Understanding probiotics and its purpose Probiotics are a friendly form of bacteria which maintain the overall balance of the body by ensuring the smooth functioning of the digestive and immune systems. Although probiotics are great for all, they are especially essential for women and this is due to the following three key reasons. Gut health – Probiotics are instrumental when it comes to preserving a healthy digestive tract. Usually, women are more vulnerable to specific types of digestive problems, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or chronic constipation. The intake of probiotics can naturally help relieve intestinal pain and discomfort in the long run. Vaginal health – The vagina is often prone to yeast infections due to multiple factors like poor hygiene and diet, antibiotics, or birth-control medications. By having probiotics on a regular basis, a woman can restore the vital balance of good and bad bacteria. Besides, vaginal health probiotics also protect the urinary tract from any kind of harmful infections. Overall immunity – Since a major part of the immune system is dependent on a good gut health, probiotics can comprehensively improve the body’s defense mechanisms. For example, a consistent inclusion of probiotics in the diet can help a woman tackle cold and flu easily. Apart from these above-mentioned essential benefits, probiotics can also prove to be effective for women who are aiming to increase their metabolism and energy levels. Which are the best probiotics for women? If you are planning to increase the consumption of probiotics in your day-to-day life, then you should consider about making some serious changes in your diet. Mostly, probiotics are found in fermented foods. Unlike the various supplements that are found in the market, these natural sources of probiotics are not just healthy but also safe, having no or minor side-effects which subside easily.

Studies, laboratory experiments, several success stories, and testimonies from sundry sources often tend to popularize certain plants and products on an unprecedented scale. While the popularity of some products diminishes over a period, several products only become more popular with time. Pure Garcinia Cambogia or GC is one such super plant that is now recognized worldwide for its magical powers and amazing benefits. While several health enthusiasts vouch for the medicinal properties of pure Garcinia Cambogia, it is advisable to consult a physician before incorporating it into your diet. Pure Garcinia Cambogia is basically a pumpkin-like fruit that is usually found in Southeast Asia, India, and central Africa. It is also known as Malabar tamarind and bridle berry in some parts of the world. This fruit is used in several traditional recipes in Asian cuisines. This plant is usually known for its healing properties and can be used as a homemade remedy for sundry afflictions. Several supplements and products with GC extracts have lately become immensely popular among fitness enthusiasts. Over the last few years, GC supplements have frequently appeared in the media and health shows as an effective way for weight loss. While pure Garcinia Cambogia is known to have several benefits, it is essential that you consider all the pros and cons of supplements and consider going to a trained specialist for consultation. With proper suggestions, a balanced diet and regular exercise using pure Garcinia Cambogia may prove helpful. Check out some of the popular health benefits of pure Garcinia Cambogia. Aids weight loss This super food is considered to be the most popular way for miraculously aiding weight loss. Most of pure Garcinia Cambogia’s acclaim is a result of its ability to prevent calories from getting stored as fat. The HCA content in pure Garcinia Cambogia, when consumed in moderation is known to increase metabolism, block production of adenosine triphosphate-citrate-lyase (a type of fat enzyme), converts fats to glycogen, and helps build muscles.

It is estimated that in one day, the scalp sheds around 100 hair strands. This is further aggravated by aging, and in the case of women, the problem becomes serious with menopause. These days, the cause for hair fall has gone beyond aging. Modern lifestyle with its food-on-the-go without essential vitamins, excessive stress, lack of adequate rest, pollution, excessive hair styling treatments, and use of chemical-based products have made hair fall problem quite common. Hair fall usually starts out by the shrinking of hair follicles. Hair follicles are tiny openings on your scalp from which your hair grows. As the follicles shrink, hair starts to get thinner and starts falling quickly. Hair loss due to hair fall can occur all over the scalp (called as general hair loss) or only in one part (called as focal hair loss). Excessive hair fall may lead to premature balding or to male-pattern or female pattern baldness. Whatever be the cause of hair fall, it tends to affect a person’s self-esteem. This is because a loss of hair due to hair fall directly affects the physical appearance. What you put on your plate directly affects your overall health, including the health of your skin and hair. One of the best ways to deal with hair loss is to replenish your body with essential vitamins that help with hair fall control. Your diet should incorporate food that replenishes your body with vitamins that help to improve the health of your scalp, control hair fall, and boost hair growth. Here are 6 essential vitamins for hair fall control. Vitamin A: Found in carrots, mango, tuna, sweet red peppers, apricot, peaches, spinach, lettuce, and other leafy vegetables, Vitamin A is essential to control the production of retinoic acid in your scalp. This acid determines the development of hair follicles and helps control their shrinkage.

