Health Vlog - Video Clips on health

How to Prepare for Cold and Flu Season with a Strong Immune System

2008-03-01T03:45:00.001-08:00

Ah-choo! Oh, that awful achy feeling when every muscle and bone in your body just hurts. You can’t sleep, you have no appetite and you certainly can’t afford to be under the weather for even just a few days. Cold and flu season will be upon us again and there is no better time to protect yourself than right now with a strong immune system.

What is the immune system? Very simply, our immune system is like a shield that protects our body from the germs, bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. The weaker the immune system, the more vulnerable we are to getting sick. The stronger the immune system, the more we protect ourselves from getting sick. This isn’t to say that we won’t ever catch a cold, but with a strong immune system, we will also be better able to fight off any illness faster.

So, how do you build a strong immune system? There are several things we can do to make sure our immune system stays healthy and becomes strong.

The first is nutrition. You know the saying, “garbage in, garbage out?” It’s the same thing with our bodies. Bad eating habits result in poor nutrition, which cannot give our bodies the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs in order to stay strong. There’s nothing wrong with a cheeseburger or ice cream on occasion, but moderation is the key.

Unfortunately, even the best nutritional habits are challenged to provide the body with all it needs to build a really strong immune system. Nutritional supplementation, such as vitamins, minerals and immune boosters are important to help fill in the blanks that even the best nutrition can’t.

Exercise is another great way to help build a strong immune system. You don’t have to join a gym or hire a personal trainer to exercise. Ever notice how much better you feel after a nice long walk? Regular bike rides; walks, gardening, and yes-even housework are all great forms of exercise that will help contribute.

There are also certain things to avoid. Excessive stress and smoking are just two things that can really compromise and weaken the immune system. I know from experience when I was in a high-stress work environment, I felt terrible and became sick more frequently.

Building and maintaining a strong immune system is not something that happens overnight and that we can forget about in just a few short months. It is something that we must continue to strive for our entire lives. We will be less apt to get sick. We will be able to fight off illness better and we will be able to lead a much higher quality of life for the long term.

Get started today and create real smart health for today and tomorrow.

About the author:
Patty Gale is a successful entrepreneur who specializes in personalization and customer care for all of her clients. She exchanged her suits, hose and heels to work from home in her "jammies" and is on a mission to empower others to do the same.

She can be reached at: http://www.Immune-System-Boosters.com

How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver

2008-03-01T03:44:00.004-08:00

On average 3,000 adults die per year as a result of accidentally inhaling and choking on food. When food gets stuck in your throat, it blocks your trachea making it very difficult to breathe. Because the airway is blocked, it may take less than a minute to die after the food is consumed. It is important to act fast in these situations and a slight hesitation could mean the difference between living and dying. The Heimlich maneuver is a standard component of all first aid courses and is an effective technique which all individuals should learn.

When someone is choking the Heimlich maneuver is performed to dislodge the obstruction which is blocking the trachea. By compressing the abdomen just below the level of the diaphragm, the air is forced out of the lungs removing the obstruction which was blocking the air flow. At this point, the material which was blocking the trachea will be brought back up into the mouth.

Now that you’re aware of how important it is to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, here is a brief explanation on the steps involved in the process:

1. Ask the person if they are choking. Performing the Heimlich maneuver when not necessary can be harmful and can also waste time in getting the victim the correct form of help.

2. Stand behind the victim, make a fist with one hand and place your thumb towards the victim below the rib cage and above the waist.

3. Wrap your arms around the victim, placing your other hand on top of your fist.

4. Thrust upwards from 6-10 times. These thrusts should be relatively hard but not so hard that they can damage the victim further. Do not give up if the first attempt fails. It is very unlikely that it will be effective the first time, keep trying even if it takes 5 or more attempts.

Before you attempt to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a choking victim, you should be aware of the precautions involved in this technique. Improper application of the Heimlich maneuver can potentially cause damage to the ribs, chest and internal organs of the victim. If you are not completely sure of how to perform this maneuver, take a first aid class which will outline the exact techniques involved.

It is also important to note that when performing the Heimlich maneuver on children the amount of force exuded is considerably less than the amount for adults. Children are not as strongly built as adults and for this reason the amount of force should be decreased so they are not put in any additional danger.

Please be aware that these are just guidelines and they are in no way meant to be taken in replace of a first aid or CPR course. I strongly suggest taking first aid courses to ensure you have the confidence required to successfully perform this maneuver should your assistance be required.

About the author:
Steve Larson is a volunteer firefighter who is passionate about saving lives. This led him to take a freelance writing position for http://www.firstaid101.com – which offers information about first aid and first aid products - and includes information on creating special things like a ' target='_blank' class='navigation'>http://www.firstaid101.com/first-aid/first-aid-kits.aspx">first aid kits.

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How to Naturally Improve Your Vision

2008-03-01T03:44:00.003-08:00

What is 2020 vision?
20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.
20/20 does not necessarily mean perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance. There are other important vision skills, including peripheral awareness or side vision, eye coordination, depth perception, focusing ability and color vision that contribute to your overall visual ability

How to Naturally Improve Your Vision without Glasses or Surgery:

Discover the natural vision improvement method that touts a great success rate in reversing and improving bad vision. Thousands now have better vision without glasses or laser surgery

I already heard about this method many years ago, and I was really impressed with this theory. Then, all of a sudden I could not find the information anymore. Now I have found it again. And it makes so much sense. So, I have done further investigation into this theory. I love researching helpful information. I would like to share this with you.

The catch is dedicating 25 minutes a day to the exercises and techniques. The program is very easy-to-follow and is laid out in a step-by-step, minute-by-minute format. Once you receive the package you can begin the exercises within 10-15 minutes.
How He Beat It: Optical calisthenics
Twenty-six-year-old Orlin Sorensen dreamed of flying combat missions like his grandfather, but his 20/80 eyesight kept him below standards for naval flight training (20/30, no glasses or surgeries allowed). Commercial airlines, however, aren't as strict -- for several years, Sorensen flew for Horizon Air while wearing glasses. Then came September 11, leaving the airline industry decimated and Sorensen flying a lot less. "I was bummed, but I decided to try to turn my life around," he says.

He used the time to put a curiosity to the test: Can a man improve his vision by "exercising" his eyes? Inspired by World War II fighter pilots who used vision-training exercises, and by a 1920 book by Dr. William Bates (The Bates Method for Better Eyesight without Glasses), Sorensen stockpiled information until he had enough exercises to begin his own program. "I trained my eyes to do things they don't normally do," Sorensen says. "I treated the program like physical exercise." He "worked out" 25 minutes a day, 6 days a week, for 30 days, doing exercises like slowly rolling his eyes in a full circle. The results? The navy measured his vision at 20/30, he no longer needs glasses.
A wholistic orientation to health. Mr. Bates Theorym.
Bates also developed a theory that people with abnormal vision used their eyes differently than people with normal vision, then created a system designed to help people to relearn the right vision habits and to unlearn the wrong habits. Advocates of the Bates Method claim that relearning and improving the right vision habits which they assert are inseparably connected to normal vision. They assert that the Bates Method is a natural method that improves movement, relaxation, and circulation of the whole visual system.
Theory of accommodation/focusing
Accommodation is the process by which the eye changes focus between objects that are far and objects that are near. Bates maintained that the eye focuses, not by the action of the ciliary muscles on the crystalline lens, but by varying elongation of the eyeball caused by the extraocular muscles.
Benefits from practicing Natural Vision Improvement can include:
• Increased clarity of sight
• Increased mental clarity
• Enhanced depth perception
• A more relaxed way of being
• More connection with the world around you
• A sense of greater balance and harmony
• Greater awareness
• Greater connection with yourself
• Better eye health
• Better balance and coordination
Almost half a million Americans underwent corrective vision surgery in 1999 (more than double the number who attempted it the year before), and complications that may arise from these procedures are still uncertain, as the science is so new and untested.
Diet and Vision
I have heard the following statement over and over again. I have also experienced it myself.
I began eating a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, non-gluten grains, fish, chicken and no dairy. After a few weeks on this diet I began noticing a sharpening in my vision. I have noticed this in the past; an improvement in diet correlating with improvement in vision.
Early studies have indicated that "good" eicosanoids such as PGE1 reduce macular degeneration. One of the best ways to increase PGE1 is to follow the Zone Diet and consume extra fish oil either as fish or fish oil supplements.
Many optometrists are expanding their traditional role to include other areas that affect eye health, such as nutrition. Research has shown that nutrition can impact the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which are the two leading causes of blindness and visual impairment among millions of aging Americans. Nutrition may be particularly important given that currently, treatment options after diagnosis for these eye diseases are limited.

About the author:
My name is Ruth Bird. I have been married for 27 years to my husband, Chris. Chris has been battling the monster, MS, for a number of years. People and Pet Health Care are my passions. Contact me here http://www.mimfreedom.com
Vision Improvement: http://seebetter.blogspot.com/

How to Make Your Own Rose Hips

2008-03-01T03:44:00.001-08:00

I was enjoying a long (very long) hike over the weekend that brought me in contact with a wide variety of plants and animals. While taking a breather at a ranger station, I was admiring a plant which had what looked to be cherry tomatoes or some kind of red berry sprouting from its branches. The ranger said I was looking at a rose bush and the red fruit it was producing went by the name of rose hips.

“Rose Hips” I shrieked. I had known of the supplement for years but had never seen a real live rose hip. I was informed that rose hips form after the rose bloom has died. Almost any rose variety will produce hips but the ranger informed me that the Rosa rugosa formed the tastiest variety if you planned on eating them. Further research confirmed that Rosa rugosa is the bush of choice for tasty rose hips.

Why Eat Rose Hips?

Probably the best reason to eat or drink rose hips is the incredible source of vitamin C that it provides. Studies have shown vitamin C to be helpful with fighting infection, colds/flu, sore throat, fatigue and stress to name a few. Hips provide almost 20 times the amount of vitamin C found in Oranges.

How do I Grow Rose Hips?

As I have mentioned, there seams to be a consensus that Rosa rugosa is the best plant to use for growing rose hips. Let the blooms die on the bush (resist the temptation to cut the beautiful blooms, the more you cut the less hips you will produce) and the hips will begin to form. They will start out green and begin to turn red similar to the way a tomato ripens. Harvest them when they become completely red but not overripe, this usually occurs after the first frost.

Preparing the Hips

You can use rose hips either fresh off the vine, dried, or preserved. To dry the fruit spread the hips out on a clean surface. Allow them to dry until the skin begins to feel dry and slightly shriveled. At this point, split the hips in half and take out all of the seeds and tiny hairs in the center. Remember not to use aluminum pans or utensils as this will destroy some of the vitamin C.

After the seeds are removed you can let the hips dry completely. Don’t wait to remove the seeds until hips are completely dry or you will have trouble with de-seeding.

Store the dried hips in sealed plastic bags. Freeze for long term use or put in the refrigerator if you plan on using over a two or three month period. Hips can be eaten as a semi-sweet snack at anytime. You can also make tea and preserves; I have listed two recipes below to get you started.

What about Supplements?

Rose hip supplements are available at most health food and vitamin stores. For me, the fun is in making your own hips. If you just want vitamin C there isn’t really a whole lot of difference between taking regular vitamin C supplement and vitamin C with rose hips (except the price, hips will cost a bit more).

Recipes

If you are fortunate enough to have roses at your home, here are some recipes you might want to try:

Hip Tea Recipe

Place 4-6 hips (prepared as noted above) in the bottom of a non-aluminum pan

Add 2 cups of cool water

Allow water to come to a boil

Let simmer for about 30 minutes (less if you like a weaker tea)

Strain and add sweetener to taste

Hip Marmalade

Prepare hips as noted above and soak in cool water for several hours

Bring hips soaking in water to a boil for about 20 minutes

Strain out water

Add one cup of brown sugar or granulated sugar per one cup of the strained water

Boil the sweetened water until it becomes thick and syrupy

Add the previously boiled hips and continue boiling until hips are tender

Pour into jars and seal

Enjoy!!

About the author:
Mike Brooks has been a life long follower and proponent of the fitness lifestyle. Through his avid research, Mr. Brooks has come to the realization that being healthy is a choice and encompasses not only proper diet but also a fitness regimen that includes the mind, body and soul. Mike Brooks is the publisher and editor-in-chief for the health information site http://www.Ultimatehealthreport.com.

How To Lose 20 Pounds REALLY, REALLY Fast

2008-03-01T03:43:00.003-08:00

Back “in the day” when I used to be a full time personal trainer and I met with clients in person at my New Jersey Health Club, the first thing I would always ask my clients during the initial consultation was:

"Tell me exactly what you want... and I'll show you how to get it."

Typical reply from client:

"I want to lose 20 pounds fast."

My reply:

"Are you SURE that's what you want? If I can show you how to lose 20 pounds REALLY, REALLY fast, will that make you happy?"

They nodded their head affirmatively as their eyes lit up in anticipation of the quick weight loss secrets I was about to reveal...

Their face went white when - with a totally straight face – I pulled out a hacksaw and started walking towards them.... menacingly.

Not sure whether to laugh or to run away in sheer terror, they said,

"What the heck are you doing?"

"You said you wanted to lose 20 pounds fast. This is the easiest, surest, most effective way I know to take 20 pounds off you FAST! In fact, I figure that right leg of yours might even weigh 25 pounds!"

I kept walking closer and started to get into sawing position, wielding my fast, effective and guaranteed weight loss tool...

"Bear with me because this IS quick, but sometimes it takes a few minutes for me to cut through the bone."

By this time, my client and I are either completely cracking up, or I have seriously scared the living you know what out of them, or they just think I'm a complete lunatic... (it depends on whether I was able to keep a straight face or not).

Finally, the light bulb goes on, and my client would see where I was going with this:

"Okay, smart alec," I get it... I don't want to lose WEIGHT, I want to lose FAT."

Sometimes I would be having so much fun, I would just keep on playin'...

"But why not? This is easy, fast and guaranteed - just what everyone wants these days... it's even better than taking a pill! Come on... let me hack it off! You'll be my next testimonial: 'I lost 20 pounds in 5 minutes!' Imagine what that will do for my business!"

"Very funny. I told you, I get it, I get it! I want to lose FAT, not muscles and bones. I need my leg!

Naturally, of course, I didn’t always have to pull out my trusty blade. Every once in a while... about as often as a total solar eclipse... a client answers my question like this:

"What do I want? Tom, I want to lose 20 pounds of body fat in the next 12 weeks. I want to do it slowly, safely and healthfully and then keep it off permanently. I want all the fat around my hips and thighs completely gone and I want a firm flat stomach. I want muscle all over my body while still looking feminine. I'd like to see myself at about 16% body fat and maintain all my muscle or gain a few pounds of lean mass if I can, especially in my arms. This is important to me because I want to set a good example for my kids, I want to be healthy and live to at least 90 and I want my husband to look at me and say, "I love your body, honey," and I want to be able to *honestly* say back to him, "me too!"

It is on these rare occasions that I know there is still intelligent life on this planet.

If you could answer the question, "What do you want" with the degree of clarity that this woman did, I don't think you would ever have any difficulty reaching your health and fitness goals... or any other goal in your life, for that matter.

This answer is what you call a very "well-formed" goal, backed up with lots of emotional motivation-inducing "reasons why."

"I want to lose weight" is a poorly-formed goal.

"Weight" is not the same as "fat." Weight includes muscle, bone, internal organs as well as lots and lots of water.

If you only get ONE thing from this article, get this:

WHAT YOU REALLY WANT IS TO BURN THE FAT, WHILE KEEPING THE MUSCLE!!!!

FAT LOSS is what you want, not weight loss.

If your body was 100% rock-solid muscle, with absolutely nothing that jiggled (unless it was supposed to), would you care how much you weighed?

I bet you wouldn't!

SO STOP WORSHIPPING THE SCALE AND START MEASURING YOUR BODY COMPOSITION!

By measuring your body fat, you take the guesswork out of your health and fitness plan and you get an accurate picture of what's really happening in your body as a result of your diet and exercise program.

Instead of worrying about whether you are losing muscle, or wondering if you are losing fat, you can measure it and KNOW for sure. (I always get a good chuckle when someone tells me they're worried about losing muscle when they don't even measure how much muscle they have!)

Instead of being confused by all the "opinions" from weight loss and exercise "experts" who are all telling you something different, you can MEASURE your body composition and based on the results, you can KNOW for sure whether your program is working.

A very wise man once said,

"A single measurement is worth a thousand opinions."

So, how do you measure body fat?

There are many methods. Thanks to technology, there are some methods today that are so accurate, they can tell you whether your left pinky has more fat than your right pinky! Unfortunately, many of them are either too expensive or they are inaccessible, being found only in hospitals or research facilities.

Instead of boring you with a lecture about all the various body fat testing methods, let me give you three quick and easy, practical suggestions:

Suggestion 1: Have a trainer or fitness professional measure your body fat if this service is available at your local health club. Sometimes, there's a charge - usually $15 - $25, although some clubs offer the service for free to all their members.

Suggestion 2: Purchase an Accu-measure skinfold caliper. The Accumeasure was designed to allow you to measure your own body fat in the privacy of your own home (you don't need someone else to measure you). Do a google or yahoo search to find a reseller.

Some people wonder if this is really accurate. Truth is, it's not quite as accurate as a multi site skinfold test from an experienced tester, but it's better than nothing. Besides, what's most important is not the "accuracy" per se, but the reliability and consistency of your measurements so you can track your progress. Skinfold calipers in general are not accurate or inaccurate, it's the person doing the test that is accurate or inaccurate.

Suggestion 3: If you have a spouse, roommate, or friend who can measure your body fat, you can purchase a “Slim Guide” body fat caliper. The Slimguide is the best inexpensive (about $20), caliper available for multi-site testing, but it wasn't designed for you to measure your own body fat like the Accu Measure. Other models of body fat calipers (if you want to splurge), range from $150 to $450. (At our health clubs, I use the electronic "SKYNDEX" caliper with the 4-site "Durnin formula.")

The calipers come with instructions, or you can use these formulas, which I have used and found to be very accurate:

4 Site formula for men (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, tricep)

% fat = .29288(sum of 4 skinfolds) - 0.0005(sum of four skinfolds squared) + 0.15845(age) - 5.76377

4-Site Formula for women (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, tricep)

% Fat = (.29669)(sum of 4 skinfolds) - (.00043)(Sum of four skinfolds squared) + .02963(age) + 1.4072

Source: Jackson A S, Pollock, M (1985) Practical assessment of body composition. Physician Sport Med. 13: 76-90.

Body fat percentages vary based on age and gender, but 20-25% body fat is average for women (15-19% is ideal), while 15-20% is average for men (10-14% is ideal).

Once you know your body fat percentage, then weigh yourself and record your weight and body fat on a progress chart. You can also calculate your lean body mass (muscle and other fat free tissue) very easily just by crunching some numbers:

For example, if you weigh 200 pounds and you have 10% body fat then you have 20 pounds of fat (10% of 200 = 20). That means you have a lean body mass (LBM) of 180 pounds. Now we're talking! With this data, you can get a really clear picture of how your exercise and nutrition program are affecting your physique.

Losing weight is very easy. Losing fat - and keeping it off without losing muscle - is a much bigger challenge. If you simply wanted to lose weight, we could just chop off your leg. Or, (slightly less painful), I could show you how to drop 10 - 15 pounds over the weekend just by dehydrating yourself and using natural herbal diuretics. Bodybuilders and wrestlers do it all the time to make a weight class. But what good would that do if it’s almost all water and you’re just going to gain it all back within days?

You don't have to "throw away your scale" like many "experts" tell you to. By all means, keep using the scale, the tape measure and even photographs and the mirror - the more feedback the better, but body fat is where it's at.

By the way, I recently bought a chain saw and a shiny new axe from Home Depot, and I've been practicing my "American Psycho" and Jack Nicholson, "The Shining" impersonations... so if you want to come to my office any time soon for personal consultation, you'd better have the right answer to my question, "What do you want?"

About the author:
Tom Venuto is a certified personal trainer, natural bodybuilder and author of the ##1 best selling diet e-book, "Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle. You can get info on Tom's e-book at http://www.burnthefat.com. To get Tom's free monthly e-zine, visit http://www.fitren.com

How To Have A Healthy Heart

2008-03-01T03:43:00.001-08:00

Keeping our hearts healthy is important, but how do we do it? Fortunately the answers to this are very clear.

Being overweight, particularly if you carry the weight around your waist, puts unnecessary strain on the heart. To find out if you have a problem you need to know your height to weight ratio (WHR). To work this out measure round your waist in centimetres and divide it by your hip circumference. The measurements need to be in centimetres, so if your measuring tape is in inches, multiply each measurement by 2.5 before dividing one by the other. If the figure you end up with is greater than 0.9 for men and 0.8 for women then your fat distribution is likely to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Research has shown that many overweight people with angina, raised blood cholesterol and high blood pressure found their condition improved greatly, even after losing only some of their excess weight. Many of those who kept their weight off were able to reduce their medication or even stop it entirely.

Exercise is important for your heart too. If you take regular exercise, it will speed up your basal metabolic rate. This means that you will burn more calories, not only when you are exercising but for some time afterwards as well. People often imagine that they have to exercise hard to have an effect, but it’s enough just to take exercise that leaves you warm and breathing heavily, but still able to hold a conversation.

Did you know that each day most of us take between 3,000-4,000 steps? And that's just not enough. Experts say that we should aim to take 10,000 steps to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Increasing to 10,000 steps a day will burn between 2,000 and 3,500 extra calories per week, which will result in achieving a vastly better health profile and longer lifespan. There are lots of ways you can increase the number of steps you take: get up to change the TV rather than using the remote; park further from the supermarket; take a walk around the local park or your garden/yard; walk rather than take the car on short journeys. Using a pedometer will help motivate you to clock up those extra steps.

Giving up smoking is likely to have a dramatic effect on your heart. Carbon monoxide produced when you smoke cigarettes attaches to red blood cells, so that in smokers up to half the blood can be carrying carbon monoxide rather than oxygen. No wonder many smokers are breathless! If you need help giving up smoking, try one of the books or CD’s by Allen Carr. He has helped thousands of people to give up.

And, if you don’t already, start flossing your teeth! This may seem bizarre in relation to the heart, but it has been shown that there is a link between gum disease and heart disease. The exact mechanism isn’t understood fully yet, but flossing your teeth and having regular dental checks is important for a healthy heart.

Finally, give and receive love. The scientific evidence isn’t there (yet) for how important this is for our hearts, but it has been established that people who have loving relationships also tend to have long and happy lives.

About the author:
Jane Thurnell-Read is an author and researcher on health, allergies and stress. Her web site http://www.healthandgoodness.comis full of tips and information to help you be happier and healthier.

How To Have A Beautiful Smile

2008-03-01T03:42:00.003-08:00

Begin with a healthy diet.

Avoid snacking between meals. Brush and floss your teeth after every meal. If you must snack, make them healthy snacks Instead of snacking on junk food, try chewing on fresh fruits and vegetables, especially the crunchy foods. Apples, pears, celery and carrots are good suggestions. They will aid in enzyme production and the natural chewing of the crunchy foods will stimulate the gums.

Drink plenty of water.

Keep your mouth moist and avoid dry mouth. Remember that dry mouth is a harbinger of dental disease. We also need that water to stimulate the production of saliva.

Avoid drinking soda pop.

Americans consume gallons of soda pop a day. Most is loaded with sugar which obviously leads to dental disease and discolored teeth. Don’t be fooled by a “diet soda” label. Even they have huge amounts of acids that are deadly to the enamel on your teeth.

And, if you thought that just sodas are the culprit, think again. A recent study claims that all those popular sports drinks we buy may not be such a good idea after all. They may re-hydrate the body, but they can cause irreversible damage to the dental enamel.

The study reports that fitness water, sports drinks, energy drinks and other non-cola beverages increase the risk of damage by anywhere from 3 to 11 times!

It should be mentioned that the findings are indicative of long term use. However, it appears that these drinks may not necessarily beneficial as a substitute for plain old-fashioned fresh water!

About the author:
This article provided courtesy of http://www.brighter-whiter.com

How To Get Rid Of Athlete's Foot And Corns Naturally

2008-03-01T03:42:00.001-08:00

Over the years I have collected many different natural remedies – some from my family and friends from Eastern Europe, some from other places. I have tried them myself and what have worked – I put in my notebook for later use. I intend to bring them to you in a series of short articles.

Here are two simple remedies for foot problems:

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection affecting the areas around toes and can spread to other areas of the foot. Some forms are mild, but most can cause flaking, itching, deep painful cracks and bleeding and can produce a foul odor. The fungus thrives in warm and moist places and it can be easily transmitted, specially in places like public showers, swimming pools,locker rooms, etc.

Most over-the-counter drugs stop the symptoms for a while, but it usually returns with vengeance. Here is a simple and effective way of treating athlete's foot I have learnt from my Grandmother with easy to obtain natural ingredients:

Get some mutton fat (tallow) from a butcher's shop (beef tallow can also be used), trim the skin and blood vessels. Cook over slow heat until it melts, strain and pour into jars, let it cool. (Mutton tallow can be stored in a fridge in an air-tight jar to prevent oxidation for a few weeks, beef tallow stores almost indefinitely without refrigeration).

Wash and dry your feet and apply the tallow to affected areas in a thin layer. Put clean socks on to prevent staining your clothes.

Taking zinc supplements and vitamin E from a good source will help speeding up the process and make it more permanent.

Corns are areas of hardened skin, usually on the tips or tops of the toes, sometimes on the side of the foot. They can be extremely painful. Usually they form in response to rubbing and pressure from too tight or too narrow shoes.

You can get rid of them using very simple method:

Get a clove of garlic, run it through a garlic press or cut up into small pieces, add a small pinch of sea salt and using a spoon - mash it till smooth. Put a dab of it on the top of the corn and cover with band-Aid.

In 2-3 days pull the band-Aid off – in most cases the corn will come off.

About the author:
Chris Gozdzik’s main interests are dowsing and alternative healing. His websites include: http://diviningmind.comand http://mumijo-mumio.comYou can reach him at: chris at diviningmind.com

How to find an acne medicine?

2008-03-01T03:41:00.003-08:00

If you have acne, you probably fight a battle: how to find good acne medicines? It is common opinion: as if fighting acne wasn't hard enough, finding a proper acne medicine is another battle itself.

With all the options available on the market - both over-the-counter and prescribed - choosing a good medicine can be very difficult. That's why it's so important for you to talk to your doctor before any choice is made. Your doctor can guide you through this search and help you with the treatment.

Acne medicines are always something difficult to choose, because you only will know if they work for your case if you try it. Even if the medicine is prescribed by a doctor you can assure it will fit in your case until you try it.

In addition to that, some concepts about acne medicines are important for you to choose he right one to your case, specially if you have the mild type of acne, which usually doesn't need a medical orientation.

-The best acne medicines are those ones that treat acne from inside out. Since acne is not only a simple skin condition, it is important to treat it from inside. In general, acne is related to some dysfunction of the organism - hormonal unbalances are the most common causes - and for this reason it is meaningless treating only the skin when the real problem lies on the inside. When acne occurs, it is a sign that something is going wrong.

- The side effects that usually are caused by acne medicines must be taken into account when you decide going under a treatment. The side effects related to acne medicines are the most varied: from a simple headache to the serious liver or kidneys problems. Besides, pregnant women must stop the treatment as soon as she find out she is pregnant and all the women before going under a treatment must take a pregnancy test in order to confirm she is not pregnant. All this care is extremely necessary since some acne medicines can lead to miscarriage and birth defects. However, these care is for people who is under synthetic medicines. The alternative treatments, based on natural medicines, don't require so many care.

- There are, still, mainly two options for acne medicines.

How To Exercise: Choosing the right type of exercise for you

2008-03-01T03:41:00.001-08:00

So you have to start an exercise program. What are you going to do? How are you going to exercise?

Well the type of exercise you do largely depends on you. What do you like doing? What do you hate doing? Do you have to pay membership fees? Do you need a training partner? Do you need to buy equipment?

These are all questions you need to answer.

If you choose something that you don’t like doing, you’re not going to keep doing it for long. Think about it, if you don’t like jogging you’re hardly going to keep dragging yourself out of bed at 6am, especially when winter comes around! If you can’t find something you like, just choose the thing you hate the least. This is usually walking.

Walking is great because it suits all fitness levels. Anyone can start a walking program at any time, it’s just the intensity and duration that differs. Walking is also very social. It’s not hard to find a training partner to chat to while you exercise. This also makes the time go faster.

Whatever exercise you do, starting at a low intensity and building it up over a number of weeks is essential to the longevity of your exercise program. If you start too hard you could get an over-use injury such as shin-splints, and then you’ll have to take time off to get over it.

If you are really unfit, start by walking for 10 minutes each day. Increase it by 5 minutes every 2 weeks.

To make it more interesting try walking a different course every few days. You can also roster a different friend to walk with you each day of the week.

If walking is not for you then you may like to try a fitness centre. They have loads of variety and usually have trainers on hand to answer any queries you might have. When choosing a fitness centre, make sure they give good service. If they’re not willing to treat you well before you join, then they certainly aren’t afterwards! Also make sure that their equipment is well serviced. It’s easy to find out, just listen when the machines are being used. If they squeak a lot, or make a grinding noise, then there’s a fair chance that they’re not looked after.

If you’re still not sure what you should do, then why not consider tennis or golf? There are social competitions in most areas and you may find a few new friends. Tennis is great for fitness and it’s a great social activity but it’s not for someone who is just starting out. If you haven’t exercised in a long time then you’re better off finding something a little easier.

Whatever you decide on, it must be something that you enjoy. Find that type of exercise and you’ll be well on the way to the new you!

About the author:
Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Sign up for his free 7 Day Weight Loss Course at http://www.free-online-health.com

How Common Is Adult Acne?

2008-03-01T03:40:00.004-08:00

How Common Is Adult Acne?

By Bob Hett

For a long time, acne was considered a problem for teenagers to deal with. It seems that acne and teens go hand in hand. It is almost a cliché of the teenage years. In fact, adult acne is also a very common problem. Many adults suffer from a variety of skin problems. Pimples are not just a problem of the young. People over the age of 25 have issues with acne, too. While adult acne occurs in both men and women, it tends to be more prevalent in women. The statistics suggest that 50% of all adult women have acne, as compared to only about 25% of adult men. Adult acne affects people from every ethnicity and background.

There are many causes of adult acne. Since the main cause of pimples is hormones, which is probably why women tend to have more zits and skin problems than men. Other things also cause acne. These can be things like overactive sebaceous glands that allow an excess of oil to be secreted onto the face, clogged pores, etc. For many people, genetics plays a role in whether or not they have acne. Other things that can trigger breakouts are stress and environmental issues like weather and allergies.

While there are many acne products available to treat breakouts and blemishes, some of the ones that work for teens can be too harsh for adults. It is important to have a good daily cleansing regimen. This alone can help many adults clear up their acne prone skin. Others find that topical treatments can help with their blemishes. For moderate to severe acne problems, some adults may find that a trip to their dermatologist is necessary. A dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics or other ant-acne medications.

As we age, our skin becomes less able to repair itself due to a loss of collagen. The skin of adults is not as resilient as that of younger people. So adult acne can be a much more serious problem because it can cause easily cause scarring in adult skin. It is a good idea to treat breakouts and not give in to the temptation to squeeze or pop whiteheads or blackheads that appear on the skin. Doing this type of thing can lead to permanent scarring of the skin.

