The Best Hair Loss Remedy

The most common cause for hair loss is iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is also known as anemia in medical terms wherein the body has a low iron level than what the body requires. Due to iron deficiency the number of red blood cells is reduced in the blood and result in a number of ailments. In most of the cases the person suffering from anemia will suffer extreme feelings towards hot or cold temperature (that is the person feels either too cold or too hot even at normal temperatures). This is because iron is used to maintain the body temperature. Due to iron deficiency in the body the hair begin to fall. The person who is suffering from iron deficiency also takes time to recover from blood loss.

More than 80% women suffer from some type of anemia. The common reason for iron deficiency is that there is insufficient iron in their diet. Iron is one of the key elements in creating red blood cells in the body. Due to fewer red blood cells the person appears pale (due to loss of pigmentation) and the hair follicles become weaker. The weakened hair follicles cause hair loss.

The best method for hair loss prevention due to iron deficiency is, to consume nutritious food containing high iron content. Doctors usually stress the patients to increase iron intake by consuming dried fruits, fish, legumes, meat, molasses, potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, wheat germ, and grain products in the diet. Sometimes lack of vitamins in body can also cause excessive hair loss in women. Deficiencies in folic acid and vitamin B12 one of the causes for hair loss. For immediate recovery doctors usually give iron and vitamin pills. However these medicines are dangerous and should be consumed only after consulting a doctor.

Cellulite - What Is It?

Cellulite can best be described as a lumpy looking substance that can be seen on the person's stomach, thighs, and rear end. Cellulite is, in reality just a name for build-ups of fat that bear against the connective tissues underneath an individuals skin, this then causes the surface layer of the skin to sort of dimple and appear lumpy. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not just seen in overweight people, as it can also be found on people of average weight and on thin people.

There are several factors which may influence whether you as an individual have cellulite and to what degree. Your gender, genes, how much fat there is on your body, how thick your skin is, and your age, are all factors which can affect the amount of cellulite you have, and how it appears.

Whatever causes cellulite, you must realize that there are not any quick cures or treatments that can get rid of it. For instance, I have seen some treatments advertised purporting to banish cellulite, when in reality all they do is temporarily improve the appearance of it.

Liposuction and mesotherapy treatments can be expensive and may produce improvement, but usually only in the short term. Warnings have been issued by many doctors that liposuction is not a good treatment because it is designed to eradicate deep fat, not fat that is near to the skin.

If your intention is to try to lessen the amount of cellulite on your body, you must try to reduce any excess body fat. Combine this with strength training and aerobics for best results. Even with this course of action, cellulite may still be seen, even on women without excess weight problems.

With the number of obese people rising everyday in certain western countries, cellulite is sure to become an ever-increasing problem, particularly in obese women. Because, at this point in time there is no absolute cure, most women just learn to put up with it.

Ramonabant (Acomplia) for Weight Loss - Sinner or Saint?

If you went to college in the 60's and 70's you may remember the "munchies" or voracious appetite which sometimes accompanied marijuana smoking. Little did the pot heads of that day realize that medications in the future which block the munchies would help them shed the pounds that they would gain over the next 30 or so years.

This new medication, ramonabant (affectionately known at metabolism.com as Ramona), brand name Acomplia, is presently available in Europe and may soon be available in the United States. The company which produces this medication, Sanofi-Aventis, has been in lengthy negotiations with the FDA regarding gaining the critical approval required to bring Acomplia to market in the U.S. There has been much speculation about the reasons for the lengthy delay in gaining approval from the FDA. One possible reason is that although extensive clinical trials suggest that the new drug is safe and effective for weight loss, many experts are concerned about potential side-effects of ramonabant.

Studies show that about 30-40% of obese people taking ramonabant lost more than 5% of their body weight and 10-20% of subjects lost over 10% of their body weight above what they lost on diet alone. Because Ramona acts on the liver as well it had beneficial effects on triglycerides and other fats in the blood. Blood pressure reduction has also been observed with Ramona treatment.

