Food for thought and health.

The Role of Cellulite Massage for Cellulite Reduction

2009-01-23T03:25:00.000-08:00

A great number of modern day women are looking for effective ways to combat cellulite, one of the most distressful problems of theirs. Regular anti-cellulite massage is supposed to be one of the easiest approaches, which can assist in cellulite reduction and control. Manual manipulations can be done at home with the help of special brushes, scrubs or gloves. Another advantage of cellulite massage is the opportunity to target it to the problematic areas of the body, which are affected the most by cellulite. If you plan to incorporate cellulite massage into your anti-cellulite program, it would be good to consult a specialist in order to provide the best relief and avoid possible negative effects of this treatment.

Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome in a Natural Way

2008-01-16T05:48:00.000-08:00

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. It means that the bowels of an IBS patient do not function properly and it causes many IBS symptoms. The most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are lower abdominal pain, changes in intestinal habits, abdominal irritation relieved with defecation, bloating resultong from changes in intestinal habits. In point of fact, there are several general patterns of irritable bowel syndrome that have their own specific symptoms. They are diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), constipation-predominant (IBS-C), post-infectious IBS (IBS-PI), and IBS with alternating stool pattern (IBS-A). It is notable that all patterns can be accompanied by fever, vomiting, headache, excessive wind, etc. Also general malaise and lethargy, anxiety, stress, emotional disorders, back pain can also occur in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. According to statistics, this gastrointestinal disease affects as many as 30% of Americans and women suffer from it three times more often than men.

The difficulty is that there is no real understanding of why irritable bowel syndrome occurs and there is no specific scientific lab test which can be carried out to diagnose this condition. That’s why irritable bowel syndrome can be often confused with chronic functional abdominal pain (CFAP), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and some other gastrointestinal disorders. In case of irritable bowel syndrome the muscles that line the walls of the bowels go into spasm, but the inherent biochemical cause of it is not well established. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can become looser and even disappear for quite long periods of time, and then suddenly recur, what adds more difficulty in IBS diagnosis.

Notwithstanding the fact that irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic, irritating, and uncomfortable disorder, it is not fatal and its symptoms can be alleviated and even eliminated in case of proper treatment. Generally, stool softeners and laxatives are used in constipation-predominant IBS pattern, and various antidiarrheals (such as opioid or loperamide, diphenoxylate, codeine) are used in case of case of IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant patterns of IBS). Also the use of antispasmodic medications, such as anticholinergics such as hyoscyamine or dicyclomine, may be of special help to those people, who suffer from cramps or diarrhea.

But according to medical practice the best treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is proper diet, coping with stress and depression, and natural IBS remedies and cures. One of the best natural IBS treatments on the market is Bowtrol. Bowtrol Natural Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment was developed to successfully ease and eliminate all typical IBS symptoms. Bowtrol Natural IBS treatment is an alternative herbal remedy that is 100% clinically proven to be very effective in alleviating and eliminating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and at the same time it causes no side effects. It will help you relax and normalize functioning of your gastrointestinal tract almost immediately. Bowtrol Natural Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment normalizes digestive system by balancing intestinal movements and increasing body detoxification, eliminates parasites and hyper-contractions of the involuntary muscle and strengthening and protecting the intestinal mucosa.

Bowtrol contains only herbal ingredients that are very effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome. Among those ingredients are Slippery Elm, Activated Charcoal, Turkey Rhubarb, Cascara Sagrada, Aloe, Bentonite, Wormseed, Black Seeds, Flax Seeds, Olive Leaf Extract, Garlic Extract, Peppermint, Certified Organic Cloves, Thyme Oil Powder, Senna and some more. All these components have been used throughout history as safe and reliable natural treatments of IBS, both diarrhea and constipation predominant. Now all of them are contained in Bowtrol Natural IBS Treatment. They have been carefully balanced to control all common IBS symptoms.

Bowtrol is the most powerful natural product on the market of natural IBS treatments and it has already helped a great many people suffering from IBS to ease and eliminate its annoying symptoms.

Source: http://about-irritable-bowel-syndrome.net

Stevia Sweeten Your Life With Out The Weight Gain

2008-01-10T23:40:00.000-08:00

It is possible to sweeten your life with stevia, and without any weight gain, since it as exceptionally sweet herb. In fact it is member of the sunflower family, and is native to parts of South and Central America where it has been used as a sweetener since time immemorial. Also known as sugarleaf, it is a commercial crop, and is available as a dietary supplement.

Extracts of stevia have been found to be up to 300 times as sweet as cane sugar, although does not metabolize in the body to glucose. In fact it is thought to enhance the glucose tolerance of some diabetics, and can be used by people suffering from that condition as a natural sweetener, thus dispensing with the need for artificial sweeteners.

It is also useful for those on diets, especially carbohydrate controlled diets, and any other sweet-toothed person wanting to lose weight and still enjoy their favorite drink or desert. Many recipes have been published using stevia for the preparation of delicious sweets. So why is stevia so sweet and what other uses does it have?

Basically the sweet taste comes from glycosides, which are molecules in which a sugar is bonded to another molecule. The two main glycosides in stevia are called stevioside and rebaudioside. These are formed through glucose combined with the diterpene steviol in different ways, though some minor glycosides also contain rhamnose. Although they contain glucose, the glucose is not released into the bloodstream during digestion and the subsequent biochemistry.

Japan began the cultivation of the plant in the 1970s rather than produce artificial sweeteners that were suspected carcinogens (saccharin and cyclamate). Japan is now the world's biggest consumer of stevia, even being used in the Japanese Coca Cola plants. Around 40% of Japan's total sweetener volume is stevia. However, apart from its use as a natural alternative sweetener to sugar, stevia has specific properties, already alluded to, that renders it of particular attraction to certain groups of people, and we shall now take a closer look at these.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that is essential to regulate the glucose content of the blood. It stimulates the cells of the body to take in blood glucose and convert it to glycogen that can be used for energy. Without insulin the blood sugars would increase in concentration without regulation leading to very serious health issues that would eventually result in death.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce sufficient insulin, does not use the insulin it produces properly, or produces no insulin at all. Hence, a sweetener that did not exacerbate this situation by being eventually metabolized to glucose, as most sugars are in the body, would be of great benefit to diabetics. This is exactly what stevia is. It is a very powerful sweetener, 250 to 300 times sweeter to the taste-buds than sucrose, normal table sugar, and it does not metabolize to glucose. It is heaven-sent sweetener for diabetics that have a sweet tooth.

It is very safe for them and has been consumed for centuries without any side effects. In fact, studies have indicated that stevia might even regulate the pancreas and help to stabilize the levels of blood glucose in the body, rendering it an effective and safe supplement for those suffering from hypoglycemia (excess blood sugar), diabetes and candidiasis, a yeast infection that thrives on sugar.

Apart from that, stevia is also popular with those who are on a calorie controlled diet or any other diet for that matter, since an excessive sugar intake invariably leads eventually to weight increase. The 21st century western diet is drowning in sugar, with up to 10 spoonfuls of sugar in every small bottle of cola. There is sugar in cookies, hot dogs, bread, soy sauce, ketchup, cans of beans and peas, and even sugar in cigarettes, though that is the least of the health worries there!

For the first time in history, there are now more overweight and obese people in the world than hungry people, yet the sugar corporations claim that there is no scientific proof that sugar leads to weight increase. Worldwide, diabetes kills 6 people every minute, and obesity caused by the consumption of too much sugar leads to Type II diabetes. It had been shown that fructose is a major player in that corn syrup (fructose) is contained in many soft drinks and foods.

One of the major problems with refined sugars is that they contain nothing but pure carbohydrate. All the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients have been removed, so that when they are consumed, your body has to provide these nutrients needed to metabolize the sugar to glucose and then to energy. Humans cannot live on sugar alone, and in fact you are better drinking water than corn syrup or cane sugar solutions since at least water does not make demands on your existing nutrient store.

It was noted in 1929 by Sir Frederick Banting, one of those scientists credited with the discovery of insulin, that there was a significantly large proportion of diabetes among the sugar plantation owners that ate large quantities of refined sugar, whereas there was none detected in the cane harvesters who were able to chew on only the raw cane. The raw cane contains the minerals and vitamins needed to metabolize the sucrose.

Stevia is a potential answer to this problem, and it is such an obvious one that there are a lot of politics regarding its use. The big USA sugar corporations will undoubtedly be opposed to it, and the FDA has refused to allow its use as a food additive, only as a dietary supplement, yet its use in Japan has been very successful. It is also used throughout East Asia, including China, Korea and Taiwan, and also in South America, Israel and some areas of the Caribbean. It is available as a green powder in its crude form, and also brownish syrup redolent of licorice, but also as a more refined white powder that is likely best used as weak solution due to its sweetness.

It is totally free of calories; this may come as a surprise to many since it tastes so sweet. It is an excellent sweetener for children's drinks since it does not cause cavities: unlike sugar it is not degraded by bacteria to produce the corrosive acid that eats into the enamel. It does not metabolize to a burst of energy that is practically addictive, since that generally then leads to tiredness and the need for more sugar to make up for it.

Stevia does not cause diabetes in any form, is not a food for yeast and it is beneficial to the pancreas. In short, it is a completely safe food supplement that has been used for centuries without ill effect, and if you want to prevent yourself from adding weight and protect against the possibility of Type II diabetes in particular, then stevia should be your sweetener of choice.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=70500&catid=720

Benefits of Soy Protein in 2008

2008-01-10T23:27:00.000-08:00

Soy protein is emerging as one of the great alternative protein sources for human consumption. Health experts are all excited about how soy protein can change the face of nutrition. What's all the rage? Here are some great results you get with soy protein.

Soy Protein is Plant Protein
Soy beans contain complete protein and have one of the best protein digestibilities among all protein sources. Soy beans also contain little or no fat and have virtually no cholesterol. Lactose intolerant ones will be pleased to know that soy beans contain no lactose.

Being a plant protein, soy is free from steroids and antibiotics animal protein contains. It is also free from the parasites that contaminate some of these products. They also contain none of the diseases one can contract from mean sources such as Mad Cow Disease, and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Vegetarians love this bean as it provides a comparable - if not better - source of protein as compared to its animal counterpart. It provides a protein that is better and easier to digest and is comparable to most protein supplements.

Soy Beans are Very Versatile
Soy beans are very versatile. Various cuisines, especially Asian ones recognize the value of the humble soy bean. A variety of naturally yummy delicacies are all soy based: tofu, soy pudding, Soya milk, and meat substitutes - not to mention condiments such as soy sauce, and hoi sin sauce.

To counter the problem of world hunger, the growing of soybeans has been suggested. Not only are soybeans easy to grow and harvest, they will grow pretty much anywhere and produces much in a little time. There have been farmers reported to have replaced their entire crop line with soy bean plants. These hardy little plants produce much per harvest, and, as said earlier, can grow in even the most trying terrain.

The Great Substitute
Soy is low in fat and can be used to substitute most protein sources. When cooking, you may use soy substitutes instead of flour for a low fat alternative. This makes it a great protein source for those that are looking to lose weight without compromising their protein requirements.

Bodybuilders are considering how this can make their jobs a lot easier. Without the fat and with all the protein goodness - easily digestible at that - bodybuilding has just received a great blessing of a food.

Although these bodybuilders are currently debating how soy can be a help to bodybuilders, it doesn't take away anything from what soy can contribute to the overall health of a person.

It is very advisable to stick to natural protein rather than processes protein if possible, as processed foods typically have some risk attached to them. The best use of this food can be attributed to how it perfectly fits into anyone's low-fat, high-protein diet.

Soy products can be incorporated into shakes and drinks. And being lactose-free, lactose intolerant people will still be able to get their milkshake fix without having to suffer so.

Soy products are also a great source of other nutrients such as saponins, isoflavones, and phytosterol. Saponins help support a healthy immune system. It also combines with cholesterol to avoid increased absorption of cholesterol in the body. Phytosterols also help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the body in the same way saponins do.

Isoflavones are powerful antioxidants and prevent the effects of free radicals in the body. They prevent many of the signs of aging and have been known to help prevent cancer. This alone makes soy a miracle protein source in its own right.

Isoflavones, along with vitamins A,C, and E are among the front liners in the fight against such disease - they also counter the effects of pollution, and stress.

How Much is Too Much
Unlike other protein sources, it is pretty safe to consume a wide amount of soy products. While allergies to soy products exist, cases are few and far between. When changing to a soy diet, however, it would be best to consult your physician or your nutritionist. Ask specifically if the soy interferes with any prescription drugs you are taking.

Soy can be great blessing for people who are looking for a great source of protein that does not entail the side effects of most of the other sources. It would be advisable for one to explore how it can improve one's diet. Drink Soy!
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=71621&catid=720

Healthy Nutrition Diet Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal

2008-01-10T23:24:00.000-08:00

You've heard it your entire life: breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but is it true? Really true? You bet!

When your body retires in the evening, it slows your metabolism while you sleep as your body, rests, relaxes and slowly works on repairing damaged muscle. Upon awakening, your body needs to refuel in order to give you the energy necessary to get through a hectic day filled with work, errands and family responsibilities.

Eating breakfast is a great way to jumpstart your entire system by raising your metabolism and "turn everything on" for the rigors of the day ahead.

It is true, eating breakfast can make you smarter, healthier, more creative, more patient, more energetic, plus it can even help you live longer!

Eating a well-balanced and nutritious breakfast can also set the tone for everything else you eat throughout the day. If you grab a donut on the way out the door in the morning, the odds are you will have sugar rush that lasts just long enough to get to work and get started on your first project, but then a decrease in glucose levels will send you hunting for a quick snack before midmorning, followed by lunch at noon. People who take the time to eat a good breakfast normally don't need much of a snack in the morning and when they do, they are more apt to grab something that's good for them like an apple or banana.

What if you're simply not hungry? Should you force yourself to eat breakfast? Yes! One way to ensure that you will be hungry in the morning is to avoid that late night nibbling.

To begin your day on the right nutrition path, remember to include plenty of fruit, fiber and protein in your breakfast choices. But avoid fatty foods such as bacon, sausage and fried potatoes.

Here are a few additional breakfast tips:

Make Breakfast simple. Mornings are hectic, so make breakfast easy by laying out everything you need the night before. Eat easy to grab items like low-fat yogurt, whole-wheat muffins and bagels and lots of fresh fruit. Cereal is a good choice to, as long as it is high in fiber and low in sugar. Top it with some fresh blueberries, strawberries or banana, along with a glass of orange or cranberry juice and you'' have already satisfied nearly half of your fresh fruit requirements for the entire day!

Avoid prepackaged bakery items such as Danish, donuts, croissants, etc

In a hurry?

Grab a half a bagel and an apple to eat on the way.

Your mother always told you it was important, and now you know the truth - she was right - breakfast is the most important meal of your day!

Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=71267&catid=720

Resveratrol Is An Anti-Aging Pholyphenol That May Increase Longevity

2008-01-10T23:21:00.000-08:00

Resveratrol is a chemical that is found naturally on the skin of red grapes, of the polyphenol family that includes such other members as the powerful antioxidants anthocyanadin and the flavanoids. They destroy free radicals that are responsible for many ill effects in the body, including cardiovascular disease and aging. Aging occurs through the destruction of body cells that free radicals initiate, and can theoretically be retarded by the destruction of the free radicals.

Free radicals are becoming more common invaders of our bodies due to their increasing concentration in the atmosphere through vehicle and aircraft emissions, and also of our seas and rivers through industrial effluents. Free radicals are also created by excessive radiation, such as the harmful UV content of sunlight that is no longer effectively filtered by an adequate ozone layer.

Resveratrol extract is known to be effective against cardiovascular diseases due to its anti oxidant properties, and also for other reasons, but it is also believed to be a possible anti-aging supplement, to beat off the effects of old age. There is the obvious reason of it being a very powerful anti-oxidant and so preventing cell damage through the effects of free radicals, but there is more to it than just that.

The French do not seem to possess a longevity beyond that which could be expected from their diet high in saturated fats and alcohol. The fact that most of that alcohol is in the form of wines, especially red wines, is significant, but their high cheese intake with its cholesterol and saturated fat content, and other highly saturated animal fats, would be expected to cause a much lower average life expectancy that that which is actually normal in the area.

Although resveratrol extract is commonly found on red grape skins, and is a constituent of red wine, the quantities are small and it is the Japanese Knotweed that is the major natural source. Resveratrol extract is currently manufactured from knotweed, which is the main source of the supplement in health food stores. In fact you can purchase online what is described as 'Greater than 99% pure knotweed Resveratrol extract that is not contaminated with plant residues.' A lot depends on your viewpoint I suppose!

Perhaps the biggest contribution to be made to longevity by resveratrol is that it can activate the SIRT1 gene. This is the gene that activates the protein and enzyme sirtuin. Sirtuin is thought to be what is loosely terms a 'protector of cells' and helps cells to repair themselves when they are close to destruction. When the cell is not sure whether to carry on with the struggle or just give up and die, sirtuin persuades it to fight on and to repair itself. Without the sirtuin, the cell would have died, and as cells die, one ages.

However, the amount of resveratrol found in red wine is insufficient to activate the SIRT1 gene that has to be active before the sirtuin is activated, and supplementation is generally needed. The SIRT1 gene is also activated by a calorie reduced diet, and this can also help to protect cells from dying under stress. Such diets are useful in some situations, but will not necessarily prolong life for those that adopt it.

The SIRT1 enzyme is also thought by some to increase the activity of the mitochondria, the power packs inside cells that provide them with energy by processing fats. Mice fed with resveratrol extract appeared full of energy that was consistent with a surge in the number and efficiency of the mitochondria within their body cells. This is supported by an increase in muscle tissue. If this is true, and studies on this are continuing, then resveratrol extract fed to humans could also increase their energy as they age, since the aging process coincides with a reduction in the number and efficiency of the mitochondria within the cells.

This could also tie up in a way with the calorie controlled diet, since an increase in the metabolism that comes with increased mitochondria activity results in a higher calorie uptake, and so a reduction in the free calories available in the body. However, one of the mysteries of the human body is that what makes logical sense does not necessarily work in fact, and so the jury will remain out until the results of the large number of studies underway have been published.

For example, more evidence is required to prove the mitochondria activity theory unequivocally although all of the evidence so far tends to support it. At the moment resveratrol has restricted known uses, though the evidence is being collected and accumulated to provide support for the theories that exist on its ability to help us live longer and with more energy.

As more studies are carried out over the next few years, it seems highly likely that many more beneficial effects will be discovered, and those we are aware of confirmed by scientific proof. Resveratrol extract has many medicinal properties in addition to its beneficial effect on aging, such as its antioxidant properties, and ability to destroy free radicals, its anti-inflammatory properties where it is of benefit in the treatment of conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, and also its effect as an antiseptic agent.

It is already known to increase the longevity of fruit flies, yeasts and worms and results on mice are just as encouraging. The theory behind its effect on human longevity is valid science, and it is known that if cells have a longer time to repair broken DNA, then they are able to do so. The enzyme sirtuin does this, and that is activated by the SIRT1 gene that is turn is activated by resveratrol. So the theory works, and so far laboratory tests are supporting this theory.

Whether or not resveratrol helps us to live longer or look younger as we age is not yet known, but studies are under way. Since the material is natural and not a prescription drug, there is nothing to prevent you from using it, but you are advised to consult your doctor before trying out medication that you have not taken before. Author Resource:- More information on resveratrol supplements can be found at VitaNet, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=71132&catid=720

Multivitamin The Average American Might Just Know More Than The So-called Experts

2008-01-10T23:18:00.000-08:00

Are mulitvitamin supplements a part of your daily routine? Healthcare experts have been telling us for decades that if we eat a balanced diet we do not need vitamin supplements. Americans have a mind of there own, they think for themselves and thet are no fools. Each year many and more Americans are taking multivitamin supplements than then the year before, however, confusion about who should take multivitamin supplements, and what should be in your multivitamin Supplement, is growing. The biggest problem is that there are no solid guidlines to follow when it comes to vitamin supplements. The closes thing we have is the RDA (recommended daily allowance) and that has fallen under intense scrutiny almost since its inception.

Most nutritional authorities claim that the American diet is no longer providing adequate amounts of essential nutrients. There are several factor that contribute to this problem including vitamin and mineral depletion in over utilized soil. The introduction of unnatural growth stimulants into the food chain in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, and growth steroid hormones.

While nutrition research continues to show the declining nutrition value in the staple foods of the average diet, getting our nutrients from a healthy, balanced diet is no longer the answer, many Americans tend to fall short in a variety of vitamins and minerals. So to answer the question who need to take a multi vitamin, we believe the answer is everyone.

The most recent research indicates that several of the nutrients found in standard multi or Liquid Vitamin supplements play important roles in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. A daily multivitamin ensures an adequate intake of several micronutrients that are not always present in the diet in optimal amounts. We cant over state enough the importance of taking a quality multivitamin. The benefits of using multivitamin supplements are many and have been documented numerous times. They are so important that in order for you and your family to remain healthy, you and everyone in your family, must use the best a multivitamin available for your needs, on a daily basis.

The Anarem Report revealed that out of 21,500 individuals, "not a single individual consumed 100% of the 10 most needed nutrients in the body."

And U.S. Senate Document #264 states, "99% of the American people are deficient in vitamins and minerals..."

These are commonly cited sources and statistics that you may even be familiar with yourself.

Multivitamin supplements help, BUT a Balanced diet is the key.
while taking a quality multivitamin is important for optimal nuturitional haelth, you can't expect that supplement to make up for a poor diet. You still have to eat well, taking in enough fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, and low-fat dairy, poultry, and fish. At the same time staying away from, or at least limiting fatty meats and full fat dairy products, commercially fried foods, pastries and sweets, weather you are taking a Multivitamin supplements or not taking multivitamin supplements. But a healthy diet and a quality multivitamin may be the best of both worlds. Author Resource:- Find out more about vitamins. Get even more vitamins info, and vitamin supplements information.

Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=70594&catid=720

The Best Natural Menopause Treatment

2007-12-30T03:44:00.001-08:00

There’s a common opinion that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the only option for women seeking remedy for menopause symptoms. This kind of menopause treatment involves a series of medical preparations and drugs designed to artificially increase hormone levels and has been widely used by doctors and health providers throughout history of medicine. That’s why a great number of menopausal women don’t even suspect that there’s and alternative way to treat menopause and relieve menopause symptoms without resorting to synthetic HRT.

There is a great deal of risk associated with hormone replacement therapy. HRT combines synthetic progesterone treatment with estrogen replacement therapy that is contraindicated for menopausal women with a history of cancer. That’s why the most negative point of HRT is the increased risk of cancer. What’s more, synthetic HRT is generally associated with cyclical bleeding and several other serious side effects. All this controversial information publicized about HRT makes more and more look for another menopause treatment that is more safe and reliable.

Fortunately, there is really a better choice. It is a natural menopause and early menopause treatment that can effectively solve the problem of menopause and avoid health risks of synthetic hormones at the same time. Haven’t you heard of Menozac yet? Actually, it’s one of the best natural herbal remedy for menopause on the market. We’ll talk about in more detail.

Menozac is a herbal menopause treatment that has been specially developed to ease the transition period of perimeopausal and menopausal women and to smooth and eliminate symptoms of menopause and early menopause almost immediately. It contains special herbs for menopause and other natural botanical extracts and additives. Among them are: Soy seed, Damiana leaf, Black Cohosh root, and Vitamin E. All these components are well-known for being effective in menopause symptoms relief.

Menozac restores and maintains woman’s hormonal balance and relieves menopause and early menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, palpitation, anxiety, depression, urinary infections and other problems, mood swings, sleeping disorders, etc.

According to recent scientific investigations, herbals work more effectively as remedy for menopause than estrogen. More than that, herbs for menopause help to prevent cancer. And all these herbals are contained in Menozac, one of the best all-natural menopause treatment on the market today. It is fully reliable and it has no side effects. It is safe in contrast to other medicals and hormone replacement therapy.

Menopause is a natural occurrence in every woman's reproductive life. Then why not treat it naturally?

Source: http://menopause-remedy.net

Gifts of nature in hair loss treatment

2007-12-29T07:04:00.000-08:00

Here a nice article that my friend Devin Greenfield allowed my to publish here. Devin is a great specialist of alternative hair loss treatments and he conducts the website called How To Regrow Hair. So here it is.

Folk medicine is all about using gifts of nature in treatment of this or that disease. For ages people have been using different herbs and plants to solve the problem of hair loss. And even nowadays, it is very advisable to resort to natural hair loss treatments in several cases:
when other cures don’t seem to work any more;
as an addition to some specialized treatment in order to achieve quicker and better results;
as a safe substitution for strong drugs and medicines that are sometimes not quite safe (especially in case of long-lasting treatment).

Nature usually gives its cure for most illnesses and diseases and alopecia or baldness is no exception. Natural hair loss treatments don’t have an immediate effect but they don’t have side effects either. Moreover, sometimes they may work even when other cures don’t and the situation seem to be hopeless.

We have already spoken about the benefits of using essential oils to solve hair loss problems in the previous posts. This time we continue speaking about the ways to regrow hair naturally. Fortunately, there are so many gifts of nature to make your hair strong and healthy and beautiful.

Saw palmetto. It grows in mild and warm climates and has the deep red fruit. Saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen. It lowers levels of dihydrotestosterone in the body by blocking 5 alpha-reductase and receptor sites on cell membranes required for cells to absorb dihydrotestosterone. Therefore saw palmetto is effectively used in curing of benign prostatic diseases. We have already said in Hair Loss Causes that excessive amount of androgens can cause hair thinning and subsequent loss and lead to male pattern baldness. That is why more and more people in the world resort to the fruit of saw palmetto in androgenetic alopecia treatment.

Bulb onion. It is a widely-spread and well-known garden plant that have been often used not only as a food product but also with a medical purpose in treatment of pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, scurvy, paronychia, rhinitis. Bulb onion is also used in cosmetics to lighten freckles and remove wart and callosities. As regard hair loss problems, the bulb onion juice is usually rubbed into the head-skin to improve hair growth, regrow hair and strengthen it. The bulb onion decoction is used to give hair a pleasant hue and make it stronger.

Nettles. It is wide-spread all over the world. Nettles have been used as a folk cure for many centuries. It quickens blood coagulability and that is why is highly recommended in case of pubertal, climacteric and hemorrhoidic bleeding. Nettles improves metabolism. It also has an expectorant, antispasmodic, diuretic, astringent, and tonic effect. The extract of nettles is applied to the scalp to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.

Soy extract. According to recent studies, soy extract brings almost 30 % increase in hair growth. Like Saw palmetto that was touched upon in the first part of Gifts of nature in hair loss treatment soy extract prevents hair loss in case when androgens are the reason for it.

As a matter of fact, people who consume a sufficient amount of genistein derived from soy beans have low rate of breast or prostate cancer, to say nothing of male pattern baldness. Unfortunately, the daily intake of soy extract of Americans is far from being enough, what results in the fact that hair loss has almost taken the form of epidemy. Though we are still inclined to think that the western diet that contains a plenty of fat is the main reason for this misfortune. But in reality heightened incidence of such disorders as breast and prostate cancer, acne and baldness results from deficiency of soy in our diet. Therefore, to stop hair loss and rogrow hair naturally it is recommended to take 300-500 mg of soy extract daily.

Soy is an isoflavone-containing plant and soy extract derived from soybeans exhibits estrogenic activity and, consequently, inhibits hair loss. Administered either orally or topically it helps to maintain scalp hair integrity. Moreover, soy can be combined with other regrow hair pharmaceuticals without adversely affecting the beneficial effects of such cures and remedies. Soybean isoflavonoids may be taken alone or in combination with food or liquids without a considerate change of their efficiency.

Pygeum africanum. Since the beginning of the nineties sales of herbal treatments have been significantly increased in the US and Pygeum africanum has become a cheaper and healthier alternative to many medications used to treat prostate disorders and hair loss. It is also widely used in Europe.

Pygeum africanum is an African evergreen plant, which inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Though Saw palmetto is still number 1 in treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia and male pattern baldness, Pygeum africanum may be even superior for the treatment of the condition in some cases. It happens because it inhibits some hormonal processes that convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone with almost the same efficiency and fewer side effects.

Cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper is a rubefacient plant. It causes irritation and redness of the skin and scalp when applied externally causing the attraction of the blood towards the place where it was applied. As a result it stimulates the skin, increases blood flow and circulation, relieves pain and reduce congestion and inflammation of the external tissues.

There’s a number of tips and recipes how you can use Cayenne pepper. What’s important here is that it also has proved to be an excellent natural hair loss remedy. Most often it is mixed with water to make a paste. Then it is massaged into the scalp and left for 20 to 30 minutes. Also it is recommended to massage the scalp with a mixture of cayenne pepper, salt and fresh onion juice, as this mixture increases blood circulation and nourishes your scalp and hair.

