BLOG 447 OZEMPIC

 BLOG 447 OZEMPIC

Ozempic is an FDA approved type of injection, administered weekly to type-2 diabetics to control blood sugar levels. Some type 2 diabetics blood and heart vessel disease, so this injection helps reduce the risk for stroke, heart attack or even death. The popularity of Ozempic has revolved around its weight loss effects, however, the FDA has not approved Ozempic to be used specifically for weight loss. Rather, it is meant to be prescribed only once other blood sugar lowering methods have not worked. It is important to note that Ozempic is not used to replace insulin for persons who have diabetes and need insulin.

When a person has type 2 diabetes, their body doesn’t produce or process insulin correctly. Ozempic helps the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar levels become too high, which then moves the sugar to other body tissues to be utilized for energy. A person starts with a low dose injection taken once per week, ideally on the same day each week and at the same time. The injection can be in the upper arm, stomach or thigh. Injection sites should be mixed up.

Another benefit of Ozempic is that can serve as an appetite suppressant because it helps slow the movement of food through the stomach. This has the make you feel fuller for longer effect. Less appetite can correlate to weight loss. The weight loss component actually gets a little tricky. Ozempic contains semaglutide, which is actually an FDA approved weight loss drug when used under the brand name, Wegovy. However, the Ozempic brand of semaglutide is not FDA approved for weight loss. Ozempic does have the active ingredient that is found in semaglutide. Because of this, Ozempic can be used like Wegovy injections which are used for people who are obese or have excess weight related problems. It also has the same active ingredient as Rybelsus which are tablets taken daily to lower blood sugar levels for type 2 diabetics.

There are possible side effects and risks when taking Ozempic. A person becomes at risk for developing tumors in the thyroid gland and for developing thyroid cancer. Other side effects include nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain, constipation, and/or burping.

When taking Ozempic for its intended purposes and when medically prescribed according to the patient’s true health needs, the weight loss usage becomes blurred. Yet, we live in a society in search of immediate answers, wanting solutions right now, and seeking to have the quick fix to anything. Ozempic is on the list of wanting an answer to weight loss that may or may not be the most conducive to lasting results, developing a healthy relationship with food, and practicing better lifestyle habits. We all have choices when it comes to our bodies, so when considering Ozempic, make sure to “weigh” all the pros and cons.

BLOG 446 EUCALYPTUS OIL

 BLOG 446 EUCALYPTUS OIL

Evergreen trees produce eucalyptus leaves and oil. The prime source for these trees is in Australia. They are also called fever trees, Tasmanian blue gum trees, or stringy bark trees. This product is a popular home remedy for many situations, although none of its affects have been scientifically proven. The use of eucalyptus is likely safe for most people, but possibly needs to be diluted for some users. Consulting a doctor is always recommended, especially when using for children. The following are 13 reasons this remedy might make you lucky and work at home:

1.      Alleviate burns, cuts and cold sores: It acts as an antiseptic.  

2.      Acne: It can help clear up skin.

3.      Asthma: When the oil is dropped into a diffuser and inhaled, the chemical eucalyptol might help break up mucus in people with asthma.

4.      Head lice: It can help the scalp with this condition by eliminating the bugs and killing the bacteria.

5.      Bronchitis: It can help prevent flare ups (by inhaling from a diffuser).

6.      Bad breath, gingivitis, and plaque: Chewing gum with eucalyptus extract can help.

7.      Clear your sinuses: The airways can open up after inhaling from a diffuser.  

8.      Treatment for flu, fever, runny nose, cough, and sore throat: This is a natural medicine.

9.      Dandruff and itchy scalp: It helps clear up the bacteria on the scalp.

10.  Stress relief: It can be calming when inhaled through a vaper.

11.  Relieve muscle pain: It works as an anti-inflammatory for soreness.

12.  Air freshener, aromatherapy, diffuser: It has a refreshing smell.

13.  Mosquito repellent: It wards off these bugs.

Everyone had different reactions to this oil’s uses. When taken in large doses, it can be toxic. It often times is mixed with other essential oils as a compliment to their uses. Because it is likely safe under most circumstances, it is a trick to try especially when a common cold hits, a burn accident happens, or cut on the skin is lingering you want to make go away quickly, inexpensively, and as easy as possible.

BLOG 445 CLEANSES

 BLOG 445 CLEANSES

Sometimes our gut speaks to us and we might consider giving it a tune up or detox to potentially reset the digestive system, lose weight, or to find more energy. The idea of a cleanse would be to clear out or clean pe se the organs. A cleanse is certainly a temporary or short-term approach and there are many types to consider that might involve juices and/or herbal supplements.

