The Newest Trends In Health Care

Three Simple Relaxation Methods For Fast Stress Releif

2008-11-30T11:51:00.002-05:00

Life comes at us fast. Negative affects begin to happen in our lives when it does. Uncontrolled stress will have a negative effect on our health and well-being and even cause some illnesses to be worse than they need to be. Stress affects your concentration, mood, relationships and even your sleep. There are proven methods to help reduce stress on our bodies that can improve our health and well being. Here are three simple relaxation techniques that are easy to learn and use that will get results fast.

Learn Abdominal Breathing

We are often told to take a deep breath when things get a little stressed or we feel anxious. Some say this doesn’t help them relax at all. Some feel taking a deep breath actually increases stress levels and makes relaxation more difficult. Abdominal breathing is the key to learning to handle stress. Learning abdominal breathing when you are calm is a very good relaxation technique that you can use when you are stressed. After you are stressed it will be too late to learn this. Learn when you are calm and relaxed to get the most benefit.

Place one hand on your abdomen and another on your chest. Take a deep breath. Which hand moved? Concentrate on breathing in very slowly until the hand on your abdomen moves with your breathing and the hand on your chest remains still. Practice this twice a day in front of a mirror and soon you will see the results. when this happens you will quickly feel the results. Be careful not to take too many deep breaths, as this will make you dizzy. Abdominal breathing can be a very effective relaxation method to calm your mind and body.

Learn Stretching Techniques

Here is a very simple and quick technique you can use anywhere. When you feel tense or anxious, you body sends extra blood to your muscles and makes them tight and tense. Because of this your shoulders may begin to ache and give you a headache as well. Your jaw may clench as stress increases. Stretch your muscles regularly throughout the day to reduce the stress in your body.

Stand up and stretch your body as often as needed. This will relax the muscles and help you to breathe better. Relaxed muscles help you to breathe deeper. Do this throughout the day to reduce your stress level. Helpful exercises you can do are yoga exercises and they can be done anywhere.

Use Relaxation Audios

Learning relaxation techniques take time and patience like any skill you learn. The best way to using audios to help you relax is to use them for several weeks. To maintain the benefits and for maximum effectiveness, use these ideas once or twice a week. Relaxation audios help you concentrate on the sensations needed that will cause you to relax and help slow down your busy mind. Subliminal audios are also effective because they work on a sub-conscious level. According to many people, these skills you learn will help you relax in almost any circumstance.

Even if you feel little or no difference at first, do not give up and quit. Be consistent for 2-3 weeks because that gets the best results for most people. Daily stress can build up very quickly and cause many relational and health problems for you at home and at work. Not only will the techniques help you reduce the level of stress in your life, they will also work fast.

Here you will find a simple and easy guide to reducing stress from the experts at Home Zone Direct.

Dr. Don MacKay has an earned Doctorate in Counseling and has been in private practice for over 20 years. You can find more information on this subject and much more helpful advice from http://www.homezonedirectinfo.com/stress-management-guide/

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2008-11-24T13:35:00.001-05:00

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Consider Aromatherapy

2008-11-19T11:11:00.002-05:00

In the midst of all the alternative medicine treatments that you've heard about recently, you may have noticed aromatherapy mentioned a few times. Many dismiss the idea of using scents to bring medical results as quackery, and that's understandable in many ways. There's a lot of information about aromatherapy that comes from people who speak about it based on their spiritual beliefs and a paucity of information that comes from detailed medical studies. As a medical treatment in Western nations, it's still a little new, so there's still much to learn about it. Let's take a look at some of the ways that aromatherapy does help people so you know how to better incorporate it into your life.

As A Medical Practice

The basis of aromatherapy comes from the use of essential oils, which are extracted from plants using distilling processes, resulting in concentrated liquids that are often very fragrant. In France, where aromatherapy is used in concert with traditional medical practices, it's for the antiseptic properties of the essential oils more than anything. In France, essential oils are sometimes prescribed and administered by a physician to target harmful organisms that might lead to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.

If you're wondering where the "aroma" part of aromatherapy comes in, there are traditional medical practices in the United States in which the scents of various compounds result in an alleviation of symptoms of illness. The one most people are familiar with is the use of things such as Vicks VapoRub or Halls cough drops to help clear clogged sinuses and throats. Aromatic chemicals such as menthol and eucalyptus bring an alleviation of those symptoms, which are often associated with colds.

As Stress Therapy

When you begin to venture out of such applications and begin to talk about alleviating stress with aromatherapy, then you start to get into ideas that come less from observed scientific evidence than from everyday theories. Aromatherapy is often suggested as a way to alleviate symptoms of stress in people and for other effects. As an example, basil oil is often suggested to ease the effects of depression and to help you to concentrate, while lavender is used for relaxation.

Although many of these supposed effects aren't determined through scientific study, it's easy enough to notice that pleasant scents can make people feel cheerier. In that respect, it wouldn't hurt to practice a little aromatherapy at home; at best, it really will help and at worst, you still end up surrounded by enjoyable scents. So, whether you're using it for medical purposes or just to relax, aromatherapy offers something for you.

More health information can be found at BroadcastArchives.net Health Blog. There are also informative health videos at Broadcastarchives.net/health

Homeopathy for Headaches – Does it Work?

2008-11-15T21:37:00.001-05:00

Millions of people are affected by headaches daily. Stress headaches, migraines, sinus headaches, and even headaches related to a dietary deficiency or dental problem can affect your quality of life and make it very difficult to get through a day. The effectiveness of conventional medicines eventually fades, and they only cover up symptoms anyway. Over the counter pain relievers can cause a tolerance to build up in your body after a while so that they no longer relieve your headaches as well as they once did.

Not surprisingly, many headache sufferers are turning to homeopathy for headaches. Homeopathic treatments are effective, natural ways of getting your body to heal itself and encourage optimum health. Homeopathy for headaches can include homeopathic medicines and remedies such as stress relief, dietary changes, exercise, rest, and increased hydration.

Homeopathy for headaches is effective because it attempts to let the body come up with its own solution to a chronic problem. The medicines taken by the sufferer actually induce the same symptoms that the sufferer wants to clear up, so that the body will be compelled to invoke its healing abilities to get rid of the symptoms. This can result in a long-term reduction in symptoms, as well as some measure of immediate relief.

Homeopathic treatments or medications for homeopathy for headaches can be found from a homeopathic health practitioner, health food and supplement stores, and from some homeopathic supply dealers. If you are looking in a health food or supplement store, you may see bottles of supplements labeled as "headache relief," "migraine support," or similar names. These tablets will usually be made up of the exact homeopathic cures or ingredients which you would get from a registered homeopathy practitioner.

However, in order to ensure that you are taking a product that will benefit your specific type of headache, it may be beneficial to ask a homeopathic health practitioner to look at the ingredients for you. You may personalize your treatment by educating yourself on the basics of homeopathy for headaches. Most homeopathy books contain a headache section that will help you choose the correct medicines for headache relief.

With homeopathic remedies for a headache, just like with all homeopathic treatment, what works for one person may not work for the next.Experiment to see what suit’s you most. You will be thrilled to not have to worry about headaches.

Facial Liposuction - Weighing The Risks

2008-11-12T11:56:00.001-05:00

Liposuction is the process of using surgery to remove fat from an individuals body through the use of a suction pump, and even though it is surely not intended to replace exercise and diet, it does assist an individual to obtain a more slender and attractive body.

The end results are nearly immediate and the actual procedure itself is done on an outpatient basis, signifying that there is a no requirement for patients to take any time off from work or to spend any time in the hospital or excessive time recovering at home.

Facial Liposuction

There is nearly no section of the human body where some form of liposuction cannot be done, however out of all the various liposuction procedures it is facial liposuction that is currently one of the most popular. If you are troubled because of excessive fat in the areas of your chin, cheeks and neck then facial liposuction may be an option for you to consider.

Exercise as well as diet are typically helpful in the elimination of fat from a persons body yet frequently if can be challenging to lose fat in the areas of the face. This is where a procedure like facial liposuction come in, and one of the reasons why it has so much appeal to many people around the world.

The Surgery

This type of surgery is done to get rid of as much undesired localized fat deposits as possible from the area of the face. The surgeon will utilize a special tube that known as a cannula which is placed into a small incision in an area of the body, in a location that is typically inconspicuous. At that point, utilizing a syringe that is attached to the cannulla, the surgeon will pull out fat cells from that section that they are working on.

A person is considered to be a good candidate if they are in generally good health, if he or she has areas of your face that have a disproportionate amount of fat deposits compared to the rest of your body, have very satisfactory elasticity of the skin as well as having reasonable expectations.

The Risks

Just as with any other type of surgery or procedure, you will have to assume certain risks as well as potential complications that are associated with facial liposuction surgery. These associated risks should be talked about with your physician prior to any surgery. Hemotoma, asymmetry, lumpiness as well as numbness are all possible as well. Women who are pregnant and nursing should never go through with this procedure, and it is crucial that all potential patients bear in mind the fact that this is actual medical surgery.

Regardless of the fact that it is done on an outpatient basis and needs very little to no recovery time, there are still some potentially dangerous risks and ramifications so you are going to have to weigh the benefits to the pitfalls and talk to an experienced cosmetic surgeon prior to coming to a decision to get this procedure done.

To learn more go to Arm Liposuction and at Ultrasonic Liposuction

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Analyzing A Health Problem

2008-11-08T15:33:00.002-05:00

There are many types of arthritis, but the one we most commonly think of is rheumatoid arthritis. White blood cells usually spend their days attacking bacteria and fighting off viruses, but with this type of arthritis, the white blood cells move from the bloodstream (where they belong) into the membranes surrounding your joints. As a result, there is an inflammation and the release of proteins. Over months or years, the membrane thickens and the released proteins cause damage to neighboring cartilage, ligaments, bones and tendons. Joints can become disfigured, knocked out of alignment or even destroyed.

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include: joint pain, joint swelling and joints that are tender to the touch. Whether you have red puffy hands, firm bumps of tissue beneath the skin on your arms, or morning stiffness that lasts at least thirty minutes, you may have some level of the disease. Often, sufferers feel tired, lose weight and sense changes in wrists, hands, ankles and feet at first. In later stages, the elbows, shoulders, knees, hips and the jaw and neck can also be affected. Signs and symptoms of pain may flare up and then alternate with periods of relative remission.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. He or she will ask you about signs and symptoms, then usually perform a blood test to check for an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which will reveal an inflammatory process in the body. Other blood tests check for the rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, which cause joint damage. Additionally, by using a needle, a joint fluid analysis can pinpoint the disease and help rule out other disorders that mimic the symptoms of arthritis. Once diagnosed, X-rays can help track the progression of the disease in your joints.

There are many medications that treat rheumatoid arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs (like ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin and Aleve) can provide pain relief and reduce inflammation. Steroids/Corticosteroid medications (like prednisone and methylprednisolone) reduce swelling and pain, in addition to slowing joint damage. These are intended for short term use only. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs/DMARDs (like Plaquenil, Ridaura, Azulfidine, Dynacin and Rheumatrex) are used to limit joint damage over time. Immuno-suppressants (like Arava, Imuran, Neoral and Cytoxan) are aimed at taming your immune system, which has been disrupted by the disease. TNF-alpha inhibitors (like Enbrel, Remicade or Humira) reduces morning stiffness and tender joints within 1-2 weeks, helping to prevent long term damage. Kineret, Rituximab or Orencia may be prescribed if other treatments fail, as these injected pain management drugs provide stronger medication for chronic pain sufferers, yet also pose greater risks of side effects. Your health care practitioner will assess your unique case and offer the best individualized solution for you.

To learn more go to Arthritis In The Thumb and at Rheumatoid Arthritis

Atrophic Dermatitis: Triggers And Treatments

2008-11-04T20:41:00.001-05:00

Normally our skin has the ability to maintain moisture, however, when Atrophic Dermatitis occurs the skin’s behavior is disrupted and results in very dry, inflamed skin

Atrophic dermatitis is actually a common form of eczema. It is rather severe and is usually chronic in nature. Atrophic dermatitis usually occurs in skin folds and creases, like the insides of elbows, the backs of knees and hands and many different parts of the face and head. Due to constant scratching and contact with clothes, the sores often weep or may crust and become painful skin lesions.

Atrophic Dermatitis is more common during early childhood up to early adulthood but there are cases of older adults having this skin condition. Adults that do retain Atrophic dermatitis do not usually manifest the inflamed skin and flakes but only suffer extremely dry, sensitive skin which can be easily irritated.

What Triggers Atrophic Dermatitis

There are three trigger classifications of atrophic dermatitis that are very common. These are:

1. Allergens: Allergens are either ingested in the form of food, beverages or medications. Other types of allergens in the environment are animal dander and pollen. Medication that may cause an allergic reaction in an individual include but are not limited to antibiotics, anesthetics, sleeping pills, aspirin, laxatives, anti-depressants and many more

2. Irritants and : Irritants of atrophic dermatitis are smoke, fumes, solvents, chemicals, soaps and detergents, alcohol based products and many others. Dust can also make the rash worse and so can stress and climate changes.

3. Infections: Infections of bacterial, fungal or viral, can cause flare ups although not as common as the other triggers

Treating Atrophic Dermatitis

Owing to the nature of this condition the only way to treat atrophic dermatitis is to prevent scratching since this can lead to further skin complications and result in infections and, veryh rarely, life threatening conditions. The idea is to keep the individual’s skin moist. This can be efficiently done by applying prescribed ointments and lotions several times a day even if there are no flare ups. Naturally, vigilance is needed in monitoring the environment of the person who suffers from atrophic dermatitis.

As contact with clothing and bed linen can also cause irritation to the patient Allclothes and beddings need to be washed with special detergents that are hypo allergenic to prevent flare ups. The same applies for the soaps and shampoos that the patient uses it is important that they contain little or no allergens to avoid allergic reactions. Bath water must not be too hot as this can dry skin and provoke flare ups.

What else can be done? It is highly recommended that the patient embark on a dietary change, avoiding all processed, fatty foods and concentrate on eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as this will provide the body with all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and elements for good health, ridding the body of any toxic build up.

Unfortunately, we can only hope to control and manage atrophic dermatitis. Scientists continue to work on a cure or means of prevention but no conclusive results have been made yet..

Fat Loss For Idiots Review - Is It A Scam?

2008-11-04T20:20:00.001-05:00

There aren't many weight loss programs available that will work better than Fat Loss For Idiots. I've test-driven many such programs in the past, and when you look at everything this plan offers compared to previous ones I have done, it easily comes out on top. Plus that's actually what it is, a complete weight loss/fat loss program. I loved the fact that you can approach the Fat Loss For Idiots system from so many different ways. This is not just blindly following an inflexible diet plan. Nearly every side of fat loss is covered with this total program.

Your first step will be to learn to make better choices when eating so that you lose and keep weight off. You will be given good advice on how to make changes in your diet. I could see that you'd assume that you'll be told to just eat healthy, exercise and don't enjoy a cocktail, but that sir is crap! It isn't like that at all; in fact, I think you will receive a pleasant surprise. They are offering some new concepts.. This program has everything you need to get your diet off in the right direction. Ok lets not spoil everthing:)

The "calorie shifting" program is the most excellent unique aspect of Fat Loss For Idiots- it can't be found anywhere else! You rotate the foods which burn the most fat when you engage in calorie shifting ( no those are not the ones that you are thinking about think again), while you are on your diet. By doing this your body's metabolism never will get used to a special pattern and will not slow down. It is a very potent system to help you lose pounds with ease.

Something to watch for is the Fat Loss For Idiots Online Diet Generator, its a fantastic resource. Dieting is is a lot easier when you can still enjoy your favorite foods, which you can enter into the generator. After this it will set up an eleven day diet plan for you optimized to your taste. I was very excited that I was permitted to enjoy my favorite meals, and wasn't confined to eating tasteless health foods. Having only this item would be worth the entire cost. This is probably the easiest thing I have ever done.

Why are you wasting your time? You have nothing to risk except for your weight.

The Fat Loss For Idiots program is really what it says - so easy that an idiot could do it. Go to dietfatloss.net to get started with Fat Loss 4 Idiots!

Is There An Alternative Method To Stop Smoking

2008-11-02T13:12:00.001-05:00

Although you may not think it, suffering from tobacco nicotine addiction apart from being a very bad habit, is pretty much similar to being addicted to cocaine or heroine. A smoker may argue against that statement but consider contracting cancer because of your habit and you will begin to consider quitting. The number of ways that are available to help you stop smoking can be confusing I succeeded with self-hypnosis, I found it easy and very relaxing it could be worth trying. The alternative therapy market is awash with pills and potions but hypnosis offers a speedy way to break the smoking habit with no side effects whatsoever. A growing number of medical practioners now recommend hypnosis either through a professional therapist or through a course of self hypnosis as the ideal way of breaking the smoking habit long term. The result of this is that hypnosis is finding a place in the education of individuals as to the danger of smoking and providing an escape that appears to take little effort.

There are numerous sites selling a variety of hypnosis and self hypnosis products on the Internet the best we can recommend is Purely Hypnosis , CD's which is devoted to helping people kick the habit. There are many people that buy them and say they feel better. Users of the recommeded site include Jeraldine Saunders (the Creator of the 'Love Boat' TV series and Tom Mankiewcz the writer of 'Superman the Movie'. Maybe you've seen some shows where people get hypnotized and bark like a dog or any other animal, do not worry you will never act like this under self hypnosis. If you want to be relaxed when breaking your smoking habit then the best therapy is hypnosis.

Those who turn to quit smoking by hypnosis usually have tried other untested methods like yoga which however, can improve their overall health or any other alternative therapies to stop, it is true that there is a small percentage of people that have an inclination to turn to mysticism for support but before contacting some therapists that use quit cigarette smoking by unknown or strange methods check out their qualifications and credentials.The truth that any medic or scientist can confirm is that we know little or nothing at all about mysticism and what it involves. No matter where you seek opinion you will always be told that hypnosis has no side effects, well there is one, you will have a feeling of total relaxation and well being whether you go to a professional therapist or use self-hypnosis techniques taught on a CD at home. The best way to select a practioner to work with is by personal referral from one of your contacts, even so ask for their professional qualifications certificates when you first visit. Hypnosis whether through a qualified practioner of through self hypnosis used to quit smoking may work as it is said to eliminate the desire to smoke from the most inner levels of the subconscious, and when used in conjuction with any of the other aids such as gum, patches or lozenges, can prove to be very powerful. This is how you can learn the easy way to stop smokingin 17 Days or less by ex 70-a-day-smoker David Dutch

Buy An Air Purifier For Seasonal Allergies

2008-11-01T11:37:00.002-04:00

food allergy symptoms

Millions of Americans think about purchasing an air purifier for their home or their business every year. Are you one of those individuals? If so, have you purchased an air purifier yet? Unfortunately, a large number of individuals think about purchasing an air purifier, but not everyone ends up making that purchase. One of the reasons for that is because many individuals wonder whether or not they really need one.

When it comes to owning an air purifier, anyone can own one. You do not necessarily have to meet certain criteria to be able to benefit from the use of an air purifier. Honestly, you could just be someone who is looking to breathe clean air. Despite the fact that some individuals have no set reason for wanting or needing an air purifier, there are others who do. If you find yourself one of these individuals, as described below, you may want to seriously think about purchasing an air purifier for your home or your business.

Air purifiers work to clean the air. They do this by preventing harmful particles from passing through their collection grids or filters. These particles may even include dust particles. For that reason, if you have allergies associated with dust, you may very well find that an air purifier works to remove or completely eliminate your allergies symptoms. In turn, this may make your days and nights more pleasant and enjoyable.

In addition to reducing allergies associated with dust, air purifiers can also help those with allergies that are related pets. You will find that multiple air purifiers not only trap pet hair, but they also trap the air particles created by pet droppings. These dangerous particles are not only harmful to those who have a wheat allergy, but to everyone else who is in the home. In addition to eliminating particles created by pets in the home, you could also use an air purifier if you have a business that is centered on pets. These types of businesses include pet grooming shops and vet offices.

You may also want to think about purchasing an air purifier, especially if you have young children at home. Children tend to be more susceptible to illness. With cleaner air, your child’s health may improve by a ton. In addition to being used in traditional homes, you may also want to purchase an air purifier if you run or operate a daycare center. An air purifier may not only improve your health, but the health of all of your children. Essentially, this will make for happier and healthier children, which is extremely important when running a daycare business.

An air purifier may also be ideal for those who are smokers. Even if you are not a smoker, there may be someone inside your home who is. If this is the case, you will want to seriously consider purchasing an air purifier. Most air purifiers, especially those designed specifically for smoking households, may help to reduce secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is bad for everyone, but it is especially bad for children. Of course, you will want to try and not smoke around your children, but if you do, you will want to purchase an air purifier, if not for your own benefit then for the sake of your children.

As mentioned above, those operating a business centered on pets or kids could benefit from the use of an air purifier; however, they are not the only types of businesses who could benefit. If you are business owner, whether you run a small retail store or an office, you may want to think about getting an air purifier. As mentioned above, air purifiers help to keep the air clean. In reality, this means that your employees will be healthier. In addition to better performance, you may also find that an air purifier helps to reduce the illnesses being spread throughout your building. In turn, this may not only result in better performing employees, but employees who end up requesting less sick time.

If the above mentioned examples describe you, in any way, you are advised to purchase an air purifier. Whether that air purifier is for your home or your business, you will reap an unlimited number of benefits to owning and using one.

The Importance Of A Good Night's Sleep

2008-10-30T17:49:00.002-04:00

Many people ignore that to have a good night's sleep, you just need to follow some basic points. One of them is to do exercise and be as fit as possible.Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular exercise helps your entire cardiovascular system. the circulation of blood through your heart and blood vessels, work more efficiently. Exercise improves sleep by producing changes in chemical reactions throughout the body and the brain. Its effects may also be mediated by body temperature increases which occur with exercise. Exercise done in a pain free manner to improve circulation and joint health can both speed healing and reduce pain. Less pain equals better rest equals better healing and less pain.

