Although strange parenting techniques are nothing new, celebrity parenting gets quite a bit of criticism since it is so publically exposed at all times. With celebrities endorsing things like Kabbalahism, Scientology, veganism, and attachment parenting, it’s difficult for these famous children to grow up with conventional methods. Gracing their children with off-kilter names like “Apple” and “Bear Blu” isn’t enough for celebrities — they also want to rear their children in the weirdest ways possible. The following celebrities endorse some of the most eccentric practices when it comes to raising children.

1. Alicia Silverstone

   Alicia Silverstone inspired a great deal of scrutiny when she posted a video online of herself feeding her son, Bear Blu. The uproar came as a result of the unique methods with which she passed the food to her son, by first chewing it up in her own mouth and then spitting it into his in a style similar to how birds feed their offspring. The video shows Bear cooing in excitement as Silverstone first masticates his food and then presses her lips to his, transferring it into his mouth. Not only has the public criticized the practice for being unhygienic, but it delays the developmental process of children learning to eat with a spoon like a civilized human being. Likewise, with this video on the internet, Bear Blu will have decades of humiliation ahead of him and no way of ever erasing it from existence.

2. January Jones

   After the birth of her son Xander, January Jones took up the witchy, unconventional practice of eating the placenta for its supposed nutritional purposes. According to some, the placenta is full of vitamins and minerals, providing much-needed nutrition and assistance in preventing post-partum depression. Medical opinion on the practice is divided, with some thinking of it as a scam intended to fund a growing, new business for companies that will process a woman’s afterbirth for consumption. Others recognize it could have potential health benefits. Either way, the Mad Men star left most of the public utterly grossed out that she could eat something that came out of her own body.

3. Christina Applegate

   When asked what the best parenting advice she ever received was, Christina Applegate responded with, “to buy a NoseFrida!” The NoseFrida is a suctioning device you use to quite literally suck snot out of your baby’s nose. Rather than use a hand-squeeze nose suctioner or a humidifier to clear her baby’s sinuses, she uses a gross tool that could potentially wind up with her slurping baby snot into her mouth.

4. Gwyneth Paltrow

   Gwyneth Paltrow recently offhandedly commented to Harper’s Bazaar that she bathes with her children. This might be normal if she had toddlers who needed assistance in the tub, but her daughter Apple is seven and son Moses is five. Clearly, both children are old enough to bathe without their Mom getting in the bath with them. Paltrow’s comment spread like a wildfire in online communities where readers have been discussing whether this behavior is unusual. The self-righteous actress posts articles about her experiences with parenting, recipes, travel, fashion, wellness tips, and cultural notes on her website, goop.com.

5. Mayim Bialik

   Much like the mother on the recent cover of TIME Magazine, Mayim Bialik still breastfeeds her 3-year-old child. The actress of Blossom fame is a strong advocate of attachment parenting, which advocates parents to keep their children as close as possible. This could translate into sleeping with them, bathing with them, carrying them around in a sling, and breastfeeding them past infancy. In fact, Bialik’s book, Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way, details all of her weird parenting beliefs. When asked when she would nip the breastfeeding practice in the bud, the star dryly responded that it’d be sometime before her tot hits high school.

6. Katie Holmes

   Katie Holmes’ and Tom Cruise’s staunch Scientology beliefs make for an endless conversation as to their obscure parenting. First, Holmes gave birth silently, complying with the Scientology belief that birthing shall be done without screams of pain from the mother. As their daughter, Suri, grows older, Cruise and Holmes continue to make the news for weird parenting. Suri is allowed to do whatever she pleases because they believe that her spirit has lived for thousands of years already, and that she’s more or less an adult trapped in a toddler’s body. This includes dining out past one in the morning, drinking Starbucks coffee drinks, and purchasing penis-shaped gummies from an adult-themed store. Many people think that giving Suri what she wants is simply lazy parenting exacted to avoid the child’s famous temper tantrums.

7. Madonna

   Madonna’s children are not allowed to watch TV. They cannot eat non-organic, processed foods. They can’t wear clothing that isn’t 100% cotton. They may only drink Kabbalah water. These are some of the many ridiculous stipulations Madonna made when she was forced to have joint custody over her children with her ex-husband Guy Ritchie. Many of these rules had already been implemented when the couple was still together, and she has been criticized for being unnecessarily strict with her children. When her daughter, Lourdes, leaves any article of clothing on the floor, it is thrown into a trash bag and she has to earn it back. The parenting style is awfully punitive for a woman that once wore a cone-shaped bra and sung in a field of burning crosses.

Whether you are looking for a new way to lose weight or you suffer from epilepsy and have heard that a change in eating habits can help ease your symptoms, the ketogenic diet may be the right solution for you. The ketogenic diet uses a unique combination of low carbohydrate foods and high fat foods to encourage the body to burn fat by keeping available glucose stores for energy low.

Foods on the Ketogenic Diet

Fat typically accounts for 80 percent of the calories that people eat while on the ketogenic diet. The other 20 percent comes from a combination of carbohydrates and protein. Keto.org offers a comprehensive listing of foods that are considered to be ideal for a person following the ketogenic diet. Meats are a cornerstone of the diet because meats tend to be higher in fat and contain no carbohydrates. Examples of meats that are recommended include steak, chicken, ham and bacon.

