Study says a major blood cancer is 11 distinct diseases

One of the main types of blood cancer is not one but 11 distinct diseases, detailed genetic analysis suggests.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found genetic differences explain why some patients respond much better to treatment than others.

The researchers say their findings should help with the development of clinical trials.

Cancer Research UK says this type of study offers new insights into cancer.

The study focused on Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) - there are around 3,000 new cases every year in the UK.

The disease is often aggressive, particularly in older patients - overall survival after five years is about 20%.

Treatment is predominantly chemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation but for many patients it can be difficult to tell how they will respond.

Clinicians currently rely on checks for chromosomal abnormalities and analysis under a microscope. In this study - involving more than 1,500 patients - researchers carried out a far more detailed genetic analysis of the cancer.

They looked at more than 100 genes known to cause leukaemia, and investigated how they interacted.

'Meaningful predictions'

They found the patients divided into at least 11 major groups, each with their own set of genetic changes and clinical features.

Dr Peter Campbell from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, who co-led the research, said the findings would help doctors to make "very meaningful predictions" about what will happen to patients.

"I could have two patients who had what looked like the same leukaemia under the microscope and I could treat them with exactly the same therapy.

Dr Campbell said he hoped this technique would "filter into clinics" over the next few years as more centres develop their diagnostic resources."One of those patients would be cured and one would relapse and die very quickly. What we can see in this data-set is that that clinical variability is strongly predicted by the underlying genetics."

He said a range of exciting new targeted treatments was coming online for some of these genetic changes. Understanding the structure of the leukaemia, he said, would help scientists to develop trials which would bring those drugs to the right subsets of patients.

Disease "untangled"

Dr Elli Papaemmanuil, who co-authored the study, said the findings shed new light on the fundamental causes of AML.

"For the first time we untangled the genetic complexity seen in most AML cancer genomes into distinct evolutionary paths that lead to AML.

"By understanding these paths we can help develop more appropriate treatments for individual patients with AML."

Dr Áine McCarthy from Cancer Research UK welcomed the findings.

She said: "Science such as this continues to offer new insights into cancer which can help us achieve our goal of beating the disease.

"We need to learn more from clinical trials to find out whether tailoring treatment based on these subgroups boosts the number of people surviving the disease."

Top 15 Healthy Foods for People with Kidney Disease

Researchers are discovering more and more links between chronic diseases, inflammation and “super foods” that may prevent or protect against undesirable fatty acid oxidation, a condition that occurs when the oxygen in your body reacts with fats in your blood and your cells. Oxidation is a normal process for energy production and many chemical reactions in the body, but excessive oxidation of fats and cholesterol creates molecules known as free radicals that can damage your proteins, cell membranes and genes. Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other chronic and degenerative conditions have been linked to oxidative damage.

However, foods that contain antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and protect the body. Many of the foods that protect against oxidation are included in the kidney diet and make excellent choices fordialysis patients or people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Eating healthy foods, working with a renal dietitian and following a renal diet made up of kidney-friendly foods is important for people with kidney disease because they experience more inflammation and have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

1. Red bell peppers

• 1/2 cup serving red bell pepper = 1 mg sodium, 88 mg potassium, 10 mg phosphorus

Red bell peppers are low in potassium and high in flavor, but that’s not the only reason they’re perfect for the kidney diet. These tasty vegetables are also an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as vitamin B6, folic acid and fiber. Red bell peppers are good for you because they contain lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against certain cancers.

Eat red bell peppers raw with dip as a snack or appetizer, or mix them into tuna or chicken salad. You can also roast peppers and use them as a topping on sandwiches or lettuce salads, chop them for an omelet, add them to kabobs on the grill or stuff peppers with ground turkey or beef and bake them for a main dish.

2. Cabbage

• 1/2 cup serving green cabbage = 6 mg sodium, 60 mg potassium, 9 mg phosphorus

A cruciferous vegetable, cabbage is packed full of phytochemicals, chemical compounds in fruit or vegetables that break up free radicals before they can do damage. Many phytochemicals are also known to protect against and fight cancer, as well as foster cardiovascular health.

