Wealth of Health

Tips On How To Diet The Healthy Way

2009-04-10T02:28:00.000-07:00

When it comes to dieting you will find all kinds of crazy and faddish diets on the market today. In addition to the many diets there seems to be every kind of diet aid you can imagine. From shakes the diet industry has evolved to include everything from candy bars and pudding to pills and patches. Each item makes the claim that it can help you drop those unwanted pounds quickly and easily. Well I can tell you for a fact there is very little easy for must of us about dropping a few pounds.

If you would like a few tips that should make your weight loss goals a little easier to achieve then perhaps the following tips will help you out.

Drink Plenty of Water

There really isn't enough that can be said about the importance of drinking water in an effort to reach your fitness goals. Water hydrates the body first and foremost but water is also an important way of tricking your body into believing it is full. Other drinks do not work nearly as well as water in this endeavor and many drinks, even fruit juices, contain empty calories that you can ill afford when dieting.

Another great thing about drinking a lot of water while dieting is that it helps your skin retain its elasticity so you can avoid some of the 'loose skin' look that often accompanies massive weight loss. As an added bonus drinking plenty of water will have your skin looking radiant and beautiful as well.

Set Goals

Having goals is one of the most important things you can do when working to loose weight. Try to make sure that your goals are aggressive but can be achieved. If you are frustrated early in the dieting process by unrealistic goals you are much more likely to give up. However, challenges are always going to inspire us to achieve greater things in life. If you can find a 'weight loss partner' in order to have a little friendly competition for the weight loss totals for a week or a month then you are going to be far more likely to accomplish your goals than if you keep them quietly to yourself.

Eat More

Did you read that twice? Yes, eat more healthy foods that are high in fiber. Eat more vegetables and fruits-fill up on these foods that are good for you and you will not be inclined to binge on calorie laden junk food.

Move!

While this seems a little too simply stated for most, getting up and moving is one of, if not the absolute best way to burn calories. The simple truth is that you are not going to lose weight unless you use more calories than you consume. The more activities you enjoy that burn calories, the more likely you are to shed those unwanted pounds and meet your weight loss goals.

Some great activities that actually burn calories include the following: gardening, golf, dancing, playing volleyball, walking, jumping rope, playing hop scotch with your little ones, and playing tennis. I mention these activities because you can trick yourself into believing that you aren't really exercising while burning calories. Even cleaning house requires movement and energy and if you dance around a little to some good music in the process you might burn a few extra calories.

Dieting, when successful can help restore self image and self-esteem in people who are otherwise beautiful people inside and out. The steps above are not the only things that are involved in the dieting process but they can help you reach your weight loss goals particularly when combined with a diet plan that you feel confident you can follow. Be sure that on those days when will power is non-existent that you do not derail your diet efforts all together by giving up. The most important thing you can do when dieting is to go back to dieting once you've strayed.

Benefits of Meditation

2008-12-11T19:15:00.000-08:00

"Select a clean spot, neither too high nor too low, and seat your- self firmly on a cloth, a deerskin, or kusha grass. Then, once seated, strive to still your thoughts. Make your mind one-pointed in meditation and your heart will be purified................................"

These words originate from the Bhagavad Gita, one of the best known and most influential of the Hindu scriptures. This book provides an entire section on the practice of meditation which is central to the Hindu way of life. It is also an important part of other eastern religions, Buddhism and Zen but it also has its place in Christianity and Judaism. However meditation does not require adherence to any of the faiths and religions that advocate it.

The benefits to be gained from meditation are many. Those people who meditate regularly believe that it leads to a significant lowering of tension and negative emotions. At the same time meditation can increase efficiency at work and deepen the sense of inner calm.

This feeling of well-being will bring a number of physical benefits. Regular meditation will eliminate or reduce stress, ease migration and tension headaches, reduce blood pressure, benefit the the heart and reduce the pain of menstrual cramps.

What we seek to achieve through meditation is a state of passive alertness that transcends the day to day level of thought and distraction. This 'higher level' of consciousness can be achieved by every person and does not require a knowledge of religious or spiritual teaching. Meditation is a straightforward way of freeing the mind, forgetting about everyday stresses and focusing upon mental relaxation.

In its simplest form meditation is nothing more than allowing the mind to concentrate upon a simple repetitive sensation such as the running of a fountain or repeating a word over and over again. Any of these and more can be used as something onto which the mind concentrates so strongly that problems and anxieties disappear. When described in its more refined and mystical guise, it is a means to a state of self fulfilment, being completely at one with the universe.

Meditation is not a time consuming process nor is it a form of self-hypnosis. If done correctly it is a life saving experience during which any preconceived opinions and ideas fade, the intellect and senses are refined and the ability to concentrate is improved.

Meditation has existed for several thousands of years but it was only in the 1960's that it became popular in western culture and today many thousands of people benefit greatly from its effects. Meditation slows down the heart rate and reduces oxygen and carbon dioxide production. It also raises levels of skin resistance to pain or to an electrical current, which tends to be lower when we are stressed and anxious. This indicates an increase of muscle relaxation and can be explained for phenomena such as lying on a bed of nails or walking through fire.

During meditation there is also a reduction of activity in the nervous system and an increase in blood circulation. This slows down the metabolism resulting in the body achieving a hypometabolic state. This is a different state than what the body experiences during sleep or while under hypnosis and is best described as deep and prolonged relaxation.

Meditation has also be shown to have a major effect on the way that the brain works. During meditation the brain produces a balanced pattern of both alpha and theta brave wave rhythms. This may indicate that while in a state of deep relaxation the brain is better able to find a balance between its logical and rational and creative and imaginative sides. This results in more healthier, productive and fulfilled individuals. If it is practised regularly meditation will help to fight depression, reduce hypertension, and relieve anxiety, migraine and psychosomatic illness. Concentration, memory and creativity are also improved through regular practice of meditation.

Regular practice of meditation is also of benefit to people who have difficulty in sleeping and suffer from low energy levels. The quality of sleep will improve when meditation is practised regularly and most meditators testify to feeling less tired during the day, needing less sleep at night and waking up feeling more refreshed.

When starting to meditate it is important to find a quiet, peaceful place and to use this place regularly. Soft background music, incense or low lights are helpful in creating a conducive atmosphere. There are two stages involved in the process of meditation. Firstly comes physical relaxation, where the focus of attention is on the body and tension build up is tackled and when the body is relaxed the clarifying and emptying of the mind can begin.

Basic Elements of Ayurveda

2008-11-19T18:34:00.001-08:00

Ayurveda is the most ancient and traditional science. The basic principles of Ayurveda deal with the natural way of living a healthy life. People are understanding how difficult is to survive in today's world without any disease. In that case Ayurveda teaches the perfect way of leading a healthy life. The knowledge of ayurveda is divided into eight parts. Hence it is also known as Ashtanga Ayurveda. These are as follows: Kaya, Bal, Graha, Urdhwa, Shalya, Dhanstra, Jara, Vrishan. According to Ayurveda's basic concept of human body there are seven body types. They are as follows:
Mono-types (vata, pitta or kapha predominant),
Dual types (vata-pitta, pitta-kapha or, kapha-vata), and
Equal types, (vata, pitta and kapha in equal proportions).
Every individual has a unique combination of these three Doshas. To understand the uniqueness of every individual is the very basis of Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda all humans are governed by three vital principles, which regulate and control the biological functions. They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. According to Ayurveda, doshas are of vital importance because they are responsible for coordinating, guiding and directing all the structures and substances of the body. Proper understanding and knowledge of the doshas give us the understanding of the functioning of the intelligence that commands the dhatus (body tissues) and malas (waste products) and gives the body its vast functional capability. The theory of three doshas is the basic foundation of Ayurvedic science and its diagnosis and treatment modalities. The main functions of the following three doshas are as follows:

All motions, transportation and electromagnetic activities are controlled by vata. Whereas Pitta represents fire principle and is concerned with process of conversion, consumption and other chemical changes taking place in the living body. Kapha is the principle of water and as such every living cell is pervaded by it in order to perform their functions. Each of the three doshas has its own unique characters, which are contrary to each other so as to maintain the equilibrium.

Discover What Fitness Is Really About

2008-11-12T23:08:00.000-08:00

Would you like to really know what it really means to be Fit ? Well, I will go straight to the point, and I am sure you will be surprised.

Fitness is a lifestyle. It's about having a certain mindset, a certain attitude towards yourself.
Yes, it's about having the body and health you want, but it's first and foremost loving yourself
deeply from the inside. It's about knowing who you are really. True fitness is about growing mentally, physically and spiritually. So, Fitness is not something that comes quickly. It's the result of a complete transformation of your inner being and the sum of daily positive and healthy habits.

The 3 main components of fitness are healthy eating, adapted exercise and fine tuned supplementation : Eating several times a day (5 to 6 times idealy), the right portions (use the size of your fist) and the right nutriments are prerequisites(i.e non-processed food,fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, not cutting out carbs, drink enough water, add lots of whole cereals,having proteins and complex carbs at each meal, etc). Always eat high quality and fresh food (forget about prepared or packed meals). Remember that nutrition is 50% of your physical shape.

Another thing you might not know, is that your glycemic level has a direct effect on how your body stores fat : the higher the glycemic level, the more fat you will store and the more you will weaken your metabolism. So keep eating low glycemic foods and lean proteins (egg whites, poultry breast, fish). Try to eat 15% essentials faty acids, 35% proteins and 50% carbs. All this will help train your body to use food and not store fat.

Another thing to know, and this is very important, is to know that we are all unique individuals; what this means, is that not all people have to train the same way. You must train according to your body type. And then combine three different types of trainings according to your body type.

Fitness equals working on the internal aspects and external aspects of yourself. Usually, you only think about the external aspects. But you have first to become the person inside that you desire to reflect on the outside. That's why the work on the "inside" part is the key to success, and why usually diet plans fail.

Personal growth and attitude are essential to succeed in fitness. The "spiritual" part refers a lot to true happiness,I mean the real feeling of peace and love from the inside out.

To help you on your way, I will give you some tips to start from: first, let's talk about habits : you will not reach fitness in one day and the new lifestyle it requires will not come in one minute either. You have to install new positive habits each day.You have to be mentally prepared and this takes some time and work!Once you are truly committed to fitness, you will experience three phases you must master :

one is the motivation phase, where you will be super charged with energy and happy to undertake what you decided to. This phase is usually the easiest one;

the second phase is the discipline phase, where your motivation starts to fade away. This is the most critical part. Your body hasn't yet accepted the new habits, so it tries to keep you away from going forward. In this phase, you must be disciplined and not listen to your negative or restraining feelings. You must hold onto your vision, as you not yet see the results you are waiting for. Just control your mind and keep going, whatever your thoughts are;

the third phase, is the rewarding phase : here you start seeing your first results...and your motivation comes back! It's a sign your body has accepted your new programming. Your feelings are now positive and you enjoy your new state of being.

It's all about patience and having strong faith in what and why you undertake what you envision. New habits don't come quickly, but think about the rewards they bring! One key factor to stay motivated and to manifest what you truly desire is to strongly believe in yourself and your potential. You can make it! Practice daily positive affirmations, imagining yourself in the new situation and enjoying this future state (i.e feeling healthy, full of energy, having a beautiful body, etc.). Put all your energy and intention into your fitness and it will come you back!

I hope you enjoyed to learn a little bit more about real fitness, and hope this will serve you to
become really fit, full of energy, vitality and happiness. Now you should have the clues to
live a balanced life grow physically, mentally and spiritually!

Effective Herbal Treatments for Menopause

2008-08-18T23:51:00.001-07:00

People today are becoming increasingly aware of how effective herbal remedies can be for various medical conditions from migraines to skin conditions. Many women have found that using an herbal remedy to deal with their menopause symptoms are a better choice than the prescription drugs a physician might offer. Women have many different choices when it comes to herbal remedies. The key is learning which ones work best and which ones provide the best relief for your personal set of symptoms.

Menopause symptoms are caused when the ovaries slow their production of various hormones including estrogen. These hormone fluctuations can wreak havoc with a woman's body. Women may experience hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings. Women may even experience exhaustion. It can be so difficult to contain these symptoms without allowing them to cause stress in the life.

Prescription drugs can provide some relief from these symptoms; however, there are some drawbacks to using prescriptions. Some have serious side effects that can be worse than the symptoms themselves. For example, some of the prescriptions available for hot flashes cause itchy rashes all over the body. Other prescriptions have long term health effects including devastating diseases like cancer. Treating your symptoms with a safe, natural herbal remedy is often the best way to handle menopause.

As you begin the search for the right remedy, you might be a bit surprised and overwhelmed at the number of products on the market. Choosing the right product for you can be a difficult task. There are several people you might want to talk to as you start your search.

First, consult your gynecologist. They will be able to tell you which herbal remedies are safe for you and which are not. Moreover, they can let you know which methods are working for their other patients and which have proven to be completely ineffective.

In addition to your doctor, you might talk to an herbal store consultant. They talk to a number of women who are dealing with the same symptoms that you are. As a result, they can guide you in the right direction.

One of the most popular herbs to deal with menopause symptoms is Black Cohos. This herb helps with a number of different menopause symptoms including night sweats, hot flashes, and anxiety. This herb has been extensively studied, and the studies have all pointed to its effectiveness.

Pasque Flower has also proven to be a great herbal remedy to deal with menopause symptoms by offering the same effect a mild sedative might have.

An herb combination called MellowPause might also help your symptoms. It has a soy base, and it combines the power of Black Cohosh and Pasque flower to help you fight insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings.

Menocore is another herbal combination that will help with the same symptoms. It contains a number of different natural herbal products.

One final product that might relieve your symptoms is Triatone. The ingredients list on this includes Black Cohos, Chasleberry, Dong Quai, Isoflavones, and Licorice Root. This product not only relieves many of your symptoms, but it also helps to give you a good sense of well being.

Back Pain At The Office

2008-08-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

It's getting to be so bad that by Monday afternoon, you're already tired of being at the office. You're not even thinking as far ahead as Friday. Just getting to hump day is going to be challenge enough.

In reality, it's not the folks you work with who are getting you down—they're tolerable, mostly, although there is that one guy in accounting. Where do they find these people?

It's not even your boss, who, if he knew even half as much as you do, WOULD be a shoo-in for Executive of the Year.

No, the biggest pain in your neck is actually located a bit lower. And it's really what's making working where you do seem a lot worse than it actually is.

Face it. It's your aching back that's sucking the joy out of your nine-to-five existence and making you feel 10 years older to boot.

Sure, you've learned to tolerate the bad coffee, pointless meetings, and lame jokes in the course of your day. But you just can't tough it out when it comes to back pain, which can range from dull, nagging aches to those unexpected twinges that feel like you've been hit with a taser gun.

If it's any consolation, you're not alone. More than 31 million Americans have low back pain at any given time. The bad news about back pain is that it not only lives with you all day at the office but it also comes home with you at night. It may even dog your weekends.

How do you develop pain?

If you are experiencing back pain at the office, you may think that it is coming from all the sitting, standing, and lifting that you have to do. And, indirectly, it does. But it is actually more about how the body has to adapt to all the sitting, standing, and lifting than the activity itself. Let's take sitting as an example.

Because of the amount of time you spend sitting, your body must gradually adapt itself to that position. This happens in a number of ways. The first thing it must adapt to is how the weight goes through your hips and pelvis. Then, there is the way you sit—upright, slouching, or something in between. Most importantly, it's what happens to the muscles while you're sitting. For example, your hip flexors will get tight from being in a shortened position and your butt will get weak and flabby from being in a relaxed state.

That simple combination of tight hip flexors and weak glutes is called a "muscle imbalance." The result of these muscle imbalances will be postural dysfunctions of your pelvis and spine. These imbalances send both your spine and pelvis into abnormal positions, the combination of which can be devastating to a person with a healthy back and catastrophic for a person suffering from any form of back pain.

What can you do about it?

What you must also understand is that your imbalances are the result of what you do in your everyday life—your workouts, sitting, the activities of your job, and your own personal habits. I'm not going to tell you to stop going to work. But what if you changed the way you present yourself at your desk?

• Instead of sitting at your desk, try kneeling. I kneel at least 30 percent of the time I spend at my desk. I have a small foam pad that puts me just high enough to type and see the monitor.
• I sit on a therapy ball—and guess what? I don't sit still like my momma told me to. I move my hips in every direction, which means I'm working on my core balance all day long.

Action steps to take

Because you have to work and because the quality of your life depends on your career, you need to be able to make the most of your situation. Let me give you just a few tips to help you through the day:

Sitting
When I sit, I sit with my legs in all different positions—sometimes bent, sometimes behind me, other times stretched out in front or even to the side of me, keep the legs moving.

Every 10 minutes or so, I will work my body in some way—and, yes, that includes walking away from my desk. But more than that, I make it a habit to stand up when the phone rings. I also stand when I have to read something or when I'm rearranging the stack of stuff on my desk for greater productivity.

Standing
If your job requires you to stand all day long, be sure you have quality footwear and a neutral shoe insert. Our body mechanics start when our feet hit the ground. It is best if your feet are in the most neutral position possible.

One negative body pattern that many people fall into is to continually shift their weight from one foot to the other. The problem with this is that most people find eventually decide that one leg will be more comfortable than the other, and then that leg will get most of the weight most of the time. This will wreak havoc on the pelvis and spine. Better to put equal on each foot as much as you can, and learn to correct when you catch yourself shifting your weight or leaning on one leg too much.

Lifting
A third obstacle on the job can be situations where you have to lift anything over 10 pounds repeatedly. Again, it's not the activity itself that puts you in jeopardy; it's your body's inability to tolerate the stress of the weight. In other words, you should be able to lift anything you want to and not have any difficulty doing it. The problem occurs when your body is suffering from the muscle imbalances and postural dysfunctions that we talked about earlier—and you don't even know it.

So, when you lift that object and you get injured, think of it as the straw that broke the camels' back. Your body was already in a compromised state, and it just needed that last bit of stress to send you in to a painful condition.

Stress
It's an unavoidable fact of life at the office, and it can also play a role by causing your muscles to tense up, which makes you more prone to injury. Stress also lowers your tolerance for pain. In some cases, minimizing stress on the job can be a daunting task, but deep-breathing exercises, walking around the block, or even talking about your frustrations with a trusted friend can help.

In closing, I want to leave you with this message: Even though the workplace can be a hazard to your health, if you do find yourself having back pain, remember that your thoughts and your beliefs about your situation will have a direct impact on your ability to recover and how fast you recover. That's why it's critical to learn all you can about your condition and take action as soon as you can…

Do You Do Too Many Things At Once?

2008-04-28T03:08:00.000-07:00

Does this ever happen to you? Do you feel overworked? Overwhelmed? Overtired? Most of us are busier than ever: We're doing our jobs plus sometimes the jobs of one or two gone-but-not-replaced colleagues and doing it all with less support.

'Do more with less'is the unforgiving mantra of business in industry today. Make more decisions, launch more innovations, get more stuff done, with fewer people and less resources. Cell phones, laptops, PDAs, pagers all beeping, ringing, flashing making demands on our time and our attention. It is reported by a study by the Families and Work Institute in New York of 1,003 employees that 45 percent of U.S. workers feel they are asked or expected to work on too many tasks at once. Is this true for you?

How do we do it? We become very good at multitasking. We do it everywhere largely because of technology. We can check pagers and even answer cell phones on the golf course (or in my case, the tennis court!)

Does this mean you have less time to do real work as more time is spent on task work, answering messages, shuffling papers? Do you manage to stay sane in the face of these crazy demands?

A growing body of scientific research shows that multitasking can actually make you less efficient. Trying to do two or three things at once or in quick succession can take longer overall than doing them one at a time, and may leave you with reduced brainpower to perform each task.

Research shows that multitasking increases stress, diminishes perceived control, and may cause physical discomfort such as stomach aches or headaches not to mention shoddy work, mismanaged time, rote solutions, and forgetfulness. Have you ever noticed that as you are working on one task, thoughts about another creep into your consciousness? Taken further, car crashes, kitchen fires, forgotten children, near misses in the skies, and other dangers of inattention.

The Institute for the Future finds that employees of Fortune 1,000 companies send and receive 178 messages a day and are interrupted an average of at least three times an hour. Is your head shaking in agreement?

It doesn't mean we can't do several things at the same time, but we're kidding ourselves if we think we can do so without a cost. Our brains allow us to appear as though we can comfortably multitask. We do have an excellent filtering mechanism to switch our attention rapidly from one thought to the next. At the same time, rather than lose unattended thoughts, this mechanism keeps them active in the recesses of the brain.

However, the more we juggle, the less efficient we become at performing any one task. And the longer we go before returning to an interrupted task, the harder it is to remember just where we left off. Multitasking diminishes our productivity and makes us work harder just to feel like we are barely keeping up.

Recently, the public debate over multi-tasking focused largely on cell phones and driving. On July 1, 2004, New Jersey became the second state behind New York to ban drivers from using a cell phone without a headset. Washington, D.C., has adopted a similar ban.

No one solution works for everyone. Try them all, and then choose those that work best for you:

* Better estimate the time it takes to complete a task. For instance, list the tasks you plan to complete during a four-hour period and write down how long you think each task will take. Then, time yourself. Find the percentage by which you underestimate, and adjust your expectations accordingly.
* Write things down. Offload what's on your mind onto paper. Keep a pad of paper and pen by your bedside and write those thoughts that either keep you up, or wake you up, in the middle of the night. I get my best ideas in the middle of the night and write them down so I can get back to sleep peacefully. The only caveat here is have big paper. I tend to write my thoughts one atop the other in the dark!
* Allow yourself to complete a task which is the most productive way to work.
* Remove distractions: close your door (if you have one), do not check your e-mail, and turn off the ringer on your phone, cell phone, pager, and fax.
* Schedule down time for yourself. Do something different by refreshing your system so you return to work with a clean perspective, and the ability to work more effectively.
*Remember to breathe deeply. We tend to breathe shallowly and by deep breathing we relax in spite of ourselves.

Do these sound familiar? Many are techniques for de-stressing and rightly so. Multitasking is stressful. Technology can multitask forever. Humans cannot.

I find the following fascinating since at this moment while I'm creating this article I'm interrupted by phone calls, e-mails, staff, and my mind reminding me what is left in my Daytimer to be done today!

How do we do it? Research shows that the ability to multi-task stems from a spot right behind the forehead. That's the anterior part of the region neuroscientists call the 'executive' part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. When we assess tasks, prioritize them, and assign mental resources, these frontal lobes are doing most of the work.

This same region of the brain is where we pull off another uniquely human trick that is key to multi-tasking 'marking' the spot at which a task has been interrupted, so we can return to it later. It reminds me of the Bookmark function in Word, bringing you back to where you left off in a document.

However, the prefrontal cortex is the most damaged as a result of prolonged stress, particularly the kind of stress that makes a person feel out-of-control and helpless. The kind of stress, for example, that you might feel when overwhelmed by the demands of multi-tasking.

Such stress also will cause the death of brain cells in another region:the hippocampus, which is critical to the formation of new memories. Damage there can hobble a person's ability to learn and retain new facts and skills.

When a person multi-tasks well, without errors or disastrous results, it is usually because one or more of the tasks engaged in has become automatic.
For example, I can eat lunch and read the newspaper at the same time, because eating really involves no conscious thought. I'm sure you can think of instances where you've had similar experiences. I hope you are not multitasking as you read this!

How to Make the Most of Your Long-Term Dieting Plans

2008-04-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

After choosing a dieting plan and doing a detailed reading of the book that appeals to you the most, you will need to make the necessary intellectual and emotional commitments needed for success. Don't look at your diet plan as a temporary thing, something to discard or ignore once you've achieved your weight loss goal. There are several things you can do to help make the intellectual and emotional commitments to make your diet last a lifetime!

First, define your goals. Don't just think, "I've got to lose some weight." Pick a target, even if it's a moving target. Some dieters like to think in increments, for instance, losing 20 poinds, then then reestablishing a new goal until they arrive at a weight level they feel most comfortable with. Other dieters-to-be are more daring. Choosing a weight loss goal of 100 pounds might seem impossible for some, but for other dieters, it's their best and most direct strategy. Set a goal that you feel most comfortable with and stick with it.

Second, try to choose a realistic timeline for losing weight. It took years to put on those excess poinds. Don't expect to lose them all in a month! Get a good idea of how much weight you should reasonably expect to lose each week or month by reading your diet book thoroughly and following its guidelines.

Third, try to avoid as much stress as possible - especially during the earliest stages of a diet. Eating binges are often the result of high stress levels.

Fourth, buy yourself a good scale, preferably an accurate digital one. Be prepared to pay at least $40 to $80 for a quality scale. Be aware that some digital scales stop at 300 pounds. Some of the most sophisticated scales can also measure the ratio of body fat to lean muscle mass, referred to as the Body Mass Index (BMI). A Body Mass Index of over 25 usually indicates obesity, although variables such as height can influence your number. The Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Disease Control and Prevention (often called the CDC) offers a detailed explanation of the BMI and Java-scripted calculator to determine your own BMI.

Five. Weigh and measure yourself and write down the information for future reference. During the first week or so of your diet, try to avoid getting on the scale every day. While your body readjusts itself to this new way of eating, you might find your weight loss fluctuating or even stalling. This can be discouraging. If you absolutely must jump on the scale daily, do so at the same time each day, for instance, immediately after waking up. Your weight can fluctuate, up or down, by a pound or two durng the course of the day.

Number six. For an added visual reference and to really solidify the intellectual and emotional commitments required for your long-term dieting success, get a friend or companion to take a photograph of you each week. Do a front, back, and side shot. A digital camera works exceptionally well here since you can quickly compare photos of yourself from day one of your diet through your entire regimen. This visual enforcement of your efforts can be a great encouragement.

Seven. Let friends and family members know that you are on a diet. Support, understanding, and encouragement can be great things when you are embarking on creating a new you!

Finally, recognize 'toxic' friends. No matter how much weight you're losing, no matter how much your cholesterol has fallen, no matter how many pants or dress sizes you've lost, expect a friend (or relative) to continue to tell you how bad your diet is for you. There are enough studies available in medical journals and respected websites that prove the validity of making LIFESTYLE diet changes. These same studies encourage a balanced diet and many now encourage some level of supplementation. Nutritional supplementation makes sure your body has all the tools and raw materials it needs to keep you in top shape during your body's transformation.

Women Menopausal Changes

2008-04-14T02:11:00.000-07:00

When women go through the change of life, it could bring on heart disease as well. The clotting agent fibrinogen (a soluble protein in the blood made by the liver and made insoluble because of damage tissue), increases when a woman is post-menopause; the body experiences less estrogen production and the cholesterol levels changes, thus the change of life. Estrogen is a protective factor against heart disease for women, until menopause, at which time it declines, thereby removing the protection. The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center explains the connection between women and heart disease and menopausal changes.

The amount of risk caused by each change is unknown, but in most cases there is a greater risk with each change. Heart disease is two to three times greater after menopause than before. These same risks are in women who have had a hysterectomy as well. More women over the age of sixty die of heart attacks than men; women's symptoms are different than men and are often mistaken for something less serious.

Wake Forest University-Baptist Medical Center suggests reduced levels of estrogen caused by stress increase risk of heart attacks and strokes. Stress can cause damage to arteries, thus creating problems. Heart disease includes the narrowing of the arteries that bring oxygen to the heart, inborn defects, diseases of the heart muscles and heart failure. Two hundred and fifty thousand American women die each year from this disease and, as women age the risk increases. It is the leading killer in America.

Doctors in the past, treated women with hormone replacement therapy to prevent heart disease during menopause and post-menopausal. After a study of women and heart disease it was confirmed that this therapy was not the right treatment for heart disease prevention.

A new study revealed that women taking hormone replacement therapy medication containing female hormones, commonly estrogen plus progestin (synthetic progesterone), health risks exceeded the health benefits and the study was stopped early. There were 161,809 women, ages ranging from 50-79. Breast cancer increased 26%, heart attacks increased 29%, strokes increased 41%, and blood clots increased more than 50%.

However, the study did show 34% fewer hip fractures and there were other benefits. The risk factor s outweigh the benefits. For a short-term treatment, some women may consider HRT, but it should be based on individual health history. To read the full report: Medline Plus-Encyclopedia

There are other things that will help women to adjust to menopause and have a healthy heart. They are to stop smoking, maintain the proper weight, exercise regularly, cut down on the fatty foods, keep an eye on your cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. According to The Nurses Health Study, folic acid, B-6 and B-12 played a role in reducing the risk of heart attack or death among women of heart disease when one group consumed more food and supplements than the other group.

If hormone replacement therapy is chosen, remember to eat healthy and exercise which will maintain healthy heart muscles. Be sure to have regular check-ups and call your health care provider if anything unusual occurs.

Parent of A Teen? Help Is Available

2008-04-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

Was it just a few years ago that your child was a lovable, huggable and kissable angel? After the thrill of having a new born in the family, having the biggest life altering experience you can ever expect, and thinking that it's the best thing that ever happened to you and your husband.

Suddenly your child is in his or her teens, and while you may think that nothing quite prepared you for your first new born, living with your teenage child is a whole new experience.

Are you new to the game of teenage parenting?

Parenting can be the most rewarding aspect of our lives.

There's truly nothing like hearing your child laugh, or witnessing their first soccer goal, watching them going off on their first date... You'll be amazed at how proud you are. It truly is an incomparable experience.

However, not every aspect of teenage parenting is simple and fun. In fact, some experiences can be rather difficult to say the least. Sometimes it feels that you are knocking yourself against a wall. The child that you cradled in your arms, the child that snuggled up to you during bedtime, now has become a 'mute', answering in grunts and no longer wishes to be around you.

Regardless, it's important to remember that you're not alone. After all, this is the information age. An abundance of solutions are right at your very fingertips. I'm talking about the world-Wide-Web.

While the Internet is of great help to globalization and businesses, they are great for the individuals as well, parents included.

Have you checked out any good parenting message boards lately? This could be a good source of help.

Who came up with parenting message boards? I do not know and am certainly not complaining. This is a very cool nuance to the teenage parenting game.

We could all use a helping hand now and then, or possibly some knowledgeable advice for a fellow parent.

