Showing posts with label best. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best. Show all posts
How to Choose the Best Glucometer in India
Friday, May 9, 2014
Diabetics need a blood glucose meter. This is a small computerized device that is used to measure and display blood glucose level in the body. Many factors such as dietary habits, lifestyle, physical activities, stress, medications, and many other factors can affect your blood glucose level. Using a blood glucose meter always help in managing diabetes via tracking fluctuations caused due to these factors.
Varied types of monitor blood glucose devices are available in India, these days. It is important to choose one that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Right from basic models to more-advanced meters with latest features and options, you can choose from a variety of blood glucose meters and test strips. Here is how to choose the Best Glucometer to test your levels of blood glucose:
Know the Basics
It is important to know the basic prior to choosing a blood glucose meter. This can actually help to understand the basics of how meters function. In order to use blood glucose meters, one must insert one end of a test strip into the device. Thereafter, you need to prick a clean fingertip with lancet to draw a drop of blood. You need to touch the other end of the test strip to the blood and read the blood glucose level that appears on the screen. The readings offered by blood glucose meters are usually accurate. However, these meters can vary in features and functions.
Cost
Meters would definitely vary in price. Hence, you need to shop around before finalizing on one. Test strips are the most expensive part of monitoring. Figure out the type of strip that is most cost-effective for you.
User-friendly Features
Make sure you know about the ease of use before investing in a device. The Best Glucometer in India will be comfortable to hold, allows for easy numbers on the screen, drawing bold is easier and takes only a small a drop of blood to give results.
Maintenance
Strictly avoid buying high maintenance monitor blood gulucose device.
Support
Make sure the company gives the best customer care support. They should give you a toll-free number that you can reach out to and offer instant help when needed.
Click here for more info about Best Glucometer . 
Best Heart Disease Prevention Steps
Sunday, May 4, 2014
(Article first published as Top Heart Disease Prevention Steps on Technorati.)
Why are some people seemingly able to eat a diet loaded with heart clogging fried foods and fats, while others seem destined to poor health regardless of their diet? This question has plagued medical researchers for decades. The answer is now beginning to unravel, in part due to advancements in decoding the human genome, and an understanding of the intricate genetic interactions which respond to diet and lifestyle decisions we make every day.
Genes Provide the Missing Link to Heart Disease
Scientists are able to watch gene alterations or switching in virtual real time, as they observe the positive or negative influences of specific food items in each meal. According to a study published in the journal Nature, researchers have identified nearly 100 genes which specifically control up to a third of the inherited factors controlling our cholesterol, specifically LDL cholesterol and triglycerides that are known factors in the development of coronary artery disease and heart attack risk.
Our Genes Aren’t Set in Stone
This study demonstrates for the first time that certain individuals are predisposed to developing abnormal types of oxidized LDL cholesterol through a hereditary link. Based on the results, up to 20% of people are at increased risk for developing heart disease, as their genes have been ‘switched’ in favor of developing a poor blood lipid profile.
This does not mean that you’re condemned to poor health due to heredity. Our genes respond to the cues they receive from the foods we eat and the lifestyle we lead. A predisposition to heart disease is not destined. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can follow to reduce and virtually eliminate the risk for coronary artery disease, regardless of the genetic cards you’ve been dealt.
Step 1: Eat Fat with Your Heart in Mind
Diet is the single most important factor which controls the actions of your genes. The nutritional content of each bite of food directly impacts and influences how each gene activates, and scientists are able to track subtle changes which take place after each meal. Diets which are high in hydrogenated trans fats such as fried foods are particularly damaging from a genetic perspective.
It’s important to understand that not all fats are the same when it comes to heart health. For a half century, saturated fats have been maligned, and most have been advised to avoid them at all cost. Nothing could be further from the truth, as these fats play an essential role in cellular health.
Omega-3 fats from fish and fish oil are essential to the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Ensure that the ratio of Omega-6 fats (from vegetable oil sources) to Omega-3 fats is no higher than 4:1 to reduce systemic inflammation and proliferation of coronary disease.
Step 2: Limit Refined Carbs and Wheat Based Foods
Extensive scientific data is mounting which correlates excessive consumption of wheat-based foods with progression of coronary artery disease. Wheat has been a part of the human diet for a relatively short period of our evolutionary history, and genetically we’re not well equipped to digest these grains.
To make matters worse, most foods made with wheat have been highly ined, stripping out any beneficial fiber which cause wild swings in blood sugar levels. Limit or fully eliminate wheat and ined carbs to avoid dangerous triglyceride and oxidized LDL cholesterol levels.
Step 3: Supplement with Heart Friendly Nutrients
People who are genetically predisposed to heart disease, as well as those with the desire to prevent this silent killer will want to supplement with a targeted nutritional cocktail which has been shown to stop coronary artery disease in its tracks. The B complex vitamins along with C and E provide critical support for the heart, as long as they are taken in their natural forms.
