6 months post op and loving it part 2 - team Salama

You can read Part 1 of my BBL story, by clicking here.

Health Benefits of Iron

The health benefits of iron mainly include carrying life-giving oxygen to human blood cells. About two-thirds of the bodily iron is found in hemoglobin. Other health benefits of iron are iron deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease, cough, anemia in pregnancy, predialysis anemia and many more.



The health benefits of iron correspond to proper growth of human body and maintaining robust health. It is an essential protein component for metabolism. Body needs iron to produce red blood cells. The human body is capable of preserving 15 % of iron for future use, especially in the case of inadequate diet intake.

Deficiency Symptoms: Iron deficiency may often cause severe fatigue, body weakness & related health ailments. People with lack of iron cannot perform normal functions to their best abilities. Women and children need more iron than the male counterparts. A person with low iron level is likely to be anemic. Severe iron deficiency may cause progressive skin ailments that may cause brittleness of nails and extra smoothness in tongue area.

Important Sources: Iron is found in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods i.e. heme or non-heme iron. Legumes, lentils, soy beans, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, cereals, bread, spinach, turnip, sprouts, broccoli and dry fruits also have good iron content. You can also get iron tablets and supplements. Anemic people are often advised by doctors to take supplementary iron tablets or tonic. Food items containing good level of vitamin C may also aid in absorption of iron by the body. For example, eating a burger with tomato slices in it could boost the absorption of non-heme type iron contents from the burger bread. Citrus fruits and juices like orange juice may also help in iron absorption.

Benefits: Iron, when consumed in balanced amount in the human diet, is efficient in providing a number of benefits as given below:



Hemoglobin formation: Formation of hemoglobin happens to be the chief function of this mineral. Not only that, being a part of hemoglobin, it gives the dark red shade to the blood and also aids in transporting oxygen to the body cells.
Muscle function: Iron is a vital element for muscle health. It is present in the muscle tissues and helps in supply of oxygen required for contraction of muscles.

Brain function: Development of brain is also one of the many benefits of iron. Since oxygen supply to blood is aided by iron and brain uses approximately 20% of the blood oxygen, iron is directly related to brain health and its functions.
Restless leg syndrome: Iron deficiency is one of the causes of the restless leg syndrome. Most research on this syndrome has concentrated on iron. Lower level of iron in the blood is a major cause and hence proper intake of iron supplements in required levels as per doctor’s consultation can cure this problem.

Regulation of body temperature: Iron is a facilitator for regulating body temperature. An interesting fact is that it has the ability to regulate as per the absorption capacity of the body.

Oxygen carrier: One of the most important health benefits of iron is that it acts as a carrier of oxygen and thus participates in transferring oxygen from one body cell to other. This is an important function of iron, as oxygen is required by each and every body part to perform routine functions.
Neurotransmitters synthesis: Iron actively takes part in the synthesis of a number of essential neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, along with serotonin. These chemicals play major role in different activities involving neurons and human brain.
Iron deficiency anemia: Iron is helpful in the treatment of severe disorder called iron deficiency anemia, which results due to lack of adequate amount of iron in human body.

Chronic diseases: The mineral called iron helps in the treatment of chronic disorders like renal failure anemia.

Anemia in women: Iron may also exhibit its health benefits in curing anemia resulting in women during pregnancy or menstruation.
Predialysis anemia: It is recommended by health experts that iron qualifies to treat another form of anemia called predialysis anemia. However, one must consult a medical expert to get treatment for this problem.

Fatigue: Health benefits of iron also include eradication of different causes of fatigue, which may occur in men as well as women. Iron deficiency is a natural cause of fatigue since it is an important component of hemoglobin. So, the inclusion of iron in your diet keeps you fit and healthy.
Immune system: Iron also plays a key role in providing strength to the immune system of human body. Thus, the body is made proficient enough to fight against a number of diseases and infections.

Energy metabolism: Iron is an important spectator of energy metabolism in human body by which, the energy is extracted from the food consumed and distributed to different body parts.