Eating a diet full of fruits, vegetables, breads, and fibers will help to give the body more energy for exercise and taking on the events of a busy day. Eating like a pauper, meaning small light meals, in the evening allows us to go to sleep on an empty stomach. If your body is functioning normally, and you don't have stomach ulcers, going to sleep on a mostly empty stomach will allow you to sleep better.

Regular exercise also helps relax our minds. When we play a sport, run, lift weights, bike-ride, go for a walk or attend an aerobics class, our mind is cleared of other thoughts for a period of time. Regular use can lead to rebound insomnia. This occurs when a person quits taking sleeping pills and his or her insomnia comes back.

Exercise stimulates the body and aerobic activity before bedtime may make falling asleep more difficult. Exercising vigorously before bedtime may not work. Setting aside time every night to meditate, listen to relaxing music, to dialog and especially to hold your inner child is a loving way to prepare for bed. Exercising your body means you will sleep better at night as your body and your mind will be tired. It also helps you get fit for birth.

Late-night exercise can actually make it difficult to fall asleep at night. You'll see the most benefits when you exercise during the day or in the morning. Later, when your baby is consistently sleeping all night, every night, you can move bedtime a little later and judge whether the difference affects your baby's sleep.

so what about Insomina? Well, insomnia symptoms aren't always as obvious as you would think! Apart from the obvious excessive tiredness, insomnia affects moods, co-ordination, memory and more. Insomnia, however, refers to a medical condition in which sleeplessness is chronic, or occurs repeatedly.

Insomnia also happens a lot with women. Women sleep less soundly when they share a bed with a romantic partner, a study published this month in Sleep and Biological Rhythms found. Surprisingly, men actually sleep better when they sleep next to a woman. Women used to spend 40 more minutes a week doing unpleasant chores than a typical man; today the divide is 90 minutes.

Also you need to remember, that behind a great sleep, and a great night, it is a great bed and a good mattress. My advice is to choose good brands like sealy posturepedic air beds and sealy posturepedic products and range of beds and sleepign products.

Aero Pilates - Getting In Shape With Pilates Exercises

2008-10-28T17:18:00.002-04:00

Have you ever gotten to the stage where you felt tired or exhausted and you feel as if your life were falling apart? Well, fear not, it's not yet the end. There are ways to rejuvenate yourself and make you feel better all around. Pilates are forms of exercises that can help you relax, unwind, and restore yourself to good health.

You might think that yoga and pilates are similar, but actually, they are not. Yoga does not require any equipment to perform, while pilates need a specific device - but not those found in the gym. Before, pilates only needed springs and high-tension elastic cords.

This simple equipment, through human ingenuity, has continually developed. Now, there are many pilates devices to choose from for the comfortable use of different body types who perform the routines. These include the Pilates Treadmill. The Pilates Treadmill is considered to be one of the best and reputed to be the handiest of all the pilates devices. It is a type of treadmill, though it is not like the ones you can see in the gym.

The Pilates Treadmill allows you to perform more than 50 pilates exercises without making you feel tired. Thus, it is very popular and is very much in demand.

What Makes An Aero Pilates Machine Special?

Aero Pilates machine is very special because of various reasons.

First, its padded jump-board makes it easier for the joints to move and makes exercises easier.

Second, its machine is made to keep afloat for up to ten inches from the ground which allows you to do advance pilates exercise.

Third, working out with this pilates device is really good for the heart.

Fourth, it has four levels of elastic cords specialized for each level of workout.

Lastly, the 50 pilates exercises it promotes can build, fortify, and shape the muscles in the body.

The Aero Pilates offers you a sturdy stainless steel body and has an adjustable headset. The device also comes with extra shoulder pads - a nice and free offer for beginners who are still adjusting to pilates exercises.

An Aero Pilates machine comes with free videos which can help you properly use the device and also show you how to take proper care of it. It also instructs you on how to make the best use of it while you're in the comfort of your home or wherever you install it. In two to three months, you may find yourself satisfied and happy for finding and taking advantage of the Aero Pilates machine.

Exercise: Two Worlds Of Body Building

2008-10-27T16:52:00.001-04:00

When it comes to body building, many people erroneously assume that all one needs to do is haphazardly do any type of exercises without any rhyme, reason or logic. This is not a wise move because there are very specific purposes for body building exercises designed to provide two goals of either increased mass or increased definition. By understanding that there are differences between mass building exercises and those exercises that are designed for more definition the ability to arrive at one’s goals will be greater facilitated. After all, if you are exercising then you have a certain set of goals in mind and you will want the proper exercises that will be required to reach those goals.

Building Mass

The most common body building exercises people perform are compound exercises. When you are performing compound body building exercises you are primarily working on mass. That is, compound exercises mean that more than one body part is used to lift the weight. Bench presses, while generally considered chest exercises, also provide secondary stress to the biceps, triceps and shoulders. So, these other muscles grow as well as the chest although not to the same degree. Other common body building exercises that perform compound exercises include squats and military presses. Now, these exercises are not necessarily designed to make the person’s muscle mass huge (although they certainly can be used for this purpose) these exercises can be used in a lesser capacity so as not to massively pack on muscle.

Sculpting Definition

The second type of body building exercises that are employed are those exercises that are isolation exercises. These exercises do not involve more than one muscle group and are designed to specially develop the muscles of a particular area. These exercises can be employed with high repetitions to burn fat and usually follow a cycle of mass building so as to create the definition that mass requires for aesthetic looks. Please note, contrary to popular belief these exercises cannot spot reduce fat in a particular area. Yes, fat will be burned, but it will be burned evenly throughout the body as opposed to any specific or particular area.

Of course, there are other areas that need to be taken into consideration as well such as diet, cardio etc, but the areas of mass building and definition generally cover the basics that one would need in order to achieve a baseline level of success and to reach his or her goals.

Get up off that couch and join the fitness revolution. Make exercise and a healthy diet part of your daily routine, you will be surprised at the difference it will have on your life.
http://leanmeanbodybuilding.com

Laser Liposuction - Is It One Of The Better Alternatives For You?

2008-10-27T16:42:00.001-04:00

Liposuction is one specific way for a person to get rid of fat in a relatively quick way. The majority of individuals turn to this option when they discover that they are incapable of adhering to a diet program for a long enough period to make a significant difference while simultaneously they want to look better as well. The latest advancement in this field currently is laser liposuction.

What Exactly is Liposuction?

Prior to educating yourself in the deeper aspects of liposuction you need to know the basics of this type of procedure. Liposuction is a way of taking out fat from different places in the body, such as thighs, buttocks, neck, abdomen etc.

The fat is dispatched by way of aspiration with the assistance of a thin tube which is inserted underneath a persons skin through a two or three millimeter surgical incision. Even though this type of procedure initially appears simple in nature it is classified as surgery and sometimes there will complications that do happen.

On the positive side of the situation, liposuction can furnish you with an ideal way to lose fat with a minimum amount of inconvenience. However, the success of this type of procedure is greatly dependent on the flexibility of your skin. Because of this reason the procedure is not recommended for people over a certain age regardless if they were in ideal physical condition.

What Are The Differences In Laser Liposuction?

The majority of people develop some amount of bruising after a regular liposuction procedure which in normal circumstances disappears after a few days. This after effect is expected and should not be alarming, though for many patients they end up shocked anyways. Primarily this does not happen with laser liposuction since a laser is utilized to blast the fat that is beneath the skin. This is opposed to saline that is used in the older procedure in order to break down the fat.

Because of this laser liposuction has less pain, does not have a tendency to create bruising which essentially means having to spend less time for post-surgery recuperation and lastly, it is much quicker as well as more thorough. There is also less chance that there would be any type of scarring or any type of significant tissue damage when utilizing a laser.

Another excellent benefit is that because of the heat that the laser generates, it encourages the production of collagen which enriches the skins elasticity. This is one of the reasons why laser liposuction can be used on individuals who are middle age, because the odds of the skin having a greater chance of recovery are good as well as the skin having a better appearance after surgery are also good.

What Are The Risks and Limitations?

This kind of procedure is generally recommended for areas that are smaller. For instance the neck, face, upper arms, etc. because there is a danger of retaining fat fluid which could end up being a serious health threat in greater instance when used on larger areas. There are other factors to consider but using the laser option is certainly a great benefit over past procedures to those looking for a relatively quick way in sculpting their bodies.

To learn more go to Arm Liposuction and at Liposuction Surgery

Acne Laser Treatment: Pros and Cons

2008-10-27T16:21:00.013-04:00

You are already an adult, but you still face acne problems. You may be feeling vexed over having acne. You may have tried many various products available from the pharmacy, such as lotion, medication and anti-acne cream. It may not be successful for everyone. If you have ugly blemishes due to acne, why not consider having acne laser treatment.

Acne laser treatment has been becoming more popular over the last few years as an effective treatment option. This is a fairly new procedure that has shown some promising results for those who have had no luck with other types of treatment. Perhaps you can seriously consider acne laser treatment.

What exactly is acne laser treatment?

This is a process that will resolve your current acne woes and at the same time remove the scars left by acne. The degree of scarring on your face will determine different types of treatment. Your dermatologist can advise you as to the best treatment options for you.

There are usually three types of acne laser treatments. They are non-ablative lasers, erbium lasers and carbon dioxide lasers. Using carbon dioxide is one of the best way for laser treatment. The skin that has acne scars will be peeled away by the short pulses of laser. These lasers, non-ablative and erbium, work in different ways. They remove the blemishes and heal the scars under the skin.

Benefits

It doesn't take much time and pain for the entire procedure. The surgery will not take more than a few minutes and you can be discharged immediately. You do not need to spend time waiting for your skin to recover. You can simply make your appointments during your lunch breaks for your treatments. The key result people wish to have from this particular treatment is to have skin that is virtually free from scars and blemishes.

Drawbacks

There are certain drawbacks to this particular treatment for acne. Although one treatment may take only a short while, usually you will be required to have more treatments up to a few months. When your treatments are over, you may require quite a long time before you notice the transformation.

It may be quite expensive to go through a whole course of treatment and many people may be discouraged. Each session can cost a few hundred dollars, and you will require many sessions before you see the results. As this is considered cosmetic surgery, it will not be covered by health insurance policies. Over a few months, this will add up.

If you have had enough of acne scars and wish to remove the blemishes permanently, do discuss with your dermatologist and see whether acne laser treatment will be right for you.

Swedish Massage And Ayurvedic Massage-Which One Is The Ideal Choice?

2008-10-27T16:21:00.011-04:00

Because of the different influences in massage therapy, there are many variations in techniques, but all these different techniques, still offer the same health benefits. The Swedish and Ayurvedic massage both have very different origins and styles, but they still contribute a lot to achieve a healthy and relaxed body.

With so many different kinds of massage therapy programs available today, it has made it difficult for people to choose which one is for them

The Swedish Massage, which is often called the classic or traditional massage. This is the most common massage therapy method and it is what most people usually prefer. The long and flowing strokes characterize this method, and it is ideal for relaxing muscles, improving joint flexibility and aiding in better circulation.

The first stroke is known as effleurage, this involves a long gliding stroke from the neck down to the base of the spine or from the shoulder down to the fingertips. It is also done on the limbs with all strokes directed toward the heart to aid blood and lymphatic flow. A therapist would normally use there whole hand or a thumb pad to do this.

Next is petrissage, this consists of the gentle lifting of muscles, then rolling and squeezing them, while applying a gentle pressure. This helps to enhance deeper circulation, it also increases circulation which in turn eliminates toxins from muscle and nerve tissue.

The third technique friction, is the most forceful one and uses deep circular movements using fingertips. it is applied near bony areas and joints, it relaxes the muscle fiber which in turn enhances flexibility in muscles and joints.

Last of all, a therapist will use vibration or shaking, this would normally entail the pressing of hands on the back or limbs and shaking in a vigorous motion for a few moments. Again this is used to improve circulation and is beneficial to people with low-back pain.

The Ayurvedic massage originated from India and the aim of this method is to create harmony and balance within the individual. It is worth noting that this method is renown for removal of toxins and rejuvenation of the body.

Ayurvedic massage uses specific oils that suit your dosha. One such, is the Abhyanga-Garshana which comprises of skin brushing followed by an oil massage. Udwarthanam which is a slimming massage that uses herbal powders and the Ayurvedic foot massage which is a deep massage where the therapist uses his feet.

Now you have enough knowledge on both Swedish and Ayurvedic massage, it is up to you to choose between the two which best suits your style of relaxation. Remember both massages having unique qualities and techniques, the choosing part can be a little tricky though, so if you are still undecided why not try both?

Would you like to learn more about Massage Therapy Benefits. Then visit this popular website, that provides more information to help you relax and de-stress with its Massage Therapy Tips.

Build Muscle Mass Fast & Get Ripped...

2008-10-27T16:21:00.009-04:00

What if by making a few small changes in your nutrition and eating habits you could add up to a 50% gain in muscle mass and loose up to 18% extra fat.

Well you could be robbing yourself of these gains just by not eating correctly and at the right times. You see by eating at the right time you can catapult your body into a fat burning anabolic state which will not only help you gain more muscle but also loose more fat at the same time.

You will be surprised at how easy it is to make a few simple changes in your eating habits and times and the gains that you will get from these very small changes.

In a recent study in the U.K it has been shown that eating irregular meals promotes fat gain. It all comes back to our body’s “will to survive” mechanism. When you skip or prolong a meal your body will automatically go into saviour mode and start storing extra fat to be used at a later date. Consequently your next meal also stores a lot of extra fat.

By eating smaller meals more frequently you can not only counter this effect but also put your body into an anabolic state, which will also increase your base metabolic rate. In plain English this leads to higher fat loss and more muscle gain.

A haphazard supplement program coupled with a haphazard diet will make building muscle and loosing fat a next to impossible task no matter how you train

Why would anyone put in all that effort in their training and not back it up by proper nutrition and eating habits? Lack of knowledge would be the most likely answer.

Ideally you should be eating 5 or 6 smaller meals a day that are low in fat, with high protein and medium carbohydrate.

Here is an example of my Meal plan each day

Meal 1: 6AM

1 packet of Ny-Tro PRO-40 mixed with 16 ounces of skim milk and 1 serving of Micronized Creatine

Meal 2: 9AM

2 servings VP2 Whey Isolate mixed in 10 ounces of skim milk

1 large apple

Meal 3: 12PM

2 grilled chicken breasts

1 Serving Rice

1 cup of low-fat Yogurt

1 serving VP2 Whey Isolate in 8 ounces skim milk.

Meal 4: 3PM

1 packet Ny-Tro PRO-40 mixed with 16 ounces of skim milk and 5 to 10 grams of GL3 L-Glutamine
1 large banana

Pre-Workout

2 Dymetadrine Xtreme

1 VyoPro Protein Bar

Meal 5: 6PM (Post-workout)

2 servings VP2 Whey Isolate combined with 1 serving Creatine HSC mixed in cold water. (This is an important meal and is designed for an insulin spike at just the right time to increase creatine and amino acid uptake by the muscle cells.)

Meal 6: 7PM

8 to 10 ounces of lean round or flank steak

1 large serving of rice

1 medium baked potato

1 large green salad

Meal 7: 10PM

1 packet of Ny-Tro PRO-40 mixed with 9 ounces of skim milk

1 large banana

3 to 5 grams of GL3 L-Glutamine

(Mix the Ny-Tro PRO-40 and GL3 in a large bowl into a smooth pudding. Slice the banana on top and eat. It's a dessert.)

I take my meal plans from the Max OT training program, which can be found at http://www.ast-ss.com/max-ot/max-ot_intro.asp

You do not need to supplement the way I do and by just eating 5-7 smaller meals per day you will already be on your way to a healthier life with better gains from your gym workouts.

Benefits of Yoga - Both Emotional and Physical

2008-10-27T16:21:00.007-04:00

The art of yoga has been mainly designed to focus on the total wellness of an individual. When a person gets involved with yoga they will certainly learn new types of lifestyle ideas as well as new ways of approaching life within the world. Yoga has the ability to improve your health in numerous different ways.

In addition, you will also increase your level of strength as well as become more flexible, improve your balance as well as educating yourself to release your stress and add to your vitality. Yoga can also be a pleasant way to lose weight.

Through the practice of the numerous yoga positions, better known as asanas, heightens your flexibility through working on your joints as well as your muscles, ligaments and tendons. You will begin to notice a substantial improvement in how flexible your body will become as you persist in your practice of yoga. You will be pleasantly surprised with the benefits of yoga for instance the increased muscle tone and the lowering of body fat.

Yoga is great for completely messaging your internal organs as well as the glands of your upper body which includes those that infrequently get stimulation needed. Through the use of messaging your organs as well as your glands yoga assists your bodies defenses to resist diseases from harming your health.

A substantial benefit of doing yoga is the added blood flow that happens throughout your physical body which adds to the strength of your health. The added flow of blood substantially helps your body's natural ability to lower toxin substances as well as delivers added nourishments through your body.

Yoga for the Mind

One of the most profound benefits of yoga that happens is the capability of putting your internal mind as well as your body into a state of harmony, mainly through the use of meditation. Meditation gives you the ability to clear your inner mind and provides much needed inner peace. The meditation aspect of yoga can assist in taking away stress that is unhealthy from both your body and your mind. There are negative aspects of stress that effects your endocrinal, emotional as well as physical systems.

Yoga has been utilized to treat many different ailments. Some of these are; depression, headaches, backaches, assorted addictions, constipation, high blood pressure, indigestion problems, obesity as well as other types of health problems.

Various studies have demonstrated that the advantages of practicing yoga include providing people with the means to have a degree of control over an assortment of body functions such as the temperature of their body, the level of their blood pressure, their internal heart rate, brain waves, their metabolism rate as well as their respiratory function.

Lowering The Level Of Pain

An added advantage of doing the practice of yoga is yoga's capability of assisting in the reduction of pain and by helping a persons brain to regulate a significant mechanism that is located in their spinal cord and by augmenting the production and release of pain reducing substances that are made within your body. The routines that yoga uses for breathing also can furnishes much welcomed pain relief.

If you have back pain which clearly nobody wants then first check with your physician to learn if yoga may be appropriate for your personal situation. Yoga has been demonstrated to help relieve back pain through improving your flexibility as well as your strength. By practicing yoga on a consistent basis you will end up in good physical shape and you will also end up appreciating the physical as well as the emotional advantages of yoga.

To learn more go to Benefits Of Yoga advice and at History Of Kriya Yoga tips.

Yoga Certification - What You Need To Know

2008-10-27T16:21:00.005-04:00

Yoga certifications should not be that easy to acquire. After all, the entire reason behind certification is to ensure the quality and certification loses all meaning when potential instructors that have lesser levels of competence and yoga schools that are questionable become certified. Certification standards that are poor will end up hurting the students due to improper technique and might lead to injuries and the students certainly will not be getting there moneys worth.

Accompanied along with the yoga craze that is sweeping the globe, the practice that was started in ancient India has been co-opted into becoming the basis of a multi-billion dollar industry. Just in the United States alone people end up spending in excess of 3 billion USD per year on classes for yoga and associated yoga equipment.

It's no big surprise that numerous amounts of people with only minimal knowledge on the practice of yoga are attempting to get in on a piece of the action. As a result of this behavior, numerous McYoga type of schools or schools of yoga that are of lower quality have been springing up like so many pimples on a teenagers face all over the nation.

The desire for the would be practitioners of this sacred and ancient practice to learn which schools are legitimate and which are the ones that need avoiding have subsequently led to the practice of yoga certification.

Accreditation of Yoga Schools

Yoga certifications official bodies themselves are a highly discriminating sort. Some will if a particular school will end up teaching a specific type of yoga, for example. Some in depth research will help a person to reveal which yoga certification bodies will be of the greatest assistance for the type of yoga that a person is interested in.

You will also find that there are general practice yoga certification groups for instance Yoga Alliance in the USA that might even assist you to locate schools that are properly accredited in any form or yoga in your local area.

When searching for a school for yoga or an instructor for yoga, always proceed with the same precautions that you would normally take if you were thinking of attending any other school. Yoga certification ought to be constantly checked and rechecked. If a certain school gets certification, always do more research on that certification.

There are some yoga certifications that can be purchased on the internet without having any true assurance of proficiency from the instructor or any type of quality from the school. When your own health as well as your own personal money is at stake, you can never take too many precautions to ensure a successful outcome.

Frequently you will find that there are some instructors that will claim to practice a specific form of yoga that they will claim to have created on their own. As such it is not probable that this type of practice will be given yoga certification from any official body that certifies orthodox yoga practices.

Even though there might be some instructors who are providing actual advantages with their particular system, it will be difficult to discern which do as numerous others will simply be hucksters who end up claiming to have created their own system so that they can dodge questions of certifications.

To learn more go to Yoga Classes advice and at Power Yoga tips.

The Legend of Lou Ferigno

2008-10-27T16:21:00.003-04:00

If there ever was a true legend in the sport of body building it would be the legendary Lou Ferigno. In the 1970’s, Ferigno was a true rags to riches story as he came from humble origins to worldwide fame as a bodybuilder and then to even greater fame in his endearing portrayal of the titular green monster in the classic television program THE INCREDIBLE HULK. While some may be familiar with Lou and his work, they may not be all that familiar with his background which may prove to be quite interesting even to those who do not follow the sport.

Body Building: The Early Years

Lou Ferigno was born in Brooklyn New York in the 1950’s and had the handicap of being deaf. Since attitudes towards the hearing impaired were not exactly progressive during this time period, Lou became somewhat withdrawn and isolated. While in his teens he would discover a new hobby in the form of weightlifting. Lou became enamored with this new hobby to the point of obsession. He would work out everyday and watch his diet religiously. In time, he would set his sights on competing in amateur body building competitions. He entered them and did well enough that he caught the eye of body building mogul Joe Weider who brought Lou into the fold of professional body building competition. Lou did extremely well in this new profession although he alternated his time between competing and working in construction as construction paid far more than professional body building! Lou would then become featured in the classic documentary PUMPING IRON, a documentary that would bring him to the attention of a number of Hollywood producers.

The Incredible Hulk

When former James Bond villain Richard “Jaws” Kiel bombed as the Hulk during the first few days of shooting the pilot for the TV series, Ferigno got the call to play the green goliath. While few believed this series would be a hit, it turned out to be a colossal hit lasting many years on network TV and decades in syndication. Ferigno was now a bona fide worldwide star!

