How to Fast Before a Blood Cholesterol Test

It's almost always necessary to fast before a blood cholesterol test. If you're scheduled for a blood cholesterol test, you'll want to make sure you're fasting properly. Both your doctor and the lab where you'll have your blood work drawn are 2 good resources to help you determine how to fast before a blood cholesterol test.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
1
Check with your doctor or the lab where you'll be having blood drawn to find out how long you're required to fast. Sometimes this time frame is 6 to 8 hours and sometimes you might have to fast overnight. In some cases, you'll have to fast for up to 12 hours.
2
Schedule your blood cholesterol test as early in the morning as possible if you're required to fast for 12 hours. You can stop eating at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. And then wake up the next morning and go right to the lab to have your blood drawn.
3
Pay attention to what you're eating in the weeks prior to a blood cholesterol test, assuming you have that much advance notice that you'll be getting this test. Avoid red meat, eggs and other high-fat and high-cholesterol foods if you're getting a blood cholesterol test as part of a life insurance exam.
4
Don't alter your diet too much if you're getting a routine blood cholesterol test since your doctor will want an accurate idea of what your cholesterol is based on your usual diet.
5
Drink water even after your fast has begun. Most lab facilities still allow patients to drink water and don't consider what to be part of the fast, no matter how many hours you're required to fast.
6
Check with your doctor or the lab to determine if coffee is allowed. In some cases, you're not required to avoid coffee when you're fasting.
7
Be honest when you go for your blood cholesterol test. If you were required to fast for 12 hours, and you only fasted for 8 hours because you had a snack before bedtime

How to Calm an Upset Stomach

An upset stomach can come from many things and before you treat it, you need to find out what caused it. Indigestion, flu, motion sickness, heartburn and food poisoning can all cause nausea and the remedies vary depending on what caused the stomach to get upset.
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Cola
Antacids
Ginger Ale
Chamomile Tea

1 Remove yourself from the cause of your upset stomach if you can identify it. Nausea from motion sickness or foul fumes often goes away quickly on its own.

2 Drink ginger ale or chamomile or peppermint tea if you've overeaten or have the flu. They should all soothe your stomach.

3 Drinking cola works well for some people, too.

4 Take antacids for heartburn. They'll make you feel better by neutralizing the acid in your stomach. Keep in mind that they may cause constipation or diarrhea with overuse.

5 Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, aspirin and ibuprofen, since they can exacerbate nausea.

How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week

If you are itching to shed those unwanted pounds it can be down quickly. There are many crash diets that promise to help you lose vast amounts of weight quickly, but many are unhealthy and can damage your body if you try them over and over again. Taking the weight off the right way can help you from regaining it after. Losing any amount of weight requires a life change and a diet change. There are certain foods that you are going to need to cut out or at least eat in moderation. Also you are going to want to incorporate exercise into your daily lifestyle. It is very easy to make these changes, and once you start noticing the weight coming off it will motivate you even more. Stay away from any crash dieting or other unhealthy ways of losing weight. Do not fast, because once you eat you will start to gain it all back. Depending on the starting weight that you are at now, will help determine the amount of weight you will lose. Of course a person that has more weight to lose then another, will drop more pounds the first few weeks of dieting. The best way to lose weight and keep it off no matter what the amount that you are trying to lose, is to do the old fashioned way, with exercise and diet. We all want a magic way of dropping pounds, but taking a pill or fasting only have their downfalls. Here are some helpful tips to lose weight the safe way.

Instructions
1 * Water -

Before every meal drink 16 ounces of water prior to eating. Doing this can help you lose weight, as you will eat less but still be full. This helps to encourage you to get the recommended amount of water daily and lose weight.

2 * Eat Less Calories Then You Burn -

In order to lose weight quickly you need to eat less calories then your body actually burns. One pound of fat equals 3500 calories, so you need to burn more calories each day in order to lose weight. All during the day, even in your sleep your body is burning calories. You can easily burn more calories then you eat by increasing activity and cutting calories in your daily diet. Just by cutting 500 calories a day and increasing exercise you can lose weight quickly. This is the best way to lose weight and remain healthy. So cut out the bad food and increase the good foods.

