How Probiotics Work For You
When we have a stomachache or are sick, we are often told we have a bug. It is true that there are”bugs” that live in our digestive systems. But there are good bugs and bad bugs.
First of all, bugs are living microorganisms. Within our bodies there must be a balance with those microorganisms to keep us healthy and feeling at our best. This is where Probiotics come in. Probiotics are the good bugs.
Scientifically, Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body’s naturally occurring gut flora, ecology of microbes, to re-establish themselves. Doctors sometimes recommend them, and, more frequently, they are prescribed by nutritionists after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for gut related candidiasis. Claims are made that Probiotics strengthens the immune system to combat allergies, excess alcohol intake, stress, exposure to toxic substances, and other diseases.
When we take antibiotics, for instance, the good bugs that work well with our bodies decrease in number, an event that allows harmful competitors to thrive, to the detriment of our health.
Probiotics, which means “for life”, have been used for centuries as natural components in health-promoting foods. The original observation of the positive role played by certain bacteria was first introduced by Russian scientist and Nobel laureate Eli Metchnikoff, who in the beginning of the 20th century suggested that it would be possible to modify the gut flora and to replace harmful microbes by useful microbes. Metchnikoff, at that time a professor at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, produced the notion that the ageing process results from the activity of putrefactive (proteolytic) microbes producing toxic substances in the large bowel.
Proteolytic bacteria such as clostridia, which are part of the normal gut flora, produce toxic substances including phenols, indols and ammonia from the digestion of proteins. According to Metchnikoff these compounds were responsible for what he called “intestinal auto-intoxicationâ€, which caused the physical changes associated with old age. It was at that time known that milk fermented with lactic-acid bacteria inhibits the growth of proteolytic bacteria because of the low pH produced by the fermentation of lactose.
Metchnikoff had also observed that certain rural populations in Europe, for example in Bulgaria and the Russian Steppes who lived largely on milk fermented by lactic-acid bacteria were exceptionally long lived. Based on these facts, Metchnikoff proposed that consumption of fermented milk would “seed†the intestine with harmless lactic-acid bacteria and decrease the intestinal pH and that this would suppress the growth of proteolytic bacteria. Metchnikoff himself introduced in his diet sour milk fermented with the bacteria he called “Bulgarian Bacillus†and found his health benefited. Friends in Paris soon followed his example and physicians began prescribing the sour milk diet for their patients.
The term “probiotics†was first introduced in 1965 by Lilly and Stillwell, when it was described as growth promoting factors produced by microorganisms (protozoa). In the 1960s the dairy industry began to promote fermented milk products containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. In subsequent decades other Lactobacillus species have been introduced including Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus johnsonii, because they are intestinal species with beneficial properties.
In most circumstances, people use Probiotics to prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Antibiotics kill “good” (beneficial) bacteria along with the bacteria that cause illness. Taking probiotic supplements (as capsules, powder, or liquid extract) may help replace the lost beneficial bacteria and thus help prevent diarrhea.
A decrease in beneficial bacteria may also lead to development of other infections, such as vaginal yeast and urinary tract infections, and symptoms such as diarrhea from intestinal illnesses.
Because many of us don’t eat the foods that put the good bugs back in our bodies, a course of Probiotics can help put our system back on track. The best part is, you have nothing to lose.
Concussions Kept Secret are Killing Teenagers
Injuries are a daily part of high school sports. Star athletes expecting scholarships and a bright future know that all of that can change in a split second if they become injured in practice or play and have to sit out too many games. What many don’t realize is that returning to play too soon can cost them their lives.
Concussions don’t always mean losing consciousness. They often go unnoticed unreported, or ignored by players and coaches alike, putting players at risk for deadly second impact syndrome.
Second Impact Syndrome more likely in teens Second impact syndrome occurs when the brain sustains a second injury while the first injury is still healing. Neither injury has to be noticeably serious.
Teenagers are far more likely to experience second impact syndrome than adults when a second injury occurs.
Second impact syndrome can shut down the brain and breathing in as little as two to five minutes after injury. It can occur days or weeks after the original injury was sustained.
In second impact syndrome, the brain is suddenly unable to regulate blood flow, causing rapid swelling, herniation of the brain, and brainstem failure.
Why it happens
A recent article in the New York Times explained the problem as a combination of ignorance and intentional deception, fostered by football’s “gladiator culture.”