As a parent, we often encounter inevitable disagreements with our teenagers. Don't worry; this is all part of the growing-up process. Children have been rebelling since the beginning of time and it is not going to change any time soon. Once they hit that know-it-all stage, you're really in for it. The teenage years are the toughest years. But like what they say, like gold refined through fire, if we get through the teenage years of our children positively, the impact on our relationships will be a lasting one.

Help is just around the corner. In fact, it's at the click of a mouse. That's the up-side of the help we can receive now days. With your home computer close at hand, you can always refer to parenting message boards for advice. These are handy websites where parents can chat and offer each other a helping hand.

Are you in some serious need of advice regarding your teen? You're certainly not the only one. When my children were in their teenage years, they always gave me a hard time on a regular basis. I've found that it's inescapable, but manageable if you learn how to react, or not react at all.

There are many ways to get started searching for parenting message boards to lend you some advice. Or perhaps, because of your experiences, you may have loads of useful information to offer. Regardless, you can jump online today and search for parenting message boards under Google.com or any of the other search engines.

Get those priceless answers on parenting now. With parenting message boards you can do more than just get good, solid and valid advice. You can also make new friends. Friends that can share, laugh, cry and encourage you together as you bring up your teen.

The Purpose of Yoga - Solutions for Releasing Anxiety

2008-02-25T19:01:00.000-08:00

Yoga is a 5,000 year catalog of health solutions and an evolving science of life. Therefore, here are some "age old" Yogic solutions for releasing anxiety. To make them work, you must realize that you have to make a habit of releasing a little anxiety, within acceptable limits, all day long.

Physical practice of Yoga postures (Asanas) will release muscular tension. Make a habit of physically practicing as you sit, stand, or lie down. You do not have to put on a "Yoga show" to sit straight, stand straight, tilt, twist, or bend.

As humans, we are in motion most of the time, but you can move or stand still with purpose and mindfulness. Once you establish Yoga into your life "off the Yoga mat," you will be surprised how often you and people around you are regularly sitting, or standing, in poor posture, during the course of an average day.

Observation is very important. As you wake up, observe the muscle groups and joints, which have contracted, as you slept. These contractions can cause daily muscle tension, spasms, pains, and aches. Is the tension in your face, back, neck, shoulders, legs, arms, or hips?

Get to know how your body responds to mild warm-ups and develop routines to compensate for physical tension. The connection between mental and physical tension is symbiotic. If you resolve a physical form of tension, you will resolve mental tension, as well.

In Hatha Yoga, there are more than 1500 postures to choose from. Many of us have seen charts, or books, with 500 to 600 Asanas to choose from. If you become creative, you will soon discover many more while sitting in a chair.

You can practice Yoga while you are at your desk, in your bed, on your couch, on a bus, or when you walk. When you add the breathing component, (Pranayama), to your daily life, you have many more combinations of techniques.

Here's another approach to dealing with anxiety. However, you must use it in the right time and place. Do not be silent! Let it out vocally. Some people laugh, pray, sing, cry, or shout, but each method works at the right time. So, be tactful, if you decide to make noise.

If you hold it all in, you will burst - in the figurative and literal sense. Therefore, you have to release it in some way. Some people roll up the windows in their cars and scream at the top of their lungs. In truth, whatever works is a good thing.

We will not have the same reactions to anxiety. Some people will laugh, while others cry during identical circumstances. Look at how some people react to losing a job. Some people have a party, while another person may contemplate suicide.

In a typical Yoga class, you may learn Mantra and Japa. These are powerful methods and are very beneficial in combination with Pranayama.

Lastly, anxiety is energy, which is not always negative, but can be deflected or circulated, throughout your being. Yogic solutions work, but they must be practiced daily. You do not want to collect and store negative feelings, so carefully release them back into the universe.

Kids Yoga: A Solution to Global Obesity in Children

2008-02-19T18:43:00.000-08:00

Two topics that most people are tired of hearing about are obesity and childhood obesity. The problem is we will not find solutions for these problems if we "bury our heads in the sand." Kids Yoga is a viable solution to obesity in children, but this requires schools and parents to take action now.

Obesity has crept up on all age groups quickly; children in some countries need to change their lifestyles immediately. If not, there will be serious health repercussions that will shake our health systems and fragile economies.

How did massive numbers of obesity get here? How can less physical activity in children be acceptable? How could Kids Yoga be a solution?

Parents today have less buying power than our parents had. Many children are shifted from school to day care, while both parents are working extra hours to support the family. Many of today's meals are composed of processed foods -whether they are store-bought, or bought for takeout, from a restaurant.

Physical education has suffered serious cutbacks since the "Cold War" ended. Back in the 1970's, and before, children ran and played outside more often.

The Yoga lifestyle helps parents and children manage diet in a very busy and stressful world. If you are conscious of it, there are wiser food choices, even from restaurants. When children practice Yoga, they become much more aware of their diet, posture, activities, and daily exercise routine.

Educators, doctors, Yoga teachers, and parents cannot afford to wait until the next study on childhood obesity is completed to take action. Children are bigger than ever, due to inactivity and a high fat / carbohydrate diet. Large numbers of big children will become even bigger adults, who are at risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, various forms of cancer, and much more.

Therefore, educators, doctors, Yoga teachers, and parents must be proactive. Do not expect grant money, government assistance, or any help from "big brother." Look at the reaction to global warming by the world's governments and you see how long it takes to get a reaction.

For parents with school-aged children, there has never been a better time for them to attend Yoga classes. Children consider Yoga an extension of other games and exercises they would normally do. Children will naturally jump, roll on the ground, run, and spin around, in the course of playing with their friends.

With proper supervision from a certified Yoga teacher, children learn what they can and cannot do. Kids Yoga classes teach safe Hatha Yoga techniques for flexibility, strength and muscle tone.

If a child is obese, parents should not expect instant miracles with weight loss, and parents would do well to learn the practice of Hatha Yoga. In this way, parents and children will both be aware of proper dieting and a much healthier lifestyle.

Yoga Health News

2008-02-13T21:58:00.000-08:00

Yoga Health Foundation announces Yoga Month 092008, a global awareness campaign to inspire a healthy lifestyle.

Los Angeles, November 05, 2007 – The Yoga Health Foundation, a non-profit organization registered in California, has announced “Yoga Month 092008”, a grassroots, community-based global campaign to educate people about the health benefits of yoga and to inspire a healthy lifestyle.

Yoga Month is a year-round campaign and will peak September 2008 with millions of health & socially conscious individuals practicing yoga at thousands of yoga studios, parks and homes around the globe.

The 10 City Yoga Month Tour featuring lectures and concerts will visit yoga-passionate cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Miami, Austin, Denver and San Diego.

“Yoga has been practiced for the last 5,000 years and transformed into one of the most popular and effective methods to balance body mind, stay flexible, fit and healthy and prevent disease - mainly because it works.”, says Johannes R. Fisslinger, president of the Yoga Health Foundation and initiator of the Yoga Month campaign.

Yoga is attracting North American participants in numbers as high as 20 million. A recent Harris poll revealed that more than 100 million North Americans would like to practice Yoga for its health benefits.

With many Hollywood celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow, Madonna, Russell Simmons, Courtney Cox and Nicholas Cage, Meg Ryan, Ricky Martin practicing yoga and 27 billion spent in yoga-related products even traditional advertisers are paying attention.

The extensive list of current Yoga Month partners include magazines like Fit Yoga, Yoga+ Joyful Living, LA Yoga, Yogi Times, Yoga Journal, Yogamates.com, Whole Life Times, studios like Yogaworks, Exhale, Jiva Mukti, Power Yoga, Dahn Yoga and Bikram Yoga and teachers like Seane Corn, Hala Khouri, Bryan Kest, Nike’s Margo Kellison, Larry Payne, Shiva Rea.

Yoga Month will benefit local community leaders and inspire sustainable healthy lifestyle projects like Yoga for Kids, at-risk-youth, breast health or AIDS prevention.

Find out about the Cost of Poor Health and why Yoga Month 092008 will make a difference in the future of health care.

How To Step Up Your Aerobics

2008-02-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

Aerobics exercise is the optimum way to raise your heart rate, burn fat, and tone your muscles. You can choose from a variety of options, from running and walking to aerobic machines and classes. You can dance, run, walk or hop your way to a fitter body. As your body becomes accustomed to the routine, you'll want to find ways to add more intensity to the program. A good way to step up your routine is to add step aerobics moves. The great thing about step aerobics is you can find ways to intensify your workout with limited cost and space involved.

Step aerobics routines follow the same principle as other aerobic activities using continuous activity through a series of steps and arm movements that are set to music. A step aerobic routine is different because the workout goes vertically, by situating the entire routine around a small platform that you continuously step onto and off of. Not only does step aerobics increase the number of calories burned, you will also intensify the effects in your leg and buttock muscles.

Using a step or platform provides a little more boost to your cardio workout with a more intensive form of workout. Another great advantage of step aerobics is it's a low impact activity and does not result in the joints stressing as do other activities, such as running or jogging. In fact, when it comes to stress on the joints of the leg, step aerobics are similar to walking.

The step platform comes in a variety of heights, starting with four inches. If you are a beginner, this is probably the height to start with. The size goes up from there in two-inch increments, and will be determined by your comfort level and experience. If you decide to try step aerobics in the privacy of your living room, you can buy the platforms for around fifty dollars. There is also a huge variety of video and DVDs to choose from. This type of workout is actually well suited to a home routine, since it does not take much space and it is easy to do in front of the television.

The workout moves aren't hard to master, and can be easily accomplished by the newest newcomer to aerobic exercise. A beginner can start by stepping up and down from the four-inch platform. You can add variety with different steps, music and the addition of arm movements. The level of intensity of the workout is completely variable, and can be set to the skill of the participant. For example, you can adjust the step platform in two-inch increments to be higher than the beginning four-inch mark. A higher step will mean a higher level of difficulty. You can adjust the music tempo to include more beats per minute which will result in an increase of aerobic moves in a session. You can also incorporate arm movements and even add free weights to give your upper body a more intense workout as well.

One important rule of thumb however, is to never increase the intensity of your workout until your current level becomes easy to complete. Trying to accomplish too much too soon will only result in sore muscles, and possibly the need to take some time off from to heal.

When performing your step moves be watchful of your posture. Keep your head up, shoulders back, and your back straight while stepping up and down from the platform. Place your entire foot solidly on the platform when stepping up. Place your foot directly behind the platform when stepping down. Always begin your routine with a warm-up and finish off with a cool down. These steps are extremely important in protecting your body from injury.

Benefits

The benefits received from step aerobic routine is an excellent cardiovascular workout and the strengthening of the lower body muscles. This raising and lowering of the body utilizes the large muscles of the lower legs.

A step aerobic exercise routine can be compared to jogging or running in cardio benefits, but without the associated stress placed upon the joints of the knees and ankles. In addition, step aerobics are often choreographed with upbeat music and can the accomplished either in the company of other enthusiasts, or in the privacy of your home.

Overcoming The Video Gaming Syndrome (VGS)

2008-01-30T18:44:00.000-08:00

One of things I like to do is go to FreeCell when I open my computer for the day. It relaxes me. It is fun to play. It does not cost me anything since it comes free with Windows 98. However, it is a time grabber. I spend about 20 minutes each morning trying to get all the cards out of the deck. 68 percent of the time I win. 32 percent of the time I either bomb out or else I see where I have to give up the game.

I make it my rule to play only one game. If I win, that is great. If I lose, I do not come back at least until the next day. Does this make me a habitual video gaming addict? I think not, since I am in control over how much I play and under what terms I wish to play the game.

When I see the workload I have in front of me, I now have revised my computer routine. I do not play FreeCell any longer. If I am on the computer each day, that means I spend two hours each week trying to figure out how to master the cards in front of me. This means my writing must suffer. My marketing also must give up some precious time. So, the little time I spend playing FreeCell on my computer has gone to zero.

I would not have given this a second thought if it were not for two isolated events. One event just happened along by accident. The other event sprang from my recollection of my prior projects. I blundered quite by accident into a FreeCell website while searching for another topic. I found out FreeCell could be played all over the Web. I also discovered that some of the FreeCell player scores reached into astronomical levels. If I had a win percentage like some of the players I saw on one or more of the FreeCell websites, I would have been given a ticker tape parade on Main Street. If I had opted to play FreeCell as frequently as some of the players there, I would have found myself doing nothing else in my whole life except playing FreeCell. I would not have any more time to eat. I could not devote a minute's worth of time to write or to take care of my frail and ailing wife.

Not only did I see an impressive volume of games played. The high scores achieved were equally impressive. Because FreeCell has now become interactive over the Web, I would be in competition with these other players. If there were any wagering or prizes associated with winning, I would be stripped clean of money. I would not be playing FreeCell any more for the fun of it. I would be in deadly competition with people I did not know except by names such as CardWiz, Zingo, BingBang, The Vamp, and others with similar "handles".

VGS starts early. It appears never to leave. On the contrary, it only gets worse. Here is a posted article from a parent that is distraught over what has been happening to her son.

"My son is a sophomore at Albany High, and he appears to be addicted to video games. I think his ideal life would be sitting in front of a computer monitor with an IV in his arm to deliver enough nutrients and caffeine that he wouldn't have to eat or sleep. He also has started to lie to his mother and me -- and to his teachers -- about his schoolwork to maximize his access to the video games, particularly those on the web. He has some friends, but they tend to be limited to other "gamers."

"Does anyone have any advice and/or good resources for dealing with this problem? In one sense, I'm glad he isn't out on the streets getting into drugs or other forms of trouble. But I fear his life has become so one-dimensional that he will be damaged as a result of this obsession."

-Anonymous

Many parents have found similar problems with their children and video game addictions. They don't know what to do. Many people only relate addiction to drugs or alcohol or smoking but addictions can come in many forms.

So what is an addiction?

Addition is a state of being where the person needs more and more of a substance or behavior to keep him going.

If the person does not get more of the substance or behavior, he becomes irritable and miserable.
Addictions can vary in intensity. One can really like playing video games and will miss it if he or she does not play one or two days. This person will be unlikely to go into withdrawal. On the other hand, there are others who cannot live without playing at least several hours a day. Addiction to this extent is not in epidemic proportions, but small addictions are seen everyday in different people's lives.

Video games have been known to cause people to have violent behavior because of the guns and other weapons involved in video games. Video gamers are usually pre-teens from ages 10-13 but there can be other age groups that are addicted.

Here are some of the symptoms and observations about VGS in the pre-teen and teen groups:
1. Does your child or adolescent play almost every day?
2. Does he or she often play for long periods of time, often 3 to 4 hours or longer?
3. Does he or she play for excitement?
4. Is there an outbreak of hostility if he or she can't play?

If the answer is yes to any of these or other questions, you have a problem. Moreover, you have a responsibility to your child or adolescent to nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse.

VGS can be uncontrollably addictive as adolescents become adults. If you as parents do not step in and take control at this early stage in life, the lives of your kids can be permanently ruined. Parents need to be aware of this and protect their children from getting to the VGS stage.

You must also be prepared to teach your child the worthlessness and pitfalls of VGS. Approach it from a perspective of how much time gets wasted, or what got accomplished. Did your son win a letter for quarterbacking the high school football team? Did your son win a 70 rating for War On Worlds (WOW). A football letter will always remain, but an electronic screen entry can always get erased.

Here are some other solutions you as parents can employ:

Give children educational rather than violent games.

Encourage video game playing in groups rather than as a solitary activity.

Set time limits on children's playing time. Tell them they can play for a couple of hours after they have done their homework - not before.

Ensure children follow the video game manufacturer's recommendations. For example, they should sit at least two feet from the screen, play in a well-lit room, never have the screen at maximum brightness, and never play when feeling tired.

Finally, if all else fails, take away the game's console and give it back on a part-time basis when appropriate.

The ultimate solution is for you to maintain control of the high speed internet connection in your home and never allow this to pass into the hands of your children. You must be prepared for some strenuous backlash to this or else a lot of whining about why you or your spouse do not trust the kids.

My answer to this one "Would you trust a fox to watch the hen house?" We all know this much: a house without a high speed internet connection is completely disabled from VGS. The speeds are much too slow. The game action will crawl. The chat lines moan and groan. With several good ideas how to manage your computers and your telephone connections, you have put VGS out of business and are well on your way to taking back your lives.

As long as the family unit stays together, there is hope in combating VGS. The hope here is that both parents follow these simple rules almost religiously.

Rule Number 1: As soon as you or your spouse suspect VGS, get help! As easy as you might think you can eradicate the problem, think again. VGS is like a snake with multiple heads.

Rule Number Two: Stay together. Your offspring will look for every which way to get you and your spouse to take sides against each other. Once they have succeeded in getting you into opposing camps, they will mop up at your expense.

Rule Number Three: Apply tough love. While you must stay on top of what your offspring may be doing, do not assume the role of being a dictator. Your greatest chances for success will be in how effectively you can disarm the evil Captain Zappo from being their new hero. We wish you luck!

How To Encourage Self Confidence In Girls

2008-01-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

Start with limiting your young girl’s television watching. Of course, this is easier said than done. Studies show television programs and advertising can have a negative effect on viewers. Television shows targeted toward children are mixed with many advertising messages. Some of these messages are very subtle, while other messages are quite clear.

Of course we cannot blame the media for everything. We can, however, realize that too much television may negatively affect our children’s self esteem and confidence. For example, children who learn at a young age that food equals happiness, may have problems with body image later in life. Television advertising and programs present ongoing messages to young children that “things” are the solutions to problems and the route to happiness. These messages only exaggerate feelings of low self worth if a child does not possess all these “things,” or the “right things.”

As children age, the "things" can change into a perfect body. Not have the right things can translate into body image problems and other self-destructive behaviors.

Another method of encourage self confidence in young girls is providing positive role models. As girls become more aware of how women around them act and respond to various situations it becomes more important for those women to present positive impressions. If the women in a young girl’s immediate environment hide their anger or express their anger inappropriately the young girl may think it is not okay to be angry, open and honest about angry feelings. The young girl may feel as though she cannot stand up for herself as this is just not an appropriate expression of feeling angry about something. Internal anger can express itself in feelings of low self-esteem and low confidence. Depression may become a problem as the result of repressed anger. Unexpressed anger can surface in very self-destructive ways which may include eating disorders and substance abuse. It is unfortunate that so many women never learn how to express their feelings in an appropriate manner. They did not have positive role models. This cycle needs to be broken if you are going to encourage self confidence in the young girls of your immediate environment. For major issues consider seeking professional help for yourself and for the sake of the young girls in your immediate environment.

It is important to encourage learning and education. There are studies that show girls with a strong educational background are less likely to run into trouble as teenagers. The more your young girls know, the better able they are to make decisions. Encourage learning in math and science. These seem to be two areas where “girls” have been pushed aside in the past. Girls are just as capable in math and science as is boys. This attitude is improving; however, girls are still viewed as less likely to succeed in these areas. Encouragement in math and science can promote increased self confidence and prepare girls for the changing work environment that relies more and more on technology. This is not to say other areas of learning are less important. Encouragement in these areas can help provide balance to an education that is still not quite equal between girls and boys.

Encourage young girls to try new things and discover their talents. Learning what we are good at, and being encouraged to follow these directions, can greatly improve self-esteem and self confidence. When talents or dreams are dismissed, this can easily be perceived as a personal rejection. When girls are encouraged to pursue their interests and develop their talents, they hear the message that they are important. Girls who feel valued by their parents and other important figures in their life are less likely to seek validation from other sources, many of which are not the positive influences desired.

Helping young girls develop a healthy self-esteem and self confidence is an ongoing process. As you work on solutions together, you can help young girls develop independence and the self confidence they need to transition into adulthood.

Natural Pain Relief Safety and Benefits

2008-01-21T18:19:00.000-08:00

Pain can be experienced as a result of old age, physical illness, extensive exercise, overwork, heavy lifting, strained muscles or broken bones. Pain triggers a region of the brain known as the lateral occipital complex, reducing a person's ability to concentrate and accurately recognize images, i.e. our ability to think and perceive properly. Pain also interferes with our ability to cope with life emotionally, e.g. sadness, irritation and perhaps depression and hopelessness. Supermarkets and pharmacies have aisles and aisles of pills, powders and bandages to help with pain relief. Some common pain relief medication can cause mild side effects like drowsiness or nausea. Other pain relief medications are prescribed and can have even more serious side effects. Drugs like vicodin and percocet are prescription, heavy duty narcotic pain relief pills that are addictive and dangerous if not taken carefully. New studies suggest those drugs that block pain could also be stimulating receptors that cause pain as well.

A safer option for society's pain relief is the variety of all natural products. These all natural products aid in pain relief for muscle and joint pain, as well as relax the body for a general improvement of the body and soul. Some examples of natural pain relief products are vitamins, supplements, herbs, ointments, creams and even bath formulas to reduce inflammation

Both glucosamine and chondroiton are a nutritional approach to maintaining the fluids needed to lubricate joints and cartilage. . Glucosamine is an amino found in the body that stimulates growth of new cartilage and can also help to reduce joint pain. People using glucosamine experienced as much pain relief as those taking over-the-counter medications. Antioxidants such as glutathione can help tissue recover from inflammation. The antioxidant acetyl-cystine, a precursor to glutathione, can reduce pain from nerve damage. There are widely known natural and herbal remedies for pain relief. These include varying amounts and combinations of "Devil's Claw", Willow Bark, Boswellia, Camomile, Bromelain, Oil of Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Nettle leaf, St. John's Wort, arnica gel, celadrin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, msm and natural pain relief formulas to reduce neuropathic pain.

Bromelain is particularly useful for reducing muscle and tissue inflammation and as a digestive aid. Supplements are made from enzymes found in the pineapple stem. Bromelain is believed to be an effective blood thinner and anti-inflammatory that works by breaking down fibrin, a blood-clotting protein that can interfere with good circulation and stop tissues from releasing used material and toxins properly. Bromelain also blocks the production of compounds that can cause swelling and pain. When inflammation is reduced, blood can move more easily to a traumatized area, Bomelain can help reduce muscle and joint pain, reduce swelling, bruising, redness and drain excess fluid from the injured area.

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common experiences for people with chronic pain. It may not always be that the pain itself prevents a good night's sleep. Some studies suggest that poor sleep makes the pain worse. In fact, one study in healthy men found they grew more sensitive to painful stimuli when deprived of sleep. There are many natural sleep aids available to facilitate a good night's sleep that do not carry the risk of morning after drowsiness, dependence, or impaired thinking or physical ability.

As mentioned earlier, pain can also interfere with one's ability to cope emotionally, concentrate, and perceive properly. Pain may arouse fear, sadness, irritation, moderate depression and decrease one's ability to give and hold attention. There are a wide variety of natural supplements and formulas to help increase oxygen and serotonin to our brain to help us remain calm and alert. These natural supplements include may also be pain relieving as well as mood enhancing at the same time e.g. St. John's Wort, acytl-cystine, and other antioxidants and amino acids that improve general circulation and promote healing as well as enhancing brain function.

Hydrotherapy, i.e. the use of water for relieving stress, tension, and muscle aches, is an ancient and widely used form of natural pain relief. There are natural elements that can be added to our warm, soaking baths to increase water's natural ability to relieve pain. There are also many aromatherapy bath products, e.g. sea salts, minerals, and oils, that not only help with pain relief but also provide therapeutic aromas that help soothe our emotional well being and emotional ability to cope with pain.

There are many topical and ingestion natural supplements and formulas available to help us relieve and cope with pain. These natural substances do not present a risk of harmful or unwanted side effects e.g. dependence, drowsiness, pain increase, etc., as do some prescription synthetic drugs. Natural pain relief supplements can actually help eliminate the source and cause of pain, i.e. aid healing, as well as reducing the feeling and experience of pain. Often natural pain relief supplements provide additional benefits, beyond pain relief, for improving our overall health in general.

Kids & Healthy Eating

2007-12-30T01:52:00.000-08:00

What parent doesn't want their kids to eat healthier? We've all had to bribe, cajole, threaten and manipulate our children at least once, but wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to stoop to such heavy handed tactics? Here are some tips to help you out.

Start early! Don't wait until it's too late and your child's already ruined by sweets and treats. Once they've tasted ice cream, it's harder to get them to eat broccoli. And if you've waited too long then you'll just have to be strong and realize your kids might not like you for a few days.

Make sure you have a good variety of healthy foods available to your children. This prevents them from latching on to one food or one food group. Sure they'll still have their favorites, but a variety of vegetables and fruits will help them to get used to all of their varied tastes.

Try combing foods they like with foods they don't. For example, stir-frying onions with zucchini, broccoli, carrots, and snow peas isn't as bad as sitting down to a whole plate of broccoli. It also helps to make sure the pieces are small enough so your child gets some carrots with her zucchini.

Be strong! This is very important for teaching a child to eat what's good for them. Tell them that this is what we're having for dinner and there's nothing else for them to eat. They'll get hungry enough to eat what's served them if there are no other options available.

Which reminds me. Don't bring any food in the house that isn't part of a healthy food plan. That's right! No snacks, cookies, sweetened cereals, pastries, treats - whatever - are permitted. This might seem harsh, but you have to decide who you're raising; healthy, smart kids who don't get sick or fat or sick kids with learning disabilities who grow up to suffer degenerative diseases.

Stay away from people hell-bent on corrupting your children with candy and treats. It's amazing to me how so many well-meaning people like a bank teller or a relative offer my children lollipops or cookies. Teach your children to smile and politely say,
"No thank you." And if it's a relative that's always offering your child a treat, then ask them to stop or stop visiting them (a third option is to make them take care of your kid during his sugar buzz and subsequent crash - they'll never do it again).

Here's another free tip for kids and healthy eating that might fall into the harsh category, but if you think about it seriously you'll see how important it is. Don't let your kids watch commercial TV. Yes! You read this correctly. The majority of the ads on TV are about food and getting your children to eat these unhealthy foods. TV commercials are the nutritional education for 95% of the population and virtually nothing advertised on TV has any nutrition in it. You'll see a huge decrease in your child's food cravings when you turn off the tube.

And finally, the most important tip of all is for you to set a great example. How can you expect your children to eat fish, vegetables and whole wheat bread when you don't? How can you get them to give up ice cream when you won't? They look to you as a role model so you might as well live like one because if you don't, then you have no right to complain about their poor eating habits, obesity, ADHD and the time you have to take off work to care for a sick child.

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Difficult Students and Fitness Centers

2007-12-23T20:23:00.000-08:00

What would you do if you had to substitute your Yoga class for an Aerobic Step class? What if one of the Step Aerobics students gave you a case of misplaced aggression because he or she was disappointed the Step Aerobics class was canceled?

If you are considering teaching Yoga in a fitness center, or health club; imagine the following situation. A Power Yoga teacher is called, by the fitness center she works for - to substitute her Power Yoga class for the regular Step Aerobics Class; this is her story.

"This morning I substituted for another fitness class and had a woman literally scowl, once she found out that Yoga was filling in the time slot for the Step Aerobics class. She looked at me, and said, that it wasn't against me, but she just didn't see the point in stretching. "I can't loose weight by stretching. I need cardio."

I told her that she might be surprised and she might see Yoga in a different light. She replied "Not likely," and walked away from me. Though she said it wasn't personal, I took it so.

I really thought hard about all the things I wanted to say, but found that everything I wanted to say had a negative tone. I told this person, as she walked away that I was not going to argue with her because I saw no point in it.

I felt hurt by her attitude, what can be said to people like this? What can I do to let it "roll off of me?" Can you respond in love and still get the point across?"

Let's find some realistic solutions for this Yoga teacher.

In a nutshell: This particular health club member is full of negative energy. You are doing your job by substituting for the Step Aerobics class. She decides to take it out on you, but it is all misplaced aggression. She would have acted the same way toward anyone teaching anything, except a cardio based fitness class.

Fitness centers are doing the best they can to serve their clients, on tight budgets. This particular fitness center wants to make sure there is a class for its members, because the Step Aerobics instructor is out. This is obvious, but, this person decides to attack what you do - just to lash out at somebody.

What you did is the best thing by avoiding an argument. Showing loving kindness was wise for many reasons. Management will usually back the members, no matter how obnoxious they are.

Many Yoga instructors currently teach Yoga in, or have taught Yoga at, fitness centers, in the past. When a racquetball court is in full swing, a fitness center is not always an ideal place to teach meditation.

My advice: Design a prepared handout, which highlights the researched benefits of Power Yoga. Some fitness center clientele don't understand what Yoga is or what it can do for them.

Pass them out with a smile. If the class wants to work hard, give them their money's worth (a serious challenge). They will believe Power Yoga can get them fit, when they can see and feel it.

Those scenarios are the reasons why some Yoga teachers do not teach in fitness centers anymore. When I teach Yoga to anyone, I want to make sure the students want to be there for Yoga.

In a health club, Yoga is just part of a big fitness menu - Like ice cream on an apple pie in a restaurant. So, very few of the members see it as something special.

Lastly, you are a Yoga teacher, but you are human too. Negative people do not think much before talking, but they do upset everyone all day and every day.

You did the right thing by displaying self-restraint. Remember the saying: "You cannot please everyone all the time."

How More Women Can Survive The Hot Flash

2007-12-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

A hot flash is not something that can easily be seen by an onlooker; you almost have to be the one under attack. A hot flash can be described as having an intense fever or the feeling you get after standing too long near a blazing fire. It's an intense uncontrollable heat within a woman's body that may last a few seconds or up to an hour. Some women have reported having a hot flash as often as every 90 minutes!

Hot flashes are described as sudden waves of heat that primarily affects the head and neck region when blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate. Some women can predict when they are going to have a hot flash or even the duration and frequency.

During a hot flash, the heart rate increases. The woman begins to react to the heat by perspiring usually on the upper lip or forehead, and some women fan themselves with their hand, a fan, magazine or whatever is available to generate cool air.

Following a hot flash, flushing or redness occurs underneath the skin and for many the body temperature drops as women experience a chill as the body struggles to regain its normal temperature. Some women also experience nighttime hot flashes or night sweats.

Some of the most unpleasant symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, have long been believed to originate in the ovaries. This theory is popular because women experience relief from hot flashes once they replace their lost estrogen.