Enzyme systems: Iron happens to be the most important constituent of different enzyme systems and other important constituents like myoglobin, the cytochromes and catalase.
Insomnia: Iron is also useful in treating insomnia in human body and also improves the sleeping benefits in the life of an individual.

Updated on 4 Nov 2012:
What are bioflavonoids and why are they helpful


It seems as if “bioflavonoids” is a popular buzzword of the millennium. But what are bioflavonoids and why are they helpful? Bioflavonoids are a group of naturally occurring plant compounds, which act primarily as plant pigments and antioxidants. They exhibit a host of biological activities, most notably for their powerful antioxidant properties. Bioflavonoids work with other antioxidants to offer a system of protection. Numerous studies have shown their unique role in protecting vitamin C from oxidation in the body, thereby allowing the body to reap more benefits from vitamin C.
Bioflavonoids are present in all botanical supplement products and foods. In fact, many medicinal herbs owe their curative actions to the bioflavonoids they contain. Besides the important antioxidant effects, bioflavonoids help the body maintain health and function in many ways. They have been shown to be anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-aging, and promote structure and function in the circulatory system.

Health Benefits
The main health benefits of bioflavonoids fall into two categories: health-promoting effects and therapeutic effects. The health-promoting effects include better eyesight, improved cardiovascular health, increased capillary strength, improved structure of connective tissues and appearance of skin, and a stronger immune system. Bioflavonoids also offer the health-promoting effect of lowering the risk of some diseases, such as atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorders. The therapeutic applications include treating a variety of diseases and disorders. Several of these are coronary heart disease, allergies, inflammation, hemorrhoids, respiratory diseases, viral infections, some types of cancer, and peptic ulcers.

Bioflavonoid Superstars
Different bioflavonoids tend to have different health effects on the body. Some of the common bioflavonoids and their benefits are outlined below.
Quercetin’s primary use is for the relief of allergies and inflammation. In scientific experiments, it was found to be an effective inhibitor of histamine release from mast cells – the cause of allergic reactions.
Pycnogenol™ has cardiovascular benefits, boosts the immune system, helps improve the appearance of the skin, helps varicose veins, provides relief from arthritic pain, and helps reduce inflammation.
Grape seed extract has beneficial effects on the circulatory system. Some of these include improvements to cardiovascular health, protective antioxidant effects, improved eye health, and anti-inflammatory action.

Green tea extract plays a beneficial role in protecting against certain infections, improving cardiovascular health, promoting better dental hygiene, and offering protection from the development of some types of cancer.
The most recent scientific breakthroughs confirm that these powerful nutrients are an important part of a healthy diet. Studies from around the world support the fact that diets high in bioflavonoids are associated with lower incidences of most diseases. Along with other phytonutrients, the health benefits of bioflavonoids are one reason why the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Surgeon General’s office advocate the intake of several servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Powerful, health-promoting nutrients from nature – the virtues of plants will never cease to amaze

Updated on 4 Nov 2012:
Arnica Montana Benefits

Its content of flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones like helenalin make Arnica montana an excellent remedy for relieving pain and inflammation! Arnica montana pills are often used by professional athletes to arrest muscular pain brought on by sprains, strains and sports injuries. The thymol derivatives found in Arnica montana roots, as shown by studies, are excellent vasodilators which act by widening subcutaneous capillaries to facilitate smooth blood circulation in the affected area. Due to these reasons, there are a lot of areas of biological discomfort upon which Arnica montana generously bestows its beneficial endowments. The scope of Arnica's benefits are as follows:-
Arnica montana pills are known to be effective oral medications for relieving muscular pains and decreasing recovery time. Arnica oil, Arnica gel and Arnica cream provide fast relief to local pain and swelling due to sprains and muscular strains.
Arnica montana extracts are also known to provide relief from swellings, rashes and bumps caused by insect bites.
The anti bacterial properties of Arnica montana are harnessed in the form of Arnica tablets to treat bacterial infections.
Appropriate Arnica montana dosage during pregnancy and labor is known to ease labor pain leading to a more comfortable delivery.
Many homeopathic preparations for skin conditions include Arnica montana extracts to treat scars and damaged skin tissues.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/arnica-montana-pills.html