To undergo proper medication, one needs to understand a problem in depth. The body has a natural notification system if there is any disorder going on within it. It is necessary to act upon these notifications and rectify the issue at stage one. The impact of a stationary lifestyle and lack of appropriate diet is prominently hampering the overall human health. This has, in turn, resulted in a rise in the number of cases of hemorrhoids. People fail to understand the initial symptoms of hemorrhoids and pass it off as indigestion. Hemorrhoids if not treated properly can aggravate into a serious condition resulting in surgery in serious cases. A normal human body has hemorrhoids which help in controlling bowel movements. Hemorrhoids can be considered dangerous only when their vessels enlarge within the anal rectum leading to bleeding bowel, infection and tumors. Below are some ways on how to get rid of hemorrhoids: Lookout for signs If you refrain from using the toilet for a longer period, then you are at high risk of hemorrhoids. Rising strain on the intestine can be a prime cause of hemorrhoids. Always make it a point to use the toilet at regular intervals. While cleaning your bowels, if you sense a lump around the anal outlet or blood in stool then immediately consult a doctor. High fiber diet It is always advisable to plan a diet chart and make a routine of it. Whether or not you suffer from hemorrhoids ensure to follow a high fiber diet to maintain good stomach health. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and have a good nutritional value which helps in keeping the anus and anal rectum healthy. Include healthy salad in your diet to increase healthy fiber content. Refrain from embarrassment One of the prime reasons why hemorrhoids aggravate is because people fail to consult the doctor due to embarrassment.

Mold is a fungus that is known to grow in areas having a lot of moisture. The mold spores present in the air indoors or outdoors may trigger several health conditions including mold allergies. Many factors can cause the growth of mold. Unknown leakage, moisture build up in unreachable places, damp areas under the carpet, and so on are areas where mold growth is most susceptible. Molds may grow all through the year, and this is precisely why mold allergies can crop up at any time of the year. People who develop allergies to mold may show symptoms of mold from mid-summer to early fall. People with weak immunity or high sensitivity often lie at a greater risk of getting mold allergy. The symptoms of mold allergy are histamine-mediated and strikingly similar to air-borne allergies. While the severity of the symptoms of mold varies with every individual, the health risk may depend on the extent of mold exposure. Some of the symptoms of mold that may appear immediately on exposure or over time have been listed below. Sneezing, coughing, and congestion Often people attacked by spore allergies initially display signs of a cold or sinus infection. Symptoms of mold allergy are accompanied by a runny nose, post nasal drips, continuous sneezing, and coughing. Watery eyes and redness People with mold spore reactions have symptoms of mold infection in the form of eye irritation, redness, itchy eyes, and the like. While these symptoms resemble that of a viral or seasonal infection, it is important that these are treated with anti-mold allergy drugs. Blurred vision, mood swings, and sharp pains may also be other symptoms of mold-induced allergies. Often, people administer generic over-the-counter drugs that may either not be effective or worsen the condition. It is, therefore, extremely important to consult a doctor for prescribed medication to tackle the disease.

American Gastroenterological Association opines that probiotics are good bacterial strains which benefit the health of its consumers. It would help people with digestion if taken on a regular basis. It is also supposed to work as a shield against illness-causing bacteria. The best way to include this bacterium in your diet is through yogurt which consists of living organisms. In the USA, most brands of yogurt contain probiotics however the idea is to consume the one in which the organisms have been added after the heating process. Thus, you need to check the label to ensure that you are buying the right thing. The one to purchase must have “live and active cultures” on the packaging. Here is a list of the most popular brands that make the best probiotic yogurts. Activia Activia, which is manufactured by the world-renowned company, Dannon, is available in an array of flavors like mixed berry, strawberry, vanilla, prune, and cherry. It comprises of several healthy varieties of probiotics such as Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium lactic and Lactobacillus bulgaricus – a specific probiotic culture meant for digestion and regularity. ‘Applied and Environmental Microbiology’ published a study in the July 2006 issue conducted by Marina Eli where he mentioned that both Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus survived through the entire digestive pathways continuing to enhance regularity and digestion. Dannon says that each 4-oz serving of yogurt is filled with billions of live cultures for the consumers to take benefit of. Yoplait Original The manufacturer ensures that Yoplait Original contains scientifically proven probiotic cultures along with vitamins A, D, and calcium. Though it has several cultures it lists Lactobacillus acidophilus as its main organism. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this is most widely used probiotic. It helps in forming substances that would make your stomach or intestines non-friendly toward bad bacteria which may make you ill.

