Archive for June, 2013
Getting rid of excess fat from the cheeks
Chubby cheeks look good on infant and young kids, but as you grow-up most people hate having plump or chubby cheeks. Having chubby cheeks can be constant source of irritation and anxiety. The easiest way of losing excess weight from the cheeks is losing your overall weight. Here are a few tips that will not only help you in losing excess weight from the cheeks but will also help in reducing your overall body weight.
Make changes in your diet
You have to make changes in your diet to get rid of excess fat from your body. Some of the changes you can benefit from include:
Increase your water intake
When you don’t drink enough water, the body starts retaining more water to function normally. This water is usually stored in the cheeks which can make your cheeks look puffy. You must drink at least 8 – 10 glasses of water to keep the body hydrated and to make your face look less puffy.
Reduce sugar and salt intake
The body retains more water if you increase the intake of refined sugar and salt. Increasing your sugar and salt intake will have the same effect as drinking less water. Your cheeks will look less puffy when you cut down the intake of refined sugar and salt. Also, increasing your salt intake can increase the risk of diabetes. To reduce your urge for refined sugar you can increase your intake of fruits that contain natural sweetness.
Avoid Alcohol
When you avoid alcohol, you not only lose weight from the cheeks but also increase your energy levels, reduce soreness and improve agility. Drinking alcohol can affect the water retention power of the body. This forces the body to store more water which can cause facial puffiness. Excessive alcohol drinking can also increase your body weight and the weight of the cheeks. You can avoid alcohol by drinking herbal tea or fruit smoothies as they contain fewer calories.
Eat raw vegetables and fruits
Eating raw vegetables and fruits will not only help you in maintaining your weight but will also help you lose excess weight from the cheeks. Since fruits and vegetables are full of water it keeps the body hydrated and will prevent the body from storing excess water in the cheeks. Fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber, so they help in improving the digestive system, make you feel full and reduce your urge to eat unhealthy food.
Eat calcium-rich food
Studies have shown that eating calcium rich food like yogurt and cheese can help you lose weight. Calcium also prevents the need for water retention in the body and helps those who want to avoid puffy cheeks. People, who love eating foods rich in carbohydrates like pizzas and pastas, can eat low fat cottage cheese which is rich in calcium.
Exercises
There are several simple exercises that can help you lose excess weight from the cheeks. Some exercises you can do include:
Chew Gum
When you chew gum, it calms your nerves, freshens your breath and helps you lose excess weight from your cheeks. The best part of using a chew gum is that you can enjoy the taste of the gum and you don’t feel like you are doing any exercise. Another benefit of chew gum is that repetitive chewing motion helps in strengthening your jaw. However, don’t chew the gum for several hours as it could damage the jaws.
X-O Exercise
Most people reading this article must have heard about X-O exercises. These exercises can be done anytime during the day helps in burning excess fat from the cheeks and strengthens the jaw. You must do this exercise at least 3 times a day for 15 minutes.
Lift your cheek
When you this exercise it helps in toning your cheeks. You must try to lift up your cheeks as high as possible. You can use the corner of the mouth to lift you cheeks. When lifting your cheeks, you must feel like you are trying to give an awkward and strained smile. You could even close your eyes when you lift your cheeks. When you lift your cheeks you must hold it this position for at least 10 seconds and repeat the exercise several times in a day.
Fish Lips
You can get toned cheeks by drawing in your cheeks till your make fish lips by puckering out the bottom and top lip. Hold your lips in this position and try to smile. Hold your smile for at least 10 seconds and repeat this exercise for at least 5 times in a day.
Puffy Cheeks Exercise
To do this exercise, fill your mouth with air and try to move the air from one cheek to another for at least 10 times. Do this exercise for at least 5 times in a day.
Smile
When you smile, you not only improve your health but also tone your facial muscles and lose excess fat from the cheeks. Smiling does not help you lose weight but helps you remain positive and reduces stress.
Massage
After doing these simple facial exercises, you must massage your cheeks. To massage your cheeks, gently rub the fingers over the cheeks in a circular motion. This will help in reducing soreness and tension cause due to exercising.
Should you take Biotin Supplements
Biotin is an essential dietary component that belongs to Vitamin B family. It is found in small quantities in several foods and it facilitates in the metabolism of protein, fats and carbohydrates. Biotin supplements are used for treating and preventing the deficiency associated with tube feeding, pregnancy and rapid weight loss. Several hair care products also contain biotin, as it is believed to promote hair growth. Some people also use Biotin to treat skin rashes, diabetes and depression.
How does Biotin Work?
Biotin is an important part of the enzymes that help in breaking down substances like carbohydrates and fats. Most laboratories don’t have a good test that will help in detecting biotin deficiency. Doctors look at symptoms of biotin deficiency like hair loss and rashes around the nose, eyes and mouth before prescribing biotin supplements. Some of the changes in the nervous system experienced by people who suffer from biotin deficiency include exhaustion, tingling sensation in the legs and arms, hallucination and depression.
Problems associated with Biotin Deficiency
Biotin supplements are given to people for prevention and treatment of biotin deficiency. Some of the factors that can lead to biotin deficiency include consumption of raw egg, inadequate nutrition, genetic mutation, anticonvulsant therapy and oral antibiotic treatment. In the initial stages of biotin deficiency people may experience symptoms like hair loss, dry skin, fungal infection, seborrheic dermatitis and rashes. If these symptoms or not treated, it could lead to drowsiness, depression, mental instability, muscular pain, paresthesias and hyperesthesias.
How Biotin Supplements can help
Biotin Supplements can help people who are suffering from biotin deficiency. Some of the benefits include:
Treating Birth Defects
Biotin supplements can help in treating birth defects that are caused due to biotin deficiency. In a recent study, it was found that 1 out of 4 pregnant women suffer from biotin deficiency which can lead to several problems in the fetus. Health experts recommend that women can consume biotin supplements during pregnancy after consulting their gynaecologist.
Treat Brittle Fingernails
After discovering the benefits of biotin supplements in horses and swine suffering from hoof abnormalities, the researchers at Oregon State University conducted several test to find out whether these supplements can be used to strengthen fingernails of humans. In clinical trials they found that at least 67 percent of the test subjects benefited from biotin supplements. Clinical trials have also proved that fingernails of the subjects that took biotin supplements become at least 25 percent thicker.
Prevent Hair Loss
Even though limited studies have been conducted to find out the benefits of biotin supplements on people who are suffering from hair loss, many people have reported that they have better hair growth after taking biotin supplements. However, biotin supplements are effective only on people who suffer from hair loss because of biotin deficiency.
Interaction with other drugs and nutrients
Biotin supplements can react with other drugs and nutrients to cause health problems. Studies have shown that large amount of Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid could reduce the absorption of biotin in the cells and intestine because these nutrients and biotin have similar cell structure. Long-term use of antibiotics and anti-seizure medications can also reduce biotin levels in the body.
Dosage
The dose of biotin supplements depends on several factors like health, age and several other factors. At this time, we do not have enough information to determine the dose you can take. Always remember that not all natural products are safe and their dosages are important. You must consult your health care provider to find out the dose you must take to treat the symptoms of biotin deficiency.
Side Effects of Biotin Supplements
Biotin supplements have little or no side effects when it is taken appropriately. However, it is best that you consult your doctor for the recommended dosage of biotin supplements. Pregnant women and breast-feeding moms must take biotin supplements only after they consult their gynaecologist. People undergoing kidney dialysis must take these supplements only after consulting their health care provider.
