You might have heard that the many advances occurring with some of the blood glucose meters allow you to perform blood test monitoring on different parts of your body, like the palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh, or even calf.

Because the skin of these other parts of your body contains fewer nerves, testing can feel much more comfortable. This is what is called Alternative Site Testing, or AST.

It’s vital to know that while blood from your fingertip can be tested at anytime, there are times when testing from alternative sites isn’t ideal. That’s why you should get the information about alternative site testing and talk with your doctor prior to your decision of alternative testing.

Let’s Go info further detail:

* In comparison with your fingertip, you might see differences in blood sugar results from the palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh, or even calf.

* Blood taken from the fingertip shows changes in blood sugar levels faster than blood taken from the other sites of the body.

* These differences in blood sugar occur because the fingertips have more blood vessels than the alternative sites.

So, alternative site testing is recommended when blood sugar is stable, such as:

* Immediately prior to a meal

* When fasting

* Near bedtime

Times when alternative site testing isn’t recommended:

* 2 hours following a meal, when blood sugar values are rising quickly

* After exercise

* When you are ill; as blood sugar values can go quite high

* When you think your blood sugar is incredibly low or falling quickly (hypoglycemia)

* If you have a history of not noticing when you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

* During the peak action time of the basal insulin

* Up to 2 hours after when injecting rapid-acting insulin

* If you check your blood sugar and the blood sugar test doesn’t match the way you feel, then you should perform a fingertip to confirm your result. If the fingertip result however doesn’t reflect the way you feel either, contact your doctor.

* Don’t change your course of action based on just 1 blood sugar result.

* Your success in getting an adequate drop of blood from alternate sites will deviate. Depending on the meter you pick, you might wish to try different approved sites until you find the one that works for you.

When you select a site, stick with it. Do not perform and then try on your calf and then the next time on your forearm. If you try out on the forearm, always check out on the forearm. The only exception should be fingertip tests.

Please note: Please talk to your doctor prior to trying alternative sites other than your fingertip for testing blood sugar.

I find the best place to use alternative testing is the palm next to the thumb. You can try other approved alternative sites and see which one works the best for you.

Copyright 2005
Fern Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes

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What Is Phentermine Used For?

Phentermine works by suppressing your appetite, and, therefore, decreasing your cravings for food you don’t need. You should use it along with a general meal and exercise plan to decrease weight. We will do as much as we can to help you meet your weight loss goals. You should improve your diet and increase your health at the same time you’re losing weight.

How Do I Use Phentermine?

Take Phentermine once every day in the morning, half and hour to one hour before your first meal. You may break the tablet or cut it in half. Do not chew up or crush your tablet. Try not to take Phentermine in the afternoon or evening, as it will cause you to have trouble sleeping.

Follow the prescription and instructions your doctor gives you. Do not continue to take Phentermine for a longer period of time than instructed. Also, do not take higher doses than you are told to, as this will only increase possible side effects.

What Are The Possible Side Effects?

Sleeplessness, irritability, dry mouth, constipation or stomach upset may be experienced in the first several days while your body is adjusting to Phentermine. If these effects continue to bother you, please talk to your doctor.

Is Phentermine Safe?

Inform your doctor of your entire medical history. Make sure to talk about any problems you have, such as an overactive thyroid, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, or emotional conditions. Before you buy Phentermine, talk to your physician if you may be pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding. You shoud also avoid consumption of alcohol because it will probably increase a possible side effect, dizziness. Phentermine is not designed for use by children or young adolescents. Talk to your doctor for more information about this medication.

How Does Phentermine Interact With Other Drugs?

Please let your doctor know of every medication you are using or have recently used, (prescription and non-prescription) if you use MAO inhibitors (example: selegiline, phenelzine, furazolidone, tranylcypromine), medications for high blood-pressure, or any other medicines for weight loss. Be cautious about using “stimulant” drugs which could potentially raise your blood pressure and heart rate. These include drugs such as caffeine or decongestants. Decongestants are usually found in over-the-counter cold and cough medicines.

What Should I Do If I Miss My Dose?

If you miss one of your doses, don’t take twice as much at the next scheduled time. Simply skip the dose you missed, and begin again with your next dose at the scheduled time.