Heavy cream is also permitted. Condiments that are allowed include soy sauce, salt, pepper, mustard and sugar substitutes. Some people may not be able to consume sugar substitutes on the diet. Whether sugar substitutes are permitted depends on how an individual’s body responds to consumption of the substance. Medical monitoring can determine whether it is allowed.
There are some foods that have only a small amount of carbohydrates. These foods can be included in the ketogenic diet as long as carbohydrate amounts are kept under control. Large amounts of these foods may lead to too many carbohydrates in the diet. Examples of foods that fall under this category include greens, peppers, onions, cheese, cured meats and hot dogs. Some wines and salad dressings may be permitted. Labels should always been examined to check for exact carbohydrate content.

Fruits tend to be high in carbohydrates and should generally be avoided. Pasta, bread, cereal and desserts are all typically very high in carbohydrates. Some people are unaware that sauces may also be off limits. For example, barbecue sauces and ketchup tend to have a lot of sugar. Choose wisely when dressing meats and salads to avoid excess consumption of carbohydrates.

Epilepsy and the Ketogenic Diet

Studies have shown that the ketogenic diet can be an effective treatment for epilepsy in some people. While the diet does not work for every epileptic, the instances of success are substantial enough for doctors to commonly recommend that epileptics at least try out the diet. The Epilepsy Foundation notes that the ketogenic diet is usually used in conjunction with anti-seizure medication. However, patients who show signs of success on the diet may be able to significantly reduce that amount of medication that is needed to keep their epilepsy under control.

Scientists are not sure precisely why the diet can help reduce the instance of seizures in epileptics, but Our-Kids cites an impressive 75 percent success rate. The diet is able to eliminate seizures entirely in as many as 50 percent of epileptics that try the diet.

Side Effects of the Ketogenic Diet

Epilepsy.com outlines the common side effects of the ketogenic diet. The most prevalent side effects are a lack of weight gain and constipation. Doctors may prescribe a medication to counter the constipating effect of the ketogenic diet. The diet can cause a delay in growth of children. It has also been known to increase cholesterol and lead to kidney stones. However, these side effects are found in less than five percent of people using the diet. An increase in cholesterol generally reaches a high level of 30 percent over the beginning cholesterol level. After this initial increase, levels tend to stay steady.

A decrease in bone density that can increase the chance of fractures is another side effect. Regular monitoring of bone density and the prescription of supplements that can help regulate bone density may be necessary. Serious side effects are rarely observed, but it is possible for the ketogenic diet to cause problems with the heart, pancreas and brain. The possibility of serious side effects makes it important for people to be monitored while trying the ketogenic diet.

Ketogenic Diet-friendly Meals

Some people may find it difficult to come up with recipes that conform to the requirements of the ketogenic diet. There are websites that list recipes that are specifically designed to fit into this diet plan. For example, Epilepsy.com lists several recipes and meal plans for specific holidays. Recommendations for Valentine’s Day include steak with vegetables and a recipe for almond bread. Winter holiday recipes teach those that are new to the diet how to cook desserts with a sugar substitute so sweet foods can be enjoyed without compromising the plan.

People utilizing this diet must learn to season meats with salt, pepper and soy sauce instead of traditional sauces such as ketchup and barbecue sauce. These sauces have a high amount of sugar and are not suited for use for a person following the ketogenic diet. Salads with allowed vegetables may be dressed with salad dressing as long as it is not high in sugar. Oil and vinegar bases are common and acceptable.

While learning to cook for a ketogenic diet may take some getting used to, it is possible to enjoy a variety of fresh and delicious foods while following the diet. The ketogenic diet is able to help people lose weight by depleting glucose energy sources in the body. When these sources of energy are depleted, the body is forced to burn fat stores. While researchers are not certain of the reasons behind the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in controlling epilepsy, the diet is able to ease or eliminate seizures in 75 percent of those suffering from epilepsy. The possibility of serious side effects makes it necessary for the diet to be pursued only under the supervision of a medical professional.

If you feel exhausted every time your alarm sounds in the morning regardless of how much sleep you got throughout the night, there could be several factors at work. Our sleep cycles are delicate things. Even waking up numerous times throughout the night just to quickly run to the bathroom can compromise the quality of sleep we get. It might take some detective work to deduce which factors are destroying your slumber, but assessing these problems can help you to make necessary changes toward a more fulfilling night’s rest.

1. Sugary Foods

   If you eat sugary foods late in the evening, your blood sugar will raise and the sugar will initially make you more alert. When that rush ends, you’ll crash and be able to fall asleep, but your sleep will be interrupted later in the night when your blood sugar drops too low. The sugar cravings can return strongly enough to actually wake you up. Snacking on sugar in the middle of the night can wreak havoc on your weight loss regimen.

2. Temperature

   The optimum temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. As the core body temperature falls, a restful state ensues. If your room gets too hot in the middle of the night, this could cause you to wake up in a sweat. Additionally, when the body is in REM state, it is unable to shiver or sweat and thus becomes the same temperature as the room around it, which could awaken you if your room is too warm. The interrupted sleep will impair the overall quality of your sleep, leaving you feeling drained the following day and unable to get any work done.

