Financial Analysis for Jack in the Box Inc.

Financial Analysis for Jack in the Box Inc. Introduction The financial statements do not provide a comprehensive overview of the financial performance of the company. Therefore, it is important to use several techniques to evaluate the financial performance of the company. An example of such a technique is ratio analysis. Ratio analysis enables the stakeholders to evaluate the profitability, liquidity, and solvency of the company.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Analysis for Jack in the Box Inc. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Besides, ratios provide a common base for comparing the performance of the company with other companies in the same industry. This guides the stakeholders in making decisions that relate to their association with the company. The treatise provides an analysis of the information presented in the balance sheet. It also carried out ratio analysis. Current assets The current assets in the balance sheet should be arranged in the or der of liquidity. This implies that the most liquid asset should be recorded first. In most cases, cash will be the first item because it is the most liquid. The balance sheet of Jack in the Box Inc. follows this order. The most liquid item that is, cash and cash equivalent is first in the list while the last item is other current assets. The balance sheet can also be prepared in order of permanence. In this case, the non-current assets will be first in the list followed by current assets arranged in order of permanence. The value of current assets declined from $231,181 in 2012 to $175,429 in 2013. The decrease amounted to $55,752. Total assets The company classifies the assets into current assets and records the non-current assets in separate lines for each of the items. Therefore, the current assets are listed and a total of the current assets is provided. The other assets that are listed on separate lines are property and equipment (at cost, accumulated depreciation and net book value), goodwill, and other assets. The total assets amounted to $1,463,725 for the year 2012 and $1,360,418 for the year 2013. Therefore, there was a decline in the value of total assets by $103,307. Cash equivalents Cash equivalents are investment securities that have low risk and low return. These securities are extremely liquid, they are short-term and have a great credit quality. The examples of these securities are corporate commercial paper, Treasury bills, and certificates of deposits. Current liabilities The reported amount of current liabilities at the end of the year 2013 was made up of current maturities of long-term debt ($20,931), accounts payable ($26,594), and accrued liabilities ($169,792). The total current liabilities at the end of that period amounted to $217,317. Further, the items that made up current liabilities for the year 2012 were current maturities of long-term debt ($15,952), accounts payable ($94,713), and accrued liabilities ($164,637). Thus, the tota l current liabilities at the end of the year 2012 amounted to $275,302. Therefore, it can be noted that there was a decline in the amount of current liabilities by $57,985.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Usefulness of the balances reported Analysis of current assets, total assets and current liabilities of the company is an important aspect to a potential investors, creditors and employees. The current assets and current liabilities give information on the working capital financing policy used by the company. It also provides information on the liquidity of the company. For example, the value of current liabilities exceeded the value of current assets. This shows that the company is experiencing problems in paying current liabilities. It may also imply that the company is using an aggressive working capital financing policy. This may not be a good indication to in vestors, creditors and employees. The value of total assets gives information on the asset base of the company. Growth in the value of total assets shows that the company is experiencing growth in performance. However, a decline in the amount of total assets does not provide a favorable sign to the potential investors, creditors and employees. Calculation of ratios The table presented below shows the calculation of ratios. The end year values will be used in the calculation. Ratios 2013 2012 Liquidity Current ratio Current assets / current liabilities 175,429 / 217,317 0.8072 231,181 / 275,302 0.8397 Quick ratio (Current assets – inventory) / current liabilities (175,429 – 8,203) / 217,317 0.7695 (231,181 – 7,752) / 275,302 0.8116 Receivables turnover Credit sales / accounts receivables 1,151,886 / 41,972 27.44 1,160,397 / 78,798 14.73 Inventory turnover Cost of sales / inventory 1,151,886 / 8,203 140.42 1,160,397 / 7,752 149.69 Profitability ra tios Asset turnover Sales / total assets 1,151,886 / 1,489,407 0.7734 1,160,397 / 1,529,650 0.7586 Profit margin Net profit / revenue 28,324 / 1,151,886 2.46% 45,174 / 1,160,397 3.89% Return on assets Net profit / total assets 28,324 / 1,489,407 1.90% 45,174 / 1,529,650 2.95% Return on common stockholder’s equity Net profit / shareholder’s equity 28,324 / 417,231 6.79% 45,174 / 411,945 10.97% Solvency ratios Debt to total assets Total debt / total assets (359,514 + 20,931) / 1,489,407 0.2554 (405,276 + 15,952) / 1,529,650 0.2754 Times interest earned Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) / interest expense 101,506 / 12,061 8.4161 times 89,704 / 14,962 5.9955 times Interpretation of ratios Liquidity The current ratio declined from 0.8397 in 2012 to 0.8072 in 2013 while the quick ratio declined from 0.8116 in 2012 to 0.7695 in 2013. The decline is not a good indication and it may discourage the debt providers, creditors and investors. It shows th at the company is facing problems in paying debts. Besides, it shows that the current assets cannot adequately cover current liabilities. Receivables turnover increased from 14.73 in 2012 to 27.44. The ratio shows an improvement in efficiency because the company can collect debt within a shorter period of time. The inventory turnover ratio declined from 149.69 in 2012 to 140.42 in 2013. The decline is not a good sign because it shows a reduction in the movement of stock. A supplier, debtor, debt provider, and an investor will be interested in these ratios because they measure the efficiency and management of liquidity. Profitability The asset turnover ratio declined from 0.7586 in 2012 to 0.7734 in 2013. The increase was attributed to a decline in the value of total asset. It shows that the amount of sales generated per unit of total assets increased. The profit margin declined from 3.89% in 2012 to 2.46% in 2013. The decline implies that the profitability reduced. It shows that the company is not efficient in managing pricing and the cost of running the business.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Analysis for Jack in the Box Inc. specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Further, return on assets declined from 2.95% in 2012 to 1.90% in 2013. This shows a decline in the ability of the company to generate sales from the assets available. Finally, the return on shareholder’s equity declined from 10.97% in 2012 to 6.79% in 2013. This shows a decline in efficiency of the company in using the capital provided by shareholders to generate profit. Profitability ratios are important to all the users these are, debtors, supplier, investors, employees, government, investors, community, and debtor providers. Solvency The debt to asset ratio provides information on the leverage level of the company. The ratio declined from 0.2754 in 2012 to 0.2554 in 2013. This shows a decline in leverage. A potentia l investor and a debt provider will be interested in this ratio because it gives information on the leverage risk of the company. A low ratio implies that the company has a low level of leverage risk and this will attract investors. The times interest earned ratio measures the number of times the interest expense can be paid from EBIT. The ratio increased from 5.9955 times in 2012 to 8.4161 times in 2013. The increase can be attributed to an increase in profitability and a decline in interest expense. A potential investor and a debt provider will be interested in this ratio because it measures the solvency of the company. Conclusion The discussion above shows that the company experienced a decline in performance in the year 2013. First, the company reported a decline in total assets and current liabilities. It implies that the overall financial position of the company declined. Secondly, the liquidity ratios reveal that the company is experiencing problems in paying current obligati ons. Thirdly, the profitability ratios show that there was a decline in profitability in 2013. Finally, the leverage level and solvency of the company improved because the amount of debt reduced. Therefore, it can be concluded that the overall financial position of the company declined in 2013.

