Pregnancy is one of the most memorable phases in the life of any woman. The care and pampering that a woman receives during this phase are quite memorable. You might also be experiencing the same if you are going through this wonderful phase of your life. Though there are others to take care of you in the house, you should also be cautious during this stage. Whether you are expecting the first baby or you are nurturing the second child in your womb, it is essential for you to take proper care of yourself. Nourishment of the unborn and mother is important during this phase. When it comes to proper nourishment of the child, you cannot ignore the importance of the top prenatal vitamins. To ensure complete nutrition of the mother and baby, you can always search for the top prenatal vitamins recommended by doctors or health experts. Though doctors and midwives often guide about the benefits of these vitamins, you can also check them by yourself as well. Calcium When speaking about the importance of prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, you cannot ignore the importance of calcium. Calcium is not only essential for proper maintenance of mother’s muscles or bones but also required for healthy development of the child. Taking adequate amount of calcium every day ensures that you do not get weak at any stage of your pregnancy. It also helps in the complete development of the baby’s teeth and bones as well as muscle functions. Calcium is also important for balanced regulation of mother’s as well as child’s nerves and heart. It is always better to get calcium from your daily diet. However, if you cannot get the required amount of calcium from your regular meals, you can get food supplements or calcium tablets prescribed by doctors. Folic acid While calcium is the first thing that comes to your mind when talking about top prenatal vitamins, you cannot undermine the importance of folic acid.

Having something sweet after a meal is nearly everyone’s weakness. Most of us enjoy consuming sugary treats from time to time. Unfortunately, this has affected many people in the country. Gorging on sugar has its own set of repercussions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a staggering 100 million Americans suffer from pre-diabetes or diabetes. 9.4% of the country’s population suffers from diabetes. 84.1 million Americans have prediabetes. If their condition is left untreated, they will go on to develop the disease. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country. Naturally, effective measures are essential. You need to be careful and keep your blood sugar levels within the normal range. Here are the blood sugar level charts for people with and without diabetes. Blood sugar level ranges Diabetes is a matter of great concern. Some areas of the country have a higher mortality rate than others, while other regions have a higher number of patients. Maintaining one’s diet is the key to avoid worsening the disease. The food you eat impacts your blood sugar levels, and you need to control your diet. To understand your blood sugar levels, you need to take frequent tests. Prediabetes is a condition which often leads to the onset of diabetes if not treated in its early stages. You need to know about the blood sugar level charts to determine how likely you are to develop this condition. Additionally, the doctor may recommend an A1C blood test to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes by checking the sugar level charts. The blood sugar level charts have different ranges that vary from person to person. These levels depend on whether the patient has type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. There is a different blood sugar level chart for children with type 1 diabetes.

Regular exercise, healthy eating, insulin therapy and monitoring blood sugar levels are the most important methods that help deal with type 2 diabetes. Although no specific diet has been proven to work for diabetes, it has been observed that a diet that has low-fat foods and high in fiber works well to keep a multitude of health issues at bay, including diabetes. Whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables should be regularly consumed. Eating less meat, sweets and refined carbohydrates are also helpful. Another factor that helps reduce the risk of diabetes type 2 as well as managing the problem is consuming foods that have a low glycemic index. Glycemic index is a quantity that measures the rate at which a particular food raises the blood sugar upon consumption. If food upon consumption, raises the glycemic index very quickly, it will be known as food with a high glycemic index. If food raises the blood sugar slowly upon consumption, it will be known as a portion of food with a low glycemic index. Foods that have a low glycemic index usually have a lot of fiber and are considered healthier. Exercise While everybody requires aerobic exercises on a daily basis, people with type 2 diabetes need it even more. However, people who have diabetes need to consult with a doctor before starting with an exercise program. People are advised to choose activities that they enjoy, and this can range from biking, walking, dancing and swimming. It is necessary to make physical activity a part of daily life. A good recommendation to stay healthy is to work out or exercise for at least 30 minutes for at least five days in a week. Anybody who does not exercise regularly needs to build up their stamina slowly and steadily and include exercises like strength training and stretching.

