Vegetables That Help You Grow Taller

Vegetables That Help You Grow Taller

1.    Turnips

Turnips are found to be rich in growth hormones and intake of turnips on a regular basis will help in boosting your height. They are normally grown in the temperate regions of the world and are found all over the world. Turnips are rich in vitamins, minerals, fibers, proteins, cholesterol and fat.

•   You will be able to grow a few inches in height if you add turnips in your daily veggie diet.
•   You can either take it in cooked state with other vegetables or add them in some vegetable gravies.
•   You also can extract juice out of the turnip and drink them everyday to see visible height gain y a few inches after a few weeks.

2.    Bok Choy

The Chinese cabbage or Bok Choy is another vegetable that you can think of including in your daily veggie diet to help in boosting your height.
•    It is a vegetable that is loaded with minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers and carbohydrates.
•    Regular consumption of Bok Choy will help in stimulating the growth hormones of your body and this will in turn help in boosting your height.

3.    Beans

Bean is a vegetable that is rich in fiber, folate, proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates. It is considered to be a very nutritional vegetable.
•    Including boiled beans in your daily vegetable salad or adding it in the vegetarian recipes that you eat will help in stimulating your growth hormones.
•    Regular consumption of beans will help in boosting your height as it is loaded with proteins.

4.    Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a herbaceous perennial plant that is used in preparing a lot of main dishes and is also taken in as desserts. It is considered to be a fruit in the United States. Rhubarb is an excellent plant that will help your body to fight diabetes. Rhubarb grows from thick and short rhizomes.
•    Eating this plant in its raw state or even in cooked state at least three to four times a week will help in stimulating the secretion of your growth hormones in your body.
•    Regular consumption will help in increasing your height.

5.    Lady’s Finger

Lady’s finger or okra or gumbo is another all important vegetable that will help in increasing your height. It is a flowering plant and is rich in vitamins, fibers, water, carbohydrates and minerals. It is a very nutritional vegetable and forms a part of many Indian dishes. This vegetable is very sticky in nature which performs the function of a laxative.
•    The nutrients in the lady’s finger will help in stimulating the growth hormones in the body and will help in boosting its functionality.
•    This will in turn help in your body to grow vertically.

6.    Spinach

Spinach is a green leafy vegetable that will help in increasing the functionality of the body. It is commonly seen and used in many parts of South Asia. It is a rich source of vitamins, iron, fibers and calcium.
•    Adding spinach in your daily diet will help in proper functioning of the body. It will help in improving the growth of your body vertically by working on the idle growth hormones inside your body.
•    You can blend the clean and washed spinach leaves with little bit of water in your mixer and make it into a fine paste.
•    You can add some seasoning and a few vegetables to this spinach paste and prepare gravies.

7.    Broccoli

Broccoli is another important vegetable that is loaded with healthy vitamins and fibers and is also very good in maintaining the proper functioning of the body. Broccoli belongs to the cabbage family.

• Broccoli is rich in Vitamin C and iron and also has anti- cancer properties as well as is rich in fibers.
• It will help in maintaining a healthy diet and also helps in proper functioning of the body.
• It will help in stimulating the idle growth hormones in your body and thereby help in increasing the height.

8.    Brussels Sprouts

Another important vegetable that will help in increasing the height of a person is Brussels sprouts. It belongs to the cabbage family and contains anti-cancer properties. It is a vegetable that is rich in minerals, vitamins, protein, fibers, iron and so on. It has rich sources of anti-cancer properties.
•    It would be ideal for you to consume Brussels sprouts in raw state or in semi-cooked state at least three to four times a week so that it stimulates the growth hormones in your body which will also help in increasing body height.

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Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer Patients Diet

Colon cancer affects the ability of the body to digest food and to absorb the nutrients present in them. This can lead to severe malnutrition of the person over time. The diet for colon cancer patient should be able to make the patient to tolerate the treatment, prevent malnutrition and to improve the quality of the life of the patient.  The diet of the colon cancer should be according to the symptom and according to what the person is comfortable with.

• Include more caffeine and alcohol free drinks in the diet
• Avoid using nuts, seeds, raw fruits, and vegetables with skin as it will be difficult to digest.
• Try to eat non spicy or bland food like baked or boiled chicken, crackers etc.
• If the patient is experiencing constipation take plenty of fluids like prune juice and a small amount of caffeinated beverage and eat fiber rich food like oatmeal, raw fruits and vegetables.
• In case the patient has diarrhea drink clear liquids and should eat low fat and low fiber food. Foods with strong spices and caffeine should be avoided.
• To avoid bloating the patient should take a diet devoid of cruciferous foods like broccoli, cabbage, egg; garlic, onion etc. Avoid food containing fructose and sorbitol.
• Eat soft and creamy foods soaked in gravies or sauces that are easy to digest.

The patient should constantly try new foods as the taste changes continuously with different types of treatments. When the gastrointestinal tract repairs and replaces the lost tissues the food which were felt awful one day might taste good after a few days.

Colon Cancer Survivor Diet 

In colon cancer survivor food will take more time to digest and some food may upset the bowel movements. The person may need to go to the toilet often and if the person had a colostomy it will take few months for the bowel to become normal. In such cases the survivor will have to avoid certain food items.  Some foods can cause gas formation in colon cancer patients after the treatment. The person will have to find out by trial and error which food items are suitable and which are not suitable.  It is necessary to add more cancer fighting food in the diet.

• Include fruits such as apples, bananas, melons and berries
• Include vegetables such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, asparagus
• Avoid Fizzy drinks and alcoholic drinks
• Avoid Fat rich food
• Avoid Onions, cabbage and Brussels sprouts
• Eat low calorie foods
• Eat more whole grains such as whole grain breads, pasta , cereal products etc
• Eat fish rich in omega -3 fatty acids
• Use olive oil or vegetable oil for cooking
• Consume 6-8 glasses of water daily.

Colon Cancer Treatment Diet 

Colon cancer treatment cause many side effects in patients such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea etc and make the person feel sick. Patients need to avoid certain foods when they are under colon cancer treatment.

• Limit the use of food high in saturated fat and sodium like fried food, red meat, dairy products, packaged , processed and canned foods
• To alleviate the problem of nausea eat small frequent meals at room temperature.
• If the patient experience taste change as a result of chemotherapy eat foods that are sour or tart such as lemonade. Use spices, herbs and marinades to give flavor to food.
• Include whole grain breads, fruits without skin vegetables and cereals.
• Cut back on sugar , alcohol and salt
• Include moderate amount of meat and dairy products if the patient is comfortable with it.
• Include more protein in your diet in the form of milk, cheese or cooked eggs.
• Avoid high fiber foods if the patient is having diarrhea as a side effect of treatment.
• If the patient does not feel like eating replace the solid food with a liquid meal. Drink plenty of water even if you are not able to eat. Try having juices, soups which will provide the patient with nutrients and calories.

Colon Cancer Prevention Diet

Eating healthy can help to prevent colon cancer to a certain extent.  It is better to have food obtained from plant sources and one should reduce the fat intake from animal source. Everyday diet should contain some of the items listed below to decrease the risk of colon cancer.

• Vegetables- These are one of the best ways to decrease colon cancer risk as they contain fiber, folate, vitamins etc. the important vegetables to include in the diet are green leafy vegetables; brassicas which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower brussel sprouts. Allium group of vegetables such as garlic, onion, shallots etc. Soy products, tomatoes and carrots are also effective in fighting cancer.                                                                                                               
• Fruits – It is necessary to include five servings of fruits in your everyday diet to prevent cancer. Consume whole fruits to get benefitted by it. The fruits which are capable of preventing cancer include apples, cranberries, blueberries, grapes etc.                                                        
• Green Tea- Studies have found that drinking green tea regularly reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 50%.                                                                                                                     
• Whole Grains And Legumes- Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber and Vitamin B.  The phytic acid present in these foods reduces risk of colon cancer.                                                
• Fish – Fish intake is protective effect on colon cancer. This is due to the  presence of omega-3- fatty acid. Consume cold water fish like salmon, herring, mackerel, cod etc.                                       
• Olive Oil- Animal fats and certain vegetable oils increases the risk of colon cancer.  Monounsaturated fats found in olive oil are protective when consumed in the right amounts. Phenols in virgin olive oil inhibit the formation of cancer cells in the colon.                                  
• Peanuts- The nutrients in peanuts have anti- cancer effect.                                                             
• Turmeric- Turmeric contains curcumin which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. It reduces cell proliferation of mutated cells in the tumors.                                                                   
• Ginger- Ginger has an active component called gingerol which will inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells.                                                                                                                                 
• Yoghurt – It has been found that yoghurt and other fermented dairy products reduce the chances of colon cancer. The beneficial bacteria present in fermented foods protect the colon cells from the effect of carcinogens.

It is necessary to consume a moderate amount of food which will provide the right amount of calories to support cancer free life. It is necessary to add a moderate amount of exercise to the lifestyle to prevent colon cancer or any other type of cancer.

Colon Cancer Recovery Diet

Diet plays an important role in managing colon cancer recovery.   There are no specific foods to control or treat the colon cancer but, it is necessary to have a diet which will ease digestion and provide the necessary nutrition to the person to facilitate easy recovery.   Foods which are unhealthy for normal people are actually helpful for people recovering from colon cancer. The diet for colon cancer recovery should include

• Food rich in calories
• Food rich in proteins such as cream, milk, cheese and eggs
• Low fiber foods for easy digestion and to reduce diarrhea
• Food cooked in oil, margarine or butter
• Plenty of gravies and sauces
• Drink peppermint water to reduce flatulence
• Drink lots of fluids
• 

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Know Your Liver

Know Your Liver

The liver is a large, meaty organ that sits on the right side of the belly. Weighing about 3 pounds, the liver is reddish-brown in color and feels rubbery to the touch. Normally you can't feel the liver, because it's protected by the rib cage.
The liver has two large sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gallbladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food.
The liver's main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines. The liver also makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions.

• Liver function panel: A liver function panel checks how well the liver is working and consists of many different blood tests.
• ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): An elevated ALT helps identify liver disease or damage from any number of causes, including hepatitis.
• AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): Along with an elevated ALT, the AST checks for liver damage.
• Alkaline phosphatase: Alkaline phosphatase is present in bile-secreting cells in the liver; it's also in bones. High levels often mean bile flow out of the liver is blocked.
• Bilirubin: High bilirubin levels suggest a problem with the liver.
• Albumin: As part of total protein levels, albumin helps determine how well the liver is working.
• Ammonia: Ammonia levels in the blood rise when the liver is not functioning properly.
• Hepatitis A tests: If hepatitis A is suspected, the doctor will test liver function as well as antibodies to detect the hepatitis A virus.
• Hepatitis B tests: Your doctor can test antibody levels to determine if you have been infected with the hepatitis B virus.
• Hepatitis C tests: In addition to checking liver function, blood tests can determine if you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus.
• Prothrombin Time (PT): A prothrombin time, or PT, is commonly done to see if someone is taking the correct dose of the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin). It also checks for blood clotting problems.
• Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT): A PTT is done to check for blood clotting problems.

Disease

The liver supports almost every organ in the body and is vital for survival. Because of its strategic location and multidimensional functions, the liver is also prone to many diseases.

