How to enhance sporting performance
Physical exercise equals health, equals sport, equals life. It also has a strong incentive for anyone who does it: it increases sporting performance. To run further, jump higher, be more flexible and stronger than last year...in short, to gradually improve your performance. Therefore, in Probelte Pharma’s therapeutic nutrition blog, we provide a few tips on how to scratch that itch and boost your sporting performance. Fancy giving it a go?
Diet
Yes, this is the key to everything, the be-all and end-all of sporting performance. However, we don’t actually give this a great deal thought, even though it is one of the keys to enhancing sporting performance. A good diet, tailored to your needs and goals, is vital to achieve your objectives and improve your physical fitness.
To get yourself in shape, you should cut down on excess animal fats like butter, sausages and meat products (bacon, sausage, etc.), as well as sugary or fizzy drinks, including beer. And of course you should forget about processed baked goods, whose saturated fats have no benefits whatsoever for your performance.
Base what you eat on the Mediterranean diet (fruits, vegetables, legumes) combined with food supplements like Keriba Sport, to get those vitamins and nutrients that you can't always get from your diet, and Secret to Live, which will provide you with healthy fats because it contains extra virgin olive oil and an extra supply of antioxidants thanks to its high concentration of hydroxytyrosol.
Warming up is vital
Once you are getting the nutrients you need, the next thing to look at is the physical exercise you are doing. Be aware that the way you prepare for it is vitally important. It is definitely not a good idea to do exercise without warming up beforehand, not only to avoid injuries, but also to prepare your body and enhance your sporting performance little by little.
Stretch all your muscles, focusing mainly on the ones you are going to be working the hardest. And remember, a good warm-up should be of moderate and light intensity so you don't use up too much energy.
Having started your training with an all-important warm-up, you should end it by stretching. This will prevent any uncomfortable stiffness that might prevent you from doing normal activities the following day. Also, as with the warm-up, stretching will prevent a lot of injuries.
To exercise, your batteries need to be fully charged
This may be one of the rules that we tend to forget the most. Sometimes we do sport without being passionate enough to push ourselves, and that is a mistake. You need to be 100% both physically and mentally.
There are some tips on how to achieve this, for example with music. Choose a good playlist (make sure the songs motivate you), a suitable space, visualise your goal, and everything will be much more bearable.
You have to sleep to perform well
Rest is essential for enhancing sporting performance. It is important both when resting between exercises and when going to sleep at night. Try to sleep in complete darkness, eliminating any light sources, after having a light dinner for a much more restful night's sleep. This will allow your body to completely restore itself by renewing your neurons and boosting your growth hormone.
These are a few tips on how to enhance your sporting performance. What about you? What do you use?
Prostate problems
When a person reaches a certain age (50), health begins to be the main focus of their life, and in the male domain, one ailment tends to be the most feared: prostate problems. Therefore, in Probelte Pharma’s therapeutic nutrition blog, we will be talking about the prostate, its function in the body and the problems that can arise over the years. We will also be explaining how prostate capsules can help you to overcome this problem.
What is the prostate?
It should be noted that the prostate is only part of the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder, and is about the size of a walnut, but this can vary over time. Its function has not been fully defined, but we know that it produces around 10% of seminal fluid.
Common prostate problems
Firstly, there is prostatitis, which as the word itself suggests, is an inflammation that is usually caused by bacteria.
Secondly, benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is an enlargement of the prostate, is a common problem in adult men. This causes a dribble after urinating or the need to urinate very frequently, especially at night.
Finally, prostate cancer is sadly one of the most common cancers today, but if detected early, treatment can be very effective. This cancer comes in two forms, with 95% of cases occurring in the glandular tissue (adenocarcinoma), and the remaining 5% originating in the small cells of the prostate (neuroendocrine).
Symptoms of prostate problems
The symptoms you may notice include a feeling that you have not finished emptying your bladder completely and painful, urgent or too frequent urination. Occasionally, you may find a little blood in your urine or semen.