3 * Increase Fiber -

Eating more fiber each day will help to increase weight loss. Include whole grains, raw vegetables, slightly cooked vegetables, fruits, fiber enriched cereals, whole wheat pasta, beans, etc. In the beginning if you eat to much fiber you may experience bloating, cramps and gas, so do it gradually day by day. Also increase the amount of water you drink as it helps your body to digest the fiber more efficiently.

4 * Stop Eating Sugary Foods -

Just dropping the sugar from your diet can help you lose weight quickly. Make sure that you stay away from it all together if you want to lose weight quickly. This means no sugar in your coffee, on your cereals, or eating that candy bar!

* Cut the carbs from your diet. Carbohydrates turn into sugar inside our body's and makes you hold onto body weight and fat. Omitting carbs from your diet can help you drastically drop the unwanted pounds. These days there are many alternatives to diets without carbs that are tasty and nutritious.

* Increase fiber into your diet.

* Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet.

* Make sure you eat your dairy items. You can choose to have low fat or even fat free milks and yogurt's.

5 * Watch Your Portion Size -

Many people have no concept of the amount of food that hey should be eating. Here are some helpful tips about portion sizes...
3 ounces of meat, fish, chicken, etc. is about the size of the palm of a woman's hand or a deck of playing cards.
An ounce of cheese is about the size of your thumb.
A teaspoon of butter is the about the size of your thumb tip.
Learning the correct portions that you should consume can greatly improve your weight lose.

* Stay Away From Fried Foods -

* Watch the calories, they count when you are trying to lose weight. Stick to a diet within a certain range of calories consumption ideal for you.

6 * Exercise -

Many of us may feel that we simply do not have the time to incorporate exercise int your busy lifestyle. That is just an excuse! There are many ways to get the exercise that you need. When you are at work take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park a little farther then normal so you walk farther. Instead of going out to the movies where you just sit, do something physical like bowling, golfing, dancing, etc. Every extra bit of exercise helps!

Remember that any diet that promises you a fast and easy way to lose weight without even trying, is a fake! They are relying on the hopeful ones that want to believe there is a miracle cure to lose weight out there to get themselves rich. They are selling you a fantasy and that s the bottom line.

7 It takes work and commitment to lose weight and nothing less. Once you start to make these changes to your diet and include exercise you need to be consistent. It will all pay off when you are losing weight the healthy way and your friends and relatives that are still trying all the new so called "breakthroughs" on the market are still struggling.

8 You need to focus on the positive changes that you have done and if you slip up once is awhile just know that its O.K. Focus on the positive and not the negative. Remember to reward yourself with a day off every so often to help keep you motivated and determined.

How to Calculate How Many Weight Watchers Points You Get

Calculate Weight Watchers Point
Weight Watchers is a great proven program for weight loss but unfortunately it can be very hard to afford during these tough economic times. Learn here how to calculate how many weight watchers points you would get if you were on the plan so you can start following weight watchers from home without spending money every month to lose weight.
                                      
                                                      Things You'll Need:
your weight
your activity level
your height
your age

                               INSTRUTIONS

1 The first step is going to be establishing a baseline for weight watchers points depending on your sex and whether or not you are nursing. Is you are female, give yourself 2 points to start. If you are male give yourself eight weight watchers points to start. If you are nursing give yourself 12 weight watchers points to start. This is the first step to calculate how many weight watchers points you will get on the plan so you can start losing weight.
Example: I am a woman so I start with 2 points.

2 The next thing you will do to calculate weight watchers points is to add to the number you got in step 1 depending on your age. If you are between 17-26 add 4 points to your weight watchers point total. If you are between 27-37 add 3 points; 38-47 add 2; 48-57 add 1; and over 58 add 0. This is because your metabolism slows as you get older so when you calculate how many weight watchers points you get.
Ex. I am 27 years old so I add 3 which gives me a total of 5 points.

3 Next, you will take the numbers you added together in step 1 and 2 and then adjust it for your weight and height. You are going to take the first two numbers of your weight. (You would add 20 if you weighed 204 pounds.) You will also adjust for your height. If you are under 5 ft you will add 0, between 5'0" and 5'9" you will add 1, and over 5'10" add 2.
Ex. I weigh 174 pounds so I will add 17 points to my total giving me 22. Then since I am 5'7" I will add 1 more point giving me 23.

