Your risk for developing type 2 diabetes can be influenced by a variety of factors. Some you can control… others you can’t. Here’s what you need to watch out for:

• being overweight
• being inactive
• having a family history of diabetes, a parent or sibling with the disease
• getting older
• being a member of certain races, blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian Americans
• having prediabetes, gestational diabetes or babies over 9 pounds.

Currently the medical community is not sure why some people get diabetes and others don’t, but if you have one risk factor (or more) there’s plenty you can do to help reduce the risk.

The Glasgow researchers studied the effects of regular aerobic exercise in 34 females who had at least one type 2 diabetic parent, and 36 women who had no family history of the condition. At the beginning of the study, the group with the family history connection to diabetes had higher insulin resistance than the subjects who didn’t have a diabetic parent or sibling did.

Bu just what type of exercise did they do? The study involved a program of three 30 minute sessions the first week, working up to five 1 hour sessions by the end of the study. The exercises the women were given were cardiovascular in nature – running, aerobics, cycling or using a rowing machine. A good, solid workout. And while the family history group showed such a marked improvement in their insulin resistance, the control group showed no significant change by the end of the study.

Though more research is surely needed, this result is a good argument for getting up, and getting moving, especially if you carry a family risk of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is a nasty enough condition on it’s own, but it has been shown to also increase the risk of heart disease in patients, with a rather worryingly two thirds of diabetics actually dying from heart disease. The good news though according to Dr. Nick Barwell who participated in the study is that, “”People at high risk have it within their power to substantially reduce their risk by increasing their activity levels.”

So, if you have a parent, sibling or grandparent with diabetes type 2, it does not necessarily mean that the condition has to become a part of your life too. You can take steps today to do something about it. It may require a bit of effort… and a bit of change… but starting a regular exercise regime now, which involves aerobic exercise, can absolutely have a positive impact on your chances of avoiding this life altering disease.

However the first question to ask is why would you want to use natural skincare products? What does “natural” mean and what is the difference between “natural” skincare products and other skincare products?

There is no formal definition of “natural” when it comes to skincare and anti aging products. However to me “natural” means “safe” skincare products.

Safe? Aren’t all skincare products safe? Why would they be unsafe?

Sadly the answer is that not all skincare products and anti aging products (or cosmetics or beauty products for that matter) are safe. It is gradually becoming known that many skincare and anti aging products and cosmetics, perfumes, body care and beauty products contain ingredients that may in fact be damaging to your skin or even your health. I first became aware of this when my young daughter had a terrible skin reaction to her first use of cosmetics when she had her first ballet concert, and have been interested in this ever since.

Many ingredients that go into our skincare products and cosmetics in the US are banned in other countries, like European countries. But here it’s perfectly legal to use suspect ingredients in our skincare and anti aging products and the FDA doesn’t regulate against this. The problem is so bad that there are whole organizations set up to try and foster the manufacture of safe skincare products and cosmetics.

I’ll give you an example. A recent study found lead in over 50% of big brand lipsticks tested. Scary isn’t it?

So many people are turning to natural skincare products and cosmetics to find safe products. And of course they want to find the best natural skincare products because the companies that make skincare products from all natural, and safe, ingredients, aren’t the big brand name companies.

Most companies that make natural skincare products have signed the “Compact for Safe Cosmetics” to evidence their commitment to producing safe products. And these natural skincare products are usually much more effective than their less safe but more well known cousins which you see advertised on TV and on the shelves of the stores.

That’s because the companies that make the best natural skincare products are small niche companies. They can’t compete on marketing budget, so they compete on product quality. To survive they need to produce top shelf products so that customers come back over and over again. So they don’t need to spend up big on TV advertising.

There are excellent natural skincare products made up into a complete scientific skincare system that are available to buy and are safe to use, and extremely effective. They aren’t made by the big name skincare companies or cosmetics companies, but if you manage to find them they are cost comparable or even cheaper than the big brands, and safe to use.

Ahh, but where do you find them? Find out more on my website.

