Geneology International

Category: Alternative Medicine

  • How Does Noom Help With Weight Loss and Maintenance?

    How Does Noom Help With Weight Loss and Maintenance?

    Disclaimer: This is sponsored content. All opinions and views are of the advertiser and do not reflect the same of WFTS.

    Permanent weight loss is a struggle, with research indicating that, on average, people regain half the weight they lost within two years and 80{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} within five years. Noom claims to help its customers shed weight and keep it off for good. Like many modern-day weight-loss programs, user participation happens on an app.

    The program uses a combination of evidence-based psychological research, human coaching, and technology to help participants change their mindsets, modify their behaviors and form a healthier relationship with food. Participants access courses, tools, and coaching solely through the app.

    The digital health company arrived on the scene in 2008 after co-founders Saeju Jeong and Artem Petakov’s frustration with a healthcare system focused on treatment, not prevention, resulting in too many preventable deaths. This far, millions have tried the program. Read our Noom review for more info.

    Noom Review Pros:

    • Focuses on mindset and behavioral changes
    • Uses scientifically backed approaches
    • Long-term solutions over rapid weight loss
    • Provides individual coaching
    • Emphasizes whole-foods eating

     Noom Review Cons:

    • No meal planning options
    • The heavy daily time investment required
    • Success depends on the willingness to change behaviors
    • Only available through mobile or tablet app
    • It may be cost-prohibitive for some

     

     

    Things To Consider Before Joining a Noom Weight-loss Program

    Obesity is a serious issue in the U.S., impacting approximately 42{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of the adult population and leading to health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some cancers. Most people struggle to lose weight and keep it off.

    The challenges are partly due to focusing on rapid weight loss and demonizing certain food groups rather than understanding the root of an individual’s relationship with food and changing behaviors. Dieting is also often a source of stress. Stress makes the brain seek out comfort foods, which are generally high in calories and low in nutrients.

    Noom may be a good fit for people who want to create lasting effects and have the time and motivation for a long-term commitment. It’s also for those who don’t mind shopping and preparing food. It isn’t a good option for anyone who prefers natural weight loss supplements like the best fat burners.

    Noom Review: Features and Benefits

    This is one of the best weight-loss programs if you want to see long-term changes. The company’s approach is to help customers identify why they choose the foods they do and provide the necessary support to change how they think about food and how they eat.

    The program’s features offer users numerous benefits that support long-term change, assisting many customers in developing healthy eating habits and keeping their weight off.

     

     

    Noom Review: Provides Scientific Research

    The company has a team of behavioral health experts, all holding doctoral or master’s degrees in relevant fields, such as integrative medicine and psychology. The team conducts research and publishes findings in peer-reviewed scientific, academic and professional journals.

    The company has more than 40 articles in publications such as the Journal of Women’s Health and Health Education and Behavior. The research is current, and you can check many articles online without purchasing the program.

    Noom has researched diabetes prevention and has a program designed explicitly with preventing diabetes in mind. It’s the first virtual diabetes prevention program with full recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Noom Review: Provides Daily Lessons

    This weight-loss program centers on changing participants’ mindsets for healthier eating. It is about more than just dropping pounds. The company’s goal is to provide a path for making changes that stick based on a cognitive behavioral therapy approach.

    When you sign up for the program, the company asks you to complete 10 mini lessons over the 16-week course. The lessons are meted out in daily chunks. The length of each lesson is based on how long you indicate you want to spend reading per day. You can commit to as little as five minutes.

    The lessons help you understand the psychology of your current eating habits. Another of Noom’s mindset-changing approaches is to offer daily motivation in the form of affirmations. Each day you log into the app, you can access the affirmation for that day.

    Appetite suppressants can also help you commit to the program by reducing food cravings. Read this Trimtone review to learn more about the benefits of one of the best fat burners for women or consider the alternative in this Leanbean review. Other best weight loss pills for women can also offer these benefits.

    Noom Review: Creates a Personalized Plan

    This program does not offer cookie-cutter diet plans for participants. Your plan is based on your personal goals and lifestyle patterns. The first step in signing up for the program is answering questions that help the program develop a weight-loss plan for you. You’ll answer questions about yourself such as:

    • What is your weight-loss goal?
    • Which sex best describes you?
    • Are you pregnant?
    • What are your height and weight?
    • What is the ideal weight that you’d like to get to?
    • Which best describes the area you live in?

    Noom also asks you a series of health-related questions. These questions are about injuries and chronic diseases or illnesses. Some questions focus on psychological, emotional and behavioral topics to determine your current thought patterns and habits.

    After you answer all the questions, artificial intelligence comes up with your personal weight-loss program. You have to provide your email to find out how quickly the program may help you achieve your ideal weight. After viewing your results, you can choose to complete the sign-up process.

    If you choose to register, you can give the program a test run for a week before committing. The plan duration is typically 16 weeks. However, your goals may alter how long Noom recommends you stick with the program. Many people choose to continue after attaining their ideal weight, as the program is also suitable for weight maintenance.