3. Pets

   You may enjoy having your dog sleep at the foot of your bed, but your pets can cause the quality of your sleep to quickly degenerate. As your pet tosses and turns throughout the night, you may awaken from their restless activity. They also may snore. If you sleep with a cat in the room, a cat’s predatory instincts kick in around four in the morning. This is when felines in the wild would hunt, and it can be even worse if a house cat has been able to sleep all day while you’re away at work. An active cat may jump on your bed, mew loudly, and paw at the curtains. The noise and movement will likely wake you up, interrupting precious sleep.

4. Alcohol

   Drinking before bed can lessen the amount of time your body cycles through deep sleep. When you drink before bed, your body disables your parasympathetic nervous system, which normally kicks in to help you lower your heart rate and relax your muscles. Once your body metabolizes the alcohol, your sleep becomes disrupted. Most people wake for frequent trips to the bathroom. If you drank a lot, you may be dehydrated and wake up only to chug a glass of water. Without acquiring deep sleep, you’ll be exhausted the following day.

5. Allergies

   If you suffer from allergies, you may struggle to get to sleep between the coughing, sneezing, and post-nasal drip. Treating your allergies with decongestants can worsen the insomnia, as they agitate most people. Nasal sprays and saline rinses can alleviate the symptoms best. The key is being able to breathe through your nose, as having to breathe through your mouth all night is a poor solution for quality sleep. Sleep on multiple pillows to keep your head elevated, which will encourage the mucous flow rather than having it all gather in your head and throat.

6. Sleep Apnea

   Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder in which you have pauses in breathing when you sleep. During the paused moments, the body is startled out of deep sleep into lighter sleep, which is why it can be debilitating to getting a restful night’s sleep. The snorting sound that occurs when your breathing resumes can also wake your partner. Sadly, sleep apnea can be tricky to diagnose without going in for a sleep evaluation. Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, partially blocks the air passage. When air escape through the passage, the sleeper will snore loudly.

7. Technology Before Bed

   While it may be extremely common to watch TV, check Twitter, or play videogames before bed, these all can have negative impacts on your ability to sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 95% of Americans tinker with technology prior to bed, and the bright computer screen sets up your body’s circadian rhythm for restless slumber. The interactive quality of the computer stimulates the brain, wiring it up before bed rather than winding it down.

8. Uneven Schedule

   To ensure your body is well-rested, try to fall asleep and wake up in the morning at approximately the same time every day. Sleeping in on the weekends does not actually enable you to catch up on the sleep you missed out on earlier in the week. In fact, diverging from a set schedule can make you even sleepier during daytime hours. Obeying a routine will help your body to fall to sleep more quickly at night and even possibly awaken without the aid of an alarm clock.

Whether you are expecting your first child, raising a toddler, or just now have a pressing need, considering health insurance for your children can be a daunting proposition. There are several programs currently in place to provide medical, dental, and hospital care for your precious little ones. Changes to these programs and to the health care system in general are on the horizon though.

Children’s Health Insurance Program

Families of four that make approximately $45,000 a year or less may be eligible for health care for their children under the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This insurance program provides free or low-cost health coverage for more than 7 million children who qualify, ages 19 and under. CHIP offers coverage for U.S. citizens and eligible immigrants and is now available in every state. Included in the program are routine check-ups, immunizations, hospital and dental care, as well as lab and x-ray services. In a fairly balanced approach, preventative care is free but in certain cases, minimal premiums may be required.

Medicaid

The Office of the Press Secretary reported in 2009 that President Barack Obama injected more than $15 billion into the government funded health care program, Medicaid, which is available to families of four with a yearly income of $29,725 or less. The coverage is similar to that of CHIP’s with the inclusion of vision. In most cases, services cost nothing to the family. Rather, the funding for this program comes from taxpaying Americans.

United Health Care Children’s Foundation

United Health Care Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is offering up to $5,000 in grants to applicants in need of financial assistance to help pay for their children’s health care. This supplement to insurance plans is open to children 16 or younger who meet certain economic guidelines. In 2011 alone, UHCCF gave out more than 1,200 grants to United States families. These grants helped pay for a wide variety of medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, and more. UHCCF’s aim is to help even more families in 2012 through increased fundraising efforts. The UHCCF is a nonprofit organization devoted to providing public charity.

Future of Child Health Care

The Republicans and Democrats are in the beginning stages of a battle over the budget in order to make cuts to stem the flow of debt. Part of the reform the Republican Party has suggested is to make substantial cuts to social services, Medicare, and Medicaid. This showdown started last summer over the rushed bill that Republicans passed to raise the debt ceiling with a guarantee that there would be a deficit reduction of $1.2 trillion over 10 years. The committee in charge of producing these cuts failed to reach an agreement in November and both parties see the $55 billion cuts to military spending in January as potentially damaging.

The Republicans released a proposal bill that avoids military cuts and instead reduces the medical costs for taxpayers. The Democrats, on the other hand, would like to increase taxes to pay for the medical programs in addition to slashing funding to our military. Though the numbers would be favorable in reducing debt in the short term, it would place an enormous burden on tax payers as well as dramatically increasing risk to national security. Looking specifically at the impact to health care, however, we can see two major effects whichever way the hammer falls on the budget.

