Soooooo, I know a lot of people don’t necessarily admit to doing this, despite it being a totally acceptable (and I hate to use the word, but) normal sexual practice, since it isn’t talked about frequently, I wanted to talk about the risks and how to be safe.  Technically, Anilingus is oral-anal sex (AKA “rimming”, “rim job”, etc.) and is the act of kissing, licking, and/or putting the tongue into the anus.  There are risks along with this practice and ways to do it safely.

I know that Cholera is all over the news lately because of the outbreak in Haiti, but sadly it is still a risk in many places around the world.  Most people don’t even know what it is because it isn’t a huge risk for most in the modern world, but it still effects people in parts of Africa, Mexico, Asia, India, and Central/South America, and is still one of the world wide leading causes of death.

What is Cholera?
It is a bacterial infection in your small intestine caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. The bacteria releases a toxin in your colon that causes an increase in water release, leading to large amounts of watery diarrhea.  This expelled diarrhea is filled with tons of the bacteria, and can infect the water/food source of others.

Symptoms:
The symptoms usually start one to five days after initial infection and start suddenly and all at the same time. Profuse explosive diarrhea (like EXPLOSIVE and it can smell fishy), abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and dehydration.  The signs of dehydration can be subtle, so be aware to know when you are dehydrated:
-dry membranes in your mouth
-dry skin
-excessive thirst
-glassy/sunken eyes
-lack of tears
-lethargy
-low amounts of urine (or really dark)
-nausea
-fast heart rate
-dizziness when standing up from sitting

How do you get Cholera?
It is transmitted through water that has been infected with the bacteria, usually with feces from an infected person or vomit.  Any water that is used to wash foods or is used as drinking water that has been affected can cause the infection.  Also, shellfish that live in affected water can be infected then pass the bacteria along.  People who take antacids are at a higher risk because stomach acids can kill off the ingested bacteria, as well those with weakened immune systems due to chronic diseases and those that are malnourished are at risk. People die all of the time during cholera outbreaks due to the dehydration, and it is a serious risk.

How will I be Diagnosed?
If you suspect cholera, or just have really vile smelling diarrhea, your HCP will draw some blood to culture and test for bacteria. As well, you will be asked to bring in a stool (poop) sample and they will study for various parasites and culture for cholera bacteria.

What is the treatment?
Depending on how far along the infection is, you might need IV fluids, but usually oral replacements of fluids are suitable (this is one time where coconut water is the BEST treatments). And, oral antibiotics (tetracycline) are usually acceptable as treatment. In extreme cases, IV antibiotics would be needed to treat the infection.

How do I prevent it?
There is an injectable vaccine that is good for 2-3 years ad an oral vaccine as well but they are not available in the US and the CDC does not recommend their use. The best prevention is to be aware of where you are and where you are traveling; check with the CDC and if you are traveling to an area with a recent or current outbreak, and make sure to drink bottled water, and eat fruits and veg that you peel the skin off of, so there isn’t a risk of bacteria on the skin.  If you are helping someone with the infection make sure to clean all clothes/bed linens in boiling hot water and bleach (if possible), and boil (to sterilize) anything that comes in contact with them.  Also wash your hands thoroughly after touching them and anything they have come in contact with until the infection is treated.

So, read up before you travel abroad, and just be really careful about what you eat and drink (lay off the ice) and if you think you have any of the symptoms, drink lots of fluids (preferably coconut water, if available) and go see your HCP ASAP to prevent the spread to your fellow travelers!!

Yours in Good Health
B

I didn’t really know what Four Loko was, but I knew that it was causing all sorts of uproars on college campuses nationwide.  So, what is the big deal?  Why is it being banned by college campuses and now on state levels?

There are always things on the news “linking” various foods or behaviors to Type 2 Diabetes, and in honor of national diabetes month, I wanted to talk about the different types, and risk factors that are totally preventable!  It is estimated that 24 million people have diabetes an 57 million are at risk for developing the disease, in the US, and 171 million people are affected worldwide; let’s make sure that we aren’t on that list of ‘at risk’!!

