Learn about the symptoms of prostate cancer
What is prostate cancer?
Cancer is a group of diseases caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells capable of invading and destroying other tissues.
Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Spain. Although the risk of developing cancer has generally increased within the Spanish population, fortunately the mortality risk has declined significantly over the last two decades.
Types of prostate cancer
The most common form of prostate cancer is adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that starts in the glandular (secretory) cells. These cells are found in the lining of organs, in this case the prostate, and they produce and release substances into the body.
Most prostate cancers progress slowly. Many autopsy studies have revealed that both older and younger men who died of other causes had prostate cancer and were never affected by it during their lifetime.
Symptoms and medical tests
Generally, this type of cancer does not cause any symptoms in the early stages, but when the cancer reaches a more advanced stage it can trigger symptoms:
- Problems with urination, such as the need to urinate more frequently.
- Blood in urine or semen.
- Difficulty achieving an erection.
- Pain in the hips, back, chest or other areas because the cancer may have spread to the bones.
- Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, including loss of bladder control.
A definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer is made through a biopsy, although your doctor will need to examine you beforehand.
As well as asking you about your symptoms, your doctor's examination may also include a digital rectal examination.
This examination is performed to feel for any lumps or firm areas in the prostate that may be cancerous.
This examination can help to determine whether the cancer is on one side of the prostate, on both sides, or if it may have spread to nearby tissue.
The tests that are carried out to detect prostate cancer are:
- Testing for blood markers.
- Transrectal ultrasound scan.
- Prostate biopsy, in which small samples of the prostate are removed and examined under a microscope.
Can prostate cancer be prevented?
No cancer is completely preventable. There are many risk factors such as age, race and family history that are impossible to control. However, you can take certain steps to try to minimise the risk of this, or any other type of cancer.
- Maintaining an active lifestyle.
- Having a healthy weight.
- Enjoying a healthy diet, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
At Probelte Pharma we strongly recommend eating a healthy diet and we care about the health of our customers, which is why we have developed Keriba Forte, prostate care capsules.
Keriba Forte with POMANOX is a food supplement made from a natural extract obtained from pomegranates (Punica granatum L.) which are grown in the Spanish Mediterranean area. This pomegranate extract is obtained with our fully innovative system that uses physical extraction methods, without using organic solvents or any other chemical synthesis products, as only water is used to extract it.
It is a top quality product that fully preserves the antioxidant properties of the pomegranate fruit, but with a lower calorie content than the fruit.
These prostate capsules have numerous properties:
- Powerful antioxidant effects, protecting cells from damage caused by stress and ageing. So Keriba Forte can be taken as natural antioxidant supplements in capsules.
- It has an anti-ageing effect and protects against UV radiation as it promotes the regeneration of cells in the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. It also prevents hyperpigmentation and the appearance of blemishes.
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- Additionally, it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which tighten the skin and prevent the formation of wrinkles.
- It increases hair density and thickness while helping to prevent hair loss.
Punicalagins, the pomegranate's antioxidant polyphenols, prevent functional and prostate disorders and help to treat erectile dysfunction.
The top 5 natural sports supplements
Proper nutrition should include all types of nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats (healthy oils), vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. You should also follow a healthy lifestyle: get plenty of rest, exercise and drink lots of water.
However, for various reasons such as: lack of time for cooking, the stress of everyday life or not getting enough sleep, we are unable to meet all the needs of our bodies.
It is also true that there are times and stages in life or parts of the year when almost everyone needs to rely on a natural supplement, such as in spring, during busy study periods, or at the start of the sporting season.
For athletes, it is always advisable to take a supplement to maintain physical performance, either because they lose a large amount of mineral salts or because they require extra vitamins during exercise. Many of the supplements shown below can be found on countless websites that sell sports supplements.
Royal jelly
Royal jelly has numerous health benefits and is also full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
It could be called nature's most complete food: it provides you with energy, vitamins, minerals and strengthens your body, as well as being one of the best supplements for improving your memory.
