I lack iron, what to do? | iron deficiency

A general fatigue that lasts, a lack of energy and muscular strength: and if you suffer from a lack of iron? Even without anemia, this decrease can disrupt the functioning of your body. Find out how to fix it to your usual shape.

Iron is an essential mineral for our body. It helps to make red blood cells and contributes to the transport of oxygen by hemoglobin. A healthy adult man needs a daily intake of 10 to 15 mg iron. For a woman, this need is higher before menopause because their iron requirements are increased during menstruation, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding .

But children and adolescents in full growth or often sick, elderly or chronically afflicted, and high-level athletes also have an interest in being monitored. In case of insufficient reserves (characterized by a low ferritin level below 20 ng / ml), anemia is at risk , ie an abnormal decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood. A real health problem that can lead to lasting fatigue, decreased immune defenses, but also in pregnant women, low weight in a newborn and  a risk of premature birth  without forgetting the risk of heart problems in the elderly . Iron deficiency is therefore a phenomenon not to be neglected!

FATIGUE IS A WARNING SIGN

Fatigue and even total exhaustion are the main symptoms. In addition, there are other signs: hair loss, paleness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, unusual shortness of breath while climbing stairs, lack of energy, poor wound healing. See palpitations or respiratory distress in case of severe anemia.

Anemia can be caused by a lack of iron supply: for example, people who do not eat enough animal or vegetable proteins may be deficient in iron. It may show bleeding. In women, menstruation is the leading cause of anemia, but it may also be a small but continuous bleeding such as a polyp on the intestine or a stomach ulcer.

ENRICH YOUR IRON SUPPLY

It is the easiest remedy: increasing your intake of foods rich in iron often allows you to regain your energy. Red meat (black pudding, liver, lamb), fish and seafood (oysters, clams), eggs are preferred. Those who reject meat will turn to vegetables (especially pulses or legumes): spinach, salsify, endives, aubergines, soybeans, white beans, lentils, chickpeas ...

Do not forget tofu or micro-algae, such as spirulina , the most important source of iron from the plant kingdom. Not to mention cereals (wheat, millet) and whole grain foods (whole rice, wholemeal bread etc.). Beware, dairy products, tea and coffee, decrease the assimilation of iron: limit them. Consume fruits because vitamin C favors, on the contrary, its absorption.

SMALL MEANS OF RECHARGING IRON

By homeopathy : You can take Ferrum Metallicum 5 or 9 CH (5 granules a day for 2 months) to fight fatigue and other symptoms. If iron deficiency results from blood loss, opt for China Rubra 9 CH (5 granules per day for a month, without forgetting to increase the iron intake in the diet in parallel) Abundance of the rules responsible for this deficiency (wearing of copper IUD): Arnica 9 CH, 5 granules 3 times a day during menstruation.

With a dietary supplement : Iron-based food supplements are available in pharmacies or organic, over-the-counter stores, in the form of capsules, tablets or in liquid form, they must be taken for a month or two. No more because the excess iron is not good either. But it is also possible to choose vegetable and fruit juice concentrates that are better tolerated by the body.

In case of severe deficiency,  see your doctor for medication.

Blood in Stool; What to do if you have blood in stool

The presence of blood in the stool should cause you to consult a Physician. If the cause is often benign (hemorrhoids, constipation), it can also be a sign of a disease, sometimes serious. And be careful, the amount of blood in the stool is not necessarily a sign of severity (colorectal cancer).

Blood in Stool

What are the conditions that can cause blood in the stool?
Hemorrhoids
They correspond to dilatations of the veins in the anal region, which are liable to bleed and are painful. Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of blood in the stool. If they are benign, the doctor can reassure you and institute treatment.

The constipation
Another very common and benign cause of anal bleeding, constipation causes anal fissures, a kind of tearing of the mucous membrane that bleed.

The proctitis
It is an inflammation of the rectal mucosa which can lead to the appearance of blood in the stools, whose origins are diverse: infectious, parasitic, abuse of suppositories, radiotherapy ...

