Get rid of your Love Handles

A friend of mine asked me a while ago how she can get rid of her love handles. She said she had tried everything from dieting to rigorous exercises and she still couldn’t get rid of the Jelly belly. I must say I have been through this as well, but have managed to come up with an effective routine that got rid of it all. Majority of African cultures appreciate love handles, and see it as a sign of good living and feminine maturity, but there are some modern day Africans who will rather not have the extra fat. Also contrary to popular belief love handles don’t just affect women; there are loads of men that battle this as well.

Love handles are mainly deposits of fat which accumulate at the lower sides of the abdomen. As we become older we are prone to a certain type of fat called visceral, which collects around our organs. It may also be caused by women's menstrual cycles and food allergies. Our stomach is the main collector of this fat. The fat deposit is often pulled down by gravity from the sides down to create a more bulging area. The bulge may sometimes be visible even when light clothes are worn. The same fat store can also be observed in the lower front of the stomach, sometimes called a beer belly.

The time it takes to get rid of love handles greatly depends on how large one’s love handles are. Focusing on abdominal workouts initially will be pointless and yield hardly any results without doing cardio and switching to a healthier diet.
Begin with intense cardio exercises; such as swimming, jogging, cycling and aerobic classes. Alternate with a few minutes of less intense workouts such as power walking. Best results will be seen if you work three cardio work-outs a week for 40 minutes each. Repeat this sequence regularly and you'll begin to observe weight loss in the abdominal area as well as whole body.

While undergoing cardio switch your diet to a healthier one, note that i am not asking you to starve yourself. Simply cut down on sodas, pastries, fast-food, fatty dishes and alcohol and bulk up on veggies, rice, proteins (especially white meats like chicken), and wholegrain produce. Lowering your calorie intake will get your body to burn fat deposits. Drinking a lot of water will help your body burn off calories faster. Drink about 8-10 glasses of water each day.

When you start to notice a reduction in the size of your love handles, it is important to tone up the area. Working the obliques (the abs muscles that run down both sides of your abdomen) will Increase your abdominal muscle mass and your abdomen will look much firmer.

Here are 5 highly effective abdominal exercises to help trim down love handles.




Side Bends: Stand straight with knees slightly bent and feet apart, then slowlylower the trunk a few inches to the left side then back again to do the right side. Try to keep the body and legs in line by not bending forwards or backwards. Repeat for 12 – 16 repetitions. Weights can be carried for extra challenge.




Bicycle Crunches: Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground. Put your hands beside your head. Bring knees up to about 45- degree angle and slowly go through a bicycle pedal motion. Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee. Keep even, relaxed breathing throughout.Repeat for 12 – 16 repetitions.



Plank: Lie face down on a mat resting on the forearms. Push off the floor, raising up onto toes and resting on the elbows. Keep your back flat, in a straight line from head to heels. Tilt your pelvis and contract your abdominals to prevent your rear end from sticking up in the air or sagging in the middle. Hold for 20 to 60 seconds, lower and repeat for 3-5 reps.



Hanging Knee raise: Begin hanging from a bar with your arms straight. Bring your knees up to your chest, hold for three seconds and then bring your feet back down. Use only your abdominal muscles to lift your legs and use slow body movements. Repeat for 12 – 16 repetitions


Medicine Ball-Russian Twist: Sit on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Hold the medicine ball and extend your arms out in front of you, recline back so that your body is angled about 45 degrees. The more you lean back, the more challenging it will be. Also you can lift your feet about 1-2 inches off the floor and keep you feet in the air during the entire set. Repeat for 12 – 16 repetitions.





Other effective tips for abdominal fat loss are:

• Sleep - Sleep helps you to get rid of abdominal fat accumulations. While you sleep your body will develop muscle mass, which allows you to burn off calories.
• Breathe - exhale through your mouth and inhale through your nose as often as possible. By doing this you will firm your abdominal muscles.
• A good laugh
• Eat your dinner earlier. The later you eat, the harder it is for your body to digest the food and it is just going to sit in your stomach.
• Stand up straight. Be conscious of your posture and pull your stomach in; this will force the middle muscles to work 24/7.

Debby Soetan

Body sculpting

With movies like 300 and TV shows like Spartacus, women are very aware what a fit man looks like and african women are no exception. In this generation, big tummy and flabby arms are so not cool..so boys...this is a general introduction to enable you be on your way to getting that GLADIATOR body.

Body sculpting is reaching the crest of being physically fit. If you think that you are in good shape but just need focus on few areas of your body, the following excises are just perfect for you to achieve the goal. One important aspect that is often overlooked by men while they’re planning a complete body sculpting is maintaining the balance.

If your upper body happens to be rock solid, you cannot ignore the lower body. The exercises written below will help you achieve the perfect middle ground.

Going for complete body sculpting routine needs you to take different routes.Every exercise helps you define in some or the other way, what you need to do is exercise in a way that improves your fitness level. First thing you need to start exercise with is a bench press. Exercise is excellent to build muscles in pectorals and arms. You can also alternate the daily benching exercises in such a way that one day you focus on higher weight benching with fewer reps and the other day you can try pressing a smaller weight with twice the number of reps.

The next thing that you need to do is Triceps dips. All you need to do is face away from the front of weight bench and then place your arms over the seat of the bench. Now extend your legs outwards so that your experience all the weight over your hands. Start lowering and raising your body in the way of you would perform push-ups.

The next area that you should focus on is your abs. Having a perfect abs is a great way to balance the upper body. You can perform declining sit-ups for achieving the same. You can use a decline bench and secure your feet over the top and then slowly start performing the sit-ups. The gravitational resistance will make your job tough but it will provide maximum attention to your abs.

Make sure that you exercise your lower body for an equal quantity of time so that the sculpting routine remains balanced. You can strengthen your legs using squats. You can also work on quads. A quad is basically an extension machine which is effective for leg muscle exercises.


Reference : www.menshealth.com

Male Cancer : Introduction

Men and Women have different kinds of risks as far as cancer is concerned and this is due to differences in biological features. below is an introduction to types of cancers that could affect Men. Each type would be elaborated on in future posts.

Prostate Cancer:

Prostate belongs to the reproductive system of the males and it is a gland of walnut size. It is located under the bladder, surrounding the urethra.
Age is an important factor in this kind of cancer. As you get older, you are likely to get affected and if you have a family history, it becomes more risky.

