Garcinia cambogia, also known as the Malabar Tamarind, is a small citrus fruit that grows in Southeast Asia, used traditionally to enrich the culinary experience of a meal. Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), extracted from the fruit’s rind, has been used historically for cooking, but its modern use now includes its usage in weight loss. The HCA in the fruit boosts the fat burning within the body, and also reduces the appetite, according to studies. It appears that an enzyme called citrate lyase, which helps the body in making fat gets blocked. Also, studies have revealed that the levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain get raised, which in turn, makes one feel less hungry. Garcinia cambogia first came into prominence when recommended highly by a celebrity doctor, on his TV show. It was hailed as a “miracle” in the weight loss industry and has been available in the market in the form of bottled supplements. But as many “miracle” solutions hailed, garcinia cambogia has faced its fair share of criticism, mainly due to the lack of scientific and medical studies that may provide authenticity to the claims being made. The benefits of garcinia cambogia have been listed as many, but despite its popularity, there is not much scientific evidence yet, to prove these claims.

What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy-like substance that is found in almost all cells of the human body. Unlike what most people think cholesterol is an essential compound which is essential for your body to produce vitamins, hormones and other elements which help in the digestion of the food you ingest. Cholesterol is not the bad guy, in fact, its a significant factor inside your body. Your body is capable of meeting all the cholesterol needs by manufacturing it. On the other hand, cholesterol is also available in some of the foods you consume. It makes its way into the bloodstream using tiny packages called lipoproteins. These packages are composed of proteins on the exterior and fat on the interior. It is essential to know how to lower LDL cholesterol. Types of cholesterol: There are two kinds of lipoproteins which circulate the cholesterol around your body. Low-density Lipoproteins (LDL) High-density Lipoproteins (HDL) Maintaining a nominal level of both of these types is crucial for good health. LDL cholesterol is referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol. A high value of LDL in your blood means that there’s an active buildup of cholesterol in the walls of your arteries (these are blood vessels which are responsible for transporting blood from your heart to the rest of the body).

A woman will experience menopause during her 40s or 50s. It is when she no longer gets her period and is unable to get pregnant naturally. It is usually confirmed when the period stops for more than 12 months. Once the ovaries stop functioning, there is an imbalance of hormones in the body. While the body adjusts to this change, there will be many uncomfortable symptoms to deal with one of which is menopause hot flashes. Over two-third of women experiencing menopause have to deal with hot flashes. What Is A Hot Flash? It is a sudden and unexpected experience of feeling hot. The blood vessels on the surface of your skin dilate, causing you to sweat profusely. The exact reason for menopause hot flashes is unknown. However, many theories point that hormone imbalances could be affecting the circulatory system. Menopause hot flashes can sometimes cause excessive sweating in the night time, making sleep uncomfortable. Some women may also have a high heart rate. Many women experience menopause hot flashes for a short period while others will experience it for the rest of their lives. Triggers Knowing what triggers your hot flash can be critical in managing it. Each woman has different triggers, but here are a few common ones.

Feel like your stomach is bloated? Have you been belching a lot? Or maybe you’ve been suffering from a lot of flatulence. If all of this sounds familiar, you are probably suffering from an excessive accumulation of gas. What Are The Causes Of Bloating In Your Stomach? People who have digestive or gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis complain of bloating as well. Close to 90% of people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome experience bloating. Dehydration can cause bloating. When you consume foods that are high in salt content, your body becomes dehydrated. Electrolyte imbalance along with dehydration will result in your body accumulating water. When your body does this, you might get constipated and end up with abdominal bloating. Drinking enough water can help balance your electrolyte levels and prevent dehydration, which in turn can help avoid bloating. While dehydration causes bloating, excess fluid retention can cause bloating as well. Excess fluids are usually stored in the abdomen and pelvic areas, and this can be another cause of bloating. If you are allergic to certain foods, you might find that one of your allergic reactions includes bloating as well. People who are lactose intolerant experience this often.

An enlarged prostate is one of the complex problems in men. The prostate serves the fertility function in men and is situated between the bladder and the penis. With the condition of an enlarged prostate, men find it difficult to do almost anything. This problem normally affects men above 40 as a natural process of aging, as the hormone secreted by them is reduced in the prostate. Lack of exercise and family history are the other two causes of an enlarged prostate. Below are symptoms of an enlarged prostate: Urine frequency: A person, on an average, urinates about 6–7 times a day. In the condition of an enlarged prostate, the person may tend to urinate more than 8 times a day. This is because the prostate starts to secrete very little female hormones that the male produces, as there is a blockage in the secretion of the male hormone. Urinary blockage: Another major symptom of enlarged prostate is urinary blockage as the prostate gland becomes enlarged, blocking the functions of the bladder. Nerve problem: Due to an enlarged prostate gland, there could be a disruption of nerves between the brain and the bladder, in such a way that the brain fails to read the messages by the bladder, thereby leading to uncontrollable urination.

Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that contributes to the healthy functioning of our body. As it is not produced by our body and we need to get it from animal-based foods. Hence, there is a need to consume vitamin B12 rich food regularly to maintain good health. Vitamin B12 supplements are a good alternative to make sure that an individual doesn’t suffer from any severe deficiency disorders. B12 and Its Significance Vitamin B12 is water-soluble having a significant role in brain function and healthy nervous health. It is required for synthesizing of myelin- a fatty substance that forms a layer around the axons and enables quick transmission of brain signals. Vitamin B12 also helps in the formation of red blood cells. Moreover, it contributes to the synthesis of DNA and metabolism of fatty acid and amino acid. Vitamin B12 supplements can be very useful at the same time. Vitamin B12 Deficiency Vitamin B-12 deficiency is not a very common condition in America. In case you are unsure get a blood test done to diagnose yourself or consult a doctor. Common factors that lead to vitamin B12 deficiency could be aging or heavy alcohol consumption. Weight loss surgery, removal of parts of the stomach or long-term consumption of acid-reducing medication could also lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Dry eye syndrome is the lack of adequate moisture or lubrication on the surface of the eye. It has a number of causes and, if left untreated, could have serious consequences. Eye drops for dry eyes are the most convenient and effective way of treating dry eye syndrome. Take proper care of your eyes and ensure you take the necessary precautions to avoid dry eyes. If you find yourself suffering from dry eyes, visit a doctor, and plan out a specific routine in order to treat and cure dry eye syndrome. What causes dry eyes? There are a number of things that can lead to dry eye syndrome. Some of them are: Aging Hormonal changes Entropion or Ectropion Thyroid disease Environmental pollutants like dust, smoke, or dry air Exposure to eye irritants Staring at computer or TV screens for extended periods of time Vitamin A deficiency Diabetes Laser eye surgery Inflammation or damage of the tear glands Allergy medicines, anxiety medicines, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, or other medicines Prolonged use of contact lenses Eye infections Lupus or other diseases of the immune system Symptoms of dry eye syndrome There are a number of symptoms of dry eye syndrome. They are mentioned below:

Urinary tract infection or UTI is a disease that affects a portion of the urinary tract. It could be either the lower tract that leads to conditions like bladder infections, or it can be the upper tract which causes kidney infections. Symptoms due to infection in the lower urinary tract involves—urge to urinate often, pain while urinating, or even urge to urinate even when you are having an empty bladder. On the other hand, signs caused due to an infection in the upper urinary tract involve—fever and pain in the flank area. Blood in the urine is another symptom, however, it is quite rare. Various treatment options including medications such as antibiotics can help in treating UTI. However, different people react differently to them, i.e., some patients might experience side effects. Therefore these are only to be taken under a doctor’s guidance. How to cure UTI naturally? Water Drinking plenty of water is the remedy for several health conditions and it works well for UTI too. Water helps in flushing out the harmful bacteria from the system that are causing the infection. It also helps in diluting your urine which further helps in reducing pain and burning sensation during urinating.

It is common to confuse plaque with tartar due to similarity in symptoms. Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that repeatedly forms on the tooth surface. The plaque buildup can stain your teeth. It is also the origin of several gum problems. Plaque removers can help keep your teeth plaque free. Formation Of Plaque Bacteria in our mouth, combined with foods that contain sugar and carbohydrate, produce acids that attack the teeth. Inefficient brushing leads to plaque development, and if not removed, it can cause dental problems. It can also cause permanent damage to the gums, if left untreated. Treating Plaque Eliminating plaque is a daily routine process in our oral care. Regular brushing and flossing are the most basic. Plaque takes as less as 4 to 12 hours to recur on our teeth. Therefore, brushing at least twice a day is essential to fight plaque, followed by flossing for complete dental care. Brushing Even though you brush everyday, and it might seem like a simple task, note the following basics: Do not rush through your brushing routine. Make sure each quadrant of your mouth is brushed for 30 seconds. This means you should ideally brush your entire teeth line for 2 full minutes.

The thyroid is one of the most misinterpreted diseases in human beings. Very few people understand the exact condition when the numeric value of thyroid level showed in blood reports is lower or higher than the prescribed value. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes underactive and is hence unable to release enough thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is the exact opposite of this. It is the overactivity of the thyroid gland resulting in a rapid heartbeat and increased metabolism. Hypothyroidism is a condition that can happen to any person at any given time of his or her life. However, it has been observed that older people, especially women, are more predisposed to hypothyroidism. A hypothyroidism diet is essential to promote the normal activity of the gland. Indicators of hypothyroidism The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of the human neck. Doctors note that almost 40 percent of the population across the globe suffers from hypothyroidism at some phase of their lives. With age, women tend to become more prone to suffer from underactive thyroid glands. Apart from women, others prone to hypothyroidism include those who have diabetes, celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis. People notice certain changes in themselves that may not be normal as per their character.