High in vitamin K, vitamin C and fiber, cabbage is also a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid. Low in potassium and low in cost, it’s an affordable addition to the kidney diet.

Raw cabbage makes a great addition to the dialysis diet as coleslaw or topping for fish tacos. You can steam, microwave or boil it, add butter or cream cheese plus pepper or caraway seeds and serve it as a side dish.Cabbage Rolls Made with Turkey are a great appetizer, and if you’re feeling fancy, you can stuff a cabbage with ground meat and bake it for a flavorful meal bursting with nutrients.

3. Cauliflower

• 1/2 cup serving boiled cauliflower = 9 mg sodium, 88 mg potassium, 20 mg phosphorus

Another cruciferous vegetable, cauliflower is high in vitamin C and a good source of folate and fiber. It’s also packed full of indoles, glucosinolates and thiocyanates—compounds that help the liver neutralize toxic substances that could damage cell membranes and DNA.

Serve it raw as crudités with dip, add it to a salad, or steam or boil it and season with spices such as turmeric, curry powder, pepper and herb seasonings. You can also make a nondairy white sauce, pour it over the cauliflower and bake until tender. You can pair cauliflower with pasta or even mash cauliflower as a dialysis diet replacement for mashed potatoes.

4. Garlic

• 1 clove garlic = 1 mg sodium, 12 mg potassium, 4 mg phosphorus

Garlic helps prevent plaque from forming on your teeth, lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation.    

Buy it fresh, bottled, minced or powdered, and add it to meat, vegetable or pasta dishes. You can also roast a head of garlic and spread on bread. Garlic provides a delicious flavor and garlic powder is a great substitute for garlic salt in the dialysis diet.

5. Onions

• 1/2 cup serving onion = 3 mg sodium, 116 mg potassium, 3 mg phosphorus

Onion, a member of the Allium family and a basic flavoring in many cooked dishes, contains sulfur compounds which give it its pungent smell. But in addition to making some people cry, onions are also rich in flavonoids, especially quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that works to reduce heart disease and protects against many cancers. Onions are low in potassium and a good source of chromium, a mineral that helps with carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism.

Try using a variety of onions including white, brown, red and others. Eat onions raw on burgers, sandwiches and in salads, cook them and use as a caramelized topping or fry them into onion rings. Include onions in recipes such as Italian Beef with Peppers and Onions.

6. Apples

• 1 medium apple with skin = 0 sodium, 158 mg potassium, 10 mg phosphorus

Apples have been known to reduce cholesterol, prevent constipation, protect against heart disease and reduce the risk of cancer. High in fiber and anti-inflammatory compounds, an apple a day may really keep the doctor away. Good news for people with kidney disease who already have their share of doctor visits.

This kidney diet winner can be paired with the previous good-for-you food, onions, to make a unique Apple Onion Omelet. With versatile apples you can eat them raw, make baked apples, stew apples, make them into apple sauce, or drink them as apple juice or apple cider.

7. Cranberries

• 1/2 cup serving cranberry juice cocktail = 3 mg sodium, 22 mg potassium, 3 mg phosphorus
• 1/4 cup serving cranberry sauce = 35 mg sodium, 17 mg potassium, 6 mg phosphorus
• 1/2 cup serving dried cranberries = 2 mg sodium, 24 mg potassium and 5 mg phosphorus

These tangy, tasty berries are known to protect against bladder infections by preventing bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. In a similar way, cranberries also protect the stomach from ulcer-causing bacteria and protect the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, promoting GI health. Cranberries have also been shown to protect against cancer and heart disease.

Cranberry juice and cranberry sauce are the most frequently consumed cranberry products. You can also add dried cranberries to salads or have them as a snack.

8. Blueberries

• 1/2 cup serving fresh blueberries = 4 mg sodium, 65 mg potassium, 7 mg phosphorus

Blueberries are high in antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, which give them their blue color, and they are bursting with natural compounds that reduce inflammation. Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C; manganese, a compound that keeps your bones healthy; and fiber. They may also help protect the brain from some of the effects of aging. Antioxidants in blueberries and other berries have been shown to help slow bone breakdown in rats made to be low in estrogen.