Sources:
http://regrow-hair.org/gifts-of-nature-in-hair-loss-treatment/
http://regrow-hair.org/gifts-of-nature-in-hair-loss-treatment-part-2/

Beyond Bran The Difference Between Soluble And Insoluble Fiber

2007-12-27T22:05:00.001-08:00

At one point in time, when you went to the health food store you usually only had choice of wheat bran, which is a good source of the insoluble fiber that helps your digestive system stay on track, or oat bran, which contains the soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol. Although both of these bran's are still popular, as they have good reason to be, remaining excellent sources of dietary fiber, these days store shelves are gathering more and more fiber supplements ranging from encapsulated forms to powders and specialized to deal with a variety of health concerns.

Insoluble fiber has the ability to draw water into the intestines, preventing constipation and keeping waste matter from decaying within the body. However, it is the many types of soluble fiber that science has recently started investigating for health benefits. Part of soluble fiber's value is closely related to its mechanical action, as it forms a thick gel within the digestive track that moves slowly to stop sugar from entering the body too quickly, therefore, helping to keep glucose levels down and carrying some fat and sugar out of the body completely. Additionally, when soluble fibers gel up it helps to reduce blood level cholesterol by trapping bile preventing the bile from doing its action (breaking down fats in the digestive tract so the body can absorb it). Unlike insoluble fiber, soluble fiber undergoes fermentation inside the colon to produce fatty acids that do a little bit of everything, including: helping the body digest food, protecting against polyps, stimulating immunity, increasing mineral absorption, and helping to keep cholesterol and glucose levels in check.

Soluble fiber is getting large amounts of research reviews. One study concluded that people who ate the least fiber are 63% more likely to have high levels of CRP (C-reactive protein). CRP is an inflammation marker that is associated with cardiovascular risk. Another study proved that flax seed improved glucose control. Another fiber source, psyllium, has been shown to bring relief to people with Chron's disease, an inflammatory intestinal disorder.

Flax seed and psyllium are two of the best known types of soluble fiber available, but there are other types that aren't as well known. Others including arabinogalactan (AG) have been shown to have a special affinity for natural killer cells. Beta-glucans are another form of fiber that can help boost immunity. Lignans, which are found in flax, have been shown to cause lower breast-cancer rates. Fenugreek is a spice that is rich in galactomannan, a heart-healthy fiber. Some fiber formulations pair up different kinds of fiber with complementary herbs. An example of this is Garcinia cambogia and Gymnema sylvestre, which can be used for glucose control; or astragalus, Echinacea, olive leaf, and shiitake to assist the immune system. Some supplements even provide natural enzymes which help prevent bloating.

It is, of course, important to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. However, thanks to supplementation that is designed specifically for certain health concerns, it has become much easier to find the additional fiber that is needed by your body, no matter what kind of fiber that is. A large selection of fiber bran supplements can be found at your local or internet health food store.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=70030&catid=720

Water Basic Nutrient In Our Diet

2007-12-27T05:44:00.000-08:00

Question: What nutrient is the least discussed or thought of nutrient today? Answer: Water.

Water may be the most forgotten nutrient of all time. It's easy to underestimate the importance of water in our lives. After all, it's always there. Yet, without enough water, we would all surely die.

Consider this: The average sized adult can go as long as two months without food, yet they would die in just a few days without any water to drink. Despite it's importance, most adults don't drink enough water on a daily basis to keep their body in top form.

The human body has little reserves to store water, making it even more important to replenish your bodily supply each and every day. Believe it or not, our body loses almost three quarts of water every day. This includes:

-1 cup along from the soles of our feet.
-2-4 cups just from breathing.
-2 cups to sweating.
-6 cups to urine output.

The average adult may be made up of two-thirds water, but that doesn't mean we don't need to drink 8-10 full glasses every day to make sure we have enough needed to be healthy. Why is water so important to our daily lives and health? Water helps all of our body's major organs and systems work properly including:

-Aiding digestion and the absorption of food.
-Regulating body temperature.
-Aiding in blood circulation throughout your body.
-Carrying nutrients and oxygen to different areas of your body through your bloodstream.
-Removing toxins and other dangers.
-Cushioning joints.
-Protecting tissues and organs including your heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord.

When you don't take in enough water to keep your body functioning well, you become dehydrated. This can become very serious is left untreated. Dehydration can lead to a number of physical maladies including high blood pressure (hypertension), allergies, migraine headaches and even asthma.

Signs that you might be dehydrated include:

-Joint pain.
-Stomach pain (cramping).
-Back pain.
-Low energy.
-Disinterest.
-Poor concentration.
-Thirst (of course by the time you actually feel thirsty, your body may already be in jeopardy).

Water may be something we don't all think about all of the time, but it's important to your health to take the time to watch how much water you take in on a daily basis and be sure that you're getting enough to keep your body's systems and organs functioning properly.

Now that you better understand the important jobs that water has to maintaining good health remember to drink at least 8 full glasses of water every day. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink, since thirst is a sign of dehydration.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=69945&catid=720

Fight Acne by Eating Right to Lower Blood Sugar Levels

2007-12-26T21:55:00.001-08:00

If you are a teenager a cure for acne will likely be first on your list after finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, and most of us who have been teenagers can probably remember the misery that our perception of our looks gave us.

There have been many theories as to the cause of acne, and it is highly likely that there is more than one. The basic reason for the appearance of acne is that oils, dead skin cells and bacteria block the pores of the skin to form a variety of different types of pimples or spots, such as whiteheads, blackheads and pustules than can be irritating or painful. They can also be very unsightly, affecting the face, neck and sometimes the chest and back.

Studies have indicated that acne is caused by the over-production of sebum, a fatty oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin to keep it supple and lubricated. If this is excessive, the sebum can block the pores causing blackheads, and become infected causing acne. So what causes this excess production of sebum? There are theories that it could be due to high insulin levels in the blood.

High insulin levels are promoted by high blood glucose levels the more blood glucose in your blood then the more insulin your pancreas produces to help covert it into energy. Higher insulin levels are also associated with high levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The result of this is an increase in androgens (male hormones), specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT), metabolized from testosterone. This in turn causes an increased production of sebum leading to acne.

The complete chain, therefore, begins with increased levels of glucose in your blood and ends in acne. In order to prevent acne you would have to break this chain anywhere in its sequence, and the only viable place to do this is at the beginning reduce your blood glucose level. In order to achieve this you would have to determine what foods you are eating that could cause an excessively high level of glucose in your blood.

Glucose is metabolized from carbohydrates, ranging from complex carbohydrates to refined sugar. However, those that you should try to avoid are the refined carbohydrates such as pasta, white bread, rice and sugar. These are what are known as the high glycemic index foods that can cause a sharp rise in your blood glucose levels when consumed. The complex carbohydrates take longer to be metabolized and are not so prone to producing sudden increases in your sugar levels. These lead to more sustained and gradual increases in blood glucose that demand a steady insulin supply, rather than the sudden increase that can lead to acne. Such foods include high fiber whole grains, oats and the like.

Studies have indicated that twelve weeks on a diet of low glycemic index foods resulted in a significant reduction in acne symptoms when compared to a control that did not change their diet. It therefore seems likely that your nutrition can affect your acne, and that changes in your diet could lead to a significant long-term reduction in acne symptoms such as pimples, pustules and other types of lesion.

The same studies also proved a reduction in the androgen levels of those on the complex hydrocarbon diet compared to the controls, and also greater sensitivity to insulin. However, the test group also experienced a significant weight loss, and it was not conclusively proved whether the reduction in acne symptoms was due to the reduction in blood glucose levels or to the weight loss.

However, the result is in accordance with the insulin and androgen theory, and it is known that diabetes is connected with obesity, so the two might in any case be related. Acne, diabetes, and weight are all related to your blood sugar level, which is in turn related to diet and carbohydrate intake.

Although a low glycemic index diet is suggested, such a diet is not easy to apply properly, and a dietician could help you here. Persistence is the name of the game, and you will not see instant results. Note that the tests referred to above were over twelve weeks, and this is likely the minimum period you will need to stick to your diet. However, the minute you break it, and revert back to simple carbohydrates, your problem will return. There is no sudden cure, rather a continual dietary approach to the prevention of the condition. Acne is not a disease that you can catch and cure. It is a condition created by lifestyle and diet, and can only be controlled rather than cured until you grow out of it in your late teens or early twenties, although many people suffer from acne until later in life.

Your diet should include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and cereals, brown rice, fish, eggs and lean meats. You should avoid saturated and trans fats, and eat unsaturated fats and oils, with plenty of omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals for a good skin and good health. Exercise will help by improving the blood flow to your skin.

You can also help your condition by taking some specific supplements. Saw palmetto and zinc will help to reduce the levels of testosterone in your blood, and vitamins E and B6 are also believed to help. Selenium, pantothenic acid and essential fatty acids are other supplements that can help with acne, but your best bet is to discuss your condition with a naturopath or somebody trained in the use of natural remedies and supplements with your condition.

Many swear by tea tree oil, although treatment has to be prolonged over a length period before it becomes effective, but you might prefer this to one of the chemical testosterone blockers that can be prescribed for acne in certain cases.

Overall, acne is not a serious condition but can be disfiguring. Although you can seek medical help in the event of serious attacks, your recommended treatment initially is to eat plenty of healthy foods low in simple carbohydrates, to take the appropriate supplements and nutrients to keep you healthy and to take plenty of exercise to maintain a good blood supply to your face.

In these ways you can reduce the number, depth and lasting effects of acne pustules, and in many cases clear the condition altogether.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=69872&catid=720

Eggs An Excellent Source of Omega-3 Oils for Better Health

2007-12-26T14:56:00.000-08:00

Eggs have many health benefits, among them being the fact they can be an excellent source of omega-3 oils that can promote better health in those that take it as a supplement. Hens fed on flax seeds are particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids, although eggs have many health benefits other than omega-3.

Most of the health benefits of Omega fatty acids are well known, although many more are being continually discovered as scientists research the uses to which the substances can be put in our bodies. Omega-3 fatty acids have long carbon chains that are polyunsaturated, i.e. contain multiple double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain. As opposed to saturated fatty acids with no double bonds. They are important components of our neurological systems and help to build up cell membranes, but are probably best known for their effect in protecting us from cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids can help us to maintain a healthy heart, and so enable us to live longer.

The current western diet has been changing to reduce cholesterol intake and improve our lifestyle. However, this has not all been well advised, and the resultant diet is rich in vegetable oils as opposite to animal fats, the relative levels of omega fatty acids having changed in favor of omega-6 fatty acids. These omega-6 fats are not as healthy for us as omega-3, and can lead to a thrombogenic state that more easily leads to cardiovascular diseases and blood clots. Rather than a normal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of around 2:1, this improved diet has increased it to anything up to 50:1.

The American Heart Association has been advocating a diet richer in omega-3 fatty acids since 1996, yet while research continues to favor omega-3, the increase in consumption of vegetable oils has continued to increase, and with it a reduction in the overall health of a nation.

Omega-3 enriched eggs have been introduced as one means of redressing the balance. Hens fed on flax seeds lay eggs with a much higher proportion of omega-3 fatty acids than normal: up to and over 150mg per egg. Such eggs also have reduced cholesterol over 15% less, and also are higher in vitamin E, a strong antioxidant, by up to 300%.

Two of the components of omega-3 oils, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, are what are known as essential fatty acids. The term means that they cannot be manufactured in your body, so must essentially be introduced through your diet. When the human body developed to what it is now, the consumption of fish and other oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids was a significant part of our diets, and allowed our bodies to develop the biochemistry and metabolism that it uses today.

If we now upset that biochemistry by cutting our intake of unsaturated fatty acids, our metabolism will suffer and our general health decline. This is one reason why humans should interfere with their natural eating habits as little as possible, or if we do so excessively we should use supplements to replace what we are excluding from diets that have been natural to us for countless millennia. It is dangerous now for the human race to suddenly switch to a significantly different diet without suitable supplementation, because we do not know the long terms effects of doing so.

One way to maintain a steady intake of the fatty acids our metabolism needs in order to ensure our survival is to eat eggs, and especially omega-3 enriched eggs. Of course, eggs have a lot more beneficial health effects than just omega-3. Take choline for example. This is a trimethylated compound that is important in the metabolism of fats. It is the newest official B vitamin, and is an essential component of cell membranes. It is particularly important for the maintenance of the health of your brain, and preventing many brain disorders.

It is also important in methylation, an important biochemical process, and also in the biochemical synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This substance is used to pass messages between nerve cells and from nerve cells to muscles, and a deficiency can cause many health problems, including heart disease and diseases of the vascular system. Methylation is a very important biochemical reaction, being used particularly in messages between body cells and is used to switch genes on and off.

Up to 90% of Americans are deficient in choline, and subject to many diseases because of it. Symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, excess fat concentrations in the blood and problems with your nerves and muscular control. It can cause liver problems and heart problems, and cause a number of brain disorders.

Choline is available in the diet from lecithin and egg yolks, and also soya beans, flax seeds, peanuts and potatoes. The typical American diet is not conducive to an adequate choline intake, and increased egg consumption can help to redress this. This is particularly true of eggs from hens fed with flax seeds, or linseed, from which the triple benefits of choline, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E are obtained. Just two eggs will provide you with almost 50% of your daily requirement of choline.

Some are wary about the cholesterol content of eggs, but studies have indicated that it not so much the amount of dietary cholesterol that is eaten, but saturated fats that cause the excess deposition of cholesterol in the arteries. Cholesterol is an essential part of human biochemistry, and without any we could not survive. In fact, studies have shown that eating two eggs daily can improve your cholesterol levels

Eggs are also rich in lutein, and contain more than vegetables such as spinach. Lutein is an important carotenoid that is believed to prevent age related macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness, and also prevents the development of cataracts. Eggs also appear to have anti-clotting properties on the blood, and so help to reduce the thrombogenesis of omega-6 fatty acids.

Without a doubt, eating eggs is very good for your health, and especially so if they are rich is omega-3 fatty acids. They contain a wide variety of nutrients and truly are a complete food packaged by nature. Some may prefer to stay away from eggs and miss the omega-3 benefits so there is an alternative for diets that exclude eggs. Omega-3 is available in a supplement form that one can take on a daily basis to reap the benefits omega-3 presents.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=69746&catid=720

Healthy Nutrition Diet Vitamins and Minerals

2007-12-25T00:55:00.001-08:00

Never underestimate the power of the vitamin. We need the right amount of vitamins and minerals every day in order to stay healthy. While supplements are always a helpful way to fill in those nutritional gaps, nothing can beat eating a well-balanced variety of nutrient-rich foods in order to give your body what it needs most.

Without the proper vitamins and minerals your body is unable to fight infection or repair damaged muscle and bone when injured. Choosing nutrient rich foods can enable you to stay strong and healthy - no matter what your age. Not sure what you should be eating for the best (and healthiest) results? Keep these basic nutritional guidelines in mind when creating a meal plan for the day:

Be sure to eat at least 6-11 servings of grains, cereals and breads every day. Just be sure they are whole grain varieties. Those made with enriched white flour lack the nutrients you need.

Fresh Fruit is also important, with the average required servings being 2-3 every day. While canned or packaged fruits give you some of the vitamins and minerals you need, they also come with high sugar levels, so try and opt for fresh fruit whenever possible. Besides, it usually tastes better!

Vegetables are an important part of every nutritional diet. Three to four (one cup) servings a day are recommended. Again try and eat fresh or frozen vegetables whenever possible, and try a variety of different types and colors for the most nutritional benefit.

Healthy Fats. Not all fats are bad. As a matter of fact, our bodies need some fats in order to give us the energy we need to get through our hectic days. Two to four servings a day are recommended. The key here is to opt for good fats found in olive oil, mackerel and salmon, and stay away from the bad fats found in processed and fast foods as well as bakery items.

Eating 1-2 servings (per week) of beans and Legumes are a great way to get the vitamins and minerals you need.

Low fat dairy is also important, especially for children and women. Most nutritional experts agree that a minimum of 2-4 servings of low fat dairy every day is important to maintaining good bone density and strength. Those who don't like to drink a lot of milk can find their dairy requirements in yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, and other dairy products.

Lean protein that comes from seafood, poultry and lean meats is also very important. Try to eat at least 2-3 servings every day to maintain a high energy level as well as the ability to fight off disease and infection.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=69346&catid=720

Nutrition Nutrients Building Blocks of Life

2007-12-24T00:55:00.001-08:00

You hear it all of the time: cut back on those carbs, fats and proteins. Your body isn't meant to eat dairy or animals. While the makers of a variety of fad diets may want you to think that your body doesn't need these important nutrients, they're wrong.

Everything we eat breaks down into nutrients our body uses for energy. The basic building blocks of these nutrients are: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Eaten in the right amounts every day they can help you become stronger, healthier and happier.

Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrates are a primary source of the energy we need to think and move. Our body needs between 50-60% of the foods we eat every day to contain carbohydrates in order to have the energy stores necessary to complete our daily to-do lists and stay healthy. When you fail to get enough carbohydrates in your diet you may feel sluggish, get headaches, be irritable, find it difficult to sleep and concentrate and even crave sweets.

So, what are the best carbohydrates to eat on a daily basis? Try a few of these:

-Beans, peas and lentils.
-Oatmeal.
-Fresh fruits and vegetables.

Stay away from breads, cakes, cookies, and refined flours and pasta.

Proteins:
Protein is a primary component needed to build string muscles, ligaments and bone. Failing to eat enough protein will result in an inability to fight infection and repair bones and muscles after injury. The average adult needs 12-20% of protein in their daily caloric intake. The best sources of protein are:

-Beans.
-Soy.
-Poultry.
-Seafood.
-Lean meats.

Fats:
Believe it or not, we all need between 18-25% of our daily caloric intake in fats every day to remain strong and healthy. Fats give us endurance energy ad well as brain and nervous system function. Without enough fats in our diets our immune systems don't work properly. It can even affect a woman's ability to get pregnant. Plant and fish fats are the most beneficial fats for humans. They can be found in

-Avocados.
-Olive oil.
-Nuts.
-Salmon.
-Mackerel.

Although many popular diets stress limiting carbohydrates, fats and proteins in order to lose weight, most nutritional experts agree that the proper amounts of each are necessary to keep your body and mind healthy. Limiting any of these very necessary nutrients from your daily diet on a regular long-term basis can cause irreparable harm, to your major organs, muscle groups, brain, nervous system and even reproductive systems. Avoid injury, illness and an overall feeling of unwell ness by eating a well-balanced diet rich is vitamins, minerals and these three essentials: fats, carbohydrates and important proteins.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=68768&catid=720

The Elixir Of Life In The Office

2007-12-23T21:55:00.000-08:00

The one thing that I have found when working in an office environment is that I tend to neglect myself somewhat by forgetting to keep up with my water intake, finding myself feeling lethargic and dehydrated even if there are floor standing water dispensers at each corner of the building.

Most people underestimate the importance of hydration. It is common for people not to realise that they are dehydrating, until much later on in the day when it is too late to make up for the lost fluid. The most important part of keeping track of one's health and well-being is monitoring the amount of water consumption in a day. Unfortunately, the most common beverage in an office or any work environment is tea or coffee. More people consume caffeine based drinks rather than pouring themselves water from water dispensers or the tap and then thinking that this counts towards their daily water intake.

Caffeine is both a stimulant and a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates the body. Therefore, when people consume more tea and coffee on a daily basis they are in fact losing fluid from their body. Though caffeine does provide an individual with stimulants, it is in fact doing more harm to the body than they know. We as humans are absolutely dependant on water and it is vital that we maintain a good balance in water consumption. For this reason, many work environments (namely offices) have water dispensers available.

History

Drinking safe water was a key issue in the past. Early water treatments and purifications can be dated back as far as 2000 BC, whereby treatment consisted of boiling the water, or placing a hot metal in the water to filter it through from sand or charcoal. Many years later, until the invention of the microscope, water filtration changed dramatically. Scientists and researchers were able to view tiny water particles and determine whether the water was clean or not. It also helped scientists connect certain diseases related to poor quality water such as cholera, and was able to decrease the number of cholera outbreak by improving water filtration systems.

Water Coolers have been around since the 1900s, whereby large blocks of ice were used to chill the water.
Electric coolers were then created in 1938, following a variant supply of water cooling devices and many more improvements in the design. Many researchers during this period were already aware of the importance of water for a healthy lifestyle. Bottled water dispensers have been around since before the mid twentieth century, with water cooling units introduced later on.

As well as offering a cool water to drink, many units offer a heating device, providing instant heated water along with cooled water. The units are also available in many shapes and colours and can even be available with fancy electrical devices and LCD screens. However, the most common and popular water units are freestanding bottled units that depend on gravity to provide water.

Some are also designed with different modes and settings such as, energy saving features, temperature control and for purity a bacteriostatic water tube. It is very rare these days for offices not to provide water units for staff, therefore people do not have to go out and buy a bottle of water separately. Though, that being said, it is the responsibility of the individual to maintain their water intake regularly and with free water available there really is no excuse!
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=68884&catid=720

How To Detect Food Allergy Symptoms

2007-12-19T14:55:00.000-08:00

First things first... not every discomfort you feel after eating is a food allergy. It is possible that the discomfort which most people feel is just a kind of intolerance to a particular food. A very good example is an upset stomach or a sick feeling after a meal.

To differentiate intolerance from food allergy is easy if you know the symptoms of food allergy. One of the first ways to know the difference is this - with intolerance, the reactions are mild while with food allergy, the symptoms are severe.

Looking more closely, food allergens (the ones that causes allergic reactions) are proteins that unfortunately withstood the high temperatures of cooking as well as the acidic substances and enzymes of the gastrointestinal system. These allergens consequently live on to pass through the linings of the gastrointestinal tract, disperse into the blood circulatory system, and travel to organs of target, which results to different allergic symptoms all over the body.

Other common food allergy symptoms include, but are not limited to:

- Severe diarrhea or vomiting - Swelling on the skin, particularly by the side of the mouth - Rashes on the skin - Runny nose - Dizziness - Rashes

Whenever you feel any of these food allergy symptoms, don't treat them with kid gloves. Get serious and seek help so that the situation doesn't get worse. The truth is that in any health related issue - delay is very dangerous. Didn't the wise ones say "a stitch in time saves nine"?!

Individuals who are highly allergic are advised to put on medical alert necklaces or bracelets which declare your condition. As for the medications, some patients who are very vulnerable are also advised to bring with them at all times a self-injectible epinephrine, which is prescribed by the doctor, that can be of great help during sudden attacks of allergic reactions before seeking out for the assistance of an emergency team.

Don't be like those who always procrastinate about everything, including their health. With such people, they tend to put off everything, until it becomes too late. Don't let this happen to you. Get help as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms of food allergy.

Knowing food allergy symptoms can help you get started in treating the allergy before it becomes worse. When it comes to allergy and other such problems "ignorance is not bliss". The more you know about the various symptoms, the more prepared you will be in not only preventing it but dealing with it as well.

Lastly, don't forget to NOT confuse the symptoms of intolerance with the symptoms of allergy. The symptoms of intolerance are mild and usually go away after a short time, but the symptoms of food allergy are severe and usually long lasting.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/How-To-Detect-Food-Allergy-Symptoms/35813

Achieving a Nutritious Diet

2007-12-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

We all know the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, and we even know how to achieve it for ourselves. The trouble is that for most people, there are too many other things to worry about, like the stresses and strains of daily life. By making small changes to your lifestyle, you can dramatically reduce your chances of serious disease and illness, and leave you feeling more refreshed, feeling great and looking noticeably better.

The first important change you can incorporate into your diet right away is to introduce more fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables are jammed full of everything that's good nutrition wise, and by increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables, you will not only feel fuller, but also benefit from the range of vitamins essential for healthy body and mind. You could try a fruit salad as a desert, or replace snacks with an apple or banana through the day.

It goes without saying that for a healthy diet, you should cut down on alcohol, caffeine and processed food. That means stopping smoking too. These are all drastic steps to be taken, but if you're committed to achieving a healthy diet, it is important you take all these factors into consideration in establishing a healthier routine.

Any balanced and healthy diet must combine all the vital nutrient components; that is it must contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The idea behind a healthy diet is to find the correct calorific balance between the three main food groups, to ensure the best and healthiest source of fuel.

Although fairly underrated, the importance of wholegrain foods is steadily becoming established in our diets. With fantastic health properties arising from using the whole grain in the manufacturing process, wholegrain foods like pasta, rice and bread are the best carbohydrates to fuel your body.

Furthermore, in your diet planning it is important to consider the source of your calories, and that means considering the source of protein, carbohydrate and fats. There are differences between healthy fats, and unhealthy fats which are harder to burn.

Overall, a healthy diet should comprise balance, and in considering the balance, you should consider the nutrition from each source of calorific value to achieve a healthy, nutritious diet. By taking each element in relative moderation, you can provide the right energy balance for your body, which will ultimately keep you healthy, and help you lose weight.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=68345&catid=720
Breast Enlargement Results

Eating Raw Food To Feel Younger

2007-12-18T00:57:00.000-08:00

Normally, raw food is something we might indulge in every once in a while, like when we have a salad. However, eating raw food is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body. Raw foods are things like vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts.

These things are incredibly healthy for you and provide you with essential vitamins and nutrients your body needs to perform necessary functions. Some of these include heart function, brain function, kidney function and more.

This is just one of the reasons why experts suggest that people eat 5 different colors of fruits and veggies each day. Eating raw food drastically reduces your risks of cancer, diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Eating a high raw food diet can actually reduce your cancer risk by 50% or more and that is huge.

Studies have shown that consuming this sort of diet also prevents diabetes and obesity as well. Eating raw foods on a daily basis keeps your digestive system clean and helps keep your colon and intestinal tract in good shape.

There are many different ways that you can eat foods like these and still feel satisfied. Create a salad full of differently colored vegetables and some crunchy seeds and nuts and have a nice big raw meal. Eating raw food should become a daily habit that you will continue for life.

Raw foods will enable you to stay healthy and happy for many years to come and the benefits you will experience are amazing to say the least. If you are a parent, you should consider training your children from the time they are young to love raw fruits and vegetables so it will be easier for them to maintain a healthy diet for life. Doing so will help prevent childhood obesity, and obesity that carries over into adult hood. Maybe you should have listened to your mother's advice to eat your fruits and veggies after all!

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Eating-Raw-Food-To-Feel-Younger/35191
Breast Enlargement Results

Food That Cause Gout: Getting Facts Straight

2007-12-17T21:55:00.001-08:00

The best way to avoid gout is to keep away from the food that cause gout. To determine which foods are detrimental, you should first get to know the main factors that contribute to the development of gout. Uric acids and purines are precursors to gouty flare-ups, so you should look for food or beverages that are low in purines, low in uric acids and sufficient in Alkalines.

What happens when gout occurs?

A gout condition can happen when a person has an abnormally high level of uric acid deposits in certain areas of the body like the joints. The accumulation turns the uric acids into crystals that somehow "jam" your connective tissues, making it hard for you to move your fingers or toes. The crystals will grow overtime, usually in a matter of hours and therefore causes inflammation-you will see your skin physically swelling and turning red as a result. If left untreated, the swollen area will burst as the crystals exude through the skin.

What is uric acid?

Uric acid is a product of purine. We all naturally have uric acid in our bodies, but sometimes we could have abnormal levels either at birth or by eating certain types of food that cause gout. Uric acid can form into crystals that cause pain and swelling.

What are purines?

Purines are the chemicals in certain food that occur as nitrogenous compounds in nucleic acids. They are excreted as uric acid and are not considered vital in our diet. Since purines are excreted as uric acid high-purine sources are obviously food that cause gout. It is estimated that 50% of those who have high-purine diets have a higher tendency of developing gout. Purines can be found in food that cause gout, so listing food sources would be essential.

Below is a list of high-purine food that cause gout:

- Beef - Pork - Poultry: turkey, goose - Meat organs: liver, heart, tongue - Seafood: anchovies, herring, salmon, crabs, shrimps, scallops, mussels - Vegetables: asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms. - Legumes: green peas, lentils, dried peas, beans, - Sauces / dressings: creamy sauces, gravies, meat broths - Beverages: coffee, alcohol (beer, wine, etc.) - Oatmeal, wheat bran and wheat germ, yeast - Sweetbreads

The above-mentioned are just some of the foods that can trigger high level of uric acid. One way to lower acidity is by eating alkaline foods.

What is alkali?

Alkali neutralizes the acids in our body. It raises pH levels to more than 7. Acid has a pH less than 7, so alkali can be used to dilute uric acid in the body.