According to The New York Times, if the GOP passes its proposed budget adjustments, the number of people on food stamps would decrease by 1.8 million, and a possible 300,000 children would lose their health insurance coverage through CHIP and Medicaid. The numbers may seem drastic but in reality are much less significant when you consider the fact that 29.5 million children are currently covered, Results.org indicates. Three hundred thousand represents fractionally more than 1% of the total children covered with Medicaid. Needless to say, the projected impact of cuts to Medicaid and Medicare barks much louder than it bites.

In contrast, increasing taxes and cutting military spending would appear to aid the 300,000 children with health care but put the other 99% at an even greater long-term risk. If Americans have to pay more out of pocket for other people’s health care, they won’t be able to pay for their own insurance. What happens when they can’t afford their own policies? They have to use the exact program they were previously funding and the cycle of dependency without financial means continues downward. Taxing the pants off of Americans to pay for an economically damaging policy is not doing anyone a favor.

The proposed changes by both the Republicans and Democrats are certain to occur over the next few months, but one thing is sure regardless of what change takes place: someone will have to pay for health care.

Protection from the sun is essential when spending time outdoors, but how safe is the sun protection that you choose to use? Keep reading to find out whether that bottle of sunscreen is as effective and safe as you thought it was.

Effectiveness of Sunscreen

WebMD notes that sunscreens may not always be as effective as consumers are lead to believe they are. Ineffectiveness and the presence of harmful chemicals are the two biggest concerns when it comes to sunscreens that are bottled and sold commercially. It is estimated that 60 percent of sunscreens are either not effective or are actually harmful to use because of chemical ingredients.

Sunscreens with protection under sun protection factor (SPF) 15 are generally considered ineffective against harmful rays. People may use sunscreens with a low SPF because they wish to protect against sun damage while obtaining a tan, but a low SPF can be considered to be as ineffective as wearing no sun protection at all. Sunscreens must be effective against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to protect the wearer. UVA rays are associated with skin damage and an increased risk of skin cancer over time. UVB rays are the rays that cause a person to suffer a sunburn.

Sunscreen and the FDA

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has primarily kept out of the regulation of sunscreens in the past. Unfortunately, an increase in fraudulent claims about the effectiveness and safety of certain sunscreens has made it necessary for the FDA to step in and attempt to protect consumers when it comes to accurate labeling on sunscreen bottles.

THE FDA regulations regarding the labeling of sunscreens will take effect at the end of 2012. The new regulations only allow sunscreen manufacturers to label bottles with a claim regarding protection against UVA rays, UVB rays and the sunburn and skin damage effects of each if the sunscreen contains a minimum SPF of 15. Companies that produce sunscreens labeled as providing broad spectrum protection must be able to back up claims that they provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

Some sunscreens claim that they are waterproof or last a much longer time than regular products. The FDA will no longer allow any company to claim that their sunscreen lasts longer than two hours. The product must also detail how long a person should wait after application before sun protection is in effect. The time limit before reapplication may also be printed on the label for clarity. Sunscreens were not required to have drug information in the past. The new regulations will now require sunscreens to be labeled with drug facts related to the effective ingredients contained in the product.

Chemicals Found in Sunscreen

The disturbing truth is that many sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm a person. Some sunscreens even contain chemicals that contribute to the development of skin cancer rather than protecting against it as one would believe would be the aim of wearing sun protection.

The Los Angeles Times notes that sunscreens that are sold as sports sunscreens are known to contain a chemical that can cause disruptions in the hormonal balance of the wearer. The chemical is called oxybenzene and is included as an ingredient in approximately 50 percent of all sunscreens that are labeled for sports use.

A chemical known as retinyl palmitate is present in approximately one third of all sunscreens. Retinyl palmitate is technically a type of vitamin A, but it has been tied to an increased risk of developing skin cancer when applied to the skin as part of a sunscreen.

Sunscreen Regulations in Europe

The European Commission has had regulations in effect regarding the manufacture and labeling of sunscreens since 1976. The FDA is only now looking to the European Commission for guidance in the regulation of sunscreens.

Alternatives to Sunscreen

Consumers may want to be proactive about the safety of sun protection until the FDA steps in to change regulations. Since the FDA has postponed labeling changes and regulations until the end of 2012, people spending time in the sun this summer will need to find healthy ways to enjoy the outdoors without risking the consequences of prolonged sun exposure.

People who do not feel that they have the time or patience to learn about natural alternatives to sunscreen can consider purchasing a natural bottled sunscreen that contains fewer ingredients and chemicals than typical sunscreens. However, Green Living Ideas points out that even natural bottled sunscreens tend to have harmful chemicals.

The best alternative to sunscreen is a combination of homemade sunscreen and lifestyle changes that limit sun exposure and boost natural defenses against harmful rays. Your first line of defense is to avoid spending time outdoors when the sun is at its brightest. This tends to happen between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Light clothing can also be worn to protect from the sun’s harmful rays. There are companies that specifically manufacture clothing that is intended to be used to limit exposure to the sun. These pieces of clothing tend to be costly, but obtaining a few staple items that protect you from the sun and keep you healthy may be worth the expense.

