health tips

Sweet tooth's Liver Culprit By: Arlene Gentallan Sweet tooth's Liver Culprit         Are ice cream, cakes, chocolate, and candies part of your to do list? Perhaps not...?         Let's take a peek into your liver. Did you know there's a hormone secreted by the liver that makes one vulnerable to the allure of those sweet goodness--it's the FGF21.         A study led by M. Gillum discovered that study participants with gene FGF21 variants are 20% more likely to be top consumers of sweets.         Do remember that too much isn't always good.         The study also revealed that people with variants of FGF21 gene not only has an increased likelihood of being sweet lover, they also have a higher tendency to drink more alcohol and smoke.         Though the study was not able to ...

Anti-diabetic Facts: Oleuropein in Olive stimulates Insulin production By: Arlene Gentallan Anti-diabetic Facts: Oleuropein in Olive stimulates Insulin production Here's a good reason to add olive oil in your diet. A research led by Bin Xu, Ph.D found an important compound in olive that's key in it's anti-diabetic property. Oleuropein in olive leaves stimulates the beta cells of pancreas to produce insulin. Our body needs insulin to transport glucose into cells which in turn will be used as an energy source. This in turn, will lower blood sugar level. Here's another advantage of olive that works in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Did you know that amylin amyloids (protein aggregates) can build up in your pancreas with damaging consequence to insulin-producing beta cells. Oleuropein inhibits amylin amyloids deposition in the pancreas. Facts: The beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas procude and store insulin. Resources: Bin Xu, Ling Wu, Paul ...

Making small, specific goals is key to losing weight long-term � but now can you get motivated now? Check out our favorite, no-fail jump-starts to feeling like your old self (i.e. back into your skinny jeans) ASAP! 1. Build a better breakfast. All meals are important, but breakfast is what helps you start your day on the right track. The best, heartiest breakfasts are ones that will fill you up, keep you satisfied and stave off cravings later in the day. Aim to eat anywhere between 400 and 500 calories for your morning meal, and make sure you're including a source of lean protein plus filling fat (e.g. eggs, beans, unsweetened greek yogurt, nuts or nut butters) and fiber (veggies, fruit or 100% whole-grains). Starting your day with a blood-sugar-stabilizing blend of nutrients will help you slim down without sacrifice. 2. Prioritize real, whole foods. Make sure that everything you're eating is whole � as in nothing processed or packaged. Since salt is a preservative, these are t...

What are the Common causes of Hypokalemia? By: Arlene Gentallan What are the Common causes of Hypokalemia? What is hypokalemia?         Hypokalemia refers to lower than normal levels of potassium in the body. Potassium is an important electrolyte needed to transmit electrical signal need for muscle contraction.         Normal potassium level is between 3.5 to 5.0 meq/L. When potassium level drops below normal, it is called hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is not a disease, rather, it is a sign of an underlying disease. Hypokalemia (low potassium level) can result to symptoms such as: Muscle cramps Muscle twitching Muscle tingling Muscle weakness Abdominal cramps Constipation Confusion Irregular heart beat          If potassium level drops to a critical level, it can cause abnormal heart rhythm and compromise the pumping of the heart leading to heart cardiac arrest. What are the causes o...

Aspirin Cuts risk of Cancer Death By: Arlene Gentallan Aspirin Cuts risk of Cancer Death         Cancer is a dreadful diagnosis which commonly struck it's sufferer with fear. There is a growing population of cancer victims.         Research is continuously seeking new grounds for the fight against cancer.         Aspirin, an over the counter pain medication and anticoagulant has a surprising health benefit. Regular use of aspirin lowers risk of dying from cancer according to a study led by Yin Cao (an instructor in the Medicine, Clinical and Translation Epidemiology Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School) which was presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research held in Washington.        Here are the benefits of long term regular intake of aspirin: Cuts overall risk of dying from cancer by 7% in wome...

10 Facts about Zika Virus By: Arlene Gentallan 10 Facts about Zika Virus         Zika virus is causing an outrage because of serious effect it inflicts to unborn children. Here are the facts you should know about this tropical disease: 1. Did you know that zika virus was first seen in monkeys in Zika Forest in Uganda way back 1947. 2. Zika virus is a flaviviruses transmitted by bite of Aedes mosquito. These mosquitoes are most active during the day. 3. If a pregnant woman gets infected with zika virus, it can lead to devastating outcome to the unborn child. Zika virus shrinks the brain and head of an unborn child (microcephaly) resulting to lifelong mental deficiency. 4. Zika produces mild flu like symptoms like fever, headache body pain, joint pain, rashes, and conjunctivitis which typically last for about a week. 5. Most people who are infected with zika virus do not have symptom of the disease. If symptoms does appear, it is usually mild ...

14 Facts about Rabies You should Know By: Arlene Gentallan 14 Facts about Rabies You should Know Rabies is a disease caused by rabies virus which affects the central nervous sytem. Here are the facts you should know: 1. Rabies is fatal. Once symptoms of rabies appears, it's usually too late to treat it. The victim usually dies. 2. The nearer the bite site to the brain, the earlier the symptoms of rabies appears. 3. Early symptoms of rabies includes a tingling sensation at the area of the animal bite, fever, headache, bodyache, malaise, nausea, loss of appetite. As the disease progress, symptoms worsens: muscle spasm, difficulty speaking, irritability, confusion, hallucination, aggressiveness, double vision, difficulty breathing, hydrophobia (fear of water), hypersalivation, paralysis, coma. 4. Humans are infected with rabies through saliva of an infected animal transmitted through bite, scratch or lick to an open wound or mucous membrane. 5. Worldwide, the most common animal that i...