Best Natural Breast Enhancement

Did you know that prenatal omega 3 fatty acid intake should be higher than what is recommended for non-pregnant women?  A woman’s needs are also higher when she is breast feeding.  If her dietary needs for DHA are not met, she could experience a variety of health problems.

DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid is an omega-3 that is essential for normal brain development in the fetus and in the infant.  It continues to be important throughout a person’s life.  A lack of it throughout a person’s life could be one of the causes of Alzheimer’s.  Research concerning that is currently ongoing.

DHA is naturally present in human breast milk.  Many infant formulas are now fortified with it, too.  For years, studies had shown that breast fed babies developed cognitive functions faster than formula fed infants.  It was only recently that DHA was isolated as the difference.  It is not present in cow’s milk or soy products.

In fact, the only real dietary source of DHA is fish.  If a woman does not eat fish on a regular basis, her blood levels will be low.  Her body will make sure that the baby gets enough, but her own health could fail.

Some studies indicate that taking prenatal omega 3 supplements could reduce a woman’s risk of post-partum depression.  Low levels of DHA in the bloodstream have long been associated with depressive disorders.  A woman’s blood level of DHA is extremely low right after delivery.  So, it stands to reason that a lack of DHA plays a role in post-partum depression.

There is always concern when a woman that suffers from depression becomes pregnant.  If she is taking anti-depressant drugs, her baby has a greater risk of certain kinds of congenital heart defects.  But, being depressed during pregnancy is dangerous, too.

It is hoped that prenatal omega 3 supplements may help.  Studies indicate that it helps with other things, as well.

Babies born to mothers that got enough omega-3s during pregnancy have a reduced risk of asthma and allergies.  The same is true of breast-fed children.

Other studies have shown that the babies develop their visual acuity faster, when their mom’s got plenty of DHA.  Not only is it found in the brain, it is also found in the back of the eye.  A recent study concluded that high intake of DHA throughout a person’s life decreases their risk of age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in the elderly.

If you do decide to take a prenatal omega 3 supplement, you should check out the manufacturer’s standards for purity and freshness.  You don’t want to be exposed to mercury or other contaminants and a spoiled supplement could make you ill.

You should also follow the manufacturer’s directions concerning dosage, unless your doctor has made a specific recommendation.  More is not better when it comes to dietary supplements.

In conclusion, there are likely other benefits of prenatal omega 3 supplements.  The ones mentioned here are those that have been the subjects of numerous studies.  We’re sure the nutrient is important for you and your baby.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/discover-the-best-prenatal-omega-3-1398586.html

Many of us have heard of the benefits of the Acai Berry, what it can do for our health and how it can help in our diet. One thing many people overlook, or underestimate with Acai is drinking it as an Acai Juice, this is especially tasty when you freeze it, or mix the Acai juice with crushed ice. Considering this when you decide to incorporate Acai into your diet or lifestyle can bring even more benefits.

The first thing you will notice with Acai juice is the bitty texture of the juice, this is because when you pulp the Acai you are not wasting any part of it, and therefore receiving the full goodness of the Acai in the juice. There are a variety of ways that you can ensure that you receive the full goodness and benefits of Acai, but this by far is the tastiest.

You can also mix the Acai with another fruit such as Guarana, this is traditional in Brazil and is extremely popular and full of flavor and rich in vitamins. Appreciating that Guarana may not be easy to access in some countries you could try creating alternatives with your Acai juice, such as banana, wheat or mango – my personal choice when not with guarana is Acai juice with banana, full of vitamins and with a great taste.

Combining Acai into your daily diet will soon show results, and having the option to consume it in different ways makes it even better, if you wanted to you could have one Acai juice a day, around 300 to 400 ml and mix it daily with something different. A tasty and very healthy diet, and it is also very useful for weight loss plans too.

Appreciating that Acai is not always so readily available this is where the internet comes in to it´s own. Packed with resources and avenues to access Acai, and in many cases to even purchase Acai juice directly without even having to blend or pulp it. My advice here would be to look around a little before you decide to buy anywhere, as there are a huge amount of sites offering Acai products.

