One of the main physical characteristics that are usually prevalent in men is the presence of upper lip hair or moustache. This usually appears during puberty when the sex hormones begin to take effect and continues on for the reminder of a man's life. However, this doesn't mean that it is only exclusive in men. Some women also tend to produce hair on their upper lip because of excessive production of androgen. This becomes a source of problem since the presence of upper lip hair is usually connected to being men. This is why women who have this look for various methods of upper lip hair removal that can guarantee longer - lasting results.

Shaving is a cheap and easy option since it is the one that is used mostly by men. Razors can easily be acquired from any store and this can be done even in a public toilet. However, this doesn't often produce a very smooth effect which can give a worse effect for women than having an unshaved upper lip hair. Also, the results don't last long and the hair has a tendency to grow thicker so shaving must be done everyday. Include the possibility of burns and cuts and this makes this option unattractive to women especially to those who have a very significant amount of upper lip hair.

The use of depilatories such as creams and gels can help a lot in upper lip hair removal. This method is more appropriate for women because it is easier to do, doesn't result in cuts and has more longer - lasting effects. This can be applied directly on the upper lip area and then washed off after a given period of time. The hair disintegrates with the cream so it falls off by itself. However, women must remember to use depilatories that are made especially for the face. This is because the face can prove to be a very sensitive area and this requires depilatories that are not that harsh or strong as the ones that are used on other parts of the body. In some cases, irritation appears especially for those who are using this method for the first time but this can be easily resolved.

In spite of all these, wax hair removal possesses some advantages that make it still a top choice among all the methods that are available. Aside from the fact that it is really quite effective, it produces effects that can really last a long time. This can last in weeks as compared to some methods which only last for days. This is due to the inclusion of the root when pulling out the hair. This results to a slower rate of growth as compared to removing only the top portion. Also, the hair that grows back has a tendency to be finer making it easier to do the process again during the next time. It can remove large amounts of hair at a time and it can be used on almost any parts of the body. These factors make hair removal by wax a very popular choice.

These are the three most common methods that are used in removing any sign of upper lip hair in women. Aside from these three, there are still other methods that can be used such as plucking, threading and electrolysis. All of these guarantee a woman's freedom from unwanted upper lip hair.

Rheumatoid arthritis diet

There is a diet for everything: low carbohydrate, high fat, high protein, the cabbage soup diet, the grapefruit diet, and more. Ask any doctor, and he or she will probably tell you that there are certain foods that will further irritate a condition called rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of the joins and surrounding tissues). So the diet to prevent that irritation, and to hopefully control the condition, is called the rheumatoid arthritis diet. However, it is important to note that every individual is different; a food that might negatively affect one individual might not necessarily affect another. This is just a general list that may help you reduce flare ups!

Foods to Avoid
Studies show that certain fats can cause inflammation in the body.

Saturated fat is one of these, so avoiding foods that are high in saturated fat, more specifically, animal foods, can help you avoid unnecessary flare ups. Not only are the fats in bacon, steak, cream, and butter saturated, but these foods also contain chemicals called prostaglandins that cause inflammation, swelling, pain, and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Some studies have also concluded that meat also has another substance called arachidonic acid, which is a fatty acid that gets converted into prostaglandins. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis find it beneficial to avoid meat.

Omega-6 fatty acids are another fat that might cause inflammation in the body. It is present in vegetable oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, and wheat germ oil. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diets of most people is too much omega-6 to omega-3; this is said to be the contributing factor to this inflammation, so eating more omega-3 fatty acids will reduce this risk for inflammation.

Food allergies. If you are sensitive to certain foods, such as foods that cause an allergic reaction, it is important to eliminate these from the diet because it puts strain on the immune system every time you eat these foods. This could include wheat products, milk products, and synthetic preservatives/additives; of course, this will vary per individual.

Eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and chili peppers. The theory here doesn’t have sound scientific proof, but some people have found that these foods aggravate the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. The thing they all have in common is that they are nightshade plants.

Other foods. The following foods can be harmful for rheumatoid arthritis, so reducing them or eliminating them from the diet can be beneficial. They include fried foods, processed foods, tea, coffee, dairy products, berries and other citrus fruits, excessive salt, and alcohol.

Foods to Eat
Omega-3 fatty acid foods are beneficial because this fat is said to balance out the effects of omega-6 fatty acid. They have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Omega-3’s are present in cold-water fish (like salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, and trout), nuts, tofu, soybean products, flaxseed and flax oil, avocado and avocado oil, walnuts, almonds, and canola oil.

Fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. Some studies show that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes can be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis. All of these categories of food are high in phytonutrients, which are chemicals in plants that have disease-fighting properties and antioxidants; antioxidants are good for the immune system and fight damaging free-radicals that can damage healthy tissue. They are present in vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium.

Bioflavonoids are also substances present in plant foods that have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor characteristics.

Weight Loss
Dropping extra weight can be good for the bones and joints because it alleviates some of the strain put on them, particularly on the hips, knees, heart, and more areas. Being overweight or obese puts unnecessary strain on these areas and can cause more inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Low sodium diet

Salty foods have become a large part of the American diet; with packaged and processed foods a household staple and a salt shaker a part of every meal, it seems there’s no way to avoid it. Wrong! Sodium intake is a completely controllable part of the diet, you just have to know what changes to make and what habits to pick up on. This article will provide tips on how to maintain and manage a low sodium diet. But first, let’s understand why too much sodium is such a bad thing.

Sodium and Health
In certain amounts, sodium is needed by the body because it serves many functions. If there is too much it will hurt the body, but if there is too little, these functions won’t be performed. Fortunately, the body is capable, to a certain extent, of maintaining proper levels of sodium, but there are factors that can have an adverse effect on that control, such as excess sweating or eating too much sodium in the diet. The recommended amount of sodium to get in through the diet is 2,300 mg for healthy individuals and 1,500 mg if you already have high blood pressure.

* Electrolyte. Sodium has an important role as an electrolyte, regulating the balance of fluid inside and outside of the body’s cells. If there isn’t enough sodium to regulate this, either too much fluid will be inside the cells causing them to swell, or too much fluid will be outside the cells causing them to shrivel.
* Nutrients. Sodium is partially responsible for passing nutrients into and out of cells.
* Sweating. When you get heated from exertion or from being outside, the body sweats in an effort to cool down. This is because of a function of sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium to sweat, you will become overheated.
* Blood pressure. This is probably where you’ve heard the importance of sodium being discussed. Sodium plays a major part in regulating blood pressure. Put simply, too much sodium in the diet causes too much fluid to be left behind in the blood vessels, causing the heart to have to work harder to pump the blood to all the tissues in the body. The volume of blood is increasing, but the size of the vessels is staying the same.

Diet: Low Sodium
It is actually easier than you think to incorporate low sodium foods into the diet. Here are some quick tips. Don’t eat processed, packaged, or prepared foods because they tend to be really high in sodium. Salt acts as a preservative on these foods. If you can’t completely eliminate them, eat them sparingly. Don’t add extra salt to foods. Try adding herbs and spices for flavor because they are sodium-free and taste just as good, if not better.

Use condiments sparingly. Many condiments are also high in sodium. Try using a minimal amount or another salt-free seasoning so you get all the flavor. Also, you can always make your own ketchup or BBQ sauce with very little salt.

Look at food labels. Food labels give you all the information you need to know; you just have to learn how to read them. Look for foods that are labeled “sodium-free”, “salt-free”, “very low sodium”, “low sodium”, “reduced sodium”, “light sodium”, or “no salt added.” Although each of these means a slightly different thing, they all have no additional salt or very low salt. However, there is one exception; reduced sodium means that there is only 25% less sodium than the original. This can be misleading because we don’t automatically know what the original amount was. Choose foods that are low or very low in sodium, or no salt added.

Eat more fresh foods and produce. You can never go wrong with fresh foods, fruits, and vegetables. They are naturally low in sodium. When eating lunchmeat, always choose fresh because prepackaged lunchmeats have a lot more sodium than is necessary.

IBS diet

If you’ve been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you’ve also probably been given lifestyle changes to make to accommodate for it. One of those accommodations, a serious one, is the diet. Irritable bowel syndrome is a fairly common problem, especially in women who have reached age 20, so we are way ahead in the ways of informing those who have it how to deal with it. A few simple changes with the foods you eat and the beverages you drink will make your life a whole lot easier if this condition affects you.

What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS is a problem affecting the intestines; the intestines squeeze too hard or not hard enough, causing the food to move too quickly or too slowly through it. There are different names for the condition: functional bowel syndrome, irritable colon, spastic bowel, or spastic colon. Don’t get this condition confused with inflammatory diseases because they are not the same.

Symptoms
Symptoms include bloating and gas, mucus in the stool, diarrhea, constipation, feeling a strong urge to have a bowel movement, feeling like you need to have a bowel movement after you’ve already had one, abdominal pain, and cramping. The symptoms may be more magnified, depending on the time of day or if you’re under a lot of stress.