Free Essays on Major Molineux

of Bob Dylan, â€Å" These times, they are changing,† a symbolic message, echoes in the form of a relationship between the self and the world of a reality created by the eyes of the beholder. This reality of perception, manifested by the individual, is constantly evolving through experience, self-enlightenment, and the acquiring of knowledge. The poet and author Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates these natural truths in the outward appearance of a short story titled â€Å" My Kinsman, Major Molineux.† Within the contents of this tale, a young lad named Robin sets off from his home in the country, on a journey to the little metropolis of a New England colony in search of his uncle Major Molineux. Robin’s intentions are to fulfill a past year’s promise given by his affluent uncle to come and live with him in the city. With a scant amount of wages given to him by his father, and the tattered articles of clothing on his back, this youth optimistically ventures on the road of self-discovery. Through several encounters with the local inhabitance, Robin’s black and white perceptions of the world around him, begin to blend into gray, as he starts to question the very basis of his understanding, stemming from what his uncle had told him just one year earlier. This transition involves the abandoning of the preset notions of adolescence in exchange for the knowledge that one gains through their own experiences. In Robin’s case, these experiences open his eyes to what kind of man ! his uncle really is. Delving further into the inquisition of these natural truths, one must examine their underlying effects on the central characters of the story to understand how the changes of one’s reality are at a constant rate. The character of Major Molineux represents an ego trapped within a self-indulged idealism. He refuses to adaptively change to the world around him, maintaining an out of date mode of thinking. At ... Free Essays on Major Molineux Free Essays on Major Molineux In the immortal words of Bob Dylan, â€Å" These times, they are changing,† a symbolic message, echoes in the form of a relationship between the self and the world of a reality created by the eyes of the beholder. This reality of perception, manifested by the individual, is constantly evolving through experience, self-enlightenment, and the acquiring of knowledge. The poet and author Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates these natural truths in the outward appearance of a short story titled â€Å" My Kinsman, Major Molineux.† Within the contents of this tale, a young lad named Robin sets off from his home in the country, on a journey to the little metropolis of a New England colony in search of his uncle Major Molineux. Robin’s intentions are to fulfill a past year’s promise given by his affluent uncle to come and live with him in the city. With a scant amount of wages given to him by his father, and the tattered articles of clothing on his back, this youth optimistically ventures on the road of self-discovery. Through several encounters with the local inhabitance, Robin’s black and white perceptions of the world around him, begin to blend into gray, as he starts to question the very basis of his understanding, stemming from what his uncle had told him just one year earlier. This transition involves the abandoning of the preset notions of adolescence in exchange for the knowledge that one gains through their own experiences. In Robin’s case, these experiences open his eyes to what kind of man ! his uncle really is. Delving further into the inquisition of these natural truths, one must examine their underlying effects on the central characters of the story to understand how the changes of one’s reality are at a constant rate. The character of Major Molineux represents an ego trapped within a self-indulged idealism. He refuses to adaptively change to the world around him, maintaining an out of date mode of thinking. At ...

Final Version Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Final Version - Essay Example Moreover, according to the song, they only spent one night together. Despite this short romance, he loves her so much that his love for her deepens with each mile she travels further away from him. However, I find this unrealistic to say the least. Nonetheless, for most young people, this can be a perfect way to find love. Sometimes people want to feel and live these emotions, so they do not really care whether these emotions result in pain or not. During the teenage to young adult period, love is mostly bitter because it is impossible to think logically at all. On the other hand, you are not able to think reasonably when you love. But when love is mutual, it gives someone the powerful motivation to create, explore, and develop. It truly gives you wings. Still, you never get to know how much you really love, how strong your feelings are, or how beautiful the real love can be until you lose it or at least are on the edge of losing it. Unfortunately, in our lives this is the way it works for most people; until we lose something, we rarely appreciate what we have. This is the natural sequence of things; we learn, we reevaluate, we change, and we grow. Without making mistakes and learning from them, we would not be able to be who we are now. One phrase of the song makes me feel really sorry for the man. He thinks that she went to another city just to escape from him. If this is the way things are, then even that one proposed meeting will probably mean very little to her. If she does not care for him, and does not regard him as a potential boyfriend, then his love is doomed to be unshared and he will remain unhappy. I think that the first values that are found through the whole song is the importance to live each minute to the fullest, take every good chance that comes your way, and don’t lose opportunities because they come around very rarely. The man was unsure and felt scared to

Personal Ethic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Ethic - Essay Example My friends and close family relatives taught me to respect other people, show them empathy and uphold my integrity in order to earn respect from others. In this case, my interactions with friends are based on the ethical values and some important behaviours include calmness, cooperation and mutual trust in resolving conflicts with colleagues. Another behaviour that is important to me is the ability to listen carefully to alternative views and treat others with respect. My personal ethics implies that I am capable of making prudent decisions and handling difficult situations in a group. During situations when my values are in conflict, my integrity and honest takes priority since these values enable me make the most appropriate decision in difficult circumstances. My personal commitment to a world of justice and equal opportunities has shaped my value priorities since integrity enables me do the right thing and remain non-judgmental or desist from conflicts of interest that my hinder me from making the most ethical decisions. Some of the principles that I follow include the trust, privacy, transparency, freedom of speech and conscience. I am reasonable and my personal ethics is guided by the desire to attain justice, autonomy, independence, compassion and respect for others. I can attain these ideal goals through fostering free speech, respecting individual privacy, being trustworthy and ensuring transparency. I will be courageous and I will embody justice in order to make responsible choices. Some behaviours that I advocate for include fair treatment of individuals, fair justice processes, fair compensation and avoidance of bullying or abusive behaviours during conflicts. I am capable of managing situations that may not be aligned with my personal ethics by avoiding my ethical blind spots through considering my ethical principles of independence, justice, autonomy and compassion while interacting with

Employee perception on suggestion scheme Essay Example for Free

Employee perception on suggestion scheme Essay Introduction:- Suggestion scheme is a formalized mechanism which encourages employees to contribute constructive ideas for improving the organisation in which they work. The overall aim is to gather, analyse and implement ideas in order to create results that have a positive impact on the business and/or deliver new value to customers. There are two approaches to the suggestion scheme * Traditional approach-which offers cash to their employees for the suggestions they provide. * Participative approach-continuous improvement in employee job profile through higher level of participation. SCREENING OF THE SUGGESTION Every suggestion is evaluated as per the criteria adaptability, creativity, originality and efforts, taken by the suggestor/employee. The amount of award is indicated with proper calculation and understanding of committee. If there is rejection then similar remark is indicated. Generally award is given when the suggestion is implemented. However if the suggestions are accepted and the course of implementation is longer, then interim award is given to the suggestor/employee to keep up his moral. In the same format other information regarding the implementing is indicated. A certificate is given to the suggestor/employee when the suggestion is accepted. This is signed by the chairman of the scheme or some top/ respectable person in the organization. In the good cultured company there is practice of giving a certificate of appreciation to the suggestor/employee even if it gets rejected. Often it carries good value to the suggestor/employee. It is more than money for some of them. Objective:- Primary objective:- * To understand employee suggestion scheme. Secondary objective:- * To analyse effective implementation of suggestions availed by employees. * To interpret initialisation in the part of management in processing the provided suggestions. * To measure employee-superior relationship and support. * To integrate creativity and constructive aptitude and attitude in non-personnel employees. * To set up a management infrastructure to generate ideas, evaluate and capture quality ideas and sustain constant flow of ideas.

Knee Ligament Injury Essay -- essays research papers

Knee Ligament Injury   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Your knees are mobile joints that allow you to walk, climb, sit, and kneel. Ligaments stabilize your knee joints for these movements. When you injure a ligament, it may feel as though your knee won’t even hold you up. Fortunately, you and your healthcare team can work together to return you to an active lifestyles.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Two ligaments in the knees are most likely to be injured. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is in the center of the knee. It is often injured by a twisting motion, such as pivoting wrong or falling awkwardly. This unfortunately is one of the ligaments that I tore. The other ligament, the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is on the inside of the knee. It is normally injured from a blow to the side of the knee. This is common in contact sports such as football and soccer. Injury to either ligament causes pain and weakens the knee joint. Without treatment, the patient may develop many other knee problems that can have lasting effects.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Proper care can make the knee joint stable again. It takes teamwork: you, your doctor, and your physical therapist all working together. Before the knee can be treated, an evaluation is needed. After treatment, the patient plays a large role in the recovery of the knee. An evaluation helps the doctor know how severe the particular injury is. It also points to your best treatment options. The sooner the knee is evaluated. The sooner the patient can be treated, and the better the chance of full recovery. Unfortunately I was unable to get my knee repaired right away. Dr. Freddie Fu informed me that my knee will return to 95% capacity of what it was at before the tear. He informed me that 90% of people never return to 100% utilization of the knee. Dr. Fu also told me that since I am young, active, and healthy this surgery does not present any long term problems with my knee.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A knee ligament injury can be treated in one of two ways: nonsurgically or surgically. Your treatment depends on how severe the individual’s injury is and how active this person hopes to be afterwards. Rehabilitation is a major part of your treatment whether or not you have surgery. I am scheduled to have surgery May 19, 2005 which means I am in for an intensive 6 month rehabilitation assignment after surgery i... ... actually re-injure the knee. A slight pull in the muscles is what is to be felt, but no pain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Near the end of rehabilitation, different exercises may be started. Instead of working on certain muscles groups that directly affect the knee, practicing movements that occur natural is beneficial. This prepares the person to return to the chosen sport, work, or pastime. An example of a movement would be a football player running different pass patterns or figures 8’s. Using rubber tubing is exactly what Dr. Fu recommends doing. He explained how hopping sideways with the tube around the waist at slight tension can prepare the knee for sideways motions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is a beginning and an end to the formal rehabilitation processes. But, the patient must protect the knee and maintain strength for the rest of there lifetime. Wearing a brace is essential for high-risk involvements and movements, such as the twisting and turning motions common in sports. The physical therapist upon departure of their clinic will give advice and pamphlets on what should be done on a daily basis. Following these directions lead to a healthy, pain-free life.