Just as a background, Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which you have high blood sugar due to either decreased production of insulin or because your cells don’t respond to the insulin your body creates.  Diabetes can also be mimicked my taking corticosteroids for various disease processes or simply gestational that will be reversed once you have your baby or stop taking steroids!  As well, type 2 diabetes can be “reversible”….read on!

Type 1 Diabetes:
Type 1 was originally dubbed “juvenile onset diabetes” or “Insulin dependent diabetes” and really the body fails to produce insulin from the pancreas because the body attacks itself (an autoimmune disorder), therefore people affected need to give themselves insulin injections to level their blood sugars.

Type 2 Diabetes:
It is a result of poor diet and lifestyle, usually, and is characterized by insulin resistance; your body makes insulin but the insulin receptor cells reject it, and usually there is a lower insulin release baseline.  This is the most common type of diabetes and affects 90% of Americans that are classified with diabetes.  Early on when insulin levels are just decreased, there are oral medications that can be taken to improve insulin sensitivity (basically make the most out of what your body is already producing) and/or reduce glucose production by the liver.

Pre-Diabetes:
A term that has been dubbed for people who have elevated blood glucose levels as a baseline, but not high enough to diagnose as Type 2 Diabetes.  At this stage, with lifestyle changes, you can usually prevent it from turning into a diabetes diagnosis.

What are warning signs?
Polyuria (frequent urination), Polydipsia (increased thirst), and polyphagia (increased hunger)which can be sudden in Type 1 Diabetes and may occur over a slower period of time with Type 2 Diabetes.  Prolonged elevated glucose levels can cause changes to the retina which can lead to blurry or changed vision, slow healing cuts/bruises, tingling/numbness in hands and feet, and/or recurring skin/gum/bladder infections.

biomed.com

What should glucose levels be?

How do I know if I have it?
If you have any of these warning signs, or are concerned, go to your HCP who will test your glucose in the office, and check a fasting glucose or perform a glucose tolerance test: check a fasting blood sugar which should be less than 126mg/dl, with a glucose tolerance test the should be glucose level less than 200 two hours after ingesting 75g of glucose, and they will check an Hb A1C (a sample of hemoglobin from the blood which helps to determine an average of glucose levels over time) which should be less than or equal to 6.5%

Why is it such a big deal?
There are TONS of complications that can occur from diabetes taht can occur in both the long and short-term of having the disease, which is why it is crucial to check your blood sugar frequently throughout the day AND treat your elevated blood sugars with your prescribed insulin (or other treatment).  Some of the more acute and life threatening are:
hypoglycemia: Severely low blood glucose levels and can be characterized by shakiness, hunger, sweating, confusion, pale skin, jerky movements, clumsiness, etc and the treatment is drinking 4oz (1/2 glass) of juice or soda, 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of raisins.  Then, re-check your glucose levels in 20 minutes.
diabetic ketoacidosis:  from extremely elevated blood glucose levels, the breath becomes fruity (or smells like acetone), breathing can change to rapid deep breaths, abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting, and can lead to altered mental states and coma (it can happen quickly and I’v seen it hundreds of times!)It is VERY SERIOUS and a medical EMERGENCY!!  You need to be treated in the hospital.
hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome: Usually in type 2 diabetes and is usually brought on by illness or infection; your blood sugars to rise to a severe level (>600) then your body attempts to get rid of excess sugar through getting rid of body water, you will rid your body of all its free fluids, your urine will be very dark and concentrated and once you get severely dehydrated you are at risk for seizures, coma, and death.  It can happen over days or weeks.  You need to be treated with IV fluids if it goes to far, it is also a medical EMERGENCY!  It can also occur after a diabetic drinks to much alcohol….so be aware with diabetic younger adults!!!

Long-term complications can be:
peripheral vascular disease
cardiovascular diseases
retinal damage
chronic renal failure

What can I do to prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
Lifestyle changes!!! Eat a healthy, sensible diet full of fruits and veggies, lay off processed foods and foods high in sugars. Exercise moderately 4-5 days a week of 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise (you are short of breath and work up a good sweat!)  See your HCP regularly to have your sugars checked.  If you are overweight, use a dietician to lose weight in a healthy way and get to a healthy weight, find a exercise buddy, or better yet, go for a long walk on your lunch break for the days you can’t go for a heavier workout.

