#her blood sugar level is high but its the usual amount

[your-local-fools-treasury]

my grandma isn't feeling too well and I am so fucking scared

I'm literally on the verge of crying uncontrollably

I don't wanna loose her too

I couldn't deal with that

I just really, really hope she'll be alright

[mariacallous]

Chrissy Kinsella was looking for a more personalized approach to her health. “You know, what is good for you as an individual may not necessarily be good for the next person,” she says. So she reached for a subscription to Zoe—a personalized nutrition service cofounded by Tim Spector, a celebrity scientist and a genetic epidemiologist at King’s College London. Kinsella paid the £299 ($365) for a testing kit and later received a bright yellow package in the mail: a bundle of vials, patches, and muffins.

By testing, scoring, and monitoring how you respond to different foods, Zoe says, it can help with a whole host of problems. Its personalized recommendations can help you “reach a healthy weight,” “feel less bloated,” and “avoid chronic health issues,” claims its website. The program can even help with menopause, Zoe says.

But doctors are more ambivalent. Sure, getting people to think critically about what they eat can be beneficial, but scoring and monitoring someone’s diet could lead to unnecessary health concerns or even disordered eating. British doctors say they have seen perfectly healthy patients with concerns about their blood sugar control prompted by readings in their Zoe app.

A Zoe starter pack includes a fecal sampling kit, a finger-prick blood test, and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Participants are asked to take a blood sample before and after they eat a muffin precisely engineered by the startup to contain specific levels of fat, sugar, and proteins. Zoe then runs a blood-fat test to see how each person responds to fat in their diet (prolonged high levels of fat in the blood are a health risk). Combined with blood glucose data (from the CGM) and an analysis of the quality of their microbiome (via the fecal sample), these measurements are used to create personalized diet recommendations, where each item of food is scored on a scale up to 100.

A sugary food, for example, would have a low score for someone whose data shows their body doesn’t control blood sugar levels well; for someone with good sugar control, the same food would be scored a bit higher. Meals, too, are scored out of 100—based on the personalized scores of their ingredients, as well as how those ingredients interact.

Kinsella, who used the program for a year, says she values the insights it gave on what foods were more suited to her body—now she knows that she tolerates fat well, sugar not so much, and that dairy milk sits better with her than oat milk. Kinsella loved inspecting data about her body, but she admits she became obsessed with checking the app to see what her blood sugar was doing in response to what she ate, courtesy of the CGM. Small, coin-shaped, and usually affixed to the upper arm, CGMs have been a regular appendage of people with diabetes for years now, allowing them to track dips and hikes in blood sugar without needing to prick their finger every time. There’s been a growing trend of companies selling the monitors to people without diabetes for them to track how their body responds to certain foods. Levels and Veri, two other personalized nutrition plans, also use CGMs.

Getting a score of at least 75 every day is the ultimate aim of the Zoe program. This figure is calculated based on what you’ve eaten. But Kinsella found herself ruling out a lot of foods because they wouldn’t get her to that magic number, and she thinks the app encourages this kind of obsessive behavior. “You’re giving people an app that is kind of almost gamified, in that when you hit this magical 75, you get a big green circle. And everybody wants to get 10 big green circles in a row,” she says.

Shivani Misra, a consultant doctor specializing in diabetes in London, has seen an influx of patients at her non-NHS practice who have either purchased a CGM themselves or through the Zoe program, and who’ve become worried they are at risk for developing diabetes—due to seeing either continuously high blood sugar levels or sharp rises and falls.

When Misra formally tests them for diabetes, the results always come back normal. “We shouldn’t be using CGM to diagnose diabetes; it’s absolutely not validated for that,” she says. What concerns Misra is the people she’s seen who are restricting calorie intake and have become extremely anxious about eating carbohydrates. “I really worry about that group, because they’ve just become overwhelmed with the data that they’re seeing, which is completely normal.”

“It’s set up to derive those kinds of behaviors in exactly the people that would be susceptible to it, in my opinion,” she says. The patients who came to her were seeking professional guidance because they felt their anxiety about what the data was telling them had become problematic—in the case of one patient, they felt they couldn’t eat fruit anymore. “I personally think there is some corporate responsibility to make sure that there is adequate safety in place for people,” says Misra.

Federica Amati, a medical scientist and nutritionist and a science communications strategist at Zoe, says that the company has “lots of systems in place for customer service, and for our coaching team to be able to flag if they feel that somebody is not interacting with the app in a healthy way,” she says. “Of course, the fact that there’s a score associated with food is still problematic if you have disordered eating.”

On the potential for programs like Zoe to burden health systems with concerned users, Amati says that the company is putting a task force together to investigate how medical professionals are experiencing Zoe’s influence. “We feel very responsible about it,” she says.

Nicola Guess, a dietitian and researcher at the University of Oxford, says that she has also been approached by patients concerned about their health after seeing their blood glucose spike while wearing a CGM offered as part of a personalized nutrition plan. When she tested these patients to assess their blood glucose control, their results were completely normal. “It’s just making them quite weird about food, and it takes a lot of the enjoyment out of food for no reason whatsoever,” says Guess.

But, says Amati, Zoe didn’t create the worried well, noting that the problem has been an issue for the public health service for a very long time. “For sure, we’ve probably now created a new stream for the worried well to feed into, but I think that that’s a bigger problem than just Zoe.”

There is also a big question mark over how useful personalized nutrition really is. Zoe’s nutrition scores are predicated on the idea that each of us responds to the same food in a slightly different way—thanks, in part, to our microbiomes. But translating this into dietary advice is trickier and less well understood. A personalized diet might tell someone to cut out white bread and eat more leafy vegetables, for example, but is this really more effective than the same advice delivered by a family doctor or a public health advertisement?

“Zoe doesn’t eschew all the normal health advice,” Amati says. “We’re not like, ‘Oh, no, don’t eat more fruits and vegetables’—it sits within the recommendations that we know are very good for the majority.”

There is precious little clinical trial data on personalized nutrition apps, says Duane Mellor, a dietitian and researcher at Aston University in the UK. One study from Israel published in 2015 compared personalized diets generated by a machine-learning algorithm with diets selected by a clinical dietitian. The authors found that people in both groups had fewer glucose spikes after meals—indicating a healthier diet.

But whether personalized nutritional plans really make a difference is something Zoe is studying. Next month, Amati says the company will be releasing the results of a randomized controlled trial, called the Zoe Method Study. The trial involved one group of people receiving the full Zoe product and another group simply receiving standard nutritional advice, plus access to support services through an app. The study aims to test the efficacy of a program like Zoe in improving cardiometabolic risk markers in otherwise healthy people, through testing their resulting levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (a type of fat), as well as measuring other things like weight, blood pressure, glycemic control, and hunger levels.

All of this doesn’t come cheap, and Zoe users have to pay membership fees for continued access to their bespoke scores. Prices start at £59.99 ($73) for a single month and go down to £24.99 ($30) per month for a year-long plan. At those prices, Zoe is aimed squarely at wealthier consumers—a point not lost on columnist James Greig, who wrote about Zoe in the newsletter Vittles.“If our environment really is saturated with poisons, then bespoke services like Zoe are not a scalable solution but a form of private health care that will further entrench existing inequalities,” Greig wrote.

Amati acknowledges that Zoe’s program is expensive, but she says, “The product at the moment is the price it is because the testing we do is expensive.” She says the idea is that, as the techniques and technology become more common, the price will come down accordingly, and that Zoe has plans to work with the NHS and other providers to “become part of the health approach.” In the meantime, the company places focus on communicating health advice for free through forums like social media and podcasts.

Zoe is still proving popular, with over 130,000 people having tried the service so far. Part of the appeal of personalized nutrition is that it goes beyond weight loss to address other concerns people have about their health. Zoe markets its diet as a way to improve energy levels, gut health, and sleep. William Viney, a researcher who has worked on personalized medicine, points out that there are a huge number of people who have health issues that aren’t easily addressed by doctors and mainstream diets. “They know that they’re not like everyone else, and they need to get to the bottom of something,” says Viney. “There is an opportunity to bring information, and with it care, to whoever can pay the price for such a product.”

[fitspiresuppliment]

All About Whey Protein: Benefits, Uses, and How It Works

For years, whey protein has been a favorite for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and bodybuilders desiring lean muscle mass and additional support in fat loss. Part of this entire post, we'll break down the basics of whey protein, its advantages, and exactly why it might turn out to be a good addition to your diet. Then, we will introduce you to Fitspire's Best-Selling Whey Protein Products and tell you how they could help achieve your fitness goals.

What is Whey Protein?

Types of Whey Protein

There are three forms of whey protein, with their benefits:

Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC): This protein powder contains approximately 80% protein in weight with trace amounts of fat and lactose. Whey Protein Concentrate is inexpensive, thus a great product for someone searching for the cheapest way to augment the amount of his or her protein intake. WPI is accessible and safe to use every day.

Whey Protein Isolate (WPI): Whey protein isolate contains approximately 90% of proteins, with less fat, sugar, and lactose compared to the concentrate. Whey Protein Isolate is ideal for clients who need more protein content and less carbs or fats. Fitness lovers usually include this in their diet for finer results.

Whey Protein Hydrolysate (WPH): This type of protein is a pre-digested one since the protein is broken into smaller chains of amino acids for easy absorption. Whey Whey Protein Hydrolysate is mostly used in medical protein supplements and infant formulas because of its digestibility, although it results in a higher price tag than its other forms.

Why Use Whey Protein?

It is not for bodybuilders alone. Everyone needs to make sure they take enough protein, an essential agent in repairing muscles, metabolism, immune function, and general health. Here are six compelling reasons to consider adding whey protein to your routine:

1. Supports Muscle Growth and Recovery

Whey protein is also extremely high in essential amino acids, particularly the BCAAs of leucine, which plays a crucial role in muscle protein synthesis. Adding this to resistance training, whey protein has proven to be effective in building up muscle mass much more effectively than other types of proteins.

2. Improves Metabolism and Supports Weight Loss

The intake of whey protein may also help reduce body fat while preserving lean muscle. Individuals who have the inclusion of whey protein in their diet typically lose more and retain more muscle than those individuals who don't have it. Protein, on the other hand, also maintains a metabolic rate, which usually falls during a calorie-restricted diet.

3. May help lower blood pressure

Whey protein is good for those with high blood pressure due to its lactokinins which are bioactive peptides. They can contribute to reduced blood pressure, hence reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

4. Provides a Strong Dose of Antioxidant

Whey protein helps in the production of glutathione, the body's most important antioxidant in the struggle with oxidative stress and free radical damage. This type of glutathione production is an amino acid-dependent process, where the available cysteine plays an important role, which is plentiful in whey.

5. Immune System Strengthening

Other components, including lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and alpha-lactalbumin, contribute to immune health. Whey protein can make the body raise its defence mechanisms against infections by stimulating glutathione production as well as providing it with essential nutrients.

6. Reduction of Cholesterol Levels

Studies have shown that whey protein consumption can lead to a reduction in overall, including LDL or bad, cholesterol levels. Thus, it could be considered as a resource to be utilized for the heart's health support, especially in cases of patients whose cholesterol level is too high.

How Much Protein Do You Need?

The amount of required daily protein varies with lifestyle and fitness goals. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), an ordinary sedentary adult requires approximately 0.8-1g of protein per kilogram of body weight. For people desiring to gain muscle mass, the requirement shoots up to 1.2-1.7g/kg, while for high-level athletes, the requirement may even touch 1.7-1.8g/kg.

Although proteins are important, a recent survey suggests that only 7% of Indians are aware of their daily protein requirements or are reaching it solely from natural food sources. Ideal though whole foods be, these do happen to be the backbone of any diet; therefore, supplements like whey protein bridge the gap between actual intake and recommended amounts.

Why Fitspire whey protein?

Fitspire's High-Quality Whey Protein Supplements pass tough quality control measures to ensure you get the best out of your nutrition:

Pure content of protein: The whey protein supplement from Fitspire delivers full contents of the stated protein without any protein spiking. You get 100 per cent real protein in every serving.

As a certified quality product, it has undergone up to 150 checks for its quality before hitting the market, meaning a safe and effective product is sold in the market. Its proteins have undergone a test and are certified as banned substances free by Informed Choice, making them the go-to natural products.

Research and development in formulation: Fitspire avails quality protein formulas with high-quality ingredients blended in a way to ensure complete absorption of all proteins.

Popular Fitspire Whey Protein Products

Fitspire Gold Whey Protein Isolate

Ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, this Gold Whey Protein Isolate contains 24g of protein per serving with very minimal amounts of fat and carbs. It's best suited post-exercise for recovery and muscle building.

Platinum Fitspire Whey Protein Hydrolysate

Hydrolysed Whey Protein. This type of supplement ensures rapid absorption and suits people who need rapid recovery of their muscles. The digestive enzymes also provide support to the gut.

Fitspire Plant Vegan Protein

For the lactose intolerant or those allergic to milk, this plant-based protein from Fitspire is a perfect substitute, coming from a blend of pea and brown rice proteins. It does not contain common allergens and is vegan-friendly.

Using Whey Protein: Important Considerations

Even though the vast majority of individuals may not experience a problem taking whey protein, if an individual suffers from lactose intolerance or other adverse reactions to milk, then there is always the alternative plant-based source or even whey protein isolate with very low lactose levels. Many supplements cause varying degrees of slight gastrointestinal intolerance; the dose may be adjusted or the type of protein changed. Always consult a health professional before using a dietary supplement.

Conclusion

Whey protein is a versatile and very effective supplement that will help you reach a great range of health and fitness goals, from building muscle to maintaining weight, by choosing an excellent product like Fitspire Whey Protein, you can rest assured of pure and potent source nutrition. Whether you are an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or just someone looking to fulfil your protein requirements daily, adding whey protein to your diet can make a difference in your life.

[meloinaw]

Nmn Complex  Is Must For Everyone

Nmn complex 2000mg is mostly a supplement which may be changed to NAD in the human body, and also creates distinct anti-ageing health benefits, like lessening oxidative anxiety, developing energy source in addition to meat manufacture, advancing solar panel repair service and thus progress and therefore bringing down fatty acid accumulate around livers combined with got better bloodstream sugar levels not to mention levels of cholesterol. Furthermore, kids also advised being able to go up workout vigor together with sex-related aspect one among men.

Keka Naturals Nmn complex 2000mg is made from premium-grade NMN on the market and carefully put together by ones own team of whenever for optimum effectiveness. It includes a great combination vitamin antioxidants and additionally sirtuin activators like nmn resveratrol uk, pterostilbene, ergothioneine plus more, which experts claim work with each other to market healthful getting older. This item brings together a real patent-pending NAD demanding that has a variety of alternative ingredients - creatine monohydrate monohydrate, nicotinamide riboside, coupled with niacinamide--that work synergistically to promote procedure revitalise panels. All its high-grade constituents sourced from GMP also ISO authorized areas at the same time its packaging insures the supplements starting from light-weight and even seepage disclosure. Helpful capsules insure shelf-stability for that reason not any refrigeration is!