Buy blueberries fresh, frozen or dried, and try them in cereal or , topped with whipped topping, in a fruit smoothie. You can also drink blueberry juice.

9. Raspberries

• 1/2 cup serving raspberries = 0 mg sodium, 93 mg potassium, 7 mg phosphorus

Raspberries contain a phytonutrient called ellagic acid which helps neutralize free radicals in the body to prevent cell damage. They also contain flavonoids called anthocyanins, antioxidants which give them their red color. An excellent source of manganese, vitamin C, fiber and folate, a B vitamin, raspberries may have properties that inhibit cancer cell growth and tumor formation.

Add raspberries to cereal, or puree and sweeten them to make a dessert sauce or add them to vinaigrette dressing.

10. Strawberries

• 1/2 cup serving (5 medium) fresh strawberries = 1 mg sodium, 120 mg potassium, 13 mg phosphorus

Strawberries are rich in two types of phenols: anthocyanins and ellagitannins. Anthocyananins are what give strawberries their red color and are powerful antioxidants that help protect body cell structures and prevent oxidative damage. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese and a very good source of fiber. They are known to provide heart protection, as well as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory components.

Eat strawberries with cereal, smoothies and salad,or slice and serve them fresh or top them with whipped topping. If you’d like a more elaborate dessert, you can make strawberry pudding or sorbet, or puree and sweeten them to serve as a dessert.

11. Cherries

• 1/2 cup serving fresh sweet cherries = 0 mg sodium, 160 mg potassium, 15 mg phosphorus

Cherries have been shown to reduce inflammation when eaten daily. They are also packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect the heart.

Eat fresh cherries as a snack or make a cherry sauce to serve with lamb or pork. Cherry juice is another way to consume this tasty food.

12. Red grapes

• 1/2 cup serving red grapes = 1 mg sodium, 88 mg potassium, 4 mg phosphorus

Red grapes contain several flavonoids that give them their reddish color. Flavonoids help protect against heart disease by preventing oxidation and reducing the formation of blood clots. Resveratrol, a flavonoid found in grapes, may also stimulate production of nitric oxide which helps relax muscle cells in the blood vessels to increase blood flow. These flavonoids also provide protection against cancer and prevent inflammation.

Buy grapes with red or purple skin since their anthocyanin content is higher. Freeze them to eat as a snack or to quench thirst for those on a fluid restriction for the dialysis diet. Add grapes to a fruit salad orchicken salad. Try a unique kidney diet recipe for Turkey Kabobs that feature grapes. You can also drink them as grape juice.

13. Egg whites

• 2 egg whites = 7 grams protein, 110 mg sodium, 108 mg potassium, 10 mg phosphorus

Egg whites are pure protein and provide the highest quality of protein with all the essential amino acids. For the kidney diet, egg whites provide protein with less phosphorus than other protein sources such as egg yolk or meats.

Buy powdered, fresh or pasteurized egg whites. Make an omelet or egg white sandwich, add pasteurized egg whites to smoothies or shakes, make deviled egg snacks,or add whites of hard-boiled eggs to tuna salad or garden salad to add extra protein.

14. Fish

• 3 ounces wild salmon = 50 mg sodium, 368 mg potassium, 274 mg phosphorus

Fish provides high-quality protein and contains anti-inflammatory fats called omega-3s. The healthy fats in fish can help fight diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Omega-3s also help lower low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol, which is bad cholesterol, and raise high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol, which is good cholesterol.

The American Heart Association1 and American Diabetes Association2recommend eating fish at least two times a week. Fish highest in omega-3s include albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, rainbow trout and salmon.

1American Heart Association: Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

2American Diabetes Association: Seafood – A Smart Choice for Diabetes

15. Olive oil

• 1 tablespoon olive oil = less than 1 mg sodium, less than 1 mg potassium, 0 mg phosphorus

Olive oil is a great source of oleic acid, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. The monounsaturated fat in olive oil protects against oxidation. Olive oil is rich in polyphenols and antioxidant compounds that prevent inflammation and oxidation.