Treatments Type 1: 
Injectable insulins (regular, NPH) and/or synthetic long acting insulin.  They can be injected into the fatty tissue of the skin, and can be injected a few times daily (after checking blood sugars) OR administered through an insulin pump which is a continuous ow rate of insulin (much like our body secretes) and you can increase rates based on your blood sugars to treat when you are going to ingest high amounts of glucose.

Treatments Type 2:
Make those aforementioned lifestyle changes to help and reverse the diabetes!  The medications prescribed can stimulate the pancreas to produce and secrete more insulin, inhibit the production and release of glucose from the liver, and/or block the actions of the stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates and make cells more sensitive to insulin.
Medications that increase Insulin production:
(Oral)
Saxagliptin (onglyza)
Sitagliptin (Januvia)
Glyburide (DiaBeta)
Glipizide (Glucotrol)
Glimepiride (Amaryl)
(injections)
 Exenatide(Byetta)
Medications that improve effectiveness of insulin: (all oral)
Metformin (glucophage, Avandia)
Pioglitazone (Actos)
Medications that alter food absorption: (oral)
Acarbose (Precose)
Miglotol (Glyset)
All of these medications have varying side effects, and your HCP will decide which will work best for you.  it may be some trial an error regarding which works best and it is totally dependent upon your body and why you have diabetes.

Please go see your HCP if you have any of the warning signs, and take control of your (pre)diabetes if you have it.  Also, remember that just because Type 1 isn’t reversible, you should still live a healthy lifestyle with fresh foods, exercise, and frequently check your blood sugars!!  If you have signs or symptoms of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome or diabetic ketoacidosis please seek medical treatment immediately!!

Yours in Good Health
B

To all my daily readers,  I apologize for my brief hiatus….Moving and no internet until now 🙁  But I am BACK!!

check back in a few 🙂

B

The medical name for acne is Acne Vulgaris, and unfortunately while men are more prone to scaring on their face from acne, women are more prone to being a victim of adult acne. It can be pretty devastating, but there are a bunch of things you can do to prevent further break outs and decrease the extent of break outs, and I’ll let you know some products that you should use and those that you can skip!!

What is it? and WHY???
Acne is formed by a build up of fat, skin debris, and keratin in a hair duct, when it is open, it’s a black head and when it is closed, it is called a whitehead.  White heads often cause the duct of the hair follicle to rupture.  There is inflammation around the site and redness which causes irritation.  At this point most people want to “pop” said pustule/cyst, and I am a huge offender of this, but popping at home can lead to a risk of dirt getting in and further infection and can lead to a spreading of the acne.

Showing A)Normal follicle B) Blackhead C) Whitehead D) Papule  E) Pustule

Just to debunk a myth, acne is not caused by poor hygiene.  Adult and teen acne are caused by fluctuating hormones leading to increased oil productions, faulty closing of the hair ducts, stress, cosmetic use, and infections.  But adult and teen acne should be treated differently. And leads to my next point: face washing with a gentle soap twice a day is much better than washing your face a billion times a day, that can actually dry your face out and cause more irritation.

So often people spend large amounts of money on over the counter treatments, one being proactiv, whereas if they bough a cheaper low strength benzoyl peroxide face wash and a cheap prescription from their HCP.  Of course depending why you are getting the acne is key to the treatment.  Most topical treatments just exfoliate the skin to allow for healthy new skin to grow and refresh your face, and then oral supplementation can help to change the internal mechanism causing the acne internally.

Best skin care ingredients for acne:
Benzoyl peroxide: long decided as a great treatment, and the base treatment, for acne. It eliminates bacteria, dries up excess oil, and is a mild exfoliator. Also, the 2.5% treatment is the same as the 10%, it has no increased effects of treatment on your face, so no need to waste any extra money!  Plus, be sure to wear a light oil free moisturizer after using this to prevent over-drying of your face.
Salicylic Acid: one of the best exfoliators on the market as an over the counter prescription.  Not as effective as Retin-A (a prescription exfoliant that is amazing)but it is generally effective for most adults with acne.
Antioxidants: These supplements eliminate naturally occurring free radicals in the skin. Vitamin C is one of the strongest antioxidants that helps to prevent wrinkling and skin damage.
Sunblock: while sun will help to clear up acne in the short term, it causes which causes long term skin damage and can cause over irritation and drying of the skin which can lead to oil build up over time.  So, use a daily SPF 15-25 daily, preferably oil free.
Moisturizer: A daily light oil free moisturizer can prevent over drying and help to make your skin feel less irritated and smooth.
Tea Tree Oil: A natural antiseptic, that also helps to soothe the skin and decrease the redness and irritation associated with acne.