Hepatitis is a common condition of inflammation of the liver. The most usual cause of this is viral, and the most common of these infections are hepatitis A B C D and E. Some of these infections are sexually transmitted. Inflammation can also be caused by other viruses in the Herpesviridae family such as the herpes simplex virus. Infection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus is the main cause of liver cancer.
Other disorders caused by excessive alcohol consumption are grouped under alcoholic liver diseases and these include alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis. Liver damage can also be caused by drugs in particular paracetomol and drugs used to treat cancer.
Budd–Chiari syndrome is a condition caused by blockage of the hepatic veins (including thrombosis) that drain the liver. It presents with the classical triad of abdominal pain, ascites and liver enlargement.
Many diseases of the liver are accompanied by jaundice caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the system. The bilirubin results from the breakup of the hemoglobin of dead red blood cells; normally, the liver removes bilirubin from the blood and excretes it through bile.
There are also many pediatric liver diseases including biliary atresia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, alagille syndrome, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis, to name but a few.
Diseases that interfere with liver function will lead to derangement of these processes. However, the liver has a great capacity to regenerate and has a large reserve capacity. In most cases, the liver only produces symptoms after extensive damage.
Liver diseases may be diagnosed by liver function tests–blood tests that can identify various markers. For example, acute-phase reactants are produced by the liver in response to injury or inflammation.

Symptoms

The classic symptoms of liver damage include the following:

• Pale stools occur when stercobilin, a brown pigment, is absent from the stool. Stercobilin is derived from bilirubin metabolites produced in the liver.
• Dark urine occurs when bilirubin mixes with urine
• Jaundice (yellow skin and/or whites of the eyes) This is where bilirubin deposits in skin, causing an intense itch. Itching is the most common complaint by people who have liver failure. Often this itch cannot be relieved by drugs.
• Swelling of the abdomen, ankles and feet occurs because the liver fails to make albumin.
• Excessive fatigue occurs from a generalized loss of nutrients, minerals and vitamins.
• Bruising and easy bleeding are other features of liver disease. The liver makes substances which help prevent bleeding. When liver damage occurs, these substances are no longer present and severe bleeding can occur.
• Pain in the upper right quadrant can result from the stretching of Glisson's capsule in conditions of hepatitis and pre-eclampsia.

Imaging Tests:

• Ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound can test for many liver conditions, including cancer, cirrhosis, or problems from gallstones.
• CT scan (computed tomography): A CT scan of the abdomen gives detailed pictures of the liver and other abdominal organs.
• Liver biopsy: A liver biopsy is most commonly done after another test, such as a blood test or ultrasound, indicates a possible liver problem.
• Liver and spleen scan: This nuclear scan uses radioactive material to help diagnose a number of conditions, including abscesses, tumors, and other liver function problems.

Liver Treatments

• Hepatitis A treatment: Hepatitis A usually goes away with time.
• Hepatitis B treatment: Chronic hepatitis B often requires treatment with antiviral medication.
• Hepatitis C treatment: Treatment for hepatitis C depends on several factors.
• Liver transplant: A liver transplant is needed when the liver no longer functions adequately, whatever the cause.
• Liver cancer treatment: While liver cancer is usually difficult to cure, treatment consists of chemotherapy and radiation. In some cases, surgical resection or liver transplantation is performed.
• Paracentesis: When severe ascites -- swelling in the belly from liver failure -- causes discomfort, a needle can be inserted through the skin to drain fluid from the abdomen.
• ERCP (Endocscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography): Using a long, flexible tube with a camera and tools on the end, doctors can diagnose and even treat some liver problems. 

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Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B

Your liver is the largest organ inside your body. It helps your body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. One type, hepatitis B, is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B spreads by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid. An infected woman can give hepatitis B to her baby at birth.

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most adults who get it have it for a short time and then get better. This is called acute hepatitis B.

Sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, it can damage your liver. Babies and young children infected with the virus are more likely to get chronic hepatitis B.

You can have hepatitis B and not know it. You may not have symptoms. If you do, they can make you feel like you have the flu. But as long as you have the virus, you can spread it to others.

It's caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person.

You may get hepatitis B if you:-

• Have sex with an infected person without using a condom.
• Share needles (used for injecting drugs) with an infected person.
• Get a tattoo or piercing with tools that weren't sterilized.
• Share personal items like razors or toothbrushes with an infected person.

A mother who has the virus can pass it to her baby during delivery. Medical experts recommend that all pregnant women get tested for hepatitis B. If you have the virus, your baby can get shots to help prevent infection with the virus.

You cannot get hepatitis B from casual contact such as hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food or drinks.

Many people with hepatitis B don't know they have it, because they don't have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may just feel like you have the flu. Symptoms include:

• Feeling very tired.
• Mild fever.
• Headache.
• Not wanting to eat.
• Feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting.
• Belly pain.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Muscle aches and joint pain.
• Skinrash.
• Yellowish eyes and skin (jaundice). Jaundice usually appears only after other symptoms have started to go away.

Most people with chronic hepatitis B have no symptoms

A simple blood test can tell your doctor if you have the hepatitis B virus now or if you had it in the past. Your doctor also may be able to tell if you have had the vaccine to prevent the virus.

If your doctor thinks you may have liver damage from hepatitis B, he or she may use a needle to take a tiny sample of your liver for testing. This is called a liver biopsy.

What are the risks from hepatitis B vaccine ?

Hepatitis B is a very safe vaccine. Most people do not have any problems with it. The vaccine contains non-infectious material, and cannot cause hepatitis B infection. Severe problems are extremely rare. Severe allergic reactions are believed to occur about once in 1.1 million

doses.

Treatment of short-term (acute) hepatitis B

Treatment depends on whether you :

• Have been recently infected with the virus.
• Have the symptoms of an acute infection.
• Have chronic infection.

If you have not gotten a hepatitis B vaccine and think you may have been exposed to the virus, you should get a shot of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and the first of three shots of the hepatitis B vaccine. It is important to receive this treatment within 7 days after a needle stick and within 2 weeks after sexual contact that may have exposed you to the virus. The sooner you receive treatment after exposure, the better the treatment works.

