Friday, December 31, 2010

Thyroid Dysfunction, its Symtoms & Treatment

by: Balaji


Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland situated under the pituitary gland does not produce the required amount of thyroid hormone. This hormone is necessary for proper functioning of the cells of our body and assist in metabolism. Any deficiency in this hormone would result in a host of problems in the human body.

There many people around the world with some form of hypothyroidism or thyroid dysfunction without even knowing that they have that disorder.Surgery, medications, iodine deficiency, dysfunction of the pituitary gland, and thyroid gland inflammation are some of the causes of hypothyroidism. The other causes of hypothyroidism could be chronic fatigue and weakness, weight gain or difficulty in losing weight, dry and rough skin, and abnormal menstrual cycles.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism is often associated with the symptoms of candida over growth and other fungal diseases. Diagnoses are the important one in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Diagnoses are always related with the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Some time symptoms of hypothyroidism are interrupted differently by the patient and by the physician. The other symptoms of hypothyroidism are mild swelling of the feet and legs, heavy lower eyelids, pain in the wrist due to compression of nerves.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism can be the list given above and also decreased sex drive, memory loss, depression and irritability, constipation, muscle cramps, hair loss or dry hair, and intolerance to cold. The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone from the pituitary gland) level and T4 levels in the blood are tested.

The T4 level is the main thyroid hormone. The doctor who is checking these levels should be well aware to compare the TSH and T4 levels with the symptoms to identify whether the person is suffering from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is the over production of the thyroid hormone.

Natural remedies for hypothyroidism are effective method. The herbs used in the natural remedies for hypothyroidism help to maintain healthy thyroid functioning. The herbs used in the natural treatment for hypothyroidism are fucus vesiculosis, it is a sea vegetable it contain iodine. Avena sativa is used for nerve disorder it is known as nerve tonic.

For more information related to various natural treatments available for Thyroid, pls visit Natural Remedies for Hypothyroidism webpage for more details. Online version of the above article is located at http://www.natural-treatment-guide.com/thyroid/thyroid-intro.html

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Fitness

by: Jimmy Sturo


Fitness is defined as a state of being healthy, which prepares the body for the physical necessities of daily life. To be more precise, fitness provides strength, flexibility and stamina for the proper functioning of the body. It is a total solution for a perfect, fine-tuned life. The five main components of fitness are aerobic endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility and body composition. The right kind of physical and mental exercises and proper intake of nutritious food are the factors that contribute to fitness. A well-balanced diet not only makes one fit, but provides all necessary nutrients for the body. Mental fitness, essential for the psychological well-being of a person, is also a key factor in sustaining a healthy state.

Fitness lowers the risks of various health issues such as obesity, cardio-vascular problems, habitual inactivity and depression. It helps to prevent age-related problems. Moreover, fitness makes one feel relaxed and active throughout the day.

To stay physically fit doesn't entail spending hours in a gym or on costly fitness to develop muscle mass like body builders. All you need to do is improve power and endurance and get mobile. Nowadays, immobility has become part of a lifestyle, with people spending more time in front of the computer. So the need for exercise is a must.

A systematic workout of small exercises such as brisk walking, cycling, jogging and swimming can energize the body. An overdose of exercise might injure the body. So it is vital to find an enjoyable schedule of activity. The fitness methods adopted must be person-specific. It varies for men, women, children and the aged. Individuals have to choose exercises that are ideal for their body. Fitness methods include meditation, yoga sessions, aerobic classes and muscular fitness exercises.

Today, more and more people are struggling to keep their body and mind fit. This has resulted in the growth of a range of sophisticated multi-gyms, professional fitness institutions and clubs. Health and fitness magazines and publications are also available, and fitness tips and training programs are available via the Internet.

11 Tips to Boost Your Metabolism

by: Andrew Bicknell


Boosting ones metabolism is something many people try to achieve everyday. Having a high metabolic rate increases the amount of calories, or energy, the body burns on a daily basis. Without optimal metabolism the body will store excess calories as fat for future use. The problem for many people is they don�t ever use these excess calories and as a result struggle with weight issues.

There are many factors that affect a person�s metabolism including age, weight, hormonal changes, lean muscle mass, diet, genetics, stress and the amount of physical activity undertaken on a daily basis. As you can see boosting your metabolism involves many factors, but the fact of the matter is that it is relatively easy to boost your metabolism if you are committed to doing so.

Here are 11 tips to help you boost your metabolism:

1. Build lean body mass. As we age our bodies metabolism or ability to burn calories decreases. One way to offset this problem is by exercising. Lean muscle burns calories and the more you have the more calories you burn, even while resting. You can build muscle through resistance or weight training at least twice a week. You can also boost your metabolism by doing cardio exercises. You can choose to do this between or in conjunction with weight training. Simply going for a walk or using the stairs instead of the elevator are good ways to get in an aerobic workout.

2. Eat Breakfast. Many people ignore eating breakfast. What they don�t realize is that it�s the most important meal of the day. Breakfast gives your metabolism a boost and provides a consistent energy supply throughout the day. The majority of people who eat a healthy breakfast have fewer weight and health issues than those who don�t.

3. Sugar is bad. Processed and refined sugar such as found in sweets and soft drinks overload the body with sugar causing many serious health issues including obesity and diabetes. Complex carbohydrates are a better energy source because they supply an even level of blood sugar. The human body just isn�t built to deal with the large amounts of refined sugar most people include in their diet.

4. Spicy foods that make you sweat can help boost your metabolism.

5. Get a good night�s sleep. There is research that shows that people who do not get sufficient sleep tend to gain weight. This may be because the body uses sleep to heal and regenerate itself, including its muscular system.

6. Drink more water. Water is the lubricant of the body. It also flushes toxins out of the body and keeps the kidneys operating at maximum efficiency. This allows the liver more time to do what it does best, metabolize fat stores.

7. Eat small meals. Eat 5 to 6 small meals per day spaced 20 to 3 hours apart. This gives the body a steady supply of energy and prevents binge eating.

8. Don�t miss meals. Skipping meals in order to loose weight is counter productive because it actually slow metabolism and can lead to over eating.

9. Plan your meals. If you have a daily or weekly menu you are much more likely to stick to your plan.

10. Drink green tea. Green tea has been shown to boost metabolism and unlike coffee does not stress the body with caffeine.

11. Include more high energy foods in your diet including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These provide a more balanced energy source and will not cause blood sugar spikes.

Boosting your metabolism can be done if you are dedicated to doing it. This does not mean you need to stress over each little thing but if you eat right and exercise you should see a decrease in body fat and a much more energetic and happy you.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Causes of Diabetes

by: Dr Maria


Certain factors that contribute to the development of diabetes are Heredity Heredity is a major factor. That diabetes can be inherited has been known for centuries. However, the pattern of inheritance is not fully understood. Statistic indicates that those with a family history of the disease have a higher risk of developing diabetes than those without such a background. The risk factor is 25 to 33 percent more. One reason why diabetes, especially type-2 diabetes runs in the family is because of the diabetes gene. But even it is caused by genetic factors beyond your control; there is no reason to suffer from it. Diabetes mellitus cannot be cured in full sense of the term, but it can be effectively controlled so that you would not know the difference. Diet Diabetes has been described by most medical scientists as a prosperity’ disease, primarily caused by systematic overeating. Not only is eating too much sugar and refined carbohydrates harmful, but proteins and fats, which are transformed into sugar, may also result in diabetes if taken in excess. It is interesting to note that diabetes is almost unknown in countries where people are poor and cannot afford to overeat. The incidence of diabetes is directly linked with the consumption of processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates, like biscuits, bread, cakes chocolates, pudding and ice creams. Obesity Obesity is one of the main causes of diabetes. Studies show that 60 to 85 % of diabetics tend to be overweight. In the United States of America, about 80 percent of type –2 non-insulin dependent diabetics are reported to be overweight. Excess fat prevents insulin from working properly. The more fatty tissue in the body, the more resistant the muscle and tissue cells become to body insulin. Insulin allows the sugar in the blood to enter the cells by acting on the receptor sites on the surface of the cells. Older people often tend to gain weight, and the same time, many of them develop and mild form of diabetes because who are over weight can often improve their blood sugar simply by losing weight. Stress and Tension There is a known connection between stress and diabetes mellitus, those who are under stress and/or lead an irregular lifestyle, need to take adequate precautions and make necessary lifestyle adjustments. Grief, worry and anxiety resulting from examinations, death of a close relative, loss of a joy, business failure and strained marital relationship, all a deep influence on the metabolism and may cause sugar to appear in the urine. Smoking Smoking is another important risk factor. Among men who smoke, the risk of developing diabetes is doubled. In women who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day, the risk of developing diabetes is increased by 40 percent. Lifestyle Risk People who are less active have greater risk of developing diabetes. Modern conveniences have made work easier. Physical activity and exercise helps control weight, uses up a lot of glucose (sugar) present in the blood as energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin. Consequently, the workload on the pancreas is reduced.