Ferigno no longer competes in body building these days as he is well into his retirement years. He does, however, appear at numerous competitions as a special guest and as a judge. He also signs autographs at comic conventions and meets with all his fans who have followed his career through the years. In terms of pop culture history, Lou Ferigno is a true icon and definitely one of a kind!

Back Pain Relief: How To Avoid Surgery

2008-10-27T16:21:00.001-04:00

Surgery May Not Be The Right Treatment For Back Pain

It used to be that if a person had a lot of back pain their doctor would recommend surgery to fix the problem. Following the surgery, the person would usually be on bed rest for a few weeks, and then, if all went well, their back would be better - unless it wasn’t. In the past, experts agree, there was too much back surgery done. Most people weren’t any better after the surgery, and many were worse.

Now, research has shown that most back pain, even lower back pain, will resolve itself without surgery, given rest and time. In fact, for most back pain, all other options should be tried prior to scheduling surgery on the back. Less than one percent of all people ever actually need surgery for their back pain, though four out of every five people have back pain at some time in their life.

Who Needs Surgery?

Generally, physicians believe that surgery should only be considered if other methods have been tried and were unsuccessful at relieving the back pain (or the pain returns), the pain is significantly affecting a person's day-to-day life, or if left alone the back condition could deteriorate into a more serious state.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Physical therapy can be a great way to help the back and spine heal. Along with special, specific exercises, often the physical therapist will use other modalities, such as heat or cold therapy (reduces inflammation, pain and muscle spasms), ultrasound (uses sound waves to head and encourage circulation and reduces inflammation, pain and muscle spasms), massage, spinal traction, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) (uses a painless electrical currently on certain nerves to relieve pain and improve mobility of the back) and water therapy.

Some patients find relief by using medication to relieve their back pain. There are many kinds, some over the counter and others prescription. They include muscle relaxants, analgesics and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Spinal injections can relieve pain and help the doctor determine the reason for the back pain. Two kinds are Facet Joint Injections and Epidural Steroid Injections. Spinal injections are not used alone, but are used along with physical therapy and exercise. They should always be recommended or prescribed by your doctor.

Often, chiropractic care can help relieve back pain. They can palpate, apply pressure, manipulate, massage and use other methods to re-align the vertebrae of the spine.

Other methods for dealing with back pain are considered alternative medicine. They include acupuncture, certain herbal medicines and biofeedback. If you use one of these therapies, be sure to have a reputable practitioner.

Learn How To Eliminate Back Pain-Click Here!

Natural Cure For Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Will It Work For You?

2008-10-09T00:05:00.003-04:00

What is irritable bowel syndrome?

Are you experiencing stomach cramping and incredible pain, then you are likely to be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. It usually causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, luckily it does not normally damage to system irreparably and can be quickly brought under control with the use of irritable bowel syndrome nutural cures.

If you are experiencing irritable bowel syndrome you will definitely be looking for a speedy long term solution to this disorder.. You basically have two options available – conventional treatment such as prescription medications, and alternative or natural treatments such as is provided by herbs and natural supplements.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Natural Cure

When you decide to go down the road of natural cures the first thing is that you will be asked to change your diet as this simple step will give you immediate relief for the discomfort. Although it sounds incredibly simple, by including certain foods in your diet and staying away from others, you will be able to make a huge difference in terms of your overall condition and will notice improvements in your condition almost immediately.

Results show that Peppermint Oil is one of the most commonly used irritable bowel syndrome natural cures, it has shown to be incredibly effective in terms of treating digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome.

Hydrolyzed guar gum, is another very commonly used irritable bowel syndrome natural cure as this is a fiber that is water-soluble and has also proven to be effective at reducing constipation and diarrhea. Another positive benefit is that it appears to be able to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria, which in turn helps to clean the intestines and reduce the symptoms associated with your condition.

If you are keen to learn more about the different irritable bowel syndrome natural cures that are available, we recommend that you get hooked up with a herbal nutritionist. The herbal nutritionist is a health specialist who focuses exclusively on food and nutrition science, he or she will probably consider your medical history and use laboratory tests and physical examination findings before determining how to best improve your over all health.

Luckily, finding an irritable bowel syndrome natural cure is quite easy and the recommended changes in diet should be implemented straight away. Leaving your irritable bowel syndrome untreated can cause you other complications in the long run if not treated. By following the set procedure you will relieve your symptoms and get back to living a regular life once again.

Of course, it is important to remember to continue to work closely with your doctor and herbal nutritionist even after your symptoms have begun to subside, so you can prevent the condition from reoccurring in the future.

As they say “You are what you eat”, this combined with the stresses of modern life are the primary causes of irritable bowel syndrome. Listen to your body it will tell you when oyu’ve got it right and when you’ve got it wrong, and with a few simple changes we can eradicate this condition and live healthy lives.

What is Postpartum Depression

2008-10-09T00:05:00.001-04:00

There has been much debate over the subject of Postpartum Depression these days, no small part of which are comments made by some that not only can this condition be treated by "vitamins and exercise" but by the fact that some even debate whether the condition actually exists in the first place. If you're a new mom and think that you are experiencing postpartum depression but are afraid of talking to anyone because of what they might say, please keep reading.

The first thing to remember about any case of depression is that there are new facts being learned about it every single day. The more scientists are able to understand about how the body and the brain work together, the more accurate they are in medical diagnoses. Many doctors agree that postpartum depression does exist and is the result of a wide combination of factors. A new mother is facing a surge of female hormones that often trigger emotional episodes, including depression. Many of her body's systems are also maladjusted, and this includes some of the chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. On top of all of these things, postpartum depression may also be caused or aggravated by her lack of sleep from having to get up and take care of the baby several times during the night.A New mom's health and emotions can really be beated up when there is a combination of these two factors!

It's thought that some cases of Postpartum Depression are more likely to strike women who are already prone to depression or who have had this condition even before becoming pregnant. This seems like a logical conclusion; if a woman has a tendency to be overweight before becoming pregnant it's likely that she will have a more difficult time taking off the weight after pregnancy. Having a condition before pregnancy would logically make one more prone to having it after pregnancy, and postpartum depression is no different.

Sometimes you will find advocates that postpartum depression is not only brought on by physical factors but also many emotional factors as well.Motherhood is shown to women as a constant state of happiness full of laughter and a love but then reality can hit a young mom with a crying baby at 2 in the morning. This disappointment can reach the point of depression. Or some who experience postpartum depression have expected the child to solve problems in their life, such as bringing them closer to their spouse, or making up for a lack of self-esteem, and so on. When these things don't happen just automatically with the arrival of the baby, the mother feels angry, guilty, let down, and so on. This too can progress to the point of postpartum depression.

Doctors today are becoming more responsive to the condition and are more aware and alert to what it means and what may legitimately cause it.Your Doctor is the best reourse for information on how to get through the stages of postpartum depression.

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The Advantages of Yoga Exercises For Women During Pregnancy

2008-10-06T09:52:00.005-04:00

Yoga exercises, or asanas, are various types of modes or positioning or moving your body. There are diverse yoga exercises that can provide substantial benefits to women's health particularly in times of pregnancy. Broadly differing in the range of style as well as implementation, these types of exercises smoothly stretch as well as effect all different parts of the body.

Around the time of pregnancy, yoga exercises provide a smooth way to keep a healthy balance in life. The exceptional effects of these types of yoga exercises while a women is in pregnancy show the effectiveness of yoga which helps to ensure a lower hazard of pregnancy, natural childbirth as well as an easier transition to the body shape in post-pregnancy period. This articles points out different factors that show benefits through the use and practice of yoga exercises while a woman is in pregnancy.

A Healthier Feeling

Yoga exercises have the ability to assist in relieving contractions and edema which typically happens through the last phases of pregnancy. These kinds of exercises assist in affecting the position of the baby and turning it in advance as needed. With the assistance of exercising, the muscles of the abdomen become stronger which in time promotes healthy and regular bowel movements.

Yoga exercises also help in elevating the energy level through the process of lowering the rate of a persons metabolism, which in turn, helps to restore a persons attentiveness as well as their calmness. Symptoms of mood swings, nausea, and morning sickness can help in being alleviated through the use of Yogic pranayama. These types of various exercises also assist in discharging the tension that occur in the birth canal as well as the cervix areas.

These assorted yoga exercises provide health benefits in differing ways. For instance, meditation assists in focusing a persons mind, which eventually helps the focus of a pregnant woman on the opening of the pelvis during the time of labor. At the time of post natal care, yoga exercises are known to be very useful.

These types of exercises assist in rejuvenating the uterus, pelvic floor, and abdomen while offering help in alleviating discomfort of the breast and tension in the area of the upper back. The practice of pranayama or better understood under the description of yogic breathing exercises.

This type of exercise ensures an ample supply of oxygen as well as an increased quality of life for the woman who is pregnant as well as her child. A devoted commitment to the practice of pranayama guarantees a high quality supply of oxygen and the prana or energy that is taken from the air to the baby developing within the expecting mother's womb.

There are other kinds of yoga exercises such as Bandhas as well as Mudras which provide the psycho-physiological affect on a women's reproductive organs. Then again, yogic nidra is a technique that is essential to acquire deep relaxation without the loss of conscious awareness.

Yogic nidra similarly with many other types of yoga exercises can furnish potential advantages particularly in the initial stages of pregnancy during which the women's sleep is typically broken as well as being inconsistent. The significance of yogic nidra is recognized at this point in time with it's providential contribution that features total body relaxation of mind, body as well as spirit.

To learn more go to Tantra Yoga advice and at Types Of Yoga tips.

Understanding What A Thrush Infection Is

2008-10-06T09:52:00.003-04:00

Just by the simple act of being alive, the human body is covered by millions of good and bad bacteria, this is not as a result of not bathing and cleaning oneself. On occasion the bacterias get out of balance and multiply rapidly causing infection, Thrush is one of these infections.

One of the many bacteria’s that lives on the human body is Candida Albicans. This bacterium is found on and in about eighty percent of the human population. Candida Albicans can be found in several areas of the body including the colon, vagina, stomach, throat, mouth and rectum. Under normal conditions Candida Albicans do not cause any problems but an over stimulation and growth of this bacteria can lead to a thrush infection or candidiasis.

A thrush infection is not a serious problem, but is occumpanied by major discomfort. It can also lead to a much more serious condition if it is left untreated, this is why anyone suspecting they have a thrush infection should visit a doctor for medical advice right away. If you are suffering from Persistent thrush it is important that you should be seen to by a doctor, do not ignore it.

Signs And Symptoms Of Thrush Infection.

Oral Thrush: Having white creamy patches in the mouth is the most common sign of an oral thrush infection. In addition you may have red spots in the mouth, crusts forming at the corner of the mouths and difficulties swallowing.

Vaginal Thrush: A vaginal thrush infection is most commonly recognized by a white creamy discharge. Often this discharge will be accompanied by burning and itching in the vaginal area. The lips of the vagina may also swell and become red with tenderness when touched. Women are the main sufferers of thrush, about seventy-five percent of all women will have a thrush infection at least once in their lives.

Prevention Is Better Than a Cure

How do you avoid getting a thrush infection? In normal conditions a normal amount of yeast is present and is important for good vaginal health. One good way you can prevent a thrush infection from occurring is by Limiting sugar intakes as this is beneficial to preventing a thrush infection since thrush thrives on sugar. You can prevent the recurrence of a thrush infection by eating a low sugar diet. You also want to allow the infected area to breath by wearing cotton undergarments, pants and skirts and make sure you clothing is loose fitting.

Self treatment by using over the counter medication is not recommended since some antibiotics and other medications can make the infection worse. Before trying any kind of treatment it is best to seek the advice of a doctor. If the infection persists it is most important that you revisit your doctor so that he or she may carry out further tests to examine wether there is another cause for your continued disorder.

Sensible Use Of Alternative Medicine for Cancer

2008-10-06T09:52:00.001-04:00

Modern medicine relies heavily on surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy in treating cancer.. For all of us who have gone through these devastating treatments, we all look for alternative medicines to treat our symptoms and to rebuild our natural health..

It cannot be denied that modern medicine has come a long way in the treatment and management of many forms of cancer. Our knowledge and treatment of these maladies is far in advance of what was common practice of years past, however, we have a long way to go before cancer is 100% curable. Unfortunately cancer is taking on different forms and is increasing in regularity throughout the worlds population.

There is little hope provided by modern medicine for those suffering from terminal cases , nor is there much in the way of research in prevention which shows immanent clear direction. A very concerning question is being asked “Is our modern farming and food processing technology along with higher levels of pollution greatly influencing the spread of cancer”?

Many of us believe the alternative medicine for cancer can best be found in altering our diets and to include other herbal remedies that are known to assist in regeneration of the body as well as in pain management giving sufferers a moré holistic approach to both prevention and the cure of cancer.

Alternative Medicine for Cancer Prevention

It is well known that adequate fiber content helps to prevent cancers of the digestive tract. Holistic nutrition using coarse grain and unrefined flour are therefore useful forms of alternative medicine for cancer containment. Traditional medicine also has dietary supplements based on the husks of cereals which help to keep bowel movement in good order. It is worth following principles of alternative medicine for cancer prevention if malignancies of the colon and surrounding areas are likely.

Similarly, there are herbal extracts available which help cancerous lesions developing in the liver. The vitamins, minerals, enzymes and elements found in fresh organic fruits and vegetables are known to be the building blocks and the repair kit of the human body It is therefore worthwhile to use alternative medicine for cancer management of vital organs in a pro-active way.

Alternative Medicine for Cancer Management near Termination

As the population of the world becomes more aware of he symptoms of cancer and a general understanding of how to prevent there onset along with timely detection should prevent every case of cancer from reaching a stage at which it can no longer be arrested, but unfortunately medical science is yet to reach the plane from which all patients can be cured effectively. Patients may have to spend considerable periods in terminal and progressive stages of eventually fatal illness.

Thankfully, today more and more people are understanding that essential nutrition and pain management are key considerations to make the final days of a terminally ill patient as comfortable as possible. Alternative medicine for cancer has important applications in this tragic but sometimes inescapable context. Nutrition powders and fluid extracts can be used on patients who are too unwell to enjoy normal meals, while topical preparations can be used with modern drugs to deal with distressing pain.

There are also some unsubstantiated claims of alternative medicine for cancer containment or reversal, which patients and their relatives may like to try when modern methods offer no further hope. Some patients are known to have exceeded the prognoses for their malignant conditions by long periods using alternative medicine for cancer.

The Aloe Vera Supplement Of The Stars...

2008-10-03T12:42:00.005-04:00

Hollywood really is an exclusive club, a world unto it's own. It is a simple fact that stars and almost all of the folk working in the entertainment industry are privy to beauty and health methods the remainder of the world are now not. The most recent and the best of anything runs like lightening thru Hollywood as speedily as a cellphone call or a text message can be typed. They are the select possessors of the final knowledge in each beauty and health product available.

This sometimes happens when a celeb, or top pro "discovers" a product that actually works. When this phenomenon happens, the excitement becomes barely palatable. And a product or treatment just receives this kind of attention when it rises to the top due to quality, efficacy, sustainability and creativity. Average products or trends simply never hold the interest of a community who are smart and demand the best. And if you are lucky enough to be the purveyor of this precious new info it could be the key which will usher you or your business into the inner sanctum of the affluent and tough.

So the hunt for one of these rare jewels is definitely a search deserving of effort in Hollywood. One such remarkable beauty and health product that has lately achieved this coveted status in Hollywood is known as Aloeride. The fundamental ingredient being that traditional beauty and health part, Aloe Vera. Plenty of studies have shown that when Aloe Vera gel or liquid comes in contact with the air, it instantly begins a quick bacterial degradation. This decreases the beauty and nutritive price just about as fast as the top is off the bottle. When nutrients are fed more cleanly into the body and individual cells, the body loses its need to adhere to poisons and fats to feed on.

Of course, this may be an amazing side-benefit for those needing to shed pounds or keep their weight in check. And do not think Hollywood hasn't discovered the beauty advantages of this superb small capsule. So what does Hollywood know about Health and Beauty that the remainder of us don't? Everything. And what is Hollywood totally humming about? Aloeride. Read my own aloeride review. This is definitely a secret the remainder of the world should be in on.

Breast Implants or Pills

2008-10-03T12:42:00.003-04:00

Despite more than a decade of controversy over their safety, breast implants are more popular than ever among women who want to build upon what nature gave them or who want to restore what disease has taken away. Whatever the reason, opting for breast implants is a personal decision that should be made only after a woman fully understands and accepts the potential risks of the devices and the importance of follow-up evaluations with her physician.

Some people see an enormous benefit to getting implants and are willing to accept associated risks. They say that using breast implants to rebuild the breast (reconstruction), or change its size and shape (augmentation), significantly improves the quality of life for many women. Advocates of breast implants also say that a woman's consent to the surgery should be considered valid as long as she weighs the risks and benefits of the procedure.

While every surgical procedure has potential risks, such as infection, bleeding, and scarring, there are risks that are specific to breast implants. Learning about them is key to being properly informed about the procedure.

A Primer on Breast Implants
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there were nearly 255,000 breast enhancement implant surgeries in 2003, nearly twice the number done in 1998. Another 68,000 women received breast implants for reconstruction following mastectomy due to cancer or other disease.

But also in 2003, 45,000 augmentation patients and 17,000 reconstruction patients had their breast implants removed. The medical community and others, including the Food and Drug Administration, would like to better understand why.

Breast implants are designed for augmentation, a cosmetic procedure; reconstruction; and replacement of existing implants, called revision. There are two primary types: saline-filled and silicone gel-filled. Depending on the type of implant, the shell is either pre-filled with a fixed volume of solution or filled through a valve during the surgery to the desired size. Some allow for adjustments of the filler volume after surgery. Breast implants vary in shape, size, and shell texture.

At this time, there are two manufacturers with approved saline-filled breast implants. No manufacturer has yet received FDA approval to market a silicone gel-filled breast implant.

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The Silicone Controversy
Breast implants were first marketed in the early 1960s, before the 1976 Medical Device Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act required a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness to be shown for certain medical devices. The 1976 law gave the FDA authority over such devices, but breast implants were "grandfathered" into the regulatory scheme, meaning that manufacturers were not required to provide the agency with scientific evidence of product safety unless questions arose about the safety and effectiveness of these already-marketed devices. Silicone was initially assumed by manufacturers to be biologically inactive and, therefore, to have no harmful effects.

But over the years, questions did arise about the effects of silicone on the body. In 1991, the FDA published a regulation that required manufacturers of silicone gel-filled breast implants to submit premarket approval applications (PMAs). This requirement meant that the FDA needed to agree that the manufacturer has presented data showing a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness in order for the devices to remain on the market.

In January 1992, the FDA called for a voluntary moratorium--a delay on the use of these implants--until new safety information could be thoroughly reviewed. The moratorium was not intended to "ban" the implants, but instead to allow time to review the new safety information.

In April 1992, the agency decided that no PMA yet submitted contained sufficient safety and effectiveness data to support approval. However, access to these silicone gel-filled breast implants would continue for women enrolled in certain clinical studies.

In the years that followed that decision, thousands of women filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of silicone gel-filled implants, claiming the devices had caused serious ailments, such as connective tissue diseases, neurological diseases, and cancer. Consumer groups repeatedly filed petitions urging more studies on the implants. But many women said they were pleased with their implants, including cancer patients who had pleaded for the opportunity to choose silicone gel-filled implants for reconstruction.

A Turn of Events
In October 2003, the FDA held a two-day advisory panel meeting to discuss a manufacturer's PMA for a silicone gel-filled breast implant. Some people complained that the meeting was premature in light of the fact that long-term studies had not been completed, but the FDA proceeded because the agency was required by law to consider the pending PMA within a specified time frame. The meeting also provided patients and others with timely access to information and expert analyses on the issue. The issues before the panel reflected much of the decades-long debate over the implants. Moreover, the meeting provided a valuable public forum for discussing the issue from many diverse perspectives and for raising important additional questions.

As a panel member, Benjamin O. Anderson, M.D., voted with the majority to recommend that the FDA approve the new PMA, but only with specific conditions. Anderson says he wants to avoid getting into the business of determining how a woman defines the value of breast reconstruction or augmentation.

"The use of implants and augmentation conjures up some social judgments that may well be unfair," says Anderson, a professor of surgery and director of the University of Washington's Breast Health Center. Rather than deciding that no woman can have access to silicone gel-filled implants because a small number may be at risk for certain illnesses, he says, "I believe the better approach is to make the devices available and inform all women of the degree of risk involved."

That, according to Anderson, "is reasonable informed consent."

In January 2004--contrary to the recommendation of the agency's advisory panel--the FDA determined that the new silicone gel-filled breast implant PMA was "not approvable" at that time. This meant that the implants were not approved for marketing pending additional information, but that women would continue to have limited access to them by enrolling in clinical studies.

"The public scientific process that has been used to consider these devices is fully consistent with the FDA's mission--to use the best available science to protect and promote the public health interests of the American people," says Linda Kahan, deputy director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH).

Also in January 2004, the agency released a draft of its new guidelines for companies submitting breast implant PMAs, explaining the scientific issues that the FDA recommends be addressed as part of their applications. The guidance document reflects the FDA's current thinking about new scientific information that the agency, manufacturers, and the clinical community have gained over the last 10 years, including information learned at the October 2003 advisory panel meeting. Consistent with the FDA's good guidance practices, the agency has asked for public comments on the breast implant guidance. The guidance is not intended for implementation until it is finalized.

"Current testing doesn't reflect reality," says Michael A. Choti, M.D., an associate professor of surgery and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, and also an FDA advisory panel member. The implants, he says, are extremely durable when tested outside the body. "You can virtually run a truck over them and they'll hold up. But the question is, what happens when implanted long-term in a woman's body?"

The FDA's draft guidance document says that two to three years of follow-up data may not be enough to allow the agency to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of breast implants. The agency recommends the use of tests that can predict clinical outcomes, such as how long breast implants will last before rupturing in the body, as well as tests that explain how and why the breast implants rupture. In addition, the agency recommends that more data be gathered regarding the rate of rupture over time, as well as the health consequences of rupture.