Many players don’t realize that they are in danger. They don’t take concussions seriously. Some simply refuse to sit it out. Competition is fierce. Perseverance and loyalty highly prized.
Parents and coaches are often part of the problem with unrealistic expectations blinding them to the very real danger of death or permanent disability, they push players to get back in the game and win.
Devastating realities
Over a million kids play high school football each year. About half of them sustain concussions. Most of those get back in the game before their injuries heal. Many of them sustain a second and even third injury. Some die on the field before help can arrive.
Athletic trainers report that only about five percent of players sustain a concussion each year, according to the New York Times report. When the players themselves were surveyed it was revealed that 50% had sustained one concussion and 35% experienced multiple concussions in one season.
When teenagers sustain brain injuries they can face a multitude of problems including:
· Behavioral problems
· Loss of short term memory
· Depression
· Learning disabilities
· Physical impairment
· Loss of concentration
· Substance abuse
· Unexplained anger and violence
· Anger and alienation
· Legal problems
· Suicide
For survivors, the scholarships they risked everything to win are lost. Some turn to drugs or suicide. Many wind up in prison. A few are so impaired that they have to live with their parents or in an institution for the rest of their lives. And, of course, some do not live to see the consequences.
Insurance Coverage for Infertility Treatment
Many couples face infertility. This is a very emotional obstacle to overcome. In addition to the mental strength that you’ll need to conjure, you will also need money. Some infertility treatments can be very expensive for most couples. Your intense desire to have children can make infertility treatment seem like more of a necessity than a desire in your life. Many couples who simply can’t afford the treatment that they need, will start to look elsewhere for financial help. This is where the question of insurance comes in.
Insurance coverage for couples seeking infertility treatment may be hard to come by. The first thing you need to do is contact your employer or insurance company for a copy of your insurance coverage contract. Some contracts will specifically exclude infertility treatment as covered by the policy. If not, then you may have a case to get your infertility treatment covered.
Sometimes, there will be a specific list of treatments not covered. Check to see if the actual diagnosis is excluded. Laparoscopic procedures and hysterosalpingograms can be considered diagnostic, especially if you are experiencing abdominal pain or heavy bleeding. If your insurance denies a claim for these procedures and your contract simply excludes infertility treatment, then you have a case to get the procedures covered. Keep in mind that insurance companies are only allowed to deny claims for things that are specifically excluded on the contract.
Meeting with an infertility specialist and getting the diagnostic procedures may be covered by your insurance without question. Once you have been informed of your possible causes of infertility, then a good infertility doctor will consider your insurance coverage when developing treatment recommendations. You can decide with the help of the specialist which routes to take. Do you want to go with an aggressive procedure that may cost you more up front, but can improve your chances of conceiving more quickly? Would you rather go for the cheapest options first and see if any of them work? Either way, it can be expensive and these decisions will ultimately be yours to make.
If you are denied coverage for a procedure or visit that you believe should be covered, then ask your insurance company for contractual proof in writing that the claim is justifiably not covered. If they claim that your infertility treatment or diagnosis is not medically necessary or that infertility is not an illness, then you can still fight it. Keep track of all conversations that you have with your insurance company. Communications should be in writing whenever possible. Many will try to slip through a loophole and deny coverage that you paid for. If it’s not specifically noted as a procedure that is not covered, then it often will be covered by your insurance.
Some states require insurance companies to cover infertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Keep in mind that there are many exclusions to these state mandates (such as self insured companies and having less than 50 company employees with medical insurance benefits), so check your state mandates to be sure that you know the extent of your insurance coverage. Some insurance companies will ask for documentation from your doctor that you have been infertile for one or two years before they will consider infertility treatment necessary, so make sure that you are working with your doctor early on. If you are running into walls when trying to get your infertility treatment covered, then contact an attorney familiar with insurance claims to help you come up with the best solution.
Lower Body Strength Training for Wrestling
Fitting a heavy lower body strength workout into your strength training program is usually the last thing on a wrestler’s mind, especially in season. With all the practicing and running to make weight, who can blame them?! However, finding time to get in at least one lower body day a week in season is crucial for success. A lot of parents try to convince me their kids don’t need it. They think that their kid’s legs must be strong from all the running and practicing. They couldn’t be further from the truth. Running to sweat weight off is not going to give you the strength to finish takedowns, the speed to get in on your opponents legs, or the power to return your opponent to the mat after they have stood up from the bottom. Making lower body strength training one of your top priorities in your wrestling training program will help you score more takedowns, improve the effectiveness of your sprawls, increase the success of your standups, and ultimately, help you win more matches. Now that you know what stronger legs can do, let’s go into the top four best exercises for developing them.