The great thing about royal jelly is that it is also suitable for everyone; both children and adults can benefit from its properties.
This food combats feelings of weakness and lack of vitality and prevents flu, colds and all kinds of infections.
Ginseng
Ginseng is an outstanding natural energy booster. It has been attributed with numerous benefits and properties throughout the ages.
Ginseng is effective for: increasing physical and mental performance, activating the immune system by increasing the capacity of the body's defences to fight toxic agents such as influenza viruses and colds, prolonging the functionality of the body in the elderly, protecting the cardiovascular system, and preventing the formation of ulcers caused by stress.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that serves many functions. It helps us to reduce fatigue, maintain a good electrolyte balance and keep your bones in a good condition. Taking it is essential for increasing energy levels and muscle strength, which is why athletes should always take it.
Foods such as spinach, avocado and papaya contain high levels of magnesium. However, it can also be found on many websites that sell sports supplements.
Vitamin B6 and punicalagins
Vitamin B6 allows antibodies to form in order to prevent disease and strengthen the immune system, and it also regulates moods.
It is important for athletes to take it as it increases muscle performance and energy production.
Meanwhile, punicalagins are naturally found in pomegranates. They are very potent antioxidants found in pomegranate peel and juice, with three times the antioxidant power of wine and green tea.
Keriba Sport
Probelte Pharma sells natural sports supplements online, allowing you to purchase Keriba Sport, a natural food supplement based on whole fresh pomegranate fruit extract, vitamin B6 and magnesium.
In a clinical study conducted by the Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), it was shown to delay fatigue and the onset of exhaustion and to minimise any muscle damage and inflammation associated with exercise. This makes Keriba Sport one of the best natural food supplements for physical tiredness, which helps you to enhance your sporting performance.
Helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue
Also, pomegranate extract is beneficial for joint health thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect and it inhibits cartilage degradation. Additionally, because it contains magnesium (a mineral with numerous benefits that is co-factor in over 300 reactions in our metabolism) and vitamin B6, it supports:
A good electrolyte balance, normal protein synthesis, normal function of proteins, muscles and metabolism. Normal bone maintenance, red blood cell formation and it reduces tiredness and fatigue.
All these benefits are recognised by EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority.
How can you live with cats if you are allergic to them?
CATS
There are countless benefits to interacting with animals. Stroking them, playing with them, sharing their company, etc. can help to improve our quality of life, especially for children, the elderly and the most vulnerable people.
In fact, cats have always been held in high esteem in society; in ancient times they were given divine status.
They are also one of the best pets to have at home. However, it is also true that, due to their fur, they can trigger allergies in many people.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE AN ALLERGY?
If you have a cat and suffer from hives, asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, sneezing fits or even tinnitus, it is very likely that you suffer from a “cat allergy” or hypersensitivity to your cat.
However, when we talk about allergies, it is important to know that what you are actually allergic to is the FelD1 protein, which is found in the saliva, urine, faeces and fat in the skin of these animals. You can easily find out if you are allergic by taking an allergy skin test.
Males produce more of this protein, although if both males and females are neutered, the level of this protein is greatly reduced. This is because secretion of the protein is closely linked to a cat's hormones and the substance they use for “marking” contains a lot of this protein. The protein is present in the cat's coat in two ways: through the fat secreted by the cat's skin and through the cat's saliva, which is transferred to the coat during daily grooming.
HOW TO COMBAT CAT ALLERGIES
- If allergy sufferers decide to adopt a cat, it is advisable for them to adopt a short-haired cat. Why? There will be less of the protein in the environment, because when the hair is scattered around the house, so is the protein, which, as it dries, floats around freely like dust mites and dust.
- Brush the animal once a week to remove deeper hair. An allergic person is likely to need a mask.
- Designate areas where the cat is not allowed. A good idea is to keep the cat out of the room where you sleep, making it a safe space in case you get an allergy attack at any time.