Bags under eyes make you feel old and dull. It makes you feel exhausted all day long! Well, bags under eyes have now become a common problem irrespective of age or sex. Though this dampens the look, it does not indicate any health issue. Wondering how to get rid of bags under the eyes? With little care and a few home remedies, you can easily get rid of the bags under eyes. Salt intake matters- Always monitor the salt intake in your diet, as an excess amount of sodium in your blood can induce water retention in your body. This, in turn, can lead to puffy eyes or bags under eyes. Take salt as much as you need and avoid salty fast foods including pizzas. Monitor your diet- Junk food is bad for health and you may also like to know that it affects your eyes in an adverse way. Therefore, switch too fresh vegetables in your diet instead of spicy foods. Also, add a few fruits to your everyday meal plan and get an attractive look. Tomatoes can be useful- The small red vegetable can be an excellent choice for reducing those unwanted bags under eyes and the process is also quite simple. You just need to make a mixture of lemon juice and tomato juice of equal amount. Then apply it on the affected area and leave it for around 15 minutes before cleaning it with water. Repeat the procedure twice daily for best results. Apart from that, drinking lemon juice and tomato juice with mint can also help in dealing the condition. Cucumber slices- Refrigerate a cucumber and cut two slices from it. Keep one on each eye and take a short nap for half an hour. Now, remove the slices and get up fresh. Cucumber’s anti-inflammatory properties will not just help in dealing with the puffiness of your eyes, it will also make you feel active.

Who does not enjoy some sugary treats from time to time? A lot of people talk about having a sweet tooth. It is not always related to a preference for chocolates or sweets. Some people are habituated to eating something sweet after a filling meal, while others munch on candy to kill time. Today, almost all foods have some amount of sugar in them. Having a sweet tooth is not bad, but when it affects your health, you need to take it seriously. Everyone must try to maintain a normal range of blood sugar levels. One should not consume products with too much sugar or salt. They should also avoid eating sweet or salty foods over long durations as both of these items can gravely affect their health. No one wants to spend the rest of their lives swallowing pills and restricting their diet. They can avoid this by controlling the amount of sugar they consume and following a healthy and active lifestyle. Diabetes in the country Today, a large number of people in the country have diabetes. According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes. Approximately 30 million citizens, i.e., 9.4% of the total population suffers from diabetes, and approximately 84.1 million citizens have prediabetes. If prediabetic patients do not treat this condition, they will go on to develop the disease within five years. This is a grave illness and reports suggests that the number of patients will rise steadily over time. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country, and this number is only expected to rise with time. Some areas of the country have a higher rate of mortality than others, while other areas are affected on a larger basis.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a common condition associated with the large intestine of our body. It affects around 25-45 million Americans. People in their late teens to the early 40s are likely to get affected by this condition. A person with IBS often experiences a mix of belly discomfort or pain along with trouble in bowel habits. Some other symptoms are cramping, bloating, mucus formation in the stool, and gas. Although it isn’t a life-threatening disease, it requires long-term management, a healthy lifestyle, and proper treatment to get rid of IBS. Mostly, healthcare professionals categorize IBS into three categories which are as follows: IBS-D where diarrhea is the predominant symptom IBS-C where constipation is the predominant symptom IBS-M where predominant symptoms can be a mix of diarrhea and constipation Factors that lead to IBS-D Though the precise causes of IBS-D are still unknown, let’s have a look at some of the factors that play a vital role in the development of this condition: Intestinal muscle contractions The intestinal walls have muscle linings that allow food to pass through the digestive tract through its contraction and relaxation movements. If the intestinal contractions are stronger than the average levels, it can lead to the formation of gas, bloating, and even diarrhea. At the same time, if the muscle contractions are weaker than usual, food passes slowly through the digestive tract, which can lead to the formation of hard and dry stool. Nervous system Abnormalities in the nerves in your digestive system can cause your body to overreact to changes. Thus, it could result in discomfort, pain, or even diarrhea and constipation. Intestinal inflammation Some people with IBS-D develops an increased number of immune-system cells in the intestinal walls which leads to inflammation of these walls. This condition plays a role in the formation of more serious digestive abnormalities including diarrhea and constipation.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease which causes pain and swelling in different parts of the body. It has affected more than 5 million people worldwide so far. Treatment for fibromyalgia can be difficult since the exact reasons are not known for this condition. Due to lack of medications for treating fibromyalgia, many people have begun taking food items which have been listed as curative foods for fibromyalgia. Below are listed some of the food items which help in reducing the incidence of fibromyalgia- Fruits Fruits are known to be complex carbohydrates which give the required energy when taken on regular basis. Fruits like apple and bananas are filled with fiber and will help in treating conditions like fibromyalgia. These can be incorporated during meal times and can be a worthy replacement for dessert. Hence, fruits have to be a part of the best diet for fibromyalgia. Vegetables Similar to fruits, vegetables take little more time for digesting since they are also rich in fiber. These keep the blood glucose level in check and are a viable cure for fibromyalgia. These can be incorporated into the diet in different manners, and you can take spinach for breakfast, bell peppers for lunch and roasted broccoli can be taken as dinner. Eating vegetables on a regular basis will help you get rid of fibromyalgia. It has to be a part of the best diet for fibromyalgia. Salmon Salmon is a food rich in omega 3S and is a healthy brain food. Salmon can be taken on a regular basis and you can couple them with walnuts during lunch hours. Salmon is known to reduce fibromyalgia related inflammation and eases the pain also. Hence, it has to be a part of the best diet for fibromyalgia. Chicken and Fish Meat like chicken and fish are also a curative food for fibromyalgia.

