Day: February 1, 2024

Categories
Beauty

5 Tips to Perfectly Flawless Legs

If you’re a girly girl and love the idea of sporting skirts and dresses in the summer, then you’ll know all too well how nerve-wracking it can be to have your legs on show. While you should never be ashamed of your body, it’s understandable that you want your legs to look their absolute best when you’re donning anything that exposes them. Here are some top tips to help make sure your legs look flawless.

flawless legs
Source

Make sure you’re hydrated

The appearance of your skin is highly affected by how hydrated you are, and the same applies to how your legs are going to look if you haven’t had enough water. You’ll notice that your skin isn’t as dry and that it gives off more of a natural glow. Not only that, when your skin is hydrated it’s less prone to infections, meaning you’ll have a much smoother look.

Exfoliate regularly

You want your legs to look soft, supple, and glowy and the secret to that is exfoliation. It helps remove dead skin cells and reveal fresh skin underneath. Don’t go too crazy though because if you exfoliate too hard you could risk irritating your skin leaving it red and bumpy, which nobody wants. Gently exfoliate your legs in the shower or bath and pay special attention to areas that might be more rough like your knees or your ankles. Incorporating this into a routine will help make sure your legs look amazing all of the time.

Address embarrassing areas

If you have spider veins on your legs that prevent you from having the confidence to show them off, then now is the time to do something about it. While they’re not a serious thing to have, you may feel self-conscious or even worried about them. The good news is that you can reduce or even completely get rid of the appearance of them if you visit a spider vein clinic. The same goes for anything else that you might be self-conscious of like psoriasis or eczema – get the treatment you need so you can enjoy wearing shorts in the warmer weather.

Go for a sun kissed glow for flawless legs

Having a tan can do wonders for how your legs look. A bronzed look can actually minimize imperfections and make it look like your legs are toned. If you’re choosing to tan naturally, don’t forget to wear sunscreen to avoid the risk of getting skin cancer. Alternatively, if you want a fake tan, use a quality one to avoid that oompa-loompa look.

Research hair removal techniques

Finally, if you want to remove the hair off your legs, then it’s worth looking into different hair removal techniques. Shaving could leave a rash or even cut your skin, and waxing could leave irritation. Find a method that works well for your skin and perfect your routine. Don’t forget to moisturize after hair removal techniques to keep your legs looking perfect.

Categories
Health

Understanding the Side Effects of Metformin: What You Should Know

metformin
Source

Metformin is a common prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by reducing glucose production in the liver, decreasing absorption of glucose in the intestines, and improving insulin sensitivity so the body uses insulin more efficiently.

While metformin is generally well-tolerated, it can cause some side effects. Being aware of the potential side effects can help you recognize and address problems early on.

Gastrointestinal Side Effects

The most common side effects of metformin involve the digestive system. About 30% of people taking metformin experience nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, gas, or abdominal pain and discomfort.

These symptoms often go away on their own within 2 to 3 weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. Taking your metformin dose during or immediately after meals may also help reduce stomach issues.

In some cases, gastrointestinal side effects persist. Talk to your doctor if you still have diarrhea or abdominal discomfort after 3 or 4 weeks on the medication, as they may need to adjust your dosage.

Risk of B12 Deficiency

Long-term use of metformin may interfere with your body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food, leading to B12 deficiency. Symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, muscle weakness, and tingling or numbness in the extremities.

To reduce this risk, your doctor may recommend taking a vitamin B12 supplement while on metformin or checking your B12 levels periodically. Addressing a B12 deficiency early on can prevent long-term complications.

Other Possible Side Effects

A few people may experience headaches, body aches, or muscle pain while on metformin. Metformin and hair loss, though rare, have been reported as potential side effects of the medication by a small number of users.

In most cases, these minor side effects go away in 1 to 2 weeks without treatment. But if they persist for more than two weeks, speak with your doctor about adjusting your dosage or switching medications. They may be signs that your body isn’t tolerating metformin well.

Decreased absorption of thyroid medications and changes in their effectiveness have also been reported with long-term metformin use in some cases.

When to See Your Doctor

In most cases, the symptoms you experience when starting metformin should go away within 2 to 3 weeks as your body adjusts.

