Free health and beauty tips

What is Liposuction?

          The concept of liposuction is surprisingly simple. Liposuction is a surgical technique that improves the body’s contour by removing excess fat from deposits located between the skin and muscle. Liposuction involves the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula (from the Latin word for reed, tube, cane). The cannula is connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. Fat removal is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse and thus result in an improved body contour.

The Old-Fashioned Tummy-Tuck

          Tumescent liposuction of the abdomen is so effective that few patients require the more dangerous tummy-tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty. Patients, who are obese and have a pendulous lower abdomen, often, find that tumescent liposuction will give a better cosmetic result than a tummy-tuck. The traditional tummy involves several surgical steps. First, the subcutaneous fat is removed by liposuction or excision with a scalpel; next, the surgeon excises a large piece of skin from the lower abdomen just above the pubic area; then, the abdominal muscles are tightened using sutures; and finally, the large wound where the skin was excised is closed with staples or sutures.

When to go for a Tummy Tuck

          The two most important reasons to have a tummy tuck are 1. Extensive laxity or spreading of the abdominal rectus muscles as a result of pregnancy, 2. Excessive loose skin and excessive stretch marks. Just because a surgeon recommends a tummy-tuck does not mean that a tummy tuck is necessary. Some surgeons are unaware of the excellent results that can be produced by liposuction without resorting to the more dangerous and the more expensive tummy-tuck. Compared to liposuction, tummy tucks are associated with a much higher risk of serious complication, including fatal pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung). If a patient decides that a tummy-tuck into two separate surgical procedures. Abdominal liposuction should be the done initially. Then, one should wait a couple months and evaluate the cosmetic results of liposuction before deciding to proceed to the skin-excision part of the tummy-tuck. The surprising aspect of using this two-stage approach to abdominoplasty is the high degree of satisfaction that patients find from liposuction alone. In fact, the vast majority of patients are so pleased with the results of liposuction alone that they decide not to pursue the second stage skin resection.

Men who want to boost their performance in the bedroom should drink pomegranate juice, says a new research. According to the University of California scientists, a daily glass can act like Viagra.

          Lead author Dr Christopher forest says that the juice is rich in antioxidants, which increases blood supply to the genitals. For the study, the team tested 53 men with libido problems. They found that nearly half the men who drank it for a month said they found it easier to perform.

          “Pomegranate juice has great potential,” the ‘Mirror’ quoted forest, as saying. Pomegranates have already been associated with reducing the risk of heart disease and preventing prostate cancer. Researchers had previously asserted that a daily 0.236 litre glass of the fruit’s juice not only increases the stability period of prostate cancer four-fold, but that the effect is so marked that they believe it can also make it possible for men between the ages of 60 to 75 to live out a full life span without the need for medical treatment, rather than dying from the cancer. That study was conducted by researchers from the University of California who looked at 50 prostate cancer patients who had surgery or radiotherapy, who had experienced a post-treatment increase of PSA (prostate specific antigen), indicating that cancer was still present in their bodies.

          During the study, the researchers measured the men’s PSA levels to calculate how long they took to double. They found that men suffering from prostate cancer with short doubling times are more likely to die from their illness, and that the average doubling time is 15 months. They noted that consuming a glass of pomegranate juice everyday extended the doubling period to 54 months, and that there was also evidence that the juice was actually killing of prostate cancer cells.

          Dr Allan Pantuck, who led the study, said that the improvements had been surprising, and that though it was not a cure, scientists may now be able to stump prostate cancer growth.

Sexual debut age linked to risks

            A new study has revealed that early and late sexual debut is linked to problems in sexual functioning. For the study, researchers examined the adult consequences of early or late sexual debut by conducting a secondary analysis of data from the National Sexual Health Survey. It was found that the timing of first sexual intercourse was linked to several sexual rise factors in men and women.

          Researchers found that early initiation and late initiation were both associated with various problems in sexual functioning, especially in men.  

Winter is here and you are bringing out the woollies. How about trying these simple asanas to keep your body warm and boost your immunity against seasonal illnesses like the common cold? And that nice cashmere jacket…. Hey, wear it for tashan!

Asana alert!

·        If you have any heart disease, high blood pressure or hearnia, then remember to breathe out slowly and gently while practicing kapalbhati.

·        Those suffering from backache, slip disc, high blood pressure and heart ailments should raise only one leg at a time in uttanpadasana.

