Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a medical condition characterized by hyperglycemia. The insulin level, as secreted by the pancreas, is not sufficient enough to synthesize the glucose present in the blood. This results in a high volume of sugar in the blood. Diabetes can have a serious impact on the entire body in the long run. The most affected parts include the brain, heart, and kidneys. Usually, the pancreas malfunction and are unable to produce the required amount of insulin. This causes Type 1 diabetes. However, sometimes, the cells do not react effectively to the insulin already produced and develop resistance against it. This causes type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes, on the other hand, results from increased glucose in the blood at the time of pregnancy. The child is also highly prone to encounter type 2 diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle along with physical inactivity leads to obesity.These are the major reasons that trigger type 2 diabetes making it the most common metabolic disorder these days.Usually, patients are given injections to meet the daily insulin requirements. Consistent performance of physical exercise is said to be more impactful than medication. Though there is no permanent remedy for diabetes, a low carb diet is a key to keep blood sugar levels under control.The low carbohydrate condition is often contested as carbohydrates are considered to be the most important source of energy for the body. The following factors must be kept in mind while preparing a diabetes diet chart: Roughage –Roughage helps in improving the gastrointestinal tract and thus, metabolism. It also helps in controlling obesity which is essential in managing diabetes. Foods rich in fiber should form the most important part of a diabetes diet breakfast. The major sources are legumes, dark green vegetables, and nuts. Glycemic Index – This is associated with the amount of starch in a particular food item and its contribution to blood sugar levels inside the body.

Short term health insurance helps bridge the gaps in health care coverage. It is an economical alternative suitable for individuals who need temporary health care. Short term coverage can help protect you from unexpected and unforeseen medical expenses. With this policy, you get medical insurance that is both affordable and flexible, minus the commitment required for long term policies. SEE MORE Who can get short term coverage? Those who are between jobs Those who are awaiting for other coverage to begin Those who missed Open Enrollment Those whose access to other insurance plans is currently limited by financial hardship This insurance is provided by private companies, which means that the eligibility restrictions are far more relaxed and flexible. Do you meet any of the qualifications above? If so, check out Pivot Health’s budget friendly plans. You can apply and enroll in under 5 minutes! Check Eligibility Key highlights of Pivot Health’s short term plan Flexible plans that cater to your health care needs Online application can be done in a matter of minutes with instant approval Choose where you receive health care; there are no hospital network or doctor restrictions Cover for short term insurance can start in under 24 hours In addition to the basic coverage, Pivot Health also offers its members several non-insurance benefits that help cover everyday costs. These include remote doctor consultation & up to 70% off on prescription medications (using the discount card), and discounts of up to 30% on eye exams and eye care essentials. Get a Quote with Pivot Health Today! To request a quote for short term health insurance, simply follow these steps. Go to the official website and check your zip code Answer a couple questions about your basic health information. View the many affordable plans available to you immediately Get Quote

The American Academy of Dermatology has stated that 80 million men and women in the country suffer from hereditary hair loss, one of the most common types of hair loss. On a positive note, hair loss can be stopped or reduced considerably with certain changes in hair treatment or the diet. Certain foods can promote hair growth and improve the quality of hair, and healthy hair in men also increases their confidence. Here are the best foods to promote healthy hair growth in men: Eggs Eggs are an amazing source of protein and biotin, two nutrients that can promote hair growth. Hair follicles are made up of protein and biotin is known to promote keratin, which is responsible for hair growth. Green leafy vegetables Dark leafy vegetables like spinach are rich in iron and can contribute to hair growth. Iron deficiency can cause hair loss, making iron an important nutrient to be incorporated into the daily diet. Iron is also found in red meat like beef, but one should keep in mind that eating too much red meat can increase the risk of developing heart diseases due to their high fat content. Salmon Fish like salmon are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy fats like these help in keeping the hair lush and healthy. These fatty acids are also known to help activate the sebaceous glands in the scalp, which, in turn, promotes a healthy scalp and healthy hair. Shrimp, sardines, green beans, almonds, and walnuts are some other sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. These items can be included in meals or snacks as these are some of the best foods for healthy hair growth in men. Carrots Carrots are rich in vitamin-A, which promotes cell growth. They also encourage sebum production in the scalp, which results in better hair growth and reduced chances of dry scalp.