Breast Implant Risks
In 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a report on a review of information related to health effects associated with silicone breast implants, both gel-filled and saline-filled, in humans. An important goal of the IOM was to provide women with detailed information about the potential risks of silicone breast implants.

One risk is capsular contracture, which is a tightening and squeezing of the scar tissue that naturally forms around the implant. This contracture may result in hardening of the breast tissue, rippling of the skin, and changes in breast shape. It also may cause pain, which, if severe, can require surgery to remove the scar tissue or replace the implant.

In addition, a rupture can occur at any time. While saline-filled breast implants leak only salt water when they rupture, the health effects of leaking silicone gel-filled implants remain controversial. Women sense a change more easily when saline-filled breast implants rupture. But the silicone gel-filled implants are more likely to maintain their shape after they rupture, which can make it more difficult to detect a break.

Called "silent ruptures," these breaks involving silicone gel implants may occur without a visible change. And a woman may not feel any sensation, says Sahar M. Dawisha, M.D., a medical officer in CDRH who has reviewed data submitted by implant manufacturers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with equipment specifically designed for imaging the breast may be used for evaluating women with suspected rupture of their silicone gel-filled implant. The FDA considers MRI to be the best method at this time. There are no standards on how often to screen for silent rupture with MRI, and the costs of this procedure must be considered when choosing a silicone gel-filled breast implant. Physicians usually recommend removal of the implant if it has ruptured, regardless of whether it is saline-filled or silicone gel-filled.

Another potential complication of implant surgery is nerve damage, which can cause some women to experience a loss or increase in sensation in their nipples and breast tissue. These symptoms may disappear eventually, but can be permanent in some cases. It is unclear at this time whether insufficient milk production to breast-feed--another reported problem--is due to damaged nerves or to other reasons.

Women should know that, regardless of the type of implant, it is likely they will need to have one or more additional surgeries (reoperations) over the course of their lives, because of complications from breast implants. Reasons for reoperations include any of the potential complications, such as capsular contracture, wrinkling, asymmetry, rupture, or implant malposition.

The IOM committee also found that women with silicone breast implants are no more likely than women without implants to develop the life-threatening systemic illnesses that some people have claimed might be related to the implants.

But many women disagree. They have reported health problems related to their immune systems or neurological symptoms that they believe are caused by ruptured or intact breast implants. And some women who have received breast implants claim they weren't fully informed of the risks.

Lynda Roth, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990, says she was forced to make a quick decision, based on very little information, about getting breast implants following a mastectomy.

"I trusted what my highly respected doctors were telling me was true," says the 63-year-old social worker in central Colorado. "You're in shock, you think you're going to die, so what kind of informed decision can you possibly make about what you want your breasts to look like if you're lucky enough to survive?"

Roth did survive--both breast cancer and two silicone breast implants gone bad. But the ruptured devices, she believes, caused her to lose her good health, her job, and eventually her health insurance over the next 11 years. "I found out the hard way," she says. "There were many risks with the implants that I didn't know about."

Other women are pleased with their implants. Clara Filion underwent reconstruction in 1993 after having a breast removal that included the lymph nodes under the arm (modified radical mastectomy) due to cancer. The 67-year-old Bedias, Texas, resident says she's thrilled with the outcome of her saline-filled implant, as well as with her surgeon, even though her original implant will need replacing soon due to scar tissue--a local complication that Filion says she always knew could occur. Filion has experienced no other complications related to the implant in 11 years.

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Other Considerations
"My doctor told me that these implants would go with me to my grave," says 44-year-old Patty Faussett of Henderson, Nev., who chose to augment her breasts with saline breast implants in 1997, after years of breast-feeding distorted their shape.

Faussett had her implants removed a year after implantation because she believes they caused a mixed bag of health problems, including disturbed vision, heart palpitations, muscle twitching, and an autoimmune thyroid disease. She says, "The risks were much greater than my surgeon led me to believe."

Experts caution that breast implants do not last a lifetime. Women should be prepared for long-term follow-up and additional surgeries to treat complications. They also should be prepared for the accompanying additional costs. One of the biggest problems Faussett says she hears from women in her breast implant support group is that "most don't plan for the money it takes to fix what goes wrong."

In addition, women should be aware that hard pressure on the breast (compression) during mammography may cause implant rupture. Breast implants also can interfere with finding breast cancer during mammography. Doctors say the implant can hide breast tissue and, as a result, hide lesions as well. Extensive scarring and calcium deposits in tissue surrounding an implant can mimic the appearance of cancer, making the deposits difficult to distinguish from tumors on a mammogram.

Another consideration is the choice of a surgeon. Patient advocates, professional groups, and others agree that it's important to choose a plastic surgeon who has been trained in breast implant surgery and who has performed it successfully on many women.

After switching to a new, firmer silicone gel-filled implant through a clinical study only a year after experiencing rippling with her saline implants, Kathy Bracy says it's important that women who are considering breast implants do their homework.

"I love my breast implants, but I also spent six months researching the devices, which included picking the best doctor for me," says Bracy, a 38-year-old self-employed bookkeeper from Tampa, Fla. "It's not necessarily the product, but who is doing the surgery." The key to breast implant satisfaction, she says, is to "find a doctor who is willing to answer all your questions and take all your concerns seriously. And the relationship with your doctor doesn't end after the surgery."

Experts also advise women to have realistic expectations about breast implants. There is no guarantee that the results will match those of other women. Overall health, age, chest structure, the shape and position of the breast and nipple, skin texture, the tendency to bleed, prior breast surgeries, and the surgical team's skill and experience all figure into the outcome of breast implant surgeries.

Teens and Breast Implants
In addition to safety issues, there is concern about the growing use of breast implants among teen-agers. Health officials worry that teen-agers and their parents may not realize the relative permanence of the changes caused by the devices. They also want to be sure that teens are physically ready--that is, they're finished developing--and that they are psychologically mature enough to handle the outcome of surgery.

"I didn't know my breasts were still growing when I signed up for the surgery," admits Kacey Long, who got saline-filled breast implants in July 2001, when she was 19. Prior to her surgery, the college student from Ennis, Texas, was a 34B--a breast size she thought would be with her for life.

Teen-agers who are dissatisfied with their bodies see breast implants as a harmless--and, according to Long, "fun"--thing to do to improve their self-image. Long says she felt that her body was too "bottom heavy" for her breasts and wanted to "even out" her figure. "But I never thought about my implants being dangerous," she says. A friend's mother worked for a plastic surgeon for 12 years and told Long she knew of no problems with patients who had gotten the implants. "I really thought that I had inside information, and that these devices were completely safe and maintenance-free."

Following implantation, Long went to a 34D. But complications convinced her to have the implants removed a short time later. "I had shooting pains in my arms, excruciating pain in every joint, bone, and muscle of my body, I was exhausted all the time, had no energy, lost my hair, and had pains in my chest, heart, and ribs. I had trouble remembering things and thinking clearly, and the list goes on," she says. "Before the implants, all I had was allergies."

Many of the changes to the breast that occur with an implant cannot be undone. If a teen chooses to have her implants removed, she may experience dimpling, puckering, wrinkling, or other cosmetic changes.

Three years later, Long's breasts measure 36C--one size larger than before she was implanted--suggesting that her own breasts continued to develop even after the implants were removed. "When you're making a decision that can impact your life at 19," Long advises other young women, "you need to research the subject like you're 50 years old."

Ongoing clinical studies for unapproved saline-filled and silicone gel-filled breast implants do not allow for those younger than 18 to receive the implants for augmentation purposes. Some of these clinical studies even limit reconstruction and revision uses to women 18 and over.

Questions to Ask a Surgeon About Breast Augmentation
What are the risks and complications associated with having breast implants?
How many additional implant-related operations can I expect over my lifetime?
How will my breasts look if I choose to have the implants removed without replacement?
What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site, and placement site is recommended for me?
How will my ability to breast-feed be affected?
How can I expect my implanted breasts to look over time?
How can I expect my implanted breasts to look after pregnancy? After breast-feeding?
What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breasts?
What alternate procedures or products are available if I choose not to have breast implants?
Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

Questions to Ask a Surgeon About Breast Reconstruction
What are all my options for breast reconstruction?
What are the risks and complications of each type of breast reconstruction surgery and how common are they?
What if my cancer recurs or occurs in the other breast?
Will reconstruction interfere with my cancer treatment?
How many steps are there in each procedure? What are they?
How much experience do you have with each procedure?
What is the estimated total cost of each procedure?
How long will it take to complete my reconstruction?
Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what results are reasonable for me?
What will my scars look like?
What kind of changes in my reconstructed breast can I expect over time?
What kind of changes in my implanted breast can I expect with pregnancy?
What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my implanted breast?
How much pain or discomfort will I feel and for how long?
How long will I be in the hospital? Will I need blood transfusions, and can I donate my own blood?
When will I be able to resume my normal activities?

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Herbal Skin Care

2008-10-03T12:42:00.001-04:00

The Best in Skin Care

Today skin care is taken to a new level, and many people consider herbal skin care to be the best choice when considering natural skin care. These natural skin care products provide revitalizing nutrients and anti-oxidants that help keep your skin beautiful and ageless. Herbal skin care contains all natural herbs, with no added preservatives and no additional oils. Some of these products are known for their anti-aging properties, making this type of skin care the very best in keeping you looking young and giving you the most beautiful skin you have ever had. It is not only used to improve the look of your skin, but it also improves the health of your skin, special nutrients help moisturize and revitalize your skin leaving you with a clean, clear and beautiful finish.

What Makes Herbal Skin Care So Special?

Today there are many skin care products out there and buying the one for you can get a little confusing. But, with all the products around today one of the truly best choices are the herbal skin care products that do not add any animal fats, excess oils, or anything that might cause irritation for people with sensitive skin. Since everyone has a different skin type, herbal skin care is perfect because it can provide each skin type with the nutrients it needs to stay beautiful.

Most of these skin care products also provide a powerful sunscreen to protect your delicate skin from harmful UV rays. Most people do not realize how sensitive their skin is from the sun, a good sunscreen is important to keep your skin protected from cancer causing UV rays, and most cosmetics and skin care products do not carry enough protection in their formula. You can even grown many of the herbs used in these types of skin care products in your very own garden. Chamomile, lavender, sage, and lemon balm are all easily grown in your home garden or even in a few flower pots.

Herbal Skin Care and the Health of Your Skin

Herbal skin care helps your skin function properly. With all that your skin goes through in one day, you need something that will replenish and renew your skin. UV rays, stress, and pollution - all of these result in damage done to your skin. Natural skin care contains vitamins that heal your skin and leave you looking your best. Your skin is ever growing and changing, and it needs the necessary vitamins and minerals to keep it healthy, just like any other part of your day to day life you should take special care when it comes to your skin.

Natural skin care products can be found at your local beauty supply store or online, but be sure to read the labels carefully, so that the ingredients are all natural, and contain no added preservatives or unnecessary oils or fatty acids. Some companies that sell these products claim that they are 100% natural, but it is a good idea to read the labels so that you are absolutely sure that they are completely and 100% natural. Remember that skin care is important and you should never neglect to care for your skin properly. It will keep you happy, healthy, and beautiful for years to come.

Information about Good Skin Care Products

2008-09-29T12:49:00.001-04:00

In yesterday’s world, the thoughts about good skin care products were not very complex. Essentially, good skin care was something that made you appear better straight away. Excessive makeup and cosmetics, products that could eventually damage the skin and even sporadically poison the body, were the whole fad. If it looked beautiful, it was what you wanted to put on your face. In many ways, skin care cosmetics have changed since those days, but the changes have come very slowly. Novelties such as natural skin care are in spite of everything not usually well-known, and innumerable persons use coarse skin anti aging treatments that may do more hurt than good eventually.

As a dermatologist familiar to the practice of alternative medicine, I try to turn people away from this technique. There are some amazing creams on hand for skin treatments, but good skin care doesn’t start with the skin itself. If you want to have good skin care, you need to take care of your body as a whole. Good quality nutrition is where good skin initiates, you see. Clearly, these days numerous individuals recognize that eating too much fatty food can make your skin oily, greasy, and unhealthy looking. It can damage your complexion in ways that are not simply fixed by topical treatments. What persons don’t realize is that the problems go deeper than that. The vitamins that make healthy skin look alive and healthy come from the food that you eat every day. Without getting good nutrition, there’s no way to have truthfully good skin care

Naturally, if that were all that was needed to take care of your skin, us dermatologists would be out of business. We would be replaced with dietitians at once! Fortunately for my profession, there is more that goes into skincare than nutrition. There are many diverse treatments on hand for a variety of different skin concerns. Exfoliants, anti-wrinkle creams, coverup and makeup, and nutritional rubs can all lend a hand in keeping your skin healthy and good-looking. Health spas, massages, and other treatments that don’t visibly relate to the skin can still perk up appearance. It seems that, the way our skin looks is much more complex than even dermatologists anticipated. In essence, good skin care has to do with two things: being conscious of the variety of treatments existing, and being willing to try them until you find something that works. With enough determination, even the most horrible skincare issues can be resolved. It is just a matter of being patient.

Helping Teens Who Are Suffering From Acne

2008-09-27T21:25:00.003-04:00

Acne is a common problem for teenagers, and most parents of those teens probably dealt with it themselves, to some degree. In most cases, the acne disappeared once the teenage years were past but this is little comfort to most teens in the midst of it now. As a parent, you need to provide moral support but also some good hard facts.

Now, just because you dealt with acne when you were a teen doesn't make you an expert. The best acne treatments and medications have come a long way in the last few years. Knowing what is available today will let you help your child decide the best way to deal with their acne.

It's always a good idea to talk to a health care professional for advice. For one thing, a dermatologist can tell you for sure whether those spots are in fact acne. There are other skin conditions that look similar, but need to be treated differently.

Teenagers are usually embarrassed by their acne, so it might be a touchy subject to talk about. You'll know your teen best but it's important to be supportive and understanding. Never accuse them of bad habits that led to acne - the old myths about acne being caused by chocolate and greasy foods have been proven to be false.

It's likely that your teenager is trying every possible acne control technique. If if they avoid talking about it, it's probably on their mind most of the time. It can affect their self image and in some cases can ultimately lead to depression and withdrawal.

Let them know that you're available and will do whatever you can to help them with their acne problem. It can sometimes help to talk about your own experiences if you dealt with it as a teen.

While it's probably small comfort to them, you can remind them that most teens deal with acne to some degree. Studies show that roughly 85% of adolescents have acne and up to 40% have a severe enough case to require dermatologist treatment.

Although there are cases of adult acne, in most cases it doesn't last forever - as your teen gets older it will most likely become less and less of a problem for them. By the time they reach their 20's, it will likely be a distant memory - at least until they have teenagers of their own!

Behavioral Interventions Have Many Advantages

2008-09-27T21:25:00.001-04:00

family intervention

If you're receiving notes from your child's school about his or her behavior, then you should consider behavioral interventions. An initial assessment will help you, your child and school personnel to understand what causes the misbehavior in the child, what triggers set him or her off and what solutions can be taken to help the child prosper. Sometimes the school environment is perceived as being "too oppressive," while other times the traditional learning modes aren't structured for visual-spatial learners or auditory learners. Kids may feel frustrated if they have trouble concentrating or learning in school. Sometimes, underlying emotions manifest themselves as a behavioral problem and a behavioral intervention is the best way to figure out what's truly going on.

Often, children who need a behavioral intervention suffer from ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another pervasive developmental disorder. An early intervention program is the key to helping the child overcome natural difficulties and find studying techniques that work. The public school system generally only focuses on one particular learning mode, which leaves many students feeling "stupid" or frustrated.

By teaching the student more about their learning needs and focusing on self-empowerment, as well as skill development, the students will begin to learn their way at their own pace and will develop a renewed interest in school. A behavioral intervention can do more than just prevent anger or hyperactive outbursts in school. It can pave the way for your child's future and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment.

There are other types of behavioral interventions as well. For example, some can help obese children get on the right track and begin living a healthier life. Dr. Teresa Quattrin, a UB professor of pediatrics, writes: "Obesity comes with a myriad of other serious health conditions, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and low self-esteem, so it's imperative that we find tools that can prevent and treat overweight in a clinical practice setting early on." At the University of Buffalo in NY, primary care physicians are conducting tests to see if a 24-month intervention can combat child obesity. The focus will be on increasing fruits and vegetable consumption, minimizing junk food, increasing physical activity and educating families on behavioral modification techniques that promote healthy living.

The human mind is a complex and mysterious thing. Sometimes behavioral outbursts correlate with deep-seated emotions and events from our past in ways we can't even understand. Sometimes we feel trapped in our own repetitive cycles and we need an experienced interventionist to help us navigate our own minds, desires, perceptions and goals to find our way out again. Whether it's for you or your child, behavioral interventions can be your greatest asset for moving ahead into a more successful, happier future.

Yoga Exercises Techniques for Beginners

2008-09-27T12:53:00.003-04:00

There are many kinds of yoga exercises, all which seem to have derived from the original eight stages of reaching a state of bliss. Breathing techniques and different poses ensures good health through Hatha yoga, which is the most popular form of yoga practiced.

A nice thing about yoga is that you don’t need any fancy equipment in order to practice it. All you need is to bring yourself with a positive attitude. Clothing does not have to be special either. It best to wear loose fitting and nonrestrictive clothes.

Many people like to practice yoga in a class but there is no reason you cannot simply find a quiet spot in your house to start. Make sure that you have no interuptions, the area is quiet and is environmently comfortable. A soft mat may be handy together with a blanket and a pillow which will help give you some form of support and added comfort for the laying or sitting down positions. Yoga is normally practiced barefoot, so you don’t need any expensive shoes though you may wish to wear some socks or soft shoes.

Try not to eat a heavy meal for at least two or three hours before doing any yoga exercises. You do not want to have a full feeling as you are moving through the exercises. You can eat some fruit or an energy bar and drink a glass of juice an hour or so before doing yoga. Drink plenty of water as you perform your yoga exercises as you will tend to get dehydrated.

Many people like to practice yoga first thing in the morning as it helps to revitalise the mind and body using the postures and breathing techniques. Others prefer to exercise at night to help unwind from a busy and stressful day. It is perfectly fine to do both. Yoga can be performed anytime and anywhere, you just have to find best time.

Yoga positions for beginners always start with easy poses, building up to the more difficult poses. Never strain yourself, and pause when you feel pain or fatigue. Relaxing in between difficult exercises is also considered to be beneficial.

Yoga is best done daily. You can do as little as 15 minutes of exercises and 15 minutes of breathing and meditation each day and you will start to reap the benefits.

Lose Weight With Herbal Alternatives

2008-09-27T12:53:00.001-04:00

green tea drink

These days, there is a great need for overweight Americans to lose those excess pounds. Being healthy would not only lead them to have a healthier lifestyle but it will also literally lighten their load, and improve their overall well-being.

There is a long list of dieting options available. There are exercise programs, exercise machines, dietary supplements, dietary food and drinks, diet pills - there are even soaps which claim to help you lose pounds while you bathe.

One other available option to shed off those unwanted pounds is to go herbal.

Herbal weight loss products have been in great demand for people who want to lose weight the natural way. However, when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you would have to wait for a longer time for the results because of the more subtle effects of medicines which came from plants and natural herbs.

Here are some herbal weight loss options that you might want to consider:

1. Herbal weight loss products

There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available in the market now. You can check out the Internet and you will find a lot of herbal weight loss pills and products.

Be careful, however, as there are some products which claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some actually have side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products. Many also claim remedy for many ailments or diseases, which should first be verified by your physician.

Here are some ingredients and chemicals which make up some herbal weight loss products that you should watch out for, as they might have harmful effects to your health:

> Senna. This is an herbal laxative. Senna is a main ingredient in weight loss teas, and it works by stimulation the colon. The downside effect of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems and can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so watch out.

> Chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient which helps regulate blood-sugar level. However, this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It can also lead to dehydration.

> St. John's wort. This supplement increases the production of a chemical in the brain. If not used properly, it may cause eye and skin sensitivity, mild gastrointestinal distress, fatigue and itching.

Although a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural, it is better to scrutinize the ingredients and research about the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills.

2. Organic food.

In Wichita, Kansas, organic food has found its way to more homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees believe that consuming organic goodies help their bodies as well as the environment.

A person who buys organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them healthier and away from the hospital. This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be kinder to your weight than chemically-processed food products.

3. Green Tea.

Studies show that intake of green tea drink, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine can increase fat burning by up to 40% thereby reducing fat.

This is one good option for those who want to lose weight. In a study done, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea.

These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity. Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to caffeine. A cup of tea gives an emmediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.

3. Caffeine.

Coffee provides an energy boost to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn.

4. Immortality Herb

This herb, whose scientific name is Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the following benefits:

> increases healthy blood flow
> reduces artery blocks
> aids healthy blood pressure
> increases the rate of fat burning

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

There are pills and food supplements whose main ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Here are the benefits of taking this herbal option:

> weight loss
> improved cholesterol level
> improved high blood pressure
> helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis

Vitamins Keep Your Heart Fighting Fit

2008-09-03T11:46:00.003-04:00

by: Perry Stamide

Vitamins are essential to keep your heart healthy. Of course, you need to eat the right foods with less fat and cholesterol, but you need to supplement your food with
vitamins to keep your body in the best shape and your heart pumping for a long time.

Vitamin E is the first vitamin that pops into the mind of those that are looking to improve their overall heart health. Vitamin E seems to stop cholesterol in the body
from oxidizing and harming the arteries surrounding the heart. When cholesterol oxidizes, it's more able to stick to the sides of the arteries and cause buildup and possible blockage that can lead to heart attacks and other infarctions.

Doctors often recommend additional supplements of vitamin E. Or, they suggest you include more foods rich in vitamin E in your diet. Nuts, like almonds, for example, are a terrific way to get your daily dose of vitamin E. Vitamin E also seems to be showing a lot of promise for those patients that have already suffered a heart attack. The vitamin seems to prevent additional heart attacks by encouraging the arteries to be more 'open' and less conducive to blockage.