Box Squats
The squat is arguably the best exercise a wrestler can perform. I have all my wrestlers box squat for two big reasons. The first reason is that by sitting and pausing on a box and then squatting up forces the wrestler to overcome a static position. This closely resembles stalemate situations during a match. The second reason is that every rep is consistently deep. Squatting to a box takes all the guess work out of whether or not the wrestler went deep enough on their squats. The first step to box squatting is building a box. You can use a bench, stack plates, use aerobic steps, or anything else you can find. I make mine out of wood and use ¾” plywood to adjust the height. You may be so lucky as to find an adjustable box in the gym you workout at. The most important thing is that when you are sitting on the box your thighs are parallel to the floor. After your box is built you’re ready to start squatting. Get under the bar and walk back until you’re close enough to the box where you can sit on it only when you drive your hips back and down. The width of your stance is up to you but be sure to angle your toes out slightly. Initiate the squat from the hips, not the knees. Force your hips back, drive your knees out and sit down to the box in a controlled manner. Do not drop to the box. Make sure your chest is kept tall throughout and your lower back stays flat. Now that you’re at the bottom of the squat it’s time to stand back up. Force your chest up, drive your hips up off the box and return to the standing position. When you’re done walk forward until the bar hits the rack and lower yourself from there until the bar rests on the hooks.
Deadlifts
The deadlift is one of two other exercises that come to mind that may challenge the squat in terms of the best exercise for a wrestler. The deadlift is a little easier to setup and perform but it requires an incredible amount of strength in the hips, back, and hands. There are two ways to deadlift- conventional and sumo. I will detail the sumo deadlift because that tends to be the favorite among the wrestlers that I work with. The stance for a sumo deadlift is going to be wider than a conventional deadlift, and it will resemble the stance of a sumo wrestler…go figure. Your stance should be wider than your hips with your toes angled out like you have them when you squat. Take an alternate grip (one palm facing you the other facing away from you) where your hands are directly under your shoulders. With your grip inside your knees you will be able to prevent your knees from being forced together by your arms during the lift. Sink your hips down and get your chest up tall and your low back flat. Lift the bar off the ground while maintaining a flat low back until you are completely standing. Make sure your arms stay straight and relaxed throughout the lift. Lower the bar and repeat.
Lunges
The lunge is a great builder of single leg lower body strength. Single leg strength is needed throughout wrestling, especially when shooting on the legs; which is why lunges are so important in a lower body wrestling training program. The lunge can be performed with a barbell or with dumbbells. If you are using a barbell hold it on your back as you would for a squat. If you are using dumbbells, hold them at your sides. Your feet should be hip width apart throughout the exercise. Begin the lunge by taking an exaggerated step forward with one foot (like you would for your penetration step) while keeping the other foot planted behind you. Once you are in the lunge position, lower your hips until the knee of the trail leg lightly touches the ground. Concentrate on lowering your hips to touch your knee instead of driving the knee of the lead leg forward. Be sure to keep your upper body tight so the movement is controlled when your knee touches- your knee should not slam against the ground. Drive your lead foot into the ground to power you back to a standing position. It should only take one smooth step to return to the standing position, if it takes more, lower the weight.
Romanian Deadlifts
The Romanian deadlift is a great way to strengthen your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. It is one of the most effective ways to train your hip extenders (the muscles that help you stand up, return an opponent to the mat, lift an opponent to finish a shot, and sprawl). Begin by holding the bar at the lock out position of a deadlift. Your feet should be underneath your hips with toes pointed forward and your grip should be outside of your legs in a position that will prevent your arms from driving your knees together at any time during the movement. Keep your chest up and back flat throughout the movement. Start with a slight bend your knees and keep them locked in this position throughout the exercise. Just like the squat, initiate the movement by pushing your hips back and begin to slide the bar down your quads and shins. Keep lowering the bar while maintaining a tight core until you feel a strong stretch in your hamstrings. Although this movement is completely dependent upon hamstring flexibility, all of my wrestlers can lower the bar down to their mid-shin. Once you reach the bottom, bring your hips back through and stand back up.