Top 7 ways to improve your fertility

Trying to have a baby but having little luck? Sit back, relax, and try these simple steps.

Fertility enhancing trick 1: Quit alcohol

When it comes to trying for a baby, alcohol is one of the biggest hindrances for both men and women. For men, boozy nights often lead to a rise in oestrogen levels which decreases sperm count and increases the amount of abnormal sperm. Alcohol also affects men’s ability to get an erection. For women, alcohol can cause all sorts of hormonal imbalances and problems with the ovaries that make it difficult – sometimes impossible – to conceive. What might seem like an innocent taste of your favourite tipple can decrease your body’s ability to absorb nutrients such as zinc, which is important for conception. So, when it comes to baby making, swap the cocktails for ‘mocktails’ and the beer for barley water.

Fertility enhancing trick 2: Men, keep your testicles cool

Men, stay cool. We don’t mean it in a hippy way, but in the temperature sense. Your testes are designed to hang outside of your body because sperm needs to be below a certain temperature for it to function properly. Sperm that is too hot gets lazy and can become completely ineffective – this is no good for anyone trying to conceive. To keep your fertile friends in tip-top condition, you must make sure your dangly bits stay at a comfortable temperature. Avoid long hot baths, tight clothing around your crotch, and – we know it defeats the object – but don’t balance your laptop on your lap because it will warm up your genital area and could damage your sperm.

Fertility enhancing trick 3: Avoid lubricants

Researchers have found that vaginal lubricants can be toxic to sperm and often interfere with the role of natural vaginal mucus. Some experts have suggested that, bizarrely, using egg whites is an all-natural way to lube up your love-making parts without harming the sperm. Others suggest that even egg whites can render the sperm ineffective. Luckily, we didn’t fancy spreading raw egg over that region anyway. Instead, we recommend spending more time building up to intercourse to increase your body’s natural lubricants; spend longer kissing, touching, and having oral sex. If you still experience difficulty getting naturally ‘wet’, try warm water. This is a completely natural form of lube that won’t decrease the effectiveness of sperm.

Fertility enhancing trick 4: Relax, de-stress, and be happy

If you’re struggling to conceive and you’re also super stressed-out, there’s a good chance that some simple relaxation techniques will solve infertility issues. It doesn’t sound like an effective resolution, but a report by the University of California has noticed that stress hinders fertility in those trying to conceive naturally, and even those who are trying to conceive through artificial insemination. Relaxing, de-stressing and being happy is often the key to successfully becoming pregnant. Take this as your perfect opportunity to put your feet up and have some rest.

Fertility enhancing trick 5: Boost your zinc intake

When trying for a baby, it is important that sperm is in top condition. It is common for harmful environmental chemicals to be absorbed into our bodies and impede the effects of sperm. Zinc plays an important role in ‘activating’ semen and repairing environmental damage so it’s a good idea to up your intake whilst trying to make babies. Nutritionists recommend taking 15mg of zinc a day to help repair any damaged semen. Foods that are packed with zinc include oysters, red meat, wholegrain, and pulses. Make sure you consult your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet.

Fertility enhancing trick 6: Women, plan your sex

Some lucky ladies become pregnant without having to look into the scientific implications of their menstrual cycle, but for those of us who struggle, it’s an excellent way to boost your baby-making potential. The average menstrual cycle is twenty eight to thirty two days and, whilst it can vary for individuals, ovulation happens on average between day eleven and day twenty one of your cycle. At this point, you may produce discharge that is a slippery egg-white consistency and this helps the semen to make its way to the egg easier – having sex during this time in your cycle is great for boosting your chances of pregnancy. The egg only lives around twelve to twenty four hours – sperm lives for around three to five days – and if it is not fertilised by then, it usually dissolves. By knowing when you’re due to ovulate you and your partner can plan the most effective time to ‘get busy’. There are all sorts of weird and wonderful inventions nowadays that can help to predict when you’re ovulating, from phone apps to ovulation predictor kits (OPK).

Fertility enhancing trick 7: Stop smoking

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, but many feel that just a ciggie a day won’t affect their chances of having a baby. The truth is, smoking seriously hampers our chances of a successful pregnancy as it is known to decrease fertility in women and bring on early menopause, making cigarettes a particularly bad idea for older women trying to conceive. Male smokers are proven to have a lower sperm count than non-smokers as cigarettes cause the blood vessels to narrow, making it difficult for blood to be carried to the genitals and therefore impacting upon sperm. Having a crafty cigarette whilst you’re trying to conceive is really not a good idea.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/top-7-ways-to-improve-your-fertility-slideshow/fertility-photo-1345523610.html#

Simple Secret

http://thechive.com/2012/08/17/a-few-simple-secrets-to-living-a-super-swell-life-22-photos/

10 Super Delicious Ways to Fight Cancer

Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the US. It is the second-largest killer in the country. A lot of people are suffering from various kinds of cancer in the US. Scientists and bioengineers have fortunately found out ways to fight this deadly disease. There are various kinds of surgeries and other medical treatments that help treat cancer.
However, prevention is better than cure. It is better to avoid cancer by controlling your diet. You might find it hard to believe, but there are 10 super-delicious foods that help you fight cancer. Below is a list of organic foods that are free of toxic pesticides and can help shield you against cancer.