Magnesium, Selenium, Chromium and Potassium are essential minerals. It’s important to note that a daily multi vitamin doesn’t provide the proper amount or type of these critical nutrients. Choose a non-synthetic source made from whole foods. The amino acids Lysine and Proline in combination with Vitamin C (The Pauling Therapy) can be used for advanced protection against heart disease.
Research has uncovered the genetic link to heart disease which many have suspected since the beginning of modern medicine. We’re now able to use gene mapping to understand how this disease develops, and more important, how we can affect our diet and lifestyle to reduce our risk factors, and prevent and even treat coronary artery disease.
Genes Provide the Missing Link to Heart Disease
Our Genes Aren’t Set in Stone
This study demonstrates for the first time that certain individuals are predisposed to developing abnormal types of oxidized LDL cholesterol through a hereditary link. Based on the results, up to 20% of people are at increased risk for developing heart disease, as their genes have been ‘switched’ in favor of developing a poor blood lipid profile.
This does not mean that you’re condemned to poor health due to heredity. Our genes respond to the cues they receive from the foods we eat and the lifestyle we lead. A predisposition to heart disease is not destined. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can follow to reduce and virtually eliminate the risk for coronary artery disease, regardless of the genetic cards you’ve been dealt.
Step 1: Eat Fat with Your Heart in Mind
It’s important to understand that not all fats are the same when it comes to heart health. For a half century, saturated fats have been maligned, and most have been advised to avoid them at all cost. Nothing could be further from the truth, as these fats play an essential role in cellular health.
Omega-3 fats from fish and fish oil are essential to the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Ensure that the ratio of Omega-6 fats (from vegetable oil sources) to Omega-3 fats is no higher than 4:1 to reduce systemic inflammation and proliferation of coronary disease.
Step 2: Limit Refined Carbs and Wheat Based Foods
Extensive scientific data is mounting which correlates excessive consumption of wheat-based foods with progression of coronary artery disease. Wheat has been a part of the human diet for a relatively short period of our evolutionary history, and genetically we’re not well equipped to digest these grains.
To make matters worse, most foods made with wheat have been highly ined, stripping out any beneficial fiber which cause wild swings in blood sugar levels. Limit or fully eliminate wheat and ined carbs to avoid dangerous triglyceride and oxidized LDL cholesterol levels.
Step 3: Supplement with Heart Friendly Nutrients
People who are genetically predisposed to heart disease, as well as those with the desire to prevent this silent killer will want to supplement with a targeted nutritional cocktail which has been shown to stop coronary artery disease in its tracks. The B complex vitamins along with C and E provide critical support for the heart, as long as they are taken in their natural forms.
Magnesium, Selenium, Chromium and Potassium are essential minerals. It’s important to note that a daily multi vitamin doesn’t provide the proper amount or type of these critical nutrients. Choose a non-synthetic source made from whole foods. The amino acids Lysine and Proline in combination with Vitamin C (The Pauling Therapy) can be used for advanced protection against heart disease.
Research has uncovered the genetic link to heart disease which many have suspected since the beginning of modern medicine. We’re now able to use gene mapping to understand how this disease develops, and more important, how we can affect our diet and lifestyle to reduce our risk factors, and prevent and even treat coronary artery disease.
Reader Replies “Healthy” Defined! As Best We Can
Monday, March 3, 2014
Last week, we discussed defining the word “healthy” in relation to food, and decided it meant … oh, wait. We didn’t decide anything. As it turns out, a universally acceptable explanation of “healthy” is really hard to pin down.But never fear, because it’s CHG readers to the rescue. Quite a few of you guys chimed in with your ideas on “healthy,” and there were a ton of solid points not mentioned in my post. Even better, we might have stumbled over a working definition. (It’s at the end.)
But first, in seven easy-to-follow categories, in near-original form, here are your thoughts.
(Note: there were some minor edits made for length, but otherwise, reader comments were left largely untouched.)
"Healthy" is MODERATION AND BALANCE
Anonymous: Healthy = moderation. In all things. Including moderation.
Wosnes: Someone else said it: moderation in all things, including moderation. There are definitely times to be immoderate. Not every day, but some days.
Wheatlessfool: It all comes down to balance and payoff for me … sometimes, that fudgy brownie IS healthy. Just not every day, and not replacing the foods I DO need to keep me feeling my best.
jenniferocious!: There has to be balance in life and while I strive to eat a majority of my meals from recipes and foods I would qualify as healthy, I also know its okay to indulge in a bowl of macncheese or having a frou frou coffee drinks once in awhile.
Debbie: I love my mama’s homemade mac & cheese, fried pork chops and green bean casserole. … If I ate it every day, I’d die in approximately 4.2 months, because … it’s high in fat, calories. BUT. If I only eat it once or twice a year – say, for my birthday – then it’s not bad at all. It’s an indulgence.