Studies show that populations that use large amounts of olive oil instead of other oils have lower rates of heart disease and cancer.

Buy virgin or extra virgin olive oil because they are higher in antioxidants. Use olive oil to make salad dressing, in cooking, for dipping bread or for marinating vegetables.

10 Tips for Better Heart

Your heart works hard for you nonstop for your whole life. So show it some TLC.

Making small changes in your habits can make a real difference in your heart health. "It's like finding the fountain of youth," says Donald Lloyd-Jones, MD, of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. "People who follow these steps not only live longer, but they also spend a lot more time healthy, without cardiovascular disease."

Even better? You don't have to work on all 10 steps at once. Even if you improve just one or two of these areas, you can make yourself less likely to get heart disease. Of course, the more tips on this list you can follow, the better. So let’s get started. 

1. Aim for lucky number seven.

The next time you're tempted to stay up later than you should, just think about how good that pillow will feel -- and how good a full night's sleep is for your heart. In one study, young and middle-age adults who slept 7 hours a night had less calcium in their arteries (an early sign of heart disease) than those who slept 5 hours or less or those who slept 9 hours or more.

The type of shut-eye they got was important, too: Adults who reported good-quality sleep also had healthier arteries than those who didn't sleep soundly. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, or if you don't feel refreshed after a full night in bed, talk to your doctor about how healthier sleep habits might improve your slumber.

2. Keep the pressure off.

That cuff squeezing your arm at every doctor's visit is important. It measures the amount of pressure flowing through your arteries with every heartbeat.

If your blood pressure gets too high, the extra force can damage artery walls and create scar tissue, making it more difficult for blood and oxygen to get to and from the heart. The heart has to pump harder and gets worn out faster. If it can't get enough oxygen, parts can start to die.

Get your blood pressure checked at least once every 2 years, or more often if it is already high. Many people are able to keep their levels in the healthy range by following an eating plan such as the DASH Diet or the Mediterranean diet.

Cut back on salt, limit alcohol to no more than one to two drinks a day, manage your stress, and get regular exercise, too. If these changes alone don't help, your doctor might recommend you also take medication.

3. Slash saturated fats.

Too much “bad” cholesterol can clog the heart and arteries with dangerous plaque.

It mostly comes from saturated and trans fats, found in red meat, full-fat dairy products, and fried or processed foods. So cut back on these products and cut out trans fats completely (check ingredients lists for anything that says “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” -- those are trans fats).

Adults should get a cholesterol blood test at least every 5 years. Your doctor should consider your other risk factors for heart disease when deciding what your goals should be. 

4. Make a shift to avoid diabetes.

Over time, high blood sugar damages arteries and puts you at risk for heart disease. Your doctor should test your blood sugar if you are 45 or older, if you are pregnant, or if you're overweight and have other risk factors for diabetes.

If you have diabetes, work with your doctor on your lifestyle (diet and exercise) and any medicine that you may need. If you have borderline high blood sugar, also called prediabetes, take action now to turn things around.

One simple swap is to trade processed carbs (like white rice) for fiber-rich whole grains (like brown rice). In one study, that simple swap slashed diabetes risk by 36%.

5. Sit less and sweat more.

You should get at least 150 minutes a week (30 minutes a day, 5 days a week) of moderate exercise, meaning any activity that gets you moving around and breaking a slight sweat. But really, every little bit counts.

“If you're doing nothing, do something -- and if you're doing something, do more," Lloyd-Jones says.

Also, pay attention to how much time you spend seated, whether it's at work, in your car, or on your couch at home.

"We now know that even if you exercise for 30 minutes a day, being sedentary for the other 23 and a half hours is really bad for your heart," says Monika Sanghavi, MD, assistant professor of cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

That doesn't mean you have to quit your desk job or throw away your favorite recliner. Break up long periods of sitting, and choose to stand or walk while doing things like talking on the phone or watching TV.