The most recent theory indicates hot flashes start in the brain because the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland stop reacting normally to estrogen. This occurs because estrogen production affects the part of the brain that controls the body's temperature. The theory deduces that the drop in estrogen confuses the hypothalamus which is referred to as the body's thermostat and results in making the body too hot.

Hot flashes can be triggered by spicy food, dairy products, meat products, hot drinks, alcohol, sugar, smoking, caffeine, diet pills, stress, hot weather, hot showers, hot beds, hot rooms, hot tubs, saunas, tobacco, marijuana, anxiety, stress and anger. Women should avoid fried, rich, spicy and sugary foods because they can develop heartburn, acid reflux, and gallstones. Hot flashes are more common in the evening and during hot weather with the most common times identified for hot flashes between six and eight in the morning and six to ten at night.

If you can identify what triggers your hot flashes, that is a good indication of survival during an attack. It is also advisable to keep a record of when your hot flashes happen and what you were eating or doing, or how you were feeling at the time in order to be able to predict when and how the may occur.

The best way to beat a hot flash is naturally. The medical profession has generally ignored natural, less risky remedies for hot flashes to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Recent studies have shown that medication is not always helpful. However, you should always begin with the least aggressive approach to treating menopausal symptoms which would be natural remedies.

There are some natural remedies that provide relief for menopausal symptoms, such as isoflavones found in soybeans. Isoflavones is similar to the hormone estrogen and when ingested, stimulates estrogen production. Although study results are not entirely consistent, isoflavones from soy and red clover have been found to be helpful for symptoms of menopause.

Bioflavonoids are chemicals found in citrus fruits that have been shown to protect capillaries and other small blood vessels. Bioflavonoids, when taken with Vitamin C, have been found to strengthen and stabilize the capillaries and other small blood vessels which can prevent hot flashes from occurring. The effect on hot flashes may be due to the similarity between certain bioflavonoids and our bodies own estrogens.

Vitamin E supplementation has also been shown to significantly reduce hot flashes. Clinical trials reported that vitamin E controlled flushing in more than 50% of the cases. It is thought that vitamin E may act as an estrogen substitute, thereby reducing the intensity of hot flashes.

Some other herbal supplements that have shown to reduce hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause are: bioflavonoid supplements, evening primrose oil (also used for PMS symptoms), ginseng, black cohosh, chickweed tincture, vitex agnus castii, blue cohosh, dong quai, wild yam root, natural progesterone, licorice root, false unicorn, lachesis, pulsatilla and sarsaparilla. Additionally, other alternative remedies that women can benefit from for relief of hot flashes are sage tea, acupuncture, meditation and biofeedback.

Functional health beverages containing certain fruit or vegetables with the nutrients polyphenols, flavenols and phytosterols also contain estrogen like chemicals that can reduce menopause symptoms.

Testimonials received from functional health beverage users state positive results from menopausal and PMS symptoms when consuming functional health beverages.

Medical Disclaimer
It is important when using herbs and vitamins to pay attention to our bodies' responses and to remember that natural doesn't mean we can take large amounts of a substance without thinking of side effects. It is recommended to obtain advice from someone who is familiar with herbs and vitamins for the correct dosages.

Information in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to act as a substitute for medical advice provided by a qualified health care provider, nor is any information on this topic intended to diagnose, treat, care or prevent any diseases. Statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration.

Menopause Is Coming - Be An Informed Consumer

2007-11-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

Menopause is a natural part of life and does not necessarily require treatment. You need to be informed of your options. Symptoms and health risks associated with low estrogen can be treated, often, in natural ways that don't include drug related risks.

Definition
When a woman's menstrual period ceases, and the ovaries permanently stop releasing eggs, a woman has entered the time in life called menopause. It is considered complete when a woman has been without her period for a full year. Menopause can occur anytime between the ages of 40-58, however, the average age is 51 years old.

The Cause
Menopause is a natural part of life and is a gradual process. The ovaries begin producing lower amounts of hormones prior to menopause during a phase called perimenopause.

If menopause occurs before the age of 40 it is called premature menopause. Premature menopause can occur naturally but can also be the result of several conditions, including:

* Family history of premature menopause
* Autoimmune diseases
* X-chromosome abnormalities
* Medical treatments (pelvic surgery, surgical removal of ovaries, chemotherapy,
or pelvic radiation therapy)
* Medications that lower estrogen levels
* Smoking

The Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Since menopause is a natural process associated with aging, there are no risk factors, but risk factors for premature menopause include:

* Family history of premature menopause

Symptoms
A number of physical and emotional symptoms may occur as menopause approaches. Women entering menopause often experience:

* Irregular menstrual periods
* Hot flashes and night sweats
* Disturbed sleep patterns, insomnia
* Anxiety
* Depression
* Dry skin
* Irritability
* Vaginal dryness and pain with sexual intercourse
* Difficulty concentrating
* Trouble remembering things
* Diminished interest in sex
* Frequent urination or leaking of urine
* Headaches
* Achy joints
* Fatigue
* Early morning awakening

The Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Blood tests, a pelvic exam, and a Pap smear may also be performed. Natural menopause is usually diagnosed when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

If a woman had a hysterectomy before menopause, and no longer has periods, menopause may be suspected. It can be confirmed by an FSH test. This test is considered the most accurate for the diagnosis of menopause. It is the measurement of follicle stimulating hormone. High levels of FSH (greater than 40) may indicate menopause.

Treatment
Menopause is a natural part of life and does not automatically require treatment. Symptoms and health risks associated with low estrogen can be treated. These include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and osteoporosis.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Be sure you completely understand the benefits and risk before starting HRT.

A number of different types of hormones are available. These include natural, synthetic, and plant-derived estrogens and progesterone. Combined therapies may include combinations of estrogen and progesterone; or the addition of small amounts of male hormones. Hormone preparations are available as tablets, gels, skin patches, vaginal rings, vaginal tablets, injections, and pellets inserted into the skin.

There is significant scientific evidence that the global health risks associated with combined estrogen and progesterone HRT on a long-term basis (more than 3-5 years) outweigh the benefits for many women. The average age of the women in these research studies is over 60 years old.

Use of combined HRT at the time of menopause (around age 50) may pose less risk. Also, most of these studies used conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone. Other evidence suggests that use of estradiol and natural progesterone may pose less risk.

Phytoestrogens
A high intake of phytoestrogens (or plant estrogens) may help menopausal women. Phytoestrogens are found in soybeans, black cohosh, whole grains, legumes, tempeh, and flax seed. They are also found in concentration in capsule form. Phytoestrogens may reduce the risk for diseases associated with estrogen.

Healthful/Helpful Diet
Diet can play an important and beneficial roll. A healthful diet during menopause can improve a woman's sense of well-being, and may also reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. The diet should be low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium, and vitamin D. Low-fat does not mean no-fat. Some fats, especially the Omega-3 fats are essential.

Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
High use of caffeine or alcohol is never a good choice. Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol may reduce symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and loss of calcium.

Quit Smoking
There are no health benefits derived from smoking. Giving up smoking can reduce the risk of early menopause, heart disease, and osteoporosis.

Regular Exercise
A healthy lifestyle should embrace regular exercise. It may reduce hot flashes. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, climbing stairs, and resistance exercises such as lifting weights help strengthen bones and decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

Stress Management
Stress management may help ease tension, anxiety, and possibly other menopausal symptoms. Deep breathing, massage, warm baths, and quiet music are relaxation techniques that may lessen stress.

Over-the-Counter Medications
Moisturizers and lubricants are used to help vaginal dryness.

Non-hormonal Medications
Certain blood pressure medicines (like "Catapres" and "Aldomet") taken in lower doses than are used to treat high blood pressure have been somewhat helpful in relieving some menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

SSRI medications (serotonin reuptake inhibitors like "Prozac", "Paxil", and "Effexor") have shown a modest benefit on hot flash severity scores. These medications should not be used if you are taking tamoxifen to reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Prevention
Menopause does not need to be prevented. It is a natural biological event.
If you smoke, quitting could slightly delay the onset of menopause.

Do you realize you are what you eat?

2007-11-19T00:52:00.000-08:00

Each time you sit down to a meal you are making a life – death decision. Does that sound scary? I hope it does because whatever you are eating determines whether you will be healthy or unhealthy. This has been proven over and over again that you are what you eat. Now granted you may eat some things periodically that are not good for you but it's not wise to continue to do so day after day.

I've heard some of my friend's say. " I eat whatever I want, If I can't eat what I want I just as soon die." Well some of them have died and others have some serious illnesses or diseases. So I believe this is a very foolish thing to say. Why would anyone want to subject their bodies to foods that cause discomfort and health problems?

It's really amazing how many natural things are available to help us be healthy and keep us healthy. Yet this information is not widely known by the general public. Most doctors don't tell you. The drug companies sure won't tell you. You very seldom ever hear it or read it in the press either

I never became as conscious of my health or my wife's health until she was diagnosed with breast cancer about four years ago. Even though we believed we were eating healthy we didn't realize that some foods we were eating were not very healthy to eat. That's when I met a naturopathic doctor and got more advice. I even started doing some research on my own too.

Wow! Did I get a terrific education on health matters. Since then I have kept up my research and education even more intensively now. I learned that food can be your "Miracle Medicine" More than 9,000 scientific studies have proven beyond doubt that food is your best medicine.

I know you have heard the famous saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" I never knew how true this was until I started my research. Apples have been proven to be potent weapons against cancer, heart disease, asthma, and type 2 diabetes.

Strawberries and raspberries contain a compound called ellagic acid. One of the best cancer fighters Mother Nature ever created. When eating these fruits this compound enters the bloodstream to help vanquish cancer cells on contact. By eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast or eating pears you can regulate your cholesterol. They can help keep your LDL (bad) cholesterol below 130 and HDL (good) cholesterol above 65.

It's also helpful to consume foods that contain soluble (dissolves in liquids) fiber, such as beans, barley, oats, peas, apples, oranges and pears. Soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines into the bloodstream.

There is virtually a cure or prevention for every disease or illness. So for anyone who has not learned the benefits of healthful eating let me encouraged you to start your own education on the subject today. You can find a lot of good information on the Internet. There are also health newsletters you can subscribe to. And many books on all kinds of health issues are widely available today.

It's sad that most people are not getting honest answers about their health. It's sad people are swallowing large amounts of worthless prescription drugs that are sometimes causing more serious ailments then before they ever started taking them in the first place.

So I guess the only thing to do is to keep preaching good health ideas to people I know and meet. I'll also continue spreading healthy information in my bimonthly newsletter and the articles I write and submit to directories. Hopefully someday if there are enough of us preaching healthy information wherever we can we will eventually convince people that they truly are what they eat.

My Atkins Diet Story

2007-11-12T18:29:00.001-08:00

Do You Want To Lose Extra Weight? Try Atkins Diet!

2007-11-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

The Atkins Diet, created by Dr. Robert Atkins, is based on the theory that consuming too much carbohydrates, especially the refined carbs as those found in white bread, sugar and high-fructose corn syrups, is responsible for the high incidence of obesity-causing metabolic disorders amongst the Western population - and lifestyles based on too little physical activity only adding to the problem of obesity and diabetes.

The other unique feature of Atkins Diet is that saturated fats are not considered the main nutritional culprits - it is the trans-fats found in hydrogenated oils that need to be shunned along with carbohydrates. Thus, Atkins Diet is one that is drastically restricted in carbohydrates and is relatively rich in proteins and saturated fats.

Dr. Robert Atkins formulated the Atkins 's Diet sometime in the sixties. The inspiration was an article featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr. Atkins adapted these ideas to formulate a diet and tried it on himself, and the results were startling. He treated thousands of overweight patients and expounded his diet in a series of books. The rest is history.

The logic behind Atkins 's Diet is quite simple: your body fulfills a major part of its energy requirements by burning carbs as fuel. And so, if you deprive it of carbs by substituting them with proteins and fats in your diet, the body would run out of fuel and, therefore, be forced into fat-burning mode (ketosis).

All the energy requirements of the body would then be met with by burning the stored body fat, leading to rapid fat loss and weight loss. When the body is in the state of ketosis, one also tends to feel less hungry and so consumes less calories than what one would normally do.

There are four phases in Atkins Diet: (1) Induction, (2) Ongoing weight loss, (3) Pre-maintenance and (4) Lifetime maintenance.

The Induction phase is the most restrictive phase, with the allowed intake of carbohydrates being restricted to a meager 20 net grams/day. This is required in order to push the body into a state of ketosis. A multivitamin supplement is highly recommended during this initial phase.

In the following phases the intake of carbohydrates is then gradually increased (up to a reasonable amount, though still far lesser than the average carbohydrate consumption), but sooner or later the body gets have used to a low-carbs diet.

Foods Recommended in Atkins Diet

1. High-protein foods such as meat, fish and eggs are a must. However, they must not be breaded, nor should they be consumed along with sauces, which are high in carbohydrates.
2. Low-carb vegetables/fruits are fine too. Some examples of such vegetables are spinach, herbs, celery, radish, sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower and Avocado. For a comprehensive list of low-carb veggies/fruits, you can always run a check on the Internet.
3. Cheese - all kinds of cheese can make a part of Atkins Diet. Butter is good too, but you shouldn't go overboard.
4. Olive oil is the preferred choice amongst cooking oils. Trans-fats have to be strictly avoided. But nuts are great.
5. As far as drinks go, Atkins Diet recommends 8 glasses of water a day. Drinks with sugar content are a big no-no - and that includes sugared tea and coffee. Diet sodas are okay though.
6. Psyllium comes highly recommended, as it is rich in fiber.
7. Sugar is out, while sugar substitutes are okay - but must be taken in limited amounts.

Many people follow the Atkins Diet and many results that have been published in esteemed review journals have spoken in favor of this diet, as they haven't observed any serious side effects. But some controversies and questions still remain, e.g., whether it would be suitable for people having kidney problems. So, before latching on to Atkins Diet diet, it is best to consult your doctor first.

Using Health Vitamin As An Alternative For Children's Well Being

2007-11-04T19:13:00.000-08:00

Children are not known for their love of healthy eating, and this is where a health vitamin comes in handy. Try as we might to make sure they're getting enough fruits and vegetables in their diets to keep them topped up with all of the key vitamins, it can be a constant battle.

If your kids look at vegetables like some kind of evil presence, you may need to find other ways to make sure that they are getting the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy and develop normally. For many parents, the easiest way to do this is with a health vitamin supplement.

The market is packed with health vitamin options. Some are better than others depending on your child's age and diet. For infants, the only realistic option is a liquid vitamin mixture.

Babies can hardly by expected to swallow a pill and aren't likely to do much better with a chewable until they have all of their teeth. Liquid vitamins don't keep their potency for long after the packaging is opened, so keep them in the refrigerator and don't hold on to them past their expiry dates.

Young children can be enticed to take their vitamins in a variety of ways. Many companies make chewable tablets which look and taste a lot like candy. Popular characters from the Flintstones to Bugs Bunny or even Pokemon give the vitamins a kid-friendly look. Getting to choose from a range of characters can actually make your child excited about taking a health vitamin.

The sweet taste makes these go down a treat, but be sure that your children understand that the vitamins are not actually candy and they shouldn't ever have more than one per day. (If your vitamins seem to be disappearing too quickly, keep them out of reach with your other medications so that the kids can't help themselves to extras.)

If you don't want to give your kids a sugary children's supplement, or would prefer not to spend the extra money on them, you can use the non-chewable adult tablets. Adult health vitamin pills can be split in half to provide a lower dose.

If your child is too young to swallow a vitamin whole, try grinding it into a powder and mixing it with some applesauce or honey to disguise the taste. Some parents find that mixing the ground vitamin tablet into a glass of fruit juice does the trick.

Once your child is old enough to start learning to swallow pills, you may find that you need to provide a bit of incentive. The first few tries to introduce a health vitamin this way are likely to lead to some bitter experiences!

A small, cash reward for a successful attempt is one way to motivate your kids to keep trying. Another is to offer something sweet, like honey, after the pill has been swallowed. This will get rid of any lingering aftertaste from the pill.

Getting kids to eat right is a challenge for most parents. But a simple multivitamin can provide the peace of mind that your children are getting the nutrients they need. Getting them to take a vitamin supplement using any of these easy methods gives you one less struggle in your day

What Are The Causes Of Childhood Obesity

2007-11-01T02:28:00.000-07:00

Today, the rise in childhood obesity has several causes. The main cause of obesity is certainly children eat too much and/or not perform regular exercise or being generally inactive. The extra calories that are not able to burn up through exercises or physical activities will translate into fat, and when this fat becomes excessive and more, one will become obese. This difference results in weight gain and will vary from children to children that was due to few factors such as genes, health issues, physical inactivity as well as psychological issues also contribute to weight gain and may be what the causes of obesity are. Even though the main cause of obesity is underlying disorders, nevertheless, it is also closely related to people lifestyles as well.

Poor eating habits and food choices

Today, the way we prepare food and the no of time per day is totally different as compare with our ancestors did in the old time. During the old time, everything need to be cooked from scratch, but now with the help from modern equipments, the time and effort to prepare food became simple and faster. This is one of the reasons why now fast food restaurants dominate our diets.

By study how the children eat today; you will know what the main cause of childhood obesity is. Small changes in their daily diets can have large help enabling you to prevent childhood obesity. The best healthy choices of food include vegetables and fruits instead of sugary snacks. The most popular choices include carrot and bananas, celery sticks, apples and even salads that include a large variety of vegetables. By helping children understand and choosing the correct and better foods during the childhood time, definitely will ensure that they make the correct choices as they move into adulthood.

Bad behavior is also one of the causes. This group of children eats food that is low in nutrition and high in fat. This group of children eats fast food meals, rich desserts and drinks with a lot of sugar. They also usually overeaten, and the food that they consume has many empty calories. In other words, the food that they eat does not provide enough nutrition for a children needs. This same group of children eats lots of sweets food which in general have empty calories.

Lack of Exercise

Lack of regular exercise is a factor that has contributed to this being one of the causes of childhood obesity. Children who spend a lot of time watching TV programs will have a greater risk of child obesity than those who go outside playing or sporting. This is typically true when the children are eating fast food while watching television or playing video games.

In the pass, children like to play sports more often, enjoy outside activities as forms of entertainment and walk to school. But now a day, children are completely opposite from the pass. The sports our children like to do these days include watching television, playing computer game, surfing internet, chatting, and any game they choose while exercising only their mind, head and hands only. When you combine the poor choices in food and the lack of exercising, there is a high chance that childhood obesity will end up lead to disease.

Genetics

Genetics and DNA have been found to be a contributing factor in the causes of childhood obesity. Unfortunately, some children are naturally predisposed to obesity. These children are born with genes that cause them to put on weight more quickly than other children. The children with certain genes end up storing the fat more easily than other children. There is not much that these children can do about their genes, but there are steps that they can take to conquer the obesity.

Children parents can also aid in determining your chances of dealing with childhood obesity. If children parents had a problem with overweight, chances are the children will deal with the same issues. This makes it very important that you keep an eye on your children and their action and habits. Our DNA can not be changed. We can do some small changes in other areas that can make a great deal of improve on your child obesity. Some small changes, such as walking to school, playing outdoor games rather than letting children stay at home and avoid exercise. The simple and regular exercise can help your children avoid childhood obesity.

Psychological issues and Stress

Some study say that about 10% of people that are mildly obese was cause by psychological or stress problems. Some children have a difficult time dealing with stress so they use food as a comfort when they feel, and many children are prone to eating in response to negative emotions like being bored, feeling anxious or being angry.

Each child has to contend with different factors in their lives. The causes of obesity are can also be viewed as being weakness, a lack of willpower or a lifestyle choice of overeating and not exercising enough.

Environments

The environment too plays a role in the causes of obesity. The family home is an important place to learn about proper nutrition and enough physical activity. Attitudes, Habits, and beliefs about food selection and how to spend family leisure time are critical factors to forming a healthy relationship with food. Children spend a lot of time in school, their food choices at school become important and it was influenced by the school eating environment.

Modern lifestyles have improved our quality of life but also contribute greatly to physical inactivity. Cars are used for short trips, and the number of walking trips the average American children takes each year have decreased. Today only about 10% of public school students walk to school compared to the large no of student a generation ago.

Why Do Children Need Chiropractic Care?

2007-10-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

Let me start with the facts. These “facts” are not just hypothetical ideas. They are actual statistics and actual studies that show that chiropractic care for children is not only safe, it is vital. Take these figures into account:

- A study done by Abraham Towbin, M.D., an expert in pathology, shows that“Spinal cord and brain stem injuries occur often during the process of birth but frequently escape diagnosis." (Towbin, A., "Latent Spinal Cord and brain Stem Injury in Newborn Infants", Develp Med. Child. Neurol, 11:54-68,1969) This often leads to something known as Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome, a primary cause of upper respiratory infections including ear infections and chronic tonsillitis. (Gutman, G., "Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome In Infants and Small Children", Manuelle Medizin, 1987)

- A study in which Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome was corrected with chiropractic care showed that 40 out of 43 children studied who were suffering from ear infections improved with chiropractic care alone within two weeks of being adjusted. (Froehle, R.M., J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 1996 Mar-Apr;19(3):169-77)

- A study by J.E. Upledger showed a definite and significant relationship between restrictions in movement of the upper neck area of the spine and children with learning disabilities. (Upledger, J.E., J Am Osteopath Assoc, 1978 Jun;77(10):760-76)

What we have going on here is a high prevalence of something known as “birth trauma” that is causing children to suffer as they grow. When bones misalign they press on nerves. When this happens, the whole body suffers as a result. These misalignments are known as “subluxations.” So the question is what type of healthcare practitioner is trained and qualified to diagnose and correct such a condition? Only a Doctor of Chiropractic can do this, particularly one who has specialized training in the care of pediatric patients.

Birth trauma causes DIRECT impingement on the tiny nerves of a child. However, there are two other major reasons why subluxations may occur indirectly: mental stress and toxic stress. While mental stress may not be so prevalent in childhood years, toxic stress is, particularly because many vaccinations contain compounds such as thimerosal and formaldehyde as preservatives. A child’s immune system isn’t even fully developed until after the age of two years. Thus, vaccinating a child before the immune system is even capable of handling such an antigen can impair the immune system’s response at a later time. This is why many children still may develop a disease even though they have been vaccinated against it.

I am often asked by mothers-to-be what is the safest way to give birth in order to minimize the occurrence of birth trauma. They are pleased to learn that the upright or squatting positions are not only easier on the baby, but they are much more comfortable on mom as well. The baby has the benefit of having a gravity-assisted birth that minimizes the amount of force being placed on the baby’s head and neck. Mom doesn’t feel as much pain because the baby is not pressing down on the sacral plexus of nerves as it usually is in the typical “lithotomy” position (mom lying flat on her back with legs up in stirrups). These safer, less painful positions minimize the chance that both mom and her baby will suffer from a subluxation.

Children who receive regular chiropractic care do indeed live healthier lives. While I was a chiropractic intern at Life University in Marietta, GA, I met many people my own age who have never been sick in their life. They said that the key to their abounding level of wellness was that they have never received a vaccination and they’ve been receiving chiropractic care since the day they were born. I have seen for myself how much happier and vibrant children who receive chiropractic care are. It is so heartwarming to see children who no longer have to take medications such as Ritalin, asthma medications, or antibiotics because they started receiving chiropractic care instead. Seeing a child who was once sickly be able to laugh and play with other kids in an optimal state of wellness gives me the greatest joy.

Childhood Obesity

2007-10-18T18:49:00.001-07:00

Childhood Obesity: Physical Effects

2007-10-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

Obesity can be a problem as early as kindergarten for some children. Children who suffer from obesity will most likely endure a lifelong struggle with physical and emotional consequences.

Physical effects of obesity in children include difficulty keeping up with physical activities, problems sleeping, and trouble with breathing. Not only are obese children more often affected by asthma, they also have problems with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is being recognized with more frequency as the incidence of pediatric obesity rises. Clinically significant effects on learning and memory function have been documented in children with obstructive sleep apnea as a consequence of obesity. (Must, Aviva, Ph.D., ET AL, 2003 "Effects of Obesity on Morbidity in Children and Adolescents" Nutrition in Clinical Care, p. 8).

Childhood obesity clearly impacts the health of the growing child. Furthermore, it is considered an important disease because of its link to long-term health problems including type II diabetes, hypertension, some forms of cancer, lack of energy and asthma. The incidence of type II diabetes in children is expected to grow in parallel with the rise in obesity. Onset diabetes in childhood is a predictor of early onset of diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and amputations (Must, p. 131). Approximately 60% of overweight five to ten year old children experience at least one associated biochemical or clinical cardiovascular risk factor, such as hyperlipidemia, elevated blood pressure, or increased insulin levels, and 25% have two or more (Koplan, JP, Deitz WH., "Calorie Imbalance and Public Health Policy" The Journal of the American Medical Association, 1999. p 1579).

Children from lower income families are at a greater disadvantage because the majority of this population resides in neighborhoods with intimidating playgrounds. Concerned with street safety, children are often kept inside by parents and they tend to spend more time in front of the television or playing video games.

Playgrounds in lower income neighborhoods tend to be filthy, with broken bottles, trash and graffiti covering the park. Although the playground has basketball courts, swings and jungle gyms, they are generally not child friendly. The parks are usually populated with young adults hanging out, intimidating the younger children. This is not a safe environment for children to play in and not one in which children could safely play unsupervised.

Schools are contributing to childhood obesity by failing to make physical education an important part of the curriculum. Children don't get enough exercise at school. Time allotted for gym is inadequate and infrequent. Teachers can try to compensate by providing their classes with additional outside play time. The physical education program is extremely vital and deserving of more attention.

Implementation of after school programs that emphasize physical activities such as kickball and basketball should be a priority. There is a need for an after school athletic program at the elementary level to augment the physical education program and provide a safe, healthy environment for lower income children as well. This would be a benefit for children as well as parents, and an important factor in reducing obesity in children.

Helping Children With Obesity Problems

2007-10-16T02:29:00.000-07:00

Obesity in school aged kids is out of control. It is the parent responsibility to establish limits and control the amount of food the child eat, children lack this ability.

Here are some tips that will help you keep track of your child's food and eating regimen and help him fight childhood obesity. By eating poorly and not having good eating habits will effect the eating habits of your child and will lead to being lazy and becoming heavier and unhealthy. Your entire family will benefit from eating healthy eating and physical activity. As a parent you need to take a role in trying to create good habits and help your children establish healthy eating and exercising rituals, this will help in the long run.

Child obesity has lead to a number of other health related issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease from the combination of improper nutrition and lack of exercise. For the sake of her child's health both as a child and throughout his or her life, breastfeeding is the very best possible thing you can do when your child is young. A recent study in obesity suggests that children who are breastfed by their mothers during the first year of life are less likely to develop obesity as they get older.

If you are concerned about your child possibly being overweight then you need to decide whether the excess weight is part of a growth pattern that may change over time or whether there is a weight problem. Forget all the drugs and diets, feed your children healthy food and monitor what they eat, this will help your child in the long run.

It is important as parents that we take more responsibility to ensure healthy living for our children and to ensure they eat enough so they are healthy and they grow up eating healthy foods, we must understand what is healthy weight and what is weight that is leading to becoming obese. Yes they need to eat enough to be healthy and to grow properly, but we must know where to draw the line between what is a healthy weight and what is excessive weight. As parents, we can not take the stand that it is healthy for our children to be round and plump.

One reason: children have increased the amount of calories they eat each day by as many as 300. Did you know that more than 60% of American youth eat too many fatty foods, and less than 20% eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. A journal is just a tool for you to help your child eat better.

Many of the foods children are eating today are fried or fast food type. To keep your children healthy and at an acceptable weight make the meals yourself so you know what you are putting into the food, you are able to control the portions of food and include healthy types of food like vegetables, fruit and many other types of food.

Children and Cholesterol

2007-10-15T00:07:00.000-07:00

Many people assume that high cholesterol is a problem that affects middle-aged adults only. In fact, many people don't even worry about their cholesterol when they are younger, eating all the fatty convenience foods they want, assuming that their early diet makes no difference.

Nothing could be further from the truth. More children today suffer from high cholesterol. In fact, the numbers of children who are taking cholesterol drugs is on the rise! Some studies have suggested that a childhood of poor eating choices can contribute to higher cholesterol later in life.

Besides this, many of the eating habits learned in childhood affects eating in adulthood. Children who are used to eating high-fat foods and convenience foods are more likely to make the same choices as adults. Switching to healthy foods in adulthood may be harder for children who have made less-than-heart-healthy food choices all their lives.

For all these reasons, controlling food intake and lifestyle choices even in early life can contribute to life-long heart health and good cholesterol levels.

If you have children, you can help ensure that they make the right food choices that can help them with their cholesterol levels now and later in life.

In fact, if you and other members of your family have high cholesterol, you need to introduce your children to cholesterol-healthy eating, as your children may be at an increased risk of developing high cholesterol themselves.

Luckily, it is not that hard to teach your children how to make smart food and lifestyle choices that are heart-healthy:

* Teach your children about healthy eating and cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol yourself, you may want to speak to your children about this. Informed children are better able to make smart food choices that can help keep their cholesterol levels healthy later in life.

* Let children make healthy food choices for themselves. Give your children some say about the fruits, vegetables and other foods that they like. Go through heart-healthy cookbooks with your children and let them help you decide what recipes to try.

* Be careful of the food and cholesterol attitudes you convey to your children. Children pick up emotional cues from their parents. If you treat a cholesterol-friendly diet as a type of punishment, your children will likely see it the same way.

If your children see you turn to fatty junk food when you are depressed or feeling stressed, they will likely do the same thing. Many parents are fussy eaters and pass this on to their children, which is a terrible disservice. Fussy eaters will simply not try the different healthy foods out there simply because the foods are different.

* Do not reward children with food. If your child does well at a sport or gets great grades in school, do not take them to a restaurant or for take-out to celebrate.

Give them horseback riding lessons or let them choose a toy or favorite activity instead. Many parents are tempted to keep sweet foods such as cupcakes and cakes for "special occasions" and "special treats" but this inadvertently makes children associate sugary foods with good times and vegetables with punishment or everyday life.