Treatment types:
Topical Antimicrobial: Kill off the P. Acnes bacteria. example are: azelaeic acid, benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin, clindamycin.
Topical Retinoids: Work to unclog pores and prevent white and blackheads. Retin-A (derived from Vitamin A)and tretinonin.
Oral Antibiotics: used to treat and kill the P. Acnes bacteria at the source internally, to prevent blemishes and decrease the inflammation associated with acne.  Erythromycin, tetracycline may be used.
Interlesion corticosteroid Injections: For severe cysts and will decrease the risk of severe scaring.  Cortisone is used for these shots.
Isotrentinoin: A strong oral retinol used for severe acne; Accutane (AKA clavaris, sotret, amnesteem). But you must be aware that Accutane is a very strong drug that can have long term effects, and causes severe birth defects, so women are required to take either and oral birth control or some other type of strong contraceptive if sexually active.  It literally shrinks the oil glands in the skin and usually takes a 16 to 20 week course, in severe cases a second course is required. And you need to make sure that you aren’t getting too much Vitamin E or A (watch that carrot intake!!)

What are optimal OTC products?
To prevent breakouts (i.e. keep acne away): Neutrogena Oil free Cleanser, H20 Plus Marine Cleansing Gel and use an alcohol free toner (such as the matching Marine Toner from H20 plus), MD Skincare All-Over Blemish Solution
For blackheads:  Bliss Clog Dissolving Cleansing Milk (an at home treatment is to make a paste out of baking soda and water, apply to blackheads, leave on for 3-5 minutes, then wash off…can be repeated)
For active acne: Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Zeno Acne Clearing Device, Tea Tree 100% Pure Essential Oil 
Moisturizers: Biore Pore Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer SPF 15, dermalogica intensive moisture balance 3.4 fl oz (100 ml)

What can I do to prevent outbreaks?
Avoid over scrubbing face and over washing, wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser, moisturize, avoid touching your face and popping blemishes.   Also, try to change your make up every 6 months, avoid putting make-up over blemishes, and wash your make-up brushes regularly. Try to de-stress using yoga, or meditation, drink lots of water (at least your 2 liters a day- for anyone without renal problems), and .  Always apply acne treatments to clean skin, and apply to all acne prone areas, not just the area of breakout, as well be aware that it can take 4–12 weeks to see full results.  And best of all?  Go to a dermatologist recommended spa and get a facial, to deeply cleanse, exfoliate, and rejuvenate your skin!  Now, it is Nurse ordered, and not because you want to pamper yourself!!  It will help to moisturize the skin, relax you, and it can tame current breakouts, and prevent further breakouts.  Also, while expensive, the Zeno Acne Clearing Devices, help to use heat treatments to zap pimples at the site by using heat to kill the bacteria at its source, and they really work, for active blemishes.

If the OTC treatments don’t work, go see your dermatologist and get another course of treatment, but there is no need to live with adult acne; it is easily prevented and treated!

Yours in Good Health
B

The short and long term effects of cocaine are lost on some people.  Sure, drugs can be fantastic….but the long lasting health effects can totally suck!  Here is the skinny on cocaine, mostly because I have had a bunch of readers email me AND I have had a few friends ask me as well about cocaine use now that it has become pretty commonplace.  It is illegal worldwide, but yet found on most street corners everywhere.

What exactly is it?
Its a drug made from the leaves of the coca plant, and it is a stimulant for the central nervous system and also a topical anesthetic.  It is a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine re-uptake inhibitor…basically a make-you-feel-really-good-by-stimulating-all-the-fun-stuff-in-your-brain drug!  The leaves of the coca plant were originally chewed by aboriginal tribe members while working or on long treks to increase their energy levels.  It was part of the original recipe for Coca-cola until 1906 when the Pure Food and Drug Act was passed.  And, it was one of the first anesthetics used topically and in epidurals.