5 snacks that can help lower cholesterol levels People who struggle with high cholesterol levels tend to begin thinking more about everything they eat. Whether it’s a bowl of fruit or a delicious hamburger, they are left wondering how their choices will impact their numbers. While it is tempting to skip snacking altogether, a healthy snack can go a long way in maintaining metabolism as well as blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Changing the kinds of foods one eats can not only lower cholesterol levels but also improve fat levels through the bloodstream. Here are some great snacks that are extremely helpful in fighting cholesterol. Popcorn Popcorn can be low in calories when one eats a smart serving size and avoids the salt and butter. What’s more, it’s a whole grain full of fiber. Popcorn can be easily made at home by air popping it and adding some olive oil and a little bit of parmesan cheese or a few seasonings for some extra flavor. Using olive oil instead of butter helps lower the bad LDL cholesterol and increase the good HDL cholesterol. Nuts Peanuts, walnuts, almonds, etc. are great for the heart and are powerhouses of energy. Some studies have even demonstrated that nuts slightly lower the levels of bad LDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association, one should eat ¼ th of a cup of nuts every day for a healthy heart. Vegetables Vegetables are a great source of essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals, all of which go a long way in helping lower LDL cholesterol. While they might not be the first snack that one voluntarily reaches out for, vegetables are required by the body. Vegetable snacking is easier when you buy pre-cut vegetables or prep some vegetables for a weekly ration. Snacking is made easier when you can simply grab a handful of carrots or bell peppers and dip them in some delicious hummus.

Are your clothes getting tighter around the waist? Is your body becoming more oblong and out of shape? If the answer to the above questions is a yes, then you are suffering from increasing belly fat, that gets accumulated due to a number of natural and man-made triggers. Belly fat is more than a just an aesthetic disposition of the body. An abdominal bulge is due to the storage of excessive visceral fat around the liver, stomach, and pancreas. This ‘beer gut’ is a predictor of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, some heart diseases, and cancer. A simple tape can measure stomach fat. Standing up, wrap the tape around your waist and check your girth at the belly button. Make sure that the tape measure is level. A healthy body mass index dictates that your waist size be less than 35 inches in women and less than 40 inches in men. Ways To Burn Stomach Fat Losing fat from the abdomen area can be a difficult task, Some well-proven strategies target the specific fat buildup in the belly area. Fibrous Diet Soluble fiber is mostly indigestible plant matter that binds water, forming a viscous gel that ‘sits’ in the gut. This viscous gel helps in slowing down food as it passes through the digestive tract and gives you the feeling of being full. There is better absorption of nutrients, and your appetite remains in check. It is also known to decrease the number of calories that your body absorbs from the food thus helping burn stomach fat. High fiber foods include consuming vegetables and fruits. Legumes, flax seeds, shirataki noodles, Brussels sprouts, avocados, blackberries and some cereals like oats are excellent sources of fiber. Furthermore, a fiber supplement like glucomannan can be taken to provide benefit to the digestive system.

Colitis, or ulcerative colitis, is a specific kind of inflammatory bowel disease. It can cause agonizing symptoms such as extreme abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Following a healthy diet for colitis and making some simple dietary changes can help in effectively managing the condition and easing the symptoms, but how do you know which foods to eat and which ones to avoid? Well, this article focuses on the list of foods that might be beneficial for people suffering from this inflammatory disease. Also, it lists certain food items to avoid the worsening of symptoms. Let’s have a look. Foods to Eat With so many potential food triggers, it can sometimes be difficult to identify the exact cause that may prompt the symptoms. Also, with trigger foods, those that are safe and do not flare up symptoms will vary from person to person. Some of the most common food items that usually form a part of healthy diets for colitis are as follows: Avocados Avocados are helpful for treating ulcerative colitis as they are especially high in nutrients. Applesauce This is also a powerhouse of nutrients, but, at the same time, the presence of fructose and high fiber content may cause unnecessary triggering of symptoms in some people. Eggs Eggs are good for health, especially as they contain omega-3 supplementation. Squash Squash is found to be helpful in easing the symptoms of colitis. Salmon Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that have a lot of health benefits besides aiding digestion. Fermented Foods Fermented foods such as yogurts contain active probiotics that help in digestion. Also, it is believed that regular use of probiotics is one of the best long-term treatment options for colitis. Oatmeal Oatmeal is a good option as it is easier to digest. In addition to the abovementioned food items that are integral to diets for colitis, it is advisable to consume plenty of liquids to avoid diarrhea and subsequent dehydration.

