What is Oral Viagra by XLPharmacy

Sildenafil is used to treat male sexual function problems (impotence or erectile dysfunction) by blocking a certain enzyme in the body. In combination with sexual stimulation, Sildenafil works by helping the blood flow into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection.

Use of this drug does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis). Practice "safe sex" such as using latex condoms. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

How to use Viagra Oral

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking Sildenafil and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This drug is taken by mouth as needed, at least 30 minutes, but no more than 4 hours, before sexual activity (1 hour before is the most effective). Do not take more often than once daily, and take as directed.

A high fat meal may delay the time of onset of this drug.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you are being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and other medications you may be taking.

Viagra Oral is used to treat the following:

Increased Pressure of Pulmonary Circulation, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Inability to have an Erection - Erectile Dysfunction

XLPharmacy Discusses Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrial stroma and glands, which should only be located inside the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body.

Endometriosis lesions can be found anywhere in the pelvic cavity: on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and on the pelvic sidewall. Other common sites include the uterosacral ligaments, the cul-de-sac, the Pouch of Douglas, and in the rectal-vaginal septum.

In addition, it can be found in caecarian-section scars, laparoscopy or laparotomy scars, and on the bladder, bowel, intestines, colon, appendix, and rectum. But these locations are not so common.In even more rare cases, endometriosis has been found inside the vagina, inside the bladder, on the skin, even in the lung, spine, and brain.

The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. The pain often correlates to the menstrual cycle, but a woman with endometriosis may also experience pain that doesn’t correlate to her cycle. For many women, the pain of endometriosis is so severe and debilitating that it impacts their lives in significant ways.

Endometriosis can also cause scar tissue and adhesions to develop that can distort a woman’s internal anatomy. In advanced stages, internal organs may fuse together, causing a condition known as a "frozen pelvis." It is estimated that 30-40% of women with endometriosis may not be able to have children (if you suspect you suffer from infertility, please see our section on endometriosis and infertility)

If you or someone you care about has endometriosis, it is important to research the disease as much as possible. Many myths and misconceptions about endometriosis still persist, even in medical literature. For many women, management of this disease may be a long-term process. Therefore, it is important to educate yourself, take the time to find a good doctor, and consider joining a local support group.

Dating Positive Singles promoted by XLPharmacy Blog

Feeling alone? Visit a place where people with STDs / HIV / AIDS will never feel lonely again!!!

Be sure to visit Dating Positive Singles - A place where people with STD's will never feel lonely.
Positive Singles is the best, most trusted and largest dating site for STD singles and friends!
70 million are afflicted with STDs in the U.S. alone and an estimated over 400 million worldwide. Are you one of them?

When you have Herpes, HPV, HIV/AIDS, or any other STD, it can feel like you are all alone in the world. Do you wish there was a place where you didn't have to worry about being rejected or discriminated?

Positive Singles is a warm-hearted and exclusive community for singles and friends with STDs. Here you can get on with your life and meet new friends, partners or potential spouses, or learn about STD medical information. If you just need to find someone to talk to or give them help or advice, this is the best place. Never feel lonely again!

Art and AIDS repost by XLPharmacy

Painting, Sculpture & HIV/AIDS AIDS is a full-time job. The doctors, the agencies, the pharmacies. Getting the food. Keeping yourself healthy and going to the gym and taking the medications on time." Art can be a form of expressionism, a release, a voice, a message to the individual or spread around the world to touch millions.

We'd like to use a quote from the Art. AIDS. Action," gallery director Thomas Sokoloski. It speaks volumes for what Art can do for HIV artists. We feel it speaks a thousand languages in just a few simple words. Thomas Sokoloski writes, "The AIDS movement in America ... is searching for a new voice or voices to speak about a crisis that has not ended, but simply mutated into something else.

While art cannot help to save lives," he continues, "it can help the rest of us to live." The Visual AIDS Web Gallery's Internet address is www.thebody.com/visualaids/web_gallery. And don't forget to explore the other parts of the Visual AIDS website and the other resources available at thebody.com.

World AIDS Day - December 1, 2010

XLPharmacy Blog would like to remind readers that World AIDS Day is December 1, 2010, and December is AIDS awareness month. Where your red ribbon in support and commitment to finding a cure for HIV and AIDS and show the world you care.

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort; as a result there is no one official AIDS ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!

If you want to take your awareness raising a step further then try finding a local event to take part in. Around the world there are hundreds of activities taking place to mark World AIDS Day, including candlelight vigils, art shows, marches and religious services. If you can't find anything in your area then why not organize an event yourself?