·        Naukasana should be avoided if you suffer from hernia, peptic ulcer or any level of hypertension.

·        Those with backache slip disc and osteoporosis should not attempt kurmasana at all.

Beverage Bummer!

·        Just because winter is setting in, it doesn’t mean you start to consume more tea and coffee. Excess of such beverages can cause dryness in the stomach and lead to acidity!

Kapalbhati Kriya

          Sit in sukhasana or padmasana. Keep your neck straight. Place both hands on your knees in gyan mudra, eyes gently closed. Exhale forcefully through both nostrils, simultaneously pulling your stomach in. Don’t make any effort to inhale. Repeat 40-5- times till you feel tired. Keep your body still. Breathe out and relax. Increase the process gradually to 80-100 times.

Benefits:

          Exercises all upper body parts and keeps them warm; removes toxins from air passages and cleanness body and mind; combats asthma, constipation and arthritis; also massages abdominal muscles and organs

Uttanpadasana

          Lie on your back, your hands beside your things and palms resting on the ground. Stretch your body and keep it taut. Inhale and raise both legs slowly, placing pressure on your hands. Hold your legs at an angle of 60° to the ground, for as long as you can. Breathe normally. Feel the strain along your legs and abdomen but don’t tense your face or neck. Return your legs lowly to original position. Repeat three times.

Benefits:

          Boosts circulation and warms the body; bolsters health of digestive organs, lungs, heart, stomach, liver, spleen and intestines; counters constipation, tummy flab and low blood pressure

Naukasana

          Lie on your stomach, face down. Outstretch both hands straight ahead. Keep your elbows straight, palms joined in namaskara mudra. Also join your legs and heels. Inhale and lift your hands, head and chest as well as your legs, clean off the ground. Stretch your body and keep it taut. Your entire body weight should be concentrated on your belly. Close your eyes and hold the posture for as long as you can, breathing normally. Then, release and relax. Repeat three times.

Benefits:

          Strengthens hands, neck, back and leg muscles; exercises all parts of the abdomen; gets the blood circulation going and the body warm and supple; stretches the digestive are, thus curing abdominal disorders  

Dhanurasana

             Lie on your stomach, head down. Bend your legs at the knees and hold your ankles. Inhale and raise both your torso and the hind part of your body. Stretch your neck back. Keep your eyes closed. Think of it as a tug-of-war between your legs and your hands! Rest your entire body on your belly. Arch yourself into a bow shape. Hold the posture for as long as your can, breathing normally. Return to base position. Repeat twice.

Benefits:

          Makes the spine robust; benefits lungs, heart, kidney, liver, intestines and stomach; boosts digestion and blood circulation

Kurmasana

          Sit in vajrashana. Clench your firsts, keeping the thumb inside and pressing with the fingers. Bring your elbows towards the stomach and press against your navel. Exhale and bend forward as far as you can, still pressing your elbows in. Raise your head but keep your eyes closed. Breathe normally. Hold the asana for as long as you can. Return to base position, as you inhale. Repeat three times.

Benefits:

          Concentrates the body’s energy within, preventing its dissipation and allowing it to warm the body; regulates the body’s temperature; excellent for those suffering from diabetes, constipation, acidity and indigestion

In moderation, the right beverage can bring cheer on a cold winter night. But will it really warm you up?  According to studies over the years, while alcohol may seem like the perfect cold-weather beverage because it creates a sensation of warmth, it actually decreases core body temperature, regardless of the temperature outside and increases the risk of hypothermia. The normal process that makes us feel cold occurs when blood flows away from the skin and into the organs, which increases core body temperature. Alcohol reverses this process, increasing the flow of blood to the skin and setting off a sharp drop in body temperature. It also reverses other reflexes that control body temperature. A study by the Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine found that the “primary mechanism by which alcohol exacerbates the fall in body core temperature” is by reducing the ability to shiver, the body’s way of creating warmth.

          Another study, published in 2005, found that after a single drink, the body tries to counteract the brief sensation of warmth caused by increased blood flow to the skin by ramping up its rate of sweating, which only decreases body temperature even further. This may not sound like much. But several studies have found that alcohol ingestion often plays a role in hypothermia-related injuries and deaths. Experts say it’s something to keep in mind at tailgates and other outdoor activities.

          Alcohol may make you feel warmer, but its net effect is a quick drop in body temperature. 