4 Lastly, you will calculate how weight watchers points you get by adjusting for your activity level. If you spend most of your day sitting down, add 0 to your weight watchers points total. If you are occasionally sitting but mostly standing add 2. If you are walking most of the time add 4. If you do physically difficult work, add 6.
Ex. I spend almost all of my day at a desk sitting so I will add 0 which makes my point target 23. Now you have calculated your daily weight watchers points target.

Health Effects of Black Currant

There's nothing like the "dog days of summer" to remind us how fragile our bodies can be due to excessive heat. Even the healthy and competitive athlete can experience problems with lack of appetite, dehydration and vitamin loss during heat waves. In this article I will offer some common sense steps to staying health and eating well during those long, hot days.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A basic understanding of hydration and caloric needs
• "Listening" to your body

1. 1
   Realize that heat can kill, especially the very young and the very old due to poor immune function, body fluid alterations and the inability to protect themselves from excessive heat. Recognize this for yourself and those you love. Finding a cool place (air conditioning) may be essential to maintaining fluid balance during heat extremes. If you do not have access to air conditioning, call your local Department of Public Health; they may have a list of "cooling centers" for you to take advantage of.
   
2. 2
   Review your diet. Eat five to six small, protein-enriched meals a day to maintain caloric intake. Calories are the "fuels of energy" that provide for basic bodily function such as heart rate, lung and kidney function.
   Eliminate or greatly reduce all caffeine, alcohol and refined sugars from your diet. These will increase your metabolic demand and lead to fluid imbalance, as well as protein metabolism.
   
3. 3
   Include fruits high in fiber and natural juice content to help maintain blood sugar levels, provide some nutrient-rich fluid and be a source of calories. Do not neglect, however, the consumption of small, protein-enriched foods.
   
4. 4
   Avoid the sun for periods greater than 15 minutes (less is best during heat extremes). Do not forget that an SPF of 15 not only protects your skin from sun damage, but also may prevent severe burning. Keep in mind that once skin is sunburned the body demands an increased fluid intake to help heal the burned skin (that is exactly what a sunburn is, a first-degree burn).
   
5. 5
   If you feel faint, have trouble with thinking or feel lightheaded, I suggest an evaluation by an emergency medical provider. Severe dehydration may require the use of intravenous fluid rehydration.

Read more: How to Eat Well During a Heat Wave | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5334572_eat-well-during-heat-wave.html#ixzz3NmLnDbRi

What Is a Whey Protein?

When people make cheese from milk, the whey is the leftover liquid that does not become part of the cheese. The University of Michigan Health System explains that whey contains proteins and that people can safely use leftover whey.

      Significance
   1. According to the University of Michigan Health System, people digest whey protein more rapidly than many other protein types. It contains the proteins beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin and also has amino acids.
      Function
   2. The proteins in whey can help the body produce lean muscle more quickly, according to the National Dairy Council. Higher protein diets can also aid weight loss, athletic performance and overall health.
      Uses
   3. Some people make their own protein dietary supplements out of the whey leftover from making cheese. Commercial food companies also add leftover whey to a variety of foods including ice cream, baby formulas, canned soups and bread to increase nutritional value.

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What Causes Dental Cavities?

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease or gingivitis, is one of the most common chronic diseases in… More

Read more: What Causes Dental Cavities?: How to Prevent Dental Cavities | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/video_4399726_causes-dental-cavities_.html#ixzz3NmdmgQOR

How to Use the Standard Days Method of Family Planning

The Standard Days method of family planning is a natural method of birth control. Developed by researchers at the Institute for Reproductive Health at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, the Standard Days method is popular among couples whose religious beliefs prevent them from using other methods of contraception, such as birth control pills or intrauterine devices, or IUDs. The Standard Days method helps women track their menstrual cycles and recognize when they are most fertile, so they can avoid unprotected sex during that time period.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Calendar
• Cycle beads (optional)

Calendar Method

1.  
   Mark the day you get your period on a calendar. This is Day 1 of your cycle.
2. Mark the remaining days of your cycle as Day 2, Day 3, and so on until you get your period again. According to the research behind the Standard Days method, you will be most fertile on Days 8 through 19.
3.  
   Abstain from sex, or from unprotected sex, during Days 8 through 19 of your cycle. During Days 1 through 7 and Days 20 through the rest of your cycle, you are unlikely to become pregnant and may engage in intercourse.