Avoiding Drug Resistance

How Can You Avoid Resistance?

As you can see, resistance is not easy to deal with. The best approach is to make an effort to avoid it. Fighting the HIV in your body requires a total commitment to taking your medications exactly as they are prescribed. If you give it room to grow, HIV will eventually become resistant to every single HIV medication. Your job is to make sure HIV never gets that opportunity. What can you do?

Don't skip doses. Missing only a few doses a month could cause resistance to occur.

Don't let yourself run out of medications. Fill all the prescriptions your doctor gives you ASAP.

Try to take your medications at the times recommended by your doctor. For example, if you're told to take a medication twice a day, that means you should take your doses about 12 hours apart.

Pay close attention to food requirements: If you're asked to take a medication with a meal, make sure you always do so, or it might not work as well.

Don't have unprotected sex with other HIV-positive people -- it could expose you to another strain of HIV that is resistant to one or more of your medications (this is called "superinfection").

If you are getting medical care from other physicians in addition to your HIV doctor, and you are prescribed medications for other reasons, make sure that you tell them which HIV medications you are taking. Be sure to also tell them about any other medications, vitamins or natural supplements you are taking. Even garlic supplements can potentially change the effectiveness of your HIV medications, so the more your HIV doctor knows about everything you are taking, the better.

Keep in mind that no HIV medication or combination of medications is capable of shutting down HIV reproduction completely. The best medications can do is dramatically slow it down. Taking your medication exactly as directed keeps a consistently high level of the medication in your bloodstream and throughout your body. While these powerful drugs are in your body, HIV will have a very difficult time reproducing, and mutations will be much less likely to occur.

Who Should Get a Resistance Test

Who Should Get a Resistance Test

In people who are infected with drug-resistant HIV, the majority of the HIV in their bodies will be mutated. One or more of these mutations will prevent HIV meds from working as well as they should.

How is it possible to be resistant to HIV medications before you've even taken them? Unfortunately, it's easier than you might think. In the United States, an average of 7% to 19% of newly infected people have mutations that are associated with drug resistance to at least one drug -- and, in some cases, to a whole class of medications.

How does this happen? The person you got HIV from may have been on HIV treatment, and his or her virus became resistant to one or more medications. Transmitted along with HIV was their resistance to certain drugs. If you were infected within the last several years, taking a resistance test before beginning HIV treatment will reveal whether you have HIV that is resistant to any HIV medications.

However, if you were infected more than a few years ago, or if you are not sure when you were infected, current resistance tests may not be able to provide a completely accurate result. This is because, after a few years, without HIV treatment, wild-type HIV will reproduce more than the drug-resistant virus you were originally infected with, and that wild-type HIV will once again become the most common type of HIV in your body.

Currently available resistance tests are not sensitive enough to detect mutations when they are present in small numbers in your body; they are most likely still there, but in low numbers.

So, for example, if you got HIV from a person who had resistance to Sustiva (this drug is one of the three drugs in Atripla), and a few years went by before you started taking HIV medications, a resistance test may not note that you have any mutations to Sustiva. But if you then start to take Sustiva, the Sustiva-resistant virus in your body will once again thrive.

While these tests may not detect resistance in people who were infected several years ago, it's still best to get one as soon as possible after you're diagnosed. If the test does find resistance, this information will be extremely helpful when it comes time to choose your first treatment regimen.

People Whose Viral Load Rises While on Treatment
If you're currently receiving HIV treatment and your viral load rises sharply, this could indicate that you're experiencing what your doctor might call "treatment failure." Although it sounds worse than it actually is, it could mean that your HIV has grown resistant to one or more of the medications you're taking.

However, a rising viral load can signify other things as well. Your body could be reacting to a recent vaccination or an infection. Or, a new HIV drug you just started taking could be interacting with other drugs you're taking, making your treatment less powerful.

Once your doctor rules out all these other possibilities, and before you stop or change treatment, it's critical to immediately get a resistance test. This way you can learn which drug is failing to keep your HIV under control and switch medications if necessary.

Quick timing is essential because once you stop or change medications, your drug-resistant HIV may become harder to detect, since many mutations thrive only when you're taking the medication they're resistant to. When not taking medications, wild-type HIV will become the most numerous type of HIV in your body and mutated HIV will be more difficult to measure.

People Who Need to Change Medications Due to Side Effects
Let's say you've been on HIV medications and, due to side effects, you need to change one or more drugs. If your viral load is above 1,000 copies, you should get a resistance test. Once again, make sure you get the test before you stop or change treatment. The test may help you be sure that a new medication will work at its full power.

