Laparoscopic gastric bypass provides better results (Reuters)

Reuters - Performing gastric bypass surgery to reduce the weight of morbidly obese patients using a laparoscopic method, rather than the conventional more invasive "open" abdominal method, reduces postoperative complications, the need for a second operation, and shortens hospital stays, new research shows. Nevertheless, laparoscopic gastric bypass is more expensive.

For managing diabetes, nutritional supplements may be very important. Even with proper diet and regular exercise, it is difficult for even very healthy people to get excellent nutrition without dietary supplements. For those who suffer from diabetes, supplements are even more important. There are even specific supplements that have been shown in laboratory tests to help stabilize blood glucose levels. Some of these dietary supplements for diabetes are enzymes that aid digestion or improve glucose metabolism. Others are minerals such as calcium, magnesium and chromium, which are often lacking in the diet. And, still others are herbs or botanicals.

Herbs and botanicals have long been used by native peoples to treat various diseases and conditions. Sometimes these remedies are quite effective. They may be somewhat controversial and should not be expected to take the place of modern drugs, but they can "complement" modern medical treatments. In some cases, people who begin taking herbal remedies are able to reduce their medications, with their doctor's advice, of course. Herbs and botanicals are included in some supplements for diabetes because they were used historically to treat the condition and because modern evaluation has shown that they may be helpful for managing the condition, today.

Banaba is found in some of the better diabetes supplements. It is a plant that is native to Southern Asia and has a history of traditional use to help people control their blood sugar levels. Laboratory research has shown that adding banaba leaves to the diet of diabetic mice lowers their blood glucose levels and seems to contribute to weight loss in obese mice. Studies in 1999 and 2001 concluded that banaba extract could help control blood sugar levels and possibly assist with weight loss. The researchers suggested that clinical trials, which involve "real" people, were in order. But clinical trials are quite expensive and most are sponsored by drug companies. Most drug companies have no interest in a naturally occurring substance like banaba extract, because it cannot be patented. So clinical trials have never been initiated, but banaba extract is found in some nutritional supplements for diabetes.

Bitter Melon is another plant that has shown promise in the laboratory. Bitter melon tea is still used in the Philippines today, particularly among the buy creatine ethyl ester malate to help control blood sugar levels. In Ayurvedic medicine, practiced widely throughout India and other countries, it is recommended as one of the diabetes nutritional supplements and as a complement to other forms of treatment. Blood sugar levels should be closely monitored when using diabetes nutritional supplements that contain bitter melon, in order to avoid an unsafe drop in blood sugar.

Black seed or nigella sativa extract is considered a cure all in some countries. Modern research concerning black seed extract in the treatment of diabetes is preliminary. But, thus far the research indicates that it can lower elevated blood sugar levels and increase antioxidant activity, possibly preventing the complications associated with uncontrolled type II diabetes. For more in depth information about the botanicals mentioned here and other natural supplements for diabetes, please visit the Diabetes Info Guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a health writer. Currently, she writes for several health related websites. Visit http://www.diabetes-type-two-info-guide.com/ to read more.

Regular exercise good for dementia patients: study (Reuters)

Reuters - Regular daily exercise benefits elderly women with dementia and these benefits appear to accrue over time, researchers from the Republic of Korea report.

3 secret tips to adding muscle mas to a skinny frame is really no secret.

The real trick is make sure you do all three,if you are missing just one of these muscle building tips you may halt your progress completely. What are the muscle building secret tips?

First and most important if have problems gaining muscular body weight is make sure your nutrition program is in place. You have to make sure your daily calorie intake is more than the calories your burn per day. Sounds logically right,seems like common sense.

But the truth is many people both men and women really get this part wrong. You need to be eating at least six to eight meals a day.

And in order to put on weight I would suggest a buy bulk l citrulline dl-malate percent protein, 40 percent complex carbohydrates and 20 percent good fats omega fatty acids and C.L.A (conjugated linoleic acid) Right now I am bulked up pretty good so my food ratio is more like 50 percent protein, 30 percent carbohydrates and 20 percent fats.

And since you are concerned about adding some good quality muscle to your frame you should eat a high protein moderate carbohydrate meal before bed time, yes I know everyone says not to eat before bed, but that is if you are trying to lose weight, not if you are trying to gain muscle mass.

And always eat a high carbohydrate and high protein meal right after your workout (this is very important) I would even go as far as to get a whey and egg protein supplement, milk cream, and 3 tea spoons of honey and a banana a mix it in a blender and drink it down right after your work out.

The 2nd muscle mass building secret tip: High intensity workouts. And when I say high intensity, muscle using high intensity workouts using mainly compound exercises.

You are going to have to really put those muscles under a great deal of stress to break them down. This forces your body to try to adapt to the stress the muscles have been placed under (called the over load principle).

3rd Muscle building tip: Rest! Not only do I mean a good night sleep witch is extremely important to your muscle building routine. A lot of people think that the workout produces muscles, this is not really true. The work out is just the catalyst. The workout breaks down the muscles and the muscles grow and rebuild while you are resting.

Now the other rest that you need to remember help build your muscles is the rest you take between days of intense workouts. When you do a intense workout you need at least a day or two between workouts so you muscles can fully recover!

Without the proper amount of rest you will end up in a state of over training and you will not build muscles fast, and you may stop your muscle building progress entirely! And remember always consult your doctor before starting any workout. And remember, when you enter the weight room be like the Spartan warriors"No retreat, No surrender"!

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