Citric Acid Allergy?

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Do You Have a Citric Acid Allergy? There is some debate on the internet about whether such a thing as an allergy to citric acid is a known medical condition or not. Some people, including many M.D.s and other doctors (such as naturopaths) suggest that there is no such thing as an allergy to citric acid, instead calling it a “food sensitivity”, a “food intolerance” or even a “non-allergic food hypersensitivity”. Regardless of the terms currently used, the fact is that some of us have adverse reactions when we eat citric acid, and sometimes when we put it on our skin. Citric acid is frequently made from Corn, and I believe that often a reaction to corn is actually a reaction to the citric acid that is in the corn. Citric acid is found in MANY foods naturally, and not just citrus fruits and most people think. It is also used as a cleaner and descaler in concentrations around 6% to remove hard water stains from surfaces, and it is also used to slow the rate at which concrete sets, so you can see it has many industrial and household uses. In food, citric acid frequently used as a preservative, and many vegetable and fruits are washed in a mild citric acid solution to prevent them going brown (and looking less appealing to shoppers) by reacting to oxygen in the air (oxidization). It is also used as a flavoring to make foods taste tart, and is sometimes used in place of lemon juice by food manufacturers. You’ll see it on the ingredients list of many canned drinks, including many colas and root-beers. How Much in the World? In 2007 there was an estimated 1,700,000 tons (that’s 3,400,000,000 or three point four BILLION pounds) of citric acid produced, most of it made in China. Where did all this go? Here is the breakdown: Half of it was added to drinks, 20% as food additives , another 20% added to cleaners and the last 10% is estimated to be added to cosmetics, like shampoos and soaps. As you can see, it isn’t just something quite rare tat you find in a few things, but rather is extremely common. The Difference Between Allergies and Intolerances So what exactly IS the difference between an allergy and an intolerance? Well, here is what I have managed to gather from my studies. To be an allergy, technically, your immune system has to be involved. That is, something has made your immune system start to do its job and try to protect you. The problem with allergies is that too often, your immune system seems to start doing its job when it doesn’t need to, because it reacts to things that aren’t really very harmful to you, such as pollen. A food intolerance (or food sensitivity) on the other hand, is a body’s inability to digest certain compounds in food, but does NOT involve the immune system. The reasons that this happens seems to be caused by several factors, and more research needs to be done to determine what all of these factors are. Important It’s vitally important to determine whether or not you do indeed have an allergy or intolerance, and the only way to do this is to see a licensed doctor, preferably an allergist or other specialist in that field. Allergies can be life threatening (hence me saying it’s VITALLY important) and many people are now prescribed “epi-pens” which are syringes full of epinephrine, which they must administer to themselves (or have others do it for them) if an attack happens when you aren’t near a physician (which is most of the time of course). Other Food Intolerances There are several common food intolerances, including the following: Lactose Intolerance – which means you can’t drink milk or eat milk derived products Gluten Intolerance – which means you can’t eat breads or any products made with wheat Carbohydrate Intolerance – which means you can’t eat many vegetables Citric Acid I’ve spoken with several doctors and citric acid intolerance (often called citric acid allergy) seems to be new to many of them. While this probably isn’t a life threatening condition, because of its symptoms, it can be very debilitating, and quite often very embarrassing.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief

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According to the Arthritis Foundation, Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 1.3 million Americans. Although there are several theories, so far, the cause of RA is still unknown. In addition, there is no cure to date, but it is getting easier to control RA through the use of remedies, exercise, and joint protection techniques. Advancements in research and improved Rheumatoid Arthritis pain relief options mean that more people with RA are living happier and healthier lives. Here are some facts about Rheumatoid Arthritis from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. It occurs when the immune system, which normally defends the body from invading organisms, turns its attack against the membrane lining the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern, meaning that if one knee or hand is involved, the other one also is. The disease often affects the wrist joints and the finger joints closest to the hand. It can also affect other parts of the body besides the joints. In addition, people with rheumatoid arthritis may have fatigue, occasional fevers, and a general sense of not feeling well.

Features of Rheumatoid Arthritis

* Tender, warm, swollen joints
* Symmetrical pattern of affected joints
* Joint inflammation often affecting the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand
* Joint inflammation sometimes affecting other joints, including the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and feet
* Fatigue, occasional fevers, a general sense of not feeling well
* Pain and stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after a long rest
* Symptoms that last for many years
* Variability of symptoms among people with the disease

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Scientists still do not know exactly what causes the immune system to turn against itself in rheumatoid arthritis, but research over the last few years has begun to piece together the factors involved.

Genetic factors: Scientists have discovered that certain genes known to play a role in the immune system are associated with a tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Some people who have these particular genes never develop the disease. So, although a person’s genetic makeup plays an important role in determining if he or she will develop rheumatoid arthritis, it is not the only factor.