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are manifested by the presence of blood in the stool.
These inflammatory bowel diseases, which are often accompanied by diarrhea and abdominal pain, require long-term treatment and medical follow-up.

Gastrointestinal ulcer
Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum cause bleeding that is detected in the stool.
The doctor will prescribe drugs to prevent the secretion of gastric acid.

Erosion of a colon diverticulum
Diverticula are small hernias that develop along the outer wall of the colon.
With small blood vessels, their erosion is accompanied by bleeding.
Being, diverticulum nevertheless require a consultation to confirm the diagnosis.
In case of recurrence, a surgical resection will remove the part of the intestine where the diverticulum is located.

Gastric erosion
Most often of medicinal origin (aspirin, anti-inflammatory), the gastric erosions require an adaptation of the medicinal treatment in question.

Esophageal varices
Esophageal varices correspond to dilatations of the veins of the esophagus wall. They show no symptoms, except when they rupture (resulting in the appearance of blood) in case of increased blood pressure in the door system.

Blood in stool and colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer also results in blood in the stool, but most often in undetectable amounts to the naked eye. Only a specific examination can reveal it. This is the immunoassay (a new test that replaces the  Hemoccult test ), which is used to detect traces of blood in the stool, which is recommended for organized screening for this colon cancer. It is offered every two years from the age of 50 years. It is also advisable to start this test earlier if there is a family history of colon cancer or certain diseases (ulcerative hemorrhagic ulcer, familial adenomatous polyposis).

Blood in the stool: when to consult?
Systematically ...  Although most of the conditions that cause blood in the stool are being, it is advisable to consult your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and not miss a more serious illness ...

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Kitchen knives and viruses

Kitchen knives and viruses 
One study highlights the risk of cross-contamination by food viruses through kitchen knives and graters

Lack of hand hygiene is one of the main causes of food poisoning in the home, as well as utensils used to prepare and handle food, through which pathogenic bacteria can be transmitted. A new study by experts at the University of Georgia's Center for Food Safety finds that knives and graters can transmit viruses . This article explains how cross contamination occurs through knives, how it can be prevented and trends in foodborne diseases .

Kitchen knives and viruses 

One of the most frequent causes of gastroenteritis worldwide is the presence of norovirus , especially in products and foods ready for consumption. Research to date has shown that the point of greatest risk is the preparation of food. Hands, utensils and surfaces have a potential role in virus contamination.

Cross contamination through knives
In a recent US study published in Food and Environmental Virology , we have analyzed the transfer of viruses, specifically hepatitis A and norovirus, among a wide range of fruits and vegetables and different types of kitchen knives and graters.

The results of the research have shown that, after using sterilized knives, more than half have been contaminated after preparing an altered food. Contamination occurs whether the food is cut or grated. The level of infection differs depending on the type of virus and the food. Differences in the structure of the surface of the product influence the transfer of the virus. The smooth surface of a melon transfers more norovirus to the knife than a more rugged surface, although not the same with the hepatitis A virus. Experts have used melons, tomatoes, strawberries and cucumbers toanalyze virus transmission to Through knives and graters.

In the research, it has also been analyzed whether a contaminated knife can transfer viruses to clean fruits and vegetables. Those responsible for the study admit that "with only one contaminated blade can contaminate up to seven pieces". The results suggest, therefore, that viruses can be transmitted through food in a manner similar to that of  bacteria . From these results, experts warn that any utensil used in the kitchen can be a cross-contamination point, which also includes hands and food. The ease of virus transfer between food and utensils underscores the importance of increasing preventive measures in restoration, but also in domestic kitchens.

How to avoid cross-contamination
One of the recommendations that experts make is to wash the knife or grater after each use with a specific food, rather than leaving it on the counter, even if it is thought that it is not dirty. According to the British Food Standards Agency (FSA), cross-contamination can be:

Direct . Food is touched and contaminated or drips over others.