As the male reaches forty to forty-five years benign hyperplasia, which is an increase in the number of cells, will begin to occur and will continue slowly for the rest of their life. Symptoms normally won\’t appear until around the age of 55 with about one-fourth of all men experiencing them. By the age of 75 nearly half of all men will begin to experiencing the problems associated with BPH and most men learn they have this condition upon visiting their doctor with complaints of some form of urinary problems.

Medical science does not know what causes benign prostate hyperplasia but it is known that certain risk factors, including age, family history, ethnicity, and hormone changes, can all play a role in its development. There are two preconditions which are necessary for the onset of BPH which are an age of at least 50 years old and the presence of testicles. An interesting side note on BPH is that men who are castrated before the onset of puberty never develop this condition.

There are several hormones responsible for prostate growth with Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) being the most important. DHT is made in prostate and is responsible for its growth. It is known that as men age hormone levels tend to drop but it is thought that the prostate itself becomes more sensitive to the DHT that is available. The female hormone estrogen is produced in small amounts in all males and is thought to be one of the factors that sensitize the prostate to the effects of DHT. Because of this any rise in estrogen levels, either because of aging or from outside sources is thought to increase the occurrence of BHP.

Benign prostate hyperplasia begins through the formation of small nodules in the periurethal glands in the inner layers of the organ. This is known as hyperplasia. AT the same time there is also an enlargement of the glandular cells which is called hypertrophy. It can take a long period of time for these changes to slowly occur.

As the prostate tissue expands it will eventually begin to tighten around the urethra which will cause a partial or complete obstruction of urine flow from the bladder. When this occurs the detrusor muscles will hypertrophy to compensate for this increased resistance, somewhat mitigating the symptoms. Unfortunately this will cause decreased bladder compliance and bladder instability. It is at this time that the signs and symptoms of BPH begin to appear.

This includes a weak urinary stream, increased time to urinate, hesitancy, incomplete emptying of the bladder, and post urination dribbling.  Irritation of the bladder and urethra can also occur which can lead to an increased urinating frequency, urgency, incontinence, nocturia, dysuria, and bladder pain.
If an enlarged prostate is not treated and reduced in size a multitude of complications can begin to develop. The bladder can stretch and distend as more and more urine begins to be retained inside it. This can result in out-pouchings of the bladder wall, often referred to as Diverticula. Any distension can cause a blockage of the ureters, causing a back up of urine and infection back into the kidneys, causing kidney infections.

Benign prostate hyperplasia is normally treated with a number of drugs which reduce the swelling and relieve the pressure on the urinary tract. While in and of itself it is not a normally life threatening condition, left untreated it can cause complications which may be. It is therefore important for all males to have regular prostate exams starting around the age of forty-five. If you have any of the symptoms of this disease it is also important to visit your doctor as soon as possible.

The liver combines cholesterol with lipoproteins for use in various physiological body functions and building of tissues. A lipoprotein is a combined unit of lipid, that is, fat on the inside surrounded by protein on the outside.

What are Lipoproteins?

Since cholesterol is water-insoluble, the blood cannot carry it unless it is turned into a water-soluble form. That is where water-soluble lipoproteins enter the scene. They combine with cholesterol to form water-soluble units that can move through the bloodstream.

These lipoproteins are mainly of two types: low-density (20-25% proteins) lipoproteins, LDL and high-density (40-55% protein) lipoproteins, HDL. Medical experts refer to the cholesterol transported by HDL as HDL cholesterol.

So What is HDL?

So, when medical experts talk of HDL cholesterol, they mean HDL-bound cholesterol. Scientifically speaking there is no such thing as “good cholesterol” or “bad cholesterol”. Cholesterol is just cholesterol, a sterol lipid having the chemical formula C27H45OH. In fact, HDL and LDL are not cholesterol at all. They are just lipoprotein vehicles for carrying and moving cholesterol through blood.

Most people commonly call HDL good cholesterol because it travels from the arteries and body tissues back to the liver for recycling or elimination. This prevents a build-up of plaque (a hard fatty deposit) on the inner walls of major arteries supplying blood to the organs. This reduces clogging of the arteries and the risk of heart attacks, paralysis, and hypertension.

