Health

Meal Time & Metabolic Health

There are many things that a person can do to maintain a healthy weight, metabolism and lifestyle. When it comes to meals and the consistency and frequency of nutrition there have been many studies performed to determine their overall importance and impact.

One study suggests that people who eat breakfast every day live healthier and more active life styles. In addition to an active life style, a well-planned meal routine can positively impact a person’s metabolic health.

A target group of individuals who participated in the study saw positive physical results. The group of adults tested consisted of individuals from 21 to 60 years of age. All participants of this study were tested prior to the start of the study. These people were asked to skip breakfast for six weeks and then their vitals were retested.

After the retest the individuals were asked to eat breakfast for six weeks. The main focus was to consume seven hundred calories before 11am. They could divide the calories up however they saw fit and they could consume them however they desired. Many individuals stuck to traditional breakfast foods such as toast, cereal, juices and yogurts while others sought out more progressive nutritional options. After the six weeks were up these individuals were retested.

The results of these nutritional tests showed that people of a standard and healthy weight seemed to slow down and become more tired when they ate breakfast. The lack of nutrition did not impact their overall metabolic rate. Individuals of a unhealthy weight actually had more energy and an increased metabolism when they consumed 700 calories prior to 11am.

The study also showed that there were cardiovascular health benefits to eating breakfast every day. The body was able to recognize the added nutrition and become more active which helped with insulin production. Eating breakfast every single day seemed to result in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

During the fasting portion of this study there was an interesting result for obese people. Individuals suffering from obesity were not only sluggish if they did not consume calories prior to 11am; they also had an increased amount of inflammation within the body.

Individuals of a healthy weight did not suffer from inflammation when they fasted. Fasting only occurred during the morning hours prior to 11am. Food consumed for lunch, snack and dinner time could all impact each individual’s results.

There are many things to factor in when considering weight loss and fasting. Not every person who participated in this study maintained the same diet. Some foods consumed are known to cause inflammation. Some people opted for higher fat content foods that were also full of carbohydrates while other individuals stuck to a healthier vegetarian diet with their allotted calories.

One thing is for certain; researches are learning how food impacts individuals throughout the day and during times of fasting. There are many metabolic factors to consider when determining guidelines for a healthy metabolic and cardiovascular life in both obese and healthy weighted individuals.

Scientists hope to be able to break down each meal an individual consumes and target how it affects body fat. Studying something as simple as breakfast is a starting point for researchers to develop a plan on decreasing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other illnesses that impact people on a daily basis.

More research will need to be done to determine if it is better to fast or eat early in the day but as long as there are target groups of individuals willing to participate in these studies than scientists will have the starting point they need to help better inform people about their health.

Must Know Skin Care Tips for Women

As women of color, we should pamper out skin all year long, but especially during the winter months. When it get’s cold outside, our skin loose moisture and become dry, irritated, and itchy. According to dermatologist, those with dark skin may be prone to more skin therapy during these periods.

Other than cold weather, the sun and the environment can also damage your skin. To protect your skin and keep it hydrated and moisturized, there are remedies that can keep your skin in the best condition. Listed below are 8 skincare tips for women of color-according to dermatologist:

Use Sunscreen

Although the sun is good for the skin, UV rays from the it may cause damage to your skin. It is recommended to use SPF 30 sunscreen or higher. If you avoid using sunscreen, it could lead to wrinkles and cancer, or age spots. The sun also destroy collagen. Many people of color think they don’t need it, but it is highly recommended to use every month.

Avoid Scented Soaps

Everyone love to smell amazing scents, but they may strip your pores of natural oils. They also cause dry skin. It is recommended to stay away from antibacterial soaps, because they are harsh and don’t thoroughly cleanse the skin. If you need to cleanse your skin, use oil-reducing products- as an alternative to scented soaps.

Avoid Bad Weather Conditions

When it’s cold outside, many people get freezer burns, and it irritates and damage the skin. When you skin is exposed to cold temperatures, your pigmentation can suffer and excessive exposure can modify your skin complexion. Try to stay away from snowboarding and other types of outdoor activities, where your skin may suffer.