Antioxidant Dietary Supplement

Vincent


"Antioxidant dietary supplement" is a catch phrase that is bantered about without much clarification. American's are educated in the simple definition of antioxidant: cancer fighter. There is really more to be explained about how these supplements work. Still one thing that is unquestionably true is the high incidence of cancer especially in older people.
The American Cancer Society reported that between 1997 through 2001 the rate at which new cases of all types of cancer were diagnosed in the United States was about 470 per 100,000 people. During the same time period there were about 200 cancer deaths per 100,000 people per year. It further reported that 76% of all cancers are diagnosed in persons aged 55 and older. That would suggest that while the cancer rate is high; the death rate from cancer is not as high.
With that much cancer in the population it is no wonder that many people have decided on a course of preventative medicine. But what does an antioxidant dietary supplement really do and how does it work?
First, it must be explained that the villains as far as scientists know so far are "free radicals". These are oxygen molecules and some other reactive compounds that can damage human cells. These villains to human health are produced by viruses, pollutants, solar radiation and even normal cell processes.
There are three types of antioxidants which work in conjunction to stabilize free radicals and flush them from the body. Fat soluble antioxidants, like vitamin E and beta-carotene, are the first group of antioxidants which neutralize free radicals. The second type of antioxidant is surface-active. These are polyphenols which are phytochemicals or light absorbing substances which occur naturally and help in plant photosynthesis. The group of antioxidants comprised of these transport neutralized free radicals from the water soluble to the third type of antioxidant. There are over 4000 known polyphenals catalogued so far, the best being found in dark red fruits and vegetables.
The last group of antioxidants is that which is water soluble such as vitamin C. This water soluble antioxidant receives the neutralized free radical from the transporting surface-active antioxidant and takes it to the liver where it is made inert for excretion.
This complex interplay amount these three distinct antioxidants is believed to prevent a range of cancers from occurring in the first place. The degree to which a food or supplement possesses this capacity is measured by a new standardized test. This measurement is expressed as the food's oxygen radical absorbing capacity or ORAC. The best ORAC values are found in deep colored fruits and vegetables as well as green tea and herbs like rosemary. Extra virgin olive oil has the highest ORAC rating.
Only time can determine whether the American public is successful in lowering the rate at which cancer occurs. By arming itself with a basic understanding of the various substances that fight cancer's occurrence and making dietary changes accordingly they may have a positive impact on cancer.

Author Vincent Platania represents the Stanley Home Products. Stanley Home Products has been in business since 1936, and offers high quality home and personal care products to keep your home and your body clean. Visit http://www.stanley-home-products.com

Coronary Artery Disease -What You Need to Know

by: Blubert Tavedorn


Coronary Artery Disease is commonly known as Heart Disease or Atherosclerosis. In coronary artery disease, plaque builds up inside the arteries. These plaques are formed by fats and cause the arteries to harden. The deposits are made of fat that came from the food that we eat. These fat deposits narrow the arteries and impede circulation. The narrowing of the arteries also causes high blood pressure because the body tries to compensate for the inadequate supply of blood throughout the system.

Fat deposits in arteries are very dangerous. Aside from the fact that these arteries should not be present in the arteries, these deposits also cause a disturbance in the heart's normal functioning. The blood vessels with fat deposits are narrowed. It also causes hardening that inhibits the normal elastic function of the vessels. It causes decreased blood flow to the heart which results in chest pain called angina.

Angina occurs when the heart doesn't have enough supply of oxygen for it to function properly. The heart muscles need oxygen for them to function because it is necessary for the energy formation of muscles that it uses for working. Without adequate energy, muscles will fail to work. Angina is described as a painful squeezing feeling in the chest that is also felt in the jaws, extremities and the back.

A heart attack occurs after angina. The heart ceases to function because its muscles did not receive much oxygen. Certain muscles in the heart have died because of the inadequate supply of oxygen and therefore the remaining muscles have to compensate for the loss. Compensation gives extra workload and fatigue, causing it to stop.

There are a lot of factors that cause coronary heart disease. One of them is a major risk factor that can't be avoided and that is family history. If your family is known to have coronary heart disease, then you will likely also have the condition. Little is known about this theory but it is very consistent among patients with coronary heart disease.

If you are living a sedentary or inactive lifestyle, it is now time to change your ways and to do some serious physical work. A sedentary lifestyle will increase your risk of developing heart disease because without physical activities, your heart muscles will become flabby and weak. You need to do some simple exercises to tone your heart muscles and make it strong.

Obesity also increases the chance of having heart disease. Fat is a major contributory factor for the development of heart disease and people who are obese or overweight have a lot of fat stored in their bodies. These fats need to be burned down to lose weight and prevent having serious complications such as heart disease.

All in all, heart disease is caused by living an inappropriate lifestyle. Keep in mind that no matter how rich you are, it is not an excuse for you not to work. Exercise should also be a regular habit so that your muscles will be tougher and can reach their optimum functioning.

11th World Congress on Internet in Medicine

by: Charles E. Donovan


The 11th World Congress on Internet in Medicine sponored by Mednet is being held this week in Toronto Canada. The Conference has over 1,000 attendees including Microsoft's Director of the Health Industry, Intel.'s Managing Director of Health Care and the National Director of Marketing at the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control(CDC).
Mednet 2006 is Improving Public Health through the Internet. I have attended many of the workshops and symposiums. The presentations have covered Research, Practice, and Business, shedding light on the topics from different angles. There is a mix of contributed abstracts, panels, and keynote speakers. Research abstracts contain original research results. practice abstracts contain presentations of useful medical websites or other eHealth technologies (without a strong evaluation component), and abstracts in the business track present business models, business issues, business ideas etc. It is an outstanding program.
More and more consumers are turning to the internet to search for information their specific disease or health care issue. And the challenge of the Conference is to make healh care more accessible, affordable and convenient for the consumer. There are over 100 workshops, but here is a summary of the basic themes of this very important worldwide conference:
Themes:
* patient portals; * putting electronic health records online; * etrials: using the web and etechnologies for clinical trials; * public (e-)health, population health technologies, surveillance; * Health information on the web: Supply and Demand; * Next-generation Internet health applications; * semantic web applications and search engine technologies; * psychobehavioral interventions on the Internet; * evaluation and methodological issues in ehealth; * web-based medical education; * health communication on the internet; * Internet for disease prevention; * ehealth for chronic diseases; * online pharmacies; * usability and human factors on the web; * telehealth and medical practice using IP technologies; * business opportunities in ehealth; * health-e body weight: ehealth technologies for healthy eating and active lifestyle; * cancer and the Internet (cancer-track kindly sponsored by the U.S. National Cancer Institute) * web-assisted tobacco interventions. * Internet based publishing and peer-review; * Open Access publishing in medicine; * failures in eHealth I was surprised at the importance of providing an interactive web site for the consumer regardless of of his/her disease. It is remarkable the amount of evidenced based web site interactivity that various healthcare providers are designing to improve patient outcomes. I hope to incorporate some of these functions into my own web site http://www.MajorDepressionTreatment.com
Charles Donovan was a patient in the FDA investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. He was implanted with the vagus nerve stimulator in April of 2001. He chronicles his journey from the grips of depression thanks to vagus nerve stimulation therapy in his book: i>Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression http://www.OutOfTheBlackHole.com His all inclusive book prepares depression sufferers to make an informed decision about this ninety-minute out-patient procedure. It is a "must read" before you discuss this treatment with your psychiatrist. A prescription for the procedure is required from an M.D. and it is covered by most insurance plans. He is the founder of the http://www.VagusNerveStimulation.com Web Site and Bulletin.

