DiggShig

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

What Puts You at Risk for High Cholesterol?

A bad diet is a sure way to spike your triglyceride reading.

(ISTOCKPHOTO)

Blood cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary artery disease and heart attack, so reducing your risk of high cholesterol is a worthy goal. However, the next time you brag that your cholesterol is nice and low—or lament that your number is in the mid-200s—know this: "Your total cholesterol is a pretty meaningless number," says Maureen Mays, MD, a preventive cardiologist and lipid specialist at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. "Not only does the general public not know this, some doctors don't either."

Here's why "the number" is so misleading. Total cholesterol is calculated by adding LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and one-fifth of your triglyceride total. "We have been using this formula of adding a bad thing to a good thing and factoring in one-fifth of a bad thing, and it's not useful," Dr. Mays says.

That's one reason 50% of people who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol readings.

Natural Body Detox for Kids

If you have been benefited a lot by following a body detox program, then it is possible that you are thinking of passing the same benefits to your little one as well. However, you should know that it is very important to choose detox food items for children carefully as their kidneys and liver are not as strong as of adults. There are some food items which can be given to children for cleansing their body.

One should know that whole foods are very effective in detoxifying a kid’s body. Children also love to eat whole food items. They will help in removing toxins from their body, in a gentle and safe way. You should keep in mind that most of the body detox recipes cut down the protein intake significantly. However, protein is very important for the growing children. So, while you give them such food items which aim at cleansing their bodies, you should also add some protein in them. If you are planning to follow detox diet for your obese child, you should consult a professional.

Other than trying detoxifying food items, you should also ensure that your child is drinking adequate quantity of water. This will improve their bowel movement and simplify digestive disorders. Experts also insist that every kid should be involved in some kind of physical activities. This will make them sweat, which is regarded as one of the most natural way of body detoxification. When it comes to your kid, don’t experiment with the body detox products available in the market.

Using Smoke Assist To Stop Smoking

Everyone knows that smoking is extremely dangerous for our health. In spite of this, there are a large number of people who are posing a risk to their precious lives by smoking cigarettes. This may cause incurable diseases like mouth and lung cancer.

If you want to find an alternative to cigarettes for satisfying your oral fixation, then you should purchase Smoke Assist. You will feel like you are smoking a real cigarette while using this product. Using Smoke Assist will cost you a lot less than tobacco cigarettes.

It has benefited many to quit the ill habit of smoking. It does not contain tobacco, nicotine, tar or any harmful chemical or carcinogens associated with regular cigarettes.

While using Smoke Assist, people will feel that they are inhaling real nicotine and exhaling it as smoke. However, the truth is that while using Smoke Assist, you will be emitting only water vapors. This way you can also avoid consequences of passive smoking.

If you face a lot of trouble while spending time in no-smoking areas, this product will come as a great solution. You can use Smoke Assist even in no-smoking zones. A single cartridge of this e-cigarette will last for 400 smoke mouthfuls. Each pack comes with 4 such cartridges.

This product can be purchased only from its official website. Do not wait for buying this product for the sake of your health. There’s also an option of getting this product absolutely free of cost. Visit the website to know more.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

India, not a land of erotica?

The newly released anthology Electric Feather, published by Tranquebar, is a celebration of the sexual desire, and compiles 13 stories by South Asian writers.

The release of the book has initiated a debate on erotic literature and whether it has any takers in India.

In Indian literature, certain subjects have always been taboo. While love has always been there, most writers, perhaps in their attempt to write more pan-Indian novels which speak to a larger audience, get inhibited to write for pleasure.

Is India still uncomfortable with erotic art and literature? Or is the newly released anthology a sign of changing times? Watch the debate on Verdict.

Minissha Lamba sizzling hot latest photoshoot

Indian men are boring: Lara Dutta

In an exclusive backstage chat before she walks the ramp at the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week, actress Lara Dutta tells Shweta Shiware it's a waste expecting Indian guys to dress stylish, and why Sush topples Ash in the style chart. Plus a wrap-up of the finale.

The backstage recesses of the show area is simmering with activity just before Raakesh Agarvwal's show, manifesting itself in an unsettling quiet before a stylish storm breaks through. Actress Lara Dutta walks in nonchalantly, and on time.

She seets herself down to get her make-up and hair done, looking comfortable in a worn-out Ed Hardy tee, ripped jeans and animal print wedges. She juggles two phones - an iPhone and a Blackberry - alligning them on the dressing table to match her line of vision.

Fashion has been a familiar playground, she admits, with international supermodels Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, and Indian counterparts Madhu Sapre and Mehr Jesia inspiring the little Lara to preen like a model in family photographs. "I understood couture as early as 10, " she smiles before getting ready to take our volley of questions. "Shoot."

Who is the most stylish beauty pageant winner - Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai or Sushmita Sen?
Sushmita, of course. I appreciate her personal style. She doesn't believe in sticking to rules.

And what's Lara's personal style?
It depends on my mood. I am inspired by the classic styles of the 1920s, 40s and 50s. But I am not a fashion victim. I invest in pieces that stay relevant irrespective of cyclical trends.

Which designers sit in your wardrobe?
Shahab Durazi, Tarun Tahiliani and Raakesh Agarvwal. Among the international lot, if I am feeling young, it's Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli. For classic styles, it's Armani and Valentino.

How long do you take to get ready?
If I am not walking the ramp or a red carpet, not more than 30 minutes. And that includes hair, make-up and dressing up.

Indian designers are taking an active interest in styling Bollywood films. Has style overridden substance?
My experience in modelling has helped me in Bollywood, as far as confidence with clothes is concerned. With Bunty aur Babli, Aki Narula changed the way masses dressed.

In Tashan, each character was individually styled, and the trailers looked fabulous. But the film didn't do well. A huge PR machinery was at work to promote Bebo's shoes in Kambakkht Ishq.

I've worn an expensive Alexander McQueen dress in my next release, Houseful, for all of 30 seconds. Producers understand the needs of global viewers.

They know that the audience won't go, "Kya pehna hai!" after looking at a fashionable outfit. If they (producers) are spending lakhs on outfits and accessories, they will make sure it's all publicised.

Who makes it to the most stylish Bollywood stars list?
Sonam Kapoor makes an effort to look fashionable. I like that about her. Among men, it's Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan. They have an inherent sense of style.

Do you think Indian men need to make an attempt to dress more stylish?
Men don't really believe in taking chances. They are a boring lot (laughs).

Actors who walk for designers are handsomely paid...
I haven't charged a dime for this show. I have done it because I genuinely like Raakesh's clothes - they are avant-garde and cutting edge. Else, I walk for friends. It takes me back to my modelling days (winks).

Any fashion fetish?
I have one, a really bad shoe fetish. I can't divulge how many pairs I have. Easily over 100. Shoes matter. What sort, doesn't. So, I have everything from Kolhapuri chappals to Louboutins.