Diagnosis is through a rectal test and a blood test which measures antigens which are specific to prostate, and a protein which signals if there is high level of prostate cancer.

This condition is treated through radiation, surgery and hormone therapies.

Lung Cancer:

This can be a severe form of cancer which affects both the genders. Smoking and inhaling second hand smoke are main causes of cancer. Similarly, pollution or asbestos dust can cause the disease. It is diagnosed through X-rays and CAT scans(Computerised Axial Tomography). Surgery can be opted if cancer has not spread.

Colorectal Cancer:

This is cancer of the digestive parts specifically the rectum and colon . It's prone to attack people with family history and genetics. A high fat diet is also said to be a contributing reason.

It is diagnosed through Colonoscopy, which guides a lighted tube with a camera, inserted into the rectum so that large intestines can be examined. The cancer can be treated through colonoscopy, but if it is advanced it may necessitate a portion of colon to be cut out.

Testicular Cancer:

Testicles are a pair of sex glands in males, just under the penis. They produce and store sperm and are the main source of testosteron. This cancer affects men who have un-descended testes or some birth defects.

The cancer can be felt through unusual lumps, enlargement of testicles or pain in that part. Blood test and biopsy are used to confirm this disease. The affected portion can be removed surgically, after which radiation and chemotherapy can follow.

Penile Cancer:

The penis can also be affected by cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is linked to penile cancer. Similarly, if you don’t maintain personal hygiene especially in case of uncircumcised men, it can be a risk.

It is diagnosed through physical examination and biopsy tests. Treatment is usually by surgery, chemotherapy, as well as radiation therapy. If surgery is done precisely, the tumor can be removed leaving the penis intact.


Breast Cancer:

Men are at risk of breast cancer just as women are although its very rare. it accounts for less than 1% of all cancers in men, and less than 1% of all diagnosed breast cancers. Most men are between 60 and 70 years of age when they are diagnosed, but cancer may develop at any age. Worldwide, male breast cancer appears to be becoming more common, particularly in younger males. risk factors includes obesity, increased oestrogen, family history, and Gynaecomastia (enlargement of the male breast tissue).

diagnosis is the same as for women and this includes mammography, biopsy, full blood count and CAT scan.

Treatment is also similar to that in females - by radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapies.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

PCOS or Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the rising cause of infertility amongst women. Fortunately, PCO is also a condition which can be treated easily. A lot of women face problem while trying to get pregnant if they have polycystic ovarian syndrome. It is very important that you know all possible options of PCO treatments so that your passage to parenthood can be as even and smooth as possible.

If you are trying to get pregnant while suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome, you must change your lifestyle. Majority of women suffering from Polycystic ovarian syndrome have realized that their fertility incredibly increases after making changes in diet regimen and exercise

Only if you realize around 5% body weight loss, a huge difference would be accounted to your overall fertility and there will be a decrease in risk to gestational diabetes once you get pregnant. You must switch to eating low carbohydrate and fat diets so that you are able to regulate your insulin levels and manage your weight.

It is important to take the right medications that are designed to take care of internal resistance which is the stepping stone for getting pregnant if you are suffering from Polycystic ovarian syndrome. A physician or gynecologists will advise you on drugs that you will need to take for 3 to 6 months before you can start with any other treatment options. You must not get frustrated as it takes to get rid of the syndrome.

For ovulation, you must seek help. Women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome have difficulties ovulating so take drugs in order to stimulate ovulation. The gynecologists may prescribe injections in order to further stimulate the ovaries.

If you’re planning to get pregnant, it is important that you time it correctly. Making a chart of your basal body temperature will help you determine the right time for conception. You may also seek advice for determining the right time when you and your partner should have intercourse. The time of intercourse should be typically the four days that surrounds ovulation. Once you start to ovulate correctly, the doctor may advise you with intrauterine inseminations (IUI’s) which will make it easier for sperm to reach your eggs. This will increase the chances of conception incredibly.

Reference : on request

Bye Bye Baby Bump

Get your post-baby body back with these super effective workout tips and healthy eating plan. There is no quick fix solution, remember it took 9 months to gain the weight so allow a similar length of time to regain your pre-pregnancy appearance. Just as it is best to put on weight slowly and steadily during your pregnancy, you need to be slow and steady in losing weight after your pregnancy. For optimum health, aim to lose no more than 1 pound per week, and continue to focus on eating nutritious foods as recommended by your doctor.

Exercise plays a major role in returning you to your post-baby body. Apart from weight loss other benefits of new mothers engaging in exercise, include alleviating postnatal depression and, unlike dieting, it won't interfere with breastfeeding.
With a new baby at home it will most definitely be difficult to dedicate time to exercise, therefore a good trick is to find easy ways to increase and incorporate exercise into your daily routine like parking farther away or using stairs instead of lifts.



After 2-3 months, when you feel your strength is returning and when your period has returned to normal, start light exercise. Such exercises include walking, swimming, yoga, cycling, dancing or stair climbing. It is important to use one or more of these cardiovascular exercises daily, preferably one that you find comfortable and maybe have an interest in.

Most new mothers find walking to be more practical. You can take a 10-20 minute walk with the baby every day or with a friend or new mother. Babies can be carried using a snugli, baby strollers (prams), or even secured on your back with a wrapper, the more traditional way. A 30 minute stroll at a light three-miles-per-hour pace will burn at least 106 calories! Hence do not underrate the weight-loss power of walking.
Other important tips to losing baby fat are:

• Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water every day. You can cut out hundreds of calories a day this way.

• Eat lean meats such as skinless chicken and lean beef. Also resist the urge to indulge in a fast food meal.

• Eat whole grains (breads, cereals, pastas) instead of the "white" versions. The “white” versions are more common in Africa, but whole grain products are being sold in a number of stores.

• Breastfeed! Fortunately African women are more likely to breast-feed after child birth than other ethnic groups. Breastfeeding burns about 500 calories per day so the longer you breastfeed, the more calories you burn. One of the reasons your body puts on weight during pregnancy is to help store the caloric energy it takes to breastfeed your baby. Therefore take advantage of losing calories the way your body naturally intended!