What Else Should I Know?

Phentermine, as with other appetite suppressant drugs, is not a replacement for good eating habits. For the best results, Phentermine should be used in addition to a balanced meal and exercise program. That’s where Shoppe.MD can provide a little extra help. If your friends or family want to know how to acheive weight loss as you have, just tell them to visit Shoppe.MD: Only a physician can determine whether or not they should take Phentermine.

Learn about Phentermine and other diet pills at Shoppe.MD, your source for prescription medications from dependable pharmacies.

Which is easier to do - turn a car’s steering wheel while sitting still in the driveway or when it is speeding down the highway? Sure, the answer is simple…it’s easier to turn when you are moving or going down the road. When things are moving, there seems to be a more fluid pace. Your time in the gym and during your workouts is the same. Keeping your body fat levels low is a matter of flow and movement.

Low Body Fat Technique #4: A Matter of Flow!

I have won numerous bodybuilding championships and have consistently exercised
every week for over twenty years. The smartest decision I have ever made that has
made the biggest influence on my success in the gym is; I put a time frame each day
on my workouts.

At the time I did not know the impact having a sense of urgency on my workouts
would have on my body fat levels. But knowing I had to complete all my exercises in
a certain period of time kept me moving. The goal is to get your momentum going.
Here are some suggestions on how to keep the flow in your workouts and maintain
a healthy body fat level;

1. Set a reasonable time frame to your exercise session. I have a one hour and
fifteen minute limit. (from start to finish)

2. Do your cardiovascular training first.

3. Pre-plan your workouts in your head prior to the workout. This cuts ten
minutes out of your workout.

4. Make a contingency plan before you workout. Sometimes a crowed gym will
slow you down and people are using a piece of equipment you had planed to use.

5. Do exercises that require more strength at the beginning of your workout.

6. Pre-schedule water breaks.

7. Cut the talking down to a minimum.

8. Have time limits between sets.

9. Absolutely no cell phones are allowed in the gym.

10. Bring your water bottle to the gym so you do not have to go to the water
fountain and waste time.

Keeping your momentum going during your workout allows your heart rate to stay
at a higher level. Over a period of time this pays off in burning more fat calories.
Remember keeping your body fat levels low has a lot to do with your flow of the
workout more than anything. Go with the flow!

LOSE WEIGHT NOW! For FREE Mini Course Visit http://www.resolutions.bz - Discover the five step common sense way to lose weight and feel better. A twenty year proven formula the doc’s and trainer’s DON’T want you to know about! Greg Ryan is the best selling author of the Changing from the “INSIDE OUT”, former Kathy Smith employee.

Taurine is the second most abundant amino acid in the muscle after glutamine. It performs several useful functions and can act in a way similar to creatine in that it expands cells by helping the muscle to hold more water, thus increasing cell volume. The added benefit for bodybuilders is that these expanded muscle cells boost hydration and stimulate greater protein synthesis giving an enhanced muscle fullness.

The best time for bodybuilders to take taurine is thirty minutes before training and again immediately afterwards as this will heighten the effect of training. With any amino acid supplement overdosing can lead to weakness and nausea so care should be taken in applying small doses and increasing them gradually until an optimum level is reached. Bear in mind that many protein powders and other supplements are fortified with amino acids so check the labels carefully. The manufacturer’s instructions should be followed in all instances.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

6 Steps to Clear, Acne-Free Skin

Hundreds of medications, treatments, cleansers and cosmetics are available for people with acne, but the most important elements of an acne-fighting program won’t cost you a cent.

1. Nourish your skin by eating a healthy and balanced diet.

Most health care specialists agree that a healthy diet will benefit your skin. Cut down on caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates, all of which can activate the hormones that tell your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Add more fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, juices and other healthy treats to your daily diet, and you’ll see in improvement in your skin.

2. Drink lots of water to maintain the skin’s elasticity.

Plenty of water is essential to the health of your skin. One of the main activities of the body’s self-healing system is to filter the blood, a job performed mostly by the kidneys, with help from the skin in the form of perspiration. This self-healing system removes the toxic wastes of metabolizing food and of other harmful substances that get into our bodies one way or another.

