First And Last Pictures Of People's Pets That Will Hit You Right In The Feels (24 pics)

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy. Over time these pets became part of these people's families which is why it was so difficult for them to let go. These are the first pictures people took of their pets and the last picture they took before they said goodbye to them for good. 

Drinking water and health benefits: How much should you drink every day?

Yes, it’s true that the amount of water that you consume everyday can have a big impact on your health. While water is essential to good health, the need by each individual may vary depending upon several factors, including your health, body size, how active you are, etc.

The fact that every system in your body depends on water, drinking sufficient amount of it can help cure all sorts of ills. But, sadly, many people don’t just drink enough of it. Not drinking enough of water can result in dehydration characterised by dry skin, headache, dizziness and even fainting.

Health beneefits of drinking water

Here are some health benefits of drinking water:  

Aids digestion

Water has a host of health benefits, including improving the digestive system. It softens stool thereby making it easy to pass and preventing constipation.

Treats headaches

As per a study published in the European Journal of Neurology, increasing water intake can help reduce the total number of hours and intensity of headaches in patients. Dehydration often leads to headaches and migraines.

Detoxifies body

Water helps flush out toxins from the body and waste products in the form of sweat and urine. The problem is that if you don’t drink enough water, your kidneys won’t have sufficient fluid to function properly, and your body holds on to toxins instead of flushing metabolic waste through the bladder.

Good for skin

Water keeps your skin hydrated, look healthy and young by preventing wrinkles and clearing the complexion. By flushing out toxins from your system, water prevents acne and breakouts and thus helps to keep your face fresh and clear.

 Improves mood

Water is essential not only for your physical health, but for your mental health too. When your body lacks the water that it requires to function, it can negatively affect your mood and ability to think as well. Studies have shown that drinking plenty of water improves your mood. In fact, even a mild hydration can cause your moods to swing.

But how much?

Drinking enough water is important, but over consumption of water could potentially be fatal, leading to a condition called hyponatremia, also known as water intoxication.

As per medical research centre the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, men should be drinking 13 cups of water a day on average, while women could aim for nine.

But if you work out regularly, your requirement of water intake would increase as you need to replace the lost fluids through sweat simultaneously.

Your diet also plays an important in helping to keep you hydrated. Hence, focusing on foods that are high in water content, such as watermelon, cucumber and celery, can help you meet your water requirement as well as flush out toxins in your body.

Health Benefits of Christian Faith

‘In contrast to the popular myth that Christian faith is bad for health … published research suggests that faith is associated with longer life and a wide range of health benefits. In particular, faith is associated with improved mental health. At the very least, the burden of proof is on those who claim that faith is bad for health and that all forms of spiritual care should be excluded from modern medicine.’

That is the key conclusion and challenge of a four-page report from the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF), which was formed in 1949 and has over 4,000 UK doctors and 900 UK medical students as members. Health Benefits of Christian Faith by Alex Bunn and David Randall (CMF Files, No. 44) was published at Easter and can be downloaded from:

http://admin.cmf.org.uk/pdf/cmffiles/44_faith_benefits.pdf

The paper does not present any new empirical data to substantiate its thesis but rather summarizes existing research, especially drawing upon the large-scale synthesis of research findings about physical and mental health outcomes attributable to religion which are presented in Harold Koenig, Michael McCullough and David Larson, Handbook of Religion and Health (Oxford University Press, 2001).

Bunn and Randall make no attempt to separate out UK-based and overseas research, and the literature in this field is undoubtedly disproportionately American. National differences in religiosity may, therefore, need to be factored in. However, the authors do discuss definitional issues, the problem of proving causality, and the controversies surrounding ‘prescribing faith’ as a medical ‘treatment’.

As will be seen from our recent coverage of the National Secular Society’s survey of hospital chaplaincy – http://www.brin.ac.uk/news/?p=905 – the links between faith and health outcomes are, indeed, a matter for vigorous debate.

Although some Christians have been quick to seize upon the evidential value of CMF’s report (the front page of the current issue of the Baptist Times, for example, is headlined ‘How to live long and die happier’), it is unlikely that much time will pass before the contrary view is set out.

