Regular chlamydia tests urged for young people (Reuters)

Reuters - Young sexually active people should get themselves tested annually for the infection chlamydia and again every time they change partner, the Health Protection Agency said on Tuesday.

Liquid omega 3 supplements are available on the market now. They are easier to consume than fish oil capsules and are good and effective for people of all ages. Normally these supplements are made from vegetable and plant oils like flax seed oil and pumpkin seed oil.

Flax seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is a long-chain fatty acid and needs to break down into DHA and EPA in the body. Since this metabolic process is slow and takes a lot of time, doctors recommend fish oil capsules and liquid supplements that provide DHA and EPA directly to be utilized by the bloodstream.

These liquid omega 3 supplements are of the highest quality because they make use of refined and purified fish oil. Fish oil is refined with the help of molecular distillation which serves to remove impurities and contaminants present in raw fish oil in the form of heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic, and toxic substances.

Normal dosage of liquid omega 3 supplements is 1 to 2 tablespoons daily. They can be consumed right after meals, this way they are easier to digest and absorb. Vegetable oils can also be used for cooking and salad dressing. They provide adequate amounts of fatty acids and should be added to everyday diet.

Manufacturers of fish oil supplements claim that their product is free from all impurities and additives. The benefits of omega 3 fatty acids are numerous ranging from prevention of coronary heart disease to psychological conditions like depression and anxiety. The most prominent health benefit provided by the consumption of fatty acids is the prevention and cure of cancer, particularly breast and prostate cancer.

Always buy nutritional supplements from a reputed and long-established manufacturer. This ensures that the product you are using is actually effective and causes no side effects or adverse health conditions like allergies and infections. You can read user reviews about a particular product before buying it to ensure that it is highly recommended.

Pregnant women and patients of high blood pressure and high cholesterol should ask their doctor before starting the course of a nutritional supplement product. Furthermore, they should not exceed the normal and recommended dosage of these supplements, especially liquid supplements. Do not take large quantities of fish oil capsules all at once as they may lower blood pressure significantly and also bulk cinnamon powder stomach problems like diarrhea and constipation.

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Magic Johnson's wife in public eye on HIV campaign (AP)

AP - Magic Johnson's normally publicity-shy wife Cookie is emerging as a spokeswoman in a campaign urging black women to get tested for HIV.

Emphasize fiber. "You don't see much constipation in countries with high-fiber diets," observes Marion Nestle, Ph.D., chairperson of nutrition and food studies at New York University in New York City. "You see it in countries like the United States, where many people eat a low-fiber diet."

To increase your fiber intake, Dr. Nestle recommends eating whole grains, beans, fruits, or vegetables at every meal and as snacks. Wheat bran, the leading constipation preventive, is an ingredient in dozens of breakfast cereals such as All-Bran and Bran Buds. Popcorn makes a satisfying high-fiber snack. Enjoy bean soups and bean burritos, or munch on thiamine mononitrate reviews side effects dosages tortilla chips with bean dip. Prunes, raisins, broccoli, carrots, figs, and dried apricots also contain generous amounts of fiber.

Banish the binders. Some foods are binding, meaning that they contribute to constipation, Dr. Simons says. Limiting your consumption of bananas, cheeses, white rice, applesauce, and foods made with white flour can help keep you regular.

Quaff coffee. Many people have noticed that coffee has a laxative effect on them. The caffeine in coffee helps relieve constipation by stimulating peristalsis. If you're not a coffee drinker, tea, cocoa, and cola may also supply enough caffeine to get your bowels moving.

Supplements

Cure constipation with C. "High doses of vitamin C cause loose stools," Dr. Brauer says. "While that can be a problem for people who are prone to diarrhea, it can help those who are constipated." He recommends taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C every 2 waking hours until you're able to go to the bathroom.

Find relief in folic acid. One study found that women who experienced problems with constipation had low levels of the B vitamin folic acid in their blood. When the women began taking folic acid supplements, all of their symptoms subsided. Try taking up to 5,000 micrograms a day until the condition subsides, advises clinical nutritionist Shari Lieberman, Ph.D. But check with your doctor first, since dosages of folic acid over 1,000 micrograms should only be taken under medical supervision.

Receive a push from pantothenic acid. A few studies have suggested that taking supplements of the B vitamin pantothenic acid may help relieve constipation. Melvyn R. Werbach, M.D., assistant clinical professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, recommends getting 250 milligrams of pantothenic acid a day.

Support the digestive process. Naturopaths often prescribe supplemental stomach acid and digestive enzymes for older people with constipation. Dr. Pizzorno suggests trying one of the following: bromelain, an enzyme in pineapple (250 to 500 milligrams with meals); papain, an enzyme in papaya (500 to 1,000 milligrams with meals); or pancreatin, an enzyme secreted by the pancreas (two to four tablets of 4X potency or one to two tablets of 8X potency). Supplements of all three enzymes are available in most health food stores.

Iron out the problem. The mineral iron can contribute to constipation in some people. If you take a multivitamin/mineral supplement that contains iron, switch to one without it and see if that helps.

Read out for First aid. Check out breastfeeding tops and constipation treatment