- It may be worthwhile getting an air purifier so that the air you breathe is constantly being replaced, preventing the further spread of allergy-causing proteins.
- If you still have symptoms, try a period apart to find out if it really is your cat that is causing your allergies. Ask someone to keep it for a month or two. Keep a record of your allergy symptoms during this time and note how they change, if at all.
- Keep your home very clean. Dust, wash sofa covers frequently and use brushes that collect cat hair. Carpets and rugs should be avoided as dust adheres to these areas very easily. There are special vacuum cleaners to vacuum up the dust generated by animal hair.
- Get a proper diagnosis of your allergy. Many people claim to be allergic to animal hair without having had an allergy skin test. See a specialist doctor who can recommend the best specific treatment for you.
DIAGNOSIS
A proper diagnosis of allergic sensitisation is the first step in helping sufferers to improve their quality of life, and in this case, to enjoy the company of their cat.
At Probelte Pharma, a laboratory that manufactures vaccines and allergy tests, we prepare allergenic extracts to diagnose allergic sensitisation via allergy skin tests. Allergy challenge testing is used in specific cases where there are doubts about a diagnosis based on an allergy skin test. However, it is very important that these diagnostic tests be carried out by a specialist doctor.
The specialist doctor will assess your case and perform the test that is most effective for you.
At Probelte Pharma we manufacture two types of skin tests:
- Allergy skin prick test
- Intradermal
And two types of challenge tests:
- Nasal challenge
- Conjunctival challenge
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), AIT is the only treatment capable of reducing the allergic patient's response to the allergen, thereby changing the natural course of the allergic disease.
Main causes of erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection for long enough to have satisfactory sexual intercourse.
When we talk about dysfunction, we do not mean a lack of sexual appetite, premature ejaculation or curvature of the penis when erect, we mean a disorder affecting the stiffness of the penis.
ERECTIONS
Erections are the result of a complex process involving the vascular and nervous systems, as well as hormones. In response to sexual stimulation, whether visual, tactile or auditory, the muscles of the penis relax and allow blood to enter, causing the penis to expand and increase in size.
However, both physical and psychological problems can impede its normal function and lead to erectile dysfunction.
TYPES OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
- Organic: due to vascular or hormonal abnormalities or lesions.
- Psychogenic: caused by psychological factors with no physical impediment.
- Combined organic/psychogenic: caused by a combination of organic and psychological factors.
THE CAUSES BEHIND IT
The main risk factors for erectile dysfunction or impotence include ageing, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, but there are other causes of erectile dysfunction or impotence as well. It is important to know them in order to get the treatment right. Chronic diseases These are long-lasting diseases that generally progress slowly. The ones associated with erectile dysfunction are: diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, depression, liver failure and psychotic disorders. Surgeries Surgical procedures associated with the onset of erectile dysfunction include surgeries in the pelvic area, e.g. for prostate, bladder or rectal cancers, which may damage nerves or blood vessels in the area. Drugs Erectile dysfunction can be a side effect of medicines used to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cancer, depression and insomnia. Furthermore, in most cases it is not possible to withdraw the treatment, so it is important to find a treatment for erectile dysfunction as well as treating the disease. Psychological factors Situations such as: having suffered a traumatic sexual experience, occasional erectile failures, relationship problems or even infidelity can lead to the onset of erectile dysfunction in the short or long term. It is estimated that between 20% and 30% of cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by a psychological factor. Diabetes This is the disease that most commonly causes erectile dysfunction. Up to 30-75% of diabetics may suffer from this problem at some point in the course of their disease. Managing diabetes properly reduces the likelihood of it occurring. High blood pressure Fortunately, almost all patients with high blood pressure find a treatment for erectile dysfunction. Regularly checking your blood pressure, adhering to prescribed medication and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits reduces the likelihood of it occurring. Heart problems If you suffer from heart disease, it is important to keep control of all the risk factors associated with the disease (cholesterol, smoking, blood pressure or blood sugar levels), adhere to the prescribed treatments and lead a healthy lifestyle to prevent the onset of impotence. Smoking and alcohol A rise in the number of cases of erectile dysfunction has been observed among smokers, and both chronic and occasional alcohol consumption can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Emotional disorders or depression Overwork, anxiety, stress or depression are all factors that can lead to erectile dysfunction. 
TREATMENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION OR IMPOTENCE
There are currently numerous treatments and diagnostic approaches to prevent or reverse erectile dysfunction or sexual impotence. At Probelte Pharma we opted for natural ingredients when we created Keriba Forte. Keriba Forte is a food supplement made from the natural extract obtained from whole fresh pomegranates grown in the Mediterranean region. It contains no organic solvents or any other chemicals, as only ultrapure water is used in its extraction. Numerous scientific studies have confirmed the numerous health benefits of pomegranate and pomegranate extract:
- Powerful antioxidant effects. It protects your cells against stress and ageing.
- It protects against UV radiation as it promotes the regeneration of cells in the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin and prevents hyperpigmentation and the appearance of blemishes.
- It stimulates collagen and elastin production.
- It prevents hair loss.
- It prevents functional and prostate disorders and supports the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Keriba Forte comes in a pack of 30 soft gelatine capsules and should be taken once a day. Say no to erectile dysfunction!
A recent study by Hospital Universitario La Paz demonstrates the effect of Keriba Duo in preventing cardiovascular disease
“Keriba Duo, a great way to keep your heart healthy; it looks after your cardiovascular health”
On 13 July at the Autonomous University of Madrid's Faculty of Science, a doctoral thesis was defended with the results of a clinical study that had been conducted at the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit of Hospital Universitario La Paz by the Nutrition and Functional Food Research Group (NUTRinvest), which belongs to the Hospital's Health Research Institute (IdiPAZ):
“Dietary intervention study to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation with hydroxytyrosol and punicalagin on different early atherosclerosis markers in seemingly healthy middle-aged subjects with no apparent cardiovascular disease”.
The study was supported by PROBELTE PHARMA S.L.U and conducted using Mediteanox® and Pomanox®, extracts obtained from pomegranate and olive and key components of the food supplement, KERIBA Duo.
In recent years, the anti-atherosclerotic effect of polyphenols like hydroxytyrosol and punicalagin has been reported in the scientific community. This is because these polyphenols protect against endothelial dysfunction, which is important for blood pressure control and LDL cholesterol oxidation, which is involved in the onset of the atherosclerotic process, among other effects. Therefore, based on what had previously been observed in a pilot study conducted by the same research group, it was hypothesised that the combined intake of these polyphenols had a synergistic effect that enhanced the anti-atherosclerotic effects of each of them, especially on endothelial function and oxidised LDL levels.
The aim of this recent study was to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of the combined intake of hydroxytyrosol and punicalagin - which are contained in Pomanox® and Mediteanox® - on different early atherosclerosis markers in a seemingly healthy middle-aged population, with no apparent cardiovascular disease.
The overall conclusion was that taking this supplement containing hydroxytyrosol and punicalagin for 8 weeks improves early atherosclerosis markers in apparently healthy middle-aged subjects with no apparent cardiovascular disease.
Additionally, Probelte Pharma’s supplement has anti-atherosclerotic effects because it improves endothelial function, blood pressure and levels of circulating oxidised LDL cholesterol, especially in subjects whose parameters are outside the normal range.
Therefore, consuming the polyphenols contained in Keriba Duo with Pomanox® and Mediteanox® may support the primary prevention of atherosclerosis by reducing the atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in these subjects.
10 tips for doing sports in the summer
Now that the good weather is here, it's common to see more people doing sports outdoors. Whether it's because they're trying to get beach body ready or because the weather is nice, one thing is clear: summer is the best time to do sports and establish healthy lifestyle habits that will last a lifetime. However, if you're going to do sports in the summer, there are a few things you need to bear in mind to avoid any nasty surprises.