How can you prevent prostate problems?
One of the simplest preventive steps to take is to make some changes to your diet, for example, by adding nutrition supplements such as prostate capsules. Include certain foods, like cod, tuna or 100% natural pomegranate juice like Granadox, which is high in antioxidants.
However, there are a number of foods that should be avoided, like ones that are part of a high-calorie diet or those that contain too much animal fat, as they can promote prostatic carcinoma.
Stress is also a risk factor that may affect you. Physical exercise can help prevent these problems, and 30 minutes of physical exercise a day is recommended. And if you are overweight, you should consider losing a few pounds.
In terms of habits to prevent prostate problems, it is important to have regular sexual activity. Another step is to hydrate with water to empty your bladder every 3 hours, as it is very important not to hold in your urine.
These are some tips to help prevent you from having any problems with this disease, like taking prostate capsules made from natural extracts and looking after your diet. We recommend that you follow these tips and change your lifestyle habits if necessary. Your health and your prostate will benefit.
What are good and bad cholesterol?
What are good and bad cholesterol? What are normal cholesterol levels? How can one lower them? Are natural capsules good for cholesterol?
There are lots of questions that come to mind when we talk about the dreaded cholesterol. Therefore, in Probelte Pharma’s therapeutic nutrition blog we’re going to explain what it is and what types of cholesterol there are.
The first thing to do is define cholesterol. It is a naturally occurring fatty substance found in every cell of your body. It is therefore necessary for your body to function. The vast majority of cholesterol is produced in the liver, but it also comes from eating certain foods.
What types of cholesterol are there?
The so-called good cholesterol is HDL (high-density lipoprotein), whose function is to “collect” the excess cholesterol not used by the body and return it to the liver so that it can be naturally eliminated by the body.
Meanwhile, bad cholesterol is LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which carries cholesterol from the liver to body tissues. The problem arises when the level of this type of cholesterol is high, as it builds up in the walls of the blood vessels, causing them to narrow and increasing the risk of coronary heart disease.
What is the right level of cholesterol?
For good cholesterol (HDL), the level should be above 60 mg/dL.
However, for bad cholesterol (LDL), it should be below 100 mg/dL, and anything above 160 mg/dL is considered too high.
How can you lower LDL cholesterol?
One of the most important factors to consider for lowering cholesterol is diet. Insofar as possible, you should reduce your intake of refined sugars (sweets, pastries, etc.), foods high in animal protein (sausages, ham, red meat, etc.) and carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta, cereals, potatoes, etc.).
On the other hand, remaining on the topic of food, oily fish is highly recommended, as it is high in omega-3 fatty acids. This type of food reduces triglyceride levels.
One dietary supplement you can include in your diet are natural capsules for cholesterol, which control the level of this substance in your body and prevent major risks. But bear in mind that these types of food supplements or natural capsules for cholesterol are not intended to replace a healthy and balanced diet, as they should always be taken to supplement and not serve as the basis of your diet.
Physical exercise is another key factor, as including 30 minutes of physical exercise in your daily activity will lower your cholesterol levels, prevent cardiovascular diseases and much more.
In terms of stress, being stressed can raise cholesterol levels, so a good way to prevent it from increasing is to lead a calm life, avoiding overly stressful situations.
These are the most important points you should know about cholesterol and, above all: of the two types of cholesterol, it is LDL that you need to keep a close eye on. Now it's time to put these tips into practice and say goodbye to bad cholesterol. Think you’re up to it?
Allergy symptoms, hay fever season is here
Spring has sprung and with it the symptoms of allergy begin to flare up. They are often unpleasant and, in some cases, difficult to bear. Therefore, in Probelte Pharma's allergen immunotherapy blog, we explain why allergy symptoms become more acute in the spring, the different types of allergy tests that exist and how to treat allergies. Also, we provide some tips on how to enjoy this time of year without being so badly affected by the symptoms of this pesky travelling companion.