Indirect . Bacteria present in hands, surfaces or utensils extend into food.

Here are some tips to avoid it:

• Wash hands after handling raw food.
• Keep raw foods separate from cooked foods.
• Store raw meats in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• Use a different cutting board , depending on whether raw or cooked foods are handled. If only one is available, wash thoroughly between one use and the next.
• Clean knives and other utensils after each use.

TRENDS IN FOOD DISEASES

Foodborne illnesses have varied over time. Tuberculosis or cholera were common for many years, but improvements in food safety, such as pasteurizing milk, canning or disinfection of water supplies, have almost completely eradicated this type of disease. However, other infections have emerged, some caused by new pathogens that spread rapidly. This change is due, in particular, to new food production practices and changes in consumption habits. Some of the most common pathogens are Salmonella, Campylobacter or E.coli .It should be borne in mind that microbiological safety of food is a dynamic issue influenced by multiple factors throughout the food chain and that relevant pathogen populations are not static. Some pathogens such as E. coli may be able to evolve and "explore" new products, such as fresh food , or generate new public health problems, such as antimicrobial resistance. In a study conducted by European experts entitled "Foodborne diseases, the challenges of 20 years still persist and emerging new" and published in International Journal of Food Microbiology , it is recognized that special emphasis is placed on norovirus, hepatitis A and Emerging viruses such as SARS.

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Hibiscus, the herb of glare

Very appreciated for its beauty and its bright colors, the hibiscus or althea is a treasure of benefits for the skin as for the hair. It moisturizes, nourishes, protects the epidermis from aging and gives shine to the hair by strengthening it.

A natural remedy from Africa

Nicknamed "sorrel of Guinea", the young leaves of hibiscus are consumed there as a vegetable. "And its flower of intense red is very much appreciated in infusion under the name of bissap (or carcadet, according to the regions), for its good acidulated taste. It has a high concentration of anthocyanins, highly red antioxidant red pigments . Hibiscus is also used for therapeutic purposes against hypertension, " says Émilie Jolibois, a specialist in natural ingredients. On the beauty side, African women use it in the form of oily macerate, which they apply as a hair mask, to strengthen their hair and give it volume.

Nutritive and moisturizing active ingredients

The hibiscus flower contains sugars with moisturizing action. "Integrated in a cosmetic care, they form a very thin film on the skin that attracts water into the epidermis," explains Émilie Jolibois. As for the oil, it is obtained by cold pressing the seeds of the plant. Rich in essential fatty acids, it is composed in particular of linoleic acid, which is very interesting for dry and fragile skins . It participates in the manufacture of ceramides, these small bricks which constitute the protective barrier of the skin. "Moreover, this oil is pleasant because soft to the touch, non-greasy and odorless. This allows to integrate it without difficulties in formulas of care for the skin ", adds the expert.

High dull anti-dyeing power

Hibiscus is known for its antioxidant qualities because, in addition to anthocyanins, it is rich in vitamin C and polyphenols. Thanks to them, it captures the free radicals, neutralizes them and protects the cells. "Inside the flower, we also find citric, malic and tartaric acids, better known as fruit acids," explains our expert. In an applied care on the skin, they eliminate the dead cells, responsible for a dull complexion, and thus stimulate the production of collagen. This makes it possible to regain radiance.

On the hair, they tighten the scales of the fiber and bring a lot of brilliance.

The inactivity is (really) bad for the heart and the silhouette

The inactivity is (really) bad for the heart and the silhouette

Decidedly, sedentary lifestyle is dangerous for health. According to a new British study, this bad habit would increase cardiovascular risk and waist circumference.

We know: sedentary lifestyle is bad for our health. When sitting all day behind a desk, our risk of developing heart failure, type 2 diabetes or (even!) A motor disability increases dramatically ...

In a new study published on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, researchers at the University of Warwick (UK) warn us again about sedentary lifestyle: this bad habit would also increase cardiovascular risk ... and larger wait circumference.

