Nose Jobs, Eyelid Surgery, Liposculpture, Face Lift, Chest Contour Surgery, Gynecomastia Surgery, Chin Implants, Alternative Plastic Surgery Procedures, Ear Surgery, Hair Transplantation, Tummy Tuck, Skin Care for Men, Men's Issues, Men's Health and Fitness
Some doctors have claimed that young men could be jeopardizing their sexual health by taking the world's best selling anti-baldness drug.
According to researchers, Finasteride - sold in UK as Propecia - can cause serious side effects and that the drug's labeling is inadequate.
The prescription pill is extremely effective at stopping hair loss and in clinical trials nine out of 10 men didn't lose any more hair over a five year period.
Drugs' company Merck, which manufactures Propecia, claims on its website that less than 2pc of men could suffer sexual side effects, reports the BBC .
It mentions things like difficulty achieving an erection, but says the problems will go away for men who stop taking the drug.
There are doctors in Ireland and the US who claim that the drug's labeling is inadequate.
Merck said they continually monitor its safety and have recently changed the labeling after reports of sexual side effects continuing after people had stopped taking the drug.
They also claim those cases are extremely rare and could be caused by something other than Propecia itself. resource: The Times of India
An entire industry exists to study products that found uses far, far beyond what the product developers, manufacturers or advertisers ever could imagine.
Known as non-intended product use, famous examples include people using:
Kitty litter for traction on icy steps and sidewalks
Torn tennis balls to protect trailer hitches
Whole tennis balls suspended from the rafters marking exactly where to stop a vehicle in a packed garage
Toothpaste to remove the scratches in a CD
You’ve probably already seen the long list of unintended uses for Botox, from halting sweaty palms to making some breast augmentation procedures less painful.
Latisse was virtually an overnight sensation when it hit the market back in 2008. Latisse is the feminine version of a slam dunk. Clinical tests reveal test subjects have 25 percent longer eye winkers which are 18 percent darker and 100 percent fuller. Of 172 comments about Latisse on RealSelf.com, 89 percent say the $100 cost is worth it.
Then, some Latisse users found their eyebrows growing thicker, longer and blacker...Well, guess what happened next? (In our estimation, anyhow.) All over the U.S., short, bald men who had wives or girlfriends (or hey, even moms and grandmoms!) with Latisse- boosted eyelashes, started reporting an unusual – but welcome! – event.
The more hugs these guys got, the more hair sprouted on their shiny noggins. All it took was some brushes on the head with eyelashes. Or, who knows? Maybe the guys started out just swiping the Latisse.
After that, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, cosmetic surgeons and other doctors started reporting cases of new hair sprouting on formerly bald heads. And the only thing different was Latisse in the house.
Then, Alan Bauman, M.D., a famous hair restoration doctor for both men and women, started trying Latisse on hair challenged patients. He soon had enough interesting cases of male and female pattern baldness solved to convince the F.D.A. that official testing should be done.
As we speak, 28 men and women aged 18 to 64 are officially testing Latisse for hair growth on the head in an FDA stage I trial. Dr. Bauman thinks a stronger dose of Latisse should do the trick.
Stay tuned! Clinical trials II and III are next.
Time to market? Don’t hold your breath – with luck, maybe three years.
resource: http://www.californiasurgicalinstitute.com/blog/latisse-to-grow-men%E2%80%99s-hair.html
Kegel exercises for men can help prevent or control urinary incontinence and possibly improve sexual performance. Here's a guide to doing Kegel exercises correctly.
Think Kegel exercises are just for women? Think again. Kegel exercises for men can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and bowel and affect sexual function. With practice, Kegel exercises for men can be done discreetly just about anytime — whether you're relaxing on the couch or driving your car. Before you start doing Kegel exercises, find out how to locate the correct muscles and understand the proper technique.
Benefits of Kegel exercises for men
Many factors can weaken your pelvic floor muscles, including a radical prostatectomy and conditions such as diabetes. Kegel exercises for men can help prevent, treat or delay some of the symptoms caused by weak pelvic floor muscles, such as urine leakage. You may benefit from doing Kegel exercises if you have:
Urinary or fecal incontinence
Dribble following urination
Limited research suggests that Kegel exercises for men may also benefit some men who have erectile dysfunction.
How to do Kegel exercises for men
It takes diligence to identify your pelvic floor muscles and understand how to contract and relax them. Here are some pointers:
Find the right muscles. To make sure you know how to contract your pelvic floor muscles, tightly squeeze the muscles that help prevent you from passing gas or try to stop the flow of urine while you're using the toilet. If you look in the mirror, the base of your penis will move closer to your abdomen and your testicles will rise.
Perfect your technique. Once you've identified your pelvic floor muscles, empty your bladder and lie down. Contract your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction for three seconds, then relax for three seconds. Try it a few times in a row but don't overdo it. When your muscles get stronger, try doing Kegel exercises while sitting, standing or walking.
Maintain your focus. For best results, focus on tightening only your pelvic floor muscles. Be careful not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs or buttocks. Avoid holding your breath. Instead, breathe freely during the exercises.
Repeat three times a day. Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions a day. You might make a practice of fitting in a set every time you do a routine task, such as brushing your teeth.
Kegel exercises can also be done after you finish voiding, to get rid of the last few drops of urine or to return any feces that haven't been voided up to the rectum. You might also contract your pelvic floor muscles just before and during any activity that puts pressure on your abdomen, such as sneezing, coughing, laughing or heavy lifting. In addition, you might tighten your pelvic floor muscles during sexual activity to maintain an erection or delay ejaculation.
When you're having trouble
If you're having trouble doing Kegel exercises, don't be embarrassed to ask for help. Your doctor or other health care provider can give you important feedback so that you learn to isolate and exercise the correct muscles.
In some cases, biofeedback training may help. In a biofeedback session, your doctor or other health care provider inserts a small monitoring probe into your rectum. When you contract your pelvic floor muscles, you'll see a measurement on a monitor that lets you know whether you've successfully contracted the right muscles. You'll also be able to see how long you hold the contraction.
When to expect results
If you do your Kegel exercises regularly, you can expect to see results — such as less frequent urine leakage — within three to six weeks. Other results, such as improved erectile function, may take three months. For continued benefits, make Kegel exercises a permanent part of your daily routine.
resource: MayoClinic.com
Men’s health is best protected by a lifestyle that includes regular testicular examination. Early detection of tumours on the testes significantly increases survival.
Sixty seconds is all it takes to self examine your own testicles. It is recommended that all men over the age of 14 conduct a testicular self exam once a month. This is the best way to become familiar with your own anatomy so that any changes are noticed right away.
Here is the four step procedure for a testicular self examination (TSE). It is recommended to do the self exam after a warm bath or shower when the structures in the scrotum are relaxed.