If you’re still finding it hard to put on your tracksuit and get out of the house, read on and you'll be persuaded to start living a healthy lifestyle now.
Tips to help you do sports in the summer
Drink plenty of water
Especially before, during and after doing physical exercise.
Remember that if you’re sweating profusely, as happens when you do sports in the middle of summer, drinking water may not be enough to avoid dehydration, as you’ll replace the water you have lost but not the electrolytes or salts in your body. So don't rule out having isotonic drinks or taking natural vitamins for fatigue to help you replenish the minerals you're lacking and improve your performance.
Encourage someone to do sports with you
Sport is always more fun if you do it with someone else. Encourage a friend to go with you, grab a couple of bikes and a bottle of water and you'll have a perfect day of fun and exercise without even realising it.
Another good option for doing sport in the summer is to opt for water sports: swimming, water polo or aqua aerobics are great sports to do when it gets hot.
It's best to exercise in the morning
The reason for this is very simple: it’s less hot and the sun is less fierce.
Doing sports in the morning will give you the strength you need for the rest of the day and you’ll feel far more energetic.
Eat breakfast before you go out
There's a theory that by doing sport on an empty stomach, you'll burn a lot more fat. This theory is wrong because if you do this, what your body will actually do is take energy from all available sources (muscle, fat, etc.) in the first 15 minutes, form ketone bodies and leave your sugar reserves so low that you run the risk of hypoglycaemia or exhaustion.
So you won't be able to exercise for as long as you need to.
So, always keep your energy levels up and eat easily digestible food before you go out.
Beware of heat stroke
Forget about going out to do sport during the hottest hours of the day, i.e. from noon to 4pm. This will help you to avoid heat stroke. And don't take any chances, at the slightest sign of heat stroke: dizziness, fatigue, nausea or cramps, stop exercising and drink some water.
You can change the type of sport you do if you like doing it at this time of day. Yoga or Pilates might be a good option.
Protect yourself from the sun
If you put on sunscreen when you go to the beach or to the swimming pool, why not do the same when you do outdoor sports?
Always use a high protection sunscreen, and if you get a cap to protect your head from the sun's rays, you'll have the perfect combination to be a top athlete.
Warming up is essential
We're all tired of hearing this, but stretching before and after exercise is essential if you want to avoid the dreaded stiffness or any unwanted, painful muscle strains.
Eat sensibly
While you should eat easily digestible foods like protein before physical exercise, after sport it's time to eat fruit or medium-acting carbohydrates like cereals.
It's very important to eat five meals a day, and to take a supplement with ingredients that combat tiredness, which will help you perform better and for longer.
Wear comfortable, light clothing
Above all, it should be breathable, allow you to move around freely for your specific sport and it must fulfil its purpose. Make sure it has the level of protection and characteristics you need to feel comfortable.
Take a natural sports supplement
A sports supplement can be a great help for you if your performance drops when doing sport in the summer.
Probelte Pharma has launched onto the market the new Keriba Sport, a sports supplement with pomegranate extract, magnesium and vitamin B6 which will help you to avoid fatigue and exhaustion and also helps to minimise any muscle damage and inflammation associated with exercise. This makes it one of the best natural food supplements for physical tiredness and it will help you to enhance your sporting performance.
Also, pomegranate extract is beneficial for joint health thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect. Magnesium and vitamin B6 support normal protein synthesis, normal muscle function and normal bone maintenance, among other benefits.
The most common summer allergies
We associate the summer with sunshine, beaches, relaxation and health. However, precautions must be taken to avoid the unpleasant allergies that occur at this time of the year, affecting both children and adults.
For this reason, the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) has published some recommendations to help ensure that this time of year is all about long days in the sun, refreshing dips at the beach or pool and leafing through that book you've been waiting to read all year.