I have sourced out helpful exercise regimes should you wish to go a step further and engage in more rigorous routines. Follow the links below:

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/videos/m/28298552/better-body-after-baby.htm

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/health/lose-baby-weight/workouts/lose-the-baby-weight-fast-toning-circuit-workout/?page=6

http://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/list/weightloss-baby

www.befitmom.com

Debby Soetan

Dont lose your hair like Naomi

Naomi campbell has worn straight extensions over her naturally curly hair for a number of years. Experts say this may have permanently damaged her natural follicles. Marilyn Sherlock, from the Institute of Trichologists, which represents hair loss specialists, added: 'It looks like traction alopecia, hair loss caused by the use of extensions.'

Traction alopecia occurs when the extensions pull on the natural hair causing it to break. It usually affects the hairline just above the forehead or the sides, where the hair is weaker. It can take between three months to a year for hair to grow back in moderate But if the pulling continues the hair will never grow back and the only option is a hair transplant

Traction Alopecia damages the dermal papilla and hair follicle by constant pulling or tension over a long period. It often occurs in persons who wears tight braids, especially "cornrows" that lead to high tension, pulling and breakage of hair.



This condition is most common in black women and men who braid their hair too tightly. it is reversible if diagnosed early, but may lead to permanent hair loss if it is undetected for a protracted period. Hair loss is often in the frontal and temporal regions, but also depends on the hair style.With those who wear cornrows, the area most commonly affected is that adjacent to the region that is braided.

Traction Alopecia can also occur due to overprocessing of the hair. Chemical treatment of hair with dyes, bleaches, or straighteners disrupts the keratin structure in a manner that reduces its tensile strength. The hair can become fragile and heavy fall out can occur with brushing or combing.



The use of thermal or chemical hair straightening, and hair braiding or weaving are examples of styling techniques that place black women at high risk for various "traumatic" alopecias.

Studies show one in seven children and a third of women who have these hairstyles suffer hair loss caused by traction alopecia.

The key to stopping traction alopecia is detecting it early. Hair styles that put unnecessary strain on the hair root must be changed for "looser, more gentle hair style. Women who suspect they may be vulnerable to traction alopecia should take action immediately to change their hair style and see a trichologist.

Unfortunately, no medical treatment is available to reverse late-stage traction alopecia. Hair grafts have been identified as the only practical solution.

So ladies, we need to think of the health of our natural hair while fixing extensions. give you hair a break...let it breathe..let your natural hair out...afterall its all yours :-)


photo credit: bigpicturesphoto.com
information : the sun

The road to Fitness

Guest Blogger: Adun Okupe (Fitness enthusiast)


Traditionally, there is something about Africans that always seemed to puzzle me. How we accepted that the older we got, the bigger we were allowed to become.
I never fully accepted it. Yet I can understand why. Whilst at school, exercise was easy as it was included in the routine. Yet, as we reach our mid-twenties, what with the pressures from work, social life and family, the one thing that we give up, the easiest thing to give up is our commitment to exercise.

We all know about the benefits of exercise for being fit, slimmer. Did you also know about the benefits of exercise for clearer skin, better hair, nails, and even long-term health? Could it be possible that 30 minutes of walking/running/jogging can yield all the above? YES! I tell you! Yes!

I was speaking to my neighbour recently. She saw me stretching after running, and she stopped to tell me that I should never give up exercise, as it helps reduce the arthritis, the internal organs. She went further to tell me about how she exercises 4 times a week, nothing too strenuous, but enough to keep her going. She is in her 80s and she has cancer, and she has survived the estimated number of years that the doctors gave her to live.

This is not to scare you, but to make us appreciate the values of exercising and fitness, now while we are younger, and then we can incorporate this into our routine, and it can stand us in good stead for our later years.

So, a little bit about me, I love to exercise, jogging, swimming, running, tae bo, kick boxing, body combat, aerobics, hockey, you name it, I’ve tried it and I love it. I also have pressures from life, what with work, schooling and maintaining an active social life, but I know the benefits, and my, are they substantial!
This column will be to guide you, to encourage and motivate us in our quest to look good, inside, and outside, that is, to do away with the African myth of not exercising. If we can take good care of our cars, bags, shoes and gadgets, why not our bodies?

Liver Cirrhosis

Some Young people love to have so much fun socialising and partying. when this happens drinking is usually involved. this article is dedicated to the champagne popping, shots drinking, liquor bingers amongst us :-)

Cirrhosis of the liver is a serious and usually fatal disease that destroys one of the most important organs of the body, the Liver. this condition is often caused by excessive alcohol intake especially if the patient has been an alcoholic for a long time. The liver filters alcohol from blood and excessive consumption of alcohol damages the organ causing it to lose its function. When this damage happens, it can not be reversed because the liver cells are unable to regenerate.

Cirrhosis may also develop from hepatitis; hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder which results from excessive iron which builds up in the heart and other vital organs; and Wilson’s disease, a genetic disorder resulting from excessive storage of copper.

Liver cirrhosis is often asymptomatic; the symptoms may be noticed only when the condition is advanced. The symptoms include nausea, vomiting, itching, loss of weight and appetite, fatigue, sleeplessness, jaundice, blood vessels having a spidery appearance, loss of interest in sex, and swollen legs and feet.



Its advised to see a Doctor if cirrhosis is suspected. The diagnostic process consists of observation, blood tests, and biopsy, in which a tiny piece of liver tissue is taken for microscopic examination. Biopsy is the most reliable way to diagnose the disease.

A healthy liver is very resilient. To keep it healthy, one should cut down on alcohol consumption, which is one of the most frequent causes of cirrhosis. If cirrhosis is diagnosed while still in its initial stages, the liver can still perform its functions though not as efficiently as before. As the disease progresses, the symptoms would include water retention and bloating. The patient would then be put on a salt-free diet and given diuretics. Once the disease is in the advanced stage, only a liver transplant can help the patient. Liver transplants are risky and are therefore performed only on those who are young and strong enough to undergo surgery.

You cannot survive without your liver, so make sure you avoid causing damage to it. Minimize or abstain from consumption of alcohol while your liver still has the capacity to heal itself and perform its vital functions in your body.

Its always nice to chill out and unwind especially in the weekends..just try not to over do it :-)

Healthy Weight Loss

GUEST BLOGGER - DEBBY SOETAN (Fitness Guru)

From an early age we start to become highly judgemental of our bodies and begin to notice what we may call imperfections. Haven been in that position myself, I am familiar with what it’s like to look in the mirror and spot areas of my body I would like to be trimmer, slimmer and leaner. Sometimes one even pulls the skin back on the “flawed” body part to present an illusion of how a firmer body will look like.