Ramona works by blocking an important chemical pathway in the brain known as the endocannabinoid system. Scientists speculate that our body naturally manufactures substances resembling cannabis (marijuana, pot, reefer erc.), which interact with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system not only participates in the control of appetite but is active in many areas of the body including the gastrointestinal tract, mood regulation, bone development, muscle control, blood pressure, adaptation to stress and the reproductive system. Several experts such as University of Colorado at Colorado Springs biology professor Dr. Robert Melamede have warned that the long term use of Ramona for weight loss could result in unwanted side-effects involving these other body systems. In fact, depression is listed as one of the side-effects that may limit Ramona's tolerability occurring in about 3% of obese subjects in a weight loss study. Nausea was another important limiting side-effect.

Industry experts speculate that Acomplia may be available for U.S. consumers by this summer but no one knows for sure. Insurance companies in the U.S. will not pay for medications for weight loss. Only a drug that treats a medical illness or condition will be "covered" by an insurance company. For that reason it is thought that Sanofi-Aventis will approach the FDA for an approval to use Ramona in the treatment of diabetes. This is because many diabetics will see an improvement in their blood sugar as they lose weight and because Ramona may have a direct beneficial effect on glucose and cholesterol regulation, as well. It will then be up to the FDA to finish their analysis of the safety and efficacy of the drug for this purpose. How long this will take is anyone's guess.

In the meantime we wait and wait and wait for Ramona. At metabolism.com we have been thinking that it might help if our members wrote a song about their feelings on the matter.

We took a stab and came up with this little ditty.

(in a Calypso beat)


Lyrics by GPepper, Director Metabolism.com

Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona


Why you left me so blue?


Xenical not nearly so sweet as you.

Oh Ramon, My Ramona


Me want to shed these ugly pound


Me getting to look so soft and round

Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona


Why you left me so blue?


I'm all alone wit'a powerful taste for some yellow cheese fondu.

Oh Ramona, Oh Ramona


I don't know if you sinner or saint


You make my liver happy but the rest of me body complaint.

Please add your comments and your own song to the blog at metabolism.com. It may help you feel better.

Only you and your doctor can decide on what medical treatments are best for you. The articles on metabolism.com such as this one are meant for educational purposes only and should not be used to guide you in your medical care. Speak to your health professional before undertaking to change or initiate medical treatment plans.

Gary Pepper M.D.


Editor-in-Chief


http://metabolism.com

How to Win a Beauty Pageant

Every girl who enters a beauty pageant has one goal in mind- winning. However, no matter how beautiful or talented each contestant is, there can only be one winner. So, you may be asking yourself the number one question. "What can I do to win a beauty pageant?" To begin with, if you want to win a beauty pageant you will have to do your research and prepare for hard work.

Just being a beautiful girl is not going to make you a winner. In fact, beauty pageants consist of more events then simple appearance alone. You must be prepared to present yourself as an eloquent and intelligent speaker, you must be poised, dignified, and showcase your talent with expertise. All of this requires hard work, determination, and taking the time to research each beauty pageants rules as well as their history.

One of the most important steps that you can take to ensure that you win is to hire a beauty pageant coach. Studies have shown that the majority of beauty pageant winners have coaches. Coaches are privy to information regarding simple things that the judges are looking for. The pageant contestant may inadvertently ignore these simple things. For example, ensuring that you have the proper model stance can be the difference between first place and runner up. Most beauty pageant winners are the first to admit that their coaches played a vital role in their success.

Training hard is essential to ensuring that you win your next beauty pageant. You will need to practice your public speaking skills, your specific talent, your walk, modeling stance, as well as work on your smile, hair and makeup. It is a good idea to study videotapes of previous winners of the beauty pageants that you are competing in. This is a great way to see what qualities the judges are looking for in a winner.

You will also need to have an enormous amount of self-discipline. Winning a beauty pageant requires that you are disciplined in every aspect of your life. You should consider the beauty pageant as if it were a marathon or an event that you were in training for. Discipline in your sleeping habits, exercise routine, and nutrition are essential to ensuring that you remain in prime condition. Many women have lost their spot as a beauty pageant winner due to overindulgence in food, drinking, and lacking exercise. You must be committed to doing whatever it takes to win your next beauty pageant to see your dream come true.