The blood sugar levels indicate the amount of glucose which is a source of energy in the body. It is the body’s ability to produce insulin and process sugar. Blood sugar is measured in milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dL. A person’s ideal blood sugar levels in a single day are measured using blood sugar level charts or blood glucose charts. This measure also includes blood sugar levels before and after meals. According to standard blood sugar level charts, the normal blood sugar level ranges from 70 mg/dL to 100 mg/dL. The blood sugar level can go up to 120 mg/dL after a meal. This usually comes down to normal levels in about two hours. The blood sugar level can be determined through a series of blood tests. These tests are conducted before a meal, which is known as fasting sugar value, and after a meal, which is known as post prandial or post meal value. The post prandial blood sugar level is measured two hours after a meal. Depending on the readings of the blood test, a person might suffer from low blood sugar or high blood sugar, if the sugar levels do not fall under the normal range. Here are a few diagnostic ranges that are given in every blood sugar level charts. The ranges are divided into three categories: normal, pre-diabetes, and diabetes. These ranges will indicate whether a person is at a risk of having diabetes or not. Normal: If the minimum fasting value is 70 mg/dL and the maximum fasting value is 100 mg/dL, along with the post prandial value falling below 140 mg/dL, the person has normal blood sugar level according to the blood sugar level charts. There is no risk of diabetes. Pre-diabetes: The fasting glucose level is between 101 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL.

What you eat can have a considerable influence on your stomach cancer symptoms. Here are some tips to help you choose the right foods. Stomach cancer, which is also referred to as gastric cancer, is the cancer that occurs in your stomach, and it can be of various types. Adenocarcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed form of stomach cancer, and it starts in the mucus-producing cells that are found on the inside lining of your stomach. The usual stomach cancer symptoms include feeling bloated after meals, stomach pain, nausea, severe and chronic heartburn, and indigestion. Along with the conventional treatment and following your doctor’s advice, some lifestyle changes can also contribute to reducing your stomach cancer symptoms. A healthy lifestyle is important, and what you eat forms a major part of this. Your diet can be significantly effective in reducing or worsening your stomach cancer symptoms, so if you have not been paying much attention to what you eat and don’t eat, it may be time to start doing so. There is no single specific diet that can prevent or heal the disease, but taking some care to know what works well for you and what makes your stomach cancer symptoms worse can go a long way in keeping the symptoms under control. Here are some tips about your diet that can help you battle stomach cancer and manage the symptoms well. However, remember that what worked for another stomach cancer patient may not be effective for you, so experimenting is the best way to know which foods are good for you and which aren’t. Also, ensure that you talk to your doctor before making any major dietary changes, as certain foods may cause interactions with the medications you are on and cause a flare-up of your stomach cancer symptoms.