Strokes And Dementia

by: Christian Goodman


Dementia can create a mental picture that it means to talk about the ones suffering from the Alzheimer's disease who find it very difficult to remember things and their close relationships and thereby causing character collapse leading to an outburst of fury and irritations. Reasons that cause Dementia are both curable and permanent and depending upon this the disease can be treated.

The major cause of Dementia is the failure of the cerebral cortex which functions in taking care of the thinking abilities, remembering and character. Once the cells corresponding to the brain in the cerebral cortex deteriorate it can be found that the perception and reasoning will diminish in people who face this illness. They will feel it difficult to manage and align simple things like routine management and cooking .

One out of the causes of Dementia is Alzheimer's disease and maybe a very annoying problem nowadays.Vascular Dementia is also supposed to the very main reason in this deteriorating problem. A group of simple strokes making the brain malfunction is called Vascular Dementia. When one happens to face these two conditions at the same time and these can worsen the start of Alzheimer's Disease.

Strokes can be characterized by blocking of blood to the brain. It can be a result of the bulging of the arterial walls or stone formation in the walls of the artery leading to the brain. Oxygen is supplied through blood to the brain and when stopped for a period of time the cells deteriorate. simple strokes erase memories and thereby make making senses of time, direction, and recognition difficult to distinguish.

Irritation may be the result of Failure in achieving targets of daily schedule and memory loss. Character transformation is very important in case of lowering the occurrences of strokes while major reasons cannot be avoided. Streamlining the Food habits and following a routine of physical activities are the key reasons to enhance the flow of blood and reducing the blood pressure. Stone Formation in walls of the artery are due to the bad cholesterol also termed as LDL.

Dementia is unbearable and its always safe to prevent it by following a healthy routine of Exercise and diet.This can lower the occurrences of strokes to a great extent and Dementia too. When our dear ones are affected by strokes its difficult to digest though simple or complex.

Know more on preventing dementia naturally by trying the natural dementia treatment program.Naturally treating Dementia is widely chosen rather than the importance induced on the other medications.

Blue Heron Health News is a leading publishing firm in the area of natural health. Their natural health publications include an all natural dementia remedy

Friday, December 24, 2010

Avandia is Killing Americans, FDA Negligence Comes Front and Center

It appears the new FDA leadership is not much different than the last administration, as the diabetes drug Avandia killed 304 people in the third quarter of 2009 while the FDA dragged its feet.  The scandal is hitting a fever pitch as the New York Times and Washington Post feature stories on a bipartisan Senate investigatory report released over the weekend.  It criticizes GlaxoSmithKline for failing to warn patients years earlier that Avandia was potentially deadly.  “Instead, G.S.K. executives attempted to intimidate independent physicians, focused on strategies to minimize or misrepresent findings that Avandia may increase cardiovascular risk, and sought ways to downplay findings that a competing drug might reduce cardiovascular risk,” concludes the report, which was overseen by Senator Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, and Senator Charles E. Grassley, an Iowa Republican.
In reality, the FDA is sitting on several dozen of these big-selling-drug time bombs. FDA management refuses to take action in a timely manner to protect Americans.  The logical conclusion as to why the FDA behaves this way is to protect the drug company, in this case GlaxoSmithKline, from a flood of lawsuits.  A second reason is that the FDA management knowingly approved a dangerous drug in the first place and now looks inept (which they are) taking it off the market.  Back in 2006 the FDA management (headed by cancer biotech kingpin Andrew von Eschenbach) forced their own safety expert to retract the black box warning she wanted to place on Avandia for congestive heart failure.  She was then stripped of her power to make such warnings and removed from supervision of the safety of Avandia.
The new FDA commissioner, Margaret Hamburg, doesn’t seem to have a clue.  On Friday evening she said she was going to wait several more months until a new advisory committee (typically industry friendly) offered a new opinion on the issue, adding “Meanwhile, I am reviewing the inquiry made by Senators Baucus and Grassley and I am reaching out to ensure that I have a complete understanding and awareness of all of the data and issues involved.”  Is Dr. Hamburg willing to be personally responsible for all the needless deaths that occur in the meantime?
The Senate investigation showed that FDA safety scientists conducted a report on Avandia and concluded that it should be removed from the market.  Their report was ignored by FDA management, as FDA commissioner Hamburg continues to do.  It is pretty obvious that GlaxoSmithKline aggressively marketed Avandia knowing that it injured and killed, reaching peak sales in 2007 of 3.2 billion.  When cardiovascular concerns began coming to public light worldwide profits fell, and were just over a billion last year.
The Senators think this problem of drug safety can be solved by placing the safety scientists in their own FDA entity, rather than having their findings overruled by managers who approved the drugs in the first place.  While such a change may help, the FDA resists making such a move.  I don’t think it would solve the problem.
The only way this problem is going to get solved is if criminal penalties are given to management at Big Pharma companies who knowingly withhold safety data and then Americans die.  If they were tried for involuntary manslaughter, as they should be, then this nonsense would stop.  FDA managers who overrule safety findings which then result in deaths of Americans should face the same penalty – and then the FDA management, often in a revolving door with the industry it is supposed to be regulating, would stop acting like the best friend of Big Pharma.
Avandia is the tip of the iceberg as far as FDA-approved blockbuster drugs that are injuring and killing Americans.  If not for a few Senators trying to look out for the public this information would not see the light of day.  The FDA is utterly incompetent at doing the job it is supposed to be doing.  It does not need more money to do its job.  It needs a legal and ethics overhaul.  The next question the FDA should be forced to answer is, “How many other drugs have your safety scientists warned should not be on the market?”  And what about the poisoning of our food supply with GMOs - didn’t your scientists warn they were unsafe to eat?
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Atrial Fibrillation Treatment: What Are My Options?

Some of you may have heard that afib is common, comes with age, and is harmless. Not necessarily true. Clots can form in the heart from atrial fibrillation which can lead to a stroke. Afib may start as happening only every so often, but it usually leads to more episodes, which may lead to a more permanent episode (i.e. occurring all the time). The irregularity in the heart rate can cause you to be symptomatic. And there are some studies that are looking at a link between afib and heart failure.

So atrial fibrillation is not something to take lightly and it should be managed by your doctor. No doubt, if your doctor has diagnosed you with atrial fibrillation, then he or she has already started you on some drug treatment. The most common would be a blood thinner to prevent a clot from forming in the heart and thus reducing the potential for a stroke.

When a patient is in atrial fibrillation, their heart is very irregular and sometimes can race at a rate of between 100 and 130 or higher. In some patients this can make them feel symptomatic. If you are one of these patients and feel symptoms from the atrial fibrillation, your doctor may prescribe rate or rhythm control drugs. As the names suggest, these meds try to control the irregular and rapid rates of your heart. Though useful in controlling the heart, some patients don�t like them because of their associated side affects.

Additionally, since the drugs slow the heart rate down, there�s a chance of the heart going too slow. To counter this effect of drug treatment a pacemaker is sometimes implanted to ensure that your heart is beating at an appropriate level.