This supplement's NMN is extremely absorbable and can be regarded suddenly regarding day time, whether earlier morning or just occasion. As opposed to pills, who have alternative salt that raise absorption monthly premiums, this kind of dust develop helps more rapid admittance inside your blood stream more quickly and additionally correctly. NMN are usually applied for an hearing vitamin and mineral, though it's necessary that the software tailors to cgmp constructing specs for perfect end results. In addition, making that it together natural antioxidants and also sirtuin activators which include nmn resveratrol uk, pterostilbene not to mention omega-3 transfats could advance it's actually effects and present different many benefits.

Nmn 2000mg heallth supplements tend to be naturally-occurring substances that serve the forerunner available for NAD , a required compound put to use in mobile energy production plus Genetics repair. As we grow older, amounts of it absolutely necessary particle greatly reduce organically; mounting the country's rates can assist fight physiological aging while sheltering people through quite a few afflictions comparable to cardiac arrest, diabetes, disease and even neural ailments.

Reports on NMN surely have principally specific to his or her anti-aging negative effects, nonetheless they have besides that revealed all the other added benefits. A popular gain is NMN's chance to growth stamina coming from inducing SIRT3, a good activator this increases the facteur involved with reduced-to-oxidized glutathione with regard to mitochondria to be sure the frame can certainly more efficiently employ sugar and carbohydrates suitable for stamina and thereby drop triglycerides and in addition LDL cholesterol whilst at once raising ranges be in charge of, glycemic spiders, and even injections allergy or intolerance. Far better may be to follow this link and even trip some of our certified website to know about nmn complex.

NMN may help to stimulate buff enhancement. Medical studies upon subjects already have turned out to be the country's side effects relating to mitochondrial elements not to mention power mouth the use of NMN can certainly to a degree invert age-related muscle group lowering; although as a result of controlled analyze options and therefore amount of time, more potent the muscles gets may possibly not have developed as rapidly.

Nevertheless nmn 2000mg products have been demonstrated harmless and well-tolerated in nearly all reviews, it is often aware take advice from any kind of healthcare provider before starting any individual completely new augment techniques. That will be sure that the suitable quantity founded on factors bodyweight, herbal intolerances not to mention recent health risks. Huge car . additionally be kept in mind that while nmn is probably safe and sound around big dosages without requiring long-term research getting managed. So it is critical definitely not beat these each day urged serving.

[usfreehealthcare]

foods that trigger gout

A low-purine diet is usually recommended for people with hyperuricemia (high levels of uric acid in the blood). Hyperuricemia can cause gout and kidney stones. Purines in food are broken down by the body into uric acid, so reducing purines in food can help lower uric acid levels.

The right diet for gout

Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Excess uric acid forms sharp crystals that deposit in the joints, causing swelling and pain. Following a low-purine diet helps reduce the amount of uric acid in the body. Reducing uric acid can prevent new crystals from forming and reduce gout attacks. What is a low purine diet? A low-purine diet to lower uric acid reduces consumption of purine-rich foods and drinks and encourages people to eat foods that lower uric acid levels. This diet helps prevent other complications of hyperuricemia, such as gout and kidney stones. food bad for gout

10 Foods and Drinks That Cause Gout:

Sweet drinks and sweets: Each standard sugar cube contains half of the fructose, which is broken down into uric acid. Foods or drinks high in sugar can trigger gout. High Fructose Corn Syrup: This sweetener is a concentrated form of fructose. Many packaged foods contain high fructose corn syrup, even if they are not sweetened. Alcohol: Not all alcoholic beverages are high in purines. However, alcohol prevents the kidneys from eliminating uric acid, allowing it to be reabsorbed into the body and ultimately causing uric acid to build up in the body. Meat Organs: Meat organs of food animals include liver, breast milk, brain and intestines. Game: Goose, veal and venison are among the reasons why gout was known as the "rich man's disease" in the Middle Ages. Some seafood includes herring, herring, oysters, cod, tuna, salmon, and scallops. Red meat: beef, lamb, pork, bacon. Turkey: Turkey is low in fat but high in purines. Gravy and gravy. yeast and its extracts. What foods are good for gout sufferers? Eating a certain amount of food is not enough to treat gout, but research shows, for example, that certain foods and drinks can help reduce uric acid in the body. 1_ milk Some research suggests that drinking low-fat milk can help reduce uric acid and gout attacks. Milk promotes the excretion of uric acid in the urine and reduces the body's inflammatory response to uric acid crystals in the joints. 2_ cherry Scientists are currently studying the benefits of cherries and cherry juice in treating gout symptoms, and initial results are promising. Cherries have anti-inflammatory properties and can also help reduce uric acid in the body. 3_ coffee Coffee is acidic, but the type of acid it contains is very different from uric acid. In fact, daily coffee consumption can lower uric acid levels in several ways. Coffee slows down the breakdown of purines into uric acid and accelerates their excretion. 4_water People who drink 5 to 8 glasses of water a day have fewer gout symptoms than others. This is because your kidneys use water to make uric acid in your urine. Water is also good for kidney health. Kidney dysfunction is one of the factors that contribute to the formation of gout. However, many doctors prefer to focus on general dietary guidelines rather than specific foods. They provide: various protein sources Some meats and seafood are high in uric acid, but can easily be replaced with other protein sources. Intake of fruits and vegetables They are usually low in purines, but fruits and vegetables rich in purines do not affect gout symptoms either. These ingredients are very nutritious and should be consumed. Cereal consumption (except oats) Rice, pasta, bread and cereals are all good for gout. Of course, you should always check the high fructose corn syrup content of packaged products. Whole grains can sometimes be used to control blood sugar. Benefits of using a low purine diet Anyone with high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia) may benefit from a low-purine diet. 🔔Reduces uric acid People with hyperuricemia can prevent complications such as gout and kidney stones by adjusting their diet. People with gout or kidney stones can prevent or at least slow the formation of new uric acid crystals in their joints or kidneys. 🔔 weight loss Avoiding foods high in purines, such as red meat and sweets, can indirectly help you lose weight. Gout is closely related to obesity and metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Statistics show that losing weight reduces the risk of gout and relieves gout symptoms by taking pressure off the joints. 🔔Reduce drug use Diet is not as effective as gout medication and is not meant to replace it. However, following a healthy diet can reduce the patient's need for medication. What are the disadvantages of a low-purine diet? Following a low-purine diet is considered a long-term lifestyle change for people with hyperuricemia, limiting the consumption of favorite foods such as sugar, sweets and alcohol. For some people, leaving these things indefinitely may not be realistic. This is especially true for adjunctive therapy. As with most diets, you must follow a low-purine diet to reap the benefits. 🔔 Limit your intake of omega-3 sources Seafood is one of the main sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and its consumption is limited in low-purine diets. Omega-3s have many health benefits, including reducing inflammation and joint pain, especially from arthritis. Most people don't get enough omega-3s on a regular basis, and limiting seafood makes this difficult. However, fish oil supplements may be of some benefit to these diets. Diet can significantly change the amount of uric acid in the blood, but it is not as effective as medication. I recommend combining both. Some people believe that the benefits of diet over medication are minimal, but the truth is that medication alone cannot effectively treat gout, and diet is a preventative measure that can help reduce gout symptoms. Read the full article

[cryinginthebackseat]

you’ve got more poison than sugar - part iii

part i  part ii  AO3

Fandom: Call Of Duty

Pairing: Russell Adler x Bell

Words: 6.572

Warnings: here’s where the smut tag comes into play, boy with a copious amount of power play and yeah, it’s messy af

Author’s note: after three months, a couple of brainstorming in the bathtub, delays, revisions and self-doubt, chapter 3 is finally done. i hope you'll enjoy it. also, i don't think i have to warn you what will go down in this chapter.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Fast forward to twenty-four hours since he discovers that Bell is fucking someone, Lazar drops about half a dozen of dusty manilas on his desk. Adler’s eyes sweep over them. He recognizes Bell’s handwriting etched across the memo attached to one of the folders right away.

He picks it up. It’s becoming second nature to him lately; drawing himself to her, an ineradicable magnetic force pulling his end of the pole.

A muscle on his jaw twitches.

For a moment, Adler despises her. He allows himself to really despise her. She’s started something in his head- a war; an intangible, unmanageable riot and if he lets her, she’ll rearrange him until he’s insane.

And he can’t let that happen. He’s the one holding the leash here, not vice versa.

“This is what we have on Dragovich’s activities in Yamantau,” Lazar informs him, pulling him back down to earth.

Adler stands, keeping his face easy, neutral. “Is this everything?”

“So far, yeah. Bell says she’ll let us know if she digs up something more from the archives though.”

Bell- the Bell in question- can be heard sighing, like she turns the corner and finds herself at a cul-de-sac; hunching over her desk, reading, her fingers keep buttoning and unbuttoning the top of her shirt, madly distracting (him).

She remains in her seat, for pretty much the remainder of the day. Eyes glued to the pages before her, factory-like dedication. She hardly looks up when Sims borrows her pen or when Park stands over her, sipping her coffee, inquiring about her progress behind a plume of smoke.

The only- truly time Bell ever lifts her head from her work is when Mason approaches her desk. She gazes up at him, notes forgotten, a kittenish smile etched across her face, come-hither eyes that could have time hung in motion, or held at ransom, perhaps. Mason’s own smile is full-blown, too wide, too genial, as he stalks closer and closer to her table, her whirlpool.

Adler does a double-take, like his eyeballs only functioning for the first time. He might as well be hallucinating it because no... this can’t be right, can it?

But then Mason is touching her hand, a blink-and-you-miss-it movement that was not lost on Adler and oh, she’s looking at him hopefully now.

The knots in Adler's stomach are vertiginous. Realization rings in his head like a gunshot, nearly leaving him in a daze. There’s no denying it. Not when the exchange unfurls before his eyes like a broken, warped film reel and there’s nothing to stop him from seeing it.

The thought of her and him haunts the rest of his waking hours, until there’s absolutely no telling how far he’s fallen into his own pit. 

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ( Alex Mason fucked her that night.

Mason was in her bed; beside her, above her, under her. Inside her. He imagines her fingers digging into the mattress as Mason rolled her onto her stomach, mouth trailing down the ladder of her spine. Their breaths intermingled in the seraphic glow of her hotel room.

Alex Mason fucked her. It shouldn't leave an acrid taste in his mouth, but it does.)

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ She haphazardly reaches for the mug and takes a hearty gulp of its content. It’s not hers.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry,” Bell says, mortified and places the mug down noisily on the desk. “I’m sorry, I thought it was mine.”

The rim of his mug is now stained with her lipstick. Adler bites down on a careful retort.

He thinks he knows now. Why he lets it happen, why he thinks of her in metaphors, why she gives him that vertigo. The answer is at the tip of his tongue- he can almost taste it, like spoiled milk or rancid gardenia. But it’s much easier to ignore it until the words grow diminuendo and disappear, that he thinks he imagined it all along.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

You can’t obsess without turning around and getting lost in the middle.

Or losing a part of yourself in the process.

The idea of obsession, to obsess, perhaps is a far riskier thing for a person to have than playing the knife game, blindfolded with absolutely no telling where to start.

Yet we all do it, despite knowing the very dark flipside it possesses.

Perhaps it’s the very nature of humans, tucked deep within the pigeonhole of our minds, suffused by the very promise of bogus achievements that usually leads most of us insane, thinking that obsession is essential to living. But without it, artists are corporate slaves, slack-jawed know-it-alls moving stiffly in the middle of the hullabaloo that is our world; Paris would be just as unrecognizable today without Napoleon’s artistic legacy.

Obsession is good.

Obsession is dangerous.

The very dichotomy should have us all warded off of it.

Yet, again, we all do it. Again, and again, and again until it taints our veins. And it’s always far too late until you realize, that yes, now all you see is her, the air has been poisoned by her perfume, that her name is now forevermore engraved in your skin, like an overgild tattoo.

That you end up in downtown Berlin, out of sight, out of mind.

He finds them there, in a shoebox-sized cafe. Ill-lit, low-ceiling, coffee-stained floor that shows the wear of three decades worth of boots, pantoffels and high heels and Adler is sitting in his car, nursing a beer with but one all-consuming, perplexing thought:

Bell and Mason.

Someone told him they arrived together, about an hour ago. The cafe has become their usual haunts, his source said, ever since they’ve returned from Ukraine and Adler just can’t wrap his head around this- them. In his head, they’re wholly different entities. Two proper nouns separated by a conjunction, or a comma if mentioned in a list.

They’re the kind of opposites that he thought don’t attract, yet here they are.

Perhaps it's inevitable, both are products of brainwashing. Maybe they sensed one another, speaking in code, like detecting an RF signal from a nuclear bunker.

Then the doors to the cafe swing open. They step outside, cheeks flushed, his arm wrapped around her waist, her lips glueing on the slope of his neck. Shaded eyes watch them from the opposite street, his disgust obvious.

Now, Adler wonders how this all began. Someone must have made the first move.

He wonders if it was her. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"You wanted to see me?"

Adler looks up from his desk and nods. "Lock the door behind you."

And Alex Mason, the root of all this trouble, obeys. Looking somewhat uncertain under the scrutiny of the harsh lights, and shuts the blinds. Unlike Woods, he takes a seat at the chair Adler sets up before the desk.

"What is it?" Mason asks, after a long, almost unending silence. His curiosity seeps through the room.

There is very little control when the first domino falls. Oftentimes, once it starts, it’s like crossing the Rubico n and the next thing you know, you are lying flat on the ground in some theater, 23 fresh stab wounds decorating your body and the beat of your pulse seems dim and distant, everything feels cold except your blood; warm, bright and thick like gasoline, crawling into every space until it goes into your throat and strangles you, kills you. Fini, kaput.

But then again, he's not Caesar and this isn't Rome.

Adler pushes the first tile.

"How long has this been going on?" he asks without fanfare, tight and composed as ever. Never mind the way his eyes ignite like cold blue fire behind his glasses.

"How long has what been going on?"

“You and Bell." And Mason blinks at him in surprise. Bingo. "I saw the two of you leaving for her hotel from a cafe in Downtown Berlin last night. So don't bother skirting your way around this.” Adler leans forward across his desk. He’s a man on a mission- there’s no stopping him now.

“Now, let me rephrase the question, how long have you been fucking her?"

"Hold on, hold on, you were stalking us?" Mason asks, waspish.

Adler winces inwardly. "I was keeping an eye out for my asset.”

“Asset?” Mason hisses, like Adler just blasphemed. “Jesus Christ, Russ, is that all she ever is to you? An asset? She’s your protégé, for god’s sake- a person! What is wrong with you?"

"Plenty. Or apparently, so I've been told.”

"I don't find you amusing.”

“I'm hardly ever,” Adler parries. Mason remains silent, yet the tilt of his lips translate exactly what words can't. "And you haven't answered my question."

“Bullshit. I don’t owe you anything."

"Listen, Al-"

"No, you listen to me. You may be calling the shots around here, but this has absolutely nothing to do with you. Whatever- or whoever - we're doing in our spare time is none of your business, do you understand? So you can just drop it," Mason seethes, bitter, and, much to Adler’s surprise, rises to leave. “We’re done here.”

"That's where you're wrong."

Mason has only managed to put a few paces between them before he turns around, once again stepping inside this metaphorical boxing ring.

"What?"

"This has everything to do with me," Adler says coolly. "You said it yourself, I'm the one who calls the shots here. Meaning, anything that could potentially fuck up my operation is my concern and I have the right to intervene should it needed. This, being a case in point."