Make sure that you always behave appropriately and respectfully. This includes how you treat the other contestants, the judges, and the organizers of the contest. If you present yourself as having a horrible, snobby attitude you will find that it will work against you in the long run. Often times, people confuse self-confidence with arrogance. They are definitely two different things. Judges are looking for a woman who exudes grace as well as confidence, but a woman who presents herself as believing that she is better than everyone else and treats other people badly will never be successful.

An Easy Weight Loss Program for Anyone

Weight loss is something that so many people think about but very few ever really do anything about. Sure we all would like to lose a few pounds, but what is the real way to do it? There are so many stories out there about how people lost a lot of weight and then gained it all back, and if you have spent any time in the grocery store at the checkout you know that the magazines are full of articles promising you how you can lose a pound a day, but is that realistic?

Sure, there are ways that you can lose weight quickly, and some of them actually do drop the weight off of you, but the problem is that it is water weight and not actually fat that you are losing and water weight comes back just as quickly as it goes away. So if you want to lose weight and keep it off what is the secret? Well, there are ways that you can drop weight, but only one of them is really effective for long term and permanent weight loss. That is slow weight loss that actually targets the fat in your body and not just the extra water that you are carrying.

If you really want to lose weight and keep it off you will want to get on some kind of a program that not only takes that fat off but boosts your metabolism in a way that makes it stay off. This is done by not only adjusting your diet to where you will have a calorie deficit, but you will also want to incorporate some kind of exercise that will build muscle. The additional muscle will weigh more than the fat that your body lost, but it will burn additional calories even when you are at rest.

So if you want to lose weight and keep it off there really isn't a better way than building muscle in order to lose body fat. That is the easy weight loss program that anyone can follow, and if you follow it you will be happy with the results.

Channel Perfumes - The True Channel is Inimitable

There are many perfumes in the world that stay in our memories as being wonderful or even great. These perfumes however are eclipsed by the most famous perfume of our modern times. This is the Channel Perfumes that bears the simple number 5 on its label. We know this perfume as it is now called Channel No.5.

There are many stories about how this Channel perfume came into being. What is known is that it was created by one Ernest Beaux and relesed at the premier of one of Channel's fashion shows. This was in 1921. The perfume was a hit because it departed from the usual standard of perfumes that were sold during that era.

This particular Channel perfume set the stage for many new innovations in the perfume world because of the new ideas that were used to create this perfume. Instead of the usual flower scents that were used Ernest Beaux used synthetic perfume oils as well in his creation. He let Channel choose the sample that she wanted to present and when it became famous other perfumes were made around this same idea.

Today while Channel No.5 is one of the most famous perfumes in the world there are other types of Channel perfumes for us to see and try. Some Channel perfumes have followed the trend of the first Channel perfume. These perfumes bear a simple number as their name.

Besides these Ernest Beaux created other famous Channel perfumes for us. These include Channel 22 which was released in 1922, Cuir de Russie which was intorduced in 1925, Gardenia which the public saw in about 1925, and Bois des Isles which came into our lives during 1926. These perfumes were later reintroduced to the world as boutique exclusives in 1986.

Other than these Channel perfumes there are some new brands on the market. For instance in 1984 the house of Channel launched their tribute perfume to Channel. This Channel perfume was simply called Coco in honor of Coco Channel. Allure the Channel perfume for the woman of today was released in 1996.

The Channel perfume range is always released with the help of a beautiful celebrity. The first such person who helped make Channel perfume well known was Marilyn Monroe. In an interview with a journalist Marilyn Monroe said that she only wore Channel No.5 to bed.

Nicole Kidman became the new face of Channel perfumes during 2004. As we knew her as a talented actress the idea that she wore Channel perfumes brands made sure that we would try a Channel perfume the next time that we went to buy perfumes. This constant change of well known personalities and celebrities helps to keep Channel perfumes in our minds.

For all of these reasons Channel perfumes is an iconic perfume. When we buy even a small sample perfume we are buying into history, because no other perfume has changed the way that we look at perfumes and ourselves.

By

Edi Kurnik

Discount Perfumes & Fragrances.com

Star With Cellulite - Can A Picture Of A Star With Cellulite Make You Feel Better?