Diagnosis
Speaking with a doctor is the only way to be officially diagnosed with IBS. The doctor will be able to make this judgment if your symptoms have formed a pattern over time. To be sure, the doctor will rule out other problems by performing a few tests, such as a colonoscopy or blood test.

Prognosis
This isn’t something that people die from. It may go away, and it may recur from time to time. Eating a diet that doesn’t put too much stress on the bowels is the base way to control it.

Things to know
Foods cannot cause irritable bowel syndrome; however, once you have it, there are some foods that may make it worse. Foods that do worsen the symptoms are things such as high fat foods, caffeine-containing foods and beverages, alcohol, and chocolate. Fat and caffeine both force the intestines to contract, causing cramping. For some people, gas may be a problem, so avoiding foods that cause gas—cabbage, beans, broccoli, some fruits, etc.—may be a good idea.

Foods for an IBS Diet
Saying that one diet will work for all people with IBS is a lie because everyone’s body is different; there is no “one size fits all.” Identifying your triggers over time is the best way to know what foods you should and shouldn’t eat. However, there is a generalized group of foods to avoid and those to eat; there are also some tips to keep in mind. Here are lists of all three.

Foods to avoid
These are also called trigger foods because they trigger the symptoms associated with IBS in the way they move through and affect the intestines. Red meat, dairy products, egg yolks, fried foods, high sugar foods, coconut milk, and the artificial sweeteners sorbitol and xylitol (used in sugarless gum and sugarless candies) should all be avoided. Eating a high fat diet will make the symptoms worse, but you don’t want to have a diet completely devoid of fat.

Foods to eat
This list is a lot more fun because it says what you can eat. It’s not quite as amazing to hear the foods you can’t eat, but hearing the foods you can eat…that’s a whole different story!

Fiber is probably the most beneficial thing you can eat to reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome because it improves how the intestines work. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber helps with both constipation and diarrhea; it dissolves in water, forming a gel-like material. Foods high in soluble fiber are rice cereals, oatmeal, pasta, tortillas, carrots, yams, potatoes, apples, beans, and citrus fruits. Insoluble fiber helps with constipation because it helps move material through the digestive system and adds bulk to the stool. Foods high in insoluble fiber are whole grains, wheat bran, seeds, nuts, and many vegetables.

Substitution. Since there are foods you can’t eat, and some of them are important, it is good to practice with substitution. Try substituting two egg whites for one whole egg, eat low fat vegetarian products instead of red meat, try fruit purees in place of oil when baking, use veggie broth in place of oil in sauces, and bake with cocoa powder (fat free) instead of using solid chocolate (high fat). Use plenty of herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of any dish.

Eating tips
In order to reduce constipation, eat plenty of fiber, drink plenty of water, and get plenty of exercise. It also helps to keep a log of the foods you eat daily; this makes it easier to track the foods that have triggered the symptoms of IBS. Lastly, eat in a place that has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

ADHD diet

ADHD, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a common syndrome seen in many children worldwide. It is a chronic condition that can continue to adulthood. Common symptoms, usually seen before seven years of age, include inattention, impetuous behavior, and hyperactivity. Researchers believe that the most plausible reason behind ADHD is heredity – that is, it runs in the family. Studies have shown that ADHD may also be caused due to altered brain function and anatomy, and exposure to environmental or chemical toxins before or after birth.

Children diagnosed with ADHD may be poor performers at school, and may suffer from low self-esteem and problematic relationship with peers. Treatment of ADHD does not completely cure the disorder, but can alleviate the occurrence of symptoms. The process of treatment usually involves a combination of prescribed medications and psychological counseling.

Although it has not been scientifically proven that a particular diet can help ADHD, some assume that certain food, such as sugar, cause an adverse effect on the condition. Too much sugar presumably makes ADHD symptoms worse, as many children with ADHD are hypersensitive to sugar or other foodstuff with high sugar content. Food additives and preservatives, such as artificial coloring, are also believed to make ADHD worse.