Economics Essay

Poverty can be measured on different scales through many ways like through a Lorenz curve, a graph of the cumulative distribution function of a probability distribution which is used in representing income distribution. Lorenz curve shows distribution of assets and is considered a measure of social inequality. Gini coefficient can also be used in measuring poverty. Gini coefficient measures statistical dispersion and is usually used in measuring inequality of income distribution. High Gini coefficient means or indicates that there is high unequal distribution observed while a lower Gini coefficient indicates that there is a high equal income distribution. Trade benefits a nation in many ways. In the law of comparative advantage partners are allowed to benefit from specializing in producing services and goods they make best. When producers make goods in which they are comparably skilled or trained at, those goods increase in quality and number. Trade also improves suitability in allocation of resources. It brings goods and services to others who value them. Trade allows consumers to have more efficient production methods. Large productions are good in reducing product costs. Lower production costs may lead to much cheaper services and goods which may increase living standards. Human capital, one of the factors of production which refers to the reserve of technical knowledge and productive skills found in labor. It is one of the factors which influence an economic system like in market economy. An example to this is the market economy in the U. S. in which workers acquire knowledge and skills. Training and education increases human capital which make the worker more precious to their employers. Today, software developers and computer programmers are in demand making them more trained and skilled resulting to a high human capital and this in turn may benefit the economic system that the U. S. has.

Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind

Margaret Mitchell’s celebrated novel Gone With the Wind weaves a wonderful love story that happened in the eve of the American Civil War. Almost everyone has known the two lovebirds named Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler, whose tempestuous love affair and memorable lines popularized in the film version of the novel. The Civil War background, the pathos of the South’s defeat, the poverty and suffering (with its clear parallels to the 1930s depression) and eventual economic triumph of Scarlett, so cheering to readers with little to feel cheerful about, and then the â€Å"realistic† ending with its bitter-sweet parting of Rhett and Scarlett, contained more excitement than a dozen lesser novels. All readers are enthralled about the details of how the Southern life runs, the humor, the dozens of colorful minor characters all presented in competent and flowery prose. Definitely, it is a must-read novel for love story fanatics who don’t mind to get a strong dose of American history to go along with the love affair of the main characters. Actually, Gone with the Wind is not solely a love story because it is considered as a coming-of-age story of Scarlett O’Hara. At the novel’s opening in 1861, Scarlett O’Hara is a sixteen-year-old Southern belle, when it concludes in 1873 she is a twenty eight year-old woman. Millichap (1994) recounted that in the twelve year span of the novel, Scarlett â€Å"experiences Secession, Civil War, and Reconstruction, as well as romance, love, marriage, and motherhood. Scarlett lives through the adolescent trauma of American culture, which is matched by a traumatic personal history as much or more tumultuous†. She was fuelled by her own life and that’s why â€Å"Mitchell created one of the most arresting tales of troubled adolescence in American literature and in so doing created a novel which will continue to captivate teenagers and fascinate their teachers well into the next century†. The relevance of this novel in American history is that Scarlett is caught up in the historic period like the Secession, Civil War, and Reconstruction that we all studied in our history class. When the Southwest was defeated during the Civil War, the huge plantations were destroyed and the slaves were freed. This prompted plantation owners to suffer greatly from their downfall. The American Civil War also interrupted cotton supplies that had disastrous effects in the United States. The Great Hunger of the 1840s was a time of agrarian crisis and industrial slump. We can all experience these parts of American history as readers go through the life of Scarlett O’Hara. By reading the novel, we can see the events that transpired during these periods through the eyes of a woman struggling to redeem herself from all the difficulties brought about by the events that happened. In this way, readers can learn about American history when reading the novel as these were intertwined with the life of the heroine in the Mitchell’s novel. For younger readers, Scarlett O’Hara’s development from teenaged girl to mature woman proves as fascinating now as it did when the book was first published in 1936 or when the movie first appeared in 1939. The particular, indeed peculiar energy of the story proceeds from Mitchell’s own girlhood, adolescence, and young adult life. During these years she heard the family legends of the Civil War era into which she projected her own development toward womanhood. The novel combines Mitchell’s family and personal romances with historical facts to create powerful and popular fiction. Also, it was a great hit during the time of its publication because many people can relate it to the Great Depression that happened in the 1920s. As Beye (1993) writes: Gone With the Wind was published in the depths of the Great Depression. The years of the Depression were followed by the Second World War. It is not hard to see how it spoke to an American audience of that period. The economic and social disaster that the Civil War brought to the white aristocracy of the old South is a good metaphor for the economic and social dislocation that millions of ordinary Americans experienced between 1936 and 1946. Suddenly vast numbers of people were devastated by hunger, homelessness, and joblessness. Often, however, they were also freed from middle class gentility; women especially were freed from propriety; classes were mixed up; immigrant groups became richer and freer in the experience of America; war made women independent of men as never before. Reading the book was an awe-inspiring experience, although there are parts that can be dragging. All in all, the love story was quite enthralling indeed and readers can both enjoy the plot of the story and take a slice of American history without a sweat. Works Cited Beye, Charles Rowan. â€Å"Gone with the Wind, and Good Riddance, Southwest Review 78.3 (Summer 1993): 366-80. Millichap, Joseph R. â€Å"Margaret Mitchell: Overview†, in Berger, Laura Standley (Ed.), Twentieth-Century Young Adult Writers, 1st ed. Detroit: St. James Press, 1994. Mitchell, Margaret. Gone With the Wind.