Mason looks at him like he’s grown a second head. “What the hell does fucking her have to do with this whole operation?”

“Everything.” He says it like quiet resignation. It’s time to acknowledge the truth, he thinks, to that unusual idea that has been swirling in the deep recesses of his mind, that everyone’s weakness is varied.

Achilles had his heel, and Adler has her.

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to, Al. You don't even know her."

Mason gives him a level stare. "And you do?"

Adler is so hard-pressed to say 'I made her' but even he wouldn't stoop that low.

"That is beside the point,” Adler tells him instead as he turns to his vice- one of them, at least- and lights it.

“There is literally no point to this conversation.”

“The point is, stay the hell away from Bell. I'm saying this for your own good."

"My own good or yours?"

Adler does not flinch, but his hand does ball into a fist under the table, how the fingers curl and then flex.

"Don't be ridiculous. I gain nothing from this except assurance." It's a lie, it's the truth. There's no in between. He doesn’t know which is which anymore. "You, on the other hand, I'm sure the old ball and chain wouldn't be near as thrilled about hearing this if word ever gets out."

Mason is quiet for a beat.

"Is that a threat?"

"Only once I pulled the pin," Adler replies, a dangerous undercurrent in his voice.

But the thing with Mason, he'll come to realize later, is how much, like with Bell, weaving through his mind is like trying to grasp for purchase in the dark as he, once again, does the unpredicted and smile- a venomous grin warps his face, like he’s mocking him, challenging him to move his piece on the board and make this mistake.

Adler stares back, surprised despite himself.

He shocks him further by saying, "Go ahead, then. Pull the pin, throw the grenade, tell her. See if she cares."

Adler’s eyes narrow at his askance. He then drags his attention to Mason’s left hand, and something grave and familiar rises in his chest.

The absence of the metal band around his ring finger tells him why.

“You know where to reach her. If anything, I’m sure she’d trust your words better than anyone else’s. So please, do it.” And Mason’s so goddamn sanctimonious about it. He’s clearly expecting this particular reaction out of Adler. It only leaves Adler angrier.

Another long pause stretches, heavy and unkind.

"Fine. Maybe she won't mind, but I'm sure the Agency wouldn’t be as tolerant.” Adler takes one last drag of his cigarette. He has that ‘Having nothing, nothing can he lose’ look on his face that makes Mason frowns. “Not when you’ve been fraternizing with the enemy.”

"What?”

"Bell. She’s not who you think she is, Al. Tell me, who do you think is the sorry bastard we saved in Trabzon?”

Mason blinks. His face is blank with shock, then he shakes his head. And he keeps shaking it, almost manic. If he laughs, which one would come first, he wonders, the gun or his fist pummeling the side of his face?

“You’re lying.”

“And why would I lie to you about this?”

"No, no, no, Woods- he told me the guy’s dead,” Mason says, his words are shaky.

“He’s not. And he wasn’t a he."

A crease forms between Mason's eyebrows, the starting of another frown.

“Hold on, if she’s helping us get Perseus then why is she the enemy?”

"Because she doesn't know that."

"Doesn't know what?"

"That she's the enemy."

Mason holds his gaze for a moment, his expression tense, like a slingshot.

And that cold elastic band finally snaps.

“What did you do to her?” He’s openly glaring at him now, mouth tight, an icy fury that is no longer dormant and for the first time since Adler has known him, he finds the man dangerous.

Adler takes a steadying breath. “We did what had to be done.”

"You sick son of a bitch. You brainwa- You-” Mason clamps his mouth shut, trembling hands finding his head. “Shit. How could you?"

Adler ignores his colorful outburst.

“She resisted every form of interrogations we threw at her, Al. We had no choice but to implement MK-Ultra as a last resort. We needed what’s in her head.” Mason is silent in reply. Adler continues, “Look, it’s nasty business, I know, but some of us have to cross a line just to make sure that line's still there in the morning. And as much as I hate agreeing with Hudson, he’s right. We need to preserve our way of life.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to play God,” his voice is resentful and crisp. “Do you have any idea what you are doing? You could jeopardize everything, and for what? You’ve seen what this- this experiment did to me, this won’t end the way you think!”

“Lightning never strikes the same place twice.”

"You’re really willing to gamble on that?”

Adler scowls. “I don’t gamble, Mason. I calculate. And if by some chance I was given a second chance, I’d do it all over again. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Mason doesn’t say anything at first, his loaded gun stare never falters. Then, “The flag may be different, but the methods are the same.”

"What was that?”

“Someone warned me, a long time ago, about how people like you will use people like me or Bell as pawns in your own game. You’d do whatever it takes to get what you want- and my, how you get results, don’t you? But you’re actually no different than the rest of the assholes you're fighting against,” Mason tells him, like he’s spitting out acid in Adler’s face.

“Bell may be the enemy- heck, she could be the architect behind all the chaos Perseus has done, but what you’re doing to her is vile and unethical. There are many ways to make her spill the beans, yet you chose the most immoral method there is out there. I sincerely hope you rot in hell for this."

Before Adler could formulate a response to his tirade, Mason stands to his feet.

“You want me to stay away from her? Fine. Consider this as my formal resignation. After Yamatau, I’m done. I’m out of the team. And if you know what’s good for you, you stay the fuck away from me because I don't ever want to see your face again, do you hear me?” he snarls. “If you think Woods is dangerous, Adler, just remember I nearly could have killed my own president."

Then Mason turns on his heel and walks out of the room, once and for all. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The fist is very much expected, and so does the pain that follows.

"You're out of your fucking depth, shithead," Woods spits, venom lacing his words.

Adler doesn't even bother to retaliate.

He doesn’t see the point. He didn’t think it would get this far. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The garage grows quiet and stodgy with now Mason and Woods are out of the picture. Everyone settles back into their own normal rhythm, the same routine before both men set their feet here almost a week ago.

Hudson doesn’t take the news of their departure kindly, naturally. He stands in Adler’s office, pacing, fuming. Adler ignores him, trying to nurse the skull-splitting migraine he's having at his desk instead. The nasty black eye hidden underneath his glasses. A secret locked, the key thrown away.

His headache, thankfully, has subsided when Sims takes a seat on the other side of the desk, hours later after Hudson left.

"I'm not trying to cause an alarm here, but you'd better watch your back."

Adler's brows furrow but doesn’t look up from the papers before him. "And why's that?"

"'Cause I think you just pissed off the wrong beast," Sims tells him. Adler pauses, then lifts his head to look at his cohort. There's genuine worry flashing over his face.

“Are you talking about Bell?”

“Who else?”

If she's a beast, then what am I? What he wants to ask, but there's a knock at the door and he swallows the words down his throat.

"Come in," Adler says, pretending to be reading again.

The door opens and Bell, fucking Bell, enters his office. It's like watching a tiger pass by your hiding spot in near dark. Neither he nor Sims breathes a word.

Bell's gaze immediately swings to him, like a cosmic pull. She's watching him as she wanders over to the desk and the weight of her stare burns him like Greek fire.

He pushes the documents close, all the while returning her stare. He is never the one who backs out of a challenge, and at this point, he knows that she probably knows that. Maybe that’s why she initiated it in the first place.

"Bell, what is it?" Adler asks firmly, in possession of his full power in this place.

Bell produces three diskettes from her pocket. Something odd definitely shining in her eyes.

"These have been lying on Lazar's desk for hours, but he's busy, so I thought I'd deliver them to you myself," Bell says. And he's trying to work out on her angle but she is unreadable. As always.

Adler nods, frustrated and indignant. "You can leave them here. Thank you."

It is only once the woman leaves that the two agents share a dark, significant look. That was too close.

And it goes without saying, something needs to be done about this. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

March 7th. A's insistence on raising the dosage is illogical. Recent behavioural analysis indicates depression. Will monitor for the next few days. Considering lowering the dosage instead. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The elevator reeks of smoke, cheap Soviet air freshener and something far more poisonous than the devil’s spider, silky hands.

It embodies the woman standing next to him right now- this special animal, emotionless, a constant mystery wrapped with a warning sign.

Adler is tempted to shut his eyes.

Or get out of here. He doesn’t dwell well in this atmosphere, this limited space shared with her alone. He probably should have listened to Hudson about taking Bell for this mission, but she’s the only one he trusts who won’t fuck this up. Not to mention her spotless Russian has proven to help them blend in with the crowd seamlessly.

He needs her, whether he would admit it aloud or not.

But she puts his head in such a spin.

She’s been near-mute since they departed from Germany. She barely acknowledges his questions and orders, barely looks at him. She’s been treating him as if he’s another shadow on the wall.

He rubs the side of his jaw. Something does need to be done about this.

“Are you going to stay quiet forever?” Adler asks. He’s bad at this, but he can’t stand her silence for much longer. Not to mention, they’re at the Lubysnka- the fucking lion's den. If she wants to wallow over Mason’s absence or sinks into whatever melancholic feeling she’s in, she can do it later.

Bell hums, her mouth curls up like serpentine. Adler sketches a confused frown.  And she says, “I don’t know. Should I?”

And then, sudden and swift, Bell undoes the cuffs of her uniform. Beady eyes never leave his.

The sight catches him off guard. Somewhere in his mind, he curses something like ‘you’re a beast’ and ‘what the hell are you?’ at her, all in negative connotations. The effects she inflicts on him is maddening.

“What are you doing?” Adler doesn’t bother to hide his surprise.

Bell shrugs and gestures to the duffle bag at their feet. “Gearing up.”

Oh. Embarrassment wells up in him. Fucking hell, this woman will be the death of him.

Her fingers quickly move on to the buttons, still indifferent, nearly tearing them from the seams. The first glimpse of her skin and Adler can’t help but give in, openly stares at her in a way he has never imagined before. Her clavicles like daggers glinting in the lamplight.

Curiosity is a dangerous and heavy load.

He should have closed his eyes.

“Enjoying the show?” Her voice pulls him back from his musings. Her eyes still zero in on him, cutting him to pieces.

Her cleavage comes into view.

The lines on Adler’s face grow taut.

“What do you want, Bell?” He asks, intending for a bark but it ends somewhere like a plea.

“I want many things. As of right now, I want Alex’s cock inside me.” And Adler nearly chokes on his own breath. Bell, eagle-eyed as ever, caught the movement. “But it seems someone insists on being in control of everything, isn’t he?” she snaps.

Adler’s back goes rigid. Trepidation bubbles up in his chest.

Of course, she knows.

“It's not about control.” Adler turns around. He doesn’t quite know what he’s avoiding at this point, her flesh or the truth. “It’s about what’s right.”

He hears her uniform touches her floor as she laughs, mirthless, like broken chandeliers. “I didn’t know whose cock I’m riding is any concern of yours.”

“It is when he’s a member of the team,” he seethes. “What you’re doing with Alex will only lead to complications. And I can’t have tha-”

“Because this is all about you, isn’t it? It’s about upholding your precious reputation in the Agency, controlling the narrative the way you want it no matter how many characters you kill off in the process. It’s always about what you want.” Bell interrupts, not missing a beat. “You selfish motherfucker.”

"This has nothing to do with my reputation in the CIA."

She scoffs. "Spare me the crap, Adler."

Adler turns to fully face her again and holds his arms open, the way someone is facing the firing squad. “Fine. Fine, yes, I’m a selfish motherfucker. I did it because I thought it could ruin the operation. Is that what you wanted to hear? Now, what are you going to do about it?”

She says nothing at first. He silently catalogues her movements as she steps towards him now, half-naked and furious. He feels pinned.

Then, “What do you want me to do about it?”

His mouth dries at the implication. She is temptation, benediction, the coarse ice block before the carver.

How terrible it is to lose control, even just once.

A knowing, vicious smirk flashes over her face. Adler feels like he’s just shown his hand.

“You are one selfish bastard and a coward to boot, aren’t you?” Bell sneers before he has a chance to respond. “At least, Alex was brave enough to make the first move, but you…” her gaze raking up and down his figure coldly, a jeweller presented with second-grade imitations. Wind her up and this honey bee stings.

“You’ll always be the man who hides behind his shades,” she says, dry as dust, and steps back and snatches her clothes from the bag.

This is, without a single doubt, the longest elevator ride he’s ever experienced in his life. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Adler arrived back in Berlin breathing a little harder. Worry wrapped around his neck like a noose, placed by Bell herself; the judge, jury and executioner.

The knot tightens every time his mind refers to her.

The agency trained him, specifically, to keep calm under pressure. He didn’t coin the title “America’s Monster” from his colleagues for nothing. They don’t fear him because he’s hot-headed or thinks in large-scale violence— guns blazing, napalm-induced flames over the hill in the morning, bloodied knuckles and fractured jaw, blood-soaked soles tarnishing the white marble floor. Someone can point a fucking shotgun to his face and he’ll barely flinch. Only monsters remain impassive to direct threats of violence.

But there’s something about Bell that elicits this visceral, primal reaction out of him. Something strange and new; lightning about to be uncapped from its chains.

It chokes him, frightens him to the core.

How gauche is it, don’t you think, that his own mind is conspiring against him?

Now, in the garage, where it dawns on Adler that she’s probably the only person who can make him walk around the city, feeling like a fool, he decides he’s had enough. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“I’ll drive you back.”

Adler apprehends Bell outside the garage. He kind of assumed she’d have a pistol aimed at his head right now, but she spins around, hands shoved deep inside her pockets and clayey mouth curls in distaste.

“Get in the car, Bell,” Adler says tightly, almost adding please.

But he would not beg.

The brunette remains rooted in her place. For a moment, a calculating look crossed her face. Always, always that sharp mind of hers turning and he wonders where it would take her this time.

“Try asking nicely,” she demands.

Adler’s eyes flash. She really is testing him. But fine, he'll play her game.

“Bell, would you kindly get in the car?” He is all but snarls, teeth gritting. Bell hardly wavers- he wishes she would waver for a change.

She does what he asked of her, finally, the shadow of a smirk on her face mocking him. Adler follows suit, teeth still clenched together, and starts the car and drives away.

It's sort of like a deja-vu, he supposes; him and her in this very same car, except that stupid krautrock music is absent this time. Neither says anything for the first twenty minutes. Everything feels heavily still.

Until he realizes she’s probably waiting for his move.

This might gloriously blow up in his face, yes, he knows this. Especially remembering the last time he was alone in a tight space with her, it had cost him his pride.

And his mind.

But he’s been here before, in the eye of the storm. He was at his calmest here. He has his cards prepared now.

Adler inhales deeply.

“Look, I’m sorry,” he utters resolutely. He doesn’t look at her, doesn’t want to. “I was out of line, I admit it. Your affair with Mason should be no concern of mine but I really am just trying to look out for you.”

It’s weak, he knows. The words feel more like an anchor than an actual apology in his tongue anyway, but Adler didn’t expect that Bell would give him nothing. Not even an acknowledging hum, a scathing retort, a scoff. Nothing.

A twinge of irritation brews in his stomach. Why does she insist on playing games?

The car comes to a stop. They’ve arrived. Adler wrests his hands from the steering wheel to say something harsh to her, but Bell is already stepping out of the car.

She stands on the sidewalk; an enigma in royal red, and her lethal, all-seeing eyes gravitate to him in the night.