A healthy diet often contributes to a person’s natural immunity to the sun. Dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits have been specifically linked to healthier skin that is less susceptible to sun damage. A topical mixture of zinc oxide and a natural lotion that is free of chemicals can act as a homemade sunscreen. Protecting yourself from the sun without causing yourself harm in the process is a matter of paying attention to labels and understanding ingredients. Alternatives to sunscreen can be used to avoid any harmful chemicals or ineffective products.

Some health check-ups might be overly expensive or unnecessary (depending on age and frequency), while others are vitally important. Sometimes going to see the doctor when you’re not sick is the best preventative precaution you can take. Screening tests increase your chances of beating virtually any disease or condition, as catching it in its earliest stages is also its most treatable stage. While you should always discuss your specific needs and medical history with your doctor, it’s a good rule of thumb to get regular check-ups. You should be screened for these following seven medical exams regularly:

1. Blood Pressure

   Even healthy adults should have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis (every two years, or six to 12 months if you have a history of hypertension). Healthy blood pressure levels are 120.80 or less, while 140/90 is considered pretty high. Your blood pressure can predict some serious heart conditions, as well as your risk of strokes. If you’re generally healthy with little health concerns, you can even get a blood pressure reader at your local pharmacy.

2. Cholesterol Check

   To determine your risk for heart disease, finding out the amount of cholesterol in your blood is an important first step in assessing your lipid profile. The amount of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides in your blood can determine if your arteries are getting clogged, which increases your risk of heart disease. The results of this test can also give you perspective on the amount of cholesterol in your diet, and whether or not you may need to adjust your diet. This screening requires at least 12 hours of fasting the night before your test, so schedule it accordingly.

3. Mammograms

   It’s important for women to get an annual mammogram, along with a monthly breast self-examination, if possible. Since mammograms find between 85 to 90% of breast cancer and find cancers up to two years before they can be felt, the cancer is mostly curable during its early stages. Women in their 20s and 30s generally can get a clinical breast exam at least every three years. Once women reach their 40s, an annual mammogram would be ideal, since increased risks are associated with aging and menopause.

4. Pap Smears

   An important measure against early detection of cervical cancer, regular Pap smears should be conducted at recommended intervals for sexually active women (once every three years starting at age 21.) A Pap test can save your life, if the earliest signs of cervical cancer are detected. It can also find infections and abnormal cervical cells. Women who have been through menopause also still need regular Pap tests.

5. Colorectal Screening

   Colorectal cancer screening can detect cancerous or abnormal cell growth in your colon or rectum area. Early detection of tumor growth is extremely vital in treatment. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of non-skin cancer for men and women, and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, according to The National Cancer Institute. Your health care provider may suggest a couple tests including a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy, among other tests. Men and women without a family history should consider their initial screening starting at age 50, and once every 10 years after.

6. Blood Glucose Levels

   Starting at age 45, blood glucose screenings should be done every three years. For obese or diabetics, this must be done much sooner. Glucose testing is used to diagnose or rule out diabetes and pre-diabetes, as well as monitor treatment and diet for diabetics. Patients over the age of 40 should be tested regularly in order to start treatment early on.

7. Bone Mineral Density Test (BMD)

   A BMD test is an important screening to help detect osteoporosis and prevent bone fractures. People around 65 years of age should consider getting regular bone mineral density tests done, which may include a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA scan) or a chest x-ray. Maintaining an accurate bone mass measurement can give you early insight on any preventative medications and healthy habits to slow or even reverse bone loss.

According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research’s profile on amphetamines, drugs containing amphetamines such as Adderall are prescribed for narcolepsy, obesity, and attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder. While Adderall is seldom prescribed for weight loss, it occasionally is. It can also be easily obtained for nonmedical use, as it tends to be by college students. However, Adderall is not a plausible alterative to dieting and exercise. The medical risks of taking Adderall to slim down outweigh the benefits. Still, this drug is constantly abused, for weight loss, as a study aid, and to get high.

1. You’ll Put it Back On

   One of Adderall’s well-known side effects is loss of appetite. This is because they stimulate the dopamine center of the brain, which regulates pleasure. Hollywood starlets are reputed to use Adderall for its thinning effects, and the trend is catching on to mothers nabbing a few pills from their children’s bottle or college students who find that the weight loss benefit is still appealing even after the need for a study aid has dissipated. However, just like any quick fix diet trick, you’ll put the weight back on after you stop taking Adderall. Likewise, users will have to increase the dose over time to maintain the same appetite suppression. Worse, since most Adderall diet proponents have essentially been starving themselves for the duration of their drug abuse, they will gain even more weight when weaning off of Adderall because the body has been famished and is trying to quickly store calories.

2. It Increases Anxiety

   The Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s pamphlet entitled “Getting High on Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs Is Dangerous” states that high doses of Adderall taken over a short time can lead to feelings of hostility, intense fear, and paranoia. This doesn’t diverge much from what the medication guide for Adderall says as well. Adderall may have a calming effect on adults and teens with ADHD, but for those without it, it is a stimulant with side effects akin to speed. Repeated use could cause panic attacks, especially if mixed with other stimulants or medicine with stimulants such as most nasal decongestants.

3. It’s Addictive

   Without doubt, Adderall is psychologically addictive, especially when you start seeing the weight fall off as a result of a few week’s usage. The risk for becoming dependent on the drug is extremely high. When you stop taking Adderall, your motivation dissolves, fatigue creeps up, and the weight trickles back on. You won’t be happy with the lack of energy, how much harder it is to focus without the drug’s aid, and the emotional lows that normal people experience when they aren’t constantly on an upper. To counteract the withdrawal effects, you’ll need to slowly wean off of the drug over time, which shows it is also physically addictive.