For both adult men and women, adult acne can have the same effects on them that it does on teenagers. Emotional distress, embarrassment, and low self-esteem due to acne breakouts can be just as big of a problem for an adult as for a teen. Everyone wants his or her skin to look good. How we look contributes greatly to how we feel about ourselves, so having skin issues can be just as serious a problem as other things.

About the author:
Bob Hett offers simple and concise advice on the causes and treatment of acne. Get the answers to all of your questions at
http://www.acnereview.info

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Hoodia Gordonii – The Scientific Intervention

2008-03-01T03:40:00.003-08:00

The first scientific study of hoodia was really sparked by chance, as is often the case in scientific “discoveries”. What started it all was not, in fact, an exclusive study into the hoodia gordonii, a succulent that looks like a cactus. South Africa’s national laboratory was conducting a much broader study. It was only because the San tribesman were known to eat hoodia gordonii that it was included in a study of indigenous foods.

It is not surprising that the interest of the national laboratory was aroused, and they started to focus seriously on the hoodia gordonii’s properties. It was tested on animals by including it in their food. The animals ate it, and then lost weight. It was then a question of isolating the ingredient that was behind this phenomenon. Or were these animals going to secret weight watchers meetings every week, without the knowledge of the laboratory? That may seem very fanciful, but then so did the idea of losing weight through munching a spiky succulent. This was, indeed, becoming extremely interesting.

This was no instant discovery with an instant explanation. The originally research went back to the 1960’s, when it was not obvious that hoodia gordonii had great potential as an appetite suppressant. It was about 30 years later that the South African national laboratory succeeded in isolating and identifying the ingredient in hoodia gordonii that had the effect of suppressing appetite. The ingredient was later to become known as P57.

When the laboratory found that ingredient, they applied for a patent, and licensed it to Phytopharm, an English bio-technology company. Phytopharm has spent more than $20 million already on research associated with hoodia gordonii. This research, which included clinical trials with obese volunteers, has yielded some promising results. Subjects given hoodia gordonii ended up eating about 1,000 calories a day less than those in the control group, who were fed a placebo. That is an impressively high figure, when you consider that the average American man consumes about 2,600 calories a day, and a woman about 1,900 calories.

According to Phytopharm, if you take this hoodia compound every day, your desire to eat goes down. That was illustrated dramatically in the research. So, all was looking very promising for the millions of obese men and women around the world.

Large pharmaceutical company Pfizer partnered Phytopharm in expanding the research, and a synthetic form of the critical ingredient was possible. However, the costs involved and the possible volumes were too low, to make it worthwhile, so Pfizer abandoned their plans. Phytopharm decided the only way to produce enough of the product was to grow the plants in massive volumes. So, that is what they set out to do, establishing hoodia plantations in South Africa.

The hoodia being used in the plantations is not precisely the same plant as that in the Kalahari, but is easier to cultivate. It is an enormous task, but one that Phytofarm are confident will bring success in meeting potential demand for genuine hoodia products. However, Phytopharm says it hopes to have meal-replacement hoodia products on supermarket shelves in a few years.

About the author:
This hoodia gordonii appetite suppressant article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website: http://www.routes-to-self-improvement.com

Hoodia As An Aid To Weight Loss

2008-03-01T03:40:00.001-08:00

What Is Hoodia?

It is more than 2 years now since hoodia became well known in the public domain. Television programmes on both sides of the Atlantic in 2003/4 saw to that.

If you have not heard of hoodia before, or have but do not really know what it is, let me explain. Hoodia is a cactus-like succulent. I have seen it described as an ugly cactus, but as cacti go, I would say it is about average in the looks department. Not that its looks really matter; you will not be going up to it and giving it a loving hug. You might, however, want to give it a little bite, whether out of curiosity, or because you have heard it can help you lose weight.

I should be a little more precise before I continue. The hoodia plant that has recently been associated with weight loss potential is hoodia gordonii, one of a large group of succulent plants called Asclepiadaceae.

How Can Hoodia Help You Lose Weight?

Hoodia Gordonii grows in the Kalahari desert in Africa, and has done for thousands of years. It clearly thrives in very high temperatures, but it also takes many years to mature. Also living in the same region are the San Tribesmen, or Bushmen. The San are amongst the world’s oldest and most primitive tribes.

The San have been eating hoodia plants for thousands of years. Now, I am sure your vision of an African desert tribe would not be anything like obese Americans or Europeans, for whom hoodia has been mooted as a possible weight loss aid. In fact, you probably imagine quite the opposite, a lithe and slender people struggling to survive on desert morsels. You would be right. How, then, can the San's inclusion of hoodia in their diet have anything to do with weight loss aids?

The answer is in the reason they have, for all those generations, been eating the hoodia cactus. Their quest for food in the shifting sands of the Kalahari Desert has always meant going on long hunting expeditions. Instant gratification for hunger pangs was not usually on the menu, so with their hunting trips lasting for days, they ate hoodia gordonii because it suppressed those hunger pangs for long periods. No hunger pangs meant no overwhelming desire to eat. That made the whole hunting process that much more bearable.

You are probably now beginning to see how hoodia might come to the aid of the obese and overweight. Those who have trouble controlling their eating urges may have a close ally in Hoodia Gordonii. If a dose of the plant can suppress their desire to eat, to stop them feeling hungry at meal times, then surely they will find it easier to cut back on calorie intake?

That was the theory that sparked scientific studies of Hoodia Gordonii.

About the author:
This hoodia appetite suppressant article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website: http://www.routes-to-self-improvement.com

Home Remedies part 2

2008-03-01T03:39:00.003-08:00

Back by popular demand, home remedies article #2. While not being a replacement for medical attention, you should always seek your doctor when you feel you have to and please take these home remedies with a grain of salt. Here you go and enjoy.

Acne and blackheads:
-Rub the acne area with a fresh garlic.
-Drink at the very least 8 8oz glasses of water a day. Even more in the summer.
-Mix one part of cinnamon into 3 parts of honey.Use as a scrub.
-Dab a small amount of toothpaste (paste, not gel) on pimples before bed; this helps dry out the pimples.
-Pour a little salt into a small bowl, add a few drops of water and mix till it turns into a paste. I've heard using a little toothpaste (paste, not gel) to this mix gives it a little extra kick. Use this recipe to
exfoliate. Do not leave on overnight. Wash your face and rinse off.
-Baking Soda as an exfoliate
-Vitamin E gel tabs. Use as a facial moisturizer.
-Honey and oatmeal as a facial scrub and exfoliate.

DARK CIRCLES AROUND EYES:
-Cucumber slice. Cover eyes with cucumber slices. For 15 minutes.
-Potato slice. Cover eyes with Potato slices. For 15 minutes.
Try to lead a healthier life style. Get plenty of sleep, water and a multi-vitamin
wouldn't hurt.
-Make a paste out of 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1/2 tsp. pineapple juice and 1 tsp. of flour. Apply around eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing.
-Moisturize with extra virgin olive oil or vitamin E.
-Try used Chamomile tea bags (cool bags) over eyes for 15 minutes.

ENERGIZER:
-Try eating an apple or 2
-Mix 1 tomato, 1 orange, 1 clove of garlic. For best results, use a juicer.
-Aloe Vera Juice. One of natures best detoxifiers.

GUM IN HAIR: There a few of these. Here they are
-Try using baby oil
-Try peanut butter
-Non stick cooking spray
-Ice
-A mixture of baking soda with water. Rub it in hair, brush it out.

MOSQUITO BITES:
-a paste of baking soda and water.
-aspirin capsule. Works well with bee stings also, but for bee stings,try to remove
the stinger.
-Use calamine lotion.

Hangover:There seems to be a lot of these also but I cold tell you what I
used to do for a hangover. I am not suggesting you try it but it worked
for me. First off, you wake up with a sour stomach and massive headache.
Alcohol dehydrates, so its time to replenish your body with water. Try a
glass of water with one tablespoon of sugar. Water to rehydrate, sugar for
the sour feeling in your gut. Sometimes I will take something for the headache,
aspirin or advil whatever you want. Next, ice-bag for my head. Sometimes
I used to stick my head under cold running water in the laundry sink. When
your stomach is settled down a bit, and depending on how your feeling, time for
breakfast.

Bad Breath:
-Try some parsley. This food garnish is rich in chlorophyll, a green plant compound that kills the bacteria that cause bad odor.
-Use the juice of half a lemon, one teaspoon of salt. Gargle.
-Brush your teeth with a couple pinches of baking soda. When done, brush again with
regular toothpaste (optional).

I'm sure this is the tip of the iceberg, but these are the ones I know of. These home remedies are in no way a replacement to a Doctors care so if you feel that you might need to see a Physician, please do so.

About the author:
Submitted By Mr. Andy Casasanta. This author has evoted a portion of his life to health and well being for himself and others. Which has inspired him to create a tremendous health and pharmacy website. In this site you will find up to 40 health articles and growing, and an 11000 reciprocal link exchange page. Save on all popular drugs such as Viagra, Lipitor, meridia, and hundreds more all for pennies on the dollar. Please visit:
www.medheadquarters.net

Here's Some Cellulite Products That Actually Work!

2008-03-01T03:39:00.001-08:00

The internet is chock full of information about body-beautiful products and cellulite products are definitely a hot item among them. 'Cellulite' is a popular term for deposits of fat that have a cottage cheese-like or puckered texture.

It's important to note that medically, cellulite is not considered abnormal. Even so, many people don't like the appearance of cellulite and would be happy to find a way to get rid of it.

As with any purchase, smart consumers do their research before deciding on a particular brand or product. Independent organizations such as 'E-Consumer' and 'Consumer Health Digest' provide reviews of products and services so that customers can make more informed buying decisions. Factors taken into consideration during the review are price, customer service, guarantee and return policy.

According to these analysts, a cellulite product called 'Avotone Bodysculpt' is the one consumers should consider. The reviewers find that it consists of high-quality ingredients and is very effective.

Significantly, the product is guaranteed to produce results in less than four weeks and comes with a 60 day money back guarantee. Avotone BodySculpt scored overall highest for quality, safety, success rate and customer satisfaction. The cost of this cellulite product is $69.95.

Another cellulite product highly regarded by the analysts is called 'Revitol Cellulite Solution'. It is less expensive at $39.95 and, compared to the first product, scores almost as high for quality, safety, success rate and just as high in the customer satisfaction category.

'Revitol Cellulite Solution' has a longer period of guarantee - 90 days - and a higher customer service rating than the first product.

Consumer Health Digest, another consumer review service, identifies the 3 top cellulite products as 'Extra Strength Lipo Sculpt Gel' created by Sterling Grant Laboratories, 'Ab Solution' by VyoTech and 'Transculpt' by MedaBiotics.

These products, made of ingredients such as caffeine, vitamins and green tea extract, are recommended as low-risk, effective cellulite removal or reduction treatments. Price-related information was not rated.

For more in-depth information about cellulite reduction, there is a new book out written by a doctor called 'The Cellulite Solution'. In it, Elisabeth Dancey looks at cellulite from a medical point of view, and offers recommendations to remove it.

Among other health-related topics, she explains why women are more prone to cellulite than men, the different kinds of cellulite and why even thin women have cellulite. Doctor Dancey provides advice including the proper combination of cellulite-fighting foods, exercises that target cellulite as well as aromatherapy, creams, and lotions.

It's no secret that doctors recommend eating a healthy diet and keeping muscles toned by regular exercise. However, research has led to the availability of products and treatments that can reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve skin tone.

While these need not be discounted, it must be noted that not all products are created equally! A little time spent reviewing the consumer research will help you make a decision with which you are more likely to be happy.

Hepatitis 101 what you need to know about

2008-03-01T03:38:00.002-08:00

Not many of us know about something that is common between Evil Kenivel and Naomi judd along with thousands of other lesser, known mortals. Well the answer is Hepatitis. Both stars have or had the virus, in particular the hepatitis c. there are basically three types that infect people every year. However in order to reduce the risk, it’s important to understand the causes and effects of this virus n body.

It’s a very easily spread virus which causes inflammation of the liver. The infection might be acute, with the body recovering in less then six months. Or it might be chronic, which means the virus lasts in the body for about six months or even more.

Different types of Hepatitis are caused by different types of viruses. All of these respond to medication and treatment differently. Although the infection is usually preventable and most who acquire usually recover, yet it is a major health concern. Mostly it’s considered dangerous because of the damage it may cause to a persons liver tissue and the ease with which it spreads from one to another.

It may seriously affect the immunity of the body and damage the liver even causing liver failure, cancer and even death.

Most important is to realize that one form of hepatitis is different from another. While hepatitis A spreads by contaminated food or water, but on the other hand C is spread only through body fluids or during birth.

Just like the causes, their treatment is equally different.

Although, all the forms of Hepatitis have different symptoms, differentiating one from the other, yet for the most part they have similar symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. To begin with get it tested, so that treatment may begin if required.

Although not all types have the same symptoms yet they do share some common symptoms like dark urine, yellow skin or eye whites, also referred to as jaundice, low grade fever, loss of appetite and feeling sick. Loss of nutrition might also be caused by the virus.

Other more unique symptoms are stomachaches for those with B and C only. Yellow or pale colored stool affects those with hepatitis a and c, aching joints is more common for the patients with hepatitis B.

Because of the similarity in symptoms, self-diagnosis of the type is not easy and hence medical tests are required. However knowing the symptoms helps, as Hepatitis a has no real treatment and has to be waited out and thus one must know the usual symptoms, deviation from which is a sign of a different infection.

Prognosis in case of Hepatitis is vitally important. Most people with infection do recover in six months or so, yet in some cases it may take a longer time.

Amongst the various things that a person with infection and wishing speedy recovery should do, is to avoid alcohol. Alcohol and drugs add excessive burden to the already weak liver, trying to heal itself from the virus.

Regular visits to the doctor, monitoring the functioning of liver are equally important. Patients have a vital role in recovery and hence an open relationship with the doctor is extremely important and any new symptoms should be immediately expressed

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about hepatitis.. Learn more at http://www.avoidhepatitis.com.

Healthy Chocolate?

2008-03-01T03:38:00.001-08:00

By Gerald Meyer

It's great news that research found a food that lowers blood pressure and is healthy for the heart and maybe more. The problem is that the chocolate most Americans consume is not the same kind. The more popular kinds of chocolate have little or no positive effect on your health. Only certain chocolate may be healthy.

Dark chocolate is the chocolate that was found to have positive effects on blood pressure. Participants given dark, milk, or white chocolate every day were evaluated in different studies. It turns out that dark chocolate contains important antioxidants called phenols. These natural compounds from the cocoa bean are known to increase nitric oxide, reduce platelet aggregation, and inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Cocoa can decrease blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and increase your insulin sensitivity. Milk and white chocolate are low in these antioxidants and do not have the same effect.

The problem is how chocolate is processed in this country. White chocolate, regardless of where you get it, actually contains no cocoa at all and is made only from cocoa butter; just the fat from the cocoa beans. It also contains no phenols. Most of the other chocolate we eat is made with "dutched" cocoa. The cocoa beans are treated with an alkaline solution to make them dark in color and to reduce the natural bitterness from the plant. But, it also reduces almost 90% of the phenols and most of its healthy benefits. The other problem is that when made into milk chocolate, the milk seems to prevent the phenols from being absorbed and, thus, negating any possible benefit from the chocolate.

The best chocolate for your health appears to be dark chocolate. In the European studies done, they ate 100gm of chocolate a day (100 grams equals approx. 3.5 ounces). That's the equivalent to 2 1/2 regular size Hershey's bars. It also adds about 550 calories to the diet. They were instructed to substitute this amount of calories from other foods they normally ate each day. You would have to do the same or forego its healthy benefits by increasing your waistline. European chocolate in general is healthier than that found in America due to the fact that it is less processed than ours and contains more of the heart healthy antioxidants. Dark chocolate is an acquired taste for most Americans since it is much more bitter than its milky counterpart.

So why is this research being touted as the 'best medical news in ages'? It appears to be one more way we look to justify the unhealthy diets we follow. When people hear that chocolate is now healthy, they don't hear any of the other restrictions involved, and don't want to. In fact, most people wouldn't want to change to a more bitter tasting chocolate and also cut out over 500 calories from their diets. Our diets already have enough sweets and this type of news only fuels the diabetic and obesity epidemics. This kind of medical news will only make most people add extra calories to their diets and increase their health problems.

About the author:
Gerald Meyer RPh, provides advice on weight loss. Information on the benefits of green tea and its antioxidant powers can be found at http://www.natural-weight-loss-programs.comFree trials of green tea patches are available. Find out the benefit of green tea for yourself today. Learn about the new superfood – the amazon super berry – acai. Acai may be the most nutritious food in the world. MonaVie is the next generation of health food.

Headaches

2008-03-01T03:37:00.002-08:00

Tips To Help Relieve The Pain

Tension Headaches.
About 90% of all headaches are classified as muscle contraction, more commonly known as 'tension headaches'. These are the headaches most of us blame on work, bills and arguments.
The pain is typically all over the head. You may feel a dull ache or sense of tightness, and it mostly feels like a tight steel band is wrapped around your head. Not everyone under stress gets headaches, but millions of people get them time and time again. For them headaches are a cronic problem.

Migraines.
Migraines have an even uglier reputation than tension headaches. Migraines are part of the vascular headache family and most often strike women. About 70% of migraine sufferes are female.Migraines can be crippling, so much so that migraine sufferers lose millions of workdays each year.

Usually migraines bring severe, throbbing pain to either one side, or both sides of the head. This is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and dizziness. It can even cause blurred vision, and numbness in the limbs.

Trying To Prevent Them.
I myself have suffered for years with tension headaches, so now I try to head them off before they start. Here's a few tips :-

Medication - Take It Now.
As soon as I feel a tension headache coming on, I take a small dose of medication. It's no use using just a pain killer, you need something that will relax your muscles as well. After all, it's the tight muscles which are causing the pain in the first place, so it makes sense to relax them. If you know what kind of headache you have, your local pharmacy will be able to advise you on the right medication.

Exercise.
Exercise and has helped me a great deal. Exercise helps you to release stress, so regular exercise and stretching will be real of real benefit. If however you've got a severe headache, don't exercise, relaxation is what you need.

Sleep.
Many people sleep a headache off, but too much sleep can actually cause a headache, so don't overdo it. I little nap should be all you need to get rid of a headache.

Peace And Quiet.
Excessive noise is a common trigger for tension headaches, so try to find a quiet place where you can sit and relax. Practice some deep breathing exercises at least three or four times a day, you'll feel better for it.

Protect Your Eyes.
Bright light can cause a headache. Whether it's from the sun, television, or a computer screen, it lead to eye-strain which can then lead to a headache. So protect your eyes whenever possible, and cut down on screen watching if you can.

Watch Your Caffeine Intake.
If you're a heavy coffee or tea drinker, then try to cut down, the general opinion is that caffeine can be a cause of headaches with certain people.

Don't Chew Gum.
The repetitive chewing motion can tighten muscles in the head especially around the jaw and bring on a tension headache.

Cut Down The Salt
A high intake of salt can trigger migraines in some people.

Foods To Avoid.
Food effects everyone differently. Here's some foods that can cause headaches for some :-

Hot dog & mustard - Contains nitrates which dilates blood vessels, this can lead to head pain.

Chocolate - Contains tyramine, a chief suspect in causing headaches.

Nuts & Cheese - These also contain tyramine.

Drinking & Smoking.
We all know the problems we get with these two, don't we ? If you can't stop either, then cut down. Not only will your health improve, you'll save a lot of lovely cash as well.

Have A Sense Of Humour.
We all take life too seriously, and we put ourselves under a lot of unecessary pressure. The stresses of modern life will take it's toll eventually, so lighten up and have some fun before you finish up a wreck !

As a cronic headache sufferer myself, I've finally been able to change my life style and keep my headaches under control. Believe me, I've had my fair share of problems.

Thank you for reading my article, I hope you've found it interesting.
Author John Moore ... Please use my link.
http://www.information-city-online.com

“Green Tea, or not to green tea?”

2008-03-01T03:37:00.001-08:00

Wow! Is it just me or… Wait! Let me start again, I think it’s great that Oprah is the communicator to the masses that she is, without her or her influence, we would surely be less informed and less enlightened than we currently are, I can admit this, but there are certain things that exist that should not necessarily require the direction of Oprah or her throng of guests to bring to light there, well there mere existence…

Green Tea is one such discovery…now there I go; it is not a discovery, although it seems like the entire US population has just been introduced to the latest and the greatest discovery since the last big thing, exercise for weight management? How many centuries has this natural substance existed? And I know that Dr. Perricone did not invent green tea either, but you’d never know it by the response evidenced by his appearance on the Oprah show. By the way I do like and enjoy both Oprah and Dr. Perricone and agree with most of the good doctors ‘discoveries’.

And the truth be known, I have known about green tea for decades and have enjoyed its many benefits for as long, boy do I need Oprah to discover me… I wonder if Bob Green would mind. Hmmm, there’s still Martha Stewart, hey Martha have you tried green tea?

Well, anyway…

As it turns out, coffee just, well what do I know and who the heck am I anyway, here’s what the expert has to say… Dr. Perricone explains, “Coffee has organic acids that raise your blood sugar, which affects insulin levels and insulin puts a lock on body fat. When you switch over to green tea, you will get your much needed caffeine, in addition to lowering insulin levels and, here is the doosey…body fat will diminish somewhat rapidly. So, overall, 10 pounds in six weeks should be the result. But if I may chime in, regimented exercise and proper supportive nutrition, as well as adequate hydration should precede any and all wonder discoveries for health, wellbeing, vitality and lifestyle, then again…what do I know.

All jokes aside, I am elated to see that Oprah has jumped on the bandwagon and is exposing the numerous health benefits associated with green tea, like; its ability to enhance immune system function, build stronger bones, and decrease the risk of cancer…just to name a few. Conversely, the biggest buzz is about green tea’s ability to contribute to winning the battle of the bulge, pretty cool eh?

Sure enough, studies on green tea continue to reach the same conclusions. Not to mention, green tea also assists appetite suppression, helps to burn more daily calories and works to increase your body’s energy production. Incidentally, by increasing activity, decreasing your caloric intake and managing your hydration, with the addition of green tea…weight loss becomes a natural process.

The only drawback with these studies experts say is…that a person would have to drink a couple of quarts of green tea daily to obtain these benefits, which would be next to impossible. Personally, I don’t know of anyone who has the time to prepare and drink 10-15 cups of green tea each day, nor based on my less than ‘official’ expert opinion should you really have to, but I am not an official expert, just a lifelong practitioner of balance and moderation in exercise and eating right… How do you become an expert anyway? Martha, Martha… Ms. Stewart!!!

About the author:
Kurt Lee Hurley, operator of www.kreatefitness.com,whose clients refer to him as the "Secret Weapon" has built over 3,000 weight loss success testimonials and his Provo, Utah Wellness Facility, Synergy Fitness Systems has become known as a "Results Factory" a "Living Laboratory" of Achievement, Enhanced Human Performance and a place to congregate for Empowerment and of course, the Success of attaining Weight Loss RESULTS!

Green Tea and Polyphenols

2008-03-01T03:36:00.002-08:00

What are Polyphenols?

Polyphenols are compounds found in nature. More specifically they are found in plants and provide coloring for some. Their purpose appears to be a potent, natural antioxidant. There are many plants that we consume that contain polyphenols. Concentrations are high in Olive oil and Green Tea and have been the subject of many health articles and promoted to enhance your health.

How do Polyphenols work?

These antioxidants eliminate free radicals, unstable molecules that are the major cause of both aging and disease, in both plants and humans. Free radicals continually attack the body. Free radicals are a normal product of metabolism and result in a process called oxidation. Polyphenols and other antioxidants, including beta carotene (a vitamin A precursor), vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, scavenge these free radicals and help to prevent formation of unstable oxygen molecules, known as oxidation. Oxidation can damage healthy cells in the body and have been linked to many diseases including cancer, heart disease and stroke. Polyphenols not only work to prevent diseases but may also help to reduce abnormal cells and inflammation; get rid of cancer causing agents and restore cells back to normal health.

What foods contain Polyphenols?

There are many but there are only a few, which contain particularly high levels. They include red wine, olive oil, black and green tea. Green Tea is the #1 source of polyphenols. These extremely high levels of polyphenols deliver green tea's unique results in several ways. Just one example is a subgroup of polyphenols, exclusive to green tea, called catechins. EGCG, the most abundant and powerful of green tea's 5 main catechins, is dubbed the 'super antioxidant' because it is 200 times more powerful than the popular antioxidant vitamin E. Unfortunately, polyphenols have a quick life span (short half life) of about 3 hours, thus the scientific reason behind researchers' recommendation to drink green tea a minimum of 8 times a day.

Not only may green tea protect and heal the body from disease but also clinical trials, conducted by the University of Geneva, in Switzerland, indicate that green tea raises metabolic rates and speed up fat oxidation. In addition to caffeine, green tea's catechin polyphenols raise thermogenesis (the rate at which calories are burned) and hence increases energy expenditure. And, research at the University of Chicago has shown green tea extract injections in rats to cause appetite suppression. They consumed 60 percent less food and lost 21 percent of their body weight. However, as explained by the scientists, a person would have to drink green tea almost constantly to obtain these results. Green tea patches have been developed as a solution. They contain up to 300mg of polyphenols (30 times the potency of regular green tea) and provide a constant supply over 48 hours.

Research is still continuing with green tea and more health benefits continue to be discovered. For instance, EGCG's may one day play a role in treatment of mad cow disease (Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, DOI:10.1038/nsmb743). And the formation of unstable oxygen molecules in the body is unavoidable. Aging, smoke, and environmental pollutants are all sources of the damaging free radicals. Japan and China have benefited from drinking green tea vs. black tea, like the rest of us, for centuries. The west is just now catching on to the benefits of green tea. With green tea being no more harmful than a cup of coffee (and actually containing less caffeine) there's no reason why you shouldn't begin today to benefit from green tea too.

Chemical name:
Various

Also known as:
Green Tea Polyphenols, Green Tea Water Extract, Black Tea Polyphenols, Black Tea Water Extract, Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), Polyphenon E (Mitsui-Norin, Ltd.), Topical Polyphenon E (Epitome Pharmaceuticals Ltd.)

Category:
Phytochemical

About the author:
More information on the benefits of green tea can be found at http://www.natural-weight-loss-programs.com/greentea.htm. Free trials green tea patches and instant beverages are available while supplies last. Find out the benefit of green tea for yourself today. And, learn more about the new superfood – the amazon super berry – acai. Acai may be the most nutritious and powerful food in the world. MonaVie is the next generation of health food.

Green Tea and Cholesterol facts

2008-03-01T03:36:00.001-08:00

A green and lush oasis in the middle of a scorching dessert. A cool breeze on a hot summer night. A bright light in the end of a cold and dark tunnel. Green tea and cholesterol.

For the millions and millions of people suffering from high cholesterol green tea may be that light. You can browse and search the Internet for topics on green tea and cholesterol and would come up with hundred of hits.

Cholesterol, triglycerides, the protein apoB in LDLs, are words dreaded by humans of the modern age. This new century is expected to become the century of medical miracles, the green tea, lowly as it may sound looks very promising as several researches have shown. This could be the decade of green tea and cholesterol.

More good news is it's not just green tea and cholesterol; it's also green tea and cancer. Several studies have shown that the antioxidants are present in green tea. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. Another research done by the University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. In another study by the University of Kansas determined that EGCG may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

And more good news! It's not just green tea and cholesterol; it's also green tea and high blood pressure. Habitually drinking 5 to 10 cups a day of green tea lowers high blood pressure.

For more that 4,000 years the Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. So it's not just green tea and cholesterol; it's also green tea and depression!

Drinking green also is reported to be helpful with rheumatoid arthritis, Cardiovascular disease, infection, and impaired immune function.

Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a good anti-cancer element. Polyphenol limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet.

There's more! It's not just green tea and cholesterol; it's also green tea and weight loss. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a report that found out that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine.

How about green tea and tooth decay anyone? Its bacteria-destroying abilities kill the bacteria that cause dental decay. So it's not just green tea and cholesterol, it's also green tea and bacteria.

Why is it that it's green tea and cholesterol not oolong tea or black tea? As we all know there are 3 types of tea, green, oolong and black. All of these come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. But why green? Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized while black and oolong tea leaves are made from dried or fermented leaves, which causes loss of EGCG.

We should have learned speaking mandarin or fukien a long time ago and got to know green tea and cholesterol lowering the Chinese way.

There is more to green tea and cholesterol, search the web and get to know more of the heath benefits you may get from green tea. Does anyone know how to say green tea in Chinese?

About the author:
Lorraine Bevere is well known for documenting the amazing qualities of green tea
Discover other tea "secrets" at her site http://www.fogtea.com

Ginseng Tea

2008-03-01T03:35:00.002-08:00

is great for short periods; this tea can alleviate many symptoms of common aliments and lessen fatigue. Ginseng is the main ingredient to many of the medicinal teas. However, prolonged use can lead to insomnia and heart trouble, so be sure to consult your physician before drinking ginseng tea regularly as an alternative to coffee for that afternoon pick me up. In China, ginseng is held in high regard. It is believed that ginseng has rejuvenating powers and provides stimulation to the whole body. Ginseng also offers protection against fatigue. Ginseng is known to be a stimulant for the central nervous system. This root can also help with inflammation, fever, and hormonal imbalances to name a few. The tea is usually made from the Wisconsin ginseng root. Slices can be steeped to create a tea that is a strong as the consumer would like, or purchased as a powder and brewed using tea balls. Both of these methods let the drinker control the amount of tea used. There are ginseng tea bags available from specialty stores, but it is not recommended to buy the tea without reading all the ingredients as some packaged teas are sold as ginseng but in fact have very little of this herb in them, instead using mostly fillers Consult an herbal practitioner or naturopath as to the right type of ginseng and how to brew your tea. The tea can be sweetened with a little honey or stored cold in the refrigerator, as this tea is quite good served iced. Take note, if you are pregnant use ginseng sparingly or not at all.

About the author:
For more information, visit these sites: www.TeaInfoCenter.com

www.HerbsInfoCenter.com

Get your vitamins

2008-03-01T03:35:00.001-08:00

Civilizations throughout the ages have known that certain foods have qualities that can help to create health for people. And depriving people of certain foods would mean allowing them to succumb to disease. For example, in the age of the sail, scurvy was kept away with lemons and limes.

It has only been in the past hundred years that people have come to understand that food contains nutrients and those nutrients are necessary for life. Some of those nutrients, but not all have been labeled as "vitamins." Part of the word, "vita" is the same root as "vital" which means life.

There are 13 vitamins, but there have not always been. Vitamin A, C, D, E, and K plus the 8 B vitamins make up the roster of vitamins today. Other nutrients, formerly considered to be vitamins, have been reclassified by scientists as they develop an understanding of the things that make our body work.

While the best way to get these vitamins is through our diets, sometimes it is not always possible. Eating a balanced diet is difficult these days, because our lives are very busy. An alternative is to use vitamin supplements to help us get all the vitamins we need to survive in healthy, disease-free bodies.

The human body can exist for quite some time without vitamins, but it does need all of them in order to properly function free of disease. If you're concerned that your diet is not helping you maintain an intake of all of these vitamins, you should consider finding a multi-vitamin supplement to help you. Taking a regular dosage will help ensure that you are getting enough vitamins and your body will get rid of any of the vitamins you don't need any more of.