ADHD diet is a specific type of diet meant to lessen the symptoms of the disorder. The diet is, of course, supplementary and must be combined with medications and counseling sessions. The diet may include foods that are known to help ADHD patients, and restrict the ones that may cause reactions. There can be three possible diets recommended for ADHD. These are – Overall nutrition diet for ADHD – This diet basically includes everyday food items, and comprises of food that is good for the brain. This diet includes high protein foods such as cheese, eggs, nuts and meat. Protein-enriched foods help to improve condition and give the ADHD medications more time to work on the brain. It is recommended to eat more of complex carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables, and less of simple carbohydrate such as candy, honey, corn syrup, sugar etc. It is also a good practice to start eating fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon or tuna. Nuts like walnuts and Brazil nuts, and oils such as olive or canola, are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Supplementation diet for ADHD – Vitamin and minerals are essential for the proper functioning of the brain and the body. And therefore, taking nutritional supplements along with regular food ensures a balanced diet, and may help symptoms of ADHD. Protein or colloidal mineral supplements are recommended, but should be taken only after consulting the physician, as many ADHD patients may not be tolerant to mineral supplements.

Elimination diet for ADHD – An elimination diet puts restriction on foods that are responsible to worsen the symptoms of ADHD. Common stimulants of worsening the condition include sugars and food preservatives. Artificial food colorings, especially the reds and yellows, are also best to be avoided. Food additives such as MSG, or monosodium glutamate, are also known to worsen ADHD syndrome.

Certain provision outside these diets, such as caffeine, supposedly helps children with ADHD when given in small amounts. Care should be taken though, as caffeine may also be harmful to children.

Because the degree of symptoms and the level of the ADHD condition vary from person to person, it is always better to custom design an ADHD diet based on the tolerance and effectiveness with certain kinds of food. However, no matter what type of diet is being followed, it should be consistent with the medications that are being prescribed and, therefore, it is necessary to consult with the physician before beginning on a particular ADHD diet.

Natural laxatives

As a person gets older their metabolism tends to slow down. Something that goes along with that is constipation. Constipation can be a very uncomfortable even miserable feeling for the average person. Most people do not realize how much this can affect them until they have experienced it for themselves.

There are many things that people can do to alleviate constipation. Many foods can be considered natural laxatives. These foods can be added to the daily diet in order to get rid of constipation problems. This is one of the best solutions as most of these foods are nutritious as well and add many other health benefits in addition to relieving constipation issues.

The best natural laxatives are those foods that are full of fiber. Soluble fiber is much better than insoluble as it pulls water into itself and helps to soften up the stool in the intestines making it easier to pass later. Insoluble fiber is fiber that is not digestible fiber. It remains the same form and passes through the body unchanged.

One of the best known foods that works as a laxative are prunes and prune juice. Prunes are full of soluble fiber. They also have high levels of Vitamin A, iron and potassium. Eating a few prunes or drinking a glass of prune juice once a day usually will take care of any problems a person has with constipation.

Other vegetables and fruits that are considered natural laxatives include grapes, figs, apricots, turnips, endive, watercress, coconut, avocados, rhubarb and soybeans. In fact, rhubarb contains a natural chemical that has laxative qualities. Rhubarb is considered to be a very powerful laxative. It might be wise due to this to eat rhubarb in small amounts. Otherwise adding two servings of any of the foods above should alleviate any problems a person has with constipation. It is also recommended to eat vegetables and fruits raw when possible and to eat the peelings as well. They add to the roughage or fiber of the food item.

Whole grains are full of soluble fiber that will help to keep the digestive tact healthy and keep the stool soft. There are many cereals and other foods that are made with whole grains that fall into this category. Look for whole grains on the label. It is recommended to eat four to five servings of grains per day for a healthy diet and to keep the digestive tract moving along.

Other seeds that are considered natural laxatives include psyllium and flaxseed. Psyllium husks come from the seeds of the plantain. They contain a gel like substance called mucilage. This substance swells when it is mixed with water. It also pulls water into it. This helps to soften the stool as it passes through the intestinal tract. Linseed or flaxseed works on the same premise as psyllium husks. Licorice is another herb that contains mucilage. Please note that licorice should not be used long term as it can raise the blood pressure. Olive oil can also be used as a laxative.

A person being sedentary or not getting the right amount of exercise can lead to constipation. Increasing activity levels including taking regular walks or implementing an exercise routine can help to increase the digestive process and move food and nutrients more quickly through the digestive tract.

Keeping the body hydrated is another way to keep constipation away. The intestines need water to mix with the stool in order to keep it soft and pliable. If the body is dehydrated the stool will become hard and dry. It will make it much harder to pass. Drinking large amounts of water each day will keep constipation away.