6. Have more fruit and less fruit juice.

Your heart works best when it runs on clean fuel. That means lots of whole, plant-based foods (like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds) and fewer refined or processed foods (like white bread, pasta, crackers, and cookies).

It’s time-tested wisdom. "The latest fads get overplayed by the media, but the core of what makes a heart-healthy eating pattern hasn't changed for decades," Lloyd-Jones says.

One of the fastest ways to clean up your diet is to cut out sugary beverages like soda and fruit juice, which lacks the fiber that’s in actual fruit.

"We drink way too many of our calories," Sanghavi says. "And those calories don't fill us up the way real food does, so we have them in addition to everything else we're eating, with no nutritional benefit."

7. Crunch the numbers.

Not sure if you need to slim down? The easiest way to find out is to calculate your body mass index (BMI), a number based on your weight in relation to your height. You're considered overweight if you have a BMI of 25 or higher, which also means you're more likely to get heart disease. A BMI of 30 or higher puts you in the even higher-risk “obese” category.

You can lose weight by taking in fewer calories each day than you burn off, which usually means a combination of eating less food (or healthier foods) and getting more exercise.

Structured diets or calorie-counting programs and smartphone apps can help, "but there is no one best plan that will work for everyone," Lloyd-Jones says. "Find the one that works with your life and that you're able to sustain long-term."

8. Ditch the cigarettes, real and electronic.

Smoking and secondhand smoke are bad for your heart. If you smoke, quit, and avoid spending time around others who smoke as well.

E-cigarettes, which have become a popular alternative to tobacco products, have both a good and a bad side, Lloyd-Jones says. "They don't contain the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke, and they can help some people wean themselves off of smoking," he says. "But they still do contain nicotine, so your goal should be to quit completely, not just switch to a less toxic version."

9. Get a stress-busting hobby.

You can't avoid stress entirely. It’s part of a normal life. But you can choose how you deal with it.

"I tell my patients that managing stress in a healthy way, whether it's meditation, yoga, or exercise, is really important," Sanghavi says. Having friends, a partner, or someone else you can lean on and talk to can also protect both your emotional health and your heart.

10. Throw your heart a birthday party!

You know that saying, "Not getting any younger?" It turns out you can get younger, at least when it comes to your heart health. Following all of these tips can help you keep a low "heart age," a tool created by the CDC to help people understand their true risk for heart disease.

Heart age is based on risk factors you can change (like those above) and those you can't (like your age, gender, and family history). A 2015 CDC study found that 70% of Americans have heart ages older than their actual age: men by 7.8 years and women by 5.4 years, on average.

It’s never too late to turn back the clock on your heart health, the CDC says. And knowing your heart age, and watching it come down over time, may be the motivation you need to make some of these important changes.

Unbelievable Diet With Eggs! Lost 3 kg In Just 3 days!

LOST 3 KG IN JUST 3 DAYS

Those people who have problems with excess weight know are aware that quick weight loss can be really big challenge. However, the diet in this article has proved highly beneficial for large number of women. All you have to do is follow it in period of 3 days a week and avoid sugar, salt, pasta and other high-calorie foods including highly processed foods such as chips, fried foods, processed meat and sodas.

Day 1
Breakfast – two boiled eggs, 2 tomatoes and a cup of unsweetened green tea.

Lunch – two egg whites, 120 gram boiled or baked fish and a glass of green tea.
Snack – one apple.
Dinner – steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, green beans, etc.) and a cup of green tea.
Day 2
Breakfast – two boiled eggs, 1 banana and a cup of green tea.
Lunch – two egg whites, 120 gram boiled chicken (minus the skin) and a glass of green tea.
Dinner – 120 gram cottage cheese, one biscuit and a cup of low-fat milk.
Day 3
Breakfast – two boiled eggs and a glass of tomato juice.
Lunch – two egg whites, 120 gram cooked red meat and a cup of green tea.

Dinner – two baked potatoes, green salad and a glass of green tea.

Brain Hemorrhage: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

A brain hemorrhage is a type of stroke. It's caused by an artery in the brain bursting and causing localized bleeding in the surrounding tissues. This bleeding kills brain cells.