    You won’t see prices for the company’s plans on its website, which could detract some from trying it out. Generally, a four-month subscription comes out to about $59 per month. The more months you sign on for in the beginning, the bigger the monthly savings, a great benefit for those who need more time to reach their goals or want to continue on a maintenance plan.

     

     

    Noom Review: Allows You To Take Charge of Your Journey

    You’re in charge throughout your entire journey with this program. You choose what you eat and when. You also decide how much exercise you do, though you are encouraged to exercise regularly. 

    Plus, you can add the best pre workout supplements to your routine to enhance your performance during exercise. Males who use the program may prefer the best pre-workout for men instead.

    Some may think this is a drawback, as they prefer a prescriptive approach like phentermine weight loss pills or the best over the counter weight loss pills. Other weight-loss programs, such as WW, would be better for those individuals.

    Rather than telling you what to eat or making any food off-limits, Noom sets up the program using a color system based on a food’s nutrient density. The three color categories are:

    • Green: Foods in this category are nutrient-dense. They have few calories and are loaded with micronutrients. Veggies, fruits and whole grains make up most of the green category.
    • Yellow: These foods contain plenty of nutrients but are also higher in calories than green foods. This category consists of legumes, lean meats and low-fat dairy.
    • Red: This category is reserved for foods that have little nutritional value for the number of calories they have. Full-fat dairy, red meat and processed foods fall into the red zone.

    When you sign up for Noom, the program calculates the ideal number of calories you should consume daily to reach your weight goal. You can even combine a metabolism booster with the program or consider the best fat burners for men to speed up weight loss. Other best weight loss pills for men can help, too. 

    Learn more about metabolism boosters in our Burn Lab Pro reviews or consider the alternative in this Transparent Labs fat burner review.   

    You eat the food you want and enter it into your daily log. The app tells you which color category each food falls in. It doesn’t tell you not to eat any specific foods. Instead, it recommends eating mostly green foods, consuming yellow ones in moderation and limiting red foods.

    You can also use the color categories to help you with your shopping. While the program doesn’t offer food planning or delivery, they have recipes to give you ideas about healthy meals to prepare and eat.

    Noom also encourages participants to hold themselves accountable. While you don’t have to enter everything you eat into the app, doing so helps you achieve your goals and understand your eating habits. The color coding of your daily meals provides a nice visual image of your daily activities.

    Some people also take the best natural appetite suppressants to reduce food cravings and stick to the ideal calorie intake. Read this PhenQ review to learn about the benefits of one of the best weight loss pills, or consider the alternative in our PhenGold reviews. You can also check this Phen24 review to know more about other best natural fat burners.

    PrimeShred is another option for folks who want to burn fat while preserving lean muscle. You can explore its benefits in our PrimeShred reviews.

    The best place to get these weight loss supplements is via the official website or Amazon. You can learn about their ingredients and benefits on both platforms and through review sites. 

    For example, this PhenQ Amazon review can help you understand how it works before you decide whether it’s worth buying. Our Instant Knockout review looks at the ingredients in the supplement to see if they live up to the claims. Plus, this Zotrim review explores its pros, cons, and benefits, just like our Clenbutrol review.  

     

     

    Noom Review: Provides Personal and Group Coaching

    Coaching is another beneficial feature of the weight-loss program. Shortly after customers sign up for the program, they are assigned to a personal coach. The company’s coaches are trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and approved by the National Consortium for Credentialing Health and Wellness Coaches.

    Noom participants’ personal coaches usually check in with them twice a week. They also offer motivational messages to help keep users on track. In addition to a personal coach, the program assigns new participants to a group and an associated group coach.

    The group is another layer of accountability and support. Group members chat with one another through the app, cheering each other on, offering tips and asking for advice. The group coach shares advice and moderates the chat group posts.

    Noom Review: Offers Convenience in an App

    Targeting the estimated 85{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of U.S. adults who own a smartphone, Noom operates entirely through a smartphone app. While you can also download the app on a tablet, not all the program’s features are functional. This isn’t the right program for you if you don’t have a smartphone.

    The app allows you to access the program anywhere you have a cell signal. Most people carry their phones around all day, making this a convenient format that may help participants succeed. The app not only allows you to track your food and water intake, but it also counts your steps. Of course, you must have your phone on you for an accurate count.

    The Noom app includes tools for tracking calories, pulse, blood pressure and exercise. You can easily access your lessons and the day’s motivational message. The iOS app has a 4.7 rating from almost 700,000 reviews. Nearly 300,000 Google users gave the app a 4.4-star rating.

    The app is also compatible with different health and fitness applications on most of the best fitness trackers, but will only sync your weight and activity data.

    Noom Review: Provides Option To Join Stress Relief Program

    Stress is a significant part of modern-day life for many. When you experience stress, your body releases the hormone cortisol. This hormone has a strong influence on eating and food cravings. 