4. It’s Banned in Canada

   In 2004, Shire Pharmaceuticals, which owns the formula for Adderall, released a report revealing that 20 sudden deaths had occurred worldwide from patients taking Adderall. Furthermore, these patients died without overdosing, misusing, or in any way abusing the drug, which means that they died even though they took Adderall according to their doctor’s orders. The report also referenced 12 Adderall users who suffered strokes while correctly using the drug. In response, Canada’s Health Products Directorate recalled Adderall from the market on February 9, 2005. For some reason, the FDA did not take the report as seriously, and Adderall continues to be distributed throughout the United States without much regard to its obvious risks.

5. It Causes Heart Problems

   If you refer to the medication guide itself that comes with a prescription to Adderall, it plainly warns of some serious side effects concerning heart problems and blood pressure, including sudden death in patients who have preexisting heart problems or heart defects, stroke and heart attack in adults, heart arrhythmia, and increased blood pressure and heart rate. This is part of the reason that Adderall is considered a class II drug and must be closely evaluated. During usage, doctors regularly monitor their patients’ blood pressure to make sure there are no significant changes to be concerned with. Increased heart beat is listed as a common side effect, and many Adderall users experience heart palpitations over time. Keeping your weight regulated isn’t worth the stress this stimulant puts on your heart. Looking slimmer in exchange for taking a few years off of your life isn’t a particularly good deal.

6. It’s Usually Illegal

   While many people may obtain Adderall from their doctors by feigning ADHD symptoms or seeking the advice of a doctor that is willing to prescribe Adderall for weight loss, most will simply order it online or buy it off of friends with scripts. This is illegal. Adderall is a controlled substance for a reason — taking this medication without doctor supervision can be lethal. Incidentally, should you accidentally order Adderall online from a DEA agent posing as a distributor, you could serve jail time for your crime. Obtaining Adderall from a source other than a trusted pharmacy with a script from your doctor could mean that the drugs themselves are untrustworthy. They could be far too high a dose or cut with another substance.

7. Taken off the Market

   Adderall was originally called Obetrol, and was prescribed as a weight loss pill in the 1980s. However, it was taken off the market because it was deemed addictive and not worth the negative side-effects. This should be a clue to those that take Adderall for weight loss that they should not be abusing the drug in this way. If Adderall were intended to be used as a diet pill, it would never have been taken off the market and reformulated for the treatment of ADHD. Drug companies are able to evaluate the successfulness of a drug better than any self-prescribing civilian that orders Adderall off the internet without a prescription.

8. It Impairs Creativity

   The effects of Adderall on a studying student may be great, since it allows them to be more focused and regimented, but the creative pulse will completely dwindle while on the drug. Eric Heiligenstein, clinical director of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin says “these medications allow you to be more structured and more rigid. That’s the opposite of the impulsivity of creativity.” It’s one thing to be able to regurgitate information for a test, but daily use of Adderall for its weight loss purposes will ultimately render your work into the methodical thinkings of a robot. Creativity is important even in daily life and jobs that don’t seem to allow for much of a creative slant, as it gives way to innovation, new strategies, and exciting ideas.

When you were growing up did you ever worry about what you were eating or about your physical appearance? Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States and more families are having to worry about the health of their children. It is now estimated that one in three children in the U.S. is either overweight or obese. This growing issue can be attributed to many factors. By understanding the issues we can help our children learn the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise.

Effect of Socioeconomic Status

Times have been hard for millions of Americans. Some people have to take any job that they can get or work multiple jobs to make ends meet. These hardships can enforce bad habits in how the family operates and how they look at a meal. Though research has suggested that obesity rates may be going down, it appears that there is a measurable gap in rates of obesity in different socioeconomic statuses. It can often be hard for families to put food on the table consistently. Due to this reasoning there may be parents wanting their kids to eat as much as they can when there is guaranteed food if they do not know where the next meal will come from. Also, since obesity causes health issues, we are seeing higher economic classes lower their rates. This can be attributed to the fact that they are paying for their personal insurance and do not want to deal with the rising rates unlike someone who might receive government help for health care. If there is not a way that we correct this problem, then we may see that obesity will continue widening the socioeconomic gap.

Does TV Play a Role?

The obvious answer is yes, but it is important to understand how TV plays a role in obesity. One of the most important ways that it affects children is through advertising. Recently researchers have looked at how many fast food restaurants and meals individuals could correctly guess when they removed the restaurant image. It was proven that the overweight and obese samples were able to correctly identify the food more consistently versus those individuals who were not. Another way that TV affects obesity is that parents often have to rely on TV to entertain their children if they are busy working. Due to this, children are now spending more time in front of the TV rather than playing outside or doing other physical activities.

Is the Government Helping or Hurting?