The A1C tests are performed to track the blood sugar levels in a person’s bloodstream. It is widely known to be the standard measure of diabetes and prediabetes. It’s carried out to determine the patient’s blood sugar levels, and so that they can be given the right treatment. The term ‘lower A1C levels’ means to lower your blood sugar levels. There are a number of measures that you can take to keep your body’s blood glucose levels low.. This article will point out the various ways through which you can lower A1C Levels and protect yourself. The Different Ways To Lower A1C Levels There are a large number of ways a person can lower their blood sugar or blood glucose levels. Here are a few of them: Plan ahead A plan to lower A1C levels is a plan to lower the amount of glucose that’s flowing into your bloodstream. You need to make a plan well in advance and stick to the plan. A plan to manage your blood sugar level must be well-rounded and target every aspect of your health that could result in your blood sugar rising. It won’t just include a list of foods that you should eat and shouldn’t eat, it’ll also include when you should eat these foods, in what quantity, what precautions to take, and so on. In addition to this, you need to carefully manage your weight. If you’re overweight or suffer from obesity, you’ll need to be doubly careful to ensure you bring your weight into a healthy range. A proper physical balance is essential and goes a long way towards lower A1C Levels. Diabetes medical plan A diabetes medical plan will include a large number of details such as the emergency numbers of doctors and nursing homes that must be contacted in case an emergency arises.

Everybody knows fiber is good for health. Unfortunately, many people do not get adequate fiber from their diet and it results in a wide range of health complications. In this fast paced world, people are consuming a lot of processed and junk foods and it limits their fiber consumption seriously. Proper intake of fiber offers several health benefits including reduced risk to type 2 diabetes, better heart health, high resistance to certain types of cancers, healthy digestive tract, fast weight loss and much more. If you want to enjoy all these benefits, you must follow a high-fiber diet plan. What do health experts recommend when it comes to daily fiber intake? Most health experts recommend a daily consumption of 38 grams for men aged below 50 years. As far as women aged below 50 are concerned, daily fiber intake should be 25 grams. If you are a male above 50, you must consume 30 grams fiber daily and for women of the same age category should eat 21 grams. Options for a fiber-rich breakfast When it comes to breakfast, you have to consume one cup of oatmeal. Another option available is to take a serving of whole-grain cereal. When you consume oatmeal in the morning, you are getting around 4 grams of fiber. Health experts advise that a person must consume 5 grams of fiber at least in the morning. In order to get that one gram fiber that you need, blueberries can be added. In place of blueberries, you can use blackberries or raspberries along with oatmeal to get 5 grams in the morning. This method of approach ensures a high fiber intake in your diet and reduces fat consumption. While taking breakfast, you can use dairy milk or soy milk. It must have reduced fat or no fat.

These days, the stomach diseases are increasing, and therefore, the doctors show a severe concern towards the overall nutrition of the people. Every age group has certain gut bacteria levels and must follow a routine check-up. Cleansing of the colon area is a must so that toxins from the body keep on regularly releasing without harming organs and intestine lining. However, a particular health condition came into highlight mostly in the age group of 30 to 50 years is diverticulitis. It is a kind of a stomach disease which occurs when small pockets are formed in the wall of the digestive system. They lead to the intestine inflammation. One of the reasons for this can be an infection due to the toxics of colon. What are diverticula and how is it formed? Diverticula are small sacs or pockets which take birth on their own when the colon muscles become weaker. They protrude outward in the large intestine lining in red color like boils or polyps. It is a painful condition during a flare-up. Sometimes, on diagnosing, immediate surgery is recommended by the specialists. What are the symptoms of diverticulitis? Most people are unaware of the initial symptoms and lead to the chronic stage and then realize the fact that they are affected by diverticulitis. Hence, there are some common symptoms which one must consider and get immediate help from the doctor whenever they experience them. Long-term constipation is the condition when one cannot pass stool regularly and sustains for a long term. It causes immense pain and fatigue. Long-term diarrhea is a common symptom of diverticulitis. If a person suffers from diarrhea and no antibiotic works, then it is a sure symptom of diverticulitis. Pain and tender feeling in the abdomen with bloating is a symptom of diverticula formation in the colon lining.