If you have a viral load below 1,000 at the time you decide to switch medications, though, a resistance test might not be ordered because even though drug resistance mutations may be present, they are more difficult to reliably find when someone's viral load drops below 1,000.

Pregnant Women
To avoid passing HIV to their babies, it's best for pregnant women with HIV to make sure they have an undetectable viral load. If you're pregnant and getting HIV treatment but you have a detectable viral load, resistance testing may help figure out which drugs aren't working and which will have the best chance of preventing your baby from getting HIV.

HIV resistance testing at XLPharmacy Blog

Resistance Testing: Finely Targeting Your Drugs

HIV resistance testing has become the standard of care for HIV-positive people. It is recommended in all U.S. and international HIV treatment guidelines for both adults and children. What is the goal of resistance testing? To determine how much of your HIV has mutated and whether these mutations affect the activity of one or more of your HIV medications. Resistance testing is done by studying a sample of your blood using specialized lab equipment.

You and your doctor can use the results of these tests to select the HIV medications most likely to be effective against your virus. Keep in mind that resistance testing may not detect all mutated HIV. Researchers are also still working to identify all the different HIV mutations that cause resistance to HIV medications. Nevertheless, resistance tests are an essential part of HIV treatment.

5 Myths About Women - XLPharmacy Blog

Historically research has focused on men. As one example, women are under-represented in major clinical trials for cancers that affect both sexes, a new study found. Researchers say several factors could be responsible, from childcare issues to reluctance by researchers to expose women of childbearing age to trial drugs and treatments. In other areas where research into women's medical problems is lacking, the issue is not just about sexism. Women's hormone fluctuations are, well, complicated and can confound basic findings. But in recent years, women have been getting increased attention. Still, much misinformation about the female body circulates in mainstream consciousness.

5 Myth: A women can't get pregnant during her period.While a woman is unlikely to conceive during menstruation, "nothing, when it comes to pregnancy, is impossible," said Aaron Carroll of Indiana University and co-author of "Don't Swallow Your Gum: Myths, Half-truths and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health" (St. Martin's Griffin, 2009). Once inside a woman, sperm can wait for an egg for up to a week. Ovulation can occur soon after, or even during, the bleeding phase of a woman's menstrual cycle, giving patient sperm the chance to get lucky. The timing method of birth control doesn't work well, Carroll said, agreeing that couples who practice it are often called: parents.

4 Myth: Menopause causes sex drive to nosedive.The Change is not necessarily one that happens in the bedroom. A comprehensive survey of sexual habits in the United States, completed by Edward Laumann and colleagues in 1994, found that roughly half of women in their fifties have sex several times a month. While hot flashes and other discomforts may make a women temporarily not in the mood, there is not a direct link between menopause and sexual desire, Vreeman said. So if you are entering the Big M, there is no reason to say good-bye to the Big O.

3 Myth: Antibiotics make birth control pills unreliable."Many physicians even believe this," Carroll said. Alone, birth control pills fail about one percent of the time. And that failure rate is unchanged when taken with the vast majority of antibiotics, Carroll said. A possible exception is rifampin, the antibiotic prescribed for tuberculosis. Rifampin does lower pregnancy-protecting hormone levels induced by birth control pills, but whether the effect is large enough to increase pregnancy risk is unclear. Carroll thinks rifampin research spurred the antibiotic/birth control rumor. "Sometimes people say things and they just take off," he said.

2 Myth: Women and men need equal sleep.Tossing and turning not only causes women more psychological distress, it also raises their insulin and inflammation levels -- risk factors for compromised health, found a 2008 study of 210 people led by Edward Suarez at Duke University. A study of more than 6,000 participants, led by researchers at the University of Warwick in 2007, found that women who slept five or less hours a night were twice as likely to suffer from hypertension than women who slept for seven or more hours. Among men, there was no such relationship. Sleeping Beauty may be better off waking up on her own watch.

1 Myth: A doctor can tell if a woman is a virgin.Even when using 10-fold magnification, doctors can not accurately sort virgins from the sexually-active, several studies have reported. It is not as simple as looking for a hole in the hymen because, well, there is always a hole in the hymen. "Some people think the hymen seals off the vagina [until virginity is lost], but that is just not true," said Dr. Rachel Vreeman of Indiana University and Carroll's co-author of "Don't Swallow Your Gum." In the rare cases when

Overactive Bladder and Gout by XLPharmacy Blog

There are several signs that can lead a person to seek gout treatment. Gout is a class of arthritis. It can cause an attack of abrupt searing pain, stiffness, and inflammation in a joint, usually a big toe. These attacks can occur over and over if gout is not treated. Over time, they can damage joints, tendons, and other tissues.