What Are the Health Benefits of Fenugreek

What Are the Health Benefits of Fenugreek SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Fenugreek is truly a multi-purpose herb. People from Western Asia and the Mediterranean have used fenugreek for thousands of years to flavor food, improve health, and soothe skin maladies. In more recent years, fenugreek has gained global popularity as anherbalsupplement with a variety ofhealth benefits. While fenugreek has many promising applications, not all of its uses have yet been backed up by rigorous scientific examination. This guide will tell you which of fenugreek’s health benefits are supportedby evidence, and which ones remain more folklore than fact. Read on to learn what fenugreek is, what it does in the body, and where you can buy fenugreek to try it for yourself. To start, what exactly is this multifunctional herb? What Is Fenugreek? Fenugreek (scientific name Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a plant native to Western Asia and the Mediterranean. It has three green or yellow oblong leaves, which can be consumed fresh or dried. Fenugreek leaves and seeds areimportant for cooking and medicines. Fenugreek seeds, also known as methi seeds, are a common ingredient in Indian curries, as well as Turkish, Persian, Eritrean, Ethiopian, and Egyptian cuisine. Because of their sweet, maple-syrup like smell and flavor, fenugreek seeds are also added to artificial maple syrup, candies, ice cream, beverages, tobacco, soaps, and cosmetics. While people use fenugreek seeds ina wide array of products today, they have also been consuming themfor thousands of years. Archaeologists have discovered cooked fenugreek seeds in Iraq dating back to 4,000 BC! Not only do fenugreek seeds taste good, but they have several health benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the composition of fenugreek or methiseedsto figure out why they work as an effective herbal supplement. Fenugreekseeds are where the medicinal magic happens. What Makes Fenugreek Work? Important Compounds As you’ll read below, the health benefits of fenugreekinvolve the regulation of blood sugar, stimulation of milk flow in new mothers, maintenance of hormones, and treatment of inflammation. Scientists have broken down some of the main compounds in fenugreek seeds to get to the root of the herb's beneficialeffects. These are some of the most important ones: Trigonelline: a betaine molecule also present in coffee and alfalfa that may help prevent and treat diabetes. 4-hydroxyisoleucineand2-oxoglutarate: molecules with aninsulin-stimulating effect. Protodioscin: compound that may have aphrodisiac effects. Diosgenin and Yamogenin: compounds used in the commercial synthesis of progesterone and other steroid products. 3-Hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone: compound that causes amaple-syrup scentin body excretions. Now that you’ve started to get a sense of itsmain uses, let’s look closer at what fenugreekdoes and why it works. First, though, a word of caution about herbal supplements. Look before you leap! Some retailers care more about their bottom line than your health. Why You Should Be Cautious AboutHerbal Supplements Herbal remedies can be very effective alternative treatments to prescription medication. At the same time, there’s a big business of retailers that exaggerate health claims to market their products and make money. The best way to evaluate these claims is to take a look at objective, rigorous scientificresearch. Has the supplement been tested in a randomized control trial and been proven to have statistically significant effects? If its benefits are purely anecdotal, then you might not want to waste your time or money, or worst case scenario, risk causing yourself more harm than good. With these guiding principles in mind, we’ve analyzed the scientific evidence behind the top supposed fenugreek benefits. Read on for the best fenugreek uses and the scientific evidence that backs them up. Fenugreek Benefits: Analysis of 4 PopularUses People take fenugreek in a variety of forms as an herbal supplement. Its most common form isa pill or capsule, but it can also be made into a tea or ground up and combined with other ingredients to make a poultice and applied to injured skin. The most commonly claimed fenugreek benefits aremilk production in new mothers, blood sugar levels, testosterone and male libido, and treating inflammation. Let’s look at the top four benefits of fenugreek, along with the research studies backing upthese effects. While these are the top studies currently available, hopefully, scientists will continue to evaluate its effects and gain more insight into what fenugreek does and why it works. Fenugreek can act as a galactagogue. (Keep scrolling to learn what galactagogue means.) Use 1: To Enhance Milk Production in New Mothers Fenugreek is widely used as a galactagogue, or a milk flow-enhancing agent in new mothers. Nursing women take fenugreek in pill form or drink it as a tea after they’ve had a baby. While fenugreek appears to be an effective galactagogue, it can have adverse effects if you take it while pregnant. Most doctors advise that women should only take fenugreek supplements once they’ve had their baby and not before. Let’s take a look at one of the studies backing up fenugreek’s efficacy as a galactagogue. The Evidence: Fenugreek and Milk Production This study examined the effectiveness of fenugreek tea as a galactagogue in new mothers. It divided 66 mother-infant pairs into three groups. One group drank the tea everyday, the second drank a placebo tea, and the third drank no tea and served as the control group. Researchers looked at breast milk volume and infant weight gain over a few days and found significantly higher volume and weight gain among the fenugreek tea-drinking group. From the study, researchers concluded that â€Å"Maternal galactagogue herbal tea supplementation seems to be useful for enhancing breast milk production and facilitating infant birth weight regain in early postnatal days.† If you’re interested in trying fenugreek as a milk-enhancing agent, how should you take it? How to Take Fenugreek to Stimulate Milk Production First and foremost, new mothers should consult their doctorsbefore adding fenugreek as an herbal supplement to their diet. Since it can have significant effects, everyone should make sure that they don’t have any pre-existing conditions that could interact adversely with fenugreek. If you decide to take fenugreek, you could take it as fenugreek tabletsor drink it as a fenugreek tea. A typical dosage is two to three capsules (580 to 610 mg each) taken by mouth three times a day. Drinking it as a tea is a more mild amount. You might drink between one and three cups a day as a hot tea, iced tea, or mixed with apple juice. Again, in most cases, pregnant women should not take a fenugreek supplement. You can read more about some of fenugreek’s potential side effects below. Once it enters your bloodstream, fenugreek goes head to head with the gummy bear brigadein the Battle of Blood Sugar. Use 2: To Maintain Blood Sugar Levels Fenugreek seeds arecommonly used as a supplement to control blood glucose, especially to prevent or treat diabetes. It appears to alleviate problems around the metabolism of blood sugar. Let’s take a look at some of the evidence behind this use of fenugreek. The Evidence: Fenugreek and Blood Sugar Several studies have looked at fenugreek and found that it hada significant effect on blood glucose levels. This first study gave a fenugreek supplement in both capsule and cooked form (on biscuits) to 60 non-insulin-dependent male diabetics. Ultimately, the study found that â€Å"2 grams of a powdered mixture of traditional medicinal plants in either raw or cooked form can be successfully used for lowering blood glucose in diabetics.