Another option available is an atrial fibrillation ablation. Unlike the medication therapy, this option tries to cure the atrial fibrillation. The procedure takes place at the hospital and is relatively simple. The only pain you would feel is after the procedure (you are usually asleep during the ablation), where the instruments used in the procedure (catheters) were inserted into your body. These instruments are small enough to fit in your blood vessels and are usually inserted in the groin area. The blood vessels are a way for the doc to access your heart without the need for major surgery (i.e. open heart surgery).

I go into more details on atrial fibrillation treatments on my website: www.understandingatrialfibrillation.com. There you will also find descriptions of atrial fibrillation, causes, and much more�all in easy to understand terms.

www.UnderstandingAtrialFibrillation.com
Ben has been in the medical device industry for several years. His experience is specifically with equipment relating to the heart. A good amount of his work is understanding patient heart conditions so that he can better suggest to cardiologists which equipment will work best for a specific situation. His work also provides him with a lot of patient interaction and this is where his website started. UnderstandingAtrialFibrillation.com is made for the patient--no medical jargon, just easy to understand information.


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Exercise For Better Sex

Do you get winded by simply walking up a flight of stairs? Are you straining to pick up a gallon of milk? Do you crawl into bed shortly after arriving home from work? If so, you shouldn't expect to have the energy for a sexual marathon. But with proper exercise, one can get on the right track to feeling young and energetic in bed again.

At Ask UncleTerry.com we regularly have people emailing us - asking how they can improve their sexual stamina, get better aroused, last longer in bed and enjoy better enjoy sex. One of the best ways to achieve all of these desires and a whole lot more is exercise. Unless you're a cold fish, there's a great deal of body movement during sex. Together as a couple, go running or bike riding. This is a great way to spend quality time together while building physical endurance. Having healthier arteries will allow the blood to flow better to the genitals. With a healthier blood flow, men will develop a harder erection, and women will be more easily aroused.

With a conditioned body, one is able to last longer in bed and have sex numerous times. After climaxing once, break the habit of falling asleep afterward. Pleasure your mate for a while, instead. When the blood gets flowing again, "round two" can commence. This will keep both of you interested, and make your mate go wild with anticipation during intermission.

With endless positions to choose from during intercourse such as those found at AskUncleTerry.com, don't stick to the same routine. If you work your upper body, it will be easier to grab your mate with authority and try a new position. Different positions will keep the spark alive. Use each muscle. Guys, this doesn't mean you should just lay back and let the woman do all the work. You need to be engaged, as well. Sexual energy will increase exponentially if both bodies thrust towards one another. Exercising your legs, arms and chest is great, but working the hidden muscles will help build stamina, as well.

Kegel exercises work for both men, and women. This exercise will thoroughly help each partner to gain control of his or her body. To do Kegel exercises, participants must tighten the muscle as if they are holding back urine. This is not about squeezing your stomach, or rear end. Next time you are going the bathroom, try holding back the stream. This should give you a feel of where that muscle is. Once you have found it, try working the muscle with reps of about 10 to 30 times. Then try repeating this at least 50 times a day. Once you are able to do 50, step it up to 30 reps at 200 times a day. It may seem like a lot of work, but you can do these while reading the paper or typing on the computer. If you are faithful to the routine, you should feel results within a month. A woman who does Kegel exercises can control and tighten her vagina. To help stimulate the male, she can use this muscle to get a firmer grab on the penis. Men who are going to climax should tighten their pubococcygeal (PC) muscle and release as desired. This will help them develop a skill to control ejaculation. Every time you hold back an orgasm, try to last a little longer than the previous one. Remember, practice makes perfect and the ladies love a man who can hold his own.

Climb the stairs to your bedroom without feeling exhausted. Pick up that gallon of milk after a glorious morning of sex. After work, you should plan on another sexual marathon. Sex is a great stress reliever and an amazing way to show the teamwork of a couple. Although exercising may seem hard at times, your body and your spouse will thank you.



Writer Terrance Lile brings you Ask Uncle Terry & ForumErotica, the fastest growing sexual education experience in cyberspace. Through a blend of morality, sincerity and humor this website provides sexual information for the enjoyment of diverse and safe sexual practices, while at the same time encouraging abstinence until in a committed relationship. http://www.askuncleterry.com

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Kegel Exercises

A kegel is the name of a pelvic floor exercise, named after Dr. Kegel who discovered the exercise in 1948. I call them “the invisible exercise”, since you can do them when no one else can tell. Kegels are a series of exercises which can help tighten up the pubococcygeal muscles (PC muscles). These originate from your pubic bone, go under your genitals and attach to your tailbone. Both men and women have them.
After pelvic surgery, pregnancy, or even as we age, these muscles lose their tone. This can result in a loss of bladder control, also called incontinence, a loose vagina, (especially after having a child), an inability to control ejaculation in guys, and a reduction of sexual pleasure for both men and women.
There are several ways to do kegel exercises. One method requires you to have a full bladder, sit on the toilet and start to urinate, then suddenly clamp down and stop the flow. Start and stop several times in a row. If you can’t cut off the flow of urine, but dribble on, you need to start kegel exercises for sure. From now on, every time you urinate start and stop all the way. This is often called “the faucet” and is a good indicator of your progress.
You can also do kegels right at your desk, even right now. Tighten your PC muscles and hold for a count of eight, then slowly release and repeat eight times. Yes, you can do these sitting at the computer or at your desk at work or school. (But don’t let that distract you from your teacher or boss). If you can’t make it to eight or ten in the beginning, use a lower number and do those until you build up to ten.
Another good time to do kegels, is when you are the passenger in a car. Every time you stop at a red light, do some, who will know but you.
Not only does this improve bladder control, but doing kegels regularly will improve your sex life. After doing kegel exercises, a woman will be able to clamp down and grip her partner’s penis increasing both their sexual pleasures. You men should notice an improvement in the 'intensity' of your erections and ejaculations. These exercises are also recommended for guys who experience premature ejaculation. While the penis is not a muscle, the increased muscle tone will improve blood supply resulting in firmer erections and also help a man to delay ejaculation. Kegels can also help prevent leaking urine when you sneeze or cough!
Like any other muscle group, you either “use it or lose it”. For honest answer about your sexual health see:

Thursday, December 16, 2010

10 Best Reasons Older Adults Need to Practice Yoga and the Soft Martial Arts by: Karen B. Cohen

Today, millions of older Americans are experiencing a higher quality of life by taking an active and positive approach to their personal wellness. They are enjoying improved health and successful living by becoming self-educated, personally responsible and proactive. The most successful are those who adopt a whole-person wellness model, addressing the needs of the body, mind, and spirit.
Most people know about the research that shows that regular exercise provides a wide range of health benefits and, perhaps most importantly, can preserve function and independence. Fewer realize that their choice of exercise activity can produce another host of unexpected benefits. By choosing mind/body exercises, such as yoga or soft martial arts (like Chi Gung and T’ai Chi), older adults can unleash even greater health and vitality.
Yoga and Chi Gung (as well as all other soft arts) are ideal choices for older adults because they positively affect the whole person: body, intellect, emotions, and spirit. They increase vital energy while strengthening and soothing the body, focusing the mind, and nurturing the spirit.
The ten best reasons older adults need a mind/body practice are:
Body – Caring for the body  improves health, preserves your ability to function and preserves independence. Yoga and Chi Gung offer powerful protection from falls – a major threat to older adults!

1.  Strengthen Muscles and Bones:   Yoga especially builds muscle strength and bone mass. The vital weight-bearing postures of yoga stimulate the bones to retain calcium. In yoga, both the upper and lower body receive the benefits of bearing weight, unlike walking or running.