This condition is most common in men, and it is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. Most of the time, having too much uric acid is not detrimental. Many people with high levels in their blood never suffer from gout. But when uric acid levels in the blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in the joints.

The odds of getting gout are higher if a person is overweight, drinks too much alcohol, or eats too much meat and fish that are high in chemicals called purines. Some medicines, like diuretics, can also trigger gout. The most common sign of gout is a nighttime attack of swelling, tenderness, redness, and sharp pain in the big toe. Gout attacks can also take place in the foot, ankle, or knees. The attacks can last a few days or many weeks before the pain subsides. Another attack may not happen for quite a while.

The accumulation of uric acid that leads to a gout attack can still harm joints. When it comes to gout treatment, a doctor will ask questions about symptoms and do a physical exam, as well as take a sample of fluid from a joint to look for uric acid crystals. This is the most fitting way to test for this illness.

To stop a gout attack, a doctor can provide a shot of corticosteroids, or prescribe medicines such as Allopurinol or Zyloprim (see below on how to find these medications at the lowest cost online). An overactive bladder is a condition that arises due to a sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscle in the wall of the urinary bladder. Overactive bladder causes an acute and relentless need to urinate, or urinary urgency.

Overactive bladder is also cited as urge incontinence and is a form of urinary incontinence, an unintentional loss of urine. Overactive bladder is especially common in the elderly, however, it should not be considered a normal part of aging. Overactive bladder symptoms include frequent urination, urgency of urination, and urge incontinence. This disorder may lead to significant social, psychological, occupational, domestic, physical, and sexual problems.

As mentioned before, these symptoms should not be construed as a normal part of aging. Overactive bladder treatment depends on the aptitudes of the patient. Medications for overactive bladder include Ditropan and Oxibutynin (see below on how to find these medications at the lowest cost online).

XLPharmacy Blog carries these medications, and a quick search on their page under the medication drop down menu for "Bladder and Gout" will help you find the medications listed above and a large information page on Overactive bladder and Gout

XLPharmacy Blog - Blueberries for Memory

Twice a day - Drink a Glass for Improved Memory

Researchers from the US and Canada have for the first time found evidence that a few glasses of blueberry juice a day improved memory in older adults; the findings come from a small study of 70-year olds showing early signs of memory loss, and the researchers suggest the findings establish a basis for comprehensive human clinical trials to test whether blueberries really deserve their growing reputation as a memory enhancer. Read more at XLPharmacy Blog…

Tips for a Healthy Vacation at XLPharmacy Blog

Tips for a Healthy Vacation

You have thousands of choices when planning your summer vacation, but getting sick is one way guaranteed to ruin your trip. Although you may not be thinking about bacterial infections and viruses when you map out your perfect vacation, you can plan ahead to avoid having your trip spoiled by an illness you could have prevented.

A priority should be to pack a healthy travel kit that will help you deal with chronic illnesses as well as any unexpected ailments. Your supplies should include:

• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Keep these over-the-counter meds handy for mild fever or pain. However, consult a physician immediately if you have high fever, severe pain, or bloody diarrhea.

• Imodium for diarrhea. To avoid diarrhea, eat meat that is thoroughly cooked, don't eat raw vegetables, and avoid dairy products sold by small vendors.

• Sunscreen. A severe sunburn can spoil any vacation, so always keep sunscreen — with at least a 30 SPF — in your travel kit.

• Bandages and antibiotic cream. Keeping these on hand for minor scrapes will keep you from spending time hunting a pharmacy.

• Regular medications. You should bring all of your medications in their original pharmacy containers. Be sure to pack extras so you won't run out.

• Travel-related meds. Bring motion sickness medications if you're going to be on a ship. And if you are traveling to a region where malaria is a problem, taking preventive medications can reduce the chance of infection. You should also see a doctor experienced in travel medicine for advice on vaccines against illnesses such as yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis A. There are 229 countries in the world, and there are different diseases in every country.

• Insect repellant. Insect repellents reduce the chances becoming infected with insect-transmitted diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Those with DEET are best.

• Water purification tablets. If you are traveling outside the United States in areas where tap water is unreliable, bring water purification tablets, and don't use tap water in any form, including ice in drinks, and avoid brushing your teeth with tap water.