It is important to note the difference between a detox and cleanse. A detox is usually to eliminate some sort of toxin or pollutant. Due to the substance a person might be experiencing digestive issues, nausea, fatigue, hormone imbalances, allergies, and/or rashes. Headaches and migraines are also common. Some common substances a detox might focus on eliminating include industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, or allergens.

A cleanse is more about eliminating the unhealthy by replacing it with healthy. Nutrient dense foods and whole foods are the main ingredients. Most times a cleanse involves no more sugar, wheat, gluten, soy, corn, alcohol, dairy, or processed foods. There isn’t a clearcut rule of thumb when it comes to doing a cleanse, and some have gained more popularity over time. Again, all types are temporary and not fully sustainable in their entirety.

Here are a few trends:

1.      Juice cleanses – these primarily consist of juice and water and take place for 5 to 7 days. There is usually a line up of fruit and vegetable juices to be consumed in a particular order.

2.      Lemonade/Master Diet – the person only consumes lemon water, cayenne, and maple syrup for 10 full days.

3.      21 Fix – the person eliminated sugar, dairy, eggs, and processed foods for 21 days.

Ultimately, a cleanse is a type of very low-calorie diet, so weight loss is a probable outcome. A person may have as low as 450 calories per day and probably only as high as 800 per day. Obviously, that is why sustainability is not recommended or even possible. The other good part about a cleanse is that it is highly likely a person will lower their blood sugar and cholesterol. The problem is that muscle mass falters without the needed protein in our diets. A person isn’t having a balanced diet by any means, and this could lead to nutritional deficiencies and set someone up for binging. Being aware of how this affects any medications a person is taking is also very important. Feeling lightheaded and dizzy is likely to happen, so it’s good to plan ahead for when this will take place.

It takes mental toughness to complete a cleanse successfully, but in doing so, you may actually feel better after or sometimes during with a boost of natural energy. This is not true for everyone and the weight loss from a cleanse is sometimes misleading. Like the practice of doing a cleanse, weight loss may be temporary. Keeping up eating whole foods and nutrition packed food is always a good idea to continue, but your body needs that protein too. Without it, you are doing more damage than good in the long run to your health.

BLOG 444 BODY HAIR

 BLOG 444 BODY HAIR

Body hair, termed androgenic hair, develops on the body during the years of puberty. We need this hair to regulate our body temperature. When it’s cold, the hairs stand up because the tiny muscles surrounding the hair follicles are trying to trap more heat. This is when we see goosebumps on our skin. Hair is all over our bodies. We have eyebrows, facial, arm, leg, chest, and pubic hair. Fine hairs found all over the body are called vellus which comes from the Latin word “fleece”. Larger more coarse hairs found on the eyebrows, eyelashes, armpit, facial, and pubic areas, are called terminal hairs. The cells of the hair follicles are constantly regenerating. We aren’t wooly mammals with constant hair growth. Hair growth actually goes through active and resting periods. The duration of growth varies on certain parts of our bodies, which is seen between the difference of our head hair and leg hair (for example).

The amount of hair on your body is determined by a number of factors. The amount of hair you have can be based upon your ethnicity. Different ethnicities have different amounts of terminal hairs. Hispanic and Middle Eastern people have the most hair while Asians have the least. Hair growth can be influenced by hormonal imbalances. For example, an increase in testosterone can cause an increase in hair. This testosterone growing hair is an unwanted condition called hirsutism. Women with irregular periods and polycystic ovarian syndrome are also more prone to an increase in hair growth. Autoimmune conditions can result in hair loss which is the case with types of alopecia. Being iron deficient or having an underactive thyroid can also cause hair loss.

There are certain home remedies that can help stimulate hair growth. Eating a high protein diet can help due to the amino acid called keratin. Cysteine is another type of amino acid that can help grow hair faster. Sources of vitamins are a popular method because they contain biotin, folic acid, and iron. Less hair washing can help preserve the natural oils of the hair needed for hair health and growth. Less stress is also important which will help reduce disruption to the hair-growth cycle. It is also important to regularly trim the ends of your hair and brush it when it is wet to help prevent damage that can affect hair health. Apple cider vinegar can also stimulate hair growth by helping to balance pH levels effecting the hair follicles. Aloe-vera and onion juice can also remove sebum from the hair which slows hair growth.

Hair is everywhere and we tend to value it in certain places on our body than others. Hair is our skin’s protector. We shave it and remove it, but always expect it will come back. Don’t take for granted your hair follicle health and a natural layer of our body that we need.