Natural Health for Life: December 2007

We were browsing various weight loss sites and looking for information available on the web about health and weight loss. One site offering weight loss surgery included some nice tools and information, and we wanted to share some of them with you here.

One of the first is a BMR Calculator (Basal Metabolic Rate), which allows you to calculate the number of calories your body requires for daily maintenance. This is the number of calories your body requires, at rest and with no exercise, to simply maintain your current weight. Knowing this information allows you to manage your weight loss by planning to either 1) burn more calories through exercise, 2) consume fewer calories, or 3) combine both exercise and decreased intake, the ideal solution. This tool shows you how many calories you need to burn and how many you need to decrease in order to lose your target amount of weight in the time frame you plan.

The second tool is a BMI Calculator (Body Mass Index), which allows you to compare your height to your weight (for your sex) and gauge your body mass, which in turn tells you how high your risk is for a variety of weight-related health issues. If your BMI is 26-27, you are at a moderately increased risk for health problems due to your weight. A BMI of 30 or higher places you in the class of obesity, which carries even more risks. The higher the BMI, the greater the increased risk. Persons who are obese are at higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and more. It is also wise in that case to have your cholesterol numbers checked, and monitor your blood pressure, which are further indicators of your overall risk. Losing weight is highly recommended ... even a modest decrease will also decrease your risk of various health issues.

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Exam Gloves - wise precaution

Some products are not readily available at natural health stores, but may be necessary for caring for an elderly or ill person, or to prevent infection. An online medical supply store can be a good source for such necessary products.

Some medical supplies are useful to have on hand, such as latex exam gloves (or latex-free for sensitive individuals). Select powder-free gloves. Exam gloves are useful to have on hand when treating staph infections, for example, or any skin infection of unknown type, in order to protect the person applying treatment. They can also be worn by immuno-compromised or potentially weakened persons when performing tasks that may otherwise expose them to potentially infectious conditions, such as cleaning bathrooms or even kitchen surfaces where raw meats have been processed. They are also useful in handling and treating animals who may be carrying parasites or have infectious conditions. If you carry a first aid kit (and you should), it is a good idea to include several pairs of latex gloves, which should be worn when treating anyone who has a bleeding injury, particularly strangers or others who could potentially be carrying infections you may not be aware of. Useful for preventing a wide range of infections and infestations, gloves are a wise precaution in many circumstances.

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Natural Health for Life

Information for increasing and maintaining health through the use of natural supplements, natural products, holistic services, sound nutrition and physical excercise. The usual FDA required disclaimer: "The information on this site has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease."