No doubt about it, most people can find nothing good to say about having twisted, distended, superficial veins just below the skin. Varicose veins are not at all popular. They affect 1 out of every 2 women over 40 and 1 out of every 4 men. If untreated they tend to grow worse. So how do you treat them?

1) Wear elastic support stockings— generally available in medical supply stores, elastic support stockings can help provide relief. You can consult your doctor about the weight and length of the stocking you need. While support stockings can relieve discomfort, they are not a cure.

2) Get your feet off the ground— whenever possible, elevate your legs above hip level. This should help relieve the discomfort whenever they are aching.

3) Avoid high-heels and cowboy boots— this type of footwear can only aggravate the condition.

4) Maintain a trim figure— excessive weight places more pressure on your legs. If you keep your weight down, you’ll probably have fewer problems with varicose veins.

5) Walk, walk, walk— if you sit or stand for prolonged periods of time you wind up causing problems in your legs because the blood will most likely pool. Walking throughout the day is not only a way to prevent the blood from pooling, it’s also great exercise.

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Several Scottish scientists say they have discovered biochemical differences in the brains of breast-fed and bottle-fed babies. Even though the differences in the brain did not necessarily affect brain functions, the new information lends support to mounting evidence that mother’s milk is better for baby than cow’s milk.

The Scottish scientists studied the brains of 22 babies who had died within 43 weeks of birth. Five of the babies who had been breast-fed had a higher level of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is a polyunsaturated fatty acid, in their brains, compared to five babies of the same age who were on formula.

Even though no one is sure of the exact role of DHA in the brain, scientists believe it may be a substance for nerve cell conduction and cell membrane fluidity. None °f this means that higher levels of DHA yield smarter children, but researchers say the results of the study should encourage more women to breastfeed their babies.

New research suggests that mothers should nurse or collect milk before doing exercises, rather than after. That’s because babies don’t seem to care very much for breast milk produced after the mother exercises.

In a study at Indiana University in Bloomington, researchers discovered that working out increases a mother’s level of sour-tasting lactic acid. Babies in the study reacted negatively or refused altogether to nurse when their mothers fed them post-exercise milk.

Lactic acid remains at an elevated level in breast milk for about 90 minutes or longer after vigorous physical activity. That’s why mothers are advised to nurse their babies before working out.

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