Below is a list of alkaline foods that could help counteract high uric acid levels in your system:

- Bananas - Watermelon - Orange juice - Potatoes - Spinach - Figs - Dandelion Greens - Chocolate - Mineral water

Remember that sources high in fat are known to be food that cause gout. Also avoid foods that are high in proteins, because they are often high in purines that raise levels of uric acid in the body.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Food-That-Cause-Gout--Getting-Facts-Straight/35290
Affect Acne

Nutrition Is Important Maintain A Balanced Diet

2007-12-17T07:55:00.000-08:00

It's an amazing fact: most American's eat as much as three times what their body requires, yet few actually meet their daily nutritional needs. How can you learn to break your bad eating habits and give your body the nutrients and minerals that it craves?

Try these simple steps to a more well-balanced eating plan:

Stop Eating When You're Satisfied, Not When You're Full.
Your stomach should never feel bloated and stressed after eating -- if it does, you've eaten too much! Learn to recognize when you are satisfied and stop.

Only Eat When You're Hungry.
Listen to your body instead of watching the clock when it comes to eating. It isn't only necessary to eat at scheduled mealtimes. Eat when you're hungry. If that means have a healthy snack at 3 pm, then go for it.

Just be sure not to gorge on high-sugar items and carbohydrates. That said, if dinner rolls around and you aren't hungry yet, either wait until later, or eat a smaller more satisfying meal.

Cut Back on Your Portion Sizes.
Portion sizes have doubled in the United States since the mid-1950. Remember that your stomach is only about the size of your fist, so don't expect to be able to stuff more food that would fit into your fist into it.

Substitute Junk Foods for Healthy Ones.
We all know that eating candy or donuts all day isn't good for us, yet how many of us run to the vending machine between meetings to curb a growling stomach? One of the easiest ways to meet your daily nutritional needs is to substitute those quick snacks laden with sugar with more nutritious things like fruit, cut veggies, a hard boiled egg, or even a whole grain muffin.

Don't Skip Breakfast.
Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It's what gets your metabolism going early in the morning after slowing down overnight.

Watch Those Food Labels!
While it's always a good idea to reach for a lower-fat food instead of their higher fat alternatives, be careful to watch those food labels for extra sugar and sodium found in many trendy "fat free" foods

Drink More Water.
It is a good idea to drink only water whenever possible. Your body needs it and it doesn't contain any unhealthy ingredients like other drinks do.

Start with an Appetizer.
Now, be careful here. Don't gorge on hot wings and bread, but starting off with a plate of cut up fresh veggies and dip is a great way to meet your vegetable requirements for the day and fill up on good stuff before the main course arrives.

Always Have a Salad.
Include a small salad with every meal. It's filling and nutritious. Just be sure to fill it with tasty dark greens and lots of colored variety.

Create A Palette on Your Plate.
Most nutritional experts agree, to be sure that you are getting just the right amounts of each food group, make your meal plate into a colorful palette featuring lots of different colors (browns, greens, oranges, reds, etc).

Try Soup.
Not a big vegetable lover? Try making different varieties of soups. It's a great way to add taste and texture to mealtime and get those 5 a day servings of fresh fruits and vegetables.

As you can see, just making a few simple changes to your daily diet can make a big difference in getting the nutrients most important to a healthy body.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=68246&catid=720
Acne skin care products

Teen Marketing And Body Image

2007-12-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

You see them everywhere--magazines featuring emaciated teen models with brash, defiant looks that say "We express ourselves," their arms and ankles glistening with fashion accessories. The definition of "cool chick" in another magazine is a glossy-lipped, half-woman, half-child peeking ambivalently behind a set of heavily mascaraed eyes. "I am confection," she seems to say, her body eloquently displaying a padded push up bra. Such teen marketing tactics have succeeded in making their point. Girls, as young as ten, have made the word "diet" part of their vocabulary and the La Senza part of their identity.

Body image and weight control have occupied mainstream culture since the beginning of the 20th Century when film and media images created prototypes of ideal male and female bodies--men with swashbuckling muscles and women with slender waists and boyish hips. The effect of teen marketing and media images on our teenage population cannot be overstated. It is not surprising then that teenagers of both genders have distorted body images that often lead to unhealthy behaviors.

One study of adolescent girls shows that 53% of American girls are unhappy with their bodies. This figure grows to 78% by the time the girls reach seventeen--a situation which accounts for the 5--10 million girls and women who are struggling with eating disorders.

In another study of over 10,000 teenagers, researchers noted that a large proportion of boys are unhealthily preoccupied with body building. Boys are preoccupied with defining muscles through weight gain, a goal that often leads to harmful use of supplements such as creatine, amino acids, growth hormone and steroids. This is not surprising considering the teen marketing of brawns and tight abs on Much Music videos which are broadcast on weekdays between 4:30--8pm when most teens and children are home from school.

What is even more disturbing is the number of cosmetic procedures that have been performed on teens. According to a report by Diane Zukerman published in MediaFamily, in 2003, more than 223,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on patients 18 years of age or younger and 39,000 of those were surgical procedures that were incidental in nature--nose-shaping, breast lifts, breast augmentation, liposuction and tummy tuck. The author who reported on these procedures stated emphatically that media programs are responsible for distorted teen body image. Programs such as "extreme makeovers" have given our teenagers an unrealistic view of what constitutes "normal appearance."

Ironically, however, children's eating habits have run amok, even in the midst of a cultural obsession with thinness. According to one study, the average child watches 10,000 food advertisements per year on television, most of which are commercials for fast food and junk food. Recent statistics indicate that 14% of children are now seriously overweight and 60% of overweight children between ages 5 and 10 have shown at least one risk factor for heart disease.

Given the mixed messages and signals North American teens are getting about their bodies and food, what can we, as parents and professionals, do to help rectify the situation?

First and foremost, we need to challenge the teen marketing goal of thinness and foster a concept of fitness that goes beyond the parameters of weight. A fitness regimen that includes a wide variety of enjoyable activities such as dancing, yoga, pilates, swimming, walking would put the "fun" back into activity rather than isolating exercise as a workout to be endured for the "perfect body."

Secondly, we need to challenge the whole concept of weight loss and weight gain. The real issue here is not weight, as Los Angeles psychologist, Keith Valone suggests, but body composition. By taking the focus away from body weight to body composition, we can perhaps promote a better understanding of what a healthy and fit body means.

Thirdly, we need to provide role models for our teens that go beyond body consciousness. We need to provide them with media images of strong, empowered men and women who eat well, exercise regularly and who are more concerned with living their truth than following the narrow market conceptions of beauty. It is encouraging to note as well that many publishers have already taken the initiative to profile heavier models in their magazines.

Fourthly, we need to lobby for more responsible and ethical teen marketing. It is not surprising that pedophiles and child molesters have become such a significant problem online considering the fact that teen marketing of "sexiness" to children and teens seems to be an accepted business strategy in our culture.

Mary Desaulniers Ph.D is the author and will provide more information about body image on her Internet Radio show "Reclaiming The Body's Wisdom" at GreatBodyat50

Source: http://www.fullofarticles.com/Article/Teen-Marketing-And-Body-Image/252330

Hair Care Routine - Some Tips

2007-12-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

Hair are a reflection of your health & personality. Hair is a remarkably tough material. It can stand up to considerable abuse, but over time your hair gets damaged or loses its natural properties. If taken care off they can add to your beauty. Nutrition is the key to healthy hairs. Nutrition is the most effective way of getting awesome hair. Hair is a filamentous outgrowth of dead cells from skin, found only on mammals. It projects from the epidermis, though it grows from hair follicles deep in the dermis. Although many other life forms, especially insects, show filamentous outgrowths, these are not considered "hair" in the accepted meaning of the term. Humans have three different types of hair: Lanugo, the fine hair that covers nearly the entire body of fetuses. Vellus hair, the short, fine, "peach fuzz" body hair that grows in most places on the human body in both sexes. Terminal hair, the fully developed hair, which is generally longer, coarser, thicker, and darker than vellus hair. Hair texture is measured by the degree of which one's hair is either fine or coarse, which in turn varies according to the diameter of each individual hair.

Many hair care products is available in market. Head massage is a beautiful relaxing treatment practiced for thousands of years. Shampoos are designed to cleanse the hair and scalp, removing dirt and grime without stripping away too much of the natural sebum. Hair straightening is a technique used to eliminate curls and reduce wavy hair in which the basic structure of curly or wavy hair is changed to a straight form. Some important hair and scalp care is necessary for those donning the stylish braids. Dabbing a bit of sunblock on the scalp is critical to preventing sunburn. Hair extensions are a huge self-esteem booster because they give women the opportunity to get the long hair style look without the wait Hair extensions are individually glued to your own hair, causing damage to your hair and head. Hair rinse is one of the important ways by which we can protect the hair, make it smooth and easier to manage. Instead of running for costly hair products. Hair Brush is very necessary for getting beautiful hair. Beautiful Hair is an asset for any woman. Hair Conditioner is a way of giving the hair the nourishment it needs to look good. The hair follicles receive nourishment from the bloodstream, but the hair shafts ceases to receive nourishment by way of external care.

Hair Care Tips.

1.Castol Oil is better to apply castor oil for a healthy growth of hair.

2. If your hair is thin, wavy, curly or stick straight, try to accept the fact and don't be embarresed and torture your hair by using strong chemicals that may damage it just to straighten it or curl it.

3. Wash hair with tea once in a week.

4. Proper hair care is the use of proper hair care products and proper hair care techniques. Different types of hair need different hair-care products. The use of wrong products for hair care may even damage your hair permanently.

5. Apply besan in the hair and wash it with water drained from the cooked rice.

6. After cleansing, the scalp and hair need toning exercise. The toning of scalp and hair is achieved by gently massaging the head. This helps in stimulating and invigorating the blood circulation required for the healthy growth of hair.

7. Soak a handful of gooseberry in a cup of milk for two hours. Make it as a paste and apply it on your hair.

8. Maintain your hair with pride and consistency. Depending on the length and style, have it trimmed appropriately. If you wear your hair short, have the style refreshed every 3-4 weeks. If you are growing your hair longer, have it trimmed every 6-8 weeks to remove split ends.

9. Coconut Oil Massage: Massage hair with warm coconut oil an hour before washing with a hair shampoo. Let it soak. Cover your head with a hot towel and wash your hair after an hour or so.

10. Apply the mixture of an egg white, 2 spoon of castor oil, 1 spoon glycerin, in the scalp and hair. Wash it after some time.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Hair-Care-Routine---Some-Tips/31924
Affect Acne

Healthy Diet for Acne Treatment

2007-12-15T00:55:00.001-08:00

Acne also known about Pimples, and Zits. Acne is a common skin disease that causes pimples. Acne is worldwide problem. Acne occurs when the natural oils that the skin produces clogs the pores of the skin. Acne is not just a problem for teenagers, it can affect people from ages 10 through 40. Pimples form when hair follicles under your skin clog up. Most pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Acne happens when oil (sebaceous) glands come to life around puberty stimulated by male hormones from the adrenal glands of both boys and girls. Oil is a natural substance which lubricates and protects the skin, and under certain circumstances, cells that are close to the surface block the openings of sebaceous glands and cause a buildup of oil underneath. There are many misconceptions and rumours about acne. Several factors are known to acne. Hormone changes, such as those during the teenage years and pregnancy, probably play a role. There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence that foods have much effect on acne in most people. Heredity with the exception of very severe acne, most people do not have the problem exactly as their parents did. Almost everyone has some acne at some point in their life. Most cosmetic and skin care products are not pore-clogging ("comedogenic.") Of the many available brands, those which are listed as "water-based" or "oil-free" are generally a better choice. Some medications may cause or worsen acne, such as those containing iodides, bromides, or oral or injected steroids (either the medically prescribed prednisone or the steroids bodybuilders or athletes take.).

Comedonal acne most often infects the forehead and the chin. Many teenagers get this type of acne. This acne might get worsen due to hormonal changes, humid weather and oily cosmetics such as sun-screens and petro-jelly based moisturizers. Cystic acne is often cause by the pinching or squeezing of small pus-filled acne. This causes the pus to burst deep into the skin tissue. This triggers a body mechanism which sends white blood cells to the infected site to fight off bacteria. This results in swelling, causes deep rooted inflammation, and this deep infection causes pain. So keep in mind to keep your hands off your acne-infected skin, otherwise you will be spreading the infection deeper and creating more trouble for yourself. One severe form of acne is acne conglobata . This acne affects the face, chest and back extensively. It is a severe form of nodular cystic acne vulgaris. It is characterized by a presence of multiple inflamed and non-inflamed nodules and scars. It is commonly found in men. Acne fulminans is a rare and very severe form of acne conglobata associated with systemic symptoms. It nearly always affects males.Infantile acne takes place in newborn babies, although not frequently. Sometimes it's even present at the time of birth. It's a mild form of acne and settles down in a few months. The reason is supposed to be fetal hormones, but sometimes excessive testosterone and follicle stimulating hormones are also found to be cause of infantile acne.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and it helps other organs with eliminating waste. One of the best acne treatments is a diet. Diet is a classic scapegoat for acne. the best natural acne treatments is diet which has many home remedies for acne in the foods that we eat. If you are unhealthy inside it will be reflected in your skin. bad diet is not a cause of acne. There are plenty of people in the world with very poor diets and excellent skin, however unjust that seems. There are several nutrients found in foods that promote an overall healthy body. Use Stevia, the no calorie natural sweetener rather than sugar. Regularly eating breads, cakes, chips and other staples of Western culture is likely to promote acne.Peanuts and peanut butter may provoke acne in some individuals.Eat as many vegetables as you wish, preferably organic. Eat a wide variety, not just the few that most American eat. The combination of fish and vegetables is likely to be the healthiest meal for those with acne. Increase intake of foods that may improve acne such as fish (halibut, salmon, tuna, sardines). These contain important omega 3 oils such as EPA and DHA. They will make a difference in the health of your skin. Using herbs to provide nutrients to your liver and other organs, as well as for cleansing. Vitamin B-2 is great at alleviating stress so obtaining B-2 can help keep acne at bay.Niacin or Vitamin B-3 improves circulation, promoting healthy skin. It also helps reduce cholesterol level in the blood and helps metabolize protein, sugar, and fat.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Healthy-Diet-for-Acne-Treatment/31926
Affect Acne

Vitamins And The Vital Role They Play For Health

2007-12-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

Despite of whether you are a man or a woman, you may be watchful that you are getting sufficient essential vitamins for hair loss prevention. One of the best ways you can help to ensure that your lovely hair stays undamaged, and on your head, is to take appropriate amounts of vitamins for hair loss prevention.

Folic Acid is the number one most vital vitamin for hair loss prevention. Taking folic acid vitamins for hair loss prevention can not only greatly decrease your chances of experiencing hair loss to begin with, as well as help to prevent future hair loss. The second of the vital vitamins for hair loss prevention is vitamin A. To get a vigorous amount of A vitamins for hair loss prevention, you may make certain that you eat plenty of raw fruit and veges

Vitamin E is essential for promoting vigorous blood flow, which in turn helps to guarantee that the scalp has sufficient blood circulation as well. As you can see, there are a number of vitamins for hair loss prevention that you can take either as supplements or by eating a vigorous diet. As with any supplements, if you are pregnant or nursing, you may practice tremendous caution before taking any vitamins for hair loss.

We can come to the conclusion that the most successful hair loss help products will be the ones that focus on blocking the DHT from building up in your hair follicles. I've found that the majority of products on the market today are not at all helpful at doing this. I was looking for something that would block the DHT effectively, and I found that Natural hair loss prevention products were some of the best ways to do this. The accepted ingredients in these supplements are critical for hair growth and development. Also there are others like Zinc, pumpkin oil extract, nettle root, and saw palmetto just to name some. If giving in to hair loss is not an option for you, then do not wait in starting a hair re growth strategy. If you stick to a strategy and are consistent you may be able to stop hair loss and re grow your hair, thus helping to reach your goal of having a vigorous head of natural hair

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Vitamins-And-The-Vital-Role-They-Play-For-Health/32047
Natural Weight Loss Tips

Poor Nutrition And Your Health

2007-12-14T00:55:00.001-08:00

Poor nutrition can actually lead to various problems in the digestive system which is why meeting the standard recommended daily amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that your body needs is a good way to avoid poor digestion as well as the gastrointestinal illnesses that can be brought about by such negligence. Other B complex vitamins that have an important role in the production of red blood cells include Vitamin B2 also known as riboflavin, Vitamin B9 also called as folate in its natural form and folic acid in its pharmaceutical form and Vitamin B12 which is also called cobalamin due to its cobalt content. Folic acid formation of red blood cells, the healing process and aids in the meatabolism of proteins and contributes to normal growth.

Naturally, as with most of the important processes and systems of the body, the vitamins that make up the powerful and essential Vitamin B complex have a role in the health and function of the muscles. Two of the most dangerous of vitamins that you can take too much are vitamin A and vitamin D. Those seeking to benefit from dietary supplements designed to promote ocular health and healing should familiarize themselves with the most common vitamins and minerals in these supplements doing the research to find out what both would be the best and the safest levels of these nutrients are.

One reason why vitamin supplements have become so popular in North America is the type of lifestyle we lead. Regardless, anyone doing the demanding training needed to impove their Ironman chances should seriously consider vitamin supplements. Do some checking out on the web to find the very best available natural vitamin supplements for you and your family.

Of course you may wonder and want to know are vitamin supplements beneficial to your diet as well. The failure of prescriptions and medications to work has sent more and more people to seek out nature's healing power in herbs, in vitamins and nutritional supplements, and in organic skin care products. Always bear in mind that the best diet is one that gives you a balance of nutrients, and that supplements should be exactly that - a supplement to your daily nutritional intake through food and liquid. Unless you're using a source of highly absorbable minerals, trace minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids and amino acids, you're not going to be able to sustain your health and longevity and you'll eventually suffer one or a number of deficiency diseases, from damaged bones and joints to a heart attack.

Other herbs such as black cohosh, antioxidant nutrients and specific vitamins in some supplements can provide help with the emotional symptoms. Mass produced nutritional supplements are often made in huge batches with equipment intended to churn out as much of the stuff as possible in the shortest amount of time, and often the quality of the supplement will suffer. Well depending on your degree of malabsorption, if you take nutritional supplements like vitamin and minerals, you could be pouring money down the drain, or should I say, down the toilet. Add that to the fact that people are so time-starved today that many of us practically live on meals out of paper bags makes taking nutritional supplements almost mandatory.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Poor-Nutrition-And-Your-Health/32051
Acne Skin Care Solutions

Antiaging Diets For Your Future Health

2007-12-13T21:55:00.001-08:00

Scientists have overwhelmingly concluded that exercise, whether it is daily or every second or third day, is a critical lifelong discipline that people should adopt to prevent coronary heart disease and other serious physical ailments later in life. The study done by the American Medical Association showed that of a group of 85, 000 women enrolled in the nurses health study who ate fish two to four times per week, significantly reduced their heart disease risk by 30% compared to those who rarely ate fish. While I continued to research antiaging skin care products, I was overwhelmed with the vast number of commercial creams, and lotions available.

If photoaging is caused by UVR, how could the sunlight be an overlooked antiaging skin care agent? Regardless of whether antioxidants are consumed via supplement form or consumed in your daily diet through the intake of fruits and vegetables, it simply makes sense to consume some type of antiaging product. Tea increases the antioxidant quality of your skin and even your blood by allowing it to take on more oxygen and breathe easier, so naturally the higher amount of polyphenols you have working for you the greater antioxidant quality your skin has. Researchers at Purdue University have demonstrated that chronic peanut consumption has benefited many people and might improve cardiac health.

While antiaging health was affected by friendships, it couldn't be determined for certain why close friendships had such a dramatic effect on longevity. Is there any thing called oily skin anti aging products? When a person wishes to purchase an anti aging skin care product, they will most likely wind up choosing a cream because it is one of the most popular forms of anti aging skin care products on the market. Excessive drying and wrinkles, which is the number one culprit regarding signs of aging, move many to try an anti aging skin care product.

So which of the anti aging skin care products is the best? When you are searching for the best anti aging skin care, you will of course look for anti aging products. In the beginning of 1990s, many anti aging skin care ingredients have been studied. If you want to get a better skin tone and complexion you need to nourish your skin from the inside and this is one of the best anti aging tips you can utilize.

As well as a toner and the essential moisturizer, you can find anti aging products designed specifically to lighten age spots, to protect the tender skin under the eyes, to treat dry lips, and to manage acne and blemishes. To regain your eternal beauty and to get back your youth, go with the anti aging skin care supplements. In order to understand what anti-aging skin care products are intended to do, you have to first understand about what the aging process is for skin.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Antiaging-Diets-For-Your-Future-Health/32245
Natural Weight Loss Tips

How Toxins in Our Diet Can Affect Our Health

2007-12-13T14:55:00.001-08:00

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.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/How-Toxins-in-Our-Diet-Can-Affect-Our-Health/86032
Skin Body Care

Nutrition Food Pyramid Health Guides

2007-12-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

The Food Pyramid has been used for decades to show people what type (and how much) of individual foods they should eat every day for optimal health. Redesigned in 2005, the new pyramid sports a rainbow of colored, vertical stripes that represent the five major food groups, plus fats and oils.

Not sure what the colors stand for? Here's a quick reference:

Orange - grains.
Green - vegetables.
Red - fruits.
Yellow - fats and oils.
Blue - milk and dairy products.
Purple - meat, beans, fish, and nuts.

The food pyramid is a used to illustrate the variety of foods people need to eat to stay healthy. The skinnier the band of color, the less foods you need to consumer in that category, and vice versa. As you will notice, eating a variety of healthy foods is best. The goal is to eat foods from each color band each and every day.

As you'll notice when reviewing the new pyramid, some bands are fat on the bottom and get thinner as they reach the top. Why? Because foods are not created equal. While apple pie contains apples, it is not as good for you as a freshly picked apple straight form the tree! The same is true for a tomato vs. ketchup. The less nutritious variety of the food is depicted at the top thinner part of the pyramid, with the more nutritious item featured on the bottom.

One of the most important aspects of the food pyramid is the way it explains how many servings of individual categories a person should eat every day. This includes:

Grains:
It's important for children to eat 4-6 ounces of grains every day, depending on their age, while adults need more than 6 ounces to meet their daily requirements. Remember, whole grains are best.

Vegetables:
Vegetables are especially important to a healthy diet. Children should eat 1/2 to 2 cups per day with adults consuming 2 1/2 cups or more.

Fruits:
Fresh fruit is a very important nutrient for a well balanced diet. Keep in mind that while fruit juices and packaged fruit count on the slimmer part of the pyramid, fresh fruit is always best. So, how much fruit should you eat every day? Children need 1-1/2 cups per day, and adult 2 or more.

Milk and Other Calcium-Rich Foods:
Calcium builds strong teeth and bones and should be consumed on a daily basis. Children need a minimum of 1-2 cups of milk (0r other calcium rich food) every day, while adult (especially women) should be consuming 3 or more cups of dairy a day.

Meats, Beans, Fish, and Nuts:
For all of the iron and other important nutrients you need to stay healthy eat 3-5 ounces per day (for children) and 5-8 ounces (for adults).

Not sure that you're eating the right amounts of food every day? Be sure to check your diet against the new food pyramid guidelines on a regular basis to ensure that you're eating a well balanced diet for optimal health and fitness.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=67684&catid=720
Natural Beauty Products

Natural Sweeteners: Which One Should You Take?

2007-12-13T00:55:00.000-08:00

There are many natural sweeteners to choose from if you want to avoid sugar, but don't want any of the artificial sweeteners over which there are a few questions. You can choose from xylitol, luo han, stevia and others, but before discussing these, let's have a look at the problems with sugar, artificial sweeteners and the American sugar industry.

Sugar as most people know it originates either from sugar cane or sugar beet, though by far the biggest American industry is in the cane. There are many different types of sugar, though that obtainable from cane sugar is sucrose. Sucrose is a disaccharide and carbohydrate, stored by plants as a reserve energy source to be used when needed. Humans cannot directly use sucrose, and it is metabolized in the body to glucose which needs the hormone insulin to help convert it into energy.

Insulin is produced in the pancreas, and a lack of it, or the body's failure to use it properly, is referred to as diabetes. There are two types of diabetes:

Type 1: A total lack or deficiency of insulin due to the pancreas producing insufficient quantities of insulin, or even none at all. This is often seen in young people and is generally cause by the immune system attacking the insulin-producing sells in the pancreas. The treatment for type 1 diabetes is to introduce insulin to the blood, normally by means of injections, plenty exercise and the adoption of a high carbohydrate low fat diet.

Type 2: This is strongly associated with obesity and weight, and is due either to insufficient insulin production by the pancreas (but not as deficient as for Type 1 diabetes) or an inability of the cells of the body to properly use insulin. Type 2 diabetes does not always require insulin injections, and can be treated by exercise, diet and weight control. However, there are occasions where insulin injections are also required. It tends to affect people older than those with Type 1 diabetes and 90% of cases are of this type.

Both types, however, are connected with an excess of glucose in the blood, into which most sugars are converted. A diet low in sucrose will go a long way towards helping people that suffer from either type of diabetes, and control of carbohydrate intake should include a reduction in the intake of sucrose in the form or beet or cane sugar. This accepted, then if you need a sweetener, a saccharide free natural sweetener would appear to be the logical choice.

You could opt for a synthetic sweetener, but they also have their problems. There is evidence that saccharin could be a carcinogen, and 'aspartame' disease is not a myth. The other artificial sweeteners also have sufficient questions that natural sweeteners would appear to be the obvious choice. But which? That is the question. Let's have a look at some and check out their pros and cons.

The first is Stevia. This is a South American herb that is 400 times sweeter than sucrose and yet is very low in calories and does not affect diabetics. Used throughout most of the world, it has not been approved by the FDA as a food additive due mainly, it would appear, to lobbying by the American sugar corporations. This is understandable, since mass substitution of sugar by stevia in processed foods is entirely possible, but would cost the sugar corporations billions.

However, it is available to purchase from health food stores, and does not appear to possess the problems that aspartame does. Unlike that sweetener, it can be used in baking and cooking, and is ideal for diabetics and people suffering from yeast infections such as candida. Such infections are aggravated by sugar in the colon, since yeasts love sugar, but they cannot survive on stevia. The safety of stevia has been proven through hundreds of years of popular use without any problems.

However, there are others. Luo Han Guo is a sweet Chinese fruit of which extracts are marketed as a natural sweetener. The plant it comes from is the Momordica grosvenori, a member of the cucumber squash family that grows in the mountainous areas of southern China. The sweeteners it contains are called mogrosides that are terpene glycosides, of which there are five different forms, the main one being termed mogroside-5.

The extract is available in the form of a powder consisting of around 80% mogrosides, and possesses around 250% of the sweetness of sucrose. This, too, can be used in cooking; because it is stable to heat and contains about 2% of the calories of ordinary sugar (one half teaspoon is equivalent to 25 teaspoons sugar). You can help 50 medicines go down for the same calories of getting one down using sugar!

Not only that but, like stevia, there are no known side effects. It has been used for many centuries in Chinese medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions and conditions of the respiratory tract. Unlike natural sweeteners, luo han has been found to be useful in helping to manage diabetes since it does not cause insulin levels to rise and are not involved in energy production, so have no effect on your weight. The mogrosides from luo han are also under study as inhibitors of certain tumors, and might be able to inhibit skin tumor growth. Other possible medical advantages include helping to reduce atherosclerosis and heart disease, so would appear to be a useful sweetener to use in your coffee!

Finally, xylitol. It was during World War II that Finnish scientists rediscovered xylitol that had been previously used in Germany as a sweetener in the late nineteenth century. The sugar shortage resurrected this substance that can metabolize without the need for insulin.

Xylitol is a substance that is found in some fruits and vegetables and also in corn cobs. In fact, it is a product that appears in animal metabolism, and so is perfectly safe. It is known to help support the immune system, and to help reduce the effects of aging. It possesses antibacterial properties due to its 5-carbon ring and has been approved by the FDA. Xylitol can replace sugar in most of its domestic uses, including in baking and as a natural sweetener. It is also used extensively in chewing gum as a sweetener that does not cause dental cavities due the acid caused by bacterial attack on the sugar.

However, one use to which xylitol cannot be put, nor any of the other natural sweeteners mentioned here, is in fermentation. Try these for your wine or beer and you will be very disappointed at the low alcohol level of your brew! This is also, however, one of the benefits of xylitol: it cannot feed the yeasts that cause candida or any other yeast infection. Although it is a saccharide, it is the same as the others in this respect.

So, which of these natural sweeteners should you take? The choice is yours since each has its own benefits with very few disadvantages and certainly no recorded side effects that we know of. Use stevia for superior sweetening effects, and make up a concentrated solution of it in water for your cooking. Use luo han if you have gastrointestinal problems, and use xylitol if you want fresher breath and to protect your teeth.

Use none for brewing or winemaking, and use any of them if you are diabetic. The choice is yours. These sweeteners are available at your local or internet health food store.