If you have the symptoms of acute infection, treatment with antiviral medicine usually isn't needed. Home treatment—such as eating well, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding alcohol and drugs— usually will relieve your symptoms.

In some cases, you may be given medicine to treat an acute infection. But using medicine usually isn't done unless a person is very sick.

Treatment of long-term (chronic) hepatitis B

Treatment depends on how active the virus is in your body and your chance of liver damage. The goal of treatment is to stop liver damage by keeping the virus from multiplying.

Antiviral medicine is used if the virus is active and you are at risk for liver damage. Medicine slows the ability of the virus to multiply.

Antiviral treatment isn't given to everyone who has chronic hepatitis B. 

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Cirrhosis of the Liver

Cirrhosis of the Liver

What causes Cirrhosis of the Liver ?

Cirrhosis has many possible manifestations. These signs and symptoms may be either as a direct result of the failure of liver cells or secondary to the resultant portal hypertension. There are also some manifestations whose causes are nonspecific but may occur in cirrhosis. Likewise, the absence of any does not rule out the possibility of cirrhosis. Cirrhosis of the liver is slow and gradual in its development. It is usually well advanced before its symptoms are noticeable enough to cause alarm. Weakness and loss of weight may be early symptoms.

What does the liver do?

The liver is in the upper right part of the abdomen. It has many functions which include:

• Storing glycogen (fuel for the body) which is made from sugars. When required, glycogen is broken down into glucose which is released into the bloodstream.
• Helping to process fats and proteins from digested food.
• Making proteins that are essential for blood to clot (clotting factors).
• Processing many medicines that you may take.
• Helping to remove or process alcohol, poisons and toxins from the body.
• Making bile which passes from the liver to the gut and helps to digest fats.

There are many causes of cirrhosis. The most common causes are heavy alcohol drinking and infection with the hepatitis C Virus.

Alcoholic cirrhosis

Your liver cells break down alcohol, but too much alcohol can damage the liver cells. As a rule, the heavier your drinking, the more your risk of developing cirrhosis. However, alcoholic cirrhosis is not just a condition of alcoholics. People who are social heavy drinkers can also develop cirrhosis.

About 1 in 10 heavy drinkers will eventually develop cirrhosis. It tends to occur after 10 or more years of heavy drinking. It is not clear why some people are more prone to their liver cells becoming damaged by alcohol and to developing cirrhosis. There may be a genetic tendency. Women who are heavy drinkers seem to be more prone to cirrhosis than men.

Hepatitis C and cirrhosis

Chronic (persistent) infection with the hepatitis C virus causes long-term inflammation in the liver. This can eventually lead to liver scarring and cirrhosis. Up to 1 in 5 people with chronic hepatitis C develop cirrhosis but this usually takes about 20 years or even longer from the initial infection.

How is cirrhosis diagnosed ?

A doctor may suspect, from your symptoms and a physical examination, that you have cirrhosis. (For example, a doctor may detect that your liver is enlarged, or that you are retaining fluid.) A doctor may especially think of cirrhosis as a cause of your symptoms if you have a history of heavy alcohol drinking or have had a previous episode of hepatitis.

Blood tests may show abnormal liver function. (Blood Test - Liver Function Tests' for more details.) An ultrasound scan (or a CT or MRI scan) may show that you have a damaged liver. To confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy (small sample) of the liver may be taken to be looked at under the microscope. The scarring of the liver and damage to liver cells can be seen on a biopsy.

If the underlying cause of the cirrhosis is not clear, then further tests may be done to clarify the cause. For example, to check for antibodies to hepatitis viruses, to check for autoantibodies that may have attacked your liver cells, to look in a blood sample for excess iron or copper, etc.

What is the treatment for cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis tends to get progressively worse if the underlying cause persists and is not treated. In general, once the damage is done the scarring is not able to reverse. Therefore, the aim of treatment is, if possible, to prevent further liver scarring, or to slow the progression of the scarring process. Treatments that may be advised include the following.

Stop drinking alcohol

Whatever the cause of cirrhosis, you should stop drinking alcohol completely. Drinking alcohol will increase the rate of progression of cirrhosis from whatever cause.

Be cautious when taking medicines

Always tell your doctor or pharmacist that you have cirrhosis if you take any prescribed or over-the-counter medicines. Some medicines that are processed in the liver may need their dose adjusted if you have liver problems, or even should not be used at all.

Treatment for underlying causes

Some of the underlying causes of cirrhosis can be treated. This may slow down, or halt, the progression of cirrhosis. For example:

• Not drinking alcohol if alcohol is the cause.
• Interferon and other medication may be used to treat viral hepatitis.
• Steroid medicines or other immunosuppressant medicines may be used to treat autoimmune diseases causing liver damage.
• Regular removal of a pint or so of blood can remove excess iron which occurs in haemochromatosis.

How Can I Prevent Cirrhosis of the Liver ?

There are several ways to reduce your risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver:

• Don't abuse alcohol. If you do drink alcohol, limit how much you drink and how often. Remember, it's not only the heavy drinker who gets cirrhosis. If you drink more than 2 drinks a day, you are increasing your risk. A drink is a 5-oz glass of wine, a 12-oz can of beer, or a 1 1/2-oz portion of hard liquor.
• Avoid high-risk sexual behavior such as unprotected sexual contact with multiple partners.
• Be careful around synthetic chemicals, such as cleaning products and pesticides. If you come into contact with chemicals often, wear protective clothing and a facemask.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
• Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet high in fruits and vegetables and take vitamins.
• Maintain a healthy weight, because excess body fat can cause fatty liver, which may lead to liver disease.

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Boost Your Metabolism

Boost Your Metabolism

1. Green Tea

Apart from having the property of boosting the metabolic rate, green tea has other health benefits also. It contains a compound called EGCG which helps to increase the metabolism.
• You can use hot green tea or you can pour cool green tea over the ice and use it as iced tea.
• Make sure that you consume at least 2-3 cups of green tea every day to boost your metabolism to a healthy level.