There is a long paralyzing beat where they just stare at each other- which seems to be a running theme between them lately. Adler is fuming, as he is confused.

It feels like hours, centuries, eons, but, like all magic, the spell is broken. Courtesy of a stranger hailing a cab behind his car.

Bell turns and walks inside the building. She doesn’t bother sparing him the final glance or extend her appreciation for the ride back and Adler thinks to himself, this universe, god fucking damnit, nothing makes sense here.

But it is also in moments like this that the world spins, when he notices a singular, significant detail that makes his stomach roll, nearly throwing him off balance:

Bell left the passenger door open.

And he’s insane- he has to be, right? He’s looking too much into this. It doesn’t mean anything. His mind conjures an image, like a graphic guideline or something, step one: get out of the car, two: make your way around and close the passenger door, and third: zoom out of the neighborhood while your sanity is still intact, all in that order. Easy to comprehend, to follow.

Adler only does the first two steps. He’s ass-backwards doesn’t even bother to digest the third step.

He enters the hotel instead and takes in the surroundings. The lobby is pointedly bare, but warm and smoky. The concierge is reading behind the counter- a young, wiry boy with shocking bleached hair- with headphones on. It’s late, he probably doesn’t expect anyone to check in at this hour.

A movement by the staircase catches his interest. He sees Bell climbing up the steps slowly, leisurely. Adler makes his way there.

Halfway reaching her floor, Adler has the inkling that she knows that he’s following her. Also, because the next she does is glancing back at him over her shoulder. He waits for her to push him down the stairs or wrap those delicate hands around his neck. She does neither. She doesn’t want him gone.

Yet, his mind betrays him. Only because she doesn’t know what other atrocities he’s committed to her.

She stops by her door, opens it and goes in first. Adler, without waiting for a formal fucking invitation, slips in behind her.

Her room is much smaller than his. The TV is still on- a German dubbed of All the President’s Men is playing- a stack of books and meds lying haphazardly on the desk table.

The door clicks shut behind him. Bell wanders over to the table and turns off the TV. Her back to him.

She doesn’t bother turning the light switch on. The green neon of the hotel sign outside illuminates the room, bathes her in it, making her look even stranger and faraway.

He doesn’t take off his sunglasses.

“What do you want, Bell?” Adler is all but snarling. His anger comes in a bottle with a twist-off cap. “I’m fucking sick of playing your games. I apologized, I admitted I was wrong- I fucked up, but what more could you want?”

Jesus, and now he’s losing his temper over a brainwashed Russian who rarely talks. How did it come to this?

She tugs off her gloves. Once again, barely acknowledging him. Apparently, if ignoring him is an art form, she is the fucking Monet.

Until:

“Take them off.”

Adler blinks hard behind his glasses. Like he’s just stepped into a whole different earth.

His mouth moves.

“What?”

“Your sunglasses. Take them off.”

He stares at her back. Trying really, really hard to make sure he’s not hallucinating this, but then Bell turns around, a finger tapping against her arm, waiting.

Realization hits him like an uppercut in the face and nearly leaves him in a daze. He’s walked into a trap. That much is clear as day. She wants him to suffer as she does. An eye for an eye.

Adler holds no modicum of control in her domain, not unless she gives the reins. Once again, she plays the judge, jury and executioner at her own court.

But, like before, he’ll play her game.

There, the glasses are off. His eyes, bare, blue like fractured ice, meeting hers. In the dark, he feels her eyes shift to assess his bruise.  

His heart booms against his ribs.

"Kneel,” she says glibly.

He obeys, again. His legs and hands don’t shake, but his mind is much less governable than his limbs. No, the CIA didn’t prepare a manual for situations like this and he doesn’t trust his instincts to help him dance his way around this.

Nor does he want to.

The thought fucks him up to a degree.

Adler should have known that it wouldn’t take an entire nation or continent to bring him to his knees, no, no. That would have been too easy, anyway. Although history has dictated and taught him that women are never to be underestimated, Adler hasn’t expected that one woman would be able to do the deed and succeed.

But then again, when that woman is Bell, he supposes anything is possible.

When Bell approaches him, he’s unable to take his gaze from her. Her eyes spangle with determination, an avenging soul in the neon lights. Her fingers work on the sash of her coat. The line of her mouth is flat and inscrutable. The air crackles with electricity and a promise of the unsayable, the unattainable.

She stands over him now, gloveless and coatless. She’s powerful like this and he can only crane his head up at her, ceding his fate in her hands, against his better judgement. She catches that.

Suddenly, something unpleasant breaks on her face, like when one’s smelling something foul or pungent.

Bell reaches down and grips his jaw painfully in one hand, her nails digging into his skin, and tilts his head sideways. Strange that his stomach leaps at that.

“Say you’re sorry,” she spits furiously. “And say it like you fucking mean it.”

He feels, suddenly, triumphant and chuckles darkly. Eight fucking long weeks and the beast finally shows her claws.

“Try asking nicely,” Adler parrots her words from before, not a beat missed. Two can play that game, he thinks. "Or are you above niceness, Bell?”

Her grip tightens.

"You’re one to talk,” Bell says. Then, rubs the pad of her thumb over his scarred cheek and it feels like forgiveness, or the beginning of it, at least.

His confusion spikes.

Her nose skims down his jawline.

A better, sensible man would apologize. He'd squander it until his tongue burns acid, he'd beg for her forgiveness like a man asking for repentance before his god.

“Why did you do it, Russell?” Bell whispers against his skin now, baleful and raspy. Her chest rising and falling too rapidly.

But he’s a sick bastard, a selfish motherfucker, a heartless monster. All he does is hurt the people around him. He doesn’t get to take from her, not after what he's done.

Still, Adler catches her wrist. Relishing the way her wrist bone grinds under his hold. He pulls his face back to look at her.

“You know why.”  

Her eyes flick dangerously to his lips.

Desperation really can make the most vulgar things tolerable.

“Then prove it.”

So he does. As his hand reaches up to her neck, past the delicious column of her throat and with a precise swift, Adler grabs a fistful of her hair, the feminine gasp escaping her mouth is like a jolt to his groin, and kisses her.

Bell responds in kind. That little beast. She grasps his collar and drags him up to his feet, impatient with want. She laps at him, bites and sucks. His free hand snakes around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer.

She pulls away, catching her breath, and his teeth skim down her jaw, her neck. He bites her there in retaliation, on the delicious junction of her neck and shoulder, into the fabric of her shirt, making his intentions clear. Bell chokes in surprise and scrapes her nails over his scalp.

It hurts. But with pain, along comes pleasure and it’s good. It’s so good, Adler melts with a shaky breath.

His gloves come off first. Next, she pulls him free off his jacket, his sweater and snakes a hand between his legs, stroking him. He bites off a strangled ‘fuck’ into her throat. He’s worked up real fast already. Adler manages to make a short work of her shirt, unclasping her bra before he’s all but pushes her onto the bed.

Adler settles above her, capturing her lips in another feverish, hot-blooded kiss. He tugs her zipper down and slips his hand inside her pants. Her cunt’s everything he’s come to expect: wet, warm and oh-so wrong. She sucks in a breath. Her hips move against his hand. His blood sings. She throws her head back against the pillow, while his finds her earlobe.

“Has this proven my point, Bell?” he asks. His answer starts on a moan and ends with a breathless ‘yes’.

He doesn’t let her come that easily. No, he wants to drag this out for as long as he can until it drives her mad. So, Adler peels the rest of her clothes away, pulls her shoulder and turns her onto her stomach. He pins her down, hard. She gasps loudly against the white pillowcase, her hand fists into the sheets.

Adler slots himself behind her. His hand tracing along her spine, followed by his mouth, just how he fantasized once upon a time. His other hand quickly undoes the snap of his pants. Everything has been poisoned by her and her only; she is in his tongue, his veins, his mind, his lungs. She takes the centrefold of his mind and it's ridiculous.

He presses himself against her ass. His mouth falls open. Her body trembles. She’s all sin and racing hearts and sweaty flesh. She’s perfect. His now free hand slides up to the nape of Bell’s neck, reaching her throat, pressing down. She makes this high-pitched, demanding noise as she moves her hips back against him, leaving him wanting, helpless at the thought of having her right here, right now, in the warm neon glow of her hotel room.

“Please,” Bell begs. He groans in response and he gives it to her. Fuck, he’d give her anything if she begs just exactly like that.

When Adler is finally inside her, he thinks his world drops dead. He sets a merciless pace. He is not a gentle man and there is nothing gentle in the supple arch of her back, a rose bent backwards in the wind, as he pants along her neck before he pulls out, twists her onto her back again and pushes deeper into her until she comes apart underneath him (he’s made sure she begs for it- please, Russell. Oh god, Russell)

(He didn’t have to. Russell Adler is never the kind of man to fall for his dark side, but Christ knows he is only one man)

[bludemons]

High blood sugar (Spencer Reid x GN!Reader)

Summary: Y/N is having some trouble with her chronic disease which results in Spencer leaving early and taking care of her

Warnings: talks about chronic disease, talks about diabetes, mentions of needles (if there’s anything else please let me know)

Word count: 954

A/N: this one is kinda personal as I have diabetes type 1 myself for 17 years now, so I do know a lot about it. I’m also talking about my personal experiences with high blood sugars in this blurb so it could be totally different for someone else, please have that in mind. I also know that this is centered around a really specific topic and I know that it’s not something for everyone but it’s also a way for me to cope with it.

It was a day like any other, well, actually it wasn't. Spencer was at work while you were sitting at home, waiting for him to join you in the evening. You were watching your favorite TV show, barely paying attention as you noticed the headache which only got stronger, your dry mouth and heavy legs. All symptoms of hyperglycemia. 'great', you thought, Spencer would lecture you again if he found out that your sugar was too high again.

You sighed and slowly got off the couch, making your way into the kitchen where you had put your blood glucose meter. You took the device out of its pocket, holding it against the sensor on your upper arm. After you felt the vibration which told you that the device got your sugar levels, you looked at it, sighing again. 450mg/dl (or 25mmol/l) was written on the screen, not wondering anymore why you were feeling like shit. Usually you were able to keep your levels in the perfect range but sometimes your disease decided to do what it wants, no matter how careful and invested you were. It was still a chronic autoimmune disease which you had since you were 2,5 years old.

You took out one of your insulin pens, knowing that your blood sugar would be going down faster if you use it instead of your insulin pump. You took a new needle, putting it on the pen and testing if the insulin was going through. You thought for a moment, calculating the amount you’d need. Once you were sure that you had the right amount, you pulled up your shirt, holding it up with your chin, making a skin fold and processing the injection in a 90 degree angle. You hissed, hitting a nerve, but it was nothing new. Living with multiple injections a day your entire life.

You put everything back in the bag, making your way to the fridge, taking one of the water bottles and drowning the entire thing in seconds. You heard your phone going off, indicating that Spencer was calling you. You put away the empty bottle, going back into the living room and picking up your phone, accepting the call. "Hey Spe-", you started to greet your boyfriend but he quickly cut you off. "Are you okay? How are you feeling? Did you drink something? Did you calculate the right amount of correction? Should I already call it a day?", he was rambling again and you were able to hear the worry which laid in his voice. Of course he knew about your sugar levels. Your meter was connected to his phone and he always got a notification when you checked it. "Calm down babe, please. I’m okay, just the typical symptoms when it’s too high, nothing too bad", you lied, you were feeling worse every passing second, but Spencer wouldn’t be Spencer if he didn’t notice. "I’m coming home now, I’m just packing up and telling Em you’re not feeling good. I’m gonna be there in no time. I love you", and with that he hung up.

You closed your eyes, leaning against the back of the couch, trying to ignore all the symptoms. You felt yourself dozing off, trying to fight against it as you knew that sleeping only made it worse and that you’re supposed to check your levels every 30 minutes. But you couldn’t get yourself to stay awake so you just let the darkness take over.

You heard someone saying your name while slightly shaking you awake. You groaned as you slowly opened your eyes, seeing your boyfriend standing over you with a worried look on his face. "I fell asleep, didn’t I?", you asked him quietly. He nodded and sat down beside you, your medical bag and another water bottle on the couch table in front of you. "When was the last time you checked your sugar?", he asked you while he took your meter from the bag. "Was it before I called you?" You nodded, feeling too tired and weak to give him a proper answer. Spencer checked your levels and nodded slightly as he looked at the number on the device. "It’s not going down, it’s going up", he mumbled to himself, "okay, I need to check the catheter, the tube and the ampoule to see if they’re still working. Then I need to go to the bathroom to get the painkillers and get the ketone meter. I also need to make some tea and make sure to check everything every 30 minutes", he rambled again, this time a little bit louder so you could actually understand what he was saying. "Spence", you said quietly and put your hand on one of his arms which made him look at you, "everything’s fine with the devices, it just needs it’s time to go down. Please just stay here with me and don’t worry too much."

He sighed and took a deep breath, indicating that he was thinking about accepting your idea. "Okay, deal. Buuut I’m still gonna check your sugar levels every 30 minutes and you’re gonna drink some more water", he stated and you knew that you had to agree with that or otherwise you wouldn’t get any peace this evening, so you nodded again. He was definitely satisfied with your answer, grabbing the water bottle and giving it to you.

The rest of the day just went on like that. Cuddling on the couch while you dozed up from time to time and Spencer checking your blood sugar and giving you something to drink. Gladly your sugar levels were in the normal range again by the time you two decided to call it a day.

[hes-writer]

Watermelon Sugar

 Summary: In which Harry loves the way she tastes

Warnings: pure smut

Word Count: 2.9k 

This is the second part of the ‘Fine Line Series��.

Y/N kicked off her jeans, leaving her in her undergarments.  

“What are you gonna do about it?” She asked, heading further so that her back could rest against the headboard. A navy blue matching set covered her chest, to which Harry couldn’t seem to take his eyes off of, standing up to pull his pants down slowly. Her chest heaved against the padded cups of her bra, nipples grazing against the fabric, making her arch her back to relieve the burn.  His dark grey boxers accentuated the length hidden beneath, outlining the mushroom-shaped head just below the splotch of pre-cum that had leaked, being massaged by his palm, making his breath hitch. Y/N couldn’t help but break the intense eye contact between them to cast her eyes south to where he continued to stimulate pleasure for himself. 

“What do you want me to do?” His accent echoed in the otherwise quiet room, tongue carefully carving his words in a tone that had Y/N sizzling on the bed. He crawled towards the woman in front of him, seductively twisting his body, completely entranced by the way she looked. Her hair was messy, but he thought she never looked more beautiful than when she did when her eyes were covered by a sheen of desperation. 

Harry grasped her thigh, splitting them apart making Y/N pout slightly at the loss of friction at her clit. The itch in her pussy was almost too much to beat and it didn’t help that Harry decided to trace the outline of her boobs with his finger while mouthing at her neck once again once he was close enough. His soft lips pressing light touches on the sensitive skin of her neck that made her shudder against his body. His fingers travelled to her back, easily unfastening her bra, pushing the straps slowly over her shoulder. Harry grasped her hair, pulling to the side to expose her neck, making her gasp in surprise. His nose whipped past her skin, to her ear, whispering lowly about the things he was going to do to her. 