This purification system operates efficiently only if the volume of water flowing through it is sufficient to carry away the wastes. 6 to 8 glasses (64 fluid ounces) of water a day is the recommendation. To reach your quota, carry bottled water with you in your car, your purse, your briefcasewherever you go.

Get the water habit, and your skin will thank you for it.

3. Exercise regularly for good circulation.

Get into a regular routine of exercise. Do it for at least half an hour, five days a week. Exercise improves your blood circulation, helping your body clear toxins from your system, including your skin. Better circulation also increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin. Exercise also relieves stress, which is a common cause of acne flare-ups. Last but not least, exercise releases endorphins, the “feel good” substance in your brain that puts a smile on your facethe best beauty secret of all.

4. Cleanse your facethen tone, moisturize, and exfoliate.

At night
* First remove your makeup with an oil-free makeup remover and a cotton ball.
* Then wash your face with lukewarm water and an oil-free, non-comedogenic (doesn’t block pores) cleanser.
* Pat (don’t rub) it dry with a soft towel.
* And apply an oil-free moisturizer.

In the morning
* Wash your face as directed above, then use an alcohol-free toner.
* Next apply moisturizer.
* Then apply makeupall oil-free and non-comedogenic.

Once or twice a week use an exfoliator with alpha hydroxy acid or glycolic acid. This will aid in the shedding of dead skin cells, the “food” for the bacteria that cause pimples.

If you exercise during the day, you’ll need to wash your face a third time, immediately afterward.

5. Protect your skin from the sun and harsh weather.

One popular myth about acne is that tanning will clear it. It may seem so at first, but soon you will notice that your tanned skin becomes less pliable, making it less able to shed oil and dead skin cells, which clog your pores. Your acne will become worse, not better.

Always wear sun block with at least an SPF-15 UVA & UVB rating. If you’ll be outside in the sun for long, wear a wide-brimmed hat.

6. Get plenty of good-quality rest.

Your immune system requires energy to do its work, including the work of protecting your skin from acne. The deep sleep the brain needs for “recharging” comes several hours into the sleep cycle. That’s why a few hours here and there won’t do. Most people need at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Consider it beauty sleep.

If you make these 6 items part of your daily routine, you’ll look better, feel better, and have less need of expensive acne treatments and cosmetics.

Visit Ron’s website Latest-Acne-Solutions for the latest research into acne relief.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked.

Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is by far the most common cause of hair loss amongst men and a serious problem for many women. For it to develop, three important components must come into play:

1. A genetic predisposition for balding to occur.

2. The presence of male hormones.

3. Aging - enough time for the first two factors to occur.

Despite the common perception, familial baldness patterns are not completely reliable as predictors of future hair loss. The fact that your parent or grandparent exhibited a given pattern does not guarantee your hair loss development will be the same. However, if your father was completely bald and you begin to lose hair excessively at an early age, it’s safe to assume you will develop extensive balding.

All normal men and women produce male hormones such as testosterone and DHT. These hormones have a useful role to play in both sexes but it is the fact that androgens occur in much higher concentrations in men that explains why this type of hair loss is more common in males.

The effect of these hormones on hair follicles is as follows:

1. High levels of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase occur in cells of the hair follicle.

2. This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT.

3. DHT causes the robust terminal hairs to miniaturize.

4. This leaves soft, fine hairs that provide poor scalp coverage.

5. The growth phase becomes shorter until these soft hairs are lost for good.

Excessive hair loss can occur at any age and may even stop only to start again. As time progresses the process of hair loss accelerates leading to its logical conclusion.

Understanding this process helps to explain how the currently available treatments for male pattern baldness work. Propecia is one of only two FDA-approved hair loss treatments and it works by interfering with the process outlined above. In brief, Propecia inhibits the formation of DHT in the system thus slowing down and eventually stopping the adverse effects of DHT on the hair follicle.

Most of the non-drug, commercially prepared products operate on a similar basis by utilizing natural ingredients that attempt to interfere with the production of DHT. Presently the most popular natural ingredient is saw palmetto although some products combine this with other herbs such as pygeum, stinging nettle and green tea.