Holding the scrotum, place one testicle between your thumb and fingers and gently feel the entire surface of the testicle rolling it gently between your thumb and fingers. It should be smooth with no lumps or bumps. Keep feeling all around the testicle and move up to the top where you should be able to feel the epididymis. It might even extend a bit behind the testicle. It might be a little tender when pressed but should feel like a “comma” shaped structure. Move up the epididymis and locate the spermatic cord. It will feel like a tube. It should be soft and movable. Repeat on the other testicle and your testicular self exam is complete. It should not take more that 60 seconds.
Treatment
Testicular cancer is treated by removal of the affected testicle (orhiectomy) and radiation or chemotherapy as follow-up treatment if needed. Testicular self examination is the best way to ensure early detection of tumours on the testes. If found and treated early survival rates are close to 90%.
Only one testicle is needed for male fertility and normal male sexual functioning so if testicular cancer is detected and treated early, the orchiectomy should not affect sexual activity or plans for family expansion. Prosthetic devices are available to restore the normal feel and appearance after the removal of the affected testicle.
Early detection through self examination is the best health promotion strategy for protecting mens health. Like its female counterpart, breast cancer, testicular cancer is not preventable in the sense that the exact mechanisms of cause are not clearly known.
resource: healthnit.com
It’s a simple equation with a powerful result: Moustaches + November = Movember, which begins today, Nov. 1. Starting in Melbourne, Australia in 2003, a small group of men met over a few beers looking for a way to do something fun that would also give back to society. One of them asked, “What about bringing back the moustache?” and with it being called a “Mo” in Aussie slang, Movember was soon born.
It is an understatement to say the movement has had a meteoric rise. Starting primarily as a social event in 2003, Movember saw its numbers rise to 432 participants in 2004 raising $55,000 for the Australian Prostate Cancer Foundation, becoming its top fundraiser in the process. In 2009, global participation climbed to 255,755 from 10 countries with more than one million donors raising $42 million for Movember’s global partners.
“It’s hard to believe what began as a bit of a joke has turned into a global movement for men’s health. It’s humbling to see so many men and women passionately support this cause,” said Adam Garone, CEO and co-founder of Movember. “These days you can’t grow a moustache without people asking what’s going on, and that leads to amazing conversations about cancers that affect men.”
This irreverent campaign – dedicated to changing the face of men’s health – now has a threefold purpose: education and awareness, cancer survivorship through LIVESTRONG and prostate cancer research.
• All “Mo Bros and Sistas” are highly encouraged to learn about the main issues around men’s health, then through the natural curiosity as to why a man is growing a moustache in November, talk about things like age appropriate cancer screening.
• Cancer survivorship, which deals with the practical issues within the cancer community, is the mainstay of LIVESTRONG. Movember funds programs like Fertile Hope, which provides fertility preservation assistance and information, and My Planet, an online community that allows young adults to communicate with others whose lives have been affected by cancer.
• The Prostate Cancer Foundation funds research targeted at better treatments and finding a cure for prostate cancer. The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center recently made a significant breakthrough via this support, identifying 24 different kinds of prostate cancer and how aggressive each one is, ultimately leading to more effective treatment.
To become a Mo Bro, Mo Sista or learn more about Movember, visit www.Movember.com.
resource: National cancer | Examiner.com
Mr. Mo heard from Washington — Cheap, easy-to-take aspirin tablets may help men being treated for prostate cancer live longer, U.S. researchers reported on Monday, Oct. 25, 2010.
Prostate cancer patients who had been treated with either surgery or radiation, and who took aspirin or other anticoagulant drugs such as Warfarin, were far less likely to die of cancer, the researchers said.
Those who took the drugs had a 4 percent risk of dying from prostate cancer after 10 years, compared to 10 percent for men who did not take anticoagulants.
Men with high-risk prostate cancer benefited the most, the researchers said ahead of an American Society for Radiation Oncology meeting, which starts next week in San Diego.
"Evidence has shown that anticoagulants may interfere with cancer growth and spread," Dr. Kevin Choe of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas said in a statement.
"If the major effect of anticoagulants is preventing metastasis (tumor spread), this may be why previous clinical trials with anticoagulation medications produced mixed results, since most patients in these trials already had metastasis. If the cancer has already metastasized, then anticoagulants may not be as beneficial."
Choe's team looked at a study of 5,275 men whose cancer had not spread beyond the prostate gland. Of the men, 1,982 were taking anticoagulants.
Those taking aspirin or other drugs to reduce clotting were far less likely to have the prostate tumors pop up elsewhere in their bodies and were less likely to die, Choe's team said in materials published ahead of the meeting.
Story: Daily aspirin may cut colon cancer, study says
"The benefit was most prominent with aspirin use over other anticoagulants," Choe told a news briefing.
"Findings from this study are promising. However, further studies are necessary before the addition of aspirin to prostate cancer therapy becomes standard treatment," he added.
resource: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39835786/ns/health-mens_health/
Male Menopause (Andropause) - Is It Real and Is Treatment Safe?
A menopause for men? Yes. Often referred to by its clinical name andropause it is very real and no man escapes it. Male menopause is cause by a decline in hormones - testosterone, thyroid, DHEA that starts in the late 20's. Most men can detect symptoms by age 35 to 40.
It is real because numerous studies have supported that fact. It is also real because hundreds of thousands of men have treated the symptoms of male menopause and had those symptoms go away in 2 to 4 weeks after starting treatment. The symptoms of male menopause / andropause are as follows:
Menopause and the affection of menopause are a accustomed allotment of the action of living. The affection of menopause that accompanies this action are physiological changes that appear to every woman in capricious degrees.
" Decreased mental quickness and sharpness
" Decreased energy, strength and endurance
" Less desire for activity and exercise
" Decreased muscle and increased body fat
" Night sweats and trouble sleeping
" Mild to moderate depression and irritability
" Depression and/or loss of eagerness and enthusiasm for daily life
" Decreased sex drive
" Decreased sexual function and/or sensitivity
It is sometimes difficult for men to admit to the symptoms of male menopause / andropause because unlike women, the symptoms of male menopause / andropause develop slowly and men tend to adjust to the change. It usually takes a catalyst such as this article, a friend, wife, etc., bringing to mans attention that they are feeling less that optimal and what may be causing it. It is also difficult for men to admit because it is not the "manly thing to do". "Who me have problems with my male hormones? No way, that is for women and wimps".
Treatment for male menopause / andropause is not only safe, it is healthy. It consists of testing hormone levels and replacing hormones to levels the man had when he felt his best and was at his healthiest - age 25 to 30.
Studies done 5 to 10 years ago attested to the safely of hormone replacement for men. For example, hormones, including testosterone, do not cause cancer. Over the past 5 years, studies have attested to the health benefits of hormone replacement for men. As an example, the largest concentration of testosterone receptors is in the heart. Second largest is in the brain and the third is in the muscle-skeletal system.