Environmental factors: Many scientists think that something must occur to trigger the disease process in people whose genetic makeup makes them susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis. A viral or bacterial infection appears likely, but the exact agent is not yet known.

Hormonal factors: Some scientists also think that a variety of hormonal factors may be involved. Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men. The disease may improve during pregnancy and flare after pregnancy. Breastfeeding may also aggravate the disease. Contraceptive use may alter a person’s likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests hormones, or possibly deficiencies or changes in certain hormones, may promote the development of rheumatoid arthritis in a genetically susceptible person who has been exposed to a triggering agent from the environment.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain Relief Treatments

Doctors use a variety of approaches for rheumatoid arthritis pain relief. These are used in different combinations and at different times during the course of the disease and are chosen according to the patient’s individual situation.

Goals of Treatment

* Relieve pain
* Reduce inflammation
* Slow down or stop joint damage
* Improve a person’s sense of well-being and ability to function.

Health behavior changes: Certain activities can help improve a person’s ability to function independently and maintain a positive outlook.

* Rest and exercise: People with rheumatoid arthritis need a good balance between rest and exercise, with more rest when the disease is active and more exercise when it is not.
* Joint care: Some people find using a splint for a short time around a painful joint reduces pain and swelling by supporting the joint and letting it rest.
* Stress reduction: Although there is no evidence that stress plays a role in causing rheumatoid arthritis, it can make living with the disease difficult at times. Stress also may affect the amount of pain a person feels.
* Healthful diet: With the exception of several specific types of oils, there is no scientific evidence that any specific food or nutrient helps or harms people with rheumatoid arthritis. However, an overall nutritious diet with enough—but not an excess of—calories, protein, and calcium is important.
* Alternative and complementary therapies: Special diets, vitamin supplements, and other alternative approaches have been suggested for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Research shows that some of these, for example, fish oil supplements, may help reduce arthritis inflammation. Flexcin with cetyl myristoleate (CM8) can do wonders for arthritis and joints as it can reverse the damage caused by arthritis. Acting like a WD-40-like lubricant for joints, CM8 can promote optimal joint health by helping to stimulate the lubricating fluid in the joints, support stronger cartilage and increase total mobility.

As with any therapy, patients should discuss the benefits and drawbacks with their doctors before beginning a new type of therapy. If the doctor feels the approach has value, it can be incorporated into a patient’s treatment plan.

What Should I Eat To Cleanse My Colon? Here Is How To Cleanse Your Colon Naturally

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The digestive system is one of the major systems in our body, which consists of organs that will facilitate the digestion as well as removal of waste products and toxins. However, this function can be affected when there is too much waste product that accumulated in our system and the function cannot be effective as well as efficient if the system is clogged. As a result, the toxins will remain in the colon and everything will pile up there without eliminating some of it out.

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You can take a look at the classic water system. If one of the tubes becomes impacted, naturally the water cannot pass. The same is true with your intestines. The waste products cannot be properly propelled out of the system if it is clogged. It is essential that your body can evacuate the waste products so that it can function properly and efficiently without failure. When the toxins are accumulated there, they can be absorbed into our blood stream where it can invade all the organs in our body. This is where infection will come in. It can affect our liver, our heart and lungs and practically everywhere that the blood can be taken to.

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Eating the right quantity and quality of food with complete set of nutrients can help our entire body in more ways than one and even more than you can imagine. No one knows what is going on inside your body right now and not even you. When you notice that your system is down, it is almost always the result of continuous accumulation of toxins within our body. With the right food and nutrients, it will keep you and the functioning of your organs healthy. As a result you will have a body that can fight off infections and keep them at bay.

The first food that you should eat so that you can help cleanse your colon is foods that contain fiber. Fiber, as we all know, is an element of foods that cannot be digested, which will encourage the peristalsis or the propulsive movements inside our bowel. It will reduce the time that it will take for bowel movements. It is also important that you include this food component in your diet so that it can aid in retaining the correct amount of moisture in your intestines. Your body will need both the soluble and the insoluble fiber component.

Fruits and vegetables are our great sources of fiber and we can take both soluble as well as insoluble fibers into our system. Flax seed, barley, strawberry, oats and many others are just examples of the food that you should eat. You can still find a lot of foods that contain fiber and you can include them into your diet.

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4 BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS

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When searching for a quality weight loss program, one fact becomes very obvious. There are a zillion diets available and few if any indications as to which are really helpful and which are just another average failed idea.

What follows is a market based ranking of the top four weight loss programs available in the diet industry. If the reader is serious about losing weight and keeping it off in the long haul, each of these deserves consideration. Take a look at the field and choose what fits your needs and budget the best.