Routes of ingestion:
Smoking: free base, or crack cocaine in pipes * crack is just cocaine with baking soda added
orally: rub on gums and teeth, “snow bombs” (wrap cocaine in rolling papers and swallow), chew coca leaves, brew coca tea
Insufflation (fancy name for snorting!): most common form of ingestion and about 60% of the drug is absorbed in the nasal mucous membranes.
Injection: directly into the vein, the high only lasts approx 3.1 minutes and can be mixed with heroin (a speedball).

Why do people do it?
You feel great!  You get an amazing rush of energy, you are the life of the party, you have a decreased appetite, and life feels amazing.  There is an extreme sense of euphoria, increased libido, a sense of competence (like you can do anything, and sustained endurance and attention.  I know many people who use cocaine strictly for the appetite suppression means and they won’t eat for days….which is horrible!  And, that increases the risk of addiction, FYI, because you are more addicted to the results of the drug than the feelings of the drug.  The high itself (depending on route) only lasts 15-30 minutes.

What is actually happening?
Short term side effects (Acute):
– Increased blood pressure
– dilated pupils
– mental alertness
– increased energy
– increased heart rate
– Increased temperature
– Decreased appetite
*even one dose can lead to seizures, coma, tachycardia (fast heart rate), tachyarrythmias (fast misbeating of the heart), hallucinations and paranoid delusions, strokes, and heart attacks.

Long term (Chronic):
– Heart attacks (significant increased cardiac risk due to strain)
– Seizures
 – Respiratory failure
– Coma
– paranoia
– irritability
– restlessness
– auditory hallucinations
-tooth decay (it ruins enamel)
*dysphoria and depression can occur from a change in the bodies serotonin and dopamine levels, chronic insufflation can cause spreading of the septum( eventually it will completely wear away), smoking can cause hemoptysis (coughing blood), bronchospasms (spasms of the little airway paths in your lungs), and it can physically remodel your lungs. Over time, it causes severe renal imparment leading to failure and significantly increases your risk of lupus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a life threatening skin infection), Goodpastures disease (causes renal failure and hemorrhaging of the lungs), and vasculitis (inflammation of  the vasculature).

Withdrawal symptoms?
depression, fatigue, insomnia or hypersomnia, erectile dysfunction, increased appetite, nightmares, psychomotor retardation, agitation, and anxiety.

How long it is in your system?
Cocaine is metabolized through the liver, and mostly excreted through urine, so it will show up on urine drug tests.  The metabolites can be detected for 60 hours after a single dose and with repeated use (even in one night) it can be detected for 22 days (on average).

Do you think you have a problem?
Talk to your HCP about your addiction, and we can get you into a rehabilitation program to suit your needs (inpatient, outpatient), Narcotics anonymous meetings, call a free addiction hotline (866)535-7050, cocaine anonymous meetings , talk to a friend.  If you think that your friend has a problem, please talk to an HCP about ways to help (i.e set up an intervention or how to talk to your friend).

Cocaine addiction can very easily lead to death, and due to the euphoria felt with the drug and the way it works on your neurotransmitters, it is highly addictive.  So, not to be a debbie downer, but I want you to think about the effects that that weekend of fun is having on your body over time, and urge you to rethink that last bump!

Anabolic steroids (AS) have specific medical uses for certain conditions, but as we all know they can be used as a sports enhancing drug as well.  AS use is on the rise across the world, which is scary for numerous reasons, but the people who are using them are not always power lifters, as most people think, but regular people who are going to the gym, but want to get faster results from their workouts. The average age of the common user in the US is 25 years old, male and not a professional athlete, and there are approximately 3 million people that currently admit to using steroids for off label uses. There are numerous health effects that are just plain bad for you, but people who take them say that they have no side effects…I am calling BS on that!!  Also, it is a crap shoot what you are taking when you take these drugs and you re not prescribed them because they are usually smuggled in from other countries and they are bought and sold on the black market; they may be tainted or not the dose as labeled, you really don’t know what you are taking.