Why do allergy symptoms get worse in the spring?
Spring is the scariest time of the year for pollen allergy sufferers, because this is the season when the symptoms are most acute. Plants produce pollen more frequently and this triggers the exaggerated, excessive response of the immune systems of allergy sufferers.
What are the symptoms of allergy?
Typically, an allergic person may suffer from nasal congestion, watery and itchy eyes, runny nose, loss of taste and even asthma, which is caused by inflammation and obstruction of the airways, making it difficult to breathe.
How can allergies be diagnosed?
To diagnose them, it is essential to see an allergy specialist and undergo an allergy test. The first step is to find out the patient's medical history, as this will help to determine whether there is a chance that it is a chronic allergy or just an isolated episode.
The environmental conditions faced by the patient are another factor to be considered. So, the location and setting of their home and workplace will provide information to determine whether they are exposed to pollen because they are surrounded by flowers and/or plants. It is also important to find out if there are animals around them, as these can sometimes trigger this reaction in their bodies. Finally, it is important to ascertain whether there is a family history of similar conditions.
There are 2 procedures for allergy testing: skin tests and challenge tests. There are three types of the former:
- Prick test or intraepidermal test, which consists of applying a drop of an allergen extract onto the surface of the skin. After about 20 minutes, they check for redness, itching and swelling in the form of a wheal or welt.
- An intradermal test is similar to a prick test, but it is applied to the dermis and the allergen extract is diluted in water. This can provide an immediate reading (quicker than the above 20 minutes).
- Epicutaneous test (patch test) in which a patch containing one or more substances that trigger contact skin reactions is applied to the skin and a delayed hypersensitivity reaction is subsequently confirmed. The patch must be worn for 48 hours and the reaction is observed up to two days after it is removed.
The other type is called a challenge test, which consists of reproducing the target organ’s symptoms when the patient is exposed to the suspected allergen. Depending on the route of exposure, these tests may be ocular, nasal, bronchial, oral or parenteral.
How should allergies be treated?
Once the allergy test has been carried out to determine what causes it, we must treat it and, without doubt, one of the best options is treatment with immunotherapy (IT).
This is a long-term treatment, which offers a continuous and gradual improvement in the patient's disease. The reason it is not a short-term treatment is because our body needs time to become immunised and tolerate these allergens properly, sometimes even years.
This type of treatment is the only one that can actually reduce the allergic patient's reaction to the allergen. Therefore, it not only counteracts the allergy, it also cures it.
Tips to enjoy the spring
Allergy symptoms should not prevent us from enjoying the spring, so while we follow our treatment, it's a good idea to keep windows closed, but don't forget to ventilate and air the room.
Where possible, when you are outdoors, try to avoid spending time in gardens or places where there are a lot of flowers or plants, to avoid the allergen that triggers your reaction. Also, you should always wear sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.
You should always drive with the windows closed, and if you can, use a pollen filter on the air conditioning. This will avoid any discomfort during the journey.
Follow these tips and enjoy this wonderful time of the year!
Atopic dermatitis: causes and treatment
Your kid has risen in the morning in a cheerful mood, like he does every day. A new day is beginning and, as usual, he is raring to go. However, he feels slightly itchy on some parts of his body, and there are several rashes on his skin. And no, these are not simple mosquito bites. He’s scratching because it’s itchy and the swelling is getting bigger and more uncomfortable. So you decide to take him to your GP and, after the relevant tests, he is diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and you don't know exactly what this is.
Today, in Probelte Pharma's therapeutic nutrition blog, we tell you about the causes and treatment of atopic dermatitis.
What is atopic dermatitis?
Let's start by explaining this problem. Atopic dermatitis is a skin disease or disorder that appears on the face and body of babies and young children, and can persist into adolescence or adulthood if not properly treated. Unfortunately, it is a hereditary disease, so if either parent has had similar episodes during childhood, it is likely to be passed on to their children during their lifetime.