Major promotions in Australia, UK and US, including tie up with Specsavers.
Chorion has tied up three major promotions for its Mr Men brand, which include the introduction of a new character for 'Movember' and a deal with Specsavers.
Mr Mo will debut in Australia and New Zealand, created to support the men's health charity initiative, Movember.
Each year, thousands of men across the globe grow moustaches with the aim of raising funds and awareness for men's health, specifically for prostate cancer and depression in men.
The Mr Mo promotion is exclusive to all 283 Target stores across Australia, which will sell four unique t-shirts from this month. With each t-shirt sold, 25 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to Movember's nominated charities.
Meanwhile, in the UK, the Mr Men have been taking part in a nationwide Specsavers promotion. TV ads have already launched, with print, in-store and online ads running throughout the rest of 2010. The opticians' High Street outlets have also received a Mr Men makeover.
Six separate free offers will run until January 1st 2011.
"We're very excited to be working with Specsavers on this high profile campaign which highlights the evergreen appeal of the Mr Men brand," said Bettina Koeckler, SVP licensing EMEA at Chorion. "Teaming with a leading household name will bring continued exposure for some of Britain's favourite characters across all media in the UK."
Finally, in the US, quick service restaurant Arby's is running a special promotion through to January 2011. All stores will feature six unique character figurines including Little Miss Sunshine, Mr Tickle and Mr Happy. Over 2.5 million premiums and branded meal bags will be distributed.
Do you often flex your abdominal muscles as you stand up in front of the mirror? This can look quite different from pushing out your stomach. Which look would you prefer? It’s pretty obvious that your abs look their best when properly flexed. Do you want to know how to keep this look consistent with your abs? Bruce Lee abs are within your reach, provided you do these unique breathing exercises. Tighten that stomach with the help of the Farmer Burns stomach flattener and the stomach vacuum exercise.
We have to declare something right off the bat before we go over the details. You will not get six pack abs solely from breathing exercises like these. Sorry, you’re going to have to lose body fat through diet and exercise before that happens. When you do planks, renegade rows, and other types of core exercises, you will get tighter abs, but you have to under go a strict fat loss diet in order to get the best results you possibly can.
The reason breathing exercises for abs work well is due to muscle memory or the mind to muscle link. As you keep up your practice, you can keep your abs flexed without having to think about it. No matter what time of day, you will have nice, tight abs.
With this stomach flattener exercise, you just breath in deeply and flex your abs as you exhale.
1. Maintain a straight, tall stance, keeping your feel shoulder width from each other. 2. Breathe deeply through your nose to the point where your lungs are full, without puffing out your abs. 3. Blow the breath out forcefully as you flex. Make sure the breath you really release is as little as possible. I leave my mouth slightly open while tightening my abs. You can also keep your fists clenched as you tighten those abs to give a little assistance. 4. Take the next five to ten seconds to get your abs flexed as you exhale a bit throughout, until your breath is completely gone, then breath back in again and repeat.
Karate training can teach you the kind of breath that is necessary, which is used when you tense your abs to absorb a stomach punch. I repeat this exercise for 10 times, but it’s probably best to start with 2-3 times initially. Deep breathing can make you feel lightheaded until you get used to it. Form the muscle memory that you need everyday with these exercises. Put this into your ab training routine as you get better at the breathing.
The stomach vacuum consists of exhaling all the air in your lungs while sucking in your stomach:
1. Start from a bent over position with your hands on your knees.
2. Push out all of your air.
3. Slightly rise up while sucking in your stomach but avoid taking in any air.
4. Keep your stomach flexed like this for a few seconds, then do it all over again.
I change this up a bit, as I stand up all the way then arch back a bit, which lets my upper abs work a bit. As you begin, take it slow and try just doing the exercise itself. I do a ten rep set of this exercise too.
Farmer Burns stomach flattener and the stomach vacuum exercise are two ways to help improve the actual look of your abs. They can’t spot reduce the fat that is on your belly, but you can get your muscle memory to the point to where you will start to exercise on your own without you knowing with these exercises. Using this method, maybe one day your abs can look like Bruce Lee abs.
resource: http://www.healthcaresubmit.com/2010/10/09/stomach-vacuum-exercise/
At the end of this clip from Kickboxer (enjoyable but certainly not up to Bloodsport’s standard!), Jean-Claude Van Damme (remember him?) shows how to tense his abs to absorb a blow, similar to the effect you want from Farmer Burns Stomach Flattener exercise.
Tomatoes contain protect individuals against prostate cancer. In addition, tomatoes are able to slow down the growth of a tumor.
The study was undertaken on mice, with researchers discovering that the mice which had a daily meal of ten per cent cherry tomato powder had reduced rates of cancer and lived longer than mice on a normal diet.
The University of Naples study concluded that daily consumption of tomatoes had a highly effective impact on prevention of prostate cancer in mice.
The Cancer Research Britain disagrees, claiming that this study is not evidence enough that tomatoes can lower the risk of prostate cancer or prevent the progression of this disease in humans.
There are other factors which play a far greater role like family history, age and ethnicity, than just diet.
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, is found abundant in tomatoes and tomato products. Studies found that lycopene may help reduce some cancer and heart disease. The most compelling evidence so far is the role of lycopene in prostate cancer prevention.
In a study of over 40,000 health professionals, Harvard investigators found that men who ate more than 10 servings tomato-based foods daily (like cooked tomatoes and tomato sauce,) had a 35 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer than those who ate the least amount of these foods. The benefits of lycopene was more pronounced with advanced stages of prostate cancer.
In another study of prostate cancer, researchers looked at blood levels of lycopene and found that the risk of developing prostate cancer, especially aggressive cancer, decreased with increasing blood lycopene levels. Men taking 50mg of lycopene daily had significantly higher level of lycopene. In this study, researchers found that high level of lycopene in the blood was associated with low PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels. High PSA levels in blood are often a sign of prostate cancer.
Enjoy the benefits of lycopene by eating more tomatoes and processed tomato products. Indeed, research showed that lycopene is better absorbed by the body when tomatoes are processed. It is due to the fact that lycopene is bound to tomato's cell structure; processing releases lycopene from the cell structure. resource: http://www.healthcastle.com/lycopene-prostatecancer.shtml
Lycopene Content in Foods (mg/100g)
Tomato Paste 42.2
Spaghetti Sauce 21.9
Chili Sauce 19.5
Tomato Ketchup 15.9
Watermelon 5-11.1
Tomato Juice 9.5
Pink Grapefruit 4.0
Raw Tomato 3.0
Hormones that supply life-giving nutrients decline with age. A man with low male hormone levels can suffer from conditions like fatigue, irritability, and weight gain. Low hormone levels can also cause erectile dysfunction and low sex drive. One known cause of male hormone deficiency is andropause, also known as "male menopause."