The term diverticulitis triggers your think tank as very few people are precisely aware of this health issue. Diverticulitis is a crucial medical condition in where large inflamed pouches are built within the lining of the large intestine. These pouches are medically termed as diverticula. When the large intestine turns weak, it paves the way for pressure thereby compelling the intestine to protrude or swell up through the colonic wall structure. An early diagnosis of this medical condition can help you cure it at a very basic stage. This issue aggravates with time and age if not been properly catered to. In serious conditions, if the diverticula get infected it might also tear up within the body thereby leading to nausea, fever, abdominal pain, and bloody bowel. Here are a few handy tips which will help you in avoiding diverticulitis and maintaining a healthy digestive system. Avoid intake of nuts If you are a person who cannot sustain without dry fruits and nuts, then it is time to bid goodbyes to them as excessive consumption of nuts is included in the foods that trigger diverticulitis. These foods irritate functioning of the intestinal tract thereby swelling it up. Seeds found in fruits and veggies namely strawberries, cucumbers, raspberries, and tomatoes also irritate the intestinal lining thereby causing inflammation. Vegetables cooked with their skin on too contain elements that trigger diverticulitis. Gaseous food Doctors advise against regular intake of fast food or roadside food as it weakens the stomach’s immune system thereby making it one of the foods that trigger diverticulitis. Fast foods are difficult to digest and hence puts immense pressure on the intestine. There are also a few vegetables which are high in the gas content namely beans, carrots, broccoli iceberg lettuce, cabbage, and so on. Whole grains High fiber foods that trigger diverticulitis should be a complete no-no in your diet.

Fewer than three bowels movements a week is referred to as constipation. Constipation also implies having to strain too much to create bowel movement or pass stools that are dry, hard and small. But once the s evere constipation causes are known, there are various steps and treatments that can be implemented to cure and prevent it. The main causes of severe constipation are usually associated with diet and lifestyle, although there may occur some medical conditions that can also become a cause. In terms of lifestyle, a poor diet and sedentary, inactive lifestyle are the common s evere constipation causes . The human digestive system suffers greatly when consumption of junk food is not monitored, and unhealthy eating habits can wreak havoc on the human digestive system. Factors directly linked to the diet that can create conditions for constipation are: Foods containing high levels of fat and sugar Low levels of water Low levels of other fluids Dairy products Lack of foods that contain high fiber like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Too much caffeine or alcohol Another very important factor is the importance of defecating as soon as the need arises, instead of putting it off for a more convenient time or place, since delays can make the body move into a phase of constipation. Sometimes, changes in the normal routine also cause digestive and bowel problems, as the human body is designed for routine. Sporadic use of bathroom, inconsistent activity, dietary changes, inadequate water consumption and general lack of exercise are some examples. It is therefore important while traveling or changing the schedule to eat high fiber foods that are healthy and drink enough water, along with a little bit of exercise to help the body maintain its physiological habits. Medications can be another cause of constipation since frequently prescribed medications can serve constipation as a common side effect.

As you age, your testosterone levels come down. It is a natural process and all men have to have to go through this phenomenon. Nevertheless, reduced testosterone levels can be linked with men of younger age as well. You can easily smell an underlying health problem if your testosterone levels decrease unnaturally and it can be an injury, obesity, an issue in the pituitary gland or some other health disorders. Patients undergo cancer treatments also have low testosterone levels. Most common symptoms of reduced levels of this hormone are concentration problems, reduced sex drive, hot flashes, erectile dysfunction, physical fatigue, reduced body hair growth, decreased sex drive and lowered muscle mass. You have to see your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. How can you confirm that testosterone levels are below the standard levels? That is where the importance of testosterone test kits comes in. How to check testosterone levels without a blood test? If you see a doctor, you have to undergo a physical examination to check the hormone levels. The doctor will assess the symptoms and then, you will be asked to undergo a blood test determine the hormone levels. The hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and they will be at the highest point during the morning time. That is why doctors take the blood sample in the morning. Even without taking a blood test, you can come to know whether you are experiencing low levels of testosterone with the help of test kits. Home test kits You can come across different types of testosterone test kits to check your hormone levels at home. All these testosterone test kits check your saliva instead of blood and the sample can be collected at home with great ease. The method of collecting saliva and the number of samples to be taken rely on the specific product you purchase.