In most cases Africans are mainly concerned with the outer appearance when it comes to weight loss. People wanting to lose weight can often get fixated on the final target weight. However many are unaware of the huge health benefits that they gain from smaller amounts of weight loss achieved along the way.
The following significant improvements to health are realized with just 10% loss of your current bodyweight:

1. 10% reduction in total cholesterol
2. 40-50% reduction in cancer-related deaths
3. Over 50% reduction in developing diabetes


And that is only the tip of the iceberg. The benefits that a healthy and fit lifestyle can have are amazing. The aim of this column is to educate and inspire Africans to live a healthier life, and more importantly maintain it through exercise.

Tip of the Week: Did you know that it is estimated that a 150-pound person who walks 2.5 miles in an hour will burn approximately 210 calories? Walking can also help reduce stress and improve muscle tone.
Be sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes, preferably trainers. Also ensure you warm up before you start this is very important so as to allow your muscles to relax before exercise. Start by walking at a very gentle pace for about 5-10 minutes. The second half of the warm up process involves stretching. There are different types of stretches that can be done, such as abs and glute walking stretch, thigh walking stretch, calves walking stretches, etc.

Improvise. You don’t have to set time out of your day just for walking. We Africans tend to drive everywhere we go even for short journeys. Try substituting those short drives for a walk instead.

More information on walking can be found on the website walking.about.com.

Signs of Depression

Most of us suffer from some form of depression at times in our life. Life isn’t always easy and it isn’t always fun, it is normal to feel depressed once in a while. It’s when the feelings of despair and deep darkness take hold and won’t let go that you may be suffering from clinical depression.

This is more than just the blues, it’s a feeling that affects every facet of your life, making it impossible to enjoy your life and function well in society. You lose interest in things that used to captivate you, such as hobbies and friends, you feel tired and listless all the time and just getting through the day may seem like an insurmountable task. Many people that suffer from clinical depression don’t feel sadness, they feel empty and lifeless, apathetic. They may have a completely bleak outlook on life and have no interest in anything including eating and sleeping. They may suffer from self loathing and engage in harsh criticism of themselves. There are a whole host of negative feelings that come with clinical depression, even the possibility of suicidal tendencies.

If you are suffering from what you believe is clinical depression, you need to get help from a professional that understands the symptoms, the feelings, and what steps to take in what progression in order to help you escape from the depression and regain control of your normal life.

Focus: Sierra Leone - Free Healthcare

On Independence Day (27th april), the country with one of the worst death rates in the world among women in childbirth launched free healthcare for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and for the under-5s. It should save thousands of lives

Tony Blair's Africa Governance Initiative (AGI) has been working with the Sierra Leone government since October 2008. The AGI has set up sub-committees on infrastructure, communications, finance, drugs and logistics, human resources and monitoring and evaluation and provided strategic advice and support to the chief medical officer and senior health officials.

DfID has given $8.8 million for new drugs, as well as other help. Weekly meetings have brought together government and donors and aid agencies so that everybody has been in the loop and performed their own specific tasks

Outside help has been important, but the greatest credit of all goes to ministers and staff who have been working 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

There have been some major issues. The health minister was sacked last year for corruption. Junior doctors went on strike recently, worried about the impact the reforms would have on their lives. Health workers have been given large pay rises, from three-fold to six-fold, to compensate for the money they will lose when they can no longer charge fees. And there are still considerable worries over the shortages of staff – 50% of the healthcare staff Sierra Leone trains leave for Ghana, the UK or somewhere else where life is not so hard.

But the whole country is excited at the move and the expectation is that the community will help keep things on track. There is a toll-free number for people to call if doctors try to levy charges where there shouldn't be any, or try to charge men extra to make up for lost revenue from women, or if healthcare staff don't turn up for work or the drugs inexplicably run out. There is a real determination to make it work. This is not about political reputations in Sierra Leone or the UK. The lives of thousands of women and small children are at stake.


Congratulations to Sierra Leone.

Drink your way into wellness : Recipes

Its summer time and at this time of the year freshly squeezed juices and smoothies are very popular. it wouldnt be a bad idea to drink your way to wellness whilst feeling refereshed and hydrated. So, here are a few healthy recipes. You dont have to go to a smoothie shop to buy this. you can do it at home yourself. all you need is a fine blender and you are good to go.



♥ The Cholesterol Buster ♥

A juice made from Apple cucumber and celery is known to fight cancer and reduce cholesterol. It also improves any sort of stomach upset and headache. This juice is a must have once you have crossed your 30's. If you have this juice every other day, then you will not have to worry about your cholesterol level any more.


♥
Super Breath

This juice is specifically for people who want to improve their skin complexion. The ingredients are Apple, Carrot and Tomato. For better effect use Green apples. This juice also had an added advantage of eliminating bad breath. This is due to the Apple, Tomato combination.


♥
Super Cooler

A combination of Bitter gourd milk and Apple is used when one generates lots of internal body heat. This juice will instantly cool down your internal body heat and make you more comfortable. It also fights bad breath just like our previous recipe.


♥
Super Skin

It is a very well know fact that orange and cucumber are the most vital things to have if one is concerned about the skin. A combination of these two combined with ginger will act as a supper supplement for your skin. Its combined effect will improve the skin texture and moisture content in the skin. It is also a body heat reducing drink.


♥
The Wild Thing

Apple, Pineapple and Watermelon blends together to form a wonderful mouth watering juice which is excellent for your kidney and bladder. It also helps with dispelling excess salts from your body.


♥
The Sugar Fighter

This is a simple but very useful and easy to digest juice. It regulates the sugar content in our body. The juice is made of Pear and banana. Pear is good for an ulcer, constipation, and urination and also works for congestion, fever alleviation, and cough. Banana is good for people who have high blood pressure because it is low in salt. Banana contains tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to make you feel happy and improve your mood.


♥
Anti Oxidant

A juice made by mixing mango, pear, carrot and apple will act as an anti oxidant. It clears the body heat, counteracts toxicity and decrease blood pressure. Apple is a well known anti oxidant. The addition of mango makes this juice a very tasty drink.


♥
Purple Pine

Purple pine is made from pineapple and grapes. A black grape is usually used. The drink is high in iron and pineapple acts as a Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Digestive agent. It is a good drink to have after your lunch or dinner. Grape juice is known to be good for heart.