Doctors are of the opinion that supplements of Vitamin C can help boost the effect of Vitamin E and make it work even better. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to prevent the damaging effects of cholesterol, and at the same time it assists Vitamin E in its beneficial effects.

If you take vitamins E and C together, you are on your way to creating a healthier heart and better artery function. This is the easiest way to ensure the health of your heart, especially if you have a history of heart disease or you are concerned about the risk to your heart.

So how much should you take? Well, ideal doses may vary from patient to patient, but 400IU (international units) of vitamin E seems to work well for most people. Vitamin C is tolerable in higher doses without harmful effects. You can safely take 500 miligram of vitamin C twice a day, mornings and evenings, to help keep your heart fighting fit.

And studies are backing up this additional step in your day. Talk with your doctor in case you are on any medications for there are some that will interact or need to be taken at different times to be more effective.

A good, nutritious eating plan is the ideal way to get your daily doses of vitamins. But taking additional supplements is sensible, and recommended and if you're trying to boost your heart health.

About The Author

Perry Stamide runs the web site Fed Vitamins, which is a premier resource for vitamins on the Net. For more details please visit: http://www.fedvitamins.com.

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It’s Your Health – The Incentive You Need To Diet Successfully

2008-08-20T14:09:00.001-04:00

By Jim Nettleton

If you find yourself lacking in will to diet and lose that body fat, just consider the ultimate benefit you’ll receive from shedding pounds. No, it’s not that you’ll look better in that swimsuit or expensive outfit, although that is a compelling thought.

It’s your health. There are undeniable benefits to your health when you manage your weight intelligently. One of the major issues that come to mind is diabetes. An unfortunately high percentage of the population either has diabetes or is at risk of contracting it, largely because of being overweight or just plain obese.

The health problems that diabetes brings to the table are legion. Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness? That it is a leading contributor to kidney disease? Diabetes also radically increases your chance or having a heart attack or stroke, can cause erectile dysfunction in men and makes it far more likely that you’ll suffer high blood pressure.

Another serious effect of diabetes is that it contributes to snoring, which leads to poor quality of sleep and the resulting lower energy levels that this produces. All of this results in a vicious cycle; poor quality of sleep and the lower energy levels you suffer will make it more likely that you’ll eat more, in a subconscious effort to get more energy. That makes it more likely that you’ll make your overweight condition worse.

Losing a goodly portion of your body fat will help with all the above problems. It not only will help right now, but will also dramatically reduce your chances of developing health problems later in life.

The problem of being overweight and obesity is most severe in America, where our predilection for fast foods, a generally fatty diet and a lack of exercise has caused generations to be seriously overweight. Unfortunately, the problem is all too apparent in the young. In generations past, exercise was the norm. When I was a kid, we had to fight to find a ball field to play on. They were all almost always in use. We were active during nearly all of our free time.

Today, with video games and general computer activity, kids don’t seek exercise and the result is all too apparent.

The consequences of today’s trends in being overweight are severe and present long-term serious challenges. It all starts with diet and weight management. You’re never too young to begin controlling your weight in order to avoid the major health problems that being overweight or obese will present throughout your life.

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For Your Health Care: Consider Alternative Medicine And Natural Healing

2008-08-20T14:07:00.000-04:00

By Jim Nettleton

There is a growing worldwide movement underway extolling the benefits of alternative medical treatment for a wide variety of human ailments. There have been many extremely reputable and competent organizations that have developed over the last couple of decades that are comprised of highly respected physicians, nutritionists and other health professionals that are leading the way in the trend toward natural treatments that usually produce no harmful side effects.

Organizations such as the Health Sciences Institute, Natural Healing and Alternatives, to name a few, have been dedicated for years to publicizing natural healing approaches that have been sadly neglected and even denigrated by mainstream medicine.

They are battling an entrenched system, championed by such organizations as the FDA and AMA that are highly reluctant to recommend or endorse anything that has not been produced by the crushingly powerful pharmaceutical industry. Strange, how potentially deadly products with clearly demonstrated serious side effects have been routinely endorsed by these institutions, but potentially helpful natural healing products have been aggressively attacked – the institutions are, after all, supposedly on our side.

You owe it to yourself to look at alternative treatments that indeed have been proven effective. I refer you to the Health Sciences Institute for their totally free health alert updates, delivered via email. HSI is a consortium of over 90,000 natural healing physicians worldwide. You can contact them at 1-888-213-0764.

Always in the forefront of natural healing has been Dr. David G. Williams, with his excellent publication, Alternatives. Contact Dr. Williams at his customer service phone number, 1-800-527-3044.

Another outstanding natural healing advocate is Dr. Julian Whitaker, who has been in the forefront of this revolution since 1979 and has been a pioneer in fighting the regimentation of conventional medicine. His newsletter, Health & Healing, has more than 2 million subscribers worldwide. Reach Dr. Whitaker toll-free at 1-888-886-8213.

There are many others deeply engaged in the fight for better, more natural care. You can probably understand why it’s a tough battle – there are many dollars at stake. Big Pharma doesn’t want people to know about inexpensive, natural, proven treatment. The stockholders won’t like it.

For example, there is a clinic in New Jersey, with which I’ve been closely involved, called the Cherry Hill Center For Molecular Medicine. They have achieved remarkable results using intravenous therapy on several fronts. Chelation is one – you need to talk to them about their dramatic results. I’ve personally witnessed them. Ask for Dr. Molly Fantasia at 856-489-0505.

I wish you all the natural best.

Copyright 2008 Jim Nettleton

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Fruit Secrets

2008-07-20T10:21:00.000-04:00

by: Sharon Hopkins

Fruits, goldmine of vitamins, minerals and fiber are ideal to consume at least 4-5 servings in a day. Since they are in the natural form, account for largest part of water and 100% bad cholesterol free, it's much easier for the body to process and absorb the vitamins and minerals from the fresh fruit.

Apple – Round fruit with lots of fiber, vitamins A, C, E and folate. Available in green, red or yellow skin when ripe. Apples reduce the risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer. They also help with heart disease, weight loss and controlling cholesterol.

Bananas – Long thick skinned fruit yellow in color when ripe. Good source of fiber, potassium, vitamins A, C, B6, E & folate. Unripe or green bananas are used in cooking.

Cherries – small round fruit with a seed, red or black in color when ripened. Cherries always have to be ripe to eat. Cherries contain anthocyanins that reduce pain & inflammation.

Figs – Eaten either dried or fresh, figs contain vitamin A, C, folate and niacin. A small sweet fruit full of small seeds.

Kiwi – A rich source of vitamins A, C, E, B - complex, calcium, iron and folic acid, kiwi is a small oval fruit with thin brown skin, soft green flesh and black seeds. The skin is a good source of flavonoid antioxidants.

Lime – Lime or lemon is the most cultivated citrus fruit with green to yellow color loaded with vitamins A, C and folate. Juice of lime is good for detoxification and has antioxidant properties.

Peach - Round juicy fruit with a yellowish red skin & flesh having a taste of acidic tang and sweetness contains a rough stone. Always to be picked and eaten ripe.

Orange - A round thick-skinned juicy edible fruit that is a reddish-yellow color when ripe with sweet to sour flavor. Peeled and eaten fresh or squeezed to make juice. Contain vitamin C, flavanoids, provides pectin and rich in sodium when ripened in sunshine.

Plum - soft round smooth-skinned fruit with sweet flesh and a flattish pointed stone. It is high in carbohydrates, low in fat and calories. An excellent source of vitamin A, C, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, fiber and free of sodium and cholesterol.

Papaya - A melon like fruit with yellow- orange flesh with dozens of small black seeds enclosed in skin that ranges in color from green to orange. Either round, pear-shaped, or long like a banana. Rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D; calcium, phosphorous and iron. It is high in digestive properties and has a direct tonic effect on the stomach.

Pear - A sweet juicy yellow or green fruit with a rounded shape narrow towards the stalk. Best eaten at room temperature, pear contains kalium and riboflavine. It is good for skin and contains plenty of fibers.

Strawberry - A triangular shaped red color fruit. It is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C and fiber. It has high content of sodium and iron. It helps in whitening of the teeth. Used to relieve rheumatism.

Watermelon - a type of melon with smooth exterior rind and juicy sweet red interior flesh. Extraordinarily refreshing to drink as juice or eaten when ripe and fresh. Valuable for minerals, vitamins and sugar with useful amount of fiber and iron.

About The Author

Sharon Hopkins manages websites on nutrition, diet such as http://www.diethealthclub.com. A nutritious diet ensures well being, helps to maintain a healthy BMI, reduces the risk of several debilitating diseases like cancer, cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, osteoporosis and stroke.

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The Day “Live Fast Die Young” started to lose its appeal

2008-07-20T10:18:00.000-04:00

by: Stephen Morgan

Somehow the youthful notion of “live fast, die young!” becomes less appealing as the days go by. Funny that, isn’t it?

I remember the day well, it all started in May 1997 with a routine (or so I thought) Doctors appointment in the morning and then the usual rounds of trying to keep clients and staff happy. It was the day of my thirty ninth birthday and so I was looking forward to the celebratory dinner engagement later that evening. I had been feeling slightly “run down”, a euphemism here for “exhausted” but had put it down to slightly busy times in the office and so had finally relented to my wife’s pleas to “go and see the Doc and get everything checked out”.

Upon my return to the office in mid afternoon, I received a message from one of my colleagues “your doctor called and you are to call him back straight away”. “Ah, get the multivitamins ready and get ready to cut back on the alcohol time” I thought but alas not so.

“How are things Doc?”

“I’m fine but you’re not. I have a hospital bed set aside (he gave me the details of the hospital in question) and you are to get there straight away. I will see you there shortly.”

OK, a little bit harsh and to the point I thought. “Is there any particular reason?” I asked rather glibly.

“Yes, you need a blood transfusion straight away and we will take it from there. I’ll explain more when I see you there”

Things were starting to get a little too serious for my liking. Feeling slightly like a child who had been playing Monopoly and had just received the “Go straight to jail. Do not pass Go and do not collect £200 (or whatever your currency is depending on where you are reading this article)” I put the telephone down, stared at the blank wall in front of me and tried not to go into major panic mode.

The day was definitely not going to plan. The next thing was to inform my wife of exactly what had happened (to the best of my knowledge), put the birthday celebrations on hold; cancel the restaurant reservation and trying not to drive into anyone or anything else I headed home to pack some “overnight things” for my short stay in hospital.

“Overnight things!” I had prepared myself for overnight business trips before but somehow I wasn’t too sure whether the hospital would appreciate me arriving with laptop, mobile and modem et al in tow and so things were a little different this time.

The problem as it turned out had been that I had an abnormally low haemoglobin level that had surfaced as part of a routine Blood Test that had been carried out that morning.

The haemoglobin test is normally ordered as a part of the complete blood count (CBC) (which is ordered for many different reasons, including as a general health screening, further information can be found at http://www.bloodpressureinformation.info/whatisabloodtestpt1.html ). The test is also repeated in patients who have ongoing bleeding problems or chronic anaemia’s or polycythemias.

Normal values in an adult are 12 to 18 grams per decilitre (100 millilitres) of blood. Above-normal haemoglobin levels may be the result of:

• Dehydration,

• Excess production of red blood cells in the bone marrow,

• Severe lung disease, or

• Several other conditions.

Below-normal haemoglobin levels may lead to anaemia that can be the result of:

• iron deficiency or deficiencies in essential vitamins of other elements, such as B12, foliate, B6,

• inherited haemoglobin defects, such as sickle cell anaemia or thalassemias,

• Other inherited defects affecting the red blood cells,

• Cirrhosis of the liver (during which the liver becomes scarred),

• Excessive bleeding,

• Excessive destruction of red blood cells,

• Kidney disease,

• Other chronic illnesses,

• Bone marrow failure or aplastic anaemia, or

• Cancers that affect the bone marrow.

In my case, my haemoglobin count was 5.9 which as my doctor later cheerfully commented “I’ve never seen someone with a blood count that low, still standing!” Just what I wanted to hear I thought as I lay in the hospital bed strapped to a drip getting my transfusion. “Don’t worry, you’ll feel so much better with a few more pints in you and these are the sort that won’t give you a hangover in the morning either!”

Somehow, though grateful for their concern, I found it rather difficult to share their enthusiasm. You see, dear reader, the real problem in the whole proceedings had been with my own rather stupid (it’s a “guy” thing) concept in ignoring the warning signs that had been building up over the years and signing up for a lifetimes course in the “heal thyself” school of medicine.

As a Consultant pointed out rather bluntly at a later stage I had almost killed myself with my own stupidity. I had been losing rather large amounts (at times) of blood during regular bodily functions (I won’t dwell on this too much but you get the drift) but because I had been young and fit had managed to overcome these losses without too much in the way of inconvenience. Also because of my extremely low blood count, to compensate, my blood pressure (though normal at the time) had been kept artificially low.

The moral of the story so far is don’t be stupid, don’t ignore the warning signs and if confronted with anything slightly out of the norm then get it checked out and don’t die of ignorance and shame.

So having received my “Get out of jail free card”, most normal individuals with more than a half functioning brain would have then proceeded through life with caution but sadly it appeared that I was destined to “go for broke next time”.

About The Author

Steve Morgan’s Background is in marketing but through a number of experiences both direct and involving relatives, has developed a more than passing interest in Health Matters and thus acts as a Consultant for Blood Pressure Information (www.bloodpressureinformation.info) an independent information resource in Healthcare Matters. He also has an involvement with two other organisations http://www.stressrelief.ws and http://www.highbloodpressure.name.

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How Toxins In Our Diet Can Affect Our Health

2008-06-23T17:44:00.000-04:00

Here's some good advice:

By: Cheryll Rice
Are you careful about what you eat? Do you make sure that you're drinking milk for the calcium and vitamins A and D? Do you take the time to make sure that you're eating enough fruits and vegetables? Do you eat fish and other lean proteins because you know that they're supposed to be good for you? Do you take a vitamin supplement daily?

We are told that these are things that are supposed to be good for us. We hear that milk is good for us and that it can help us to lose weight - something that cuts the risk of diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. Fruits and vegetables provide us with fiber, fluids, vitamins and minerals. Fish is high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health and can help our bodies to better absorb vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin supplements are designed so that we are able to get those vitamins and minerals into our system - to make up for those that we don't get in the foods that we eat.While all of these things are true - fruits and vegetables are good for us, as are milk and fish; vitamin supplements can help us to add things that are missing to our diet - so is the fact that, with many of the foods that we eat, we ingest more than just the things that are good for us.

We also consume toxins.We're all aware that alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and processed foods that are full of preservatives and trans fats are unhealthy for us. However, many of us are less aware of the ways in which even healthy foods can get in the way of young living - keeping our energy levels up and our bodies healthy.Don't believe it? Let's start with milk - as well as products like yogurt and cheese that are made with milk. Many of us have sensitivities to lactose, the sugar found in milk.

Lactose isn't the only problem with milk however. Because many farmers give their animals growth hormones, the milk that we drink also contains these substances. Similarly, fruits and vegetables come from farms that often use pesticides, substances that are designed to keep animals and insects away from the crops that don't always wash away with water when we rinse off our foods.

Think that fish is safe? Yes, lean protein is good for us, however it's been found that many fish - including tuna - contain high levels of mercury. Mercury is a toxin that can affect the ways that we think and feel, causing anxiety and depression. Mercury also can cause headaches, dental problems, irregular heartbeats, weakness, fatigue and even excessive sweating. Vitamin supplements may not always be much better: the vitamins and minerals that they contain are not always included in the right balance, and, depending on your diet, you may find that you take in more of a certain vitamin or mineral than is healthy for your body, causing a vitamin toxicity.

This toxicity gets in the way of young living. It leaves us feeling sluggish. It gives us headaches, stomach discomfort, and can even release free radicals in your body. Over time, these free radicals work to break down our cell walls, creating a risk of developing cancers, heart disease, stroke and other health problems. In order to combat these free radicals, our bodies need antioxidants like those found in young living essential oils.Essential oils are derived from fruits and other sources and contain antioxidants like vitamins C and E. Young living oils also contain minerals and fruit juices - along with essential oils - that make it so that taking the supplement is a good experience.

Not only is it easy to include young living essential oil in your daily routine, but it's also something that won't leave a nasty taste in your mouth.Instead, you'll find that young living oils can be taken in with a great tasting drink. You'll notice that your energy levels improve - without the same crash and burn that comes from energy drinks (which contain not only stimulants like caffeine, but also sugar which has its own toxicity within the body). You'll also know that you feel better: your immune system will function better and you'll catch fewer colds; in general you'll feel less sluggish.That's not to say that young living oils will take the place of eating a balanced diet. Despite the toxins that can be found in our food, it's still necessary to eat balanced meals. It's just to say that young living essential oils are a great addition to your diet once you are making an effort to take better care of yourself.

Article Source: http://health-articles.org
Cheryll Rice writes about healthy living. Health practitioners have realized over the years that not everything we put into our bodies comes out of our bodies, and as a result, our health is at risk of the toxins that are left behind. To learn more about how young living essential oils can improve our overall health, visit: www.2gohealth.com

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Combating Atherosclerosis With Good Nutrition

2008-06-23T17:38:00.000-04:00

Hello - here's today's featured article:

By: Aaron Stanlich
Imagine hundreds of cars zooming down an eight-lane highway. One lane disappears, and then another, until the same cars crawl bumper-to-bumper along a one-lane country road. That's sort of what happens when you have atherosclerosis. Your arteries, the highways for your blood, harden and narrow, and the same amount of blood has to make its way through a much tighter space.

This traffic jam in your arteries leads to all sorts of trouble, including heart attack and stroke.Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol, fat, and other substances in your blood build up in the walls of your arteries. The process can begin when you're a child, but it may not become a problem until you're in your 50s or 60s. As this muck gathers in your arteries, it forms plaque. Plaque can clog or completely block arteries, cutting off blood flow to your heart or brain. That's when you have a heart attack or stroke.Too much cholesterol and triglycerides - types of fat - in the blood, high blood pressure, and smoking cause the most damage to your arteries. Other risk factors for atherosclerosis include diabetes, a family history of the condition, stress, obesity, and an inactive lifestyle.

Men, in general, are at greater risk, as are people who have an "apple" body shape - with the fat gathering at the belly rather than the hips and thighs.You can fight atherosclerosis by making good food choices. Cut back on saturated fat and cholesterol from meat and whole-milk dairy products, and look for the following foods that lower cholesterol, bring down blood pressure, and keep your blood flowing smoothly.Nutritional blockbusters that fight atherosclerosisFish. Reel in a big, fat fish and wriggle off the hook of atherosclerosis.

Omega-3 fatty acids, the polyunsaturated kinds found in fatty fish like tuna, mackerel, and salmon, protect your arteries from damage.First, omega-3 takes out triglycerides, the fats that build up on your artery walls. It also stops your blood's platelets from clumping together. That way, your blood remains smooth instead of sticky. Sticky blood can clot and block blood flow. Lastly, omega-3 might lower blood pressure.No wonder so many studies show that eating fish can reduce your risk of heart disease.

The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two fish meals a week.You can find a form of omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid in walnuts, which lower cholesterol. Other sources of omega-3 include flaxseed, wheat germ, and some green, leafy vegetables, like kale, spinach, and arugula.Garlic. Anything fish can do garlic does, too. The sulfur compounds in this amazing herb not only lower cholesterol and triglycerides, but they also go after only the LDL or "bad" cholesterol and leave the HDL or "good" cholesterol alone.Garlic can also lower blood pressure so your arteries don't take as much of a pounding.

Thanks to a substance called ajoene, garlic keeps your blood from clumping and clotting. One study even showed garlic helps your aorta, the body's main artery, remain elastic as you age.Experts recommend getting 4 grams of garlic - about one clove - into your diet each day.Fiber. During the course of a day, you should eat about 25 to 35 grams of fiber. If you do, you'll boost your general health and give atherosclerosis quite a battle.Certain types of soluble fiber, such as the kind in oats, barley, apples, and other fruits, shrink your cholesterol levels. It works by slowing down your food as it passes through your stomach and small intestine so your "good" cholesterol has more time to take cholesterol to your liver and out of your body. Eating more than 25 grams of fiber every day might also cut your risk of developing high blood pressure by 25 percent.Fiber comes with an added bonus - it fills you up.

After a fiber-rich meal, you feel full, so you're less likely to overeat and put on unwanted pounds. Because being overweight increases your risk of atherosclerosis and other heart problems, eating fiber could be part of an effective strategy to guard your arteries.You'll find fiber in fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals.Antioxidants. An unarmed intruder poses less of a threat than one with a weapon. By stopping free radicals from oxidizing LDL cholesterol, antioxidants remove much of the danger. Once oxidized, LDL cholesterol makes a beeline for your artery walls much faster. In fact, some scientists believe LDL cholesterol only harms you once it has been oxidized.Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene are antioxidants. Peppers, oranges, strawberries, cantaloupe, and broccoli give you vitamin C, while carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, mangoes, and collard greens are full of beta carotene.

Sources of vitamin E include wheat germ, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.While you munch on those fruits and vegetables, you'll get the added benefit of antioxidant substances called flavonoids. Resveratrol in grapes, anthocyanins in cranberry juice, and quercetin in onions, apples, and tea are some of the flavonoids that help your heart and arteries.Monounsaturated fat. To keep your blood running smoothly, maybe you need an oil change. Olive oil, the main source of fat in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, has mostly monounsaturated fat. This type of fat slashes the "bad" cholesterol without harming the "good" cholesterol. It also prevents clotting, giving your arteries even more protection.Like fiber, monounsaturated fat also fills you up so you're less likely to overeat.

Think about switching from soybean or corn oil to olive oil. After all, the Greeks - even while enjoying a rather high-fat diet - rarely develop atherosclerosis. Besides olive oil, sources of monounsaturated fat include avocados, nuts, and canola oil.

Ginger. Make your dinner a little bit tastier and your arteries a little bit healthier with this ancient spice. Ginger contains phytochemicals called gingerol and shogaol, which give it its antioxidant power.Animal studies show ginger not only lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, it also prevents LDL oxidation. On top of that, ginger also keeps your blood from clotting by reducing the stickiness of your platelets.