2.  Improved Heart and Respiratory Health:   Chi Gung and the soft martial arts have been shown in studies to improve circulation, heart health, and respiratory function. Yoga breathing exercises are very powerful tools to increase respiratory function, breath capacity and physical energy. Both increase vitality and sense of well-being.
3.   Increased Flexibility:   Yoga and Chi Gung both increase overall flexibility, contributing to improved everyday functioning and mobility,  and protection from falls. Despite popular notions, you do not need to be flexible to practice yoga. The idea is to practice at your current level with patience and compassion, gently becoming more pliable.
4.   Better Posture:  Good posture calls upon our new strength and flexibility to keep our spine healthy and strong. Healthy body posture supports digestive and respiratory functions as well. Poor posture in combination with osteoporosis leads to stress fractures.
5.  Improved Balance:  Balance gives older adults the confidence to move freely and to engage in physical activities. One of the most important parts of a senior fitness program is balance training. Seniors who exercise and practice balance activities, like those found in yoga and Chi Gung, can avert the devastating effects of a fall – the second leading cause of accidental death for seniors. Balance is an intangible force that many people take for granted.
6.  Increased Energy:   Yoga and Chi Gung are, in essence, ancient renewal and balancing systems for our vital energy. More than the sum of their parts, these practices gently revitalize the body. The term “Chi” itself means “energy”, and “Chi Gung” literally means “energy work”.
Mind -  Challenging the mind is crucial to staving off diseases like Alzheimer’s. Be sure to stimulate your intellectual dimension through learning new information and exploring topics that require judgment and decision-making. The physical aspects of a mind-body practice lead directly to a mental sense of rootedness, stability and balance.
7.  Intellectual Stimulation:  Learning a mind-body exercise is like learning a new language with its own vocabulary and rules. It takes focused attention. It is a practice…a journey of exploration. Yoga and the soft martial arts also invite us to explore a way of thinking that may be very unfamiliar to us.
8.   Emotional Support:   The philosophies infusing yoga and  Chi Gung encourage  us to be mindful of the present moment, to be aware and grateful of all around us, and to let go of our attachments of how we think things should be. This positive outlook leads to a sense of calm and well-being.
Spirit -  A new study shows that once people retire, they adopt a new sense of time and their place in the world as their values and beliefs begin to change. Adding a spiritual dimension to  your exercise activities offers additional wellness benefits. In addition to yoga and Chi Gung, consider nature walks and ‘mindful’ strength training and meditation in all forms.
9.   Connecting with the Big Picture:   A mindfulness practice is a direct way to practice connecting with a truth larger than ourselves. Practicing becoming quiet and receptive allows our inner wisdom to be heard. Older adults have indicated a desire to search for “the meaning of life”. Practitioners of yoga and the soft arts create a deep sense of richness and unity in their lives.
10.   Inner Exploration:   Central to the spiritual dimensions of the older adult is the desire to explore the inner self. Beyond the physical exercises of yoga and Chi Gung, they challenge us to look deeply at ourselves, to “be” with ourselves. We learn to celebrate our strengths and forgive our weaknesses while practicing patience and focused concentration.


Copyright 2005 Karen B.Cohen All Rights Reserved Karen B. Cohen C.L.C. RYT500 is a wellness coach and master yoga instructor, writer and speaker, residing in a college town in rural Virginia. Karen leads people to their own limitless supply of creativity and vitality so that they can express their talent and abilities fully in the world. She incorporates her expertise in mind-body techniques to work with a wide spectrum of clients. Karen provides seminars, workshops as well as individual coaching and training nationally and internationally. For more information go to KarenCohenYoga.blogspot.com and RockbridgeCoaching.blogspot.com.

3 Easy Steps for Finding Effective Weight Loss Products. Big fines against well-known weight loss ma by: Dave Perry

Chicago, Illinois, March 25, 2008. Recently, the federal government levied $25,000,000 in fines against 3 weight loss supplement manufacturers, including the highly publicized TrimSpa, featuring celebrity spokesperson, Anna Nicole Smith.

This shouldn't be a surprise.

Ms. Smith, who provided visible, physical evidence of the product's ability to help shed pounds, admitted to reporters over a year ago, that she lost much of the weight in ways other than ingestion of the TrimSpa product (Don't ask how she did it. It's not pleasant).

Beyond the appearance of results provided by Ms. Smith, the federal government looked deeper and found that little or no clinical evidence existed to support the TrimSpa’s weight loss claims.

TrimSpa, apparently, was a successful marketing ploy, rather than good science applied to an age old problem of excess weight.

Fortunately, there are companies out there that spend more on research, science and good weight loss product development, than on empty celebrity endorsements.

But, you need to know how to find them, and what to look for. Here are some guidelines for finding effective weight loss supplements:

#1 Look for a Product with claims substantiated by hard science

Many weight loss supplement manufacturers claim to be �clinically-proven", to have �documented results� or to be �backed by scientific research� to sell their products. But you need to see the research yourself. If a manufacturer is unwilling to provide substantiation, run like the wind.

#2 Not all Clinical Research is the same

Look closely at the clinical studies provided by weight loss manufacturers. Was it conducted by a reputable, recognized institution, such as Georgetown University Medical Center, Harvard or other known organization? If the manufacturer provides study results that were conducted by unspecified persons, under vague conditions, question their product claims

#3 What happens in the manufacturing plant

This can be murky. While a manufacturer may have scientific studies, conducted at reputable institutions that substantiate their product claims, they may not be putting the right ingredient purity, quality grade or dosage to help you realize the same results achieve in clinical studies.

Effective weight loss ingredients are expensive. One way a manufacturer can goose profits, is to lower the amount of active ingredients, while benefiting from legitimate result claims.

To make sure you'll be getting the same product as used in clinical testing, is to look for quality manufacturing verification from independent organizations, such as USP (US Pharmacopoeia), NF or Consumer Labs. Look for one or more of their symbols on weight loss packaging. If it's missing, avoid buying the product.

Getting beyond the hype of questionable, but often convincing celebrity endorsements requires some homework on the consumers’ part. But by following these three guidelines, it is possible to find a weight loss supplement that actually works.

About: Diab-X Natural Herbal Supplements for Type 2 Diabetics. http://www.provenresultshealth.com/diab-x/diabetes/natural/supplement/Qb.html Truth in Research: Blood Sugar and Diabetic Diet and Weight loss. Defeat Diabetes Naturally. You can find 200 real clinical studies on this site supporting proven natural, herbal supplements and how they can help diabetics return to healthy blood sugar levels and win this difficult battle with diabetic weight, plus get your old energy back again. Work this in with your current program. Testing indicates that you get results 3X Times faster than diet and exercise alone. Visit them or call the 800 Number to learn how Diab-X might improve your life. Toll Free Customer Service 888-600-6856 http://www.provenresultshealth.com/diab-x/diabetes/natural/supplement/Qb.html BLOG: http://www.provenresultshealth.com/naturalcuretalk/

To find other free health content see e-healtharticles.com

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Boost your life with vitamins

You may know everything about vitamins and supplements, but do you really apply in your daily life? In fact, about 150,000 cancer cases could be prevented yearly if the consumption of vitamin D is at the optimum levels. Unfortunately, the numbers of cases are growing bigger and bigger over the years.
Woman taking vitamin
Woman taking vitamin
In year 2006 in the United States, almost 56,561 people killed because of hypertension and the statistic recorded that 74.5 million people are suffering this killer disease. Actually, hypertension occurs when the arteries is no longer elastic as usual because of the formation of cholesterol. This bad situation meaning heart must be worked harder than before. Finally, if the pressure keeps increasing and stressing the heart, it’ll lead to the heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, arthritis, etc.
Seeing these nightmare diseases, something has should be done in order to prevent it from getting us. Some of preventive methods such as herbal medication, regular exercise, high blood pressure supplements, good in managing stress, osteoarthritis complex, and eat healthy heart diet surely may help us.
In conclusion, even though the day seems getting shorter now, we shouldn’t leave our body lacking in essential healthy lifestyle. Be wise in what we eat.