♥The Vitamin Juice♥

This is an extremely healthy drink with loads and loads of vitamin content. It is made from Honeydew, black grapes, watermelon and milk (even try using a milk alternative like soy or rice milk). If you have kids at home, they will love this. Other than Vitamin C, it also has Vitamin B2. It also increases the cell activity and strengthens body immunity.

Fancy glowing skin? : Part 2

"you are what you eat” applies to overall health and nutrition and how the skin looks and feels. The skin is the largest organ in the body and should benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. the list continues from part 1 just incase you missed it.



Vitamin E
Best bets:
green leafy vegetables, broccoli, oils, almonds, hazelnuts

Also found in:
peanuts, red bell peppers, olives, brown rice, apples, whole grains, wheat germ, sweet potatoes, legumes (beans, lentils, split peas)

Essential for:
antioxidant properties; reducing risk of disease; fighting free-radical damage; potential to help slow aging

Sodium (salt)
Essential for:
regulating fluids and blood pressure

Note: Nearly everyone gets enough salt. Large amounts of sodium are found in highly processed foods (fast food, canned products, frozen dinners). These foods should be eaten infrequently, because an excess of sodium causes fluid retention and swelling and may contribute to other health problems.

Zinc
Best bets:
meat, seafood, liver, eggs, milk, whole grains, wheat germ, fermented soybean paste (miso)
Also found in: apricots, peaches, onions, seafood (oysters), cocoa

Essential for:
healing and overall skin health; working with vitamin A to maintain and repair skin; providing strength, elasticity and firmness to skin; promoting tissue growth; playing a role in many vital functions in the body

When lacking, can cause: reduced resistance to infection

Macro Nutrients
Carbohydrates
Best bets:
whole-grain carbohydrates (breads, barley, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, quinoa, couscous, oatmeal)

Essential for:
energy, fiber and B vitamins

Protein
Best bets:
meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, nuts, tofu

Essential for:
energy and repair of body tissues and cells

Note:
Excess protein is stored in the body as fat.

Fats (essential fatty acids linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid)
Best bets:
vegetable oils, poultry fat, soy oils, nuts and seeds

Essential for:
maintaining healthy, hydrated skin

When lacking:
dry, scaly and flaky skin; hair loss

Water
Best bets:
water, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cooked grain products

Essential for:
proper hydration of cells; regulating body temperature; carrying nutrients to cells and wastes away from cells

when lacking, can cause: dehydration

Note:
Check your urine color to see if you're getting enough water.
Light yellow good
Clear maybe too much
Dark yellow/orange not enough

If you have special nutrition needs, discuss them with your physician.
Before making any changes to your diet, first consult your physician.
If you need a facial or want to read more about having healthy skin or if you have any problems with your skin.

Fancy glowing skin? : Part 1

"you are what you eat” applies to overall health and nutrition and how the skin looks and feels. The skin is the largest organ in the body and should benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. New research suggests that eating foods rich in protein and certain vitamins and minerals might provide valuable anti-aging effects.
Eating well and drinking plenty of water will help your skin, as well as the rest of your body, stay healthy. But can certain nutrients help prevent skin problems, such as dryness or loss of elasticity? And how much is too much?


Vitamin A
Best bets:
sweet potatoes, tomato sauce, liver, eggs, milk

Also found in:
orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as mangoes, apricots, pink grapefruit, tomatoes, asparagus; green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli

Essential for:
antioxidant properties, which help reduce the risk for certain diseases, including cancer, and help fight and prevent infection; growth and repair of cells, tissues and skin; relieving allergy symptoms.

When lacking, can cause: dryness, itching and loss of skin elasticity

B Complex Vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, B-6, B-12 and biotin)
Best bets:
whole grains and whole-grain cereals; enriched and fortified grain and cereal products

Also found in:
rice, wheat germ, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, fish, eggs, almonds, liver, yeast, low-fat dairy products

Essential for:relieving dryness and itchiness; easing stress
When lacking, can cause:
dry, flaky, sensitive skin; eye disorders

Riboflavin (B2)
Best bets:
whole grain and enriched breads and cereals; milk and other dairy products; meat and organ meats; eggs; nuts; green leafy vegetables


Niacin
Best bets:
whole-grain, enriched and fortified breads and cereals; poultry, fish, beef, peanut butter, legumes, enriched and fortified grains and grain products

Note:
Too much niacin, typically as a result of supplements, can cause flushed skin, rashes and liver damage.

B-6 (pyridoxine)
Best bets: organ meats, chicken, pork, fish, whole grains, nuts, legumes
B-12 (cobalamin)

Found in:
fish, milk and milk products, eggs, meat, poultry, fortified breakfast cereals

Note:
Certain people may be at risk for B12 deficiency and should speak to a physician or dietitian before using a supplement. They include adults over 55, those with pernicious anemia or gastrointestinal disorders, and vegans (vegetarian who eats plant products only).

Biotin
Best bets:
eggs, liver, yeast breads, cereals

Vitamin C
Best bets:
citrus fruits, berries, red bell peppers, broccoli

Also found in:
potatoes, garlic, onions, dark green and green leafy vegetables (spinach, parsley), apples, cabbage, tomatoes, sprouts, melons

Essential for:
antioxidant properties; antihistamine effects; fighting skin infections and healing wounds; producing collagen and elastin for firm skin; healthy gums and firm capillaries

When lacking, can cause: scurvy; loose teeth and swollen gums; excess bleeding; wounds that won't heal

Halitosis - Bad breathe

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. this condition is very embarrasing for affected individuals. Bad breath should not be ignored and treatment should begin before it leads to oral infections.

There are many causes of halitosis and one commonly known cause is lack of oral hygiene. The regular and frequent cleaning of the teeth and mouth is very important to prevent and avoid this problem and other oral infections.halitosis is common problem caused by an excessive growth of bacteria. This often happens due to poor oral hygiene, poor tongue cleaning, gum disease, build up of plaque,dehydration in the mouth, smoking, bad diet or other causes. Effective oral hygiene such as proper teeth and tongue brushing is considered to be effective in preventing bad breath
brushing after each meal (or twice a day) is needed to prevent this.Also, regular flossing does help a lot.

Tooth decay and many other infections can also be the reason for halitosis. If you are taking care of your oral cavity properly but still have halitosis then you must consult a doctor to find out what the real causes are and get treatment for this embarrassing condition. Dentists can tell you how to maintain the health of your gums, teeth and other parts of the mouth. If there are no oral infections then be sure to visit a doctor.