* Take your children food shopping - especially when you are shopping for fresh produce. Let your children choose which vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods they would like. Encourage your children to decide which fruits and vegetables look as though they might be tasty. Treat your produce shopping trip as an adventure and your children may be more likely to eat their fruits and vegetables without a fuss.

* Monitor what your children eat. As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your children eat three meals a day that include foods that are low in fats and high in nutrients. Reduce the amount of sugars and fats your children eat and limit how much junk food is allowed.

* Become involved in your child's school lunch program or cafeteria. Many schools offer less than healthy school lunches as well as vending machines full of sugary foods. At a number of schools, though, parents have banded together to force school boards to provide better foods choices for students. Use this as your inspiration to make sure that your child can make healthy foods choices in school.

* If you are worried about what your children eat, consider taking them to a nutritionist who can help teach them what they should be eating.

* Even if your child has elevated cholesterol levels, realize that growing children still need more fats and nutrients than adults. Never simply place your child on a very low-fat diet - consult with a pediatrician to find a diet plan that can help your child grow while keeping cholesterol under control. A too-low-fat diet may affect childhood development.

* Teach your children about the dangers of smoking. Smoking is a risk factor for cancers, heart disease, and high cholesterol.

* Get your children to exercise. Virtually all health experts agree that North American children do not exercise enough. This has disastrous effects on cholesterol levels and overall health. One of the best things you can do to keep your children away from the dangers of high cholesterol is to get them to exercise at least a little each day. Find an activity they enjoy and encourage them in their activity.

* If your child smokes, is overweight, or has at least one parent who has a cholesterol level of more than 240mg/dl, your child is at an increased risk of high cholesterol - even at an early age. Take you child to the doctor - especially if your child has more than one of the risk factors - for a complete check-up and cholesterol check.

Helping Children With Obesity Problems

2007-10-12T00:51:00.000-07:00

Childrens Mental Health Anxiety

2007-10-09T23:56:00.000-07:00

It can be difficult to diagnose a mental health or anxiety problem in a child, simply because their changing moods and behaviour can often be attributed to a normal part of the growing up process, however, there are certain signs and symptoms that might indicate a child is suffering more than what would be considered normal and they may need some sort of help to get back to their old self again.

It is perfectly natural for a child to feel anxious at times, for example, when facing exams or particularly difficult situations, but when the anxiety is persistent and severe enough to affect the childs day to day life and normal routines then the child could be suffering from an underlying mental health problem that requires some kind of intervention.

What to look out for

Recognising the symptoms of persistent anxiety and mental distress and doing something about it is vital if the child is to get the kind of help he or she needs. Some signs and symptoms to look out for that could indicate the onset of an anxiety or depression related disorder include the following:

Feelings of sadness, despair and hopelessness
Often fearful and scared for no particular reason
Unable to think clearly or make decisions, confusion
Showing signs of extreme anger and hostility towards others
Feeling guilty and worthy of blame and punishment
Thinking they are unloved and unlovable
Appearing anxious, fidgety, and irritable a lot of the time
Seeming to be tired all the time
Sleeping too much or not sleeping at all
Holding strange beliefs or displaying unusual or compulsive behaviours
Disinterested in activities they used to enjoy
Thinking or talking about death and suicide

It is of course perfectly normal for a child to experience one or more of these symptoms in a mild form from time to time, however, in mental illness the symptoms can become so severe and so overwhelming for the child to the extent that they may feel unable to cope with their lives. If excessive anxiety and/or other symptoms appear to be interfering with your childs ability to carry out their day to day routines and other normal activities then you should speak to your doctor.

For example, as well as some of the symptoms already listed, a child may start refusing to go to school, or get up in the morning or go to bed at night. They may say they dont want to attend weekly clubs and activities they used to frequent, or they may not wish to see their friends anymore. They can fall behind with schoolwork, become violent and display other unsociable and or strange behaviours; they may also hold unusual beliefs, feel paranoid or in severe cases may suffer from hallucinations and or delusions.

These are just a few of the ways that mental illness can manifest itself in the behaviour of a child who is suffering mental distress and anxiety, the important thing is to understand that the child is really in need of proper treatment, understanding and support as they cant help their actions.

Mental illness affects how we think, feel and understand ourselves and how we fit into the world around us, as such it can alter a childs behaviour and damage their relationships and their education. It wont just go away and without help, the child can suffer needlessly for months or years as well as increasing the risk of attempted suicide or even death.

So what causes mental illness in children?

There is no single identifiable reason why a child becomes overly anxious or develops a mental health problem but there are some factors that appear to increase the risk of suffering from some form of mental health problem.

Genetics , mental illness can be handed down in the genes so if there is a history of mental illness in the family then there is an increased risk of a child suffering from mental illness too

Stress , sometimes if there are other events going on in their lives, for example, divorce, physical illness, death of a loved one, money problems, bullying at school etc. then the stress can become too much to cope with and can trigger a mental illness

Diet, research indicates that if the diet is too rich in Omega 6 and there is not enough Omega 3 in the form of oily fish or fish oil then the imbalance of fatty acids in the brain can influence brain function and increase the risk of depression, ADHD, and other mood and behaviour disorders

Environment , abuse, neglect and feeling unloved and uncared for can lead to anxiety and mental distress

Conclusion

If your child is displaying signs of anxiety or mental illness, talk to your child and encourage them to explore their feelings and of course, speak to your doctor in order to obtain a correct diagnoses and possible treatment options as it is vital that these symptoms are addressed. With proper help and support, most children will go on to make a full recovery and will be able to enjoy their lives once again.

Take Vitamin B12 To Protect Your Heart

2007-10-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

The entire complex of B vitamins is essential for health, and they're known as the B complex for the very good reason that they interact closely together in the performance of all their vital functions. All the vitamins of the complex are usually found together in food, and since all are water soluble, they may also be excreted together from the body. A deficiency in one of the complex is therefore usually accompanied by a corresponding deficiency in each of the others.

That said, there are particular deficiency characteristics which can be identified for each B vitamin.

Vitamin B12 (sometimes known as cobalamin because of the cobalt ion in its composition) is one of the most important of the complex, and also one of those in which deficiencies are most likely. These deficiencies are largely attributable to difficulties in absorption of the vitamin, which are a particular problem for the elderly.

Vitamin B12 is required for the body's manufacture of the essential amino acid, methionine, and the associated enzyme, methionine synthase. An inadequate supply of this enzyme may lead to an excess of homocysteine, a naturally occurring protein within the body, which has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. At least 80 separate studies have noted this association and it seems that the increase in risk is not negligible. In fact a large study in Europe in 1997 found that people with blood homocysteine levels in the top 20% of the range faced a more than doubled risk of cardiovascular disease.

Whilst elevated homocysteine levels are strongly associated with a deficiency of vitamin B12, deficiencies of vitamins within the B complex are seldom if ever found in isolation, and are therefore seldom remedied by single vitamin supplementation. It is not just vitamin B12, but vitamins B6 and folic acid, for example, that have been found to be associated with excess homocysteine, and which should therefore always be taken together, preferably as part of a supplement containing the whole B complex.

Given that elevated homocysteine levels are accepted as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and that supplementation with the vitamins mentioned above is known to reduce homocysteine levels, you might think it only commonsense to suppose that an adequate intake of these vitamins, including B12, would be a protector against cardiovascular disease. And there are many nutritionists, of course, who strongly agree with this apparently logical position. Perhaps surprisingly, then, conventional medicine remains reluctant to accept it pending the outcome of further large scale placebo trials.

Science must have its definitive answer no doubt, and it is a quest which must be respected, but in this case, given the relatively small amounts of these vitamins required by the body, and the absence of any reported toxicity or adverse side effects, it might be wondered whether from the point of view of the seeker after health, particularly those no longer in the first flush of youth, it is really worth running the risk of a deficiency.

And even orthodox opinion recognises that the risk is real, even though it is unlikely to be caused by an inadequate dietary supply. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin B12 is only 2.4 mcg a day, an amount which should be readily obtainable, except perhaps for those following a strict vegetarian regime, given that a single 3 oz serving of fish or red meat may provide this quantity. For those with a taste for it, sea food may provide a great deal more, and chicken, turkey, eggs, milk and cheese are also useful, though less lavish, sources.

Deficiencies may well result, however, from problems with the absorption of the vitamin, particularly in older people, and it has been estimated that deficiency may affect 10% -15% of individuals over the age of 60.

This is because good absorption of vitamin B12 from food is heavily dependent on the normal stomach acid and digestive enzymes, the quantity and effectiveness of which decreases substantially as the body ages, and on the presence in the stomach of a specialised protein known as Intrinsic Factor. The correct action of Intrinsic Factor requires the presence of adequate calcium in the body, another nutrient in which the elderly, of course, are notoriously likely to be deficient.

Absorption of B12 from supplements is much less problematic, however, because stomach acid and digestive enzymes are not required to release the vitamin from its protein bindings. So this is a rare case in which even conventional medical "wisdom" recognises the value of supplementation, at any rate for the over 50s.

But given that sub-optimal levels of vitamin B12, if not outright deficiencies, are commonly found even in younger individuals, and that cardiovascular disease is a problem which may develop insidiously and without symptoms over many years, there would seem to be strong arguments for supplementation even amongst the wider population

Three easy ways to lose weight!

2007-10-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

I know, as soon as you saw the words "easy" and "lose weight" in the headline, you were ready to write this off as another one of those gimmicks or programs sound too good to be true and usually are. But bear with me and you'll learn 3 strategies that I guarantee will help you in your weight loss efforts.

You've probably been conditioned to believe that weight loss had to be tied to countless hours at the gym, the latest supplement breakthroughs or eating nothing but celery stalks and tofu. Fortunately, dropping a couple dress sizes doesn't take anything that drastic. What it does take is making some small changes in the behaviors that led to the addition of those unwanted pounds. Here are 3 lifestyle changes that will immediately help you lose that unwanted fat and get your body back.

1. Stop Eating Out. Think back to when you were growing up. Do you remember what the dinner plates looked like? Now compare that to what the "plates" look like at O'Charleys, Applebees or any of the other chain restaurants. It's no wonder we're gaining weight. There are dozens of studies about eating out and they all lead to one conclusion: if you eat out, you overeat! Not only is it almost impossible to exercise effective portion control when you eat out, but you're also compelled to get you money's worth so you eat everything you're served rather than stopping when you should.

The bottom line is that those who eat out consume more calories than those that don't. Take a break from eating out for the next six weeks and see how easily you can drop a dress size or even two. And you can use the money you saved eating at home to buy a couple of new outfits to showcase your improved body.

2. Eat Smaller Portions. You don't have to avoid the foods that you enjoy – you just can't eat big servings of them. An easy way to do this is to use smaller plates for your meals. This will help you fell like you're not depriving yourself while still exercising good judgment. And don't think that just because something is on your plate, you have to eat it. As opposed to what your mother told you, you don't have to ‘clean your plate.' In fact - you shouldn't. Eat slowly and stop when you aren't hungry any more. You'll quickly find that you can enjoy your favorite foods and your skinny jeans at the same time.

3. Make Better Choices. I know I just said that you can eat the foods you enjoy and still lose weight, but that doesn't mean overindulging on processed foods, candy, sodas and chips. The key is moderation. So when you go to the supermarket, do the bulk of your shopping around the perimeter of the store and spend less time in the isles. When you're at work, keep health snacks handy so you don't have to rely on the company's vending machine for your energy boost. But most importantly, make good choices with the meals that don't really matter. Your quality of life won't dramatically improve if you choose a cheeseburger over a grilled chicken salad for lunch, so don't do it. Save the times when you are going to choose foods that might be considered unsupportive for the meals that you really look forward to. Improving your choices will accelerate your weight loss and help you save unnecessary calories without really trying.

Obviously, there is nothing magic about any of these three strategies other than the results that they produce. So start applying these three simple ideas and prepare to get your body back

5 Strategies For Successful Teen Weight Loss

2007-10-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

Adolescent obesity has skyrocketed in recent years. During the 1980s, adolescent obesity rates hung at around 5%, but today they are close to 15%, according to the National Center of Health Statistics. This 10% increase can be linked to a number of developments in the past two decades, such as more television and less healthy foods, but something can be done about this as well. Teen weight loss can happen, with focused commitment, the right kind of natural weight loss supplements and family help and support.

For many teenagers, physical appearance is a vital attribute. More importantly, however, obesity during the teenage years can lead to obesity as an adult, and continuing health problems as a result of being overweight. Heart problems, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea are all products of obesity, and are no way to live a healthy life. Take a look at these five strategies, though, and a healthier life begins to become clear:

1.) Family Encouragement - A family can play a crucial role in helping a teenager lose weight. Frequently, an overweight teen feels shut out from the world of their peers due to their appearance, as well as the inability to participate in physical activities. Because of this, a supportive and encouraging home is indispensable, and can go a very long way in helping a teen deal with issues of weight loss. Parents should let their teenager know that they are loved, despite whatever they may feel about their physical appearance, and that their efforts to lose weight are believed in. If a teen wants to talk about any problems they are encountering, let them - it can only help.

2.) Turn Off the TV - Inactivity is one of the primary causes of obesity, and the television is one of the primary causes of inactivity. Eliminating television is likely too severe a measure, but limiting its use during the day could encourage other activities that are more healthy. Help come up with fun physical activities, such as sports like fishing, spending time in the outdoors, or just going for a walk.

3.) Forget About Sugary Soft Drinks - All those name-brand sodas, in addition to being highly popularized, are full of chemicals and sugar. Put simply, they aren't good for you. The medical journal Pediatrics recently published a study revealing that removing over-sugared soft drinks can assist in teen weight loss by cutting beverage calories by up to 80%. Try real fruit juices instead.

4.) Watch the Food - Not all food is created equal. Eating fast food and easily accessible, over-processed snack food is the surest way to an unhealthy, and overweight, lifestyle. Stop stopping at fast food joints and think about eating something more wholesome, like a balanced meal at a restaurant or something cooked at home. For that matter, ensure a daily intake of fruits and vegetables - they provide many necessary vitamins and nutrients that help burn excess calories, and maintain high energy throughout the day.

5.) Exercise Regularly - Exercise is key. If a teenager never gets to the gym or goes outside, then the hope in losing weight immediately begins to pale. Without a consistent amount of exercise, excess calories can never be burned. But ultimately, more important than any appearance or expectation, exercising helps maintain a strong and healthy body. A body without any related health issues.

Teen weight loss is a challenge, but not an impossibility. Losing weight as an adolescent may require a lifestyle change, but doing so will lead to a longer, happier life. Developing a healthy lifestyle as a teenager can only mean a healthy lifestyle as an adult.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Natural Treatments, Diet and Exercise

2007-10-02T00:52:00.000-07:00

Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disorder and there is no cure. Once you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the goal is to treat the symptoms of the disease in order to lead as normal a life as possible. There are treatments that can help to lessen the frequency of the symptoms and treatments that can be used to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Once you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you should consult your physician and devise a plan of treatment that is right for you personally.

Diet and Exercise for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diet and exercise are essential for your overall health. A healthy diet can help you to avoid outbreaks of rheumatoid arthritis. Avoid foods such as dairy products, milk, beef, and wheat. These foods can sometimes trigger the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, the best diet is one that is low in protein and high in carbohydrates.

You should begin a regular exercise routine. It is always best to consult your physician or a professional trainer when beginning an exercise regimen. The key is to build up the muscles around your joints, which enables your muscles to help carry the load when your joints are inflamed. If the muscles around the joints are weak, this causes more pressure to be put on the joints and can result in more frequent bouts of inflammation. Work with a physical therapist or personal trainer to devise an exercise regimen that is right for you - one that helps you to strengthen the muscles and joints without over-straining.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

There are many rheumatoid arthritis treatments. Many physicians will recommend medications to treat the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. You should discuss these medications with your physician; research the medications in order to learn of known side effects, interactions with other medications, and interactions with foods.

Some medications can hinder your ability to live a normal life. You want to learn as much as you can so that you are able to make an informed decision about the treatment that will fit your lifestyle. Some people believe the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is worth the risks involved with taking medications. Others prefer to use natural rheumatoid arthritis treatments. There are many natural treatments that have been successful in the treatment of the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

Some natural and herbal rheumatoid arthritis treatments include the following:

Hot water - exercise the affected joints in a tub of hot water

Mangosteen - treats both inflammation and pain

Olive Oil and Kerosene - relieves inflammation of joints

Hot vinegar - use as a rub for affected joints

Comfrey - used as a salve to relieve inflammation

Sandalwood Powder Paste - make a paste and rub on affected joints to relieve inflammation

Water aerobics - helps produce endorphins in the brain that help to relieve pain

Alfalfa tea - drink twice a day

Camphor and Coconut Oil - used to massage affected joints

Valerian - a natural sedative used to relieve pain

Omega-3 fatty acids - found in foods such as fish and walnuts

Emu Oil - used to massage affected joints

Pineapple juice - drink daily to minimize the flare up of symptoms

Fruit Pectin and Cranberry Juice - drink daily

Epsom salts - soak in a tub filled with hot water (as hot as you can stand) and Epsom salts to relieve inflammation and pain

Black Sesame Seeds - soaked overnight and taken first thing in the morning

These are some of the many natural remedies that can be found to help alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and to avoid a flare up of the symptoms. While rheumatoid arthritis treatments are essential to help you maintain the quality of life you are accustomed to, the most important thing you can do for yourself - both before and after - is to maintain a health diet and exercise routine

Heart Disease-Ask the Holistic Doc

2007-09-27T18:56:00.001-07:00

Folic Acid Can Be A Key Protector Against Heart Disease

2007-09-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

The somewhat misleadingly named folic acid is in fact one of the most important of the water soluble B complex of vitamins. In the form of folates it is found naturally in the body as well as in various common foods. As folic acid it has been extensively researched and is widely available as a food supplement.

Inadequate dietary intake of folates by pregnant women has been widely publicised as a cause of serious and even fatal birth defects. Research has also suggested a strong association between folate deficiency and an increased incidence of certain of the more common cancers.

The implications of these findings will be covered in subsequent articles in this series, but this article will focus on the role of folates and folic acid in regulating blood homocysteine, excessively high levels of which have been identified as a key risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Homocysteine is a protein formed as a perfectly normal by-product of the body's digestive processes and in optimally healthy individuals it will be removed harmlessly from the body But its effective removal is heavily dependent on the presence of adequate supplies of three B complex vitamins, B6, B12 and folic acid or folates.

The build up of excess homocysteine if these vitamins are not present in sufficient quantities can have severe consequences. A large 1997 European study of young and middle aged adults showed a more than doubled risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke for individuals whose blood homocysteine levels were in the top fifth of the normal range. In fact some sources attribute as many as 10% of heart attack fatalities and an even higher proportion of stroke deaths directly to high homocysteine levels. Since these are still two of the biggest causes of premature death and disability in the affluent Western world, such figures are particularly alarming.

The link between raised homocysteine levels and Alzheimer's disease is not quite so well established, at least in the view of orthodox medicine, but a number of studies have found a clear association. It has also been observed that sufferers from this appalling disease are more likely to be deficient in both folic acid and dietary folates. Not surprisingly perhaps, given that damage to blood vessels appears to be one of the principal effects of elevated homocysteine, it has also been strongly linked with vascular dementia.

The role of folic acid and folates in lowering blood homcysteine levels is well established, with one recent study showing 60% and 90% reductions when supplement regimes of 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg respectively were followed. And given that high homocysteine levels have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as Alzheimer's and other dementias, it might be thought self-evident that supplementation should be a powerful weapon against them.

Conventional medicine, however, continues to be cautious about recognising the link. Although there is good evidence from at least one ten year study that high levels of dietary folate can reduce heart attack risk by more than 50%, there appears not be the same direct corroboration for the effects of folic acid supplementation. Somewhat bizarrely, therefore, the profession finds itself recommending supplementation for the purpose of reducing the elevated homocysteine levels known to increase the risk of disease, but declines to recommend it as a specific protector against the disease itself. Not surprisingly, nutritional therapists show no such hesitation, and many recommend supplementation at levels far in excess of the officially Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 400 mcg (0.4 mg) a day.

But whatever the benefits of high dosage supplementation, it is clear in any case that a diet rich in folates can only be of benefit to the body's general health. This is because amongst the best and most readily available sources of folates are leafy green vegetables and orange juice which also provide a plentiful supply of valuable anti-oxidants.

A single cup of spinach or asparagus, for example, may provide as much as 130 or more micrograms (mcg) of folate; a small glass of orange juice perhaps 80 mcg. Pulses such as beans and lentils are also good sources, the latter providing around 180 mcg in just half a cup, beans between 80 and 140 mcg according to type.

Best of all, however, is fortified breakfast cereal, a single cup of which may yield between 200 and 400 mcg, reflecting the FDA's insistence on the addition of folic acid to refined grain foods, including bread.

Despite this official recognition of the importance of this nutrient, the US Food and Nutrition Board nevertheless recommends that folic acid intake should be limited to 1,000 mcg (1 mg) per day. But this is not so much because of any possible ill effects of the folic acid itself, but rather because it may cure megaloblastic (commonly known as pernicious) anaemia which is one of the symptoms of an underlying deficiency of vitamin B12. If the removal of this symptom means that the deficiency is consequently undetected and left untreated, the neurological consequences may indeed be severe.

But to the educated layman the solution to this potential problem appears readily apparent. It is simply to ensure, through supplementation if necessary, that a generous intake of vitamin B12 is also obtained. This should present no difficulty if the standard recommendation never to take one of the B vitamins in isolation is followed. These vitamins should always be taken as part of a supplement containing the entire complex, and for maximum benefit should preferably be accompanied by a comprehensive multi-mineral

Menopause

2007-09-25T21:22:00.001-07:00

Menopause and Anxiety: How to Bring Natural Relief

2007-09-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

Even though menopause is a natural stage that happens in life of a woman, it often creates anxiety due to misunderstanding of physiological changes. Menopause and anxiety should be understood as cause and effect due to the decline of estrogen level in a woman. Thus, proper treatment for menopause can effectively bring emotional relief and eliminate depression and low-esteem in women.

Emotional Changes in Menopause

Menopause is characterized by a permanent cessation of natural menstrual cycle of a woman. The production of the estrogen hormone reduces significantly in a woman during menopause causing her ovaries to stop producing eggs. As the estrogen level drops, the blood vessels expand rapidly leading to temperature rise in the the skin. This can further cause hot flashes that can be felt around the chest, shoulders, head, and neck. The sudden spread of warmth makes the woman to sweat and feel soaked. Many women also experience raid heart beating, insomnia, irritability, and restlessness. All those feelings then create psychological symptoms that include mood swings, depression and anxiety.

Sex and Weight Gain Factors

The feeling of anxiety during menopause could also be caused by misconception of sex and weight gain. There is a myth that a woman will lose her sexual desire during menopause, but in fact the midlife years can be a great time to enhance the sexual experience as there is no restriction from having to use birth control due concerns of possible pregnancy. In the case of vaginal dryness or painful intercourse, the woman can always apply lubricants or creams. After all, sex is about emotional feeling and is free of any hormonal changes.

Another factor that often leads to anxiety during menopause is the fear of weight gain. Biologically the fall of estrogen level can slow down the metabolism, which potentially results in weight gain. Because of this, it is important for women in menopause to maintain a balanced diet. Diet should be particularly high in Calcium and Phytoestrogens, chemicals that mimic and supplement estrogen-like hormones. Phytoestrogens are useful to maintain proper bone density post menopause. These chemicals can be found in soy bean, tofu, linseed, rice, oat, and red clover.

Other Useful Things to Do

Some other things that a woman can do to reduce anxiety and depression feelings during menopause are:

Regular exercise: doing routine exercise can significantly reduce hot flashes. Mild exercises such as walking, climbing stairs, swimming or lifting weight help to strengthen the bones and decrease the risk of osteoporosis.

Proper sleep: if a woman has trouble going to sleep during menopause, it will be a good choice to take a hot shower before bedtime or drink a glass of warm milk. Taking sleeping pill occasionally is also recommended, with doctor prescription.

Social activity: post menopause, some women find a new hobby like writing, gardening or pottery. Others meet old friends once a week for social. Basically, focusing on other useful things can significantly increase the quality of life post menopause.

Physiological changes in menopause are inevitable and normal. They may bring feelings of anxiety, depression, and moodiness. However, understanding on menopause treatment can greatly increase the awareness of psychological effects of it. Read an EXCLUSIVE Review
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Effective Herbal Treatments for Menopause

2007-09-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

Makeover - HELPING WOMEN

2007-09-20T19:58:00.001-07:00

Women Menopausal Changes

2007-09-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Workout

2007-09-19T20:44:00.001-07:00

10 Smashing Tricks To Burn Yourself To A Gorgeous Body

2007-09-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

Most folks I know start off the New Year by making resolutions to lose weight and get in shape. often, this mission is often easier said than done. Some last a little longer than others, but for most, impetus starts to fizzle soon into the next buffet engagement.

Have no fear: ten delightful tactics can empower you to motivate your self to a better body. Whether you are looking to lose a lot or just a few pounds or you want to exercise more to tone your body, you can create an action plan that can help you stay motivated.

Conviction: Conviction is the primal way for you to motivate yourself to exercise more or to stick to a diet. Faith in yourself is also known as self-efficacy and it means that once you believe that you can do something, no matter how hard, you do it. Those that have a lot of self-esteem believe that they have the power to make changes in themselves. Those without solid self-confidence will find that they will have a much more difficult time sticking to any fitness plan and will not exert much effort.

Support: A staunch support system of friends and family keeps almost anyone motivated to reach their goals. When a person starts a new fitness plan or diet program, many changes need to happen. It is important to surround yourself with others that can support you and understand your personal goals. Let those around you know that you need them to support your new goal and try to include them in your objectives.

Positive Mind-set: Your enthusiasm will soar if you keep a positive attitude towards your new fitness goals. Think about the positive aspects of a healthier lifestyle and exercise plan and keep that in mind you may be tempted to skip a day at the gym. When following any fitness plan, it is also important to remember that you may have setbacks or you may not achieve your goals as fast as you had hoped. Keeping your stance positive even during the rough times will help you stay focused on your goals.

Follow Through: You will find that you have an easier time staying motivated when you make a plan and keep at it. Without understanding each step you need to take to reach your goals, it will be harder to focus on the destination. For example, if you are trying to eat healthier, write down what foods you want to eliminate and foods your want to add to your diet. As you progress, compare your results with your plan and that will help you stay the course.

Keep Organized: Keeping organized will keeps the motivation burning to stay on the new fitness plan. If you plan on going to the gym a few times a week, you can get everything you need ready to go the night before. Have your shoes, gym clothes and membership card by the door. Not only will this make it easier for you find exactly what you need, but it will also serve as a visual reminder of your goal. Keep your days planned out and schedule time in for healthy cooking or burning the asphalt.

Forms of Motivation: Intrinsic and extrinsic are both types of motivation. Understand what they mean and which one helps keep you motivated. Those who are intrinsically motivated do not need outside forces, such as rewards to stay focused. They have the power from within to stay motivated. Other forces, such as rewards or praise from others, motivate those who are motivated extrinsically. Most people feel motivated both ways. Understand what kind of motivation keeps you passionate.

Reward Yourself: Incentives can be a great motivator, especially in a new fitness plan. Give yourself a small reward when you meet each of your goals. This will help you get to your final goal. You may choose to buy yourself a new shirt when you lose ten pounds or maybe go see a movie. Whatever appeals to you would stoke the flames of zeal.

Heroes: When you are trying to get a better body through a fitness plan, look for a hero. That person does not have to be famous, but anybody you look up to. Maybe it is someone you know with zest for healthy living. Use that person to emulate when your spirit wanes.

Knowledge is Power: As soon as you commit yourself to a new fitness plan, arm yourself with piles of information. Compare different diets and exercise plans. Learn the ins and outs of each one and you can make confident informed decision.

Varied Pursuits: Another great way to stay motivated is by diversifying activities. When you start to feel upset, you can set it aside and do something you really love. It might even be possible to include what you love doing to help you achieve your fitness aims.

Want To Improve Your Life? Try Ashtanga Yoga

2007-09-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

One of the philosophies of Yoga is called Patanjali and comes from the Sanskrit for its definition of Ashtanga Yoga. Ashta means 8 and Anga means limbs and these 8 limbs are intended to help the Ashtange Yoga devotee to live a healthy life. The practice of this form of Yoga is intended to help us minimize stress in our lives, which if course is a good thing, or at least minimize its effect. It also strengthens our endurance.

Ashtanga Yoga was made popular by the Yoga guru Shri K Pattabhi Jois.
There is a different term in western Yoga to describe what is in effect a form of Ashtanga Yoga. This term is Power Yoga. Power Yoga is modeled on Ashtanga yoga.

The 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are as follows:

Asana is the discipline of performing Yoga exercises for the betterment of your body and spirit.

Niyama is for taking control of your life. Control comes from personal restraint. Niyama is the combination of joy (santosh), patience (tapa), self study (swadhyaya), purity (shoucha) and love of god (esgwar pranidhan).

Yama is to enable us to dwell on the good and honorable of human behavior. This is comprised of non violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), celibacy (brahmacharay), and the ability to stay clear of envy, jealousy and other possessive and destructive behaviours (aparigraha). Stealing is also resisted (asteya).

As with many other branches of Yoga the breathing is controlled and this is Pranayma.

Dharna is to help us concentrate on personal learning to improve our understanding of our place in the overall scheme of life, and to form long term goals or a firm mission for our life.

Pratyahara is to help us isolate ourselves from the hustle and bustle and background noise of the world to allow our minds to focus within and become a haven for positivity.

Dhyana is to help us concentrate on our mission and long terms goals from the pursuit of meditation

Samadhi is the attainment of a state of bliss and peace, the ability to find and focus on our life mission and to continually strive to reach the final goal of personal enlightenment.

As can be seen Ashtanga Yoga has some lofty ends. It is practiced in a series of stages where the student of progresses at their own pace to achieve their goal.