All of us know what constipation is, but not many know how to treat it. People often get anxious as they don’t know how to prevent this condition. This article aims to help readers understand what constipation is, what are its causes, and what foods one should consume if they are constipated. What is constipation? Constipation is the partial, or in rare cases, complete inability to pass stools or have bowel moments. It may also cause mild to extreme pain. Constipation can occur to anyone at any time, and generally, it is common in young people below the age of 20. The problem usually goes away in a day, though sometimes, in severe cases, it may take weeks to cure this condition. What are the causes of constipation? While the causes of constipation can vary depending upon one’s diet, age, and location, the common causes of constipation are as follows: Sudden changes to your diet or activities Inadequate consumption of water or fiber Eating a lot of dairy products Not being active Resisting the urge to have bowel moments Stress or tension Overuse of laxatives Medications such as strong painkillers, narcotics, antidepressants, iron pills, and any supplement taken in bulk Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Pregnancy Aging Other changes in the routine like the excessive intake of carbs or fats Other forms of disorders and diseases What should one do if they experience these bowel problems for more than a day? If you don’t wish to visit the doctor and want to treat your problem at home, it’s rather easy. Adopting a diet for constipation can go a long way of not only curing the problem but also preventing it in the future. What should one consume if they have constipation? Water If you have constipation, you should drink a lot of water, irrespective of how severe your condition may be.

Strong medications are not the only answer if you want to lower cholesterol. These lifestyle changes can be effective too. It is estimated that over 100 million Americans have high cholesterol levels, which can lead to further health problems, and even cause strokes and heart attacks. Cholesterol in your body is a waxy substance found in the fats of your blood. While this substance is required to continue the process of building healthy cells in your body, too much of it can clog your arteries and put you at an increased risk of heart diseases. High cholesterol is often the result of unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle, although in some cases it may be an inherited condition. You can lower cholesterol in your body with medications, but there are also ways in which you can achieve optimum cholesterol levels naturally. If you want to lower cholesterol without the use of chemical drugs, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the best solutions. Here are some tips and lifestyle changes that you can make to lower cholesterol the natural way. Make dietary changes Maintaining a healthy diet is the most effective way to lower cholesterol. Even if you have not been eating healthy till now, it’s not too late to start. Here’s how you can modify your regular diet. Do away with trans fats : Eating foods that have trans fats increases the “bad” cholesterol and lowers the “good” cholesterol, which can increase your risk of heart attacks. Avoid these fats in your diet by eliminating deep fried foods and commercial packaged food. Even small amounts of trans fats can cause harm, so if the ingredient list on a food package says ‘partially hydrogenated oils,’ give it a miss. Opt for healthier fats: Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids can help to lower cholesterol as these are healthier fat options, and these are founds in oils derived from sunflower, canola, grapeseed, olive, and peanuts.

The best diet for fibromyalgia usually contains foods that exclude dietary excitotoxins. They may be present in food additives or preservatives which are used in artificial sweeteners, processed foods as well as canned food. Avoiding these foods in your diet reduces the occurrence of fibromyalgia. How to choose the best diet for fibromyalgia To craft the best diet for fibromyalgia, one needs to determine the impact of dietary excitotoxins. Neurons in the brain get excited when one consumes chemicals like dietary excitotoxins, and excessive consumption could prove fatal. Food additives for making food sweeter or more flavorful are the most common types of dietary excitotoxins. Eradicating excitotoxins from the diet would be one of the most radical ways of reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Here are some tips that will help you design the best diet for fibromyalgia: Avoid foods with added glutamate: A neurotransmitter, glutamate, is a chemical used by nerve cells to transmit signals to other cells. It is included in some foods as well. Sometimes, it is used to enhance the flavor of food. A common type of glutamate, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is found in some diets, and one should avoid the foods which use this additive at all costs. Monosodium glutamate is found in ingredients with hydrolyzed protein concentrate, autolyzed, or protein isolate. Monosodium glutamate is often used in Chinese foods, certain types of chips or snacks which are crunchy, canned vegetables and soups as well as processed meats. So, avoid buying foods if you see MSG on the ingredients lists or if they have a high glutamate content. Whole foods, not processed foods: When it comes to natural nutrients, whole foods are far better than processed foods like white pasta, white flour, or white rice. Processed foods contain more additives and fewer nutrients. If you need carbohydrates, then you should have whole grains such as quinoa, whole wheat berries, brown rice, whole wheat berries, sweet or plain potatoes.