Zinc benefits

Zinc is a trace mineral which is essential because we can’t make it ourselves. If we don’t eat enough, deficiency signs and symptoms appear. Shockingly, studies have revealed that about 75% of the population in Western nations have suboptimal zinc intakes. The average intake is about 8-10 mg a day whereas the optimal amount is 15-50 mg zinc a day, depending on the amount of zinc you are losing every day, through your stool, urine and sweat; a quantity which varies from person to person. For example drinking coffee and alcohol, as well as smoking are all activities which increase excretion of zinc, along with excessive exercise and stress.




OK, so we need to be having more zinc – but why? What does zinc do?

Benefits of Zinc

Zinc has so many functions that when I first studied it, it would not be an exaggeration to say that there were so many that it made my head spin! But I will try to organize the wonderous benefits of zinc into 8 manageable bite-size pieces for you here!

Benefit 1: It helps Build and Repair our Cells and Tissues

Build and repair cells… That sounds really biological and a bit vague, so let me give some examples as to how zinc’s role in building and repairing cells is important in the body.

a.) Zinc Keeps muscles healthy and allows them to grow:

Most of the body’s zinc is found in muscles, where its use in cell building and repair is helpful particularly after a workout.

When we exercise, especially in weight-training, we put our muscles under strain and in order for them to grow, we literally rip them apart and build new cells in the tears. Then viola! A bigger muscle is created. Zinc is needed for this cell growth and rip-repair and is therefore used as a supplement by some body builders for this purpose.

Zinc is useful in muscles not only for its use in cell building and repair. It’s also important here because it is an antioxidant mineral. Muscle cells create a lot of energy when they are active, and this process of energy production creates health-damaging free radicals as a byproduct. As an antioxidant mineral, zinc is a free radical antidote which is helpful in obliterating free radicals and keeping the body healthy.




b. Zinc helps maintain strong, healthy bones:

Zinc plays an important role in “bone mineralization”, the process in which minerals are bound to the bone matrix to help harden and strengthen the bone tissue. There are a couple of enzymes which are vital in bone maintenance which need zinc, including alkaline phosphatase and collagenase. Zinc also regulates the production of a hormone called calcitonin which helps regulate bone health.

Zinc’s use in bone health comes in useful when healing broken bones when taking a zinc supplement could be of benefit.

Zinc also plays role in keeping tooth enamel strong and cavity-free.

c. Needed for growth in childhood and adolescence:

A time when a lot of new cells are made is whenever there is growth. So children and teens use up a lot of zinc to make new cells! Not only this, but zinc may also be needed to make growth hormone.

One of the first discoveries of the essentiality of zinc found that children who didn’t have enough zinc didn’t grow properly and dwarfism resulted.

d.) New Cell Growth Keeps skin healthy:



Skin is constantly renewing as old cells are shed, and new cells grow to replace them. Since zinc is needed for cell building, it is essential for healthy skin.

Zinc also plays a role in enabling vitamin A function, another vitamin which keeps skin healthy.

If ever you have a wound, a cut, or a burn, zinc is very important in sealing up and repairing the damage. It is also useful for treating acne, psoriasis, dandruff, boils, dermatitis, dry skin, bedsores, and recovery from surgery. All of these could benefit from zinc supplementation.

e. Keeps hair and nail cells healthy:

Because it helps cells grow and because it is needed for the production of keratin, zinc is very helpful in maintaining healthy hair and nails. It can be used where there is hair loss, poor hair growth, and unhealthy nails, although care should be taken because excessively high doses of zinc (usually over 50mg a day) can cause hair loss. Getting just the right amount of a nutrient is a fine balancing act sometimes!

f. Zinc Keeps the cells layers internal surfaces in good condition

Our insides are full of tubes and surfaces which are made of cells, all of which need healthy cell production and maintenance that is enabled by zinc.