To find out more about these and other treatments for male pattern baldness, go to the site listed below.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the myhairlossadvisor.com, website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss. Please go to Androgenetic Alopecia to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Getting started on an exercise program is one thing. Staying
on it is the bigger challenge. We have all been there.
New Years Eve comes around and wham! Instant motivation! It
is only a small percentage however that sticks with it. Why?
When you hear the term exercise resistance you of course
think of strength training with weights, don’t you? Well,
it can also mean something else.

The phrase, “Exercise Resistance” or ER was coined in the
mid 90’s. It means, a conscious or unconscious block against
participating in a regular active program. Studies show that
some people have barriers built up from past experiences
that give them a negative mindset toward exercise and food.
This prevents a person from starting or following through
on a fitness or diet program. This is more of an emotional
feeling that controls a behavior more than anything.

“I thought the golden years were supposed to be filled with
relaxing things to do, not more activities I usually put off
before?” Have you ever just resented having to exercise now
that you are older? “Why should I start exercising? I will
not follow through-never have. It will be just another
failure of mine?” Or how about not starting to exercise
because you have a fear of failure? My favorite; “why does
Jane look like she does and I have to work so hard at it? It
does not seem fair!” Have you ever compare yourself to your
youth or your best friend?

Each one of them; resentment, fear of failure, comparisons
are barriers you build up only to at some point sabotaging
your desire to feel good and get in better shape.

The answer to overcome these barriers is three fold. First,
figure out HOW you are motivated. Second, WHERE your
desires come from. And third, come to an understanding that
these barriers are only illusions you have fabricated in
your mind. THEY ARE NOT REAL! The bottom line is, until you
work on your approach to weight loss and fitness, the
numbers on the charts will not stick.

Click here for FREE Mini Course ==> http://www.resolutions.bz
Discover the five step
common sense way to lose weight. A formula the medical
and fitness industry DO NOT want you to know about! Greg Ryan is a well known author of the Changing from the
“INSIDE OUT”, book series.

Surprisingly, hair loss is one of the reasons female pre-operative patients sit on the fence before deciding to have gastric bypass surgery. Obese people, particularly obese women, often have lush gorgeous hair. Of course they do - it’s well fed and nourished! How many of us have been described as the woman with “beautiful hair and a pretty face”? What person in their right mind would give up one of their beautiful features?

Hair loss usually occurs in the fourth of fifth month following weight loss surgery. During the phase of rapid weight loss, caloric intake is marginal. This puts the body in a state of panic called starvation. Think about the pictures of prisoners of war. Most victims of this atrocity are without hair because they are literally starving to death. A healthy body normally sheds ten percent of hair follicles at any given time. When a body is starving roughly thirty to forty percent of hair follicles are sacrificed as the body channels nutrition to more vital areas. During this phase hair loss is dramatic, often patients find clumps of hair on the shower floor. Remaining hair becomes drab and lifeless.

I knew hair loss was a potential result of weight loss surgery, but because I’m a “cup-half-full” person, I didn’t believe that hair loss would happen to me! That just happens to other people, I told myself! Imagine my surprise when my blonde locks were littering the bathroom floor like hair saloon. I shed some tears over that.

The hair loss is a transient effect of your gastric bypass surgery and will be resolved when nutrition and weight stabilize. When my hair began falling out, my husband, who has been a proponent of vitamin supplements all his life, found a vitamin specifically formulated for building strong healthy hair. The vitamin I take for healthy hair and nails is Silica Complex by Puritan’s Pride?. It contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, betaine and horsetail extract. Consumption of this supplement almost immediately retarded my hair loss and renewed my dull lifeless hair. I will continue taking this supplement throughout my life. Three years after surgery my hair is long, full and lustrous - one would never know I had suffered significant hair loss. In hindsight, I would certainly begin taking this supplement prior to my surgery. In the very least I would begin taking it soon after surgery before the signs of hair loss were apparent.

Copyright © 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com - Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.

Sterling silver jewelry is enjoying an unprecedented popularity with today’s fashion conscious public. You know how beautiful sterling silver jewelry is and how brilliantly it shines. Now here is the rest of the story.