Knowing the benefits of Acai and the great taste of Acai juice will enrich your diet and life, and I would urge anyone to give it a try, it´s a unique flavor that is almost impossible to dislike. When I first arrived in Brazil I was introduced to Acai, and Acai juice became a part of my daily diet very quickly.

No matter what part of the world you happen to be in you can have the same, seek a great source for your Acai products and Acai Juice, and start with this great Acai Product Review Site.

Mark Grey,
mark@markfreelance.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/acai-juice-benefitting-with-acai-1384109.html

When we talk about cleansing the body, we can be referring to a number of different things. There are so many ways to clean out and flush the body of toxins, pollutants and junk. One of the best ways to do this, of course, is to alter your diet. A diet that is heavy in saturated fats, white, nutrient-robbing flours and sugars will leave you feeling sluggish, tired and irritable. This is the body’s way of telling you that it is not clean. It’s important to listen to your body and heed its warnings. If you’re experiencing a noticeable lack of energy and aren’t feeling like yourself, it’s time to take action and regain your body’s natural, balanced state. Luckily, there are several all natural supplements that can cleanse the body from the inside out.

Toxins and harmful contaminants are typically ingested by way of fast food, junk food or exposure to environmental pollutants. You can start to rid the body of these toxins by eliminating these foods from your diet, and eating a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. And to bolster your dietary efforts and cleanse your body faster, you can take certain supplements.

Green Tea Supplements

One such supplement is green tea. Green tea is a superb antioxidant that has been used for centuries. This antioxidant powerhouse has only recently gained mainstream attention in the United States. Some experts even estimate that green tea has ten times the antioxidant properties of fruits and vegetables! Drinking just one or two cups of green tea per day can help your body fight off infections and diseases naturally. It works by modifying the body’s metabolism, so that it’s able to ward off and detoxify chemicals that would otherwise remain harmful inside the body. The polyphenols found in green tea literally scour the body internally for any cell-damaging free radicals, and when they are found, they destroy them. Green tea is a natural, easy way to cleanse your body of cancer-causing agents and other harmful contaminants.

Milk Thistle Supplements

Another great cleansing supplement that can help revitalize the body is an herb called milk thistle. It is a flowering herb that is related to the daisy and ragweed, believe it or not. Milk thistle is best known for its use as an all natural liver cleanser, and can be a good alternative for treatment of cirrhosis, gall bladder disorders, jaundice and hepatitis.

The main ingredient found in milk thistle is silymarin, which acts as both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. Therefore, milk thistle is quite useful in cleansing the body (and particularly the liver) even if you do not have any of the conditions listed above. It has even been suggested that milk thistle can cleanse and help to restore the liver of people who have a history of alcohol abuse. Because alcohol and sugar are very closely related, there has also been some discussion as to whether milk thistle might be useful in diabetes treatment. Regardless, it is quite beneficial for the average person who wants to cleanse their body of everyday toxins. You can take this herb in capsule form or in a tincture, and supplement with it daily.

Dandelion Supplements

Another herb that works along the same lines as milk thistle is dandelion. Dandelion is also notable for its natural liver cleansing properties, and has been used in liver treatment as well as preliminary diabetes treatment and gall bladder cleansing. This herb also acts as an anti-inflammatory. It can further be used as a diuretic, and tends to help people eliminate greater amounts of toxins through the loss of urine. If you supplement with dandelion, be sure to drink plenty of water to flush out toxins even faster and to make up for the water loss you may experience.

Burdock Root Supplements

One last herbal supplement that can complete your cleanse is burdock or burdock root. Burdock is actually one of four ingredients in a popular herbal tea mixture called Essiac that is sold to as an alternative treatment for cancer patients. It is also used to treat diabetes and other gastrointestinal diseases. Even if you do not suffer from any of these maladies, burdock is a wonderful additional herb to add to your cleansing routine.

Before you start cleansing your blood and organs with these teas and herbs, be sure to check with your doctor, especially if you take other medications that may interact with these herbs. After all, these supplements work because they are potent. So long as he or she gives it the thumbs up, here’s to a cleaner, healthier and revitalized you!

Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about health and wellbeing, often discussing specific items such as liver support formulas.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/supplements-that-cleanse-and-revitalize-the-body-1385098.html

Did you know refined fish oil has been used since the days of the Vikings as a food supplement and for medicinal purposes?  The oils were primarily recommended, at that time, to increase bowel motility and to reduce joint pain.

Just 50 years ago, the supplements were recommended for those same purposes.  Moms also gave it to their children to help reduce the risk of rickets and vitamin A deficiency, because those nutrients were present in the oils, as well.

Many brands are no longer sources of vitamin A or D.  The concern is that too much vitamin A can be toxic, especially to children.  Oils that are derived from the liver (cod liver oil, for example) contain too much vitamin A for children and for pregnant women.  Too much vitamin A causes birth defects.

Vitamin D is only found in some species of fish.  If the brand you are thinking about buying is a good source of vitamin D, it should be listed on the nutrient facts label, located on the back of the bottle.

Research indicates that vitamin D deficiency is on the rise, among people of all ages, regardless of whether they are underweight or obese.  So, it’s a good idea to be sure to get enough of that nutrient, but refined fish oil is not your best choice for increasing your vitamin D intake.  Cholecalciferol or D3 is the most readily absorbable form of the nutrient, other than the type that you skin makes when you are exposed to UV rays from the sun.

The nutrients that are provided by refined fish oil are two that are largely absent in the modern-day diet.  They are Docosahexaenoic acid and Eicosapentaenoic acid; DHA and EPA.

DHA and EPA are long-chained polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids.  They are not found in vegetable oils or plant foods.  At one time, they may have been present in the wild game that people ate.  But, today, they are found only in fish.

DHA is found in some types of marine algae, but the algae supplements do not contain EPA.  Both are important, according to research.

One of the benefits of increased omega-3 intake is a reduced risk of depression.  In different studies DHA alone, EPA alone and a combination of the two fatty acids were used.  The best results were seen when volunteers were given both EPA and DHA.

So, other than eating oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel or sardines, the only way to get EPA and DHA in the diet is by taking a refine fish oil supplement.  Of course, all supplements are not the same and you need to shop with care.  But, if you choose a good brand, you could reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer and a variety of seemingly age-related diseases.

From what we have learned, it isn’t about age, itself.  People get older without suffering from disease.  It’s about small amounts of damage that occur on a molecular level, every day of a person’s life.  We can’t stop the damage completely.  But, with refined fish oil and a healthy lifestyle, we should be able to keep it to a minimum.

Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/discover-refined-fish-oil-1370244.html

Have you ever wondered how helpful is resveratrol to your health? Everyone seems to agree there are some health benefits but the debate is over how many there are and what are the side effects. Is the tradeoff worth it?

For at least the past decade scientists have been able to extend the lifespan of a variety of life forms including yeast, worms and mice by about 50%. They accomplished this by feeding them a nutritious diet that contained about 30% fewer calories than normal. They used these test subjects because on a molecular level their aging process is similar to humans. These results probably did not surprise anyone including non-scientists. We intrinsically know that a leaner, nutritious diet is good for us; volumes of research studies have confirmed this. What is interesting to researchers is that a group of 7 enzymes called Sirtuins seem to allow cells to survive damage and repair themselves more easily. The reduced calorie intake stimulates these guys into action.

The question here could be: Great but what does that mean?

To humans, who also possess the Sirtuin family, it means that the same group of enzymes helps prevent cancer, lowers the rate of heart disease, and generally slows down the aging process.

At this point you may still be wondering:

How helpful is resveratrol to your health?

Things began to come together in 2006 when experiments were tried with higher mammals and achieved similar results. The one common thread in these studies was, that of all the compounds that were fed to the subjects, the one that stimulated the Sirtuins was resveratrol. It is a substance found in red grape skins and red wine. Even though it was previously known as a powerful disease fighting antioxidant, this new information has really exited researchers and the general public.