Have you seen a star with cellulite? Cellulite affects most women, including those with optimal body weight. Many women look into some magazines hoping to see a picture of celebrity with cellulite. Indeed, many women who struggle with the cellulite problem feel better when they see a picture of a star with cellulite.

Although the rich and famous also suffer from cellulite, they also have money to get the best treatment for cellulite. Celebrities can afford a personal trainer, a dietician, the expensive best anti cellulite creams and surgeries. This is why it is rare to see a picture of celebrity with cellulite. However, one in a while you can see a star with cellulite.

So, what can an ordinary woman who is not a celebrity do to get rid of cellulite? The first step is to lose weight. Women's bodies store excess fat on the highs, butt, thighs and legs. Losing weight will naturally eliminate your cellulite.

Exercise on a regular basis. Take a 30 minutes brisk walk everyday. Join up a club that involves some physical activity. This may be swimming, playing tennis or dancing. You must incorporate physical activity into your life through things that you have fun doing.

Use some exercise to rid cellulite that target the parts of your body that is affected by cellulite. There are many sources for these exercises which have been proven to help eliminate cellulite.

Cut down on the amount of food that you eat, and eat only healthy foods. Your diet must have more vegetables and fruits. Cut out excess carbohydrates, fatty foods and takeaways. Drink at least eight glasses of water everyday.

Get a massage done on the parts of your body that are affected by cellulite. Massages increase blood flow and the vigorous rubbing during the massage also breaks down the cellulite fats.

Look for the best anti cellulite cream and use it on a regular basis. There are many affordable anti cellulite creams on the market today, all you have to do is to buy proven and recommended best cellulite creams.

So you do not need to see a picture of celebrity with cellulite to feel better. You will rarely see a star with cellulite because they all seem to have perfect bodies most of the times. What you need to do is to get rid of your own cellulite so that you can look like a star and have a stunning and attractive butt, thighs and legs!

Diet Comparisons

In today's world, diets have become a way of life. Popular diets have become the focus of talk shows, magazines and entertainment news where celebrities and their spokes-persons are continuously endorsing one diet or another. Whether it is to shed a few pounds, put on extra muscle mass or just simply to stay in shape, every individual is looking for a diet that is most suited for his or her body type.

Contrary to popular belief, a 'diet' is not eating only celery sticks, digestive crackers and drinking carrot juice all day long. In fact a healthy meal combining of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, cereals and lean meats, all in moderation would be considered an ideal diet as well as a good dietary habit. People lose weight over a few months time only to gain it back in no time at all. It has been established that the true secret of losing weight and to maintain that loss is to make some permanent changes to your eating and lifestyle habits.

The meal you eat is influenced by several factors that include how hungry you are, how long it has been since you have eaten your last meal, smell and taste of food as well as the genetics that shape your appetite. Perhaps, the most important is the feel of satisfaction that one derives after eating. You only feel full when the stomach sends the requisite signals to your brain. Satisfaction however, does not depend only on how much you eat but what kind of foods you choose to eat.

Although most people tend to overlook it, a healthy diet is a matter of common sense. When one is really looking to shed a few pounds, besides sacrificing excessive fried foods and desserts, all one needs to do is eat few calories per ounce of food ingested. Fruits, vegetables, soups, stews or whole grain cereals are some instances of such foods. They are full of fibre and have high water content which not only provide you your share of nutrients but leave you feeling satisfied without having broken the calorie bank.

There are several different kinds of diets to suit individual needs. The most popular are:

Atkins - The Atkins Diet, although extremely popular, is a move away from the conventional. Instead of an emphasis on the inclusion of a combination of different food types that typically make up a healthy, balanced diet, the Atkins approach is towards eating more of protein, fat and cutting down on carbohydrates. Although it represents a drastic lifestyle change, you can eat as much as you want as long as you keep to the restricted food groups. The diet has proven very effective and helped people achieve their weight loss goals, but whether, it is an healthy option in the long run, remains to be determined.

Jenny Craig - The Jenny Craig diet offers much more than just a weight loss program by including exercise, healthy meals and lifestyle change. With a great deal of support it inculcates counselling and prepared meals within your diet regimen. Moreover, along with prepared meals delivered home, it also offers vegetarian options. It may not however, be suitable for people who travel constantly and those who are cost conscious, because buying prepared meals on a daily basis may prove expensive. It however advocates the moving away from the prepared meal option after acquiring the weight loss results initially aimed at.