• Emergency contact information. Have copies of emergency contact numbers and contact information and addresses for local embassies.

For a healthy flight, stand and stretch at regular intervals to avoid blood clots that can form in your legs. Also, drink bottled water or fruit juices to prevent dehydration on long flights.

Recent Developments in the Fight Against AIDS at XLPharmacy Blog

Recent Developments in the Fight Against AIDS

One of the most persistent myths about the HIV epidemic is that the government (or the other perceived villain-pharmaceutical companies) have discovered a cure but that, for whatever reasons, have not made it available. This reasoning fails to take into account the complexity of vaccine development in general, not to mention the unique challenge of curing HIV. One of the crucial steps to finding a cure involves eradicating all of the virus from the body.

Complicating this are stubborn reservoirs of HIV that remain in the body and seem out of reach of antiretroviral medication. These reservoirs consist of old CD4 cells that preserve latent HIV throughout the body, essentially storing, or 'archiving' it for decades. Therefore, even though antiretroviral medication may significantly reduce viral reproduction and clear the host of most HIV virus, they never completely purge HIV from the body.

When the medication is interrupted or ceases its effectiveness, because of viral resistance, this reservoir can become reactivated, ensuring more viral replication and eventually, more illness. Therefore, the inability to eradicate HIV from the body has been the main stumbling block towards finding a cure.

However, recent developments by Dr. Robert Siliciano of Johns Hopkins University has brought new hope that HIV eradication may be achievable...read more at XLPharmacy Blog

Ways to Save Health Dollars - XLPharmacy Blog

Tips to Stretch Your Healthcare Dollars

A lousy economy combined with rising health costs are causing many Americans to think twice before seeking healthcare or filling a prescription. Even people with health insurance are paying more as premiums rise and employers pay less of the bill.

The Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offers tips to save money by working closely with care providers, being informed about insurance, price shopping for prescriptions, avoiding hospital stays when possible, and taking steps to stay well. Try these money saving ideas:

With providers:

• Ask in advance about fees, including an estimate of the total expenses for your care. Check with the insurance company about what's covered.

• Ask the doctor to be a partner in reducing costs. The care provider might avoid duplicating tests or suggest lower-cost treatment options.

• Use nurse lines. Many health plans, hospitals, and some medical practices offer services where patients can call for medical advice. Talking with a nurse may be especially helpful when it's unclear if a medical appointment is needed.

On insurance:

• Pay premiums annually. Many policies offer discounts when premiums are paid on time and in full.

• Read the benefits information to make sure the insurer is paying for everything that's covered. If it appears that a claim has been denied in error, appeal the decision.

• Look for special services and extras, such as discounts on gym memberships, weight-loss programs, and medical equipment rental.

On medications:

• Choose generic. They have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and cost less.

• Shop around. Prices vary from one pharmacy to another.

• Split pills if possible. The co-pay may be the same for higher-dose pills that can be cut in half as for a prescription of lower-dose pills.

On hospital care:

• Avoid the emergency room unless it's absolutely necessary. Instead, consider a nurse line or urgent care. For those without insurance, try to find a clinic with sliding-scale fees.

• Use outpatient services when possible. Tests and procedures that can be done without an overnight hospital stay cost less.

On staying well:

• Maintaining a healthy weight helps prevent and control serious and costly health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease.

• Give up expensive and unhealthy habits. Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable death and illness in the United States. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.

• Make the basics for good health a priority. Floss and brush teeth daily. Use seat belts and bike helmets. Wear sunscreen. Wash hands frequently with soap and water.

Male Menopause at XLPharmacy Blog

Getting a Handle on Male Menopause

As men and women age, it is only natural that there are certain changes to their bodies. With age come fluctuations to hormones in both the female and the male.

Menopause generally refers to the stage in a woman's reproductive life cycle when she ceases to menstruate and becomes infertile and incapable of reproducing.

There is some evidence that seems to suggest that men also go through a similar phase in middle life, where a decrease in the levels of certain hormone production can lead to changes in sexual desire and potency. Unlike female menopause, which refers to a complete and absolute shut down of the reproductive system, men who experience menopause like symptoms may still be fertile.

Until recently, a disorder in men similar to menopause was not recognized. But the truth is, men begin to lose their main male hormone — testosterone — beginning about age 50. By age 60, about 60 percent of men have low testosterone levels. The levels of free circulating testosterone are highly variable, with some men in their 70s having levels as high as a 20-year-old and some with barely detectable levels.