There can be many medical causes of halitosis.There are some medicines as well which can cause halitosis as a side effect. Doctors are helpful in dealing with this because they know that it can be a symptom of a health condition other than oral hygiene, and they can surely help you get rid of it.

Men: your biological clock is ticking too :D

MEN who put their career before having a family should be aware that the ticking of the biological clock is as important for fertility in men as it is in women.
American scientists have discovered that genetic damage to sperm routinely starts to cause infertility in men as young as 35. The strongest biological evidence yet for a significant drop in male fertility in the late thirties is a warning to the increasing number of grey-haired fathers who are leaving it later to have children.

The popular worry that career women risk losing the chance to have children has long been supported by infertility research focusing on how the quality of women’s eggs deteriorates with age. Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle have now provided the first firm molecular explanation for why childless career men should worry too. The chances of having a baby are reduced if the man is in his late thirties or forties.

The study examined the sperm of 60 volunteers aged between 22 and 60. All the men had healthy sperm counts.

they found that, whatever the sperm count, its genetic quality was closely related to age, with a cut-off point for serious damage of about 35.

Men in the older group had higher concentrations of sperm with broken strands of DNA, more acute levels of such genetic damage and their immune systems were much less efficient at getting rid of faulty sperm. The sperm of the older men were also less vigorous swimmers.

the findings cast new light on the often overlooked problem of male infertility.
apparently about a third of all infertility is male factor. “Male-factor" infertility is more prevalent than people think. It’s not generally in the public’s mind that male sperm quality does indeed go down with age, from, as we now see, the age of 35.”

Men concerned about their fertility should avoid activities such as smoking that may damage the DNA of their sperm. there’s nothing anyone can do about getting older so men who want to retain their own best capacity to father children should try to minimise contact with toxic agents and maintain a healthy lifestyle.


The findings do not suggest that most men who wait until after 35 to try for children will have problems, particularly if the man’s partner is in her twenties or early thirties. But the study does alert fertility doctors to another potential problem when older couples have difficulty in conceiving

Reference: the sunday times

Whats new : A contraceptive and STD protectant in one?

A researcher at the University of Newcastle in Australia is exploring ways to use quinones — a common organic compound — to react with enzymes in human semen. The technique could not only immobilize sperm but also disrupt the disease-causing mechanism of microbes that cause sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia.

Source: newscientist.com, time.com

Whats new: Fighting Aids

HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was. Today's challenges lie in studying the molecular mechanisms of HIV/AIDS and in making interventions practical — even where money is tight.

Natural immunity
A tiny fraction of people with untreated HIV never seem to progress to AIDS. These people also tend to carry a gene variant called HLA-B57. Last month, Boston researchers showed that this genetic trait works by helping prime the body's T cells to recognize viral mutations more easily. Figuring out natural immunity could be a step toward a vaccine.

Saving baby
For mother-to-child HIV transmission to be halted, an infant's first antiretroviral dose should come within hours after birth. That's hard for women who deliver far from a clinic. One new solution: a small polyethylene pouch, not unlike a ketchup packet. After giving birth, mom simply pours the contents into her newborn's mouth.

Source: Time.com
Photo credit : Duke university

Africans need sunscreen too (Men included)

There has been an ongoing myth for decades that dark skin doesn't burn, and so doesn’t need sunscreen. The truth is that all complexions can burn. Dark skin has more melanin than white skin and what melanin does is it provides some protection from the sun's UV rays - but you can’t depend on that alone. The extra melanin doesn't protect against the UV damage that accelerates aging or causes cancer. The best thing to do is to begin each day by applying a sunscreen or moisturizer with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 to 30 and reapplying often while in direct sunlight.

Below are common skin problems caused by sun exposure and tips on how to rescue your skin from the damage.

For Darkened Facial Skin

Changes in the skin’s pigmentation occur as we age and are very prominent in African skin. Exposure to both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light stimulates the production of melanin which most likely accounts for darkening of the skin. There are 4 commonly occurring types of darkening.

• Localized areas on the face and neck
• More generalized areas on the face and neck
• Dark under eye circles
• Uneven skin tone

A way to treat the problem is to adopt the daily regimen of applying a SPF 15 or 30 sunscreen. For those who are experiencing pigmentary changes, a SPF 30 combined with a glycolic acid cream or lotion are recommended. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are a great solution for Africans with this problem. It is recommended to undergo glycolic peels and, for sensitive skin, gentler salicylic peels.( consult your dermatologist)

For Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation are dark spots or splotches from UV-ray exposure .it needs to be treated with a prescription for 2% hydroquinone or 4% if severe( again consult your dermatologist), which is faster-acting and more effective than the over-the-counter variety. But make sure you don't use a hydroquinone fader longer than four months, because a rare condition of permanently darkened skin tone could happen. If this occurs, take a break for a month or two and then resume treatment. The widely held idea among black women that tanning will solve hyperpigmentation, by enabling the darker areas to blend in, is purely a myth.

For Dark Freckles (yes black people get freckles too)

Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPNs) is another pigmentary problem caused by the sun. These are benign cutaneous condition common among blacks. It is usually characterized by small, brown or black bumps that are sometimes mistaken for moles. A combination of heredity, aging and exposure to the sun are factors in the development of DPNs.

they are not dangerous and can easily be removed in a clinic. Since there is no cream that has the ability to remove DPNs, treatment involves either excising the lesions with as special surgical instrument, called a gradle scissor, or burning them with an electric needle. These procedures are well generally tolerated and healing generally occurs within one week. Side effects of removal may include light or dark skin discolorations which usually fade rapidly.

Reference: on request

Breast health : The wrong bra

Wearing the wrong bra can damage womens breasts according to health experts. if your bra selection is wrong it may lead to the fragile ligaments being stretched.

During exercise, your boobs move up and down, in and out, and from side to side. It is said that boobs move approximately 21 cm during exercise. Most of the bras are designed in such a way that it limits just vertical movement. For many women, wrong bra causes breast pain. Wrong bra makes women feel discomfort.

This is because they don’t buy right sized bra. There are many sports bra that do up at the back. Traditional bras are really good in supporting women. Some women who want their boobs to look big opt for wrong bras which doesn’t fit according to their breast size. You should always select a bra according to your breast size.

Many women are unaware that they are wearing the wrong bra. Changing shape and size of their breasts will change their bra size over their life time, mainly after menopause. The same case also happens during breastfeeding.