Let me tie this together. Resveratrol convinces the Sirtuins that there is a calorie reduction in the diet even if there is not. The Sirtuins respond anyway by helping aging cells rejuvenate themselves. Youthful rejuvenated cells are the best disease fighting mechanism we could hope for.

Caution is warranted.

Jef Boeke, a yeast geneticist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has stated that sirtuins are potent molecules and in over stimulating them, “one would have to be very careful about potential side effects.” Large doses of resveratrol have been linked to joint pain, insomnia and stomach problems.

The answer to the question how helpful is resveratrol to your health is: possibly quite a lot. However, the best way to take practical advantage of the benefits without incurring the side effects is by using it in a multi nutrient supplement. No nutrient works alone.

For 30 years Milton Haslam has been a strong proponent of natural health in all its forms. Milton researches and educates on choosing nutritional supplements and enjoys introducing people to the best natural products he can find. Visit Milton’s website today at http://www.your-daily-supplement.com/
to discover which supplements he recommends after extensive comparisons.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/how-helpful-is-resveratrol-to-your-health-1357050.html

Breast implant before and after photos are one good way of imagining how you might look after breast augmentation.  There are dozens of websites with before and after photos for you to find and research.

Some sites are well organized so that you can sort through the photos more easily.  When viewing the photos try to find body types and sizes similar to your own to make sure you are making an effective comparison.  

A few sites even include a database of selections such as A cup to C cup, to further help refine your research.  In other words, if you currently wear an A cup bra and now have a goal through breast augmentation of wearing a C cup you will find only photos of those specific breast augmentations. 

Researching your potential breast implant size through before and after photos is one important method in determining your breast implant size.  Keep in mind, however, that this should only be a small part of your research.  Your research should also include:

Wearing a breast implant sizing system
Discussion with family and friends
Trying on breast implant sizers at your doctors office
Most importantly, a long consultation with your doctor

Before and after photos of breast implants can only give you a two-dimensional view of your new breast size.  Furthermore, breast implant before and after photos are of other womens bodies, not your own. 

After looking at before and after photos of breast implants, you will also want to try wearing a breast sizing system.  There are several good breast sizing systems on the market today that can help you get a three-dimensional perspective of your new breast size.

The newest system on the market, The Purlz Breast Sizing System, allows you to wear various tester breast implant sizes throughout your daily activities.  Because they look natural within a bra, you actually get a chance to experience different implant sizes in a variety of different clothing before you make your critical breast implant size decision.

Comparing your body to internet photos is tricky, and you may or may not look like your favorite photos.  The benefit of using a breast sizing system is that you can give your doctor a three-dimensional view of what you want your breast implant size to be.  You can even take before and after photos of yourself wearing the breast sizers to bring along to the doctors office.

Before and after photos of breast implants on the internet can help you see what breast implants look like on other womens bodies.  The Purlz Breast Sizing System can help you see what breast implants will look like on your body.

Most of the women who have smaller breasts are afraid to undergo the surgery for fear of side effects. They fear for the painful effect of surgery. Such women can opt for natural means of breast enlargement creams.Women who want to know how to use breast enlargement cream naturally have a variety of questions such as “How do I apply it?” “Is the cream effective?” and “Is it safe to use?” It is not too difficult to find out how to apply breast cream, and the other questions are relatively easy to answer as well.

Of course, a woman whose breasts have headed south would love a boost. Every woman’s nightmare is looking like the women in the National Geographic magazines when we were kids. The question, then, is not whether a larger bust is desirable but how to get them, and breast creams are one of the best natural options available.These creams and pills generally claim to work as phyto-estrogens. These are naturally occurring herbs and other chemicals that are involved with modulating a woman’s hormone levels. They claim to be safe, because the active ingredients are natural and although they cause a modification of the woman’s own hormones, there are no hormones in the product. Reviewing product ingredients, most of these contain one or a combination of saw Some of the top selling brands including Perfect Woman, Breast Actives, Cleavage, and Embrace work in this manner. Another common breast enhancement cream, Benefil, claims breast enlargement from dilation of the blood vessels in the skin from caffeine. Also, they claim that their cream tightens collagen which improves breast tone and lifts saggy breasts. This does not work hormonally. I am actually sure that it doesn’t work at all, as this makes no medical sense.Manufacturers claim that the use of breast enlargement cream can increase the size of the breasts by several cups and can help women to achieve fuller breasts with firmer tissues. Mothers who have lost their breast shape after pregnancy can also use the cream to give firmness. The cream promotes the growth of breast tissues by naturally balancing the female hormones. Many of the creams manufactured also act as a supplement to pills and work to enhance or sustain the changes achieved through the pills. The cream also has a cosmetic affect as its application boost the total appearance of the breasts and makes them firmer and smoother.