† A second study also gave fenugreek to diabetic subjects in the form of food, this time incorporating it into bread. Like in the first study, researchers found that â€Å"acceptable baked products can be prepared with added fenugreek, which will reduce insulin resistance and treat type 2 diabetes." Alleviating problems of blood sugar metabolism is a common use of fenugreek, and people with diabetes may consider adding it to their diets in capsule or food form. How to Take Fenugreek to Control Blood Glucose The most common ways to take fenugreek to control blood sugar levels are in capsule form, ground up and added to food, or made into a tea. The recommended dosage falls between 2.5 and 15 grams a day. The amount you take varies depending on your weight, any other medications you take, and other factors. Fenugreek seeds alone haven'tbeen shown to treat diabetes, and it may have adverse interactions with certain diabetes medications. To figure out dosage and account for any variables, you should talk to your doctor before adding fenugreek to your healthcare routine. Ooh la la. Wine and roses have got nothing on fenugreek when it comes to getting in the mood. Use 3: To Boost Libido One of fenugreek’s ancient uses is to enhance libido. Mediterranean and Western Asian cultures have incorporated the herb into their diets for thousands of years to enhance sexual desire. Recent studies have suggested that fenugreek may increase libido in both men and women. The Evidence: Fenugreek and Sexual Desire Let’s take a look at one study involving males and another involving females. This 2011 study tested the effect of fenugreek extract on male libido, which it defined as sexual drive, urge, or desire. It recruited 60 men between the ages of 25 and 52 and gave them either 600 mg of fenugreek twice a day or placebo capsules. The physiological results were self-reported by participants, meaning that the results have some room for subjective bias. Overall, the group taking fenugreek supplements reported a 28% increase in libido while those taking the placebo reported a decrease overall. Scientists concluded that fenugreek can have â€Å"a significant positive effect on physiological aspects of libido† and that the herb â€Å"may assist to maintain normal healthy testosterone levels.† This 2015 study gathered 80 female participants between the ages of 20 and 49 with a self-reported low sex drive. They took fenugreek extract or a placebo for eight weeksand reported their experiences using the â€Å"Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning† and â€Å"Female Sexual Function Index† questionnaires. Ultimately, researchers concluded that â€Å"T foenum-graecum [fenugreek] seed extract is a well-tolerated and an effective botanical medicine for use in the support of sexual function for pre-menopausal women, in particular increasing sexual desire and arousal, with positive effects in concentration of E2 [estradiol] and free testosterone.† Thestudies suggest that fenugreek supplements may increase libido in both men and women. How to Take Fenugreek to Boost Libido Fenugreek can be taken as a capsule or brewed into a tea, or the seeds can be ground up and added to food or bread. A dose of 500 to 600 mg fenugreek capsules per day is recommended to boost libido. As with any herbal supplement, you should check with your doctor to determine the right amount for you. Is your skin red, bumpy, or injured? A fenugreek-based poultice can help. Use 4: To Soothe Skin Inflammation or Injury Fenugreek powder has long been combined with other soothing herbs to make poultices and treat skin inflammation and injury. Recent studies have suggested that fenugreek may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The Evidence: Fenugreek andSkin Inflammation A group of researchers in Saudi Arabia extracted and isolated compounds in fenugreek seeds to determine whether or not they had anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They found that â€Å"water extracts and flavonoids† from fenugreek seed extract did have the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that people have long reported. However, further research is needed on the effects of taking fenugreek on a daily basis. A 2012 study found that fenugreek reduced joint inflammation and arthritis in rats. Research on fenugreek’s anti-inflammatory properties in humans is needed to back up its effectiveness in this area as an herbal supplement. How to Use Fenugreek to Treat Skin Inflammation To soothe injured or inflamed skin, people traditionally grind dried herbs or boil fresh herbs in water and make a paste. You might combine fenugreek seed powder with other skin-soothing herbs, like slippery elm, flaxseed, lobelia, or goldenseal, as well as medicinal charcoal. After combining everything into a paste, you would spread itacross a clean piece of gauze, linen, or cotton and apply it directly to the skin. You would leave the poultice on the skin for anywhere from one to 24 hours, taking it off when the skin feels better. Some people warm the poultice before pressing it to the skin. Along with thefour main uses described above - enhancing milk production, controling blood glucose, boosting libido, and treating skin inflammation -people claim a number of otherfenugreek health benefits. Let’s take a look at other potential positive effects of taking fenugreek. People have been consuming fenugreek seeds for thousands of years. Other Potential Health Benefits of Fenugreek People have been consuming fenugreek for thousands of years, and many believe that it has a wide range of physical benefits. These are a few additional anecdotal fenugreek seeds benefits: Balance cholesterol Soothe upset stomach and digestive problems Reduce menstrual cramps Reduce appetite Reduce fat mass Maintain liver and kidney health Soothe muscle pain Reduce fever Can fenugreek seeds really accomplish all this? At this point, there’s little scientific evidence behind these alleged benefits, so much more research is needed to assess the efficacy of this herbal supplement. If you’re not experiencing serious injury or fever that would be better treated with prescription medication, then it may be worth trying fenugreek capsules or seeds to see if they work for you. As with any other new drug, you should consult with your doctor to make sure that you don’t take any medicines or have any other