This starts with the Yoga Chikitsa which is a form of Yoga therapy which is intended to detox the body and to build strength and stamina. It takes around 2 hours to complete the 75 poses involved. The start of the exercises is the surya namaskar (the sun salutation) and then the student moves on to a series of standing exercises and sitting exercise followed by inversions and relaxation exercises.

The second set in the series of 6 is called the nadi shodana and it helps with strengthening the nervous system. These exercises follow the same sequence as the first set of exercises but with the inclusion of some extra exercises.

The final set of 4 from the series is called sthira bhaga meaning divine permanence. This the final and advanced form of the practice and is only for students who have finally mastered the intitial exercises.

The pursuit of Yoga, including Ashtanga Yoga, is a lifetime passion. It isnt easy and requires discipline, but the discipline is worth it.

Ashtanga Yoga DVD Set

2007-09-17T23:32:00.001-07:00

10 Most Common Toxins In The Human Body

2007-09-17T23:30:00.000-07:00

Over a lifetime (or in the case of an ecological disaster, an alarmingly short time), the human body assimilates a number of toxins. Some of these are in such trace amounts that we really needn't worry about them, but it is still wise to avoid as many toxins in the diet and the environment as possible. Here are ten of the most common toxins found in human blood and cells:

Free Radicals

These are the toxic waste products of the process of oxidation within our bodies. Oxidation (like rust on iron) is what causes the deterioration of cells, like a bruised apple when it goes brown and mushy. This goes on at a cellular level within the human body and accelerates the aging process.

The effects of free radicals can be reduced by the consumption of anti-oxidant-rich red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, along with increasing our exercise and eating less.

Mercury

The commonest sources of Mercury are amalgam fillings and the eating of large marine fish such as tuna. Mercury is implicated in Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, heart failure, irregular heartbeat and even some cancers. There is debate as to whether it is worthwhile to have amalgam fillings removed and replaced. Similarly, the health benefits of eating oily marine fish should be weighed carefully against the risks of mercury consumption.

Sugar

Refined sugar is known as "the white death". We all know it's bad for us, that it contains calories without nutrients. Too much of it can cause insulin resistance, diabetes. The answer is simple; eat less white sugar.

Caffeine

Many people enjoy caffeinated drinks and find that they give them a much-needed "high" in times of fatigue. Don't forget that caffeine is quite a powerful drug and taking yourself off it can cause quite severe withdrawal symptoms. Some people are "allergic" to caffeine and it can cause irrational mood swings and exacerbation of PMS, even heartbeat irregularities. Best to wean yourself off it.

C-Reactive Protein

Perhaps it is wrong to consider this a toxin in itself, but its presence in the blood is an indicator of inflammation in the body. A high reading of C-Reactive Protein in the blood can indicate a propensity to heart attack. It is elevated by infections, inflammatory conditions, insulin resistance, and certain hormones such as those in the contraceptive pill or HRT. It is thought that a preventative dose of aspirin may be effective in reducing the level of C-Reactive Protein.

Cholesterol

A buildup of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or "bad" cholesterol in the blood is implicated in heart disease via hardening of the arteries. Avoid high cholesterol by eating less saturated fats, exercising regularly, eating supplements rich in plant sterols or (as a last resort) Statins (prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs).

Cortisol

This is produced by the body at times of worry and stress, therefore it is commonly called the stress hormone. Eliminate cortisol by exercising, laughing, relaxing, enjoying a hobby and not allowing your own personal stresses to fester and thrive within you!

Pesticides

We encounter these in our own gardens (unless we garden totally organically) and on most bought fruits and vegetables. At least trace amounts are probably found in most people's bodies. Either buy organic or make sure you thoroughly wash any fruit and veg you buy.

Dioxins

These are unwanted byproducts of heating processes and can increase cancer risks. They are suspected as contributory factors in diabetes, low sperm counts and behavioral problems. They are everywhere so it is hard to avoid them on an individual level. Buying organic produce and avoiding saturated animal fats (which tend to harbor dioxins) may help.

Homocysteine

Homocysteine is an amino acid. It can contribute to the risks of heart disease, Alzheimer's, furring of the arteries, toxicity in pregnancy, or even birth defects.

Its build-up can be caused by kidney disease, genetics or vitamin deficiencies. Supplementation of Vitamins B12, B6 and Folic Acid may be wise. These vitamins enable the conversion of homocysteine into less dangerous amino-acids in the body.

We are all exposed to toxins in the environment and our food over our lifetimes. Some are easy to avoid, others less so. Clean living and regular detox programs are probably the best we can do to avoid overexposure to toxins.

Michael J. Fox- stem cells

2007-09-16T22:24:00.001-07:00

Stem Cells - The New Frontier

2007-09-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

One day in the not too distant future, modern medicine will change completely, and stem cells will be used to treat and cure serious conditions that as of right now are still considered untreatable and irreversible. We won't even need doctors anymore. Every time something goes wrong, you'll just pop offer to your local stem cell treatment facility to get a tune-up with some freshly grown injectable stem cells engineered to cure your newest malady.

What are stem cells? Stem cells are cells that haven't decided what they want to be yet. They are undifferentiated, non-specific human cells with a full complement of DNA that have not yet transformed into anything specific, such as the cells in your hand, or the cells in your hair follicles. These stem cells are capable of being a mechanic for your body; they can repair you by undergoing cell division to manufacture whatever cells are needed in order to replace old, damaged, or diseased cells that are no longer viable and need to be replenished.

Stem cell lines, once isolated, are very easy for scientists to work with because they can continue to make stem cells for testing from the original stem cell line, due to the fact that those original lines are basically immortal, providing scientists with an unlimited supply that they can use for experimentation.

Currently, stem cell treatments are not available for most conditions and are usually only utilized in bone marrow transplants and not much else. The primary challenge that researchers face, as they attempt to perfect the usage of stem cell treatments, is to prevent the patient's immune system from rejecting the injected stem cells. A similar dilemma occurs with organ transplants, as the recipients' immune system can reject the donation.

There have been a few successful, high risk experiments that utilized stem cells to reverse a debilitating condition. One of the most noteworthy examples occurred within the past 2 years, as scientists injected stem cells into the area where a test patient had been suffering from acute arthritis, and the results were astonishing. The stem cells divided into healthy joint cells that integrated themselves into the inflamed area and reversed the arthritic condition. The stem cells that were used had been taken from the patient's sibling to prevent rejection.

Stem cells will ultimately be the final frontier of medicine, providing cures for diseases that scientists have struggled with for years, such as Alzheimer's, heart disease, and Parkinson's. However, there is much opposition to the research. Prominent religious leaders and idealogues are opposed to research that uses embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are created through fertilization by not allowing the stem cells to differentiate into a fetus and then isolating the cells for experimentation. The religious right feels that this act is tantamount to abortion. However, if stem cell research is to reach its full potential, the creation of further embryonic stem cells will be a necessity, as the existing stem cell lines are not enough to support adequate research.

In the end, science will likely win, as some states have already funded stem cell research that uses both existing lines and embryonic stem cells. It may take some time, but the cures that will result from the usage of stem cells are far too important too dismiss in favor of religious concerns.

Free Fitness Video Workout: Plyometrics

2007-09-12T21:08:00.001-07:00

10 Smashing Tricks To Burn Yourself To A Gorgeous Body

2007-09-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

10 Powerful Keys To Healing Yourself

2007-09-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

1. Be Present

Live in the now. The past is gone. You can never go back and make it right. You can never re-live a life that was yesterday. Live positively in the present moment, no matter what is occurring. It is All right and perfect. Do not look ahead and dread what may come. Our mind creates a lot of chatter and makes us afraid in order to keep us safe. Tell your mind "Thanks for sharing" and affirm "I am here, I am present". You are always at choice and you know how to make this day beautiful.

2. Nature

Sit on the lawn or next to a tree. Feel the pulse of the earth, the grandeur of the sky, the coolness of the breeze on your face, or the warmth of the sun on your face. Smile at nature, say hello to the bugs and all the animals you meet. Take a walk in a park or hike on a trail.

3. Exercise

Daily exercise gives you a break from your mind chatter, helps pump your heart, circulates your blood, clears toxins from your body, charges you with energy and has many other benefits. Choose an activity that is fun and mix it up. Do walking one day and yoga another day. Take a Tai Chi class and meet new people. The list of possibilities is endless.

4. Spirituality

Recognize and know you are important and unique. Meditate, or sit quietly, and be in the moment. Read books that are uplifting and have positive messages. Give thanks for your health, your home, your friends, all the joy and happiness in your life and all the good that surrounds you.

5. Forgiveness

It is time to let it go. Forgive all parts of yourself to be whole and perfect. Forgive yourself for any past mistakes or shortcomings; forgive the child within for being afraid; forgive the teenager that spoke words of anger; forgive the young adult for not being a risk taker. Forgive others in the past. Forgive your parents, your siblings and relatives. Let go of all grudges. Forgiveness is about coming to peace within yourself.

6. Bubble Bath

Give yourself permission to relax and savor quiet times. Read a book for fun. Spend that extra money and get a massage or a facial. Do something selfish for yourself.

7. Nutrition

Listen to your body. Feed it good nutritious food. Take a high quality multi-vitamin or a liquid supplement. Most health challenges can be reduced or eliminated with a dietary supplement.

8. Let Go of Judgment

Give up judgement and give up blame. Never speak critically of others or yourself. Speak words of encouragement to yourself and everyone you meet. Accept everyone for who they are and embrace their differences.

9. Service To Others

Reach out and lend a hand to a friend in need. Offer unconditional service to others. Be a great listener and really listen to people when they speak. Find ways to help others to lift their spirits and help lessen their burdens.

10. Love

Love yourself and use positive words of encouragement. Compliment strangers and make others smile. Speak from a loving heart and shine with joy.

Parasites Infect Contact Lens Wearers

2007-09-09T20:52:00.001-07:00

Common Blunders with Contacts

2007-09-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Because contact lenses have become easy to acquire, and even more easy to take care of, sometimes it becomes overlooked that the contact lenses are still something prescribed by a medical practitioner. This causes the lenses to be not properly cared for, causing great danger to the wearer. One of the biggest blunders is the wearing of disposable contact lenses for too long.

While disposable contact lenses have proven to be a great invention, they only cause more users to disregard care instructions and doctors’ instructions and either sleep in them or leave them in for too many days. The usage instructions that are printed on the box of disposable lenses is only a suggestion for their use, and often an eye care professional will suggest different care, asking you to change them out either more or less often. They will always know best how to take care of your personalized eye care. This rule goes for whether your contacts are daily use, weekly use, or monthly use.

The following stats from the American Academy of Ophthalmology speak for themselves. Extended Wear contact lens wearers show a five to fifteen times greater risk of developing ulcerative keratitis (ulcers in the cornea) over daily wear users. Ulcerative keratitis is seen nine times more in elderly people using extended wear lenses. It’s also nine times greater in people that are using their daily wear lenses overnight. Cases of ulcerative keratitis gets increasingly greater, depending on how many consecutive days extended wear lenses are left in.

In the last year alone, 94% of those diagnosed with fungal eye infections wore soft contact lenses, and 34% of those required a corneal eye transplant. Of course, there was the 2006 Fungal Eye Infection Outbreak during this time, and some of that has been traced to ReNu With MoistureLoc contact lens solution with has since been pulled from shelves. The solution was creating a film in the contact lens case that encouraged the growth of a fungus. The fungus was picked up in the patients’ homes.

In addition to fungal eye infections, protein deposits that accumulate on extended wear lenses can cause Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis, soft spongy bumps that accumulate under the upper eye lids, and sometimes they can resemble cobblestone. This condition may itch and also have a stringy mucous discharge. This is caused by the contact lens rubbing up against the eyelid for too long of a time. Patients may need to go without wearing contact lenses for a short time after being diagnosed with this, or switch to a different brand.

If you suspect you have either of these diseases, you should contact your eye care professional as soon as possible. Otherwise, there are a number of safety precautions you can undergo to ensure a long healthy life for your eyes. The first rule of thumb is to always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses. Disinfect your lenses when taking them out and before reinserting them. Never reuse old solution, and always start with fresh. Discount Contact Lenses has a great selection of solutions to fit individualized needs. Only wear your contact lenses as directed by your eye care professional.

Living the UPLife: True Beauty

2007-09-06T20:31:00.001-07:00

10 Tips For Choosing Healthy Cosmetics And Personal Care Products

2007-09-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

The cosmetic and personal care product industry is a multi-billion dollar a year industry ... and growing. New products are coming onto the market every day.

Manufacturers play to your emotions in their advertising and packaging. They tell you their products will make you look more beautiful, younger, sexier and help you attract your perfect mate. They promise to erase blemishes, wrinkles, make your skin smoother and softer. In fact, any flaws that you see in yourself, real or imagined, there is most likely a product on the market that promises to fix it.

Can you believe all the claims you read or hear about these products? Is there really truth in advertising? Where do you find the answers to these questions? How can you really be sure that a product will do what the manufacturer says it will? And most importantly, how do you know that the products are healthy and safe to use?

Here are some things for you to look out for when choosing products you’re going to use on your skin:

1. Magazine and other print ads

They're designed to make you want to buy. They promise you radiant skin, a healthy glow, age-defying skin care, purity, safe and effective products made with natural ingredients. They make the product sound so good and good for you that you just want to go out and buy it. But don't buy yet. You need more information.

2. Radio and TV ads

In 30 seconds or less, you'll hear all the wonderful benefits you'll receive from choosing their products – softer, silkier, healthier hair; smoother, younger-looking skin and more. Manufacturers spend a lot of money trying to convince you to buy their products. Don't jump up and rush to the store after seeing or hearing one of their compelling ads. They're not telling you everything you need to know.

3. Celebrity endorsements

Companies pay celebrities a lot of money to endorse their products. They hope you'll think that because the celebs say wonderful things about their products, you'll want to use them too. Don't fall for this.

4. Samples in the mail

What better way to get you to try their product than to give you a little bit to test on yourself? You get to experience first hand how the product smells, feels, lathers, absorbs, etc. Now while you may like how it smells, performs and the result you get, you still don't have enough information to assess the health and safety of the product.

5. "Natural" on the label

This suggests that the product is made of ingredients from natural sources. However, there are no industry standards for what "natural" means. The product may contain all natural ingredients, just a few natural ingredients added to a synthetic product or no natural ingredients at all.

6. "Organic" on the label

Beware of products that claim to be 95%, 90% or some other high percentage organic on the label. According to cosmetic chemist Paul Lieber, it's physically impossible for more than 30-40% of the ingredients to be organic, unless it's organic oil. Why? Because typically 60-70% of a product is water and water cannot be certified organically grown, even if it's distilled or processed with organic herbs or essential oils.

7. Hypoallergenic

This doesn't mean the product won't cause allergic reactions. There are no standards defining hypoallergenic. It just means the manufacturer believes it's less likely to cause allergic reactions. In many cases, it's not even tested; only fragrances are removed.

8. Pretty labels

Manufacturers spend a lot of money designing labels to make you think their product is natural, herbal, healthy and will do amazing things if you use it. The truth is ... the information on the front of the label doesn't tell you anything about the health and safety of the ingredients inside the package. Don't base your decision on what's on the front of the label.

9. The ingredients list

This is the most important piece of information that you absolutely must read before you buy any product. The ingredient list is where you find out if the product really contains safe and healthy ingredients or not. This is not what the manufacturers wants you to read on their labels. That's why they make it so tiny you need a magnifying glass to read it. Buy one and carry it with you in your pocket or purse. Take it out when you're trying to read that microscopic print.

10. Incomplete ingredient lists

Many companies, because of increased consumer awareness of the ingredients in skin care products will list only the known herbal and healthy ingredients on their website or in their advertisements. If you don't read carefully, you may think that what they list is the complete list of ingredients in the product ... that is until you buy the product and read the full list of ingredients on the label. Beware of this deceptive practice.

Now, you may be wondering how you're supposed to know if the ingredients on the label are safe or not. Most of the ingredients are not listed in plain, understandable, everyday language. Well, you don't need to hire your own personal cosmetic chemist. There is a simple solution. Dying To Look Good is an easy-to-use book, written in plain, understandable language, that classifies ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products according to safety and lists products that are safe and healthy to use. If you check the ingredients on all product labels before you buy with the list of ingredients in Dying To Look Good, you will be able to confidently choose products that are safe and healthy.

Medical Breaththrough: New Acne Treatment

2007-09-05T20:19:00.001-07:00

Diabetes

2007-09-05T20:18:00.001-07:00

10 Common Symptoms Of Diabetes Mellitus

2007-09-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

Diabetes is a condition of Hyperglycemia ( Increase level of Glucose in Blood). Most of the times Diabetes is asymptomatic, however It is very important to diagnose diabetes as early as possible to prevent early and late complications of Diabetes. This is only possible, if you have some knowledge about common symptoms (often misspelled as "symtoms") of Diabetes Mellitus.

Glucose is an important source of energy for cells of our body. Glucose enters the cells and metabolized to provide energy. How does glucose enter in cells? It enters the cells with help of Insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by Pancreas. Suppose there is no insulin, or insulin production is decreased. Obviously, Glucose level in blood will increase and we will have a condition what we call as Diabetes Mellitus.

There are many symptoms of diabetes but we will focus here on most common symptoms of Diabetes.Here is list of these symptoms.

Increase Thurst
Frequent urination
Fatigue and weakness
Blurred vision
Abdominal pains
Nausea and vomiting
Weight loss or gain
Skin infections like abscess, pimples
Impotence
Fluid retention (especially in legs and feet)
Chronic itching
Poor healing of skin wounds
Decreased tolerance to cold
Increase heart rate
Dry scaly skin
Numbness of fingers and toes
Extreme hunger pangs
Hot and sweaty with clammy perspiration
Heart tremors and palpitations
Apprehensive with no obvious reason
Nervousness
Disoriented, confused, inability to concentrate
Frequent headaches, dizziness
Mood changes

How will we relate these symptoms with Diabetes. Remember, most of symptoms are directly related to higher levels of Glucose in Blood.

Increase Thurst and Urination:
Two symptoms that occur in many people with the disease are increased thirst and frequent urination.Increase level of glucose in blood leads to increase excretion of glucose by Kidneys. Glucose will take more and more water with it, so diabetic patient will have frequent urination which will lead to increase thurst. To quench your thirst, you drink a lot of water and other beverages, and that leads to more frequent urination. There is another condition Diabetes Insipidus, disease of pituitary gland in brain, where we also see increase thurst and urination.

Extreme hunger, fatigue and weight loss Extreme hunger:
Fatigue and weight loss are also related with hyperglycemia. Without insulin like Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, or Decrease Insulin like Type 2 diabetes, Glucose can not enter in cells which is main sourse of energy for cells, so cells will lake this energy and patient will have weight loss and fatigue.

Headaches, dizziness, irritability:
Brain needs a constant supply of energy, if brain cells don't receive enough energy, we become tired; most tired people tend to be less tolerant and more irritable!

Dry itchy skin:
Normal skin cells require gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which our body makes via a complex metabolic process. In older people and diabetics, this process is impaired and not enough GLA is produced; this results is chronic, severely dry and itchy skin and condition is aggravated by soaps, hot baths, detergents, environmental conditions; it is usually worse during the winter months and most commonly affects legs, feet, and hands but can affect other areas of the body aswell.

Blurred vision Blurred vision:
Well, Diabetes can also affect your eyes aswell. Again cause is High Glucose Level. High glucose in blood vessels increase process of atherosclerosis resulting in thickening of blood vessels. chronically high levels of glucose damage blood vessels in different organs of the body, usually starting with the retina of the eye and the kidneys and heart; eventually some blood vessels are lost and remaining ones become leaky which allow blood and fat to seep out of damaged blood vessels. This makes the retina bleed and swell which causes blurred vision. Over a period of years, however, diabetes can also cause new blood vessels to form in your retina of eye, as well as damage old vessels. For most people this causes only mild vision problems. But for others, the effects may be much more serious. In some cases, diabetes can also lead to blindness.

Tingling/burning pain in the feet:
Another important symptom of Diabetes. It may be the first symptom of diabetes. Our hands and feet are supplied by Neurons, as we said earlier that due to diabetes blood vessels become thick, similary is the case with neurons, blood supply to these neurons decreases due to thickening of blood vessels which leads to degeneration of peripheral nerve fibers (Neurons) throughout the body which commonly leads to a lack of feeling in the feet, advances up the legs and then the hands and is the most common reason for lower limb amputations. It can also be very painful. If there is Loss of motor nerve fibers it leads to muscular weakness. If there is loss of sensory nerve fibers leads to loss of feeling and numbness in hands and feet. Loss of autonomic fibers cause the loss of functions not normally under conscious control like digestion, heartbeat, blood pressure, and sweating. Neuropathy symptoms tingling, burning, aching, prickling, sharp jabs of needlelike pain can also be caused by nerves that are damaged or are healing.

Slow-healing sores or frequent infections:
Bacteria love high glucose, Diabetes affects your body's ability to heal and fight infection. Urinary track infections and vaginal infections can be a particular problem for women.

Diagnose your diabetes as early as possible to keep yourself away from complex complications of diabetes Mellitus.

10 Powerful Keys To Healing Yourself

2007-09-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

The Way to Wellness" It's time to start a Healthy life: your 7 days program

2007-09-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

How many times have you gone to sleep at night, swearing you'll go to the gym in the morning, and then changing your mind just eight hours later because when you get up, you don't feel like exercising?

While this can happen to the best of us, it doesn't mean you should drop the ball altogether when it comes to staying fit. What people need to realize is that staying active and eating right are critical for long-term health and wellness -- and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The more you know about how your body responds to your lifestyle choices, the better you can customize a nutrition and exercise plan that is right for you. When you eat well, increase your level of physical activity, and exercise at the proper intensity, you are informing your body that you want to burn a substantial amount of fuel. This translates to burning fat more efficiently for energy. In other words, proper eating habits plus exercise equals fast metabolism, which, in turn gives you more energy throughout the day and allows you to do more physical work with less effort.

The true purpose of exercise is to send a repetitive message to the body asking for improvement in metabolism, strength, aerobic capacity and overall fitness and health. Each time you exercise, your body responds by upgrading its capabilities to burn fat throughout the day and night, Exercise doesn't have to be intense to work for you, but it does need to be consistent.

I recommend engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise four times per week for 20 to 30 minutes per session, and resistance training four times per week for 20 to 25 minutes per session. This balanced approach provides a one-two punch, incorporating aerobic exercise to burn fat and deliver more oxygen, and resistance training to increase lean body mass and burn more calories around the block.

Here's a sample exercise program that may work for you:

* Warm Up -- seven to eight minutes of light aerobic activity intended to increase blood flow and lubricate and warm-up your tendons and joints.

* Resistance Training -- Train all major muscle groups. One to two sets of each exercise. Rest 45 seconds between sets.

* Aerobic Exercise -- Pick two favorite activities, they could be jogging, rowing, biking or cross-country skiing, whatever fits your lifestyle. Perform 12 to 15 minutes of the first activity and continue with 10 minutes of the second activity. Cool down during the last five minutes.

* Stretching -- Wrap up your exercise session by stretching, breathing deeply, relaxing and meditating.

When starting an exercise program, it is important to have realistic expectations. Depending on your initial fitness level, you should expect the following changes early on.

* From one to eight weeks -- Feel better and have more energy.

* From two to six months -- Lose size and inches while becoming leaner. Clothes begin to fit more loosely. You are gaining muscle and losing fat.

* After six months -- Start losing weight quite rapidly.

Once you make the commitment to exercise several times a week, don't stop there. You should also change your diet and/or eating habits,' says Zwiefel. Counting calories or calculating grams and percentages for certain nutrients is impractical. Instead, I suggest these easy-to-follow guidelines:

* Eat several small meals (optimally four) and a couple of small snacks throughout the day
* Make sure every meal is balanced -- incorporate palm-sized proteins like lean meats, fish, egg whites and dairy products, fist-sized portions of complex carbohydrates like whole-wheat bread and pasta, wild rice, multigrain cereal and potatoes, and fist-sized portions of vegetable and fruits
* Limit your fat intake to only what's necessary for adequate flavor
* Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water throughout the day
* I also recommend that you take a multi-vitamin each day to ensure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

I suppose that's all I can think of for now. I should extend my thanks to a doctor friend of mine. Without him, I wouldn't be able to write this article, or keep my sanity.

Enjoy life, we all deserve it.

"Correct your acid / alkaline balance with the water you drink: what the experts say"

2007-09-03T03:36:00.000-07:00

In health circles there has been much recent talk about acid
/alkaline imbalance. Let's see if we can clarify how experts
recommend we correct this imbalance.

The problem
Your body functions best when neither too acid nor too
alkaline. Unfortunately almost all of us have become acidic due
to diet, drinks and stress -- both psychological and from
pollution. Acids can build up in our body, causing systems to
be out of balance.

The effects
According to Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky, "Acid wastes build up in
the body in the form of cholesterol, gallstones, kidney stones,
arterial plaque, urates, phosphates and sulfates. These acidic
waste products are the direct cause of premature aging and
the onset of chronic disease."

When this occurs, the body will restore its optimal pH by
depleting certain minerals, such as potassium, calcium and
magnesium, from organs and bones. In addition, your immune
system may become fatigued from dealing with an excess of
acid. Your body then stores acidic wastes in 'hiding places'
such as muscles etc. rather than releasing the acids into the
bloodstream.

As Dr.Robert Atkins, the well-known author, health and diet
expert, notes: "Just about every condition I can think of, from
arthritis to diabetes to cancer, is associated with acidity."

"The countless names of illnesses do not really matter. What
does matter is that they all come from the same root
cause...too much tissue acid waste in the body!" Theodore A.
Baroody, ND, Ph.D.

What can be done?
A vast body of research reveals that you can help neutralize
acid build-up in the blood and maintain a balanced pH, by
taking some simple steps, such as:

-- Exercise
-- Avoiding highly acid-forming food and drink
-- Drinking the right water

What is the "right" water?
"International studies show that populations with little or no
history of illness, such as cancer, drink higher pH (alkaline)
waters. After all potential risk factors were considered and
factored out, it became evident that they had been drinking
waters with a pH of 9.0 to 10.0." Dr. Leonard Horowitz in
"Aids and Ebola"

Alkaline ionized water "first came to notice in Japan, where
researchers noted that people drinking water that came from
certain fast- moving rocky mountain streams enjoyed
extraordinarily good health. It turned out that this naturally
occurring water was alkaline and had a different structure and
electrical properties." Larry Clapp, PhD. in "Prostate Health in
90 days"

Alkaline water is produced at home with a small kitchen
appliance called a water ionizer (long in use in Japan and
Korea). As water ionizers have become popular in North
America, more health professionals have had the opportunity
to evaluate their effects on clients:

Sue Pollock, N.D. writes, we can "assist the body in being
more alkaline with ...drinking alkaline water."

"I believe that the best water is water that is alkaline
(reduced) and purified using a small device known as a water
ionizer." (Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky)

"It is my opinion that ionized water will change the way in
which all health practitioners and the public approach their
health in the coming years." Dr. T. Baroody in "Alkalize or Die."

Why not just rely on a change of diet?
According to Sang Whang, researcher and author of "Reverse
Aging", the danger is that we might omit important foods:

"Since the waste products that we are trying to discharge are
acidic, the right kind of water is alkaline water...My personal
recommendation is to enjoy the foods that we like, but do not
over-eat or exclude any food. Eat in moderation following the
professional dieticians' "balanced diet" concept, and let
alkaline water do the job of cleansing acidic wastes."

Soft Contact Lenses: What You Need to Know About Them

2007-09-01T01:51:00.000-07:00

Soft contact lenses are made up of flexible plastic called the hydrophilic. When soft contact lenses are used, they absorb water in the eyes (hence they are termed as hydrophilic) and become pliable and soft. The nature of the soft contact lens makes it possible to fit perfectly on the eyes. Soft contact lenses are popular because they are used in the correction of vision and the property to contour comfortably to almost all the eyeballs without any problem, due to the right fit of the soft contact lenses and as they do not pop up like the rigid lenses.

Soft contact lenses offer wide range of solutions to conditions like near or far sightedness, bifocal vision problems and colored ones. A specialized type of soft contact lens is available these days to even reshape the cornea during nightwear. This makes the wearer to get a clear vision without even wearing the contact lenses during the day. The main disadvantage is that it is not a permanent solution and has to be worn compulsorily every night for good sight next day. Soft contact lenses protect the eyes from protein or lipid deposits and bacterial or fungal growth.

Soft lenses mold well on the eyeball, hence chances of dust particles entering the eye and causing irritation is minimized. Since soft contact lenses are made up of a special kind of material which is not only smooth but also has the capacity to retain moisture very well, making the surface of the contact lens stay wet, abrasion of the eye is avoided. The soft contact lenses are more permeable, allowing free flow of oxygen. Keeping the eyes oxygenated leads to a healthy eye, as they do need good amounts of oxygen.

Soft contact lenses need more care for maintaining them properly. It is good to go for disposable kind of soft contact lenses if the person can afford them, as they are a bit costly. If it is not of a disposable kind, it needs to be cleaned and stored in a solution. Care needs to be taken not to allow them to dry. If not cleaned properly, it may lead to eye irritation and infections.

3 Affordable Health Insurance Choices

2007-08-29T18:02:00.001-07:00

What are your 3 affordable health insurance choices?

There are many different types of affordable health insurance. Each has pros and cons. There is no one "best" plan. The plan that's right for a single person may not be best for a family with small children. And a plan that works for one family may not be right for another. Blended families may have a divorced spouse paying for the children's coverage. Look at all angles upfront.

For example, if your family includes just two adults, it may be less expensive for each of you to have individual coverage than for just one of you to have a family plan. If you have children, or if you might have children soon, you need a family plan. If a child is going off to college, be sure they are covered as most policies allow students continued coverage. Because your situation may change, review your affordable health insurance regularly to make sure you have the protection you need.

Choosing an affordable health insurance plan is like making any other major purchase: you choose the plan that meets both your needs and your budget. For most people, this means deciding which plan is worth the cost. For example, plans that allow you the most choices in doctors and hospitals also tend to cost more than plans that limit choices. Plans that help to manage the care you receive usually cost you less, but you give up some freedom of choice.