To reach this conclusion, the researchers worked with a panel of 111 British participants: 55 of them had a mainly sedentary job (our Anglo-Saxon neighbors talk about "desk job") while the other 56 were rather active ( They distributed the mail). No volunteer smoked, had a cardiovascular history, or had medical treatment.

Do 15,000 steps during the day or stand for 7 hours?

Result? There were notable differences between the two groups: the sedentary had an average waist circumference of 97 cm, compared with an average of 94 cm for active volunteers. The body mass index (BMI) of the sedentary population was also one point higher than that of the active population. Finally, the cardiovascular risk of sedentary patients was estimated to be 2.2% versus "only" 1.6% for participants who moved all day.

"After 5 hours of inactivity, each additional hour increases the waist circumference by about 2 cm and the cardiovascular risk by 0.2%. There is also an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood,  "adds the scientists, whose findings were published in the journal International Journal of Obesity. "Ideally, to stay healthy, you would have to walk 15,000 steps a day or stand 7 hours a day. "An almost impossible challenge when working in a company ...

source

Baking soda: its health benefits

Baking soda is a remedy for everything that heals our most common ailments. Indispensable in the medicine cabinet.

By the way, what's the baking soda?
A natural white powder, non-polluting, edible, no side effects and cheap. Only drawback: its strong salty taste is not very pleasant. For simplicity, the baking soda is a mineral composed of salt and chalk, whose formula has been developed in the eighteenth century by a French chemist, Nicolas White. He had discovered his alkaline power, ie its ability to neutralize the acidity of an environment.


It relieves stomach
His most famous asset. Thanks to its alkalinity, sodium bicarbonate acts as a buffer which reduces the acidity of the stomach. So effective against heartburn and gastric reflux, digestive problems, feelings of nausea or hangover party tomorrow. A teaspoon of soda in a glass of water gives us attack (oh yes, it's not very good ...). You can also add a pinch to cooking food that is hard to digest (garlic, cabbage ...). They will better!


Baking: an antidote against UTIs
The cystitis often originate from a urine too acid (acidity promotes inflammation by the proliferation of bacteria). Again, baking fight this acidity by rebalancing the body pH (pH = hydrogen potential, or the balance between acid and basic). Once appear the symptoms of the crisis such as burns bladder, quick, one teaspoon swallowing of diluted soda in a glass of water. To shorten the infection, you can drink the same potion 3 times a day. Prevention, especially if we made ​​too acidic meals (alcohol, coffee, sugar, excess meat etc.) baking will make them more alkaline urine.


It soothes sore throats
Inhaled, baking relieves congestion and clears the respiratory tract and soothes the throat when irritated. Recipe: boil a liter of water with 2 tablespoons of baking, pour the mixture into a bowl and a towel on the head, breathe vapors for 10 minutes. It may also be in gargle (one teaspoon in a glass of warm water) for a few minutes, 3 times per day.


It heals canker sores
By softening the mucous membranes of the mouth, it treats these small ulcerations of the cheeks, palate, gums .... is applied directly on the lesion, with a wet finger, pinch of bicarbonate, the morning upon waking and at night before of sleeping. Or there is the option mouthwash: 2 tablespoons of soda in a glass of water and rinse their mouth with this solution, the time to impregnate the palace. What to do morning, noon and night.

What you need to know about menopause

All women know that at a certain age they must come to menopause. However, when she comes, bringing with it a change of mood, the wrinkles on the skin and many other unpleasant things, not everyone is able to understand what exactly it does happen. As a result, many are beginning to lurch from one doctor to another and treat literally everything at once: from headache to shattered nerves...

Menopause - this last period, which occurs on average at the age of 50-51 years. Premenopausal precedes it and begins with a 45-year-old. A postmenopausal period begins after menopause and lasts the rest of a woman's life. There is a gradual ovarian failure, they gradually cease to produce female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Thus, disturbed feedback hypothalamus hormones. And if we take 100 percent of women 75 years of life - and it is this figure is given now as a life expectancy of women in contemporary society - then share just menopause accounts for about a 33-percent. It turns out that almost a third of his life, there is a woman in this period, for the coming of which most of us are totally unprepared.

