The GOLO diet, also known as the GOLO Metabolic Plan, was introduced in 2009. The company claims that many people struggle with mass loss due to a particular metabolic hormone called insulin. Such a meal plan has the potential to help its followers regulate insulin and lose body mass by using the program’s regime and daily supplements. Here, we discuss the essential aspects of this meal plan one should know before giving it a try. How the plan works According to Jennifer Brooks, a nutritionist, president, and co-founder of GOLO, the diet combines various proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vegetables. A supplement known as Release is also part of the package. It contains plant-based ingredients and minerals like magnesium, zinc, and chromium. The product claims to help with healthy mass loss by improving metabolism, increasing energy, and balancing insulin levels. Cost The basic version of this nutritional regime is free for reference, but the founding company charges for the Release supplement capsules and a detailed version of the plan. Those following this program are advised to take one Release with each meal, and a bottle of 90 costs around $50 and lasts around four weeks. Foods to eat The GOLO diet suggests having three meals with 1300 to 1800 calories daily.

Metastatic breast cancer occurs when breast cancer begins spreading to other body organs. Typically, the cancer spreads to the brain, liver, bones, and lungs and is classified as the fourth stage. Every area where the cancer has spread is referred to as a “metastasis” (plural: metastases) and involves extensive interventions to slow the cancer’s progression. This article discusses the symptoms and diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, together with survival rates and treatment options. Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer Nipple discharge One of the early symptoms of metastatic breast cancer is nipple discharge, which may be yellow and pus-like and sometimes appear blood-like. Fractures The cancer or tumor may spread to the bones or spinal cord, causing acute pain and fractures. Shortness of breath If breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it can cause lung cancer, with symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, and wheezing cough. Headache and blurred vision Sometimes, breast cancer may also spread to the central nervous system at the metastatic stage, causing symptoms like blurred or double vision, headache, and difficulties with movement. Nausea and swelling of body organs Metastatic breast cancer, having spread to the stomach and liver, can cause swelling of the hands and legs, nausea, yellowing of the skin, etc.

Blood donation is an important part of healthcare, as it enables blood transfusion—a treatment option that can sustain and save lives. Data suggests that there are 11 million donors in the country, and over 11.5 million units of blood are collected in a year. Before the process begins, each donor is asked questions to assess the risk of bloodborne infections. Blood can be donated every 56 days and up to six times a year. Eligibility criteria One must meet the following criteria to be eligible to donate blood: One must be fit and healthy on the day of the blood donation. Depending on state law, one should be at least 16 or 17 years old. Some states enable legal minors to donate with parental approval. Although there is no legal maximum age, donor facilities may have different policies. You must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. You must be able to pass the health history and physical exams. Benefits Blood donation can benefit both the recipients and the donors. Some of the key benefits of blood donation are: Contributing to society: The only way to supplement blood loss is through donated human blood. Donating blood is seen as a noble cause, as it can help in the treatment of cancer, bleeding disorders, sickle cell anemia, and genetic blood abnormalities.

Pneumonia is a prevalent illness that infects the air sacs in one or both lungs, leading to inflammation. Depending on the severity of the infection, the air sacs may get filled with pus or fluid. This, in turn, can cause coughing with phlegm or pus and difficulty breathing in patients. Here, we look at the common causes, symptoms, types, and treatment options for pneumonia to help manage the ailment better. Causes The condition mainly results from viruses or bacteria: Viral pneumonia The disorder can be caused due to viruses like the rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and other viruses that cause the flu or influenza. Viruses are responsible for one third of cases. Bacterial pneumonia The condition can be caused by various bacteria, but the most common trigger is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacteria usually attack an immune system that is already weak, maybe due to a fever, cold, or another illness. While it can affect anyone, people with unhealthy habits are at higher risk of contracting this bacteria. Mycoplasma pneumonia Often called atypical pneumonia, this is a mild but wildly spread pneumonia caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. It can affect people of all age groups. Symptoms The signs include chest pain while breathing or coughing, fatigue, fever with sweats and shaking chills, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cough with phlegm, and shortness of breath.

Medicare is a federal health insurance plan available for people over 65, those with disabilities, and individuals with ESRD. It ensures that people needing high-quality, inexpensive healthcare coverage receive it. However, the various regulations involved in Medicare can make it confusing. If you are eligible to receive its benefits, you should know its coverage and, more importantly, its limitations. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Medicare that might help clear confusion. I spent more than six months in a nursing home after a crucial surgery. Will Medicare cover my medical costs? The Original Medicare, a fee-for-service health plan provided by the federal government and Medicare Advantage, does not cover long-term care expenses. Unfortunately, this also includes long-term stays at nursing homes. Usually, long-term care involves some of the highest healthcare costs, especially for retirees. Basically, Medicare does cover limited stays in rehab facilities. For example, Medicare will cover your costs if you undergo hip surgery and need inpatient therapy for multiple weeks. However, the prices of long-term stays at a nursing home are beyond Med icare. To address this, you can consider buying private long-term care insurance. Or, if you have limited savings and income, you can check if other federal health programs can assist you.