Cost isn't the only thing to consider when buying affordable health insurance. You also need to consider what benefits are covered. You need to compare plans carefully for both cost and coverage. Some of the newer plans will offer high deductibles and a health savings account. For healthy families, this is great benefit going forward.

Although there are many names for affordable health insurance plans, the information here groups them as three main types:

* Fee-For-Service (or Traditional Affordable health insurance).

* Health Maintenance Organizations (or HMOs).

* Preferred Provider Organizations (or PPOs).

Which Type Is Right for You?

For each group, simply choose the statement 1 or 2 that best describes how you feel (your spouse needs to be in on this decision also):

1. Having complete freedom to choose doctors and hospitals is the most important thing to me in a health plan, even if it costs more.

2. Holding down my costs is the most important thing to me, even if it means limiting some of my choices.

1. I travel a lot or have children that live away from me and we may need to see doctors in other parts of the country.

2. I do not travel a lot and almost all care for my family will be needed in our local area.

1. I don't mind an affordable health insurance plan that includes filling out forms or keeping receipts and sending them in for payment.

2. I prefer not to fill out forms or keep receipts. I want most of my care covered without a lot of paperwork.

1. In addition to my premiums, I am willing to pay for the cost of routine and preventive care, such as office visits, checkups, and shots. I also like knowing that I can get an appointment for these services when I want one.

2. I want a health plan that includes routine and preventive care. I don't mind if I have to wait for these services to be scheduled for an available appointment with my doctor.

1. If I need to see a specialist, I probably will ask my doctor for a recommendation, but I want to decide whom to go to and when. I don't want to have to see my primary care doctor each time before I can see a specialist.

2. I don't mind if my primary care doctor must refer me to specialists. If my doctor doesn't think I need a special service that is fine with me.

If your answers are mostly 1: You want to make your own health care choices, even if it costs you more and takes more paperwork. Fee-for-service may be the best plan for you.

If your answers are mostly 2: You are willing to give up some choices to hold down your medical costs. You also want help in managing your care. Consider a health maintenance organization.

If your answers are some 1's and some 2's: You might want to look for a plan such as a preferred provider organization that combines some of the features of fee-for-service and a health maintenance organization.

The differences among fee-for-service plans, HMOs, and PPOs are not as clear-cut as they once were. Fee-for-service plans have adopted some activities used by HMOs and PPOs to control the use of medical services. And HMOs and PPOs are offering more freedom to choose doctors, the way fee-for-service plans do. By studying your affordable health insurance options carefully, you will be able to pick the one that provides you with the coverage you need, no matter what it is called.

Food is Not Your Friend

2007-08-28T21:13:00.001-07:00

Food is not your friend. Stop saying it is. Stop saying that you eat to be comforted by a dependable friend. Food is not, I repeat, not your friend.

Food is fuel for your physical body. Food can taste delicious. Food can satisfy physical hunger. Food is a reason to get together with friends, but food is not one of the friends.

Here is a definition of friend:

Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more humans. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them. Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating on a consistent basis:

the tendency to desire what is best for the other, sympathy and empathy, honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart, mutual understanding.

So let's play this out to make the point. How much does food know you? How much affection does it have for you? How much does it welcome your company? Does it have the same tastes as you do? Does food engage in mutually helping behavior? Does it give you advice? Can you trust food not to harm you? Do you have food's best interests at heart? Do you empathize with your food and does it do the same for you? Are you honest with food? Do you tell your food the truth? Does it tell you the truth? Does it understand you?

Oh, and here is my favorite question: Does food really comfort you? Seriously…..

Food just is. It doesn't love you. It doesn't hate you. It doesn't care if you eat it or don't eat it. It doesn't care if you are sad. It doesn't care if you are happy. Food doesn't give one damn about you. Food doesn't taste good on purpose so you will be happy. Food doesn't try to be dependable so you can rely on it. Food doesn't care if you like it and FOOD DOES NOT WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND.

So some of you might say that you feel better after you eat something that tastes good. But is that really true? Think about it. How do you really feel afterward? Ok, so you might say that you feel better when you are actually eating it. I will give you that even though I am not convinced that it is true either. But while you are eating food, the reason you feel better for a very miniscule amount of time is because you are focused on the food tasting good and not your thoughts. Your negative thoughts are what make you feel negative emotion. And maybe for that one-minute you are eating a cookie, you are distracted from your thinking, and focused on the taste of the food. You just gave yourself a state change by changing your focus. You didn't make a new friend.

If you need a friend, be your own. Read the definition above and see what kind of friend you are being to yourself. See how much you are paying attention to treating yourself well. Maybe you think food is a good friend because you are a terrible friend to yourself. Maybe if you put a little effort into being kind and warm and trusting and understanding and honest to yourself, you could beat out the Doritos and the Weight Watcher crackers in the "good friend" category.

Food is not your friend. You are.

The Brief History of Hypnosis

2007-08-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

The history of hypnosis is as timeworn as the human culture. Even the most unsophisticated tribesmen were aware of this mind-boggling psychological display, and it was utilized in the mystic celebrations of their socerers to produce anxiety and amplify belief in the paranormal and the occult. With this long-lasting record of supernaturalism and mysticism, it is not unpredicted that the general public point of view toward hypnosis has been and still is one of opposition, misapprehension and fear.

The primary scientific beginnings in the study of hypnosis began with Anton Mesmer in 1775, from whose name originates the phrase mesmerism which is even today in extensive usage. Mesmer`s utilization of hypnosis opened with his discovery that certain categories of medical patients were affected by arm stroking and sleep suggestions. Mesmer put down these medicative aftereffects to the `quality` of `animal magnetism`, and he came up with a principle that animal magnetism was some inexplicable and peculiar cosmic fluid with soothing qualities.

Notwithstanding Mesmer`s superb instinctual expertise in clinical psychology, he had no bright apprehension of the psychological nature of his therapy. Even so, he healed many patients successfully on whom old-style medical procedures had failed. However, his excessive character and strange peculiarity of his therapy brought him unfairly to discredit despite the fact that loads of physicians often visited his clinic throughout the peak of his accomplishment to pick up the initial lessons in the strange art of psychotherapy, distinctively, the significance of clinical psychology.

Since Mesmer there has been a succession of marvelous men who got interested in hypnosis and exploited it effectively in medicinal purposes, entrusting it an increasingly more scientific foundation and power. Elliotson, the first man in England to use the stethoscope, became interested in hypnosis about 1817, used it substantially, and left first-rate evidence of its restorative efficiency in concrete cases. Esdaille, moved by Elliotson`s case reports, became an eager advocate of mesmerism, as it was then referred to,
and actually succeeded in interesting the British government in founding a hospital in
India, where he used it extensively on all types of medical patients, leaving various outstanding transcripts of major and minor surgery accomplished under hypnotic anesthesia.

The initiation of a psychological understanding of the phenomenon began in 1841 with James Braid, firstly an opposer and then thereafter a most ardent investigator and supporter. It was he who invented the idiom hypnosis, acknowledged the psychological constitution of hypnotic sleep, and outlined a lot of its manifestations, shaping methods whereby to check their weight.

Back Pain Relief Product

2007-08-22T18:44:00.001-07:00

Today when it comes to treating back pain there are a number of different back pain relief products on the market that a person is able to use. There are ones which a person can readily buy over the counter at their local drug store to the ones which can be prescribed by their doctor.

There are even natural back pain relief products people can use if they do not want to suffer from any kind of side effects that are often associated with medications that have been prescribed by their doctor or health care provider.

As well as medications there are natural types of pain relief products that a person will want to consider and below I will be taking a closer look at just what some of these are.

Hot and Cold Therapy

This type of therapy is considered to be a very effective way of treating back pain. No longer does a person need to see their doctor in order to be treated using this method instead they can easily purchase the packs that can either be applied hot or cold to the problem area once they have been removed from their packaging.

Usually, it come either as patches or wraps and some can offer up to 8 hours of treatment and can be worn whilst you are carrying out your normal daily tasks. One such company that produce this kind of back pain relief product is called Thermacare. But not only do they provide hot and cold therapy treatments for your back but also for other areas of the body.

Topical Medications

If you are someone who would prefer not to take medication orally, then topical back pain relief medication may be advisable for you to use instead. This type of product will offer relief to the problem area as it is directly absorbed into the body through your skin.

Not only do some of the back pain relief products help to soothe the pain but they can also help to provide relief from the discomfort that a person often feels when suffering from any kind of back pain. As well as coming in synthesized form there are some topical medications now available which have been produced using only natural ingredients. One such herbal remedy that is considered to be quite beneficial in helping to treat back pain is the bark extract from the Willow Tree. This is because it contains the same properties that Aspirin contains and in fact many of today's modern aspirin medications are in fact modeled on this particular form of treatment.

Depression And The Oriental Health

2007-08-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

The Oriental approach to depression is very different from that of Western medicine. The former bases on the physical to the exclusion of the psychological, whereas the latter focuses on both the physical and the psychological aspects of the disease.

The concept of depression in Eastern cultures is not as well received as it is in Western cultures. This is not to say that depression is less common in the Orient. In Eastern cultures, illness is based on the physical rather than psychological aspects. If you do not have physical illness, you are not sick. Culturally, the idea of psychological illness is not well accepted. This leads to the frequent association of depression with somatic complaints, because it is much easier for patients to have a physical complaint than to have a psychological one. In addition, depression is often a stigma in Eastern cultures.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, depression is largely related to the stagnation of liver"qi." ("Qi" is internal life energy coursing through the physical body, nourishing your body cells with life-giving oxygen. When there is blockage, instead of smooth flowing, of "qi", disease and disorder occur.)

Essentially, stagnation of liver "qi" means the "qi" within your body is not flowing smoothly, resulting in symptoms of depression. Some of the common lifestyle habits which may have contributed to the stagnation of "qi" are: lack of exercise; poor dietary habits – especially fried foods and/or alcohol; and repressed or overly expressed emotions - especially anger and/or grief.

Alongside with or as a result of liver "qi" stagnation, your heart, spleen and kidneys may also be affected. In the short term, weakness in your spleen may lead to problems with fatigue and digestion; in the long term, problems related to phlegm not only can distort your thinking but also deteriorate the quality of blood in your body, thereby ultimately affecting your heart with symptoms of insomnia and restlessness. Your kidneys, being strongly related to the foundations of "yin" and "yang" in your body (the Oriental medicine holds that "yin" and "yang" need to balance and complement each other for harmony and wellness), are also likely to play a role in your sluggishness and sleeping problems, which are common symptoms of depression.

Lifestyle factors also play an important role in improving your mental health.

In depression, exercise is particularly important. As depression is often linked to a stagnation of your liver "qi", movement and the circulation of energy within the body may resolve this stagnation problem. With the energy of your body flowing more smoothly, the corresponding symptoms related to "qi" stagnation should improve. Simple exercises such as walking and riding a bicycle are often beneficial, as well as Chinese exercises, such as Tai Chi and QiGong. In depression, diet is also important. You should avoid foods contributing to your liver "qi" stagnation, such as fried foods, excessive meat intake, and alcohol. Your diet should consist of wholesome foods, which are beneficial to your liver, such as apples, cabbage, cucumber and watercress, and which clear your liver qi stagnation, such as ginger and onion.

Your liver is related to the emotions of anger and frustration. It is important you learn how to manage your anger and frustration, including expressing and repressing them. Stress management plays a critical role.

Since "qi" regulates your spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance, and "qi" is influenced by the opposing forces of "yin" and "yang," the balance of which is responsible for the natural flow of "qi" in your body, acupuncture is most effective in controlling the symptoms of depression.

In 1998, a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that acupuncture resulted in a 43 percent reduction in depression symptoms, and that more than 50 percent of patients no longer met the criteria for clinical depression.

Acupuncture may help your body's immune system function in an optimum way, thereby guiding your body to heal itself. Acupuncture may also help your body recover from years of abuse brought on by medication, excesses in food and drink, poisoning of chemicals. Acupuncture may even enhance the efficacy of Saint John's wort.

Your body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points on your body, connecting with twelve main and eight secondary pathways known as meridians, which conduct your body's qi between your body's surface and internal organs. Acupuncture stimulates these acupuncture points, unblocking the stagnation of "qi", which in turn enable your central nervous system to release chemicals into your muscles, spinal cord, and brain, thereby promoting your body's natural self-healing capabilities. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), studies have shown that acupuncture may alter your brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in a beneficial way, thereby attaining the balance of "yin" and "yang", and the restoration of health and wellness to your body and mind.

Detecting the Warning Signs of Stress Early

2007-08-20T19:14:00.001-07:00

Stress is the bodily response to demands made upon it. It must be emphasized that stress is caused by our bodily reaction to the external events or environment, and not the external events or environment themselves. The similar external event, for example when asked to make a speech, can have very different responses from different people. Some people may view that as an opportunity to show off his skills or to express their view or even to improve their public speaking skills. On the other hand, some people may fear their speech will display their ignorance or incapability.

While stress that is short and ends quickly may be good for the body, stress that goes on for a longer time without sufficient relief can cause much damage to not only our bodies but many other aspects of our lives, such as damage to our relationships or personalities.

There is a simple explanation to why prolonged stress is bad for the body. When stressed, the following actions take place in our body:

1. The heart beats faster so that it can supply more oxygen
2. Dilate airway to the lung so that more air can pass through
3. The arteriole (small arteries) diameters widen or narrow in different regions.

These events direct more of the total blood volume to heart and muscle cells that are to increase oxygen flow to cells demanding a lot of energy - these are the features of the fight-flight response. The effects are

1. Heart has to work harder
2. Excessive actions at the heart and muscle cells (more wastes are produced and accumulated there)
3. Less oxygen is supplied to the other parts of the body

To understand why stress is bad for our relationships or personalities, one only needs to see the emotional signs of stress, cognitive and perceptive signs of stress provided in the later part of this article.

It is therefore vital that we are able to detect when that stress period and level exceeds the healthy limit. Fortunately, it is not too difficult to detect the warning signs of stress, although to detect the signs during the early stage of stress is not so straight forward.

We shall discuss the warning signs and symptoms of stress under the following three categories:

1. Physical Signs of Stress

In the presence of a stressor, the body responds by the release of adrenaline to enable it to take explosive actions for survival or high performance. If the stress is relieved, the body goes back to normal conditions. On the other hand, after prolong period of stressful conditions many other physical conditions begin to exhibit themselves. The apparent signs include

- Heart beats faster and stronger
- Perspiration increases resulting in sweaty hands/ palms and even sweats may appear all over the body (even during sleep)
- Headaches and chronic pains in various parts of the body
- Pain or tightness of the chest, neck, jaw and back muscles. The jaw may clench, the teeth may grit resulting in stuttering and other speech difficulties, and the muscles may tremble and twitch
- Restlessness and nervous ticks
- Skin crawls and pales.
- Nausea and vomiting because the body tries to repulse foreign particles in the stomach. May also experience 'Butterflies in stomach'
- Diarrhea because the colon work faster and repel the waste before it has absorbed the water (and other materials).

The not so apparent physical signs of stress include

- Blood pressure may rise significantly which is bad for the arteries and heart in the long run and in the short term the pressure may rise above what the body can cope for one who already has high blood pressure
- Increased sugar and insulin levels in the bloodstream
- Increased cholesterol in the bloodstream
- Addition of coagulates to blood
- Indigestion and constipation
- Urinary hesitancy or increase frequency
- Increased cortisone from adrenal glands
- Increased thyroid hormone in bloodstream
- Increased endorphins from hypothalamus
- Decrease in sex hormones in the bloodstream
- Premenstrual tension.
- Fall sick more easily because of weaken immune system
- Excessive fatigue

2. Emotional Signs of Stress

Stress affects the emotional life too. It often causes emotional upsets in people such as

- Aggression, hostility and jealousy.
- Impatience, anger and anxiety.
- Stammering and other speech difficulties
- Loss of sexual desire and even infertility
- Withdrawal from social life because of difficulty in coping with group situations.
- Loss of peace of mind and become restless, anxious and feeling of insecurity
- Nightmares as a natural attempt to solve problem during dreams
- Emotional upsets
- Loss of positive spirit and become critical
- Impulsive behavior, irritable and moody
- Irregular, over or under eating
- Crying for no apparent reasons

3. Cognitive and Perceptive Signs of Stress

Stress often leads to a significant decline in the cognitive faculties in human beings. People lose the capacity to think rationally such as

- Forgetfulness and memory loss and people fail to remember even small things.
- Carelessness and irresponsible acts
- Lack of attention to detail and fail to think from a broader perspective
- Compulsive behavior and loss of clear thinking ability
- Reduced capacity to think creatively
- Disorganization of thought and productivity falls.
- Use of intoxicating substances such as cigarette, alcohol or drugs

Some of these signs and symptoms, such as heart beat rate, blood pressure and blood sugar, can be measured objectively. For the rest, we have to rely on our own awareness and the alertness of other people around us to the signs and symptoms that we may exhibit. It is therefore vital that we observe and notice our own as well as others' signs and symptoms of excessive stress so that corrective actions can be taken before stress take a better hold on us.

Secrets of Aromatherapy

2007-08-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials. It is a also called is essential oils. The use of aromatherapy can benefit you in many ways. Aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs. There are about 150 essential oils. Most of these oils have antiseptic properties; some are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antidepressant and expectorant. Two basic mechanisms are offered to explain the purported effects. One is the influence of aroma on the brain, especially the limbic system through the olfactory system. It has a particularly Western currency and persuasion. Bathing in essential oils is an all-natural way to unblock congested pores and ease the symptoms of fatigue and muscle tension.

Aromatherapy can also be used to ease the discomfort of suffering from colds and flus. Oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger, clove, juniper and rosemary can help relieve congestion. Aromatic herbal baths have been referred to as "body and soul therapy" since they positively affects one's mood and general well-being. Nurses, doctors, massage therapists, osteopaths and trained aromatherapists are some of the people who practise aromatherapy. Essential oils, phytoncides and other natural VOCs work in different ways. Aromatherapy has proved to be so effective at relieving headaches that there are now many commercial aromatherapy preparations on the market concocted especially for this purpose. Aromatherapy comprises essential and scented oils. These oils are intended to reinstate or preserve overall health and are designed to help relieve stress. As well, the oils are used to heal the body and mind of ailments.

Aromatherapy oils come from natural sources, such as plants, bark, trees, flowers, herbs, etc. Aromatherapy bath happens to be a very effective method for relaxing tired, stressed bodies. Aromatherapy oil is the essential oil that comes from the distillation or any extraction product of other aromatherapy products. Aromatherapy uses this principle to provide a soothing and beneficial escape from our everyday cares, worries or responsibilities. People with high blood pressure should avoid hyssop, rosemary, sage and thyme, while diabetics should avoid angelica oil. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid a number of oils. he essential oils come in a variety of fragrances. These oils work to offer serenity to the body, while pampering the soul. Benifits of aromatherpy can be sought through massaging and inhalation combined. And as mentioned above, you can use aromatherapy oils as décors, fresheners, etc.

Secrets of Aromatherapy Tips

1. Lavender - First used as perfume by ancient Egyptians 2,500 years ago, lavender is now used to treat insomnia, migraines and provide stress relief.

2. Rosemary - This fragrant plant relieves muscle pain, low blood pressure and cold feet and hands.

3. Spearmint - The oil from spearmint aids digestion and eases nausea and vomiting

4. Certain oils can also stimulate lymphatic drainage or have antibacterial properties.

5. Aromatherapy can help to strengthen the immune system and has been shown to be useful for easing muscular pains and rheumatism.

Daily Routine for Asthma Patients

2007-08-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Face the challenge

-Today, asthma is not at all a barrier to physical activity. In fact, keep your asthma under control, and you can do everything.

One of the most important factors for keeping the body’s natural cleansing process strong is to maintain a lifestyle that does not disturb the natural bodily tempo. When we eat, sleep and exercise in constantly disturbing patterns, the body loses its natural balancing cycles and cannot heal itself effectively. Therefore, regularity in our daily routine is the first step in reducing body imbalances and controlling asthma.

Start your day with the cleaning process of the entire system. As soon as you get up, drink one or two cups of hot water for loosening the secretions of the throat. Think positively about something good, which will help pacify the mind as well as instill optimism in the mind so that the person is prepared for the day.

Go for a walk, or undertake some outdoor activity in the open, so that your lungs get plenty of fresh air. Breathe deeply, and exhale completely, but gently. You will gradually feel the difference.

The need for maintaining hygiene and strengthening the body is significant, so as to have better resistance to different infections. Cleaning may include, sun bathing, fresh air and bathing. Sunbathing kills germs. Care should be taken to clean all the body parts which are exposed thoroughly, with water.

Daily self massage with oil, before bathing for 5-10 minutes provides a deep soothing and balancing effect to the entire nervous system. The motion of massage creates heat and friction which enhance circulation and help cleanse chemical impurities that could be causing symptoms of asthma.

Pay special care to the timing as well as the quality of food being consumed. Avoid any spicy, cold, sweet or irritating foods. Have food that is easily digestible, do not stuff your stomach because it could cause indigestion or gas formation. Have food early as well as at regular intervals. Heavy food leads to sudden distension of the abdomen by pushing up the diaphragm, and thereby reducing the volume of lungs available for ventilation.

Take the prescribed medications, as suggested by your doctor regularly. Accept the fact that you have asthma, and be pro-active in treating it. A passive approach will only worsen the situation. Be in touch with your doctor to take care of emergencies and sudden flare-ups. Asthma is not a disease, it is a condition that has to be controlled and it is very much within the patient’s reach as to how he wants to do it.

Carry on with your daily chores as before. If you are an office goer, or going to school, a housewife or whatever. Day to day work should not stop, unless the situation demands. Asthma, with a slight maintenance of a regular routine, will not hinder your other work. But yes, you need to take certain precautions to help avoid sudden triggers. Always carry your emergency medicines with you such as inhalers or pills, whatever you are using.

Try out some stress management techniques like meditation or yoga. Asthma is often worsened by heightened stress, anxiety and mental fatigue. This is due to hormonal changes that aggravate the nervous system and depress the immune response.

The sleep disturbance that is created by symptoms of asthma increase fatigue, which increases one's susceptibility to stress, which in turn aggravates the asthma condition – a vicious circle. Go in for stretching and flexibility exercises to get a positive effect on the body's healing response.

Pranayama is an effective way to breathe equally and rhythmically. This helps an asthmatic patient to have more control over breathing pattern. Be aware that correct breathing in other situations, such as rest, work etc. should be practised.

Cut down on unhealthy habits such as cigarette smoking, drinking or any other type of addiction. Healthy mind, diet and exercise will gradually make a asthmatic patient less dependent on cigarettes and other addictions.

Do not unnecessarily waste positive energy by talking unnecessarily or viewing things not worthy etc. In order to preserve the energy, it is essential not to indulge in negative thinking as well as in bad habits since emotional stimulation take up a lot of energy which otherwise can be spent for constructive purposes.

Small changes in the daily routine of a patient’s life can influence tremendously. Give importance to small but healthy routine which can be easily followed, and will be of great benefit also. The daily schedule can include hot water drinking, application of hot water bags, steam inhalation, sun bathing, candle blowing and certain exercises to stimulate the mind.

Best online pharmacy

2007-08-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

The internet has opened up new venues for all businesses, every business imaginable from selling cars to pharmacies is now online, and are offering goods online. Pharmacies have often been criticized for misusing the way the internet functions, however this is unjust criticism. Firstly Pharmacies do not sell restricted drugs, or drugs that specifically require a doctor's prescription or require physical examination of the patient. Online pharmacies offer drugs that can be obtained over the counter, or drugs that do not require physical examination by a doctor. Agreed there are some online pharmacies that are transgressing the rules by actually ignoring the ethical ways of conducting business online, but there is no reason why genuine pharmacies should suffer for the behaviour of some irresponsible pharmacies.

Today online pharmacies are a great way for people to receive medicines, without ever having to leave the comfort of their homes. In addition online pharmacies are able to provide customers a very competitive quote on all their requirements, thereby helping consumers to be rid of the monopoly that some local pharmacists might have. The most popular drugs that are ordered over the internet are drugs like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, even to obtain these drugs a customer has to fill out an online check-list, if the customer is found to be failing on any of the criteria mentioned on the check-list then the customer is clearly told to consult a physician or is simply refused the drugs. The same case applies for any drug that might warrant any kind of regulatory check.

Before you order anything from an online pharmacy there are a few things to remember, the first is that you should order drugs from an online pharmacy that has established a name for itself. This ensures that there is very little chance of expired or spurious drugs reaching your doorstep. Unfortunately there is no official regulatory body for online pharmacies like there is for regular pharmacies, therefore it is a good idea to buy your drugs from an established online pharmacy. Make it a point to deal with an online pharmacy that offers customer support, preferably by phone, this way you can call up the pharmacy to discuss confidential details, or if you want to further discuss any prescription that you might have.

As is the case with most deals, you must make sure that you are getting the best deal online, you should carefully look through a couple of online pharmacies, and then choose which pharmacy you want to choose, more often than not you will find a particular pharmacy is selling antibiotics cheaper while the other is selling analgesics cheaper; so make sure you research every drug you plan to buy. Also avoid dealing with overseas sellers, sometimes there are certain customs issues that might cause the drugs not reaching your doorstep, so if you are an American citizen, you are better off dealing with an online pharmacy that is physically located in the United States, this will ensure that the shipping charges are much lower

Acne Treatment Options Exposed

2007-08-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

When sebums are produced in large quantities, it will be the direct cause of your acne condition.The location of the sebaceous gland is in the hair follicle. In the event of the overproduction of the top layer of skin, the pores leading to the sebaceous glands may become blocked with plugs of keratin. Blackhead can be developed and as a result of these bacteria will thrives. When an area under your skin is infected by bacteria, this will cause inflammation as blood vessels are expanded to allow more blood flow to the area.You'll notice that pus will start to be visible.

The sunlight has no properties whatsoever capable of removing acne problems as most folks seems to believe. When you exposed your skin to the sun, it causes skin to tanned and reddened. As a result the acne spot becomes less apparent. Never give into temptation to go and have yourself a suntan during acne episodes as this can only cause your acne to aggravate. Sure you can have a suntan and may even look better for a few days, but beware that your acne will come back with a vengeance.

Different people will react differently with the formation of acne causing various type of acne due to the way that their physiology are made up of. The hair follicle is most often traced to be the causes of acne break out as it is often clogged and resulted in a dense substance called comedo. The comedo will effectively increase its size when more oil build up occurs which as a result causing the skin in the surrounding area to inflame and irritate. There are several types of acne, each requiring different way of treating the acnes. This main purpose of this article is shed some light some of the issues pertaining to acne and many topics will be touched upon.

If you are suffering from acne, than you are not alone as there are countless number of people are suffering from the same affliction. An acne treatment can take many forms and there are never a holistic approach to acne treatment for any type of acne. Wrong selection of treatment can be disastrous.

Acne treatment can sometime turns into a sort of routine maintenance, as new spots will continue to appear, leaving the teenager without a clear complexion.The initial step to follow is to try over-the-counter medications. These contain substances to dry the skin antibacterial properties to promote healing. Acne treatments are designed for different stages and types of acne. You must ensure that the product you choose suit your condition or you risk making it go worse. When you using these product ensure that you cover the surrounding seemingly clear surface too.

Different Types Of Natural Cure For Hair Loss

2007-08-07T18:19:00.001-07:00

There are different types of remedies for hair loss, ranging from natural, to synthetic, and to the more complex methods. While the last two are effective for many people, going for the natural cure for hair loss is always the best way. With natural hair loss treatments, you don’t have to worry about the various effects that synthetic and complicated treatments may impose on your body. Here are some of the natural remedies for hair loss.

Remedies from Natural Sources

A natural cure for hair loss includes medicines and treatment products manufactured from natural resources, not those goods that are clinically manufactured or formulated. These natural cures are typically made from seeds, flowers, plants and roots, among others. These products cleanse and massage the scalp to provide complete protection and nourishment for your hair. They assist in providing healthy hair, detoxifying and giving protection from further hair loss.

Aromatherapy as a Natural Hair Loss Treatment

Aromatherapy is one of the most popular natural cure for hair loss. Studies indicate that it does not only provide beneficial and relaxing effects to the body, it also aids in the growth of hair. Application of essential oils of rosemary, thyme, lavender, cedar wood mixed with certain oils are regarded as effective means of stimulating hair growth.

Massage

Massage is another natural cure for hair loss. It is usually complemented with aromatherapy oils to allow for more effective results. Massage as a natural cure for hair loss is essential in hair growth since it stimulates the flow of blood to the hair follicles and provides nutrients needed by the hair to allow it a healthy growth and avoid falling out. It is considered that your very own natural cure for hair loss can be the one of the most excellent remedies. Your homemade potion may include, herbs, aloe vera, and your very own conditioners, aside from the essential oils.

Proper Diet as a Natural Cure for Hair Loss

Hair loss has been associated with poor or inadequate intake of food. Several studies have indicated that when there is insufficient intake of food containing copper and zinc, loss of hair may occur. It has been shown that the hair is usually one of the first parts of the body that is directly affected when the body is not getting enough nourishment. As a matter of fact, there have been reports that people who have extremely poor diet start to lose their hair at a much younger age compared to people who have proper diet. The most natural cure for hair loss brought about by poor diet is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. It is also recommended that you take copper and zinc to provide the necessary nutrients, although consultation with a doctor is needed. At the most basic level, better nutrition slows down shedding and complements other treatments that promote growth of hair. Proper diet is achieved by eating adequate amounts of protein, appropriate levels of helpful carbohydrates, and taking in a healthy portion of dietary fats.

The use of natural cure for hair loss is a longstanding tradition. However, not all people may benefit from this type of remedy and may need more sophisticated types of treatments. But for some people, making use of natural cure for hair loss has proven effective for them, thus preventing the need for synthetic and invasive treatments.

Life In Acne Treatment Options

2007-08-06T18:40:00.000-07:00

A small form of acne is know as a papule. It is an acne nonetheless and you can recognize it with it pink and smallish bump on your face. The acne papules cannot be either categorized as inflammatory or non-inflammatory class of acne. Rather it is somewhere in between.