The selection of bra plays a very important role in breast health. One of the most precious assets a woman has is properly formed and shaped breasts. If you select a bra which is not your cup size, the shape of your boobs will be distorted and will finally lead to sagging. It is not recommended to wear tight fit bras as it will lead you to have scar around your breasts. It seriously affects your skin. While buying bra, measure your breast size. A perfect bra will give a good shape to your breast and it will not damage your breast.

Detecting Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the major causes of death in african women today. early detection is one of the reasons why some cancer victims have a greater chance of survival.Its also been found that self-examination increases the survival rate of breast cancer.

below are some tips on how to do a self-examination of your breast to spot the first signs and symptoms of breast cancer. What you are trying to lookout for are lumps, knots, thickening or swellings which indicate a growing cancer cell inside the breast.

Tip #1:

Lie down on your back and put a pillow under your left shoulder. This will put you in an elevated position after. Raise and place your left hand under your head. Your left breast should be stretched and flattened a bit in this position. Using your right hand, examine your left breast for lumps in a circular motion from the rim of your breast area to the nipple, including the armpit area. Repeat this procedure by reversing the position to the right side of your breasts.

Tip #2:

Examine your breasts by facing a mirror. You can either leave your hands relaxed on the sides or raise them up. Look closely at your breasts for any changes such as the texture, color and orientation. In addition, observe if there is any skin irritation, retraction of nipples, dimpling or bulge and swelling or soreness.

Tip #3:

Examine your breast by contracting your chest muscles. Raise your arm near your forehead and clasp both hands. Then squeeze palms tightly together to make the muscles contract. You must do this while facing the mirror to see if there are any bulges. Another way is to place your palms on the sides of your hips and press them downward. As the muscles contract, check again for bulges.

Tip #4:

Periodically examine your breasts while taking a shower. Raise your one hand overhead, while your other hand carries out examination in a circular motion. Carryout this procedure on both breasts. Why do this in the shower? Because with soap applied on your skin, it can help your hand glide smoothly and feel the lump easily


Reference: cancer reasearch UK

Nature and your organs

Everything our body needs exist in nature. what i find very fascinating is the fact that some fruits and vegetables have similar resemblance to organs in our body. i came across this very useful information and would like to share.


Carrot – A sliced of carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines just like our eye. Science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.


Tomato – A tomato has 4 chambers and is red just like our heart. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.


Grapes – Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.



Walnut – A walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.


Beans – They look exactly like the human kidneys. They actually heal and help kidney function.


Celery, Rhubarb – They and many more just look like our bones. These foods specifically target bone strenght. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium on your diet, the body pulls it from the bones making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.


Avacados, Aubergines, Pears – They target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female. They just look like these organs. Today’s research shows that when a woman eats 1 avacado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevent cervical cancers. Also it takes 9 months to grow an avacado from blossom to ripened fruit.


Figs – They are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility and numbers of sperms as well as to overcome male sterility.


Olives – They just look like the ovaries and assist the health and function of the ovaries.


Oranges, Grapefruits and other citrus fruit – They look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.


Potatoes, Sweet potatoes – They look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.


Onions – They look like the body cells. Today’s research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Ladies: is everything okay down south?

A Woman's pH

pH balance is not just from the acid and base titration lectures most of us took in secondary school. The acronym pH actually refers to the body's Potential for Hydrogen, which measures the hydrogen ions that are in the body. . The body's pH is determined by a scale that ranges from 0 to 14; a pH lower than 7 is acidic and a pH higher than 7 is considered basic.

Generally the vaginal PH should be acidic, so you want it lower than a 5. If a woman's pH is high, she most likely has a bacterial infection and needs to see her doctor. if her pH is low, thats indicative of a yeast infection.


Here are some TIPS on keeping you privates healthy.

* use a light non-fragranced soap with warm warm water

* Dont Douch : use water and vinegar instead if you must

* Keep wearing of thongs to the minimal. the thong sits right on your butt. thats like a highway for bacteria. Thongs get so close and tight on your skin that it's almost impossible for the area to breathe (breeding ground for bacterial growth). It's fine to wear thongs once in a while when you have an outfit that requires them. generally, cotton underwear is better.

* wipe from the front to back when you go to the bathroom. that way you dont get bacteria from your butt where you dont want it as that is a MAJOR cause of infection.

* go to bed without underwear. the african weather is hot and humid most times.It helps if your V gets some fresh air every now and then.

Do you Have Bacterial Vaginosis?

When bacterial vaginosis infects a woman, a number of symptoms will manifest themselves. One of the most apparent symptoms of this condition is a fishy smell, an intense odor that is associated with the disease. Since the intensity of this odor is overwhelming, it is likely to affect the woman concerned emotionally as the condition will lower her self-esteem.

But it should be understood by the affected woman that the odor is not necessarily due to bad hygiene, although that is one of the causes for bacterial vaginosis to manifest itself, but rather it is the infection which is causing the bad smell.


As mentioned earlier, this smell can cause serious psychological problems to the woman concerned. Because of the bad smell she may suffer from depression and would refuse to socialize with people. At such times we have to reassure the concerned woman that hers is not an isolated case, as many women suffer from this condition. This is a common symptom with a huge number of women suffering from it annually.

The other symptoms of this condition include itching and a burning sensation in the vaginal and vulva region of the affected woman. Though the burning sensation and itching in themselves do not necessarily indicate the vaginosis, these are usually associated with the condition. Sometimes a detailed medical study may be required to arrive at the conclusion that she is suffering from this condition, though when the horrible smell is present along with itching and burning sensation, it is highly indicative of the infection

Baby's Got BACNE (Back Acne)

Acne is a problem that normally affects the face but there are many individuals who suffer from body acne as well. If you have body acne, then you must be avoiding going to the beach and other places where you need to take off your clothes. its summer time which means welcoming tank tops, halter necks, shorts, e.t.c but with body acne ones self-confidence could be seriously affected.

The major cause of acne is the build up of toxic materials in your body. Normally Dust and bacteria are trapped in you skin and so when these toxins try to escape through your skin it causes the pores to block. the presence of bacteria on the skin causes an infection which result in acne(pimples). You need to concentrate on your personal hygiene to avoid this problem.

the most common type of body acne is back acne (BACNE)and this is common in both men and women. other tpes of acne are found on the chest,arms,stomach,lower back, butt,legs etc

Shower daily and use an exfoliating body wash when you shower, by exfoliating daily you are removing dead skin and unclogging your pores.