Kefir - It is full of probiotics that help protect the immune system. This lacto-fermented beverage protects the immune system by maintaining a healthy digestive system.

Pomegranates - This fruit is full of ellagitannins that control the growth of tumors and fight cancer cells. It is very useful in prostate and breast cancer.

Grapes - Grapes are delicious and loved by everyone. Now you have one more reason to add it to your diet. Grapes contain resveratrol that slows the growth of cancer cells.

Green Tea - Green tea promotes and maintains good health. It has a lot of advantages. It also helps fight against cancer (especially lung cancer) by preventing tumor growth and killing cancer cells. The presence of antioxidants called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) makes it a natural enemy of the cancer.

Flaxseed - Add flaxseed to your diet. This fiber-rich food also has omega 3 fatty acids and alpha linolenic acid (ALA) that help the body fight cancer.

Tomatoes - Tomatoes are used in salads and general cooking. They have a very useful antioxidant, lycopene, which helps control prostate cancer. You should eat it raw and also use tomato juice. It not only helps your sandwich taste better, but also decreases chances of cancer.

Garlic - Garlic, the wonder herb, is a natural antibiotic. It is a cure to dozen diseases, including cancer and is hidden inside it. Thanks to the presence of allicin (an organic compound) it helps control cholesterol and blood pressure. Add it to your diet to live a healthier life.

Berries - Everyone loves berries for their delicious taste. The yummy fruit is a rich source of Vitamin C, and contains ellagic acid that kills cancer cells. They have the highest amount of antioxidants among all the berries.

Broccoli - A source of sulforaphane, this vegetable flushes out cancer-causing chemicals and makes the body healthier and fitter.

Wild Alaskan Salmon - Salmon is not only a delicious food, but is also healthy. Fresh Alaskan salmon is your best option as it is rich with healthy omega 3 fatty acids that are very good for the body. They greatly reduce the risk of cancer. When buying salmon, Atlantic farmer salmon should be avoided as it is mostly treated with antibiotics.

Add these 10 delicious foods to your meal and say good bye to cancer in the tastiest way possible.

 Info :http://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/10-super-delicious-ways-fight-slideshow/-photo-2464778-164100119.html

Walnuts shown to boost sperm quality

For men hoping to become fathers, a new study suggests adding walnuts to your diet. According to research published Wednesday, eating a large handful of walnuts every day could boost the quality of your sperm.

UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in California enrolled 117 healthy men between the ages of 21 and 35 into the study, taking sperm samples both at the beginning and end of the study. Half of the men were assigned to eat 2.5 ounces (a little more than half a cup) of walnuts a day, along with their usual diet. At the end of the 12-week study, the walnut eaters showed improved sperm quality, while there was no change in the control group. Plus men in the walnut-eating group whose sperm were the worst swimmers at the beginning of the study saw the biggest improvement in their sperm quality at the end of the experiment.


The study, funded partially by the California Walnut Commission, was published online in the journal Biology of Reproduction.

This study is part of a growing body of evidence that men's dietary and lifestyle choices can affect fertility. According to researcher Dr. Wendie Robbins, walnuts are the only nuts with appreciable levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to better sperm quality in prior research.

Additional studies have shown that fish oil supplements high in omega-3 fats have boosted fertility in men with poor sperm counts.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/walnuts-shown-boost-sperm-quality-091107085.html

7 Ways to Never Get Diabetes

These simple steps may be all it takes to stay healthy and stop worrying about sugar problems. This condition is growing at a scary rate, but it's also one of the most preventable diseases around.

1. Nudge the Scale
Shedding even 10 pounds can significantly slash your risk. Even extremely overweight people were 70% less likely to develop diabetes when they lost just 5% of their weight-even if they didn't exercise. If you weigh 175 pounds, that's a little less than 9 pounds! Use our calorie calculator to see how many calories you consume-and how many you need to shave off your diet-if you want to lose a little.

2. Pick the Right Appetizer 

May we recommend the salad? Eating greens with vinaigrette before a starchy entrée may help control your blood sugar levels. In an Arizona State University study, people with type 2 diabetes or a precursor condition called insulin resistance had lower blood sugar levels if they consumed about 2 tablespoons of vinegar just before a high-carb meal. "Vinegar contains acetic acid, which may inactivate certain starch-digesting enzymes, slowing carbohydrate digestion," says lead researcher Carol Johnston, PhD. In fact, vinegar's effects may be similar to those of the blood sugar-lowering medication acarbose (Precose).