What are they?
They are drugs that mimic testosterone (the male sex hormones) which increases protein synthesis within cells and increases the build up of cell tissue, and it does this mostly in muscles, and it also reduces recovery time as they block the effects of cortisol (stress hormone) on the muscles.  So, it is easier to make muscle, and you can work harder.  Also the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is increased, so you tend to lose fat as an increase in muscle mass increases the BMR.  Because of the   various processes also bone marrow is stimulated, thus increasing your red blood cell production.  So, you tend to be able to work harder and for longer, and you feel better because of the increased red blood cells (allows for higher oxygen carrying capabilities.)
 They were originally used starting in the 1930’s to increase appetite, increase bone growth, start male puberty, and they were given to patients with chronic conditions with muscle wasting (i.e. AIDS/HIV and certain cancers.) These drugs help to increase lean muscle mass as long as there is an adequate diet with protein in it.  AS can be ingested in pill form, as a transdermal patch, and most commonly it is injected into the muscles (not injected into a vein).

In what conditions are they used medically?
Bone marrow stimulation: anemias due to leukemia or renal failure
Growth Stimulation: can be given to children after seeing an endocrinologist, that have failure to grow due to hormonal imbalances (usually genetic)
 Increased appetite/muscle mass: for people with chronic wasting in HIV/AIDS and cancer, and post traumas/long surgeries/and prolonged immobilization.
Induction of male puberty: for male adolescents with delayed puberty that causes concerns.
Gender Identity: used in female to male sex change process.

AS Side effects?
Increased sebaceous gland oil production
Acne
Clitoral growth (in women)
Increased hair growth (pubic, beard, chest, arm, legs)…on women and men
Increased size of vocal cords (deepens voice)
Decreased natural sex hormones
Impaired production of sperm
Atrophy (decrease in size) of the penis and testicles
Elevated blood pressure (especially if you already have hypertension)
Increase  in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and decrease in HDL (good)
Increase glucose levels
Premature baldness (for men and women)
Liver damage
thickening of the left ventricle wall (increased risk of a heart attack, arrythmias, congestive heart failure, and sudden cardiac death)
Psychiatric effects (violence, mania, increased aggression, and suicide)
High addiction rates

Males specific: gynecomastia (male breasts), decreased sexual function, and temporary infertility.

Females specific: increased body hair, decrease in menstrual cycles, and if taken when pregnant they can interfere with fetal development.

I can understand the draw that some people might have to take steroids to get an amazing body from their average workouts.  I also understand that people say it is a drug used medically, so why can’t they use it?  Well, when people are prescribed these drugs they are under direct medical supervision, having blood drawn to check levels of cholesterols, circulating hormones, etc and most likely having cardiac labs checked, along with EKG’s (electrocardiograms), and psychiatric assessments.  Please use other methods to workout and get the results you want (like increase protein and weights as appropriate), don’t do it with steroids!

If you know anyone using this method, please urge them to stop and beware of the psych side effects, and if you notice any of them, please talk to your friend and an HCP about ways to intervene and get them to stop!

Yours in Good Health
B

I don’t want to slam a specific store or product, but I think I might have to.  I really strongly dislike GNC-type stores that pretend to be stores for healthy people and “promote” healthiness, but really they are selling products that are not FDA approved, and have little to no support in medical literature.  I want to break down the ingredients in the largest fat burner on the market, Pro Clinical Hydroxycut, and discuss each ingredient.  Also, I would like to make a note that in 2009-2010, that there was 1 reported death specific to hydroxycut use, 23 “serious” medical complications (not specified what), and 17 reports of liver failure. Considering how much of this is sold in a year, they aren’t ridiculous statistics BUT every time there is a serious medical complication, death, or bad report, Hydroxycut will take their product off the market, change one or two ingredients, then pop it right back on the market as a new product with new branding. Plus, I do find it annoying that they have a podiatry resident (in a white lab coat) on the commercial saying that MD’s think hydroxycut is good for you…just goes to show that you can’t believe everything you see on TV!