These rashes or eczema mainly affect the scalp, face, torso and around the flexor surfaces of the body such as elbows and knees. It is estimated that between 5 and 10 percent of Spanish children may suffer from atopic dermatitis and require treatment for this condition.
What causes atopic dermatitis?
Dermatologists are yet to find the causes of atopic dermatitis, although a number of genetic and environmental factors are known to trigger this disease. These factors can be divided into:
- Genetic: research has shown that if parents have atopic dermatitis or even asthma, their children are very likely to develop this condition. Furthermore, there are several studies that state that the mother being at an advanced age at the time of birth may also be considered another cause.
- Climate: cities with colder climates, in industrial and therefore polluted environments, increase the likelihood of suffering from atopic dermatitis. So it is important to keep bedrooms at a temperature of 18-22 °C, with relative humidity of 40-60%.
- Others: there are a number of factors that can exacerbate or trigger this disease such as food allergies, dry skin, insomnia or coming into contact with fabrics such as wool and nylon. Although it has not been conclusively shown that having allergies to certain substances is one of the causes, it does increase its effects.
How is atopic dermatitis treated?
There is no single treatment for atopic dermatitis as there is no cure as such. The aim is to control flare-ups, providing relief for the patient and improving their quality of life. Currently, topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment, with the specific type used depending on the type of eczema and the affected area. Eating certain foods helps to reduce its effects while reducing recurrences. One such food is the pomegranate. This fruit contains punicalagins, polyphenolic compounds with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Human studies have shown that punicalagins have a beneficial effect on atopic dermatitis.
Probelte Pharma recommends using our Keriba Duo food supplement. It is composed of natural extracts obtained from the fresh fruits of the olive (Olea europaea) and the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). One capsule a day helps to relieve and improve dermatological problems and promote healthy skin. Additionally, for skin care, we recommend using regular bath gels, and to avoid rubbing and drying the infected area too hard to prevent itching.
Probelte Pharma launches a new corporate website with an online store
The biopharmaceutical laboratory Probelte Pharma has launched a new corporate website at www.probeltepharma.es/en/ with a fresh look and new content. The information is divided into three main sections: company, product and online store. These sections present the company's philosophy and key lines of research, as well as information on our allergen and bacteria-based immunotherapy vaccines and therapeutic nutrition supplements, developed through more than 20 years of research. They also allow you to purchase our products online. Additionally, it also features a communications area and a contact section to get in touch with the company.
The new website is still laid out and presented in a very clear, concise and intuitive way, allowing users to access as much information as possible and navigate through the site easily. In terms of design, white is the predominant colour to make the text easier to read, although it also includes graphics in the corporate colour that are in line with the rest of the company's design elements. The images that accompany the information make the site more attractive. The layout makes it easy and straightforward to find the content.
Each block has several sections to provide a broad picture of the company, our values and our products. So, the Company section includes: Production and Quality, R&D&I and Environmental Management; while the Product section includes: Allergen Immunotherapy, Bacterial Immunotherapy and Therapeutic Nutrition. The website also features a Communications section with press releases, news and graphic materials about the company. The Contact section provides information on how to get in touch with the company.
Additionally, this new version includes an online store area where you can buy the biopharmaceutical company's main products quickly and easily without any complicated registration or purchase processes.
With this new website, Probelte Pharma is continuing its renewal and adaptation process. We started this process by revamping the image of our company and products and by opening our new industrial plant in 2006, which is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for the manufacture of sterile medicines and aseptic preparation of drugs. All in accordance with strict pharmaceutical quality standards and an environmental approach that goes beyond current legislation. We also have a multidisciplinary health sciences team and a strong commitment to research, development and the innovation of new products.
At Probelte Pharma, we are continuously working and researching for better healthcare.