--

Source: http://www.iffizpartners.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=10167
Hair Growth Ways

Cocoa vs Chocolate Only the Winner is a Health Drink

2007-12-12T21:58:00.001-08:00

Do you know the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate? Many people think they are the same but they are nutritionally on opposite ends of the spectrum. Hot chocolate is a sugar and fat filled mix that is mostly artificial chemicals and fillers with a chocolate taste.

Because chocolate is high in refined sugar and fat it is nutritionally void. However hot cocoa is the opposite. Nutritionally, hot cocoa is very beneficial. It is full of antioxidants and had been proven to be an extremely healthy food. Hot cocoa is naturally low in calories. You can make your own healthy hot beverage by adding cocoa powder and a small amount of sugar to milk, soy or even hot water.

Drinking hot cocoa has been around for centuries. Modern archaeologists have found evidence of cocoa beans in Olmec tombs as far back as 1500 BC. These ancient rulers drank a bitter mixture of hot water, cocoa powder and spices. The Mayans also fell in love with cocoa beans and developed a drink they named chocolatl.

These cacao beans were so valuable that they could be used as money. The rulers of the Mayan kingdom shared their love of cocoa with the Spanish who them brought it to Europe. It was in Europe that sugar was added and it became the drink we know as hot cocoa.

Cocoa became the Drink of the Gods

We think of hot cocoa as a desert drink but the original drink was a hot and spicy brew containing water, wine and peppers. The Mayan aristocracy had many variations of this beverage which they considered magic. After bringing the cocoa beans back to Europe sugar and milk were added to make a sweet after dinner beverage. Soon the general population could not get enough. Confectioners experimented with the cocoa powder and began making chocolate.

Nowadays people are discovering the powerful nutritional benefits of the cocoa bean. Recent research has found that the flavonoids in chocolate are more powerful than vitamins such as ascorbic acid in protecting circulating lipids from oxidation.

Researchers have discovered that people who eat chocolate and sweets up to three times each month live almost a year longer than people who eat too much or folks that steer clear of junk altogether. (This happy information is from a study done at the Harvard School of Public Health)

Are you Drinking Real Cocoa or just a sugar flavored brown drink?

Don't settle for fake hot chocolate when you can have real delicious and nutritious hot cocoa. Hot cocoa not only tastes better is is so much better for you. The best way to make sure you are getting the real deal is to start with quality cocoa powder. The best cocoa powder is dark brown and will taste bitter by itself.

You can make your won hot beverage by mixing this powder with hot water or just like when you were a kid: real milk. Milk substitutes like: soy milk, coconut milk or rice milk are great for those who are lactose intolerant or who just want to try something different. You can sweeten your drink by adding sugar, honey or agave nectar.

Cocoa contains several bioactive compounds that promote alertness, lessen pain and promote a natural feeling of well-being. For example, one such element, Tryptophan, reduces anxiety by producing serotonin. The compounds in cocoa also produce endorphins which lessen sensitivity to pain.

Scientists have labeled Cocoa "the new vitamin." Health experts are discovering that some of the chemicals in cocoa powder can have a positive effect on the heart and blood circulation.

Harvard researcher, Dr Vinson and his colleagues discovered that the flavonoids in chocolate are even more powerful than vitamins used for anti oxidation. Studies in Atherosclerosis show that the oxidation of lipoproteins is one of the ways that plaque clogs artery walls.

Food scientists from Cornell University state that they have discovered that cocoa has almost twice the antioxidants of red wine and nearly three times the antioxidents of green tea.

Drinking hot cocoa provides more antioxidants than simply eating chocolate candy. The heat releases more of the antioxidants. Some research indicates that ingesting dairy along with cocoa inhibits the absorption of the nutrients. You can get the most nutritional value by combining cocoa powder with a milk substitute like: coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk or even water.

Don't let the picture on the packet food you. Check the ingredients! The primary ingredient in most commercial hot chocolate mixes is sugar. The rest is fat, fillers and artificial flavors. Why settle for a facsimile when you can have the real deal? Real hot cocoa is not only better nutritionally it tastes better too!

The hot creamy cocoa you loved as a kid is now a health food. A guilt free pleasure that's good for you too. You can enjoy a rich cup of hot cocoa every day - just tell your friend it's a nutritional supplement.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=67598&catid=720
Beauty Supplements

Nautral Meal Replacement For Busy Women

2007-12-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

Many people are too busy to spend the hours needed each day to prepare healthy nutritious meals at home. Healthy meal replacement supplements can solve their nutritional problem and save them time as well. A meal replacement is just what the name suggests: a person would take a whole food meal replacement instead of eating a regular meal. This is a good, convenient way to get high quality protein, carbohydrates, and a host of other very important and necessary nutrients as well. For people watching their carbohydrates, low glycemic index alternatives are available as well.

Whole food meal replacement supplements like Rice and Shine are a good idea, especially for women, taking into account their busy schedules, both, at home and at work. These supplements give you the necessary nutrition to see you through the day, without encroaching on your time. What's more, most of the meal replacement bars, powders and shakes cost at the most two dollars per saving, much cheaper than the balanced meals available at restaurants or even the ones that you would prepare yourself.

There are at least three main groups of people that use meal replacements. The first group has been mentioned previously. Many people who do not have time for a regular meal find meal replacements very helpful in their daily routine and everyday lives.

The second group of people are those trying to lose weight. If you are trying to become lean and fit, then you need to look for meal replacements with low amounts of calories and fat. These types of supplements are very popular with women.

There is a third group of people. It is those who are actually trying to gain weight. There are many people who purchase a membership at a gym, but forget about their nutritional needs. Using a meal replacement program with lots of protein, a person may gain weight from the 30-40 grams of protein in each of the servings.

Overall, for those whose lifestyle does not include time-consuming meal preparation or the budget for going out to eat at pricey restaurants, meal replacements are a wonderful means of ensuring a proper requirement of daily nutrition.

Many people use a healthy meal replacement shake rather than go through the hassle of preparing their own food at home. The people who use meal replacements fall into three main groups. The first is those who simply need extra time and find the convenience attractive. The second is those trying to lose weight. The third is individuals looking for weight gain; this group needs to select replacements with thirty to forty grams of protein in order to build muscle mass. Today people can't find the time needed to prepare a healthy, nutritious and delicious meal at home. Solve this problem through the use of healthy meal replacement powders. This healthy meal replacement is a great way to get the quality ingredients needed for a healthy diet. Low glycemic index meal replacement alternatives can be provided for those who need to watch their carbohydrate intake. Such supplements are a good idea, especially for women, taking into account their busy schedules, both, at home and at work. These supplements give you the necessary nutrition to see you through the day, without encroaching on your time. With all the time needed to prepare meals, many people are finding it more and more difficult to get a balanced meal. This problem can be solved easily and affordably with a healthy meal replacement shake. These nutritionally-balanced supplements are a great option for those times when you're on the go. In today's busy world, people just don't have the time to cook that they used to. Many turn to fast food restaurants, but everyone knows that they're not the best way to get a healthy meal. Fortunately, there are alternatives like healthy meal replacement powders. These provide the needed nutrition and cost even less per serving than your typical fast food meal.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Nautral-Meal-Replacement-For-Busy-Women/34146
Hair Growth Ways

Vitamins: Part 2

2007-12-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) were introduced in 1993 as a way to expound on the outdated RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of vitamins.

The DRI includes four subcategories, as follows:

RDA (now as the Recommended Dietary Allowance) - This is figured to be the daily average intake level of a micronutrient required to meet the need of 97-98% of the healthy people of any given life stage & gender group. It is not a goal for planning or assessing a diet, but a goal for intake.

Adequate Intake Level/AI - Based on experimentally determined or observed estimates of the vitamin intake of healthy people that is assumed to be adequate. Used when EAR cannot be determined.

Tolerable Upper Intake Level/UI - Estimated maximum level at which a nutrient is thought to be safe. Increased risk goes up as ingestion goes above this level.

Estimated Adequate Intake (EAR) - This is the average daily nutrient intake level estimates to meet the requirement of 50% of the individuals in a particular life stage/ gender group. It is population weighed and is considered to be the most accurate reflection of food-nutrient needs of a group, excluding young children and pregnant/lactating women, whose needs differ greatly.

In closing it is important to note that these are reference values for planning & assessing diets for a healthy population. The RDA & AI levels should keep a healthy person from developing symptoms of a deficiency, but they are not intended to replenish undernourished people nor may they be adequate for people in states of dis-ease.

I hope this clears some thing up. For more information on the requirements and sources of each vitamin, stay tuned for upcoming articles, or follow the link provided. Thank You!

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Vitamins--Part-2/34411
Beauty Supplements

Nutrition Food Labels - How to Read and Understand the Facts

2007-12-12T00:55:00.001-08:00

Every food item you buy must list the nutritional food facts somewhere on its label. The trouble is, most of us have no idea how to read them. Sure, the label may say the food we've chosen has 10g of sodium, but what does that really mean? Let's take a look at some common nutrition food facts to find out.

Nutrition food labels clearly outline the nutrients found in foods using grams (g) or milligrams (mg). Milligrams are very small. As a matter of fact, you could fit 1,000 milligrams in a single gram.

In addition to listing the grams of nutrients found in the foods we eat, nutritional fact labels also give the daily percentage of that nutrient a single serving of that food includes. Keep in mind that these percentages are based on a 2,000 calorie a day diet, so if you are eating less than that the percentages would actually be higher.

Now, let's take a closer look at individual nutrition facts listed on most food labels:

Serving Size:
Serving size is the amount of food being detailed within the nutrition label. It is very important to always check the serving size since one package or container may contain several serving sizes, so if you eat the entire thing the nutritional facts need to be multiplied accordingly.

Calories and Calories From Fat:
The number of calories in a single tells you the amount of energy that is found in that particular food. While the number of calories is important, the calories from fat is even more important since they will be harder for your body to burn.

Percent Daily Value:
A daily allowance is the percentage of food/nutrient you should consumer in a day. So, if you eat a food with 445% of your daily allowance of sodium, you must be careful not eat more items with high sodium content for the rest of the day. Staying within these limits ensures that you are getting just the right amount of each nutrient every day ofr optimal health.

Total Fat:
Everyone needs to eat a certain amount of fat to remain healthy and strong - but eat too much and you'll become sluggish, depressed and unhealthy. Food labels list several different kinds of fat for better regulation: saturated, unsaturated, and trans fat.

Cholesterol and Sodium:
Cholesterol and sodium (salt) are usually measured in milligrams and are featured on food labels for those people who must restrict their intake of these nutrients.

Total Carbohydrate:
You need carbohydrates for energy. But too many can make you fat and cause other health concerns. Carbohydrate levels are usually broken down into grams of sugar and grams of dietary fiber on most food labels.

Protein:
Protein helps the human body build and repair essential parts of the body, such as muscles, blood, and organs. It is usually measured in grams.

Vitamin A and Vitamin C:
These list the amounts of vitamin A and vitamin C, with each amount given as a percent daily value.

Calcium and Iron:
Calcium and iron are essential for a healthy body. These minerals are usually listed as daily percentages per serving.

Now that you can understand your food labels better, start checking out what you're eating and how much of a good thing (or not so good thing) you're getting with each meal and snack.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Nutrition-Food-Labels---How-to-Read-and-Understand-the-Facts/34288
Acne Skin Care Solutions

Vitamins: An Introduction

2007-12-11T21:55:00.001-08:00

Vitamins and minerals are part of our daily lives. But how much do we really know about them? This article will give you a brief introduction to some, a re-acquaintance to others.

It is best to obtain your vitamins and minerals, aka micronutrients, from whole, organic foods. This may not give us all that we need though, and supplementation is often required.

There are two types of vitamins, those that dissolve in fats and oils, and those that dissolve in water. These are called fat soluble or water soluble, depending on what they dissolve in.

Fat soluble vitamins are stored in the body, so build up and therefore toxicity can occur. These are vitamins A, D, E, F, & K.

The water soluble vitamins, on the other hand, are not stored in the body. They are made of the B-group, C, & P, and are lost through perspiration as well as urination. It is necessary to maintain a daily intake of these vitamins in order to avoid deficiencies in them.

We are used to the RDA as our way of figuring out what we need of each vitamin on a daily basis. This stands for the Recommended Daily Allowance, and has been in use since the 1940's. It is a standard dependent on only estimations, and assumes that we know all there is to know about micronutrients. These differ from country to country, and are the minimum requirements to avoid deficiency.

New standards have been proposed to update the RDA, this was back in 1993. This breaks vitamin requirements into different calculations, as follows: The RDA is still in there, but as Recommended DIETARY Intake, there's also the Adequate Intake Levels (AI), the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR), and the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UI). To learn about these in further detail, please follow the link!

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Vitamins--An-Introduction/34322
Hair Growth Ways

Vitamins: An Introduction Posted By : Mel Possehl..

2007-12-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Vitamins--An-Introduction/34322
Acne Skin Care Solutions

Iodine Deficient? A Simple Self-Test Can Show You Now

2007-12-11T07:55:00.000-08:00

In the United States alone, nearly 13 million people suffer from some type of thyroid imbalance and are, usually, totally unaware of it. Iodine is a necessary nutrient, not only for proper thyroid functioning but, it is also essential for the normal functioning of body cells, nervous system, muscles, brain development, oxygen utilization, metabolism, a strong immune system, and a whole lot more. Understanding how important a critical trace mineral is, such as this one, to your overall health is well worth the time spent in learning more.

Many people who were deficient in iodine have witnessed some amazingly positive results from supplementation. While it is commonly recognized in the traditional medical community, in how this mineral plays an important role in helping hormone production in the thyroid gland. Common symptoms of thyroid malfunctioning are; fatigue, unexplained weight loss or gain, muscle weakness, hair loss, concentration problems, increased allergies, fluid retention, and being irritable.

According to Dr. Guy Abraham, M.D., a former professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and endocrinology at the U.C.L.A. School of Medicine, and a leading authority on iodine says, the limits of sufficient iodine levels in the human body go far beyond this, other possible body healing functions of iodine include:

1.Regulates moods
2.Prevents cancer (especially in breasts, ovaries, uterus, prostate, and thyroid gland)
3.Prevents and treats fibrocystic breasts in women
4.Regulates blood pressure
5.Helps regulate blood sugar, and prevents and treats diabetes
6.Helps to prevent abnormal cardiac rhythms

Dr. Abraham noticed that Japanese women have one of the lowest incidences of having breast cancer in the world. They typically eat more than 13 mg of iodine daily, in the form of seaweed, without suffering any ill side effects. It is also important to mention here, that most physicians consider doses above 2 mg a day to be potentially toxic.

When Dr. Abraham began his iodine research work, back in 1998, he discovered many other positive benefits of treating iodine deficiencies in patients with doses far above the standard recommended daily dose of 2 mg.

He noted that back in 1820 a French physician named Jean Lugol also used higher doses above 2 mg to treat a wide variety of health conditions. Dr. Lugol successfully treated many different infectious conditions with his own specifically designed solution, which is still available today by prescription, known as 'Lugols's solution'.

Iodine tends to have antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal qualities, it also enhances immune function.

Suboptimal iodine intake levels contribute to various thyroid abnormalities, besides the obvious thyroid goiter condition (swelling of the throat). Common problems are still seen today such as hypothyroidism (underactive), hyperthyroidism (overactive), and autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid (Hashimoto's disease).

Most people get enough iodine in their diet from seafood and iodized salt. But, only about 50 percent of Americans use iodized salt. Due to battling high blood pressure, they have been blitzed by standard medical hype, and media attention, that reducing their salt intake is a smart move. However, high blood pressure is more directly caused by the body's adaption to severe dehydration. Learn more about salt and water's many health giving benefits by visiting Dr. F. Batmanghelidj's, author of "Your Body's Many Cries For Water", website called watercure.

One gram of refined iodized table salt, which has a high chloride content, contains 77 mcg of iodine. Some experts estimate that only about 10 percent of this iodine can be absorbed by the body. Therefore, a superior form of salt is needed by your body. A better source of iodine and several other trace minerals, which is naturally present in unrefined sea salt, is a wiser choice. It will cost considerably more but, the health benefits are worth it. You can find this type of salt in most health food stores.

Other sources of iodine in our diets comes from dairy products, meat, and eggs. The level of iodine can have varying amounts, though, depending on contents of animal feed. About 40 years ago, iodate was used as a bread stabilizer in commercially produced baked goods, further increasing our iodine intake. Recently this practice has declined, in the last 30 years, with iodate being replaced with bromide as it was considered to be safer. Other dietary sources are certain multivitamins, and ingesting so-called health foods such as kelp. They are, however, largely unregulated and unrecognized.

If you suspect you might be deficient in this necessary trace mineral you can perform a simple self test, although it may not be completely accurate. Paint a two inch spot on a soft skin tissue area such as your inner upper arm, or upper thigh, with tincture of iodine. If it takes longer than 18 hours for the stain to disappear, it is a good indicator you are iodine sufficient. If it absorbs more quickly, say 2 to 3 hours, you may possibly need to supplement. You may, then, want to have a more accurate, in depth, simple saliva or urine test performed.

Iodine utilization problems can be further restricted by ingesting goitrogens (substances that may cause enlargement of the thyroid gland) such as fluoride, bromine and bromides, and chlorine. The neat thing about being sufficient in this mineral, is that Dr. Abraham's work showed that sufficient iodine levels help promote the excretion of toxic minerals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium out of the body, and the halogens fluoride and bromide as well.

Water is the main fluid choice that will help flush these harmful substances out of you, more quickly and efficiently than any other beverage. That is something you will be able to see and feel, as water is the basis for all sound nutritional diet success stories.

Brenda Skidmore has spent the last four plus years actively researching natural health care alternatives. It is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit mywater4life

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Iodine-Deficient--A-Simple-Self-Test-Can-Show-You-Now/33515
Stop Smoking Online

The Cornerstones To Better Health

2007-12-11T04:19:00.001-08:00

How would you rate your own overall health on a scale of 1-10 right now (10 being top marks, 1 being lowest)?

I can tell you personally after coaching with more than a thousand people the average is between 4-6. The lower of those scores being the folks with aches, pains, weight or other issues, running through to the higher grades that gave answers such as; 'I used to be really fit, but then I just got a bit lazy', or 'I know I should do something about this (pain/flab/headache, etc) but I never get around to it.

The big 'W' weight.
Above all, being overweight and unfit are the two biggest culprits that can then open the door to so many other conditions and illnesses. According to a report by the Royal College of Physicians, the Faculty of Public Health, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health over half the UK population are either overweight or obese (with a body mass index of more than 30), which breaks down to 70% of men and 63% of women.

Currently, one in 5 adults and one in 20 children under the age of 16 are obese, and if current trends continue it is estimated that at least one third of adults & children will be obese by 2020 - and these figures are more or less similar in other developed or developing countries around the world. I'm not writing this simply to shock you, but to impress upon you the absolute importance of maintaining your body in as good a shape as possible.

People come to me in coaching to help them create a great business plan, to move forward in some area of their life, to stoke up their motivation in a project. Yet, the one most solid basis for any of that is to be as healthy as possible. In creating a healthy life plan, to be in optimum health, is the one sure-fire way of achieving that success. Most experts believe there are 4 basic areas to achieving a better quality of health.

* Belief systems.
* Food & eating habits.
* Exercise.
* Support.

Belief Systems.
Simply, what goes on in your head creates who you are and what you do with your life. That's wonderful if all is well. If however, something is not as you want, whether it is health, career, finance, etc, one of the first areas to look at should be belief, because what you believe you generally create.

Food & eating habits.
You already know this! There has now been so much information on nutrition, diets, slimming, weight loss, optimum health and the like published that unless you've been living on Pluto the last few decades you must have been aware of at least some of it. What those articles don't tackle however, is what might be right for you. We are all different; we all enjoy, and dislike different things. Therefore, taking an individual approach, one that works for you, is key to achieving success.

Exercise.
Exercise should be tailored to your own body, age and lifestyle. It's like saying 'everyone likes ice cream' sure, some people do, though even with those, some would prefer chocolate, vanilla or strawberry.

Exercise can be so much more than going to the gym. If you have a fabulous gym near you that fires your imagination, then that's great. However, if not, then ask yourself 'what would be a fun way for me to raise my energy with?' A couple of my friends bought inline roller skates and spend Sunday's rolling around the park. Another rents a bike and takes a day trip to the country.

What would it be for you, because if you do find the fun in exercise it's the one area that'll affect all others?

Support.
This doesn't mean someone doing all the work for you. It doesn't mean that if you don't have the support of your partner or best friend it can't be done, and it certainly doesn't mean that if you can't afford a personal trainer or nutritionist, better health & fitness are impossible.

What it DOES mean is that you can begin today to support yourself better and more systematically. Do whatever you need to do to take ownership of your own well-being and begin the journey to achieving better, more vibrant health for you.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/The-Cornerstones-To-Better-Health/33806

Nutrition Food Labels How to Read and Understand the Facts

2007-12-11T01:06:00.000-08:00

How to Find Free Diet Programs Online

2007-12-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

Finding free diet programs online is not as easy as you would think. Most of the currently popular programs, like the Zone Diet(r), Jenny Craig(r) and Weight Watchers(r), can only be purchased - either as books or by signing up for monthly dues or packaged food plans.

However, not all is lost if you really want to find a diet that works, but you don't want to break your budget. The new expensive programs are not the only diet programs that work. In fact, some of the healthiest menu plans and dietary programs were first written at the beginning of the 20th century, by the pioneers in the science of nature healing, or naturopathy.

Many modern weight loss programs are direct descendants of the dietary plans created by these healing men and women, who treated many chronic ailments, including obesity, with their simple, well-thought out menu plans. And yes, they still work to help you lose weight and improve your general health.

Back then, bad eating habits were not yet considered "normal," so doctors who paid attention could easily see there was a difference in health between those who ate good food in moderation, and those who were more careless with their diets and ate too many rich foods.

Obesity was much less common then, too, and it was seen as a symptom of illness, not a cosmetic problem as it is often seen today.

Some doctors, such as William Howard Hay, MD, went far beyond treating mere symptoms of illness, but tried instead to improve the general health of his patients though a regimen of good food and exercise. Dr. Hay wrote extensively about the issues of diet and health, and managed one of the country's most famous health spas.

As his patients regained their health they also lost any excess weight their previously unhealthy bodies had been carrying, because their digestive organs were now more efficient in ridding the body of it's toxins, including excess fat.

Unfortunately, his writing style is now so outdated that his excellent ideas are mostly lost to the modern reader, who may not have the patience to read his books on diet and health. In his books, Dr. Hay outlined a full dietary prescription for his patients and their families, and in many ways his recommendations are actually healthier than many popular diets today.

For instance, he seemed to know intuitively that an ultra-low-fat diet would cause his patients to overcompensate by eating other rich foods, such as those high in sugar and simple carbohydrates. Recent studies have shown this to be the case, and it may be one of the reasons why Americans continue to gain weight, and the adult-onset diabetes rate continues to soar, in spite of all the low-fat foods in our diets.

The good doctor also seemed to realize that humans have an instinctive desire for sweet foods, but he knew that refined sugar and flour would promote illness. His diet menus included fruit at almost every meal, and both lunch and dinner included a small sweet dessert.

These desserts were the only foods in which any refined sugar was allowed. He stated that these small treats were acceptable because there were no other rich, heavy foods in his menus, like the noodles and white bread that are so often found on the American table.

His menus included all the nutrients that health requires, with an emphasis on a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, along with grilled beef, lamb and fish. Many meals began with a soup and steamed vegetable, and included a large salad with oil or mayonnaise dressing, broiled fish or meat, and a small dessert. Each meal was carefully planned according to his theories about proper combinations of foods, and his concerns about good digestive health.

So, if you're looking for a truly free online diet to help you lose weight, look for the books and pamphlets written by the pioneers of natural healing, who wrote extensively in the first quarter of the 20th century. Dr. Hay's books are no longer in print, but they can be found online, for free.

Much of his writing style may be difficult to read, but his theories are sound and based on solid, scientific dietary principals that still hold up to modern scrutiny. People who choose to follow his recommendations will lose weight if they need to, and will find their general health improving, too.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=67313&catid=720
Natural Beauty Products

How to Manage Your Mood with Food: A Meal by Meal Guide Posted By : Susie Cortright

2007-12-09T22:05:00.000-08:00

Here is a meal by meal guide to eating for energy and managing your mood with food.

Breakfast

Eating a good breakfast boosts your concentration and revs your energy, particularly in the morning when you may need it most.

You can help keep your blood sugar on an even keel with complex carbohydrates. Avoid refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and white sugar. These have a high glycemic index, which can cause spikes and dips in your blood sugar levels.

The right complex carbohydrates provide your brain and muscles with the steady flow of the energy they need. Grains are great sources of B vitamins, which aid in the metabolic production of energy. Natural whole grain breads and cereals are good carbohydrate choices for breakfast.

For the best breakfast, add a lowfat protein, such as yogurt, cottage cheese, or skim milk, and watch your fat intake as well as your meat consumption (since meat takes more energy to digest).

Mid morning snack

Turns out, snacking may not be such a bad idea. Eating every few hours helps your body use nutrients more efficiently. It stimulates your metabolism, keeps your blood sugar levels steady, reduces stress on your digestive system, and decreases hunger, which means you will be less likely to overeat when mealtime finally rolls around.

If you are craving carbs, which many of us do at this time of day, choose whole grain bread, cereal, or fruit.

Fruits and vegetables deliver a lowfat, high fiber alternative to the vending machine choices. Raw carrots and sugar snap peas, for example, provide a crisp, satisfying crunch and will not zap your energy. Challenge yourself to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

For maximum energy throughout the day, avoid foods that are laden with simple sugars, such as cookies, pastries, candy bars, and sodas, which can bring on erratic blood sugar levels.

Instead, try some lean protein (lowfat yogurt, cottage cheese or lean meat) to help tide you over until lunch.

Lunch

At midday, go light. Because a hefty helping of carbohydrates can increase the amount of seratonin in the brain and cause that sleepy feeling, focus on lowfat protein.

Protein can actually raise energy levels by increasing brain chemicals called catecholamines. Eat a lunch of lowfat cheese, fish, lean meat, poultry, or tofu.

Mid afternoon snack

Choose something that will keep you satisfied until dinner. A little bit of fat is fine. It gives those carbohydrates and proteins some staying power. Try a bit of all natural peanut butter and a few crackers, for example.

Before your workout

Carbohydrates are fastest to digest and pack quick energy. Add protein for staying power, but stay away from fats. They can make you cramp.

Dinner

The agenda for the evening can dictate what you will eat for dinner. Need to stay on overdrive for a couple of hours? Choose lowfat proteins. If you are in relax mode, indulge a little.

Whatever is on the menu, remember the Pie Test. Envision your plate as a pie. Seventy five percent of the pie should be filled with fruits, vegetables, and grains and 25 percent with other foods, such as diary products and meat.

Before bed

Before turning in, a carbohydrate rich snack can supply seratonin to help you fall asleep. But go easy. Too much food can reduce the quality of your sleep.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/How-to-Manage-Your-Mood-with-Food--A-Meal-by-Meal-Guide/33857
Weight Loss Diets

Healthy Eating Habits

2007-12-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

Eating the natural foods humans are well adapted at utilizing, enhances ones ability to cope with the reality of every day life. Good nutrition and a balanced diet will help your child grow up healthy. Healthy eating is the time-tested advice of balance, variety and moderation. Some bite-sized pieces to help you take lifetime of healthier eating. When shopping for food, remember that grocery stores are primarily laid out with the most healthy and nutritious foods located around the perimeter of the store. A good rule of thumb is to try and eat food that is as close to its "natural" state as possible.

For example, steamed red potatoes are much healthier (and less expensive) than a pre-packaged "Potato Au Gratin" side dish. Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Enjoy plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals so your child gets more fiber. Limit fat intake by avoiding deep-fried foods and choosing healthier cooking methods, such as broiling, grilling, roasting, and steaming. Eat moderate portions. If you keep portion sizes reasonable, it's easier to eat the foods you want and stay healthy. Choosing skim or low-fat dairy products and lean cuts of meat such as flank steak and beef round can reduce fat intake significantly. Limit fast food and other low-nutrient snacks, such as chips and candy.