1. STRIP THAT FAT DIET SYSTEM: This highly thought of and very popular system includes a diet menu generator and a practical calorie guide. It has a very reasonable one time price and is fully down loadable so that those who are serious can start immediately. Best of all it includes an iron clad 60 day full money back guarantee. Equally important, it is an ‘anyone can do it’ diet program that is built around the foods that people like to eat as opposed to foods that dieters have to force down. Users often lose up to 10 pounds of pure fat in the first two weeks of the program and proceed to reduce weight at a 2+ pounds per week rate for as long as applicable. Notably, it uses the natural fat burning systems within our bodies to rid us of that unwanted, unneeded and unhealthy fat.

2. FAT LOSS SECRET: Although more expensive, this diet volume also includes an iron clad 60 day money back guarantee. It does not include a calorie guide or a diet generator but the diet is produced by Dr. Suzanne Gundakunstan and includes a lot of scientific information about fat accumulation, parasites and toxins. The focus is on body cleansing techniques that reduce accumulated fat that results in a corresponding weight loss. Reading this book provides a dieter with lots of understanding and insight into how our systems work and what we can do to cleanse that same system. There is some question as to the long term ability of this process to keep off the weight lost during cleansing but it is effective.

3. FAT LOSS 4 IDIOTS: At about the same price as the #2 ranked product, this popular program does provide a diet generator but not a calorie guide. As is the case with both the others, this one includes a 60 day money back guarantee. This is a keep it simple system that avoids the pitfall of complicating a dieting regime and provides some good weight loss techniques. On the flip side, it is a little sparse on the kind of information that really helps dieters understand their weight loss in order to know what is being accomplished. Some of their weight loss claims come across as a bit of a stretch and this product also comes in book form so the consumer must wait before starting their diet. But in terms of simple and uncomplicated, this is a good choice.

4. TURBULENCE TRAINING: This program is a little lower in the ratings primarily because it is the most expensive, including more than twice as costly as the #1 rated diet. It also includes a diet generator but lacks a calorie guide. Like the others it has a 60 day money back guarantee. This product features a six week introductory program, followed by a four week intermediary program and is completed by a 16 week advanced program. In other words, there is a lot of time involved. It is centered around weight training to build muscle mass and, like our other ranked programs, it recognizes the value of building muscle to burn fat. Unfortunately it is not for those seeking low impact, low intensity exercises. It also comes in book form and typically is a better fit for those who are more athletic and have the time to devote to regimented workouts.

Each of the listed weight loss systems lead to both fat reduction and weight loss. It is important for a prospective dieter to choose the one that best bits their lifestyle and their pocket book. Doing so will provide maximum value. Consider each carefully, make an intelligent choice and get busy burning up that excessive fat and getting both slimmer and healthier now.

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Important Decisions Must Be Made By Your Cosmetic Surgeon When It Comes To Breast Augmentation

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An area that some cosmetic surgeons have an expertise in is primary or secondary mammoplasty. Most of these cosmetic surgeons perform breast augmentation surgery using all types of implants including silicone and saline. Cosmetic surgeons have important decisions to make when it comes to breast implants. Breast implants are available in many different sizes, shapes, and projections. The type of implant that your plastic surgeon selects should be based on your physical and soft tissue characteristics, as well as the goals that you have for your appearance. Another important thing that these doctors specialize in is the decision of where to make the incision and pocket for the implant.

Saline implants have been used in the majority of breast augmentation surgeries over the last fifteen years. One advantage of saline breast implants is that, if they rupture, the saline will be absorbed by the body without fear of any complications. Additional benefits include the ability for a plastic surgeon to subtly change the volume of the implant within the operating room to accommodate any small differences in the volume of the two breasts. The disadvantages of saline implants are that they have a higher risk of rippling in breast reconstructive or small-breasted patients. For patients with little breast tissue to cover the implants, rippling or wrinkling of the implant may become visible. However, the majority of breast augmentation procedures performed today with saline implants lead to beautiful, youthful, natural breasts.

In November of 2006, the FDA approved silicone gel implants for primary breast augmentation surgery in women who are healthy and at least 22 years old. The newer generation of silicone breast implants are all made with a thicker shell which is capable of reducing the spread of silicone if a rupture should occur. The advantages of silicone implants are a more natural feeling that will appear after the breast augmentation procedure. The biggest disadvantage is that a slightly larger incision will be made to accommodate these types of breast implants.

These implants may be inserted through several areas. They may be placed through the belly button, the arm pit, through the breast fold, or through the lower part of the areola. Only saline implants will be able to be inserted through the belly button however. All breast implants can be placed beneath or above the muscle. Cosmetic surgeons will typically place the implants beneath the muscles whenever possible in order to create and allow more tissue coverage. This will result in less rippling, less implant visibility, and a more beautiful and natural result.