    It contributes to the desire to binge eat or stress eat. Stress is also associated with higher risks of health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and immune disorders.

    If you experience elevated stress levels daily, it will be harder to shed those pounds. As part of Noom’s effort to help people improve their overall health and wellness, the company created Noom Mood. This program uses the same focus on psychology to help users change their mindsets.

    Joining this second program may benefit those who want to find better ways to manage their stress. As with the weight-loss program, the mood program has daily lessons designed to help you understand stress’s impact and what you can do to manage it. It also provides suggestions for activities that can lower your stress levels.

     

     

    Noom Review: Customer Satisfaction

    Part of our Noom review process involves finding out what customers have to say about the product. Weight-loss programs often have mixed reviews, as weight loss can be difficult no matter how good a program is. 

    This company has better-than-average reviews for this product category, with a 4.4-star rating on Trustpilot from 59,218 reviews. Here is a small sample of the things customers have to say about the program:

    This customer thinks Noom is an amazing program, saying “I love all of the support that Noom offers”. They really liked the constant communication and guidance from the personal coach that Noom provides. The customer also praised the program’s daily articles and its psychological approach to weight loss, calling it a “game changer”.

    In this case, the client appreciated Noom’s role as an encouraging companion for a healthier lifestyle and weight. They said it reduces the stress of trying to lose weight and live healthily, plus they can “see the results on the scale, albeit slow”.

    After a lifetime of trying several diets without much success, this consumer finally found Noom and dropped the excess weight. They said they felt “healthier and happier” after adopting the Noom approach. 

    They claim Noom is an excellent service that they strongly endorse, saying it is the best option if you want consistency, would rather not spend a lot of money, and would like a simple way to keep track of the calories you consume.

    This user thinks Noom is perfect for them because of the entertaining and educational content they find there. It has helped them hold themselves accountable, get help when they need it, and, most importantly, steer toward healthier decisions. “If you are looking for a long term change, this is the program (not diet) for you!”.

    After some initial hesitance, this client has expressed gratitude for having begun. They also said that the food diary is one of their most used features. “I’m making better choices because of the food log” which is one of their favorite aspects of the app. They can monitor the nutritional value of their meals and make any necessary changes in real-time. 

    Noom Review: Alternative Weight-Loss Programs

    No single weight-loss plan can work for everyone. While we think Noom provides a healthy approach to shedding extra pounds, we recognize that everyone’s needs are different. A few good alternative weight loss programs take different approaches to help customers lose weight.

    Nutrisystem

    Nutrisystem provides customers with prepared meals and snacks delivered to their homes. The company recommends people eat six times a day and provides enough food to meet that objective five days a week. The program builds in two flex days for eating non-plan foods. This is a good option for those who prefer a weight-loss program with a lower time investment.

    Learn more about their weight-loss program and benefits in this Nutrisystem review.

    A comparison between Noom and Nutrisystem demonstrates that they have different target customers:

    • Noom has recipes customers can use but no prepared foods, while Nutrisystem relies on prepared meals and snacks.
    • Nutrisystem offers three different plans customers can choose from based on individual needs and preferences, while Noom has one program plan.
    • Noom assigns personal coaches, while Nutrisystem has a coaching staff that customers can access via phone or online.
    • Nutrisystem does not have the psychological and behavioral components Noom does.

     

     

    Weight Watchers

    WW changed its weight-loss programs, moving to a format similar to Noom’s. It creates individualized plans based on participant answers during a sign-up survey. The company still makes prepared foods, so this may be a good choice if you want a program that gives you the option of buying ready-made foods.

    There are a few apparent differences between the two programs, including:

    • WW costs a little less per month than Noom.
    • Weight Watchers uses a point system instead of a color system.
    • WW includes on-demand exercise programs.
    • Noom has an educational and psychological element; WW does not.

    >>Get started with Weight Watchers

    Diet Direct

    If you find that you do better when someone else takes care of your meals, Diet Direct may be a good choice for you. This weight-loss program focuses on providing customers with prepared meals right to their doors. You choose from three plan options, each offering a different number of meals per day.

    When comparing Diet Direct to Noom, it’s easy to see the differences:

    • Diet Direct offers a complete meal delivery service, while Noom has no option for meal delivery.
    • With Diet Direct, you pay for plans that come with a specified number of meals versus the subscription plan Noom offers.
    • Noom provides personal coaching, while Diet Direct offers a digital Diet Plan Lifestyle Guide.
    • Diet Direct has no app or diet tracking method.

    >>Check out Diet Direct to see if it’s right for you!

    Concluding Our Noom Review

    Losing weight and keeping it off is a challenge many people fail to overcome. Most fad diets don’t change how people think about food and eating. Once the diet ends, old habits return, and the scale starts tipping in the wrong direction again. It’s no wonder many people end up giving up.

    Noom is a weight-loss program designed to help participants shed pounds and keep them off. It focuses on changing customer mindset and behavior rather than solely on losing weight. The program teaches participants how to eat better through a coding system that makes it easy to visualize and understand eating habits. 