If you do have vitamins in your house, keep them stored in a cool, dry place and keep them away from children. Even though vitamins are necessary for life, children need to be careful not to have too many; especially vitamins that contain iron.

Eating a balanced diet should be an important part of a healthy lifestyle plan. If your life cannot always include a balanced diet, you may want to consider getting a vitamin supplement to make sure you are getting everything your body needs.

About the author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Vitamin Resources a website providing information on Vitamins

Get In Shape For The Festive Season

2008-03-01T03:34:00.001-08:00

Soon, it will be that time of the year. Thanksgiving through Christmas Season. The time of family gatherings, followed by major partying, is coming faster than you think.

Don't you just hate it when in front of everyone at a party, aunt goes up to you and loudly congratulates you for finally getting pregnant.. when you are not.

Wouldn't it better instead if she had commented that she could barely recognize you as you have lost so much weight.

That tummy sticking out can be a major cause of embarassment. So can the extra pounds that insidiously creep up on you as you layer on warmer clothing. You know how the cold can make you hungrier.

Just because you can cover up, doesn't mean you should neglect your weight.

Hide the tummy with a control girdle and the butt sticks out. Just imagine that situation during the festive season, when you try to squeeze into your beautiful cocktail dress. Only to look like a big fat sausage.

Imagine on the other hand, slipping into that favourite cocktail dress, to find it fits perfectly, no unsightly bulges. Walking into the mall, picking the gown you love off the mannequin and it fits you perfectly. Imagine the look on your guy's face when he sees that you in that stunning gown.

Which reality you eventually face is up to you. You have to start quickly. Start working on your figure right away. Watch what you eat, and get the exercise you need.

Start off with a food diary.

As it gets colder, you tend to get hungrier. You might take small snacks, low fat, low calorie maybe, yet lots of small snacks add up to a lot of calories. Maybe, you get those 100 calorie snack size packs, and munch on those. Finish one pack, feel like munching something, get another pack. Over and over again. By the end of the day, you could have taken 10 snack packs without realizing it. Those 100 calorie snacks added up to 1000 calories, and that is not even counting your regular meals.

Then there are the drinks you take. Alcohol is terrible. Your body treats it like fat. Think about the beer belly.

Then the sodas you consume, the cans of coke and other soft drinks, the sugar you put into your tea and coffee, the calories in every drink you consume.

With your food diary, record down everything you eat or drink each day. Calculate the http://www.womanht.com/weightloss/ calories found in each item and total up how much you consumed in a day.

That will be quite an eye opener. Pay attention to what you find in there. Reduce your calories by switching to water instead of sodas. If water is to bland for your taste, put a slice of lemon into the water to flavor it.

Next comes the exercise bit.

Pick a workout that would target your problem areas. If your tummy, hips and the backs of your thighs could use some improvement, go for the http://www.aerobictotalbodyfitness.com/Transfirmer-system.php Transfirmer system. It whittles down these areas beautifully.

Pick a workout that you can stick to. If you have been sedentary all along, try walking. Power walking. Better yet, go for http://www.aerobictotalbodyfitness.com/WalkawaythePounds.php Leslie Sansone's walk away the pounds and just walk it all off.

About the author:
The writer is the new webmaster of http://www.aerobictotalbodyfitness.com/aerobic total body fitness. A resource to help you get in shape through aerobic exercise.

Fungal Defense Against Candida

2008-03-01T03:33:00.002-08:00

Candida is a term that is commonly used for the medical condition known as candidiasis; or yeast overgrowth. The condition was first identified during the 1970’s by American doctors and is now believed to effect more than 40 million Americans. While it should be noted that moderate amounts of candida and other types of yeast exist in all individuals without any problems, in some situations yeast begins to grow uncontrollably. When this occurs it can ravage the body and create a number of symptoms.

In some of the symptoms related to candida there is damage to the intestinal wall. This allows toxins to escape into the bloodstream and cause problems such as migraines, muscle aches, food allergies and difficulty in concentration.

Other individuals who suffer from candida experience what is known as thrush; although not everyone who has candida will have problems with thrush. In some situations, candida will cause problems associated with the endocrine system; which will then lead to even more health problems. These problems may typically include joint pains, PMS, asthma, sinus problems, hay fever, irregularities related to a woman’s menstrual cycle, fungal infections, ear infections, weight gain/weigh loss, allergies and/or a sensitivity to perfumes, tobacco smoke and chronic tiredness. Finally, some individuals experiencing problems related to candida may experience diarrhea and/or constipation, flatulence or a bloated feeling. In very rare cases, candida has even been known to cause problems associated with endometriosis and other illnesses and diseases.

In total, candida has been known to cause 100 or more varied symptoms. It is not uncommon for an individual to suffer from 20 or more symptoms associated with candida at the same time. Symptoms related to candida have been noted to become worse when the individual is exposed to humidity or hot weather. Stressful conditions have also been shown to make candida worse.

In addition to the symptoms listed above, candida has also been noted to cause other health issues such as rectal and/or vaginal itching and pain, colic, diaper rash, acne, hives, kidney and bladder infections, flu like symptoms, spotted vision, impotence, lack of sexual desire, psoriasis, eczema, heartburn, indigestion, bad breath, sore throat, hemorrhoids, dry mouth, cough, painful intercourse and loss of hair.

One of the most common causes of problems associated with candida is the usage of antibiotics. In situations where the body’s immune system has already been compromised due to hormonal changes, stress or illness antibiotics are believed to further contribute to a situation in which candida may flourish. The use of birth control pills has also been shown to be associated with the development of candida.

In many cases, individuals live with the effects and symptoms of candida for years because portions of the health community have been reluctant to admit the link between antibiotics and the development of candida or even that a problem exists in some cases.

Fungal Defense delivers the most effective anti-yeast and anti-fungal compounds found in nature. It contains a specific anti-candida formula to help you battle the effects of this debilitating health issue. In addition, it helps to restore health intestinal flora and enhance immune functions.

About the author:
Generation Health is a source for current information and products that affect you and your family's health from a holistic approach. http://www.generationhealth.com- To learn more, you can see Fungal Defense at http://www.generationhealth.com/product.php?itemid=3

Fruit For Fitness Tips

2008-03-01T03:33:00.001-08:00

Without question, fruit has wonderful natural benefits for the human body. Fruit is packed with vitamins and fiber much like vegetables, but comes in a wide variety of sweeter, more palatable flavors.

Adding fruit to your diet is an excellent thing to do, but there are a few things that you need to keep in mind:

1. Eat fresh fruit instead of drinking fruit juice. Juice is often sweetened, but fresh fruits have natural sugars. Also, you don’t receive all of the needed fiber and vitamins from fruit juice as you do from fresh fruit.

2. If you do have a craving for fruit juice, then go for fresh fruit juice instead of those that contain artificial flavors and colors. Or even better, try making your own fruit juice, taking care not to sweeten it with too many calories.

3. Choose fresh fruit over processed fruits. Again, processed and canned fruits do not have as much fiber or vitamins as fresh fruit, and processed and canned fruits are nearly always sweetened.

4. Wherever possible eating locally produced seasonal fruits and vegetable fresh from the garden or grove is preferred.

5. Fresh fruit makes the absolute perfect dessert for any meal. Throw out the cake and add a fresh fruit bowl to the dining table.

6. Fresh fruit also makes the perfect snack. It’s far better to grab a banana or apple when hunger pangs strike, than a bag of greasy potato chips. Plus, fresh fruit just tastes better.

7. It’s interesting to note that nature produces several varieties of fruits resembling the shapes of the organs of our body, which are useful and beneficial to that specific organ. Here are some examples:

Apricot - Brain
Mango-Papaya - Stomach
Almonds - Eyes
Apple - Heart
Grapes - Lungs
Cashew nuts - Kidney

8. Fruits and vegetables have in them a natural storage of the sun’s energy. If we make a daily practice of having fresh fruit and vegetables, or one glass of real fruit juice and two or three cups of green juice of vegetables, our requirement for food will be reduced to a minimum. We will have enough energy to maintain the body in a healthy condition.

Overall, just remember that fresh fruit is better for you than canned fruit, fruit juice, processed fruit, or cooked fruit. Eat as much fresh fruit as you like.

Another benefit of adding fruit to your diet is the added water intake. Water is a simple, yet effective tool in the fight against the scale and the emergency room, and is often overlooked by most people.

But that is a whole other subject...

About the author:
To learn more about the tremendous benefits of water in your dietary
routine visit: http://www.privilegedinfo.com/waterwisdom.html.
Steve Shannon is webmaster at PrivilegedInfo.com

Free Weights vs Machines- The battle!

2008-03-01T03:32:00.002-08:00

It seems like everyone has an opinion on this debate. Which is better- free weights or machines? I asked my trainer friends what they thought and it was pretty much split in half. One group loved free weights and the other loved machines.

Those that are just beginning to strength train, those that are rehabilitating a body part, those who want to isolate a particular muscle, and those that want to lift large amounts of weight would be better off selecting a machine. It is safer for your circumstances.

Here's why, free weights require users to have a base of strength, balance and coordination. Machines provide that balance for you. Using a machine the strength trainer can lift a weight in a relatively safe manner. The exercise is guided along a pre-set path that does not allow for unsafe movements. With free weights you are left to your own devices. Your exercise path is whatever feels best for you.

If you are setting up your own in-home gym, I would go with a set of dumbbells. They are less expensive and take up less space. Less is good. Buying an all-in-one machine may be what interests you more and that's fine. Just be sure that all of the cable lines are of strong and high quality material. Otherwise they will wear out over time.

If you want variety in your exercise program, try free weights. You can virtually do any exercise you want. You can also add in fun side kicks such as a stability ball or balance board. With machines you are limited to the one exercise it was built to perform.

In the end, the decision is yours. I think everyone has their own opinion on which is better because we all have different goals and tastes. Go with what you enjoy and prefer. Just be sure to keep your routine fresh and fun.

About the author:
Lynn VanDyke is the proud owner of http://www.strength-training-woman.com. She is a certified personal trainer, nutritionist and yoga instructor.

Five Tips for EASY WEIGHT LOSS!

2008-03-01T03:32:00.001-08:00

Whoever told you that weight loss was difficult never read this article!

Weight loss is a hot topic among people today, especially considering the fact that more than half of us are overweight. As we get older we often get busier, and before we know it, find ourselves in the prime of our lives and packing a few extra pounds. With so little extra time in our lives it is impractical to join the latest diet fad or commit to sweating in the gym for hours at a time. Are we all destined to grow outward with each passing year, or is there a simple way for us to reclaim our healthy figures? If you struggle with your own battle of the bulge read on for five sure-fire ways to drop a few of those unwanted pounds, and more importantly learn how you can prevent packing them in the first place!

TIP #1: Burn it in the AM
What is the first thing you do when you wake each morning? Hit the snooze button for an extra ten minutes of sleep? What if I told you that taking those ten minutes to strap on your sneakers and walk briskly around the block would result in weight loss? It has been proven that aerobic activity done on an empty stomach forces your body to recruit energy from storage. This energy is stored in the form of fat on various parts of your body. Starting tomorrow take ten minutes out of your morning to walk briskly around the block before breakfast. Do not sprint or try to walk as quickly as possible, simply walk at a pace that you could comfortably hold a conversation. This seemingly small activity, when done consistently, will produce surprising weight loss results!

TIP #2 Forget Your Late Night Snack
I know I am not the only one who enjoys eating a snack after dinner! Although comfort food seems to taste better right before bed, it is also more prone to stick with us when eaten late at night. It has been proven that not eating three hours before bed reduces fat storage throughout the night. If you go to bed at 10pm, finish eating for the day no later than 7pm. Once you have made this a habit you will be ecstatic over the long term weight loss!

TIP #3 Kiss that Frappuccino Goodbye
What tastes better than a frothy, venti frappuccino smothered in whip cream and chocolate syrup? While blended coffee beverages have rapidly gained popularity with the masses, their caloric tallies have been all but ignored. Whether you are an avid Starbucker, or only wander in for an occasional treat, it is important to know the truth about what you are drinking. The average Venti sized frappuccino weighs in at 530 calories. This staggering number equals 2.5 bagels, or one third of the recommended daily calories for an average woman. Not only is this an extreme amount of calories to be consumed in a beverage but the calories come purely from sugar, which is easily stored as fat. Next time you are in line at the coffee shop and find yourself eyeing a sugary beverage, redirect your attention to the tea selection, or stick with an old fashioned cup of coffee.

TIP #4 Fuel Your Fire
Have you ever tended a campfire? You probably remember continuously adding sticks and branches to keep the fire from running out of fuel. Your body’s metabolism is similar in its need for constant fuel. Eating a small meal every three hours is a great way to keep your metabolism high all day long. When your metabolism is high you burn more calories throughout the day and are less likely to store fat. Rather than eating 2 or 3 large meals a day, and allowing your ‘fire’ to go out, giving way to hunger pains, try eating a small meal every three hours and be amazed at your weight loss results.

TIP #5 Curb Your Carbs
I’m sure sometime in the past year you have found yourself subjected to the testimony of a converted ‘low-carb’ enthusiast. While these people may look great it is definitely not the right diet for everyone. Extreme fatigue, crankiness and downright impracticality are what make this diet a tough cookie to swallow. Cutting one or two carb-filled items out of your daily diet can make a huge difference in meeting weight loss goals. While I wouldn’t recommend throwing out your bread basket entirely, consciously cutting carb-filled items out of your daily food intake is a great idea. If you normally have a sandwich for lunch make it open-faced, thus cutting out half of the bread. If you enjoy eating pasta for dinner reduce your pasta portion and add extra vegetables. These minor changes to your daily diet will prove themselves priceless when you step onto the scale!

It is you against the bulge, and now that you are armed with these 5 tips for easy weight loss, I am confident that you are going to win! Keep in mind that consistency is the key. The more effort that you put into implementing these 5 tips into your daily lifestyle, the quicker the unwanted pounds will disappear!

About the author:
Diana Keuilian, Certified Personal Trainer, and author of “Avoid The Freshman Fifteen”, has a proven method for avoiding college weight gain. Visit www.AvoidTheFreshman15.comto learn more. She is also the head Fitness Trainer for the nation’s leading online fitness site www.HitechPersonalFitness.comand board member of www.HitechTrainer.comLearn more at www.Keuilian.com

Fitness and Weight Loss Pointers

2008-03-01T03:31:00.004-08:00

Who among us can truly say that they are as lean and toned as they ever want to be? Most people, even the fitness buffs, are in a constant fluctuation between their ideal body and a body that is not quite ideal. So how do we sway this struggle in our favor? Quite often the difference between the body that you have today and the body that you wish you had is made up of simple daily decisions. Read on for simple fitness and weight loss pointers that could very well turn the body you have today into a masterpiece tomorrow!

· Eating small meals every 2-3 waking hours will increase your metabolism and reduce fat storage. Make sure that these are healthy meals containing protein, carbohydrates and fat.
· The easiest way to effortlessly lose weight is to not eat three hours before bed. It has been proven that not eating three hours before bed reduces fat storage throughout the night.
· Eating a balanced diet is key in maintaining a healthy body weight. The American Council on Exercise suggests that this balance break down into 12-20% protein, 55-65% carbohydrates, and 25-30% fat.
· The average Venti sized Frappuccino weighs in at 530 calories. This staggering number equals 2.5 bagels, or one third of the recommended daily calories for an average woman. Beverages such as this contain high amounts of sugar should be consumed rarely since the extra calories they contain are readily stored as fat.
· Desserts should be eaten sparingly at an average of no more than two each week. If you have an insatiable sweet tooth, try munching on unsweetened dried fruit, or sugar free Jell-O.
· Eat a small meal and wait 20 minutes before deciding if you need more food. This will give your stomach and brain time to communicate. If have eaten enough food, your brain will alert your body and you will find that you don't desire anything more. If you are still hungry after this period, eat a small amount more and wait another 20 minutes.
· Fat free foods, when eaten in excess, will still be stored as fat! Fat free cookies and crackers are made up of a whole lot of SUGAR! Yep, the secret is out! Sugar is just as fattening of a substance than fat itself, when eaten in excess.

Take the time to incorporate these tips into your daily lifestyle, and you will be pleasantly surprised with your results! Remember that healthy weight loss takes time, so be patient! Make an effort towards your goal everyday and don’t get discouraged!

About the author:
Diana Keuilian, Certified Personal Trainer, and author of “Avoid The Freshman Fifteen”, has a proven method for avoiding college weight gain. Visit www.AvoidTheFreshman15.comto learn more. She is also the head Fitness Trainer for the nation’s leading online fitness site www.HitechPersonalFitness.comand board member of www.HitechTrainer.comLearn more at www.Keuilian.com

Fibromyalgia Facts For Females

2008-03-01T03:31:00.003-08:00

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles, tendons, and joints in women. Many health care professionals still do not recognize the condition as a disorder, most likely, because x-rays, blood tests, and biopsies often show no prevalent evidence to support the patient’s complaints. However, in recent years, the use of thermographs, a device that tests and measures the heat produced by areas of the body, has helped diagnose the condition. Studies indicate that fibromyalgia patients have decreased blood flow and decreased skin temperatures in sites of tenderness. Symptoms include long-term muscle soreness, muscle stiffness, sleeplessness, fatigue, mood changes, anxiety and depression. Often times the condition is worsened by stress and weather changes. Unlike other rheumatic conditions that cause swelling and inflammation of the tissues in the body, fibromyalgia does not cause any type of joint deformity or does not damage any internal organs.

Many times, patients that suffer with fibromyalgia have other conditions or disorders that will occur. One of the most common disorders associated with fibromyalgia is TMJ, a disorder associated with the jaw. Many sufferers of fibromyalgia may be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as well. Some patients complain of migraine or tension headaches, irritable bowel and bladder syndromes. Some women may develop a loss in memory and concentration. Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Endometriosis is often present in women that have fibromyalgia, although there has been no studies conducted regarding the correlation of the two.

Causes of this condition is still unknown, many experts are researching the relationship between menopause and fibromyalgia. Most women are diagnosed with this condition between the ages of 40 to 55 which is when menopause usually occurs, and approximately 85%-90% of all reported Fibromyalgia conditions are women. Hormonal changes, such as the decreased amounts of estrogen in the female body, may contribute to symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness in fibromyalgia patients. Research shows, however, that estrogen and progesterone replacement therapy is not that beneficial to fibromyalgia sufferers. There are mild benefits reported when using the estrogen patches rather than the estrogen pills. Some studies indicate that the low thyroid function and decreased levels of thyroid hormones, as well as estrogen and progesterone hormones, may contribute to muscular pain, fatigue, mood changes, and anxiety. At the present time the correlation between menopause and fibromyalgia is uncertain, due to the lack of research on the subject. Fortunately, more tests are being conducted to find out how declining estrogen levels affect the onset of fibromyalgia. On-going research is being conducted that may suggest abnormally low levels of the hormone Cortisol, which is the hormone produced by the adrenal gland may also be a linked cause.

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this disorder or completely cure it, either… Therefore, most treatment’s center on conquering the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Treatments for women suffering from fibromyalgia vary according to symptoms. In some cases, physical therapy or light exercise may be prescribed. Research has shown that the use of ice immediately following any exercise may decrease muscle and joint pain. The use of tricyclic anti-depressants usually used in treating depression; has also been shown to be an effective medication for treating firbromyalgia. These medications usually relieve depression, anxiety, reduce fatigue, and restores effective sleep patterns. Some physicians may prescribe local injections of analgesics to the sore or stiff areas. The use of pain-relievers and muscle relaxers has both been beneficial in reducing pain symptoms and improving sleep. Often times, doctors will discuss pain and stress management to their patients; which can eliminate some symptoms of the disorder.

Diet plays an important role in the prevention of symptoms concerning fibromyalgia. Eating organic foods, such as fruits and vegetables; increasing the intake of low-fat, high fiber foods; those high in Omega-3 Fatty acids, found in fish may benefit sufferers. Some physicians suggest lowering sodium rich foods or eliminating additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG’s) and artificial sweeteners, like Aspartame may relieve many symptoms of fibromyalgia. And recent studies indicate the use of a vegan diet may help alleviate symptoms. Alternative treatments, specifically in the field of homeopathic remedies, suggest taking magnesium, B-12 Vitamins, and Vitamin C.

Other non-medical treatments involve massage therapy, heat therapy and cold packs that may temporarily relieve symptoms. The use of Hydrotherapy or water therapy can increase circulation and decrease muscle aches. Currently, there are studies being conducted that may offer more treatments or one specific treatment for helping relieve fibromyalgia symptoms.

Women suffering with this disorder may find themselves withdrawing from society due to the pain and anxiety associated with fibromyalgia. Many times, women find themselves unable to work a physical or stressful job. The best advice is to seek treatment and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes light exercise, good eating habits, and staying active in both, work and life.
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/womens_health.htm

About the author:
Dr. James Brann is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is also the Editor of Women's Healthcare Topics an information source for all women.

http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com

Fats, Good Bad

2008-03-01T03:31:00.001-08:00

Fats, The Good…The Bad and Omega 3.
This has become a hot topic lately. There is so much talk of fats, the healthy fats, the bad fats, the trans fats. I have done some research on fats, trying to keep it simple for us. Here is some important information I have come up with. Omega 3 has become a favorite topic of mine. It has such amazing health improvement qualities. Remember, this is for your information only, and not meant as gospel nor is it meant for diagnostic purposes.
Saturated fats
Saturated fat is the main dietary cause of high blood cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that you limit your saturated fat intake to 7–10 percent of total calories (or less) each day. If you have coronary heart disease or your LDL cholesterol level is 100 mg/dL or greater, your doctor should recommend the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) Diet. It recommends 25–35 percent of calories from fat, with less than 7 percent coming from saturated fat. Cholesterol is limited to less than 200 milligrams a day.
Saturated fat is found mostly in foods from animals and some plants.
Foods from animals — These include beef, beef fat, veal, lamb, pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk, cheeses and other dairy products made from whole milk. These foods also contain dietary cholesterol.
Foods from plants — These include coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil (often called tropical oils), and cocoa butter.
Hydrogenated fats
During food processing, fats may undergo a chemical process called hydrogenation. This is common in margarine and shortening. These fats also raise blood cholesterol. Use hydrogenated fats only if they contain no more than two grams of saturated fat per tablespoon. The saturated fat content of most margarines and spreads is printed on the package or Nutrition Facts label.
Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats — Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are the two unsaturated fats. They're found primarily in oils from plants.
Polyunsaturated fats — These include safflower, sesame and sunflower seeds, corn and soybeans, many nuts and seeds, and their oils.
Monounsaturated fats — These include canola, olive and peanut oils, and avocados.
Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats may help lower your blood cholesterol level when you use them in place of saturated fats in your diet. But a moderate intake of all types of fat is best. Use polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils — and margarines and spreads made from them — in limited amounts. This is recommended in place of using fats with a high saturated fat content, such as butter, lard or hydrogenated shortenings.
Since their discovery in the 1970s, the omega-3 essential fatty acids have generated thousands of studies and clinical trials. Essential to life and good health, they protect against disease and can treat illness.
Dr. Barry Sears is a research scientist and creator of the world famous Zone Diet. His most recent book, The OmegaRx Zone - The Miracle of the New High-Dose Fish Oil, is the culmination of 20 years of research on the benefits of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil. In fact, Dr. Sears pioneered the development of pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, a highly refined nutritional supplement rich in DHA and EPA. This work continues his life long dedication to using diet to help people maintain their state of wellness.
http://www.getwellnews.info
Yet few people understand what they are, what they do.
When it comes to heart disease, prevention is your best bet. High blood pressure and hypertension put undue stress on the heart, blood vessels and other organs. A person can get excellent heart health through a variety of ways, especially through a good diet.

Certain foods have been shown to be healthy for the heart. Fish has the proven benefits of omega-3 oil. Omega-3 may lower the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and reduce the cohesion of blood cells, which make them less likely to form clots and block arteries. Omega-3 seems to be particularly beneficial to people already at risk for heart disease and those who have experienced a heart attack.
Olive oil is a healthy choice over other fats such as butter, palm and coconut oils because olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that does not increase levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
The following information on trans fatty acids is Information from the Food and Drug Administration
Q: What are trans fatty acids?
A: Trans fatty acids (or "trans fat") are fats found in foods such as vegetable shortening, some margarines, crackers, candies, baked goods, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, salad dressings, and many processed foods.
*-additional information from me: Fats that are artificially created through a chemical process of the hydrogenation of oils. This solidifies the oil and limits the body's ability to regulate cholesterol. These fats are considered to be the most harmful to one's health. The Federal Drug Administration has mandated that the amount of trans fats be labeled on food products by 2005.
Q: Why should We care about trans fat?
A: It's important to know about trans fat because there is a direct, proven relationship between diets high in trans fat content and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and, therefore, and increased risk of coronary heart disease – a leading cause of death in the US.
Q: Aren't all fats bad?
A: No. There are "good" fats and "bad" ones, just like there's good and bad blood cholesterol. Saturated fats and trans fat have bad effects on cholesterol levels. Polyunsaturated fats and monosaturated fats (such as olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and corn oil) have good effects.

Q: How much trans fat is too much?
A: There is research currently under way to determine this. However, it is true and accurate to say that the less saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol consumed the better. Trans fat while pervasive in many of the foods we eat is not "essential" to any healthy diet.
Q: How can consumers know if a product contains trans fat if it's not identified on the nutrition label?
A: Consumers can know if a food contains trans fat by looking at the ingredient list on the food label. If the ingredient list includes the words "shortening," "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" or "hydrogenated vegetable oil," the food contains trans fat. Because ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance, smaller amounts are present when the ingredient is close to the end of the list.
Q: Do restaurants have to list the fat content of their foods?
A: No. But it's a good tip to always ask which fats are being used to prepare the food you order. (I read in the rumour mill that Restaurants in New York are being asked to voluntarily cut down on their trans fat usage* my own comments)
Q: Why is it important to read labels?
A: Labels provide valuable information. An informed consumer is able to make better, healthier choices.
"The American Heart Association recommends healthy people eat omega-3 fatty acids from fish and plant sources to protect their hearts. Have you heard of this miracle?
OmegaRx Fish Oil, quoted as being close to a Medical Miracle in our Century! Omega 3, The Good Fat, Is on your side, they contribute to your good health. They are also a big part of Dr Barry Sears Zone Diet.
Omega-3 (you may sometimes see it written as n-3 or w-3) is the name given to a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The parent omega-3 - alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) - is described as 'essential' as, like vitamins, it must be obtained from diet. It is polyunsaturated and has 18 carbon atoms and 3 double bonds (18:3).
There is no doubt that the omega-3 fatty acids are essential to health.
Omega-3 oils -- found in fatty fish, like salmon and tuna -- help lower blood pressure, fight heart disease and even battle depression. ...
Omega-3 fatty acids work against depression. Recent studies suggested that consuming omega-3 rich foods such as oily fish can help prevent depression. Omega-3 fatty acids have already been found to offer a myriad benefits to human health. Notably, intake of omega-3 fatty acids or use of oily fish reduces the cardiovascular disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are found richly in oily fish such as salmon fish and tuna. Plant sources such as flaxseed oil and canola oil also offer certain amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids or oil can be purchased as nutrient supplements.

There is no doubt that the omega-3 fatty acids are essential to health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure any disease.
It is very definitely to your advantage to study further the wonderful benefits of Omega3.

About the author:
People and Pet health care, are of great concern to me.

My name is Ruth Bird and my three dogs are, Dukie, Benny and Nikki. I also have a husband, Chris. Chris is battling the monster, MS. The dogs are wonderful company for him. http://www.mimfreedom.com

Exporter Suction Units india

2008-03-01T03:30:00.002-08:00

Welcome to the world of GPC - most probably the fastest growing Indian company, manufacturing and exporting suction units, medical devices and instruments, outlined below:

Orthopaedic Implants/Instruments
Rehabilitation Aids
Stainless Steel Hospital Holloware and Sterilizers
Autoclaves
Microscopes
Hospital Furniture
Shadowless Lamps
Surgical Rubber Goods
Diagnostic Instruments
Surgical Needles
Medical Disposables
Lab Equipment
Suction Units
Weighing Balances
Anaesthesia Products

The possibility of procuring over 1000 products from one source only results into a big saving of precious time as well as money, particularly when a large number of the offered products are CE marked. This ISO-9001 certified company is WHO-GMP compliant also. During the recent times, it has grown not just bigger, but much better also in respect of the low prices of quality products, supplied within a convenient delivery schedule, and not ignoring the requirements of packaging and packing.

While many of the items are manufactured by us, others come from small-scale manufacturers, producing exclusively for us, in our brand name (or without a brand name), and under our quality control system.

There is practically no country in the world where the GPC products have not reached, either direct from us or through our buyers (particularly in European countries) who re-export our products, especially to different developing countries.

Conscious efforts are constantly made at GPC to develop a long-term relationship with its customers, vendors, bankers, staff members and others. The professionally managed company, observing higher business ethics, is committed to the quality of its personnel, products and services. It is big enough to meet very big requirements and small enough to meet very small requirements. In fact, the customized, individual and varied requirements are a source of pleasure for our dedicated workers.

As a result, the GPC customer base gets stronger constantly. You are also cordially invited to the ever-expanding world of a responsible, responsive and customer friendly organization working with which brings not only profits but pleasures also. Please visit our three websites and send your inquiries including those related to tenders, indicating your expectations which, you will discover, are realized in the best GPC traditions. The literature will be sent gladly. We want to ‘see’ you among our large number of satisfied and happy Customers.

Submitted on the behalf of
http://www.indian-suction-units.com
We are India's leading Manufacturer, Supplier and Exporter of Various types of Suction Units and Medical equipments

About the author:
Jenny is a master degree holder in Journalism and Mass Communication.She is working as freelance article writer for Indian Suction Units.

Exhausted Interns: Doctoring While Impaired

2008-03-01T03:30:00.001-08:00

Blogger: Health - Create Post
The common practice of requiring physicians-in-training to work many double, and even triple, shifts results in performance reductions equivalent to the effects of drinking several ounces of alcohol, according to a new study led by a University of Michigan sleep researcher published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Depending on the type of medical or surgical care they decide to specialize in, young doctors can spend anywhere from three to 12 years in training. The first year -- the internship -- is considered the most intense.

Thirty-four Brown University Medical School pediatric residents completed standardized tests following two different schedules: a month of 44-hour work weeks in office-based clinics with no overnight duties; and a month of 90-hour work weeks, including day shifts in the hospital's wards or intensive care units, plus overnight shifts once every four or five nights.

Vigilance, Attention

Following the month of longer hours, the doctors' vigilance, attention and driving skills were found to be impaired. Their test responses were equivalent to their performance after consuming three to four alcoholic drinks following a month of lighter duties.

"This adds to the growing evidence that sleep deprivation among medical residents significantly impairs their ability to perform, although it is important to note that we did not assess performance on specific medical tasks," says J. Todd Arnedt, PhD, a sleep psychologist who is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology at the U-M Medical School. Arnedt works in the the U-M Sleep Disorders Center and the U-M Depression Center Sleep & Chronophysiology Laboratory.

Three Hours Sleep

Sleep diaries and an automatic wrist-watch activity monitor verified that the residents on heavy work shifts got significantly less sleep per night on average than those with lighter schedules during the study period.

In the 24 hours leading up to the test days, residents on a light schedule slept an average of 6 hours and 37 minutes, compared with about 3 hours for the residents on a heavy schedule.