The transdermal delivery system in creams is much more efficient than a pill – basically the active ingredients are absorbed faster and more effectively. Higher grade and fresher ingredients are often used in creams to improve the transdermal delivery. Ingredients retain their potency because they are not exposed to the digestive system. Also there is no indigestion or other undesirable side effects that often happen with pills.Best breast cream is made up of a mixture of enlargement herbs which does function to increase the breast size. It is safe to use, meaning that you will not encounter any form of side effects from using this product. It holds the solution to natural breast enlargement. Another thing which you should know about this natural boob enlargement cream is that you will begin to see visible results after using it on your breast for some months. You will need to buy up to 3 to 6 jars of best breast cream in order to get the maximum result from using this product. When you must have bought it, massage it on your breast three times per day. The times are in the morning, afternoon, late noon and night for up to 3 months. You should stop to use it once you have experienced the breast size of your choice.

If you’re considering a breast augmentation, you’ve probably read enough to be confused about whether to choose saline implants of silicone gel implants. Your choice of breast implant will depend on your and your doctor’s decisions about what is best for your body. In this article, we’ll compare the different types of implants in use for today’s breast augmentation surgeries.

Saline Implants:
The majority of today’s breast augmentations are done with silicone rubber implants filled with saline. These are currently the only implants available in the US to women who seek cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. Saline implants are either round or teardrop shape. The round implant placed beneath the pectoral muscle or sub pectoral, is perhaps the most commonly utilized combination. The implant is flattened in its upper poles by the overlying muscle producing an appealing breast shape. Rotation of the implant, a potential problem with a teardrop implant is avoided with the round implant beneath the muscle. Teardrop implants are more likely to be utilized when the placement is on top of the muscle beneath the breast tissues or sub glandular. Sub glandular teardrop implants may produce more cleavage as they may be placed a bit closer to the midline, they are less likely to produce unusual breast movements as the pectoral muscles are flexed. Your choice will depend on your idea of the ideal breast shape and your doctor’s preferences.

Saline implants are constructed of a tough outer silicone shell with a saline solution inside. Saline implants also come in either a smooth or a textured variety. Textured saline implants were developed to encourage tissue adherence and to reduce the risk of capsular contracture. Some saline implants also come in an expandable variety in which the saline implant can be enlarged by adding more saline after surgery. The expandable implant allows the overlying tissues to gradually adapt to the new size and is often utilized in breast reconstruction or in cases of marked breast asymmetry. This type of saline breast implant is more expensive than traditional saline implants.

Silicone Gel Implants:
The first implants used in breast augmentation surgery were made of a variety of materials, but in 1964 a silicone rubber envelope filled with a silicone gel implant was utilized and quickly became the standard for breast enlargement. However, silicone gel has not been routinely used in breast augmentations since 1992, when they were banned by the FDA following reports of leakage that was thought to cause tissue diseases. In the years since, many studies have failed to confirm these concerns.

In the years since silicone implants were banned, the cohesive silicone gel implant was developed and is already in use in Europe and Canada and in clinical trials in the US. The difference between silicone gel implants and the original silicone implant is that the gels have a hard, multilayer silicone shell. Inside is a cohesive silicone gel that retains its shape if ruptured because of its consistency.