2. Fruits

We all know that fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals and are important for maintaining a healthy body. There are many fruits which are easily available in the market that helps to boost your metabolism. Strawberries, oranges, peaches, watermelon, guava and grape fruit are excellent metabolism boosters. Include more of these fruits in your diet than the metabolism reducing food items if you want to reduce your weight.
• Select fruits which have lower carbohydrate content and less sugar content to get better results.
• Fruits like strawberry and watermelon have more water and fiber content which makes you feel full without increasing your body weight.
• Always opt for organic fruits

3. Spinach

Spinach is rich in vitamin B complex and also has high fiber content. This helps to improve the digestion of food and provides better metabolic rate. This food also helps in proper muscle growth. When the muscle mass of the body increases the metabolism also gets boosted. More muscle mass means faster burning of calories.
• Include spinach in your daily diet if you want to stay lean and to have proper digestion.
• You can add them to salads, soups or you can make any other recipes with spinach.

4. Lemon

Lemon helps to increase the metabolism by cleaning up your digestive system. It also improves the defensive mechanism of our body. The vitamin C present in lemon has anti- oxidant properties which help to cleanse our systems.
• Drink one glass of warm water with the juice of half of a lemon added to it in the morning.
• You can also use lemon juice instead of aerated beverages to get benefited from this fruit.

5. Cantaloupe

This is a type of melon which tastes great and is low in calories. This is an excellent food option to reduce weight by increasing the metabolism. Most of diet programs include this fruit in the diet plan.
• Cantaloupe contains fewer calories than the energy required to eat it.
• You will be reducing the calories when you are eating a cantaloupe.

6. Lean Meat

Lean meat is helpful in improving the metabolic rate as it promotes the growth of lean muscles in the body. Lean meat contains more proteins than other meats. Lean muscles help to burn fat and make your body lean and attractive. If you want to increase the metabolism reduce the intake of carbohydrate and include more lean meat in your diet.
• Do not use fried meat
• You can opt for boiled, baked or steamed meat so that you will be consuming fewer calories.
• Use chicken breasts or turkey breasts in your diet when you want to lose weight.

7. Ginger

Ginger has metabolism-increasing properties. Though it is not possible to eat ginger pieces as such, you need to use them in other food preparations.
• You can add them to stir fries
• You can use them in various Chinese cuisines
• By cooking boneless chicken with vegetables, spices, celery, ginger and garlic you can have best fat burning meal.

8. Oat Meal

This is one of the best breakfast options for those who want to reduce the weight. Oatmeal is rich in fiber content and the body needs more energy to break it down, which result in using up the excess calories stored in the body.
• Oatmeal reduces the cholesterol level in the body which acts as a hindrance for proper metabolism.
• Make sure that you are not allergic to the gluten present in oatmeal before consuming it.

9. Celery

This is a crunchy; low-calorie vegetable is a good source of vitamin C, calcium and potassium. It is considered as a miracle food for weight loss. The calories needed for chewing the celery is equal to the energy you gain from eating the celery.
• Make sure that you are using non-fatty spreads and garnishes with celery
• You can add them to your soups and salads
• Do not use it with peanut butter if you are trying to lose weight

10. Cucumbers

This is one vegetable which you cannot avoid if you are looking for metabolism boosting vegetables. Cucumber contains plenty of water, vitamins, nutrients and fiber. This vegetable keeps your body hydrated and makes you feel full. They have very low calories in them.
• You can use cucumber slices or sticks as your snack.
• You can add them to your salads
• You can also use them in your sandwiches and wraps

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Ebola Virus

Ebola Virus

Know About Ebola

Ebola virus diseases were earlier known as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever and are caused by the virus belonging to Filoviridae family. This is a disease known to spread from animals to humans. The RNA virus infects the wild animals such as gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and fruit bats and can also spread to humans. According to World Health Organization, this disease is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids such as blood, secretions and organs of an infected animal or person. Migratory populations are most likely to get the infection and they may transmit the Ebola virus.

Early Symptoms

The early symptoms may appear one week after the virus infects your body. The symptoms include headache, fever, rashes, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, body ache, cough, etc. It is difficult to identify the disease in the early stages as the early symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other diseases. The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of tests for antibodies against viral DNA and Ebola.

Later Symptoms

Within a few days of the patient expressing the early symptoms, the later symptoms appear. Later symptoms include: impaired liver and kidney functions, redness of the eye due to internal and external bleeding, bloody vomit and bloody diarrhea, etc. The patient may experience cardiovascular collapse and finally death.

Who Is At Risk?

The persons with high risk of Ebola infection are family members of the infected persons and the health workers who is in close contact with infected individuals and mourners of the deceased person who have direct contact with the body. People who are handling the meat of the infected animals are also at the risk of exposure to the virus.

The Countries Affected By the Virus

The present Ebola virus outbreak is the largest outbreak reported and is mainly limited to West Africa. The African countries like Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Libya has reported more than 1600 cases of Ebola till August 2014. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises to avoid all “nonessential” travel to these West African countries.

The following are some of the most important facts that you should know about the deadly Ebola virus.

1.    Ebola Has Higher Fatality Rate

According to the data of World Health Organization, the humans affected by Ebola virus had to succumb to this deadly virus. There are a total of 1,711 cases that have been reported in the present Ebola virus outbreak, out of which 932 people have died because of this virus. All these deaths have been confirmed in Africa. There are chances that foreign nationals who have visited Africa in the recent months could also be a carrier of this deadly virus.
There are reports that even health workers who are treating patients suffering from Ebola to be infected by the virus due to skin contact. Dr. Sheik Umar Khan the head of Ebola virus treatment in Sierra Leone and Dr. Samuel Brisbane, the head of Ebola treatment in Liberia have died recently treating patients suffering from Ebola disease. So, the Ebola virus is a fatal and deadly virus.