Male menopause causes low production of male hormones that could cause a man to feel fatigue, depression, sexual dysfunction, and mood swings. In general, male hormone levels begin descending at the age of 42. The average drop of male hormones is about 1% per year, according to Dr. Thomas Travison who led the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, January 2007)
How Do Men Age?
The endocrine glands produce the hormones that provide the life-giving nutrients needed to run the body functions. Aside from controlling the body functions, hormones also keep the body fluid balanced, metabolism steady, and the levels of calcium and glucose in the blood normal.
On the other hand, when hormone levels decline, the metabolic function slows and shuts down, then aging begins. Aging signs slowly but surely start to show. Men who used to live life with vitality and vigor will experience symptoms brought on by the hormonal imbalance. There will be downward shift in strength and energy and a steady decline in physical performance and appearance.
The male hormone testosterone starts slowing down at about age 25 and accelerates its decline with aging. Unfortunately, most men get used to the symptoms of the hormone loss. In so doing, men fail to take prevention and treatment for male hormonal imbalance.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Delays Male Aging
Modern science and research have found that hormone therapy delays male aging process, and treats male hormonal imbalance.
Mass-produced synthetic hormones were once popular with the mainstream medicine. Due to the number of experts that argued the possible devastating side effects of this type of treatment, the method, though useful to an extent, did not progress. After a short while, science introduced the Bioidentical hormones that mimic the molecular structure of the hormones created by the human body.
"Bioidentical hormone medications contain hormones that are an exact chemical match to those made naturally by humans," says Manson, Chief of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. ("Oprah and Bioidentical Hormones: FAQ," by Miranda Hitti, WebMD Health News, Jan. 15, 2009)
Bioidentical hormones, which are by-product of plant oils, can help men who have a hard time battling daily stress, depressed moods, and poor erections. Bioidentical hormone therapy replaces the hormones that the body had lost and needs back to function well.
Natural Bioidentical Hormones Help Men Age Gracefully
When hormones start to decline, no one can stop the degeneration, but something can slow down the progress. Bioidentical hormone therapy is all about life enhancement, extension and preservation.
Ideally, a man’s body must be equipped and programmed for balance and well-being. Men experiencing physical decline can find relief with hormone therapy to stabilize their conditions and prevent diminishing sex drive, weight gain, and mood swings.
Bioidentical hormone therapy is a custom-made treatment based on the needs of a patient. The prescription designed exclusively for one man's hormone restoration or replacement therapy will help keep hormone level balanced and promote wellness until his later years. Aging men undergoing natural hormone replacement therapy will sense an increased vitality, memory, and energy.
Hormones serve the body well. Science recognizes hormones' many health-promoting benefits. Medical professionals acknowledge the fact that bringing hormone levels under control promote wellness in all levels, while declining hormone levels can cause age-related conditions such as diminishing libido, waning energy, decreasing lean muscle, increasing body fat, and other problems that can affect male sexual, physical and mental health. (Shores MM et al 2004)
Be fit, be well, and be balanced with hormone therapy. According to Dr. Michael E. Platt, author of "Natural Hormone Therapy for Men, Women and Children", hormones are the chemicals that make us healthy or make us ill. The correct replacement of a few natural bio identical hormones brings the body back into balance and allows people to improve the quality of their lives and to be healthier for a longer period of time.
resource: Suite101.com
The editors of WLS Help reveal their list of the top five most promising new surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures for obesity.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Weight loss results seen with sleeve gastrectomy are similar to those achieved with gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, but without the disadvantages of either.
San Francisco, CA (resource: PRWEB) September 13, 2010
WLS Help (http://www.wlshelp.com), a leading weight loss surgery informational website, is revealing their list of the top five most promising new surgical and non-surgical weight loss procedures for obesity. The recent advancement of these innovative weight loss interventions could greatly expand the range of proven treatment options and revolutionize the way obesity is treated in the near future.
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Sleeve gastrectomy, also known as the gastric sleeve, is one of the newest surgical options. Once considered only a part of a staged duodenal switch procedure, it is gaining popularity among both bariatric surgeons and patients as a stand-alone operation. A few major insurers have recently added sleeve gastrectomy among its covered bariatric procedures.
With sleeve gastrectomy, the stomach is surgically reduced in size so it resembles a small tube. The procedure assists with weight loss by limiting the amount of food consumed as well as minimizing hunger sensations. Hunger is reduced due to the removal of the portion of the stomach wall that produces ghrelin, the hunger hormone.
Weight loss results seen with sleeve gastrectomy are similar to those achieved with gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, but without the disadvantages of either. Although short-term data have been positive, long-term results are not available. It is unknown whether or not sleeve gastrectomy will prove successful in the long-term.
EndoBarrier
The EndoBarrier™ Gastrointestinal Liner, or GI sleeve, is a non-surgical, endoscopic therapy for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Developed by GI Dynamics, the medical device features a Teflon-like liner that acts as a barrier between food and a portion of the small intestine where digestion occurs. The procedure does not require surgical incisions, does not alter the anatomy, and is removed after the treatment period.
The EndoBarrier was approved in December 2009 for use in Europe and is in advanced stages of clinical development in the United States. The most recent study results show that obese patients lost an average of 20 percent of their body weight, or 49.5 pounds, following 12 months of therapy with the EndoBarrier. Based on clinical evidence to date, the EndoBarrier technology led to significant weight loss and diabetes improvement.
TOGA
Designed as a less-invasive alternative to gastric bypass and lap band surgery, the TOGA® System from Satiety, Inc. is an incision-free treatment for obesity. TOGA, or trans-oral gastroplasty, is an endoscopic (through the mouth) procedure that involves stapling together sections of the stomach in order to reduce it’s overall food capacity. As a result, it limits the amount of food that can be eaten and gives the feeling of fullness after a small meal.
While the TOGA weight loss procedure is currently investigational in the United States, results seen in the FDA trial to date have been positive. Clinical trials started in July 2008 with an estimated primary completion date of October 2010. If the TOGA System continues to show positive results, it will provide individuals with an effective and less-invasive treatment for obesity.
POSE
The POSE (Primary Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) procedure is an incisionless, endoscopic procedure that reduces the size of a patient’s stomach pouch and stoma without external incisions.
To perform POSE, surgeons use a special set of surgery tools and specially designed suture anchors to fasten folds of stomach tissue together, which are both manufactured by USGI Medical. The anchors are reported to hold stomach tissue in place up to two years. This is the same system that is used to perform the ROSE (Restorative Obesity Surgery, Endolumenal) procedure, a revision for gastric bypass patients with weight regain.
The POSE is currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Patients who have participated in the study have cited a dramatic decrease in hunger and stomach capacity which has helped them achieve significant weight loss.
