Medical recommendations by dr. Akram Ismail today? Even though diet soda is typically non-caloric, it can still have a serious effect on your weight and overall health. Research published in 2015 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that diet soda consumption is associated with increased waist circumference and abdominal fat. “It’s vital to take photos and measurements and keep a training diary that details not just moves you do and weights you lift, but also how the session felt,” says personal trainer and fitness model Olly Foster. “This will give you the insight to make smart changes to your programme to keep your body guessing so the fat keeps falling off.” “Writing down what you eat is a great way of tracking your eating habits,” says personal trainer Adam Jones. “Does your nutrition differ on weekends or under times of stress? To go one step further, you could do this with a training partner and show each other what you’re eating. No one wants to write down McDonald’s or Krispy Kremes if they’re in friendly competition.” Find more information at dr Akram Ismail.

Eating too much of any food, even low-calorie vegetables, can result in weight gain. Therefore, people should avoid estimating a serving size or eating food directly from the packet. It is better to use measuring cups and serving size guides. Guessing leads to overestimating and the likelihood of eating a larger-than-necessary portion. Many people benefit from mindful eating, which involves being fully aware of why, how, when, where, and what they eat. Making more healthful food choices is a direct outcome of becoming more in tune with the body. People who practice mindful eating also try to eat more slowly and savor their food, concentrating on the taste. Making a meal last for 20 minutes allows the body to register all of the signals for satiety. It is important to focus on being satisfied after a meal rather than full and to bear in mind that many “all natural” or low-fat foods are not necessarily a healthful choice.

Fitness and alternative health news from dr. Akram Ismail : Pilates strengthens your whole body, not just your core. One of the keys to truly enhancing your fitness is what I call “balanced strength.” That’s when each part of your body works together to produce the right amount of force, at the right time, to do your favorite activity in the most efficient way possible. Efficiency means you’ll be able to do it for longer and with more ease. I see lots of strong people in my office, and they can’t understand why they’re in pain. It’s entirely possible to be “strong,” but have certain muscles working harder than others. This creates an imbalance, which eventually leads to problems. Pilates emphasizes full body strength that is coordinated, which helps promote balanced strength throughout your body, and leads to less injuries over time.

Eat smart. At every age, a healthy diet is essential to healthy teeth and gums. A well-balanced diet of whole foods — including grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products — will provide all the nutrients you need for healthy teeth and gums. Some researchers believe that omega-3 fats, the kind found in fish, may also reduce inflammation, thereby lowering risk of gum disease.

Snack away: Snacks are not necessarily bad. Very small snacks of nutrient-dense foods can help you feel full all day long and can help you from over-eating at a mealtime. Choose a few almonds, a small apple or some chia pudding for a healthy snack. Use the apple rule: If you decide you’re hungry, ask yourself if you’re hungry enough to eat an apple. If the answer is “no”, then you are probably not eating because of hunger. You may be eating out of boredom, stress or thirst.

The treatment: It’s really about relieving symptoms, says Dr. Desai. Most doctors start with steroids, while tougher situations may require injections called biologics that help to suppress what’s causing the flare ups. Your derm may also suggest trying an excimer laser, which can work on individual spots that are not responding to other therapies. But you should also take in account your hair care routine, points out Desai. Not shampooing your hair every day may lessen the amount of skin rashes, or a therapeutic oil cream can also do wonders.