If you undermine high blood pressure symptoms, you may have to face some dire consequences. That is high blood pressure is often described as a silent killer. Hypertension is the term that medical professions use if you are having high blood pressure for an extended period of time. You must realize that blood pressure variations generally do not show any symptoms. When you go for a medical checkup for another problem, you often realize that you are suffering from hypertension. The most common symptoms are nosebleeds, shortness of breath and headache but you cannot generalize these symptoms. Most of the signs cannot be described as specific, and they often do not manifest until your health deteriorates seriously. Various studies reveal that the number of people suffering from high blood pressure is increasing at a rapid rate and most of them are dealing with undiagnosed blood pressure. If hypertension remains untreated, you become highly vulnerable to a good number of serious diseases. Some of them include eye problems, kidney failure, heart-related complications and stroke as well. All these complications can become life-threatening if you keep on ignoring. That is why doctors advise unhealthy people to undergo blood pressure checks at least once in 6 months. All adults irrespective of their health condition are advised to get their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If some of your close relatives are suffering from hypertension, you must frequently check your blood pressure. The common high blood pressure symptoms are as follows: When your blood pressure levels become higher, you may have to deal with symptoms such as urine in the blood, chest pain, breathing issues, severe headache, extreme fatigue, vision-related problems, pounding in your chest, confusion, and irregular heartbeat. If you are experiencing any of these high blood pressure symptoms, medical advice must be sought immediately.

The general assumption is that calcium supplements improve bone strength and while that is the very reason we take these supplements, overuse could result in heart problems. In this article, we will discuss why calcium supplements are important. Why do people need calcium? The body needs calcium to build and maintain strong and healthy bones. 99% percent of the body’s calcium is in the teeth and bones while the remaining one percent is present in the bloodstream and is used to release hormones such as insulin, send nerve signals and regulate how blood vessels and muscles should dilate and contract. Calcium is needed to maintain proper bodily functions. If you do not receive an adequate amount from your regular diet, your body will pull calcium from your teeth and bones to use it elsewhere. This causes a weakening of the bones and teeth and causes complications. Recommendations for calcium intake Calcium has to be taken according to the recommendations that are dependant on your age gender and of course health concerns. Women aged 50 years or younger need 1000 mg per day and women over 50 years of age need 1200 mg per day. Men aged 70 years and younger need 1000 mg per day and men over 70 years old need 1200 mg per day of calcium. There is a limit to the maximum amount of calcium one can consume as well. The cap is set at 2500 mg per day for adults up to 50 years of age and 2000 mg per day for people aged over 50 years. It is possible to get the recommended amount of calcium from the food you eat every day. Foods that are rich in calcium include leafy greens, dairy products, beans, nuts, and tofu. However, people who do not consume calcium-rich food in sufficient amount might need to use calcium supplements.

A good sleep is important for everyone to stay away from health disorders and other problems. In today’s world, many people find it difficult to ensure a better sleep due to stress and other factors. There are different types of beds that are available in the market today to fulfill the need of users with modern features. They even provide methods for relaxing the body at different positions to minimize health risks. Some people especially pregnant women prefer sleeping sideways allowing them to accommodate a growing baby. It is necessary to determine the right bed type which is good for a side sleeper. A mattress is the most important thing required for enhancing comfort levels. Additionally, it contributes more to prevent snoring problems effectively when selected properly. Another thing is that it gives ways for improving the circulation of a person to overcome health disorders. It is really a difficult one to buy the best mattress for side sleepers which exactly suit a person’s lifestyle. Sleeping on a right mattress will help to reduce the pains and other problems effectively for overcoming potential threats in life. Leading mattress manufacturers offer different types of products at low prices. However, all of them are not the same, and one should consider certain important factors before investing their money. Below are some of the best mattress for side sleepers. Memory foam mattress Memory foam mattress is one of the popular choices of customers in different parts of the world because it covers many advantages and is one of the best mattresses for side sleepers. Moreover, it is necessary to focus some important things while purchasing a mattress. – Quality – Softness – Firmness – Innerspring – Aligning – Size – Length – Breadth People should make sure about a memory foam mattress should exactly fit their body contours for experiencing a nice sleep.