Is it possible to know in advance the exact period of the menopause?

Unfortunately, to know in advance when that moment is almost impossible. And yet there is the likelihood of at least relatively predictable. Collecting history of women,

menopause often gives no negative impact on the life and all the functions of the female body. And what during the aging process occurs: there is a decline in the number of cells in the liver, kidney, endocrine glands, myocardium, bodily muscles. Which in turn determines the nature of the violation and even function of the different organs. Within the context of age-related changes occur and menopausal changes in the reproductive system.

sex hormones produced by the ovaries, also affect the function of various organs and body systems. Thus, if there is lack of estrogen, the developing osteoporosis, hormone cardiopathy, depression, age-related psychosis, including menopausal syndrome. Does the lack of a hedgehog comes second female hormone (progesterone), then develop hyperplastic processes in target organs: uterine fibroids, breast tumors, and so on. That's why it's so important the correct relationship between all elements of the regulation of the menstrual cycle, from the hypothalamus and ending ovaries and target organs, the main ones being the uterus and mammary glands.

However, softer and physiological during menopause can prepare itself. It may seem trivial, but training - this physical exercise and obesity prevention throughout life, a normal pregnancy and delivery, proper organization of work and leisure, early cure infectious diseases, burdened heredity. In other words, if a woman has such baggage, then it has a very real chance to pass the complex period of menopause safely without resorting to doctors. Unfortunately, a significant number of women still have a pathological course of menopause with different kinds of complications. And often it is because in his early years had not thought about the future troubles.

On what grounds can a woman determine menopausal syndrome? 

The first group includes vasomotor and emotional and mental disorders. What are they expressed? In hot flashes, excessive sweating, headaches, hypertension or hypotension, chills, heart palpitations, irritability, drowsiness, weakness, anxiety, depression, inattention, forgetfulness.

The second - change urogenital (vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, itching and burning, frequent urination) and aging of the skin (dry and brittle nails, hair loss and dryness, wrinkles).

And the third - later metabolic disorders.
This osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. This raises the question: Is it possible to do something to avoid, or at-least alleviate menopause?
What did our grandmothers and mothers? Neglect all and wept, tormented, sick. You can follow their example. And you can take preventative measures.

As prevention for women, start preparing for her difficult period, it may be advisable to carry out in the gym every morning for 15-20 minutes. Desirable that it also engaged in health treatment groups (approximately 2-3 times a week for 40-45 minutes) or visit the pool; resorted to general massage, walks before bedtime, a balanced diet with a predominance of fruit and vegetables, but the restriction of carbohydrates . Useful dousing, wash, shower. Desirable to make pine, sage hot foot baths. Very good use of mineral and radon water. But the spa treatment is better not to spend all or only in their climate zone.

Moreover, there is as well as hormonal treatment. In recent years, a very widely used so-called hormone replacement therapy. It is prescribed after menopause in certain hormonal indicators, which again defines a gynecologist, endocrinologist, because not everyone can be administered. For this it is necessary to examine the state of the mammary glands, uterus, blood clotting, liver and kidney function. The composition of the drugs used as hormone replacement therapy, include natural hormones, which, unlike synthetic hormones used in birth control pills, more easily tolerated by women and have minimal side effects.
Here again I want to emphasize that this group of drugs by a doctor appointed and indications.

Very fashionable we became recently a healthy lifestyle concept. Ladies rushed to gyms, began to actively use a variety of nutritional supplements, eat right. Logical continuation of this marvelous healthy life should be advance prevention of menopausal disorders in which last place is occupied by alternative methods, acupuncture.

To live to a ripe old age in great moral and physical form is not it wants every woman loving yourself?

