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A small beer belly doesn’t matter – or does it? Doctors warn of the severe effects of obesity on our health. Belly fat in particular can be dangerous because it increases the risk of life-threatening diseases.

Danger to life from abdominal fat: Increased risk of heart attack

The messenger substances set inflammatory processes in motion. “Toxic accumulations in the liver and, in the worst case, liver failure can occur,” says Matthias Blueher, an endocrinologist at Leipzig University Hospital. When abdominal fat is accompanied by high blood pressure, altered lipid metabolism values ​​and elevated blood sugar, doctors speak of metabolic syndrome.

Even three of the four factors increase the risk of a life-threatening heart attack or stroke. The metabolic syndrome is therefore also referred to as the “deadly quartet”. In addition, too much abdominal fat promotes the development of diabetes. And the risk of a tumor is also higher.

Doctors differentiate between internal and external abdominal fat

However, belly fat is not just belly fat. Doctors differentiate between internal and external abdominal fat. The outside is easy to grip with the fingers. It is subcutaneous fatty tissue – the famous rolls of fat. “The inner abdominal fat is actually dangerous because it is not noticeable at first,” says Blüher.

Everyone can measure for themselves whether the proportion of abdominal fat is too high or not. A tape measure is placed at the waist between the ribs and pelvic bones. If the waist circumference is less than 94 centimeters for a man and less than 80 centimeters for a woman, everything is fine. “It becomes critical when the waist circumference of a man is over 102 and a woman over 88 centimeters,” explains Riedl. Then it is essential to reduce your own weight.

Avoid alcohol and heavy meals

Men aged up to 50 are particularly prone to internal abdominal fat. This is probably due to the sex hormone testosterone. “There is also increasing evidence that the development of internal abdominal fat is hereditary,” says Blüher. In addition to genetic factors, a diet that is too high in sugar and fat and too much alcohol such as beer also play a role.

If you want to lose weight and thus reduce your belly fat, you should therefore not drink alcohol for a while and avoid lavish meals. A healthy and balanced diet with lots of vital substances and minerals is beneficial. Because sugar and white flour cause blood sugar to rise, health-conscious people prefer to eat less.

Squats and bench presses for less belly fat

But nutrition is not everything. Movement is just as important. “Physical activity is a guarantee that the belly fat will be reduced,” says Prof. Ingo Froboese from the German Sport University in Cologne. The most important basic exercises of strength training include squats as a strength exercise for the legs or the so-called bench press for the entire upper body.

Ideally, those who want to lose weight are instructed by a trainer during the exercises. Sports such as walking, running, cycling or swimming can be used to improve endurance. The training should take place at least three times a week – around 45 minutes each time. The longer you train, the better for your body.

Vibration training – i.e. training on a vibrating plate – can also contribute to weight loss. The body muscles are vigorously shaken up, which can contribute to fat burning. But staying passive on the record doesn’t help much. “Instead, the body has to be moved on the device,” explains Froboese. This is sweaty and should definitely be done under the guidance of a fitness expert, at least the first time.

Choose a sport that suits you

Physician Riedl considers it important that the sport in question suits you. Anyone who has to bring themselves to go swimming should consider whether walking might not be a better choice. But it also has to be clear: “In order to lose 530 kilocalories from a bar of chocolate, you have to jog for 57 minutes or cycle for 76 minutes.” The best training is of little use if the diet is not adjusted as well. Froboese summarizes: “Eating and trimming, both have to be right.”

Potassium is an essential mineral for the human body and you can identify a deficiency by certain symptoms. We explain what they are and what you can do about them.

What is potassium and why does the body need it?

Potassium is a mineral and one of the most important electrolytes in the human body. But although the mineral is so important, the organism cannot produce it itself. Instead, our body is dependent on being supplied with potassium regularly from the outside – through food. Potassium is 98 percent bound inside the cells, is involved in the body’s energy production and is used to maintain osmotic cell pressure.

Together with sodium, potassium is primarily responsible for activating the heart muscles and for the excitation potential of muscle and nerve cells. If you have enough potassium in your body, it promotes mental performance, in that the potassium provides more oxygen in the brain. Potassium is also responsible for the normal excitability of muscles and nerves. In addition, the mineral has a very beneficial effect on blood pressure. Potassium neutralizes the blood pressure-increasing mineral, helping to protect against high blood pressure and strokes.

The daily need for potassium depends on lifestyle and age. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends 400 to 600 milligrams of potassium daily for infants, 1300 to 3600 milligrams for children between the ages of four and fifteen and 4000 milligrams from the age of nineteen. The only exceptions to this are breastfeeding mothers, because they not only have to provide themselves but also the baby with sufficient potassium. Your daily requirement is 4400 milligrams.

Symptoms and causes of potassium deficiency

Potassium therefore fulfills very basic functions in the body that cannot be fulfilled if the potassium intake is too low and are very stressful for your health. Potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) is unfortunately often only noticed after a certain time and can therefore have serious consequences. While a slight deficiency is already an impairment of physical well-being, a serious undersupply can even be life-threatening. A greatly increased potassium requirement is manifested by the following symptoms:
dizziness
headache
fatigue
difficulty concentrating
nervousness
Stomach and intestinal problems
cardiac arrhythmias
Inflammatory bowel diseases
muscle cramps
circulatory problems
One possible cause is an unbalanced diet: Since potassium is primarily found in plant-based foods, a diet that largely ignores plant-based products can cause a deficiency over the long term. So if you mainly eat animal products and carbohydrates, you should take a look at your potassium balance.

Tip: This helps with potassium deficiency

If you occasionally suffer from any of the aforementioned symptoms, you probably have nothing to worry about. However, if you recognize several signs in yourself, especially heart rhythm disorders, it is better to see a doctor who can do a blood test to determine your potassium deficiency.

It usually takes little effort to compensate for a slight potassium deficiency. Sufferers should eat foods high in potassium, such as whole grains, dried fruit, avocados, bananas, and nuts. Alternatively, there are also potassium supplements, which should only be taken on medical advice. Because tablets or other dietary supplements can quickly lead to an accidental overdose, which can also have serious health consequences.

There is a lot of potassium in these foods

It is important that we get our daily potassium requirement from food, as our body cannot produce the mineral potassium itself or store it in stock. Plants take up potassium through their roots because potassium is found in the soil. Therefore, all plant foods contain potassium in different concentrations. Potassium can also be found in meat, dairy products and fish, since livestock absorb potassium from their forage plants. The following foods contain a particularly large amount of potassium and are also very healthy due to other valuable nutrients:

Avocado: In addition to numerous healthy nutrients such as magnesium, the superfood contains up to 485 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams.
Almonds: They contain 700 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams and contain larger amounts of calcium and magnesium.
Spinach: The green leaves are extremely rich in immune-boosting vitamin C, beta-carotenes and contain 500 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams, just like kale.
Buckwheat: Just like quinoa or amaranth, buckwheat is a high-quality but gluten-free carbohydrate supplier. It contains 325 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams.
Cocoa powder: The leader in terms of potassium: cocoa powder contains more than 1,500 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams.
In addition to apricots, raspberries and kiwi, bananas are also extremely rich in potassium: 370 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams.
Salmon contains 600 milligrams of potassium per 100 grams.
Carrots: High in vitamin A and vitamin C, carrots contain about 320 milligrams of potassium.
If you want to do something good for your health in the long term, you should change your diet to one that is as varied and nutritious as possible. Since potassium is of plant origin, it can be successfully ingested through food in all diets.

Benefits and dangers of breast augmentation at a glance. “Mirror, mirror on the wall…” – many women often stand in despair in front of the mirror and wonder why they weren’t given more beautiful breasts. Your bust size is small, the right breast hangs a little to the side and in general, the breasts just don’t look that nice.

The problem of small breasts

Because of the small breasts, breast augmentation is often considered, and although it costs a lot of money, it gives most women greater self-confidence. But is breast augmentation really the best solution? Is the pain of a long surgery worth it? Consultations with cosmetic surgeons will probably not bring a clear answer here, because breast augmentation, in addition to the many positive aspects, also harbors dangers that you should keep in the back of your mind.

Why a bigger breast?

There are women who were unfortunately far behind when God distributed a beautiful plump breast. They suffer greatly from their small bust size, do not feel feminine, and are not in harmony with their bodies. This leads to very low self-confidence, which of course also drastically complicates the search for a partner. Some women may have experienced a serious illness that primarily affected the female breast, or had a serious accident that disfigured the breast. In these cases, too, cosmetic surgery is increasingly being considered.
We now present the advantages and dangers of breast augmentation and hope to be able to help some women a little with it.

Benefits of breast augmentation

Any cosmetic surgery has risks and benefits. In most cases, personal needs to feel more beautiful lead to an intervention. Because such an intervention can result in the following:

1) Increased attractiveness

The men whistle after you, in the swimming pool you stare at your plump breasts with envious looks and the mirror finally says “You are the most beautiful in the whole country”. Such a breast augmentation makes you attractive and increases self-confidence and self-esteem enormously. Finally, you can go shopping in stores for sexy lingerie and show off your beautiful breasts. The search for men is now also more successful and you feel visibly more comfortable with your new bust size.

2) In tune with the body

Especially women who have suffered from their small or disfigured breasts for a long time will come out of a cosmetic operation with a completely new body feeling. While social isolation and depression have ruled everyday life up to now, joie de vivre and fun are blooming again for the first time. Only those who feel comfortable in their body and accept themselves as they are will have joy in life that shows on the outside.

3) Lower risk alternative to silicone

Today it is possible to have your breasts enlarged with your own fat. The breasts are not provided with a foreign body but rather injected with fat from their own ranks (lipofilling). This achieves more naturalness and the risk of non-acceptance of the foreign body is completely eliminated. Also, read about the dangers and benefits of liposuction.

Dangers of breast augmentation

If you are thinking about a surgical procedure, you should also keep an eye on the dangers of such an intervention. Because if you know the dangers, you can use them to help you make decisions. The following risks are possible:

1) Surgery and pain

Breast augmentation is a very complex and not risk-free operation, which is associated with enormous pain. Although the result is usually impressive, there is no lifetime guarantee. The consequences of such an operation could be increased sensitivity of the skin around the breast and the nipples. The result is not always what you wanted and it may well be that further interventions are necessary to achieve the dream breast. Also, note the benefits and dangers of an eyelid lift.

2) Breast augmentation cost

If you are dissatisfied with your bust size and want to go under the knife, you have to dig deep into your pockets. On average, the cost of breast augmentation in Germany is 5000 euros, with any follow-up treatments usually not being included in the price. If such an operation is necessary for medical reasons, then partial payment or even complete payment by the health insurance company is possible.

3) The foreign body in the body

Breast augmentation does not always go as planned because some women are very sensitive to the silicone in their bodies. You are uncomfortable with the foreign object in your chest because it slips or hurts. The silicone is often responsible for the formation of many scars in the breast, which can lead to hardening and even deformation of the breast.

4) Cancer screening is becoming more difficult

Even if the woman now has beautiful breasts and masters her life so happily, cancer screening is very important. Unfortunately, silicone breasts make cancer screening a little more difficult for doctors, because the tissue that has to be examined on the ultrasound is largely covered by the foreign body, which makes it almost impossible to visualize the inside of the breast.

5) Big breast durability

The dream breasts do not last forever and it may be that over time a new operation must be carried out to replace silicone pads.

All advantages and dangers of teeth whitening at a glance. In our culture, radiant white teeth are part of the ideal of beauty; in addition to well-groomed skin, they are the visible sign of health and attractiveness. Unfortunately, maintaining perfect teeth over the course of a lifetime is not that easy. Many dyes from drinking coffee or tea, smoking, or medication can penetrate the tooth enamel and discolor the teeth, even with good dental care.

Even teeth that are considered dead after a root canal can become darker. To get whiter teeth again, many people use teeth whitening. There are completely different methods that are more or less promising. Tooth bleaching is absolutely trendy, the question remains whether it is suitable for everyone and what dangers it poses.

What is bleaching?

In general, this term summarizes the whitening of the teeth. As a rule, the whitening agent carbamide peroxide is used for whitening. The hydrogen peroxide contained in bleach is comparable to substances that also lighten the hair. It is applied in the form of a gel, whitening agents that are sold in pharmacies or drugstores are dosed less than for teeth whitening that the dentist carries out.

Professional teeth whitening – office whitening

This is carried out in the dental practice or in beauty clinics, two methods are used. Office bleaching is the treatment that takes place exclusively in the practice. After a thorough examination of the teeth, the dentist applies the bleaching agent directly to the teeth, the gel has to work for about twenty minutes. After that, two to four more sessions are necessary to achieve the desired whitening, depending on the condition of the teeth. One session can be enough for power bleaching. Here a highly concentrated gel is applied, and the teeth are irradiated with UV light to accelerate the effect. You can already achieve a good result after an hour, but this power bleaching has its price. Also, note the benefits and dangers of cosmetic surgery.

Professional teeth whitening – home bleaching

With this method, the dentist prepares plastic splints, after which impressions of the teeth are made. The gel is applied to the splint at home, depending on the dosage, it is worn by the hour or at night. Depending on the concentration of the gel, the process takes about two to three weeks. The dentist checks the result and the condition of the teeth in between. The method also incurs some costs for the patient, which the health insurance companies do not cover.

Bleaching with over-the-counter agents

If you are afraid of going to the dentist or want to save money, you can use various bleaching agents that are available in pharmacies or drugstores. With these means, you can carry out the bleaching on your own. So-called white strips promise teeth whitening, as do tooth whitening sticks, with which the gel is applied to the teeth. Bleaching sets consist of plastic splints that are filled with gel, they are supposed to whiten the teeth evenly. With all products that are on the market, the gel used is less aggressive in order to prevent damage to the necks of the teeth.

Risks of teeth whitening

The first requirement is intact teeth, which should definitely be examined before use. Tooth enamel may deteriorate over time and there is a risk of gingivitis if the bleach comes in contact with the gums. During the treatment, the teeth are often very sensitive and react painfully to cold or heat. With carious teeth, there is a risk that the dental nerve will be damaged. In order to rule out all these dangers, it is always advisable to have the condition of the teeth examined before the treatment.

Whitening Benefits

  • Discolored teeth can be treated
  • Well-groomed appearance with beautiful teeth
  • More self-confidence
  • Power bleaching requires little time
  • Determine your own success with home products

Whitening cons

  • High cost of professional whitening
  • No health insurance subsidies
  • Frequent visits to the dentist
  • The treatment only lasts for a limited period of time
  • Sensitivity of the teeth to gingivitis

For a beautiful smile

Anyone who suffers from the discoloration of their teeth may be inhibited and no longer want to show their teeth to laugh. In the long run, this leads to cramping and weakens self-confidence. In order to be able to strengthen self-confidence, tooth bleaching can help here, beautiful teeth increase attractiveness. A thorough inspection or treatment of the teeth before tooth bleaching can eliminate dangers. In addition, home remedies for teeth whitening can be considered. Oil pulling, for example, can ensure beautiful teeth.

Bleaching costs

Professional bleaching costs several hundred euros, they vary in amount, starting at around 200 euros. Products for self-application are cheaper but in weaker doses.

The advantages and dangers of hair transplantation at a glance. In men, a bald head or thinning hair is usually no reason to be happy. For women, the mere thought of suffering from this problem is pure horror.

Hair loss: not just a male problem

Especially if you suffer from thin hair or are struggling with hair fall and hair loss, you should maybe consider a hair transplant.

For many people, full hair and lush volume are directly related to femininity and thus also to attractiveness. Hair loss is caused by the decreasing density of the hair follicles. This leads to hair loss as hair grows from the healthy follicles.

Hair loss after menopause

In women, this phenomenon occurs mainly after menopause. This is due to the resulting hormonal changes. However, the patterns of hair loss differ significantly depending on the gender of the person affected. While men usually develop a receding hairline and a bald spot on the back of their heads, women almost always suffer from the fact that their hair is becoming increasingly thin and therefore lighter. A skin transplant appears as real salvation in an emergency.

The process of a hair transplant

In contrast to the “miracle cures” from the local drugstore, a hair transplant has a decisive advantage. Normally it really does something. If you previously had problems with thinning and sparse hair, you probably won’t have it anymore. Of course, there are also risks with such an intervention, so these are discussed below.

Hair transplantation allows you to have hair follicles transplanted to the desired areas. From these, the new hair will grow in the future. Light spots where the scalp could shimmer through are now a thing of the past.

Removal of the hair follicles

Of course, the follicles transplanted for this purpose have to come from somewhere. The patient donates them to himself during a hair transplant. They come from a part of the head where the hair density is even higher. It is therefore a basic requirement that the patient still has hair. A hair transplant would therefore no longer be possible with a completely bald head.

These donor follicles are usually removed from the back of the head since hair loss is usually less here. The doctor treating you cuts them off along with the scalp. What sounds quite brutal at first is of course carried out under local anesthesia and is therefore almost completely painless. The resulting wound is then sewn up by the surgeon. It will therefore no longer be visually noticeable later on.

Dissection and use of the grafts

The surgeon can now cut the removed piece into smaller strips of skin. These are called grafts, which contain up to five hair follicles. Holes are then punched into the scalp at the light spots. Here the follicles can now be inserted and grow together with the scalp. This procedure not only sounds complicated, but it is also. It, therefore, takes several hours, depending on the patient. After about two to three months, hair will begin to grow out of the hair follicles.

Risks and dangers of hair transplantation

If you are now considering perhaps having such a treatment carried out yourself, then of course you must also be informed about the possible risks and dangers of such an operation.

Success cannot be guaranteed

There is no guaranteed success. Every person is different and it can happen that some people’s newly transplanted hair follicles do not grow together as well as others. This can result in bald spots because the hair follicles are shed.

Scars and wound healing problems

Significant scarring can also occur. This usually occurs at the site where the skin containing the follicles was originally removed. These scars can then become visible. As with any other operation, wound healing disorders can also occur at this point. Infection and bleeding cannot be ruled out either.

No elimination of the cause

It should also be mentioned that the newly transplanted hair follicles can also fall out. In the end, the cause of the hair loss was not treated. After all, a hair transplant is not a medical but a plastic procedure.

The first examination by a dermatologist

However, if you are undeterred by the risks and dangers of hair transplantation, you can seek an individual consultation with a dermatologist. He can address your personal problem areas and give you professional advice. During this examination, the dermatologist will also try to find the cause of your problem. In addition to the hormonal changes after menopause, diseases can also cause hair loss. It is also important that the doctors check how dense the remaining hair is.

Hair transplant cost

Of course, such a plastic procedure is not particularly inexpensive. The number of transplants required determines the price. Whereby at least about 2000 euros should be expected.

All advantages and dangers of an eyelid lift at a glance. With an eyelid lift, tired-looking eyes can be effectively concealed. But the surgery has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, find out what types of eyelid tightening without surgery there are.

Tight eyelids

The perfect eyeliner can optimally emphasize the shape of the eyes. Many women use various eyeliners. And eyeshadow can also be used as an eyeliner and thus emphasize the eyes. But what if the eyelids droop and make-up prevents? As eyelid tightening has become affordable for more and more people, the procedure has become a popular remedy for tired facial expressions and unsightly wrinkles in recent years.

We will show you which types of eyelid tightening are possible today. Because it does not always have to be the operation of the eyelids. Eyelid tightening without surgery is now also possible. In addition, we clarify the advantages and dangers of this cosmetic surgery.

Eyelid tightening without surgery

It doesn’t always have to go under the knife right away. Because there are now techniques and procedures that enable eyelid tightening without surgery. But what are these measures? And are they effective? We introduce you to a few:

Eyelid lift with a plasma pen

The procedure with the plasma pen is now a common way of tightening the eye area. But that applies mainly to slight drooping eyelids and small wrinkles. So if you do something about sagging eyelids in time, this method will be helpful. Accordingly, the eye area is treated with a numbing cream. Then the lid is treated with the plasma pen at certain points. This generates controlled heat. Then the small injuries cause the skin to pull together in these places. The treatment lasts between 30 and 60 minutes in total and can be repeated after a few weeks.

Tighten eyelids with the laser

Another non-surgical eyelid tightening method is the use of a laser. The top layer of skin is removed by the light beam from the laser. As a result, the skin regenerates and grows back. The laser also reaches deeper skin layers and stimulates the formation of new collagen and elastin there. And the good thing about the treatment is that it only takes 15-30 minutes. This is followed by a healing process of about 2 weeks.

Eyelid tightening with hyaluronic acid

The miracle cure of hyaluronic acid is becoming more and more popular. And rightly so! Because it not only helps as a remedy against wrinkles but also for eyelid tightening without surgery. It is often used in addition to surgical use, as wrinkles and small depressions can be filled with the active ingredient. However, one treatment is not enough for very sagging eyelids.

General Risks of Eyelid Lifting

There is also a general health risk if the eyelid lift is performed under general anesthesia. However, a local anesthetic is usually sufficient for eyelid tightening. Because the anesthetic is done with a syringe. In many places, the procedure is an outpatient procedure and takes about 40 minutes, possibly longer. If desired, anesthesia is conceivable, the so-called twilight sleep is particularly gentle. The general risks associated with almost every operation also include the following:

  • embolisms
  • bruises
  • thrombosis
  • inflammation
  • Intolerance to administered substances

Careful selection of specialist staff is important

Possible differences in the quality of the result should also be mentioned. While it’s extremely unlikely that an experienced doctor at a reputable beauty clinic will make mistakes, that’s only human. As a result, nobody can completely rule out malpositions and asymmetries. Accordingly, you should proceed carefully and take your time when selecting a clinic and specialist staff.

You can find out more about this on the Internet or get advice on-site first. It also makes sense to get several offers and compare them. Because specialist staff who explain in detail is a good sign. You should keep your hands off everyone else. Besides that, be aware of the dangers and benefits of liposuction.

All the advantages and dangers of liposuction at a glance. Almost everyone has them, the so-called problem areas. Liposuction, also known as liposuction, is the most common procedure in the field of cosmetic surgery. Liposuction is still ahead of the classics, such as breast changes or lifting.

Despite modern medicine, liposuction should not be taken lightly. If the lifestyle or diet is not changed, the fat will be deposited in other places. A comprehensive consultation with a specialist is essential.

The point of liposuction

Of course, this intervention primarily serves to change the optical appearance. In principle, however, liposuction does not replace a diet. Suction must be combined with a healthy and balanced diet. In most cases, the intervention is only an alternative if various attempts to lose weight show no effect.
If a person gains weight, every single fat cell in the body increases in size.

Liposuction reduces the number of cells in the affected area. The extent to which this occurs depends on the number of cells removed. Thus, a change in body shape can be achieved, which can ultimately contribute to human health. Since fat is a natural filler, it can be used anywhere to “pad” again. However, liposuction is only used on small areas of the body and is by no means a remedy for obesity. Common areas are the stomach, thighs, upper arms, or hips.

What are the benefits of liposuction?

Liposuction is a proven method for both women and men who suffer from a so-called fat distribution disorder. These are particularly persistent fat pads that cannot be removed either with sport or with a suitable diet. On the one hand, this changes the body image and counteracts obesity, which is harmful to health. Since the fat cells are removed during the suction, no new deposits of fat pads are possible at this point.

Since the so-called saddlebags are genetically determined, those affected usually have no real alternative. The suction provides a permanent remedy. Autologous fat can also be used for breast augmentation. Another advantage is the great psychological aspect. Many people who are unhappy with their bodies tend to isolate themselves and are more likely to develop depression.

Most patients undergoing such an operation feel much better and more self-confident afterward. In almost all patients, a successful intervention was accompanied by an enormous increase in satisfaction. Conversely, this also means an increase in joie de vivre. Self-esteem and self-confidence are encouraged and increased. As a result, people feel more attractive and become more open to others.

Drain the dangers of fat

Like any surgical procedure or cosmetic surgery, liposuction carries some risks and dangers. For example, general risks of an operation such as bleeding, swelling, or allergic reactions to the painkiller can occur. The frequency and nature of the complication or risk depending on the size of the operated area. of course, the surgeon also has a corresponding influence on the dangers. Basically, one can make a decision in aesthetic and surgical complications.

Aesthetic Complications

If the procedure is not carried out gently and evenly, there is a risk of dents, swelling, or sagging of certain skin areas. There must also be a minimal layer of fat between the skin and the muscle, otherwise, so-called adhesions can occur. Certain liposuction procedures can also cause skin burns. Temporary swellings are common after an operation, and these usually recede after six weeks at the latest. However, there is a risk of painful inflammation.

Surgical complications of liposuction

Of course, such an operation can also cause problems that are of a surgical nature. Especially in the case of interventions in the knee or leg area, errors can lead to thrombosis. An accidental injury to the nerves can also lead to so-called nerve irritation. This is called a feeling of numbness. In most cases, this is not permanent. Although rare, the procedure can lead to skin irritation and infection.

The formation of permanent scars is a little more common. Since certain fluids are administered or removed during the procedure, there is also an additional burden on the liver and heart. If fat gets into the lungs during the operation, this can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary edema due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs cannot always be ruled out. An allergic reaction to the anesthetic may also occur. However, in most cases, the interventions go smoothly. Larger complications usually only occur with larger interventions. Additionally, be aware of the benefits and dangers of an eyelid lift.

Eating zucchini raw is actually very healthy. But is it true that raw zucchini can be poisonous? Here you can find out everything you need to know.

Eating zucchini raw: these are the advantages

Basically, there is nothing wrong with eating zucchini raw, quite the opposite: zucchini eaten raw is considered to be particularly healthy. It contains iron, a lot of vitamin C and vitamin A – if it is heated, many nutrients and vitamins are lost.

Zucchini should also not be peeled, as the peel contains most of the vitamins. If you wash the shell thoroughly, you can eat it without hesitation.

Due to their high water content, zucchinis are also filling and have comparatively few calories. But what about the rumor that you can’t eat zucchini raw?

When not to eat zucchini raw?

The problem with zucchinis are bitter substances called cucurbitacins:

Like other cucurbits, zucchini naturally contains cucurbitacins. In large quantities, these bitter substances can lead to digestive problems or even food poisoning.
Commercially available zucchini are special breeds that do not contain cucurbitacins. You can eat these without hesitation.
Be careful with homegrown zucchini. In your own garden, under certain circumstances, backcrosses can form, which again contain cucurbitacins.
Cucurbitacins are heat resistant and poorly soluble in water. Therefore, they are also preserved during cooking.
You can recognize an inedible zucchini by its strongly bitter taste.
Store-bought zucchini can always be eaten raw. If you grow your own zucchini, do a taste test first. Bitter-tasting zucchini contain poisonous cucurbitacins and should not be eaten raw or cooked.

Not just with raw zucchini: be careful with these fruits too

Legumes like beans and chickpeas contain phasin. This is a protein that is absorbed into the blood via the intestines and, in high doses, can cause the red blood cells to stick together. It can also cause indigestion and vomiting. Boil chickpeas for at least 15 minutes, then the phasin will become harmless.
Raw potatoes that have sprouted or green spots may contain solanine. This alkaloid causes various symptoms of intoxication in high doses. However, if you remove the affected areas of the potato, you can cook and eat it as usual.
Eggplants also naturally contain solanine. Due to targeted breeding, dangerous amounts are rarely contained here, but to be on the safe side you should only eat ripe, dark purple fruits.
Rhubarb is one of the plants that contains a particularly large amount of oxalic acid. In addition to other symptoms of poisoning, this can promote the development of kidney and bladder stones. The leaves of the rhubarb contain the most oxalic acid, you should definitely not eat them. The sticks lose the toxic substance when cooked.
Elderberries contain the toxin sambunigrin, which releases hydrocyanic acid and can cause abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Again, you should only eat ripe fruit that has had the stems, leaves, and seeds removed. The fruits of the elder are only harmless after they have been boiled for at least 20 minutes.
Overall, few types of fruit and vegetables are inherently poisonous. For many, however, it depends on the right maturity and preparation.

Parents always want to do everything right and protect their children. And rightly so, because especially in the first months and years of life, newborns and small children depend on the protection of their parents. Therefore use valuable tips for child protection.