Also relevant is a book by Andrew Sims, Is Faith Delusion? Why Religion is Good for Your Health (Continuum, 2009), which examines and explains the connection and the division between Christian faith and psychiatry. Sims was Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Leeds for more than twenty years.

Eight health benefits of gelatin

When someone thinks of healthful food, gelatin may not be one of the first things that come to mind. But gelatin is more than just a jiggly childhood snack or a hospital staple.

In this article, you can learn about gelatin's unexpected health benefits. 

What is gelatin?

Most people are familiar with flavored, colorful gelatin. But it may be surprising to learn that gelatin is mostly made up of protein.

Gelatin is made by boiling animal bones, cartilage, and skin to extract the collagen. Collagen is a fibrous protein that connects muscles, bones, and skin in animals.

When collagen is processed, it becomes a flavorless, colorless substance called gelatin. After gelatin cools, it has a jelly-like texture.

Unlike collagen, gelatin dissolves in hot water, and the texture makes it practical to use in sauces, soups, and desserts.

The health benefits of gelatin are similar to the benefits of collagen since gelatin contains the same amino acids.

Amino acids in gelatin

Gelatin contains several amino acids. Amino acids are compounds that combine to make proteins, and are essential for the proper functioning of various organs, as well as for providing energy.

While the human body makes some amino acids, most people need to get additional amino acids through their diet.

The amino acids found in gelatin are also usually found in the bones and organs of certain animals. Since most people do not eat those parts of the animal, adding gelatin to a varied and nutritious diet may be beneficial.

Specific amino acids found in gelatin may vary, depending on the method of preparation and the animal tissues used.

Typically, the most abundant amino acids in gelatin include glycine, proline, and valine. Gelatin also contains the amino acids lysine, alanine, and arginine. 

Valine is an essential amino acid that cannot be produced by the human body, which means it must come from the diet.

What is gelatin used for?

Gelatin may be used in food products, medications, and cosmetics as a gelling agent.

Gelatin is commonly found in gummy candies, marshmallows, and the coating of drug capsules. It is also eaten as a bone broth or taken as a supplement. 

Eight health benefits of gelatin

Gelatin may have a range of health benefits, including the following:

1. Improving skin health

Collagen is what gives skin its healthy and youthful appearance. As people age, they naturally lose collagen, which causes the skin to become less firm. The result is skin that has wrinkles and lines. As gelatin is a great source of collagen, it may be a natural way to improve the skin's appearance.

2. Providing protein

One benefit of gelatin is that it provides nearly 2 grams (g) of protein per ½ cup. Protein is considered a macronutrient, which means the body needs a large amount.

Some animal sources of protein also contain significant amounts of unhealthy fat. Gelatin is a protein source that does not contain fat. 

3. Aiding digestive function 

Gelatin may aid digestion in several different ways. For instance, the glycine in gelatin may promote a healthy mucosal lining in the stomach.

It also stimulates the production of gastric juices, which facilitates proper digestion. Without adequate digestive enzymes, gastrointestinal problems, such as acid reflux, can develop.

Also, gelatin binds to water and may help food move through the digestive system efficiently.

4. Easing joint pain

The collagen in gelatin may decrease joint pain associated with inflammation.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, some clinical studies indicate gelatin may reduce pain and improve joint function in people with osteoarthritis.

5. Helping control blood sugar

Although more research is needed, one study indicates that glycine, which is one of the abundant amino acids in gelatin, may improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.

6. Maintaining healthy bones

Lysine, which is found in gelatin, helps strengthen the bones. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is also needed to keep the bones strong and prevent bone loss.

Since the body cannot make lysine, it is essential to get adequate amounts through the diet. Adding gelatin to a healthful diet is one way to improve a person's lysine intake.

7. Improving sleep quality

Gelatin may improve sleep quality in some people due to the abundance of glycine. A few tablespoons of gelatin can provide about 3 g of glycine.

8. Aiding weight loss .

Gelatin may help promote weight loss due to its protein and low-calorie content. Protein helps someone feel full, which decreases the likelihood of overeating.

Gelatin may also play a role in controlling hormones associated with hunger.

However, gelatin is often found in chewy candies and marshmallows with high sugar contents. It is better to consume healthful, low-sugar sources of gelatin.