Limit sugary drinks, such as soda and fruit-flavored drinks. Minimize or eliminate consumption of foods frequently contaminated with fungi and mycotoxins: alcoholic beverages, wheat, rye, barley, corn, peanuts, dried fruits and (even slightly) damaged fresh fruits. Encourage your children to eat slowly. A child can detect hunger and fullness better when eating slowly. Discourage eating meals or snacks while watching TV. Try to eat only in designated areas of your home, such as the dining room or kitchen. Select foods based on your total eating patterns. When preparing food, always wash your hands, fresh fruits and vegetables, food containers, clean counters and utensils. When storing foods use clean containers, refrigerate foods, and never return partly used food to a container.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Healthy-Eating-Habits/85477
Acne skin care products

Nutrition Weight Loss

2007-12-09T07:55:00.001-08:00

Losing weight is a complicated topic. Weight Loss may refer to the loss of total body mass in an effort to improve fitness, health, and/or appearance. Nutrition is very important in managing. Exercise is important in any weight loss program especially if you want to lose the weight permanently. These programs work by increasing the rate at which you burn off calories and if you burn more calories than you consume then your body will start converting fat into energy to make up for the shortfall. Atkins diet is an amazing weight loss program, where you will never go hungry again yet still lose extra pounds. This is not a gimmick, it has been around for decades now. Eat all of the meat, cheese, eggs, fats (like butter and oils) as you like.

Eliminate carbohydrates from your meals. The amazing thing is that you will feel better mentally and physically while doing this program. Use minimal amounts when preparing food. If you must use oil then use a little olive or canola oil. Drink fruit-flavored water instead of a 16 ounce soda. Avoid foods with pastry such as pies, sausage rolls, croissants, cakes, etc. Avoid sausages, bacon, and processed meats such as salami, pepperoni, devon, etc. Swimming is great for you, and a lot of fun, too. The water resistance means you burn more calories, and you avoid the stress impact on joints from aerobics, dancing or walking. Skip the butter on your baked potato. Choose a diet moderate in sugars. A diet with lots of sugars has too many calories and too few nutrients for most people and can contribute to tooth decay.

Only snack on low fat, high fibre foods such as fruit and vegetables. Eat a variety of foods to get the energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber you need for good health. Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol to reduce your risk of heart attack and certain types of cancer and to help you maintain a healthy weight. Carbohydrates provide energy, help regulate how the body uses fat for energy, and spares protein. Vitamins have no calories and are needed only in small amounts. They regulate body processes that promote growth and maintain health and life. There are fat soluble (vitamins A, D, E, and K) and water soluble (B-complex and vitamin C) vitamins. Choose a diet moderate in salt and sodium to help reduce your risk of high blood pressure.

Quick Weight Loss Tips

1. Exercise Regularly.

2. Losing Weight is an Equation.

3. Eat Frequently, and Eat Slowly.

4. Carbohydrates can help you lose weight.

5. Eat More Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains

6. Be careful about sugar in coffee and soda pop.

7. Drink water. Drinking water ice cold burns about 62 calories a day.

8. Sleeping is a favorite quick weight loss tip since it is one of the most effortless.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Nutrition-Weight-Loss/85573
Hair Growth Ways

Weight Loss Food:- Does It Mean No Treats

2007-12-09T00:58:00.000-08:00

We all think of weight loss food as the really healthy items, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, a selection of foods high in fiber, a small quantity of fats, some protein and some carbohydrates. After weeks of eating the same healthy food you may start to resent your diet and start binging on the foods that made you start your diet in the first place. If you start to feel this way, stop and think about all the hard work that you have done and are about to undo.

Being on a weight loss program does not mean that you have to miss out on the treats. When you do notice a change in yourself, reward yourself with a treat. I do not mean go for a large bar of your favorite chocolate or a huge bag of candy. A little treat every now and then will not do any harm.

Chocolates should be made a luxury in your diet and not a routine. Do not indulge in too many of them. Yes, you can treat yourself to a piece or small bar of chocolate occasionally, but do not get into the habit of settling down in the evening to eat a large slab of your favorite chocolate. If you can not resist the temptation to binge, do not buy it from the grocery store. If your partner, friends or family normally buy you a box of chocolates as a gift ask them to buy you something else, for example tickets to the cinema, a new dress for when you reach your goal or even a day of pampering.

When you buy your chocolate look at the calorific value on the wrapper, some of the diet chocolate bars are very nice to eat and are low in fat, which is a bonus. Avoid the cream filled chocolates because although there is less sugar, there is still the cream in them, which is high in calories.

Perhaps, you would like to treat yourself to an alcoholic beverage maybe once or twice a week. Alcoholic beverages contain calories too. Just look at how many calories are in each of these standard measures of the most popular drinks:

Alcohol Free Wine 37
Baileys, Irish Cream 129
Champagne 96
Cider (Low Alcohol) 97
Cider (Sweet) 239
Cider (Vintage) 574
Dry White Wine 77
Dry Red Wine 83
Sherry (average) 140
Sweet Red Wine 100
Sweet White Wine 103
Beer, Bitter (Pint) 182
Lager (Can) 221
Guinness, Stout (Pint) 170
Gin and Slimline Tonic 56
Vodka and Diet Coke 55
Whisky and Lemonade 82

It is a myth that beer is fattening. According to the BBPA, a glass of beer with a typical 4.6% alcoholic volume, has fewer calories not only than a similar measure of wine, but also milk or fruit juice. The rest of the alcoholic drinks may not be fattening by themselves but when mixed with coke, lemonade or another soft drink the calorific value rises. However, after a couple of drinks you will be in no position to watch your diet and may find yourself at the local pizza parlor or curry house indulging it a lot of the foods that you have been missing.

If your choice of drink is wine, choose the dry option. Dry white wine contains 77 calories as opposed to sweet white wine which has 103 calories per standard measure. Sweet wines naturally contain a lot of sugar. Most of this sugar has been fermented away in dry wines. Avoid fortified wines because they contain even more sugar, a standard glass of sherry has 140 calories!

Hopefully, this will keep you motivated to reach your target weight loss.

Remember, a little of what you fancy does not do your diet any harm, it is when you over indulge that you start to damage the hard work and effort that you have put in.

Dawn Robertshaw is a writer of health and relationships articles for www.InThe21stCentury.com which was set up to help young and old alike to cope with those unique stresses and challenges of the fast-paced life we are all part of In The 21st Century.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Weight-Loss-Food---Does-It-Mean-No-Treats/32871
Natural Beauty Products

Carbohydrates Explained

2007-12-08T21:55:00.001-08:00

Are low carb diets safe? What are carbs and what purpose do they serve our bodies?

Our bodies use carbohydrates for energy. They are, in fact, the main energy source. We can obtain them from a variety of foods including dairy, veggies, fruits, and breads.

Carbohydrates are comprised of one or more simple sugar molecules. Their chemical make-up is carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Sugar composition of carbs can be one or more of:

~ Monosaccharides, which are 1 molecule sugars that are glucose (blood sugar), galactose (found mainly in milk), and the fruit sugar fructose

~ Disaccharides: 2 monosaccharides linked together as in sucrose (table sugar), lactose (milk sugar), and maltose (malt sugar)

~ Polysaccharides: Complex Carbohydrates, which are simple sugars linked together in different ways

Complex carbohydrates are what your body thrives on. They are assimilated slowly so have a lower effect on blood sugar and give a more steady stream of energy. They provide a variety of nutrients and are less processed than other types of carbs. A healthy diet always includes these.

Remember these key points to provide your body with the energy source it requires:

~ Buy organic whenever possible

~ Eat whole grains as much as possible

~ The skin is the nutrient center of fruits and vegetable, so leave it!

~ Avoid refined, simple sugars such as cakes, cookies, etc

~ Avoid refined complex carbs such as chips and white bread

Complex carbohydrates provide you with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Your body needs them! Stock up and begin a healthier lifestyle with fruits, veggies, legumes and whole grains!

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Carbohydrates-Explained/33028
Baldness Treatments Online

Water Filters, Providing The Purest Essence Of Life

2007-12-08T14:55:00.000-08:00

Everybody had seen the television adverts of the amazing work that water filters can do. Adverts using computer generations to show water as it filters through their device, all the minuscule particles being removed producing a clean, crisp and clear glass of water at the end of the process. It is a trend that began just over a decade ago and has steadily gained in popularity since. Seemingly purer water is something we all need.

The first water filters were bulky things that would sit on the kitchen work surface, with replacing the cartridge being an element of guess work that relied upon your own taste buds to exact the time of replacement. Modern water filters however are high tech science, sleek and often designed to fit in the fridge door without taking up too much space, long gone are the unwieldy water filters of old. Also the cartridge replacement systems on modern water filters are far more advanced often with digital meters to inform you of the time your filter cartridge needs changing.

For those in hard water areas, water filters are strongly advised for anyone who would like to have a kettle that lasts longer than a year. Lime scale build up is a major reason behind kettle malfunction and a water filter can solve this problem, by filtering hard water before it enters your kettle, firstly your cup of tea will taste better, the water will be softer and your kettle's life will be vastly improved.

Being vital to our health, water is a staple of life for human beings. Water filters can give us purer water making this necessity of existence cleaner and safer. Tap water has improved, although the chemicals used in water treatment plants can be harmful to our health. Chlorine used since it was found to kill waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera has recently received bad press. Some chemicals, such as chlorine have been attributed to increase the risks of cancer and respiratory ailments such as asthma. This makes water filters vital for many families who feel the risks of tap water are too great, preferring to treat their water before drinking.

With the rise of industry in the modern world, water filters and their purification services have become evermore important. Worries about the chemicals injected into the water system by major industry have been rife. For the companies manufacturing water filters this has been a good business opportunity. The more the risks of tap water are raised, the more money the water filter companies will make. After all the option of living on bottled water is somewhat limited to those that can afford to pay extortionate amounts for water.

The modern world has restricted the extent to which water is cleaned naturally. By removing ecological cleaning methods through dredging, damming and channelling water in concrete canals and aqueducts we have removed the natural processes of filtration meaning harsh chemicals are used instead of allowing naturally clean water to become apparent. Water filters carry out this natural filtration process and also remove the cleaning chemicals used. For those who like their water crystal clear, and tasting pure there is really no other choice than to use water filters.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Water-Filters--Providing-The-Purest-Essence-Of-Life/33216
Acne skin care products

Organic Foods Benefits - Should You Be Eating Organic?

2007-12-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

The organic food industry is undergoing an explosion in growth and there is good reason for it. Many people believe that these kinds of foods are much better for your health for many reasons. Most regular foods are processed with additional chemicals for the purpose of preserving the product further or to make the food look more appealing such as adding a color enhancer.

The problem is that we do not know the long term effects that consuming all these synthetic chemicals can have on our body so if you can minimize your consumption of them then it may be the best option to help maintain good health and consuming organic foods is a great way to reduce your intake of these chemicals.

You can find organic foods for almost anything now from fruits to meat. Many large supermarkets carry organic foods and you can even order them online. Organic fruits are grown free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. They are grown with natural fertilizers and pests are kept at a minimum using other methods that do not involve harsh pesticides. Of course, organic fruits will cost more than the regular variety simply because they do cost more to grow. Also the yield from organic farming is less so fewer fruits are produced.

However organic foods are generally much richer in nutrients than regular foods. This is because the soil used in organic farming is generally much richer in nutrition. Even though organic fruits may not look perfect this does not mean that they have gone bad. It is normal for a fruit to have a few scars on it so do not let that turn you off. Also many people report that organic foods taste much better. If you like the taste of organic fruits and vegetables you are much more likely to eat them more often and we all know that we need to be consuming more fruits and vegetables to maintain optimal health.

Remember that you can always reduce your consumption levels slightly of organic foods and still get great benefits since they are so rich in nutrients. This way you can save money and actually end up paying the same or even less than if you chose the alternative.
Organic meat could also be a better alternative to regular meat.

Meat that is produced organically can be drastically different than that which is produced using traditional methods. Organic beef is produced from cows that are raised without the use of hormones and also these cows are raised in open fields and are allowed to roam freely and socialize with other cows as they would in nature.

This is a far more humane manner of treating animals and supporting the organic meat industry can be justified just based on this reason alone. Organic meat will also cost more than regular meat but the added benefits as far as nutrition and also benefits to the environment and the animals themselves can make it worth the slight extra cost. Again the reason for the extra cost is that organic meat farmers cannot produce as much as farmers using conventional methods so they must charge more in order to stay in business.

You can even consider making some of your own organic foods such as fruits and vegetables in your backyard when the season is appropriate. Make sure to get organic plant seeds and be sure to use organic fertilizers. Also remember that organic farming is much more friendly to the environment since there is no use of harsh chemicals that kill pests and also degrade the quality of the soil. Consider organic foods as part of your diet to help you to maintain better health.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Organic-Foods-Benefits---Should-You-Be-Eating-Organic-/33315
Acne skin care products

Super Foods Everyone Needs To Be Eating For Nutrition, Health, And General Wellbeing

2007-12-08T00:55:00.001-08:00

Take a more in depth look at what the positive effects are to eating more color rich, dense plant 'super foods', and in eating more of the health enhancing properties of good 'super food' fat foods.

'Super Foods' are a classification of certain types of whole foods (minimally processed whenever possible) that are believed, and have been shown, to be good for you. If you begin to make a conscious effort to include more of these super foods into your weekly diet, and commit to understanding why they are good for your body, then you will be living a healthier life inside your body.

Of Course, you should know fresh and raw is best but, whether canned, frozen, or minimally processed, it is far better to eat them this way than not to eat them at all. Eating these health enriching 'super foods' will help you look and feel your best, and younger. They will, also, help you lose excess weight and maintain it, reduce your risks of life long diseases, give you longer lasting energy, and a feeling of full satiation after eating them. So let's get started on some of the best super foods you need to be eating to reach your healthy body goals.

What plant super plant food is good for helping to soften your skin? Pomegranates.

Pomegranates are loaded with an antioxidant vitamin, vitamin C. Plus, the juice from the seeds contain ellagic acid and punicalagin. The first substance fights free radical damage; the second substance may increase your body's ability to preserve collagen. Collagen helps keep skin looking moist, young, and soft.

What super plant food helps smooth fine lines in the skin? Blueberries.

Blueberries have become notoriously known for their antioxidant power. They have more antioxidants than almost any other plant food. Blueberries help protect your skin, and acts as a natural sunscreen to protect skin against sunburning, strengthens overall brain functioning, and helps you fight emotional stress.

What super plant foods help firm skin, giving it more elasticity? Kale and spinach.

These two veggies, and many others, have high levels of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. and other compounds known as phytonutrients. These natural plant food substances help guard against sunburning the skin, strengthen heart (cardiovascular) health, and helps protect you from developing cancer.

What cold water fish sources, also known as super foods, helps keep skin, hair, and joints healthy and properly lubricated? Sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other small ocean fish species.

Do not care for the taste of fish? Well, you can still get your omega-3s in smaller amounts in flaxseed, walnuts, almonds, grass-fed beef and free range poultry meats and eggs. Omega-3 fats are great for sharp mental functioning, reduces risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and lowers the risk of developing behavior and mood disorders (depression).

What super plant food helps control brown age spots on the skin? Green, black, and white teas.

These healthy brews contain a substance called catechins. This phytonutrient helps prevent skin damaging sunburns. Another substance found in green, black, and white tea leaves is another phytonutrient known as polyphenols. This nutrient chemical may possibly help to reverse, or prevent, brown age spots on the skin.

Both of these phytochemicals have also shown to help protect us against heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Tea contains half the amount of caffeine than coffee. Black tea, in particular, has been shown to improve oral mouth health. Teas can be drank either hot or iced, and can be used as a flavoring agent in marinades and other dishes.

What healthy fat oils help maintain a rosy skin glow? Olive oil, coconut oil, and lean animal saturated fats such as grass-fed beef and free range poultry meats and eggs.

Olive oil is mostly a monunsaturated fat. It also contains a small amount of polyunsaturated fat, so do not over use it. Extra virgin olive oil has a higher level of the antioxidant vitamin, vitamin E. Olive oil also activates the secretion of bile in the gallbladder, and regulates pancreatic hormones better, and more naturally, than prescription drugs. Consequently, it also lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.

Coconut oil increases energy levels by boosting your metabolism. It is mostly a saturated fat food source (60%), to a lesser degree, it has a small amount of monounsaturated fat oil, and a trace amount of polyunsaturated fat.

I would suggest cooking with both of these healthy fats, alternating their use in specific dish recipes, for example; coconut oil for stir frying and frying meats and vegetables, olive oil for salad dressings and meat marinades.

Lean sources of poultry and animal fats come from mostly grass fed, free range livestock. As mentioned earlier, these healthy proteins and fat food sources are higher in omega-3s than conventionally, mostly grain fed, meat sources. Omega-3s improve blood circulation, leaving skin with a rosy, supple look and feel.

What dietary fluid substance helps to better distribute all of these healthy food nutrients to where they are needed throughout your body? Why it is water, of course.

No other fluid solvent does this more efficiently than pure water. Water will, also, carry away toxic body wastes, hydrate all body cells, and consistently lower and maintain a more desired body weight, naturally.

Would I kid you here?

No, I absolutely would not. After all, this is a chosen area of serious passion for me. This strategy does work, and I might add, eating more as nature had intended for us to eat has brought me out of a state of ill health, to enjoy a much healthier body and lifestyle today!

You can do it this way too, and be most successful at eliminating, or easing, many different health challenges that you are currently, and frustratingly, tolerating at the moment. At the very least, it should make you feel better knowing that you are actively trying to do something to improve your dismal situation.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Super-Foods-Everyone-Needs-To-Be-Eating-For-Nutrition--Health--And-General-Wellbeing/33328
Baldness Treatments Online

Iodine Deficient A Simple Self-Test Can Show You Now

2007-12-07T21:55:00.000-08:00

The Goji Juice Scam Fact or Fiction

2007-12-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

The very words "goji juice scam" could be interpreted one at two different ways. One scam could be looked upon relating to the quality of the advertised goji juice. As an example, one advertisement that did not mention the Himalayan goji berries could be seen as a goji juice scam as only the Himalayan berries have a nutritional profile close to a dozen different ingredients.

While there is at least one known scam that deprives consumers of a good quality goji juice, there is another scam just as dangerous. The second scam involves the nature of the information with regards to one of the minerals in the goji juice. This second scam leaves out all the valuable information about the mineral called selenium.

Selenium is a fantastic mineral lacking in today's diet. The selenium mineral is known to help lower on man's risk of prostate cancer. By drinking goji juice on a regular basis, researchers have linked selenium's cancer fighting abilities to the action of certain enzymes. This mineral helps in the production of those enzymes, thus giving the body the capacity to ward off cancer risks. Currently, present time researchers have found that a consistent regular consumption of at least 70 micrograms of selenium on a daily basis will help fight off and prevent cancer from occurring.

Such information about selenium should not be viewed as a goji scam. However, if certain advertisers of that same information tried to encourage the daily intake of more than 70 micrograms of selenium, then that could be viewed as a possible goji juice scam. The reason for this is because it is possible for a person to consume too much selenium.

If a person was to consume a quantity far above 100 micrograms per day, then it is possible that the excess amount of selenium could cause nausea, rashes, bad breath, weakness, and dizziness and cold symptoms. Furthermore, consuming more than 60 micrograms of selenium on a daily basis could be bad for pregnant women because a high intake of selenium has appeared to be linked to birth complications.

The consumption of goji juice is different between the man and women. A man who wants to avoid prostate cancer needs a slightly different diet that woman who is carrying a child. That very fact ought to be included in any literature about selenium. As well, that fact should also be mentioned in any advertisement for goji juice or on its packaging. Any failure to highlight these facts might be seen as a goji juice scam.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66969&catid=720
Atkins diet weight loss

Nutrition and Your Skin Food Can Make You Feel Younger

2007-12-07T08:03:00.001-08:00

Forget all of those hair gels, special shampoos, not to mention all of the lotions and wrinkle creams you've been wasting your time and money on. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on the right creams, all you have to do is eat the right foods.

Can the food we eat really help us keep our hair and skin looking younger and sexier? You bet it can! Foods that are rich in the right vitamins and minerals can all do that and more for your hair and skin! Something the most expensive creams will never be able to do.

The next time you head to the grocery store, check out the produce aisles and meat and fish cases for some of these nutritious foods that'll help keep you healthy and strong, plus give you the added benefit of smoother, shinier, more youthful hair and skin:

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetable, especially Sweet Potatoes, carrots, green leafy vegetables, mangos and apricots. They are all great in keeping your skin looking and feeling healthy (not to mention younger). How? Simple. They are rich in Beta Carotene, which the liver eventually turns into Vitamin A, which is great for replenishing aging skin cells.

We've all heard that nuts, sardines and mackerel are good for us. But, did you also know that they are good for your skin? High in essential Omega 3 fatty acids, nuts, sardines and even mackerel can help maintain the integrity of your body's skin cells, helping to keep it fresh and taut no matter what your age.

What can one glass of 100% orange juice or other citrus fruits for your hair and skin? Rich in vitamin C, citrus fruits and juices work to help your skin to produce more collagen. This is an essential ingredient to naturally "gluing" your skin cells together and keeping them looking more youthful.

Iron is an essential mineral for a sexy and healthy complexion. More than 80% of women lack the iron their body needs on a daily basis. Red meat and tuna are all great sources in helping you to replenish lost iron.

Want terrific hair that's fuller and more vibrant? Eat more Turkey, oysters, lentils and eggs. They can all help to deliver more oxygen to your hair follicles, which will make it full and bouncy.

Dairy, fish, meat and fortified breakfast cereal all contain important B vitamins and folate - both crucial ingredients to the formation of red blood cells in your body which work to help to circulate oxygen throughout the entire body. This all contributes to helping your hair look and feel glossier, stronger and more elastic.

So, you see, what you eat (and don't eat) really can help you look better and younger than you ever thought possible.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66665&catid=720
Natural Weight Loss Tips

Organic Foods Benefits Should You Be Eating Organic

2007-12-07T00:55:00.001-08:00

Super Foods Everyone Needs To Be Eating For Nutrition Health And General Wellbeing

2007-12-06T21:55:00.000-08:00

Water Filters Providing The Purest Essence Of Life

2007-12-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

Nutrition,Diet,Exercise And You

2007-12-06T07:55:00.000-08:00

I get a lot of comments and questions concerning food. Though the importance of proper food has been raised in recent decades, a vast number of people continue to abandon the basic principles of a sound and healthy and well diet. I'll bet you've never even taken the time to consider what your nutritional needs might be, or the importance of that food on your health and well being.

Try to comprehend how explicit aspects of diet sway the health of many people is what the science of food is about. It is a well known fact that correct food is the key to good health and prolonged existence. If you think planning your food is paying a price, wait until you contract serious health problems from eating poorly and being overweight - heat disease, diabetes and the list is very very long.

If your diet does not contain any of these basic minerals plus vitamins, you could face serious health problems. If you are even remotely serious about your health and fitness, then you must make good choices about what you are placing in your gob. It is thus necessary to learn about the best possible food and what your body needs in order to stay healthy and well.

healthy and well food is to simply watch yourself and figure out if what you are doing is giving you the desired results that you want or not. In this article we are going to select the natural route first and discuss proper food which can have a massive effect on the behavior of someone suffering from ADD for instance. Thus, the only way to ensureoptimum food is to eat foods in as close to their natural state as possible, avoid unhealthy and well methods of cooking such as frying, and use an appropriate regimen of nutritional supplements in your daily life.

To put it in simple terms, optimum food refers to eating the right foods in the right combination (a balanced diet), and ensuring an adequate daily intake of water. food refers to the nurturing of our body, in our ability to keep it healthy and well and functioning as it is supposed to do. Preventing any ailment is typically much easier than curing it and the best way to maintain good health and an immune system that can successfully fight off potentially harmful infections, such as nail fungus, is to give your body the fuel it needs to function properly.

Aloe Vera Juice or (Aloe barbadensis) revitalizes the body as it detoxifies and repairs cells. Nourishing the whole body at the cellular level assists and maintains the growth, repair and rejuvenation of your body's cells, which is the basis of a healthy and well diet. You will realize you are fuelling the body, that you are diligently working out and this food is feeding your muscles, brain and nervous system.

If you have to eat fast food for breakfast or for lunch, which I highly do not recommend, but I realize that there are times that it is unavoidable, avoid the breads and the fried potatoes. Vegetarians, Vegans and others who do not eat Meat, Dairy Products or Fish, must make sure to eat the above foods in order to keep healthy and well. The most basic principle in preventing depression and mood swings and many other degenerative disease, is to eat a balanced diet that contains foods from all the different food groups fruit and vegetables, unprocessed grains and cereals, lean meat, eggs, milk and dairy products, legumes and nuts, poly or monounsaturated margarine and oils.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Nutrition-Diet-Exercise-And-You/32322
Hair Growth Ways

Glycemic Index Nutritional Facts

2007-12-06T00:55:00.001-08:00

We are what we eat. Who hasn't heard that phrase before? But, if that were true there's be an awful lot of Oreo Cookies and packages of French fries walking around out there. Take another look - there are! Americans are fatter and sicker than ever before and our food is to blame. As we grow older, most of us grow bigger, which is not good for our health.

The trick to staying healthier longer is eating a well balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Still, many of us still seem to be growing fatter by the year. What we eat and how we eat are all to blame.

So, what's the answer? Some say it's in our glycemic index? Glycemic Index... it seems to be the new buzzword for eating right and controlling your weight. So, what's it all about?

We all have the tendency to gain weight as we grow older, even if we continue to eat the same types and amounts of food as we always did before. So why the mid-life spread? The average person's metabolism slows by a half percent every year after the age of 26 (yes, 26!). That means that we have to eat 4% less every decade in order to simply maintain our current weight.

Although it may seem like a losing battle, there is help. One way to fight gaining weight as you age is to take a good look at your personal glycemic index and the way the foods you eat may be affecting your blood glucose levels.

When you eat things like breads, pastas, rice, cereal and baked goods (all high glycemic foods), your blood sugar levels rise and fall quickly and erratically. As your body is bombarded with an excess of sugar it releases high levels of insulin for a temporary fix. This phenomena can actually make you feel hungrier more often, thus making you eat more throughout the day.

Eating sugars low in sugar (especially high fructose sugars) like fresh fruits, all types of cut veggies, and whole grains can all help to keep your blood sugar levels stable all day long, which will ultimately control your appetite - and your weight

While supporters of the low-glycemic way of eating usually report an increase in energy and a decrease in weight after just a few days, some critics claim that it's just another "fad diet." Whether or not following a low glycemic diet can actually help you lose (and maintain) weight is still being studied by the scientific community,. One things for certain: most experts agree that filling up on more fresh fruits and vegetables, and fewer processed sugary snacks and fatty foods is sound nutritional advice that can only lead to a healthier heart, stronger bones and maybe, if you're lucky, a smaller waistline.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66607&catid=720
Affect Acne

Diet and your skin

2007-12-05T22:03:00.001-08:00

If you want healthy skin, you eat a healthy diet. Healthy skin is an essential part of health and natural beauty. Diet plays an important role in maintaining the health of the skin. Diet should supply all the nutrients needed to build health, namely, protein, carbohydrates, fats, essential fatty acids and all the essential vitamins and minerals. Choose foods with plenty of B vitamins like B-2 and B-3. These foods convert calories into energy for metabolism and are components of enzymes that maintain normal skin function. Vitamin C works by reducing the damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke, and pollution. Fish contains oils that will help nourish your skin. This diet includes fish options at lunch and dinner to add luster and softness to your complexion.

The vitamins of the B group are important in producing beautiful skin. Vitamin E to protect your cells against free radicals. This is a powerful antioxidant that helps slow the aging of skin cells and promote healthy skin. Vitamin E helps promote great skin, which is why this diet includes nuts such as hazelnuts and almonds -- which are high in vitamin E -- as snacks. Foods rich in vitamin E include almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ, peanuts and vegetable oils. Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin. This diet includes plenty of dark orange (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash) and dark green (broccoli, spinach, kale) vegetables -- all of which are high in vitamin A. Zinc is for boosting the immune system and promoting optimum health.

Zinc can be found in eggs, seafood, turkey, pork, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms. This trace mineral helps maintain collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its firmness, helping to prevent sagging and wrinkles. Creams containing B vitamins can give skin an almost instant healthy glow while hydrating cells and increasing overall tone at the same time. Selenium is a mineral antioxidant that will help minimized the damage of ultraviolet lights. Large amount of water, liquids, juices etc must be taken to reduce dryness of the intestine and drain blow out of the blood through urine. Fruit juice such as grapes, lemon, etc. is also recommended. Drink Plenty of Water. Spicy, very hot, oily, fried and highly flavored food must be avoided and thus junk food, fast food from outside must be avoided.

Healthy Skin Diet Tips

1. Vitamin B1 aids skin health by helping to keep the circulation normal.

2. Vitamin B helps to retain moisture, assists in the prevention of skin cancer and has anti-aging abilities.

3. Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine deficiency can result in dermatitis or eczema.

4. Vitamin C works by reducing the damage caused by free radicals.

5. Zinc is for boosting the immune system and promoting optimum health.

6. Selenium is a mineral antioxidant that will help minimized the damage of ultraviolet lights.

7. Drink at least more water 6-8 times a day.

8. No smoking and alcohol. Avoid junk food and fast food.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66288&catid=720
Natural Beauty Products

Weight Loss Food Does It Mean No Treats

2007-12-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

Liquid Nutrition Ensures Adequate Vitamin Intake

2007-12-05T07:55:00.000-08:00

There are many ways that a parent can introduce vitamins and minerals into their child's life without alerting them to the nutritional benefits they are getting. It seems that once a child knows something is good for them, that is the very instant that they do not want to drink it, eat it or be around it.