2.    No Vaccine Yet To Prevent Ebola

The vaccines to prevent the Ebola infections have yet to be tested on humans. The main reason behind this is that there would no person who is willing to get injected with the Ebola vaccines to find out whether he or she does not catch the infection. The vaccines that have been developed so far have found to be very effective in preventing Ebola infections in animals. The research on apes have not been done in a progressive manner, owing to greater restrictions in injecting the vaccine on the apes because of the dwindling ape population and the chances of the apes getting extinct soon.

3.    No Cure For Ebola

At present, there is no cure for the Ebola disease. The best treatment that can be given to a person affected by Ebola is intensive supported care by health workers. This can be provided to patients in hospitals under strict and stringent infection control procedures. A health worker is advised to be completed covered from head to toe when dealing with Ebola patients or else they can easily get affected by the Ebola virus just by a skin contact.

4.    Medications For Ebola Are Still Under Development

There is no U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved treatments in place for Ebola disease. There is a drug known as ZMapp that was developed in 2014 that is currently being used to treat a couple of American health workers who were infected by the Ebola virus during their stay in Liberia. The drug is an antibody based medication that is produced from plants. There is no experimental theory to prove its effectiveness on Ebola as well as whether the drug is safe for humans or not.

5.    Visitors And Tourists To Infected Countries Are At Low Risk

If you need to visit the Ebola virus affected countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria or Guinea, then the risk that you too will be affected by the Ebola virus is extremely low. The risk of you catching the deadly Ebola infection is extremely low, even if you happen to visit the local areas where the first cases of Ebola were reported. But, it is better to be cautious and try to avoid visiting these cities and do so if it is really necessary.

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Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C

What Is Hepatitis C (HCV)?

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It is a member of the family of viruses that include hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The viruses behave differently and have different modes of transmission. Hepatitis C can cause serious liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death.

How Is Hepatitis C Transmitted?

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne illness, meaning it is transmitted via contact with infected blood. Usually the virus enters the body through a puncture wound on the skin. The most common way hepatitis C is transmitted is via injection drug use. Sharing dirty needles with someone who is infected can transmit hepatitis C. Health care professionals may contract the virus via needlestick injury. Prior to 1992, the U.S. blood supply was not screened the way it is today, so some people contracted hepatitis C from infected blood transfusions. Rarely, babies born to hepatitis C-infected mothers acquire the virus. Hepatitis C can also be spread by having sex with an infected person or sharing personal items (for example, a razor or toothbrush) with someone who has the virus, but these cases are rare.

How Common Is Hepatitis C?

About 3.2 million people in the U.S. currently live with chronic hepatitis C infection. The virus is most common in baby boomers who represent 75% of infected adults. The rates of hepatitis C were the highest in the 1970s and 1980s, the time when many baby boomers were likely infected. Many people who have hepatitis C don't know they have it because the virus may not produce symptoms until decades after infection.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

About 70% to 80% of people with hepatitis C infection do not have any symptoms, especially in the early stages. In these people, symptoms may develop years, even decades later, when liver damage occurs. Others develop symptoms between 2 weeks to 6 months after infection. The average time to develop symptoms is 6 to 7 weeks after acquiring the virus. Those newly infected with hepatitis C may experience mild-to-severe fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, dark urine, clay-colored stool, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice). A person who has hepatitis C infection but isn't exhibiting any symptoms can still pass the virus on to others.

• Acute vs. Chronic Hepatitis Infection

  Acute hepatitis C infection refers to symptoms that appear within 6 months of newly acquiring the virus. About 20% to 30% of those who acquire hepatitis C experience acute illness. After this, the body either clears the virus or goes on to develop chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C infection refers to long-lasting infection. The majority of people who have acute hepatitis C infection (75% to 85%) go on to develop the chronic form of the illness.
  

• How Is Hepatitis C Diagnosed?

  Hepatitis C infection is diagnosed with several blood tests. The hepatitis C antibody test checks for antibodies (immune particles) that fight the virus. A "non-reactive" result means that antibodies to the virus are not detected. A "reactive" result means antibodies to the virus are present, but the test is unable to indicate whether the infection is current or in the past. Another blood test assessing the presence of hepatitis C genetic material (HCV RNA test) is available. The results of this test can help doctors determine whether hepatitis C infection is current or not. Additional blood tests can be used to determine the amount of virus in the body, known as a titer.
  
  When someone has confirmed hepatitis C infection, the doctor will order more tests to assess the degree of liver damage. A liver biopsy may be performed. There are several different strains of hepatitis C virus that respond to different treatments. For this reason, the doctor will order a test to determine the genotype(s) of the hepatitis C infection to help determine the course of treatment.

• Potential Complications of Hepatitis C

  Chronic hepatitis C infection is a long-lasting illness with potentially serious complications. About 75% to 85% of those with acute hepatitis C infection go on to develop chronic illness. Of those in the chronic illness group, mo
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  re than two-thirds will develop liver disease. Up to 20% will develop cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, within 20 to 30 years. Cirrhosis affects liver function and causes elevated blood liver enzymes. Up to 5% of people with chronic hepatitis C infection will die from liver cancer or cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis C infection is the most common reason for liver transplantation in the U.S.

• What Is the Treatment for Hepatitis C?

  Treatment for hepatitis C is available. The course of treatment depends on whether the infection is acute or chronic, the strain (genotype) of the virus, how much virus is in the body (viral load), the degree of liver damage, response to previous treatment, and the health of the patient. Hepatitis C treatment is highly individualized, so it's important to be under the care of a doctor with expertise in this area. Medications used to treat hepatitis C include interferon (Infergen, Roferon, Intron A), peglyated interferon (Pegasys, Pegintron), ribavirin (CoPegus, Rebetol), boceprevir (Victrelis), telaprevir (Incivek), simprevir (Olysio), and sofosbuvir (Sovaldi). The goal of treatment is to achieve sustained virologic response (SVR), which means there is no detectable virus in the blood 6 months after treatment. While it's not a cure, achieving SVR is the next best thing. Many people with hepatitis C infection can achieve SVR with treatment.

