Gestational Diabetes - What You Need To Know

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that happens among women who experience high blood sugar level in their pregnancy even if they never have had any history of diabetes.

This disorder poses a great danger to both mother and baby. The baby could develop congenital defects and chemical imbalance after birth which would make it necessary for the baby to be placed in neonatal intensive care.

Gestational diabetes mellitus happens when the body's insulin receptors cannot function well due to the  factors that affect pregnancy such as the presence of human placental lactogen that interferes with the susceptible receptors.

Gestational diabetes hardly shows any symptoms making the expectant mom unaware of her condition which needs urgent and immediate treatment. When this happens, she could experience pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and more likely give birth by Ceasarian section. She is likely to develop Type 2 diabetes after giving birth. The child, on the other hand, could grow up obese and eventually develop type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

Gestational diabetes usually disappears as soon as the baby is born. You have a 30 to 80% chance of developing gestational diabetes on your second pregnancy if you had it in your first one. Getting pregnant within one year of the first pregnancy could cause gestational diabetes to recur.

Women who experience elevated blood sugar levels can cope with their condition by following a strict low fat diet and regular exercise.

Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 - The Energy-Boosting Supplement

Coenzyme Q10 is a substance that is naturally produced by the body. It is found in the mitochondria of our cells thus making it the main powerhouse of our body. It releases energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) during exercise and other forms of physical exertion that involves the utilization of oxygen.

95% of our body's energy is produced with the release of ATP during physical exertion which explains the high concentration of the substance COQ10 in the organs that require the highest amount of energy such as the liver, heart and kidneys.

Coenzyme Q10 or COQ10 for short, is important in treating patients with congestive heart failure. It has the ability to lower both the systolic and diastolic pressure of the blood thus significantly lowering high blood pressure.

CoQ10 is also believed to treat migraine headaches particularly those attacks caused by a lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Taking a regular dose of this supplement which is packed with oxygen will dramatically reduce the debilitating effects of migraine headaches.

CoQ10 is also known to be an effective treatment for gingivitis and periodontitis. Previous studies shows that these two gum diseases can be caused by CoQ10 deficiency in the diet. Clinical tests made on human beings showed that regular treatment of

CoQ10 strengthens the immune system in the presence of gum diseases and may reverse cases of gingivitis.

Foods that are very rich sources of CoQ10 are: 

meat 
fish such as mackerel and sardines
soybeans, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley and olive oil. 

Fruits are low in CoQ10 except avocado. 

Nut lovers are sure to obtain this substance from peanuts, pistacchios and sesame seeds. 

Small amounts of CoQ10 can be found in chicken heart and chicken liver, and dairy products.

A daily dose of 3 to 6 mg of CoQ10 which can be sourced mainly from meat can supply the body of its required daily allowance of this substance.

Lifting Weights Is Also Good For Moms and Sisters

A lot of women are now into weightlifting primarily to lose weight and tone down their muscles. Think of Michele Obama's arms. The secret behind those muscles is strength training.

Weightlifting is a form of strength training which is no longer exclusive to the male species, it is also great for women and here are the reasons why:

1. Lifting weights can greatly improve your metabolism.

As we women mature in age, we lose the strength and mass of our formerly tough muscles. Engaging in strength training will hasten your metabolism making the muscle tissues fired up long after the exercise or physical activity is over.

2. Lifting weights can you burn those unwanted fats

Each pound of muscle tissues burns around 30 calories a day even you are just sitting in your desk or lying in bed. The muscles that you will develop, however minimal are still able to help you burn those unwanted fats and keep you in shape for a long time.

3. Lifting weights will help keep your curves in the right places.

While you develop muscles and burn fats, your body will start showing the curves  and keep them in the right places for a long time.

4. Lifting weights can protect your bones and prevent osteoporosis

Lifting weights is one of the best ways to fight bone loss due to aging. It promotes balance and equilibrium preventing fractures and injury due to falls.

5. Lifting weights reduces the risk of having diabetes and heart attack.

Muscle tissues in the body have the ability to remove triglycerides and glucose content from the bloodstream thus preventing atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes.

6. Lifting weights can lower your blood pressure.

A professor at Standford University stated that strength training can lower blood pressure for up to 10 to 12 hours after every workout. He stated that it is not clear how this happens but it probably has favorable effects on the regulation of the nervous system and the production of hormones.