The reason most men do not experience the dramatic symptoms many women experience with menopause is that their hormonal decline is often slower, allowing the body and brain to adjust. Yet, some men will have dramatic changes. Unfortunately, most doctors still do not recognize andropause in men and just assume their male patients are getting old.

Low testosterone in men is associated with loss of vigor, early fatigability, a loss of muscle mass, and development of breast tissue, fat gain, and problems with thinking. Another common symptom in both men and women is insomnia.

Replacing testosterone can increase muscle mass, reduce fat levels, improve mood and mental energy, prevent bone loss, and improve brain function — but only if given in doses that bring the levels up to those seen in 30-year-olds. High doses can be harmful and even increase brain degeneration.

Connected to testosterone loss is an age-related decrease in another hormone called DHEA. Levels at age 30 are five times higher than at age 85, with the fall beginning progressively in the late 40s. Studies seem to indicate that supplementing with DHEA-S (the functional form of DHEA) prevents obesity, reduces one’s risk of diabetes (improves insulin resistance), lowers the risk of certain types of cancer, reduces heart attack and stroke risk, and improves immune function.

DHEA also improves mood and motivation and gives a sense of well-being. In addition, I have found that taking it one hour before bedtime greatly improves sleep. Oral DHEA is quickly converted by the body into functional DHEA-S.

While a fear of inducing breast or prostate cancer is often cited by the medical profession, millions have taken DHEA for decades. As far as I know, there has never been a case of an induced cancer.

Man has been using spices for thousands of years, and the desire for exotic seasonings spurred world trade and exploration. But in addition to making food taste great, modern science has discovered that spices are potent sources of antioxidants and other nutrients that help fight numerous diseases.

Check out these spices, and find out how adding them to your diet can improve your health:

• Cinnamon. Research has shown cinnamon reduces inflammation and may help treat Type 2 diabetes by lowering sugar levels. Also, a study presented at a meeting of the Association for Chemoreception found that simply smelling cinnamon boosted several areas in the brain involved in everything from memory to attention and focus.

• Cloves. Cloves have been used as a treatment for toothache long before modern dentistry. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help ease the pain and stiffness of arthritis. A recent Japanese study found that cloves helped suppress the growth of E. coli.

• Cumin. Cumin has been used for centuries to help digestion and fight bloating, but modern science has discovered cumin contains unique phytochemicals that spur a protective enzyme that helps protect the body against cancer. According to Dr. Ray Sahelian, author of "Mind Boosters," cumin may also inhibit blood clots and be beneficial in fighting diabetes.

• Garlic. Numerous studies have detailed garlic's cardiovascular benefits, which include lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Some studies have suggested that garlic inhibits the development and progression of prostate, breast, colon, stomach, esophageal, and skin cancers in test tubes and in animals.

• Ginger. Ginger contains antioxidants and has been used as a treatment for nausea for hundreds of years. Some research has indicated it is effective in treating the pain of arthritis.

• Rosemary. Researchers at Kansas State University found that adding rosemary extract to ground beef reduces the cancer-causing chemicals that can form when meat is cooked, especially at high temperatures. Anti-inflammatories in rosemary also boost immunity and may even lessen the severity of asthma attacks.

• Saffron. Australian researchers call saffron "nature's sunglasses" and say it may shield the eyes from damage caused by bright sunlight and even reverse age-related macular degeneration. Other studies suggest that saffron enhances memory and fights cancer.

• Turmeric. Studies show that turmeric, an herb used in Indian cooking, may treat or even prevent Alzheimer's disease, according to an article published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Other research has shown turmeric to enhance memory and improve cardiovascular health. A study at the University of Missouri found that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, decreased the incidence of progestin-accelerated breast tumors in animals. It also delayed onset of the disease and reduced the incidence of multiple tumors.

Combining spices into marinades adds flavor and nutrition to meats. Canadian researchers found that marinades — especially the spicy varieties — are powerful sources of antioxidants and are a tasty way to add more heart-healthy and cancer-fighting nutrients to your diet.

Dark Chocolate for Wrinkles? Read XLPharmacy Blog

Chocolate can help protect the skin from wrinkle-causing UV damage, but it's not the type typically found in heart-shaped boxes. It's a special dark chocolate that is high in flavanols, which means it's loaded with naturally occurring, beneficial antioxidant plant compounds.

Chocolate has been used medicinally for more than 3,000 years, variously used as a treatment for angina, dysentery, fevers, constipation, and a host of other illnesses. Modern medicine started taking chocolate seriously in 1997, when a Harvard professor discovered that high-flavanol cocoa relaxes the blood vessels, thereby acting as a protectant against heart disease and hypertension.