• Is Hepatitis C Curable?

  About 15% to 25% of people who are infected with the hepatitis C infection clear the virus on their own. Scientists are still trying to determine why some people clear hepatitis C infection and others go on to develop symptoms. There is no cure for an active or chronic hepatitis C infection, but sustained virologic response (SVR) - which means there is no detectable virus in the blood 6 months after treatment - is the next best thing. Hepatitis C infection rarely recurs in those who have achieved SVR. 

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Health Benefits of Sex

Health Benefits of Sex

1. Sex Boosts Immunity

Good sexual health may mean better physical health. Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other infections. Scientists at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., took samples of saliva, which contain IgA, from 112 college students who reported the frequency of sex they had.
Those in the 'frequent' group -- once or twice a week -- had higher levels of IgA than those in the other three groups -- who reported being abstinent, having sex less than once a week, or having it very often, three or more times weekly.

2. Sex Relieves Stress

A big health benefit of sex is lower blood pressure and overall stress reduction, according to researchers from Scotland who reported their findings in the journal Biological Psychology. They studied 24 women and 22 men who kept records of their sexual activity. Then the researchers subjected them to stressful situations -- such as speaking in public and doing verbal arithmetic -- and noted their blood pressure response to stress. Those who had intercourse had better responses to stress than those who engaged in other sexual behaviors or abstained.

3. Sex Lowers Blood Pressure

Another study published in Biological Psychology found that frequent intercourse was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure (the lower, or second, number in a blood pressure reading). This study focused on people living with their sex partner.
Still further research found a link between partner hugs and lower blood pressure in women.
Elevated blood pressure is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, heart attack, kidney disease, and stroke.

4. Sexual Health

When you're in the mood, it's a sure bet that the last thing on your mind is boosting your immune system or maintaining a healthy weight. Yet good sex offers those health benefits and more. That's a surprise to many people, says Joy Davidson, PhD, a New York psychologist and sex therapist. 'Of course, sex is everywhere in the media,' she says. 'But the idea that we are vital, sexual creatures is still looked at in some cases with disgust or in other cases a bit of embarrassment. So to really take a look at how our sexuality adds to our life and enhances our life and our health, both physical and psychological, is eye-opening for many people.'
Sex does a body good in a number of ways, according to Davidson and other experts. The benefits aren't just anecdotal or hearsay -- each of these health benefits of sex is backed by scientific scrutiny.

5. Sex As Physical Exercise Also Promotes Sleep

The physical exercise component of sex can also help you relax and sleep better, in addition to the hormonal effects. People who get regular exercise tend to sleep better and have more restful sleep. Moreover, as we have seen in the earlier part of this slideshow, sex is a great way to get some exercise.

6. Sex Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles

For women, doing a few pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegel exercises during sex offers a couple of benefits. You will enjoy more pleasure, and you'll also strengthen the area and help to minimize the risk of incontinence later in life.
To do a basic Kegel exercise, tighten the muscles of your pelvic floor, as if you're trying to stop the flow of urine. Count to three, then release.

7. Sex Improves Intimacy

Having sex and orgasms increases levels of the hormone oxytocin, the so-called love hormone, which helps us bond and build trust. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of North Carolina evaluated 59 premenopausal women before and after warm contact with their husbands and partners ending with hugs. They found that the more contact, the higher the oxytocin levels.
'Oxytocin allows us to feel the urge to nurture and to bond,' Britton says.
Higher oxytocin has also been linked with a feeling of generosity. So if you're feeling suddenly more generous toward your partner than usual, credit the love hormone.

8. Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health

While some older folks may worry that the efforts expended during sex could cause a stroke, that's not so, according to researchers from England.
And the heart health benefits of sex don't end there. The researchers also found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half for the men, compared with those who had sex less than once a month.

9. Additional Benefits of Kegel Exercises

Kegel exercises have a number of proven health benefits in addition to making sex more enjoyable. The strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles can help prevent prolapse (a slipping out of position) of the vagina, uterus, and bladder. Pelvic floor muscles may be weakened later in life as a result of childbearing, being overweight, and aging. Kegel exercises help offset the consequences of weakened pelvic floor muscles

10. Sex As Physical Exercise Also Promotes Sleep

The physical exercise component of sex can also help you relax and sleep better, in addition to the hormonal effects. People who get regular exercise tend to sleep better and have more restful sleep. Moreover, as we have seen in the earlier part of this slideshow, sex is a great way to get some exercise.

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How to remove Dandruff

How to remove dandruff

Causes Of Dandruff

1. Lack Of Proper Hair Care

• Irregular and improper hair brushing can gradually lead to dandruff. It is a common cause that causes dandruff and other hair problems.
• When you are combing your hair, the dead skin cells are easily removed. However, in the absence of combing the dead cells are not removed and they stick to your scalp. Eventually this layer of dead skin develops into dandruff.

2. Yeast Allergy

• If you are allergic to yeast, you can easily get dandruff on your head.
• Yeast is a species of spore or fungi that lives in our atmosphere. It is different from the yeast that we use for cooking.

3. Dry Skin:

People who have a dry skin often get dandruff. They usually experience the problem during the winter days when their skin tends to get drier.

4. Certain Diseases Can Result In Dandruff

Certain health conditions like poor immunity, heart diseases, strokes, seborrhoeic dermatitis and Parkinson’s diseases can often result in dandruff formation.

5. Lack Of Shampooing

• Lack of enough shampooing can lead to dandruff. Shampooing removes the dead skin cells and excess oil accumulations from your scalp.
• In the absence of proper shampooing these skin cells and oily deposits lead to dandruff.