The Greek root for blood is hemo. Hemorrhage literally means "blood bursting forth." Brain hemorrhages are also called cerebral hemorrhages, intracranial hemorrhages, or intracerebral hemorrhages. They account for about 13% of strokes.

What Happens During a Brain Hemorrhage?

When blood from trauma irritates brain tissues, it causes swelling. This is known as cerebral edema.

The pooled blood collects into a mass called a hematoma. These conditions increase pressure on nearby brain tissue, and that reduces vital blood flow and kills brain cells.

Bleeding can occur inside the brain, between the brain and the membranes that cover it, between the layers of the brain's covering or between the skull and the covering of the brain.

What Causes Bleeding in the Brain?

There are several risk factors and causes of brain hemorrhages. The most common include:

• Head trauma . Injury is the most common cause of bleeding in the brain for those younger than age 50.
• High blood pressure . This chronic condition can, over a long period of time, weaken blood vessel walls. Untreated high blood pressure is a major preventable cause of brain hemorrhages.
• Aneurysm . This is a weakening in a blood vessel wall that swells. It can burst and bleed into the brain, leading to a stroke.
• Blood vessel abnormalities. (Arteriovenous malformations) Weaknesses in the blood vessels in and around the brain may be present at birth and diagnosed only if symptoms develop.
• Amyloid angiopathy. This is an abnormality of the blood vessel walls that sometimes occurs with aging and high blood pressure. It may cause many small, unnoticed bleeds before causing a large one.
• Blood or bleeding disorders. Hemophilia and sickle cell anemia can both contribute to decreased levels of blood platelets.
• Liver disease. This condition is associated with increased bleeding in general.
• Brain tumors .

What Are the Symptoms of Brain Bleeding?

The symptoms of a brain hemorrhage can vary. They depend on the location of the bleeding, the severity of the bleeding, and the amount of tissue affected. Symptoms may develop suddenly or over time. They may progressively worsen or suddenly appear.

What Are the Symptoms of Brain Bleeding? continued...

If you exhibit any of the following symptoms, you may have a brain hemorrhage. This is a life-threatening condition, and you should call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. The symptoms include:

• A sudden severe headache
• Seizures with no previous history of seizures
• Weakness in an arm or leg
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased alertness; lethargy
• Changes in vision
• Tingling or numbness
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty writing or reading
• Loss of fine motor skills, such as hand tremors
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of balance
• An abnormal sense of taste
• Loss of consciousness

• Can People Recover From Brain Hemorrhages, and Are There Possible Complications?

  How well a patient responds to a brain hemorrhage depends on the size of the hemorrhage and the amount of swelling.
  Some patients recover completely. Possible complications includestroke, loss of brain function, or side effects from medications or treatments. Death is possible, and may quickly occur despite prompt medical treatment.

  Can a Brain Hemorrhages Be Prevented?

  Because the majority of brain hemorrhages are associated with specific risk factors, you can minimize your risk in the following ways:
  • Treat high blood pressure. Studies show that 80% of cerebral hemorrhage patients have a history of high blood pressure. The single most important thing you can do is control yours through diet,exercise, and medication.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Don’t use drugs. Cocaine, for example, can increase the risk of bleeding in the brain.
  • Drive carefully, and wear your seat belt.
  • If you ride a motorcycle, always wear a helmet.
  • Investigate corrective surgery. If you suffer from abnormalities, such as aneurysms, surgery may help to prevent future bleeding.
  • Be careful with Coumadin. If you take this drug, also called warfarin, follow up regularly with your doctor to make sure your blood levels are in the correct range.

Top 10 beauty tips

1. How to clean your skin
Most doctors recommend that people with acne gently wash their skin with a mild cleanser, once in the morning and once in the evening and after heavy exercise.

Some people with acne may try to stop outbreaks and oil production by scrubbing their skin and using strong detergent soaps and rough scrub pads. However, scrubbing will not improve acne; in fact, it can make the problem worse. Ask your doctor for advice on the best type of cleanser to use.