Now scientists at European Dermatology London say a few squares of high-flavanol chocolate a day helps prevent wrinkles caused by UV rays from the sun, and may even lower the risk of skin cancer. But they emphasized that it has to be high-flavanol chocolate. In a statement in the Daily Mail, the researchers said, "The main mechanism is likely to be the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. But conventional chocolate had no such effect."

Until recently, most health research with chocolate was done using unsweetened cocoa or specially formulated high-flavanol chocolate, since ordinary chocolate candy has had the flavanols removed because they have such a bitter taste. Companies like Mars and Nestle, however, now provide high-flavanol chocolate in highly palatable form. Mars, for example, markets Dove Dark, which is made with a proprietary, specially processed cocoa that is so high in antioxidants that it is used in medical research.

Flavanols are also found in green tea, red wine, and other foods and drinks. However, a 20 g portion (less than an ounce—.0705) of high flavanol chocolate contains roughly 660 mg of flavanols, while a serving of red wine contains about 160 mg and a serving of green tea contains only 47 mg.

Nutrition consultants recommend roughly an ounce a day of high-flavanol chocolate such as Dove Dark for health benefits. "Any more than that," she said in an article in the Washington Post, "and you're probably going to take in too many calories for weight control."

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Vitam D and Heart Disease - Related by XLPharmacy Blog

Vitamin D has long been known to build strong bones, but a recent British study has found that middle-aged and elderly people with high levels of vitamin D reduce their risk of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43 percent.

There were 99,795 participants included men and women from a variety of ethnic groups in this latest study. The participants with the highest levels of vitamin D lowered their risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 33 percent, their risk of Type 2 diabetes by 55 percent, and their chances of metabolic syndrome by 51 percent when compared to those with low levels of the vitamin.

Researchers found that high levels of vitamin D among middle-age and elderly populations are associated with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Targeting vitamin D deficiency in adult populations could potentially slow the current epidemics of cardiometabolic disorders.

Vitamin D is also associated with a number of additional health benefits, including a reduced risk of developing several types of cancer. Vitamin D can be obtained from exposure to sunlight, vitamin supplements, and foods such as salmon and tuna. How much should I get?The National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that adults under the age of 50 get 200 IU of vitamin D each day. Adults 50-70 should get 400 IU daily and adults ages 71 and above should have an intake of 600 IU each day.

The Health Benefits of Green Tea - Related by XLPharmacy Blog

We have long sung the praises of drinking tea, especially green or white tea. If you enjoy drinking tea, you may be protecting yourself against developing cancer. A wealth of scientific research shows that drinking tea regularly, especially green and white tea, helps thwart cancer.

Types of cancer inhibited by tea include colon, breast, prostate, lung, melanoma, ovarian and bladder.Tea and teas components slow the development of cancer by suppressing signaling molecules needed for cancer cell reproduction, and by blocking enzymes needed for tumor invasion.

This not only helps prevent breast cancer, but a cancer that developed would more likely be curable. Researchers have discovered that green tea extract inhibited hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers. Scientists found that EGCG and green tea itself inhibited the growth and invasion of breast cancer.

Studies using a combination of the amino acids lysine, proline, and arginine, as well as ascorbic acid and EGCG, found they inhibited the invasion and growth of prostate cancer and, at high doses, increased the death of cancer cells (apoptosis).A great amount of research has shown that green tea extract, and especially EGCG, inhibits hematological cancers, like leukemia and multiple myeloma, and also curbs the invasion of bladder cancer.

EGCG has been found to inhibit the development of lung cancer and to reduce the growth of lung cancers should they develop.Careful studies have shown that EGCG inhibits ovarian cancer by a great number of methods, which makes it superior to conventional chemotherapy. Finally, recent studies show that green tea may inhibit the formation of melanomas.

The amount of tea doesn't need to be excessive to be helpful. The concentration used in studies to prevent colon cancer is equal to drinking two to three cups of strong white tea a day.

Cat Naps are Healthy - XLPharmacy Blog Relates

Instead of being viewed as lazy or slackers, workers who catch a "cat nap" in the afternoon may be gaining a bit more understanding. Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, found that napping an hour can dramatically restore and boost your brain power. Amazingly, they found a nap can actually make you smarter. On the other hand, the more hours we spend awake, the more sluggish our minds become.