You can get the best deals on Medicare health insurance policies during specific periods in the year. Similarly, there are some norms associated with the purchase of this insurance. As per the rules and regulations levied by Medicare, you’re not allowed to buy health insurance plans at the same rates around the year. This brings up the question, when is the best time to buy Medicare supplement plans? Read along to find out more about this. Buy on first eligibility The best time to get yourself a Medicare supplement plan is when you become eligible to make the purchase for the first time. The initial 6-month window is listed as the most favorable time to buy Medigap supplement plans from the official Medicare website. This window will open when you turn 65 years old and are already enrolled in the Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). During this period, you can buy Medicare supplement plans that are sold in your state. You can make the purchase even if you have a pre-existing health condition. On the expiry of this 6-month period, you might not be allowed to purchase a Medicare supplement plan. Even if you are eligible for coverage, it might cost you a lot more than the original price of the policy.

Multiple sclerosis is a condition that is triggered by external forces. It causes the immune system to attack the nerves of the body, making it difficult for the messages to be carried from the brain to different body parts. This leads to the inability to continue with day-to-day activities. There is no cure for this disease yet, but avoiding certain foods and changing lifestyle habits may help manage the illness and its symptoms. Foods to avoid to manage multiple sclerosis Food is an essential source of energy and nutrition. It provides the body with vitamins and minerals that help fight against diseases and bacteria. Even though there are no proper guidelines that multiple sclerosis patients can follow, avoiding certain foods can help them manage their symptoms better. Let’s look at some of them: Foods with saturated fats Some of the significant sources of saturated fats are animal products and other by-products such as dairy and red meat, which have also been linked to various heart diseases and inflammation. A recent study also pointed out that foods containing high amounts of saturated fats are connected to the relapsing Multiple sclerosis symptoms. Hence it is advised to steer clear of them. Processed foods Processed foods usually contain additives to increase their shelf life.

Bronchitis is when the bronchial tubes that carry air to the lungs get infected or swollen. It can lead to coughing, throat ache, increased mucus production, and general cold-like symptoms like body aches or chills. Bronchitis is mostly caused by viruses that do not respond to treatment, so patients often have to wait to feel better. However, symptoms can be managed by eating right. So, here are six foods to avoid when affected by bronchitis: Foods rich in sodium Sodium causes water retention, leading to shortness of breath in people with lung diseases such as bronchitis. This includes the food’s natural sodium content, as well as any added salt (by itself or in condiments and dressings). To limit sodium intake, one should cut back on salty foods and seasonings. One should also check the labels before buying a food item to confirm that the product doesn’t contain more than 300 milligrams of salt per serving. One can choose herbs and spices instead of sauces to reduce salt and keep food flavorful. Dairy products When dairy products are broken down for digestion, an exorphin called casomorphin is released, which has been linked to the production of thicker mucus. This can cause irritation in people with bronchitis.

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder where individuals start to perceive reality in different ways. Studies indicate that mental illness affects about 1.1 percent of the adult population in the country. Treatment methods, therapies, and coping mechanisms can help an individual cope with the condition. However, diagnosing the disorder may take time as the symptoms do not surface until later in life. So here are seven subtle symptoms that may indicate the development of schizophrenia. Social withdrawal One of the signs that are easy to miss is social withdrawal. Here the individual may exclude themselves from opportunities for social interactions. The person may not avoid talking to others because they believe no one understands them. The sign may eventually lead to social isolation, where the individual may also avoid talking to friends and family members. Social withdrawal, when left unchecked, may also lead to depression – a symptom of schizophrenia. Outbursts of negative emotions Signs like hostility, extreme reactions to criticisms or jokes, suspiciousness, and impulsivity are signs seen in the general population. But there’s a chance that people with anger issues or those who always doubt others might be experiencing early signs of schizophrenia. Unlike others, an individual in the early stages of schizophrenia may exhibit sudden negative emotions for no apparent reason.

Hyperkalemia is a condition characterized by excessive potassium levels in the blood, typically caused by kidney disease or over-consumption of potassium-rich foods. Although potassium is an essential nutrient, excessive potassium can lead to several negative consequences, including chest pain, weakened muscles, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Alongside proper therapy, a healthy lifestyle and carefully curated meals can help alleviate hyperkalemia effects. Look at some foods that are a no-no for individuals with hyperkalemia. Potassium-rich fruits Several fruits contain high potassium levels, with bananas containing the highest potassium content. An average banana has about 450 mg of potassium; thus, consuming one banana every day can contribute to hyperkalemia symptoms in individuals suffering from the condition. Other high-potassium fruits include avocados, papayas, apricots, oranges, cantaloupes, and mangoes. It helps to replace high-potassium fruits with those low in potassium, such as apples, raspberries, blueberries, red grapes, and pineapples. Potatoes Potatoes are rich sources of potassium, mainly when consumed with the skin. A medium baked potato contains 941 mg of potassium, which can be generally nutritious but unhealthy for individuals diagnosed with hyperkalemia. Sweet potatoes also contain almost equal potassium concentrations, with one sweet potato consisting of 700 mg of the nutrient.