Article Source: http://health-articles.org
Aaron Stanlich is an accomplished freelance writer and authors on a variety of subjects. To learn more about Atherosclerosis by reading some Heart and Circulation Articles. There is a great selection of various articles at www.upublish.info

Protecting the Skin You're In

2008-05-27T17:16:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Alli Ross

Summer is approaching and thousands of people will be working on their tans before they whip out their shorts and swimsuits. However, improper skin care can cause permanent damage from the suns rays. Regardless of your skin type, it is very important to protect your skin. Here are some key tips to keep in mind this summer.

Choose an appropriate sunscreen. If you’ve been to the store lately, you’ve probably seen a complete aisle full of sun block products. It’s often hard to know which one to buy. Look for one that protects against UVA and UVB rays. (UVB rays are actually more harmful for sun burning the UVA rays). It’s crucial that your sun screen protects against both of these sun rays. Don’t waste your time with half the protection.

What about the SPF?

The SPF number simply tells people how much longer they can last out in the sun without being burned. The higher the SPF number, the longer your skin is protected against the sun.

For example, lets say you put on a sunscreen with SPF 20. This would protect your skin up to 20 times longer than your average amount of protection time. To find out how long your sunscreen will protect your skin (multiply how long it normally takes you to burn * SPF of your sunscreen) So, if you normally burn after 30 minutes in the sun and you have sunscreen with an SPF 15, your skin would be protected for 450 minutes ( or 7.5 hours)

It’s also important to consider skin types when choosing the proper sunscreen.

For young children (6 months and up) : Choose a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to protect against both sun tanning and burning. Look for a product that offers UVA and UVB protection. This is known as the “broad-spectrum”.

For Very Fair Skin: This type of skin burns quickly. Look for a sunscreen containing SPF 20 to 30.

For Fair Skin: This type of skin burns fairly easily but some tanning occurs. Look for sunscreen products containing SPF 8 to 12.

For Medium Skin: This type of skin yields a moderate brown shade when exposed to the sun. Look for sunscreen products containing SPF 4 to 8.

For Dark Skin: This type of skin rarely burns. Look for sunscreen products containing SPF 2 to 4.

After choosing an appropriate sunscreen, apply it before going out into the sun. Be sure and apply it generously over all skin that will be exposed.

Taking good care of your skin now will give you great-looking skin well into the future.

P.S. Your skin is your number one defense mechanism against the environmental elements. Exercise, rest, and good nutrition are the foundation for beautiful, healthy skin.

About The Author

GranMamma is the webmaster at the Baby Names Box - http://www.babynamebox.com - Where you can explore over 20,000 baby names and their meanings. Read articles on parenting, family, home and gardening. Be sure to say hi to GranMamma!

granmamma@babynamebox.com

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A Simple Concept on Proper Nutrition

2008-05-27T17:14:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Mart Gil

Since childhood, we are always being reminded about taking vitamins, eating nutritious foods, avoiding junk and fatty foods, drinking enough glasses of water, plus performing various exercises – all of these constitute to what is considered as proper nutrition. But how can you really be healthy? How will you know that your food intake is just right for your nutritional needs?

Basically, proper nutrition is the key element when you want to reduce your body fats, firm your body, and develop your physique. Fish, poultry, shellfish and lean meat are good sources of protein. Main sources of carbohydrates, on the other hand, include yams, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and whole wheat pasta. It is always necessary to get proper balance from the different food groups if you really ant to be healthy and physically powerful.

Dieting has been one of the major preferences to attain proper nutrition. Through it, you get to pick the right combination of foods, fruits and vegetables that’s best for you. It doesn’t only control your food intake that can end up to being obese and overweight, it also makes you aware of the nutritional contents of the foods that you take. This awareness makes every individual more particular about their diet and food intake. Lots of advantages are associated to this fact and you’ll soon realize all these things.

By taking in healthy foods moderately and avoiding fad diets, this will not only lead to weight loss but also to stable mental and physical health. However, beginning a healthy diet may not be that easy and may cause more harm than one might think. Sometimes, we acquire unexpected diseases because we think much about our diet. There are girls who have suffered anorexia due to “over-dieting”. This is only one disadvantage that we must take note. I must say that it’s not always good to be very meticulous about what we eat and drink.

As what I’ve mentioned previously, you must also follow some type of exercise program in addition to proper food intake. But you must take note that it is not necessarily the only exercise program that works or is appropriate for you and your lifestyle. See how important it is to have balance in all these aspects? It’s not always proper food intake alone or exercise alone – both are dependent to each other.

About The Author

Mart Gil

Well, I must say that I am not a born writer. I didn’t acquire this gift hereditarily either. However, I’m an adventure book lover and used to read everything that I come across in the Internet that sounds interesting. I think, I only developed it through constant practice and exposure to numerous writing stuff. I was chosen to compete in press conferences that showcased my need-so-well-developed writing skills. I became part of our school publication staff. I started as a news writer and photojournalist of the school paper. Soon, I was appointed editor-in-chief. It was during this time when I realized that I needed to be more efficient in writing because duty called for it. I should say that this event in my life opened me wholly to the wonderful world of writing.

For more nutritional and wheelchair maintenance tips, log on to http://www.wheelchairspower.com

carmelo@wheelchairspower.com

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Do Natural Thyroid Boosters Work?

2008-03-06T12:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Darlene Manchester

How Well Does Thyrin-ATC and Other Natural Thyroid Products Work?

Hypothyroidism occurs when there is an inadequate secretion of thyroid hormones resulting in a slowing down of the body's metabolism. So many people just don't know how far-reaching an underactive thyroid problem can be. Unfortunately, people do not know what symptoms an underactive thyroid can cause.

Many of the symptoms associated with an underactive thyroid are fatigue, weight gain, decreased interest in daily activities, difficulty in maintaining concentration, sleep disturbances, cold extremities, and abdominal bloating.

Are Prescription Thyroid Medications Worth The Potential Risks?

Many physicians have prescribed thyroid medications, only to find out that they were associated with significant side effects. These drugs may cause chest pain, increased pulse rate, palpitations, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, or nervousness. It is recommended that people who have multiple health concerns use caution when taking any prescription medications. There is also the possibility that once started on these prescriptions, the body becomes dependent on them and they become a lifelong medication.

Are there alternatives? Nonprescription All Natural Thyroid Support Products

What makes a nonprescription thyroid booster so appealing? Is it the fact that quality, all natural ingredients are used? Is the lack of side effects when taken properly? Is it the fact that prescription products pose the risk for too many potential side effects and drug interactions?

The best nonprescription products on the market today are:

Thyrotril™
Thyrovarin™
Thyrin ATC™

These products contain thyroid boosting ingredients which support healthy thyroid function. What other benefits can these products offer you?

They can increase metabolic rate and the number of calories burned

They can increase memory and concentration

They can decrease fatigue and sleep disturbances

Improve your quality of life

You might not need to resort to prescription strength drugs to achieve your goal of optimal thyroid function. Natural supplements give you an excellent alternative to prescription strength thyroid drugs. These products have limited side effects, less drug interactions, and are less expensive than a lot of the prescription strength thyroid medications available on the market today.

Based on current research and recent problems with both pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter drugs, natural alternative thyroid boosting products are probably the more logical option. Be consistent and administer as directed and hopefully you will get the desired results thousands of others have already experienced using these natural aids.

About The Author

Darlene Manchester is a health and nutrition counselor specializing in the study of metabolic function and alternative medicine. She is also a published author and an avid health and fitness enthusiast.

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Selenium: Activates Antioxidant Glutathione for Protection of Cells

2008-02-14T15:54:00.000-05:00

by: Jeremy Maddock

Selenium is a type of trace mineral which supports healthy activity within your immune system, functions as an important part of the potent antioxidant glutathione, and is necessary for good thyroid health. This formula uses SelenoPure high, yeast free selenium for ultimate immune support.

Selenium and Glutathione

Our bodies use Selenium to produce glutathione peroxidase, which is a part of the body's natural antioxidant defense system, manufactured in the liver. Some glutathione is released into the bloodstream, where it helps to maintain the integrity of red blood cells while protecting your immune systems white blood cells and contributing to the body’s natural defense.

Research Suggests that Selenium Supports Immune Health

Selenium is a requirement for a well-functioning immune system, and in a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers investigated the effects of beta-carotene and selenium supplementation in patients who had deficiencies of selenium and vitamin A.

The researchers concluded that glutathione plays an important role in the natural enzymatic defense system in detoxifying hydrogen peroxide in water, therefore selenium supplementation could be of great interest in protecting cells against oxidative stress.

About The Author

Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of http://www.immunewellness.com - your source for high quality information about a variety of health products, including Selenium.

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Coral Calcium: The Preferred Source Of Absorbable Calcium

2008-02-14T15:49:00.000-05:00

by: Jeremy Maddock

Coral Calcium is an excellent source of readily accessible and absorbable calcium in the body. Superior 100% pure fossilized, coral calcium is harvested from above ground, meaning that no harm is done to any living coral.

This unique formula contains a form of calcium, which is alkaline, and supports the body’s pH (potential hydrogen) balance to promote tissue health. Coral calcium promotes healthy oxygen levels in the body and helps to maintain immune system function as well as promote waste removal.

The Importance of Alkalinity

Maintaining an alkaline pH is critical to cellular health, and if your body's pH is unbalanced, you will have problems effectively assimilating vitamins and minerals. According to Bob L. Owen, Ph.D., D.Sc., author of Why Calcium?, “when coral calcium is added to water it raises and balances the body’s pH levels. Consumption of this alkalinized water also balances the body’s acid/alkaline levels, thus bringing about many health benefits.”

The Importance of Oxygen in the Body

Scientists have discovered that a low level of oxygen can disrupt the body's natural functioning ability and can cause harm to the immune system. Coral calcium promotes healthy oxygen levels, and helps to process and remove toxic wastes that may build up in the body.

Why Fossilized Coral Calcium is Superior

This advanced formula contains an organic composition very similar to that of the human skeleton, and contains calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and other trace minerals essential to good health.

About The Author

Jeremy Maddock is the webmaster of http://www.immunewellness.com - your source for high quality information about a variety of health products, including Coral Calcium.

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Supplementation Is No Longer An Option

2008-01-21T15:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Alex Gomez

Supplementation is no longer an option if your objective is a healthier life. Many health advisors try to tell their clients that they only need a “well balanced” diet to meet these recommendations. However if you do some careful thinking you will find the task very difficult. Taking care of ourselves has become even more important especially if you consider what we have done to the health of the planet and out bodies. We continuously intake less and less healthy foods with more and more chemicals that can only do damage to an already overwhelmed system. Our bodies can only take so much before something gives and unfortunately we are only getting worst. Taking supplements are not the answer in and of itself but it is an important step forward.

WHY SUPPLEMENT?

1. In the early 1900’s, all produce (100%) was organic. Rutgers University has published several papers comparing the nutrient density of organic produce and commercially grown produce. Organic always wins.

2. According to a US Department of Agriculture paper the average Calories intake in the early 1900’s was 3800 Calories but today the average intake is only 1800 Calories. Less than half - and most is not organic. So we tend to eat less than half the nutrients each and every day.

3. Risk of “free radical” damage is much higher today as the industrial world contaminates our food, water and air. We also produce free radicals during physical and psychological stress. Free radicals are biochemical units that, in excess, will destroy healthy cells unless we protect ourselves with adequate nutrition.

4. With average fat intake falling to 32% of Calories (compared to 48% in 1900), it becomes more difficult to get the essential fatty acids (EFA’s) from our diet. EFA’s are responsible for encouraging fat metabolism and the creation of some “super hormones” that lead to the production of anti-inflammatory hormones. Processed food tends to alter or eliminate the EFA’s.
5. Wide use of antibiotics has lead to the destruction of “friendly bacteria” in the intestine. Friendly bacteria, like acidophilus and bifidus play a big role in digestion and in maintaining the health of the colon.

6. A low Calorie intake is associated with a reduced fiber intake. The American Cancer Society recommends a daily fiber intake of 30 grams but average North American eats only 12 – 15 grams per day. Such a low intake increases the risk of colon cancer and other toxic side effects.

7. Most people do not consume enough complete, high quality protein, particularly at breakfast and lunch. (There is a tendency to eat more protein than can be absorbed during the evening meal). Therefore I have become a big fan of Soy Protein Isolate supplementation at breakfast, lunch, during snacks and just before exercise. A modern solution to a modern problem.

WHAT TO USE:

In my nutritional coaching practice, I divide supplementation into the following categories:

a) Nutritional Supplements – basic nutrients found in the RNI tables
b) Herbal Supplements - which are really nature’s medicine, designed to prevent and/or solve certain health problems. Few are designed for long-term consumption.
c) Fiber Supplements – fiber is indigestible but necessary for detoxification and regularity. It is not really a nutrient.
d) Protein Supplements – self-explanatory.
e) Friendly Bacteria – some now refer to these tiny organisms as “pro-biotics”.

Considering the Why Supplement list and the above categories, the following is a responsible supplement program that would benefit the heath of all people. This is basic, minimal and designed primarily for prevention of ailments and maintenance of good health.

1. High Quality Multiple Vitamin/Mineral. Should include all 8 recognized B vitamins including biotin. Balanced in proportion to the RNI. This multi should also contain high levels of Calcium and Magnesium.
2. Anti-Oxidants – Vitamin in the form of mixed carotenoids like alpha, beta and gamma carotene; Vitamin C, at least 1,000 mg in a sustained release format; Vitamin E in the mixed tocopherol format supported with selenium and grape seed extract.
3. Fiber Supplement containing a mixture of soluble and insoluble fibers.
4. Protein Supplement – preferably a Soy Protein isolate - not only to obtain extra protein but to also take advantage of the phytonutrients known as isoflavones.
5. Friendly bacteria – acidophilus and bifidus.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Proper rest and exercise shouldn’t be forgotten in all this supplement talk. Other factors such as drugs, stress, smoking and alcohol can lead to a more unhealthy lifestyle. Please see your doctor and begin the rest of your life with a healthier more positive outlook on life.
Good supplements do not guarantee perfect health but they can make a difference.

About The Author
Alex Gomez is the owner and editor of http://www.ardyss-lifestyle.com. Visit our site for all your natural nutritional needs
admin@ardyss-lifestyle.com

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Photorefractive Keratectomy Laser Eye Surgery

2008-01-21T14:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Nicola Kennedy

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser eye surgery procedure that is carried out with the key intent to correct a patient’s vision. PRK permanently changes the shape of the frontal corneal tissue using an excimer laser, which is a high-precision ultraviolet chemical laser. The outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed, and then a small amount of the corneal tissue is burnt off using the laser. Such an ablation renders the desired shape to the cornea and allows for optimal refraction.

PRK is a technologically advanced surgical procedure. For instance, a computer system tracks the eye position around 4,000 times per second, redirecting laser pulses for precise ablation. As mentioned above, the epithelium is removed prior to ablation. This does not hamper the patient’s vision, since the epithelium is a soft and regenerating layer, which is capable of completely replacing itself within a matter of days. However, the deeper layers, once burnt off, will remain that way because they possess limited regenerative capability. This theory is the cornerstone of the Photorefractive keratectomy surgical procedure.

PRK differs from LASIK in a way that the epithelium is removed in PRK and allowed to regenerate. On the other hand, LASIK does not involve epithelium removal. Instead it consists of cutting a flap in the cornea in order to make the desired incisions. Compared to LASIK, a patient who has undergone PRK experiences more pain and recovery is slow. However, both procedures are similar in the respect that they make use of a laser.

Photorefractive keratectomy is a viable procedure, but it does have possible complications. Apart from slow recovery and pain, the patient may experience glares and halos. As in any refractive surgery, there is a possibility of over- or under-correction. Eye surgeons typically perform PRK on one eye at a time, in order to gauge the results of the procedure and ensure its efficacy.

In a majority of cases, PRK has proven to be a safe and efficacious procedure to correct myopia. However, since the procedure is irreversible, it is recommended that the patient consults an eye doctor instead of jumping on a conclusion.

About The Author
Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about alternatives to LASIK at Your Lasik Information.
You will find the Directory of LASIK Surgeons http://www.find-lasik-surgeon.com useful.
Copyright http://www.Your-LASIK.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

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Supplements - How To Take Them

2007-12-01T15:27:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Martin Smith

It’s unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find it hard to break down food and absorb nutrients – this can be caused by poor levels of stomach acid, toxic substances in the gut, insufficient production of digestive enzymes among other reasons.

This condition can of course be dramatically improved as nutrient intake is increased slowly. An organic diet is of course the healthiest you can use but you may just need to compensate for any shortfalls and take some supplements.

You don’t need to visit your doctor to take supplements they can be self-prescribed once taken in small regular amounts, which can be ideal for treating any minor health problems.

Taken Supplements in large amounts for either nutritional support of server pathological conditions have been found to be therapeutic on their own or with conventional medical treatments. Always remember larger doses should be taken under the supervision of your physician or nutritional therapist.

When To Take Supplements

The best time to take supplements is with meals the body can absorb it best when your digestive system has been stimulated by the presence of food. Time-released formulas should be taken with food as to make sure they travel through the body at the correct speed and for efficient release at the appropriate place.

Water-soluble vitamins quickly pass through the body, so basically taken them twice or three times a day is often the best practice. Fat-soluble vitamins are better absorbed if taken with meals that include some fat. Almost all minerals work in conjunction with vitamins and should be taken along with them.

Some minerals can interfere with the absorption of others so make sure to take them at different time to your multiformula. If you multiformula contains antagonistic minerals there will not be enough to conflict with one another so you don’t need to worry.

Vitamins A, D, E – Should be taken with meals which include a little oil or Fat
Vitamin B-Complex – This should be taken first thing in the morning to give maximum energy, but can of course be taken anytime especially if taken with whole grains.
Vitamin C – Taken with meal if possible, can be taken on an empty stomach if you don’t feel like eaten because of a cold. Take two or three times a day.
Time-Release – Take with your main meal of the day.
Iron – Best absorbed with food.
Calcium – About 30 minutes before bedtime.
Magnesium - About 30 minutes before bedtime.
Multiformulas – These can be taken anytime but best with small amounts of food.

(c) www.1st-vitamins-n-supplements.com

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About The Author

Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Nutritional Supplements and Herbal Supplements, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information. http://www.1st-vitamins-n-supplements.com.

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Stretch For Fitness Success

2007-11-10T11:24:00.000-05:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Anna Fleet

When you think of developing a strong, muscular physique what type of exercises do you think of doing? To improve and develop strength most individuals focus on lifting weights – exercises such as bench press, push ups and flies – that focus on powerful pushing and pulling movements.

Cardiovascular activity usually takes the passenger seat, when it comes to developing strength - unless you’re involved in a sport that requires a lot of endurance training, or if you want to loose excess body fat on top of improving your strength.

Stretching – unfortunately isn’t even put in the strength development category, because most of us figure that since it’s a low intensity movement it’s purely for cooling down after our workouts. However stretching isn't merely a great way to cool down – trust me it can actually help make you stronger. That’s why I feature a great stretching diagram on my website, FitnessGear101.com.

The benefits of stretching have numerous effects on your weightlifting progress. Just remember when you stretch you should feel slight tension in your muscles, but no pain!

Stretching is your key to the following fitness pluses:
Increased Strength - Stretching actually helps to increase your muscular strength because it expands your range of motion, and range of motion literally applies to weightlifting. For example when you lift in a wider range of motion compared to a smaller range, you’re enlisting the help of more fibers, making your muscles stronger.

Reduced Stress – We all know that stretching helps reduce the stress and tension in our exercised muscles, but did you know that a quick 20-mintue session of stretching can also release most of the tension that built up throughout an entire workday?

Improved Posture – Flexible muscles are your key to good posture, because stretching promotes balanced muscle tone in all the major joints in the body. This affects your strength training because good posture reduces stress and soreness in the muscles and joints, letting you get back to the gym faster.

Improved Speed & Reaction Time – if you’re an athlete you’re aware of how important agility is to top performance. Flexible muscles make you quicker on your feet. This allows for you to run faster in sports like soccer; react quicker by making saves in hockey and by maneuvering around opponents in football.

Decreased Muscle Soreness - This means less time off from the gym and your game, and more time to devote to developing those muscles.

Ease of Movement – If you’re not an athlete, never fear, stretching does more than improve sports performance. It makes simple daily tasks easier as well, by lessening the general stiffness in joints so you can bend down, reach up and lift things easily. Stretching will also affect the future of your joints by making you less likely to develop joint pain later in life.

Reduces Chances of Injury – More flexible muscles translate to less chance of injuring tight muscles during exercise. Take for example your hamstrings, the muscles that run down the back of your upper legs. I like to compare the hamstrings to an elastic band – the flexible hamstring has a lot of stretch; whereas the inflexible hamstring is that dried out elastic that breaks when it’s stretch too far.

About The Author

Anna Fleet is a certified personal trainer. When she is not working out or helping others achieve optimal health, she is the face and voice behind www.fitnessgear101.com – an excellent online resource for information about Fitness Gear Information( http://www.fitnessgear101.com/ ), Aerobics Equipment( http://www.fitnessgear101.com/aerobic-equipment/ ), and Workout Routines( http://www.fitnessgear101.com/workout-routines/ ).

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Diet Tips For The Whole Family

2007-10-18T13:47:00.000-04:00

Here's today's featured article:

by: Joey Dweck

Losing weight is never really easy, but when you find it necessary to prepare diet meals for yourself and fare that your family will eat as well, it can become really difficult. If you find yourself in this situation, the solution may be easier than you might think. While your family need not go on a diet with you, making some changes to the way you prepare meals can help to ensure that you stick to your diet goals and your family eats healthier as well.

One of the most important things you can do to make the switch to healthier eating is pay attention to the cuts of meat that you purchase and prepare. Whenever possible, purchase the leanest cuts of meat available. They may be slightly more expensive, but the health benefits you receive are well worth the extra cost. To beef up the health benefits even more, switch from frying prep methods to other methods such as roasting, baking, grilling and broiling. This is a great way to lose weight and keep your arteries free and clear.