Wash your face from under the jaw to the hairline. Rinse your skin thoroughly after washing it. Astringents are not recommended unless the skin is very oily, and then they should be used only on oily spots.

2. Don't be shy about moisturising
Oily, blemished skin still need hydration. Choose water-based products, rather than products containing oil or petroleum and check that they are nonacnegenic and noncomedogenic.

3. Keep your hair clean
It is important to wash your hair regularly. Avoid oily hair products, such as anti-frizz products, because they may eventually spread over the forehead, causing blackheads.

Remember to cover your face when applying hairsprays and gels.

4. Choose the right make-up
If you are being treated for acne you need to change some of the make-up you use. All make-up, such as foundation, blush, eye shadow, and moisturisers, should be oil free. Rather go for powder blushes and eye shadow. Choose products that are labelled as “noncomedogenic” (do not promote the formation of closed pores) or “non-acnegenesis” (should not cause acne).

If you are using acne medications, you may find it difficult to apply foundation evenly during the first few weeks of treatment because the skin may be red or scaly, particularly with the use of topical tretinoin or benzoyl peroxide.

Remove your make-up every night with soap and water.

5. Good cover-ups
A flesh-tinted acne lotion containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulphur can safely hide blemishes. Loose powder mixed with oil-free product is also good for cover-up.

Camouflaging techniques can be used effectively by applying a green undercover cosmetic over red acne lesions to improve colour blending.

6. Be careful of eye creams
Eye creams are usually thicker and greasier than facial moisturisers. Heavy eye creams and oily eye make-up removers can cause milia, tiny white cysts under the eyes. Eye creams can also affect surrounding areas, leading to acne on the cheeks, temples and forehead.

7. Suntanning
Many of the medicines used to treat acne can make you more prone to sunburn. You may be tempted to tan, because sunburn may make blemishes less visible and make your skin feel drier. However, these benefits are only temporary, and there are known risks of excessive sun exposure, such as more rapid skin ageing and a risk of developing skin cancer.

Help prevent skin cancer by using sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) outside, wearing protective clothing outdoors and avoiding overexposure to the sun and artificial tanning.

8. Shave carefully
Men who shave and who have acne can test both electric and safety razors to see which is more comfortable. If you use a safety razor, you should use a sharp blade and soften your beard thoroughly with soap and water before applying shaving cream. Nicking blemishes can be avoided by shaving lightly and only when necessary.

9. Avoid tight clothing
Tight bra straps, headbands, collars and other clothing which place pressure on the skin may cause zits and blackheads in those areas of the skin. Rather wear loose, cool clothing.

10. What about fragrance?
Fragrance can cause allergic and irritant reactions on the face. The main culprits are fragrances in the ambrette, bergamot, cinnamate and musk families. Stick with products labeled as “fragrance-free” or “hypo-allergenic.” If you are not sure about the contents of a product, do a skin patch test. If there is no irritation after three days of repeated application, you may continue usage on a larger area. (Health24, updated April 2011)

10 healthy lifestyle tips for kids

The 10 tips to help you stay fit and healthy:

1. Food is Fun… Enjoy your food
2. Breakfast is a very important meal
3. Eat different foods every day, variety is the recipe for health
4. Which group would you tip for the top? Base your food on carbohydrates
5. Gimme five! Eat fruits and vegetables with each meal and as tasty snacks!
6. Fat facts. Too much fat is not good for your health
7. Snack attack! Eat regularly and choose a variety of snacks
8. Quench your thirst. Drink plenty of liquids
9. Care for those teeth! Brush your teeth at least twice a day
10. Get moving! Be active every day

 

Do you remember when you learned to ride a bike? The most important part was getting the balance right. Once you could balance easily, the pedals could turn smoothly, to drive the wheels and get the bike moving.

The same thing is true when it comes to choosing our food. Once we have learned to carefully balance the amounts and types of foods eaten, all the organs in the body will function smoothly and the body will work efficiently.

Following these ten tips will help you stay fit and healthy. It’s as easy as riding a bike, once you’ve got the balance right!