Saline filled implants may be expected to produce a breast enlargement that is warmer on a cold day, and more likely to demonstrate wrinkles than the silicone gel implants. Gel implants are cooler to the touch but have a consistency that feels much like breast tissue, gel implants are more likely to develop firmness with a constricting fibrous contracture of the scar tissue that forms around the implant . Until the US FDA approves the use of silicone gel implants for breast augmentation, only women who agree to participate in clinical trials can use them.

Your doctor will be an important resource for information and can help you answer any questions that you may have about which type of implant to choose. Once you’ve done your research, asked questions, and found a great doctor, you’re well on your way to enjoying fuller breasts and a more positive self image.

Until a few decades ago, it was generally accepted that women were stuck with whatever breast size they grew into in puberty, with some minor fluctuations during pregnancy or nursing, but now women are able to enlarge their breasts with pills, surgery and possibly even exercise.

One of the healthiest ways to give the appearance of breast enhancement is to exercise and tone the pectoral muscles under the breast. While the breast itself does not have any muscle, firming the pectorals will give the breasts a solid base to work from and improves breast appearance.
A simple exercise that can assist with this is the butterfly. Most health clubs have weight machines that will create this motion or it can be done at home. Arms should be bent at the elbow and held parallel to the body. Then the forearms are drawn together in front of the chest. For faster results, hand weights can be held while performing the exercise.

Another way to truly create breast enhancement is with a variety of herbal supplements designed to restimulate the mammary glands to grow. These pills are supposed to convince the body to revert to puberty and finish what it started: growing breasts. Manufacturers of the pills argue that for whatever reason, poor nutrition, insufficient hormones, or because of an unknown cause, some women’s breasts simply did not finish developing. Breast enhancement pills are designed to recreate the proper hormone atmosphere for the breasts to complete their natural growth.

Breast enhancement lotions work on a similar principle, but require that the herbal formula be applied via lotion directly to the breast instead of taking a pill. This method appeals to people who are not comfortable with taking pills. In addition, the lotion have the added benefit of stimulating blood flow to breasts, prompting the enhancement to begin sooner.

Two of the more controversial forms of breast enhancement are similar, but not the same: silicon implants and saline implants. Both forms of implants require surgery and are expensive procedures. The difference between the two is that silicon implants are potentially hazardous if they rupture and saline implants are filled with salt water. If a saline implant ruptures, the water can be absorbed by the body. Implant surgery is considered the most reliable form of breast augmentation and the other difference between saline and silicon implants involves how natural the implants feel once the healing is completed. Women considering breast enhancement via implant surgery need to do thorough research into the qualifications of their chosen plastic surgeon and evaluate the risks of the surgery. Like most cosmetic surgery, surgery for breast enhancement has minimal side effects, but women should be comfortable with those potential risks before committing to the surgery.

The science of breast enhancement has developed greatly since the days of “Little Women” and chants of “We must increase our bust!”, but the options are still limited. Women must be willing to determine how committed they are to fuller bust line and make the decision from there.

Numerous studies have been conducted to see if the anecdotal claims of women about their silicone implants were verifiable by scientific evidence. These studies have found localized risks associated with all breast implants, but no conclusive evidence to support the claims against implant manufacturers as noted above. Many studies conducted by the Institute of Medicine and other experts have found no connection between implants and the diseases claimed by so many women.

The FDA has conducted a study where they conclude that extra capsular silicone (from a ruptured implant) can be associated with fibromyalgia. The study relied on a survey of 344 women who filled out surveys asking about their symptoms. Women who reported they had the symptoms were then checked to see if their implants had ruptured. Based on the women reporting symptoms and having ruptured implants, the study assumed a connection.

Unfortunately, that is how the plaintiffs prevailed in numerous lawsuits, with no evidence of a cause and effect, just a demonstration of coincidence. More recent studies have also found that women with implants are more likely to commit suicide and more likely to have certain brain cancers. These women might also be more likely to skydive, ride mechanical bulls and bark at the moon but none of the studies showed a cause and effect, just coincidence. Studies have found no link between implants and breast cancer, other than the fact that implants can interfere with detection because of interference with mammography.