Human Growth Hormone - Real Fact

Historically, a scientist named Choh Hao Li was the first one who discovered the identification, purification and synthesis process of growth hormone. Then, his researched was led to the first used of Human Growth Hormones (HGH) for human therapy in 1981.
Basically, the growth hormone is built of protein-based polypeptide hormone. In humans, it reacts as a stimulator for growth process, cell reproduction and also regeneration of cells. As far as we know, the entire of our body including cells, tissues and organs is a construction of proteins. So, the HGH has used widely as a supplement in order to have a healthy lifestyle. In the athlete world, they are using to incline muscle mass development.
More than that, HGH also used to reduce the cholesterol level, reduce blood pressure, enhance the immune systems, stronger the bones, reduces wrinkles and other benefits. Many also report that HGH can slow the aging process and directly energize their health. But, as a smart consumer, some HGH Energizer Review steps should be read before we decide to buy or start any human growth hormone.
In conclusion, the HGH is a good supplement for us in order to have a healthy lifestyle. We should always do some revision on health article and incisive the right supplement so that it will be more effective and safe. The choice is there and we decide it.

Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle

You hear a lot about living a healthy lifestyle, but what does that mean? In general, a healthy person doesn't smoke, is at a healthy weight, eats healthy and exercises. Sounds simple, doesn't it?
The trick to healthy living is making small changes...taking more steps, adding fruit to your cereal, having an extra glass of water...these are just a few ways you can start living healthy without drastic changes. 

Exercise
One of the biggest problems in America today is lack of activity. We know it's good for us but avoid it like the plague either because we're used to being sedentary or afraid that exercise has to be vigorous to be worth our time. The truth is, movement is movement and the more you do, the healthier you'll be. Even moderate activities like chores, gardening and walking can make a difference.
Just adding a little movement to your life can:
  • Reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes
  • Improve joint stability
  • Increase and improve range of movement
  • Help maintain flexibility as you age
  • Maintain bone mass
  • Prevent osteoporosis and fractures
  • Improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • Enhance self esteem
  • Improve memory in elderly people
  • Reduce stress
So, even if you opt for small changes and a more modest weight loss, you can see the benefits are still pretty good. One study has found that just a 10% weight reduction helped obese patients reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and increase longevity.
Simple Ways to Move Your Body
You can start the process of weight loss now by adding a little more activity to your life. If you're not ready for a structured program, start small. Every little bit counts and it all adds up to burning more calories.
  • Turn off the TV. Once a week, turn off the TV and do something a little more physical with your family. Play games, take a walk...almost anything will be more active than sitting on the couch.
  • Walk more. Look for small ways to walk more. When you get the mail, take a walk around the block, take the dog for an extra outing each day or walk on your treadmill for 5 minutes before getting ready for work.
  • Do some chores. Shoveling snow, working in the garden, raking leaves, sweeping the floor...these kinds of activities may not be 'vigorous' exercise, but they can keep you moving while getting your house in order.
  • Pace while you talk. When you're on the phone, pace around or even do some cleaning while gabbing. This is a great way to stay moving while doing something you enjoy.
  • Be aware. Make a list of all the physical activities you do on a typical day. If you find that the bulk of your time is spent sitting, make another list of all the ways you could move more--getting up each hour to stretch or walk, walk the stairs at work, etc.
Learn about more ways to fit in exercise.
Eating Well
Eating a healthy diet is another part of the healthy lifestyle. Not only can a clean diet help with weight management, it can also improve your health and quality of life as you get older. You can use the new Food Guide Pyramid to determine how many calories you need and what food groups you should focus on or, if you're looking for smaller changes, you can use these tips for simple ways to change how you eat:
  • Eat more fruit. Add it to your cereal, your salads or even your dinners
  • Sneak in more veggies. Add them wherever you can--a tomato on your sandwich, peppers on your pizza, or extra veggies in your pasta sauce. Keep pre-cut or canned/frozen veggies ready for quick snacks.
  • Switch your salad dressing. If you eat full-fat dressing, switch to something lighter and you'll automatically eat less calories.
  • Eat low-fat or fat-free dairy. Switching to skim milk or fat free yogurt is another simple way to eat less calories without having to change too much in your diet.
  • Make some substitutes. Look through your cabinets or fridge and pick 3 foods you eat every day. Write down the nutritional content and, the next time you're at the store, find lower-calorie substitutes for just those 3 items.
Find more ideas for healthy foods with this Healthy Foods Grocery List.
Creating a healthy lifestyle doesn't have to mean drastic changes. In fact, drastic changes almost always lead to failure. Making small changes in how you live each day can lead to big rewards, so figure out what you can to be healthy today.
Sources:
Fentem, P H. ABC of Sports Medicine: Benefits of exercise in health and disease. BMJ 1994;308:1291-1295 (14 May)
Goldstein DJ. Beneficial health effects of modest weight loss. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1992 Jun;16(6):397-415.
Ornish D, Brown SE, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, Armstrong WT, Ports TA, McLanahan SM, Kirkeeide RL, Brand RJ, Gould KL. Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease? The Lifestyle Heart Trial..

Healthy Lifestyle Helps Head and Neck Cancer Survival

(NaturalNews) Head and neck cancers are malignancies that arise in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, salivary glands, throat, or larynx. According to the American Cancer Society, about 35,310 Americans will be diagnosed with these types of cancers in 2009 and 7,590 will die from these diseases.

However, a new study from the University of Michigan (U-M) Comprehensive Cancer Center shows that there's a way people diagnosed with head or neck malignancies can help themselves improve their survival outcomes. It doesn't involve a new kind of chemo or surgery, either. Instead, it is a natural approach -- living a healthy lifestyle including eating a lot of fruit, exercising, getting enough sleep and forgoing cigarettes and excess booze. In fact, the study, which appears online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, concludes that each of these factors is independently associated with survival of head and neck cancer patients.

"While there has been a recent emphasis on biomarkers and genes that might be linked to cancer survival, the health habits a person has at diagnosis play a major role in his or her survival," said study author Sonia Duffy, Ph.D., R.N., in a statement to the media. Dr. Duffy is associate professor of nursing at the U-M School of Nursing, research assistant professor of otolaryngology at the U-M Medical School, and research scientist at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.

The researchers asked 504 head and neck cancer patients about their smoking habits, their alcohol use, what they ate, how much they exercised and how many hours they slept. The research subjects were consequently surveyed every three months for two years and then once a year.

The cancer patients with the shortest survival time were those that smoked. Drinking excess amounts of alcohol was also associated with worse survival. Eating little fruit was linked to a poorer prognosis, too. In fact, although nutrition experts recommend consuming two servings of fruit per day, a third of the head and neck cancer patients reported eating fewer than four servings of fruit per month.. A lack of exercise also was shown to decrease survival.

Complicating matters is the fact that many of bad health habits are inter-related. For example, smokers are frequently heavy drinkers. So it may not be enough for a doctor to refer a patient to a smoking cessation program when alcohol could also be impacting overall health and cancer survival. "Health behaviors are only sporadically addressed in busy oncology clinics where the major focus is on surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Addressing health behaviors may enhance the survival advantage offered by these treatments," said Dr. Duffy.

Previous research has already shown that a healthy lifestyle can help prevent cancer. "Eating fruits and vegetables, not smoking, and drinking in moderation can have a big impact on a person's risk of getting cancer in the first place. Now it appears that these factors also impact survival after diagnosis," Dr. Duffy emphasized.

The researchers are planning to now look at behavior changes over time to see if changing health habits when a person is diagnosed can impact survival. That information can help doctors determine what types of interventions or services should be offered to head and neck cancer patients.

For more information:
http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/medi...
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/...
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/c...

Friday, December 10, 2010

Fish oil lowers risk of breast cancer by 32 percent

(NaturalNews) Regularly taking a fish oil supplement may lower the risk of breast cancer by 32 percent, researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle have found.