Everyone, whether you happen to be dieting or not, can benefit from adding more vegetables to the menu. This is only true; however, if those veggies are prepared in the healthiest ways possible. Instead of loading them down with lots of cheese and butter, opt for other tasty methods. Steamed vegetables seasoned with herbs, spices, imitation butter and/or flavored vinegar provide a tasty and healthy alternative to fat and calorie laden vegetable casserole dishes.

Unless you are on a very strict no carbohydrate diet, grains can actually be good for your weight loss plans and form a healthy part of your family’s eating routine as well. The important key is to choose healthy grains instead of those that are high in refined sugar. Opt for whole grain rolls, breads and wild rice. Not only are these choices healthier, but they also taste better.

One of the biggest problems for families where one or more members are on a diet is satisfying the sweet tooth of some without wrecking the diet plans of others. One way to handle this is by stocking the freezer and pantry with dessert options that are tasty but won’t sabotage your weight loss goals. Consider choices such as low-cal and low-fat ice cream or yogurt. Paired with an all fruit spread topping or light whipped topping, there’s a good chance the kids won’t even notice the difference as they dig in. Other great dessert alternatives include fat-free pudding, sherbet, gelatin, fruit cocktail and apple sauce.

If you really want to energize your diet and create a healthier routine for your family, consider skipping dessert all-together and heading outside for a group walk, bike ride or even a game of Frisbee or volleyball. Not only will you be setting a healthy example for the rest of your family, but you’ll also grow stronger as a family unit while spending quality time together.

About The Author

Joey Dweck is the Founder & CEO of http://WeightLossBuddy.com a website committed to 24/7 support, expert advice, and helping people find a buddy(s) who will support their effort to lose weight, and live a healthier lifestyle. And it's all Free. Sign up for the Free 4-Part E-Course “Losing For Good” http://www.weightlossbuddy.com.

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How To Keep Stress At Bay When There's No Time For A Break

2007-10-08T10:41:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Liz Labrum

Taking exercise helps us get back in touch with reality, it grounds us and releases tension and feel-good endorphins. However tough deadlines don't always allow for a break from our desks so what can you do when you need to work at your maximum and keep your mind sharp?
When you are straining your brain over some task or problem the neurons of your brain function more intensely. As they do this, they build up toxic waste products that can cause foggy thinking. You know that feeling you get when your mind just seems to be like 'cotton wool'? Can you afford to operate like this?

At its very worst, not doing any form of exercise can lead to depression, neck and back problems and there is evidence that illnesses such as IBS either start with or are exacerbated by allowing tension to build up.

By exercising, you speed the flow of blood through your brain, moving these waste products faster. You also improve this blood flow so that even when you are not exercising, waste is eliminated more efficiently.

But of course you don't have the time to take exercise. Well you think you don't. But you could fool yourself into doing exercise regularly by sneaking it in to your life. Here's how.

If you are sitting at your desk now, take a deep breath in and let it out like a sigh. Feels better already, doesn't it?

Hands Up.

Sit up and making sure your feet are flat on the floor, raise your arms straight up and join your hands together with your arms as near to your ears as possible. And stretch; really S-T-R-E-T-C-H. Release your arms now and relax. Repeat at least twice.

Flopsey-Wopsey.

Swing your chair away from your desk, kick your shoes off. Start with a deep breath in, take your arms over your head, and slowly with a flat back, fold yourself over whilst exhaling and flop down with your arms dangling to the floor and just rest there. Your back will thank you and your brain will experience the benefits of blood and oxygen. (Pretend you're looking for a pen or something if you think everyone's looking, but chances are they're so involved with worries they won't notice.) Now come up and take a few more calming breaths. Repeat as you feel the need.

Let's Twist.

Body twists are good if you're feeling blue, anxious or fearful. (Explore yoga if you want more benefits.)

Sit on the edge of your chair with left side facing the back of the chair. Your feet and knees are together and need to stay that way throughout the pose. Place your hands on the back of the chair or as near to it as you can get. Keep your feet and knees together. Take a deep breath in, allow you shoulders to rest downwards as you do. Exhale and twist your upper body round to your left to look behind you and go as far as is comfortable. Keep your face aligned with your chest. When twist to the left push with your right hand and pull with your left. Repeat the other side.

Now I bet you're feeling better, feeling brighter and more 'up for it'? Are you not?
Having got a taste for exercise capitalise on it and start thinking how you can build more walking into your day. A walk at lunch time, walking up stairs instead of taking the lift or escalator, a walk around the office or to someone else's office. There are countless ways for you to do this. Act now, because as you do more you create the habit and your mind will present more opportunities for you to take an exercise break and you will find that you want to do longer, regular forms of exercise.

Speed Up Your Success By Slowing Down

And finally if like most people you always tend to be in a hurry, rushing from one place to another and not really spending much time sitting down and clearing your mind. You may find that when you have to perform, for example by giving a presentation, that you r mind goes into panic. Now, a good way to avoid this kind of response is just slow down a bit and think things through, visualising a positive outcome for yourself. You will find this very calming and a practical way to train your mind and body to give you what you want.

Here is a technique to get you on the fast track to success :

Simply take a long slow breath in through the nose, gently hold it for a count of four and then let the breath out as if sighing slowly. Try it now . . . . . feel the difference it makes with just one breath. Now try two more and with each out breath say the word 'relax' to yourself. Notice how you can slow down, allow any thoughts to pass, imagine they are like clouds floating by on a windy summer's day.

Turn your attention to b-r-e-a-t-h-I-n-g ... In ... and... out.

Now how do you feel? How easy was that?

About The Author

Liz Labrum
Master NLP Practitioner and Hypnotherapist
Coaching the subconscious for conscious change.
Want to drop stress, bad habits and fears?
Visit http://www.lizlabrum.co.uk

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Alternative Healing With Cold Lasers

2007-09-22T15:17:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Kalon Prensky

Have you heard the buzz about using cold lasers for healing countless ailments? Cold lasers are being used by Doctors, Dentists, Acupuncturists, DO’s, Oral Surgeons, Veterinarians, Chiropractors and the list goes on. Treatment with cold laser therapy is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing segments of alternative medicine.

The first cold lasers were used over 30 years ago. In Europe, Asia and Canada cold lasers have been used routinely for about 20 years and yet in America they are relatively new to mainstream medicine. Why is this? Just 3 short years ago the United States FDA started to give clearance to cold lasers for use in specific areas. For example the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), neck and shoulder pain, and other pain treatment applications.

Additional names that are often used interchangeably with cold laser are: low level laser (LLT), photobiostimulation laser, photobiomodulation laser , biostimulating laser, bioregulating laser, soliton laser and soft laser. Until a consensus is reached, the two most important names to remember are cold laser and low level laser, which is often used interchangeably with low level laser therapy (LLLT).

Why is it called a cold laser? A laser that utilizes a diode that is 500 mW or less is called a cold laser because it does not produce enough thermal output to heat the tissue being treated. A variety of cold lasers are available on the market with different power outputs and different wavelengths. Common diode power outputs include: 5 mW, 30 mW, 50 mW, 100 mW, 200 mW and 500 mW. The higher the power output, generally the shorter the treatment. For a good selection of cold lasers offering a variety of power outputs visit http://quantum-healing-lasers.com and also check out the section on frequently asked questions.

Is there a difference between a laser and an LED? Yes, it is an important difference, which comes down to coherence and depth of penetration. A cold laser uses coherent, polarized light that is highly focused and columnated, allowing it to travel in a straight line for long distances or to penetrate into the deeper layers of the body. The light from LED’s is monochromatic, non coherent light, which is useful for treatment of superficial tissues such as wounds and skin conditions. In comparative studies, lasers have been shown to be more effective and faster working. Some of the most effective and versatile lasers on the market utilize both laser and LED light output.

Is cold laser therapy scientifically well documented? LLLT will naturally not work on anything, however due to the fact that it treats at a cellular level, it is successful at treating an astounding level of conditions. Some research has failed to demonstrate effect in several indications, however proper treatment is dependant upon numerous factors including dosage, diagnosis, frequency of treatment and treatment technique. More than 2500 research reports are published and more than 100 double-blind positive studies confirm the clinical effect of cold laser therapy. Over 90% of the 370 studies revealed in the limited LLLT dental literature alone verify the clinical value of cold laser therapy.

About The Author

Kalon Prensky has been an alternative health practitioner for over 15 years. He is dedicated to teaching alternative modes of healing including modes of preventive medicine, and complimentary medicine. On his website Quantum-Healing-Lasers.com he provides a large selection of cold lasers for home and professional use, along with extensive research studies and information about cold laser applications from pain to smoking cessation.
alf@maui.net

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The Heart Of A Yoga Practice: Dedicating Your Efforts

2007-09-14T09:36:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Alanna Kaivalya

There are a variety of reasons people begin practicing yoga. Many wonder what all the fuss is about, some have heard that it can help with flexibility and strength, and others wonder about the stress relief benefits. More than fifteen million Americans have stepped on the mat and have explored how yoga can enrich their lives, but many only see the physical benefits. Despite the growing popularity of yoga, many instructors are left wondering if many people are really missing the true purpose of the practice.

What are yoga students missing when they are only taking class to lose weight, become fit, or relieve stress? They are missing the heart of the practice and the chance to make significant positive changes in their lives. When going to a yoga class becomes something greater than just something you do for yourself every now and again, you begin to realize that it is not just about you anymore. Dedicating the practice to something greater than yourself is what draws the distinction between just doing exercise and practicing yoga.

These days, it seems that the mention of dedication, or devotion, can be a tricky subject in yoga class. People tend to be unresponsive when the idea of the divine is mentioned. It is important for yoga practitioners to know that the philosophy of yoga is inextricably linked with divinity, no matter what name is given to it or how it is incorporated. Yoga was built on the idea that there is a force greater than ourselves, and yet we are still connected to it. This is the idea of Oneness, and the idea is more than fairly comforting. Others who are religious fear a conflicting of faiths by believing in the spirituality of yoga; however, Swami Satchidananda said, “The Truth is one, the paths are many.” Therefore, people of any faith or belief can practice yoga. Even if a practioner of yoga does not believe in any form of divinity, this does not present a problem.

They must simply recognize that the nature of all beings is joy and try to connect with that.
Now that we’ve gotten that sticky subject out of the way, I want to explain this idea of dedicating your practice in greater detail. It’s not even so much about dedication as it is relinquishing or letting go of everything whether they be worries, fears, misunderstandings, or hang-ups. My teacher, Sharon Gannon, always promotes the idea that “You’ve got to get down to get up.” What she means is that you need to be rooted in the here and now and be able to let go of all the fruits of your actions. Why, you ask? Why shouldn’t you just keep on doing yoga to perfect your chatturangas, balance longer in tree pose, and get that yoga butt? The answer is a simple one. What are all those things going to get you in the long run?

Sure, nailing that Chatturanga feels great, and deepening your Hanumanasana (splits pose) can give you a bit of a rush. I’m not denying that one bit, but what is the true purpose behind the motions? Yoga practice can help you to break a cycle, stop bad habits, and transform your life. Yes, it can do all of those things, but you have to let it. You see, you can’t acquire yoga like you can dance steps or aerobic maneuvers; you have to let go of what is obscuring it. You have to let go of your preferences and simply be in the moment as a divine being.

So why do asana at all if you’re not supposed to be attached to the outcome? Because the asanas help to show you the interior of your own mind, they clearly point out what you’re holding on to and what you still need to work through. They transform you into the tree or the warrior and make you see what it is like to step outside of yourself, even for the briefest of moments. Asana also gives you the chance to see that both the world and you yourself are constantly changing. This, in turn, gives you the opportunity to find what is real and unchanging.

When you realize that the purpose of your yoga practice is not to keep you rooted in this world, but to let you move through it, you begin to have faith in your ability to reach the divine with your actions. It can ignite the soul and give you a sense of renewed dignity and worth. Because you know that you’re not just performing the motions for your own benefit, the sense of satisfaction from your practice can grow beyond the mat. For example, have you ever had the opportunity to offer selfless service to another? Maybe you’ve adopted a pet and taken on the full responsibility of loving and caring for it, and, in exchange, all you have received is unconditional love from them for giving happiness and freedom. This is what the act of devotion is all about—realizing that it’s not all about the wishes and wants you only think you need.
When you start letting go of the selfish motives for practice and try to connect with something greater, you inspire your own ability to love. This is the nature of the spirit, and connecting with that is the ultimate goal of yoga practice. Samadhi is union with the divine, a connection with the source, which is true love. Everything else is negligible. As my teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life, would say, “The sheer desire for Oneness is the way to it.”

Realizing that all the beings in this world are connected in this way is a remarkable step for the yogi. Once the lines between ‘you’ and ‘them’ begin to fade, you realize how important it is to share love and a sense of gratitude with everyone around you.

Copyright 2006 Alanna Kaivalya
About The Author

Alanna Kaivalya is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga instructor who teaches nationally and internationally. Her favorite element of yoga is the practice of deep listening – Nada Yoga – which helps to connect her to the divine vibrations everywhere. To download her podcasts, contact her or to invite her to teach, please visit her website, http://www.jivadiva.com.

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Five Secrets To Weight Loss

2007-09-07T15:46:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

Weight loss – such a “big” topic! Every month another book is out by another expert on weight loss. Everyone wants to know the secret to losing weight.

I certainly don’t have THE secret, but I do have some secrets, and I want to share them with you in the hope you find them helpful.

Weight used to be a major issue for me. Losing weight was never out of my thoughts, and I can’t tell you how many different diets, pills and programs I tried until I discovered some “secrets” that have worked for me for many years now.
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So here they are. I hope they work as well for you as they have for me.
1. Change your focus from losing weight to achieving great health.
I grew up as a sickly child and I was a sickly young adult. I hated being sick and never having energy to do all the things I wanted to do. So I decided to learn about what creates great health.
First I read tons of books on nutrition and became convinced that I needed to switch to organic foods. That was quite a challenge in 1961! There was one coop health food store that I had to follow around Los Angeles because it kept moving locations. But it was worth it! My rule of thumb now is – if they didn’t eat it 100 years ago, then I won’t eat it now. This cuts out most packaged and processed foods and leaves natural, organic food.

2. Learn to read your body signals regarding what feels good to your body and what feels bad.
I no longer read about all the different diets because I’ve learned to tune into MY body so that I know exactly what my body needs for great health. Since my body needs different things than your body, no single food plan will work for everyone. Your job is to learn to tune into what gives you energy and what robs you of energy, and what foods create calmness and which ones create agitation. Once I learned what my body needs for great health, I lost weight and kept it off easily.

3. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy and that you can do at least 5 times a week.
I discovered that I love to walk in nature, so I take a fast half-hour walk every day. However, this can be a problem if you have physical limitations or chronic illness. Losing weight with chronic illness or physical limitations is not impossible, but it can be a much bigger challenge.

4. Learn to discern which part of you determines what and when you eat, as well as how much you eat. We all have a wounded part of ourselves that uses various addictions as ways to deal with feelings of loneliness, aloneness, helplessness, anxiety, depression, fear and anger. Some people may use alcohol, drugs, spending, TV, gambling, sex, and so on to avoid their pain, while other use food. While food may work to pacify painful feelings for the moment, in the long run all addictions backfire and create the very pain you are trying to avoid. Yet our wounded self keeps choosing addictive behavior as a way of managing pain. As long as the wounded part of you is making your food choices, you may continue to have a weight problem.

The part of us that is capable of managing painful feelings in healthy ways and making healthy choices is the loving Adult. The loving Adult is the part of us that has a deep desire to learn about and take loving action in our own behalf. Developing a loving Adult is a major aspect in creating health and wellbeing, as well as in losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight.
5. Learn to connect with a spiritual source of wisdom, strength, love and guidance.
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The loving Adult is that part of us that is connected with a spiritual source of guidance rather than being governed by the mind. The mind, bring programmed from childhood, is the home of the wounded self. You are being a loving Adult at those moments when you choose to be guided by a source of wisdom beyond your mind. This source will always guide you toward your highest good. You just need to learn to open and listen.

It is very likely that you will not only lose weight, but will also move into more physical and emotional health and wellbeing if you embrace these “secrets” into your life. We offer you a free course (see the resource box) to help you with developing your loving Adult. Once you have developed a powerful loving inner Adult, you will be able to lose weight. If you really want to lose weight, there is a way!

About The Author

Margaret Paul, Ph.D., best-selling author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You” and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or email her at mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone Sessions.

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Natural Relief For Arthritis And Joint Pain?

2007-08-31T15:12:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Laura Turner

The years of teaching high impact aerobics are catching up with me. Sure it's been great for the ticker, but the knees on the other hand are showing signs of age and making icky noises. What my Physical Therapist friends call "creep" and "crepitus" (which is just nice technical way of saying "grinding") had become loud enough to be heard by the naked ear! At the rate I was going - I was sure I'd need a knee replacement by 40. Of course this just won't do. So I've taken to doing leg extensions regularly and… taking glucosamine.

Glucosamine - What's That?

"Glucosamine" is a natural constituent of cartilage which has been shown to stimulate the production of connective tissue! In more technical terms, glucosamine is considered an "amino sugar." An amino sugar is the component of a carbohydrate which does not contribute to the body's energy - instead it gets incorporated into body tissues, forming such structures as tendons, ligaments, bones, skin, nails, eyes and heart valves.
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What is Glucosamine Used For?

Glucosamine supplements have been used most recently (according to the research I consulted) for everything from joint pain to connective tissue repair. It's best know for its contribution to tendon and ligament support, for building joint cartilage as well as reducing destruction of cartilage. It has also shown promise in reducing inflammation due to asthma and bursitis, lessen the incidence of food allergies, tendonitis and skin problems! As if that isn't enough - what I find most exciting about glucosamine is its use in relief of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

How Glucosamine Works

It's fairly basic. We produce less glucosamine as we age, therefore our cartilage has difficulty retaining water. Depletion of this fluid, which ads "cushion" to the joints and other tissues, can create everything from joint pain to arthritis. Glucosamine (together with its counterpart chondroitin - another naturally occurring substance) - helps to counteract this water loss as well as restore cartilage.
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Side Effects

So What's the bad news? I always want to know. Here's what I found: Since these substances are naturally occurring - they work on the body differently than synthetic drugs (think Prednisone) or anti-inflam's like Naproxen. This said - it takes a while to notice signs of joint help - more than likely it could take up to a year of regular supplementation before the benefits take hold. Once they do, however, 50% of all regular users have reported definite decreases in symptoms of joint pain - I will let you know! The only other downside I could find to the glucosamine/chondroitin complex users were nausea and heartburn - although they are rare and counteracted by eating prior to supplementation.

How To?

As I've just stated, always take the glucosamine/chondroitin complex with meals to avoid side effects. I take one, 500 mg tablet once a day. Dr. Mindell (I am a big fan of his work: see below) recommends taking just 1-3 500 mg. tabs daily for three weeks (to get a boost), then take one, 500 mg. tab daily.

My Usual Disclaimer:

As always, please check with your healthcare provider before supplementation - discuss with him/her any medications you are taking to avoid interactions. Although herbs and other naturally occurring substances are considered "food" (simply because they can't be patented and trademarked thus cannot come under scrutiny of the FDA) they are still very strong substances in the body and should not be taken lightly! Check out more literature - educate yourself!

My Favorite Resources (and research sources for this article) Include:

Balch, Phyllis A., CNC. Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing. New York: Penguin Putnam, 2004.
Khalsa, Dharma Singh, M.D. Food As Medicine. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Mindell, Earl, R.P.h., Ph.D. The Vitamin Bible. New York: Warner Books, 2004.
Mindell, Earl, R.P.h., Ph.D. Prescription Alternatives. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.

About The Author

Laura Turner is a natural health practitioner and author. She hosts http://www.beauty-and-body.com and publishes the New Body News and Wellness Letter, The Online Magazine Healthy People Read. ( http://www.new-body-news.com ) Subscribe for f.r.e.e. and receive her Special Report: "Take Charge of Your Health!" and check out her latest book: Spiritual Fitness!

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It's All About the Calories and Exercising

2007-08-26T13:21:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article

by: Dennis Watson

Like most people when I was younger it seemed I could eat anything and not really ever gain weight. Well now that I’m in my forties it appears that those undisciplined days are over for good. After doing a little research I’ve come to the conclusion that my lack of activity and slowing metabolism is to blame.

Wanting to lose some weight I went out to look for that magic weight loss plan that would offer a painless process for losing weight. After reading and trying several programs I realized that they all seemed to have the same common theme – lower your caloric intake and get off your butt and do something.

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If you need to lose some weight, I recommend that you pay close attention to what you eat during the day. Go ahead and count up all of those calories you take in and calculate how many minutes you exercise. It won’t take very many days for you to figure out that you take in to many calories and don’t exercise enough. Use the information below to help you figure out where you want or need to be.

Calorie Requirements Resting Metabolic Rate represents the minimum energy needs of the body, for day and night with no exercise. Sedentary includes occupations that involve sitting most of the day. Light includes activities, which involve standing most of the day. Moderate may include walking, gardening, and housework. Active includes an occupation that requires manual labor and/or participating in a daily exercise program.

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Daily calorie allowance:

Men: Resting -- 12 per lb. body weight. Sedentary -- 16 per lb. body weight. Light-- 18 per lb. body weight. Moderate -- 21 per lb. body weight. Active -- 26 per lb. body weight

Example: I want to reach a weight of 180 lbs, to do so I plan on being moderately active, so my daily caloric intake should be 21 x 180 = 3780 calories per day.

Women: Resting -- 13 per lb. body weight. Sedentary -- 14 per lb. body weight. Light -- 16 per lb. body weight. Moderate -- 18 per lb. body weight. Active -- 22 per lb. body weight

Example: If you want to reach a weight of 130 and maintain that weight and plan on being moderately active, then your caloric intake should be 18 x 130 = 2340 calories per day.

Lastly, no matter what you decide to do go ahead and engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health. Good luck!

About The Author

Dennis Watson has been helping others promote their products or services for years through his Free Classifieds website => www.zeoh.com

Eating Carbs Actually Leads to Weight Loss and Health

2007-08-21T17:18:00.000-04:00

Welcome back - here's today's featured article:

by: Mark Hyman MD

Carbohydrates are the single most important food you can eat.

That statement probably goes against everything you've ever heard, so let me explain.