Takeaway message

The health of the animal that is used to make gelatin affects the collagen it stores in its body. However, it is not always possible to know how the animals used to make gelatin were raised.

Animals raised in comfortable conditions with the opportunity for plenty of exercise will have higher quality collagen, which in turn makes better gelatin.

The side effects of gelatin have not been extensively studied, but serious ones appear unlikely.

It is easy for someone to make their own gelatin-rich broth by cooking the leftover carcass or bones of poultry or beef for several hours. If the broth cools, they will see a gel-substance on the surface, which is the collagen.

Gelatin is also easy to add to a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, and broths. It can also be used to make sauces, mousse, and smoothies.

For people who do not want to prepare gelatin, it is available in capsules and as a supplement.

Supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so it is important to discuss them first with a doctor, and only take the recommended dosage.

Six foods that cause diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common condition with many possible causes. Some cases of diarrhea are due to infections. Sometimes it occurs as a side effect of medication, or as a symptom of other conditions, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

This article focuses on foods that can cause diarrhea. Learn about foods that cause diarrhea, how to tell if diarrhea is due to something that has been eaten, treatment options, and when to see a doctor. 

Six foods that may contribute to diarrhea

Foods that could cause diarrhea:

1. Sugar and sugar substitutes

Foods that are high in sugar can cause diarrhea. When people eat foods that contain a lot of sugar, water enters their intestines, which can result in very loose stools.

Fructose is a component of table sugar and is also found naturally in fruits. Some fruits contain more fructose than others. Some examples of foods high in fructose include:

• apple juice
• grapes
• agave
• soda

The body can only digest a certain amount of fructose at one time. Consuming more fructose than the body can absorb, may cause diarrhea.

Dr. Norton Greenberger, a gastroenterologist and Harvard Medical School professor, states that "75 percent of people who ingest more than 40 to 80 grams of fructose per day will get diarrhea."

Another source estimates that approximately 30 to 40 percent of people have trouble absorbing significant amounts of fructose.

Sugar alcohols, including sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and erythritol, are commonly used to sweeten foods labeled "sugar-free" or "no sugar added." These sugar alcohols are not well absorbed by the body and can cause diarrhea in some people, especially if consumed in large amounts.

People should be sure to check the ingredients list of foods labeled "sugar-free" or "no sugar added," such as chewing gums, candy, and protein bars, to see if they contain any sugar alcohols.

2. Caffeine 

Drinks and foods that contain caffeine can cause diarrhea in some people. Caffeine is a stimulant and accelerates the rate that food moves through the intestines.

Common dietary sources of caffeine include:

• chocolate
• coffee
• soda
• tea

3. High-fat and spicy foods

Fried foods and other foods that contain a lot of fat can cause diarrhea because they are difficult for the body to process.

Although it is no longer commonly used by the food industry, a fat substitute known as Olestra can cause diarrhea. People should check labels of fat-free products, such as potato chips, to see if it lists Olestra as an ingredient.

Spicy foods, such as those that contain hot peppers, are another common cause of diarrhea.

4. Lactose

People who are lactose intolerant may experience diarrhea, in addition to other symptoms, after they consume dairy products. Lactose intolerance is prevalent among African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans.

Some people with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate small amounts of dairy products that are aged or those that are lower in lactose. These products include yogurt, kefir, and hard cheeses.

5. FODMAPs

Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols are a category of carbohydrates called FODMAPs. High-FODMAP foods are difficult for some people to digest and may cause diarrhea.

Some categories already mentioned in this article, like fructose, lactose, and sugar alcohols, are considered FODMAPs. The list of high-FODMAP foods is extensive, but a few other examples include:

• artichokes
• beans
• garlic
• onions

A low-FODMAP diet can be challenging to follow due to a large number of restricted foods. If someone thinks that FODMAPs may be the cause of their diarrhea, a registered dietitian can provide education and guidance. 

6. Gluten

Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye, and barley, and many of the people who have problems digesting it have a serious illness, such as celiac disease. When someone has celiac disease, their immune system reacts to gluten and triggers damage to the small intestine.

People that do not have celiac disease may still have issues tolerating gluten. If someone suspects that gluten may be responsible for their diarrhea, it is important that they see a doctor for proper testing before starting a gluten-free diet.

How to tell if diarrhea is due to food

Diarrhea could be food-related if a person has recently made changes to what they eat. It could also be related to food if a person notices that a particular food or type of food, such as dairy products, causes diarrhea.

Keeping a food and symptom diary can be helpful for determining a pattern.

Before attributing diarrhea to food, it is also important to check recent medication changes. Diarrhea is a common side effect of many drugs, such as antibiotics and medicines that contain magnesium.

Diarrhea is unlikely to be related to food intolerance if it:

• contains blood or pus
• is accompanied by a fever
• occurs for an extended period

These are signs that may signify a more serious condition.

Treatment and home remedies for diarrhea

If someone has diarrhea, they should continue to consume a regular diet as tolerated. Historically, doctors have recommended the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) for treating diarrhea, but there is no solid evidence to prove its usefulness.

Also, people do not need to restrict dairy products unless they suspect that dairy has caused their diarrhea. Listed below are some treatments and remedies that may be helpful for diarrhea.

Hydration

 .

Keeping hydrated is a top priority when someone has diarrhea, and the best way to achieve this is to drink plenty of fluids.

In addition to water, Stanford Cancer Nutrition Services also recommend that people with diarrhea can sip on any of the following:

• broth
• caffeine-free tea
• diluted juice
• drinks that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks
• flat ginger ale

Fluids that have both sugar and salt, called oral rehydration solutions (ORS), are easier for the body to absorb. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, people can make an ORS by adding half a teaspoon of salt and 6 teaspoons of sugar to 1 liter of water.

Medications

Over-the-counter medications are also available to help treat diarrhea. People should check with their doctor to work out if a store-bought medicine is appropriate for them.

Some studies have shown that loperamide (Imodium) and simethicone bring more relief when taken together than individually.

Bismuth subsalicylate, better known as Pepto-Bismol, is another medication available from a drugstore.

Probiotics

Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in the gut. They may be a helpful treatment for children with diarrhea, but more studies in adults are needed.

Soluble fiber

While foods that are high in insoluble fiber can worsen diarrhea, foods that contain soluble fiber can help promote more formed stools.

Some examples of foods that are high in soluble fiber include oats and oranges.

When to see a doctor for diarrhea

The American College of Gastroenterology recommends seeing a doctor if diarrhea continues for longer than 48 hours. Also, people should see a doctor if diarrhea contains blood, is accompanied by severe stomach pain, or if they do not feel well.

Infants and older adults are more prone to dehydration, which means that diarrhea can be particularly dangerous for people in these groups. It is important to look out for signs of dehydration in these groups, such as:

• a reduced amount of urine
• increased heart rate
• dizziness or confusion

'Good' cholesterol might actually be bad

Traditionally, we have been told by physicians not to worry about "good" cholesterol, which is scientifically known as high-density lipoprotein. New research, however, finds an alarming association between high levels of this cholesterol type and excessive mortality.

A new study published in the European Heart Journal finds that "good" cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, may raise the risk of premature death.

By and large, the medical community suggest that higher levels of the good kind of cholesterol are desirable, as it may protect against heart disease and stroke. By contrast, it is the "bad" cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL), that blocks the arteries.

The new research challenges this belief - at least in part. As the authors note, this is the first time that a study has drawn a connection between high HDL cholesterol levels and excessive mortality in the general population.

The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. Prof. Børge Nordestgaard, of the university's Department of Clinical Medicine, is the corresponding author of the study, and Christian M. Madsen, of the university's Department of Clinical Biochemistry, is the paper's first author.

'Good' cholesterol raises mortality risk

Madsen and colleagues combined data from the Copenhagen City Heart Study, the Copenhagen General Population Study, and the Danish Civil Registration System.

In total, they examined data on more than 116,000 people and clinically followed them for an average period of 6 years, during which time more than 10,500 people died.

Blood tests for both types of cholesterol levels were taken non-fasting, and statistically, the researchers adjusted for all known variables that are normally associated with all-cause mortality. Such factors included age, body mass index (BMI), smoking - both current and cumulative - alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diabetes. 