Y/N moaned airily when he sucked a mark on her skin, the blood vessels breaking beneath the junction of her neck and shoulder. Her hands found comfort in his tousle of hair, grabbing the roots and pulling hard to lift his face towards her mouth, kissing him with such fervour that she didn’t notice his trembling hands lowering themselves until she felt the waistband of her panties snapping against her hips. 

She could never get used to how good he was at this. His left hand rested on her lower stomach, providing warmth. His right hand widely covered a part of her thigh while the pad of his thumb ran circles over her clothed pussy, pad flattening where her button was hidden beneath the fabric and pressing down hard once to watch her eyes close in shock and her jaw to open in a choked groan. He fluttered his lashes to her, doe green eyes dilating at her reaction, catching her gaze when he proceeded with soft touches and saying, ‘you’re wet, baby’ as if it wasn’t the most obvious thing when his skin moistened slightly with the wetness that had seeped through her clothing. 

Y/N whined a high-pitched whimper in response, bucking her hips up at his comment, his nose catching a whiff of her arousal, nostrils flaring in frustration of wanting to tease her but wanting to devour her as soon as possible, “please,”

With the faintest touch, Harry rubbed swifter circles over her clit, making sure to put a bit more pressure at the hood, causing Y/N to arch her back. Her nipples pointing straight in the air, her aroused state making them more sensitive than usual. His mouth found her breast, catching the nub in his mouth, tongue finding its place swirling around her areola, mouth puckering around her skin, cheeks hollowing as he sucked happily. He repeated the same action to its twin, continuing to swarm her clit with circular grazes, hearing her try to sustain the words spilling from her mouth, begging for him to please quench the ache between her legs instead. 

The warmth of his body disappeared as Harry shifted his body backwards, swinging his legs off the side of the bed before grabbing her ankles and pulling her safely to the edge. Her head flopped gently against the mattress, giggling at his actions, making Harry’s eyes twinkle in delight at the sound of her. He kneeled slowly between her thighs, eyes closing at the aroma of her being stronger now that he was closer to her dripping pussy. Y/N watched quietly, stomach quivering in anticipation. She bit her lip as he held eye contact, his hands tickling her knees, caressing her inner thighs before he spread her open for him. His broad shoulders acting as a barricade to prevent her knees from knocking together. Licking his lips slowly, he played with the band of her underwear, resting his cheek on her inner thigh. 

“Can I take this off?” Harry asked with the most innocent eyes catching Y/N’s pleading ones. She nodded quickly, gulping the saliva that had gathered near the end of her mouth. 

“I need words, Y/N.” His gruff voice stated, mouthing at her mound twice, making her lose the means to answer him. 

A sound scraped her throat, hips moving against her accord to find his touch but he had pulled away to watch, “Yes, yes please take it off,” 

Her hands clenched the sheets as Harry tugged the fabric downwards, the center sticking slightly to her pussy with the amount of wetness that had gathered. Y/N’s body was still upright, wanting to see his eyes turn darker the moment he caught sight of her ready for him. She wasn’t disappointed, especially when a hungry groan emitted from his throat when a clear string connected itself to her panties. His tongue broke the sticky liquid, humming at the first taste of her in a while. 

Y/N began to protest at his lethargic movements, wanting his tongue to prod her more than the cold air of the room. He took a languid lick from her hole to her clit, swirling the stiff tip of his tongue directly around the bundle of nerves, making Y/N shift her hand to his head in caution--not knowing how he was going to take her. Fast trills of his coarse tongue or slow, gentle swipes. Her breath was starting to deepen, Harry taking another dip from the bottom of her slit and finishing it off this time with a deep suck to her clit, making Y/N buck her hips for more. He breathed in while doing so, eyes closing as he felt her melt into his tongue, her body becoming more pliant and relaxed to his actions. 

“Harry, oh my god,” She moaned out, her eyes going wide as if someone had shot her. His tongue was stroking her folds, gathering the moisture that escaped her. The pleasure felt like a slow build, leaving traces of desperation wherever he touched. 

His next action left Y/N to collapse backwards, her back arching against the messy bed, laying complete flat aside from her legs twitching behind Harry’s body. His cheeks stuffed with her juice, lips puckered to suck at her clit continuously while probing her inner walls. She blinked up to the ceiling wondering how he was able to make her feel this way. She moaned his name at a harsh suck and a pull to his curly locks, resulting in him humming against her in question.

“Hmm,” He furrowed his brows at her reaction, sweeping his tongue over and over her sensitive clit. “Do you like it when I do that, Y/N?” His accent sounded thicker than usual, drunk on her taste while Y/N struggled to keep her noises down. Her name dripping like honey from his sinful tongue, making her whine out in frustration. 

He was giving it his all, jaw aching as he opened his mouth wide to suckle at her nectar, head bobbing to aid his tongue in drowning her clit. His breath was hitched yet it didn’t stop him from drilling her hole, licking up her pink walls and tasting her sweet juices unravelling in his mouth.

“Tastes so good,” He mumbled. He was relentless, never giving her or himself a break; breathing in deeply to continue prying gentle noises from her mouth. Lips puckering to kiss her clit when she decided to grind her pussy on his face with a little, “Ungh!” blossoming from her throat.  

“What do you think you’re doing?” He questioned, words sewed together,  gripping her hips hard, feeling a depression in her soft flesh-- a bruise certainly forming. A coldness shoots up from her spine when he stopped every ministration on her body.

“Make me cum, Harry,” Y/N whimpered in a begging tone. She raised her head off the mattress, seeing conniving eyes staring straight at her, lips curled up in a satisfied smirk at her level of desperation. 

“If you insist,” He dove back into her, making sure to use the flat of his tongue to collect any fluids that dripped out of her during his break. He pried her legs apart to make room for himself, licking his lips in delight at the outpour of sweetness. 

He breathed out deeply, in awe of how aroused Y/N was, “Look at how wet you are,” His fingers make a ‘v’, catching her soaked fold between them, pinching slightly despite the slippery texture. Her clit was tinged in red, throbbing with need, “D’ you always get this wet?”

It was a rhetorical question, Harry knew that she always gets this wet for him, yet Y/N couldn’t help but nod, squeaking affirmations that only he could get her this soaked.

He chuckled at her, pressing a kiss to her hood before calming her frustrated words, “Gonna be good for me? Nice and loud, yeah?” 

She nodded, throat bulging in a large gulp to soothe the dryness of her throat. Harry quirked a brow, “Need some water, love?” Y/N shook her head ‘no’ legs jerking around his shoulders. Despite that, Harry knew her better and grabbed the glass of water on the table.

Y/N took a drink to quench her throat, lids opening with a glazed over look while she handed him the glass, “Will you please make me cum now?” Her soft question made Harry’s heart pound, fondness flooding his chest and a swarm of butterflies erupting in his taut stomach. Harry leaned down to kiss her, grasping the back of her to pull her closer. Y/N squeaked in surprise, almost dropping the glass on the floor. He pulled away hesitantly as his mind conjured thoughts about Y/N that were way too inappropriate for a mere fuck buddy. Harry chugged the rest of the water, placing the glass back on the table with a new driven determination. 

He was back to work on her center, tongue swiping up her slit deeper. Y/N cried out pitifully, relief flooding her body when broad strokes replaced the languid licks. Harry groaned heavily, vibrations waving across her pussy causing her to fall back slowly back into the bed. 

“Fuck” He hissed in disbelief before attacking her clit with a tight suck and a trilling tongue that had Y/N shooting her eyes wide open with a heavy gasp before rolling back into her head at the intense pleasure. Harry closed his eyes in enjoyment, satisfied with the reaction he received, knowing that he could act based on her noises.

“Oh god, Harry,” She whimpered, his mouth sucking a little too hard. He licked softly to apologize without lifting away. One of his arms extended to grab her breast, kneading the skin for added stimulation. 

He probed inside her walls, deliberately beating down her abused pussy, swollen lips turning a shade of pink, glossy with his spit and her.

Heaving breaths puffed from her mouth while Harry stroked her with little pants hitting the outside of her core. He felt her thighs muffle his ears, “Open up for me”, Y/N groaned in response, forcing her shaky legs to open. “S’okay,”

The man between her legs was devouring her, smacking sounds filling the air aside from the wispy moans and deep confessions of how aroused Harry was between her legs. He was groaning and whimpering as if this was giving him pleasure, muttering breathless approvals and praises, completely enamoured by her taste and scent, “Tastes so fucking good, So sweet, could eat you for hours,”

He distanced himself a bit, checking in on her twitching body, back flattening as the pleasure slowed. Harry licked his fingers before sliding one inside of her, watching as she sat up to look at his next move, eyes fluttering closed despite Harry’s need of keeping eye contact. Immediately, he felt a surge of wetness dampen his fingers, sliding easily, deeply, right to the knuckle of his rose ring without much effort. Y/N grasped his wrist, holding it steady to hold back her orgasm. She opened her eyes again to a questioning face.

“What’s that about?” Harry hummed, slowly pulling his finger out, making her whimper through her lips. “Thought y’ wanted to come, baby” 

She nodded absentmindedly, her attention focused on the feeling between her legs, wanting something thicker, bigger to hit her just right. “Oh!”

“S��that the spot?” 

He shifted his finger to that spot again, witnessing her eyes roll back behind her head, “Ugnh, yes,” Harry smirked, stroking her spot quickly, adding a second finger to fill her up even more.

“Harry” Y/N moaned desperately wanting to come yet never wanting it to end. Her mind was running in circles, nerves absolutely fried from the stimulation of his skilled tongue and fingers. Ecstasy was pumping through her body, pressure bouncing at the pit of her tummy as her orgasm built stronger the more Harry pumped his fingers deep inside her to touch the sensitive spot that quaked her whole body and made her chest cave in with a dry sob. 

“Gonna cum for me, Y/N?” She sobbed, small tears escaping her waterline in sheer pleasure, “Like it when I touch you here?” He murmured before adding his mouth to the mix, fingers rubbing harder at the raised spot, twisting, digging, and scissoring inside her. 

He could feel her clamp down on his fingers, nearly breaking the joints but he powered through---completely abusing her g-spot in a pleasurable manner while his tongue slithered between his fingers to lick at her wet folds up to her clit. His mouth was warm and wet, creating a sensation that was quite indescribable. Somehow, Y/N had managed to grab one of his pillows, biting down on the soft material to mute her loud wails and whimpers, being suffocated in his scent and the feeling of him prying an orgasm from her. 

Y/N slipped into cloud nine for a moment, lost in pleasure due to her orgasm crashing down her body making her arch her back. Her ears rang with a muted whine as she felt her pussy pulse in waves. Harry prodded his fingers through, slowing the flicking of his tongue as she twitched jerkily on the bed, spent from the course he put her body through. A choked moan escaped her tortured throat as the last hurrah, clenching down on his fingers, pulsating, before relaxing enough to let him pull his fingers out. Harry gave one last suck on her clit, feeling her knees knocking together in hopes of pushing him out from between her legs. 

He chuckled, bones cracking as he stood up to his feet, towering over Y/N’s body. Watching her blink lethargically, completely blissed out with a faint smile on her face made him happy. She pushed herself up, resting with a forearm supporting her weight while the other made grabby hands at Harry, wanting to suck on his soaked fingers. 

His eyes widened, watching her lips wrap themselves around his digits, encompassing his skin in her warm mouth. Her slick tongue ran through the expanse of her juices, moaning slightly at her own taste that had Harry swallowing harshly as he felt his dick give a painful reminder that he was still as hard as a rock and needed immediate attention to soothe the throbbing of his head and the ache in his balls. Her doe eyes held his own, only breaking when a particularly tangy taste left her to close her eyes as she breathed in. 

“Shit,” Harry’s breath hitched, feeling her tongue flick the pads before releasing it from the confines of her mouth. Blown out pupils larger in the dim light of the room as she smiled up at him, sitting up fully, feet touching the floor while she reached out to his hips. A forceful pull caused him to take a step forward, his crotch almost bumping straight to her face had it not been for her hands grasping his hips steadily. 

“You’re so hard, Harry” She stated in awe, gazing up at him like he put the stars in the sky. 

“Yeah? Gotta put me in your mouth then,” He bit his cherry red lips, watching her nod enthusiastically. The fabric of his boxers being pushed down to his muscular thighs, his erection hitting her blushed, puffy cheeks softly, smearing a bit of pre-cum. 

“Oop,” She giggled slightly, his thumb stroking the sticky liquid before holding it up for her to suck. Nosing her way up and down his shaft, she felt him jolt in anticipation. The small of her tongue peeked out between her soft lips to lick the tip, dipping into the pool of salty liquid that gathered there. There was no doubt that he was incredibly aroused, yet he couldn’t quite pinpoint the emotion swirling through him when she giggled adorably and stared at him through adoring eyes.

----

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Fine Line Series Taglist; @immajustreadwritereblog​ @derangedcupcake

[improvidence318]

i said screw it so here it is

howdy howdy, this is the anon with the 20’s lingo sheet. i don’t have a tumblr (though i wish i do tbh) and realized that i don’t know how to work shit on tumblr, so i’m just sending in the sheet through a text post. i am highly aware of the amount of power i’m bestowing upon you and honestly couldn’t give a damn

A

ab-so-lute-ly: affirmative all wet: incorrect And how!: I strongly agree! ankle: to walk, i.e.. “Let’s ankle!” apple sauce: flattery, nonsense, i.e.. “Aw, applesauce!” Attaboy!: well done!; also, Attagirl!

B

baby: sweetheart. Also denotes something of high value or respect. baby grand: heavily built man baby vamp: an attractive or popular female, student. balled up: confused, messed up. baloney: Nonsense! Bank’s closed.: no kissing or making out ie. “Sorry, mac, bank’s closed.” bearcat: a hot-blooded or fiery girl beat it: scram, get lost. beat one’s gums: idle chatter bee’s knee’s: terrific; a fad expression. Dozens of “animal anatomy” variations existed: elephant’s eyebrows, gnat’s whistle, eel’s hips, etc. beef: a complaint or to complain. beeswax: business, i.e. “None of your beeswax.” Student. bell bottom: a sailor bent: drunk berries: (1) perfect (2) money big cheese: important person big six: a strong man; from auto advertising, for the new and powerful six cylinder engines. bimbo: a tough guy bird: general term for a man or woman, sometimes meaning “odd,” i.e. “What a funny old bird.” blotto (1930 at the latest): drunk, especially to an extreme bootleg: illeagal liquor breezer (1925): a convertable car bug-eyed Betty (1927): an unattractive girl, student. bull: (1) a policeman or law-enforcement official, including FBI. (2) nonesense (3) to chat idly, to exaggerate bump off: to kill bum’s rush, the: ejection by force from an establishment bunny (1925): a term of endearment applied to the lost, confused, etc. Often coupled with “poor little.” bus: any old or worn out car.