Natural Remedies For Dandruff

1. Pepper And Yogurt:

• Yogurt is a soothing agent that can make the skin on your scalp become smooth and less scaly.
• Pepper acts as an anti-fungal agent that inhibits the growth of dandruff-causing microbes.
• For making this remedy you need to mix 2 teaspoons of pepper powder and a cup of curd. Apply this mixture on your scalp and leave it for an hour.
• Once you rinse it off, you can wash your hair with your usual shampoo.

2. Olive Oil:

Olive oil is an excellent remedy that can cure all sorts of dandruff problem.

• Olive oil acts as a moisturizer that makes the skin on your scalp really moist. This reduces the formation of dandruff.
• Before applying olive oil, you should heat it gently. Warm olive oil gives more effect.
• Apply the oil on your scalp and gently massage it. Leave it overnight. This would allow the skin to absorb the oil. In the morning wash your scalp with a gentle shampoo.
• Olive oil is a strong medicine and it would bring results even if you leave it for just 15 minutes before rinsing.

3. Oil And Lemon Juice:

Lemon juice and oil is a great combination that can help you in getting rid of dandruff.

• Although lemon juice has certain bleaching properties, it doesn't cause any discoloration of your hair. Lemon works as an anti-fungal agent that fights the microbes that lead to dandruff formation.
• Make a mixture of lemon juice and coconut oil, where the proportion of lemon juice is 1/6th of the total mixture. Apply this mixture on your scalp and let it remain for 20 to 30 minutes. Then wash and rinse your hair using a gentle shampoo.
• Try this remedy on a regular basis for getting the desired effect.

4. Vinegar:

• Vinegar is a popular remedy for treating dandruff. However, you should not use chemically synthesized vinegar for this treatment. Pick naturally prepared vinegar like balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
• Vinegar contains active potassium enzymes that remove all the itchy sensation from your scalp. Natural vinegar is a good treatment for dandruff that causes lot of itching.
• Massaging your scalp with apple cider vinegar promotes proper blood circulation. This makes your hair strong and healthier.
  Apple cider vinegar removes all the dead skin cells from your scalp. 
• Instead of directly applying vinegar to your scalp you can also rinse your hair with a mixture of water and vinegar. For a mug of water you can use a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. You would get a lingering smell of vinegar but it will wean off as your hair gets dry.

5. Baking Soda:

• Baking soda has certain cleansing properties that help in cleaning up all the dandruff from your scalp.
• Mix your shampoo with a teaspoon of baking soda and make a good mixture of it. Apply this on your scalp and then rinse your hair nicely. You would be amazed to see all the traces of dandruff getting easily removed.

6. Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera is quite effective in removing dandruff and restoring the skin on your scalp.

• Aloe Vera restores the broken skin on your scalp and makes it healthy and smooth. This prevents the formation of dandruff.
• Aloe Vera also acts as an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent that helps in cleansing out all the dandruff.
• Apply pure Aloe Vera gel on your scalp and let it stay for 15 minutes before rinsing with a gentle shampoo.
• Aloe Vera treatment is a great remedy for your hair and scalp and hence you can use it daily.

7. Neem:

Neem is an amazing natural remedy that can help you in fighting dandruff as well as hair fall.

• Neem acts as an antibiotic, antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal agent. Its regular use can assist in treating several problems like dandruff, hair fall, itching, lice and all sorts of scalp allergies.
• Here is how you should make use of Neem. Boil Neem leaves in water for 30 minutes and then make a paste of it. Apply this paste on your scalp and let it remain for 30 minutes. Rinse your hair with water.

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Pregnant ?? Stay Safe

Pregnant ?? Stay Safe

Common Symptoms of Heartburn

• Sour stomach
• Excess saliva secretion
• Stomach ache
• Coughing fits
• Wheezing
• Swallowing Difficulty
• Sourness in mouth
• Burning feeling below the throat
• Choking
• Chest pain or upper abdominal pain

Natural Cures For Heartburn:

Mentioned below are some of the most effective home remedies for heartburn. If these measures cannot bring any change, it would be prudent to consult a physician.

1. Slippery Elm

Slippery Elm absorbs the stomach acids and thus it prevents the inflammation of the stomach linings. Add little slippery elm powder (2 tbsp) to a glass of boiling water. Let it stay for 5 minutes. You can also add some honey to this preparation. Alternatively, you can take slippery elm lozenges.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera contains certain anti-inflammatory agents that can reduce heartburns. However, in case of pregnant women, it would be safer to consult a physician before taking any kind of herbal juice.

3. Almonds

Almonds are rich in oil and they help in counteracting the acid levels. Hence, try eating 4 to 5 almonds on a daily basis. Almonds can also help in nourishing the baby.

4. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds help in improving digestion. You can boil 2 teaspoons of mashed fennel seeds in water and then drink this water.

5. Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL):

It is a herb from which glycyrrhizin has been removed. Licorice is made of certain anti-inflammatory agents that can prevent heartburns. DGL is available in the form of chewing gums as well as tablets.

6. Coconut Water

Coconut water helps in neutralizing the stomach acids. It would be beneficial to consume coconut water on a daily basis.

7. Ginger

Ginger is a popular digestive aid. It helps in reducing heartburns. You can either take a ginger tea or try to consume ginger in its raw form.

8. Honey And Milk

Consuming a mixture of honey and milk can help you to improve your digestive power. It also soothes the stomach.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar stimulates bicarbonates and stomach acids. It sooths the lining of your stomach and counteracts the effects of acid-generating foods. Dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and drink this solution to reduce heartburns

10. Papaya

Papaya is rich in certain enzyme that improves the process of digestion and soothes your stomach. Consume ripe papaya for reducing heartburns. Raw papayas can cause uterine contractions. It would be safer to consult your physician before trying this remedy. You can also try papaya supplements.

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