Allergies
An allergy is a disorder of the immune system that triggers an inappropriate immune response to a substance called an allergen, which does not normally cause this reaction in most people. The first thing you should do is find out what you are allergic to and get treated so that you don't suffer any reactions, and to take your medication with you if you leave the house. Nonetheless, there are certain types of allergies that you need to be aware of and you should keep an eye out for them during these summer months.
Skin allergies
Reactions can occur during the time of year when your skin is most exposed, whether due to sun creams, exposure to the sun, chlorine or brushing against a plant that can cause rashes.
So you should be cautious and if you use any type of cream, read the ingredients carefully in case you are allergic to any of them.
Dust allergies
If you decide to travel, pay close attention to where you are staying, whether it be on the beach or in the city. And also to its cleanliness, as a dust mite allergy can cause sneezing, hives, itchy red eyes and even asthma. An allergy shot will also help you to overcome the allergy if you are a sufferer.
Allergies to certain foods
Typical summer fruits like peaches or melons can trigger a lot of hypersensitivity in many people, especially those who also suffer from pollen allergies. It is important to carefully watch what you eat, because foods like nuts and shellfish that are found in some summer salads can trigger a strong reaction in sensitised people.
Pollen allergies
Pollen allergy is the best-known and most common allergy among people. Sufferers know that spring is going to be a difficult time for them. However, summer does not spare them from suffering an allergic reaction to pollen.
In the summer months, grass pollination is at its peak, especially in Aragon, Murcia and Castilla La Mancha.
Insect allergies
Whether we like it or not, we know that insect bites, and the associated allergic reactions among children and adults, increase in summer. The most frequently reported: mosquitoes, followed by wasps and bees. You can take precautions against them, such as not drinking sugary drinks outdoors, not wearing bright colours and not wearing perfume to avoid attracting them.
Preventive treatments
There are preventive methods for every type of allergy, which can help you to get to through the summer as well as possible, such as:
- A good preliminary diagnosis.
This is the first step in improving your quality of life, either through allergen avoidance or appropriate treatment. Similarly, it is beneficial to use well-characterised and standardised allergen extracts, enabling an accurate interpretation of the results to ensure a correct diagnosis.
- An allergy shot is the best-known treatment and it also provides the best results.
At Probelte Pharma we specialise in manufacturing immunotherapy treatments for allergies which are based on allergy shots, aka allergen-specific immunotherapy. This is an aetiological treatment for certain immunoglobulin-mediated diseases. It is a therapeutic procedure, in which an allergen extract is administered for a period of 3 to 5 years.
The treatment has two phases. The first phase of allergy immunotherapy treatment, called induction, involves administering increasing doses of the extract at regular intervals until the optimal dose is reached. The second and final phase is called maintenance treatment. In this phase, the vaccine is administered once a month, for a recommended period of 3 to 5 years. There are also alternatives for the needle-shy, as it can also be administered sublingually, in drops or a spray.
It has been widely demonstrated that allergy shots are the only treatment that targets the source of the disease itself and therefore provides a good chance of being cured.
How to improve cardiovascular health
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Spain. The problem is that we often don't really know what this term means when we hear it or what cardiovascular health is all about. Therefore, in Probelte Pharma’s therapeutic nutrition blog, we explain what these diseases are, their causes, how you can improve your cardiovascular health and the benefits of natural capsules for cholesterol.
Tips on how to look after your cardiovascular health
Cardiovascular diseases are all the conditions that involve problems with the heart and blood vessels (coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, etc.). These problems often arise when cholesterol and other lipids build up in blood vessel walls; this is called plaque. Over time, plaque can narrow the blood vessels and cause problems throughout the body. If an artery becomes blocked, this can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
To avoid this, good lifestyle habits are essential, which includes taking natural capsules for cholesterol that can help protect your arteries and heart.
Having a healthy lifestyle is vital for your cardiovascular health. Many people suffer from these diseases and have to be treated with drugs, sometimes for the rest of their lives. You should take good care of yourself so that it doesn't come to that. How?