Ingredients as listed off of the (Pro Clinical) Hydroxycut web site:
Caffeine anhydrous– so we all know what caffeine is (based on my earlier blog) and all this means with the “anhydrous” is that it is a caffeine extract without water; just giving it a fancy name. And because it is part of their “hydroxyboost” they don’t tell you how much is in the product. It will boost your metabolism, especially in high doses.

Acerola concentrate– bascially a cherry/rosehip extract that is high in levels of vitamin C which doesn’t aid in weight loss, and you just pee out all the excess vitamin C that is more than what your body needs.  In high doses, it can make you poop a lot because it is irritating to the GI lining.

Lady’s mantle extract– an herb that was thought to have ‘healing’ powers back when it was first found eons ago. It was said to treat GI disturbances, have antiseptic properties, heal wounds, treat PMS symptoms, and vascular disorders as well as many other medical woes; none of these have been founded in research although it has been shown, in high doses to cause liver failure.

Wild Olive extract– has been shown to be an antioxidant that, reportedly, makes people feel more energized.  The only research done on this product is by a company that makes it and they claim that it is an antioxidant that also kills the HIV virus….so, we all know the “research” might not be as sound as we would hope.  But they do note side effects are headache, extreme fatigue, diarrhea, and muscle/joint aches.

Komijn extract– (Cumin) has been shown to (slightly) decrease cholesterol levels, and it has been shown in moderate doses to decrease plasma glucose levels.  So, it actually can aid in weight loss by altering glucose levels, but really not a good idea to lose weight by changing your glucose levels to make your pancreas and liver work differently.

Wild mint extract (peppermint oil)– basically has been shown in a few small studies in the EU to decrease Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms.  It has not been shown in any way to aid in weight loss.  That being said, it may be needed to offset the GI irritation that can be caused by a couple of the other ingredients.

Goji extract– has antioxidant properties that anticoagulation effects, so you need to be careful if you take blood thinners that your blood doesn’t get too “thin” and prolong bleeding times, and it have no known weight loss properties.

Pomegranate extract– has been used in Indian traditional medicine for years as an anti-diarrheal medication and to treat dysentery and parasites (intestinal), as it is high in Vitamin B and C. There are numerous clinical trials going on to study its usefulness with various medical treatments, but it is not high in antioxidants (as once claimed) and has no current use in weight loss.

Bilberry extract (huckleberry)– is high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and has been shown (although the mechanism is unknown) to help with various eye problems. It has also been shown to decrease blood glucose levels, again, it can help you lose weight, just not in a healthy way.

…And then a bunch of fillers are listed. So, all of this high vitamin C and caffeine can cause GI irritation and pooping, which is why they have added other products (such as the peppermint) to soothe the stomach and prevent the irritation, or at least attempt to.

Besides a couple of ingredients that alter your blood glucose levels and caffeine, none of these ingredients really help you lose weight for the long term and in a way that is sustainable or healthy.  You are spending a bunch of money on a super vitamin C supplement with caffeine and other stuff, basically, and it won’t help you lose weight that you will be able to keep off..  As well, you don’t know how much of each ingredient is in the product, or if they are even IN the product; there have been independent studies of non-FDA regulated supplements showing only 1% of the listed ingredient in the actual supplement, basically you are paying a premium for fillers.

It goes back to the old saying that if it seems to good to be true, it is.  The only way to lose weight, and keep it off (which is key), is to make lifestyle and dietary changes; you need to work out to burn off calories and decrease your caloric intake to the amount that you actually need. Make sure you are eating a well rounded diet proteins, carbs, fiber…and get your fruits and veggies in!!

This is one fat burner of thousands that are on the market, and as you can see the ingredients are things that you really don’t need in your life, that all have side effects, can interact with other medications that you might take (prescribed or OTC), and none of which have been FDA regulated or approved.

My best advice?  Ditch the pills and get out for some exercise!!!