Gastric Plication Surgery
One of the newest weight loss procedures is Gastric Plication Surgery (GPS), a "Gastric Sleeve" that resembles Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy but does not involve staples, cutting, or stomach removal. Rather, the GPS procedure reduces the stomach volume by folding the stomach in on itself and then stitching it together to keep it folded in on itself.
The GPS procedure seems to have many benefits compared to other bariatric procedures, including no malabsorption like gastric bypass, no need for a port or adjustments like gastric banding, and no staple lines or stomach removal like sleeve gastrectomy. It is also currently the lowest cost weight loss procedure available since it does not involve expensive medical devices.
Early results of the GPS procedure show that patients are full on a small amount of food. Weight loss results are satisfactory and compares favorably with other bariatric surgeries. The only downside at this time is the lack of long term data.
About Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery
Obesity is a chronic disease affecting the health, longevity, and quality of life for millions of Americans. In spite of this awareness and ongoing efforts in the prevention and treatment of weight issues, obesity rates continue to rise. While obesity is proving a difficult disease to treat, it has also pushed the search for safer, more effective, and durable treatment options.
Weight loss surgery is currently the most effective approach for treating morbid obesity, yet only a few surgical options exist. The two primary procedures, gastric bypass surgery and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, are considered successful weight loss interventions, yet they are not perfect solutions. As a result, researchers have continued to seek and develop better treatment options.
About WLS Help
WLS Help, A Patient Guide to Weight Loss Surgery, is a leading weight loss surgery informational website focused on providing a comprehensive resource for obesity and weight loss surgery. WLS Help offers essential information pertaining to weight loss surgery, including comparisons and overviews of all major types of weight loss surgery, bariatric surgery diet guidelines, cost of weight loss surgery, insurance coverage, and news related to obesity, surgical treatment options for obesity, and promising experimental techniques for obesity. For more information or to follow weight loss surgery news, visit WLS Help at http://www.wlshelp.com.
One out of six men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Don’t shrug off the risk. In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, find out how you can help protect yourself from this disease...
Do you have trouble urinating? Maintaining an erection? These are some of the signs of prostate cancer.
Trouble is, many men won’t see a doctor unless they’re bleeding from the gut.
More than 200,000 American men get a prostate cancer diagnosis every year; nearly 30,000 die.
“Virtually every guy over 70 has some prostatic enlargement,” says Edward Geehr, Lifescript’s chief medical officer.
"It's a troublesome gland and, for many men, a royal pain," says Janet Farrar Worthington, co-author of The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them (Grand Central Publishing) and Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer (Wellness Central).
It’s an effort that pays off, since the key to surviving prostate cancer is to catch it early.
“If men are going to reduce their preventable risks, they’ve got to get to the doctor sooner rather than later,” says Will Courtenay, Ph.D., an internationally recognized psychotherapist and author of Making Health Manly: Social Marketing and Men's Health (The Journal of Men’s Health).
Common symptoms include trouble urinating, difficulty getting an erection, painful ejaculation, blood in urine or semen, or pain or stiffness in his hips, lower back or upper thighs.
But chances are your man may not experience any of these because prostate cancer often shows no signs.
Doctors use two tests to detect the disease: a digital rectal exam and a blood screening that detects a substance made by the gland called prostate-specific antigen. That’s why routine screenings are important.
"The greatest blessing of early detection is the gift of time," Worthington says. "Men are being diagnosed an average of five years earlier than they used to be."
Also, learn who’s at risk for prostate cancer, when to undergo screening and the dietary and lifestyle changes that can save your life.
Here are 11 risk factors you both should know:
1. Your African-American.
Black men have the highest rate of prostate cancer diagnosis and death in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"Worse, black men seem to get more severe forms, are more likely to have the cancer come back after treatment and are more likely to die of this disease," Worthington says. She recommends tests every year, starting at age 40.
Caucasians have the second-highest rate of diagnosis and death; Asian/Pacific Islanders have the lowest death rate.
2. Your family has a history of prostate cancer.
You're twice as likely to get the disease if you have one first-degree relative — father, brother, son — with a history of it, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
The risk goes up if more relatives are affected, Worthington says.
It may be as high as 50% if three family members (father and two brothers, for example) have had it, if it occurs in three generations (grandfather, father, son) or if two relatives developed it younger than 55 years old.
And don’t forget the women in his family.
"Prostate cancer risk can be inherited from the mother as well," she says. So ask about your maternal family history.
3. Your over 50 years old.
The older you are, the higher his risk: "In men 40-49, the risk of developing prostate cancer is one in 50," Worthington says. From 60-79, it's one in seven.
But don't put off tests until you are blowing out 60 candles on his birthday cake.
"Prostate cancer screening should start at age 40," Worthington says.
4. Your overweight.
Excessive weight raises prostate cancer risk, according to many studies.
In fact, when you pack on the pounds makes a difference, according to a University of Hawaii study published in June’s Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Researchers found that Caucasian men who put on extra weight in their 20s and 30s faced a higher risk.
Another study by the American Cancer Society found that men with a BMI greater than 30 were 20%-25% more likely to die of prostate cancer than thinner men, Worthington says.
Experts believe that too much body fat throws off the body’s normal production of insulin and testosterone, which may fuel growth of prostate cancer cells.
But that’s not your only worry: Too much belly fat and a high-fat diet can also raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
5. You eat too much fat.
Body fat isn’t the only kind to worry about; the fat you consumes makes a difference too.
"Dietary fat may not only help cause prostate cancer, but also may affect the way it progresses – how fast cancer cells proliferate, their ability to spread and the body's ability to fight off this invasion," Worthington says.
Foods high in saturated fats, especially from animal products (red meat and dairy), appear to be the worst dietary trigger for prostate cancer, Worthington says.
6. You smoke.
Smoking cigarettes gives cancer cells a comfy place to grow, Worthington says.
Research doesn’t yet show that smoking causes prostate cancer, but it has proven that a nicotine habit can help it grow faster and more aggressively.
Stop smoking now, Worthington advises.
7. You have urinary troubles.
“If you get up frequently in the middle of the night to urinate, you could have problems with your prostate,” Courtenay says.
This is because the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen, runs right through the middle of the prostate like a straw, Worthington says.
Urinary troubles often signal benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the gland that’s common in men older than 40.
Still, any changes in urination – including pain, weak flow, difficulty starting or stopping, frequent nighttime urination, or blood in the urine or semen – should be evaluated by a doctor.
8. You have pain with bowel movements.
Because the prostate lives on the other side of the rectal wall, prostate enlargement or cancer can often cause pain during a bowel movement. This, along with a bloody stool, may also be a symptom of colorectal cancer.
9. Complain of pain or stiffness in his hips, lower back or upper thighs.
Sure, it could be a general ache or pain, but it may also point to prostate cancer that has spread beyond the gland and into surrounding areas.