Recent Discovery

Scientists have recently discovered that low HDL cholesterol level in blood is an independent risk factor for these cardiovascular and crebrovascular diseases. HDL levels below 40 mg/dL for men and below 50 mg/dL for women are considered low. This is separate from the total cholesterol and LDL levels. This means that even with a normal total cholesterol count and a safe LDL level, people with low HDL cholesterol levels are at an increased risk of heart disease.

Why Lowering Cholesterol Is Not Important

So the emphasis should not only be on lowering the total cholesterol and LDL levels, but also raising the HDL cholesterol level. Research has shown that a drop of just 1 mg/dL in the HDL cholesterol level can lower a person’s risk of suffering a fatal heart attack by 3%.

But how does one raise the HDL cholesterol level while keeping the total cholesterol and LDL levels low? Ideally, an HDL more than 50 mg/dL for men and 60 mg/dL for women is considered heart-protective. Most people, however, can push the HDL cholesterol levels up by making some lifestyle and diet changes.

Benefits of Raising Cholesterol

To raise your HDL cholesterol, take up an aerobic activity like walking, cycling, swimming or dancing for 30-40 minutes 5 times a week. Quitting smoking, losing excess weight and consuming foods rich in dietary soluble fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants also raises the HDL cholesterol levels.

Another lifestyle change that is effective in raising HDL cholesterol is saying no to saturated and trans fats (red meats, egg yolk, butter, whole-cream dairy products, commercial bakery items, deep-fried foods, and so on). Instead go for a diet based on polyunsaturated and monounsaturated vegetable oils, whole grains, cereals, nuts like almonds and walnuts, flaxseeds, beans, legumes, lentils, fruits and vegetables.

The only drugs known to raise HDL cholesterol effectively are niacin (vitamin B3) and a class of compounds called fibrates.

High Density Lipoprotein is a substance that carries cholesterol particles from your artery walls back through the bloodstream and into the liver where some of it is metabolized and some excreted from your body in the form of bile salts. Statistics show that when the ratio is favorable, your risk of heart problems is minimized, so it makes sense to learn how to increase HDL, and keep the HDL LDL ratio as good as possible.

The ratio is determined by taking your LDL, (low-density cholesterol) number, and dividing it by your HDL (high-density cholesterol) number. The result is what doctors use to determine your risk of cardiovascular disease.
The higher the HDL, the lower the risk. Lets look at some numbers to give you an idea of how this works.

For example:

• Total cholesterol is: 200
• HDL is: 50
• LDL is: 150

The ratio would be: 3 This would be considered a good ratio, indicating the person would have a lower than average risk of heart disease.

Over time, what was considered to be good or safe levels of cholesterol have been adjusted downward, in part due to the push to get more people on cholesterol lowering medications. Foods to raise HDL have not been emphasized for this reason. The current medical model for prevention of cardiovascular disease focuses on drug therapy. This is why you must learn how to increase HDL and get the optimal HDL LDL ratio to prevent heart disease.

High-density lipoproteins have recently been found to have potent antioxidant activity, and this may well be the reason for its “protective” role in regards to vascular disease. See the notation below:

Vohl MC, Neville TA, Kumarathasan R, Braschi S, Sparks DL: A novel lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase antioxidant activity prevents the formation of oxidized lipids during lipoprotein oxidation. Biochemistry; 1999 May 11;38(19):5976-81

Several things that are known to raise HDL levels.

• Aerobic or interval training exercise
• Dietary changes – with balanced fat intake
• Eat for your blood type and metabolic type
• Specific nutritional supplements

The foods to increase HDL do it in several ways. Some foods like healthy fats, provide the raw materials or (precursors) your body needs to make HDL. Other foods such as high fiber foods and low glycemic fruits and vegetables may indirectly raise HDL by preventing inflammation, boosting antioxidant status, and lowering blood sugar and insulin. Some of these foods may also possess antioxidant activity themselves and work synergistically with HDL to protect against cardiovascular disease.