The residents were tested four times, in two separate sessions. Two of the tests were completed after they had worked a month of light duty without overnight shifts; the tests were given before and after they consumed three to four alcoholic drinks.

In the second session, they were tested on the day after an overnight shift that came at the end of a month of 90-hour work weeks. During this session, they were tested before and after drinking a non-alcoholic placebo beverage. Of primary interest were the tests conducted after they had drunk either the alcohol or the placebo.

Performance, Effort

The researchers asked the residents to rate their performance and effort on the tests. Ratings of impaired performance were higher following the month of heavy work shifts compared to the light schedules.

Residents also rated their effort as higher after heavy work shifts compared to the lighter shifts with alcohol.

In addition, the residents rated their levels of sleepiness. During the heavy call month, they felt more tired than during the light-call month, even after they had consumed alcohol on the light-call rotation.

They were not allowed to nap on the test day or to use caffeine after noon. All of the tests were conducted at 3 pm.

Reducing Fatigue-Related Impairment

Most of the tests took place before new work-hour restrictions were imposed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in 2003.

Residents now are subject to the following rules: an 80-hour weekly work-hour limit; a 24-hour limit on continuous duty time; in-house call duty no more than once every three nights; and one day in seven free from all patient care and educational obligations. All requirements are averaged over four weeks.

The new regulations are "a good initial step," Arnedt noted, "but the solution to the problem is not likely as simple as well-intentioned policies aimed at reducing work hours, which can themselves have negative ramifications," he pointed out.

"Our study, like others before it, does raise concerns about the performance of sleep deprived physicians-in-training and suggests that strategies aimed at reducing fatigue-related impairments are likely necessary," Arnedt said.

Alcohol Comparison

Arnedt and his colleagues are the first to study medical residents using the sleep deprivation and alcohol comparison model, which has been used in other populations, including truck drivers. Both sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption impair a person's reaction time, attention, judgment, control and driving ability.

In a Harvard University study published earlier this year, the authors found that interns were more likely to have an automobile crash or near-miss while driving after an extended work shift.

Arnedt's team found that skills on a driving simulator deteriorated in residents who were tested after an overnight shift in the hospital at the end of a month of heavy night work. The findings from these studies suggest that the personal safety of residents who drive home after working all night may be at risk.

"We need to continue to find simple, practical and effective strategies that hospitals and senior doctors can take to reduce sleep deprivation among residents," says Arnedt.

About the author:
Rita Jenkins is a health journalist for Daily News Central, an online publication that delivers breaking news and reliable health information to consumers, healthcare providers and industry professionals: http://www.dailynewscentral.com

Exercise Nutrition: How To Keep Your Energy Up

2008-03-01T03:29:00.000-08:00

How many times has this happened to you?

>> You psych yourself up mentally (you are GOING to do it!)

>> You don the outfit (you can practically feel the energy flowing through your veins!)

>> You lace up the running shoes (Nike: Just Do It - that’s you.)

>> You grab your towel (because ANYONE SERIOUS needs a towel).

Then it’s time.

It’s time to sweat. It’s time to burn the evil fat from your body. You face the treadmill (or stair climber, or rowing machine, or exercise video with the perky aerobics instructor on it).

And you start.

You warm up, and start moving faster and faster. The sweat starts to pour. The blood is pumping. Man, you are burning! That size 2 exercise instructor is going to look like a whale compared to you when you get through!

The adrenaline hits your blood and you feel GREAT! You could exercise forever! In fact maybe you will exercise forever!

Your time winds down. Ok, maybe you’d better slow down, no sense in going TOO crazy here. The cool down sure feels good. You turn off the treadmill, or the exercise video and head to the shower.

Then it hits you.

EXERCISE REPERCUSSION.

You feel like you want to die, or at least sleep for about 12 hours. You go through the day craving anything you can easily grab: anything edible or, depending on how good it looks, anything at all. Nutritional value? Who cares!

But nothing seems to satisfy you and you could swear that you’ve just eaten all the calories you burned during exercise PLUS more!

What was the point in exercising at all if you go through your day tired and eating everything in sight? It was just a waste of your time and a stress on your body for nothing right?

Well, not necessarily, not if you can learn from it. Here's how to avoid the above experience when exercising:

1) Check Your Hydration Levels

(I know not really exciting—but it will do wonders!!)

The average adult loses 10-12 cups of water a day (that’s not including water we lose from exercise, caffeine, etc).

It’s estimated that approx 75% of North Americans are chronically dehydrated. And even MILD dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as much as 3%.

And here’s the key, all you exercisers: Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue!!!! Unfortunately this fatigue often gets mistaken for hunger and we eat more than we need in a desperate effort to get that water back into our bodies.

What can you do?

Before your workout: drink 1-2 glasses of water

During your workout: Have about ½-1 cup of water for every 20 minutes of exercise

After your workout: Have at least 3 cups of water in the hour after you exercise.

2) Check Your Pre-workout Nutrition

Since you want energy over the long haul, your best bet is to try having some complex carbs before you exercise (like oatmeal, whole wheat toast, or whole wheat crackers).

Some people prefer to get their carbohydrate from fruit also, it depends on what works for you.

Try to combine this with a little bit of protein (like peanut butter on your whole wheat toast, or a couple slices of cheese with your apple). Try different combos and see what gives you the most energy.

3) During your workout:

If your workout is under an hour: Make sure you keep drinking that water and continue to listen to your body.

If you want to go more than an hour you should try eating 25 to 30 grams of carbohydrate every half hour (i.e. From sports bars, fruits or whole grains).

If you are exercising for more than 3 hours you should consider sipping a sports drink to replace lost electrolytes. Both sports drinks and energy bars help to maintain your blood sugar levels and prevent muscle glycogen (energy) depletion

4) After exercise:

Keep drinking that water! (See above) You also want to refuel with carbohydrates as soon as you can after exercise (toast, bagel, fruits, oatmeal, etc.)

Your body not only needs to refuel but it also needs to rebuild with some protein since intense exercise involves the breakdown of muscle tissue.

Some possible snacks are: Peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat toast, cottage cheese mixed with fruit, scrambled eggs with whole wheat toast.

The most important thing is to pay attention to your body and feel what works for you as you exercise. If you feel light-headed or dizzy or in pain at any time during exercise stop! Respect your body and what it tells you.

Hopefully the next time you decide to face the treadmill (or the exercise video) you’ll be able to feel great both during AND after you exercise.

You’ll be able to feel as if you’ve made your body better and stronger, by feeding it and exercising it and keeping that energy up!

About the author:
Kathryn O'Neill is a contributing writer for www.FreeToBeThin.com.

For the latest weight loss tips and free diet reviews, visit:

http://www.FreeToBeThin.com

Exercise Intensity vs. Duration

2008-03-01T03:28:00.004-08:00

It seems like there are more bits of exercise advice floating around on the internet and in books than there are stars in the sky. The fact is that what works for one person may not work as well for another. Of course the bottom line is that it's better to do ANY exercise than none at all. However most people are looking for workouts that will allow them to get the most "oomph" from a set amount of time, and will allow them to make the fastest progress.

I believe that to make progress faster in regards to losing fat and increasing your metabolism, intensity trumps duration.

In other words, if you pack 30 minutes of exercise into 15 minutes, in the long run the 15 minute routine will give you faster progress than the 30 minute routine, although technically both will have burned the same amount of calories.

I'm not a physioligist, but I've read enough and also experienced personally the effects of high intensity exercise. The fact is that working at a higher intensity level ramps up your metabolism and keeps it at a higher level for a longer amount of time. In other words if you do a slow jog for two miles and it takes you 20 minutes vs. doing a series of sprints interspersed with your jogging that takes 10 minutes, you will ramp up your metabolism more with the shorter workout than with the longer version.

Technically speaking you've burned the same amount of calories, but I don't believe your body will agree. :-) It will *feel* like you did more work and your body will respond accordingly.

About the author:
Visit http://www.strength-training.answer-finder.comfor more strength training information.

Exercise Clothing: The secret to success!

2008-03-01T03:28:00.003-08:00

When you first start exercising finding the right clothes to wear is important for both comfort and safety. Should you wear the latest Nike joggers or are sandals ok? Should you wear lycra or track pants?

Fashion may be important to some but the most important thing is to get through each session so that you can follow up with more exercise tomorrow. The key to success in weight loss is consistency. Being able to exercise regularly. Wearing the right clothes will make this possible. Wearing the wrong type of shoes could give you blisters or shin splints, and wearing the wrong type of pants could cause excessive rubbing of the thighs. If you’ve had any of these things happen to you then you know it’s tough to exercise the next day.

Let’s start with the shoes. This is probably the most important piece of clothing and therefore this is where most thought should be given. You need to wear something supportive, with a flexible sole. Cross-trainers or running shoes are best. Make sure that the shoes are not too tight.

Next are the socks. It is important to wear cotton socks. They allow your foot to breathe and they cause less friction on your heal. If you like the low cut socks, make sure they won’t slip down into the shoe or you may get blisters.

The pants you wear must comfortable. Depending on the temperature, you should wear shorts or track pants. Just make sure they are cotton and not nylon. Cotton will allow your pants to breathe, whereas nylon will cause an increase in your body’s temperature. This in turn will make your heart beat faster which means the exercise will be harder. If you have large thighs then you may also want to wear lycra pants as well. This will eliminate rubbing and chaffing.

Your shirt should be cotton too. If you are going to be out in the sun then it’s a good idea to wear something with sleeves as this will reduce the risk of sunburn. Make sure it is light fitting as well as this will help to keep you cooler.

Other accessories you should consider if exercising outside is a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water bottle. A wide brimmed hat gives the best shade, sunglasses will reduce glare, sunscreen will protect against ultra-violet rays from the sun, and the water will help keep you cool.

About the author:
Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the Health and Fitness industry. To sign up for his free 7 Day Weight Loss Course go to http://www.free-online-health.com

Exercise Bike Buying Guide

2008-03-01T03:28:00.001-08:00

Buying an exercise bike? An exercise bike is an excellent way to build fitness, lose weight and get fit.

But how do you choose the best one? This buying guide will show you exactly what to look for when shopping so you can find the very best exercise bike for your needs!

First, ask yourself which class of exercise bike you would like. There are 2 general classes of exercise bikes:

1) Recumbent Bikes

Recumbent bikes are the newer exercise bikes on the market with the chair-like or bucket seats. Your body is placed in a semi reclining position and your legs angle out in front of you to reach the pedals instead of hanging down as on an upright bike.

2) Upright Bikes

These are also called "Stationary bikes" although this term is now becoming a catch all term for both upright and recumbent bikes. These are the traditional exercise bikes that have been around for years and are similar in form to traditional outdoor bikes.

An offshoot of the standard upright bike is the 'Dual Action' Stationary bike. These bikes have movable bars or levers on arm handles to incorporate your upper body into the workout.

Know what you want before you start comparing different exercise bikes. Personally I've owned both and after a while upright exercise bike seats just don't feel too comfortable if you know what I mean. But the choice is yours.

The next thing you need to decide on is your budget. How much are you willing to pay for your exercise bike?

There are really 3 price categories:

1) Under $500
2) Between $500 - 1000
3) $1000 +

Under 500: While there are some above average exercise bikes under $500, don't expect to get a top quality machine for this price. If you don't plan on using your exercise cycle much or if you're on a budget, this may be a good price point for you.

Between $500 - $1000: Unlike treadmills or elliptical trainers, you can usually get a very solid, higher quality exercise bike for your home in this category. Most exercise bikes in this category offer magnetic resistance and high grade consoles that give you feedback on your workout. You should also expect several built-in workout programs, foot straps and heart rate monitors.

$1000 +: These exercise bikes are either the cream of the crop for the advanced home exerciser or they are commercial grade for the health club. Examples of bikes in this category include spinners and commercial bikes like Life Cycle and Star Trac.

Always remember that with exercise bikes - in general - you get what you pay for so try to spend the most that you can and get a quality machine that will last you.

These are really the 2 most important features to decide on: the type of bike and the price you can afford. Here are a few more features you should know about when choosing an exercise bike.

Resistance

There are several different types of resistance you'll find in your exercise bike

1) Direct Tension - offers you a manual adjustment of resistance

2) Air - resistance is provided by pedaling against the airflow of a fan blade

3) Magnetic Resistance - this is the most sophisticated type of resistance allowing magnetic currents to create and track the resistance. It generally allows for a greater variety of workout levels.

Magnetic resistance is generally viewed as the best option since it tends to be quieter and provides a more even feel when pedalling.

Workout Options

Most exercise bikes give you information on speed, distance traveled, and time of the workout. The more sophisticated you go, you'll also find things like total calories and fat burned, resistance level, heart rate and program mode.

You can also get exercise bikes with numerous preprogrammed workouts and information storage as well as iFit compatibilit and Interactive Disc players.

It really depends on your personal preferences whether you choose a bike with 10 preset programs and an ultra high tech computer display or one with just a simple display.

However, keep in mind that in general, the higher priced bikes have more sophisticated options and are built with higher quality materials.

Warranty

Exercise Bikes come with a variety of warranties from 90 days to lifetime warranties on different parts of the bike. For example, parts and labor may be covered for 6 months, electronics for 1 year and the frame for a lifetime. In general keep in mind that a longer warranty is indicative of a higher quality machine.

Final Note: It is also important that you decide how much you are planning to use your exercise bike. For example, if you are new to exercising and not sure you'll use your exercise bike much, you might want to save some money and go with a cheaper model.

If however you plan on using the bike a lot and/or are a regular exerciser, invest a bit more and get a machine that will last.

That's it - good luck and have fun!

About the author:
Charles O'Neill is a personal trainer and contributing writer to http://www.Exercise-Bike-Review.com
For more buying tips, best buys and recumbent bike reviews, visit:
http://www.Exercise-Bike-Review.com

Evaluating the Top Sunless Tanning Products

2008-03-01T03:27:00.001-08:00

Unless you think wrinkled, leathery skin with brown spots is sexy you should limit your exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. In addition to adversely affecting the appearance of your skin, overexposure to the sun can result in skin cancer. Despite the widespread message that people should limit the amount of time they spend in the sun, many people still continue to do so. One of the main reasons people neglect to adhere to the warnings of the sun has to do with wanting to obtain a tan. There are alternative methods for obtaining a tan that do not cause the damaging effects of the sun. There are some advantages and disadvantages of all the methods, so it is best to evaluate the methods that are available and select the one that best fits your needs.

The most popular sunless tanning products on the market that are applied directly to the skin are lotions. Their popularity is associated with their convenience and cost. You can apply sunless tanning lotions just about anywhere. With some sunless tanning products you have to apply the product overnight and rinse it off in the morning. Many sunless tanning lotions are formulated with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) so that you can apply it and then proceed with your normal daily activities. One of the main downsides of lotions is that you may not obtain an even tan. Although you may apply the lotion to your entire body, there may be areas that you miss or that may not have absorbed into your skin.

The problem of tan evenness does not exist with airbrush tanning. With this method you can obtain the most coverage of any other sunless tanning product that you apply to your skin. The coverage that you obtain from airbrush tanning is immediate because the tanning solution is what gives you the tan. This is in direct contrast to other methods of sunless tanning that react with the natural chemistry of your skin. The product is available in handheld systems that you apply yourself, or you can visit a salon that provides tan spray booths. The only disadvantage of using airbrush-tanning products is that you will undoubtedly have to apply the product often since the product will eventually fade.

For some people, applying sunless tanning products can cause excessive dry skin. You can purchase a moisturizer separately or purchase a sunless tanning kit. In addition to a sunless tanning product (lotion, spray, or gel), sunless tanning kits generally contain a product for exfoliating the skin before applying the tanning product, and a moisturizer that you apply after applying the product. While these kits are great for providing a complete tanning solution, they can be expensive.

Regardless of the sunless tanning method you choose, you should still use caution when you plan to spend a significant amount of time in the sun. The sunless tanning methods listed here are only a small representative of the products available on the market. You can find additional information about other sunless tanning products, including those that are highly controversial (such as sunless tanning pills) by visiting sunless-tanning-product.net. This website also includes references to sunless tanning products that are available on the market.

About the author:
sunless-tanning-product.net concentrates on reviewing alternatives to tanning in the sun, and provides many healthy options to the risk of UV rays.

Erectile Dysfunction Being Punched by Viagra Blues

2008-03-01T03:26:00.000-08:00

By David Turner

Nothing in the world excites you better than sex…it’s an irrepressible desire…you can not run away from sex by any means. Sex is an ultimate enhancer as well as a drastic depressor; sexual dissatisfaction leaves you in vulnerable position.

A good sex is a sensational experience; it rejuvenates your mind and body and increases your self-belief. But there are times when little Johnny does not supports you, you desperately want it but you can’t have it, and this is the time when manhood is at stake.

In medical terms the problem is christened as Erectile Dysfunction, it is defined as the inability to keep up erection essential for sexual gratification, to be a bit more precise, it can be categorized as temporary or short term erectile dysfunction or permanent erectile dysfunction. About 150 million men around the world are under its grasp, its thoroughly different form other sexual problems related to orgasm or reluctance towards sex.

Some vital factors contributing to erectile dysfunction are-

• Diabetes, high cholesterol, and early stages of heart disease can cause erectile dysfunction.
• Emotional disorder, problem in relationship.
• Socioeconomic issues.
• Smoking and alcoholism.
• Lack of frequent erection.

Taking impotence on your self esteem can hamper your professional as well as personal lives, it may not have a permanent cure but it is easily treatable. Online prescription pill such as Viagra is remarkably successful in the treatment of ED.

The miraculous blue pills (Viagra) hit the market hit the market in 1998 and since then it has dominated the global male impotence market. Viagra has been successful in treating 65%to 70% cases of impotence; this fact has further enhanced its popularity.
Viagra belongs to a group of drugs that contain PDE-5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing the blood vessels and allowing blood to flow into the penis. The result is a natural erection.

Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets, to be taken as per recommended by the doctor. Take Viagra 30 minutes before sex and enjoy its effect for the next five hours. A heavy meal and alcohol consumption can increase the time taken for Viagra to effect.

Viagra can lead to serious side effects such as headache, mild facial flushes and upset stomach. Other effects noted are a bluish tinge to vision, blurred vision and light sensitivity, although these are far less common.

Viagra is strictly restricted for women and children. Adolescents who are not suffering from erectile dysfunction should not go for Viagra as it can lead to dangerous adverse effects. Kill erectile dysfunction before it kills yours and your partners flourishing relationship, take the magical blue pills and enjoy the sexciting consequences.

About the author:
About the Author: David Turner is the contributing editor to http://www.epharma.md.It is dedicated to provide clients seeking information about pills and products related to erectile dysfunction such as Viagra , Cialis and Levitra .Please send feedback at david.turner001@gmail.com

Epilepsy: Ignore It and You're Dead

2008-03-01T03:25:00.002-08:00

I ignored my symptoms of epilepsy, and nearly killed
three people.

One morning I offered to drive my youngest brother and nephew to
the beach. I drove along Highway 246 with the boys in the back seat.

Next thing I knew I woke exhausted and confused strapped to a gurney
in an ambulance speeding toward a hospital.

I was later told I had a grand mal seizure. I had driven the car off
the road. The car nearly flipped over. No one was hurt but we dodged
a scary bullet.

Having that seizure helped to make sense of other odd past
experiences, waking up one morning to find my ankle cut to the bone
and blood on the glass edge of a nearby aquarium, moods of agitated confusion I often suffered while in high school.

I wasn't an idiot after all! I simply had a short in my electrical
wiring. I found solace in arrogant denial and chose to ignore the
disorder. Yes, even after the car accident. The accident caused
me to lose my license so what was the problem?

But then I went blind.

The petit mal seizure struck a few days after the car accident. While
in the shower I began to see a rainbow of colored lights swirling in
my vision. The colored lights grew along with pressure in my skull.

I couldn't see!

A strange terror overwhelmed me. I talked out loud while desperately
trying to ignore the fear. I pleaded with God to make it stop. It
seemed as if all the monsters in the world were after me.

Suddenly darkness swallowed the lights. The fear vanished. My sight
gradually returned. I found myself sitting on the floor of the shower
stall with my throbbing head in my arms. The pain stopped within
minutes. I felt fine, as if the seizure never happened.

I called a neurologist that day and bullied an appointment out of
the receptionist. I was later diagnosed as having temporal lobe
epilepsy.

Now, in seventy percent of the population afflicted with epilepsy
the cause is unknown. The disorder often runs in families.

But it can also be caused by damage to the brain caused by head
injuries or brain diseases. Meningitis, for example, or a tumor.

Children who suffer an extreme fever can later develop epilepsy.
My fever ran at one hundred four degrees for two weeks, to give
you an example. I was fourteen years old. My neurons fried, baby.

I also have an uncanny knack for getting struck in the head
by moving objects, balls, bats, doors, even a seagull one time.
If the object is moving toward my head it will knock me out.

I'm the only person in my family with epilepsy. Connecting
the dots isn't hard.

But never fear! The majority of epilepsy cases can be controlled
with medication. Most epileptics can and do live a normal life as
if the disorder didn't exist.

I use the old standby drug Dilantin to control my seizures. I
haven't had a seizure in years. I work, drive a car, and do normal
every day things like any other person, but only because I'm on
medication to control my rebellious brain.

If you have any of the following symptoms of epilepsy then please
get to a doctor and tell him or her what you suspect:

1. You often wake feeling sore, exhausted, and disoriented (and
you know sex has nothing to do with it)

2. Your mind goes blank for several seconds and you stare blindly

3. Double-vision

4. Sudden behavior changes

5. Localized muscle spasm (my arm occasionally twitches)

6. Whole body muscle spasm

7. Twitches (Like I said)

8. Tics

9. Hallucinations

10. Changed hearing

11. Smell sensations (Occasionally my tea smells like fish oil)

I don't have enough room to list all the symptoms. Epilepsy is
a complex disorder with symptoms that can change as easily as a
woman changes her mind.

But if you have been diagnosed with epilepsy you can't ignore
it. The beast will grab you sooner or later. You won't see it coming
till after you wake up on the floor and see people staring down at
you in fear.

Or after you wake in an ambulance and find yourself strapped to a
gurney as I did after the car accident. I'll never forget the
frightened look on the paramedic's face.

My nephew, who had a cold before the car accident, jokes my 'shock
treatment' helped to rid him of his cold. I can laugh because I can't
remember the accident. I'm grateful he's able to make a joke about it.

I nearly silenced him forever.

About the author:
Byline:
Jenny Harker is an experienced writer, gardener, and far too
experienced epileptic.
Copyright Jenny Harker, 2005

Effective Stress Management for those with Busy lives!

2008-03-01T03:25:00.001-08:00

What would you do with increased stamina, decreased anxiety, and solid peace of mind? You would probably get more done in less time--at the very least, each day would be more enjoyable. In the long term, you would certainly experience better physical health and a longer life span.

The only thing standing between you and a higher level of general well-being is the unpreventable occurrence of stress. Daily stress can rob us of our potential, weakening every aspect of our lives. Consider the following:

* Stress breaks down the efficiency of the immune system leaving our bodies vulnerable to illness and disease.

* Stress causes heart problems and high blood pressure.

* Stress contributes to addictive behavior, causing alcoholism, eating disorders, nicotine addiction, and workaholic tendencies.

* Stress causes social withdrawal, perpetuating symptoms and leading to destructive isolation.

To avoid stress and related symptoms you must be proactive, nurturing your body and mind through a balanced diet, exercise, and reserved time for relaxation.

A Balanced Diet - We know that a balanced diet can improve your health, but can it really do anything for your stress level? Experts say it can. Research has found that good nutrition has a tremendous impact on our ability to ward off the damage stress can do to our systems. Sure, you’ll still feel tense, but with your body nutritionally armed for battle, you’ll handle things better. There are many things you can do to maximize your body’s fighting power.

One of the most significant things you can do is to reduce the amounts sugar and white flour in your diet. Sugar and white flour cause a host of problems you could do without. By reducing these items in your diet, you will be able to maintain better weight control, reduce the risk of heart disease, and increase your energy level. Why? Because items made with these products metabolize too fast in your blood system. The result is unhealthy spikes in your blood sugar, rapid depletion of energy, and damaging stress symptoms.

Exercise - In addition to eating right, exercise can be a tremendous help in fighting stress. As you get moving, your circulation delivers oxygen and nutritional elements throughout your body. The result is muscle relaxation, the release of mood elevating chemicals, and a strengthened immune system. Studies show that those who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from stress related illness.

Relaxation. When your body relaxes, it reverses stress symptoms. You experience a sense of control as you eliminate the feelings of helplessness that often accompany stress. Find that one thing that really helps you to kick back and forget about things for a while. Here are some suggestions:

- Catering to our senses, such as sight, smell, and sound can reduce anxiety. So put on some favorite music, keep fresh cut flowers in view, and sink into a warm bubble bath.

- Reduce the clutter in your life. Passing a stack of papers as you leave for work, tripping over boxes, or stuffing a breakfast plate into a sink of dirty dishes, creates underlying tension that acts as a fuse when something gets you fired up.

- Deal head-on with anything that has been bothering you. Ignoring problems won’t make them go away--resolving them will.

- Get a good night’s sleep. Your body needs this time to heal and “reboot” in preparation for the next day’s challenges. Deny this basic need and you drain all of your systems of their strength.

Good nutrition, exercise, and learning to enjoy life will help you ward off dangerous stress symptoms. It’s important that you take steps now to ensure a healthy future. That is why I dedicate several sections of my ebook series, A Balanced Approach to Health, to teaching you how to reduce the levels of stress in your life, instantly improving your quality of life. You’ll learn: How to cope rather than stress, 13 affirmations to move beyond stress and its impacts, how to become a relaxation guru, and much more.

About the author:
Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation with a wealth of experience in personal development, management development, e-learning and operational management. In addition to owning one of the UK's leading Ebook Provider http://www.pk-ebooks.co.ukPaul also owns http://www.help-your-child-learn.co.ukand http://www.ebay-profits.co.uk

Eating Disorders: What exactly are they?

2008-03-01T03:24:00.002-08:00

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are the diseases caused due to the abnormal eating behavior of an individual. Many people suffer from such eating disorders. They indulge in eating more and more food, which is considered abnormal. A normal person cannot have the amount of food, a person suffering from an eating disorder can have.

Such abnormal patterns of food are not a result of increased hunger. Person having eating disorders have other problems. These problems are related to their lifestyle. Eating disorders are a sign of a problematic time in a person's life. People eat more food to suppress extreme emotions and depression.

There are also different types of eating disorders. Some types of eating disorders are: anorexia, compulsive eating, binge eating disorder and bulimia. These eating disorders are completely curable. You have to detect them on time and seek a medical advice. Treatment may takes a long time. But if the patient is given good support by his family and friends, he can fully overcome the disease.

There are certain misconception about eating disorders. One common misconception is that the males who have any eating disorder are considered to be gay. The fact is that sex has nothing to do with eating disorders. Secondly, if a man has one eating disorder, he cannot have another. Whereas, many people have multiple eating disorders.

The most common misbelieve is that teenage girls are more prone to eating disorders. It is a fact that you can have an eating disorder during your teenage years but anyone, be it children, young girls, and boys, can develop an eating disorder.

If someone around you seems to be suffering with eating disorders, help them. Such people become emotionally very weak and use food as a way to relieve themselves. Emotional support is the most important thing to treat these individuals.

About the author:
Do you want more information on anorexia, bulimia, and eating disorders? Go to http://www.bulimiaandanorexia.comfor articles and info.

Do You Know These Tricks To Help Conquer Food Cravings?

2008-03-01T03:24:00.001-08:00

Food cravings are crafty -- they appear from nowhere and hit you just when you least expect them, don't they?

And the critical thing is that the way you respond to your food cravings might just make or break your success at weight loss and maintenance.

That's why you need simple ways to deal with cravings whenever they pop up.

Now, veering off from your eating plan occasionally will not be earth-shattering, but if you make a habit of giving in to your eating impulses, your moments of weakness will certainly catch up with you.

The good news is that if you can remember these tips that I am going to share with you today, you will be able to conquer those pesky cravings of yours!

1. Avoid being hungry

Eat 5 times a day -- 3 meals a day with 2 planned snacks, but remember to moderate your portions for each of your meals.

Once you start eating 5 times a day instead of the usual 3, you'll find that you'll be hungry less often, and you'll automatically have fewer cravings throughout the day.

On top of that, eating 5 times a day also helps to boost your metabolism level, so you'll be burning more calories throughout the day than before. And that's why this is my number one tip!

2. Catch your cravings early

If you can catch your cravings early, you have more control over them.

So, when do cravings start? A craving starts with a thought of something good to eat. It can be triggered by encountering a situation in which you see or smell tempting food, or by just thinking of something good and dwelling on the idea.

After a while, you'll be able to recognize the situations which are likely to make you start craving for certain foods.

The moment you catch the cravings coming on, you can start to put the tips below into use. The earlier you can catch your cravings, the better chances you have of overcoming them.

3. Ride out a craving

Believe it or not, you can simply wait out a craving. Sometimes we may even mistake a craving for actual hunger. Don't dwell on thoughts of food or eating -- distract yourself!

By playing the waiting game for about 20 minutes, it can help you to distinguish between the craving and actual hunger.

In the meantime, get busy by doing something else to distract your mind: take a walk, play a game, or concentrate on your work projects. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that the craving has subsided after some time has passed. If you still want something 20 minutes later, chances are that you are truly hungry. By giving yourself a little time to take a pause before giving in, you may find the craving will disappear altogether.

4. Drink your water

Sometimes all you need is just a glass of water, that's all! Many times, we can mistake dehydration for hunger or cravings. Take a moment and drink a glass or two of water; it may be just what you need.

And this has another side benefit too -- even if you were truly hungry, the water will help to make you fill fuller (without adding any calories to your daily intake), so you'll not need to eat as much later.

5. Temporarily ruin your taste buds

After drinking your water, if you find that your craving still does not go away and you cannot stop thinking about eating, what you can try to do next is to disrupt your sense of taste or smell.

Try a strong mouth mint. Or you can brush your teeth or dab some cologne or strong smelling ointment under your nose.

This may only work for a while, so you must get busy doing something else to take your mind off eating. After a while, you will find yourself not thinking of the craving, and before you know it, it is already time for your next meal.

6. Giving in to your craving BUT only just a little

You will face the biggest danger about cravings when you give in to them.

What happens to a lot of people is that when they give in to the craving, they also lose control of how much they eat too.

Thus, please be extra careful when you decide to eat something to satisfy your cravings.

Don't overdo it. Eat an amount that seems reasonable and appropriate.

For example, you should never allow yourself to finish an entire carton of ice cream or a whole bag of chips in one sitting. What you can do is to take a small serving out and put the rest away. Alternatively, you can buy small portions to begin with. In most cases, you will find that the first few bites actually satisfy the craving anyway!

7. Don't fool yourself

If you are dying to have a chocolate chip cookie, you know that the low fat energy bar is not going to do the trick. So, what should you do?

Well, there's no point trying to fool yourself.

That's right, go for the "bad" choice. But remember: "Moderation, moderation, MODERATION!"

It is fine to allow yourself to indulge in what you really want, provided you watch your portion size. You will not feel deprived, and you'll be able to sustain these new healthy eating habits for the long haul.

On the other hand, if you abstain completely from all your favorite foods, you are more likely to eat that energy bar AND the chocolate chip cookie.