Life can throw some knock-out punches stress, failure, and rejection, the death of a loved one or a hateful crime. In the balance, there is success, love, compassion and joy. How does one stay positive in the face of suffering and difficulty? Easier said than done, but a few tips could help you along.

Pay attention to emotions

          How you feel plays out in your body. Knotted muscles, palpitations and headaches are all signs of stress. Use relaxation and meditative techniques to clam and rejuvenate yourself. Deep breathing is effective and pranayama rids the body of toxins.

Exercise

          Any form of physical activity releases ‘endorphins’ in the brain to make you happy. Choose something you enjoy whether it is walking, dancing or a game of tennis. Doing something fun is never a chore.

Laugh

          Pander to your playful side and have a hearty laugh – a joke book, a comedy show, a funny movie or a laughter club. Laughing keeps you happy and fit.

Attitude

          Try to look at the big picture and ‘don’t sweat the small stuff.’ We often get bogged down in petty details and imagine slights where none were intended and make mountains out of molehills. Life’s too short, move on.

Focus on the present

          Learn from yesterday’s failure, and then put it aside. Live in the present and savour each moment whether it is a beautiful sunset, a soul stirring performance, an act of kindness, a job well done or simply being appreciated.

Do the things you love

          Search your soul and decide whether you really need to take on things that stress you. Each one of us has certain duties but we also need to take care of ourselves. Call a friend, curl up with your favourite book take a trip or splurge on that expensive trinket.

Stay connected

          Friends, family, co-workers and other like-minded people, are great support systems so stay in touch. Well meaning help and advice keep you in a positive frame of mind. Do the same for others and feel uplifted yourself.

Start a new project

          Learning a new skill, getting fit or pursuing a long-cherished goal gives immense satisfaction and is incredibly fulfilling.

Embrace spirituality

          Inspirational and motivational reading or discourses is one way to go. Yoga, reiki, communing with nature or trekking are as spiritually uplifting.

Learn to let go

          Holding on to pain and anger hurts you more than anyone else. It saps the spirit and robs you of energy, which could be used in a more effective way. Don’t beat yourself up over failure. No one is perfect.

Speak to a counselor

          It is absolutely okay to seek professional help. A counselor is an objective listener who ca offer empathy and support without being judgmental. It is a liberating experience to speak your mind. Free yourself. You deserve it.

University Sains Malaysia (USM), which discovered that the humble cempedak can cure diabetes, has done it again, this time with the pumpkin which can control activation of cancer cells. The Technology Industry Department lecturer Noor Aziah Abdual Aziz said the pumpkin flour contains resistance starch to produce propionic acid. “The acid causes the starch to remain indigestible thus fermenting the bacteria and weakening the cancer cells. It changes the oxidation process,” she told reporters after receiving the gold medal in conjunction with USM’s participation at the Malaysian Technology Expo. Noor Aziah had conducted numerous researches on the nutritional properties of local fruits including that of the cempedak as a cure for diabetes because of its insulin content. Other than containing resistance starch which can weaken cancer cells, the pumpkin has high fibre content, natural colour suitable for bread or noodle and contain vitamin A, anti-oxidant and minerals. She said the flesh of the pumpkin is dried and then mixed with wheat flour and processed into multi-purpose flour. “I am also studying the use of the skin and seed of pumpkin in the flour. The pumpkin flour has no fruit taste and can be consumed by anyone,” she added.   

Ever wondered why a product becomes more desirable if an attractive member of the opposite sex is selling it? Well, now researchers at University of Alberta have proved that there’s science to back up that perception.

          In the study, researchers found that clothing was rated more by an attractive member of the opposite sex. And some people said they would pay more for the item, even if it hadn’t been washed.

          “We found that if a shirt had been touched by someone who is highly attractive and of the opposite gender, the shoppers evaluated the products higher and they’re willing to drop more money on it,” said University of Alberta business professor Jennifer Argo.

          Researchers wanted to find out if there were ever instances where contact, also called contagion, could have a positive effect on the goods for sale.

          The first part of the study involved sending men and women to a store to try on a specific unisex shirt. The experimenter called a colleague acting as a sales-person at the store ahead of time to notify them when a participant was to arrive.

          When the participant showed a picture of the shirt to the salesperson, they were told the last one was being tried on by another shopper currently in the change room – half the time someone with average looks and half the time a hired model. When the change room was vacated, the participant – who had seen the person exit the change room – could then try on the shirt and return to the study base to complete an evaluation.