Specific supplements that will raise HDL levels and help optimize the HDL LDL ratio are:

• Fish oil
• Pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5)
• niacin – (vitamin B-3)
• Gugulipid
• Coenzyme Q-10
• Carnitine
• Vitamin-C
• Magnesium
• Polycosanol
• Vitamin E-complex
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• N-Acetyl-Cysteine
• CLA – conjugated linoleic acid

All of these supplements help increase HDL levels, however niacin (B-3) and calcium pantothenate (B-5) are the most effective. Focus on them first, and add others if needed.

Foods to Raise HDL

There are a number of foods that are claimed to raise HDL levels. Among these are:

• Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines
• Raw nuts and seeds such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, and flaxseeds
• Whole eggs
• Onions
• Fresh raw low glycemic vegetables – especially dark leafy greens
• Oat bran
• Alcohol – 1 or 2 drinks per day maximum

Action Steps

• Get your HDL LDL ratio tested to establish baseline levels
• Work in 3 sessions of circuit weight training or interval training per week
• Eat for your blood type and metabolic type
• Avoid of refined foods as possible – stick to raw fruits and vegetables
• Be sure to get plenty of good fats in your daily diet
• Supplement with niacin (B-3) and calcium pantothenate (B-5) to raise HDL

The HDL LDL ratio is one of the cornerstones of wellness and antiaging. It’s a benchmark that will help you really reduce your risk of heart disease and ensure a long and healthy life!

Signs/Symptoms

When the prostate becomes enlarged it presses down on the urethra and causes urinary dysfunction. Depending on the degree of enlargement, men may experience any of the following symptoms:

Screening/Diagnosis

Screening and diagnostic procedures for BPH are similar to those used for Prostate Cancer.

• Weak urinary stream
• Prolonged emptying of the bladder
• Abdominal straining
• Hesitancy
• Irregular need to urinate
• incomplete bladder emptying
• Post-urination dribble
• Irritation during urination
• Frequent urination
• Nocturia– need to urinate during the night
• Urgency
• Incontinence-involuntary leakage of urine.
• Bladder pain
• Dysuria– painful urination

Treatment

As mentioned previously, BPH cannot be reversed, however there are medications available that help to relax the muscles of the bladder and prostate to ease urination. If medication treatments fail, more invasive procedures, such as transurethral resection, are used to relieve symptoms. Transurethral resection is the most common surgical procedure used to treat BPH and involves removal of part of the prostate through the urethra. This reduces the pressure on the urethra and normalizes urination. More recent technologies have been developed which use lasers and microwave thermotherapy (see p. 20). to vaporize or remove excess prostatic tissue, which accomplishes the same result as transurethral resection.

If you have diabetes, everything you eat and drink should be part of your recommended meal plan. Otherwise, you risk developing complications or health risks due to a blood sugar count that is either too low or too high. When you have diabetes, it’s often a case of ensuring balance in your life – physical activity, weight range, blood sugar and yes, a well-balanced diet.

The Food Pyramid

The diabetes food pyramid is divided into 6 food groups. These food groups are outlined below, starting at the top, which makes up the smallest portion of the pyramid and ending with the bottom, which should contain the largest portions in a diet plan. The recommended servings per day are enclosed in parentheses:

• Sweets, fats and alcohol (small servings only, preferably reserved for very special occasions).
• Meat and meat substitutes including tofu (4 to 6 oz).
• Milk (2 to 3 servings).
• Fruit (2 to 4 servings).
• Vegetables (3 to 5 servings).
• Grains (6 to 11 servings) and starchy vegetables (3 to 5 servings).

The South Beach Diet

The South Beach diet has been popularized and promoted by many weight loss gurus because it is quite effective in helping people lose and maintain weight. For people with Type II diabetes, however, the South Beach diet may not always be effective. Experts cite its adverse effects on people who have problems with their kidney functions. If you’re considering using the South Beach diet and you have Type II diabetes, you may want to consult your doctor first. The South Beach diet may not be a good diet plan to follow especially if you have impaired kidney functions caused by diabetes.

The Caveman Diet

A rather extreme form of diet that some people are recommending is the caveman diet or the Stone Age diet. It is argued that diabetes didn’t seem to plague cavemen and that majority of the foods included in the caveman diet are similar to the foods recommended for diabetes.