     

     

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  • How rumours of Hollywood’s Ozempic drug use went mainstream, fuelling a shortage in diabetes medication

    How rumours of Hollywood’s Ozempic drug use went mainstream, fuelling a shortage in diabetes medication

    When talk show host Andy Cohen complained that some celebrities were dropping extreme amounts of weight, he unveiled Hollywood’s worst-kept secret.

    “Everyone is suddenly showing up 25 pounds lighter,” he tweeted.

    “What happens when they stop taking #Ozempic?????”

    He was referring to semaglutide, which is sold under the trade name Ozempic, a drug developed to treat type-2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and regulating insulin.

    Taken in the form of weekly injections, it has been hailed as a game changer for American diabetics because of its effectiveness and ability to improve a patient’s quality of life.

    However, more recently, it has become known for its side effect: weight loss.

    One study, funded by the manufacturer, found the drug helps suppress hunger and prompts the stomach to empty more slowly.

    In the past year, the injectable drug has become increasingly popular with celebrities, tech moguls and TikTok influencers as a quick and effortless way to lose weight.

    Twitter owner Elon Musk told fans that he credits his “fit, ripped and healthy” appearance to a combination of fasting and injections of the drug.

    Hollywood trade publication Variety claimed that celebrities are forking out $2,200 every month for an off-label prescription of the drug to transform their bodies.

    However, as TikTok influencers hail the “skinny pen” as a quick weight-loss fix, diabetic patients who need the drug to manage their condition — and those who have been advised to lose weight for their health — are left in a desperate situation.

    There is now a severe shortage of semaglutide in many countries around the world.

    Australians who rely on it have been told they may have to go without until at least March.

    Hollywood’s obsession with weight loss and the rise of this drug

    The rush on semaglutide and its popularity on TikTok has coincided with what style writers claim is a global resurgence of the “skinny trend”.

    With Y2K-inspired low-rise jeans back in fashion and the hashtag #SkinnyLegend doing the rounds on TikTok, health experts feared a surge in toxic diet culture was imminent.

    “We tried this in the 90s and millions of people developed eating disorders,” British actress and body-positivity advocate Jameela Jamil has said.

    “We’re not doing this again. We’re not going back. Our bodies are not trends.”

    Jameela Jamil poses in a black strapless gown
    British actress Jameela Jamil says misuse of semaglutide is behind “the notable plummeting of weight” among celebrities. (Reuters: Aude Guerrucci)

    Jamil has also slammed GPs, medical spas and beauticians for helping celebrities access the drug for aesthetic reasons.

    “Don’t take the ‘skinny pen’ — or whatever other normalising names they have given — for a new starvation method,” she said.

    Semaglutide works by imitating a gut hormone called GLP1, which allows the body to feel fuller for longer and reduces appetite.

    It comes in two primary dose levels, one — sold as Ozempic — has been available in the US since 2017 and Australia since 2019 and has primarily been used for diabetes patients because of its ability to manage glycated haemoglobin.

    When blood sugar levels start to rise after eating, the drug stimulates the body to produce more insulin, helping to reduce blood sugar levels.

    The other option, Wegovy, is a newer, higher-dose version that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last year, and works similarly but is prescribed exclusively to patients who want to “eat fewer calories, and lose weight“. It is not yet available in Australia.

    Semaglutide can be highly effective, with one study attracting attention last year after finding participants lost on average 15 per cent of their body weight.

    “The older drugs that we’ve had for weight management, we’ve had those for over 10 years, some of them we’ve had since the 1950s, like phentermine,” said Amanda Velazquez, who works at Cedars-Sinai Center for Weight Management and Metabolic Health in Los Angeles.

    Medical consultation between patient and practitioner.
    Doctors have been urged to prescribe alternative treatments for diabetes that may be just as effective as semaglutide.(Pixabay)

    “Those medications help people lose somewhere around 5 to 10 per cent of their weight. [But] people didn’t pay as much attention to these medications until Wegovy came around.”

    As the pens became more and more popular, both options suffered from supply shortages.

    This, in turn, worked “like a domino effect”, sparking shortages worldwide and forcing patients to move on to other drugs such as Trulicity, said chair of the diabetes network at the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Gary Deed.

    TikTok videos advertising to people who ‘may not need the medication’

    Health authorities in the US and the UK have confirmed shortages of semaglutide, but have said only that an increase in demand is to blame.

    Meanwhile, in Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has suggested the drug’s popularity online had sparked the shortages.

    “When videos about achieving rapid weight loss with Ozempic went viral on TikTok, the trend was also reported online and across other media,” the TGA said in November last year.

    “This triggered a huge demand for the product that the manufacturer was not prepared for, and it quickly developed into a worldwide shortage.”

    The drug’s Danish manufacturer, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, reported that it struggled to keep up with an “unexpected increase in consumer demand” in 2022.

    The TGA said it’s investigating what could be unlawful advertising of Ozempic in Australia, and is in touch with social media platforms, including TikTok, to discuss the ways the drug is being discussed online.