Easy, right? I'm sure they'll be able to help you manage your cravings better. So go ahead and try out the 7 tips above... _today_!

Copyright 2005 Tracy Lee

About the author:
Tracy Lee is the owner of the "Weight Loss for Women Over 40" site. Get the latest news, tips & tricks that can help women over 40 to lose weight safely and permanently, and your complimentary copy of our Special Report "9 Little-Known Insider Weight Loss Secrets To Help Women Over 40 Make Those Extra Pounds Disappear" instantly here:

Double Calories Burned With Five Minutes Of Exercise!

2008-03-01T03:23:00.004-08:00

Recent studies have shown that if you perform just five minutes of reasonably intense exercise in the morning you can potentially burn up to twice as many calories you normally would during the day!

What this means is that for those people who often claim “I don’t have time!” there really is no excuse now for not doing five to ten minutes of physical training each day.

This is in reach of everyone!

There is no need for people to run five miles before breakfast. A healthier more focused you is within five minutes reach! Also there are other benefits of doing something physical upon rising in the morning. Breathing deeply and moving your body first thing not only allows you to burn more calories throughout the day but it also puts you in a better mood as well as obviously going a long way to providing yourself with better health.

In short, you will be more inclined to take the day by the “scruff of the neck”, so to speak, and to want to pursue goals and objectives if you are fully awake and energised for the day.

Below are listed some of the major benefits of doing something active each morning. Remember them when you think it is “too much effort!”.

1. Increased calorie burn throughout the day.

2. Higher energy levels.

3. Better health and fitness.

4. Due to point number three, a higher chance of living a longer more abundant life.

5. An increased likelihood that you will want to reach and achieve targets and ambitions in your life due to feeling positive and energised through exercise.

Remember, then, that success in fitness, or indeed in any area of life, is so often dictated by what you do (or do not do) each and every day for as little as five minutes at a time!

Develop daily positive habits where your health is concerned and see and feel your results soar!

© Tim Webb 2005

About the author:
Tim Webb is a fitness instructor, Ju Jutsu instructor and competitor. He specialises in easily accessible deep breathing exercises that combine breath and mind together. His site http://www.BreathForSuccess.comoffers a product that provides deep breathing exercises for invigorating yourself, alleviating stress and anxiety, and highlights how your breath can be tied in with your goals to move you towards them in record time!

Dog Eye Problems - What To Watch Out For

2008-03-01T03:23:00.003-08:00

Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should pay close attention to your dog's eyes just as you would their teeth, so that you can catch any possible infections or injuries immediately and have them treated.

Dogs are vulnerable to several diseases and possible injuries due to the structure of their eyes. Always keep watch for signs of discharge, squinting, cloudiness, irritation and redness, or swelling. If your dog starts to bump into furniture, this could be a sign of vision loss.

The most common canine eye problems usually stem from the following:

* Cataracts - an opacity of the lens

* Cherry Eye - the dog's third eyelid's tear gland protrudes outward

* Conjunctivitis - an inflammation of the membrane that lines your dog's eyelids and the front of the sclera

* Entropion - eyelids are turn inward which causes the eyelashes to scratch the cornea

* Glaucoma - increased eye pressure caused by fluid buildup in the eye

* Progressive Retinal Atrophy - inherited vision-destroying diseases caused by deterioration of the retina's image-processing cells

This is by no means a complete list of possible eye diseases, but they seem to be the most common.

A dog's eyes may discharge for a variety of reasons. Allergies are often a major cause, as is irritation from dust or small specs of foriegn materials. Problems with tear ducks and drainage, bacteria and/or viruses may cause runny eyes, sometimes with a white or yellowish discharge.

One source of prevention and treatment is through natural, herbal and homeopathic eye washes. These natural medications are non-irritating, quite soothing and will promote natural healing of your dog's eye tissues. They are also good for removing foreign debris, clearing up the encrustation that sometimes builds up in the corner of the eyes, as well as opening tear ducts.

Be sure to always have your dog's eyes thoroughly checked at each annual veterinary visit or if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Catching possible dog eye problems before they become severe can help prevent future vision problems in your pet.

About the author:
Copyright 2005. Rose Smith is the author and owner of Caring For Canines, a web site that provides information on natural dog health care. Please visit us at: http://www.caringforcanines.com/- Be sure to also check out the Caring For Canines - Pet Health News Blog at: http://caringforcanines.blogspot.com/

Discover Which Minerals You Need to Neutralize Your body's Acids

2008-03-01T03:23:00.001-08:00

Discover Which Minerals You Need to Neutralize Your body's Acids
By Rudy Silva

Every part of you is made from minerals - your bones, cell structure, lymph liquid, arteries, organs, tissue, muscle, hair, and so on. You cannot live without minerals. Your body does not produce minerals.

Where do you get your minerals? You get them from vegetables and fruits and good supplements. Since only 10% of the people eat enough fruits and vegetable, the rest of you are deficient in minerals.If we eat enough vegetables and fruits, why do we have to take a mineral supplement?

Long time ago when the soil was rich in minerals, vegetable and fruits were jammed pack with minerals. Fruits and vegetables were not picked early, frozen, waxed, radiated, or stored in argon gas. Those who ate these vegetables and fruits obtained an adequate supply of minerals and seldom has a deficiency.

Today the opposite is true. You and I cannot get enough minerals from eating fruits and vegetables. Now we eat more cooked vegetables, more vegetables in packages, fruits and vegetables that are waxed, and vegetables from other countries not processed properly.Today, we need to supplement our eating habits with a live mineral liquid to make up for the lack of minerals in the good food and junk food we eat.

Here is a partial list of illnesses and their related mineral deficiencies and below each mineral is the food that is highest in that mineral.

· Calcium - receding gums, PMS, panic attacks, muscle cramps, lungs weak, low back pain, kidney stones, insomnia, bone weakness, bone spurs, calcium deposits.
o Foods - cheeses, cottage cheeses, dulse, greens, kelp, goat milk, sesame seeds, unrefined cereal grains, seeds and almonds.

· Sodium - restless nerves, poor eyesight, mental confusion, lack of saliva, frontal headache, white coated tongue, cracking joints, fatigue, offensive breath, stiff tendons, stiff joints
o Foods - goat milk, goat whey, black mission figs, apples, apricots, kale, kelp, prunes, raisins, strawberries, sunflower seeds, black olives, celery, dulse, asparagus, greens,

· Potassium - fearfulness, mental illness, low energy, pains and aches, body acidity, tendency toward violence, suspiciousness, loss of ambition, nervousness, negativity
o Foods - black olives, dulse, potato peeling broth, bitter greens, kelp, Irish moss, various seeds and nuts, apple cider vinegar, soy milk, spinach, goat milk, grapes, apples, bananas, cheese, cucumbers, fish, dale, lettuce

· Magnesium - A.D.D., anorexia, arterial calcification, low calcium absorption, convulsions, depression, gastrointestinal disturbances, growth failure, menstrual migraines, osteoporosis, tremors, hot temper, fainting
o Foods - seeds and nuts, yellow cornmeal, rice polishings, wheat germ, avocados, coconuts, spinach, goat milk, grapes, honey, whole wheat Phosphorus - constant weakness, neuralgia, numbness, lack of confidence, slow oxygenation, sensitive to noise or criticism, fatigue
o Foods - meat, egg yolk, dairy products, fish, almonds, rice bran, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, lentils, sunflower seeds, almonds, various types of beans, carrots, pecans, lentils, cabbage

· Manganese - A.D. D., asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, convulsions, loss of libido, miscarriage, retarded growth rate, still birth, TMJ, nightmares
o Foods - black walnuts, and other nuts and seeds, pineapple, parsley, leaf lettuce, celery, blueberries, black eyed peas, apricots

· Copper - A.D.D., anemia, arthritis, behavior-violent, cerebral palsy, high cholesterol, eyelids sagging, gray or white hair, hernia, liver cirrhosis, learning disabilities, low blood sugar, slow healer, high risk of strokes, varicose veins
o Foods - liver, sea foods, almonds, greens, leafy vegetables, whole grain cereals,

· Selenium - age spots, aging skin, Alzheimer's, cancer, cystic fibrosis, fatigue, heart palpitations , HIV, hypothyroidism, liver damage, muscular weakness, scoliosis
o Foods - wheat germ, bran, whole grains, onions, broccoli, eggs, seafood's, milk products, meat, asparagus, tomatoes, mushrooms, nuts

· Iodine - goiter, menstrual difficulties, thinking confused, heart and lung problems
o Foods - kelp, fish, dulse, sea plants, watermelon, okra, mustard greens, green peppers, eggplant, brussels sprouts, carrots chives, artichokes, agar

· Iron - fatigue, low auto-immunity, anemia, depression, low blood pressure, slow speech, poor memory, susceptibly to colds
o Foods - greens, unsulphured dried fruits, dulse, kelp, Irish moss, black cherries, black berries, liquid chlorophyll, strawberries, celery, spinach, rice polishings sunflower seeds, blackstrap molasses, eggs, goat milk, pinto beans

· Zinc - A.D.D., hair loss, congenital birth defects, body odor, brain defects, diarrhea, slow healer, heart defects, hernia, impotence, lung defects, prostate enlargement, loss of sense of smell, short stature, webbed toes
o Foods - goat milk, brewer's yeast, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, wheat bran, high protein foods, cow's milk

· Chromium - A.D.D., unexpected weight loss, low sperm count, pre diabetes, manic depression, learning disabilities, impaired growth, hyperactivity, coronary blood vessel disease, cataracts, low blood sugar
o Foods - brewer's yeast, whole grain cereals, clams, meat, cloves and spices, corn oil.

There are more minerals than the ones listed above. This is just a start, so that you can see why minerals are so important. A consistent lack of a specific mineral can lead to a serious illness.

About the author:
Rudy Silva is a natural nutritionist. He writes a newsletter called “Natural Remedies That work.” You can subscribe to his newsletter and read some of the back issues, which give you information of how to have better health. Read his latest newsletter at: http://www.natural-remedies-thatwork.com/archive.html

Discovering The Healing Properties ODiscovering The Healing Properties Of Ganoderma.f Ganoderma.

2008-03-01T03:22:00.001-08:00

How long have you been suffering due to a specific illness like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart problem? If you are not at the moment, how do you know that you will not suffer from any disease like cancer or paralysis in the future? Indeed, the changing times has brought do many advances to people’s living. But, as it elevates the people’s living condition, it also brings a lot of new illnesses and diseases that are becoming harder and harder to cure.

Undeniably, the best cure to any disease is prevention. Knowing the important things you should avoid before you suffer minor illnesses like muscle and joint pain, rheumatism, and insomnia—that could even lead to more serious health problems like paralysis, ulcer, and heart problems—is to start the journey on finding the best solution.

And how do you do it? It is by starting to discover or rediscover the things that might seem impossible at the beginning. Like what most people did when they discovered one of the healing properties of “the king of herbs,” the Ganoderma. The Ganoderma healing properties were discovered way back in ancient China shrouded with a dash of mystery and tons of secrecy. It was then described as the “celestial herb” because the Ganoderma healing properties does not incur any side effects regardless of amount and period of usage. This was then considered as the ultimate cure for almost all illness and diseases because the Ganoderma healing properties were really effective in the practices of the people in the Orient. Aside from being known for its anti-aging properties and longevity, the Ganoderma healing properties spread to the Western World. Because of the technology and the science used by medical practitioners in the West, the Ganoderma healing properties is now more established upon the discovery of its 280 or more active ingredients with healing medicinal properties.

Among the so many known Ganoderma healing properties are its contribution to the improvement of the person’s immune system. Aside from its positive response in numerous ailments, the Ganoderma healing properties are evident in the three major killers of the modern times – cancer, cerebrosis or an organic disease of the brain, and coronary diseases which are mostly related to problems in circulatory system of the blood. Thus, the Ganoderma healing properties are clearly evident in its contribution in the correction of the blood circulatory imbalance. And while it continues to strengthen the person’s immune system to prevent deterioration, the Ganoderma healing properties is also given credit for its capability to detoxify the body and rejuvenate cells, thus, balancing the functions of numerous organs that get rid of disorders.

Due to the strong evidences of the Ganoderma healing properties evident in numerous studies on its effectiveness in the treatment of many diseases, the demand for it continuously increases. More and more people now consider it as a highly recognized preventive medicine for its detoxifying and anti-oxidants qualities. The “natural wonder drug” helps a person’s body to metabolize well while preventing tissue degeneration that causes different diseases. But, the healing powers of this mushroom don’t stop at by merely acting as a detoxificant, it also acts as a protector and regulator of different organs such as the liver and the intestine. Aside from this, the Ganoderma healing properties is also accounted for being an ‘adjuster’ of blood pressure while enhancing the stability of the various systems of the body.

Indeed, there are many claims on the almost unbelievable healing powers of Ganoderma. But, people’s bodies operate on its own major systems and it cannot always absorb everything one takes in. People who are interested to use this ‘wonder herb’ should try to research about its properties and do a bit of fact-finding before they take on the decision to try it. One really has to discover for themselves if the Ganoderma healing properties will create a balance between the external and internal body conditions. If the properties will work on his systems properly, then one doesn’t have to can yield to diseases brought by the ever-changing times.

About the author:
Terry Dunn is the webmaster of http://www.Ganoderma-Online.com,an informational website related to all things about Ganoderma.

Diet Pills - A Risky Idea

2008-03-01T03:21:00.002-08:00

I wish I had a nickel for every weight loss aid and pill on the market. You and I could both retire. Many of these have been associated with serious medical risks, including heart attack, heart abnormalities, tachycardia, stroke, seizures and death. That's pretty scary!

Most diet pills are appetite suppressants of one kind or another, generally stimulants with effects similar to those of amphetamine. They're okayed for treatment of obesity, where it's considered that the health risks associated with obesity outweigh the risks of the medication.

But is you have less than 30 pounds to lose, the risks are far less cut-and-dried. Over the counter medications and their risks are not as well-documented as the effects of prescription diet pills. Herbal preparation effects are documented even less, especially those whose makers don't officially make weight loss claims.

Here's part of the problem. As long as they don't contain a 'new' ingredient, or one that has never been marketed for weight loss purposes, weight-loss aids are not subject to FDA review. Instead, the manufacturer is held responsible for the safety and effectiveness of their products. So a lot of times that means unregulated dosages, unhealthy additives and ineffective ingredients.

Hopefully, one day all over the counter medications and herbal preparations marketed as weight loss supplements will be labeled and tested by impartial researchers. Until then, there are some things that you can do to lessen diet pill risks.

Research thoroughly. There's a lot of information out there about drugs and herbs like ephedra, ephinedrine, phentermine and sibutramine. Know what you're taking and what the risks are so that you can watch for side effects.

Always talk to your doctor before you start taking any drug or herbal supplement. Yes, I know you've heard this a thousand times, but there are good reasons for the advice! Some products interact poorly with other medications, or have an adverse effect on chronic conditions.

Follow dosage instructions. Overdoses of stimulant medications, which are a component of most weight loss preparations, can be serious and severe.

Don't take any weight loss pill or supplement for more than a few weeks unless a doctor has prescribed it.

Ask your pharmacist when purchasing over the counter weight loss preparations to be sure that the ingredients don't interact with other medications you may be taking. Include both prescription and nonprescription medications in your questions.

There are much more healthy and effective ways to lose weight than taking pills. The potential of serious health problems remains. It's an awful lot of risk for a little weight loss.

About the author:
For more information visitHealth and Fitness Articles. at http://www.healthyarticles.com

Dieters : Questions you must ask yourself when you want to lose weight

2008-03-01T03:21:00.001-08:00

Now I know you're always asking yourself questions.

You know the ones like "Why can't I lose weight?" and "Why does everything that's bad for you taste good?". But those questions won't get you anywhere – except maybe helping you feel sorry for yourself and setting you up for a spot of comfort eating.

A more empowering set of questions, on the other hand, will get you off to a good start if you're about to begin a weight loss program (or keep you on track if you're in the middle of a diet).

Here are the questions to ask when you want to give your weight loss efforts a real kick start.

Why do you want to lose weight?

Make sure your reasons for losing weight are clear. Do you want to look good? Do you want to feel healthier? Has your doctor given you a health warning? Do you just want to be able to run around the park with your kids? Maybe all these reasons apply. The more reasons you have for losing weight and the more you are aware of them the easier it will be to remind yourself to keep to your weight loss program when the going gets tough. Even better, spend some time imagining how you will FEEL when you succeed. This will do more than anything to increase your motivation.

How much weight do you want to lose?

Set yourself a target. This gives you something to aim for and you will be able to see how much closer you are getting each week. You can never succeed if you don't know what the end point is. "I want to lose weight" is not a measurable goal – you have succeeded (of sorts) after you lose an ounce. Make your goal specific with a target to aim for.

What will you do to lose weight?

Nothing is going to change unless you do. So what changes are you going to make? Will you follow a particular plan or just cut down in general? How will you know if you're succeeding? What exercise will you take (if any)? How will you make sure that you follow your plan? What will you do about the things that might get in the way? Vague ideas about losing weight need to translate via a concrete plan into action. Ask yourself the questions and decide what you will do.

Who will support you?

Some people will actively encourage you and help your efforts while others will get in the way of your plans. Do you know who your supporters will be? And who you will need to avoid or find some way to deal with? Ask for the support you need from those you think are most likely to give it or join a club of people who are also trying to lose weight. These are available online or offline. If you can afford it think about getting a coach – all that focus on your success will work wonders. As for those who are less than enthusiastic about your plans, think about ways of handling them. Of course you'll need a different strategy for close friends and relatives than you need for the guy who brings cakes into the office and insists you eat one!

And the final question?

When will you start?

There's no time like TODAY. No eating the pantry empty before you begin. Dump the junk food and get started right now!

Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small

About the author:
Janice Elizabeth is a weight loss coach and author of "The Diet Exit Plan". Request her FREE 15 page report "How to lose weight without dieting - 7 secrets the diet industry doesn't want you to know" at http://www.SimplySlimming.comTODAY!

Diabetes 101 what you need to know about

2008-03-01T03:20:00.000-08:00

One of the leading causes of death in the US is diabetes. It affects the way the body uses food after digestion, for growth and energy, known as metabolic disorder. If proper treatment and medication is not administered, at times aggressively, it can lead to fatal complications and can also be seriously disabling. However, proper treatment and preventive measures allow people with diabetes to lead a relatively healthy and normal life, in most cases.
Knowing Diabetes

Most of the food we eat is broken down into glucose (a form of sugar in blood). Majority of the fuel in the body is supplied by glucose. Cells of our body use this glucose in the blood for growth and energy. However for glucose to get into cells, blood must have insulin contents. Pancreas (a large gland situated behind the stomach) produces this chemical known as insulin and which is the major factor in proper digestion and health. Under normal conditions, right after eating, the body produces the exact amount of insulin, to allow the body to process glucose properly. But in people with Diabetes, little or no amount of insulin is produced, or the cells don't respond properly to the insulin produced by the pancreas.

This situation leads to a built up of glucose in the blood stream. Glucose starts accumulating and overflowing into urine as it is produced. This leads to the loss of majority of the fuel resources of the body. Even with high glucose contents in the blood, it leads to no good as it cannot be used by the cells to produce energy.

Signs and symptoms of Diabetes vary, however doctor must be immediately contacted on coming across any of these symptoms. Diabetes is of varied types and all have different onset times, with varying symptoms thus it is important to keep a track of these symptoms and must be reported to the doctor. Like many other disease, better results can be sought with early detection of the disease. Generally it is classified into two types Type One and Type Two.

While type one is an auto immune disorder where the immune system turns against another part of the body. In this case the attack is on beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. This type of Diabetes is more common in children and young people though symptoms may occur at any age.

More common form of diabetes which accounts for almost 90% of the cases reported is the Type 2 diabetes; patients are generally older in age.Majorly in such cases the body fails to make an effective use of the insulin produced by the body. About 80% patients of the type two diabetes are overweight. Symptoms for both types are similar and include nausea, fatigue, weight loss, frequent urination, thirst, and blurred vision.

Patients diagnosed with diabetes can be ensured a better quality of life, with proper treatment and proper planning. The most basic part of the treatment for diabetes includes a healthy diet and exercise. Administration of oral drugs and insulin are other forms of treatment.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about. diabetes . Learn more at http://www.diabetessection.com.

Detoxing Engines Can Save Lives and Money at the Fuel Pump

2008-02-27T05:20:00.002-08:00

Does the word “pollution” evoke a passive response from you? I am embarrassed to say that before this article, “pollution” was an impotent word further weakened by its necessity – we depend on engines of all shapes and sizes to function in modern society.

After completion of research, “pollution” now elicits a bittersweet awareness, as it legions an invigorated ominous significance.

Every day of our lives, we obliviously inhale poisonous substances into our lungs – poisonous entities with devastating long term and/or immediate life-threatening affects.

The process of burning gasoline or diesel in our engines produces:

· Toxic gases known as carbon monoxide
· Poisonous nitrogen oxides, a main source of urban smog
· Lethal unburned hydrocarbons, a main source of urban ozone

How toxic is carbon monoxide?

Gasoline and diesel, mostly carbon by weight, equate to 5-6 pounds (2.5 kg) of carbon per gallon. The U.S. alone releases approximately 2 billion pounds of carbon into the environment each day, and as it burns, it turns into massive amounts of invisible carbon monoxide gas.

If carbon monoxide released were solid carbon, it would be infamously noticeable, likened to throwing a 5-pound bag of dry cement out the window for every gallon of fuel burned. In the US, that would be equivalent to 333 million bags of dry cement spewed daily onto our roads and into our environment.

When we breathe carbon monoxide, the carbon molecules attach to our hemoglobin, taking up all the oxygen binding locations that are used to release oxygen to our lungs and other tissues in our body. With excessive exposure, our blood loses its ability to transport oxygen, thus inevitable death by suffocation.

How lethal is smog and ozone?

Nitrogen oxides and unburned hydrocarbons are main sources for smog and ozone. Ozone an “unfriendly” pollutant at ground level, is caused by the reaction between engine exhaust and light.

Inflammation and abnormal accumulation of fluid in our lungs, instigated by both smog and ozone, aggravates the effects of asthma and other respiratory problems. As repeated ozone exposure further desecrates our lungs, it becomes more difficult to breathe, and our bodies increasingly labor to extract oxygen. Years later, we can still experience tiredness resulting from the damage done to our lungs.

In addition, the corrosive nature of ozone damages foliage, including agricultural crops and forest vegetation, sources of oxygen for our environment.

But, what can we do? Engines are part of our daily lives.

Time for an emergency call to our Angel of Mercy, the Fuel Doctor!

The Fuel Doctor says help is available. Ironically, we can do something to alleviate these toxic, poisonous, and lethal effects with very little effort – something that will result in longevity, not only for ourselves, but also the earth and future generations of inhabitants -- our children and grandchildren.

A small pill, the size of a penny, simply popped into the tank at each fill up, produces healthy detoxifying results. Independent tests showed that this little pill:

· Reduced toxic carbon monoxide emissions by 78%
· Reduced poisonous nitrogen oxides by 73% (main source of urban smog)
· Reduced lethal unburned hydrocarbons by 24% (main source of urban ozone)

The Fuel Doctor highly recommends immediate proactive usage.

Known as the UBiee Power Pill, it guarantees to reduce identified toxic emissions, along with an added benefit of increased fuel economy and reduced maintenance costs – a welcome relief for soaring record high fuel prices.

**Attn Ezine editors / Site owners **
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include the resource box as listed above.

About the author:
Dee Scrip is a well known and respected published expert author of numerous articles on PowerPill Fe3, Fuel Economy, Home Business, Business Opportunities, Fundraising, VoIP, VoIP Security, and other related VoIP issues.
http://www.free-pc-phone.com
http://www.thefueldoctor.com
Engine Detox

Dealing with Parental Stress

2008-02-27T05:20:00.001-08:00

One of the biggest problems with having children is the remarkable fact that they tend to be the source of parental stress. This is, obviously, the unique stress that comes from being a parent and having to worry about the fact that your kids are growing up, learning new things, living their lives their own way, and -- all too often -- figuring out things the hard way. In addition, you have to worry about your kids making the right decisions, staying out of trouble, and just generally turning into human beings just like you. Needless to say, this tends to create a lot of parental stress.

Being a parent isn't easy. After all, you are responsible for raising, instructing, and helping children as they work their way from an infant into adulthood. And even when they go off on their own, you still worry about them as they make their way through the world. Despite the fact that they move on into adulthood, you never stop being a parent and you want to make sure that they are doing okay. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done and it is not easy to let them go. Thus, you find yourself both trying to give them freedom and trying to hang on to them as they go out into the world.

The problem becomes one of both trying to keep a hold of your children and trying to let them be their own people. Thus, in order to allow you children to move on, you need to learn to let them go. That's right, in order to ease parental stress, you need to learn how to be less of a parent. In fact, you need to learn how to let them make their own mistakes. This is very difficult, since you will have to watch them as they go through the process of growing up, largely without your help. This can be very difficult, since you will want to protect them from the world. But the world will show up sometime and you will need to let them learn to deal with it. Needless to say, this will only make parental stress worse for a while, since you will be essentially standing on the sidelines as they make errors that you could have warned them against. Just remember that it will do them good in the long run and they will be better for it.

However, this does not mean that you shouldn't keep an eye on your children. Let's face it, you are still a parent and you need to watch over your children. Trying to cope with parental stress will not be improved by being completely ignorant of your children. Instead, let them be themselves as you try to keep an eye on them. They will find their own way, even if you do not always enjoy the path that they have to go down to get there. Just allow them to be imperfect and they will learn what they need to know in the process.

But when the stress of child-raising gets to be too much, don't be afraid to get help. There are plenty of support groups, books, and websites out there that want to help you through your parental stress. Don't be afraid to give them a try, if for no other reason than to stay informed. Nobody said it was going to be easy, so try to keep your stress under control. Then, by keeping it under control, you can survive a lot of difficult situations and a lot of difficult years and prevent yourself from going crazy with worry.

Just remember that your children will, eventually, become rebellious and they will probably try to act in a way that may shock you. It is well-known that parental stress can be fairly severe during the teenage years, since teenagers are always eager to go their own way. And if that doesn't increase parental stress, nothing will. You will often find yourself on the sideline, trying to figure out what is going on in their heads, but try to remember that you were their age once. Teenagers aren't perfect. Neither are adults. Keep both of those items in mind and you may be able to keep your parental stress to a minimum.

No, parental stress is not easy. No, it is not simple to solve. No, there is no point where you can just let your children go completely. However, by managing your own parental stress, allowing your children to grow up, and understanding that your children need to make their own mistakes sometimes, you can keep your emotions under control and allow your children to be themselves. So, rather than allowing parental stress to take over your life, let parental stress take a backseat to keeping an eye on your children, making sure that they are doing fine, and enjoying the years when they are growing from youth to adulthood and beyond.

About the author:
LowerYourStress.com: for everything to do with stress. Get a free ebook to help with your stress levels: http://www.loweryourstress.com/stress-book.html

Conquering obesity - NOW!

2008-02-27T05:19:00.001-08:00

Obesity is a disease that affects approximately 60 Million people in the United Stats and hundred of Millions allover the world.
Women are specially affected. Over one-third of women between the ages of 20 and 74 are obese,that the majority of them being African American or Mexican American.

With more and more pre packaged food and lessand less activity, the number of obese people in America has steadily increased since the 1960's.

Many people think obesity means that a person is overweight, but that's not exactly true. An Overweight person has a surplus amount of Weight, that includes muscle, bone, fat, and Water.

An obese person has a surplus of “body fat”.

Most health professionals concur that a man is Obese if he has over 25 percent body fat, and a women is obese if she has over 30 percent.

Women physiologically have more body fat than men, so that why there's a difference in the percentage. It is difficult to determine the exact percentage of body fat a person has, but estimatescan be made in a number of different ways.

First, using a tweezers-like-tool called a calliper, You can measure the thickness of skin folds On different points of your body and compare The results with standardized numbers.

You can also use a small device that send a
harmless electrical current through your body and measures your body fat percentage.

The most commonly used method to determine ifA person is obese is to look at his/her Body Mass Index (BMI).

A person with a BMI over 30 is considered to be Obese, and a BMI over 40 is considered to be severely obese.

It's important to remember thought that BMI could Be misleading in pregnant or lactating women and in muscular individuals.

With obesity, comes the increased risk of diseases Such as high blood pressure, Type II Diabetes, Heart disease, and breast, colon and prostate cancer.

In addition, obesity has been linked to mental health Conditions such as depression or feeling of shame And low self-esteem.

Health experts say's that even losing 10 to 15 percent Of your body weight can dramatically decrease the Risk of developing these serious conditions. In addition, Many obese people are discriminated against and targets of insults and other verbal abuse.

A number of factors, such as poor diet, lack of Physical activity, genetics, and certain medical disorders Cause obesity, but it can be conquered.

In our next information - we will show you -Obesity and It's relationship to Anorexia, Bulimia and other Special Eating Disorders- !

Even- you have special questions- use our e-mail Support
support@interhomebusiness.com

PS: This information is not presented by a medical Practitioner and is for educational and informational purpose only. Always seek the advice of your physican Or other qualified health provider with any questions
You may have regarding a medical condition.

About the author:
Conquering Obesity - If you’ve had enough & you’re looking for the latest, helpful information about how to conquer obesity, you’ve come to the right place.

Cigar Smoking

2008-02-27T05:18:00.002-08:00

While most of the uninitiated might consider the generic habit of smoking to be one thing, and one thing only, any cigar aficionado will be at great pains to tell you otherwise. While the smoking of cigarettes is something that most teenagers have tried, and increasingly is viewed socially as something a person does because they simply haven't managed to give up yet, cigar smoking is something akin to a hobby, and for many, a passion. While cigarette smoking is something you simple do, the smoking of cigars is done with panache, and like any other skilled pastime, there is a whole sub-culture that participates in it.

Because cigar smoking is undoubtedly a skilled art - as any common cigarette smoker can tell you after making the leap from what might be considered the waif of the smoking world, the paltry and ten-a-penny cigarette, to the voluptuous and charismatic cigar. Cigars have a depth that delves into all five senses, and a flavor that is completely unexpected by those familiar only with cigarettes. The novice cigar smoker will be nauseous and headachy for days! But apparently this is a barrier that is worth working through - you only have to mention cigars to an aficionado to hear them wax lyrical on the wonders of cigars.

Like fine wine, there is a wealth of different types of cigar available whose differences seem incomprehensibly subtle to the disinterested. It is a brave relative or friend who attempts an unguided shopping trip to purchase cigars for a loved one, as the variations available are overwhelming. And, because of the enthusiasm with which cigar lovers love their cigars, the wrong choice can cause a family rift that might linger for years.

Thankfully, the popularity of cigar smoking means that there are a variety of resources available to help, from magazines to websites, whether you are looking to purchase a gift, or simply pretend to be more knowledgeable when next in the company of a cigar smoker. Just remember - don't ask him if he would like a cigarette.

About the author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Cigar Information a website providing information on Cigar Smoking

Choosing contact lenses

2008-02-27T05:18:00.001-08:00

Many people are switching to the freedom and convenience of contact lenses. If you're thinking of switching from glasses to contact lenses, here are often several questions to ask:

Question: Why would I want to switch from glasses to contact lenses?