Yours in Good Health
B

After you read this, you will probably think about it every time you go to bed, and I apologize, but this is a parasite that is more frequent than anyone realizes, and it can be treated, just an awkward one to talk about!  The worms are actually pinworms, which are also known as thread worms or seat worms, and they are a type of roundworm (nematode) and the medical term when you are infected with pinworms is an enterobiasis.  The CDC estimated that there is a 12% infection rate (adults and children) in the US yearly but the rates in India are 61%, UK 50%, 39% Thailand, 37% Sweden, 29% Denmark.  So, when in the US it isn’t a huge fear, but it is easily transmitted from person to person and with the amount of traveling that occurs, the numbers of infections can easily increase in the US.  And, it is the highest worm infection in the US; it is highest transmission rate is between school age children at school and through daycare centers, etc.

What is it?
It is a parasitic infection that lives in the human GI tract; their entire life cycle takes place within our bodies!  A worm hatches in the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine) and then the migrate towards the colon in which time they molt twice and become adults.  They mate in the ileum (last part of the small intestine) and the females usually then live in the cecum (beginning of the large intestine), ileum, appendix, and ascending colon, whilst the males die and are passed in your poop.  They live off of your poop in the colon.  And they start laying eggs five weeks after initial ingestion of the worms; the female worms come out of your anus and lay their eggs so that the eggs can get oxygen and then they die.  They usually go to lay eggs when you are resting, so bedtime is the optimal time; you can feel itchiness in/around your anus, and sometimes it keeps people up (After I saw my first infection, I was obsessed that I had them, I didn’t, but every time I went to bed I had myself convinced that my butt was itching and it was bug related….nope, just psychosomatic!!)

Symptoms:
-Itchiness around the anal area along with difficulty sleeping and irritability
-nervousness
-restlessness
-weight loss (associated with loss of appetite)
-Vaginal itching for women (if the infection is severe and the worms are near the vagina)

How is it transmitted?
 The eggs are super sticky and are transmitted to others through these eggs being transferred.  They can get under your fingernails from itching the anus, and transfer onto your bed linens or pajamas, and go to your partner/bed mate from there.  It can be transferred form your hand/fingernails through not washing your hands and nail biting, so there is an oral transmission.  As well, when you are making your bed, shaking out the duvet (for example) the eggs can fly into the air and be inhaled.  They can also be easily transmitted due to improper hand washing after using the bathroom, and the eggs can stick onto any surface, and whomever is the lucky person to touch it next, can get the parasitic infection, which is why children are at such risk AND why households are usually infected, not just one person at a time.

These are some pinworms around a patients anus:

mtherald.com/anal-itching-pinworm/

How are they diagnosed?
At times, the female worms can be seen by the naked eye exiting the anus (I am not sure who you have stare at your anus while you sleep at night- that seems like a ridiculous diagnostic “test” but I guess if you are too embarrassed to go to see an HCP for your itchy butt?)
The other test, which is done more frequently, is that you put a piece of double sided tape around your anus, go to sleep, take the tape off in the morning as soon as you wake up, put it in a bag and bring to your HCP- if there are no visible worms, either worms can be seen under a microscope OR the eggs will be present.

Treatment:
*All household members need to be treated at the same time
-Vermox (Mebendazole)is an oral medication that is taken one pill orally and it may be repeated a week later for severe infections.
-Albenza (Albendazole) which you usually take twice a day (orally) for four weeks, then off for two weeks and you will need to repeat this 3 times.
-Pyrantel Pamoate (Pin-Rid, Pin X) which is OTC (over the counter) after confirmation by an HCP that you have the infection. Usually you take the liquid oral medication once but you should talk to your HCP if it doesn’t relieve symptoms because they may have you take it again OR change the medication.
-Also, wash all linens, undergarments, pajamas, and stuffed animals/blankets (for children) in HOT water DAILY until the infections are gone (usually 7-10 days from initial treatment start), vacuum your home to suck up any possible scattered eggs, and clean toys (for dogs and children)/bathroom/kitchen with a diluted bleach to kill off the eggs, as they can live on surfaces for three weeks.

Prevention:
Good hand washing is the key to prevention (including under the nails) and try not to bite your nails (I know, easier said than done!)  and bathe daily.  Also, encourage your children to wash hands frequently, and not to scratch their bottoms, even if they are super itchy!!

I hope knowing this info wards off the worms, and if not, you know what to do 😉 Also, I apologize again if you think about these creepy crawlies when hitting the sack tonight!

Yours in Good Health
B