Avoid Certain Garments

If you suffer with eczema or any other skin conditions, you may want to clean out your closet of fabrics like- wool, – that may cause you to itch. Dermatologist recommend that you use 100% cotton, which does not irritate the skin. You can also use synthetics, which are also healthier.

Moisturize every day

Your pores and skin need extra oil throughout the year. After you shower or take a bath, use creams and gels that contain glycerin, aloe, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acid, vitamin E, chamomile, and hyaluronic acid- because they restore your skin. It is also suggested to use petroleum jelly, which helps with dryness. You can also enjoy a cup of green tea and antioxidants to protect your skin.

Taking care of your skin make you fee renewed. When you use skin therapy to keep your skin moisturized, they can help rejuvenate it and keep it’s natural beauty. You want your skin to glow throughout the year, especially during the winter months. Cleansing, enhancing, moisturizing, and repair regiments keep the skin in good condition.

Use a Humidifier

If you have dry skin or pores, it is recommended to use a humidifier, which keeps the air moist. It brings the cool that your skin need, for healthier skin. They are perfect to combat microbes that may be lurking in the air.

Conclusion

Don’t let a 12-hour period go by, without moisturizing the skin. Regular exfoliation and hydration is key to healthy skin. Your number one goal should be to protect your skin from pollution, ultra sun rays, and bad weather. If you practice a daily regiment, you will reap the benefits of good skin.

Healthy skin is a result of moisturizing and protecting it. The best ingredients are highly recommended by a dermatologist, who promotes natural ingredients and effective skin care, that’s affordable and healthy. You want nature to enhance your skin and moisturizers that’s the essence of beauty and healthy skin.

New Parents in Need of Sleep

Parents know that having a newborn sets off months upon months of stressful and sleepless nights. They rarely sleep for five hours straight, and that is bound to take a toll on any new parents that have been soundly sleeping. The good news is that there is a solution for this.

The Journal of Pediatric Healthcare advises new parents to become more educated on the natural sleep cycles of both new born babies and adults. Thre is a science to sleeping and understanding it will allow new parents to come up with some strategies they could take advantage of during those first difficult months. Knowing what is about to happen will also avoid setting unrealistic expectations about the sleeping patterns of your newborn as well as the amounts of sleep you will be able to get every night.

Anna Keppler is a nurse as well as an author who writes about parenting. She is also a consultant, and her goal is to help educate new parents. According to Ann Keppler, sleep is a matter that families need to work out as it is essentially a family issue. It is beyond obvious that new parents need to adjust to the erratic sleep patterns of a newborn baby which often continue when they grow up to be a toddler. By becoming more familiar with the sleep patterns of your child, you should be able to figure out a strategy so that you can get some extra sleep. It is very important for the both of the parents to get a sufficient amount of sleep each night and maybe sneak in a nap during the day as well. It all depends on the temperament of the baby.

Understanding the Sleeping Patterns of the Baby

Why do newborn babies have different sleep patterns instead of a universal clock? Infant biology is different than the one of a toddler or even of an older baby. Essentially, the first few months outside of the womb are the fourth trimester of the newborn. The child encounters all kinds of new sensations after its birth. While children are still in the womb, they do not experience what it is like to be cold, and they do not stay hungry. The womb takes care of all of that immediately. New born babies have to go through an adjustment period, and it is likely for that to have an effect on their biology, determining and affecting their sleep patterns.

Sleep Strategies

Parents have different sleep strategies. A few that might fit you include taking shifts. If one of the parents is a night owl and the other is a morning lark, try responding to your newborn according to those natural clocks. One other thing you might want to try out is co-sleeping. You will need a big bed for that as well as some protection. Some parents like to pull the nursing bed flush against theirs so that they can take care of their baby during the night. If you wish to try out co-sleeping, read up on how to do it safely.

New parents certainly do not have it easy. At the same time, remember, that there is always a way to make things work better for you so that you can get a sufficient amount of sleep every night. There are always things that you can try out such as co sleeping and accurate night time shifts that will fit in with your internal clock. Either way, you will still have to make compromises and sacrifice an hour or two until you figure out what works best for you and your baby.