Contact lenses can be a lot more work than glasses because they require to be cleaned and disinfected periodically. However, contact lenses allow you to wear sunglasses, if you want. They are also ideal for people who want to play sports but whose glasses could potentially be damaged during play.

Question: What kind of contact lenses are there?

There are different kinds of contact lenses. You can choose soft contact lenses or hard contact lenses. Hard contact lenses need to be worn regularly in order to keep your eyes used to the shape and feel of the lens. But you can't wear hard lenses for too long at one time because some hard lenses are non-permeable and do not allow oxygen to get to your eyes. Check with your optometrist if you have hard lenses to see how long they recommend you wear them for.

Soft lenses vary greatly. Some are for daily use. Others can be worn for a few days before they need to be removed. Talk to your optometrist about the different options available since you may find that one kind is better for you than another.

Question: How much work are contact lenses?

Disposable lenses are available and an excellent alternative for someone who does not have the time or inclination to care for their contact lenses. These can be worn once and discarded, or some of them are designed to be worn for several days before being thrown out.

Question: I don't have a standard prescription, can I still wear contact lenses?

Even if you have an astigmatism in your eyes, recent developments in contact lenses will allow you to wear contact lenses. And, if you require a bifocal prescription, there are bifocal contact lenses available!

There are enough advancements in the contact lens industry to allow just about anybody who wants to switch over to contact lenses to make the leap.

About the author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Contact Lens Information a website providing information on Contact Lenses

Can the penis be bigger?

2008-02-27T05:17:00.001-08:00

By Michael Dunn

Yes -- and most men would jump at the chance to have a bigger penis. Do you think bigger is better? The truth is that most women like seeing a big penis, so first impressions can matter a lot.

Men that suffer from small penis size and poor sexual ability can now improve themselves with penis enlargement pills, natural exercises, and stretcher devices. I have tried to enlarge my penis, and finally found some methods that do work.

Let me tell you that penis enlargement is a gradual process that doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not for everyone.

First a little anatomy

Your penis is made up of 3 main areas, or chambers. The two on the top are made of spongy tissue that fills up with blood during erections. Together they are called the corpora cavernosa.

The other major chamber runs along the bottom of the penis, and is called the corpus spongisum. This part holds the urethra, which is how urine and ejaculate leave the body.

Exercises and stretchers

Natural penis enlargement raises a man’s confidence, and this has a huge effect on his sexual health.

80% of men doing natural penis enlargement use daily exercises to improve their size, and penis health. Enlargement exercises, along with the stretcher devices are a safer alternative to surgery, and work by stretching the penile tissues.

This is the same stretching process used after penis enlargement surgery. As the penis is stretched, whether with exercises, or for longer periods of time as with the device, it grows.

Penile tissue that can’t even be enlarged with surgery can expand in order to fill up with more blood. Doctors have done tests that prove that size gains depend on how much devices are used, or how often exercises are done.

Many men combine some form of the stretching with pills to improve the inflow of blood to the penis.

Herbal penis enlargement pills

Herbal pills improve blood circulation and have no side effects. They help to relax the smooth muscles that control erections inside the penis, to allow blood to flow in. Aphrodisiac herbs in pills aim to improve sexual desire and sensation.

Herbal pills are made of unique sexual herbs, like Ginseng, Catuaba, and Zinc. These ingredients come from trees in some of the purest rain forests on earth..

Long term use of herbal pills can add new layers of cells in the walls of the penis to add permanent size in girth, or thickness. Penis enlargement pills also have been shown to promote long term penis health.

There have been many new advances in the methods to enlarge penis size. While surgery, pumps, and prosthetic devices start to fade out as painful or otherwise dangerous methods, natural penis enlargement gets more popular.

As a result of a man’s desire to improve his sexual health, there are now thousands of companies promoting herbal penis enlargement pills and exercise programs, among other methods.

About the author:
http://www.corehealthreviews.com/- natural penis enlargement

B vitamins: Unleash the Beast

2008-02-27T05:16:00.004-08:00

This is another vitamin article that I have written, but the only difference is that this one goes into
more detail about specific vitamins. My previous articles do not do that. Those articles were
more of a short introduction into vitamins their role and their best food source. I'll start with
2 water Soluble Vitamins and 1 fat soluble vitamins.

Water Soluble Vitamins: These are water-soluble vitamins that are not stored in the body and must be replaced each day.
These vitamins are Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, Folic Aid, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin and vitamin C.

Lets start with the b vitamins: Vitamin B1 is needed to process carbs, fats, and proteins. Vitamin b1 is required by everybody to form the fuel the body runs on. Every nerve cell requires vitamin b1 to function properly.
Wheat germ, peas, beans, enriched flour, fish, peanuts, and meat are all excellent sources of vitamin b1.
People with advancing age, a poor diet and too much alcohol consumption may result in vitamin b1 deficiency.
The suggested RDA for vitamin b1 is unclear but The amount found in most multivitamin supplements is more than enough.
Vitamin b1 works hand in hand with vitamin b2 and vitamin b3.

Vitamin b2: Helps release energy from foods. Essential for healthy eyes, skin, nails and hair. Their sources are: Whole grains, brewer's yeast, torula yeast, wheat germ, almonds, sunflower seeds,cooked leafy vegetables. The suggested RDA for vitamin b2 is unclear but The amount found in most multivitamin supplements is more than enough.

Please note, be aware that vitamin b3 or Niacin, as its commonly known as, may cause a reaction in some people. Itching and or burning are two of the symptoms. The author of this article found that out the hard way.

Fat-soluble vitamins: Theses vitamins are A, D, E and K. These vitamins are dissolved in fat and stored, therefore
they are not needed every day in the diet. Over consumption of fat soluble vitamins may pose a risk of toxicity.

Vitamin A: Vitamin a is a fat soluble vitamin and as mentioned before, should not be consumed in excess.
For the maintenance of skin, mucous membranes, bones, teeth, and hair; eye sight. Their sources are: green vegetables,
melon, squash, tomatoes.

Well that's it for this article. Look for more of my vitamin articles coming soon.

The information presented in this article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or condition. This article is not a substitute for a health care professional. Please consult a medical professional before beginning any vitamin program.

About the author:
Mr. Andy Casasanta Has devoted a portion of his life to health and well being for himself and others. All the subjects of his articles has effected his life in one way or another. Which has inspired him to create a tremendous health and pharmacy website. In this site you will find up to 40 health articles and growing, and a 11000 reciprocal link exchange page. Save on all popular drugs such as Viagra, Lipitor, meridia, and hundreds more all for pennies on the dollar. Please visit: www.medheadquarters.net

Burn calories and enhance body sculpting results with challenging workouts on an incline treadmill

2008-02-27T05:16:00.003-08:00

Incline treadmill is suitable for wide range of therapies and workouts. Incline treadmill provides a more challenging way to increase the workload in terms of distance without going faster. Incline treadmill simulates an uphill climb, while the electronics can be programmed to create running or walking. Incline treadmill strengthens muscles and burns calories allowing the user to lose more weight.

The greater the incline angle on the treadmill the more muscle activity, greater body motion and more exertion. This is the principle of the incline treadmill which brings in fat loss, good body sculpting results and loss of calories results. People desire to achieve these as to maintain healthy bodies that look great.

The more the incline on the treadmill, the greater the calories will be burned on the treadmill simply because walking at an incline on the treadmill causes more muscle activity and greater range of motion. Incline treadmill engages the lower body muscle group, forces people to incline at each step, exert themselves and significantly burn more calories than walking on a flat surface of the treadmill. With the incline treadmill people can enhance their total body sculpting as never before.

Objectives of fat loss, burn calories and better heart health can be achieved using the incline angle of the treadmill. Incline treadmill workouts can be done while watching TV and there is no need to go outdoors for walking. People can get a healthy cardio workout with walking at a brisk pace on a treadmill and then increase the incline with no side effects. This will reduce lower back injury problems and knee problems incurred while running or walking on outdoor concrete.

Adjustable resistance cardio cables during exercise increases the calorie burning potential by providing total upper-body resistance workout as people walk or run on the incline treadmill. Treadmill at an inclined angle operates smoothly with no effects or problems and enables individual to walk or run on it and achieve workout results.

Treadmill stress starts with individuals walking on a treadmill at an easy walking pace and then increasing the incline angle after every few minutes. This makes the individual do more work and is similar to walking up a gradual inclined hill.

With increase in the treadmill incline, larger steps are compensated by leaning forward from the waist which puts the center of gravity forward more and increases the use of muscles to maintain the forward lean of the upper torso. This burns more calories and provides a good workout. Beginners on a treadmill are advised to initially walk on the flat surface of the treadmill and over time they can increase the speed and incline several times higher than what they began with on the treadmill.

Workouts over the incline treadmill all the time can generate negative effects on ankles and tendons. People should avoid and restrict themselves to 10% inclination on the treadmill. People should take care that they don’t overdo themselves while using the treadmill at incline angle and stress themselves. People should stop the workout on the incline treadmill if the speed and the incline start causing problems to shins, calves or even heart.

Incline treadmill is an effective and ideal solution to lose fat, burn calories and achieve body sculpting results. However, individuals should take care so as to avoid over stressing or over working on the inclined treadmill which may create problems for them.

About the author:
Saurya Ghosal for treadmill-walking.com

Copyright 2005 treadmill-walking.com

Building A Strength Training Routine For Your Child

2008-02-27T05:16:00.001-08:00

Sally is ready to join the basketball team this year. You encourage her, tell her to practice everyday, and even join in on the team's fundraising efforts. As adults we know the positive health benefits that come with exercise and strength training. These exact same benefits can be applied to children as well.

Building a safe and effective weight training routine for Sally is easier than one may think. The program should include the use of light free weights, an exercise for each muscle group, and a proper warm up and cool down. Let's not forget the ultimate goal of having fun!

Kids love to run and jump all over the place. Encourage that playfulness while working on strength training programs as well. Be sure to focus on proper form and technique and not on physique or bulking up.

Children you have not yet gone through puberty should not even consider adding lean muscle mass to their bodies. Save that goal for a later date. Just let your children have fun and experience strength training in a fun and positive environment.

Check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. Before you know it, Sally will have better grades, better games, better self-esteem and a healthier life. Remember you may be Sally's biggest role model.

About the author:
Lynn VanDyke is the proud owner of http://www.strength-training-woman.com. She is a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor and a sports nutritionist. Her site is quickly becoming the authority for all things strength training.

Diabetes has been around for centuries. There are presently sixteen millions diabetics in America, but eight million do not know that they have the d

2008-02-27T05:15:00.003-08:00

The quest to develop a stunningly fit, lean and attractive body is a long, slow journey. It's not something you achieve overnight by popping a few pills or strapping an electric gizmo to your belly.

Which reminds me, did you know that by the time the FTC finally blew the whistle on the electronic ab belt scam, the makers of those "ab zappers" had swindled over $100 million dollars from unsuspecting consumers? Fortunately, some of those companies had to pay it back, and then some! The FTC charged three companies - Fast Abs, Ab Tronic and Ab Energizer - with false advertising and deceptive warranty practices for these "ABSurd" gimmcks.

But I digress… back to what I was saying about the journey to a better body...

Last week I looked out my window, and where there was once nothing but a dirt-filled empty lot, there stood a sprawling six story brick condo complex. If someone looked at this massive completed structure for the first time, they might not be impressed. However, since I observed the entire construction process unfold from my living room window, I was impressed - amazed even - at what goes into erecting this kind of structure.

I remember watching the crew humming around diligently every day like busy bees, laying one brick after another. From one day to the next, it didn't seem like much changed. But slowly, over a period of a year and a half, I watched the building gradually morph into the finished product.

When you look at someone with an incredible body as a finished product, you often tend to dismiss the long, arduous journey and hard work it took to build that body. Unless you were side by side with that person in the gym (and in the kitchen), observing the work involved, it's easy to attribute such a chiseled physique to genetics or give credit to a supplement (they just took product XYZ and voila - overnight abs). What you don't see or appreciate are all the months and years of sweat and hard work.

Getting in shape is a lot like a construction project. First, there must be a picture in the mind. Then the vision goes onto paper as a blueprint. It takes months just to lay the foundation. More months of work will follow. On a daily basis, it doesn't seem like much is happening. You look in the mirror and appear, for the most part, the same as you did yesterday. But sure enough, the small improvements are slowly accumulating like compounding interest in the bank. One day, you look in the mirror and "suddenly," your blueprint has become reality.

The body of a fitness model, figure competitor or bodybuilder is no more likely to be built overnight than a high rise is to be built overnight. It's not physically possible. Accepting the idea that any type of pill, powder, drug, supplement or machine of any kind will make it happen sooner than nature intended (without negative consqeuences or side effects) is pure folly. You can't force it.

Growth and development of any kind always requires a gestation period. For a baby, it's nine months. For corn, I believe it's about three months. If you were an expectant mother, would you want to hurry the process? Could any new development in nutrition or medical science speed up this wonderful miracle even one iota? If you were a farmer, would you try to harvest your crop before it was ripe? Would you dig up your seeds to see if anything was growing down there?

The answers are obvious. If only we would adopt the same patient, nurturing "mother's" or "farmer's mindset" towards getting in shape, then no one would waste their money on "fast abs" or "exercise in a bottle" or any such silliness ever again. We would understand that one must sow first, then reap the harvest, but that you can't sow and reap in the same season.

If you ever get frustrated with the rate of progress in your fitness or weight loss program (and who doesn't), just remember; success is always guaranteed to the persistent. Nothing in the world can stop someone who knows what they want and is willing to continue paying the price until they get it. It just takes time.

Become the architect and builder of your own dream body. You WILL build the body you want eventually if you're patient enough and you refuse to quit. And set your goals HIGH! Create a fantastic blueprint. Michelangelo said, “the greatest danger is not that we set our goals too high and miss them, the greatest danger is that we set our goals too low and we reach them.” Envision a castle - a veritable Taj Mahal of a body! There's nothing wrong with building castles in the sky, as long as you patiently work at putting the foundations underneath them. There are very few unrealistic goals; only goals with unrealistic deadlines.

So keep laying those "bricks" - every day - one at a time - and sure enough, eventually, you'll build yourself a palace.

About the author:
Tom Venuto is a certified personal trainer, natural bodybuilder and author of the ##1 best selling diet e-book, "Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle. You can get info on Tom's e-book at http://www.burnthefat.com. To get Tom's free monthly e-zine, visit http://www.fitren.com

Brief Overview Of Diabetes And Diet

2008-02-27T05:15:00.001-08:00

Diabetes has been around for centuries. There are presently sixteen millions diabetics in America, but eight million do not know that they have the disease. Today, diabetes is in third place as the cause of mortality, behind cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Diabetes is caused by a disruption in insulin production in the body. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas when the level of blood sugar, glucose, increases – after a meal, most commonly. With the help of insulin, glucose moves from the blood into the cells. The cellular components turn the glucose into energy. When glucose does not enter cells, it stays in the blood and is filtered by kidneys which later eliminate it from the bloodstream.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when insulin in the body does not work as it should. Main symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive appetite, fatigue, blurred vision, frequent and slow-healing infections including bladder, vaginal and skin. In men, diabetes may be accompanied by such symptoms as erectile dysfunction.

In order to timely recognize diabetes, everyone should be familiar with the different types of diabetes as well as with main symptoms of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a life-threatening condition which is less common. Those suffering with this type of diabetes need complete insulin replacement because the body does not make sufficient amounts of this essential hormone.

The most common type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. 90f all diabetes cases in the US are diagnosed as Type 2.

There is also gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy due to specific hormonal changes in the body of the expectant mother.

Diabetes is often accompanied by obesity and high cholesterol and is a disease that often runs in families, so if one of your family members has it, you have a higher risk of developing diabetes too. Lack of activity, a diet rich in fats and processed products and obesity significantly increase your risk for diabetes.

Diabetes can be prevented and controlled by amending your diet. When we eat a product that is rich in sugar, the pancreas starts to produce more insulin to turn the sugar into energy. Saturated fat is transformed by the liver into sugar, which triggers the same response of pancreas – more insulin, more energy.

When the body doesn’t use this energy, it stores it as fat in the liver, on the stomach and hips. The more sugar and fat we eat, the more “storage space” our body requires.

However, when you switch to eating vegetables, cereals and other fiber-rich products cooked or seasoned with olive or grape seed oil, the pancreas does not need to produce any extra insulin. As a result, fat is not deposited in the body and the blood sugar levels remain stable. By avoiding sweet and fat-rich foods, blood sugar levels remains balanced which can delay the onset of diabetes and for those already diagnosed as diabetic can help them manage the condition.

About the author:
Kathryn writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Diabetes please visit http://www.understandingdiabetes.infoand for additional articles on Diabetes http://www.understandingdiabetes.info/understandingdiabetes-articles/

Body Building Equipment for the Rest of Us

2008-02-27T05:14:00.004-08:00

Large, bulging muscles like those found on the models of body building magazine covers are often what people associate with strength training. Of course, building muscles is part of this type of training program. There are other benefits that even women who don’t want to “bulk up” can appreciate. Stronger muscles can reduce your risk of injury to your back and other parts of your body. Since your metabolism increases when you strength train, you can also maintain a healthy weight. Body building that results in large muscles typically involves long, strenuous workouts. To experience the results just mentioned, you would just need to perform body building exercises for 30 minutes, 3 times a week. What makes the difference in results you experience with strength training exercises is the body building equipment you use.

If you are interested in a moderate workout, you can simply add ankle or wrist weights to your existing low-impact workout. Adding a few extra pounds forces your heart and muscles to work harder. Weight vests are also an option if you are interested in defining your upper body. The key to success with this body building equipment is to make sure you don’t put too much stress on your muscles, which can cause serious injury. Since these types of weights are easily adjustable, you can try out varying weight amounts to find the amount that will give you the best results without undue stress and strain.

A common body building regimen for professional bodybuilders is to focus on one set of muscles each workout. You can choose any order you wish. Since you can work your abdominal muscles on a daily basis, body building equipment that includes a platform for performing abdominal exercises is a good choice. Smith machines is equipment that features stations for performing different exercises. These machines generally feature a bench that you can use to perform bench presses as well as crunches or sit-ups. These machines can cost upwards of $500, but low-end Smith machines such as the Body Solid Powerline that costs less than $500 are perfect for a basic body building program.

For “spot” workouts, bodybuilding exercises that focus on one muscle group, there are numerous types of body building equipment available on the market. Within this market there are numerous kinds of body building equipment for light-to-moderate body building exercises. A good starter piece of equipment that you can purchase anywhere is a chin-up bar. This equipment costs as little as $10 and fits in any doorway of your home. Push ups are perfect for any type of exercise program. Although you can perform pushups without special equipment, purchasing a pair of pushup stands can provide extra support for your wrists. This equipment is also great for traveling. Dip stands may not fit in your suitcase, but you can easily slide them in a corner of a room when they are not in use. Dip stands are used to perform exercises that work the arms and abdominals. If you’re creative you can easily design other upper and lower-body exercises. The equipment listed here is only a percentage of what is available on the market. You can find more detailed information about body building equipment at body-building-equipment.com.

About the author:
http://www.body-building-equipment.comprovides reviews of the most recent developments in equipment and technique you can use to reshape your muscles.

Bluebeard: A Case Study of the Fairy tale and How it Impacts Certain Women's Dating Choices

2008-02-27T05:14:00.003-08:00

Now since the ancient days of the traveling mistral or fireside Shaman, every culture around the world had storytellers that instructed youths and adults on how to find happiness when it seemed to be lost. Knowing that people sometimes can not bring claim to their problems or just will be simply bored with allot of technical jargon. So they invented fabulous stories to captivate our imaginations using the symbols that resonate deep within our minds from a time before language was ever created. The same place in a baby turtle on Galapagos Island knows to run to the ocean as fast as possible and zag or zig when it sees a shadow from above without ever seeing a hawk or gull before. Allot of tales have to do with helping a child to follow its instinct's when a care giver or parent is insufficient in his roles as a teacher or becomes just down right abusive. Under harrowing circumstances, how can a child retain what it knows to be true in its heart under such constructs. Or reshape them in the future to save their lives? As Carl Jung and the women that proceeded him; Woodman, Pinkola Estes, Von Franz; the found these stories of regained truth in the fairy Tales and Myths of the world. For your listening pleasure, I have encapsulated one as an example.

Bluebeard

Three daughters were raised amongst their mother and father, plus two brothers. But before the youngest daughter reached puberty the father and the two brothers were sent off to war. Not to return for many years.

So it came to the time that the youngest daughter was itching for a mate. So her and her two sisters were riding in the commons on Sunday as the finest men and women paraded out and about on horseback in all their finery. When the youngest of them spied a man with a blue beard. The older sisters were taken a a back by his appearance. "Look at that Blue beard, how revolting!" said the oldest with the second oldest consented with a guffaw. But the youngest remarked he was quite striking. The sisters starred in disbelief at their sibling. The second oldest mentioned he was rumored to have been married several times. The oldest concurred and added his wives have never been heard from again. " But he is quite cute" said the youngest as she rode off to make his acquaintance.

Within the month the youngest was married and living in his castle. Now the castle with its moat is the symbol of the subconscious's. It represents the journey from your skull across the water barrier to your brain. This is where all the fun happens, if you like it or not. Because the drawbridge slams shut once you enter..

One day after a week of marriage, Bluebeard announced that he must go on a prolonged journey to pay for her luxurious room and board. A normal occurrence that happens even today, making the woman feel like she is married to a stranger. He handed her the keys to all the rooms of the castle including one small key. This was to the room she was to never enter upon. Unless desiring serious consequences to her well being. So he left and she of course checked out all the rooms. Especially the one with the little key!

When she opened that door she was taken back by a mass of congealed blood on the floor that had leaked and splattered out by all the corpses she now found lying upon the floor and nailed to the walls. Arms to the right and the heads stacked to the left. Here was all his past wives. This represents the skeletons in the closet we all have/ the problems, obstacles, and challenges we must face to get to a better life. But like she did, we find it easier just to close that door as quick as we found it. We always think we can clean out the cobwebs of the closet another day. But like Daffy Duck, every time we put things off, we get the closet emptying onto our head an avalanche.

Now the woman tries to hide the key in a cupboard. But it leaks blood onto the floor. She hides it in a pantry, but the blood gives up its location. No matter where she hid it, the blood soon gave it up. This represents the time when we see where change is needed in our lives, we can not escape or deny it. We must face it to bring change. If we do not... Bluebeard enters once again and asks for the keys. Now the cost of our mistakes get higher, and eventually may lead to death if w do not answer them. She gives him all but the one. He knows right off the bat she has been in the room. He now represents the man who is afraid of us seeing him for what he is, who wants to blind us to the truth about his abuse. For he fears change the most. He has to admit to the abuse he has received in the past and feel the guilt for the abuse he has given. If you change he must also. So he becomes quite irritate. On another level it is our own shadows who will not let us rest until we bring the change necessary to our lives. For this time it welcomes the danger into your home, for all harm that comes to you, granted under great duress, you invited in. It is the spanking that has been put off too long.

So Bluebeard chases her through the castle, our minds, with a sword ready to kill her. Her sisters appear to help her and keep a look out for her brothers coming back from war. Now since at the age of puberty, the youngest daughter had no healthy male figure in her life, she could not tell by his beard like her sisters that he was dangerous. The oldest had the father and brother to teach them what a loving man is. The youngest did not. So the return of the brothers is the healthy animus returning to save the youngest sister. So now in the distance the smoke from the dust cloud of her brothers on horseback can be seen. The sisters yell to them and they increase their pace to a full gallop. Bluebeard is ascending after his wife proclaiming " I do not want to hurt you, I just want to bash your brains in." She is almost to the top steps where her sisters sits, when the two brothers bust into the room and dispatch the blue meanie. It is never too late to have healthy men in your life to learn from. They will teach you as friends how to find a healthy mate. For the brothers come in time to slay the shadow Bluebeard and prepare the youth for a healthy marriage in the future. Now did you ever think a fairy tale could ever be that important?

Summary.... In our adolescence it is important to have a healthy sex role model to shape our construct of what a loving male or female is so we will be attracted to a healthy mate. Bluebeard is a fairy tale about what happens when this does not happen by absence or abuse by a sexual role model.

This is fairy tale interpretation. There is a story for everyone. There is no mistake that you have made that has not happened already without a story of how to solve the problem.

Come and see...

About the author:
Christopher Jon Luke Dowgin is Chief Counselor at Life Coach Services @ Docspond.
http://home.comcast.net/~docterspond
He has been counseling people for over twenty years in the Salem Ma and Ocean County region of New Jersey and is available for free articles,lectures, collegiate course, and seminars

Better Than Botox is there a Safer Substitute?

2008-02-27T05:14:00.001-08:00

Rejuvinol Product Purported to have Great Anti-wrinkle Promise.

Women since time immemorial have always looked for ways to enhance and prolong their beauty. This of course becomes more difficult as they age. As women are living longer more productive lives, it is understandable that they want any advantage to put their best face forward.

Exuding confidence and success for today's women seems to also include looking one's best . This interest in radiating ageless beauty has given birth to a burgeoning beauty industry focusing on ways to ease the effects of aging skin.

But at what cost is the yearning for the timeless beauty? I once heard my mother tell us "that achieving beauty was painful." But are today's women enduring a range of procedures like plastic surgery, chemical peels, and Botox far beyond the bounds of their predecessors?

Botox has become all the rage because of its ability to smooth out some wrinkles. Nevertheless, Botox has recently come under question because of concerns about its toxicity. Furthermore, many women don't want to undertake the injections necessary in Botox treatments.

Moreover, havoc and health problems are being widely reported in the media recently in association with Botox. A get deal of concern is focused on Botox treatments in the hands of unqualified, unscrupulous, and misleading professionals.

"New Topical Treatment with Anti-wrinkle Benefits Emerges without the Controversial Side Effects of Botox Treatments"

Is there a safer way to have a more youthful facial appearance without risky face lift surgery, chemical peels or Botox Injections? Some women are sharing their success and positive experiences with a topical treatment featuring high quality anti-aging ingredients known as Rejuvinol.

What is Rejuvinol?

Rejuvinol is an anti-wrinkle cream with premium products developed by a company known as Optimal Therapeutics. The ingredients of Rejuvinol are widely purported to have significant wrinkle smoothing and anti-aging effects. From reports that I have read Rejuvinol utilizes a morning and evening treatment to insure optimal results.

For instance many leading doctors open to natural herbal supplements suggest that products like green tea, ginseng derivatives and sun screens may be very beneficial with anti-aging properties. Upon checking the ingredients of Rejuvinol I noticed these products were present.

Perhaps even more significant is the widely noted active ingredient in Rejuvinol known as Argireline. Argireline is reported as having properties resistant to the process of skin wrinkling -- especially on the face.

Is Rejuvinol the Answer for Safe Anti-wrinkle Facial Smoothing?

For some like Andrea M. a 37 year old triathelete, living in South Florida, Rejuvinol is a welcome alternative to Botox. She claims "Even though I religiously slather myself with SPF 30 prior to heading outdoors, I still manage to get obvious sun damage, especially the lines around my mouth and eyes. Since I started using the Rejuvinol System three months ago I am astonished to say that the lines have been diminished by at least 60%. I am ecstatic with Rejuvinol."

With all the controversy, costs, safety issues, and anxiety associated with cosmetic surgery, skin peels, or Botox a product like Rejuvinol is an alternative women should consider. Imagine women being able to get the wrinkle smoothing benefits of Botox without all the associated risks. More information on Rejuvinol can be found at http://Amazon.com or http://www.BODeStore.com .

About the author:
Kamau Austin is the publisher of...
http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.com
and is a health and fitness enthusiast
and advocate.

This Article must be published with a disclaimer as such...
This article is for general information purposes only. Before under taking any exercise or treatment program always first check first with your doctor and health professionals.

Beauty, Is It Really Only Skin Deep?

2008-02-27T05:13:00.001-08:00

We are in the age of cosmetology, plastic surgery, implants and a constant barrage from TV and magazines that want to sell us beauty and weight loss products. It is an enormously profitable industry that keeps us spellbound for the next new thing that will take away our wrinkles or firm our skin or help us lose weight.

Unfortunately society all over the world from the deepest, most remote areas of the planet to modern society will judge you by how you look. It is true! We all do it, some more than others. When you are walking through a mall or standing in line somewhere you are assessing people around you. When we are looking for a job we dress to impress. When we go out for an evening we dress to impress. Women usually pay more attention to detail then men.

But there is more to beauty then cosmetics and clothes. If you are very healthy looking then you are more likely to give a good impression. If you are a good listener, helpful or witty and cheerful, people are more likely to want to be around you. Cosmetics and clothing can definitely help but I suggest starting from the inside out.

1) Get plenty of sleep. This is a must. You cannot function properly when you are tired and it will show on your face. If you have a problem with getting enough sleep then you need to investigate the cause and handle it accordingly.

2) Drink plenty of water. Most people are semi dehydrated and don’t get enough water daily.

3) Eat healthy food. Give up the junk and sugar foods. Your metabolism will be working better if you eat regular healthy meals.

4) You may want to consider taking supplements to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

5) Exercise. Our bodies need to move. We have become somewhat of a couch potato society. Have you noticed that when you are lazy you are less likely to want to get up and do anything? Exercising 30 minutes three times a week should help you lose weight and keep healthy.

6) Manicures and pedicures and keeping your body clean will keep you healthy and will be appreciated by other.

7) Keep up with the times on fashion. You don’t want the outdated look.

8) Dress for your age. At 12 you don’t need to look 20, or if your 50, you don’t need to look 18. Be well dressed for your age.

9) If you need help with hair and makeup, find an expert to help you with that.

10) And finally, smile. No one really cares to be near Mr. or Mrs. Grumpy.

Some people naturally do all or most of these things, but if you aren’t one of them then look at what would motivate you to do this. Do you have a spouse you want to look good for? Are you single and want to attract someone? Do you have children or grandchildren you want to be healthier and be a good role model for?

There is an awesome motivational poster called Balance that states; I am one with my body and one with my mind, and it inspired me to write about this subject. Get healthy, and be happy.

About the author:
Willie Jones is a freelance writer, researcher, floral designer, and artist. "Make sure you enroll in the free motivational poster drawing at http://www.artinspires.com/display_motivational.asp/.All winners receive a free framed print."

Banking Today

2008-02-27T05:12:00.000-08:00

With the ease of online banking today, many people choose to do their banking from home. One bonus is that you can continue banking with the same financial institution, though you can do so from your home computer. With 24-hour access to account information and anytime transactions, banking has become much more convenient.

There are many benefits to online banking. You can avoid fees sometimes charged for teller transactions or check writing. Also, online banking options often include better deals on checking accounts, often with lower service fees and no monthly charges. It is easy to pay bills electronically, with funds taken directly from your account-check-free. And banking software, such as Quicken, enables you to download banking information from your account into a budget spreadsheet.

Most banks in America now offer online banking options. Some banks offer online banking in conjunction with online trading, allowing you to use one institution for a variety of financial needs. There are some institutions that specialize only in online banking and do not have any physical branches. These require online or phone transactions and the use of other banks' ATMs.

This is one downfall of virtual banking. You may have to pay a fee for using a machine at another banking institution, and sometimes a fee from your own bank as well. Some banking institutions will waive ATM fees, as they know this can be a deterrent to potential customers. If you are an ATM user, make sure you research this before selecting a bank.

Another likely problem is making deposits. Direct-deposit options for paychecks are convenient; however, if you receive other checks you will need to deposit them yourself. With online banking, you may have to mail your deposit or make an electronic transfer from another bank account. This creates a longer lapse before you can access these funds.