Getting to know what cause your acne is the crucial part that you must ascertain in order for your to better fight acne. These so called misinformation and myths simply born out of ignorance and never through tried and tested method, will resulted in a lot of red herring on your part in finding the true cause of your acne problems.

Maintaining your face from the presence of acne can be done by simply using cleanser which functions mainly in removing oil and dirt.When using topical acne treatment, cleanser allows the skin to be more readily absorb the treatment and making it more effective. Topical acne treatment refers to the treatment that is applied onto the acne itself and it usually comes in the form of cream. Overusing the cleanser can cause a detrimental effect on your acne condition as cleanser induce dryness in skin and can cause skin irritation when used in excess. Limit the use of cleanser to just two times a day and never go overboard .

Teenagers are the most prone to suffering acne problems due to the fact that their hormones level somehow cause the glands to produce more oil.Primary oil producer in the skin is located near the hair pores also known as follicles. When the top layer of the skin are somehow over produced, the likelihood of the pores being blocked are increased. Bacteria breeding ground is mostly located at these plugged area and overtime it can cause infections. This will resulted in the surrounding area to start inflaming and your body will react to fight these bacteria.Pus is the by product of the event that has occurred.

They are many variants of pimple and the severity of acnes problems varies with each person. However the basic formation of acne remains the same. The hair follicle is largely responsible for the formation of acne. It happens when it is somehow blocked causing build up of waste material. The skin around the comedo will start to inflame as the comedo slowly build up in size. Those with typically oily skin will experience faster acne formation. Acne of many type can be formed from this and the approach to eliminating these acne will be unique to each type of acne. The article is aimed at giving general information as regard to acne treatments and the way acne formation came about.

What Is The Glyconutrient N-acetyl Neurominic Acid And How Does It Benefit The Body

2007-08-05T18:42:00.000-07:00

The glyconutrient n-acetyl neurominic acid is a monosaccharide compound that is one of what is known as the eight essential sugars. Each of these sugars, that also include saccharides such as glucose, mannose and galactose, is essential for the proper operation of the mammalian immune system.

They react in the body with fats and proteins to form glycolipids and glycoproteins that are collectively known as glycoforms. These sit on the surface of the cell membranes, and form the messages that cells pass between each other. They are the basis of the communication between cells, and all eight glyconutrients are essential for it to work properly. If all eight are not present, then the cells mis-communicate. That means that they cannot kill diseases in the forms of viruses or bacteria, and will sometimes even kill each other. Chaos reigns.

The immune system breaks down because the white blood cells and antibodies cannot tell the good cells from the interlopers, and so will either take no action or will kill everything. This can lead to certain types of cancers or can allow the body to be overrun with disease. The type of problem caused, or form that the disease takes, will be determined by the monosaccharide that is missing.

It is only relatively recently that it was discovered that certain sugars are more than just energy providers and fat promoters. They are, in fact, essential to the processes of life and our biochemistry cannot function without them. N-acetyl neurominic acid is one of these essential sugars that play such a vital role in cell communication and the functioning of the immune system, without which the body would be open to the ravages of any disease around, though it is particularly the respiratory diseases that most victims finally succumb to.

This acid is also known as sialic acid, and that is the name that shall be used here due to it being smaller and easier to write! Like the other essential monosaccharides, sialic acid is responsible for more than just the immune system. There is other biochemistry that it is necessary for, and other conditions that it can control. It is important to understand that this sugar is not a medicine. It cannot be taken to cure an illness. It does not work that way. Its presence can control a condition, or prevent it from occurring, but taking it will not cure an existing condition.

N-acetyl neurominic acid is one of the five or six essential sugars that are not available in the normal human diet, and are synthesized by the body itself. Apart from its function with respect to the immune system and cell communication, it is known to be associated with the development of the brain. It is considered to be an important factor in children who fail to grow properly, who lack pigmentation in the hair and skin and who develop coarsening of the features, among other conditions.

It is known that an abundance of this glyconutrient can lessen the chances of kidney stones in those susceptible to them, and that it is likely to be able to be used to control allergies through its properties as a histamine blocker. What is true is that the body loses it as it grows older, and lower concentrations are found not only in the elderly but in alcoholics and those suffering from respiratory diseases. Supplements of sialic acid are indicated in these cases, especially in the elderly.

As with some of the other glyconutrients, n-acetyl neurominic acid has been demonstrated to affect the long-term memory. This could be associated with its effect on brain development and the boosting of the learning process. In fact abnormalities in sialic acid concentration frequently give rise to mental problems and deterioration.

It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties in common with others of the essential sugars. In fact, studies have shown that if the sugar is present in antibodies contained in intravenous immunoglobulin, a general immunizing vaccine of pooled antibodies, then anti-inflammatory properties appear to be conferred upon the antibodies. The more these glyconutrients are studied, the more favorable medical, properties they are found to possess. This is a far cry from the negative health effects they were originally believed to posses.

Another beneficial property possessed by sialic acid sugar is its effect on mucus. It appears to regulate the consistency of the mucus, and hence its flow rate, thus maximizing its properties in physically removing harmful microbes from the body. Viscosity of mucus is important, and it should be neither too thin, and hence fail to collect the maximum amount of bacteria, nor too thick when the flow rate will be too low and allow too high a build up of mucus in the body.

Our natural intake of such glyconutrients is too low due to intensive farming methods and our essentially green diet. Sugars are to be found more in canes, corn husks, barks, roots and the brown parts of cereal crops and seeds. The refining of sugar, flour and rice to make them as white as possible has removed the most common sources of glyconutrients. Our ancestors had a far healthier diet, but the introduction of the agricultural revolution was the beginning of the end of our natural source of these valuable raw materials. The best source of n-acetyl neurominic acid is eggs and whey protein isolate, both readily available at your local grocery or health food store.

It was not recognized of course, since it is only over the past ten years or so that their importance in the biochemistry of our body has been discovered. Now, supplements are probably essential to ensure that we take in sufficient of them on a regular basis to meet our needs.

Problems with the human immune system have been increasing as have been allergy problems. The other conditions now known to be controlled by the eight essential sugars have also been on the increase, conditions such as learning problems, problems with the joints and connective tissues and certain cancers. The human immune system is our only line of defense against disease. The immune system, with proper communication, can protect the body from all sorts of disease, but if the immune system breaks down it can be the cause of disease or ignore disease all together allowing it to progress till it ends a person’s life.

Although n-acetylneurominic acid is found in breast milk, it is available in only a very few natural foods and supplements appear to be the most obvious answer. Their importance is now in no doubt, and while the investigation continues into these Cinderella nutrients, there is no doubt that they are an essential part of our diet, whether naturally or by means of supplements. Glyconutrient complex formulas are available at your local health food store.

Interesting Developments In The Sphere Of Cosmetic Surgery

2007-08-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

Men have an eternal craving for staying young and looking ravishing even if they grow old. As we grow older, we start losing the smoothness and elasticity of the skin and the body starts losing its natural toned look. Then there are people who are born with certain cosmetic defects that prevent them from living their life in full vigor. The plight of these people whose appearance become the cause of agony have always made the medical scientists think and that led to the emergence of cosmetic surgery as the most innovative branch of medical science. It is often said, that no branch of medical science has made such a remarkable advancement over such a short period of time.

The recent trends in plastic surgery however involve the shift of emphasis from complex surgical procedures to minimal invasive techniques and prospects in the coming decades seem only endless. The procedures are increasingly becoming quicker requiring lesser downtime for recovery, the scarring are going to be less and expenses are also coming down significantly attracting a larger segment of the society.

The researches are moving toward the most advanced kind of cosmetic engineering. As for example, the scientists have achieved major breakthroughs in the area of tissue engineering that will make generation of live tissues possible in the laboratory set up to be used to replace the damaged skin or body parts. The researches are also being carried on to explore the possibilities in reproducing skin grafts, breast tissue, muscles, or nerves. Thus the future of cosmetic surgery seems to mostly depend on the advancements made in the areas of tissue engineering.

However, as said earlier, in the new millennium, the cosmetic surgery is leaning more towards less invasive procedures and a new generation of products and techniques have been introduced to deal with a number of cosmetic imperfections. We all know about Botox and its recent popularity, but there are many more products with the same or even more potentials.

Botulinum toxins.
Some people simply need a stronger version of Botox for longer duration and stronger wrinkle reducing abilities. Their demand can be met in a product called Myobloc or Dysport which is a type B botulinum toxin while Botox is type A. Its advantage lies in the fact that Dysport treatments requires two application a year as opposed to the four application a year usually needed by Botox patients.

Hyaluronic acid
This is another product that is fast gaining hold. As a component of skin tissue, this product is meant to provide cushioning and lubrication to the skin. Their effects can last up to one year.

Radiance
If you want that perfect strawberry mouth like Angelina Jolie, you will no longer need to go under the surgical scalpels. For creating spouty lips, cosmetic surgeons may inject in your lips Radiance that is derived from calcium hydroxylapatite, a substance found in human bones and teeth. The product is however awaiting FDA approval for use in cosmetic treatment.

Artecoll
This is being viewed as the first permanent injection to treat wrinkles. How does it work? The process involves the injection of microscopic plastic beads suspended in collagen into the targeted area. The body absorbs the injected collagen, and the beads make the body to produce its own collagen. Thus it triggers off a collagen production cycle. As the body experiences a drop in the collagen production, the beads instruct the body to produce more.

In the years to come, cosmetic surgery techniques are predicted to develop at even a faster rate. More advanced approaches are expected to replace the present techniques as demand for procedures with immediate effects and quicker healing time grow.

Types of Teeth Whitening Available

2007-07-31T01:34:00.000-07:00

There are few teeth whitening procedures available which correct the discoloration of teeth by removing the yellow and brown stains. While each procedure is effective, there are few advantages and disadvantages of each procedure depending upon the processes.

One of the most common teeth whitening procedure is at home custom fit tray bleaching. A customized tray is fitted over your teeth. The bleaching gel is placed in the tray and worn for a stipulated period of time each day or during the night. This is one of the widely used techniques because it is easier to use and costs less.

The cosmetic dentist will take impressions of your teeth and a thin customized plastic tray is made which you will have to take home and wear for prescribed period of time daily.

At home customized tray teeth whitening system changes the shade of your teeth gradually over time and is less noticeable to others around you. The cost is also relatively low. However, this process will take usually two to four visits to the dentists' office.
In-office bleaching is another teeth whitening system commonly used. In this process the dentists apply a whitening gel along with a special light at their clinic. Sometimes this can be used as follow up treatment of at home tray teeth whitening procedure if required.

The advantage of in-office teeth whitening is that, usually it takes just one visit for a white enhancing smile. This treatment is comparatively less costly. The only disadvantage is that this process will bring in a sudden change of shade in your teeth which is likely to be noticed by people around you.

One of the most effective teeth whitening system is laser teeth whitening (in-office). This system uses laser rays that are sometimes combined with application of with whitening gel simultaneously. A translucent whitening gel is used on the teeth and a special activating light is applied which activates the crystals to attract the energy from the light. Then it penetrates the enamel to enhance the lightening effect on the teeth. This process involves around two hours of time.

Just one visit to the dentist is sufficient to complete this process. But this again will impart a sudden change in the color of the teeth which is noticeable and can cause some amount of inconvenience. This is one of the most expensive but fastest techniques used.

In some other cases where the above techniques seem to be ineffective teeth bonding and teeth veneers are used to get the same whitening effect. The procedure that would be appropriate for you should be discussed with your dentist to get the best opinion on teeth whitening.

Cellulite: Learn The Facts - Fight The Flab

2007-07-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

Have you been cursed with those lumpy cottage cheese like areas of fat on your thighs, hips, buttocks, and other parts of your body? There's a good chance; 85% of women are already afflicted with these same cellulite woes. The term "cellulite" is not a common term around the medical community - it was actually first created in European spas. Then, in the early 1970's a man by the name of Nicole Ronsard published the book Cellulite: Those Lumps, Bumps, and Bulges You Couldn't Lose Before. The term "cellulite" then spread throughout America.

If you're like most women, you are probably wondering . Well, there are several factors that contribute to the cause of cellulite. Some of these factors are age, genetics, your body fat percentage, your level of hydration, and possibly whether or not you smoke or ingest caffeine.

One of the most prominent and widely accepted cause of cellulite has to due with how the skin is constructed and how the fat around it is situated. In the skin, there are tough strands of fibrous tissue that connect the skin to the rest of the body called the "septa". The septa anchors at certain points - similar to a net. This net of fibrous - the septa - tissue exists above the layer of fat in your body. However, sometimes fat makes its way through the holes in this net of fibrous tissue and therefore plumps the fat outward. This plumping of fat causes the "cottage cheese" resemblance of cellulite. Many times, even if a woman has a very low body fat percentage, if the skin around that area is pinched, then some cellulite can still remain visible; however, most women probably only care about cellulite when it is only visible without pinching.

Other reasons/theories exist as to the cause of cellulite, but the actual cause is probably a combination of more than one thing. Carole Walderman, aesthetician and president of Von Lee International School of Aesthetics, in Baltimore, states, "Cellulite is a combination of fat globules, waste matter, and water imprisoned in connective tissue." Another theory is that the makeup of the strands of fibrous tissue in men and women are different - for instance, a man's net of fibrous tissue forms a net that is perpendicular, where as a woman's net of fibrous tissue is formed by X's. Also, the fibrous tissue may be tighter in women, which would cause a much more pronounced plumping effect in women in comparison to men.

Treatments for Celllulite

Just Lose the Fat

Since an excessive body fat percentage is probably the most prominent reason for the cause of cellulite, the best, most permanent, and most effective course of action is to simply lose fat. Obviously, there are many options in this area due to the fact that there are hundreds of diet programs, pills, supplements, etc. A very effective and recommended (by the author of this article) program to accomplish this is entitled "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle," by Tom Venuto.

Mechanical Massage

Another popular, and somewhat pricey, treatment for cellulite is called endermology, or mechanical massage. In this treatment, layers of cellulite are rolled between rollers and sucked on with a vacuum with low pressures to "stretch" the septa. The appearance of cellulite is supposed to become smoother - similar to if you were to roll cottage cheese between two rollers. Obviously, the cottage cheese would no longer be as lumpy. There are many studies going on to determine the effectiveness of these treatments, but their effectiveness remains questioned.

Water

This is a a simple treatment. Drink more water. Carole Walderman, mentioned above in this article, states, "I have found that a lot of people who have cellulite don't drink enough water." Even if water doesn't reduce your appearance of cellulite, it does too many other important things to be passed up anyway.

Topical Treatments

In the world of health and fitness, there are many marketers trying to take advantage of consumers who are ready to spend anything to treat their problems. Many times, products like these will make vague claims like "improve circulation", "reduce the appear of cellulite", or "stimulate the release of fat". These claims sound scientific to the unknowledgable consumer; I mean, what is bad about improving circulation? 90% of the time these marketers will exaggerate claims from poorly designed studies, claim that a certain ingredient does something special, but rarely as to what degree does it accomplish it. Another common generalization of these products is to "stimulate the release of fat". There may be one or two studies that verify this, but even if these products accomplish this, the effect of them is extremely minimal compared to what intelligent dieting and exercise can do.

Then again, there is a possibility that some of the ingredients in topical creams may benefit in reducing cellulite. However, many times there are several ingredients mixed into one cream. This makes it extremely hard to find out which ingredient is actually producing results. If you decide to go this route (please encorporate diet and exercise too), then ask your dermatologist before purchasing anything.

Nicotine and Caffiene

Another theory that holds investigation is the use of caffiene and nicotine. You can help aid in your fight against cellulite by halting the use of these, since they constrict blood vessels. This theory may need more investigation.

All in all, cellulite is a tough foe. There are several treatments for it; many of them are a waste of money or have a very minimal effect. The most effective way to reduce cellulite is to treat it at the root of it's cause - where fat makes it way through the net of fibrous tissue that makes up your skin to cause several small pits or domes. The best way to accomplish this is through intelligent dieting and exercise.

Natural Hair Loss Remedies & Treatment

2007-07-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

We all lose hair on a regular basis, but unfortunately rapid hair loss accompanied by non-growth of new hair coming in to replace it results in thinning hair and gradually lead to baldness.

The causes of hair loss can be many, the main cause of Hair Loss being due to improper care of your hair, or unhealthy lifestyle. Hereditary can also be attributed to the cause of hair loss. Hair loss can be treated by either of the following,
• Drugs based approach.
• Use of commercial products approach.
• Natural remedy approach.
• Nutritional approach.
• Cleanliness approach.
Drug based approach is ideal for people who are willing to take strong medications. It is strongly recommended that you consult a dermatologist before the consumption of any drugs.

Although a variety of commercial products are available in stores, yet all may not prove as a solution to your problem. An extensive research is what can help you in choosing the proper product to prevent your hair loss. Commercial products based on natural ingredients are preferred and have proved useful too in preventing hair loss.

Nowadays people are increasingly getting more and more inclined to natural hair loss remedies to combat hair loss. Some natural remedies have proved as an effective treatment towards hair loss.

It is an eminent factor that poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyles can have a bad effect on your health as well as your hair. A well-balanced and improved nutrition can help you achieve a healthy hair. Try eating sufficient amounts of protein, proper levels of useful carbohydrates and achieving a healthy balance of dietary fats. Eat more fruits in the morning and more vegetable for lunch and dinner.

Scalp cleanliness plays one integral role in preventing hair loss. If you have dandruff, you need to get rid of it immediately. Dandruff can be a prime cause of hair loss when it combines with dirt, shampoo chemicals, excess sebum follicle oil.

With time these chemicals can create a film on your scalp that hardens and start to plug up your hair follicles. Once plugged, your follicles cannot support hair growth.

Here are a few hair loss remedies that can help you maintain what you now have and save losing your hair.
• Getting proper nutrition is essential for healthy hair.

• Water, protein, biotin, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, copper, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium, folic acid, and magnesium all contribute to a healthy scalp and hair.

• Massaging your scalp with the help of your fingertips enhances the scalp blood circulation, which contributes to your hair growth.

• Prolonged exposure to sun, wind and heat can result in hair loss, therefore avoid doing so. If it is really required, make sure you have protected your hair with a scarf or hat.

• Excessive use of hair dryers, hot showers, and curling irons on your hair can also cause hair loss, thus try avoiding them as much as possible.

• Stress is a major reason why you can experience hair loss. Therefore, start reducing the extra stress at once by taking some time out of your daily schedule to relax. Also get enough sleep. You can also start supplementing your diet with a good hair loss nutritional supplement.

• Hair coloring damages your hair and therefore you must try to color it less frequently.
The hair loss treatments suggested here cannot provide perfect cures for all hair loss conditions, but have proved helpful under many conditions. You can thus, try them as the potential solutions to hair loss.

Can Stress Cause Diabetes?

2007-07-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

It is believed that almost all illness conditions can be caused by stress. Is it really true? We shall examine whether diabetes can be caused by stress.

Diabetes can be classified into two major types.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is commonly known as juvenile diabetes. This is due to the fact type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when a person is still young - from a couple of years old to teenage. Type 1 diabetes arises because the body produces insufficient insulin and the patient is said to suffer from insulin deficiency. Young children are normally not under great stress, it is fair to believe that stress cannot be the cause of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus usually occurs later in life, after the age of forty. Most diabetes patients suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the problems arise because

1. Either the body does not produce enough insulin, or
2. The insulin produced is ignored by the cells in the body (known as insulin resistance), or both.

In order to understand type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is important to discuss first what insulin is and the roles it plays in human body functions.

The food that we consume and store are big molecules. Before the cells in our bodies can make use of the food, it has to be broken down into simple sugars. In our body, the simple sugar is glucose which has a molecular formula of C6H12O6. Glucose in the blood is what we normally refer to as blood sugar, because glucose is the main type of simple sugar in our blood.

The glucose in our blood has to be maintained to within a narrow range from 0.7 mg per ml to 1.1 mg per ml. When the glucose level falls below 0.7 mg per ml, "hypoglycemia" is said to have occurred. When the glucose level rises above 1.8 mg per ml, "hyperglycemia" is said to have occurred. Both "hypoglycemia" and "hyperglycemia" can cause problems to our bodies.

The glucose level in our bodies is controlled with the help of insulin, which is a hormone that regulates metabolism in our body. Insulin helps the cells in our bodies by taking glucose in our blood to the cells for the cell to breathe to produce energy so that life can be sustained.

When the glucose level in the blood rises, more insulin is secreted into the blood to help the cells in our bodies such as muscle cells, red blood cells and fat cells to absorb the glucose out of the blood, thus lowering the blood glucose level.

When the glucose level in the blood falls, more glucagon, which can be seen as a counterpart to insulin, is secreted into the blood to stimulate liver to release the glucose it has stored in its cells into the blood stream, thus increasing the blood glucose level. Glucagon also induces the liver and some of the muscle cells to break down protein molecules to produce glucose.

If the glucose is built up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells, there are two detrimental outcomes. In the first place, if the cells do not get the glucose they need to live, they die. In the second place, a long period of high blood glucose level can hurt the vital organs in the body such as eyes, kidneys, heart and brain. In order to treat "hyperglycemia" or high blood sugar level, insulin is introduced into the body orally, through injection or intravenously.

"Hypoglycemia" or low blood glucose level condition can happen when there is insufficient food in the stomach or when more insulin is introduced than there is food in the stomach for it to act on. This often happens when a patient is hungry or injects insulin in anticipation of food consumption, but the food consumption is delayed or insufficient food is consumed. Symptoms of "hypoglycemia" include strange behavior, strange facial appearance, clumsy or jerky movements, seizure, confusion, tingling sensations around the mouth, dizziness, sweating, headache etc.

The usual reason explaining why stress leads to sickness is the weakening of our immunity system caused by stress. However, from our discussion on the mechanics of metabolism and diabetes, there is nothing to associate our immunity system with diabetes (type 2).

There seems to be evidence that among those who have undergone life-changing crisis such as death of a spouse or financial difficulty a higher percentage among them have developed diabetes. However, although such circumstantial evidence seems to suggest a link between a higher proportion of people under greater stress and diabetes, we cannot conclude that stress cause diabetes.

There is a belief that stressful life events increase the diabetes risk by increasing levels of the hormone cortisol and decreasing levels of testosterone. This is because a higher hormone cortisol level and a lower hormone testosterone have been shown to influence the action of insulin, in particular, insulin resistance. George Davey Smith and colleagues from the University of Bristol in the UK conducted a research project to test this theory but the results were inconclusive.

Based on the evidence to date, we cannot conclude that stress does indeed cause diabetes. It is therefore not wise to attribute diabetes to stress because we could be barking the wrong tree.

Top 4 Diet Plans For Successful Weight Loss

2007-07-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

There are thousands of different diets all over the internet and some of them are so confused with others that no wonder why you can get so lost and eventually end up in total despair and frustration.

Not to talk about what can happen if you decide to follow some diet and instead of losing weight, you get the opposite result – gain weight. That is reality - some diets may work for you, others can end like a complete disaster for you.

There is no dieter who wants to achieve the negative effect of dieting. But the truth is that if you do not know what exactly you are doing, you are most likely to fail your diet and give up in the end. Well, here is why we are here to help you make the right choice for a diet plan.

First steps in dieting

The very first thing any diet should do for you is to prevent you from further weight gain. Next is to set your future weight loss goals. Set realistic goals! Do small steps to reach your goals and to achieve your target weight.

Do not expect fast results – anything you do in a rush for rapid results may end uglier that you thought (that means lose weight gradually to succeed).

You should remember - there is no easy and fast way to lose weight and you should deal with that. Dieting is hard, takes time, often separates you from your family, as far as it comes to counting the calories, the carbohydrates and fats in your meals.

Can not resist the temptations?

It gets even worse if you can not resist the sweet and delicious temptations all around you after the first or the second week on your diet. Probably while you have been doing the shopping for your diet you happen to pass by the sweet, delicious and so unhealthy foods, that make you crave for them like never before.

The solutions

I know it is hard from my personal experience, but there is a solution, and that is why I want to share it with you here in this article:

Believe it or not I lost weight not by following some strict do not-eat-this-do not-eat-that diet, but by eating only delicious, healthy and great looking meals with less calories and never really felt starving to death.

It is simple not to get hungry if you eat about 5 times a day very delicious meals and lose weight safely at the same time. The only problem here is that you either have to prepare those delicious meals yourself, or you can order them from a specialized diet food delivery service that will cook them for you.

Which one is better?

In the first case when you prepare your meals yourself, you spend a lot of time shopping and cooking. What is more you may forget some of the products or even get bored with all that cooking healthy meals and eating them afterwards. I myself find the shopping and cooking a little bit exhausting, not to mention that I may lose my appetite while I am doing all this stuff. If in any part of your diet anything like that happens, then do not expect any positive results. You will not save money, you will lose time.

However, if you choose a Diet Food Delivery Service to supply you with healthy and delicious foods and meals at the beginning of every week – well, that is another story. All you need to do is heat the meals in the microwave and enjoy their great taste by following the diet plan, cause every service of that kind has a diet plan you should stick to.

Well, of course these services are not cheap, but if you are really serious of getting rid of all extra pounds, it will be nice to think of this diet food delivery service thing as for a small investment for your good health and happier life. You do want to prevent you from getting high blood pressure, heart attack or else?

Here are the Diet Food Delivery Services We Recommend:

Diet To Go Diet Food

BISTRO MD / Diet To Your Door

And the Protein Diet Plans and Meal Replacements that work and we also very heartily recommend:

Medifast Diet and the 5 and 1 Plan

Diet Direct and the WonderSlim Starter Kits

Do not be surprised that we also recommend those two diet plans. We are doing this cause they are good and can help you in a way you might not imagine.

With these types of diets you take more proteins, lower carbohydrates and absolute no fat. So you lose weight successfully and keep it off for good.

While on the protein diet you replace one or more meals with fat free shakes, puddings, soups and bars, which is why they are called meal replacements.

Protein diet – when should you start it?

When you are on a low budget, cause these types of diet are cheaper than diet food delivery services.

Another reason could be if you really really like protein diet shakes, bars and puddings, then you will definitely enjoy the meal replacement diet plan very much.

In conclusion

No matter what type of diet you choose, you must be serious about it and your weight loss. Stay focused on your goals! Use wisely the diet plan, information, recipes and motivation articles from the diet service or diet plan you choose.

Ayurveda for Stress Relief

2007-07-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

Stress is a feeling that's created when we react to particular events. Stress is the internal distribution of force per unit area that balances and reacts to external loads applied to a body. Stress is not always a synonym for distress. The individual responds to stress in ways that affect the individual as well as their environment. Everyone is familiar with stress. We experience it in varying forms and degrees every day. In small doses, stress can actually be beneficial to us. It is only when the stress becomes too great, affecting our physical or mental functioning, that it becomes a problem. Increased stress increases productivity – up to a point, after which things rapidly deteriorate, and that level also differs for each of us. It’s much like the stress or tension on a violin string. Situations like a steep roller coaster ride that cause fear and anxiety for some can prove highly pleasurable for others. True stress is an alternative definition in which the initial area is replaced by the current area. In engineering applications, the initial area is always known, and so calculations using nominal stress are generally easier. Winning a race or election may be more stressful than losing but this is good stress. When the stress tensor is needed to fully describe the state of stress in a body, it is useful to break the concept up into smaller parts that have physical significance.

Stress is nothing but uncomfortable state of mind. It is the state of mental or emotional strain. Ayurveda, the "Science of Life. Ayurveda believes this to be Maanas Dosha (mental disorder). There are several single herbs and compounds that give relieves in stress. According to ayurveda, human body is made of three doshas—vata, pitta and kapha, which are also present in the nature. These three doshas are in constant interaction with each other inside human body and, also outside of it, with the three doshas of nature. The three doshas govern all metabolic activities. When their actions in our mind-body constitution are balanced, we experience psychological and physical wellness. Brahmi is the most important rejuvenative herb in Ayurveda. Brahmi helps to awaken the crown chakra and balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Chandan-Calms down the stress by suppressing Pitta dosha. Yashtimadhu improves cognitive functions of the brain. Ashwagandha is proven anti-stress herb. This regulates the chemical-imbalance in the brain. It is also good for people who do physical labor or exercise a lot, to help the body adapt to physical stress. Ashwagandha increases the quality and quantity of Ojas, the master coordinator between the body and consciousness. It helps pure consciousness slide into the physiology.

Stress response (also called the fight or flight response) is critical during emergency situations, such as when a driver has to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. Stress vitiates Prana Vata, which governs the activity and energy of the brain. It can also be activated in a milder form at a time when the pressure's on but there's no actual danger - like stepping up to take the foul shot that could win the game, getting ready to go to a big dance, or sitting down for a final exam. Ayurveda, the ancient science of healing from India, considers one of its primary objectives to be preserving the continued good health of the healthy. It is provides a clear, concise, cohesive regimen to help people correct conditions such as stress response in a natural way. Vata dosha in general tends to get disturbed during travel. Drink Vata Tea or Worry Tea. These herbal teas are especially formulated to pacify Vata-related imbalances. Avoid carbonated or ice-cold beverages, because they disrupt digestion. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Ashwagandha nourishes the crucial mind-body connection and psychoneuro immune response (called PNI). It helps coordinate the mind and senses, as well, which is essential for good quality sleep. It is also a powerful Medhya Rasayana, which means that it enhances all three aspects of mind power (Dhi -- omprehension; Dhriti - memory; and Smriti -- recollection).

Tips of Ayurveda for Stress

1.Brahmi helps to awaken the crown chakra and balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

2.Chandan-Calms down the stress by suppressing Pitta dosha.

3.Yashtimadhu improves cognitive functions of the brain.

4.Ashwagandha is proven anti-stress herb. This regulates the chemical-imbalance in the brain.

5.Stress vitiates Prana Vata, which governs the activity and energy of the brain.

New age Weight loss & quit smoking drugs available in market.