    A screenshot of a page displaying videos of people talking about Ozempic.
    The drug’s hashtag has received more than 383 million views on TikTok.(Supplied)

    The search for this drug has generated more than 383 million views on TikTok, with many crediting it for their shrinking bodies.

    Under the hashtag, users share before and after videos of themselves or detail their weight-loss journey.

    However, health experts warn it’s not a cure-all.

    “I worry that, with the TikTok videos and things like that, it’s broadcasting and advertising to populations who are not in need of this medication, and perhaps using it for the wrong intentions,” Dr Velazquez said.

    “We have specific criteria from our national guidelines as to who would benefit most from the medication and, if someone does not meet those criteria, they should not be taking these medications.”

    Those taking the injections are required to make changes to their lifestyle, whether that be adopting healthy eating habits and/or increasing their exercise regimes.

    There are also the drug’s side effects, the most common including nausea and constipation, while some patients have also reported losing their appetite and no longer finding food appealing.

    The drug can also be expensive for patients without insurance in America, costing upwards of $US892 ($1,300) for a month’s supply.

    It is much cheaper in Australia when accessed via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, at around $130 per month.

    For most patients, some slightly uncomfortable symptoms may be worth it, but Dr Valazquez said the drug was not recommended for people deemed to be in a healthy weight range hoping to lose a few kilograms.

    “We don’t have any research yet for that population who does not meet the criteria [for the drug] to know if there’s going to be long-term consequences for them [using it],” she said.

    A study has also found that, once patients stopped taking the drug, they were more likely to gain the weight back.

    At the end of the day, Dr Velazquez said, the primary goals was to “make these medications accessible to the patients who need them the most”.

    “So anyone who’s taking the medication, when it’s not indicated for them, based off of guidelines, is one less person who can’t take it, who may need it.”

    Diabetics lose out

    With the drug in short supply in Australia, diabetics have gone online to explain how the run on it has impacted their daily lives.

  • The Power of Light and Dark

    The Power of Light and Dark

    You’ll spend the rest of your life in an institution. Which is what the Mayo psychiatrist told me would materialize if I didn’t take his prescription drugs. He was completely wrong.

    I listened to individuals words and phrases over twenty decades ago from the head psychiatrist at the Mayo psychiatric clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Every single day for the duration of rounds he explained to me that I’d be institutionalized for existence unless I took the prescription drugs he proposed. Each individual day, I refused to just take them. It was terrifying. What if he was ideal?

    light therapy

    In 1984, I was identified with bipolar condition, and the clinical recommendation was that I consider “antidepressants” and lithium indefinitely. I took the prescription drugs just like I was meant to for sixteen years. I imagined myself lucky that I was sort of functional. Perfectly, I was fats I’d gotten diabetic issues from lithium, and I was a zombie. I couldn’t smile, I couldn’t chortle, I could not cry, but hey, I wasn’t locked up! But after a when, I commenced getting issues pondering. I have a PhD and I’m a Fellow of APA and APS, and indeed, an ABPP (boarded). Well, which is lifestyle, but then I commenced to worry that I’d get locked up, falsely identified as a scenario of Alzheimer’s disorder.

    Also, I commenced having strange signs or symptoms and issues breathing. I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth illness, Sort 2, which interacted adversely with the psychiatric medications, influencing my capability to breathe. My regular medical practitioners minimized my issues and would not pay attention to me. Desperate, I went on the road looking for health care assist, and even however I knew I risked a manic psychosis, in concern for my existence, I went off the medicines chilly turkey. Warning: unless of course you completely simply cannot help it, often go off psychiatric medicines slowly but surely.

    In my acquiring madness, I adopted the cockamamie approach to pretend I was psychotic to see how the mentally unwell are handled on the street. Then I would write a reserve about my expertise, a kind of investigative journalism. This strategy did not operate out so well.

    I was involuntarily hospitalized in two unique hospitals in Minnesota. Luckily for us, I experienced carried out lawful exploration about the treatment of the ‘mentally unwell’. I discovered that in Minnesota they normally experimented with to provoke sufferers in buy to elicit excessive conduct to use as proof lawfully justifying involuntary treatment and/or determination. This details proved key to my survival.

    At the first healthcare facility, the law enforcement claimed that I threatened them with a knife, a wholly phony allegation. The good thing is, I found out about it and confident them to drop the declare. Or else, I could have been saved locked up, involuntarily medicated, and quite possibly die from the medication, or I could have been uncovered legally incompetent, even dedicated to a point out clinic. A civil rights attorney I talked to in Minnesota instructed me that many institutionalized clients were so cognitively impaired by medicine that they could not cooperate to verify their sanity. I can consider that, understanding what the drugs did to my cognition and judgment.