Despite these issues, online banking appeals to many customers. Virtual banking allows you to take care of bills even while traveling. You can access your account whenever it is convenient to you, not just during banking hours. With this convenience, there is little excuse anymore for bounced checks.

About the author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Banking Resources a website providing information on banking

Atherosclerosis, Chelation and Chelating Agents

2008-02-27T05:11:00.002-08:00

In our everyday life, our body is exposed to various toxins almost all the time. We are facing toxin attacks in the food, in the water we drink even in the air we breath. Heavy metal toxins like Mercury, Lead and Cadmium gets deposited and builds up plaque in arteries and blood vessels and narrows the passage for blood flow (medically termed as Atherosclerosis). This in turn leads to all sorts of problems and even heart attacks and might ultimately require surgery to bypass the blocked arteries.

Chelation (pronounced key-LAY-shun) Therapy is the process in which chemicals bond with minerals and toxic metals and remove them from the body. The word Chelation has been derived from the Greek word “chele”, meaning to “claw”.

The doctors have used chelation therapy for a long time now and the most important chelating agents used by them is EDTA (Ethylene Diamine tetra acetic acid). This is a synthetic amino acid that is highly effective in binding with the harmful metals and releasing them out of the body through the urine.

Chelation Therapy is definitely the most effective alternative to surgery for Atherosclerotic vascular disease. This therapy when applied properly has considerable effect on patients and thousands of patients have been cured without any need for bypass surgery or angioplasty.

There are two types of Chelation, classified mainly based on the way they are applied; Intravenous Chelation, where the chelating agent is injected through the veins and Oral Chelation, where the patient takes the chelating agent through his mouth just as any other medicine. Intravenous chelation is comparatively costly and would necessarily require a doctor to assist the patient, however, oral chelation is one of the easiest processes and is comparatively cheap.

Any oral chelating agent would contain a synthetic amino acid called EDTA along with the other components like Royal Jelly, honeybee pollen, unprocessed honey, natural vitamin C and B12. EDTA is particularly effective in removing heavy metals like Mercury from our circulatory system.

An Oral Chelating agent becomes more effective due to the presence of components like Royal Jelly and honey. Our body perceives it as food and it gets absorbed in the system very fast where as the EDTA in the chelating agent binds with the toxic metals and removes them out of the body.

Oral Chelating agents like PCA-Rx (sold at http://www.awakennutrition.com ) are highly effective and helps you to prevent plaques and narrowing of blood vessels by bonding with the toxic metals and removing them out of the body.

This would help you to remove toxic metals from your blood flow while gaining and maintaining you heart’s health. When thousand s of patients today are adopting this chelation therapy to fight against atherosclerosis and maintain a healthy heart, why should you be left out?

About the author:
This article is written by Ray Smith, a marketing expert with years of experience in different industries and specialized knowledge on branding and Internet marketing.
http://www.awakennutrition.com

Arthritis Management Through Diet

2008-02-27T05:11:00.001-08:00

The term “arthritis” refers to the chronic inflammation of joints throughout the body. Arthritis is one of the most rapidly growing chronic conditions in North America. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is also known as wear and tear arthritis and degenerative joint disease. This form of arthritis classically affects the knee joint, the hips and other weight bearing joints. Other forms include rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis.

New treatments for arthritis are constantly researched. The most common arthritis medications are non-steroid or steroid anti-inflammatory drugs which, although effective, have serious side-effects. They can have unpleasant side effects: cause weight gain, acne, osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes, cataracts and infections. The side effects of steroids impact on almost every system of the body, and the more steroids you take, the more side effects you are likely to experience.

The newest findings link arthritis not only to poor diet and obesity, but also to the overall state of the immune system. Quite recently, researchers have found a protein in the immune system that malfunctioned in patients who have arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. Doctors believe they can block this protein to reduce the need for steroids.

As the general population ages, the number of people with arthritis is growing. Today arthritis medications are aimed at baby-boomers who have spent more years living with obesity than the previous generation. Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have found that there are more cases of obesity-related arthritis among baby boomers compared to the previous generation.

What we eat often plays a large role in setting the stage for the start of arthritis. There are a few changes anyone can make to their diet to successfully offset arthritis even without using arthritis medications.

The typical North American diet contains an overwhelming amount of cooked, processed and other acid forming foods. A healthy diet should be 70
lkaline and 30
cidic. Unfortunately, the average North American diet has reversed this ratio.

Instead of eating cooked foods that are acid forming, a diet of mostly raw, fresh vegetables, fruits and reducing the consumption of meats are an excellent way to help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

To ease your arthritis symptoms without succumbing to arthritis medications, avoid foods that form acid in your body. These foods include bread, coffee, corn, honey, oatmeal, peanuts, rice, soy, pasta and wheat. When treating arthritis, stay away from saturated fats, such as butter, cream, and margarine.

Antioxidants in brightly colored fruits and vegetables offer substantial protection against arthritis. By eating more yellow and orange fruits and vegetables you will consume antioxidants called carotenoids, which can lower your chances of developing inflammatory arthritis. Some dietitians suggest that night-shade vegetables are unsuitable for arthritis patients, which means you should think twice about eating peppers, (red, green and yellow), potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants.

Build your arthritis diet around such alkaline-forming products as most berries, bananas, dates, figs, prunes, raisins, almonds, asparagus, avocado, fresh beans, beets, carrots, grapes, plums, spinach, apricots, broccoli, all kind of cabbage, cantaloupe, celery, cherries, chestnuts, chicory, coconut milk, fresh sweet corn and cucumbers. Focusing on vegetables instead of proteins will ease many other symptoms and help you reduce weight too.

Proper hydration is a must. Drink half your weight in ounces – that would be 75 oz of water for a person weighing 150 pounds. If you must drink alcohol, coffee or soda, drink an extra 16 oz of water for every alcoholic drink and cup of coffee or soda you consume in addition to the water you would normally drink.

Arthritis is a condition that takes years to develop. In many cases, arthritis can be avoided or effectively managed through the use of alternative methods that include proper nutrition, hydration and specific nutritional supplements that can reduce the damage done to aging joints.

About the author:
Kathryn writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Arthritis please visit http://www.arthritis-resource.comand for additional articles on Arthritis http://www.arthritis-resource.com/arthritis-articles/

Are you getting all your vitamins?

2008-02-27T05:10:00.002-08:00

Far from the Flintstones shapes many of us chewed as kids, adult vitamins provide nutrients needed by a full-grown body. While vitamins are abundant in many foods, many adults do not follow diets that provide all of the vitamins and nutrients needed; a supplement can help augment our daily intake.

Like children, adults need certain vitamins to help our bodies function properly. Vitamins can also help prevent certain types of diseases. For example, vitamin D helps strengthen bones and reduce risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin A enhances vision, and vitamin C helps fight colds. Vitamin B can give us energy, which is certainly necessary in today's busy world. And vitamin E helps skin stay taut, which is definitely a bonus as we begin to age.

Some vitamins are fat-soluble, while others are water-soluble. The first type of vitamins is stored until the body can use the nutrients. These include vitamins A, D, E, and K. The latter type directly enters the blood stream, and what isn't used is excreted through the urine. These vitamins-vitamins B and C, in particular-need to constantly be replenished.

If you are not into popping pills, there are indeed ways to up your vitamin intake by adjusting your diet. These foods are high in vitamins:

Vitamin A
Eggs, milk, carrots, spinach, nectarines, canteloupe, apricots, sweet potatoes

B Vitamins
(There are several types of B vitamins)
Whole grains, seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, citrus fruits

Vitamin C
Citrus fruits, canteloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage

Vitamin D
Dairy products, fish, egg yolks

Vitamin E
Whole grains, green leafy vegetables, nuts, egg yolks, sardines

Vitamin K
Green leafy vegetables, dairy products, pork, green leafy vegetables

If you are able to get the vitamins you need directly from the foods you eat, you will benefit most greatly. If not, there are many multi-vitamins available over the counter that will help you reach your nutritional needs. Getting the vitamins and minerals we need is critical to maintaining good health as we get older. Those chewable vitamins you took as a child started the job; it is your responsibility to maintain it!

About the author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Vitamins Information a website providing information on Vitamins and supplements

Are Kettlebells Too Expensive?

2008-02-27T05:10:00.001-08:00

It's funny how people react to the price of a kettlebell. Their eyes usually get wide and their mouth opens a bit, as if to say "Are you kidding?"

Their reaction is usually due to the fact that they just don't realize what a simple kettlebell can do for one's physical fitness, strength building and fat loss. I mean hey, it's just a simple little sphere with a handle, right? Where are the gears, the cables, the springs and pulleys that are a hallmark of a real piece of fitness equipment?

Here's a secret: You don't need all that complicated (and really expensive!) stuff.

The same folks who balk at paying $90 for a kettlebell would have no problem whatsoever dropping $300 or more on some "total gym" that uses rubber bands to give them a "full body workout" and maybe $100 a month in expensive (and unnecessary) dietary supplements. Don't forget those exercise machines that are advertised on TV during those two-minute long commercials... They're so expensive that they don't even mention the price, just the monthly payment! (BTW, I researched some of those Bowflex and Nordictrack gadgets: they cost as much as $1,500 and UP)

With a kettlebell you can get both an aerobic and anaerobic (strength building) workout in just a few minutes a day that (if you're so inclined) can leave you feeling like you went 3 rounds with Mike Tyson. You can work your arms, shoulders, legs, abs, chest and back all with that little iron cannonball. Also, anyone who knows anything about weight training will tell you that working out with a free weight is far superior to using a motion that moves along a track.

Using Pavel Tsatsouline's techniques (Pavel is a former physical training instructor for the Soviet Special Forces) and a common sense diet you will see your strength increase rapidly and the fat come off quickly by using kettlebells.

Another benefit is the small size of kettlebells... no hunting for a spare room or extra closet space to store them, or having an eyesore like a treadmill or universal gym (soon to be used as a clothing rack) in the middle of your bedroom.

So if you think that kettlebells are too expensive, think again.

About the author:
To learn more about training with kettlebells visit http://kettlebell-training.comwhere you can find information whether you are just starting out or looking for advanced kettlebell lifting tips.

Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye ?

2008-02-27T05:09:00.003-08:00

If you are in the construction business or employed by an industry that uses products containing asbestos, you may wonder “Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye”? Generally asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it has broken down into small fibers and is inhaled. It is nearly impossible to detect the presence of asbestos without taking the material to a lab for testing. A lab technician will put the material under a microscope to search for asbestos fibers. Asbestos does not cause an immediate reaction. It will not cause you to cough, sneeze, or your eyes to water. You cannot see, smell, or taste asbestos. If you skin becomes contaminated with asbestos it will not burn or itch.

Asbestos related diseases have a very long latency period. This is the time frame from when you are first exposed to asbestos until you become ill. Most persons do not become ill for at least ten years after exposure and some not until over forty years later. Asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma are all asbestos related diseases. Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibers enter the lungs. The body will naturally produce an acid to combat the fibers. However, this acid can cause scarring in the tissue of the lungs and in advanced stages breathing becomes more difficult and painful. Asbestosis was first documented in shipyard workers. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. If a person smokes and is exposed to asbestos, they have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that has only been linked to asbestos exposure. It is a cancer of the cells that line the peritoneum (area surrounding the abdominal organs) and the pleura (area outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs).

There is a lot of debate and controversy surrounding which types of asbestos is harmful. Some types of asbestos are thought to be more dangerous than others but all types of asbestos exposure should be avoided. Actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, chrysotile (white asbestos), and tremolite are all types of asbestos. Chrysotile is the type of asbestos most commonly used in manufacturing products.

Asbestos fibers are not visible to the eye. If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, the most common method for testing is a chest x-ray. The x-ray will not show the asbestos fibers but it can spot early signs of lung disease. There is no known cure for asbestos related diseases.

About the author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Asbestos Resources a website providing information on asbestos

Are All Vitamins Created Equal?

2008-02-27T05:09:00.001-08:00

Everyone has read the reports and seen the news. Our soil is depleted and lacks the necessary nutrients and minerals that our bodies need. The environment is toxic and wreaks havoc on our health. Free radicals attack our immune system. The only solution seems to be supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to compensate for environmental deficiencies.

After hearing all of this, what do most people do? They take a trip to the local supercenter or pharmacy, grab bottles of a popular supplement, and then think their job is done. It is a safe bet, however, that many people are not considering if what they consume is nutritionally complete and balanced. Not all supplements are created equal.

Dr. Myron Wentz, Ph.D and founder of USANA Health Sciences has this to say in the company's "Health and Freedom" brochure: " I began testing health supplements in my analytical laboratory to measure their nutritional balance and their effectiveness in promoting and sustaining a healthy life. Many of the products I analyzed were not only nutritionally unbalanced, but had incorrect and misleading labels. My research proved many times that what consumers thought they were buying and what they were receiving were two different things."

What can people do to ensure they are purchasing supplements that are high quality and nutritionally balanced? Here are 5 tips to assist in this process:

1. Perform careful research! Don't just go along with the latest fads. A good book to purchase is "The Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements" by Lyle MacWilliam, BSc, MSc. MacWilliam is a former Canadian Member of Parliament and a current member of the Legislative Assembly for British Columbia. His book carefully analyzes over 500 products available in the US and Canada. The products that are listed at the top are best in the market today.

2. Look for a company who invests significant time and money in extensive scientific research, has worldwide scientific alliances, and who puts quality first.

3. Check to see if there is a guaranteed potency. Yes, there are companies who offer this and who follow stringent analytical and quality control procedures. In other words, what you see on a product's label is actually in the product.

4. Make sure the company's products follow pharmaceutical-grade good manufacturing practices (GMP). This is a step above FDA regulations. This means a variety of government agencies conduct periodic inspections and require control of procedures, as well as documentation.

5. Lastly, look to see if the company's products provide a money-back guarantee. Believe it or not, there is a company that is so confident about its products that if offers a revolutionary one million money-back guarantee to some professional and world class athletes.

Follow the above 5 tips for optimal health!

About the author:
Monique Hawkins is an Associate with USANA Health Sciences. One of her passions is encouraging and supporting others to obtain optimal health and wellness. Visit her USANA website at www.whyusana.com/mhawkinsand her new music box website at http://www.my-music-box.com

An Introduction to Heart Rate Monitors

2008-02-27T05:08:00.000-08:00

By Sophie Goldman

A heart rate monitor is a contraption which lets users of fitness machines take note of their own pulse rate while training. The heart rate monitor typically comprises two constituents - a receiver and a strap. The strap applies electrodes to watch over the heartbeat and if the appliance is connected to a fitness machine, its screen will show up your heart rate to you. Receivers on the wrist commonly are in the form of timepieces that pace your heartbeat by calculating the period before blood heads on through the wrist veins. Heart rate monitors are turning out to be increasingly viewed in good regard and most pro quality exercise machines are accompanied by a cardio rate monitor as part of the deal.

If you have heart or blood pressure afflictions, having a pulse monitor while doing a workout is something you must do. You will not only be able to ascertain how your pump can handle stress, you will also be capable of controlling your heartbeat by playing around with the the speed on the training equipment. Some treadmills or ellipticals actually come with a built-in heart-rate controller system, which without human intervention slows the machine if your pulse rate is excessively up. This is quite of value, as it deflects a lot of heart-related problems that went on formerly with people getting fit harder than their heart could address.

Even without heart ailments, it is still helpful a heart rate monitor now and again. This way, you should be capable to monitor how your body takes care of very strong physical effort. To make sure you are fit and there will be no problems later, you should ready a daily pulse-rate table for one or two weeks, while getting fit at the same strength. You will notice if there are very high downslopes or ascendings in your heart beat, but the best thing to do would be to show this report to your physician, who will immediately notice any approaching difficulties.

If you are going to have to purchase a prime heart rate monitor, one of the more adopted manufacturers around is Polar. Polar technology has been around for two decades now and the company has achieved the status of being the industry leader in the heart rate monitors field. They have different series for heart rate monitors, ranging from novices and intermediates to pro athletes. You can also order your heart rate monitor from different categories, depending on what your needs are: Cardiac Rehab, Jogging, Cycling, Swimming (this includes a waterproof monitor-watch), Fitness, Weight Management and so forth.

Heart rate monitors are a step forward in home exercising, as working with them could aid to prevent and avoid many cardiac afflictions. Always pay attention to your heart rate monitor and try not to push your heart over the limits. Consult a doctor about what the normal pulse rate should be for your body type, in an effort regime. Combine this data with an exercise machine that supports heart rate measuring systems and displays them on their console, or even better, one that adjusts its speed to your pulse rate.

About the author:
Sophie Goldman is a freelance writer for The Exercise Equipment Blog, in which she mostly writes about her favorite exercise machines - elliptical trainers and exercise bikes.

An insight into PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

2008-02-27T05:07:00.002-08:00

I was cruising the "net" just recently, when I came across "PCOS". I had never heard of this but I found it very interesting because for years I have suffered with blood sugar problems. So as soon as I come across an article that relates to blood sugar, I research it further. This is very interesting because so many women suffer with this condition. And, like many blood sugar conditions, it also can go undiagnosed.
What you’re about to read will give you a greater understanding of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and how to reverse its underlying condition, Insulin Resistance. This information is not about fad diets, magic pills or fantasy claims to transform the way you look and feel overnight. It is about accurate scientific information that can help you to effectively change the way your body responds to food and help reverse your PCOS.
INSULIN RESISTANCE IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF PCOS http://syndromex.stanford.edu/InsulinResistance.htm The above is a link to more detailed information from the stanford.edu website. Are you one of the millions of women with PCOS who have failed to reverse the symptoms of this condition no matter what you’ve tried? It may not be due to lack of willpower. Instead, you could be Insulin Resistant, the root cause of PCOS.
Scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Stanford University and other research centers have clearly identified the existence and effects of Insulin Resistance, a biochemical condition that causes excessive weight gain and PCOS, which is also known as polycystic ovaries. If you are among the 65% of the overweight population with Insulin Resistance, your ability to reverse your PCOS and lose weight may not have been within your control - until now.
This breakthrough in understanding the body’s biochemistry remains relatively unknown, even though Insulin Resistance has reached epidemic proportions. Your doctor may not have explained the crucial link between Insulin Resistance and PCOS. You need to understand this link in order to reverse your condition.
The Insulite PCOS System is the first scientifically-designed method that restores your body’s ability to conquer PCOS by reversing Insulin Resistance. You can also read more here: http://www.pcosupport.org/living/nutrition/insulinre.php PCOS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a hormonal imbalance linked to the way the body processes insulin after it has been produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar (glucose).

The underlying cause of PCOS, Insulin Resistance, has many factors that contribute to its presence in the body. In essence, our environment and lifestyles have evolved too rapidly for our bodies to keep pace. We are still genetically “wired” to thrive on the entrenched habits of our ancestors, who consumed different, nutrient-rich foods, a diet low in carbohydrates and who sustained greater levels of movement and exercise. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to Insulin Resistance, while others develop the condition through high stress and unhealthy lifestyles. Also check Dr. Barry Sears Books on Hormonal Balance. INSULIN RESISTANCE NEGATIVELY AFFECTS GLUCOSE AND INSULIN LEVELS SYMPTOMS OF PCOS Doctors very often misdiagnose PCOS. This became an issue of critical concern after a study in 2000 found that women suffering from PCOS have a higher risk of coronary heart disease.

Researchers found a link between PCOS and other metabolic conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Studies have also shown an increased link between PCOS and atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty deposits called plague cling to the interior walls of the arteries, leading to blockages that can cause heart attacks or stroke. Not only do PCOS sufferers have higher rates of plaque buildup but those over 45 have thicker deposits of plaque.

Another report indicated that up to 40% of women with PCOS have either impaired glucose tolerance or Type II Diabetes by the age of 40. Many conditions can be managed by ourselves. It is well worth it to check the information available on the internet.
Please take note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

About the author:
My name is Ruth Bird and I am the owner of 3 dogs, Dukie, Benny and Nikki. Benny and Nikki are Therapy Visiting dogs, and Dukie is blind. I have been married for 27 years to my husband, Chris. Chris has been battling the monster, MS, for a number of years. People and Pet Health Care are my passions. Come and see my dogs, or contact me here http://www.mimfreedom.com

Am I Gaining The Freshman Fifteen?

2008-02-27T05:07:00.001-08:00

If you have ever found yourself pondering this question, you are not alone. Millions of freshmen across the nation struggle with weight gain each year as they adjust to college life, and quite often this weight gain comes as an unpleasant surprise as they return home and step on the scale at Thanksgiving or Christmas. So in this time when college weight gain has become almost as inevitable as term end finals how do you, the college student, know if you are gaining the freshman fifteen?

1. Have the contents of your diet changed since entering college?
Calorie laden cafeteria food, greasy fast food, and cheesy pizzas often become staples in the diet of a college student. When you lived at home chances are that your parents served well-balanced, nutritious meals. Once arriving at college, however, your diet can skyrocket in extra fat and calories resulting in weight gain.

2. Have you been eating more since entering college?
Buffet style cafeterias and late night snacks increase the total calories that you eat each day. When you consider the fact that one pound equals 3,500 calories, and extra 500 calories each day will be an extra pound gained each week.

3. Has your activity level decreased since entering college?
Hectic class schedules, part time jobs, and social activities often dominate your days, leaving no time for the gym. You may have played on a sports team in High School or participated in some other organized activity that now has no place in your schedule. This decrease in activity will end up showing around your waistline.

Did you answer yes to one or more of the above questions? If so, then chances are that you are on your way to gaining the Freshman Fifteen. But wait! You don’t have to follow in the footsteps of the millions of college freshmen who gain this unwanted weight each year. By making yourself aware of the causes of this traditional weight gain you have already won half of the battle.

To ensure that you don’t gain extra weight, take control of your eating habits by eating nutritional, well-balanced meals and exercise regularly. For more information on avoiding college weight gain, visit www.AvoidTheFreshman15.com.

All Natural Weight Loss Supplement Hoodia Gordonii

2008-02-27T05:06:00.002-08:00

By Paul Callis

In my time I have been an international competitive swimmer, ranked number 1 in the UK, in the top 20 worldwide, represented England, and won medals at World level. Having been in the environment of top class athletes, and everyday healthy people, I have become very knowledgeable in the area of nutrition and fitness.
Still maintaining regular fitness and excellent nutritional levels, I regularly converse with many people of all types of fitness levels. The majority, at fitness centers, are obese and vastly over weight, constantly looking for ways to lose weight.

Spending years training in public, and seeing bodily changes on a day to day basis, I have become very familiar with Hoodia Gordonii, and have seen rapid improvements, that have in turn had life changing effects on people, and all for the better.

You may be wondering what Hoodia Gordonii is, and may have heard from the newspapers and television.

It is grown in the Kalahari Desert region of South Africa, Hoodia Gordonii is an all-natural appetite suppressant, derived from a cactus-like plant with prickly spikes. Scientists have been researching the Hoodia plant for almost a decade, and have found it to be completely free of harmful side effects.

The active ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii, the molecule known as P57, imitates the effects that glucose has on your brain, signaling that you are full. Your brain has what is called a Hypothalamus. This part of your brain controls your appetite. When you eat, the glucose levels in your body rise. As these levels go up, the hypothalamus sends off a signal to your cells to stop eating. This is when you start to feel full. Hoodia Gordonii's molecule, P57, tells your brain the same exact thing, even if you haven't eaten a bite. By mimicking the effects of glucose on your brain, the hypothalamus starts to send messages to your cells which in turn, make you feel full.

Paul Callis is extremely knowledgeable in the field of sports and nutrition in the UK . Paul’s passion for swimming in his earlier years, helped him achieve world medals and gain great knowledge and understanding in all aspects of looking after the human body, eating correctly to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and discovering what does and does not help with weight loss.

About the author:
You can visit Paul’s web site, and read his recommendations and advice at http://www.hoodiagordonii1.com

All About Green Tea And Polyphenols

2008-02-27T05:06:00.001-08:00

A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind, Albert von Szent-Gyorgyi (1893 - 1986)

Or as I like to say… When the student is ready, the teacher shall appear! By the way, have I said how much I passionately enjoy green tea, the personal benefits I have witnessed from green tea and what a fantastic unearthing this ‘ancient medicine’ is for modern western living?

After a good deal of research, I have found that there isn’t any other food or drink in general consumption reported to have the innumerable health benefits that green tea possesses...none!

The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches and lethargia to depression. And did you know that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for over 4,000 years… When will we westerners learn?

At present, in both Asia and America, scientific research is providing a more than solid substantiation for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For instance, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study demonstrating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. Conversely, University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

To abridge just a few of the medical conditions in which drinking green tea has proved to be helpful:

impaired immune system function

cardiovascular disease

cancer

rheumatoid arthritis

elevated cholesterol levels

numerous types of infections

muscle wasting diseases

Green tea’s ‘secret’ lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been exceedingly effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The preceding takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the foremost cause of heart attacks and stroke. Quite startling, don’t you think?

For The Record Books…

Correlates are being drawn between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were mystified by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in saturated fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas concluded that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is significantly low, even though in excess of seventy-five percent are smokers.

So why don't other Chinese teas have similar earth-shaking health benefits? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed.In particular, green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are processed from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being transformed into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various conditions and diseases.

Some Additional Benefits…

The latest evidence emerging is that green tea can even help dieters attain success more rapidly an efficiently. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Incidentally, green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacterium that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market showing positive effects.

The Potential Unsafe Effects?

As of today, the only adverse side effect reported from drinking green tea is mild insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. On the other hand, green tea contains much less caffeine than coffee and most soda: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee and can you imagine the huge contrast in caffeine content between green tea and these ‘new’ high-tech energy drinks that are currently being consumed by the masses with such ravenous voracity.

Green Tea Polyphenols, What Are They You Ask?

Specifically, tea polyphenols are compounds in tea leaves that are natural plant antioxidants. Antioxidants have been proven to prevent damage caused by free radicals to DNA and other molecules.

How Do They Work?

Green tea polyphenols have corroborated several cancer preventive properties. In addition to antioxidant activity, these compounds may as previously mentioned have shown to reduce abnormal cell growth and inflammation; help the body get rid of cancer-causing agents; and restore communication between different cells in the body.

On Cancer… The Facts

The relationship between green tea consumption and human cancer has been studied in several different populations and at various cancer sites. Some of the studies comparing green tea drinkers to non-green tea drinkers support the claim that green tea-drinking, in fact prevents certain types of cancer. Certain dietary, environmental, and population differences may account for these discrepancies. In animal studies, different tea extracts, tea polyphenol mixtures, purified tea components, and tea infusions as the sole drinking fluid have more consistently been shown to prevent cancer, including cancers of the colon, esophagus, liver, stomach, lung, breast, pancreas, and skin. The purified component, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), prevented colon cancer, but did not prevent cancer of the esophagus in animal models. A polyphenol mixture with EGCG, called Polyphenon E, has also shown cancer preventive properties in animals. Animal studies were inconclusive as to whether EGCG or Polyphenol E caused DNA mutations that might trigger cancer growth. Both EGCG and Polyphenon E are being tested for safety and efficacy in humans.

Slower Prostate Cancer Cell Growth Found From Consumption Of Green And Black Tea

A study at The Experimental Biology 2004, in Washington, D.C., reported as part of the scientific program of the American Society of Nutritional Sciences, anti-tumor effects of green and black tea polyphenols in human tissue. And researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles found and were able to detect tea polyphenols in prostate tissue after a very limited consumption of the tea. More notably, the scientists found that prostate cancer cells grew more slowly when placed in a medium containing blood serum of men who had consumed either green or black tea for five days compared to serum collected before the men began their tea-drinking regimen. Serum from men who drank comparable amounts of diet or regular soda showed no such slowing in cancer cell proliferation.

Consequently, Dr. Susanne Henning, UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, pronounced that the UCLA research team - a combination of nutrition scientists and urologists - focused on the feasible outcome of tea polyphenols on factors named polyamines and the enzymes responsible for the production of polyamines. Elevated levels of polyamines have been connected with malignancy in humans, including prostate cancer, and - since polyamines are current in prostate tissue in high concentration - are considered a logical target for chemoprevention of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most widespread cancers among males in the United States, and more than a fourth of all those patients with prostate cancer are known to use alternative therapies, including green tea. This study suggests that both black and green tea are promising natural dietary supplements useful for chemoprevention of prostate cancer, according to Dr. Henning. She plans to investigate if this effect can be enhanced by consuming larger amounts of tea polyphenols in the form of green tea extract supplement capsules.

So If It’s That Good, How Much Should I Drink?

Strangely enough, there are as many answers to this question as there are researchers investigating the beneficial properties of green tea and polyphenols. Herbs for Health magazine mentions a Japanese report citing that men who drank ten cups of green tea per day stayed cancer-free for three years longer than men who drank less than three cups a day (there are approximately 240 - 320 mg of polyphenols in three cups of green tea).

Meanwhile, a study by Cleveland's Western Reserve University concluded that drinking four or more cups of green tea per day could help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, or reduce symptoms in individuals already suffering from the disease. And Japanese scientists at the Saitama Cancer Research Institute have discovered that there were fewer recurrences of breast cancer, and the disease spread less quickly, in women with a history of drinking five cups or more of green tea daily.

A University of California study on the cancer-preventative qualities of green tea concluded that you could probably attain the desired level of polyphenols by drinking merely two cups per day. So which is it? I personally don’t buy the hype that those that manufacture and sell green tea products are propagating…moderation is, like with all things probably your best bet! But given all the evidence, it is almost certainly safe to plan on drinking four to five cups of green tea daily. If you're a real aficionado, by all means imbibe more; but whether or not you'll derive added health benefits remains to be determined.

Okay, enough science… Let’s all just relax and have a cup of green tea or if you like your beverages cold like I do, a glass of ‘iced’ green tea.

About the author:
Kurt Lee Hurley, operator of www.kreatefitness.com,whose clients refer to him as the "Secret Weapon" has built over 3,000 weight loss success testimonials and his Provo, Utah Wellness Facility, Synergy Fitness Systems has become known as a "Results Factory" a "Living Laboratory" of Achievement, Enhanced Human Performance and a place to congregate for Empowerment and of course, the Success of attaining Weight Loss RESULTS!

All About Disposable Contact Lenses

2008-02-27T05:05:00.001-08:00

Did you know that traditional contact lenses were never intended to be worn forever? Even when the first contacts were developed, optometrists knew that the more often the contacts were changed, the better the health of the eye would be. Yet, contact lenses were fairly expensive at the time and it didn’t make good financial sense to dispose of them on a regular basis. However, all of that has changed. With advances in technology and lower material costs, now you can buy affordable disposable contacts.

Disposable contacts are contacts that can be thrown away every two weeks or so if not sooner. Most people also use “disposable” to describe lenses that are discarded monthly or every four months. However, these types of contacts should be more appropriately referred to as frequent replacement lenses.

Disposable contact lenses are extremely popular for several reasons. They require minimum if any care at all. In the case of one-day disposable contacts (daily disposables), there is no cleaning involved. You simply toss out your lenses each night and wear a new pair the next day.

Disposable contacts are also healthier than traditional lenses. Because they are discarded frequently, they prevent the buildup of eye-damaging substances such as protein which can cloud your vision. Also, by throwing away your lenses at you night, you eliminate the risks that are associated with contacts that can be slept in.