3. Ditch Your Car 

Walk as much as you can every day. You'll be healthier-even if you don't lose any weight. People in a Finnish study who exercised the most-up to 4 hours a week, or about 35 minutes a day-dropped their risk of diabetes by 80%, even if they didn't lose any weight. This pattern holds up in study after study: The famed Nurses' Health Study, for example, found that women who worked up a sweat more than once a week reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 30%. And Chinese researchers determined that people with high blood sugar who engaged in moderate exercise (and made other lifestyle changes) were 40% less likely to develop full-blown diabetes. Why is walking so wonderful? Studies show that exercise helps your body utilize the hormone insulin more efficiently by increasing the number of insulin receptors on your cells.

4. Be a Cereal Connoisseur 

Selecting the right cereal can help you slim down and steady blood sugar. A higher whole grain intake is also linked to lower rates of breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke-and cereal is one of the best sources of these lifesaving grains, if you know what to shop for. Some tips: Look for the words high fiber on the box; that ensures at least 5 g per serving. But don't stop there. Check the label; in some brands, the benefits of fiber are overshadowed by the addition of refined grains, added sugar, or cholesterol-raising fats. Decode the grains: Where that fiber comes from matters too, so check the ingredient list to find out exactly what those flakes or squares are made from. Millet, amaranth, quinoa, and oats are always whole grain, but if you don't see whole in front of wheat, corn, barley, or rice, these grains have been refined and aren't as healthy.

5. Indulge Your Coffee Cravings
If you're a coffee fan, keeps on sipping. The beverage may keep diabetes at bay. After they studied 126,210 women and men, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that big-time coffee drinkers-those who downed more than 6 daily cups-had a 29 to 54% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes during the 18-year study. Sipping 4 to 5 cups cut risk about 29%; 1 to 3 cups per day had little effect. Decaf coffee offered no protection. Caffeine in other forms-tea, soda, chocolate-did. Researchers suspect that caffeine may help by boosting metabolism. And coffee, the major caffeine source in the study, also contains potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants that help cells absorb sugar

6. Go Veggie More Often
Consider red meat a treat-not something to eat every day. Women who ate red meat at least 5 times a week had a 29% higher risk of type 2 diabetes than those who ate it less than once a week, found a 37,000-woman study at Brigham and Women's Hospital. And eating processed meats such as bacon and hot dogs at least 5 times a week raised type 2 diabetes risk by 43%, compared with eating them less than once a week. The culprits? Scientists suspect the cholesterol in red meat and the additives in processed meat are to blame.

7. Spice Up Your Life 

Cinnamon may help rein in high blood sugar. German researchers studied 65 adults with type 2 diabetes who then took a capsule containing the equivalent of 1 g of cinnamon powder or a placebo 3 times a day for 4 months. By the end, cinnamon reduced blood sugar by about 10%; the placebo users improved by only 4%. Why? Compounds in cinnamon may activate enzymes that stimulate insulin receptors. The sweet spice has also been shown to help lower cholesterol and triglycerides, blood fats that may contribute to diabetes risk.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/7-ways-never-diabetes-slideshow/-photo-2467048-035500759.html

Foods that Whiten Teeth Naturally

Coffee, tea, red wine and some soda can all stain your teeth and darken your smile. But there are some common foods that can actually help whiten your teeth over time. They're not as thoroughly effective as professional teeth whitening products-but they are cheap and natural. And that should leave you smiling.

1. Apples, celery and carrots these healthy fruits and veggies act like natural stain removers by increasing saliva production, which serves as the mouth's self-cleaning agent. They also may kill bacteria that cause bad breath, and their crunch factor works to scrub teeth clean.

2. Oranges and pineapples eating tart fruits such as oranges and pineapples may cause the mouth to produce more saliva, which washes teeth clean naturally. Beware of using lemons directly on teeth, because too much acidity can damage teeth.

3. Baking soda One 2008 study found toothpastes that contain baking soda - long considered a tooth-whitening home remedy - do a better job of removing plaque than toothpastes without the ingredient. To try it, your best bet is brushing with a commercial paste that contains the mild abrasive. Or, once in a while, you can just brush your teeth with baking soda straight from the box.

4. Yogurt, milk and cheese Dairy products contain lactic acid, which may help protect teeth against decay. A study in the journal Dentistry found kids who ate yogurt four times per week had less tooth decay than kids who didn't eat yogurt. Researchers think proteins in yogurt may bind to teeth and prevent them from attack by harmful acids that cause cavities. Hard cheeses are best for whitening, since they help remove food particles as well.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/photos/foods-whiten-teeth-naturally-slideshow/-photo-2464720-075500051.html