Overall, 0.4 percent of the men and 0.3 percent of the women had extremely high levels of HDL in their blood. Extreme levels were defined as equal to or higher than 3.0 millimoles per liter for men, and equal to or higher than 3.5 millimoles per liter for women.

The study found that men with extreme levels of HDL in their blood had a 106 percent higher chance of dying prematurely than men with normal levels of this type of cholesterol. Women with extremely high levels of HDL cholesterol were 68 percent more likely to die prematurely than women with normal levels.

Additionally, the mortality rate in men with "very high" levels of the supposedly good kind of cholesterol also had a 36 percent higher mortality rate than men with normal levels.

The lowest mortality rate was found in those with medium levels of HDL. This was defined as 1.9 millimoles per liter for men and 2.4 millimoles per liter for women.

Prof. Nordestgaard spoke to Medical News Today about the significance of the findings, saying, "Until now everybody has believed that the higher the HDL cholesterol the better."  

"Rather," Prof. Nordestgaard continued, "they should focus on reducing LDL and remnant cholesterol (=cholesterol in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins) with lifestyle changes or drugs."

He cautions that as the study was observational, it cannot explain causality. But he suggests that future studies should try "to understand why people with the very highest HDL cholesterol have increased mortality."

Are Happier People Actually Healthier?

More than 60 years ago, the World Health Organization defined health as a “state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Just because you’re not depressed doesn’t necessarily mean you’re happy. But, if you look in the medical literature, there are 20 times more studies published on health and depression than there are on health and happiness. In recent years, though, research on positive psychology has emerged, and we’re now asking what we can do to increase our success, functioning, and happiness.

“There is growing evidence that positive psychological well-being is associated with reduced risk of physical illness,” but it’s not surprising that healthier people are happier than sick people. “The intriguing issue is whether psychological well-being protects against future illness or inhibits the progression of chronic disease.” To figure out which came first, you’d have to get more than just a snapshot in time. You would need prospective studies, meaning studies that go forward over time, to see if people who start out happier do, in fact, live longer. A review of such studies indeed “suggests that positive psychological well-being has a favorable effect on survival in both healthy and diseased populations.”

Not so fast. 

Yes, positive states may be associated with less stress, less inflammation, and more resilience to infection. But, positive well-being may also be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle that itself reduces the risk of disease. Happy people tend to smoke less, exercise more, drink less alcohol, and sleep better. So, maybe happiness leads to health only indirectly. The apparent protective effect of positive psychological well-being, however, persists even after controlling for all these healthy behaviors. This means that even at the same level of smoking, drinking, exercising, and sleeping, happier people still seem to live longer.

Ideally, to establish cause-and-effect definitively, we’d do an interventional trial, in which participants would be assigned at random to different mood levels and tracked for health outcomes. It’s rarely feasible or ethical to randomly make some people’s lives miserable to see what happens, but if you pay people enough you can do experiments like the one whose objective stated: “It has been hypothesized that people who typically report experiencing negative emotions are at greater risk for disease and those who typically report positive emotions are at less risk.” Researchers tested this using the common cold virus. Three hundred and thirty-four healthy volunteers were assessed for how happy, pleased, and relaxed they were, or how anxious, hostile, and depressed. Subsequently, they were given nasal drops containing cold rhinoviruses to see who would be more likely to come down with the cold. Who would let someone drip viruses into their nose? Someone paid $800, that’s who.

Now, just because you get exposed to a virus doesn’t mean you automatically get sick. We have an immune system that can fight it off, even if the virus is dripped right into our nose. But, whose immune system fights better?

In one-third of the bummed out folks, their immune systems failed to fight off the virus and they came down with a cold. But only about one in five got a cold in the happy group. Could it be that those with positive emotions slept better, got more exercise, or had lower stress? No. It appears that even after controlling for the healthy practices and levels of stress hormones, happier people still appear to have healthier immune systems and a greater resistance to developing the common cold.

It also works with the flu. When researchers repeated the study with the flu virus, increased positive emotions were associated with decreased verified illness rates, just like in their earlier study on colds. These results indicate that feeling vigorous, calm, and happy may play a more important role in health than previously thought.