Protect children in everyday life

There are many dangers lurking in everyday life. It can be dangerous not only outside but also in your own four turns. Adequate child protection is therefore important and should be taken seriously by adults. Small children in particular want to explore their environment and cannot distinguish between dangerous and harmless things. Consequently, parents need to protect their children and should pay attention to a few important aspects in the home and outside. Because if you know about possible dangers, you can identify and eliminate them more quickly. This gives your child a safe start in life.

1) Create a safe home

It’s hard to believe, but according to a study, more than 80 percent of injuries in small children requiring treatment can be traced back to accidents in the home or other facilities. It is therefore an essential precautionary measure to make your own four walls childproof. Consequently, make sure that stairs are fitted with gates and houseplants are out of the reach of small children. You should also check the garden and ensure more child protection here. Are there open water points, such as ponds, watercourses, or rain barrels? Then make them inaccessible with a fence or cover. Because even a few centimeters of water depth can pose a danger for small children.

2) Door lock to protect children

Doors also pose a danger. Small children can quickly get bad injuries here. As soon as the dear little ones become mobile, you need a good mechanical door lock. Then your child cannot leave the room unnoticed or get stuck in the door. Here you can remedy the situation with a small bell that you simply tie to the door to protect children. As soon as the bell rings, you know that your little treasure is on a journey of discovery. Likewise, always lock the apartment or front door so that your child does not go hiking unnoticed.

3) Safe toy and use

As a child, pretty much anything becomes an interesting toy. You should therefore remove all dangerous objects and store them safely so that your child cannot steal them. But that’s not all. You should also carefully examine the toys that your newborn babies or children bought specially. Because most everything is tried out with hands and mouth. It is therefore important that your children’s toys are safe. Quality and test seals will help you with this.

4) Identify hidden dangers and protect children

Dangers are not always as obvious as a knife or scissors lying around. The situation is different if the danger is not visible to the eye. Chemicals and pollutants in particular often remain undiscovered. These include, among other things, softeners and dyes contained in clothing, such as aniline. These get on the child’s skin and can cause irritation there. The whitening agents used in children’s clothing for visual reasons are also suspected of triggering allergies. When buying new clothing, it is best to look for the “oeko-tex” seal or the European eco-label in order to be able to protect your children. In general, it is worth making the household more sustainable.

5) Pay attention to the ingredients of care products

It is also advisable to take a close look at the ingredients of creams and shampoos. Because even care products that are advertised for babies and small children can contain additives that are unsuitable for sensitive children’s skin. This is particularly problematic with chemicals that have a similar effect to hormones in the body. In animal experiments, these showed reprotoxic effects. When it comes to caring products, parents should therefore turn to manufacturers of natural cosmetics to protect their children. You can also easily make natural cosmetics yourself, so you know exactly what’s in them.

6) Protect children in traffic

It is also dangerous for children and adults on the road. Since children are not sufficiently sensitized to these dangers at a young age, you should never take your eyes off your children on the road. So leave her in the stroller or take her by the hand. In addition, it can be helpful to make them aware of the dangers and to explain them. You should also be careful that they don’t run away or get lost. Child protection is therefore essential, especially in road traffic. Playgrounds or playing in the sandbox should also be accompanied or observed up to a certain age.

7) More security on escalators

Today, escalators are found almost everywhere, especially in department stores, subway stations, train stations, and airports. So they are part of our daily life and nobody would think of an accident. But they can also be dangerous, especially for children. Therefore, they should never play on escalators. Likewise, small children should always be accompanied by adults for sufficient child protection. Other tips on how to behave on the escalator are as follows:

  • Never step on the black treadmill; because here the danger is particularly high.
  • Be careful with plastic sandals, sneakers, or plastic boots, the up to the four-millimeter wide gap between the movable steps and the fixed sidewall can become a trap.
  • Do not sit on the escalator, because clothing such as scarves, coats and long hair can get caught in the gears of the chain drive through the gaps, and, in the worst case, lead to strangulation. This also applies in particular to the ends of the escalator.
  • And this is how you do it right: stand in the middle of the escalator, hold on to the handrail, don’t wear overly long scarves, and hold the children by the hand.

You can find many more informative tips and advice on the subject of safety in the e-book on child safety.