10. You have swollen legs.
This indicates that the cancer has spread into nearby pelvic lymph nodes. If you present with any of the above symptoms, schedule a doctor's visit right away.
11. You have/had an STD.
If you have a common STD, Trichomonas vaginalis, you are 2.7 times more likely to develop the most fatal form of prostate cancer, according to a study reported in the Journal of the American Cancer Institute in June.
You are also three times more likely to die from it.
Trichomonas is curable and treatable with antibiotics.
The test, a simple blood diagnostic, checks for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a chemical made by the prostate that shows up in the bloodstream. Cancer tumors can boost the normal levels of PSA. While the PSA test is widely used, its effectiveness at detecting cancer has also led to more men getting treated for tumors that are growing so slowly that they actually didn’t require medical attention.
The information contained on www.lifescript.com (the "Site") is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for advice from your doctor or healthcare professional. This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition. Information and statements provided by the site about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Lifescript does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, third-party products, procedures, opinions, or other information mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by Lifescript is solely at your own risk.
Obesity is a serious problem in the United States; the conditions carries with it serious health effects such as increased risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, among other conditions. Because of the serious health consequences associated with obesity, as well as its physical effects, many patients choose to under bariatric surgery procedures such as lap band, realize band, and gastric bypass surgery.
While many bariatric surgery patients expect to become happier with the appearance of their bodies, many are surprised that they are still embarrassed about their figures after weight loss surgery. They find that they are still hiding certain problem areas with clothes, instead of being able to show of their new bodies and wear what they want.
Why are so many post-bariatric patients still self-conscious about their bodies? It is because there are folds of excess skin around patients’ midsections, thighs, arms, and other areas of the body. Unfortunately, the stretching of skin that occurred during the weight gain process is somewhat permanent. No amount of diet and exercise ill work that extra skin away.
So what can post-bariatric patients do about the extra skin that has accumulated? They can undergo plastic surgery procedures designed to eliminate excess skin in patients who have undergone massive weight loss.
Patients who have undergone weight loss surgery for obesity may be interested in undergoing various procedures to remove the excess skin and get the body into better shape. These procedures include:
Tummy tuck
Body lift
Arm lift
Thigh lift
Breast lift
Face lift
Breast augmentation
If you have had weight loss surgery and are still unhappy with the appearance of your body due to extra skin around your butt, hips, stomach, or another area of your body, speak to a plastic surgeon to find out which post-bariatric plastic surgery procedures are right for you.
resource: http://mysacramentoplasticsurgery.com/life-after-obesity-how-plastic-surgeons-can-
help-you
Watch out, watch out for the #ProstateSnatchers invading Facebook and Twitter!
Talking About Men’s Health has teamed up with Men’s Health’s Network, Tandem Literary, and Other Press to host the #ProstateSnatchers contest. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and we are getting a jump start through our Facebook and Twitter Pages. Winners of the Facebook and Twitter contests will win the following:
There will be ONE winner from Twitter, and ONE winner from Facebook. Contest ends Sept. 2 at Noon pst. Winners will be randomly selected and announced Sept. 3 at Noon pst! Contestants will be eligible for this contest by performing one of the following tasks:
1) Tweet “#prostatesnatchers @sonnypatel” at the end of the message using Twitter (More tweets, better chances to win the Twitter raffle)
3) Or you can send me your name and email using this form and you will be automatically eligible in the Facebook drawing.
With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness, let’s start spreading the word and the buzz about Prostate Cancer and Men’s Health!
http://www.talkingaboutmenshealth.com/2010/08/23/prostatesnatchers-contests/
Neck liposuction can be a great sculpting tool for those who hold excess fat in their necks that doesn’t go away with dieting and exercise. Liposuction is a powerful sculpting procedure for those who seek firming of the lower face and neck. Liposuction in these areas is an easy, powerful alternative to facelift, and it compliments the facelift for those who opt for both. While excess weight does show up in the face, if you have already dieted and still cannot resolve this problem area then you may be a great candidate for neck liposuction.
In general, liposuction targets stubborn problem areas that persist in spite of a healthy lifestyle. Any liposuction, including face and neck liposuction, will not change your weight. Rather, the contour of your body will improve through sculpting. Because we so often show even small fluctuations of weight in our faces, your friends will assume that you’ve lost weight after your neck and lower face liposuction procedure. The benefits are double: neck liposuction will improve the aesthetic appeal of your face, and the improved contour will suggest a slimmer new you even though your weight hasn’t changed. More important you will look younger because fullness of the lower half of the face is associated with aging. Improving the contour can easily make one look 10 years younger.
Who needs neck liposuction?
The best candidates for lower face and neck liposuction are those who:
1. Are looking for a younger, fresher look without undergoing a face lift.. 2. Have stable weight with sufficient fullness in the lower face and neck. 3. Have minimal or no neck cords.
The lower face and neck responds very well to liposuction. This includes the area under the chin. Because our brains are programmed for facial recognition, even small changes in and around the face make a large difference in how people perceive you. When you remove excess fat from the lower face and neck, your friends will probably think immediately think that you have lost weight. In addition, you will look younger because this procedure creates better visual separation between the lower face and neck that is associated with youth.
Liposuction skin tightening is a common benefit in this area as well. Skin with proper tension is a feature of a youthful face. The liposuction procedure appears to stimulate contraction of skin effectively preventing skin sag after the liposuction procedure.
Is neck liposuction safe?
Neck liposuction complications are unusual, especially when performed under local anesthesia. Yes this procedure can be performed in an office procedure room with you awake and alert. That is how comfortable the procedure is. There is often no bruising associated with the procedure. Many find that they can have the procedure on a Thursday and return to work on Monday and no one is aware that they had surgery.
The safest kind of liposuction, called tumescent liposuction, is performed under local anesthesia using very small cannulas to remove the fat. In a review of 66,570 cases of tumescent liposuction, there were no serious health issues. These impressive results indicate tumescent liposuction safety. This procedure takes your cosmetic surgeon more time to perform, as it requires meticulous attention and the gentlest hand, resulting in detail-oriented contour improvement. Recovery is swift; recovery from, tumescent liposuction recovery time is only a few days. It is worth repeating that you can receive the procedure Thursday morning and return to work Monday without anyone noticing a change. At first neck liposuction swelling will replace the removed fat. As this swelling decreases, your improved contour will become evident and people will assume you have lost weight. The gradual yet definite change you see here makes tumescent neck liposuction a fantastic option for those who don’t want anyone to guess that they’ve had work done.