There has never been a contact lens that balanced visual health, convenience, and comfort as gracefully as disposable contact lenses. They don’t require care in most cases and their health benefits are very accommodating. Talk with your eye practitioner today about fitting you for a new pair of disposable contact lenses.

About the author:
Mike Schwartz is the owner of the popular contact lens review site http://www.bestcontactlensesonline.comwhere he provides useful tips, resources, and reviews to help you make the best decision when purchasing contact lenses on the Internet.

A Home Water Filter - Do We Need To Filter Our Drinking Water?

2008-02-27T05:04:00.002-08:00

Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we just assume the water that flows from our kitchen and bathroom tap is sufficiently treated for contaminants by our municipal water facility? In order to answer these questions, we need to obtain a little more background information.

Next to air, water is the most important element for our survival.

Water is an integral part of our life and we use it for many household tasks throughout the day, such as: drinking and brushing our teeth, steaming fish and vegetables, washing salad greens, face and hand washing, showering and bathing, feeding the pets and watering our plants.

Most of us take it for granted that our tap water is safe to drink and use for common household tasks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), however, estimates that 45,000,000 people drink tap water that is polluted with chemicals, lead, germs, parasites and other impurities.

A large majority of the major U.S. cities still employ the same basic water treatment technologies that have been used since before World War I. In cities such as Atlanta, Boston and Washington, D.C. consumers are relying on pipes that are, on average, over a century old. Many people don’t realize that our municipal water treatment plants are not designed to remove synthetic chemicals and as a result we find traces of health threatening contaminants in most of our public water supplies.

Situations arise when our tap water is polluted with more than the usual amount of contaminants. Municipal treatment plants have breakdowns that take time to repair. Lead leaches into our drinking water from old pipes and private wells. Smaller water-supply sources can become contaminated from agricultural and other environmental pollutants.

It is difficult to be sure of the exact amount of toxins in our water supply. The EPA has estimated that, in our modern society, we use in excess of 75,000 toxic chemicals and more than 1000 new chemicals are developed each year. The Ralph Nader Research Group‚ after reviewing thousands of pages of EPA documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act‚ concluded that to date more than 2100 toxic chemicals have already been detected in U.S. water supplies.

Our planet earth reuses the same water over and over again, which means there is no "new water". Every single chemical used in our society, eventually winds up in our water supplies. As the use of synthetic organic chemicals increases, so does the toxicity of our water. The earth's natural filtration process is not effective at removing these toxic synthetic organic chemicals.

The human body is made up of over 70% water. The proper function of each organ system, as well as every healing process that happens inside our body, takes place with water. Optimal functioning is only possible when water, our body's transport medium is clean. Wastes form during the body's metabolism and if these wastes are allowed to accumulate through insufficient water intake, fatigue and even illness results.

If we drink water that contains chlorine or other organic and inorganic chemicals, we force our liver and kidneys to act as a filter for these contaminants. The liver purifies and detoxifies the blood of waste products and toxins. In addition to regulating the body's water balance and maintaining optimal pH, the kidney also removes metabolic waste products from the bloodstream.

By providing the liver and kidneys with water, a universal solvent and transport medium, they are assisted in their role as a natural body filter. Bombarding these organs with water that contains traces of additional toxins only hinders the body detoxification process and delays waste removal.

Water may not cure every ailment, but it is a primary ingredient that allows our body to dilute and eliminate toxins that have accumulated over time.

What Can We Do To Provide Healthy Water For Our Family?

The simplest, most effective and also the most economical way to treat municipal tap water is a home water filter. Multi-media water filters that combine activated carbon with iron exchange media such as KDF are an excellent choice.

Carbon and KDF work together to remove or reduce traces of contaminants such as chlorine, lead, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts, synthetic chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), MTBE, pesticides (lindane, atrazine), chemicals linked to cancer (benzene, TTHMs, toxaphene) and hundreds of other chemical contaminants that may be present causing bad taste and odors in your drinking water.

The result is healthy, great-tasting water that still contains natural trace minerals that are beneficial to optimal wellbeing and health.

© Copyright 2005 Andie Klein

About the author:
Andie Klein is a Registered Nurse and webmaster of http://www.home-water-filter-guide.com, where you can get the answers you need about drinking water contamination, comparing water filters, the health benefits of drinking water and more.

A Healthy Diet Check Up...From The Neck Up

2008-02-27T05:04:00.001-08:00

If you have tried every so-called healthy diet plan on the planet and every exercise program from the latest fitness guru and repeatedly failed to achieve your weight loss goals, you probably need a “healthy diet check up...from the neck up.”

There's no such thing as a healthy, fast, weight loss diet plan. Successful weight loss doesn’t just happen. It took more than a few days to reach the point where you are at right now. Give yourself a break and expect it to take awhile before you see measurable results. Take a leap of faith and follow some basic principles in your diet plan.

Begin with your “self talk.” This is the conversation that runs through your brain continuously. What kind of conversation do you have with your self talk? What type of negative self talk has kept you from reaching your weight loss goals in the past?

If you had a chance to do it over again, would you change the dialogue? That’s a no-brainer isn’t it? Well, the good news is that you can turn the tide of negative self talk beginning right now. It’s never too late to begin and you start by reprogramming your self talk and beginning a whole new weight loss diet plan.

A good starting point is to begin with positive affirmations. Positive affirmations, spoken aloud with authority and belief, positively affect your attitude, focuses your thinking and lead to a course of action that will help you become the person you want to be and have the things that you want to have.

Begin by writing your weight loss affirmations on paper. You can begin with something like, “I want to lose 25 pounds before Christmas.” That’s a worthy goal and attainable, but we need to put some work into structuring the affirmation.

First of all, “I want” gives the impression that what you desire is always in the future. In order to re-program your self talk, you need to trick your mind into believing that you have already achieved weight loss success. This is how your subconscious mind functions.

Your subconscious mind has no capacity for understanding the concept of time. Everything is in the moment. . .here and now. When you tell your subconscious mind that you “want”, that is exactly what you will get. . .want. . .without ever achieving fulfillment. Unless you change your mental tape recorder, you will achieve exactly what you are telling your subconscious, that you “want to lose 25 pounds.” You will “want to lose 25 pounds” for the rest of your days unless you change your self talk.

If your weight is 150 pounds and you desire is to weight 125 pounds, then you need to “be” 125 pounds from the moment you make the decision to change your self talk. What if you write your affirmation to read something like this: “I am healthy and fit, weighing 125 pounds.”

It is extremely important that your affirmation is crystal clear because what you affirm is exactly what your subconscious mind will bring you.

You needn’t limit yourself to one affirmation either. Write another one that reflects your new exercise program. “I enjoy my healthy new diet plan,” or, “I love the healthy foods I eat.”

Write and rewrite until you are absolutely certain that you have written your weight loss goals “in the here and now” AND represent precisely what you desire. Only then do you begin to speak it aloud and do so several times a day.

Remember to use the present tense. “I acknowledge achievement in all my weight loss goals.” “I have the skill and talent to exercise every day.” “I am a winner.” “I am grateful for all of my accomplishments no matter how small.”

At first you will feel awkward and uncomfortable and you may not feel or believe what you are saying. It doesn’t matter, continue to speak them aloud with as much conviction as you can muster. It’s taken a long time to train your subconscious to use negative self talk. If you will persevere with speaking your affirmations aloud, firmly and confidently, you will be amazed at how quickly you can turn your thoughts around.

You didn’t hop on a bicycle the first time and just take off down the street. It took practice to train your body to balance on those two wheels. This will take some practice as well. Continue to repeat your affirmations aloud, several times a day for the next 30 days and you will be amazed at how much you change your thinking and attitude.

Above all, take action. Do nothing and nothing gets done. Do something and many things are placed in motion.

Regardless of what you are doing in life, you need to take action. Do something every day to put your plan into motion.

About the author:
Jill Miller is the Founder of the Fit4Life Club.
Discover the perfect diet for picky eaters. Get your free copy of the ExpeDiet ebook now.
http://www.fit4lifeclub.com

A Few Secrets About Teeth Whitening

2008-02-27T05:03:00.002-08:00

Within the last 10 years the field of teeth whitening, both in the dental office and at home, has changed immensely. Essentially, there are two different methods to get whiter teeth: dental (in-office) whitening, and an at home treatment. Discover a few secrets about teeth whitening that your dentist hopes I'll never tell you!

METHOD #1: DENTAL (IN-OFFICE) TEETH WHITENING

I can tell you from first-hand experience, dentists LOVE the patient who wants to have a teeth whitening procedure in the dental office. Back in the early '90's there was only one option available.

Your dentist would make molds of your teeth, send them off to a lab, and in 5-10 days receive back your custom fitted teeth whitening mouthpiece. Then you would sit in the dental chair for 1-2 hours, with these plastic teeth whitening molds filled with peroxide (at a very low concentration) pressed against your teeth and gums.

After 3-4 visits, your teeth would be officially declared whiter (and usually they were), and you would be sent home with a nice $500 - $1,000 bill to pay. And with whiter teeth of course.

I'll be the first to admit, dental office teeth whitening has come a long way in the past 10 years. Now the most popular teeth whitening dental office procedure known as Laser Bleaching (or Power Bleaching, Argon Bleaching, etc.) is a shorter process. Basically this teeth whitening procedure consists of the application of a concentrated peroxide gel onto your teeth, then for the next hour you sit in a dental chair with your mouth wide open, while a special light (usually argon) is shined onto the teeth whitening paste that in turn chemically reacts with the peroxide to complete the teeth whitening process in as short a time period as possible.

This teeth whitening procedure does work. Although, many dentists say that you get a whiter smile by repeated tray applications because the teeth whitening peroxide stays in contact with your teeth for longer periods of time. The downside is that you still get stuck with that fat $500 - $1,000 bill (at least for the good teeth whitening procedure).And you still need to either come back 6 months later for another teeth whitening (excuse me - a touch up!), or you're given some take home whitening items. Why then did you spend $500 - $1,000 dollars for an in-office teeth whitening procedure?

Fortunately, as most other things in life, technology stepped in to make teeth whitening easier and more affordable!

METHOD #2: HOME TEETH WHITENING

I'll say this once just to get it out in the open, it's now possible (in almost all cases) to achieve "dental office" quality teeth whitening, from the comfort of your own home! "At-Home" teeth whitening has taken a bite out of (sorry for the pun) the "in-office" power bleaching systems, where millions of corporate advertising dollars now compete with the comfort of teeth whitening at home.

And rightly so...

Up until a few years ago, teeth whitening was a fairly complex process. The hard part was making those fitted mouthpieces for each patient, for this reason alone, home teeth whitening was not an option for most people.

ESSENTIALLY, THERE ARE 3 DIFFERENT HOME TEETH WHITENING OPTIONS AVAILABLE

TEETH WHITENTING OPTION #1 - BRUSH-ON WHITENING

Brush-on teeth whitening in principal is a great concept, just brush on the formula, allow it to dry on your teeth, and let is stay on your teeth overnight. Sounds simple, right?

In reality, brush-on teeth whitening is designed for the segment of the public that is in love with shortcuts (in other words, for those people who don't want to spend the time to do it right the first time). Brush-on teeth whitening has TWO MAIN FLAWS:

1. When you brush on the teeth whitening formula, it relies on the premise that it will dry on your teeth. This is great in principle, but if you get the teeth whitening formula wet (i.e. from saliva or from licking your teeth) then it becomes REALLY easy to rub off parts of the formula. And guess what happens if you rub off only part of the teeth whitening formula? You got it - you don't get an even whitening result! It turns out patchy and blotchy.

2. The second flaw with most brush-on teeth whitening as I see it, is the ingredients. If you look at the ingredient list of the leading brush-on whitener, you'll see the first ingredient is alcohol. If you've read my ebook "The Bad Breath Bible" (http://www.TheraBreath.com/web/art/l/badbreath.asp) then you already know that alcohol is terrible for your breath! Actually, I'm sure the reason why they've added alcohol to their teeth whitening formula is because it's needed as a desiccant (something that dries out the formula so that it supposedly stays on your teeth at night). However, that still doesn't diminish the effect it can have on your gums and your breath. Also, most of these brush-on teeth whitening formulas contain glycerin which literally sucks the moisture out from the enamel of your teeth and it's the primary cause of most tooth sensitivity from teeth whitening.

TEETH WHITENING OPTION #2 - STRIPS YOU STICK ON YOUR TEETH

The second most common type of home teeth whitening is using whitening strips. The main lure of this home teeth whitening option is the strips' simplicity of use, they're easy to apply and no preparation is necessary. Again, everybody loves shortcuts, right? Unfortunately, once again that's exactly the type of teeth whitening you end up getting! Let me explain...

Strips that stick on your teeth usually consist of an upper strip and a lower strip each pressed against the outer surface of your teeth. Now think about this for a second...Are your teeth completely flat? Of course not - they have recesses and grooves, particularly between each tooth. Well imagine you're painting a fence, and you just slapped paint on the outside, without taking the time to paint in the grooves between each wooden board. That fence would look pretty funny wouldn't it? Nicely painted on the outside, but in the grooves between each wooden board, still dark and dingy, with all of the old paint showing.

When you use teeth whitening strips, the same thing can easily happen to your teeth if you're not careful. The whiter your teeth become, the more pronounced those dingy cracks seem! Eventually it can end up looking like you have small gaps between your teeth. Definitely not the desired result!

TEETH WHITENING OPTION #3 - TRAYS WITH BLEACHING GELS

Trays with bleaching gels still provide the best combination of the most affordable and most efficient teeth whitening available. Since I'm a dentist, I can let you in on a few little secrets (some secrets which most dentists would shoot me for telling you since it costs them thousands in lost income)!

First, most of the teeth whitening gels available at your dentist are exactly the same. There is very little difference from one dentist to another, that's because the gels are formulated by a small number of manufacturers.

Second, most of the teeth whitening gels available at retail stores are of very poor quality. They've been sitting in a warehouse or on a truck for who knows how long, and because they are designed to be "low cost" they have very low concentrations of active ingredients. Older teeth whitening gels use a concentration of only 16% of carbamide peroxide.

Third, the one thing in common between dental office and "store" teeth whitening gels is that they both use glycerin as a carrying agent. Now there is nothing wrong with glycerin by itself. It is not dangerous in any way. However, when mixed with carbamide peroxide, the glycerin is used to draw water out of the enamel in order to speed up the whitening process. This is what causes the most common side effect of teeth whitening - sensitive teeth! Therefore, you're going to want to find a teeth whitening product that does not use a glycerin base.

ARMED WITH THIS NEW TEETH WHITENING KNOWLEDGE, NOW WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

There are four key components I recommend for making sure you get the best possible teeth whitening results every time.

1. Immediately before whitening, brush your teeth for two minutes with an oxygenating toothpaste combined with the finest natural polishing agents AND aloe vera to strengthen your gums and prevent any sensitivity. This way you're sure that the whitening gel directly contacts your tooth enamel (instead of dental plaque).

2. Use form-fitting mouth trays that are fitted to your specific bite. Make sure they fit snugly around each tooth, and at all points they press firmly around the sides of your teeth and gums. The best home teeth whitening systems use a moldable tray system that contains mouthpieces which you can actually fit to your mouth. You mold them by soaking them for a few seconds in warm water, then you press the plastic up (or down) against your teeth and gums. When the plastic cools you have a nice soft plastic mouthpiece that is fitted to the curves of your particular smile.

3. You should use as strong of teeth whitening gel as possible to ensure that the time your teeth are in contact with the whitening gel is well spent. Use a 21% carbamide peroxide concentrated teeth whitening gel that is formulated specifically to reduce the sensitivity to your teeth and gums, (in other words - NO glycerin!). This percentage of concentration also means a whiter result in a shorter period of time. Finally, a flavored teeth whitening gel helps - why not make the experience as pleasant as possible? No need for it to taste bad!

4. Immediately after your teeth whitening treatment, enhance the effect by using an oxygenating oral rinse. Remember, make sure not to use a mouthwash that contains alcohol, as this can actually chemically curtail the bleaching effect, not to mention it dries your mouth out!

I recommend following this teeth whitening system for 5 days in a row. You can even do the top and bottom arch separately for comfort if you prefer. After that...you'll have a noticeably whiter smile - GUARANTEED!

About the author:
Dr. Harold Katz, founder of the California Breath Clinics, is the leading expert on the topics of bad breath and teeth whitening. For your FREE 4 page, color guide to teeth whitening visit: http://www.TheraBreath.com/web/art/l/teethwhitening.asp

A Diet Buddy Can Help You Lose Weight

2008-02-27T05:03:00.001-08:00

Are you looking for a diet plan that helps you lose weight, then you should look for the help of a diet buddy. A diet buddy is a friend or co worker who your partner with to help each other lose weight. Many fitness experts know that if you have to account for your actions to a friend and yourself you are much more likely to stick to it and successfully lose weight.

Picking a diet buddy isn’t hard but it isn’t easy either. You need to find someone who you can trust and who is honest with you. You need someone who will tell you the two big Macs you had for dinner last night wasn’t a good choice, but won’t tear you apart either. You should find a person who has similar weight loss goals. If you want to lose 15 pounds and your buddy wants to lose 65 you aren’t that compatible. You should avoid choosing someone you live with if possible. The constant interaction and monitoring will make you feel like your every move is being watched. Instead try to choose a co worker or close friend to help you out.

You should also choose a diet buddy who you will see regularly. A really great strategy is to meet at the gym every morning and go for breakfast afterward. This way you can compare and talk about what’s going on and how you are progressing. If breakfast doesn’t work lunch is another good alternative. If you have a regular lunch date it will be much easier for you to say no when the office goes for Buffalo wings and nachos every Friday.

You and your diet buddy should set goals and rewards for each other. When you hit a weight goal go out and celebrate. Celebrate by shopping for a new outfit that shows off your weight loss, not by going out for a cheeseburger and milkshake. Remember you and your buddy are working together to help each other reach your goals you aren’t competing with each other. If you can shop for a new dress size or bathing suit don’t be smug about it to your diet buddy. Be supportive and help them, realize everyone’s body is different and some people take longer to lose weight.

About the author:
This article was written by Allison Preston who is the webmaster of http://www.Fitness-Web.com,a website with diet, health, fitness, and exercise articles and reviews of fitness infomercials. NOTE: You’re welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info)

Acupuncture Eases Tension Headache Pain

2008-02-27T05:02:00.001-08:00

The ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture has proven to be an effective treatment for tension headache. It not only relieves pain, but also cuts rates of recurrence by almost half, a recent study indicates.

Traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy involves insertion of needles up to 3 inches deep into the body at prescribed acupuncture points, according to licensed acupuncturist Rong Zeng of the New York Good Health Clinic in Manhattan.

However, a new, randomized blind study in Germany involving 270 patients with a similar severity of tension headache has shown that a minimal course of acupuncture works almost as well as the traditional method.

Fewer Headaches After Treatment

Researchers divided the patients into three groups. Over an eight-week period, one group was treated with traditional acupuncture, another received minimal acupuncture (needles inserted only superficially into the skin at non-acupuncture points), and the control group had neither treatment.

The subjects were monitored for four weeks after their period of treatment. Those who had received traditional acupuncture care subsequently experienced seven fewer headaches. The group that had been given minimal acupuncture therapy had surprisingly similar results -- 6.6 fewer headaches.

The control group did not fare as well, with only 1.5 fewer headaches.

Improvements in headache rates continued for months after the acupuncture treatment, though they began to rise slightly as time went on.

Results Subject to Interpretation

Such a negligable difference in results between traditional and minimal acupuncture treatments possibly indicates that the location of acupuncture points and depth of needle insertion do not make a major difference for treatment of tension headache, the authors of the study suggest.

However, they caution that the possibility of placebo effects should not be overlooked.

"Placebo effect is a factor in all types of medicine," Dr. Zeng noted. In western medicine, for example, blind tests may reveal placebo effects that are similar to responses to trial drugs, she explained.

In any case, it is clear that the patients who received acupuncture treatment experienced fewer headaches. The possibility that placebo effect plays a role in acupuncture does not detract from its efficacy.

About the author:
Rita Jenkins is a health journalist for Daily News Central, an online publication that delivers breaking news and reliable health information to consumers, healthcare providers and industry professionals: http://www.dailynewscentral.com

Acne Treatments For Black Skin

2008-02-27T05:01:00.002-08:00

Acne irritates and worries all kinds of people, especially the teens and young adults, all over the country. Acne actually does not choose a certain type of skin color to spread on. Thus, not only white American are prone to suffer this unbearable skin disorder. Black Americans are also at risk of having acne problems. And, this can be highly observable to many black skinned people, especially in the adolescence age. Thus, there is a need for acne treatments for black skin.

You should not however despair in anyway if you’re black skinned. There is always a cure to all your acne problems. There are actually so much acne treatments for black skin for you to choose from and fight that unwanted skin problem. In fact, there is almost no difference at all on acne treatments for black skin or white skin. You can even prepare one by yourself! Or, you can just buy a remedy right on the nearest store! In case you have an extreme acne problem, you are advised to consult your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor should have one acne treatment for black skin that will truly exterminate that unwanted acne.

Black beauty maintenance
Sometimes the best way to cure something is to prevent it from coming in the first place. And, this actually holds true with curing acne. One of the good ways of acne treatment for black skin is to practice good hygiene. This comes with making it a habit to clean your face with a cleanser or a soap once or twice everyday to keep it clean and oil-free. However, you should not mistaken frequent washing as a good practice. This will actually expose your skin more with the harsh environment. In addition, you should choose carefully what things you'll apply on your skin. You should put down products that contain huge amount of isopropyl alcohol. This makes the skin dry and in turn will make your glands to produce more oil!

Let's Paste It!
Acne treatments for black skin can just be right at your home! Many fruits and vegetables are known for curing acne! Some of the most commonly used includes cucumber, lemon, lime, tea tree oil, honey, oats, tomatoes, orange and turmeric. All you have to do is to apply it as a paste or mask on your face and let it stay on for about 15-30 minutes then rinse. These will either help you take away excess oil or kill the bacteria that causes your acne. An enjoyable, light acne treatment for black skin!

It's all in the counter
You might be thinking that it is more safe and effective to just buy something as acne treatment for black skin. Like home-made remedies, there are so many non-prescription products that are out in the market. One of the most popular treatment is benzoyl peroxide that helps you kill that bacteria that gives you acne. It first dries the skin and then helps in shed to produce a new, healthier layer. Salicylic acid also helps you get rid of that unbearable skin problem. This time your pores are unclogged to encourage skin peeling.

Doctor, My doctor!
When it seems that all you’ve tried as acne treatment for black skin did not work, you should see and consult your doctor for some advice. This is especially advisable to those who had severe acne problems. Your doctor will surely give you more potent acne treatment for black skin! These maybe either topical or oral treatment. These will include azelaic acid, a good alternative to benzoyl peroxide, antibiotic lotions and oral antibiotics. He or she might also suggest LASER treatment as an effective acne treatment for black skin.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/for more information on acne and acne treatments.

Acne Skin Care Products

2008-02-27T05:01:00.001-08:00

We all need to follow a skin care regimen to keep our skin healthy and in top shape. Our skin can reflect on how we take care of our body. At some point of our lives, it is almost inevitable that we experience having minor forms of skin infections caused by acne like pimples and blackheads. Teenagers are more prone to it as the body undergoes different hormonal changes. As the body continually grows towards adulthood, individuals really have no way of stopping it and can only lessen its effects. By using different methods and acne skin care products person’s that are more prone to it can control its growth.

Acne skin care products performance can greatly depend on how an individual's skin type reacts to it. It must conform to the skin’s characteristics, which may include skin sensitivity, tone, ethnicity and gender. There are many acne skin care products in the market with different active ingredients and solutions for different skin types. Acne prone skin can be very sensitive to different chemicals and must be very careful in using different products. There are different tips and techniques for mild to severe cases of acnes. Some acne skin care products may not work for some people in helping them improve the look and condition of their skin.

Among the commonly used acne skin care product is the facial cleanser. There are many types of cleansers available that are good and gentle for the skin. It is easy to find a cleanser that is made specifically for a person’s skin type. Using a different soap for your face is also important since bath soaps can be harmful to acne-prone individuals. Testing different acne skin care products may do more harm than good. Skin toners contain ingredients that can dry skin making it susceptible to acne.

A moisturizer is well recommended for individuals that are using benzoyl peroxide to keep the skin from becoming too dry. Upon using acne skin care products for treating blemishes, using moisturizers can keep the skin in balance and helps prevent some of the dryness on its initial stages. Benzoyl peroxide can be harmful to a few individuals. When it exceeds the reasonable quantity and concentration, it can cause severe swelling and flaking. Testing acne skin care products and starting at lesser amounts of dosage is advised to keep track of your skin’s reaction.

Manual razors are better than electric razors since it can give you more control as you shave. Quality safety razors are not hard to find, it can make shaving easier. Changing the blade more often can lessen the skin irritation for acne prone individuals. Blunt and uneven blades can cause accidents like cuts. Unclean blades can also infect open scars and pimples. Opening a scar or blemish can cause a secondary bacterial infection and a permanent scar. Using a shaving cream can prevent burns acquired from shaving and it can also lessen the possibility of bacteria from entering cuts.

Aside from acne skin care products you can also rely for health supplements like vitamins. Vitamins A, B6, C and E can be good for acne treatment and are essential for a healthy skin. Being watchful on your diet and sugar intake can also help minimizing acne problems. Foods rich in sulfur like garlic and onions can be use to cure acne. Consulting a dermatologist for the right acne skin care product can save you the time and effort in reaching the desired results. Skin experts can give you a proper advise on how to treat your skin well.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/for more information on acne and acne treatments.

Acne Skin Care For You

2008-02-27T05:00:00.002-08:00

A high percentage of individuals have been tormented by skin problems like blemishes, rashes, pimples, blackheads and acne. These problems are commonly experienced during puberty or an early stage in life where people tend to be most socially insecure. Aside from being physical, the effects can also be psychological. It can drain an individual’s self-esteem and confidence. Some individuals may continue experiencing acne related skin infections decades later and it may eventually diminish during early adulthood for most people. There is now way of predicting when it will gradually decrease or fully disappear. Pimples, blackheads, and blemishes are among the most common skin infections caused by acne. The infection is a result of excessive secretions of oil from the skin glands and its buildup when a skin pore is blocked. Upper regions of the body like the face, chest, back and upper arms are commonly infected.

Acne can be irritating for most people since it can almost be unpredictable and uncontrollable once it strikes. The exact causes of this skin disease are not known and there have been no guaranteed measure in averting it. Diet, hereditary reasons, vitamin deficiency and stress are among the factors that have been closely attributed to acne infections. Still, it is best to find a good acne skin care regimen to ease and control its growth. An average person can make use of typical acne skin care methods. For severe forms of acne, consulting dermatologists is advisable in finding ways to lessen swelling and prevent scarring.

Perhaps the best acne skin care regimen is to regularly wash your skin twice a day. Using a mild natural facial cleanser and warm water in washing your skin regularly can help remove dirt and pollutants. Using strong detergent soaps and scrubbing your skin can only worsen your acne problems. Too much scrubbing can aggravate acne and it can also open up blemishes. Popping pimples can make the blemishes to spread up causing more infection. Some astringents are too strong and can cause more skin irritation. Using astringents are only advisable for oily skin. Washing your hair regularly can also help in acne skin care. Washing hair, especially long ones, can help remove excess oil and dirt that might come in contact with the skin.

Proper acne skin care also involves shaving and using the right razor. Choosing and testing for a comfortable safety razor is important when you have acne. Before applying the shaving cream, the beard can be softened by washing it with soap and water. Using a sharp blade and shaving lightly helps avoid cuts and rupturing pimples. Many acne skin care products and medicines for treating skin diseases can make your skin more prone to sunburn. Exposing your skin for a while to the sun may help dry up acne blemishes in the surface. Too much exposure to the sun can cause rapid skin aging, skin cancer and can make your skin drier.

Individuals that are prone to acne and are being treated for it should use oil free cosmetic products. Benzoyl peroxide and other acne skin care treatment can redden the skin so applying regular cosmetics products might be difficult. Regular cosmetic products usually contain more fatty acids that are harmful to acne prone individuals. Looking for organic and acne skin care products that will match your skin tone can help avoid more infections.

It is still best that one should consult a dermatologist before applying any acne skin care product or using different methods. Exerting more effort is needed for serious cases of acne infection to keep it from recurring. Observing proper acne skin care is important especially for younger individuals since blemishes and rashes tend to heal faster at a young age. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and diet can help restore the body’s vitality easily.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/for more information on acne and acne treatments.

Acne Scars – Cause, Prevention And Treatment

2008-02-27T05:00:00.001-08:00

Acne affects as much as 80f teenagers and others in their early twenties, while most get out with only a few minor acne scars, some even without any at all; there is also a notable percentage that suffers from acne scars.

There are two types of skin problems caused by acne that can be recognized as acne scars, one is the red pigmentation that appears after acne has healed. These contrary to popular belief, are not scars, rather, these are post-inflammatory lesions which occurs as the acne heals, and these can be present for up to 6-12 months. If however the pigmentation that you see lasts longer than the said period, you may be facing acne scars.

Acne scars come from connective tissue that the body uses to repair damage done to a certain area. Together with antibodies and white blood cells, they work together to heal the wound. After the healing process, you are left with a scar.

Acne scars can develop as long as acne is present, so one good form of prevention is actually preventing acne. However, Acne scars can also be prevented even with the presence of acne. This is done by facilitating the healing of the acne, the faster it heals, the shallower the acne scar will be, making it easier to treat, or may need no treatment at all.

There are two dermatologically tested ways to facilitate the healing of acne, one is the use of Tretinoin, it’s a form of vitamin A, which speeds up the skin’s healing and renovation process shortening the inflammation period, thus preventing Acne scars.

The other treatment used by most dermatologists for Acne scar prevention is the use of Aplpha-Hydroxy Acids of AHA’s and Beta-Hydroxy Acids or BHA’s. These help the skins remodeling process, with the right concentration and proper application; these can also prevent acne scars.

Without the complicated chemicals and difficult dermatological treatments, you can also help prevent acne scars by treating your skin righteously. Avoid sun exposure, this can cause even more skin damage and may hamper the healing process of your skin. Wear sunscreen that has SPF 15 or higher. Picking at scabs never helped either. Never pick on acne as it heals; it interferes with the healing process and might worsen the resulting acne scar.

Of course, not even the most rigorous person can prevent acne scar, with the stress of everyday life, facial and other skin problems are really hard to avoid, there are however treatments available for acne scars, here are some of them.

Dermal Fillers
Collagen or other fillers are injected into the acne scar to raise is just a bit, so that it will be the same level as your skin, these treatments aren’t permanent though. They mostly last 3-6 months and you’ll need additional injections after that.

Punch Excision
This method is effective for some types of scars. It includes the surgical tool that matches the size of the scar; it can be compared to a cookie dough cutter. This tool cuts the scar out and the remaining wound is then sewed back together. The resulting scar will be unnoticeable, but if it is, it’ll be easier for laser resurfacing to treat it. Other types of this treatment include the use of skin grafts.

Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a very popular and fast treatment for acne scars. Laser resurfacing basically works by burning a measure upper layer of the skin, and then letting it heal, leaving a newer looking skin. However, care must be taken after the procedure; the correct post operative procedure determines the success of the operation.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a freelance writer specializing in skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Visit http://www.acnesolution411.com/for more information on acne and acne treatments.