          “If the shopper was of average attractiveness, the participant evaluated the shirt negatively. But if it was the opposite gender and they were highly attractive, the participants were willing to pay more. The results show that it’s worth having highly attractive people work there. Or if you can’t, at least have the staff dress well and be well-groomed and maximize their potential,” Jennifer said.

          In the second part of the study, the researchers examined why the evaluations were different but used only male participants and female salespeople, again half of average attractiveness and half models. The men were sent to try on a shirt, but this time the salesperson told them that she had worn it on her prior shift.

          Sometimes, the salesperson showed the item in a dry-cleaning bag, but the other half of the time it was on a hanger, implying it hadn’t been cleaned.

          They were later asked to evaluate how much they would pay for the shirt, how much they liked it, the likelihood of purchasing the product and how desirable it was to them. “The dirty shirt won for the men when the salesperson was highly attractive. It’s like they were trying to get her essence,” Jennifer said.

          She said that the findings were only slightly surprising even though this is the first research to identify and document positive contagion.

Scientists at the University of Arkansas have signaled the end of future clean energy woes by exploring supercritical methanol as a method of converting chicken fat into biodiesel fuel.

          The researchers say that the findings may develop commercially viable fuel out of plentiful, accessible and low-cost feed-stocks and other agricultural by products. R E Babcock, professor of chemical engineering said that the finding would lead the energy producers to think on combining petroleum-based diesel with a biodiesel product.

          “Major oil companies are already examining biodiesel as an alternative to petroleum,” he said.

          “With the current price of petroleum diesel and the results of this project and others, I think even more seriously about combining petroleum-based diesel with a biodiesel product made out of curde and inexpensive feed-stocks,” he added.

          The study led by Babcock deliberated low-grade chicken fat and tall oil fatty acid to a chemical process known as supercritical methanol treatment. Supercritical methanol treatment dissolves and causes a reaction between components of a product – in this case, chicken fat and tall oil – by subjecting the product to high temperature and pressure.

          The substances became “supercritical” when they were heated and pressurized to a critical point, the highest temperature and pressure at which the substance can exist in equilibrium as a vapor and liquid.

          The findings revealed that chicken fat and tall oil treated with supercritical methanol produced biodiesel yields in excess of 89 and 94% respectively. According to Brent Schulte, a chemical engineering graduate student in the university’s College of Engineering who conducted the research said Biodiesel provides an effective, sustainable use fuel with many desirable properties.

An effective new weapon to fight the transmission of malaria might be lying there some leagues under the sea. A study suggests that sea cucumbers could provide a potential new weapon to block transmission of the malaria parasite.

          The slug-like creature produces a protein, lectin, which impairs development of the parasites. An international team genetically engineered mosquitoes – which carry the malaria parasite – to produce the same protein in their gut when feeding, reports BBC News website.

          The PLoS Pathogens study found the protein disrupted development of the parasites inside the insects’ stomach. Malaria causes severe illness in 500 million people worldwide each year, and kills more than one million.

          To stimulate the mosquitoes to produce lectin, the researchers fused part of the gene from the sea cucumber which produces the protein with a gene from the insect. The results showed that the technique was effective against several of the parasites with cause malaria.

          Lectin is poisonous to the parasites when they are still in an early stage of development called an ookinete. Usually, the ookinetes migrate through the mosquito’s stomach wall, and produce thousands of daughter cells which invade the salivary glands, and infect a human when the mosquito takes a blood meal. But when exposed to lectin the ookinetes are killed before they can start their deadly journey.

Apple may turn down the volume in the future versions of its iPod over fears that listeners could deafen themselves by playing their music at full volume for too long.

          The company fears that rock fans will deafen themselves with a highest volume setting equal to chainsaw and have led them to develop an automatic volume control.

          This is the first time that the company has explicitly expressed fears over the risk the device poses to hearing. According to experts, millions of young people are risking irreversible hearing damage because of the craze for MP3 players.

          However, the iPod, like other digital music players, can store enough music to play for several days and has batteries that can last for more than 12 hours at a time.

          This leads to owners keeping their earphones in all day, risking growing damage to their hearing.

          The next iPods and iPhones could automatically calculate how long a person has been listening to the music, and at what volume, before gradually reducing the sound level, revealed a new patent.