C

cake-eater: a lady’s man caper: a criminal act or robbery. cat’s meow: great, also “cat’s pajamas” and “cat’s whiskers” cash: a kiss Cash or check?: Do we kiss now or later? cast a kitten: to have a fit. Used in both humorous and serious situations. i.e. “Stop tickling me or I’ll cast a kitten!” Also, “have kittens.” cheaters: eye glasses check: Kiss me later. chewing gum: double-speak, or ambiguous talk. choice bit of calico: attractive female, student. chopper: a Thompson Sub-Machine Gun, due to the damage its heavy .45 caliber rounds did to the human body.  chunk of lead: an unnattractive female, student. clam: a dollar coffin varnish: bootleg liquor, often poisonous. copacetic: excellent crasher: a person who attends a party uninvited crush: infatuation cuddler: one who likes to make out

D

daddy: a young woman’s boyfriend or lover, especially if he’s rich. daddy-o: a term of address dame: a female. Did not gain widespread use until the 1930’s. dapper: a Flapper’s dad darb: a great person or thing. “That movie was darb.” dead soldier: an empty beer bottle. deb: a debutant. dewdropper: a young man who sleeps all day and doesn’t have a job. dogs: feet doll: an attractive woman. dolled up: dressed up don’t know from nothing: doesn’t have any information don’t take any wooden nickels: don’t do anything stupid. doublecross: to cheat, stab in the back. dough: money drugstore cowboy: A well-dressed man who loiters in public areas trying to pick up women. dry up: shut up, get lost ducky: very good dumb Dora: an absolute idiot, a dumbbell, especially a woman; flapper.

E

earful: enough egg: a person who lives the big life

F

face stretcher: an old woman trying to look young fella: fellow. As common in its day as “man,” “dude,” or “guy” is today. “That John sure is a swell fella.” fire extinguisher: a chaperone fish: (1) a college freshman (2) a first timer in prison flat tire: a bore flivver: a Model T; after 1928, also could mean any broken down car. floorflusher: an insatiable dancer flour lover: a girl with too much face powder fly boy: a glamorous term for an aviator For crying out loud!: same usage as today four-flusher: a person who feigns wealth while mooching off others.

G

gams (1930): legs gatecrasher: see “crasher” get-up (1930): an outfit. get a wiggle on: get a move on, get going get in a lather: get worked up, angry giggle water: booze gimp: cripple; one who walks with a limp.  Gangster Dion O’Bannion was called Gimpy due to his noticeable limp. gin mill: a seller of hard liquor; a cheap speakeasy glad rags: “going out on the town” clothes go chase yourself: get lost, scram. gold-digger (1925): a woman who pursues men for their money. goods, the: (1) the right material, or a person who has it (2) the facts, the truth, i.e. “Make sure the cops don’t get the goods on you.” goof: (1) a stupid or bumbling person, (2) a boyfriend, flapper. goofy: in love grummy: depressed grungy: envious

H

handcuff: engagement ring hard-boiled: tough, as in, a tough guy, ie: “he sure is hard-boiled!” hayburner: (1) a gas guzzling car (2) a horse one loses money on heavy sugar (1929): a lot of money heebie-jeebies (1926): “the shakes,” named after a hit song. heeler: a poor dancer high hat: a snob. hip to the jive: cool, trendy hit on all sixes: to perform 100 per cent; as “hitting on all six cylinders”; perhaps a more common variation in these days of four cylinder engines was “hit on all fours”.  See “big six”. hood (late 20s): hoodlum hooey:  nonsense. Very popular from 1925 to 1930, used somewhat thereafter. hop: a teen party or dance Hot dawg!: Great!; also: “Hot socks!"  Rarely spelled as shown outside of flapper circles until popularized by 1940s comic strips. hot sketch: a card or cut-up

I

"I have to go see a man about a dog.”: “I’ve got to leave now,” often meaning to go buy whiskey. icy mitt: rejection insured: engaged iron (1925): a motorcycle, among motorcycle enthusiasts iron one’s shoelaces: to go to the restroom ish kabibble (1925): a retort meaning “I should care."  Was the name of a musician in the Kay Kayser Orchestra of the 1930s.

J

jack: money Jake: great, ie. "Everything’s Jake.” Jalopy: a dumpy old car Jane: any female java: coffee jeepers creepers: a term of exclamation jitney: a car employed as a private bus. Fare was usually five-cents; also called a “nickel.” joe: coffee Joe Brooks: a perfectly dressed person; student. john: a toilet joint: establishment juice joint: a speakeasy

K

kale: money keen: appealing killjoy: a solemn person knock up: to make pregnant know one’s onions: to know one’s business or what one is talking about

L

lay off: cut the crap left holding the bag: (1) to be cheated out of one’s fair share (2) to be blamed for something let George do it: a work evading phrase level with me: be honest limey: a British soldier or citizen, from World War I line: a false story, as in “to feed one a line.” live wire: a lively person lollapalooza (1930): a humdinger lollygagger: (1) a young man who enjoys making out (2) an idle person

M

manacle: wedding ring mazuma: money milquetoast (1924): a very timid person; from the comic book character Casper mind your potatoes: mind your own business. mooch: to leave moonshine: homemade whiskey mop: a handkerchief munitions: face powder

N

neck: to kiss passionately necker: a girl who wraps her arms around her boyfriend’s neck. nifty: great, excellent noodle juice: tea Not so good!: I personally disapprove. “Now you’re on the trolley!”: Now you’ve got it, now you’re right.

O

off one’s nuts: crazy Oh yeah!: I doubt it! old boy: a male term of address, used in conversation with other males. Denoted acceptance in a social environment.  Also “old man” “old fruit.” “How’s everything old boy?” Oliver Twist: a skilled dancer on a toot: a drinking binge on the lam: fleeing from police on the level: legitimate, honest on the up and up: on the level orchid: an expensive item ossified: drunk owl: a person who’s out late

P

palooka: (1) a below-average or average boxer (2) a social outsider, from the comic strip character Joe Palooka, who came from humble ethnic roots panic: to produce a big reaction from one’s audience percolate: (1) to boil over (2) As of 1925, to run smoothly; “perk” pet: necking, only more; making out petting pantry: movie theater piffle: baloney piker: (1) a cheapskate (2) a coward pill: (1) a teacher (2) an unlikable person pinch: to arrest. Pinched: to be arrested. pinko: liberal pipe down: stop talking prom-trotter: a student who attends all school social functions pos-i-lute-ly: affirmative, also “pos-i-tive-ly” punch the bag: small talk putting on the ritz: after the Ritz Hotel in Paris (and its namesake Caesar Ritz); doing something in high style. Also “ritzy.”

Q

R

rag-a-muffin: a dirty or disheveled individual rain pitchforks: a downpour razz: to make fun of Real McCoy: a genuine item regular: normal, typical, average; “Regular fella.” Reuben: an unsophisticated country bumpkin. Also “rube” Rhatz!: How disappointing! rub: a student dance party rubes: money or dollars rummy: a drunken bum

S

sap: a fool, an idiot. Very common term in the 20s. says you: a reaction of disbelief scratch: money screaming meemies: the shakes screw: get lost, get out, etc. Occasionally, in pre 1930 talkies (such as The Broadway Melody) screw is used to tell a character to leave. One film features the line “Go on, go on – screw!"  screwy: crazy; "You’re screwy!” sheba: one’s girlfriend sheik: one’s boyfriend simolean: a dollar sinker: a doughnut sitting pretty: in a prime position skirt: an attractive female smarty: a cute flapper smudger: a close dancer sockdollager: an action having a great impact so’s your old man: a reply of irritation speakeasy: a bar selling illeagal liquor spill: to talk spoon: to neck, or at least talk of love static: (1) empty talk (2) conflicting opinion stilts: legs struggle: modern dance stuck on: in love, student. sugar daddy: older boyfriend who showers girlfriend with gifts swanky: (1) good (2) elegant swell: (1) good (2) a high class person

T

take someone for a ride: to take someone to a deserted location and murder them. tasty: appealing teenager: not a common term until 1930; before then, the term was “young adults.” tell it to Sweeney: tell it to someone who’ll believe it. tight: attractive Tin Pan Alley: the music industry in New York, located between 48th and 52nd Streets tomato: a “ripe” female torpedo: a hired thug or hitman

U

unreal: special upchuck: to vomit upstage: snobby

V

vamp: (1) a seducer of men, an aggressive flirt (2) to seduce voot: money

W

water-proof: a face that doesn’t require make-up wet blanket: see Killjoy wife: dorm roomate, student. What’s eating you?: What’s wrong? whoopee: wild fun Woof! Woof!: ridicule

X

Y

You slay me!: That’s funny!

Z

zozzled: drunk

  have fun.

[myhealthmag]

8 tips for healthy eating

These 8 practical tips cover the basics of healthy eating and can help you make healthier choices.

The key to a healthy diet is to eat the right amount of calories for how active you are so you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use.

If you eat or drink more than your body needs, you'll put on weight because the energy you do not use is stored as fat. If you eat and drink too little, you'll lose weight.

You should also eat a wide range of foods to make sure you're getting a balanced diet and your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.

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It's recommended that men have around 2,500 calories a day (10,500 kilojoules). Women should have around 2,000 calories a day (8,400 kilojoules).

Most adults in the UK are eating more calories than they need and should eat fewer calories.

1. Base your meals on higher fibre starchy carbohydrates

Starchy carbohydrates should make up just over a third of the food you eat. They include potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and cereals.

Choose higher fibre or wholegrain varieties, such as wholewheat pasta, brown rice or potatoes with their skins on.

They contain more fibre than white or refined starchy carbohydrates and can help you feel full for longer.

Try to include at least 1 starchy food with each main meal. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram the carbohydrate they contain provides fewer than half the calories of fat.

Keep an eye on the fats you add when you're cooking or serving these types of foods because that's what increases the calorie content – for example, oil on chips, butter on bread and creamy sauces on pasta.

2. Eat lots of fruit and veg

It's recommended that you eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day. They can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced.

Getting your 5 A Day is easier than it sounds. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for a piece of fresh fruit?

A portion of fresh, canned or frozen fruit and vegetables is 80g. A portion of dried fruit (which should be kept to mealtimes) is 30g.

A 150ml glass of fruit juice, vegetable juice or smoothie also counts as 1 portion, but limit the amount you have to no more than 1 glass a day as these drinks are sugary and can damage your teeth.

3. Eat more fish, including a portion of oily fish

Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals.

Aim to eat at least 2 portions of fish a week, including at least 1 portion of oily fish.

Oily fish are high in omega-3 fats, which may help prevent heart disease.

Oily fish include:

salmon

trout

herring

sardines

pilchards

mackerel

Non-oily fish include:

haddock

plaice

coley

cod

tuna

skate

hake

You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned, but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt.

Most people should be eating more fish, but there are recommended limits for some types of fish.

4. Cut down on saturated fat and sugar

Saturated fat

You need some fat in your diet, but it's important to pay attention to the amount and type of fat you're eating.

There are 2 main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease.

On average, men should have no more than 30g of saturated fat a day. On average, women should have no more than 20g of saturated fat a day.

Children under the age of 11 should have less saturated fat than adults, but a low-fat diet is not suitable for children under 5.

Saturated fat is found in many foods, such as:

fatty cuts of meat

sausages

butter

hard cheese

cream

cakes

biscuits

lard

pies

Try to cut down on your saturated fat intake and choose foods that contain unsaturated fats instead, such as vegetable oils and spreads, oily fish and avocados.

For a healthier choice, use a small amount of vegetable or olive oil, or reduced-fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee.

When you're having meat, choose lean cuts and cut off any visible fat.

All types of fat are high in energy, so they should only be eaten in small amounts.

Sugar

Regularly consuming foods and drinks high in sugar increases your risk of obesity and tooth decay.

Sugary foods and drinks are often high in energy (measured in kilojoules or calories), and if consumed too often can contribute to weight gain. They can also cause tooth decay, especially if eaten between meals.

Free sugars are any sugars added to foods or drinks, or found naturally in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices and smoothies.

This is the type of sugar you should be cutting down on, rather than the sugar found in fruit and milk.

Many packaged foods and drinks contain surprisingly high amounts of free sugars.

Free sugars are found in many foods, such as:

sugary fizzy drinks

sugary breakfast cereals

cakes

biscuits

pastries and puddings

sweets and chocolate

alcoholic drinks

Food labels can help. Use them to check how much sugar foods contain.

More than 22.5g of total sugars per 100g means the food is high in sugar, while 5g of total sugars or less per 100g means the food is low in sugar.

5. Eat less salt: no more than 6g a day for adults

Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.

Even if you do not add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much.

About three-quarters of the salt you eat is already in the food when you buy it, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces.

Use food labels to help you cut down. More than 1.5g of salt per 100g means the food is high in salt.

Adults and children aged 11 and over should eat no more than 6g of salt (about a teaspoonful) a day. Younger children should have even less.

6. Get active and be a healthy weight

As well as eating healthily, regular exercise may help reduce your risk of getting serious health conditions. It's also important for your overall health and wellbeing.

Being overweight or obese can lead to health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. Being underweight could also affect your health.

Most adults need to lose weight by eating fewer calories.

If you're trying to lose weight, aim to eat less and be more active. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight.

7. Do not get thirsty

You need to drink plenty of fluids to stop you getting dehydrated. The government recommends drinking 6 to 8 glasses every day. This is in addition to the fluid you get from the food you eat.

All non-alcoholic drinks count, but water, lower fat milk and lower sugar drinks, including tea and coffee, are healthier choices.

Try to avoid sugary soft and fizzy drinks, as they're high in calories. They're also bad for your teeth.

Even unsweetened fruit juice and smoothies are high in free sugar.

Your combined total of drinks from fruit juice, vegetable juice and smoothies should not be more than 150ml a day, which is a small glass.

Remember to drink more fluids during hot weather or while exercising.

8. Do not skip breakfast

Some people skip breakfast because they think it'll help them lose weight.

But a healthy breakfast high in fibre and low in fat, sugar and salt can form part of a balanced diet, and can help you get the nutrients you need for good health.

A wholegrain lower sugar cereal with semi-skimmed milk and fruit sliced over the top is a tasty and healthier breakfast.

[readwithem]

Today, i'm combining two different books. And they're not very far from each other. It's Why We eat (too much) by Dr Andrew Jenkinson and Midnight Chicken by Ella Risbridger.

Starting with Why We Eat, you would think it's gonna be judgemental but it's not the case. Dr Jenkinson is a consultant in bariatric surgery, an invasive procedure that cuts the size of the stomach in order to decrease the appetite (by decreasing hunger hormones). But apparently, it's only a short term solution for obesity, because there is a more powerful physiological boss who wins in controlling appetite. The hypothalamus. That's the neuroendocrine gland in your brain. And it has a tight relationship with fat tissue through a messenger called Leptin. All human beings have this hormone that signals to the hypothalamus how much fat (which is a vital source of energy) is stored in the tissues and exerts a negative feedback on it. If there is high level of Leptin (energy fuel tank is full), Hypo keeps you satiated and amps up your metabolism, and vice-versa. So you don't even need to exercise to burn calories. That stands for healthy people. In obese people, there is a huge amount of Leptin but the boss doesn't acknowledge it. It's called Leptin resistance. So to Hypo, there's no Leptin hence feeling ravenous hunger to further fill the tank. That's how hard it is for obese people to stop eating. They don't have a choice. How did they get obese in the first place, you say? Genetics mostly, then environment, then Western food (you'll need to read to know more).