"Healthy" is LONGTERM
Kristen@TheFrugalGirl: Its important to look at the overall diet instead of trying to make sure every. single. thing. you eat is bursting with nutrition. I eat a lot of whole grains, fresh produce, and fresh dairy, and so I dont think a little dessert every day is going to kill me.
Joy Manning: When we are assessing the relative health of our diets, we should look at a whole week or month or year of meals and consider the variety of nutrition it provides, but also the pleasure. Getting pleasure from meals is, by my definition, part of a healthy diet. Whole ingredients + time and effort cooking + a wide variety of delicious real food = healthy over time.
"Healthy" is SMART SUBSTITUTING
Rebecca: By [the] strict definition, things like macaroni and cheese may not be "healthy", but they do qualify as "healthier" than typical versions of the same dish. And besides, who wants to be perfectly virtuous all the time?
Allison: Im always interested in making unhealthy dishes healthy or even a little healthier. For example, I substitute pureed potato for cream and butter in any "cream of" soup, swap applesauce, mashed bananas, and avocados for milk and butter in baked goods, etc. Recently, I experimented with baked green tomatoes - still not exactly "health food," but at least a healthier version of a caloric - but oh-so-yummy! - treat.
"Healthy" is UNPROCESSED FOOD
Relishments: For me, healthy food is food thats has a low or reasonable amount of sugars and fats. Its not overly processed-ideally its something I made, not something that came out of a box.
Kristen@TheFrugalGirl: I generally think that healthy food is food thats fairly unprocessed (real yogurt vs. watermelon Gogurt, homemade granola vs. Cocoa Puffs, fresh green beans vs. the canned sort, etc).
Daniel: I use a really simple shorthand to define healthy. If its a first-order food with little processing, its healthy enough. If its a second-order food, meaning a food thats packaged and processed, its unlikely to be healthy.
April: I think fake food is a much bigger health issue than fat. Skim milk may be lower in fat than whole milk, but it is a fake food--it certainly doesnt come out of the cow that way! … One could argue that God (or evolution, if thats what you believe in) knew what He/it was doing, and doesnt need to really be improved on.
Healthy is ACTUAL FOOD
Regina Terrae: For me, healthy food is produce-focused, like you said; fresh and seasonal and varied; uses naturally-raised meat as a condiment or at least in smallish portions; simple, unprocessed, whole.
Libby: For me, healthy means that the meal contains whole grains, beans and/or nuts, lots of veggies, and no meat or dairy. its also important to me that the meal is high in fiber and has little to no saturated fat (poly and mono are fine).
Allison: I have my own definition of healthy largely based on my own health goals: lots of healthy fats, calcium, garlic, leafy greens, berries, and protein - for … maintaining good heart, skin, bone, and muscle condition.
Wosnes: My own mantra is "mostly homemade." I aim for the opposite of Sandra Lee: 70% (or more) fresh food and 30% (or less) ready made products. I think Im at about 85/15, including condiments.
Becca: Healthy to me is whole foods or just one step away (for example, I use frozen veggies when fresh arent in season). … That being said, I am currently providing child care for a two year old and my 6 month old, so sometimes mac and cheese from the box keeps me sane.
"Healthy" is RELATIVE
Ross: Whether a person is overweight or underweight has food allergies or medical, religious, or ethical issues the definition is vastly different. … When I was a kid in my early 20s, eating healthily meant eating a piece of fruit or a salad once a month. Now it means watching how many calories Im taking in a day, limiting my fat intake and the like. So, even as a person progresses through life their perceptions of eating healthy change.
"Healthy" is HOLISTIC
Marcia: Healthy isnt just the contents of an individual dish. Its also the content of your diet and lifestyle.
Regina Terrae: For me, healthy diet cannot be looked at in isolation from healthy lifestyle, i.e. getting the body moving every day.
Laura: “Healthy" is so much more than what you put in your mouth. Its a whole mental/emotional state. I try to eat things that are good for me. I also eat things that are happy for me. I find Im much healthier and happier overall that way.
AmandaLP: "Healthy" is something that nourishes my mind and my body. I don’t care if what I am eating has tons of fiber and no sugar and lots of protein, if I hate eating it, then it is not healthy for me.
So, to sum, “healthy” (in relation to food) involves: a holistic, relative approach to eating implemented over the long term that emphasizes balance and moderation, smart substitutes, and unprocessed edibles/actual food.
I don’t know about you guys, but that sounds good to me. Huge thanks to everyone who wrote in. Yall are pretty good at this.
(Photos courtesy of Daily Mobile, Taylorshocks Weblog, and How Stuff Works.)
_http://cheaphealthygood.blogspot.com/2009/09/reader-replies-healthy-defined-as-best.html
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