But speak to your doctor right away if you have:

  • Persistent vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea 
  • Persistent or worsening abdominal discomfort
  • Muscle pain, weakness, or fatigue that persists
  • Signs of a B12 deficiency, like tingling in the hands and feet
  • Dark urine or yellow skin and eyes, which may indicate liver problems

Alert your doctor to any persistent or troublesome side effects when taking metformin so they can determine if adjustments to your dosage or medication regimen may be needed.

Benefits Still Likely Outweigh Risks

While metformin can cause some unpleasant side effects for most people, the benefits of tighter blood sugar control and reduced risk of diabetes complications still far outweigh these risks.

Work closely with your healthcare provider to address any persistent side effects and determine if any dosage adjustments may help.

In most cases, taking some practical steps like taking metformin with food or starting at a lower initial dose provides relief from side effects without compromising effectiveness. Don’t stop taking metformin without consulting your doctor first.

Categories
Health

The 4 Pillars of a Balanced Diet Plan

health, food, healthy living, balanced diet
health

You’ve heard people say that you should eat a “balanced diet,” but it can be challenging to do on your own if no one trained you as to what this looks like. Eating healthily is a culmination of daily choices. Providing yourself with “balanced” meals helps you feed your body the nutrients it needs to run optimally.

This balanced diet includes various types of foods, such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, lean protein, and legumes. However, each person’s body is different, and how much of each category you need in your meal will depend on you. For more specific information on fueling your body, contact a dietician service in Canada (or wherever you live).

In the meantime, educating yourself is the key to improving your health and reducing the damage you’ve done from your previous food choices. Here, we’ll discuss the 4 pillars of a balanced diet plan and how to incorporate them into your regular eating habits.

1. Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants

Depending on your health education, you’ve likely heard you should avoid certain foods, like carbs, sugar, or fats. Instead of looking at your daily diet as something you shouldn’t eat, let’s look at what you should.

Your plates should be full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to give your body the fuel it needs to function at peak levels. When you’re sick, you know that Vitamin C is a must-have to boost your immune system. But on a normal day, be sure to eat foods or take supplements that have your full dosage of vitamins A, C, D, E, and K.

You’ll also need a full spectrum of B vitamins. These are the lesser-known but still important nutrients like B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), and biotin and folic acid. And don’t forget the antioxidants that fight pollution and sun damage on a cellular level.


Whew! That’s a mouthful, right? That’s why most people get these nutrients from an all-in-one daily supplement. However, be sure to read the details on your bottle. If any of these are missing or don’t provide 100% of your daily dosage, find a way to include it in your meals each day, which your dietician provider can help you with.

2. Carbohydrates

Yes, carbs! These food components have a bad reputation based on misunderstanding.

Carbohydrates, starches, and fiber are vital to your overall health — as long as they’re the right types of foods.

Carbs are macronutrients that are found in many food items, like bread, soda, and candy. Carbs are necessary to make energy, but they don’t all do this the same way. Whole-food carbs, called complex carbohydrates, are high in fiber and nutrients. Refined carbs, on the other hand, include less healthy food like cake and candy.

To get the most nutrients, keep your diet full of healthy, unrefined carbs, such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruit with skin. If you must cut carbs, cut the refined kinds.

3. Protein

Another essential macronutrient is protein, nicknamed “the building block of the body.” Proteins are made up of amino acids, which build and repair the body’s muscles and bones. These macros also make the hormones and enzymes that your brain uses to tell your body what to do, how to feel, and how much energy you have at the moment.

In other words, they’re crucial to your health, but many of us overlook their importance. Protein deficiency leads to health conditions like swelling, weak immune systems, skin and hair issues, and bone and muscle loss.

You can get protein from many foods, including oats, eggs, yogurt, and meat, or in a protein shake. Be cautious of how much protein you ingest, though, as too much can cause the opposite effect, making you dehydrated, nauseous, and tired or giving you intestinal discomfort and headaches.

4. Healthy Fats

Over the past decades, we’ve come to see “fat” as a bad thing. However, healthy fats are vital to your body’s wellness. Look for foods that include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These nutrients help maintain your cholesterol at a healthy level.

Avoid saturated and trans fats. These are the unhealthy ones that lead to weight gain, cardiovascular disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and many other dangerous medical conditions.

Balancing these 4 pillars of your daily diet plan will help to ensure you’re giving your body what it needs to provide you with a healthy, happy, and energetic future.