    When I refused treatment method at this initially healthcare facility, I was summarily discharged with out regard to no matter if I had money or a position to go, which is versus the law. I continued my odyssey. Next, I was locked up at Mayo. There, devoid of examining, they made a decision that my obtaining a PhD was a delusion, that I was a uncommon situation of paranoia. They were being scheduling to dedicate me to a point out clinic. The personnel disapproved of me due to the fact I refused treatment. They didn’t think I experienced reputable complications with the medications. I was just a negative, irresponsible affected person who was attempting to get out of using her medicine.

    Whilst I was at Mayo, a couple incidents occurred that may possibly have been intended to provoke me into out-of-bounds habits that could be utilised as evidence of my need for involuntary determination and medication. For case in point, when I to start with obtained there, the nurse offered to do some laundry for me, but did not return every thing. Was she hoping I would accuse her of shedding my laundry, make me glimpse paranoid? Also, the night time just before I was to go away, my muscular, newly assigned male nurse seemed on as I obtained my dinner. I seemed down to see a large toothmark bite taken from my piece of roast beef. The sight was gross. Nevertheless, acquiring been forewarned, I held my quiet and only questioned for a further evening meal. Have circumstances in Minnesota improved? Are this sort of strategies widespread? Certainly, lots of nonetheless strongly believe in the efficacy of drug therapy and long-phrase remedy. “Continue to be on your medication” carries on to be a mantra.

    At Mayo, making use of my awareness that quiet and darkness calms mania, I stayed in the dim in my space the mania subsided. Just after a number of times, I had the legally essential sanity hearing and was produced from the hospital. Nonetheless, I however had the adverse consequences of the psychiatric medication. It took three decades for them to obvious my process. Some ill effects continue being.

    I am now 88 decades previous and I have not had another temper swing since I bought off the medicines. How have I stayed nicely all these a long time? Ahead of these incidents happened, I had been making use of dazzling light-weight treatment for despair, and studying bipolar condition. Afterward, I intensified my perform, avidly examining scientific articles or blog posts about bipolar condition striving to comprehend its cause. Why was mild and dim so essential to temper, at minimum for some persons?

    The function of Thomas Wehr at NIMH was vital. I ultimately figured out that bipolar disorder is a remnant of the Ice Age that we inherited from Neanderthal. Perhaps it appears mad, but maybe mad enough to be accurate.

    Simply just, the concept is that bipolar ailment progressed among the the Neanderthal as an adaptation to the Ice Age local climate. Depression, brought on by autumnal diminution of gentle, conserved electrical power through the extensive serious winters, in particular for women. The speeded behaviors of hypomania and mania allowed the Neanderthal to make up for shed time throughout truthful weather conditions. The theory finds confirmation in the exploration of Danneman and Kelso and Simonti et al. Both teams independently located that our genes for melancholy and mood swings appear from Neanderthal. Scientists Bartsiokas and Arsuaga observed proof that the Neanderthal did in truth “hibernate,” the inactive point out we simply call depression. These details also aid the idea, which I later explored in my individual publications.

    It is probable to avoid and alleviate equally despair and mania by taking care of the timing and depth of exposure to mild (and darkish). Amazingly, it is even feasible to deliver a man or woman out of a suicidal melancholy in a several weeks with out medicine or other intense steps. House doesn’t permit me to go into detail listed here, but I use vibrant gentle therapy in the dark months to avert despair, and 7-8 hours asleep or resting in the darkish at night time to steer clear of manic temper swings. Darkness deactivates and gentle activates!

    I was not absolutely sure these actions would do the job, but I did not consider I had a preference, and they did function. These chronobiological techniques are inexpensive, safe and sound and productive. These are not “alternative” treatment options, but cutting-edge science. This knowledge is out there, but you have to glance for it. For people of you interested in a lot more information and facts, a lot of of my publications are accessible on the Internet, like my e book, Beating Despair and Bipolar Problem without the need of Medicine: A Memoir of Survival in a Male-Dominated Environment.

    I 1st received prominence in the 1970s because of my book On the Psychology of Gals: A Survey of Empirical Studies, the 1st scientific book on the psychology of females. I’ve been a lifelong feminist, and did seminal research that aided explode the myth that ladies couldn’t do arithmetic and ended up unfit for medicine, law, engineering, and scientific exploration professions.

    We will need to seek out truth of the matter in facts, and the actuality is that some people today, particularly women of all ages, are really frustrated by a deficiency of ambient light-weight. Depression is a feminist situation. Ladies and their infants are continuing to be harmed by pointless, revenue-producing psychiatric medicines. But I really feel like I’m spitting in the wind.

    It is winter. If you are depressed, get a brilliant light.

    ***

    Mad in The usa hosts weblogs by a numerous group of writers. These posts are created to serve as a public forum for a discussion—broadly speaking—of psychiatry and its therapies. The opinions expressed are the writers’ have.