 

1. Food is Fun… Enjoy your food

Sharing a meal with family and friends at home or at school is a great way to enjoy food. It is fun to see other people’s choice of food - what do your friends eat? Do you try different foods every day? Check out your lunch box or dinner plate. How many different kinds of fruit and vegetables can you spot?

 

2. Breakfast is a very important meal

Just like cars, buses and trains cannot run without fuel, our bodies need energy to work. Especially after a night’s sleep, energy levels are low. So, whether you are off to school, or out and about at the weekend, start the day with breakfast. Plenty of carbohydrates is just the ticket: try toast or bread, or cereal with milk, fruit or yoghurt.

 

3. Eat different foods every day, variety is the recipe for health

You need over 40 different nutrients (such as vitamins and minerals) every day for good health. Since there is no single food that contains them all, it is important to balance your daily choices. In fact there are no good or bad foods, so you do not need to miss out on the foods you enjoy. The best way to make sure you get the right balance is to eat a wide variety of foods each day.

 

4. Which group would you tip for the top? Base your food on carbohydrates

About half the calories in your diet should come from carbohydrate foods, such as cereals, rice, pasta, potatoes and bread, so it is a good idea to include at least one of these at every meal. Try whole grain bread, pasta and other cereals to give you extra fibre. Have you tried baking your own bread? It’s good fun and smells wonderful!

 

5. Gimme five! Eat fruits and vegetables with each meal and as tasty snacks!

Fruits and vegetables are among the most important foods for giving us enough vitamins, minerals and fibre. We should all try to eat at least 5 servings a day. For example, a glass of fruit juice at breakfast, perhaps an apple and banana as snacks and two vegetables at meal times. Then you have already reached your total. How many different kinds can you spot in the supermarket? Why not try some new ones?

 

6. Fat facts. Too much fat is not good for your health

Eating too many of those fatty foods (such as fried potatoes, fried meats and sausages, pies and pastries) might not be so good for your body. Also go easy on fat spreads such as butter and margarines. Although we need some fats to get all the nutrients we need, it is better for our health if we don’t eat too much of these foods and get knocked off balance. So, if you have a high-fat lunch, see if you can have a low-fat dinner at home.

 

7. Snack attack! Eat regularly and choose a variety of snacks

Even if you eat regular meals during the day, there will still be times in between that you feel hungry, especially if you have been very physically active. Snacks can fill the gap, but should not be eaten in place of meals, only as an extra. There are lots of different snacks available. Your choice may be yoghurt, a handful of fresh or dried fruits, sticks of vegetables like carrots and celery, unsalted nuts or rice crackers, or perhaps a slice of fruit loaf or some bread with cheese. Occasionally, you may prefer crisps and other packet snacks, a chocolate bar, a piece of cake or biscuits. Whichever snack you enjoy, remember it is always good to include a variety of different types to keep things in balance.

 

8. Quench your thirst. Drink plenty of liquids

Did you know that more than half of your weight is just water? So as well as giving your body all the food it needs each day to keep healthy, you need at least 5 glasses of liquids a day. It is particularly important if the weather is very hot or if you have done lots of exercise, to have plenty to drink. Usually – but not always – your body will tell you this, by making you feel thirsty. Plain water is great of course; you can try tap water or mineral water, plain or flavoured, sparkling or non-sparkling. Fruit juices, tea, soft drinks, milk and other drinks, can all be okay from time to time.

 

9. Care for those teeth! Brush your teeth at least twice a day

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Eating foods high in sugar or starches too often during the day can play a part in tooth decay. So don’t nibble foods and sip drinks all day long! Sugar-free chewing gum can help you keep your teeth healthy. However, the best way to keep a nice smile is to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Also, after brushing your teeth at bedtime, don’t eat any food, or drink anything but water!

 

10. Get moving! Be active every day

Just like a bike may become rusty if it is not used for some time, our muscles and bones need to be kept moving too. Activity is needed to keep your heart healthy and your bones strong. It can also be good fun. Try to include some form of activity every day: it may be just walking to school and running up the stairs. However, games like skipping and football at break times are good for giving the body a workout. Swimming is a particularly good sport for keeping you healthy.