Prior to the FDA approval on November 17, 2006, silicone gel breast implants were not available for general use and?women could only obtain silicone breast implants as part of an FDA-sanctioned study such as the Silicone Adjunct Study which is now closed.

As of November 17, 2006, women aged 22 and over qualify for the silicone gel breast implants manufactured by Mentor Corp. and Inamed. Not all silicone gel breast implants made by these manufacturers have been approved. According to Mentor’s website, eligibility is as follows: Mentor MemoryGel Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants are indicated for females for the following uses:

Breast augmentation for women at least 22 years old. Breast augmentation includes primary breast augmentation to increase the breast size, as well as revision surgery to correct or improve the result of a primary breast augmentation surgery.

Breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction includes primary reconstruction to replace breast tissue that has been removed due to cancer or trauma or that has failed to develop properly due to a severe breast abnormality. Breast reconstruction also includes revision surgery to correct or improve the result of a primary breast reconstruction surgery.

Mentor’s silicone gel-filled breast implants, referred to as MemoryGel products, come in a variety of profiles and sizes. Mentor’s Lumera and Becker gel implants were not approved at this time. Get specific details on the available implant sizes, shapes, etc. in our manufacturer’s section

The current name “gummy bear” is given by many patients and doctors to implants that are “form-stable”. This means that they are so cohesive, that they are more a solid than a liquid. These form-stable implants have the purpose of making a longer lasting implant that maintains a more attractive and predictable shape. As such, the gel is less liquid-like and more solid-like than even today’s other cohesive silicone gel implants.

Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust, comprising around 28% of it. It is not found in its elemental form but occurs mainly as oxides and silicates. In contrast to carbon, silicon-silicon bonds are uncommon. Natural silicon-carbon bonds are extremely rare but they can be created synthetically.

Silica is a three dimensional network of silicon dioxide, most commonly encountered as sand. Silica exists in crystalline and amorphous forms. Silica is chemically resistant at ordinary temperatures but can undergo a variety of transformations at high temperatures (greater than 500CC) and pressures. The industrial production of amorphous silica requires temperatures of 500CC and much higher temperatures are required to produce crystalline silica.

The prolonged inhalation of crystalline silica dust is associated with silicosis. Amorphous silica is much less pathogenic than crystalline forms.

Conversion of amorphous to crystalline silica cannot occur at body temperature. High purity amorphous silica is used as a reinforcing agent to increase the tear resistance of silicone rubbers used in medical devices and implants.

Silicones are synthetic polymers and are not therefore found naturally. They have a linear, repeating silicon-oxygen backbone akin to silica. However, organic groups attached directly to the silicon atoms by carbon-silicon bonds prevent formation of the three-dimensional network found in silica.

These types of compound are also known as polyorganosiloxanes. Certain organic groups can be used to link two or more of these silicon-oxygen backbones and the nature and extent of this crosslinking enables a wide variety of products to be manufactured. The most important materials used in medical implants are fluids, gels and rubbers (elastomers) whose physical and chemical properties include, amongst others, a high degree of chemical inertness, thermal stability and resistance to oxidation.

Silicone fluids (oils) are usually linear chains of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which have a wide range of chain lengths and molecular masses. Cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes also occur and are important intermediates in the manufacture of the linear chain fluids. They are virtually insoluble in water.

Silicone gels have lightly cross-linked polysiloxane networks, swollen with PDMS fluid to produce a cohesive mass. The PDMS fluid is not chemically bound to the crosslinked network but is retained only by physical means, as water is in a sponge, and there is a tendency for the fluid to “bleed”. The degree of cross-linking and amount of fluid affects the physical properties of the gel and the rate at which fluid “bleeds” from it. Once suitably cross-linked, silicone gels retain their form without external containment.

Silicone elastomers are extensively cross-linked and contain little free PDMS fluid. The barrier coating of breast implant shells is a special silicone elastomer which is selected specifically to minimise migration of PDMS from the implants. The tensile strength and tear resistance of silicone elastomers may be increased by addition of amorphous silica which is usually pre-treated with organosilicon compounds to enable it to be tightly incorporated into the polymer network.