Silver has been used since ancient times, but has not survived as well as ancient gold because it tarnished and decomposes. There have been times, however, when silver was “in”; we are going through such a vogue today.

Silver is the most common of the precious metals. Fine silver is pure silver, which is seldom used for jewelry because it is too soft. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper, the alloy most often used. Silver weighs about half as much as gold, has greater flexibility, but is not as malleable, it has always been less expensive as well. A comparable piece of gold jewelry might cost four or five times that of a piece of sterling silver jewelry.

The current fashion trend toward black clothing has made silver jewelry more popular than ever. Silver likes to be worn; it stays cleaner & shinier through movement and friction. So sterling silver is a perfect accessory for today’s fast paced lifestyles. Much like gold, sterling silver needs to be cleaned.

Care and Cleaning of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) For daily cleaning it is recommended to use a simple jewelry polishing cloth that is impregnated with special jewelry cleaner. These are widely available and are very easy to use. Store your cloth in a plastic zip-lock bag, and keeping your jewelry drawer or armoire. It is a good idea to have one cleaning cloth for gold and one for silver.

2.) For a slightly more “in-depth” cleaning you may want to use a liquid jewelry cleaner.

3.) For cleaning badly tarnished silver, here’s a neat little trick

a.) Cover the inside bottom of a heat-proof glass dish on bowl with a piece of aluminum foil, shiny side up.

b.) Place the tarnished silver in the bottom of the dish, contacting the aluminum foil.

c.) Add 1 heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and then slowly pour boiling water to cover the piece. The tarnish will gradually collect on the aluminum foil.

d.) Remove your silver, rinse thoroughly, and polish.

Here are Some Tips for Greater Enjoyment of your Sterling Silver Jewelry

1.) Are your silver chains all tied-up in knots? If so, here’s a nifty little trick for straightening them out. Dust your chain with a little talcum powder and then try to unknot it. If the knot is stubborn, place a small drop of baby oil on a sheet of wax paper. Lay the knot in the oil and work it out with two pins; then clean the chain as instructed below.

2.) Always apply make-up, perfumes, oils or colognes before you put on your jewelry.

We hope you have enjoyed this special report. Please feel free to share it with your friends!

Learn How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off. This informative Special Report reveals little-known facts and insider trade secrets that many jewelers would prefer you didn’t know. To get your FREE copy please go to http://www.morninglightjewelry.com

The liver is responsible for detoxifying the blood as it comes from the colon, lungs, and lymphatic system. Once detoxified, this blood moves into your entire body to provide your cells with oxygen and digested nutrients.

Because you eat, breathe, and create so many toxins, the liver has a hard time neutralizing these toxins. If you are constipated, this puts an extreme toxic load on your liver, which eventually leads to the excretion of these toxins through your skin and face. Excessive toxins coming out through your skin can lead to acne and other skin disorders.

All cellular wastes, used up hormones, and excess hormones are routed to the liver through your lymphatic system. Once in the liver, the liver starts the detoxifying process. If the liver is overloaded with toxins, it will start to store these toxins in its own cells, in the cells of your organs, in your joints, in your skin, or any other place where the body is weak.

Hormones, such as androgens that are not neutralized by the liver, can get back into the blood and move into the skin cells where they pile up and cause an over production of sebum that will flow into the hair follicle. This over production can cause acne.

Eating good fiber daily can keep your colon clean and free of constipation. Fiber can also trap excess hormones and prevent them from being reabsorbed into your blood through your colon walls.

If you are a typical eater, then most likely you have been surviving on junk food. The quantity of toxic chemical and non-food additives that are in the food that you eat accumulates in your colon, your liver, your blood, and in your face as toxins that needs to be neutralized and eliminated.

All junk food and processed food is detrimental to your health and to your face. Once you stop punishing yourself and forcing your body to process toxic food products, you will have a chance of clearing your colon, liver, blood and the blemished conditions of your face.

One other thing, when the liver is congested and weak, it does not produce enough bile. Bile is needed in your small intestine to help digest fat and to promote good colon health. In your colon, bile helps to activate peristaltic action and thus prevents constipation.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter call “natural-remedies-thatwork.com” More acne hints and information on his acne e-book can be found at:
http://www.acne-remedies.for–you.info