Engaging in physical exercise
This is the most important healthy lifestyle habit. At least 30 minutes of exercise a day is necessary for your heart to function at its best.
It is also important not to overdo physical exertion and exercise. Training should be built up gradually and you must keep track of it; you shouldn’t run a marathon without first trying a 10 km race. You should start with activities that you can do with little effort and gradually increase their intensity, but without overdoing it to avoid any major problems.
So, a schedule of simple and easy-to-follow exercises could be as follows:
- Monday: walking or jogging, depending on the ability and/or physical fitness of each individual.
- Tuesday: rest, which doesn't mean sitting in a chair all day. You can make small efforts such as going upstairs or taking a short stroll.
- Wednesday: swimming. Swimming is one of the most complete forms of exercise and is great for breath control.
- Thursday: carry out meditation exercises, as well as calm and relaxing activities and movements, which are also necessary for good cardiovascular health.
- Friday: rest.
- Saturday: go for a walk or run.
- Sunday: swimming or another sport you enjoy.
Diet, a key factor in cardiovascular disease
Maintaining a balanced diet is essential if you want to control the main factors that cause these diseases, such as cholesterol, blood pressure and excess weight.
Offsetting any excessive calorie and fat intake by eating fruit and vegetables is essential to keep your blood pressure and weight in check. Apart from following a varied and balanced diet like the Mediterranean diet, sometimes you can try taking natural capsules for cholesterol, like our Keriba Duo, with pomegranate and olive extract, a great way to help keep your heart healthy.
Keriba Duo provides you with natural protection against cholesterol, helping you to bring your cholesterol levels within the normal range.
Leaving bad habits behind
Smoking and drinking alcohol are habits that you should avoid if you want to recover and prevent cardiovascular disease. These increase all the negative factors and provide no benefits. Incorporate new habits into your daily life to achieve your health and wellness goals!
Here are some tips on how to improve your cardiovascular health. What about you? What do you do?
How to create a training plan for runners
Running has become one of the cornerstones of modern life and a growing number of people consider themselves runners and practise the sport that so many of us are passionate about several times a week.
You buy all the new kit, download the latest big app and start taking natural sports supplements. But that alone does not make a runner, a specific training plan needs to be followed to make the sport truly rewarding.
Therefore, in Probelte Pharma’s therapeutic nutrition blog, we are going to create a training plan for runners, people who love to tie up their laces and go for a run.
How long should I run for?
There's no specific length of time to go out for run. Each person is unique, and so is each athlete. Training should be tailored to your fitness level, i.e. whether you are a beginner, have been running for a long time or are a professional for whom marathons hold no fear.
Planning to stay fit
We will focus on creating a weekly training plan for runners, which could be along these lines:
Monday: start with 10‘ at a gentle pace, then 10’ at 70% of your maximum heart rate and finally 10' at your conversational pace.
Tuesday: use this day to rest.
Wednesday: do some cross-training on this day. The aim is to strengthen other muscle groups that are not used when you run to improve the overall results of your “running” training (training the upper body like your abdominals, arms, etc. with weights, resistance bands, or doing other sports e.g. with elliptical trainers, skipping rope, etc.).
Thursday: rest.
Friday: start the weekend with a few changes of pace. Start with a 10‘ warm-up at your conversational pace, then 2x4’ at 70% of your maximum heart rate + 2' of gentle jogging. Continue with 2x2‘ at 75% of your maximum heart rate + 2’ of gentle jogging. Finish the session with 10’ of gentle jogging.
Saturday: a much-needed rest for your muscles.
Sunday: end the week with a 1-hour run at your conversational pace.
It is important to regularly do cross-training, as this will increase your motivation when you go back to running and can be used to work on other parts of your body, allowing you to rest the muscles that work hardest when you go out for a run.
As you can see, this is a standard workout that you can do whether you are an athlete or just a beginner; the key is the intensity and pace of the run. So, for midweek training, we recommend that you add natural sports supplements to your diet to achieve your goals.