For example, the gut wall and all the intestinal tubes, and the walls of blood vessels, all need healthy cell production to function well.

This means that if you have an ulcer of some kind, whether it be a mouth ulcer or a more serious ulcer in your gut, or if you have a leaky gut, zinc would be useful to help repair this.

Zinc also strengthens the lining of bronchioles, lungs and just about all other tissues in the body.

g. Builds immune cells to protect you from disease:

Because zinc helps the body build cells, it is very important in building your immune cells which protect your from disease.



Zinc is one of the main nutrients needed when you have a cold, or another illness, because your body uses it up very quickly in the process of making immune cells to fight the intruding germs! So supplementing with zinc when you next have a cold or some other bug will be a good idea! It can also help protect the body from warts and speed up recovery from herpes, and other viruses, bacteria, fungi and baddies. Any case of excessive microorganisms in the body can be helped by zinc, to rally the immune system to fight these bugs. So conditions like bad breath, body odour, foot odour, gum disease, high amounts of tooth decay, and dysbiosis can all be helped by zinc supplementation.

Any condition where immune cells are imbalanced can also be helped by zinc, because zinc can help make the cells which are deficient. For example, the Th2 dominance disorders: asthma, allergies, eczema, hayfever, CFS, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis (to name but a few), can all be helped by zinc supplementation.

With allergy-type conditions, zinc may be particularly helpful because it may also inhibit allergic inflammation by inhibiting histamine release, and helping reduce inflammation by promoting anti-inflammatory chemical production (called eicosanoids).

h. Needed to build reproductive cells and is therefore essential for fertility in both men and women:

Not only is zinc important in building reproductive cells for normal sexual function and development, but zinc is also a part of semen. When semen is lost, so too is zinc (15mg zinc lost per ejaculation to be precise!) and this must be topped up. This is partly why men need a little more zinc than women.

Zinc is one of the first nutrients to think of in cases of infertility.

i. Needed to build new cells in pregnancy and lactation

Another time when many new cells are being produced is in pregnancy and lactation. Zinc helps support cell production at these important times.

Benefit 2: Zinc helps us Detoxify all sorts of nasty chemicals

As mentioned above, zinc acts as an antioxidant mineral to fight against damaging free radicals which we come in contact with every day. Zinc does this by encouraging the production of enzymes that break down free radicals, SOD (super oxide dismutase). Zinc also helps form a molecule called glutathione which helps to mop up free radicals by absorbing them thus neutralizing them.



Because zinc is an antioxidant mineral, it helps prevent all sorts of free-radical-driven diseases including cataracts, ageing, sun-damaged skin, atherosclerosis, age-related macular degeneration and cancer, amongst others.

Free radicals aren’t the only baddies that zinc helps your body detoxify. Zinc also helps the body eliminate some heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, and also aids the body metabolise and get rid of alcohol. Since a lot of zinc is used up to detox alcohol, it is really important to top up zinc in heavy drinkers.

By protecting the body from all these damaging toxins, zinc also helps protect the liver from problems like cirrhosis and liver damage.

Benefit 3: Zinc helps us Digest our food

Zinc helps make both stomach acid, and some of the digestive enzymes made by the pancreas (e.g. carboxypolypeptidase). Both of these are essential for good digestion.

For this reason, zinc is useful in treating heartburn that is commonly caused by low stomach acid, and a wide range of other conditions caused by low stomach acid.

Benefit 4: Zinc helps us with all sorts of housekeeping tasks in our body
Over 100 enzymes in our body need zinc to function, so zinc plays an important role in maintaining healthy functioning of a lot of processes in our body, from protein synthesis, to carbohydrate metabolism and DNA synthesis. It also helps maintain the body pH and aids in the production of a range of hormones in the body including sex hormones e.g. testosterone, stress hormones e.g. cortisol and insulin.

Benefit 5: Zinc helps us with blood sugar balancing

Zinc is needed to make insulin, the hormone which helps us regulate blood sugar levels. Healthy insulin production is incredibly important in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, keeping good energy levels, and in controlling cravings, amongst other things.

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