2007-07-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

Rimonabant Acomplia works by selectively targeting and blocking the CB1 receptors, helping normalize the over-activation of the EC system and making hunger or cigarette pangs more manageable. Rimonabant is a new anti-obesity drug, developed by Sanofi-Aventis, a french pharmaceutical company. If you are overweight rimonabant weight loss drug may help you shed pounds.As per recent marketing survey, it shows Approximately 300,000 adult deaths in the United States each year are attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity or sedentary behavior
· Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight (BMI > 25, which includes those who are obese).
· Nearly one-third of U.S. adults are obese (BMI > 30).
Obesity: Obesity refers specifically to having an abnormally high proportion of body fat. Individuals with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese.
Rimonabant Working
Rimonabant works by blocking certain chemical pathways within the brain which make you feel hungry. The drug binds to special chemical receptors in the brain known as endocannabinoid receptors. This binding renders these receptors unresponsive to stimulation by chemicals known as ‘cannabinoids’.
In other words it should help suppress your appetite. The end result is you eat less and lose weight

Rimonabant Dosage

When talking about the dosage of Zimulti Rimonabant, the most important thing that you need to follow and consider is the directions given by your doctor. This diet pill is widely available in two dosages (10 mg and 20 mg). Very often the physicians do prescribe the 20mg dosage.

Rimonabant Side Effects

Rimonabant Side effects observed during the trials include nausea, dizziness, anxiety and painful joints. A full list of side effects will be available when Rimonabant drug is prescribed to you. We do not know as yet if there will be any influence on the mental state as the endocannabinoid system is yet to be fully evaluated.

Rimonabant : No More Obesity

An obese not only struggle against his excessive weight but also faces threats like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol to name a few. He wants to lead a healthy life but in spite of several endeavors ended up with zero. When all possibilities of a slim trim figure seem faded, comes Rimonabant diet pill, the miracle drug manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis.

Chantix Smoking Stats

Smoking kills 400,000 people a year in the United States alone, that’s almost 1,100 every day. The figures for the UK are around 121,000 people a year, or approximately 330 per day. Approximately 38% die of cancer, 28% die a slow and agonizing death from chronic lung disease and emphysema, and the other 34% die of heart disease and other circulatory problems.

Smoking is one of the major causes of male impotence, increasing the risk of erective dysfunction by some 50%, and affecting as many as 120,000 males in the UK alone. It has been reported that a male experiencing erectile dysfunction, should take this as a warning that blood vessels are being damaged, and this includes the blood vessels in and around the heart.

Chantix Working

Chantix acts at sites in the brain affected by nicotine and may help those who wish to give up smoking in two ways: by providing some nicotine effects to ease the withdrawal symptoms and by blocking the effects of nicotine from cigarettes if they resume smoking.

The Why, What, and How of Buying Viagra

2007-07-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

Affected by impotence, millions of modern men today have taken recourse to Viagra (sildenafil citrate), the first oral pill to treat erectile dysfunction. Produced by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, this drug is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is known to have been enormously effective in helping men having and maintaining an erection.

Why do people buy Viagra?

Impotence is caused by both medical and psychogenic reasons. And Viagra is tested to be effectual in overcoming the dysfunction for both as this drug does not cause erection directly; it only improves the response to sexual arousal. That is why men rely on Viagra. It enhances nitric oxide discharge in the body, which usually happens when a person is sexually stimulated. Nitric oxide relaxes the smooth muscles and allows more blood flow into certain penile areas, thus causing an erection.

What to consider while buying Viagra?

Viagra is sold as oral tablets of 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths, each priced at around US$ 10/pill. It is generally advised to start with the medium strength and then move up or down to 25mg or 100mg, as the need be. Viagra is consumed once everyday about 30 minutes to 3 hours before sexual intercourse.

For those who don’t know, Viagra tablets are blue in color and diamond-shaped. And you will find the words "Pfizer" and "VGR xx" written on either side. Here, the “xx” represents "25", "50" or "100", the dosage strength in milligrams.

It is also important to consider the side-effects of Viagra while buying. Its serious side-effects include hypotension, priapism, stroke, myocardial infarction, increased intraocular pressure, ventricular arrhythmias, etc. And among the most commonly reported fallouts of this drug are headache, stomach ache, sneezing, palpitations, flushing, prolonged erections, photophobia, and visual impairment (color and light perception changes, vision gets blurred).

Another word of caution for patients treated for HIV with Protease inhibitors. Ideally, they should no use Viagra, and if at all they do, it is best to limit the intake and/or consult a doctor. Viagra is also not recommended for people having nitroglycerin, as this may adversely impact and lower the blood pressure levels.

How do people buy Viagra?

First and foremost, remember that Viagra is not sold over-the-counter. It is available only by prescription. Ask a licensed medical practitioner about the dosage you will need. It is always wise to get medical advice before you buy Viagra. Your entire medical history needs to be assessed before administering this drug.

There are also many online orders for Viagra delivery around the world. There is Viagra US, Viagra UK, Viagra for Asians and more. But in all cases, it is delivered only after thorough medical profile check.

Lastly, it must be borne in mind that Viagra consumption does not provide any biological resistance to AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Lowering the Cholesterol Levels the Natural Way

2007-07-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

Studies have shown that the number of people who are obese or overweight has gone up through the years. This is attributed to the type of food being served in schools and fast food joints as well the lack of physical activity as the person grows older.

The problem goes farther because this means that many more Americans will suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes in the future. The good news is that this can be prevented before it is too late.

The natural way to lower the cholesterol will be by making some lifestyle changes and exercising regularly. This will help the individual lose weight, which is directly related to the cholesterol levels in the human body.

When people think of dieting, many think this means saying goodbye to some of life’s more juicer foods but it is not. The person will just have to limit the consumption and add new things that are healthier.

More often, this will require eating foods that are high in fiber and low in saturated fats. A few examples of these are artichokes, corn, fish, garlic, legumes, mushrooms, nut, olive oil, soy milk and whole grains.

The individual should not forget to have some fruits and vegetables as well since these are rich in sterols that are known to keep the cholesterol levels down. All of these products are affordable and can easily be purchased in the supermarket.

Aside from eating properly, the person must also take the necessary precautions when consuming liquids. This means drinking a glass of red wine moderately, reducing the consumption of beer, drinking fresh juices, non-fat milk and water.

Apple juice for example has been known to reduce cholesterol levels by up to 50% when taken regularly. Other fruits can also do the same so cutting this and putting it into a blender can do the trick or getting this in bottled form.

The next step to lowering the cholestesterol levels naturally is through exercise. This can be achieved in many ways such as brisk walking, jogging or running around the neighborhood. Learning a new sport and doing it regularly is another option.

Those who want to be looked after by a personal trainer can check out the gym since there are professionals that can create a program to achieve the person’s desired results. This will be a combination of cardio-vascular exercises as well as weight lifting to burn the calories and lower the cholesterol levels.

There is another way to reduce the cholesterol levels but is only used as a last resort if these two do not work. The individual will be required to use medicine to make it happen. There are a lot of products out there and studies have shown this can drop the cholesterol levels by as much as 15% to 30%.

The person should be aware though that these drugs have certain side effects so it is best to consult a doctor first to make sure it is safe to use.

Dangers of Obesity

2007-07-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

Are you obese? Body Mass Index, or BMI, is used to measure obesity. Prior to 2005, once your BMI hit 30 or higher, you are no doubt obese. But since 2005, World Health Organization (WHO) has revised the BMI for obesity level downwards for Asians because of their smaller frames. Now, an Asian is considered an obese if his BMI is 27.5 and above. This implies that an Asian has increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at low BMI levels.

BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms over the square of your height in metres. Weighing heavy does not necessarily leads to obesity. Look at the heavyweights - their weights came from their muscle mass. Of course for us as common people, heavy weight means overweight!

The logic is simple: if we consume more calories than we use, the excess calories are stored in our bodies as fat. When you are obese, it simply means you are carrying too much fat in your body. Therefore, obese people run a higher risk of suffering from high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

Many factors contribute to weight gain. They affect the way your body burns calories, thereby causing you to gain weight or not.

Lifestyle

Our long working hours and other commitments often becomes our excuses not to cook nutritious meals. Instead we head for the nearest fast food outlet or food center even though we know these prepared foods are often high in fats and calorie and the portion sizes are usually too large. On top of that, many of us lack exercise which is vital to burn away the excess calories. The end result: the excess calories turn into fat.

Psychological factors

Some people over-eat to cope with emotions problems such stress, depression or boredom.

Genetics

Your genes actually affect the amount of body fat you store and where the fat is distributed. Take a look at your parents - are they obese?

Age

Our muscle mass decreases with age. We also become less active. This in turn leads to a decrease in metabolism and calorie needs. Therefore, if we do not reduce our caloric intake as we age, we will most likely gain weight. Medical Problems

Problems like low thyroid function, arthritis, excess production of hormones by the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome) or other hormonal balances, such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Alcohol

It's no myth drinking will make you fat. Think about this - one regular beer is about 150 calories.

If you need some help with your obesity problem, approach a qualified doctor who may recommend the following treatments:

1. Mesotherapy

Painless procedure whereby the mesoactive substance are injected into the targeted body areas such as tummy, thighs, hips and arms. The mesoactive ingredients will stimulate the metabolism of fat cells and accelerate their elimination.

2. Carboxytherapy

Get rid of ugly cellulite by improving local tissue metabolism and perfusion. This is done by injecting carbon dioxide using a tiny needle about 0.3mm in diameter. This is rapid, comfortable and effective for most patients.

3. Liposuction

This procedure can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas including chin, cheeks and neck. Usually used for stubborn areas that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

4. Abdominoplasty

Known as "tummy tuck", it is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of abdominal wall. It can effectively reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen but it does leave a permanent surgical scar.

Whichever treatment you choose, you still have to ensure a healthy diet and exercise regularly to keep the weight off.

Weight Gain Diet Foods

2007-07-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

Weight gain diet foods are essential to help you gain extra pounds of healthy weight. Skinny people need to know what kind of food and how much to eat. Eating the wrong foods such as high carbs like fries, chips and other junk food is a sure way to create future health problems downstream like hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes. We will look at some of the proper weight gain diet foods you should include in your daily diet and the portions you should be consuming to gain weight quickly and healthily.

There is a right way to eat for weight gain. Instead of eating everything within the 3 basic meals, distribute your food intake into 5 or 6 meals – 3 main and 2 light ones. This would aid your calorie intake and maintain a healthy balance.

In order to gain weight, it simply means that you have to eat more than what your body requires for the day. This is translated to eating more than your daily calorie requirement to maintain the calorie-burning activities you perform. Eating just enough to meet your daily needs would only keep your weight constant, and not add any additional weight. Studies have revealed that in order for a person to gain extra 1 pound, the person needs to increase his/her calorie intake above what he/she needs by 3500 calories. Assuming the additional weight gain is achieved within a week, this equates adding 500 calories per day to the meals consumed. An average male adult requires about 2000 odd calories per day. If you want to know the exact calorie counts you need to consume, head to my blog to find out your Basal Metabolic Rate.

If you are interested in the kind of weight gain diet foods you can try the following:

1. Milk (3 Glasses)

Milk is packed with protein, the ingredient necessary to put on muscle mass. Start the day with a glass of milk, drink it over the next few meals until you are done with more than 3 glasses.

2. Fruits & Vegetables (5 Servings)

Eating fruits and vegetables help prepare our bodies for healthy weight gain. They are rich in fiber and vitamins, and aid us in digesting our weight gain diet foods.

3. Breads

Choose hearty and dense breads such as oat bran and whole wheat rather than light white breads. Eat them with generous servings of peanut butter and jam.

4. Cereals

Cereals make great weight gain diet foods. Eat more dense cereals such as muesli, grape-nuts, granola, shredded wheat and bran or wheat chex. Avoid flaked cereals. Remember to use low fat milk instead of water when preparing hot cereals and garnish with nuts and dried fruits.

5. Beverages

Drink more filling beverages like shakes, milk, fruit juices instead of water, tea, coffee and sodas. Go for the higher calorie content.

Now We've Done It: Texas Fights The Overuse of Antibiotics

2007-07-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

Most of us have done it: at some point, we caught a bad cold or flu and, feeling miserable, dragged (or, if you prefer, drug) our shaking bodies into the doctor's office to beg for a prescription, believing a few pills will somehow make it all better. "Come on, Doc," we said, "Give me something. I'm under a deadline, here. My health insurance will cover it."

Unfortunately this attitude, and many physicians' willingness to prescribe antibiotics when they are unnecessary -- at times even when they have absolutely no effect on the illness creating the problem -- has lead to a serious problem in creating drug-resistant bacterial strains in Texas and the rest of the United States. Knowing most health insurance policies with prescription coverage will pay for a simple antibiotic makes the temptation all that much harder to resist. Dr, Richard Besser, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, describes it as "the whole culture of overprescribing."

Approximately 150 million unnecessary prescriptions are written every year -- 50 million of which are for viral infections, diseases completely unaffected by antibiotic medication. That means residents of Dallas, Houston, and Austin are just as guilty as the rest. Simply having an infection doesn't warrant antibiotics; it's the kind of infection that determines whether such treatment is necessary and useful. Antibiotics are, indeed, a miracle drug, first created in the 1940s with the advent of penicillin, and absolutely life-saving for certain conditions. The key is understanding when antibiotics are appropriate, and when they are not.

Antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses. Viruses and bacteria are two completely different kinds of organisms, and require different elements to survive, and therefore different methods for combating them. Bacteria are much simpler, and actually much easier to fight -- as long as they are not drug resistant. Strep throat, urinary tract infections, wound and skin infections, most ear infections, and some sinus infections are caused by bacteria. The common cold, the common flu, most sore throats, and most coughs, however, are not. They are viral, and Western medicine does not currently have a medication that effectively fights common viruses.

The problem comes after six decades of antibiotic use and overuse. Bacteria multiply in the millions, and, like any organism, learn to adapt to what seeks to harm them. Because their individual life cycles are relatively short, and because of this rate of reproduction, their ability to adapt is much faster than our own.

When an antibiotic is taken as prescribed and fails to kill all bacteria in an infection, it usually means those survivors have learned to resist that drug. They can then pass on that information to other bacteria in the body, making them resistant as well. When, consequently, a stronger drug is tried to fight the same infection and, it too, proves ineffective, the creation of a "superbug" begins -- a dangerous strain resistant to most, or all known, medications. The longer it takes to kill the infection, the longer such a superbug can be transmitted to others Just think of the consequences of the rapid transmission of a superbug in cities like Dallas, Houston, or Austin.
One of the best, and most disturbing examples of this phenomenon is pneumococcus, which is a bacterial strain that causes pneumonia, ear infections, and sinusitis. Its resistance has been increasing in recent years, and, because it causes infections that are so common, a pneumococcus strain completely resistant to all known drugs would prove absolutely pandemic.

Even vancomycin (Vancocin), an extremely potent antibiotic pulled out only when all other medications have proven ineffective, has met its bacterial match. The use of antibiotics previously prescribed only for high-risk situations, such as with cancer or organ transplant patients, is also on the rise due to the necessity of replacing older, weaker drugs with stronger ones. Soon, even vancomycin will fall down in the hierarchy of drugs to try when nothing else works.

Unnecessary antibiotic use may do more immediate harm than good, as well. Certain bacteria are good for you, believe it or not, and are necessary for various normal body functions. The digestive system, for instance, depends upon a healthy count of beneficial bacteria to do its job. Acidophilus and other probiotics keep the digestive system on track, but antibiotics are indiscriminate and will attempt to kill all bacteria in the body -- good or bad. These beneficial strains, then, need to be replenished -- either by the body or through supplements -- after a course of antibiotics, as an insufficient number may lead to irregularities and other types of infections, such as yeast.

But there is hope. The primary reason resistant strains have been created in Texas and across the United States is the overuse, and misuse of antibiotics. If we, as a public, can slow our usage of them, and use medications only when absolutely necessary, this problem can be considerably slowed. Our conscious efforts, in fact, may prevent future antibiotic-resistant pandemics.

What You Can Do:

It can't be said enough: Use all medications, particularly antibiotics, only when absolutely necessary. If you feel ill, of course, seek the advice of a medical practitioner, and find out for sure with what you are dealing. Don't beg for an antibiotic, however, when it's not necessary. Viruses are not affected by bacteria, so find alternatives to deal with that cold or flu! Zinc, for instance, has proven to reduce the duration of the common cold and flu by up to four days. Other natural methods are also extremely helpful in shortening the duration of illnesses and combating their symptoms.

Always take the full course of antibiotics prescribed, even if you start feeling better. You can start feeling much better well before all the dangerous bacteria in your system have been killed. Stopping a course of antibiotic treatment before it's been completed only creates prime opportunities for the infectious bacteria left to become resistant.

Never take antibiotics without a prescription. There are many types of antibiotics used to fight many strains of bacteria, all of which work in a slightly different way. You need to make sure you are getting the right prescription, taking the correct dose, and taking it as long, but not longer, than you should.

Keep healthy! By revving up your immune system to its maximum capabilities, you'll need antibiotics less. Wash your hands, exercise, eat right, and take vitamins if you feel them beneficial. After all, who wants to be sick?

The tendency for most Americans to search for that "magic bullet" is, perhaps, a natural one. After all, so many resources are so readily available to most of us in this country -- why shouldn't one for getting over the cold or flu be, too? But, unfortunately, some things just don't come that easily, and the overuse, and misuse, of antibiotics has created a major problem. Superbugs are very real, and if we don't all do our part in controlling them, there soon could be even bigger problems. So stay healthy, take care of yourself, and for your own sake, do what you're told -- at least this time.

The Causes Of Acid Reflux - Causes Of Heartburn

2007-07-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

Those people who suffer with the extreme discomfort caused by acid reflux will ask the obvious question, "what causes acid reflux?" Yet the answer to this question is not so simple for each person is different.

common causes of acid reflux:
- lower oesophagus sphincter
- hiatal hernia
- esophageal contractions
- emptying of the stomach
- over production of acid

The common name for acid reflux is heartburn and this is experienced by the burning sensation behind the breast bone. This pain is caused by the acid in the stomach seeping into the oesophagus. The acid is allowed to reflux into the oesophagus. Even a very slight opening into the oesophagus will allow acid to creep in and the pain were commence. The level of pain depends very much on how much acid is released.

There are several medicinal remedies to control acid production in the stomach. These medicines may very well prevent the production of acid in the gut but the fact remains that whatever liquidity is in the stomach will seep into the oesophagus. There may be no acid to reflux yet reflux will continue.

The lower esophagus sphincter has a specific function and that is to open when a person swallows. Mind you however, the opening should only last for a few seconds it is then meant to close to prevent reflux from taking place. He weakened muscle in this area will allow acid reflux to continue. Another problem is that the lower esophagus sphincter may open for too long. Against this allows acid reflux to happen.

Herniated Hiatal Muscles and its effects on the Diaphragm

The diaphragm is situated on the same level as the lower esophagus sphincter. An hiatal hernia will allow a small section of the stomach to pass through the diaphragm and unfortunately this were forced acid once again into the oesophagus and initiate a horrendous pain associated with the condition.

Many patients who experience problems with the lower oesophagus find that they take longer to empty stomach contents than the average person. The more time it takes for the stomach to empty the more time there is far acid to reflux into the oesophagus.

Over eating can also trigger acid reflux pain. When you over eat when you fill the stomach and there is no room in it. Therefore the acid has to go somewhere and yes you guessed -- it goes back into the oesophagus. A person who suffers into chronic pain of acid reflux will find that over eating and ending and sitting forward while the stomach is full, that they once again experience untenable pain of acid reflux.

Statin Drugs (Cholesterol Fighters) and New Side Effects Revealed?

2007-07-09T21:57:00.000-07:00

More than 40 million people in the United States take Statin Drugs every day. The purpose is to lower your LDL (BAD) Cholesterol. Statin drugs along with penicillin, and aspirin, may well be the three greatest drugs ever developed. These cholesterol fighting drugs have been known to lower your bad cholesterol by as much as 25% to 40% depending upon your unique body chemistry, and the actual dosage that you take.

Statin drugs are the most profitable drugs manufactured by the major drug firms. The five principal drug companies and their respective statin drugs are:

Name of Drug Company: Merck
Generic Name: Zocor
Brand Name: Simvastatin

Name of Drug Company: Merck
Generic Name: Mevacor
Brand Name: Lovastatin

Name of Drug Company: Pfizer
Generic Name: Lipitor
Brand Name: Atorvastatin

Name of Drug Company: AstraZeneca
Generic Name: Crestor
Brand Name: Rosuvstatin

Name of Drug Company: Kos Pharaceuticals
Generic Name: Advicor
Brand Name: Lovastatin

Research has shown that half the people in this country who suffer heart attacks have NORMAL Cholesterol levels at the time of their attack. That's right; half the heart attack victims are NORMAL. This implies that your Total Cholesterol level is not the MAGIC KEY that doctors are looking for. We also know that if you drive your LDL (BAD) Cholesterol level down to 60, heart disease seems to stop dead in its tracks. LDL Cholesterol is a subset of your Total Cholesterol. It is just one component of your Cholesterol, but obviously a very important one.

Here's the Potential PROBLEM

We know that all drugs have side effects. Manufacturers attempt to measure and quantify these side effects during the FDA approved clinical trials. These trials take place prior to a drug's mass distribution to the public. Sometimes, certain side effects do not become apparent until years after the drug's release.

Dr. Ralph Edwards is the director of the drug-monitoring center of the World Health Organization (WHO). He possesses a data base containing 4 million people, the drugs they take, and the side effects they report. He has found 172 people in that data base who developed Lou Gehrig's disease or something similar. All 172 had been taking prescription drugs. Of these, 40 had been taking statin drugs, which is the subject of our discussion.

Statistically, no more than ten patients should have been taking statin drugs and reported this type of result. It is a statistically unexplainable event. In other words too many people taking statin drugs are reporting the development of Lou Gehrig's disease, or similar type illnesses. We are not saying there is a direct correlation between the use of the statin drug and the onset of these crippling diseases. There is without question, cause for immediate and further study.

In addition, if you are taking any of the statin drugs listed in this article, and you are experiencing any type of side effects at all, INFORM YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Call him TODAY, not TOMMORROW.

Throughout the decades the major drug companies have attempted to downplay drug side effects. This explains the FDA's policy for decades of keeping drug side effects quiet. They were not published in the media. The World Health Organization is under no such requirement. Over the last couple of years, the FDA in response to public demand has published their drug findings on the Internet on a quarterly basis.

PATIENT BEWARE

Most of us were taught the term caveat emptor, which means BUYER BEWARE. We now must use the term PATIENT BEWARE. We have a responsibility to our loved ones, and ourselves to be aware of the adverse effects of the drugs we are using. In the 21st century, we are in a period of information overload. There is simply too much information coming at all of us to digest. This includes doctors. We as patients can not be completely reliant on our doctors being 100% knowledgeable about the adverse events that can be produced by the drugs their patients are taking. You must be informed yourself.

LASIK Eye Surgery - See The World More Clearly

2007-07-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

LASIK is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by an eye surgeon nowadays. It has become very popular because of it's pain-free operation and because of its more or less instantaneous results. This is the major advantage that LASIK has over other surgical procedures to correct imperfect vision. After a couple of days rest you will soon see a definite improvement in your eyesight.

The surgical procedure itself is quick and virtually painless, and is performed under local anaesthetic. It consists of the eye surgeon cutting a hinged flap in the cornea which is then folded back to expose the lens of the eye. A laser from an instrument called a 'microkeratome' is used to vaporize aberrations and reshape the cornea so that the image focuses on the correct part of the retina, therefore improving the vision. The hinged flap in the cornea is then folded back into place for healing.

You will see two main types of LASIK surgery being advertised. Traditional LASIK surgery and Wavefront LASIK. Conventional LASIK surgery corrects the focusing power of the eye by remodelling the shape of the lens with the aid of laser. Wavefront LASIK is a variation of the traditional procedure and produces a spatially varying correction based on readings from a wavefront sensor. A wavefront sensor measures the eye itself by detecting any aberrations on the cornea. It achieves this by sending a weak laser source into the eye, and by measuring and processing the reflection off the retina. The Wavefront laser procedure is carried out using computer aided equipment and doctors have reported improved eyesight results from Wavefront over traditional LASIK surgery.

Although beneficial to thousands of patients, as is usually the case there can also be some disadvantages to LASIK eye surgery. Firstly, it can be an expensive treatment and prices can vary from area to area and from doctor to doctor. Secondly, as in all surgical procedures, there can be post-surgery complications. Common complications include patients developing glare and halos and possibly double vision which can affect night time vision capability. Others develop severe dry eye syndrome which may need to be treated with drops or cream for the rest of your life. However, complications in LASIK surgery are rare and the vast majority of patients benefit from almost perfect vision without eyeglasses or contacts after surgery.

If you decide to proceed with LASIK surgery you should carefully research the subject to find out as much as possible about the procedure. You should also research the eye surgeons that perform the surgery and if possible act on personal referral. Keep in mind that when pricing the surgery that not all advertisements for LASIK quote the full and final price and many have add-on costs. Finally, before proceeding with the surgery, make sure to have a thorough conversation with your eye surgeon so that you are fully aware of all the benefits and risks.

I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis And Have Heard About Cimzia... What Is It?

2007-07-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

Biologic therapy has revolutionized our approach to the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Less than 10 years ago, the best we could hope for was to “modify disease” or slow it down and also help with symptoms. Now the goal is to not only control symptoms, it is to get RA into complete remission. Biologics are protein-based medicines that are synthesized in a laboratory. They act like laser beams to target the immune abnormalities that are felt to cause RA.

First generation biologics such as etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), and adalimumab (Humira) are known as TNF-inhibitors and have done wonders for many patients. Second generation biologic such as rituximab (Rituxan) which acts against B cells and abatacept (Orencia) which works on T cells are both welcome additions to the arsenal of weapons available to combat RA.

Cimzia (certolizumab) is an investigational TNF-inhibitor. It differs from the current crop of TNF-inhibitors since it is “pegylated.” This means that a substance called polyethylene glycol has been attached to the molecule. This pegylation lengthens the half-life of the drug- meaning the drug stays in the system longer. Cimzia also has had a piece of protein removed from the molecule. The piece of protein that has been removed contained a small amount of mouse protein (yes... these drugs are often created using mouse proteins). By removing the piece of mouse protein, it is hoped that Cimzia will cause fewer adverse reactions.

A recent presentation on June 14, 2007 at the annual meeting of the European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) described data on Cimzia.

The team studied 2 dose regimens, which patients received subcutaneously as add-on therapy to methotrexate.

In a phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, the investigators recruited 992 patients with RA who received either the study drug or placebo. The investigators wanted to know the rate at which people had a 20% improvement, as defined by the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR 20).

The patients, who had previously been treated for at least 6 months with methotrexate, were randomized to treatment with either pegylated certolizumab or placebo. Those on treatment received 3 400-mg doses every 2 weeks, followed by 200 or 400 mg doses of certolizumab pegol every 2 weeks. The patients continued methotrexate as usual. The investigators assessed the efficacy and safety parameters at 2-week intervals.

In an early analysis at 24 weeks, the investigators found that 581 patients completed the study: 259 of the 397 on 200 mg of the drug, 278 of the 394 on 400 mg, and 44 of the 201 on placebo. The ACR20 response rate was 59.2% in the 200 mg group, 61.2% in the 400 mg group, and 13.5% of those who received methotrexate and placebo. The proportion of patients who experienced a significant side effect was 74.0% in the 200 mg group, 76.1% in the 400 mg group, and 57.7% in the placebo group. The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate.

"Pegylated certolizumab adds significant benefit in reducing the signs and symptoms of RA in combination with methotrexate, compared to using methotrexate alone," said lead investigator Edward C. Keystone, MD, professor of medicine at the University in Toronto, and director of the Rebecca MacDonald Centre for Arthritis and Autoimmune Disease, in Ontario.

Bottom line: Pegylated certolizumab works like a TNF blocker and appears to treat the signs and symptoms of RA. Whether it’s better than the TNF blockers that are currently available is still no known. It is better than placebo.

Online Pharmacy - The Cutting Edge Alternative

2007-07-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

Online Pharmacy is perhaps entering a new era of cost saving measure. A Study conducted by the National Institute for Health Care Management Research and Educational Foundation data analysis results concluded that retail sales and individual prescription drug spending rose 18.8% from 1999 and 2000 from $111.1 billion to $ 139.9 billion.

Their studies also indicates that about half (51.4%) of the $20.8 billion in retail drug spending in 2000 occurred among just eight categories of medicines-arthritis, treating cholesterol, chronic pain, depression, ulcers, high blood pressure, diabetes, predisposition to seizures and other stomach ailments.

The spending on prescription drug had a steady climb in recent years. It has played a big part on the health care cost and health insurance premiums. This trend continues up to this day and even if people, who already have a health plan as part of their health insurance, could still feel the impact of the raising cost on which is being passed onto them indirectly, through higher insurance premiums and co-pays.

There are a lot of factors that contributes to the soaring cost it could be the increase in the number of prescription drugs written, the used of more prohibitive drugs, price increase and the used of Advertising and Marketing campaigns.

You can still go to the traditional route of getting out patient prescription drug from drug stores, discount stores, pharmacies at food stores but come to think of it, it will save the you---the consumer a lot more you order your medicines online.

Why online? It saves you on prescription cost. It is more convenient as you can order it even if you are in a remote area as long it has internet connection. You can make price comparisons. You have the power to choose from generic drugs to brand named drugs, a choice of medications. You get the same assistance and you can also enjoy discounts.

It is best that you choose not just any online pharmacy, but a pharmacy with reputation such as Drugstoretm.com. Most pharmacies out there makes outrageous claims of instant fixed it or quick cure of all imaginable maladies. We have more butalbital tramadol, generic fioricet and cheap online soma medicines.

From brick-to-mortar setting, making the transition to online purchasing is safe. Like any E-commerce site Drugstoretm.com complies with drug safety and demand to give consumers access to drugs in a faster and simpler way. This also contributes to patient care, getting the right medicines where ever you are.

Online Pharmacy is the latest in electronic prescription adoption. We give no complex medical information. Everything is as straightforward. Our technology is enough to satisfy our customers changing needs quality top selling drugs like prescription tramadol.

You can save the money on car gas, time and energy from making a purchase at a drug store when all you have to do is order it online and the medicine can be delivered right at your doorstep. This is one convergence in online pharmacy that you can enjoy.