Where should I go running?
The terrain on which you run is no trivial matter. The ground you run on may increase your chances of suffering an injury, of putting more strain on your calf muscles and legs, or it may tire you out more.
One major factor to consider is how hard it is. Many people go running on cycle paths because it is easier for standard training sessions, or they simply go out on the road because it seems better. But in reality it is not, these types of surfaces are too hard and in the case of roads, they pose a danger to the runner, because unfortunately motorists are not always considerate towards runners or cyclists.
Therefore, the best option is to run on surfaces that are specially designed for this activity, such as athletics tracks or the treadmills found in sports centres. If you prefer to get some fresh air and enjoy nature while you run, the best option is to go for a run in the countryside, preferably on firm ground.
Running on grass is not a bad idea either, and your joints will certainly thank you for it, but you should be careful as there may be bumps hidden in the grass that can result in injury.
What food should I eat?
Diet is one of the most important factors for runners, as it provides them with the energy they need to complete their runs. Slow-acting carbohydrates like pasta and rice are important, as they will gradually release the energy required throughout the training session.
Protein from meat, fish, pulses or eggs, is also important to help the body repair itself and recover from the muscle exertion that has taken place.
Don't forget fats, but make sure they are healthy fats like olive oil, which provide the energy required by muscles during exercise.
Finally, a supply of micronutrients (such as vitamins and minerals) will aid full recovery after a day's training. These can be obtained from natural sports supplements like Keriba Sport, which will boost your physical performance when you go running, delaying tiredness and reducing muscle damage. Here's to the perfect run!
How to spot the symptoms of respiratory allergies and how to treat them
Spring awakens something in us. And no, we're not referring to the well-known adage, but to the effects that this time of year unfortunately has on many people; allergies and that unpleasant feeling of heaviness caused by springtime lethargy.
Therefore, in Probelte Pharma’s allergen immunotherapy blog, we are going to identify the symptoms of allergy so that you can find out if you suffer from it and identify the cause of the allergy. Last but not least, you will learn about the right treatment for the allergy and whether or not there is currently a cure for it.
Main symptoms of allergy
- Nasal symptoms: the first thing you'll notice is the typical sneezing, intense itching in the nose and a large amount of mucus in the form of a runny nose. These symptoms are mainly caused by pollen and are known as allergic rhinitis.
- Pulmonary symptoms: you may have allergic reactions in the lungs, resulting in a dry cough or breathing difficulties. These symptoms are exacerbated by dander and pet hair (mainly from cats and dogs) or certain types of environmental irritants.
- Itchy, red and dry eyes: there are some types of allergens such as dust mites and smoke that irritate the eyes, causing itching and redness, in some cases even making the eyes quite watery.
- Hives: this is a skin reaction (mainly on the back and limbs). Some people have a strong reaction when an external substance comes into contact with their skin. There are many types of allergies that affect the skin with different types of symptoms: redness, inflammation, itching, rash, blisters, peeling, and so on. The allergens that can cause the symptoms of skin allergies include: animals, foods, medicines, insect bites, the sun, nickel etc.
Treatment for allergy
There are 2 main types of treatment for allergy that are commonly used, depending on the type of allergy the patient has:
- Antihistamines, whose function is to block the effects of histamine, which is a substance produced by our body in response to the allergens that cause the symptoms described above. If you are prescribed them, you must take them when and how you are directed in order to notice their effect. They do not cure or target the source of the disease, but they do help you to feel better and reduce the unpleasant symptoms.
- Immunotherapy, which changes the way your body reacts to substances that trigger allergies in you, so that they gradually stop causing these symptoms. This gradual improvement will be noticeable a few months after starting the allergy treatment. These are long-term treatments, but they do cure the allergy.
So now you know a little bit more about the symptoms and treatments for allergies. If you suffer from their symptoms, you should visit your GP and be tested for them. Always follow their instructions so that you can enjoy the sunshine and good weather that spring brings.