conditions that could interact poorly with fenugreek. Fenugreek does have some potential adverse side effects, and it’s important to be aware of them before incorporating the supplement into your routine. Before you introduce fenugreek to your diet, you should talk to a medical practitioner about possible side effects and interactions. Fenugreek Side Effects: 6 Potential Problems While it’s common to think of herbal remedies as harmless, that’s not necessarily the case. Fenugreek can potentially have adverse effects in the body, and it’s important to be aware of them so that your healthcare plan doesn’t do more harm than good. The following are the six main potential fenugreek side effects. Side Effect 1. Induce Childbirth For the most part, pregnant women are advised not to take fenugreek. Because it contains oxytocin, fenugreek couldact as a uterine stimulant, meaning itcould cause contractions and preterm labor. Some people have used fenugreek to induce labor, but you shouldn’t try this without speaking to a medical practitioner first. You should also be aware that studies have shownthat a large dose of fenugreek caused birth defects in rats and developmental problems in mice. The other side effect of taking fenugreek while pregnant is that it can give a false alarm of Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD). MSUD is an inherited genetic disorder so named because it causes a maple syrup-like smell in body excretions. Fenugreek won’t cause this often fatal disorder, but it can cause a serious scare and unnecessary emergency testing when the baby is born. Side Effect2. Diarrhea Fenugreek may cause stomach irritation and diarrhea. This can be especially dangerous if the nursing infant gets sick, as she could get dehydrated. Be careful if you take a blood thinner, as fenugreek could cause excessive bleeding. Side Effect 3. Bleeding Fenugreek contains a chemical compound called coumarin that can act as a blood thinner. While researchers don’t know yet if the normal dosage of fenugreek has a significant effect on the blood, they warn people on blood-thinning or anti-coagulant medications to be careful and consult their doctors before taking fenugreek supplements. Side Effect 4. Hypoglycemia If you’re taking both medicine for diabetes and fenugreek supplements, you should measureyour blood sugar levels so they don’t become too low and cause hypoglycemia. Since fenugreek can lower blood glucose levels, you don’t want to take too many medications and cause your levels to dip too low. Similarly, you should be cautious if you’re already prone to low blood sugar. Consult with your doctor about the right amount, and carefully monitor the effects that fenugreek supplements have on your blood sugar levels. Side Effect 5. Allergic Reactions Whenever you’re introducing a new supplement into your diet, you should be aware of any possible allergic reactions. Fenugreek is in the same family as chickpeas, green peas, soybeans, and peanuts, so you should be especially mindful about your body’s reaction if you have allergies to any of these foods. An allergy to one doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have an allergy to another, but you should proceed with caution if you've never consumed fenugreek before. Check with your doctor, and try just a small dosage of fenugreek at first. Stop taking it if you experience a rash, hives, swelling, or trouble breathing. This last side effect isn't dangerous, but it may cause unpredictable cravings for Belgian waffles. Side Effect 6. â€Å"Maple Syrup† Sweat or Urine This last side effect doesn’t cause any harm, apart from the false alarm about MSUD in infants described above. Fenugreek has a strong, sweet odor, and eating the seeds might pass that maple syrup-like smell into your sweat and urine or the sweat and urine of a nursing baby. If you start to notice this maple syrup-like odor, then you’ll know the cause! If you’d like to try taking fenugreek for any of the above-described health benefits, where can you find it? Where to Buy Fenugreek Fenugreek is a common herbal supplementthat you can buy in many healthcare or grocery stores or online. Walgreens, Walmart, and CVS, for instance, sell fenugreek in capsule and tea form, and Whole Foods sells the capsules, tea, and seeds (look for methi seeds). You can also find methi seeds and powder in many smaller Indian and Middle Eastern grocery stories. Finally, you can shop online and buy capsules, tea, and seeds from Amazon or a number of other online retailers that pop up via Google Shopping. Some good brands include Nature's Way, Solaray, Oregon's Wild Harvest, Alvita, Yogi Tea, and Nature's Answer. Teas and capsules cost somewhere between $5 and$10.You can also take powdered fenugreek seeds, or fenugreek extract in a liquid tincture. Read on for suggested dosages for how to take fenugreek in capsule, tea, powder, or tincture form. Fenugreek is most commonly taken in capsule form. How to Take Fenugreek As you read above, you can take fenugreek in capsule form, brew it into a tea, or add the powdered seeds to food. Fenugreek is also available in a liquid tincture form, so you could add a few drops to juice or water. Here's how much fenugreek to take in each form. Capsule:500 to 600 mg, three times a day. Tea:two to three cups a day. You can make hot or iced tea or combine it with juice. Powder:five to 30 grams of de-fatted seed powder up to three times a day. It's best to consume fenugreek powder before or as part of a meal. Tincture: three to four mL three times a day. One drop is similar to a 500-600 mg capsule. Your dosage depends on a number of factors, including weight, age, and health status. Your doctor or an herbalist can help you determine the right individualized dosage. Taking Fenugreek as an Herbal Supplement: Best Uses Fenugreek, anherb native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East, has a number of health benefits. While scientific research remains limited at this point, there's some substantial evidence that points to fenugreek's effectiveness in enhancing milk production, regulating blood glucose levels, boosting libido, and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent on irritated skin. While people have claimed for a long time that fenugreek has a number of other positive effectsas well, as this point many of its purported benefits remain anecdotal.Without the weight of a controlled study, you should be skeptical of anyone claiming fenugreek is a miracle drug. You should also be cautious about fenugreek'spotential side effects, and make sure to speak with a medical practitioner before introducing itas an herbal supplement into your diet. If you do find that fenugreek has beneficial effects on your health, then you may be glad to hear that fenugreek or methi seeds in various forms arewidely accessible and affordableat a variety of grocery and healthcare stores, both of the online and brick-and-mortar variety. If fenugreek turns out tobe the herbal supplement you've been looking for, thenyou can joinan ancient practice of fenugreek consumption that dates back almost 6,000 years.