As Americans we should expect that our representatives will battle for the issues that matter to us. Since obesity is a problem that is affecting our children, we should count on parents to make smarter decisions for their children, and for the government to regulate the foods that are available to our children. Think about school lunches for example, we want them to be as nutritious as possible. The problem with that is that the government provides meals for many students for free. Since this costs them lots of money they have unfortunately looked at alternative methods. One current controversial move was the purchase of more than 7 million pounds of ammonia-treated meat for their meals. This meat, now referred to as “pink slime,” has been rejected by several fast food giants but was somehow deemed okay by the government. The decision was defended by the USDA, which swears that the food was safe. Talk about timing, the decision to buy the meat was announced after the government demanded new regulations on school lunches. They are now calling for more whole grains, produce, and less sodium and fat. The health fight seems to be on everyone’s mind in Washington. First Lady Michelle Obama has pushed a child obesity campaign that will include better nutrition and daily exercise for our children. She also teamed up with The Biggest Loser to promote a healthier lifestyle. Unfortunately, it seems that money is still the determining factor in Washington. Food and beverage companies continue to beat out government proposals.

1. Secret Sabotage: Congress recently rejected a plan that would lower sugar, salt, and fat in the food that was marketed towards children.
2. School Lunch Nutrition: In addition to buying pink slime, Congress recently declared pizza a vegetable so that it could continue to stay in the school lunch programs
3. Lucky Streak?: Interestingly enough, the food and beverage industry has a near-perfect record when it comes to battling the health authorities and government
4. Defeat: More than 24 states and five cities have tried to established a “soda tax.” Every time it was either dropped or defeated.

It is time that we stop making excuses for this growing problem and think about our kids. As parents we should want the best for them and their well-being. The health tips that we teach them now are going to shape how they function for the rest of their lives. If we teach them the importance of a healthy lifestyle then we will all benefit in the end.

Parents are constantly struggling to encourage their children to eat more fruits and vegetables for their nutritional value, but some produce may contain pesticides that cause harmful effects on humans. To reduce the amount of chemicals in children’s food, parents are switching to organic fruits and vegetables. According to studies, organic and conventional produce contain equivalent amounts of nutrients. Organic foods are more expensive than traditional, but they contain far fewer pesticides and chemicals.

In order for foods to be classified as organic, they must meet certain requirements posed by the USDA. Natural is not the same thing as organic, so it is important to pay attention to labels when shopping. The method of farming and producing determines whether or not foods are organic. In order to use USDA organic labels, farmers must practice conservation methods without the use of pollutants and chemicals. Mayo Clinic outlines some of the basic requirements that organic farmers must meet.

Organic foods are not allowed to contain genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, which are substances with altered DNA. Currently, GMOs are not thoroughly tested for safety and have loose regulations by the FDA. GMO crops frequently fail at their intended purposes of reducing agricultural costs, decreasing famine and eliminating the use of chemicals. Many strains of GMO crops have become resistant to traditional pesticides, and farmers have had to resort to using highly toxic chemicals to kill insects and weeds. Safety concerns for these artificially created foods include male sterility, limited nutritional value and toxicity levels.

Organic farmers produce goods that are better for the environment and for human consumption. Conventional farming methods use chemical fertilizers where organic practices use manure or compost to achieve the same goal. Organic farmers eliminate pesticides by providing habitats for animals that eat harmful insects. These farmers also utilize traps and disrupt mating habits to prevent disease-carrying insects from infecting the agriculture. Conventional farmers use herbicides to control weeds, but organic farmers use methods like crop rotation, tilling, laying mulch and pulling weeds by hand.

Children exposed to pesticides and chemicals face greater health risks than adults due to their undeveloped bodies. Consumption of pesticides is linked to childhood cancers, neurological damage, behavioral disorders and Parkinson’s disease. Pregnant women who are exposed to pesticides can cause birth defects in the fetus. Such chemicals are heavily associated with developmental problems because of the stress they put on organs and their weakening effect on the immune system.

Children can greatly benefit from eating organic fruits and vegetables. They receive tons of nutrients without the addition of harmful pesticides. Because organic foods do not contain any chemical additives, they taste better than conventional produce. Parents will have an easier time getting their children to eat veggies when the flavor is appealing. Other chemicals, such as MSG and preservatives, cause similar problems as pesticides, but organic foods eliminate the use of such additives. Children receive nothing but nutrients from organic fruits and vegetables.

Since organic produce is not always available in certain areas, it is important for parents to know which fruits and vegetables are most susceptible to pesticides. Leafy greens, such as kale and lettuce, contain high amounts of pesticide residues. Other foods for concern include apples, bell peppers, strawberries and grapes. ABC News offers a table of conventional produce with each food’s percentage and number of pesticides found in studies.

The government has safety standards for pesticide residues, and most foods do not exceed these amounts. Foods with low pesticide residues include asparagus, grapefruit, onions and pineapple. Parents can usually get away with purchasing these conventional foods without much concern. For produce with high amounts of pesticides, it is best to buy the organic versions. If the organic equivalents are not offered, there are methods of reducing the amount of chemicals.

Washing fruits and vegetables helps to remove some pesticides but not all. Parents can peel produce for their children, but this method also removes some of the nutrients. Steaming vegetables is a highly effective way to remove chemicals while preserving the nutritional value. Children should eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to gain an optimum amount of nutrients without pesticides and chemical additives.