A smart Mom knows that will a little powder and a little fluid she can give her children liquid nutrition that they are going to love and will often ask for more.

Some of the liquid nutrition might come from nature. A parent has many choices to make in the type of beverages that they buy for afternoon snack time, lunch and those served for meals.

Drink manufacturers are very good about putting Vitamin C in drinks that children use on a daily basis, and most often, parents can mix drinks from packages that only require a half gallon of water to make those mixes drinkable. There are many flavor choices to be made with these dry mixes and every child seems to have a particular one that they like over all others. These drinks also require sugar and parents can choose regular sugar or a sugar substitute to create large quantities of a drink product that will be a hit among all kids that visit.

Other drink concoctions might require the parent to purchase fruits such as bananas and strawberries, but children have grown to love drinking smoothies that were created in a blender in the kitchen. Children do not realize how healthy they are eating and parents are reassured by how open and receptive their children are to drinking these fun concoctions.

Other drinks for children are offered in cans that can be chilled in the refrigerator and taken with them to school. These drinks are often rich and creamy and make the children think that they are drinking milk shakes. Some of these canned drinks can be chilled in the freezer and the children can enjoy a healthy slush as an afternoon snack. The low prices on these slushy drinks make them affordable enough for the child to share a few with friends that stop over after school.

Any form of liquid nutrition is perfect for travel. Many places that people can go on vacation will not offer well-rounded meal choices. Kids are sure to enjoy eating junk foods at a carnival and parents can allow them to go off diets if they know that the child has had some form of liquid nutrition during the day. People enjoy some liquid nutrition drinks for sports because they contain vitamins and minerals which are lost during vigorous games of football, soccer and basketball.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66409&catid=720
Affect Acne

Nutrition Facts and Basics

2007-12-05T00:55:00.001-08:00

Nutrition labels have revolutionized the way we buy food -- especially for people on special diets. Nutrition can affect more than just your weight. People who practice good nutrition, hygiene and exercise patterns develop a lifetime of habits that will keep them healthy for many years. Peanuts and peanut butter are whole foods that pack a lot of nutrition into just one serving. Peanuts and peanut butter are whole foods that contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, ample protein and beneficial unsaturated fats. Since they are a plant food, they naturally contain no cholesterol. Peanuts and peanut butter contain high quality plant protein. Protein is estimated based upon the amount of bound nitrogen in the sample. Total fat is estimated from the weight of all individual fatty acids plus the imputed weight of one unit of glycerol for each three fatty acids. When comparing peanuts to similar foods, peanuts have more protein than any other legume or nut. This is especially important for children, vegetarians and people eating more meatless meals. Carbohydrates in food help our bodies produce serotonin -- a sleep-inducing hormone. This meal plan incorporates plenty of healthy carbohydrate-rich foods like fruit, pasta, potatoes, oatmeal and brown rice. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes sleep. This diet includes skim milk with meals and as a before-bed snack.

Carbohydrates are easy to digest and quickly absorbed. They can be found in sugar and sweets, honey, fruits and fruit juices. Daily values footnote is a reference tool, giving you basic guidelines on how much of each nutritional item you should eat daily. Grains based foods (pasta, bread, cereals) are very versatile and highly regarded by nutrition professionals because they are rich in nutrients. Whole grains are high in fibre and may help to lower blood cholesterol and maintain bowel regularity. They contain vitamin E and important trace materials like copper and zinc. For years, these foods were considered the ugly ducklings of nutrition. Thought to be fattening with little nutritional value, they were avoided in misguided attempts to control weight. Now scientific agreement among qualified nutrition experts points to increasing our consumption of grains based foods and reaping significant health benefits. Calories may be calculated using any one of several methods. The old-fashioned bomb calorimeter, one of the acceptable methods, is a poor model for the human body. Ideally, calories represent physiological energy -- the energy value remaining after digestive and metabolic losses are deducted from the gross energy. This type of calculation is called the At water system for determining energy values.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant. It is commonly found in fresh vegetables and fruit (peppers, tomatoes, citrus fruits). Severe lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy. It helps to heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote healthy gums and teeth, and strengthen the immune system. It also helps the body absorb iron. Women and men should consume at least 60 milligrams of vitamin C each day. Vitamin C deficiency causes a disease called scurvy, which is uncommon in the United States. Taking more than 2,000 milligrams a day may cause a flushed face, headache, increased urination, mild diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. People who smoke need to consume more vitamin C because smoking interferes with the body's ability to use vitamins. Women who smoke should consume 110 milligrams per day of vitamin C, and men who smoke should consume 125 milligrams per day of vitamin C. Phytochemicals are natural substances in plants which may provide a wide range of health benefits such as reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Peanuts contain resveratrol which is one of the many phytochemicals found in plant foods.

Good nutrition is more important than ever. Regulations requiring nutrition panels on food labels were implemented as part of a campaign to get people to eat less fat. Dietary fiber has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and mitigate the blood sugar fluctuations of diabetes. Nutrients are divided into two groups. "Good" nutrients consisted of: "vitamin, mineral, protein, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber, other carbohydrate, polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat, or potassium" and must be present in at least 80% of the label value in every unit tested. Conversely, "bad" nutrients: calories, sugars, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium must be present in no more than 120% of the label value but may be less than the label value by a "reasonable" amount. Nutrition label legislation is to help consumers cut fat out of their diets, carbs are considered a valuable nutrient. Labels have serving sizes as required by law and indicate the number of servings contained in the package. However, selling underweight packages violates the oldest consumer protection laws. Many manufacturers deliberately overfill their packages to avoid the risk that their filling equipment may not be precise or that the product might dry out or otherwise not measure up. As a result, packages often contain more food than the nutrition label indicates.

Source: http://www.classicarticles.com/Article/Nutrition-Facts-and-Basics/32462
Affect Acne

Can All Low Carb Diets Improve Your Health

2007-12-04T21:55:00.000-08:00

Most people usually think of all low carb diets to help lose weight. Some low carbohydrate diets have even gotten a bad reputation. People are often surprised to hear that are many health benefits to low carbohydrate diets that are actually important. Low carbohydrate diets have been designed by doctors for health reasons!

All carbs break down into glucose. Our bodies don't excel when provided with high volumes of simple or refined carbohydrates. One reason for this is these products do not contain enough fiber and convert too quickly into simple sugars in the body. If you are unable to utilize this extra energy, your body will store it as fat and finally triglycerides.

Triglycerides are the result of excess glucose - sugar.The concept of good carbs or bad carbs simply refers to how quickly your body breaks the carbs down into sugar. If you are eating a lot of carbs and not exercising, your triglycerides are going to go up. The way to get your triglycerides down is to go on your choice of all low carb diets, and get some exercise.

Eating too many simple or refined carbohydrates interferes with our body's natural carbohydrate
metabolism, leading to an increase in insulin output,a condition called hyper-insulinism and insulin resistance. Many health issues, including heart disease, may result.

Low Carb Recipe: Strawberry Crepes

oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup cottage cheese
4 tablespoons Stevia sweetener
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange peel grated
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Strawberry filling:

2 cups strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced
6 tablespoons Stevia sweetener
1 cup sour cream, or yoghurt

Prepare a heavy, 8 inch skillet or crepe pan with heated oil. Whip all crepe ingredients together in mixing bowl. Pour crepe mixture into skillet, making sure to cover the bottom evenly.

Cook until bottom is browned and top is set. Use a spatula to flip the crepe and brown the other side. Once done, transfer to a paper towel. Repeat this procedure with remaining
batter and oil.

Next, make your filling by combining strawberries with sugar substitute and sour cream, or yoghurt. Spoon about 1/4 of mixture on each crepe. Roll up and Add a dollop of sour cream to taste and garnish with remaining strawberries.

Yields 6 servings
Total Net carbs: 4 grams per serving

These Success tips should help dieting:

When cravings hit, substitute another activity for eating. Go to the gym or health club if possible, or dance, or walk around the block. Again, these Success tips apply to all low carb diets.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66137&catid=720
Acne skin care products

Why Is South Beach The Darling Of All Low Carb Diets

2007-12-04T14:55:00.000-08:00

Today we will review the South Beach Diet. With all low carb diets claiming success, it can be hard to pick the best diet for you. Are all low carbohydrate diets equal? What is the differences among the various diets? It can be confusing with all the products and plans you see out there. Doctors have been following most low carbohydrate diets for years. So what's known about
the South Beach Diet?

First enjoy this delicious recipe that is ok for most low-carb diets:

Chicago Deep Dish Quiche Pizza Delight
4 ounces cream cheese
3 eggs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/3 cup plain yoghurt
1/2 teaspoon oregano, black pepper and/or basil
2 cups shredded yellow cheese of your choice
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In mixing bowl, beat together the eggs and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in yoghurt, parmesan and spices. Pour 2 cups cheese into a nonstick, 13x9 inch baking pan or equivalent.

Add egg mixture on top of cheese and blend together so that cheese is suspended in the mixture and not concentrated at the bottom of the pan. Bake in oven approximately 30 minutes and then briefly remove pan
to add on more mozzarella. Return to oven for 10 more minutes or until dish is bubbly and brown.

Yields 4 servings
Total Net carbs: 6 grams per serving

Here is a review of the South Beach Diet, one of the most well known of all diets:

Of all low carb diets, the South Beach Diet is a huge hit. Developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, The South Beach Diet teaches dieters to eat the right carbs and the right fats. The diet has three phases. In the first dieter's banish their bad carb cravings and induce rapid weight loss. In the second phase, some types of carbs are reintroduced and weight loss is slower.

The final phase is the Diet for Life. Most report a good initial weight loss, and a pretty lasting weight reduction. Of all low carb diets, many feel that it is easy to follow. Probably the reason for this feeling about South Beach Diet is that there is no counting involved, just a list of foods you can and cannot eat.

As with all low carb diets, there are also negatives. Some say that if you don't stick with the lists of foods your weight can come right back. Others did not like the use of aspartame, as perhaps dangerous in the long term.

Many people bought the book, and tried the South Beach Diet plan. Big companies are pushing South Beach Diet more than all low carb diets.

I'll leave you with a great tip for success in all low carb diets:

Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Water itself helps cut down on water retention because it acts as a natural diuretic. Taken before meals, it dulls the appetite by giving you a "full feeling."
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66138&catid=720
Natural Beauty Products

Glyconutrients Are Not Vitamin Supplements

2007-12-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

They are not herbs, vitamins or minerals...so what are they?

What are glyconutrients?

The Greek word "glyco" means "sugar". Most people think of cake and ice cream when they think of sugar! However, there are actually TWO kinds of sugars. Refined or "extracellular" sugars are the sugars that have been long associated with human disease. The second type of sugars are "intracellular" sugars and can be found in fruits, vegetables, and plants, providing the body with the nutrition it desperately needs. These sugars, also known as "complex carbohydrates" have been studied for years. However, only recently have we begun to understand their crucial role in cellular communication and what this means to our health.

Glyconutrients are, simply put, are the building blocks of our cellular "alphabet." These "sugars" stack on the outside of our cells much like a cellular telephone antennae (see picture below), and they facilitate communication between our cells.

In the last ten years, scientists have isolated eight of these "sugars" that are considered to be essential for proper cell-to-cell communication. The problem lies in the fact that our modern diet only provides us with two of these eight. Our diets have changed in response to the demand for quicker, cheaper food, and the other six "sugars" have essentially disappeared, rendered unavailable (in our diets) because of things like questionable farming practices, early harvesting, and environmental toxins.

So what exactly is cell-to-cell communication and why is it so important? We've all seen the cell phone commercials that started the phrase that is now the maxim of every cell-phone user -- "Can you hear me now?" Our cells suffer the same fate when faced with "poor reception." So what happens when our cells can't communicate properly? The answer is simple -- auto immune diseases or compromised immune systems.

Take this simplified illustration. Our cells roam around our bodies and "talk" to other cells they come across. So let's say that one cell says to another cell, "How are you?" The second cell might answer, "I am fine." But what if the second cell was missing just one piece of its cellular "alphabet," and instead of the word fine, used the word "fire." I am fire?!? Oh, no! The first cell has no choice but to call in the macrophage (the cellular equivalent of 911) to eliminate any possible threat to itself or to the body. The macrophage surround and destroy the innocent but poorly communicating cell that lacks the "vocabulary" to identify itself as friend, not foe. Doctors call this phenomenon by multiple names -- rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease ... just to name a few! Furthermore, when our immune systems are compromised because of poor cellular communication, we see diseases such as cancer or heart disease.

Current scientific research has demonstrated that glyconutrients can have a significant effect on health.

If these essential "sugars" are no longer found in our diets, where can we get them?

The body can use the two sugars that it does get in our diets to produce the other six. However, this is an energy-intensive process, stealing valuable resources that could be used for crucial health maintenance. Ideally, we need to supplement the remaining six sugars with natural glyconutrients.

If this technology is so great, why haven't I heard of it? Why hasn't my doctor recommended it?

I remember feeling the same way when I first heard of these supplements. The science of glyconutrition has met with resistance in portions of the medical community. But this isn't the first time that the field at large has been skeptical about a new discovery. Years ago, the medical community discredited the use of Vitamin C as a treatment for scurvy ... until its use totally eradicated the disease! This example serves as proof that even though doctors are highly educated and intelligent individuals, they are not immune to the human condition of being "misinformed." Dr. Bill McAnalley, who is credited with key discoveries in glyconutrition, states it eloquently. "One of my professors told us that half of what we would learn in medical school would be wrong--we just don't know which half." In addition, recent research reveals that the majority of the funding for medical institutions is provided by pharmaceutical companies, who have a vested interest in continuing the medical model (treating disease instead of promoting wellness and healing through nutrition). Further research indicates that 84% of physicians report that their prescribing practices are influenced by pharmaceutical reps, who are not educated in glyconutrition.

The Perfect Business
Become a wellness distributor! It is fun, rewarding and after a few years of hard work put in, can return you a nice residual income.

Everybody needs good health and more energy. And since glyconutrients are so new, and are easy for anyone to start including into their diet on a regular basis, there is a huge growing demand for glyconutrients distributors. If you would like to become a local representative for an extra flow of residual income, then come talk to me. Call me on the number listed on my site.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Glyconutrients-Are-Not-Vitamin-Supplements/84126
Weight Loss Diets

Why Hot Cocoa is Healthier than Hot Chocolate

2007-12-04T01:18:00.000-08:00

There is an important difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate. These terms are often used interchangeably, but the distinction is in the nutritional properties. Hot cocoa is made from raw cocoa powder, which is pressed chocolate which removes the fat of the cocoa butter. Hot chocolate is made from chocolate bars melted into a cream or ground into a powder. Often hot chocolate has a very high sugar and fat content and low cocoa content. Cocoa can be very good for you, especially if you minimize the sugar and fat.

Drinking hot cocoa has been around for centuries. Modern archaeologists have found evidence of cocoa beans in Olmec tombs as far back as 1500 BC. These ancient rulers drank a bitter mixture of hot water, cocoa powder and spices. The Mayans also fell in love with cocoa beans and developed a drink they named chocolatl. The cacao beans were so valuable that they could be used as money. The rulers of the Mayan kingdom shared their love of cocoa with the Spanish who them brought it to Europe. It was in europe that sugar was added and it became the drink we know as hot cocoa.

Drink of the gods

We think of hot cocoa as a desert drink but the original drink was a hot and spicy brew containing water, wine and peppers. The Mayan aristocracy had many variations of this beverage which they considered magic. After bringing the cocoa beans back to Europe sugar and milk were added to make a sweet after dinner beverage. Soon the general population could not get enough. Confectioners experimented with the cocoa powder and began making chocolate.

Not you can stop feeling guilty about wanting to eat chocolate. Researchers are discovering the truly healthy benefits of cocoa. Cocoa has the ability to protect circulating lipids from oxidizing and it can also help you live longer. Cocoa is lterally packed with antioxidants that prevent cancer. An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides. Antioxidants help protect your body from the detrimental effects of free radicals.

Are you Drinking Real Cocoa or just a Flavored Substitute?

Don't settle for fake hot chocolate when you can have real delicious hot cocoa. Hot cocoa not only tastes better is is so much better for you. The best way to make sure you are getting the real deal is to start with quality cocoa powder. The best cocoa powder is dark brown and will taste bitter. You can make your won hot beverage by mixing this powder with hot water or just like when you were a kid: real milk. Milk substitutes like: soy milk, coconut milk or rice milk are great for those who are lactose intolerant or who just want to try something different. You can sweeten your drink by adding sugar, honey or agave nectar.

Hot cocoa could be the best tasting nutritional supplement you have ever had. "Nowhere else has nature compressed such a store of the most valuable nutrients into such a small place as it has with the cocoa bean," the researcher Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) once said.

Eating a moderate amount of sweets pays off. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that eating chocolate or other sweets several times each month live nearly one year longer than individuals who over indulge in sweets and even people who eliminate eating junk food altogether.

A study done by Cornell researchers, headed by Chang Y. (Cy) Lee, states that the reason cocoa won out over the other drinks is because of its high concentration of phenolic phytochemicals, or flavonoids. These flavanoids indicate a high level of antioxidants that perhaps prevent cancer, reduce the risk of heart disease and other health issues. Dr Lee said "Phenolic compounds protect plants against insects and pathogens, and they remain active even after food processing."

Even though cocoa beans have 500 times more anti-oxidants than blueberries; studies indicate that adding a diary product actually blocks the body's ability to properly absorb them. In order to get the most antioxidants, mix ground cocoa with non-dairy liquids for hot chocolate, smoothies or shakes. You can enjoy drinking cocoa if it is hot or cold but heating the cocoa triggers the release of more antioxidants.

Don't let the picture on the packet food you. Check the ingredients! The primary ingredient in most commercial hot chocolate mixes is sugar. The rest is fat, fillers and artificial flavors. Why settle for a facsimile when you can have the real deal? Real hot cocoa is not only better nutritionally it tastes better too!. The hot creamy cocoa you loved as a kid is now a health food. A guilt free pleasure that's good for you too. You can enjoy a rich cup of hot cocoa every day - just tell your friend it's a nutritional supplement.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Why-Hot-Cocoa-is-Healthier-than-Hot-Chocolate/84158

Do We Really Need A Thin Santa Claus

2007-12-04T01:00:00.001-08:00

It is very hard to escape the news articles on the rising obesity problem throughout the world. Everywhere you turn there is new data about how many fat people we have in the world. It would seem everyone everywhere is trying to be healthier. Its been so front and center that I have had enough information to report on for the past three months at Fitness Village. I fully understand the dangers and problems that arise from obesity. However, does that mean that Santa Claus needs to thin down?

Recently Santa Claus has come under fire and pressure to thin down. I am not sure what diet or workout program Santa would use, but I am not sure I am buying the idea that we need a thinner Santa Claus.

As I drove my kids to school today, we heard on the radio that the new idea was to take away the cookies we would normally leave for Santa, and replace them with a carrot. My daughter who is in 7th grade said, "That is stupid. First Santa can't say Ho Ho Ho and now he is to fat." Then my son, in the same grade said, "I am sick of everyone trying to take everything away from us during the holidays."

Now I am all about loosing weight and getting fit. I am all about trying to live a healthy life. I mean that is why I started Fitness Village in the first place. But I am having a hard time with this attack on Santa Claus. Is it really necessary to make Santa Claus thin? Do we really need to embark on tradition for the sake of a fad or a fleeting idea?

I think this is a classic example of someone making a decision either under pressure or emotion. Could it be that this is something that has not been thought through? I mean after all we are Americans, creative and filled with inventive spirit. It would seem we would be creative enough to come up with better ways of promoting health and fitness during the Christmas Season, ugh excuse me, Holiday Season.

For example we could have the Elf Games or Holiday Olympics. We could create the reindeer race, or miss Claus breakfast bars. But no, the best idea we came up with was to take away the cookies, replace them with a carrot, and put Santa Claus on a treadmill.

I don't know about you, but if I worked my tail off to deliver toys all over the World and came into someone's house and found a carrot. I would be a little mad. Who knows, I might even leave you a clump of coal.

So I ask again, do we really need a thin Santa Claus?
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66068&catid=720
Baldness Treatments Online

How To Heal A Urinary Tract Infection With Water

2007-12-03T21:55:00.000-08:00

Urinary tract infections are quite common and account for more than seven million doctor visits each year. The pain, burning, and interruption of normal living in having a UTI is a very real, painful, and private matter. Embarrassing, though it may be, do not be lulled into ignoring it.

A simple UTI when caught early is not that dangerous. However, complications can occur if you can not get rid of it on your own. Be sure to treat it quickly and appropriately. A UTI can quickly spread and infect the kidneys. Kidney infections are a very serious issue, because the sufferer can go into septic shock from such an infection.

UTI's are more common, and occur most often, in women of childbearing age, although they are not unusual in men or children. It is not a condition that very many want to talk about, and most just want to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible.

One out of every five women will develop a UTI during her lifetime. The most probable reason why more women are affected more than men, is that they have a shorter urethra ( the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). It is also easier for bacteria on the outside of the body to travel up through the urethra and reach the bladder. UTI's can also be more dangerous for a pregnant woman to have, so it is really important to seek medical attention promptly.

Men just drain urine better than women, and they have a better flushing system. But, men can develop a UTI, and when they do, it is a more serious issue. Possible causes are from being catheterized for a long time, a urinary stone, or enlarged prostate will be a signal to look for.

The type of bacteria most often involved in the urinary tract is E. coli or staph. This bacteria can actually live in the bladder itself. A UTI develops when there is a lot of this bacteria along with a pooling of urine. Women get a UTI more often for several different reasons such as:

1.Wiping incorrectly after a bowel movement. The correct way is to wipe from front to back, to avoid moving any bacteria toward the urethra.
2.Wiping incorrectly after urinating. The correct way is to wipe from front to back, to avoid spreading any bacteria from the rectum toward the urethra.
3.Not emptying the bladder after sexual activity can increase the level of bacteria, and boost the risk of getting a UTI.
4.Putting off urinating for a long time when feeling the urge to go. This will keep from urine pooling in the bladder too long.

Some of the symptoms of a simple UTI are only minimally uncomfortable or disruptive, while complicated symptoms can be quite severe. The complicated symptoms can cause intense burning while urinating, pain and pressure in the lower abdomen,and feeling the need to go really bad and really often. These symptoms are all hallmarks of having a UTI infection.

Many times the sufferer is so inconvenienced and disrupted by the needed frequency to urinate that they will contact a doctor immediately. They just want to get their normal life back. Some might even feel afraid to leave the restroom until the infection is relieved.

The sufferer may clear up a simple UTI on their own, at the first sign of symptoms, by diluting the pooled urine in the bladder. Simply flush the bladder out with water. However, antibiotics are often needed when the patient can not clear the infection, easily and quickly, on their own in a couple of days. In conjunction with antibiotics analgesics are also available for relief over the counter, like brand names 'Unistat' and 'Azo-Standard', and can be used to help numb the pain, burning, and the urgency of needing to go until the antibiotics begin to take affect.

If the complications of the infection have not noticeably subsided within 24 hours, or if the patient is running a fever, then call the doctor again. There may be a possibility that the antibiotic needs to be changed if the one currently being taken is not having the desired affect on a specific type of bacteria.

Some individuals just seem to have more problems with this recurrent infection. Changing a few daily habits can lower the risk considerably in developing another infection. By far, the best prevention tool of all is keeping yourself well hydrated, by drinking plenty of water. Caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol have drying effects on the body, forcing more water out of you. If you are drinking too many of these types of drinks learn to cut them down dramatically and replace them with more water.

There is also a wide variety of healing herbs like akebia, saw palmetto, and sarsaparilla, and healing foods such as cranberries, watermelon, and blueberries that many people swear by in treating this particular infection. Certainly there is no harm in using nature's natural substances if you have had good luck with such strategies in the past.

You can find more natural remedies for a urinary tract infection, along with many other health conditions, as recommended by Mike Adams (The Health Ranger) by going to his newstarget website. Go to the top right of the page and click the drop down arrow beside ReferenceInfo, then go down till you find NutrientReference, click that and look down on the page until you find Common Health Conditions to find the link for urinary tract infection.

The bottom line is this... the simplest and safest technique of all is to flush the bacteria out of the bladder with water. Staying well hydrated for life is the best no-brainer route to take, period.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=66076&catid=720
Weight Loss Diets

Natural Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

2007-12-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common rheumatic disease, affecting more than two million people in the United States. RA is a systemic disease, often affecting extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles. About 60% of RA patients are unable to work 10 years after the onset of their disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally strikes between the ages of 20 and 50. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. The joints are usually affected initially asymmetrically and then in a symmetrical fashion as the disease progresses. The pain generally improves with use of the affected joints, and there is usually stiffness of all joints in the morning that lasts over 1 hour. People with these genes will not automatically develop RA. In some families, multiple members can be affected, suggesting a genetic basis for the disorder

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a variety of forms of vasculitis. Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the common arthritis that often comes with older age. RA can affect body parts besides joints, such as your eyes, mouth and lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis affects people differently. For some people, it lasts only a few months or a year or two and goes away without causing any noticeable damage. Other people have mild or moderate forms of the disease, with periods of worsening symptoms, called flares, and periods in which they feel better, called remissions. RA usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected. RA is a diffuse systemic disease involving many areas of the body. The presenting complaint may be remote from a joint or may involve inflammatory symptoms at a joint. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in all races and ethnic groups. Although the disease often begins in middle age and occurs with increased frequency in older people, children and young also develop it

Home Remedies for Rheumatiod Arthitis Tips

1. Cayenne Pepper Extract has been found to be useful in arthritis pain relief.

2. Emu Oil is also very excellent for the arthritis cure and has many anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Many users involves the consumption of 1 cup of fresh pineapple juice, as it helps in minimizing the swelling and inflammation in arthritis.

4. A teaspoon of black sesame seeds, soaked in a quarter cup of water and kept overnight, has been found to be effective in avoiding joint pains.

5. Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water is useful in curing arthritis.

6. Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with two or three pieces of camphor should be massaged on rigid and aching joints.

7. Dilute five drops of essential oil of ginger in 20 drops of a carrier oil such as wheat germ or almond oil , and massage into painful areas.

8. Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. If available, eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water.

9. Potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments for rheumatic and arthritic conditions.

10. One cup of green juice, extracted from any green leafy vegetable, mixed in equal proportions with carrot, celery, and red beet juices is good for arthritis.

11. A teaspoon of black sesame seeds, soaked in a quarter cup of water and kept overnight, has been found to be effective in preventing frequent joint pains.

12. Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container accumulates traces of copper, which is said to strengthen the muscular system.

13. Garlic is another effective remedy for arthritis. It contains an anti-inflammatory property which accounts for its effectiveness in the treatment of this disease.

14. Bananas, being a rich source of vitamin B6, have proved useful in the treatment of arthritis.

15. Lime has also been found beneficial as a home remedy for arthritis.

16. A tea made from the herb alfalfa, especially from its seeds, has shown beneficial results in the treatment of arthritis.

17. Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with two or three pieces of camphor should be massaged on stiff and aching joints.

18. The diet of an arthritis patient should be planned so as to produce alkalinity in the blood. It should include fruits and vegetables in the form of salads, and, at least, two cooked vegetables.

19. A gentle massage with warm olive oil is very effective to relieve arthritis pain.

20. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, called EPA and DHA, relieve symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Natural-Cure-for-Rheumatoid-Arthritis-Pain/84450
Natural Beauty Products

Roseola Disease - The Facts

2007-12-03T07:55:00.000-08:00

Roseola is a viral illness in young children, most commonly affecting those between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. Roseola is probably caused by more than one virus. The most common cause appears to be human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). It occurs mostly in children under the age of 3. It occurs mostly in the spring and fall. Roseola occurs throughout the year. Roseola begins with a high fever that generally responds well to acetaminophen. Between the 2nd and 4th day of illness, the fever falls dramatically, and a rash appears (often as the fever falls) on the trunk and spreads to the limbs, neck, and face. The rash lasts from a few hours to 2 days. Roseola is most commonly seen in children between 6 months and 3 years of age. Most children will have had roseola by the age of 2 years. Infection during childhood probably confers lifelong immunity to the disease. Roseola is spread from person to person via respiratory fluids or saliva of infected individuals. In most cases, particularly if fever is low, the child is well. In about 5-15% of young children, high fevers may trigger febrile seizures.