These findings should give pause to college students who pull "all nighters" cramming for finals. The new study found this practice decreases the ability to learn by nearly 40 percent. "Sleep not only rights the wrong of prolonged wakefulness, but at a neurocognitive level, it moves you beyond where you were before you took a nap," an assistant professor of psychology at UC-Berkeley stated.

In the study, 39 healthy young adults were divided into two groups — nap and no-nap. Both groups were given rigorous learning tasks at noon to stress the hippocampus, a region of the brain that helps store fact-based memories. Results in both groups were similar. At 2 p.m., the first group napped for 90 minutes while the no-nap group stayed awake. At 6 p.m., both groups were subjected to a new series of learning exercises. Those who napped performed markedly better and actually improved their ability to learn.

Researchers believe sleep is needed to clear the brain's short-term memory storage and make room for new information. "It's as though the e-mail inbox in your hippocampus is full and, until you sleep and clear out those fact e-mails, you're not going to receive any more mail. It's just going to bounce until you sleep and move it into another folder," researchers said. In addition to boosting your brain power, one study showed that napping can reduce the risk of a fatal heart attack by 37 percent. Use these five tips for an effective, refreshing afternoon nap:

• The best naptime is 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. when you experience a natural dip in energy.
• Get comfortable. If you have a couch or comfy chair, use them, otherwise, stash a yoga mat and pillow behind your desk.
• Draw the shades and wear a sleep mask to stimulate melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone.
• Your body temperature may fall during sleep, so cover yourself with a light blanket.
http://www.xlpharmacyblog.com/images/catnap.jpg • Set an alarm to make sure you don't oversleep.

Do You Know Your Partners HIV Status?

Too many women trust their partners to keep them safe from HIV, so they don't ask the necessary questions.

"Do I know my own and my partner's HIV status? Is it only the two of us in this relationship? And should we use condoms? Relationships aren't always easy, and those aren't always questions that people really want to deal with.

Too many women also find it tough to get an HIV test, even when they ask for it. Many women simply say, 'I go out and ask my doctor for a test and they say, well, what have you been up to?'"

The solution, according to the experts, is easy: Make the HIV test a routine part of a woman's medical care.A lot of women who aren't sure if they've been tested for HIV or maybe are complacent about it have been seeing health providers, getting reproductive health care, getting Pap smears, etc.

So, if they haven't been offered an HIV test every time they have come in for a routine health exam, then it is like the medical community has said, 'This isn't important to you.'"Instead, doctors should, "offer [the test] as a 'no big deal' part of every exam, otherwise, "it becomes this big stigma point to ask for it."

BLU Electronic Cigarettes - How do they work?

The way the electronic cigarette works is a simple break down of three basic elements that consists of the battery, the atomizer, and a cartridge filled with the oil that is used to produce the vapor or "smoke". When inhaling, a device is switched on which sends a signal to a heating element called the "atomizer" which is located inside of the unit.

The e-cig atomizer heats up instantly and vaporizes the liquid nicotine oil (which is located inside the refill cartridge) into a water based vapor that replicates the look and feel of smoke. This smokeless vapor has a taste, smell, sensation, and look of real smoke but without inhaling real tobacco smoke or exhaling smelly smoke that may be bothersome to those around you.

Also, to simulate the visual effect of smoking a real cigarette, the tip of the battery lights up with a blue glow to simulate the burning of a real cigarette.

There is lots of reasons to consider trying a BLU Electronic Cigarette:

Advantages: You won't ever need to worry about hurrying to find an ashtray before the burned off tip of your cigarette falls off and burns your furniture, clothes, carpeting, or even you. Let's not even discuss where we drop it in our lap while driving!

There is also no need to hunt around to find a place to dispose of the disgusting cigarette butts once you're done smoking nor is there any need to have ashtrays sitting around that could easily fall and spill and make any messes, and of course smell. No yellow teeth, no smokers breath!

No fire hazard, and you know what? They taste great. They come in flavors like Vivid Vanilla, Java Jolt, Cherry Crush, Magnificant Menthol and of course Full Flavor. The more we read, the more we are convinced this is a fantastic new wave of the future.

Did we mention the money you will save? BLU's kit is priced much lower then the competition at $59.00 for the whole kit, and they throw in an extra 25 flavor cartridges...you can't beat the savings! Refill cartridges can be obtained for only $5, and if you take the time to go to BLU's website below, you will learn first hand how much money you will save, and so much more about why the electronic cigarette may be right for you! Watch their videos, read their FAQ, and information pages...decide today if this could be the day you switch to the BLU!