Consider, for example, the fact that refined grains and sugars were nonexistent and that fat was not taken in large amounts. Other foods associated with obesity (and therefore contributory to Type II diabetes), such as salt, hydrogenated fats, vegetable oils and even milk were also not readily available. What was present was high fiber and fresh, all natural fruits, meats and vegetables.

While this diet may seem a little strange, it is not totally without sense. What it promotes is the use of fresh foods and natural fiber, along with minimal intake of refined or processed sugars carbohydrates and oils. In other words, use a simple but healthful diet plan to help combat the effects of Type II diabetes.

Looking for a Diabetes Diet Plan

The best way to ensure that you follow the recommended portion and that you eat only the recommended foods for Type II diabetes is to work with a dietitian or nutritionist. This is especially important if you are pregnant. Pregnancy may require special diets, especially if you’re diabetic.

However, there are certain sources for free diet plans you can use, perfect if you’re looking for a way to maintain a diet on a daily basis. The American Diabetes Association website has plenty of information about Type II diabetes diet along with a list of foods that may be included on a menu. Diabetes Educators also has a website where you’ll find plenty of free recipes, diet plans and recommended food portions.

Putting a Diet Plan into Practice

Just because you have this condition doesn’t mean you should stop living an active, healthy life. You will have to deal with certain restrictions, however, but with conscientious maintenance and a good diet, there is no reason why you should be limited by your condition.

Following a recommended and sensible diabetes Type II diet will take some effort on your part, especially if you’re used to a more lenient lifestyle. However, remember that maintaining a sensible diet is important to help you live a healthy and productive life. Use the resources and information that you already have and look for extra help if you need it. Controlling this health problem is possible and only you can make sure of that.

Finding the perfect product for men’s skincare can be rather stressful, but guys, don’t fret. The last thing you need are worry lines on your forehead.

For pretty boys and handsome guys, here is a guide for you to find the best men anti-aging skincare products and keep up with your equally vain female counterparts.

Start with Sunscreen
Skin is like a bridge that is built to stand firm but over time, external elements slowly eat away at it and causes it to weather. These external elements in skin are called free radicals. Free radicals are formed in the skin when it is exposed to environmental factors such as the sun’s rays, pollution and other elements that could damage the skin. Dermatologists believe that among these free radicals, the ultraviolet rays puts the skin at risk the most and speed up aging. Sun spots, freckles, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging are signs of aging that easily show up on the face without proper protection.

These, however, can be prevented with the regular use of sunscreen. Sunscreen is the number one product that should make it on the men anti-aging skincare list. Be sure to get sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It’s also best to get sunscreen with high SPF numbers and the kind that is compatible with your skin type.

Know the best men’s skincare products available
Next to knowing your skin type, you need to know not only the top products that cater to men’s skincare but also their ingredients.. Start with over-the-counter products and observe how it affects your skin. Over a 3-week trial period, see if the products really work for your skin.

Try out new products
Hopefully, you’ll be do more trying and less erring. Men anti-aging skincare  products with Retin-A have been clinically tested and proven to reduce wrinkles. If retin-A is missing from the men’s skincare aisle, you can also take products with retinol, a less powerful form of retin-A, for a test drive. Also keep an eye out for retinaldehyde, another variant of retin-A, which is an amazingly effective men anti-aging skincare ingredient.

Start a men anti-aging skincare routine
It’s advisable to put on sunscreen daily even if the sun isn’t shining in all its glory. Dermatologists recommend that only apply small amounts of retanaldehyde to your face and neck. It’s important to apply on the neck as well because the skin in that area usually is the first to give away your age. And don’t forget the basic facial wash and moisturizer that keeps your face clean and fresh. It’s nice to get into a habit of taking care of your skin and not just curing signs of aging but preventing the symptoms from appearing as well.

Consult a dermatologist
When you notice that your skin reacts well (or the complete opposite) consult a dermatologist. During your visit, you can also ask for a retin-A prescription if you want stronger doses of it for your skin.