Roseola typically isn't serious. The disease usually resolves without complications. Measures should be taken to control a fever. There is no specific vaccine against or treatment for exanthem subitum, and most children with the disease are not seriously ill. A child with fever should be given plenty of fluids to drink, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce their temperature. Medications to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Most people have antibodies to roseola by the time they're of school age, making them immune to a second infection. Roseola as children can become infected later in life, though the disease tends to be mild in healthy. The main concern is that infected can pass the virus on to children. In some cases, a child may be infected with the virus and never develop the rash. Less commonly, the rash may appear without a preceding fever. The fever of roseola lasts from 3 to 7 days, followed by a rash lasting from hours to a few days.

There is no specific treatment for roseola. Rest, maintaining fluid intake and paracetamol for fever is all that is usually required. Lukewarm baths or sponges can also be used to help reduce fever. Antiviral medication ganciclovir (Cytovene) to treat the infection in people with weakened immunity. Never give aspirin to a child or teenager with a fever as this can increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare, but potentially fatal, liver and brain disorder. Do not use ice, cold water, alcohol rubs, fans, or cold baths. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen can help to reduce your child's fever. Avoid giving aspirin to a child who has a viral illness because the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and death. Acetaminophen and cool sponge baths may be given. If convulsions occur, call your health care provider, or go to the closest emergency room.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Roseola-Disease---The-Facts/84451
Acne Skin Care Solutions

Ringworm Disease - The Facts

2007-12-03T00:55:00.000-08:00

Ringworms" refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Ringworm can affect skin on your body (tinea corporis), scalp (tinea capitis), groin area (tinea cruris, also called jock itch), or feet. Ringworm is a skin and scalp disease caused by several different kinds of fungi. Ringworm on the scalp usually makes a bald patch of scaly skin. People with ringworm on other parts of their skin can have a ring-shaped rash that is reddish and may be itchy. The rash can be dry and scaly or wet and crusty. Ringworm is easily transmitted to humans. About 50% of people living with a ringworm-infected cat will develop the infection. Children and young animals are most susceptible to infections. Ringworm in animals usually appears as a rapidly growing circular patch of broken hair. A 'cigarette ash' dandruff appears on the lesion and sometimes the patch has an inflamed margin. The infection is more common in young animals. In kittens, the patches usually occur on the head and feet. Ringworm of the body appears as flat, spreading ring-shaped areas. The edge is reddish and may be either dry and scaly or moist and crusted.

The term ringworm is a misnomer. It has nothing to do with worms. It is a fungus, or more correctly, one of several fungi that can affect animals and humans. Today, many children, and pet owners get ringworm through direct or indirect contact with the infected hairs or skin of pets. Ringworm of the scalp usually begins as a small pimple which becomes larger in size and leaves scaly patches of temporary baldness. Infected hairs become brittle and break off easily. Occasionally, yellowish cuplike crusty areas are seen. With ringworm of the nails, the affected nails become thicker, discolored and brittle, or they become chalky and disintegrate. Ringworm of the body appears as flat, spreading ring-shaped areas. Heat and moisture help fungi grow and thrive, which makes them more common in skin folds such as those in the groin or between the toes. This also accounts for their reputation as being caught from showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Topical shampoo therapy is used in almost every case, especially in longer haired pets. It is common to clip some or all of the hair in some pets to make it more effective. Specific anti fungal cremes are also used when a pet is infected in an area that already has sparse hair growth, or there are small, discrete lesions.

Ringworm Treatment Tips

1. Keep your skin clean and dry.

2. Apply over-the-counter antifungal or drying powders, lotions, or creams.

3. Wash sheets and nightclothes every day while infected.

4. Topical shampoo therapy is used in almost every case, especially in longer haired pets.

5. Do not share clothing, towels, hairbrushes, combs, headgear, or other personal care items.

6. Wear sandals or shoes at gyms, lockers, and pools.

7. Avoid touching pets with bald spots.

8. Antifungal creams are readily available and may be efficient for small lesions.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Ringworm-Disease---The-Facts/84453
Weight Loss Diet Online

Eating Disorders Warning Signs

2007-12-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

Eating disorders are serious behavior problems. Eating disorders can cause heart and kidney problems and even death. Eating disorders are not a sign that a person has a problem with food, rather eating disorders are actually only the symptoms of underlying problems in that person's life. Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight. Researchers are investigating how and why initially voluntary behaviors, such as eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, at some point move beyond control in some people and develop into an eating disorder. Dieting to a body weight leaner than needed for health is highly promoted by current fashion trends, sales campaigns for special foods, and in some activities and professions. Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. These are also the three most common eating disorders. All three have severe consequences to a person's immediate and long-term health and can cause death.

Eating disorders are characterized by an abnormal obsession with food and weight. Eating disorders are much more noticed in women than in men. Environmental factors have a large influence on developing eating disorders but more research is being performed on hormonal imbalances, brain lesions and their effects on eating disorders. Many types of eating disorder such as , anorexia nervosa , starvation diet ,binge eating disorder , bulimia nervosa , diabulimia and night eating syndrome. Girls and women are 10 times more likely than boys and men to suffer from anorexia or bulimia. However, eating disorders do seem to be getting more common in boys and men. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are more commonly known as anorexia and bulimia. The two disorders can be difficult to distinguish from each other because they have similar characteristics. Anorexics consider themselves to be fat, no matter what their actual weight is. Often anorexics do not recognize they are underweight and may still "feel fat" at 80 lbs. Anorexics close to death will show you on their bodies where they feel they need to lose weight.

Most people with eating disorders will try to avoid conflicts at all costs, so they usually don't express negative feelings and try to wear a happy face all the time to try and please people. Treatment can include medical supervision, nutritional counseling, and therapy. Treatment of anorexia calls for a specific program that involves three main phases: (1) restoring weight lost to severe dieting and purging; (2) treating psychological disturbances such as distortion of body image, low self-esteem, and interpersonal conflicts; and (3) achieving long-term remission and rehabilitation, or full recovery. These medications also may help prevent relapse. The treatment goals and strategies for binge-eating disorder are similar to those for bulimia, and studies are currently evaluating the effectiveness of various interventions. Many parents worry about how to get their kids a healthy diet, and prevent them from becoming obese or overweight without giving them anxiety about food that might lead to an eating disorder. Take an active role in creating a healthy lifestyle for your child. Involve your child in the preparation of healthy, nutritious meals on a regular basis.

Eating Disorders Treatment Tips

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - emphasizes the relationship between thoughts and feelings by focusing on a person's thought processes.

2. Interpersonal therapy - focuses on addressing difficult relationships with others

3. Rational Emotive Therapy - focuses on a person's unhelpful beliefs

4. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy - focuses on a person's past experiences.

5. Family therapy usually involves those who live with the person with the eating disorder, such as parents, siblings, and partner or spouse.

6. Group therapy provides a supportive network of people who have similar eating disorders.

7. Support groups are led by trained volunteers or health professionals.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Eating-Disorders-Warning-Signs/84454
Stop Smoking Online

Your Hair Care Routine - Tips

2007-12-02T14:55:00.000-08:00

Head the crown of the body, if not covered by beautiful thick hair spoils the entire look of a person. So looking after hair or hair care is as important as looking after any other part of the body. As one keeps a daily routine to clean the body, hair too should be cleaned the same way. Longer the hair more care they require. As dust and dirt sticks on hair they require more care when it comes to cleaning and it should be in one's daily routine. Hair is the crown of the body. It does not matter how beautiful you are if you neglect your hair. Like skin hair too is different type as normal, dry and oily and as the skin has different complexion, hair have different texture as straight, curly or wavy.

First of all eating healthy nutritional food rich of iron and protein is must for healthy hair. A balanced diet is good and must for the entire body. Such hair requires advanced care. One should wash hair properly with a good shampoo, which is their hair type as for dry hair a shampoo that is specially made for dry hair should be used. Wash the hair thoroughly; no traces of shampoo or conditioner should be left on the hair or scalp. Although brushing is less damaging than combing but a soft brush does not cause more damage to hair than a comb. Prolonged brushing can also harm the hair. Back combing also damages the hair. It causes knotting which is very difficult to untangle. Oil massage is very useful for the hair. It improves the blood circulation and helps the hair grow so it should be done at least once in a weak. Oil should be left on the scalp overnight and hair should be shampooed the next morning.

Coconut and olive oil are very good to use for hair massage but if one wants one can even mix them in equal proportion and use. A mixture of olive oil and castor oil is very useful for dry, falling hair. Shampoo and conditioner can be used daily if necessary, but if you feel that your hair needs an extra boost, you may also want to consider adding a hot oil treatment or hair mask to your hair care routine. Dry hair tends to be thin and rough.It is susceptible to tangles, damage, breakage and split ends. Good hair care should be started at home. With proper care and attention you can restore its vitality and glossy sheen. The primary aim is to replenish the oil and the moisture in the hair.

Here are Ten essential must-dos of great hair care.

1. Use the right hare care products for your specific hair type.

2. Get a trim every 6 to 8 weeks.

3. Use hair care products containing sunscreen.

4. Shampoo your hair only when it is dirty.

5. Turn to a professional for all of your hair care needs.

6. Use professional conditioning hair coloring systems.

7. Stick with one chemical service.

8. Add texture.

9. Choose hair color that compliments your style.

10. Use a wide-toothed comb when your hair is wet.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Your-Hair-Care-Routine---Tips/84486
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Importance of Ayurveda

2007-12-02T07:55:00.001-08:00

Ayurveda has been widely recognized as a system of natural health care congenial to the health needs of women. All over the world more and more women are turning to herbal medicine so that they have total control on their bodies throughout the year, throughout their lives. Vedas are the ancient books of knowledge, or science, from India. They contain practical and scientific information on various subjects beneficial to the humanity like health, philosophy, engineering, astrology etc. Ayurveda helps women find their own body rhythm, which is closely linked with nature and its changes resulting in lasting solutions to their health problems.

As women respond both mentally and physically better to Ayurveda, it is known as a women's health care system. Ayurveda gives equal importance to mental health for which a regime of ethical life (sadurutta) is prescribed. Ayurveda is the science of life. Ayurveda is a science dealing not only with treatment of some diseases but is a complete way of life. Strict mental discipline and strict adherence to moral values is considered a pre-requisite for mental health. Finally herbs that are pungent, bitter and astringent ameliorate Kapha-water, which means they tend to increase digestive fire, expel and dry excessive fluid build up in the system, including clearing excessive fat from the body, and the accumulation of cholesterol and other fatty deposits in the veins and arteries of the body.

Ayurveda had recognized the importance of the environment in the total health. Remember, everything in your environment is composed of doshas that interact with your own doshas. Ayurvedic health care enhances the results of Yoga. Ayurvedic healthcare is the best bet for women to stop the aging process. Periodic rejuvenation therapy will keep health, beauty and zest for life intact throughout the years. Ayurveda gives equal importance to mental health for which a regime of ethical life is prescribed. Herbs that have pungent, sour and salty flavors stimulate fire; herbs that are astringent (drying) and bitter stimulate vata-air, or the nerve centered humour; herbs that are sweet, salty and sour stimulate or increase Kapha-water, or the mucoid humour. Strict mental discipline and strict adherence to moral values is considered a pre-requisite for mental health. The aim of Ayurveda is to promote health, increase immunity and resistance-and to cure Disease.

Ayurveda understands that health is a reflection of when a person is living in harmony with nature and disease arises when a person is out of harmony with the cycles of nature. Ayurveda helps each individual realign their living patterns to bring about health and peace and to remember that their true nature is Spirit. Ayurveda gives equal importance to both preventive and curative aspects. Ayurveda offers methods of finding out early stages of diseases that are still undetectable by modern medical investigation. It is the knowledge of life in its entirety, that is body, mind and soul.

The ayurveda treatments can be clasified into(Six):

1. Massages.

2. Dhara.

3. Kizhi.

4. Vasthi.

5. Eye treatments.

6. Panchakarma.

Source: http://www.articleviral.com/Article/Importance-of-Ayurveda/84335
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Vitamin K And Other Natural Tips For Treating Varicose And Spider Veins

2007-12-02T00:55:00.001-08:00

According to a new research study published in the 'Journal of Vascular Research' varicosis, also known as varicose veins, may be caused in part by a dietary lack of vitamin K. Medical scientists are not exactly sure what causes varicose or spider veins, but an estimated 5 to 30 % of the population has them.

Varicose veins, and the less noticeable form of them called spider veins, are mainly a cosmetic concern for most and three times more prevalent in women than in men. Medical scientists suspect that low levels of dietary vitamin K may reduce the activity the Matrix GLA protein (MPG), which has been seen as a key player in the development of these unsightly purplish marks on the legs. Vitamin K has been deemed a necessary nutrient to activate MPG , so it is theorized that adequate dietary levels of vitamin K could be a powerful prevention tool, and help reduce an existing varicose vein condition.

Vitamin K is not familiar to most of as the vitamins A, the B vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and E are. Vitamin K has two major forms known as K-1 and K-2. So what are some of the dietary sources of vitamin K?

Vitamin K-1 is highest in green plant foods. Fresh raw spinach is high in this vitamin, and if you do not care for the taste of spinach, you can also find it in other green plant food sources such as broccoli, collard greens, leaf lettuce, kale, avocado, and kiwis. Vitamin K-2 is found in high concentration in fermented bacterial food sources like aged cheeses and a fermented soy product called natto.

The primary cause of varicose veins is a breakdown of the valve system in the leg veins. Blood that carries nutrients to the cells is pumped from the heart through the arteries to the legs. The depleted blood then returns to the heart through the venous system-veins having one-way valves. Varicose veins may begin to develop when one or more aggravating factors, or activities, adds a strain to the circulatory system or restricts blood flow are present such as age, extra weight on the hips and waist area, prolonged sitting or standing, lifting heavy weights, long-distance running, lack of exercise, obesity, leg crossing, or constipation.

Other possible contributors to consider are pregnancy, hormonal changes, and dietary deficiencies. It is also worth mentioning here, that over 200,00 women have an unusual form of varicose veins, and also suffer from
chronic pelvic pain.

The prevention of varicose or spider veins is much easier than ridding yourself from them once you have developed them. Remember too, that getting rid of them may take some time. It may take several months, possibly a year or longer, as you did not develop them in a matter of a few days or weeks.

Other natural tips you can use to help reduce the appearance of varicose veins include:

1.Doing leg calf strengthening exercises such as lifting your heals off the floor with your toes while standing. Do twenty times, relax, and repeat.
2.Take mini breaks from prolonged sitting or standing positions.
3.Take cool quick baths or showers. Cold compresses may also help.
4.Elevate your feet, this reduces pressure in your legs.
5.Lose excess weight with moderate exercise and dietary measures.
6.Rub legs with message oils or coconut oil to help relax leg muscles. Message in upward strokes occasionally squeezing legs will help to force blood out of your legs.

An additional dietary measure often unconsidered in blood circulation problems such as varicose veins, is due to an outdated government recommended daily dietary salt restriction guideline myth. Unrefined salt along with adequate daily water intake may have a significant improvement in the appearance of varicose and spider veins.

An excerpt taken from Dr. F. Batmanghelidj's health enlightening book 'Water Rx For A Healthier Pain-Free Life', the selected paragraph text reads as follows:

"The design of our bodies is such that the extent of the ocean of water outside the cells is expanded to have the extra water available for filtration and emergency injection into vital cells. The brain commands an increase of salt and water retention by the kidneys. This is how we get an edema when we don't drink enough water. The process of water filtration and its delivery into cells is more efficient at night when the body is horizontal. The collected water, that mostly pools in the legs, does not have to fight the force of gravity to get into the blood circulation."

Unrefined sea salt contains a proper amount of about 80 trace minerals that the body needs in trace amounts. Unrefined sea salt is a much better choice than other types of refined salt on the market. It is notably higher in price, but higher in health benefits too.

An added salt intake along with proper water drinking should definitely be considered to the simple dietary solutions of adequate vitamin K levels to help prevent or reduce the appearance of varicose or spider veins. However, most Americans are not salt deficient due to their love of processed foods which are loaded with way to much processed salt.

But, it is estimated that 75% of the American population is chronically dehydrated, and most likely the state of the world's population of humans as well, due to the overconsumption of alcohol, soda tea, and coffee drinks. These drinks do not count at all towards water intake. In fact they actually force more water out of the body.

That is the sad truth, and says a lot about diseases of all natures that promote the vast majority of health problems in America, and all other nations, that have taken a liking to a Western diet and lifestyle.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65684&catid=720
Affect Acne

Have You had Some Salsa Today

2007-12-01T21:55:00.000-08:00

The benefits of onions and tomatoes in your diet:

Onions and tomatoes are among the most commonly used vegetables in many parts of the world today. We use them because they taste good and give good consistency to our food. We use them as sauces and salsas, chutneys and pickles, and important ingredients in our main dishes, but are you aware of the beneficial nutrients that lie hidden in these foods?

Lycopene- have you had your tomato today?

What is Lycopene? Lycopene is found in tomatoes and other red fruit. It is a bright red carotenoid and is a powerful antioxidant.

How does it help you? Antioxidants are very useful to the body as they repair damaged cells and aid the immune system.

Lycopene has also been licensed as a food coloring. It is not water-soluble which also makes it useful for non-food items. It is especially effective on plastic, only bleach destroys Lycopene dye on this medium.

Lycopene is found mainly in tomatoes, but can also be found in rosehip, guava, pink grapefruit and watermelon. It depends in what form you take tomatoes as to the amount of Lycopene your body will be able to absorb. Cooking tomatoes enables you to absorb more than if they are raw. For example a raw tomato will give you 8mg but one serving of tomato juice 22.9 mg. Spaghetti sauce will give you 20mg per serving. Heat is the factor that enables the Lycopene in tomatoes to be absorbed into your body.

Onions are good for your diet because- they contain many chemicals that can help the immune system and aid the body fight against disease. Research has shown that different varieties are more potent than others. For example shallots (a small variety in the onion family), western yellow and New York Bold are higher in phenolic and flavoniod content. This means they have a higher concentrate of anti toxins. It was generally found that stronger onions have the most flavoniods

It is not surprising that onions are the 2nd largest crop grown throughout the world today. They are fairly easy to grow and can be grown in a wide variety of climates. They can even be grown in containers for home use. In cold weather you can grow early spring onions and shallots when the weather gets warm you can let the onions mature into full sized onions for pungent flavorings and delicious chutneys. Their value has been known since ancient times. They have been and still are an important addition to every cook's kitchen.

So next time you are ready to enjoy your favorite meal do not forget the Salsa. Or if you do not want the Mexican look try some good old fashioned ketchup or some tart little pickled onions. However you eat these versatile vegetables you can be sure that you will be improving your health and vitality when you do so.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65691&catid=720
Stop Smoking Online

Child Abuse And A Poor Diet Connection Needs A Closer Look

2007-12-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

If anyone thinks they have not been affected by child abuse, looking at current statistics should tell you otherwise. The costs of child abuse in the United States has been estimated to be around $94 billion. That would appear to affect every taxpayer in every community across the nation. Of that $94 billion, roughly $55 billion is attributed to adult criminal behavior linked to early child abuse.

When children are victims of sexual or other forms of severe and chronic abuse, it can cause a lasting impact on their developing brain. Chemical changes develop to create response patterns that can continue through out a lifetime. Calculating the dollar amount of child abuse on communities begins with the need for more services that are funded by taxpayers with needs such as:

1.School programs for at risk children.
2.Lost productivity programs for the adult unemployed or underemployed.
3.Increased need for crime prevention and incarceration services.
4.More mental and physical health care programs.

People then begin to understand the epidemic proportions that child abuse brings with other related issues to their communities.

The child advocacy Center reports that one in three girls and one in four boys will be sexually abused by the age of eighteen. Dysfunctional household situations where someone was in prison, a mother treated violently, there was an alcoholic or drug user, a chronically depressed parent, mental illness or a suicidal influence accounted for most of the recurrent causes of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

A common denominator of nearly all child abuse survivors is they also have some type of an immune deficiency such as: lupus, multiple sclerosis, cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue.

Researchers have also uncovered increased likelihood of heart disease, fractures, diabetes, obesity, unintended pregnancies, alcoholism, and sexually transmitted diseases. Although diseases such as these also affect those who have not been severely abused as children, a closer look at this information is important. What clues are we being given in this research data on the abnormal physical health problems of an abused child into adulthood?

How might diet interventions change the long term and overall outcome of child abuse? Might not it be possible to apply objectively proven nutritional diet strategies that have overwhelmingly demonstrated relief of disease symptoms of those diseases mentioned above in study after study?

By trying the tried and true method of of disease prevention through nutritional means and applying it at the earliest possible age deserves a chance in mainstream application.

Although this technique alone would clearly not eliminate the need for counseling services for the abused, it may just be the simplest method to use as a first step prevention method in providing long lasting results.

While we are waiting for a better prevention model and others to light the way for us, America is definitely sick and getting sicker. Our nation is not listening to the impact poor nutrition has on our society

Whether it be hearts, lungs, kidneys, or brains, all body organs need fed properly to function normally. Brain health is treatable through a proper diet. Lack of proper feeding produces disease. The better prevention model is here right now and has been proven to work!

Body, mind, and spirit are as one and treating each body part separately, as in what the conventional drug model does, will be a model that will eventually be doomed to fail.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65693&catid=720
Acne skin care products

5 Tips To Cooking For A Low Cholesterol Diet

2007-12-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

Did you know that there are three main types of fat in food:- saturates, monounsaturates and polyunsaturates and that they are not all bad for you. Foods high in saturates such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, butter, lard, cream, cheese and many processed and takeaway foods, increase cholesterol in your blood so it is very important to eat less of them. However, polyunsaturates and monounsaturates can help lower cholesterol, so it is sensible to swap foods high in saturates for more foods rich in unsaturated fats.

Pure vegetable oils and spreads such as sunflower, corn, grapeseed and soya oils are all good sources of polyunsaturates, while olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds are all good sources of monounsaturates.

If you have been diagnosed with a high cholesterol level you may be required to make a number of changes, including modifying your diet in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Cooking for a low cholesterol diet is not difficult, but you will have to use some different techniques and food choices to keep your heart healthy. Baking, grilling, even microwaving will help control the amount of saturated fat in your food. Here are my top 5 tips:

TIP 1 When cooking meat and poultry, you can reduce the saturated fat in meat by trimming off all of the fat you see or buy the leaner options. Instead of frying, try to roast, or bake the meat. If you roast or bake, put your meat on a rack, this will drain off the excess fat.

TIP 2 Limit the amount of high saturated fat products in your house and stock up on alternatives such as herbs or wine to add flavor to your food. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, or a fat free or low fat oil marinade can help with keeping the meat moist while adding a wonderful flavor.

TIP 3 When making stews and soups, cook the day before you want to use them and put in the refrigerator. As it cools the fat will rise to the top and harden, remove it before reheating.

TIP 4 Fruits and vegetables are a key part of a low cholesterol diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots and celery can be chopped up and eaten as snacks or refrigerated for later. Stir fry or saute vegetables in only a small amount of oil, pure vegetable or olive oil are good to use

TIP 5 Avoid adding too much salt to your food, use herbs and spices to add flavor instead.

These are just a few cooking tips for your new diet. It may take a little more time to think about and prepare your food but it will not only be healthier, it will set you up on the way to improving the health of your heart.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65697&catid=720
Beauty Supplements

Men benefit from Soy Isoflavones as well as Women

2007-12-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

Whilst the estrogen-like plant chemicals found in soy isoflavones have a vast amount of well-known benefits for women, new research has that soy isoflavones have significant benefits for men too, notably in the form of a reduction in the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Many of the health benefits of soybeans are found in the isoflavones, which have been found in several studies to be effective in the treatment and prevention of many health conditions including breast cancer, heart disease, due to their ability to reduce cholesterol, and particularly menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. Soy isoflavones are one of a group of plant chemicals, best known as phytoestrogens and have impressive abilities which can help to balance estrogen in the body.

Their effectiveness in treating conditions of excess estrogen, such as premestrual syndrome, is derived from the isoflavones' ability to block receptor sites, whilst in conditions of estrogen deficiency, such as osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms, soy isoflavones can increase estrogen activity by acting as a weak estrogen.

Nonetheless, a new study published by the British Journal of Nutrition suggests the efficacy of soy isoflavones in the treatment and prevention of BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Whilst unpleasant, BPH is a common ailment affecting the prostate of many ageing men which can exhibit various symptoms including trouble starting or maintaining urination, the need to urinate more often, urine leaks or the need to go during the night. Whilst it is thought to be testosterone that is responsible for the changes that cause to prostate to enlarge and put pressure on the urethra, the new study has found that estrogen also plays a key role.

The study into the effects of soy isoflavones on the symptoms of BPH was carried out on men aged 65 and over and found that those with an intake of at least 5 mg of isoflavones, had fewer urinary tract symptoms than those who did not. The researchers suggested that although 5mg is relatively low, it did have a positive effect and emphasises the fact that although low levels of soy isoflavones may be acquired from the diet, a daily natural supplement can significantly help to ensure optimum levels of the beneficial isoflavones to achieve the advantages of reduced BPH symptoms, helping to slow and even prevent prostate cancer growth.

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I am an Internet marketer, publisher and copywriter, and have been working for Simply Supplements as an online marketer and copywriter for last three years. I am particularly interested in diet and nutrition and have written many articles on health issues and nutrition. My articles are published weekly which can be found in popular article directories.
Source: http://www.iffizpartners.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=9724
Stop Smoking Online

Ever Heard of the Australian Bush Plum

2007-12-01T07:55:00.000-08:00

Larch Arabinogalactan is produced from the wood of the larch tree; it is in fact a polysaccharide powder. It is a fine off white powder that has a mild smell of pine trees, and tastes a little sweet. It is readily soluble and can be used with juice or water. It is made up of galactose, arabinose, and a trace of glucuronic acid.

The Western Larch is a member of the pine tree family. It grows naturally in the Pacific northwest of the USA. This makes it readily available for research and manufacture of dietary supplements.

It is a source of dietary fiber and helps boost your immune system. It has many uses: Larch Arabinogalactan has been found to help protect the body against cancer and it is also a powerful anti allergy and anti-inflammatory substance.

Limited research has been done on Larch Arabinogalactan, and there are many more uses that need to be looked into. Because it is easy to take, it is very convenient for the consumer to take as a diet supplement.

Another diet supplement, which also draws from natural sources, is the Australian Bush Plum, or better known as the Black Current in Europe. These taste exceptionally good and can be used much the same manner as a regular berry. It is made into sweets and syrups like Ribena, as well as cough lozenges. It has been used for many years for cough lozenges in England and due to its vitamin C content, is given to fight colds, coughs, and sore throats.

The Australian bush plum, as its name suggests, is native to Australia and grows from 6 inches to about 2 feet in height. It grows freely through the north and central parts of Australia. The aborigines have used these fruits since ancient times. They are also cultivated in England and known as black currents.

The Australian bush plum has the largest amount of vitamin C in any other food. As such, it is good for protecting the body against free radicals, which are produced by the liver when metabolism takes place. It is now used in conjunction with Glyconutrients to make a powerful antioxidant diet supplement.

Both these natural products are used with the Glyconutrients as diet supplements. The advantage is that they have little or no side effects, because they are all natural products. As more research is done, they will become more readily available and more uses will be found. As with all diet supplements, it is always good to consult your doctor before you take them to be sure you have no underlying problems that can cause conflicts.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65707&catid=720
Affect Acne

Why Is Atkins The Most Popular Of All Low Carb Diets

2007-12-01T00:55:00.001-08:00

With all low carbohydrate diets claiming success, it can be hard to start the correct low carbohydrate diet for you? Are all low carb diets alike? It can be overwhelming with all low carb diets, products and plans you see everywhere. Luckily, these diets have been analyzed extensively. We'll get into all low carb diets - what works and what doesn't.

First enjoy this delicious recipe that is ok for all low carb diets:

Yummy Fast Breakfast Recipe

Easy Mushroom-Zucchini Greek Omlette

2 eggs
2 Tbsp water
Dash of onion, cumin and/or garlic powders
1 tablespoon olive oil (or nonstick cooking spray)
1 cup diced, or chopped Zucchini squash
1/4 cup sliced white mushrooms
1/4 cup shredded cheese
Green Olives for garnish

Add oil to small skillet, (or spray with nonstick cooking spray) and heat over medium heat.

Saute zucchini and mushrooms for 7 minutes, or until tender. Lightly whip by hand eggs and water, add dash of onion, cumin and/or garlic powders. Pour egg/water mix into skillet.

When top is firm, sprinkle cheese onto half the omlette. Fold over other half. Serve each portion with Green Olives and sliced tomatoes.

Yields 4 servings
Total Net carbs: 3 grams per serving

Ok, Here are is the first review of the most well known of all the low carb diets: The Dr. Atkins Diet

Of all low carb diets, Atkins is probably one of the most popular there is. Most reviewers offer several reasons why Atkins is so attractive. The Atkins Diet can bring fast results. Atkins dieters notice a weight loss of eight to fourteen pounds within the early induction phase of the diet.

