Have you run up large debts on your credit cards? If so, you might want to consider seeking the services of a credit card debt consultant. While some people are quite capable of managing this type of problem themselves, many others prefer to get professional help. It can also be hard to make rational decisions about how to proceed when you are experiencing financial difficulties and are unable to see a way out of the mess.
Fortunately, it is not hard to find a credit card debt consultant who can help you. However, you must make sure that you select someone with a good reputation and a proven track record. Perhaps the best way to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable and effective consultant is to get a personal recommendation from someone who has used their services in the past.
Once you engage a debt advisor, they will start by examining your income, debts, assets and liabilities in order to assess the health of your overall financial situation. Then they will be able to set up a weekly plan for reducing your debts and eventually getting rid of them completely. At the same time, they can advise you on the steps you should take to repair your credit rating and raise your credit score.
However, you do need to understand that a credit card debt consultant can only help you to manage your situation if you follow the advice and guidelines they give you. This means that you will need to make some changes to your lifestyle and rein in your spending, which is sure to involve some pain on your part.
Since they tend to know more about these matters than the rest of us, a good debt management professional can save you a lot of money, even when you take their fees into account. They have to stay up-to-date on all the developments in the world of economics and finance. A credit card debt consultant will know all the latest tips and tricks, and will be able to locate the best available deals on card balance transfers and so on.
So, if you feel you are drowning in credit card debt and cannot figure out how to fix your problems, do yourself a favor and seek some professional help. You will probably be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get back on the road to financial freedom.
Friday, 19 September 2008
What Is Vitamin B 12?
Your body needs a regular supply of vitamins and minerals in order to function properly. One of these essential nutrients is vitamin B 12, which is also known as cobalmin or cyanocobalamine.
It plays an important role in the development of the red blood cells, and in the maintenance of the nervous system. In particular, the nerves in the brain need vitamin B 12 to form their protective fatty layer. This vitamin also helps ensure that the white blood cells are working correctly so that they can keep the immune system in good shape.
Vitamin B 12 is found in animal proteins such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. Most people eat these foods every day, and therefore ingest more than enough of this nutrient. Vegans, as well as those vegetarians who do not consume sufficient quantities of animal protein, have to compensate by taking supplements or eating breakfast cereals or dairy products that have been fortified with B 12.
Some people have trouble absorbing vitamin B 12, and can therefore develop a deficiency even if they eat plenty of the correct foods. A person who has a B 12 deficiency can develop a kind of anemia where the red blood cells are abnormally large but fewer in number than usual. Other effects include tiredness and dizziness, unexplained bruising, palpitations, shortness of breath and hair loss. In extreme cases, the nerve damage that results from not having enough vitamin B 12 causes confusion and dementia.
If you suffer from this type of anemia, you should take iron and B 12 supplements, and eat more foods that contain these elements. Good sources include red meat, liver, fish, poultry, leafy vegetables, wheat germ and dried fruit. You should also avoid drinking too much tea, which can decrease the body's ability to utilize both vitamin B 12 and iron, and take more vitamin C, which helps in the absorption process.
An estimated 10 to 15 percent of adults over 65 have a form of B 12 deficiency called pernicious anemia. This is caused by a drop in the body's production of intrinsic factor, which aids in the absorption of the nutrient. Symptoms range from weakness, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet and a sore tongue to personality changes, memory loss and delusions. Treatment generally consists of regular B 12 injections, which need to be taken for life.
If you suspect that you might not be getting enough vitamin B 12, you should check your diet and see your doctor as soon as possible.
It plays an important role in the development of the red blood cells, and in the maintenance of the nervous system. In particular, the nerves in the brain need vitamin B 12 to form their protective fatty layer. This vitamin also helps ensure that the white blood cells are working correctly so that they can keep the immune system in good shape.
Vitamin B 12 is found in animal proteins such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. Most people eat these foods every day, and therefore ingest more than enough of this nutrient. Vegans, as well as those vegetarians who do not consume sufficient quantities of animal protein, have to compensate by taking supplements or eating breakfast cereals or dairy products that have been fortified with B 12.
Some people have trouble absorbing vitamin B 12, and can therefore develop a deficiency even if they eat plenty of the correct foods. A person who has a B 12 deficiency can develop a kind of anemia where the red blood cells are abnormally large but fewer in number than usual. Other effects include tiredness and dizziness, unexplained bruising, palpitations, shortness of breath and hair loss. In extreme cases, the nerve damage that results from not having enough vitamin B 12 causes confusion and dementia.
If you suffer from this type of anemia, you should take iron and B 12 supplements, and eat more foods that contain these elements. Good sources include red meat, liver, fish, poultry, leafy vegetables, wheat germ and dried fruit. You should also avoid drinking too much tea, which can decrease the body's ability to utilize both vitamin B 12 and iron, and take more vitamin C, which helps in the absorption process.
An estimated 10 to 15 percent of adults over 65 have a form of B 12 deficiency called pernicious anemia. This is caused by a drop in the body's production of intrinsic factor, which aids in the absorption of the nutrient. Symptoms range from weakness, nausea, tingling in the hands and feet and a sore tongue to personality changes, memory loss and delusions. Treatment generally consists of regular B 12 injections, which need to be taken for life.
If you suspect that you might not be getting enough vitamin B 12, you should check your diet and see your doctor as soon as possible.