Finding the most effective men anti-aging skincare product takes a lot of patience and eagerness to get only the best for your skin.

Causes of Prostate Cancer:
Scientists still do not know the exact cause behind prostate cancer. No one knows why some people suffer with prostate cancer while others do not. Clinical researchers and scientists are working hard to find the answer of this basic question. However they are optimistic to come out with a ‘prostate cancer cause’ report very soon.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms:There are no definite prostate cancer symptoms that can be easily noticed by the patients. Prostate cancer does not show any cancer symptom or sign at the initial stage. However, few prostate cancer symptoms have been identified by the National Cancer Institute .

These specific prostate cancer symptoms are given below:

1. Frequent urination.
2. An interrupted or weak urine flow.
3. Trouble while urination.
4. Sensation of pain while ejaculation.
5. Inability to urinate.
6. Burning sensation or pain during urination.
7. Blood in the urine or in the semen.
8. Stiffness or frequent pain in the upper thighs, lower back or hips.

These symptoms are however, not specific for prostate cancer. Therefore if you experience any of these symptoms, don’t panic- just consult a doctor.

Prostate cancer treatment: Treatment of prostate cancer depends upon factors such as the location of the tumor, general health condition of the patient, age of the patient and size of the tumor.
Prostate cancer can be treated with help of following treatment methods.

1. Surgical castration by orchidectomy: the cheapest and simplest prostate cancer treatment is orchidectomy. The only disadvantage is a psychological effect of the loss of testicles.
2. Prostate cancer can be treated with the help of oestrogen hormone and LHRH-analogues. This is a “medical castration.” This prostate cancer treatment is very expensive. Oestrogen can be taken orally but oestrogen prostate cancer treatment can give rise to thrombotic complications.
3. Hormone therapy can also be used as prostate cancer cure.
4. The chemical found in black pepper, which causes the tongue to burn, sweat to pout out and eyes to water commonly called as capsaicin is thought to be helpful in prostate cancer cure. US researchers have found that capsaicin can cause human cancer cells to kill themselves. This study is guiding to the way for a new prostate cancer cure.
5. Radiotherapy can also be used for prostate cancer cure. Radiotherapy just destroys cancer cells by radiation. The method is absolutely painless. But treatment of prostate cancer with the help of radiotherapy can cause some side effects like impotence and diarrhea.
6. Brachytherapy can also be applied to cure prostate cancer. Here radioactive elements inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

For many men, prostate cancer affects the very core of how they define their own manhood. The prostate is a key component in the sexual performance and ability of men. Prostate cancer than strikes at the very heart of how many men view themselves. In any event here are a few of the most common questions concerning prostate cancer.

1. What really is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is any abnormal and malignant growth of cells in the tissues of the prostate gland and possibly all over and beyond the prostate.

2. What is advanced prostate cancer?
This is one of the stages of prostate cancer where the cancerous cells have spread outside the prostate into other parts of the victim’s body, causing damage along the way. There are four basic stages of prostate cancer.

3. What are the stages of prostate cancer?
Stage I of prostate cancer is when the cancer is only in the prostate area and hasn’t spread outside the prostate.

Stage II of prostate cancer is when the cancer is still within the prostate, but is advancing.

Stage III of prostate cancer is when the cancer has now spread beyond the outer layer of the prostate into nearby tissues.

Stage IV is the stage that all men dread. In this stage of the cancer, it has spread to other parts of the body also known as metastatic prostate cancer

4. What is metastatic prostate cancer?
It is another name for advanced prostate cancer where the cancerous cells have grown outside the prostate and is growing into other parts of the body. Metastatic prostate cancer is extremely serious.

5. What causes prostate cancer?
There is no singular factor that causes prostate cancer. Heredity is suspected to play a large role in prostate cancer as is the race of the patient. Black men are much more likely to have prostate cancer than other groups.

6. What can I do about Prostate Cancer?
If you have a prostate and are over 50 years of age, you should really consider getting a yearly prostate exam and having a simple PSA blood test done. This information will provide a baseline for future reference.

Remember that the earlier you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the more you have to fight this deadly disease and win.