10 unique secrets of Carrots, which is useful to know

Forget about the pills with vitamin A! With wonderful orange vegetables - carrots - you get the necessary vitamin A, as well as a number of health benefits: your skin will be beautiful and young, and you can prevent the development of cancer. Here are a few things that you might not know about carrots.

10 unique benefits of Carrots

Health Benefits

1) Carrot improves eyesight

Positive effect on vision carrots long been proven. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted in the liver into vitamin A. This vitamin is transformed in the inner layer of the eye in rhodopsin, the visual pigment needed for good night vision.
Beta-carotene also protects against macular degeneration and senile cataracts. Studies have shown that people who regularly eat carrots, 40 percent less likely to develop macular degeneration than those who eat this vegetable in small amounts.

2) Carrot helps prevent cancer

Research shows that carrots reduces the risk of developing lung cancer, breast and colon. Scientists have discovered a special substance - and falkarinol falkariniol - which is likely to have anti-cancer properties.
Falkarinol - a natural pesticide that allocates carrot to her roots were not affected by fungi. Carrot is almost the only product that contains this ingredient. Scientists have discovered that mice on third lower risk of developing cancer, if they regularly eat carrots.

3) Carrot helps fight aging

Beta-carotene in carrots works as an antioxidant and prevents the destruction of the cells through metabolism. It also slows down the aging of cells.

4) Carrot promotes healthy skin

Vitamin A and antioxidants protect the skin from the negative effects of UV. Lack of vitamin A in the body makes the skin, nails and hair dry. Vitamin A protects against premature wrinkles, acne, dry skin, age spots and bad complexion.

5) Carrots are a natural antiseptic

Connoisseurs of medicinal properties of herbs know that carrots can prevent the spread of infections. It can be applied to cuts in raw or cooked form.

6) Carrots makes skin beautiful

With the help of this vegetable can be inexpensive, but very effective facial mask. To do this, mix the grated carrots with honey, olive oil and lemon.

7) Carrot prevents heart disease

Studies have shown that a diet rich in carotenoids, helps reduce the risk of developing heart disease. In carrot contains not only beta-carotene, but alpha-carotene and lutein. Regular consumption of carrots also lowers cholesterol by the fact that the water-soluble fiber from carrots restricts the bile acid.

8) Carrot helps cleanse the body

Vitamin A helps the liver to remove toxins from the body. It also reduces the level of bile in the liver and fat. Fiber helps to cleanse the intestines carrots and accelerates the excretion of toxins.

9) Carrot heals the teeth and gums

Because the carrot is a solid vegetable, chewing at her teeth cleaned and oral cavity. Carrots like toothpaste and toothbrush cleans harmful plaque and remove food particles between teeth. When chewing carrots allocated a lot of saliva, which helps to regulate the acid-alkaline balance in the mouth and does not breed bacteria. Minerals contained in carrots, also protect the teeth from damage.

10) Carrot protects against stroke

According to research by Harvard University, people who consume more than six carrots a week are less likely to suffer a stroke than those who eat very little carrot -

1 piece a month or less.

Interesting facts about carrots

Rabbits love carrots, but too much they can not eat. For such a small animal, like a rabbit, a carrot - it's like for a man of 20! In carrot no white sugar, but contains natural sugar, which can cause digestive problems. Better to give rabbits carrot tops.

Carrot is the second most popular after potato vegetable.

The biggest carrot that has hit the record books - this carrot weighing about 9 kilograms and a length of about 6 meters!

There are about 100 varieties of carrots. Some of them are quite large, other small. They can vary in color: orange, purple, white, yellow and red.

In England of the 17th century, women wore hats carrot leaves instead of flowers or feathers.

How to eat carrots?

Nutrients in carrots are in very tight protein capsules, which are destroyed in the processing temperature of carrots, either through mechanical operations: grinding, squeezing juice, careful chewing. In this processing carotenoids become much more effective. Fats help absorb carotenoids, which are released into the bloodstream, as they dissolve in fats.