Where does this Leptin-Hypothalamus dysfonction comes from? Two things: High insulin level in the blood by eating high-sugar foods and TNF-alpha, an inflammatory substance made by immune cells as a result of fat tissue cells getting bigger with stored energy, which has effects on vessels (heart disease), articulations (arthritis), cells (cancer) and, you guessed it, the hypothalamus while neutralising the effect of insulin thus creating more of it, which perpetuates fat tissue formation.

So, how can we solve this? First, no dieting. The human body evolution process made sure that it stays alive, so in period of shortage or famine through time, the hypothalamus elevates its equilibrium level (called weight set-point) so that the human being eats more, stores more energy and prevents future energy depletion. Dieting emulates a famine-like state to the brain. You surely lose weight for a few months but you gain more of it when the boss wins over, even more than the pre-diet weight. So, no harsh restriction of food, but minding what kind of food you're eating. For Dr. Jenkinson, the only thing you need to decrease is refined suga, not cholesterol (studies on how cholesterol is dangerous for the heart were biased and funded by sugar companies), to try to get rid of wheat, nuts and vegetal oils because they're rich in Omega-6 which is not the omega we need. Omega-3 is the one we need the most. We can get it from vegetables, meats, eggs and dairy products from grass-fed cows, lambs and chicken, and sea based fish. So it's not about how much you eat, but what kind.

At the end of the book, he gives a few steps to help you regain your normal weight-set point regarding food, exercise, sleep and stress management while also managing your expectations on how quick and drastic your weight loss will be.

It's a well written book. A tad long, but interesting to read.

Andrew insists throughout the book on how important home cooking is. How it's a community driven activity since the discovery of fire. And in order to commit on your weight equilibrium journey, you need to enjoy the process, and cooking yourself is one of those pleasures. For cooking newbies like me, cook books are a must. Not just any books, but the relatable, cut-to-the-chase, no-bullshit, easy-to-follow ones. I discovered one of these and it's a gem.

Ella is a funny one. And this is an unusual cook book that you can read just for leisure time. Being a cooking-for-dummies kind of book is a bonus.

And the thing that makes this book special is how cooking was sort of salvation for Ella going through her bad bouts of depression. Having anxiety, i got how she felt and i understood how helpful this book would be to a lot of lost people. First, she gives a brief list on what utensils and staples you need in your kitchen, with no fuss. Then she gives some recipes relating to times of her life and mental health moments.

I have to admit that not all her recipes were for me, but i enjoyed every little bit of sunshine she threw in them. They're written like essays, not like your usual cookie-cutter books, so it makes them easy and lovely to grasp. A beautiful heartwarming book.

[drmichaelvohrer]

Vitamin D

Vitamin D – Not only important for the bones…..

Vitamin D – one of the most important Vitamins for the human body – that important that the body produces it itself – if he has the chance for it. This means, if the body gets exposed to sun, vitamin D is produced, if the body is covered, protected with sun-screen or dressed with layers of clothing this cutaneous transformation and production of Vitamin D is inhibited.

Vitamin D is not only important for strong Bones and Muscle performance. A Deficiency is related to a couple of other Diseases like Dementia and Cancer.

No other Vitamin has a likewise high importance and function to the body. Well known is that Vitamin D protects our body from infections and increases our immune competence. Therefore it is important to get enough sun exposure, as this increases the endogenous production of Vitamin D in the body. Therefore Vitamin D is often known as “Sun Vitamin”.

Many people are not aware that Vitamin D is a variety of different Vitamins, D1 to D5, whereas the most important is Vit D3, Cholecalciferol. Several steps of synthesis are needed to transform it into the biologic active form.

As other Vitamins like B, C and E have to be taken by food, Vitamin D can be produced alone by the own body, provided that UV radiation from sunlight is exposed to the skin surface. Here on the surface of the skin Vit D precursor lipoproteins which contain Cholesterol are transformed in the biological active Vitamin D3. 80-90% of the Vitamin D demand is usually covered this way. This is at about 20 microgram per day. Accumulated excess of Vit D3 will be stored in the body for example in the liver and fat tissue. In low-sunlight season the body can consume these reserves out of its storage. The remaining 20% of Vitamin D demand will usually be supplemented with food rich in Vitamin D. Fat fish like herring and salmon, liver, mushrooms and egg yellow are rich on Vitamin D. Nevertheless a quite enormous amount of these nutrients would have to be consumed to get considerable amount of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is a precursor for various hormons, constantly new functions are scientifically proven. Not only in the hormonal system and in the immune system Vit D has a key role. Meanwhile we know that almost any cell of the body carries a Vitamin D receptor. The action spectrum of this Vitamin could be even bigger than now already know.

Immune system:

Without Vitamin D some immune cells are not able to work. These T cells belong to the group of Lymphocytes. Vitamin D has an important double function. On the one hand it stimulates the production of defense cells, on the other hand it modulates the excessive immune defense to a standard. This is why Vitamin D is so important in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or even multiple sclerosis.

Bone metabolism:

Vitamin D is important to mineralize the bone. It regulates the mechanism of the bone building cells, the osteoclasts. Hence Vitamin D is that important for the bone as calcium. Most popular example for a deficiency in Vitamin D is rickets. Vitamin D Deficiency is still related with axial deformities and overuse problems in children and adults, like bow legs, knock knees, flatfeet and overuse pathologies like Osgood-Schlatter disease and Severs disease.

Muscle System:

Vitamin D supports muscle development and growth and protects to a certain extent against age related muscle loss.

Brain and nervous system:

Multiple studies have shown that Vitamin D has a preventive effect in relation to certain diseases of brain and nerves like Alzheimers disease, dementia, Parkinsons disease and even strokes. Additionally it is able to reduce the risk of falling in elderly people, a high risk factor for care dependency due to femoral neck fracture, confinement to bed and immobility.

Depression:

New studies are showing a relationship in between Depression and significant Vit D Deficiency. Also the so called winter depression caused by lack of sunlight can be treated with Vit D supplementation.

Cancer:

Fact is that in low-sunlight areas the cancer rate is higher than in regions closer to the equator. Reason for that can be that lack of sunlight causes Vit D Deficiency. Studies have shown that Vitamin D can reduce the proliferation rate of cancer cells. This seems to effective in bowel cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. However, further studies in this field are ongoing.

Diabetes:

There are references that Vitamin D can effect the blood sugar positively. The Diabetes metabolism benefits significantly with Vitamin D.

Cardiovascular diseases:

Vitamin D could have protective effect on reducing vascular plaque development, therefore it would help prophylactically to reduce the risk for myocardial infarction and strokes.

Pregnancies:

During a pregnancy Vit D takes responsibility that the child is developing properly and that the mother is protected against gestational diabetes.

Sexual system:

The hormonal regulation is dependent in many ways from Vitamin, which is a hormonal precursor. Here Vitamin D supports the Production of sexual hormones. Good Vitamin D supply is linked to adequate Testosteron production in men and can improve fertility in men and women.

Vit D against overweight:

In a study with overweight children it has been shown that the body mass index BMI is reduced, that body fat reduces and that blood fat parameters improve as soon as children are supplemented with Vitamin D.

A majority of people, not only in Europe but also in sunny countries like the UAE are Vitamin D Deficient. As a reasons for a persistent Vitamin D deficiency in the population can be seen the use of Sunscreen products, which are for logical reasons used to prevent skin cancer and sunburns. The used UV block unfortunately also blocks the Vit D production in the skin.

Fine dust and smog are reducing the amount of sunbeams significantly which reflect on the skin.

Some people rarely go outside. Years ago these have been the elderly people and chronic sick patients. Nowadays the youth belongs to this risk-group as they rarely spend time outside in the fresh air and gardens.

Cultural clothing with covered appearance avoids direct UV exposure.

Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency:

The signs of Vitamin D Deficiency are unfortunately not always clear. Susceptibility for infection, bone pain, skeletal deformities, Tiredness and Depression are just a few examples pointing out to this problem.

Who wants to be sure can make a simple blood test which can diagnose the blood level objectively. Then a treatment program can be adjusted.

General recommendations are daily dosages of 400 units Vit D3 for children up to one year and about 1000 Units for older children.

An overdosage is hardly possible, as liver and kidneys need to transform the Vit D into its active form. This will only be done if there is really need and demand, otherwise it stays inactive.

With Vitamin D supplements a deficiency situation can easily be treated. A variety of Vit D3 products are on the market to make supplementation easy for each group of age.

The hormonal regulation is dependent in many ways from Vitamin, which is a hormonal precursor. Here Vitamin D supports the Production of sexual hormones. Good Vitamin D supply is linked to adequate Testosteron production in men and can improve fertility in men and women.

Vit D against overweight:

In a study with overweight children it has been shown that the body mass index BMI is reduced, that body fat reduces and that blood fat parameters improve as soon as children are supplemented with Vitamin D.

A majority of people, not only in Europe but also in sunny countries like the UAE are Vitamin D Deficient. As a reasons for a persistent Vitamin D deficiency in the population can be seen the use of Sunscreen products, which are for logical reasons used to prevent skin cancer and sunburns. The used UV block unfortunately also blocks the Vit D production in the skin.

Fine dust and smog are reducing the amount of sunbeams significantly which reflect on the skin.

Some people rarely go outside. Years ago these have been the elderly people and chronic sick patients. Nowadays the youth belongs to this risk-group as they rarely spend time outside in the fresh air and gardens.

Cultural clothing with covered appearance avoids direct UV exposure.

Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency:

The signs of Vitamin D Deficiency are unfortunately not always clear. Susceptibility for infection, bone pain, skeletal deformities, Tiredness and Depression are just a few examples pointing out to this problem.

Who wants to be sure can make a simple blood test which can diagnose the blood level objectively. Then a treatment program can be adjusted.

General recommendations are daily dosages of 400 units Vit D3 for children up to one year and about 1000 Units for older children.

An overdosage is hardly possible, as liver and kidneys need to transform the Vit D into its active form. This will only be done if there is really need and demand, otherwise it stays inactive.

With Vitamin D supplements a deficiency situation can easily be treated. A variety of Vit D3 products are on the market to make supplementation easy for each group of age

[magickbrew]

☾ ☽ HEADCANON - Health

            Freya is in fact a type 1 diabetic. (Unlike me), she is a lot better with controlling her sugar levels. However, as it is a chronic condition, is does still affects her greatly. As a witch, she does tap into different herbs that help control blood sugar but she does use insulin pens to inject. 

          Though she does a good job in maintaining, Diabetes can very much be unpredictable at times, meaning she can be prone to low sugar levels ( Hypoglycemia ) which happens when taking too much medication, skipping meals, eating less than normal, or exercising more than usual can lead to low blood sugar for her. When she has these spells, her gets dizzy, really shaky. Her body will grow weak to the point its difficult for her move. Headaches, sweating, sudden nervousness, blurry vision, confusion or difficulty concentrating. And lastly, hunger. She will have a hunger that could rival Beel’s on a low sugar spell. She can get the entire fridge and more. 

        To treat her lows, she’ll need carbs, sugar. Which is why she’ll eat an entire fridge. ( You’re not supposed to binge and eat a shit ton of food, but I mean, when you feel like you’re dying do you really think you’re gonna measure the amount carb intake?? Doctors are so silly. ) Juice is really good for lows, orange juice. Anything sweet works for a fast rise in sugars! This is also why she will carry an abundance of snacks on her person. 

      Not treating a low can lead to serious health problems, induced comas, and death. 

     Second is high blood sugars ( Hyperglycemia ) that don’t happen as often for her, but can occur. This is kind of like the slow burn of the body, this usually happens when not enough insulin is being injected into the body, makes it harder for the body to process sugar and break it down. Sugar spikes will happen regardless of whatever you do to try and prevent it, trust me. Freya will try to keep her sugars as normal, but sometimes you just forget, shit happens. So they can run a little high at times. Things she has to watch out for are a little similar to that of a low sugar spell, headaches, mood changes, fatigue, blurred vision. She’ll have to use the restroom more frequently, as high blood sugars make your kidneys work harder which will make you have to pee more. ( Literally its the most annoying of all the symptoms). Really high levels, can result in diabetic comas and DKA (  diabetic ketoacidosis, also not fun ). 

   How she feels about it, she hates it but she’s accepted her illness. She will often crack jokes, and make playful banter about it in times where she is ill to help keep her confidence up. As a lot of times, being your own pancreas is exhausting and depressing. Luckily, with her magic, she can make some of the processes a little less painful. 

[haxballfan-blog]

When You're Sad, Your Skin Is Sad

Correlation doesn't prove causation, but I can't help but notice that both times I’ve lived in my teenage bedroom I’ve felt especially sad. In high school, it was an angry sadness that sought attention. But when I came back to my parents house in March to ride out COVID, the sadness became deep and dull—about everything and nothing. I go to bed dreading the next day like it holds a big test I haven’t studied for. In the morning, I alternately jolt awake while it’s still dark, or tether myself to my comforter well into the workday. I’ve been very privileged in the ways I’ve experienced the past few months, but also very anxious. And actually, the CDC estimates that 40-percent of adults exhibit symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders as of this past July. (In 2019, that number was 11-percent.) So, yes, I’m crying a lot more than usual; maybe you are too. I’m also breaking out more than usual—and you?

“Yes, stress causes you to break out,” says Dr. Amy Wechsler, who, as one of only a handful of doctors in the US board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry, is uniquely qualified to answer questions about this kind of stuff—she even wrote the book on it. Dr. Wechsler cites a well-known study done on a college campus during exam week, where researchers found a strong correlation between stress and the severity of acne. “But exam period is like two weeks long, and when the exams go away the breakouts go away. Imagine if you had exam period for five months, you know? That’s like what we’re going through right now.”

According to Dr. Wechsler, the root of stress acne lies in a molecule called cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that’s pumped out by the body to fight illness, control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, and influence memory formation. In general it’s anti-inflammatory, but when you’re stressed, your body responds by producing more cortisol than it would normally as part of the fight-or-flight response meant to keep you alert when you need to be. If that stress is prolonged, and you don’t have the proper coping mechanisms to deal with it, cortisol starts to act very inflammatory.

“Inflammation is the root cause of acne, and eczema, and psoriasis,” says Dr. Wechsler, who also adds that high levels of cortisol over a long period of time will break down collagen, the molecule in your skin that keeps it looking plump. “That’s why when people are really stressed out for a while, they look like they aged overnight.” For a good, obvious example of this phenomenon, take a look at a photo of President Obama in his first year as president compared to his last. Cortisol also weakens your skin’s natural barrier, so you’ll start to experience more transepidermal water loss. Several months of anxiety may leave you with a totally different skin type: even if your skin is normally oily, it will start to dry out and get more sensitive. Dr. Wechsler notes that when your barrier is compromised, your skin is more likely to react to something that normally wouldn’t cause a problem. “That’s when people say things like, ‘I’ve been using the same product forever, they haven’t changed their ingredients, but now I can’t tolerate it.’”

The tricky part about cortisol is that once levels are high, it can be difficult to bring them down on your own. At minimum, you need to make sure you’re getting an adequate amount of sleep each night, which can be difficult when you’re feeling anxious. “Cortisol is at its lowest for everybody during sleep, and healing molecules like beta-endorphins, growth hormones, and oxytocin,” a mood enhancer, “are always at their highest,” says Dr. Wechsler, who compares the molecules’ relationship to a see-saw. If you’re not getting much sleep, you’re not giving the anti-inflammatories a chance to catch up to the cortisol.