CycleBeads Method

4. 1
   Track your cycle using CycleBeads if you prefer. Many couples who use the Standard Days method use CycleBeads to track the woman's fertility cycle. CycleBeads are a circular string of 32 color-coded beads, suitable for women with menstrual cycles lasting up to 32 days.
5.  
   Use the rubber ring on the CycleBead string to track the days of your cycle. The single red bead on the string represents Day 1 of the cycle, so start with the rubber band there on the day your period starts.
6.  
   Move the rubber band from bead to bead as your cycle progresses. Make note of the color progression of the beads. Brown beads represent the less fertile days of your cycle, when you are highly unlikely to become pregnant. The white, glow-in-the-dark beads represent the fertile days of your cycle when you should abstain from sex or unprotected sex.

Tips & Warnings

• The Standard Days method is based on research of women with menstrual cycles lasting from 26 to 32 days. If your menstrual cycle is longer or shorter than this, the method may not be as effective or safe in preventing pregnancy. This method also is not for women with irregular menstrual cycles.
• The effectiveness of the method depends on abstaining from sex or using protection during the fertile days of a woman's menstrual cycle. If you find this period of abstinence difficult, use a different method of family planning.
• As with any method of birth control, except total abstinence, the Standard Days method is not foolproof. During the infertile days of your cycle, it is highly unlikely you will become pregnant, but it is not impossible.

Read more: How to Use the Standard Days Method of Family Planning | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7490135_use-days-method-family-planning.html#ixzzG3pxgsZQG

Four Types of Artificial Family Planning Methods

   1. Now, more than ever before, as ambitious couples race to pursue their education and career goals, many choose to postpone -- or delay indefinitely -- having children. They want to wait for the right moment before adding kids to the mix. On the other side of the coin are those millions of men and women of reproductive age who face infertility problems. According to the National Women's Health Information Center, infertility is equally prevalent in women as in men, and these couples must use alternative procedures to conceive. Fortunately, artificial family planning methods cater both to those couples seeking to avoid unwanted pregnancies, and to those who cannot conceive through natural means.
                             Intrauterine Insemination
   2. IUI is an artificial insemination method in which the use of a catheter is involved to inject semen into the uterus. While reproductive endocrinologists typically handle this procedure, many women choose to do it themselves at home, using home insemination kits purchased online. Success rates vary but can reach approximately 60 percent if done through fertility centers. Costs for this procedure are usually between $300 and $800, as of 2010.
                                IUD Birth Control
   3. Also known as the "Copper T," the IUD is a small device made of plastic, metal, or copper that is inserted into the uterus to prevent fertilization. Currently, the IUD is the most commonly used form of female birth control on the market. Although costs can fall between $500 to $1,000, depending on insurance plans and details, the IUD is effective for up to 12 years. It can be removed if and when pregnancy is desired.
                                In Vitro Fertilization
   4. Since the 1980s, more than 250,000 babies have been born via IVF. This procedure involves combining male sperm cells with female ovarian eggs in a laboratory. Once fertilization occurs, the embryo is placed in the uterus where it begins to develop naturally. Less than 5 percent of infertile couples use this method, however, IVS remains one of the only options to offer infertile couples the opportunity to produce children biologically related to both parties. This procedure typically costs around $12,400, as of 2010.
     
                                                             Condoms
  
5. Condoms are the most common male contraceptive method on the market. They act as a barrier between the sperm cells and the inside of the vagina, thereby preventing the fertilization process. Ideally, condoms are about 97 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, but the more realistic statistics cite a range of 80 percent to 90 percent as being more accurate. Condoms are convenient in that they are inexpensive and can be found in most drugstores.

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