  • 9 Science-Backed Benefits Beyond Its Calming Effect

    9 Science-Backed Benefits Beyond Its Calming Effect

    Tea With Chamomile

    Chamomile tea is a popular herbal tea made from the dried flowers of the Chamomile plant. It is known for its calming and relaxing properties, making it a popular choice for helping with sleep and reducing anxiety. Chamomile tea has a light, slightly sweet and floral flavor and is often enjoyed before bedtime. It is also believed to have a number of health benefits, including aiding in digestion, reducing inflammation, and helping with skin conditions. Chamomile tea is generally considered safe and can be consumed by most people, although those with allergies to plants in the daisy family may want to avoid it.

    Chamomile is widely known and used for its ability to soothe the nerves and calm the body. However, this flower boasts several other lesser-known but equally powerful health benefits. As a natural remedy, it can treat ailments beyond insomnia or nerves, such as PMS symptoms, inflammation, diarrhea, nausea, and gas. With over 100 bioactive substances contributing to chamomile’s benefits, it’s a rich source of antioxidants and even has antimicrobial qualities.

    What is Chamomile?

    Chamomile is a daisy-like flower native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. Chamomile is known to have been used as medicine from as early as 500 BC. It was prescribed for fever in the medieval age and is used as a remedy for colic in babies to this day.[1] Chamomile flowers must be steeped instead of boiled to make tea, to preserve its antioxidants. You can also take chamomile powder in capsule form or drink a chamomile tincture. Chamomile tea is mild as opposed to bitter, with a slightly sweet undertone, a silky texture, and a floral aroma.

    Types of Chamomile

    There are different types of chamomile, including German chamomile, Roman chamomile, English chamomile, and Egyptian chamomile. German chamomile is the most common kind brewed as medicinal tea. German chamomile is more concentrated in the bioactive compounds of chamomile, and it boasts a smoother taste.

    9 Benefits of Chamomile

    There are many reasons to enjoy chamomile tea beyond its taste and soothing effect. Here are 9 things chamomile can do to transform human health, according to science:

    1. Huge Source of Antioxidants

    Chamomile flowers contain high levels of antioxidants, including flavonoids, phenols, and terpenoids.[2] Free radicals from the environment and natural metabolic processes can damage DNA when not balanced by antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent this damage, which is known as oxidative stress–a precursor to many chronic diseases. The antioxidants in chamomile help keep your cells young, and they protect your heart, brain, and other vital organs against chronic diseases.

    2. Combats Diarrhea

    Chamomile was traditionally used as a natural remedy for diarrhea, and modern research seems to have confirmed its effectiveness. In a lab study, chamomile extract was found to stop diarrhea in rats through its antioxidant enzyme activities.[3] Meanwhile, a clinical trial on children with diarrhea found that chamomile extract improved symptoms.[4]

    3. Helps Fight Anxiety and Depression

    Chamomile has a mild sedative effect that can be helpful in alleviating anxiety and soothing the nerves in the face of stress. In a study on 57 participants with depression and anxiety, 220 mg of chamomile per day taken in capsule form decreased symptoms significantly better than a placebo in all participants.[5]

    4. Improves Sleep Quality

    The quality of your sleep includes how long it takes you to fall asleep (ideally less than 20 minutes), and how long you stay asleep (ideally one interruption per night at most). Stress and anxiety can cause trouble falling asleep or sleeping soundly. An antioxidant in chamomile known as apigenin binds to benzodiazepine receptors in your brain to produce tranquilizing effects.[6]

    In a 28-day study on insomnia patients, 270 mg of chamomile taken twice daily improved sleep quality and daytime functioning.[7] Even if you don’t suffer from insomnia, taking chamomile could potentially help you get more out of your night’s sleep.

    5. Reduces Inflammation

    According to research published in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine, chamomile binds to receptors that regulate your inflammatory response.[8] In addition to its anti-spasmodic qualities, chamomile’s anti-inflammatory action is part of how it soothes the gut. In traditional medicine, chamomile flowers were prepared in salves or ointments for the skin to treat inflammatory conditions like rashes and eczema.[6]

    Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to a wide range of diseases, from cancer to heart disease. Herbs like chamomile that lower inflammation can potentially lower your risk for these common diseases.

    6. Alleviates Menstrual Cramps

    Drinking chamomile can be helpful for menstruating women. According to a review of studies that examined the effects of chamomile on menstrual pain and bleeding, chamomile in daily doses ranging 250 to 500 mg per day effectively reduced pain and bleeding volume. In fact, chamomile was more effective in relieving pain than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.[9]

    Heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by excess production of prostaglandins — hormone-like substances that control uterine contraction. Chamomile seems to work by balancing the body’s prostaglandin production to reduce heavy bleeding.

    7. Relieves Gas and Bloating

    A popular benefit of chamomile is its ability to relieve gas, flatulence, indigestion, and bloating when you’re in a pinch. A cup or two of chamomile tea can help ease most symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, which is why chamomile is often included in herbal remedy blends for irritable bowel syndrome.[10] Whether you get an occasional stomachache or you’re struggling with a gut-related illness, chamomile can probably help. It’s also used to relieve colic in babies.