"This study is one of the largest studies that have come out showing that there may be a role for fish oil in the prevention of cancer, specifically breast cancer," said Lorenzo Cohen, of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas-Houston.

The researchers followed 35,016 post-menopausal women between the ages of 50 and 76 who were taking part in the 10-year Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) study, an investigation into the effects of non-vitamin supplements on male and female cancer risk. All participants were residents of Washington state and had no history of breast cancer.

After an average of six years, the researchers found that women who regularly took a fish oil supplement were 32 percent less likely to develop invasive ductal breast cancer than women who did not take the supplements. No information was available on what doses of fish oil the study participants were taking.

Invasive ductal breast cancer, in which tumors form in the breast's milk ducts, is the most common form of the disease. In contrast, lobular breast tumors form in the organ's milk glands.

The researchers also looked for a breast cancer-preventive effect of the menopause-relieving supplements black cohosh, dong quai, soy, and St. John's wort, but found none.

Scientists remain unsure what role fish oil might play in reducing cancer risk. Since some research has implicated inflammation in cancer risk, the anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil may explain part of the effect.

"Fish oil, in general, is a very good anti-inflammatory agent, and inflammation plays a role in cancer development," fish oil researcher Peiying Yang of M.D. Anderson said.

Fish oil's high content of omega-3 fatty acids may also play a role. Although previous studies have found no connection between consumption of fatty fish and lowered cancer risk, fish oil supplements typically contain a higher omega-3 concentration than fish itself.

Omega-3s are known to play an essential role in inter-cell communication, inflammation control, and the formation of cell membranes. They have also been linked to lower trigylceride levels, higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, and a lower risk of heart attack and death in people who suffer from heart disease. They may also decrease the risk of dangerously abnormal heartbeat.

Additional research is underway to determine whether omega-3s and fish oil can help prevent or treat cancer, dementia, and other mental health conditions.

A growing body of research suggests that the typical Western diet is far too low in these essential oils, which can be found in fatty fish (such as salmon and sardines), canola oil, soybeans and flaxseeds. However, because the oils may cause an increased risk of bleeding if combined with certain medications including over-the-counter NSAIDs, they should be used only in consultation with a health professional.

For those wishing to take fish oil supplements, the wide variety of options can be overwhelming. In addition, these products are not regulated by the FDA.

"Some products may be contaminated with heavy metals," Cohen said. "If you are not going to get fish oil from the fish itself, do appropriate homework to make sure you choose a reputable product."

Good Morning America recommends that consumers look for oils that are of high purity and are certified by U.S. Pharmacopeia, the official NGO that sets standards for healthcare products sold in the United States. Many over-the-counter brands meet these standards just as well as name brands, at a significantly lower price.

A physician or other health practitioner may also be able to help consumers select a reputable product.

Sources for this story include: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/br... http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/....


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/030267_fish_oil_breast_cancer.html#ixzz17qNvnYoP

Olive oil halts growth of breast cancer tumors

(NaturalNews) Olive oil may help prevent and even fight breast cancer, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, and published in the journal Carcinogenesis.

The researchers found that olive oil appeared to protect rat DNA from the damage that can lead to cancer. Furthermore, it seemed to deactivate key proteins required for the continued survival of breast cancer cells.

Because the benefits were only seen in rats who consumed olive oil over the long term, researcher Eduard Escrich recommends that everyone consume 50 milliliters (10 teaspoons) of high-quality, extra-virgin olive oil each day.

Previous studies have linked olive oil to a lowered risk of certain kinds of cancer. Olive oil is also a critical component of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with a lower risk of not only cancer, but also heart disease and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

In another study, conducted by researchers from Barcelona's Insitut Municial d'Investigacion Medica and published in the journal FASEB, olive oil was found to hamper the activity of genes associated with the hardening of arteries characteristic of heart disease.

"Knowing which genes can be modulated by diet in a healthy way can help people select healthy foods," researcher Maria Isabel Covas said.

"This study is ground-breaking because it shows that olive oil and a Mediterranean diet affect our bodies in a far more significant way than previously believed," said Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of "FASEB."

The Mediterranean diet is high in fruit, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and fats from nuts and olive oil. It is low in red meat and dairy, and alcohol (especially red wine) is consumed in moderation. Researchers believe that the healthy fats and antioxidants found in these foods may play a crucial role in the diet's benefits.

Another classic Mediterranean ingredient, garlic, has been found to destroy breast cancer cells in the laboratory.

Sources for this story include: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/j... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a....

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/030254_olive_oil_breast_cancer.html#ixzz17qLLOUcQ

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Healthy Breakfast Ideas And Tips

Breakfast is important, not just as the first food of the day.  Studies have found that when you eat breakfast, you are less likely to be obese or develop diabetes, and that what you eat for breakfast influences your food choices all day.
Eating breakfast every day is a single action that can have a huge positive effect on your health.  But a healthier breakfast that provides the energy you need is best.
1) Watch your portions.  The three parts to a good breakfast are a serving of whole grains, a serving of dairy or other calcium-rich food, and a serving of fruit.  For example, you could have a bowl of multigrain cereal with strawberries and low-fat milk.  A breakfast like this totals about 300 calories.  A serving of high-protein food, like a meat serving or one egg, is not needed, but is okay if it doesn’t add a lot of extra fat or calories.
2) Try a bowl of brown rice in place of processed cereal.  Brown rice is packed with B vitamins and fiber.  Cook the rice a day ahead.  In the morning, spoon it into a bowl with honey, cinnamon, raisins, and a diced apple.  You could also try barley, rye, millet, or other grains.
3) Make a smoothie in the blender with a cup of strawberries, a banana, a cup of crushed ice, and protein powder.  Add a cup of yogurt to this antioxidant-rich concoction for some calcium.  Plus, you’ve taken care of three daily servings of fruit.
4) Organic eggs cost only slightly more than regular eggs, and they contain significantly more omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3 benefits include lowering your risk of depression, as well as avoiding heart and circulatory problems.
5) Add a teaspoon of ground flaxseed to cereal, yogurt, eggs, or your smoothie.  Along with organic eggs and fish, flaxseed is one of the best omega-3 sources.
6) Instead of butter, use a soft spread made with plant stanols.  Using only 2 tablespoons each day significantly lowers total cholesterol.
7) Have your toast with 2 tablespoons of tuna fish instead of butter, as a source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as protein.  Or try smoked salmon or lox.
8 ) Put a whole-wheat burrito and 2 ounces of grated low-fat cheddar into the broiler for three minutes.  Have an orange as well, and this breakfast provides you with vitamin C, calcium, fiber, and plenty of protein.
9) Make granola yourself, without the fat and sugar of granola from the store.  Combine 2 cups of rolled oats and a cup of dried fruit and seeds with a pinch of brown sugar.  Toast this mixture in a warm oven for 3-5 minutes.  Keep it in an airtight container.
10) Studies have found that people who eat high-fiber cereal have less fat in their breakfast and in their diet.
11) Eating half a grapefruit twice a week provides folate, which cuts your risk for a stroke.  But grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with some medicines, so consult your doctor first.
12) Start your day with green tea, which has both heart-health and weight-loss effects.
13) Try soy milk on your cereal.  The phytoestrogens in soy milk protect your heart and strengthen your bones.  Use soy milk that’s been fortified with calcium.
14) Have a “build-your-own” breakfast event.  Let everyone mix, match, top, and select from a variety of sliced fruits, yogurt, whole-grain cereals, and whole grain pancakes, waffles, or toast.
15) Take your vitamins and other supplements with your breakfast.  Taking them with food lessens the chance they may upset your stomach, and helps you to absorb mineral nutrients.
16) Slice an apple and put peanut butter on the slices.  The peanut butter gives you protein and fat to start your day.  The apple, with its quercitin, gives you fiber, helps protect your heart, and guards against certain cancers.
17) Make a breakfast sandwich out of a whole-wheat English muffin, a sliced boiled egg, a slice of tomato, and some melted low-fat cheese, such as part-skim mozzarella.
18) Pound some cold cereal inside a plastic bag.  Roll a peeled banana in it for a quick breakfast, featuring potassium to reduce stroke risk.
19) Use vegetarian breakfast meats – veggie burgers, soy crumbles, or soy sausage – for lots of protein, but no saturated fat.
20) A half cup of blueberries added to cereal will provide antioxidants that help keep your brain from aging.  Or, add them to pancakes or waffles.
21) Have three cups of orange juice in the morning.  In one study, participants who drank three glasses of orange juice every day for four weeks elevated their “good” HDL cholesterol levels by 21%.  If you don’t want to drink that much OJ at once, two oranges are the equivalent.  For juice, the calcium-fortified kind is best.
22) Three times per week, have a bowl of sliced strawberries for the vitamin C.  Vitamin C helps protect your eyes from developing cataracts, among many benefits, and it’s best to get your C from foods rather than supplements.  Strawberries also contain many other antioxidants, have few calories, and have a low glycemic index to avoid blood sugar spikes.
23) Make a smoothie with 2 kiwifruits.  According to a British study, every ounce of vitamin C-rich kiwi you consume daily lowers your risk of dying prematurely by 10%.
24) Make sure your breakfast provides 5 grams of fiber.  This will help you to reach the daily recommended goal of 15-25 grams for every 1000 calories in your diet.  Fiber fills you up without filling you with calories.  Ways to incorporate five grams of fiber could be by having one larger raw apple, a half cup of high-fiber cereal, or two slices of a whole-grain dark rye bread.
25) Top a whole-grain bagel or toast with nonfat cottage cheese and flaxseed, or with a slice of fruit with a slice of low-fat cheese melted over it.  Or, try soy butter and banana slices, or a slice of baked ham with tomato slices.
26) An ounce of dark chocolate shaved into a cup of nonfat yogurt provides calcium to help you shed pounds.  Meanwhile, the antioxidants in the dark chocolate help to clear the “bad” LDL cholesterol out of your blood vessels.
More ideas at Healthy Cooking Recipes

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Home Remedies can Prevent Colds and Flu

(NaturalNews) Home remedies can help build immunity, reduce symptoms and prevent the onset of colds and the flu. Many of these folk medicines can even be found in your kitchen cabinet. Natural remedies are inexpensive, compared to over-the-counter cold remedies, and they do not suppress symptoms but rather allow the body to cleanse and heal itself.

Lemon and Honey Cough Syrup
A spoon of honey has long been used as a cough syrup to sooth a sore throat. Adding a squeeze of lemon helps break down the mucus in the throat as well.

Chamomile Tea Treats Congestion
Matricaria recutita, known as chamomile, can be used to reduce nasal congestion. Inhaling or drinking chamomile tea has been a folk remedy for thousands of years. Chamomile is soothing to the digestion and also helps induce sleep.

Raw Foods Increase Vitality
Adding raw vegetables and fruits to the diet is advised for anyone wanting to increase their vitality and health. Raw foods are filled with healthy nutrients in their natural state. Raw foods contain micronutrients and enzymes needed by the body, many of which are damaged by the heat of cooking foods.

Peppermint Tea Lowers Fevers
Peppermint tea from the Mentha piperita plant has been used to lower fevers as well as to clear the sinuses. It can be combined in tea with other herbs, such as elderflowers or yarrow, to help break a fever.

Probiotics Build Immunity
Probiotics are the healthy bacteria that live in the digestive tract. The body needs the "good" bacteria to break down food and contribute to healthy digestion. Some folk wisdom suggests that immunity begins in the gut, and adding probiotics to the diet helps build that immunity.

Elderflowers Reduce the Symptoms of Cold and Flu
Elderflowers, from the Sambucus nigra plant, have been shown to reduce the duration of colds and flu symptoms. The plant is both an antibacterial and an antiviral.

Ginger Tea is Antiviral
The herb ginger kills viruses and can be drunk as a tea or eaten in food. Ground ginger can also be applied as a poultice on the chest or throat to speed healing and stimulate the lymph glands.

Gargle with Turmeric for a Sore Throat
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory herb and gargling with turmeric can soothe and heal a sore throat. Salt can also be added to the warm water for a healing gargle.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/030375_seasonal_flu_home_remedies.html#ixzz17WCMmvHK

Coconut Oil is More Efficacious for Alzheimer's than All Big Pharma has to Offer

(NaturalNews) A doctor`s husband made a remarkable reversal of his serious Alzheimer`s problem by ingesting coconut oil daily. Dr. Mary Newport had her husband Steve get off the pharmaceutical Alzheimer`s drugs as his condition just kept worsening with them, along with added negative side effects.

Alzheimer`s disease affects over 5 million in the USA, and ranks seventh in deaths from diseases. Steve`s condition has improved greatly since coconut oil was included in his diet.

How Dr. Newport Found the Coconut Oil Solution

Mary had helped her husband Steve volunteer for a promising Alzheimer drug trial, but not in time to be accepted. She researched the new drug and discovered it was a pharmaceutical version of MCT oil, (Medium Chain Triglycerides). Then she realized that both coconut and palm kernel oils naturally contained MCTs.

MCTs are easier to quickly digest than other types of fats. They require less bile and enzyme action for intestinal absorption, and they are metabolized quickly in the liver. Therefore, MCTs expend energy more rapidly and strongly with less fats storing in the blood and tissues.

Metabolizing MCTs creates ketones. Recent research, which led to Big Pharma`s attempt to duplicate naturally occurring MCTs, has shown that ketones help protect against Alzheimer`s, even reverse it. Compared to Big Pharma`s synthetic version of MCT Oil, naturally sourced ketones remain in one`s body over twice as long, eight hours compared to three.

So Mary Newport`s investigation led her to a less expensive solution for her husband without the often predictable side effects of a pharmaceutical. Her sharing of the information benefits all of us. And lately more and more nutritional value has been attributed to coconut oil. But this is all relatively new knowledge.

This is Now; That Was Then

Since a few decades ago, coconut oil was demonized by the food processing industry`s quest to lower their cost, boost profit margins, and create longer shelf life by using hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. Butter and palm oil were also included in the food industry`s fear campaigns to get consumer consent for using the more unhealthy trans fatty acid oils, including margarine.

Until then, coconut and palm oils were used in all sorts of packaged foods and baked products. Butter was considered okay. That gradually changed until dangerous margarine and partially and fully hydrogenated cooking oils moved onto grocery shelves, packaged foods, and baked products - replacing the falsely demonized coconut and palm oils.

Recent research has debunked the emphasis of cholesterol dangers as exaggerated or even false. Even if saturated fats, such as coconut oil are high in "bad" cholesterol, trans fats or hydrogenated oils have been proven to be worse for human health, even toxic.

Now real science and human experience are proving the health benefits of coconut oil. Almost all health food stores have it. Large quantities can be ordered on line. The ideal coconut oil is organic virgin. But not so ideal has some virtues remaining as well.

Coconut oil is considered a saturated fat because it is solid, though it begins melting above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 24 degrees Celsius. In addition to ingesting it, say with dark chocolate to make it yummy, coconut oil is one of the best oils for cooking because of its very high smoke temperature; this makes it less likely to turn toxic from excess heat than olive and other pure vegetable oils.

Yes, saturated fats were falsely demonized and those lies were almost totally accepted by consumers and health professionals until recent years. But that was then, and this is now.

Sources for more information:

Coconut oil for Alzheimer`s An Actual Case http://www.anh-usa.org/coconut-oil-...

Coconut Oil.com A Compendium of Research Articles on Coconut Oil http://www.coconutoil.com/

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