Buying a Digital Camera
These days, most people who are shopping for a camera are looking at digital models. If you are thinking about buying a digital camera, you need to spend some time researching the different specifications and products in the market. Don’t make the mistake of going out to a camera store without having at least some idea of what you are looking for. If you come across as clueless, some unscrupulous salesperson might try to convince you that you need one of the most sophisticated and expensive items in the store.
First of all, think about what you are going to use your digital camera for. If you want to take great photos of your family, friends and vacation spots, you will be able to find plenty of easy-to-use models that let you simply aim and shoot to produce better pictures than ever before. A digital photography enthusiast, on the other hand, will be more concerned about specific features such as zooming, resolution and shutter speed.
The next thing to consider is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on your new digital camera? There are models to suit every budget, but you might have to choose carefully if you need any particularly advanced features. Don’t forget that you might also want to buy extra gadgets such as additional memory cards, a printer, a remote control or a tripod so that you can make full use of your digital camera. Batteries also add to the cost, and will need to be replaced frequently unless you opt for a model that takes rechargeable batteries.
Then you should figure out what kind of features you need. These are the most important:
- Resolution. For most people, picture quality, or resolution, is the number one consideration. It is measured in megapixels (millions of pixels, or dots). The higher the number the sharper the image will be, which is especially important if it is enlarged. You should aim for a minimum of 2 or 3 megapixels’ resolution in your digital camera, although a real photography aficionado might look for one with 5, 6 or more megapixels.
- Shutter speed. You probably know about shutter speeds if you are accustomed to using a film camera. If you want to take action shots you will need a fast shutter speed, but for most digital camera users 2000 should be sufficient. This represents a speed of just 1/2000 of a second.
- Zoom. Better quality cameras feature an optical zoom, while less expensive models will have digital zooming.
- Memory card. While all digital cameras have some built-in memory for storing photos, you will probably want to purchase an extra memory card. There are a few different types, so you must make sure that you get the one that works with your camera. Memory cards are also offered in a wide range of storage sizes, so that you can pick a size that suits your requirements. Remember that you might not need the largest card available, since you will be able to transfer your photos to your computer when you get home.
- LCD display. The LCD screen on the back of the camera allows you to frame the image and view it clearly before you shoot. You can also use it to review the photographs stored in the memory and delete any that you don’t like. LCD displays are normally between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches in size. Be aware that the larger ones consume a lot of battery power.
- Size and feel. Try the camera out before you buy it. It is important to hold it to gauge the weight and make sure that you are comfortable with the position and feel of the buttons. You should also check the LCD display to see if it is large enough, play with the zoom and look through the viewfinder. Most digital cameras aimed at the everyday user are light and compact, while the professional models tend to be larger and heavier.
Now that you have a better idea of what to look for in a good digital camera, you will be better equipped to go out and purchase one that you will get a great deal of pleasure from using. You might also want to check the internet for websites that provide ratings and reviews of specific models.
First of all, think about what you are going to use your digital camera for. If you want to take great photos of your family, friends and vacation spots, you will be able to find plenty of easy-to-use models that let you simply aim and shoot to produce better pictures than ever before. A digital photography enthusiast, on the other hand, will be more concerned about specific features such as zooming, resolution and shutter speed.
The next thing to consider is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on your new digital camera? There are models to suit every budget, but you might have to choose carefully if you need any particularly advanced features. Don’t forget that you might also want to buy extra gadgets such as additional memory cards, a printer, a remote control or a tripod so that you can make full use of your digital camera. Batteries also add to the cost, and will need to be replaced frequently unless you opt for a model that takes rechargeable batteries.
Then you should figure out what kind of features you need. These are the most important:
- Resolution. For most people, picture quality, or resolution, is the number one consideration. It is measured in megapixels (millions of pixels, or dots). The higher the number the sharper the image will be, which is especially important if it is enlarged. You should aim for a minimum of 2 or 3 megapixels’ resolution in your digital camera, although a real photography aficionado might look for one with 5, 6 or more megapixels.
- Shutter speed. You probably know about shutter speeds if you are accustomed to using a film camera. If you want to take action shots you will need a fast shutter speed, but for most digital camera users 2000 should be sufficient. This represents a speed of just 1/2000 of a second.
- Zoom. Better quality cameras feature an optical zoom, while less expensive models will have digital zooming.
- Memory card. While all digital cameras have some built-in memory for storing photos, you will probably want to purchase an extra memory card. There are a few different types, so you must make sure that you get the one that works with your camera. Memory cards are also offered in a wide range of storage sizes, so that you can pick a size that suits your requirements. Remember that you might not need the largest card available, since you will be able to transfer your photos to your computer when you get home.
- LCD display. The LCD screen on the back of the camera allows you to frame the image and view it clearly before you shoot. You can also use it to review the photographs stored in the memory and delete any that you don’t like. LCD displays are normally between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches in size. Be aware that the larger ones consume a lot of battery power.
- Size and feel. Try the camera out before you buy it. It is important to hold it to gauge the weight and make sure that you are comfortable with the position and feel of the buttons. You should also check the LCD display to see if it is large enough, play with the zoom and look through the viewfinder. Most digital cameras aimed at the everyday user are light and compact, while the professional models tend to be larger and heavier.
Now that you have a better idea of what to look for in a good digital camera, you will be better equipped to go out and purchase one that you will get a great deal of pleasure from using. You might also want to check the internet for websites that provide ratings and reviews of specific models.
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