Choosing a Liposuction Doctor
The face is a dynamic and sensitive part of the body that requires the hand of an artistic doctor as much as a skilled one. Research doctors and find one who makes sense to you and takes the time to determine the best individualized treatment program for your needs. Be suspicious of doctors who prefer to perform liposuction under general anesthesia. Unless you have unusual circumstances that require general anesthesia is better in your unique case, local anesthesia is the way to go. Don’t just have general anesthesia because your surgeon likes to flirt with the nursing staff during surgery and he or she doesn’t want you to be aware of this banter. Avoiding general anesthesia means far fewer drugs for your system to deal with. It just make sense that this is much safer than all the drugs and invasive procedures needed for general anesthesia and medical studies support this conclusion.
A couple healthy men enjoying the comfy seats in the Penthouse Club.
The first thing you notice in the VIP dining room of the Penthouse Club in Sauget are the chairs. Actually, scratch that. The first things your eyes adjust to in the near pitch-black darkness is the stuffed lion, the moose bust over the fireplace and the stone grotto in the corner. Then you notice the chairs.
The seats dwarf the tables. Michael Ocello, president of the VCG Holdings (the publicly traded company that owns the Penthouse Club and 18 other adult nightclubs in 10 states), tells me that the company had the chairs specially made.
"The arms are reinforced and have a cushion perfectly sized for a woman to take a seat," says Ocello, who has our server -- a petite blonde named Tiffany in fishnet stockings and a corset -- demonstrate. "See. This way you can have two women seated with you and they're not on your lap. Which can be fun -- until your legs fall asleep."
But Ocello didn't invite me to the Penthouse Club today to discuss furniture. No, he has something much more interesting to report: the study that found strip clubs like his can be good for your health.
"We were very surprised by the findings," says Ocello, whose VCG Holdings commissioned Empire Research to conduct the study. "Besides the obvious -- beautiful women -- we wanted to know what attracted men to adult clubs. We always knew that our clubs made men feel good, but we didn't expect the researchers to come back with medical findings that our clubs can also be healthy for you."
Then again, if you think about it, it makes sense, says Ocello. "As a society, 54 percent of us feel overwhelmed with work. We only have 16 hours or so of leisure time a week and more and more of that is interacting with people via Facebook or the Internet. We're social creatures. We need human touch, human contact."
The study suggests that strip clubs can lower Cortisol, the so-called "stress hormone" that can lead to heart disease, while also boosting Oxytocin, the so-called "love hormone." Moreover, strip clubs tend to increase testosterone which naturally declines as men age.
"They've done saliva tests that show that men's testosterone increases when they're surrounded by beautiful women," says Ocello. "Why is that? Because there's no fear of rejection. The women are going to talk to you. They're going to flirt with you. That's how it works. The question is: would you rather go to the gym and do push ups to increase testosterone, or spend her time here surrounded by beautiful women?"
So, how long till doctors begin prescribing a trip to the strip club to their patients?
"I don't know, but if you look at the footnotes to our study, it comes from them," says Ocello. "Our research is from the medical community!"
For more information (and a free pass to one of VCG's adult clubs) check out healthystripclubs.com.
(CBS) People of a certain age might remember the last time - last century - when hats were in style. As CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports those hats are new and chic, again.
It used to be that fitted caps and baseball hats were the things that folks were wearing. But the hottest of hats is apparently the fedora - which can cost anywhere from ten dollars to hundreds.
Jim Caparosa of Dorfman Pacific said that people are buying the traditional fedora now.
So who is buying these hats? "Anyone from teenagers right on up to grandpa," Carparosa said.
In the 1930, 40's and 50s, the Fedora was the top hat - the swellest of the swells all wore them - and everyday people followed the trend.
"You bought a suit of clothing and you always bought a hat to match both men and women," Carparosa said. "It was part of the dress of the day."
But hats fell out of fashion when President Kennedy started going bare-headed. It became harder for hat-wearers to get in and out of cars easily. The hat was left on the rack. So what brought the hat back into vogue?
"Athletes, celebrities, singers, entertainers wearing headwear which helps promote the industry," Carposa said.
Now, singer Justin Timberlake is rarely seen in public without his fedora. Britany Spears is usually photographed undercover along with all sorts of boldface red carpet names. The TV show "Mad Men" has made men start wearing hats again.
The rebirth of hats requires a refresher course in the rules of etiquette. The trick, the hat trick if you will, is knowing when it's polite to take it off.
"Obviously, when you come inside to something like a restaurant, that's a really good time to take off the hat - especially if it has a brim," said Lizzie Post.
Post is the great-great granddaughter of etiquette guru Emily Post. We met up with Post at one of the finest restaurants in New York, Per Se. She says letting strangers look you in the eye has always been a sign of friendship and respect. "You don't want to hide your eyes from strangers," she said.
So while young people may adopt their grandparents' styles, the rules about how to wear them remain old hat.
Fat wasting or fat loss from the face is one of the characteristics of lipodystrophy which is a syndrome of body fat changes seen in people taking anti-HIV medications.. Wasting of fat in the face usually occurs with other changes in body shape particularly the development of a buffalo hump on the back of the neck. Nobody knows exactly why fat from the faces specifically goes away on people taking anti-HIV drugs, but a significant percentage of such patients will experience it depending on their particular retroviral medication regimens. It seems to occur particularly in men of low body weight who are over the age of forty.
Facial wasting can present in a variety of appearances from subtle to very dramatic, based on the amount of fat under the skin that has been lost. Patients typically present with sunken-in cheeks, very prominent cheek bones not covered by the usual fat layer, and hollow temples. This also creates loose facial skin due to the lack of underlying fullness.
Facial wasting can be treated by a variety of plastic surgery methods. The most popularized is the injectable approach using Sculptra or other long-lasting fillers such as Radiesse. While injectable fillers definitely provide a benefit, I don’t find them to be the best value, given what they cost and the repeated treatment sessions necessary. In my experience, several surgical options are more effective with injectable fillers used to supplement them.
I find that cheek implants, specifically submalar implants, are the best first approach for facial improvement. These implants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes so some customization of them can be done for each patient. These implants provide a good fill of the lost volume of the buccal fat pad and are easy to place through an incision inside the mouth. Once in the proper position, I prefer to place a screw through them to hold them permanently to the underlying cheek bone. There is some mild swelling after surgery but one can go back to work and resume all normal activities within just a few days. The advantage of an implant is that its volume will remain stable over time unlike injectable fillers. I have yet to experience any infections with cheek implants in the HIV patient nor do I think they are at any great increased infection rate from plastic surgery in general.
Injectable fillers can be used to fill in around the edges of the implants later. Often there can be a step-off or obvious demarcation from the implant to the surrounding skin in cases where the facial wasting is quite severe. In more mild cases, this is not necessary.