During the daytime, you can sort of hack your body chemicals by engaging in activities that directly trigger a release of those happy molecules. Completing your skincare routine floods your brain with dopamine, otherwise known as the “feel-good neurotransmitter.” So would cooking a complicated dinner, or organizing your bedroom, or finishing a book. A workout can help balance too-low endorphins, a fact I always felt was fallacy until I experienced my first runner’s high a few months ago. Not into exercise? Pop on a John Mulaney stand up special—any will do!—for a rush of endorphins you don’t have to sweat for. And to raise your oxytocin levels, turn down the lights and grab your vibrator. Sex drive can lower when you’re depressed, but each time you orgasm your body releases cortisol-lowering, calm-inducing oxytocin.

Of course, these things won’t stop you from feeling anxious, but they might help you feel a little bit better on the day-to-day, and you also may see a difference in your skin. “When people are very anxious, they feel this loss of control over what’s going on in their lives, and normal routines fall by the wayside because they feel unimportant,” Dr. Wechsler explains. “A skincare routine gives you back a little control,” she adds, conceding that, at the very least, 10 minutes of caring for yourself will feel better than reading the news, or scrolling through Instagram.

The absolute easiest, low-effort way to help balance cortisol? For a sad person at least, it’s crying. Scientists aren’t quite sure how or why, but studies show that a good crying session decreases cortisol levels. It was once widely believed that tears were a way to expel excess stress hormones, but now, most researchers think that the benefits of crying have to do with social signaling: just getting out the message that you’re in distress seems to help alleviate some of that distress. And, if you’re crying to somebody, they’re likely to give you a hug, rub your back, or stroke your hair—all triggers for oxytocin.

But while crying is good for the skin internally, it can leave your face feeling… not so great. Which is the reason I called Dr. Wechsler in the first place—I wear my recent crying obviously, and am left frantically icing my face before morning meetings and check-ins with family. Beyond how I look, my post-crying face hurts. My eyes get incredibly puffy, and I often find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place when I cry at night. It happens, without fail, after I do my skincare routine, and I wasn’t sure whether the salty tears left on my skin were further contributing to breakouts. To make my outsides match my insides after a solid catharsis, I wanted to figure out a post-crying best practice—a sad girl beauty routine, if you will.

What I’d learn is that your eyes work overtime to produce tears, which draws an abundance of blood to the surface of your eyelids. If you cry at night, that blood doesn’t have anywhere to go—it pools in your face when you’re lying flat. “If you’re crying during the day and you’re standing up and walking around, gravity will take the swelling from your eyelids, bring it down your face, and flush it out,” adds Dr. Wechsler. For those particularly concerned about morning puffiness, you can stay upright until the swelling subsides, or try Dr. Weschler’s favorite method. “Put a teaspoon in a glass of ice water, let it get really cold, and then take the back of the teaspoon and put it on your eyelid with a little bit of pressure. Both the cold and the pressure really help those blood vessels calm back down,” says Dr. Wechsler, who learned the tip from one of her model patients. Doing that right away will probably help prevent morning puffiness, but if you aren’t feeling up to it, just go to sleep and try to keep your head elevated with an extra pillow. You can always try the spoon trick (and some vertical action) in the morning.

As for the tears themselves, Dr. Wechsler recommends rinsing them off to abate dryness. If you’ve cried within a half hour of doing your skincare routine, you can rinse with a gentle cleanser (or water, if you think another wash will be too drying) and re-apply your skincare products. Otherwise, just rinse and moisturize again.

Remember how I mentioned cortisol is difficult to lower on your own? If you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, you might also consider seeking out the help of a trained therapist. While it’s easy to ruminate on how we look on the outside, it’s important to emphasize that this skin issue is indicative of a larger, internal problem. Aside from the auxiliary benefit of helping balance your skin, talking to someone can help alleviate the feelings of loneliness, grief, and uncertainty you might be feeling right now. Therapy for Black Girls, the National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network, and Open Path Collective all offer remote therapy options at accessible price points. You might also check out Psychology Today’s list of therapists, which is quite comprehensive—you can filter results by things like specialty, sexuality, and race. If you’re a Black woman, you can also apply for a grant from The Loveland Foundation to subsidize your sessions.

Knowing that my skin is feeling as vulnerable as I am right now, I’ve been taking it easy with my skincare. And the benefit is twofold: nixing breakout treatments lets my skin actually heal, and using fewer products means I’m more likely to actually do my routine (even when I don’t feel like it). I’ve noticed new pimples subsiding after fortifying my compromised skin barrier with products rich in ceramides, natural moisturizing factors, and lipids. I’ve also been chasing opportunities to feel good as often as I can, masked and tiptoeing around the border of my own shrunken comfort zone. Still the breakouts, and the tears, come in waves. But then again, they always have.

[ketoboost23-blog]

The keto weight loss program is an agenda focused on outright food products. Its main position is to melt hard to clean and unwanted fat, but without endangering an individual. Pretty much, the person gets a respectable amount of health proteins along with other healthier vitamins and minerals, but a limited amount of carbohydrates. The entire strategy is to get energy from body fat, instead of carbohydrate food.

The diet program operates over a basic basic principle. It strips sweets supplies in the entire body, therefore it will inevitably start wearing down fat for additional vitality. As being a direct consequence, the entire body begins creating a lot more ketones (certain substances) for fuel. The typical idea is easy - fat burning implies weight reduction, along with far better seems as well as a more healthy lifestyle.

Ever since the diet plan may seem somewhat limited for many, there are several nutritional supplements in the process which can help. This is when finest keto weightloss pills kick in. They come in some different versions and each of them has different roles and uses. Many of these tablets are suitable for dietary supplements, although some will speed body fat burning up procedure. Now, what should you understand them prior to starting the remedy?

The thought of keto capsules

In case you are in the keto diet - whether doing it or thinking about it, you may have probably seen all types of keto diet pills out there. They are accessible online in keto stores, but you can also get them in large food markets. Basically go to the dietary supplement segment and then you will see lots of options. But what are they and the way would they help you?

Receive the Lowest Discounted Price to get the best Keto Capsules Health supplement Here

Whilst not an overall principle, finest keto supplements have an amalgam of numerous elements. Most importantly, they will be according to BHB (Beta Hydroxybutyrate) salts. They can also be mixed with sodium and the mineral magnesium. What is the function on this cocktail? Effortless - it will boost the body's stamina by moving a lot more electricity in to the bloodstream. The energy will not go very far, but it will unquestionably aid.

The overall idea behind these supplements is always to drive the entire body in the state ketosis. In fact, and this is what the specific diet regime does. Ketosis is virtually a metabolic state. If you get to it, the body may depend upon fat in order to provide power for that system. The state occurs when the amounts of glucose are limited, so the physique looks for another source.

To help you fully grasp, ketosis happens when the levels of blood vessels ketone get to specific degrees. Each person have different functionality concepts, but also for illustration, most people will achieve the ketosis express once the levels tend to be at 1mmol/L. This is when the burning up approach begins. The better you can keep it proceeding, the better it is for your personal appears and extra fat ranges.

Distinct producers may offer various top quality criteria for his or her keto weight loss supplements. Some supplements flavor very good, however they are not very effective. Some other individuals come with a dreadful preference, but their performance is greater. Keep in mind at this time, you desire effectiveness over style, yet will not be surprised to discover good quality products that will give you both.

The keto weight loss program is an idea centered on outright foods. Its major role is usually to burn obstinate and extra fat, but without endangering the user. Virtually, the user receives a decent amount of proteins and also other wholesome nutrients, but a limited volume of carbohydrate food. The entire concept is to get energy from excess fat, instead of sugars.

The diet plan operates on a basic basic principle. It strips sugars stocks of your system, thus it will inevitably start off breaking down body fat for added energy. As being a immediate result, the body will begin making a lot more ketones (certain molecules) for fuel. The normal concept is easy - fat reduction indicates fat loss, in addition to better appearance and a far healthier lifestyle.

Since the diet program might appear a lttle bit restrictive for some, there are lots of supplements during this process that will help. This is the time greatest keto weight loss pills start working. These come in some different versions and each of them has diverse functions and uses. Some of these capsules are compatible with supplements, and some will speed the fat getting rid of approach. Now, what should you know about them before starting the procedure?

The thought of keto tablets

When you are to the keto diet plan - whether doing the work or considering it, you have probably noticed a myriad of keto diet pills on the market. They can be accessible on the internet in keto stores, but you can also find them in big food markets. Merely go to the nutritional supplement section and then chances are you will discover plenty of alternatives. But just what are they and how can they allow you to?

Receive the Most affordable Discount Selling price for the Best Keto Supplements Supplement Right here

Although it is not an over-all principle, very best keto supplements come with an amalgam of numerous substances. Above all, they are based upon BHB (Beta Hydroxybutyrate) salts. They can be together with sodium and magnesium. What exactly is the function on this cocktail? Straightforward - it would enhance the body's stamina by pumping far more energy to the blood stream. The electricity will not likely last long, but it will surely help.

The normal thought behind these pills is usually to drive our bodies in the state of ketosis. In reality, this is exactly what the particular diet plan does. Ketosis is actually a metabolic express. Once you attain it, your system may count on excess fat to be able to provide vitality for that body. Their state happens when the amounts of blood sugar are restricted, therefore the physique actively seeks another resource.

To assist you to comprehend, ketosis happens when the amounts of blood ketone reach specific levels. Each person have various functionality guidelines, however, for instance, many people will reach the ketosis status as soon as the amounts are at 1mmol/L. This is when the burning method commences. The better you can keep it heading, the greater it is actually for your seems and excess fat ranges.

Distinct companies may give various good quality standards for his or her keto weight loss supplements. Some tablets flavor very good, but are not very efficient. Some other individuals feature a terrible flavor, but their performance is greater. Take into account at this moment, you desire efficiency over flavor, however usually do not be very impressed to find high quality goods that will provide each.

[ketobhbcapsules-blog]

keto bhb capsules

Finest Keto Diet Pills & Nutritional supplements (BHB) - Can They Go A Long Way?

The keto eating habits are an agenda focused on simply foods. Its major position is to melt hard to clean and unwanted fat, but without endangering the user. Virtually, an individual will get a respectable amount of protein and other wholesome nutrients, but a limited level of carbohydrate food. The general idea is to buy calories from fat, rather than carbohydrates.

The dietary plan operates over a easy concept. It strips glucose reserves from the entire body, therefore it will inevitably start off wearing down excess fat for extra electricity. Being a straight result, the body will start producing more ketones (particular substances) for fuel. The typical concept is not difficult - fat loss indicates weight reduction, not to mention better looks and a far healthier lifestyle.

Ever since the diet regime may seem a bit restrictive for several, there are numerous nutritional supplements in the process which will help. This is when finest keto weightloss pills start working. They are available in some different varieties and every one of them has various roles and functions. Some of these pills are compatible with supplementation, while others will hurry the fat eliminating process. Now, what should you understand about them before starting the procedure?

The idea of keto pills

Should you be into the keto diet program - whether doing the work or thinking about it, you possess probably noticed a myriad of keto weight loss pills available. They are accessible on the internet in keto shops, but there are also them in huge supermarkets. Just proceed to the health supplement area and chances are you will see plenty of options. But exactly what are they and how would they help you?

Obtain the Lowest Discount Cost to get the best Keto Capsules Health supplement Here

While not an over-all principle, greatest keto pills have an amalgam of varied materials. Above all, they are based on BHB (Beta Hydroxybutyrate) salts keto bhb capsules . They can even be together with sodium and the mineral magnesium. Exactly what is the role on this cocktail? Straightforward - it can enhance the body's levels of energy by pumping more energy to the bloodstream. The vitality will never last, but it will unquestionably assist.

The typical concept behind these capsules is to force the body in the state of ketosis. In fact, and this is what the actual diet does. Ketosis is actually a metabolic condition. If you achieve it, your system will mostly depend on body fat to be able to give power for your system. Their state happens when the numbers of sugar are limited, and so the physique searches for another supply.

To help you recognize, ketosis takes place when the levels of blood ketone attain distinct ranges. Differing people have diverse functionality guidelines, but also for instance, most people will make it to the ketosis state if the levels are in 1mmol/L. This is where the getting rid of procedure commences. The greater number of you can preserve it moving, the higher it really is for the looks and excess fat amounts.

Distinct companies may give various quality specifications for his or her keto weight loss pills. Some pills taste excellent, however are not very effective. Some other folks feature a awful taste, but their productivity is higher. Remember at this time, you need productivity over flavor, however will not be very impressed to find premium quality products that can provide each.

The keto eating habits are an idea focused entirely on only foods. Its primary part would be to melt obstinate and excess fat, but without endangering the consumer. Pretty much, the user will get a respectable amount of healthy proteins and also other healthful nutrients, but a small quantity of carbohydrates. The general idea is to obtain unhealthy calories from excess fat, rather than carbs.

The diet program operates on the basic basic principle. It pieces sugars stores from the body, so that it will inevitably begin wearing down extra fat for added energy. As a straight consequence, your body begins generating a lot more ketones (distinct molecules) for energy. The overall idea is simple - fat reduction implies weight loss, in addition to better looks along with a healthier life-style.

Ever since the diet regime might seem somewhat prohibitive for a few, there are several supplements along the way which can help. This is where finest keto diet pills kick in. These come in some different kinds and each one has diverse functions and purposes. A few of these pills are compatible with supplementation, although some will dash excess fat burning approach. Now, what should you understand about them prior to starting the procedure?

The very idea of keto supplements

In case you are in to the keto diet program - whether doing the work or thinking about it, you possess probably discovered all sorts of keto diet pills on the market. They are available on the internet in keto stores, but there are also them in large grocery stores. Simply proceed to the health supplement section and chances are you will find a lot of alternatives. But just what are they and how can they allow you to?

Get the Lowest Discounted Value for the Best Keto Capsules Health supplement In this article

Without a general tip, finest keto supplements include an amalgam of numerous materials. Above all, they will be based upon BHB (Beta Hydroxybutyrate) salts. They can even be combined with sodium and magnesium. Just what is the part of the cocktail? Easy - it would increase the body's energy levels by pumping much more vitality in the blood. The vitality will never go very far, but it really will definitely support.

The general strategy behind these supplements is usually to press the entire body in the condition of ketosis. In fact, this is what the actual diet plan does. Ketosis is practically a metabolic state. Whenever you achieve it, your system will mostly depend on excess fat to be able to supply energy for your entire body. The state happens when the quantities of glucose are limited, and so the entire body actively seeks another source.

To help you recognize, ketosis takes place when the amounts of blood flow ketone attain certain amounts. Each person have various functionality guidelines, however, for case in point, many people will reach the ketosis condition once the ranges are in 1mmol/L. This is when the eliminating process begins. The more you can keep it going, the higher it is to your appears and body fat levels.

Distinct suppliers may give diverse top quality specifications for his or her keto weight loss pills. Some capsules flavor great, but they are not very efficient. Some others feature a terrible flavor, however their effectiveness is higher. Take into account at this stage, you would like productivity over preference, but usually do not be surprised to get high quality items that can provide both.