or even home-cooked food that adds to the total number of calories, carbs, and fats.

Foods that contain more than 5% fiber should also be avoided as it may interfere with the absorption of nutrients. And, if you’re not entirely sure of your pet’s diet requirements, it is best to talk to a veterinarian.

Be more active

All dogs require at least 20-30 minutes of physical activity daily, whether it’s indoors or outside. In the wintertime, you can keep your pet busy by hiding snacks throughout the house and asking it to find them.

From spring to late fall you can try all sorts of fun outdoor activities with your pet, including jogging, long walks, swimming, playing frisbee, hiking or camping.

This is a guest blog entry.

It’s Not Laziness; Binge Eating Disorder Is a Disease

One of the most common things eating disorder therapists hear from their clients is a sense that they are perceived as being somehow lazy or weak-willed.  Even with the widespread presence of binge eating disorder treatment centers around the country, too many people still believe that binge eating disorder (BED) is a choice that people make, and this causes an amplification of the feelings of shame that normally accompany BED in the people who suffer from it. As with many other mental health disorders and those which require stays in binge eating treatment centers, it's crucial to spread understanding of the symptoms, causes, and effects of BED in order to avoid the misunderstanding and stigma surrounding it.

What Causes BED?

Eating disorder therapists, working in conjunction with specialists at binge eating disorder treatment centers and psychiatrists in the field, have identified several possible causes of the disorder.  The balance of these will be different from person to person.  Normally, BED is a combination of “nature” and “nurture” factors in a person’s life. 

• The “nature” aspects of BED include genetic factors (in that people with behavioral disorders tend to pass them onto their children) and biological factors (women, both cisgender and transgender, have higher rates of BED than others). 

• The "nurture" aspects can also relate to parenting, but instead of a genetic inheritance, it has been noted that parental pressures surrounding weight or beauty can impel young adults to engage in disordered eating.  Likewise, pressure from peers and the media to reach a certain weight or beauty goals can trigger or exacerbate BED symptoms.

While binge eating treatment centers have not isolated a single cause of BED, it’s clear that a combination of biological factors and social pressures are present in most cases.  The positive news is twofold here; first, identifying the causes allows binge eating disorder treatment centers to devise strategies for treatment based on this knowledge.  Second, it helps to dispel the idea that people with BED are somehow gluttonous or lazy as compared to experiencing a disorder.

What to Look Out For

BED can be slightly misunderstood by the general public; many people assume all eating disorders are about avoiding food intake via extreme dieting or purges, as seen in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, respectively.  This is quite unfortunate, as BED is actually the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting about 2.8 million people.  Understanding the signs and symptoms of BED can help you identify it in yourself or a loved one, and begin getting help from a binge eating treatment center if needed.

• Eating large amounts of food in a very short period of time
• Eating beyond the point of “fullness” during these episodes
• Hiding or hoarding food for these binge eating episodes
• Feelings of guilt or shame following binge eating episodes
• Hiding or strategically throwing away food wrappers
• Visiting several different groceries (to hide the amount of food being purchased)
• Avoiding regular meals
• Avoiding eating in groups at home or restaurants
• Frequent dieting
• Dissatisfaction with one’s body or a sense of perfectionism around it

Because the binge eating episodes that characterize BED often consist of “junk” foods or high-fat foods like chips or pizza, and because unlike bulimia nervosa there is no purging behavior associated with the disorder, people with BED are often overweight or obese.  These factors can result in serious health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, and others.

Saying “Just Eat Normally” Isn’t the Answer

Because the perception that people with BED are just “eating too much” still persist, the feelings of guilt that already come with the disorder may be made more extreme when hearing they are simply eating too much (even more so when told they need to lose weight, which can encourage further dieting).  Often, when dieting, people with BED will avoid meals, making the inevitable binge eating sessions even more extreme.  To truly help people with BED, it’s important to understand the nature of the disorder and the feelings surrounding it.

By showing respect and sympathy for the causes and symptoms of BED, and not treating the individual as though they are simply being weak-willed or lazy about their eating patterns, you can promote a full recovery from BED, and more importantly, you can support yourself or a loved one on their journey.

This is a guest blog entry.