Also, most dieters like following the Atkins approach. Watching carb levels is all that's required , and the foods you are allowed to eat with Atkins, like hamburgers, steaks, and rich foods are enjoyable to many people.

Negative comments, though, may include the fact that the body may respond poorly in the early days. You may feel overtired, stressed. Some may even have a headache.

Studies are still being evaluated, but many suggest that this diet lowers blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol and saturated fat levels, helping heart health.

Dr. Atkins believed that nearly all obesity is caused by overactive insulin production and not by overeating. He believed that overeating could be caused by carbohydrate addiction and that most overweight people actually ate less than their slim counterparts.

However, they crave and eat carbohydrate, which raises their insulin levels and suppresses fat burning. He also recommends the use of dietary supplements to help balance nutrition and the bodies systems.

The Atkins Diet has four stages: the Induction diet, the Ongoing Weight Loss diet, the Pre-Maintenance diet, and finally the Lifetime Maintenance diet. The Induction diet is very strict as far as carb elimination (20 grams or less per day), but generous in the allowance of fat and protein. Low starch vegetables are the recommended source of carbs.

This phase of the diet lasts 14 days and is followed by the Ongoing Weight Loss diet (OWL). The OWL phase allows for the reintroduction of certain good carbs but the levels are kept below 40 grams a day. Dieters stay on OWL until they reach their ideal weight.

Once the ideal weight is reached dieters transition into the Pre-Maintenance diet, where they experiment with reintroducing certain good carbs until they discover the total carb grams they can consume in a
day and still not gain weight.

Here is a tip for success with all low carb dieting:

Start your diet with a daily food diary, record everything you eat, what you were doing at the
time, and how you felt. That tells you about your temptations, the emotional states that cause you to snack and may help you lose once you see how much you eat. It is good to keep detailed records, in order to guarantee your success.

Often people go off low-carb diets, even those that help you lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks, because they lack good recipes. It's too boring. Get good recipes!
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65727&catid=720
Self Health Care

Diet Fads Versus a Sensible Diet

2007-11-30T21:55:00.000-08:00

Diet fads are a dime a dozen as we all know. Every year there is one or more new ways to lose weight and sometimes it's just an old diet being revived. The ones with the most hype usually get the most customers and people jumping on board to try them while other people jump off after trying it and getting another disappointment. Then what do you think happens? Those disappointed jump right back into another fad expecting different, BETTER results. More often then not they end up disappointed again.

First of all, the promoters of these fads know that people will come and go like they do through a revolving door, but they aren't too worried because everyone leaves their little monetary deposit on the way through. Some other plans that have a more sensible approach also have people coming and going because many people find it too difficult and/or don't get results as fast or as much as they wanted. It seems like everyone today is looking for the easiest and fastest solutions. Others go through because they try every new diet that comes along thinking they have finally found the magic one and when it doesn't give them the magic, they go looking again.

One present fad is people (mostly women) getting up earlier in the morning and going to a weight loss center and exercising. We all need exercise, but exercising just to lose weight is a losing game except for the gym owner. People usually come and go with this approach too because it never gives them all the weight loss they desired. Working out should not be a short term solutions but a life style.

Another approach is the plans that promote "special" foods that they want you to purchase which is rather amusing since all they are trying to do is get you to eat healthier non-fattening foods. All one has to do to get healthy non-fattening food is to learn what is good for the body and then purchase these items from local stores. These "special" foods usually have a pretty special price tag too.

The most important step in losing weight is to feed the body what it needs via healthy food. Food that is super healthy is also non-fattening. For example, one can eat fresh, uncooked fruit and vegetables all day and not get fat. When the body receives proper nutrition it automatically sheds unneeded pounds. There are extreme cases where organs/glands aren't functioning at 100% capacity and this results in weight gain because foods aren't being processed properly, but this malfunction is usually due to improper nutrition in the first place.

The best way to lose weight is to learn what healthy foods are and some basics about how your body processes foods. Then you will come to realize that it is more what you eat than how much you eat. A good place to start is the bookshelf in a local health food store as well as asking questions. If asked, most people would say that they eat healthy, but if pressed further to explain what healthy eating really is, most do not know how to describe it. For some reason most people think that if they get enough to eat in regard to volume, they are giving their body what it needs and this is actually far from the truth. Also, most people will not pay attention to their health until they have problems. The good part is that a healthy diet can correct many problems without involving doctors or spending a lot of money.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65789&catid=720
Beauty tips articles

Fast Food Nutrition Is For Fat People

2007-11-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

Why are so many Americans obese? It's simple, they lack nutritional education and simply most of the food that they consume on a daily basis includes almost no nutritional content whatsoever.

I am primarily talking about fast food and other processed foods, which unfortunately have become the staple of many people's diets. Eating fresh organic fruits and vegetables seems like a thing of the past.

When director Morgan Spurlock first began his Academy Award nominated documentary regarding the dietary damage caused by the lack of nutritional value in fast food, many were skeptical about the end result. For many Americans, daily nutrition is derived from at least one fast food meal per day. An examination of the obesity rate in the United States is direct proof that fast food nutrition is an oxymoron.

Spurlock Challenges Fast Food Nutrition

"Super Size Me," Spurlock's documentary film that followed a thirty day time period in which Spurlock himself ate only items purchased from the fast foot mogul, McDonalds. The purpose of this film was to document how Spurlock's life and body changed when he existed on a diet made entirely of fast food.

The goal of this documentary was to examine by example how fast food nutrition was affecting America. The requirements of the film were specific: Spurlock could only eat off of the McDonald's menu, he had to eat three meals a day and he had to sample every item on the menu at least once. Following these guidelines, he consumed an average of 5,000 calories per day during the experiment.

Thirty Days Challenged Years Of Fast Food Nutritional Arguments

Prior to beginning the creation of Super Size Me, Spurlock was a healthy 32-year-old male. He stood 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighed 185.5 pounds. He ate a healthy well-rounded diet that included vegan evening meals.

At the end of the thirty days he had gained over 24 pounds and increased his body mass index (BMI) 13%. His BMI rose from the healthy range of 23.2 to and overweight level of 27. The weight that he gained in thirty days took him over fourteen months to lose.

Not only that the doctor's told him that if he continued any longer he was running the risk of liver failure. Yes, that is right eating fast food for thirty days had the same effect on his liver as an extreme alcohol binge.

America Watches In Horror, Then Goes To McDonalds For Dinner

In 2004 when Super Size Me, was released, America watched in horror with the realization of how much their weight issues actually stemmed from their own ignorance and lack of concern. Suddenly America was aware of the danger that existed in every fast food restaurants on every corner is every city; fast food equaled fast fat.

Dinner parties, weight loss meetings, parent groups and water coolers around the country were buzzing with the reality that had been exposed in the fast food documentary. It appeared that America might change its practice of fast food consumption and begin to actively battle against the obesity epidemic that was spreading across the nation.

However, sadly, while the 2004 scare brought about short-term results, the last impact was not what it was hoped it would be. There are many new menu items that offer healthier choices, but people need to realize that even a salad, when it is shipped across the country, handled dozens of times and covered in fatty dressing is almost as bad as the cheeseburgers and fries.

Also people seem to have taken the attitude that it is okay to eat fast food because they don't eat it "every" meal like Mr. Spurlock did. Let me be clear on this he made an excellent point on what that food does to your body, it simply doesn't matter if you eat it once a day or three times a day.

That food is ruining your health and your body. If you want to be healthy as well as look and feel good you should never eat fast food.

What In the world do you have in life if you don't have your health. Wake up America!
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65731&catid=720
Atkins diet weight loss

Dangers Of Microwave Cooking

2007-11-30T07:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, there is no doubt that the microwave oven was one of the eighties hottest must have kitchen appliances. Do you remember how much the first ones cost to own? Look how cheap and common place they have become since. Sure heating foods and liquids in seconds, not minutes, has caused most people to abandon any intuitively negative thought they may have had in suspecting radiation cooking to be bad for you. Due to this convenience factor, denying and not acknowledging the danger is normal. But, there are reasons why the sale of these appliances was banned early on in countries like the Soviet Union.

One of the worst outcomes of microwaved food is not so much the radiation factor, as most people feared, but the almost complete (97%) nutrient loss in healthy fresh food like vegetables, for instance, when micro-cooked. There is also the formation of new radiolytic compounds. This chemical structure change in foods and liquids has been the focus of a few studies done to determine what kinds of changes occur in microwaved foods. Rest assured, however, that although the studies have been few, the changes discovered have been significant.

Hans Hartel, a swiss food scientist, is a man of intense passion, he determined that there is no need to violate the laws of nature by corporate man and his state-supported monopolies in science, technology, or education. Hans was one of the first scientists to form an idea to conduct a quality study on the effects of microwaved nutrients had on the blood and physiology of human beings. This small but well-controlled study pointed a very firm finger at a highly degenerative force in microwave ovens and the food produced in them.

Blood samples of the volunteer test subjects were taken before the ingestion of the foods offered. Then, at predetermined intervals after the eating of raw milk and raw vegetables, or the same food conventionally cooked, or microwaved.

What was eye-opening, and rather shocking, was that there were significant changes discovered in the blood samples of the test subjects who had ate the foods cooked in a microwave oven. These changes included a decrease in all hemoglobin and cholesterol values, especially between the HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) values and ratio.

White blood cells also showed a more distinct short-term decrease after eating microwaved food than opposed to eating food conventionally cooked or raw. Hartel's conclusion was this, due to extensive scientific literature describing the different hazardous effects that microwave radiation has on living systems, it is astonishing what little effort has been made to replace this technology with something more nature friendly.

From the conclusions of Swiss, Russian, and German scientific studies, here are 10 good reasons to ditch your microwave oven for good.

1)Continually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term -permanent- brain damage by 'shorting out'electrical impulses in the brain [depolarizing or de-magnetizing the brain tissue].
2)The human body cannot metabolize [break down] the unknown by-products created in microwaved food.
3)Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved foods.
4)The effects of microwaved food by-products are residual [long term, permanent] within the human body.
5)Minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients of all microwaved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down.
6)The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens.
7)Microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths [tumors]. This may explain the rapidly increasing rate of colon cancer in America.
8)The prolonged eating of microwaved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood.
9)Continual ingestion of microwaved foods causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations.
10)Eating microwaved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability, and a decrease of intelligence.

Now, I do not know about the rest of you but, once information like this enters my head it is hard to just toss it out. I roll it around for a little while, then, I make a conscious choice. My nineteen year old has been trying to get me, for quite a while, to get rid of our microwave and replace it with a toaster oven.

After doing some intelligent researching on line and reading of this subject, you too have the same option I did in making a healthy choice for your health, and your family's health. Remember one point, our society pretty much runs on money (the bottom line). The corporations who manufacture microwaves make a lot from the sale of them. There is no money for me, or any of the scientists who know that eating food processed in one of these things is dangerous.

You do, however, have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping others to live more healthy, you are saving lives, and you are spreading future happiness by encouraging anyone to, including yourself, stop eating microwaved food.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65281&catid=720
Beauty Supplements

Saturated Fats Versus Polyunsaturated Fats A Dietary Warning

2007-11-30T00:55:00.000-08:00

Despite a popular, misconstrued public belief in the healthiness of dietary polyunsaturated fat oils, this health scourge on human health has kept several industries and professions lucratively employed for almost a century. In objective, scientifically researched studies conducted over 70 years ago, researchers indicated that the human body does require a daily intake of fats to function optimally but, the type of fats consumed are just as important as the amounts, if not more so.

Looking at these objective research studies done in the past, it becomes more clear that certain industries have played a key role in what oils were, and still are, served up on our dietary menus. The conflicting evidence has either been purposely ignored, or grossly misjudged in the complex role that saturated fats play in healthy human bodies.

Once upon a time in America's history, there was a time that saturated animals fats were our main source of dietary fat. Saturated fats like beef tallow, lard, butter, eggs, were the daily diet fat norms. Diseases such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and diabetes were unheard of. In other words, saturated fats were working quite nicely for the human species.

Then a slow and gradual turn began taking place after the turn of the 19th century. In the second decade, illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes began to intrude and disrupt American lives. This gave birth to what we now have come to know as new and superior modern day convenience foods, new diseases, and, sick care management.

When did these health scourges begin to seriously threaten American's physical health and emotional well-being? How did unhealthy polyunsaturated food oils end up in our food supply and be replaced by the beneficial saturated fats that were so prevalent in our diets for hundreds of years?

According to Ray Peat, Ph.D., a physiologist who has studied the effects that dietary fats have on hormones for over 40 years, says, "look back to the end of World War II". "The seed industry was in a serious financial crisis. As a culture, we traditionally used seed oils like flaxseed oil, and several others, in products such as paint, varnishes, and plastics. But, this era was ending abruptly, and older compounds such as these were rapidly being replaced with newer petroleum substances (black crude oil). The seed industry desperately needed new markets for their seed products".

A whole industry ingeniously invented news ways to convince a largely ignorant public, that seed oils were so much healthier than saturated animal fats or nut oils. This idea was so appealing that the manufactured food industry embraced it with open arms, despite clear evidence to the contrary.

Cattle ranchers discovered in the 1940's, that when their herds were fed with, at that time, inexpensive coconut oil expecting them to fatten up quickly for market, they instead became more active, lean and hungry. A thyroid-suppressing hormone drug was then tried and the animals became less active, more docile, and gained weight quicker on less food. But, the drug was later discontinued after the discovery of its toxic side effects. In the late 1940's ranchers then discovered the same thyroid suppressing effect of the discontinued drug by feeding corn and soybean grains (a polyunsaturated food source) to fatten cattle on less pasture grass, adopting the current modern day feed lot practices that are still being used today. This is a good reason to avoid commercially produced beef.

A second good reason to avoid eating it, which some of you may or may not be aware of, is that most all commercially produced animal food products (including beef) are laden with toxic chemical residues caused by the over use of antibiotics, and parasite controlling drugs. These toxic residues store themselves in the meat food sources fat tissue. Otherwise, if you can locate a locally grown, range fed poultry or red meat food source with very little or no drug use, these saturated food sources are healthy for you to eat.

Way back in 1950, unsaturated fats were clearly shown to suppress the metabolic rate, by apparently creating hypothyroidism. In following years, researchers looked for the cause of this reaction, and discovered that polyunsaturated fats damage the miochondria (digestive system of a cell) through body heat oxidation and enzyme suppression.

Human studies, as well as animal, both demonstrated that when strict diets of polyunsaturated seed oils are largely consumed such as sunflower, corn, safflower, and soybean, they act like toxic hormone, immune suppressing drugs inside the body. All unsaturated oils no matter how organically produced, cold-pressed, unprocessed, bottled in glass, or kept away from heat and light are health damaging fats.

And, animals that are fed a high polyunsaturated food diet, instead of a free range diet, will not produce a healthy saturated fat meat source.

Vegetable oils whether they are hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, or not, have been been scientifically implicated to be associated with a wide variety of diseases that have exploded in the American population over the last 70 years.

A coconut oil expert, Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D., author of "The Coconut Oil Miracle" says, when the attack on saturated fats like animal fats, coconut oil , and palm oil was at its peak, medical and dietary research professionals, who were familiar with the disease fighting properties of saturated fats were shocked and wondering why. They knew, and had thoroughly researched the effects on millions of people for thousands of years who maintained their traditional diets high in saturated oils. Cultures such as Pacific Islanders who consume high amounts of coconut oil as a dietary staple, have lead healthy lives free of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, unlike their disease plagued polyunsaturated oil eating American counterparts.

Then, in the early 1980's, just when it looked as if the real scientific evidence in favor of saturated fats was going to be finally assimilated and objectively viewed by the American health field, the ASA (American Soybean Association) developed a very slick money marketing ad campaign gimmick, based mostly on junk science and highly successful congressional lobbying tactics, built upon the the mass publics favor and accepted use of polyunsaturated oils.

In conclusion, it appears that Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential to the body, as we can not manufacture them. But, a proper balance must be struck. Clearly, this fat must be seriously reduced to no more than 3% of our daily diets. Whether the dramatic rise in cancer and diabetes rates is associated with our high consumption of polyunsaturated oils is unknown, but the evidence strongly suggests it.

If you are predisposed (a family history) to develop diabetes, or have diabetes, Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D. encourages the use of coconut oil. It provides a high form of energy, is easily digested, reduces stress on the pancreas, enhances insulin action, and increases metabolic rate. Coconut oil will help stabilize blood glucose levels, and helps shed excess body weight, he says,"it should be the only oil a diabetic should eat".

It is the opinion of the author of this article, that dehydration issues further complicate serious health issues as well. The general mass population is severely dehydrated. Anyone who is looking to shed excess body weight, which complicates many diseases, should be drinking their body weight divided in half in ounces of pure water daily, taking care to add pure unrefined salt with the water. While food diets are often addressed as the most important issue, a healthy balanced daily water intake is also critical, and often dismissed or overlooked.

Water works wonderfully, alongside nature's other simple nutrients at maintaining great health!
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65294&catid=720
Hair Growth Ways

The Appendix Your Body's Good Little Bacteria Factory

2007-11-29T21:55:00.000-08:00

A rather interesting new piece of information has recently come to the forefront on the apparent, and positive purposes, of having an appendix, and what that supposedly useless body organ actually does for you. The appendix, of course, has long mystified doctors in what necessity it ever actually played inside the human body. It has long been touted, by medical health care professionals, to have no good reason to be there. But recently, surgeons and immunologists at 'Duke University Medical School' believes that the appendix, does indeed, serve an important function inside the human body after all.

These researchers at the 'Duke University Medical School' believe they have sufficient evidence to back up their theory, in that the appendix appears to help produce and protect the good bacteria in the intestines. The appendix, they say, acts like a "good bacteria factory" that "cultivates and preserves" good bacteria nutrition to help keep your body healthy. There is much more bacteria (or germs) inside your body than cells. Most of this bacteria that resides inside your body is needed to help you digest, absorb, and eliminate your food. These friendly microbes also provide your skin with a protective barrier.

Of course, if your appendix becomes inflamed and infected it could lead to your death, it then becomes necessary to have it removed it to save your life. According to the 'Centers for Disease Control and Prevention', 300 to 400 Americans die, and about 321,000 are hospitalized, for appendicitis attacks each year.

However, be aware that the notion of their uselessness has been widely perpetrated and used as the main reason to remove this healthy organ in the past. And, a doctor may decide to remove your appendix, gallbladder, or any other healthy body organ, without your permission because of this long held belief.

But, would you want to have your appendix voluntarily removed just because an abdominal surgery was being performed for some other reason, in light of this new piece of information?

The researchers of this study concluded that, the appendix is really an unnecessary organ in today's modern world. They theorize that repopulating your gut with good bacteria is not that hard to do. This recolonizing can be simply be accomplished with getting good germs from other people A rather simplistic solution don't.you think?

However, this may be harder to do than these researchers have led us to believe. Probiotics, or fermented foods can be the most helpful to those who have just recently, or not so recently, taken antibiotics, by re-establishing colonies of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract which, sometimes, can be quite difficult to do if you do not understand why it is necessary, or how to do it.

The widespread overuse of antibiotics has recently been questioned over the last decade, by many concerned health care experts, due to their apparent, and oftentimes, ineffectiveness. And, many health care scientists are also beginning to recognize the fact that, unfortunately, not all the bacteria that dwells inside our bodies intent is to harm us. Antibiotics do perform a sometimes useful function in killing off large numbers of harmful bacteria in our bodies that can lead to life threatening infections. It is a self sacrificing trade-off, however, as there is no discrimination between the chemotherapeutic killing off of all bacteria, whether it be good or bad germs, in the gastrointestinal tract.

Also, we are constantly putting what little, of a very fragile ecosystem, of friendly bacteria most of us may have under constant daily attack, in ingesting a poor diet. Over refined foods such as white sugar, white flour, polyunsaturated fats, and alcohol contributes to abundant populations of harmful bacteria by feeding them what they need to survive and reproduce.

Here is the kicker, though, the good bacteria in your gut is a very fragile ecosystem. In other words, this highly beneficial gut flora can easily be destroyed, or seriously compromised by common communicable, and contagious, illnesses such as the flu. The severe vomiting and diarrhea that are often accompanying symptoms of the flu can purge the digestive tract of good, and highly beneficial, bacteria.

The appendix appears to act in rebooting your digestive system with beneficial germs. It also stores and protects them until they are needed..

Do not fret, however, if you have had to have your appendix removed because of an appendicitis attack. Repopulating your gut with beneficial bacterial flora is relatively easy to do, if you understand the importance of why you should, and how.

A very popular way to get friendly bacteria into one's daily diet is to make kombucha tea at home. It is a very tasty drink, and quite easy to make. It is, also, a very energizing drink, and once you start drinking it regularly, you will notice many positive healthy benefits.

The amazing thing is, this drink has many health testimonials associated with it. Your results will be, of course, individualistic to you. Try drinking two to three 8 ounce cups a day, along with the most preferred beverage of choice for health, water.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65604&catid=720
Affect Acne

Sports Drinks Safe Alternatives or Junk Food

2007-11-29T14:55:00.000-08:00

Anti-obesity, health advocates are at it again. They have successfully won a battle on having sodas banned in elementary schools by the 2008-2009 school year. They are furthering their cause by trying to also ban sports drinks in schools such as 'Gatorade' and 'Powerade' and flavored waters. They are claiming that sports drinks contain as much as two-thirds of the sugars in sodas, and more than three times the sodium.

Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has apparently agreed with this cause, enough, by introducing a bill in congress that would allow the government to decide what is best for the nation's children, in setting nutritional standards for all foods, drinks, and flavored vitamin waters in schools. The hotly debated topic ensues in congress between nutritional health care advocates and the trade group that represents the bottlers of these drinks. Are they really 'safer alternatives' or just 'junk food'? It certainly is garnering some attention in congress, and for other interested bystanders as well.

The trade group representing the manufacturers of these drinks, of course, are adamantly opposing this bill. They proclaim these drinks are lower in sugar and calories than sodas, and are appropriate, even essential, to young high school athletes.

But, there is more evidence coming from the University of California at Berkeley, that adds fuel to the health care advocates cause, that warns about the possible weight gain associated with consuming to many of these drinks. They conclude that students who drink one 20- ounce of the drinks in question per day, for a year, without sufficient physical activity may experience a weight gain of up to 13 pounds.

Nutritionists, and health care advocates are not at all surprised with these findings. They say that looking at the ingredient label pretty much says it all. Read what the first three to four ingredients are in a recipe, they are listed in the order of their prevalence in the mixture. Most sports drinks and flavored waters consist mostly of water, many different types of sugar, acid flavor enhancers, and sodium.

Bucket loads of money is being spent by beverage manufacturers, on brainwashing advertisements, to get consumers to believe that these drinks are healthy, and essential. They claim they are needed to replenish those lost electrolytes, due to physical exertion. But, there is simply no real scientific evidence to support this theory. So, you can then begin to understand why the makers of these drinks do not want any official congressional sanctioning, of the notion, that sports drinks are linked to obesity.

Children who are involved in a long and physically demanding game, or any lengthy physical activity, and are drinking simple carbohydrates such as high fructose corn syrup (HFC), glucose, dextrose (the list can be quite lengthy), will experience a rise in normal insulin levels. Elevated insulin levels causes a short spike in energy levels followed by a sudden energy crash. This sluggishness can affect a child's overall athletic performance.

Sports drinks also contain enough sugar, just like sodas, to corrode teeth. Physical exertion causes dry mouth conditions, as not enough saliva is present in the mouth to fight off the acidic effects that sugar can have on teeth.

Children, or adults, simply do not require a short-term energizing boost in heir insulin levels in, relation to the amount of mild physical activity they are expending most of the time. Walking the dog, washing the car, or a quick game of hoops does not qualify as a vigorous enough activity to warrant the use of a sports drink. And, many children, and adults, lead very sedentary lifestyles, that buying into advertising claims about the safety, or essential need for such a product can help add to an ongoing obesity problem.

The only situation where a sports drink might be helpful, is after an individual has truly engaged in a vigorous physical workout that lasted for at least an hour. If you are actually sweating profusely, or if hot and humid weather conditions combined with high physical exertion are present, you might treat yourself with a sports drink. Otherwise, there are healthier food options for energy, and water alone does a wonderful job of re-hydrating you. To replace lost minerals, give your body some pure unrefined salt.

There really is no getting around it, manufactured beverages the way they are currently being sweetened are not healthy hydrating fluids for your body. And, they should never be used in total replacement of pure water. If you think you must have a sports drink, try a watered down version instead. However, plant the seed of knowledge in your mind,right now, that nothing satisfies your body more efficiently than plain and simple water.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65295&catid=720
Breast Enlargement Results

Good Bacteria How Probiotics Can Boost Your Internal Health

2007-11-29T07:55:00.000-08:00

Many medical health care professionals claim antibiotics to be 'the lifesaving drugs' of the twentieth century. No doubt, antibiotics are the most widely used and the most talked about class of drugs ever used, on the vast majority of people and animals, across the globe. What does the term antibiotics actually mean though?

Here is Wikipedia's definition of the word term meaning for antibiotic. An antibiotic is a chemotherapeutic agent that inhibits or abolishes the growth of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans. Antibiotic is now used to refer to substances with anti-bacterial, anti-fungi, or anti-parasitical activity.

Antibiotic's widespread overuse has recently been questioned over the last decade, by many concerned health care experts, due to their apparent, and oftentimes, ineffectiveness. And, many health care scientists are also beginning to recognize the fact that, unfortunately, not all the bacteria that dwells inside our bodies aim to harm us.

Antibiotics do perform a sometimes useful function in killing off large numbers of harmful bacteria in our bodies that can lead to life threatening infections. It is a self sacrificing trade-off, however, as there is no discrimination between the chemotherapeutic killing off of all bacteria, whether it be good or bad germs, in the gastrointestinal tract.

Since the 1940's, modern medicine has mainly focused on the killing off of harmful disease causing bacteria via newly discovered antibiotics. This practice came about with not much understanding of the role, in the advantages, that good micro-organisms (bacteria) played in maintaining good health.

Good bacteria (probiotics), is a modern new term used to describe live, beneficial organisms (bacteria) which, when taken in adequate and consistent amounts, offers many different health benefits to the host. Two very subtle improvements are often noticed right away, in a stronger immune system and a healthier digestive tract.

"Probiotics is not a fad," says Gary Huffnagle, an immunologist at the University of Michigan and author of "The Probiotics Revolution." It is really is a new scientific understanding about how the body works."

Do an internet search on the word term 'probiotics' and you will find that there has definitely been a shift, now days, in the way medical scientists think about bacteria (germs). It is finally getting a much deserved, more focused awareness and attention than ever before.

Probiotics have been found to aid with the absorption of nutrients, production of vitamin K, and helps with the necessary and balanced maintenance of good bacteria in the intestines. They are also believed to inhibit the overgrowth of disease causing harmful bacteria, by crowding them out. Probiotics can be the most helpful to those who have just recently taken antibiotics, by re-establishing colonies of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract which, sometimes, can be quite difficult to do.

The best sources of good bacteria (probiotics) comes from fermented foods, beverages, or supplements. Probiotic supplements are available in many health food stores either in capsules, powders, or liquid forms. And, while many nutritional experts agree that most of us would benefit in some way from a daily dose of probiotics, learning how to ferment your own foods or beverages at home is a more superior source of good bacteria nutrition. Not all probiotic supplements can necessarily be trusted to deliver what they say they can.

Besides, learning to ferment your own food and beverages at home can be a healthy, fun, and nutritious hobby. Most experts on this subject will agree, that anything you can easily make at home is far better for you than any commercialized product that you could buy. The reasoning behind this idea, is that you will have more control over the whole process in what you are ingesting, and you also have the option of buying the most natural ingredients to use for the end product.

Here is a small list (there are many more that are not listed) of different types of fermented foods and beverages:

1.yogurt
2.aged cheeses
3.kefir
4.kombucha
5.pickles and olives
6.sauerkraut
7.sourdough bread
8.soy sauce
9.vinegar

Studies have shown that good bacteria can help protect us from diarrhea, colitis, urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, and Chron's disease. Probiotics may also help treat kidney infections and stones, ulcers, and allergies. Some even argue that good bacteria can help protect us from cancer, colds and flu, and help lower cholesterol.

All-in-all, probiotics have been reported to help many different health conditions, from diabetes to migraine headaches. And to think, that as a culture, we have been overly obsessed with killing germs all around us by bleaching and soap washing everything in sight.

We are just now beginning to understand that there are certain types of germs, or bacteria, that are actually good for us, and they are our friends. Will our awareness of this knowledge benefit human health in the long term, I believe so.
Source: http://www.profoundarticles.com/articledetail.php?artid=65297&catid=720
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