Top 10 Words Confused in English [M]

Top 10 Words Confused in English [M] Top 10 Words Confused in English [M] Top 10 Words Confused in English [M] By Maeve Maddox My cumulative list of â€Å"words commonly confused† continues with ten that begin with the letter M. The confusion relates to spelling or meaning. 1. manner / manor Manner is a way of doing or behaving. Ex. â€Å"The waiter has a pleasant and helpful manner.† A manor is a house on an estate. Ex. â€Å"Cardinal Thomas Wolsey acquired the 14th Century manor at Hampton Court in 1514.† Until King Henry VIII took it away from him, Wolsey was â€Å"lord of the manor.† Ebook authors and celebrity-watchers seem to be especially prone to write the erroneous â€Å"lord of the manner.† 2. mantle / mantel A mantle is a cloak. The prophet Elijah designated Elisha as his successor by throwing his mantle over him. A mantel is the ornamental shelf above a fireplace on which people display trophies and knick-knacks. 3. marshal / Marshall In modern English, a marshal is an officer of the U.S. Justice Department or a parade leader. In Old English, a marshal was a servant whose job was to tend the horses. The occupation of marshal is reflected in the surname Marshall, but the double-l spelling is only for the proper name. Marshal also functions as a verb meaning â€Å"to arrange or set things in methodical order.† For example, â€Å"I’m glad that I wrote my book, because it made me marshal my thoughts.† 4. martial / marital The error here is one of transposed letters. Martial is pronounced like marshal and means warlike. Marital is pronounced with three syllables, MARE-ih-tul, and means â€Å"relating to marriage.† The error, when it occurs, is always good for a laugh. Ex. â€Å"New York law also has what is known as constructive abandonment which means one spouse refuses to have martial relations for one or more years.†- Divorce lawyer’s site. 5. meter / metre Both words are nouns. A meter is a measuring device, like a gas meter. Metre is a metric unit or a type of rhythm in verse. 6. metal / mettle / meddle Metal is a hard, shiny, malleable material used in the manufacture of tools or artifacts.  Mettle  derives from the same source as  metal  and was once used in the same way, but now is used only figuratively to mean the quality of a creature’s disposition. A saucepan is made of metal. To really test  their mettle, put presidential  candidates  in crisis. Note: A mettlesome person or animal is full of spirit. Meddlesome individuals make themselves unpopular by interfering in affairs that do not concern them; they meddle. 7. militate / mitigate Militate is â€Å"to wage war.† Its current use is usually figurative, with the sense of â€Å"to weigh against.† Ex. â€Å"All the facts militate against this policy.† Mitigate is â€Å"to make something less severe.† Ex. â€Å"Homeowners can mitigate the loss of butterfly habitat by breaking up expanses of grass with forage plants.† 8. morbid / moribund Morbid means â€Å"in a diseased state.† Moribund means â€Å"in a dying state.† Both words derive from the Latin word for death and are used literally and figuratively. 9. mordant / trenchant Both words are applied to language and humor. Mordant comes from a French verb meaning â€Å"to bite† and means â€Å"bitingly sarcastic.† Trenchant comes from a French verb meaning â€Å"to cut.† A â€Å"mordant remark† hurts, whereas a â€Å"trenchant remark† enlightens. 10. mucous / mucus Mucus is a noun: â€Å"a viscous substance secreted by the mucous cells and glands of animals.† Mucous is an adjective: â€Å"of the nature of, resembling, or consisting of mucus.† A mucous gland excretes mucus. Related posts: Top 10 Confused Words in English [A-B] Top Ten Confused Words [C-D] Top 10 Confused Words in English [E-F] Top 10 Confused Words in English [G-H] Top 10 Confused Words in English [I-L] Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:70 Idioms with HeartOn Behalf Of vs. In Behalf OfWoof or Weft?

4.3 Analysis of Strategic Factors Research Paper

4.3 Analysis of Strategic Factors - Research Paper Example The strengths of the organization help to improve the current and future performance of the organization. Other strength of the organization is the highly qualified medical staff members who have the knowledge about the use of innovative technology for better treatment. The medical staff members deliver flexible treatment to the patient. In this respect, medical staff members provide services to multiple numbers of patients, which enhance the current as well as future performance of the organization. The organization is also identified to be having certain weakness that can affect its current and future performance to a large extent (Ascension Health, 2015). The organization does not have adequate resources and therefore, the organizational structure cannot be improved and correspondingly, it can affect the performance of the organization. The number of specialized doctors for handing the serious case is very few in the organization and accordingly, the doctors face problem at time o f providing treatment in different serious cases. Therefore to improve the current along with future performance of the organization, critical or expert doctors should be available in the organization to handle the serious cases (Ascension Health, 2015; Hunger & Wheelen, 2010). The organization also has certain opportunities that can positively affect its future performance. The several opportunities can be to develop number of healthcare centers in several places. In this context, the organization possessing expert medical staff members can expand its medical services in several services and can provide services to increased number of patients. Other opportunity can be to develop healthcare programs through which people can know about the organization and also about the treatment to be provided by the medical staff members of the organization. Along with certain opportunities, the organization also has certain threats that

Reader Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reader Response - Essay Example Nowadays American people have change completely the meaning of the word macho making this Mexican rood word someone really bad, just like golf player Tiger Woods, who cheat to his wife with more than one hundred women and was very rude with her and his fans (in 2005, he cancelled a party that his wife organized for him when he won just because he was used to win almost every month therefore that is not a fact to celebrate).   The worst thing of this as Guibault said, is that the media and the people is getting used to this misrepresented meaning of the word and it is becoming very popular all over the United States. Today I still smile and do not get upset when someone tells me that I look like a macho.   People move on with their stereotypical thinking and they have already made images in their minds about the word macho but this is again very stereotypical of them and will only misguide the other people. Guibault has done a wonderful job describing the word macho; he has described it really well. There are cultural misunderstandings which must be avoided; the use of language has brought about a significant change in our