Cholesterol is essential in the body as it is found in the cells and membranes and is helpful in producing hormones, bile acids thereby aiding in digestion and vitamin D. The liver produces cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is often common in women. Women face the major issue of having a high blood cholesterol level as they tend to gain weight, especially around the waistline. One in every six adults has bad cholesterol. With the rise in obesity amongst children, the rate of bad cholesterol in children is also increasing. The body does need some cholesterol, and the presence of cholesterol in the body is normal, but bad cholesterol can clog and block the arteries. To maintain a healthy heart, a normal cholesterol level is required. If you are wondering what is the normal cholesterol level, read on. The normal cholesterol level is when the cholesterol is kept below 200 mg/dL in adults. 200 mg/dL of cholesterol is a borderline high-risk in developing bad cholesterol problems. A check-up of the cholesterol should be done every 5 years. Cholesterol levels are divided into two fat and protein packages referred to as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL). These levels are tested in order to determine the good or bad cholesterol. Although many people know what the normal cholesterol level is, they fail to maintain the same. Your diet plays an essential role in maintaining a good or bad cholesterol level. There are several studies that back the idea that deaths from heart disease can be countered by treatment of high cholesterol or bad cholesterol. This would also aid in the profiling of people that may test for bad cholesterol therefore making them prone to a heart disease. The process of bad cholesterol accumulation is made over the years when fats from food raise the blood level of cholesterol.

Diet options that help ease constipation Constipation occurs when bowel movements become difficult and infrequent (less than 3 times a week). Constipation can be prevented by following a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water. Constipation mostly occurs when there is an insufficient intake of water and fiber. The symptoms of constipation are bloating in the stomach, dry and hard stools, and difficulty in emptying bowels. Thankfully, constipation can be cured by correcting your eating habits. Some foods that help relieve constipation are: Fruits Fruits are abundant with dietary fiber which helps relieve one from the symptoms of constipation. Along with the goodness of fiber, fruits are also filled with vitamins and other nutrients that benefit the body in various ways. Fruits like kiwi, pineapples, berries, apricots, papaya, figs, peaches, plums, grapes, pears help improve one’s bowel movement. Flax seeds Flax seeds are filled with a high amount of fiber, along with other nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, which help in easy bowel movements. These flax seeds can be added to a variety of dishes like salads, oatmeal, milkshakes, etc. Vegetables To obtain a high amount of fiber content in our body, it is advised to eat vegetables every day. Just like fruits, vegetables are a natural source of fiber along with nutrients such as vitamins, calcium, fat, proteins, etc. There is a proven record that vegetables and fruits help our body function better when consumed regularly. Whole grains Refined products such as white rice and flour increase the chances of constipation. Replace these refined products with whole grain products to see a great difference in your bowel movements. Whole grains are a rich source of dietary fibers, and Arabinoxylan is the main component which helps ease constipation. This also helps with weight loss. Overall, it helps you have a healthy lifestyle.

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for boosting immunity and maintaining a healthy weight, and are especially beneficial for the digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases, but the body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. More than 70% of our immune cells live in the gut and are dependent on a healthy gut. Probiotics are often called “good” or “helpful” bacteria that keep the gut healthy. Probiotic foods for a healthy gut The following foods are known to help boost gut and overall health: Yogurt : It is linked to a number of health benefits and may be suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Ensure to choose yogurt that has active or live cultures. Kefir : Kefir is a fermented milk drink that is a source of probiotics and calcium. It is smoother and easier to digest. Sauerkraut : Sauerkraut is finely cut fermented cabbage that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Ensure to choose unpasteurized brands that contain live bacteria. Also, those sold in the refrigerated section will contain more probiotics than those available in cans or jars. Tempeh : Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that serves as a high-protein substitute for meat. It contains a decent amount of vitamin B12. Kimchi : Kimchi is a Korean side dish that is fermented and spicy. Made from cabbage, it is high in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K and B2, and iron. It is generally available in the refrigerated section. Miso : Miso is a fermented soybean paste. It is rich in several important nutrients and may also help in bringing down the risk of cancer and stroke, especially in women. Kombucha : Kombucha is a fermented tea drink, mostly green or black. Generally tangy in taste, it is a good source of active bacteria.