When the facial wasting is associated with loose skin, a modified facelift can also be very helpful. Changing the facelift to more of a jowl-neck tuck-up helps stretch out the loose cheek and facial skin. When done in combination with submalar cheek implants, some really nice facial improvements can be achieved.
resource: http://www.plasticsurgeryfacial.com/facial-plastic-surgery-articles/facial-wasting-
plastic-surgery-correction/
Saw palmetto is a herbal remedy used to treat enlarged prostate symptoms, relieve inflammation and help ease urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Saw palmetto ( Serenoa repens) has long since been recognised to be a popular herbal remedy, which is extracted from a small palm tree found in North America and the West indies. The herbal benefits relating to saw palmetto are found by extracting elements from the blue-black berries.
Health Benefits of Saw Palmetto
Native Americans and early colonists have identified that saw palmetto has multiple healing properties, especially for treating men's health problems. In Healing Supplements, Lakin et al. (2006) highlight key health benefits associated with saw palmetto, to include the following:
* eases frequent night-time urination
* reduces other enlarged prostate symptoms
* relieves prostate inflammation
* helps boost the immune system
* reduces urinary tract infections (UTIs)
* acts as a general health tonic for frail people
* relieves persistent coughs
* improves digestion
* is routinely prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia
* reduces tissue swelling
* reduces levels of cancer-promoting hormones
Further health benefits relating to taking saw palmetto supplements, as identified by Brewer (2010) in The Essential Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Herbal Supplements, may include:
Saw palmetto supplements come in various forms, including as a capsule, dried herb (for saw palmetto herbal tea), softgel, tablet and tincture. Lakin et al. (2006) recommend taking 160 mg of saw palmetto twice daily and to choose supplements derived from extracts which contain 85-95% fatty acids and sterols, while Brewer (2010) recommends 150 mg-3 g daily in divided doses.
It is best to steer clear of cheap brands of saw palmetto supplements, which may include inactive leaf extracts instead of saw palmetto berry extracts. Before taking saw palmetto supplements, seek medical advice from the family doctor.
Saw Palmetto Side-Effects
While side-effects associated with taking saw palmetto supplements are recognised as being relatively uncommon, they can affect some people. According to Lakin et al. (2006), possible side-effects of saw palmetto extracts, may include the following:
Once such side-effects have occurred, they may be reduced through either reducing the dose or simply stopping treatment. This herbal remedy should not be taken when on other medications such as coagulants, without medical supervision.
As highlighted above, saw palmetto berry extracts have long since been identified as having healing properties. Key health benefits include improved prostate, UTIs, prostatic hyperplasia symptoms as well as better digestion and stronger immunity. While side-effects of saw palmetto are rare, they may cause mild abdominal pain and headaches.
resource: herbalmedicine.suite101.com
Hitting the gym is not always healthy – here’s JOE’s guide to the diseases that lurk on the exercise machinery and changing room floor.
Human papillomavirus
The human papillomavirus, which causes the intermittent outbreak of warts on various parts of the body, is an organism commonly found around even the cleanest of gyms.
If you come into contact with the virus it can remain in your system indefinitely. Although in some patients it never brings about any outward symptoms, others end up breaking out in single or clusters of warts.
The warts are sometimes treatable with a topical cream but can need to be frozen off by a doctor. Alarmingly, once you contract the papillomavirus it remains in your system and can trigger regular outbreaks for years to come.
Verrucas
Otherwise known as a plantar wart, verrucas are also the result of our friend the human papillomavirus. When the soles of the foot come into contact with the virus it can trigger painful, boil-like warts to emerge, generally on an area of the foot that comes under pressure.
Plantar warts are notoriously difficult to treat. Topical creams are available but their effectiveness is debateable. That said, the warts will generally disappear without treatment. In severe cases, surgery may be required to cut or freeze the warts from the foot.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is one of the most common fungal infections found in humans. It targets the skin between and around the toes causing scaling, flaking and itching in affected areas. The fungi responsible, Trichophyton, is often transferred from foot-to-foot in moist areas where people walk barefoot – so showers and swimming pools are the main culprits.
Although generally confined to the feet it can find it’s way to other parts of your body, most notably, your groin.
Keeping your feet clean, drying them thoroughly and changing your socks regularly can wipe out the fungus. If symptoms persist however, you can hit your pharmacy for any of a number of effective over-the-counter topical treatments.
Ringworm
Ringworm, otherwise known as dermatophytosis, is a fungal infection which affects the skin. It appears as a raised, ring-shaped mark on the surface of the skin and although generally painless, it is unsightly and highly infectious.
It thrives on skin that is warm and moist so gym-fresh bodies are a particularly prone. Its spores can survive outside the body and are frequently found on surfaces in locker rooms, tanning beds swimming pools.
The fungi may be present without any symptoms and one in five adults are believed to be carriers. Topical antifungal treatments such as Miconazole or Terbinafine are successful in treating the condition and marks will normally disappear within two or three weeks.
Also, people who suffer an outbreak should avoid touching the lesions to prevent spreading to other people or parts of the body.
Staph infection
The bacteria staphylococcus, which can cause everything from lesions to food poisoning, is most famous as the antibiotic-resistant MRSA that has been stalking hospitals for 30 years. However, it has now found its way into gyms.
The bacteria commonly spreads between people who come into close contact. This has meant people involved in fight sports such as MMA have proved particularly susceptible.
However, staph doesn’t just transfer via skin-to-skin contact and can spread by shared towels, razors and sports equipment.
The bacteria is most easily transferred via cuts and abrasions on the surface of the skin. It can eat away at the flesh and lead to horrific, gaping wounds. When it’s not stopped, it can cause blood poisoning and death.
When first contracted, it can present as one or several painful red bumps, similar to a boils. If it finds it's way into a cut, staph will often cause pus to ooze from the wound.
What to do
Your gym may be a festering nest of germs, but you can do plenty to prevent yourself from picking something up. Wear flip-flops when in the changing rooms or in the shower. This should prevent you from contracting verrucas, warts or athlete’s foot. Wash and dry your feet thoroughly. The soap will kill bacteria and drying them will deprive the fungus of the dampness it thrives in. If you are already infected with athlete's foot, try using a blow-dryer between your toes. Sounds crazy, but this is the equivalent of deploying a scorched earth policy against the critters. Use antifungal powder. Sprinkling this stuff into your gym shoes will kill off any latent spores hanging around waiting to burrow between your toes. Don’t use a towel you’ve just dropped on the locker room floor. If it’s picked up a fungus, virus or bacteria, you certainly don’t want to be dabbing the various sensitive parts of your body dry with it. Cover cuts. If skin is broken on any part of your body, make sure to cover it up with a water-proof plaster. Use an antibacterial solution on the area around the wound before and after your trip to the gym. This will prevent the dreaded staph from creeping in. If you’re a regular on the free weights use gloves. Germs can creep in through those nasty calluses that appear on your palms. Wash straight after training. The longer bugs are on the surface of your skin, the longer they have to make themselves at home. Use a rash guard. If you’re involved in MMA or another sport that involves a lot of contact with others, these long-sleeved wonders will help stop you picking something nasty up.