The Zone is similar to the Atkins Diet in that it emphasizes on increased protein intake and less carbohydrates. However, as compared to Atkins, you can eat greater amounts of carbohydrates with smaller portions. It is a more balanced approach and even allows the intake of vegetables. However, for people who like larger portions, variety and flexibility in their diets, the Zone can be restricting.

NutriSystems- The NutriSystems is an easy to follow plan which concentrates on low Glycemic index, good carbohydrates and optimal amounts of protein to keep your sugar levels stable as well as aims to keep you satisfied. The plan offers a NutriSystem meal, pre packaged and delivered on order which you supplement with different food items like fresh fruits, salads, dairy etc.

Weight Watchers- The Weight Watchers Diet believes that dieting is one part of long-term weight management. It does not tell people what they can or can't eat. The goal is to help people make healthy eating decisions and encourage them to enjoy more physical activity, thereby losing weight safely and sensibly -- and keeping it off. It gives information on food choices, recipes and meals as well as exercise plans. It has an online support network and weight loss tracker and progress chart to keep you motivated.

South Beach- The South Beach Diet is more like the Atkins Diet and restricts carbohydrates except for some good carbs which are allowed. What is an absolute no-no are food types like potatoes, fruit, bread, cereal, rice, pasta, beets, carrots and corn. Again it discourages fats but promotes the healthy ones. It is a diet for life. Eat normal foods in portions.

Pulling The Root- Cause Of Hair Loss

Hair loss is a common disorder many men and women experience as they grow older. Sometimes hair loss lowers a person's self confidence. Men are more accepted being bald than women. Both men and women can experience baldness with equal frequency. Men are more visibly bald because of their characteristic receding hairline not seen in women. Women on the other hand have a more generalized type of balding. Both of these occurrences are referred to as common baldness. Unfortunately, this form of baldness is beyond cure. However intensive the researches are to find cure for this bane, still no perfect treatment has been discovered yet.

Aside from common baldness, there are also other kinds of hair loss that we should be aware of.

Alopecia areata is a form of hair loss where all the hairs in one small area are completely lost. However, the scalp underneath is usually normal. The causative factor related to alopecia areata is still unknown. Luckily, people affected with this type of hair loss can usually expect hair re-growth within 12 months. Yet, an estimated 40 percent of patients with this type of problem will encounter similar hair loss within the next four to five years. Doctors often prescribe cortisone creams to make the hair grow back faster. However, discontinued use of the cortisone cream will make the new hair fall out again.

Abnormalities in the scalp skin or hairs themselves can also result to hair loss. When these happen, treatment by a competent medical practitioner is needed. One of the most common scalp skin problems that cause hair loss, is ringworm. This is characterized by a red or scaly scalp, which may contain oozing pustules. The hairs infected by the ringworm fungus will become so thick and can easily break. Abnormality in the scalp and hair appearance can often be remedied with a physician's expert care. Ringworm is often detected by just mere hair and scalp examination. Some instances may require a few samples of hair to be examined under the microscope. Ultraviolet lamp is often used to determine ringworm of the scalp since some types of ringworm usually fluoresce under Ultra-violet light. Oral drugs like griseofulvin are often the medication of choice for ringworm. Creams and lotions applied to the affected area are often not used to treat ringworm because these are not sufficient enough to penetrate into hair follicles and kill the fungus. One or two decades ago, X-rays were used to treat ringworm. However, today this form of treatment should no longer be used. If your physician suggests this form of treatment, reject it and find a better practitioner.

Innocent children may also suffer from hair loss. This may not be related to any disease or health disorders. A friend while playing may accidentally pull your child's hair, which can result to hair loss. Tight braids and ponytails can also cause hair loss. If you notice your child frequently pulling his or her hair, your physician should be informed about the behavior.

Finally, hair loss can also be attributed to a lot of other factors including major surgery or illness, hormonal problems like over-active or under-active thyroid glands and hormonal changes in pregnancy.