HCG diet recipes

The HCG diet is a very strict dieting strategy that severely limits caloric intake. This is actually an understatement because the diet allows only 500 calories per day. This restriction, along with daily injections of a synthetically produced hormone, HCG, gives the diet its uniqueness. The original idea was that it would help men and women lose fat (and, therefore, weight) and keep it off after returning to a more normal dietary pattern.

How Does the Diet Work?
HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is a hormone naturally produced in large amounts by the placenta during pregnancy. The hormone essentially controls the woman’s metabolic functions during this time. It allows for the fetus to receive the nutrients it needs even if the mother is restricting or not eating enough. The baby can live off the mother’s fat stores, and so the idea developed to turn this hormone into a diet. If injected with the hormone, a person’s fat stores will basically be depleted. An injection is given every day, except for the last three, for the duration of the diet, which only lasts for about a month. When the injected hormones take effect, the dieter can more easily be satisfied with 500 calories per day because fat stores are released to provide the energy needed. The foods consumed, to maximize hunger with so little quantities, should be high in protein and low in carbohydrates, fats, and void of junk foods.

HCG Recipes
The problem with going on this diet is that your normal, everyday cookbooks temporarily become useless. However, there are recipes that can be adapted, and some that have been produced specifically for this diet. All of the following recipes are suitable because they are low in calories and fat.

Fruit Salad
Try this sweet mixture of fresh fruits for breakfast!

* 1 cup sliced bananas
* 1 cup sliced strawberries
* 1 cup cubed, fresh pineapple
* 1 cup blueberries

Mix all together and enjoy!

Lettuce wraps
The fiber in the lettuce and vegetables, and the protein in the meat give a lasting feeling of fullness.

* 1 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey. Mix with
* Fajita seasoning, low fat & sugar free
* Vegetable mixture (bell peppers and onion)

Brown the ground beef or turkey. Sauté vegetables in a medium-sized pan coated in cooking spray. Wrap both the meat and vegetables in lettuce leaves.

Shish Kabobs
This is not a cut and dry recipe; there are many variations with which to experiment!

* Chunks of lean chicken or shrimp
* Onion, tomato chunks or cherry tomatoes
* Vegetables of choice

Put all on skewers. Season with herbs and lemon juice prior to grilling. Grill until cooked thoroughly.

Lively Citrus Basil Chicken
This dish is easy to throw together and is a perfect dinner for the rest of the family who isn’t even on the diet!

* 3 ½ oz 99% fat free chicken trimmed of visible fat
* 3 ½ oz chopped tomatoes
* 1 orange, peeled & cut into small pieces
* Juice from ½ lemon
* Basil (fresh or dried), as desired
* Salt and pepper, as needed

Place a medium-sized skillet onto stove top; coat with cooking spray. Add chicken and lightly coat with salt and pepper; drizzle with lemon juice and extra water, if needed. Cook 3-4 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, chopped orange, and basil. Simmer on low, for desired amount of marinating time, turning halfway through. Serve chicken on lettuce leaves.

Foil Baked Fish
A simple and satisfying twist on fish.

* 3 ½ oz fish
* Juice of ½ of a lemon
* Salt, pepper, and dill to taste

Put fish in foil (large enough to wrap around and seal). Drizzle with lemon juice and zest some of the rind around the fish. Season with salt, pepper, and dill. Bake in oven at 350 degrees Centigrade until cooked through.

Italian Herbed Fish and Broccoli
This meal is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals.

* 3 ½ oz white fish
* 3 ½ oz broccoli, chopped
* 1 tomato, peeled & cut into small pieces
* Basil, thyme, oregano (fresh or dried), as desired
* Salt and pepper, as desired
* 2 tablespoons water

Put all spices, salt and pepper into the bottom of a medium-sized skillet. Add fish and drizzle with the lemon. Add broccoli and tomato with a few tablespoons of water over low-medium heat until fish is cooked through. Pour juices over fish and serve with lemon wedges.

Sweet ‘n Sour Lemonade
Perfect for anytime of day!

* 1 quart water
* 1 lemon (juice only)
* 2 packets calorie free natural sweetener
* Ice cubes
* Lemon slices, for garnish

Place water in a pitcher. Add the lemon juice and sweetener; stir. Add desired amount of ice. Garnish with sliced lemons.

Warm Apple Dessert
Craving some apple pie? This is a perfect substitute!

* 1 medium apple, cut into wedges
* Cinnamon, as desired
* 1 packet no calorie sweetener

Dust apples with cinnamon and sweetener and combine in a microwaveable bowl. Heat the microwave for 2 minutes, or until apples are warm and to desired tenderness.