* You can use salt scrubs or sugar scrub on a weekly basis. These scrubs act as an exfoliate, but shouldn’t be used every day. Exfoliating too much can cause your skin to become red, blotchy and irritated. A sugar scrub is a little softer to the skin than the salt scrub, if you have sensitive skin try the sugar scrub.

* Sometimes the most obvious is the most elusive- a face wash or scrub specifically designed to treat acne can be used on your back as well. Think about it, if it works on your face, why wouldn’t it work on your back?

*Tea tree oil is a good treatment for acne. This oil is an extract from the tea tree and its origin is in Australia. The natives in Australia used to apply this oil on skin to treat acne problems. This oil is very effective because of its antiseptic properties.


*other treatments good for body acne inlcudes salycilic acid. products like neutrogena body clear body wash, clinique anti-acne solutions, clearasil and proactive are good for fighting body acne and all have salicylic acid.


*for herbal/back to the basics home grown treatment, Dudu-osun black soap does wonders..FACT!!!

*if symptoms still persist you might want to visit your dermatologist for topical creams or antibiotics

Be aware of what’s going on over your shoulder, make the necessary adjustments and you too will be able to shamelessly show off your skin in the summer :)

Men get yeast Infections too...

Few men know that they also can get yeast infections. Yeast infections are not gender specific. The cause of yeast infections, an out of balance Candida Albicans fungus level in the body, can affect either men or women, and when out of balance, can produce negative symptomatic consequences in the genitals .
Sexual transmission with a partner who also has a yeast infection is a method of commuting this bacterial malady. To protect yourself from sexual transmission, open communication with sexual partners about the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases and infections, as well as the use of barrier protection, such as condoms have been known to reduce infections.

A man with a yeast infection will most likely experience some similar symptoms as those of women, such as genital itching, discomfort, or even discharge. If any of these symptoms occur, immediate medical attention should be sought in order to rule out more serious medical conditions before seeking over the counter remedies.

Other symptoms might not lead the man to think of yeast infections at all when experienced. Severe stomach cramps, uncontrollable or increased passing of gas, and other abdominal discomforts would not signify a genital bacterial infection by first glance. Erectile dysfunction on the other hand may be thought of at first as a sign of serious medical or chronic ailment but might actually be a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics.

The treatment for men with yeast infections are the same as they are for women, however the application methods do vary. Male yeast infection OTC treatments can be found for both men and women. Be sure to read the ingredients and follow the instructions carefully.
Wearing loose fitting clothing around the midsection and avoiding scratching the area as well as following your prescribed treatment schedule can aid recovery from a male yeast infection greatly.

If you are a man and you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, reluctant as you may be, you should contact you physician and schedule an examination as soon as possible.

Are you really doing your body any favour by ordering a Salad?

Many of us believe that eating salad at a restaurant is good for us. Sometimes we may be right but in most cases it is far from the truth. Most restaurants serve a salad made from iceberg lettuce. This lettuce has no nutritional value, it is very basically fiber held together by water. In the digestive system iceberg lettuce has the nasty habit of turning into a slime that your body then has to break down.

On top of this leafy non-nutritional plate or bowl full, we pour all sorts of different types of salad dressings. Most of these dressings are a creamy sort that is full of fat and sugars. Why do we use these dressings in such large amounts on this particular salad? Because by itself iceberg lettuce has very little taste and this is because, as I said before, it is simply fiber and water.

So next time you think you are going to suffer through a salad in order to feel like you’re doing your body some good, consider this article and maybe decide to go with soup instead. The soup may not be all that good for you but at least you are getting some good flavor for your trouble and you aren’t telling yourself stories.

If a salad is available that has deep green vegetables of all kinds, that one will be healthy for you, but again, dousing it with a large dollop of dressing will negate it’s value to a degree

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in Benin

Bruni-Sarkozy has become the ambassador for the Global Fund for HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The first lady of France has personally taken up the cause of protecting babies from becoming infected with HIV by their mothers at birth. There could hardly be a better, more important issue. She expresses real passion at the plight of women, who can be thrown out of doors by their husbands if they test positive for HIV (often it is the husbands who gave them the infection in the first place). And who could be anything but appalled at the thought that such women could then be double damned – by passing on the deadly virus to their children.

You can use beauty and celebrity to sell anything. Maybe Bruni-Sarkozy's will help to awaken the wealthy world to the tragedy of mothers with HIV and their babies.

Reference:

Photo: John Rae/The Global Fund

Sarah boseley, Guardian.co.uk

Men who have Sex with Men

What group of the population is nearly 9 times more vulnerable to HIV infection in many developing countries but are almost never targeted by HIV prevention activities? According to recent research, and an editorial from the AIDSTAR portal: men who have sex with men (MSM).

The term is used to describe people who engage in a particular behavior rather than a label for sexual identity, which at times can differ. MSM can also have sex with women, or may do so for only a short period of time, but the key is that they are not always identified as people who engage in sexual relations with other men which can make them difficult to identify. To complicate things further, the behavior is frequently illegal in developing countries making it difficult to launch effective prevention programs.

Men who have sex with men are very rampant in Nigeria. Unfortunately, culture and society make it very difficult for people to express their sexual orientation confidently. unless this changes, anyone could be at risk. Studies of African men who have sex with men have shown that unprotected anal sex is commonplace, and HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men is as high as 25.3% in some west African countries. In Kenya, a country where homosexuality is illegal, HIV prevalence has reached as high as 43% among some groups of men who have sex with men.

Although statistics like these give an idea of the impact that AIDS is having on men who have sex with men, data is still extremely scarce in many countries e.g Nigeria. This is largely due to the fact that men who have sex with men often have no separate social identity, and are simply counted as part of the general population. It is also due to the reluctance of governments to acknowledge men who have sex with men, and to monitor this group. Another factor blurring statistics is that it’s not always possible to tell how a man became infected. If he is having sex with women as well, he may well report that HIV was transmitted to him from a woman (or even if he is only having sex with men, he may lie because of stigma). This can distort figures

The AIDSTAR initiative, supported by USAID, seeks to begin to fill the gap in terms of what we know about MSM and what we know works in MSM prevention and control.

Reference:

http://www.aidstar-one.com/focus_areas/prevention/prevention_resources/emerging_areas/hard-to-reach_men_who_have_sex_men