If you don't believe me, take this little test.

Think of a carb!

If you're like most Americans, bread, pasta, soft drinks, French fries, sugar, and similar foods probably flew into your mind. Yes, these foods are carbs -- highly processed and refined ones.
And if these are the kinds of carbs you consume on a regular basis, let me warn you, (unless you regularly run marathons), you're most likely either overweight or heading down the road to weight gain.

You may like them, you may consider them "comfort foods," you may think that they couldn't be so bad since they are so predominant in our current diet. But the biological bottom line is that human beings have not evolved to metabolize these types of carbohydrates.

They slow down your metabolism and contribute to every one of the major diseases associated with aging including diabetes, heart disease, dementia and cancer.
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In most, cases they are also "empty" calorie foods-the worst possible combination -- high caloric foods, low in nutrients. They deprive you of vital nutrients as well as burden your body with the task of digesting food molecules that aren't giving you anything you need.

Eating them (especially in excess) is a prescription for weight gain. But they're not the end of the carb story. If you're like most people, you may not realize that the wide world of carbs is actually much, much bigger than this limited crowd of processed carbs.

In contrast, natural carbohydrates, which come to your table just like Mother Nature made them, contain many essential nutrients and specialized chemicals that turn up your metabolism via newly discovered plant chemicals call phytonutrients.

So you have a choice: use phytonutrients to spark your metabolism into action, or drown your metabolism with indigestible nutrient-poor carbs.

Our genetic nutritional template goes back 20,000 years. Our ancestors foraged for wild food, like wild berries, grasses, roots, and mushrooms to find life-giving phytonutrients that all humans are designed by nature to eat.

On a recent vacation I found myself in a sea of phytonutrients in the wild islands of Southeast Alaska. I was foraging along with the grizzly bears for bog cranberries, blueberries, nagoonberries, raspberries, and strawberries. These scrumptious berries, bursting with phytonutrients, were smaller, richer in color and taste, (and lower in sugar) than their domestic berry cousins.

Here's a tip: The greater variety and the deeper the color of plant foods you eat, the higher their concentration of phytonutrients. The key is to learn which phytonutrient-dense foods can prevent disease and promote weight loss.
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Want phytonutrient power?

Here 's a small sample of the many superfoods that contain these powerful phytonutrients: isoflavones in soy foods, lignans in flax seeds, catechins in green tea, polyphenols in cocoa (yes, chocolate!), glucosinolates in broccoli, carnosol in rosemary, and resveratrol in red wine.
And there are hundreds more that can help you unlock the secret to natural weight loss. All of these compounds -- and dozens more -- will help you fight disease and obesity. These special compounds literally communicate with your genes and turn on messages of health and weight loss. They are key to the success people experience in losing weight on a program I've developed during my 20-years practicing medicine, called UltraMetabolism.

Before you reach for that Cinnabon, know that phytonutrients only occur in whole, unrefined, unprocessed plant foods. All vegetables (and many fruits) score high in phytonutrients, while processed carbs, like bread and pasta, have virtually none.

Here's a shorthand to distinguish between the metabolism boosters and the processed carbs that will only weigh you down:

Anything that has been packaged or put through a machine is processed (like a potato chip). Anything that comes right out of the earth is natural (like a plum).

Don't let all the terminology -- high fat, low-fat, high-carb, low-carb, high glycemic index, low glycemic index, complex carbs and simple carbs -- confuse you. The key is eating whole, real, unprocessed, food found as close to nature as possible. Now you know why your grandmother always told you to eat your vegetables!

Folk wisdom passed down the generations showed how to give the body what it needs. In the early twenty-first century, that wisdom is being confirmed in the research of leading edge scientists. So you can follow these recommendations I offer with total confidence that the latest medical science backs them up.

This new science reveals why you should never do what some ill-advised diets suggest: cut out all carbs. Not a good idea-because you also cut out all the phytonutrients (and the fiber) that only comes from whole plant foods.

Along with their obesity fighting chemicals, vitamins, and minerals to accelerate your metabolism, most whole carbohydrates are filled with healthy plant fiber to slow the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream.

And for super fast weight loss, you'll want to eat some special "super" fiber foods which I use as my secret weapon with many patients who have had difficulty losing weight. Once you incorporate them into your diet, you'll feel full, experience steady energy, and will never be tempted to overeat.

Here's a guarantee: If you've been consuming highly processed foods such as sodas, chips, and crackers, and you decide to boost your intake of those powerful phytonutrients that I've reviewed, you'll be taking the first step towards re-programming your body for automatic weight loss and health.

My dirty little secret as a doctor is that I never treat anybody specifically to lose weight; I simply help them become healthy using these and other techniques and the weight automatically comes off.

So remember, eat your carbs, but make them the right carbs!

Copyright 2006 Mark Hyman MD

About The Author

Mark Hyman, M.D. is a NY Times bestselling author, lecturer, and practicing physician. Discover how you can program your body to automatically lose weight and find out what special super fiber can help by grabbing an exclusive sneak preview of UltraMetabolism at http://www.ultrametabolism.com/article5.

Lose Weight The Natural Way While You Sleep

2007-08-16T16:48:00.000-04:00

Welcome - here's today's featured article:

by: Rick Hendershot

You probably didn't know it, but one of the best times to lose weight is while you sleep. That's because the human body is designed by nature to repair itself during the hours we are sleeping.
Our bodies use sleep to repair and strengthen our muscles, joints and other parts that get tired and damaged through use and exertion during waking hours.
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This restorative process uses energy to rebuild lean muscle mass and to help rebuild other kinds of body tissue. That is worth repeating -- this rebuilding process uses energy -- and if the rebuilding process is running smoothly and efficiently, that energy comes from places in our body where energy is stored -- from fat.

In other words, the body rebuilds tissue, organs, bone, and lean muscle by burning fat.
Several things about this process are worth noting. They have an important bearing on how efficiently it works.

**Collagen is very important to the body repair process

Collagen is the most common protein found in our bodies. It is the main component of our skin, nails, bones, cartilage, and connective tissue and is found in all of the body organs. Cartilage is the cushion and shock absorber between joints, and the reason we stay flexible and mobile. Healthy cartilage is constantly being regenerated by the body naturally and this process contributes to keeping us youthful and flexible.
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As we age, our bodies lose the ability to produce collagen at sufficient levels needed to support the deep restorative sleep processes that our bodies are designed to perform. This can be a major contributor that leads to a premature aged appearance and can definitely affect our flexibility and mobility. It stands to reason that a collagen supplement combined with other natural ingredients can have a dramatic effect in better supporting the deep restorative sleep process. This in turn can allow the body to experience more energy, build more lean muscle, and burn more fat.

**Amino acids enhance the regeneration process

The rebuilding process is also influenced by the efficiency of the amino acids normally used for this purpose. As part of the rebuilding process, amino acids help maintain lean muscle mass and allow the body to more readily consume fat for energy. This contributes to weight loss.
Again, as we age, our body's production of efficient amino acids is reduced. A supplement such as L-Carnitine is a special amino acid that enhances the body's normal function and helps your body convert excess fat into readily available fuel. During deep sleep, these special amino acids work like a natural "turbo charger" to help your body repair, preserve and build lean muscle while burning stored fat to supply the needed energy.

**Not eating before sleeping is important

Since the body uses deep sleep for the restoration process, it is important when using a collagen supplement not to eat three hours before going asleep. This is because we don't want nutrient competitiion between undigested food and the collagen supplement special nutrient formula itself. If the body has to concern itself with digestion it will not absorb the collagen formula properly. Therefore your body will not be performing its natural restorative process while you sleep, but rather will be concerned with undigested foods and will actually be storing fat from the continuing digestive process rather than burning fat as the energy for the deep sleep restorative process.

This tends to put us into a "diet circle of frustration". The less time your body spends in deep restful sleep (without competing digestion), the less time it has to restore its natural health, and the less fat that is burned in support of this natural rebuilding process. Now we understand the key connection between deep restorative sleep and weight loss many times goes hand in hand with our overall health
.
Reducing or eliminating the intake of food three hours before bedtime allows the body to use its natural fat reserves for metabolic fuel during the deep restorative sleep cycle.

**Collagen weight loss program build on this process

A natural collagen product such as Lose and Snooze enables this natural process to once again help people lose weight. Lose and Snooze consists of a blend of Collagen, L-Carnitine and Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera). The Collagen contributes to a more youthful appearance, greater flexibility, and all round mobility and strength.

In addition to all of this, most importantly, Collagen allows the deep sleep necessary to enable your body's natural metabolic functions to occur, like when we were children. L-Carnitine promotes the burning of fat in support of the natural rebuilding, restorative process that occurs during deep sleep. The Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) contains numerous nutrients and amino acids that help create a healthy environment in support of your body's own ability to create its own collagen, in addition to the remarkable Lose and Snooze formula itself.

Thousands of satisfied users of the collagen weight loss program have reported that using the liquid formula in combination with an empty stomach before bedtime, has been beneficial to their health and has helped them naturally lose weight.

And because the collagen weight loss program only helps lose excess fat (while rebuilding muscle), it can be used by anybody -- not just people wanting to lose weight. It has also been beneficial to folks who want to enjoy better sleep, build lean muscle, improve their appearance and to reshape their body while maintaining their proper healthy weight.

About The Author

Rick Hendershot provides low cost Online Advertising - http://www.linknet-promotions.com/ Lose Weight the Healthy Way - http://www.loseandsnooze.com/id/rahkeh29 Online FDA Approved Prescriptions - http://www.mybestscripts.com/.

Why Take A Vitamin?

2007-08-11T11:30:00.001-04:00

by: John Collins

Why Take a Vitamin?

Despite the fact that people are living hectic lifestyles more than ever, they are following a more healthy diet and exercising on a regular basis. You might wonder if the recommendation by the health industry to take a multivitamin every day is still valid in light of the trend of people becoming healthier. If you are eating a variety of foods, there's a good chance you are getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs to perform routine functions to keep your body healthy. However, you're not completely out of the woods.

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When you use heat to cook your food (grill, fry, bake), the heating process removes some of your food's beneficial nutrients. In addition, if you are plagued with stress or you if you are taking medication there's a chance that you are losing a significant amount of vitamins and minerals that you consume. Taking vitamins on a regular basis can increase your chances of getting all the nutrients your body needs.

The benefits of taking vitamins go beyond meeting the recommended dietary allowances. How healthy you are depends on more than just diet and the amount of exercise you obtain. There are other outside factors that can predispose you to develop certain health issues. For example, how much of a risk you have for developing cancer of heart disease is largely dependent upon whether or not others in your family developed these conditions. For some time it was believed that an individual had very little recourse in these situations. Studies conducted by Harvard University researchers revealed that taking a multivitamin every day can reduce an individual's risk to develop these conditions.
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To determine your specific needs, you should visit your doctor for a complete evaluation of your dietary needs. Your doctor will be able to recommend the type of vitamins that are best for you. It may very well be the case that a common multivitamin is all that you need. If this is the case, you can visit any nutrition center or grocery store and find aisles of multivitamins. While these preparations will contain the same basic set of vitamins, the amount of each will differ. You can determine which preparation is for you by considering which nutrients you lack. For example, if you're not a fan of milk products, you may want to choose a multivitamin that contains more calcium.

About The Author
John Collins manages http://www.nutrition-guides.info/. A site dedicated to hosting nutrition articles from around the world.
He also helps out with http://www.curing-acne.info/. Another health site giving advice for acne sufferers.
help@nutrition-guides.info

Adrenal Fatigue

2007-08-03T15:48:00.000-04:00

Here's today's featured article.

by: Valerie Balandra ARNP, BC

Your adrenal glands are two tiny pyramid-shaped pieces of tissue situated right above each kidney. Their job is to produce and release, when appropriate, certain regulatory hormones and chemical messengers.

Adrenaline is manufactured in the interior of the adrenal gland, called the adrenal medulla. Cortisol, the other chemical from the adrenal gland, is made in the exterior portion of the gland, called the adrenal cortex. The cortex also secretes androgens, estrogens, and progestins. Cortisol, commonly called hydrocortisone, is the most abundant -- and one of the most important -- of many adrenal cortex hormones. Cortisol helps you handle longer-term stress situations.

In addition to helping you handle stress, these two primary adrenal hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, along with others similarly produced, help control body fluid balance, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other central metabolic functions.

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In the heightened nervous state of adrenal burnout, the body overproduces adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones. Constant stress and poor nutrition can weaken the adrenal glands. Eventually, this causes the adrenal glands, the front line in the stress reaction, to show wear and tear and become depleted. This frequently leads to impairment in the thyroid gland, which can cause a further decline in energy level and mood and is one of the reasons why many people have thyroid glands that don’t work well.

When stress continues over prolonged periods of time, the adrenal glands can deplete the body's hormonal and energy reserves, and the glands may either shrink in size or hypertrophy (enlarge). The overproduction of adrenal hormones caused by prolonged stress can weaken the immune system and inhibit the production of white blood cells that protect the body against foreign invaders (in particular lymphocytes and lymph node function).

Adrenal dysfunction can disrupt the body's blood sugar metabolism, causing weakness, fatigue, and a feeling of being run down. It can also interfere with normal sleep rhythms and produce a wakeful, unrelaxing sleep state, making a person feel worn out even after a full night's sleep.

Common Causes of Adrenal Stress
• Anger
• Fear / Worry /Anxiety
• Depression
• Guilt
• Overwork/ physical or mental strain
• Excessive exercise
• Sleep deprivation
• Light-cycle disruption
• Going to sleep late
• Surgery
• Trauma/injury
• Chronic inflammation
• Chronic infection
• Chronic pain
• Temperature extremes
• Toxic exposure
• Malabsorption
• Maldigestion
• Chronic illness
• Chronic-severe allergies
• Hypogycemia
• Nutritional deficiencies

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Testing for Adrenal Health

In order to determine the health of your adrenal glands you need to have a simple blood, urine, or saliva test performed by your practitioner. Cortisol levels can be checked by blood or throughout the day by a saliva test. DHEA, and Epinephrine, are some other indicators of adrenal function.

Associated Symptoms and Consequences of Impaired Adrenal Functioning
• Low body temperature
• Weakness
• Unexplained hair loss
• Nervousness
• Difficulty building muscle
• Irritability
• Mental depression
• Difficulty gaining weight
• Apprehension
• Hypoglycemia
• Inability to concentrate
• Excessive hunger
• Tendency towards inflammation
• Moments of confusion
• Indigestion
• Poor memory
• Feelings of frustration
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
• Osteoporosis
• auto-immune diseases/hepatitis
• Lightheadedness
• Palpitations [heart fluttering]
• Dizziness that occurs upon standing
• Poor resistance to infections
• Low blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Food and/or inhalant allergies
• PMS
• Craving for sweets
• Dry and thin skin
• Headaches
• Scanty perspiration
• Alcohol intolerance

Treatment

Lifestyle changes such as:
Eating steadily, all day long. Skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do for your body. When you're hungry, your blood sugar drops, stressing your adrenal glands and triggering your sympathetic nervous system. That causes light-headedness, cravings, anxiety and fatigue. Another drawback to skipping meals: The resulting low blood sugar can affect your ability to think clearly and shorten your attention span.

Skipping breakfast is particularly bad, as it is a sure fire way to gain, not lose, weight. If you start each morning with a good breakfast and "graze" healthfully every two to four hours, your blood sugar will remain steady throughout the day. You'll feel more rested and energetic.
Eat protein with every meal. Eat Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice. Avoid sugar, junk food, white pasta, white rice, white bread

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Absolutely NO Caffeine. Coffee/Sodas over stimulates your adrenals and they deplete important B vitamins.

Coffee does not give you energy; coffee gives you the illusion of energy. Coffee actually drains the body of energy and makes you more tired, because of vitamin and adrenal depletion.
Exercise to relax. Walking, Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, or stretching. No vigorous or aerobic exercise, which depletes the adrenals.

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Avoid alcohol, processed foods, and tobacco. Nicotine in tobacco initially raises cortisol levels, but chronic use results in low DHEA, testosterone, and progesterone levels.

Reduce stress; learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation.

Helpful Supplements

The use of small amounts of natural adrenal hormone (hydrocortisone) to bring slightly low adrenal function up to its proper normal daily range is often helpful.

Take a daily multivitamin to provide nutritional support to the adrenal gland.
Vitamin C 1,000-3,000 mg a day
L-Theanine 100-400 mg a day
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 300 mg a day
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), no more than 1000 mg of glycyrrhizin

About The Author

Valerie Balandra ARNP, BC is a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and holistic health practitioner. Her website Integrative Psychiatry. Net focuses on ways to identify causes of bio-chemical imbalances and provides natural treatments for depression and anxiety. http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/.

Diabetes: The $132 Billion Dollar Pandemic

2007-08-03T15:16:00.000-04:00

Here's today's featured article.

by: Dr Robert Gamble

You know, it’s not everyday a fellow like me gets to announce a major paradigm shift, much less concerning diabetes …or any other medical condition.

You don’t know what a paradigm shift is? Well, if I mentioned events and names like: Gutenberg, Copernicus, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Louis Pasteur, and Werner von Braun …you would probably guess a paradigm shift is major shift in thinking…and you would be right.

Back in the 1960’s, Thomas Kuhn wrote a famous book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. In it, he destroyed the common misconception so many of us have about science.

We tend to think scientific progress is ushered in by a slow, line upon line, piece by piece development of thought over time.

Thomas Kuhn showed that, historically, scientific progress occurs in leaps …and is always confronted by a struggle with an “old guard.” The old scientific theorists hold tenaciously to their (usually tenured or profitable) positions and array themselves against the new discovery, attempting to drive it away.

But, the new guard – the new discoverers, inventors, explorers– takes the new discoveries and advances it over the thinking of the old establishment. Rarely is the old guard converted to the new patterns of thinking (new discovery). They just die off. The new position wins by attrition …truth…and perseverance.

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Diabetes: The $132 billion dollar pandemic

Diabetes is on the front edge of such a paradigm shift.

Diabetes afflicts over 18 million Americans. That is double the number of people with diabetes just since 1991 alone.

According to the CDC, one in every three Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Let that sink in…one in every three Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

It is estimated over 40 million Americans can be classified as “pre-diabetes” meaning they have blood sugar levels higher than normal but still below the type 2 diagnosis level which helps to define diabetes.

By anyone’s standard that is pandemic (goes far beyond epidemic proportions). The cost for this carnage is over $132 BILLION DOLLARS. So much expense, grief and sorrow…and unnecessary.

Diabetes: A reflection of our culture.

We are a fast food, sedentary, “get-our-fix-now” generation. More than one in every two Americans are overweight. We don’t exercise as we should. All of which affects glucose levels. Diabetes is a lifestyle disease…and we’ve got the lifestyle.

Diabetes: The important announcement

That said, diabetes is a condition which CAN be turned around. Glyconutrition is the new discovery shaking the medical and scientific worlds. There are four Nobel Prizes and MIT testifying to the fact that glycobiology is one of the 10 technologies/discoveries which will shape our world.

Glyconutrition is more than just a promising new treatment for diabetes. Many are starting to whisper “VICTORY” over diabetes in their approach to disease.

Whether that is the case, time will tell.

Oh no… The problem is not a failure of glyconutrition. It is the building block VITAL to healthy cellular function and it is extremely vital to the proper functioning of the IMMUNE system. Those are known facts.

Diabetes is an auto-immune disease meaning, your body’s immune system gets misguided messages. Thus, it starts attacking the islet cells in the pancreas which produces insulin. Voila...diabetes!

But, the problem is NOT whether glyconutrition really works. Anecdotal evidence (market buzz!) is already overwhelming in favor of glyconutritional therapy for diabetes. As is the professional research.

No…the actual science is NOT the problem. The problem is the old guard again. Thomas Kuhn’s book is almost prophetic. The old guard, the medical and pharmaceutical establishment, just can’t accept the findings of (their own) research… “What! A nutrient… to treat diabetes?” “Hogwash,” one can almost hear them say.

Actually, I wish they were saying that out loud. The reality is, they just ignore the issue. You see, too much is at stake. Like billions of dollars…uh… $132 billion dollars. All of that money (read, “business”) disappears if glyconutrition continues to “pan out” the way the research shows us. But, for now, the only thing “panning out” is a diabetes pandemic.

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Yet, glyconutrition gets shunned as an official diabetes treatment approach.

A study published in the 1997 issue of the Proceedings of the Fisher Institute for Medical Research showed that people with type 1 diabetes who were given glyconutrients “…reported a dramatic improvement in their health, including a decrease in vision problems, better wound healing, less infections, and lower blood pressure.” (Miracle Sugars, by Rita Elkins, M.H., Woodland Publishing, p. 26)

“Glycobiology has achieved critical breakthroughs in the medical field, primarily by addressing what could be the greatest plague in health care today -- auto-immune diseases. Multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, Crohn’s disease and colitis are just a few of these diseases.” - Dr. Neecie Moore, Ph.D. (cf. Rita Elkins, M.H. Miracle Sugars, Woodland Publishing, p. 18.)

Also, mannose (one glyconutrient) can stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin “…thus lowering the amount of insulin needed to control this disease.” (Miracle Sugars, p. 27).

Reality Check: The lives of 1 out of every 3 Americans are affected directly by diabetes and there is a $132 billion dollar diabetes pandemic running amuck in our midst. So, I sure hope this paradigm shift - glyconutrition - gets less opposition from the “powers that be” (the “old guard”), and is given its rightful place in the sun…soon.

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But, with the money being made by the pharmaceuticals and their drugs, and the astoundingly simplistic view of disease treatment (“Blast that disease with technology and drugs!”) it is doubtful if Thomas Kuhn’s “paradigm shift” will work out any differently for diabetes across the land.

The old guard will attack and ignore the discovery — arguably, the greatest in medical history in over a hundred years — and, a la Kuhn, they will simply go the way of the Dodo Bird and diabetes treatment will receive its due.

About The Author

Dr. Robert Gamble is retired from a very successful medical/surgical career. His articles are designed to encourage people about the exciting discoveries surrounding glyconutrition. Visit http://www.glycoshare.com/ or write sharethegift@glycoshare.com or…
call toll free: 1866.735.5871