Organic foods are often more expensive due to the high cost of conservational farming practices. Because there are no artificial preservatives, these foods also spoil faster than their conventional counterparts. When children’s health is an issue, the added expense is always worth it. The cost of medical bills for children with developmental problems exceeds the cost of organic groceries by far. Supporting organic farmers also helps the environment by decreasing pollutants and carbon emissions. The NRDC offers tips for saving money on organic foods to help parents make smart decisions for their children’s health and nutritional needs.

As the trend for organic foods grows, more grocery stores are offering these alternatives. Some consumers may still have trouble finding organic versions of their favorite fruits and vegetables. Farmers markets are starting to pop up in various cities around the country, and they are ideal locations to find organic foods. Consumers can purchase these goods directly from farmers if they are available. It is best to buy produce that is locally sourced because these farms often use fewer chemicals and additives during shipping and handling processes.

While fruits and vegetables offer the highest amounts of nutrients for children, parents can also switch to organic meats and dairy products. This help guide from a non-profit organization offers useful information on organic foods and tips for purchasing decisions. Parents can help to ensure a healthy future for their children and the environment by spending a little extra money on organic foods and supporting the farmers who make these options available.

If you suffer from sinus infections or allergies, you should be aware that many of the popular treatment methods for these ailments are ineffective. Seeking an effective treatment that will work in the long term is important. Understanding sinus infections and allergies is the first step to finding a treatment that isn’t just a placebo.

Sinus Infections

What is a Sinus Infection?

Sinuses are hollow cavities that are located along the nose, in the upper part of the cheek and in the lower part of the forehead. These cavities are designed to use a layer of mucus to help drain harmful materials out of the nose, but it is possible for mucus buildup to linger in the sinuses. A buildup of mucus can lead to an infection of the sinus cavities.

A sinus infection is often identified by a feeling of pressure in the sinuses that may be accompanied by pain. Depending on the severity of the infection, sore throat, fever and coughing may also be experienced by those suffering from an infection.

Sinus Infection Treatments

The most important part of treating sinus infections is finding a way to get the mucus to drain from the cavities. This can be done by increasing intake of fluids. Some doctors recommend a saline flush, but this treatment option should not be used without first consulting a doctor.

Bacterial infections are generally treated with an antibiotic. However, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes, not all sinus infections are caused by bacteria. Viral sinusitis generally clears up without medical treatment.

A study referenced by MinnPost found that antibiotics are actually no more effective for treating sinus infections than a placebo. This statistic is especially significant because 20 percent of all the antibiotic prescriptions written in the United States are for sinus infections. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria and a decreased effectiveness of antibiotics when a person actually has a bacterial infection that could be cured through the use of antibiotics. It is common for sinus infections to be the result of a viral infection. Antibiotics do not have any effect when an infection is caused by a virus. It is best to treat the symptoms of sinusitis and allow time for the infection to clear on its own before seeking prescription medication.

Allergies

What Is an Allergy?

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology explains that allergic reactions are set off by triggers. An allergist may be needed to figure out what kind of allergies a person has. There are tests available to help people who suffer from regular allergic reactions pinpoint the exact source of the problem.

Predicting Allergies

CNN reports that allergies are likely a biological response that is intended to keep harmful materials out of the body. Unfortunately, some people’s bodies react adversely to materials that are not inherently harmful. Examples include pollen, tree mold and food allergies. People with a family history of allergies are more susceptible to developing allergies. Some doctors believe that young children may develop certain food allergies if they are exposed to foods associated with allergies too early in life.

Preventing Allergies

Preventing allergies starts with finding out what kind of allergies a person has. Allergies that are triggered by plants can often be kept under control by staying indoors with the windows closed as much as possible. Clean air filters can be used to keep the indoor air free of pollen and other allergy triggers. Many of the allergy medications available do not work for all allergy sufferers. It may be necessary for a person to try a variety of medications before deciding which medication best relieves their symptoms.

One long term solution to allergies is a series of shots. The purpose of these shots is to increase a person’s tolerance to their allergy triggers over time. The amount of treatments depends on how severe the allergies are and how many different kinds of allergies a person has. Typically, the patient will visit an immunologist every two to four weeks. This series of shots will take between two to five years to complete. Many people are unwilling to commit to the length of an allergy shot treatment. Insurance often does not cover this type of treatment. Because staying indoors during allergy season is often not reasonable, those suffering from severe seasonal allergies may benefit from researching their allergy triggers and choosing a new climate based on these triggers.

Increased Prevalence of Allergies

The National Wildlife Federation has linked global warming to an increased instance of seasonal allergies and asthma. Warmer weather arrives earlier in the year and lasts longer than it has in the past. This allows plants to bloom earlier and release more pollen into the atmosphere. Ozone pollution that has been associated with global warming tends to be a problem for asthmatics. It is estimated that 25 million Americans are suffering from allergies that last longer and are more severe as a direct result of global warming.

Differences Between Sinus Infections and Allergies

Although sinus infections and allergies are not the same, there are symptoms that the two have in common. Excess mucus and coughing may be associated with both ailments. It is possible for the mucus buildup that is associated with a severe case of allergies to lead to a sinus infection. It is important to avoid unnecessary treatments when suffering from allergies or sinus infections. Studies have shown that many sinus infections can be cleared up with patience instead of antibiotics. The best advice regarding the treatment of sinus infections and allergies can be obtained from a medical professional.