    8. May Help Prevent Cancer

    The antioxidant in chamomile called apigenin serves the function in chamomile to protect the plant against ultraviolet radiation. As it turns out, this compound can also potentially help protect humans against melanoma. In fact, chamomile has shown wide-ranging anti-cancer actions in multiple types of cancers, including prostate, bone, lung, breast, and colon cancer.[11] While research has only been done in test tubes and petri dishes so far, it points to the possibility that the apigenin in chamomile could help prevent cancer in healthy individuals.

    9. Protects Metabolic Health

    Research shows that chamomile can lower high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. In one study, three cups of chamomile tea per day were shown to improve blood sugar levels within eight weeks.[12] Drinking chamomile tea with meals could potentially help healthy individuals protect against blood sugar spikes that put you at risk of developing metabolic diseases like diabetes.

    Chamomile’s Many Benefits and Uses

    Chamomile tea is one of the most versatile natural remedies to keep at your home. Its smooth, floral taste makes it easy to enjoy on a daily basis, and doing so gives you long-term health benefits, including disease prevention. When you need help settling an anxious mind or getting to sleep when you’re stressed, chamomile can also help.

    References:

    1. abc.herbalgram.org/site/DocServer/CRCPRESSChamomile-Section_1.5978-1-4665-7759-6.pdf
    2. “Antioxidant and anticancer activities of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.)” by Bayan Al-Dabbagh, Ismail A. Elhaty, Mohamed Elhaw, Chandraprabha Murali, Ameera Al Mansoori, Basma Awad and Amr Amin, 3 January 2019, BMC Research Notes.
      DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3960-y
    3. “Antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) decoction extract in rats” by Hichem Sebai, Mohamed-Amine Jabri, Abdelaziz Souli, Kais Rtibi, Slimen Selmi, Olfa Tebourbi, Jamel El-Benn and MohsenSakly, 22 January 2014, Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
      DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.01.015
    4. “Double-blind, randomized evaluation of clinical efficacy and tolerability of an apple pectin-chamomile extract in children with unspecific diarrhea” by Brigitta Becker, Ulrike Kuhn and Bettina Hardewig-Budny, 2006, Arzneimittelforschung Drug Research.
      DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1296739
    5. “Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study” by Jay D Amsterdam, Justine Shults, Irene Soeller, Jun James Mao, Kenneth Rockwell and Andrew B Newberg, September 2012, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.
      PMCID: PMC3600408
    6. “Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future (Review)” by Janmejai K. Srivastava, Eswar Shankar and Sanjay Gupta, 27 September 2010, Molecular Medicine Reports.
      DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2010.377
    7. “Preliminary examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study” by Suzanna M Zick, Benjamin D Wright, Ananda Sen and J Todd Arnedt, 22 September 2011, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
      DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-11-78
    8. “Chamomile: An anti-inflammatory agent inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase expression by blocking RelA/p65 activity” by Natarajan Bhaskaran, Sanjeev Shukla, Janmejai K. Srivastava and Sanjay Gupta, 1 December 2010, International Journal of Molecular Medicine.
      DOI: 10.3892/ijmm_00000545
    9. “The Effect of Chamomile on Pain and Menstrual Bleeding in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review” by Azin Niazi, MSc and Maryam Moradi, PhD, July 2021,
      International Journal of Community Based Nursing & Midwifery.
      DOI: 10.30476/ijcbnm.2021.87219.1417
    10. “Complementary and alternative medicines in irritable bowel syndrome: An integrative view” by Oliver Grundmann and Saunjoo L Yoon, 14 January 2014, World Journal of Gastroenterology.
      DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i2.346
    11. “Apigenin in cancer therapy: anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of action” by Xiaohui Yan, Miao Qi, Pengfei Li, Yihong Zhan and Huanjie Shao, 5 October 2017, Cell & Bioscience.
      DOI: 10.1186/s13578-017-0179-x
    12. “Chamomile tea improves glycemic indices and antioxidants status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus” by Maryam Zemestani, Maryam Rafraf and Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi, 28 November 2015, Nutrition.
      DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2015.07.011

  • The effect of prophylactic chemotherapy on treatment outcome of postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia | BMC Women’s Health

    The effect of prophylactic chemotherapy on treatment outcome of postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia | BMC Women’s Health

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  • Blood Pressure Medication Quinapril Recalled Again

    Blood Pressure Medication Quinapril Recalled Again

    Four a lot of the generic substantial blood pressure medicine quinapril tablets have been recalled by its company, Lupin Prescribed drugs, since of abnormally higher amounts of a possible cancer-causing impurity.

    Latest tests unveiled ranges of a nitrosamine impurity (N-nitroso-quinapril) were being higher than the U.S. Food stuff and Drug Administration’s (Fda) appropriate daily intake level.

    When extensive-term ingestion of this suspected carcinogen could boost cancer possibility, there is no quick risk to sufferers taking this medicine.

    In accordance to an announcement from the Fda issued on December 21, the quinapril products in query are: