Anytime Fitness

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #8

2008-12-02T06:04:00.001-08:00

Life is extraordinary filled with wonderful people to show up to teach us things. Mitzi, a special friend from high school, sent me a book, The Game of Life and How to Play It, when I was struggling with a sickness years ago. The author speaks about the law of attraction, which I have written about previously. In addition, she writes, ?No man is your enemy, no man is your friend, every man is your teacher.? When you look at life this way, it becomes so simple.

Rather than be offended by what a person is saying to you, think a new thought. What is this person teaching me? What can I learn from this person? This book changed my life as it showed me how I could change my thoughts. I had always functioned from a foundation of worry and fear. Worry and fear are lower vibrational energies and then I attracted lower energies. Today, I see things entirely different as a result of changing my thoughts, and am so grateful for this transformation. I am now attracting higher vibrational energies and am amazed who is showing up for me!

What I would like you to do is write down the top five people in your life. Don?t try and analyze this?just write down those people that first pop into your mind. Now, write down the lessons they are teaching you. This might be a challenge if there is conflict with any of them. I once read that your true soul mates are the people who challenge you to be better.

You have been given many great gifts. You are to share your talents with the world. By remaining stuck in your weight issues, you are ripping off the world of what you came to this earth to do. Recently, I worked with a personal coach who said these exact words to me?.that if I wasn?t sharing my talents, I was ripping off the world of all that God intended for me. This really made a powerful impact. Everything you are today is because of your thoughts and your decisions that you have made as a result of those thoughts. In the book, If You Think You Can, the word decision comes from the ! Latin ro ot meaning ?to cut off from.? ?There comes a time in every person?s life when making a decision is truly necessary. A decision where you thought so deeply in what you want that there is no option for turning back.?

Make the decision today to gain your power back and lose the weight. The answers are within you. Keep focused on your goal. Surround yourself with people who will support your decision and release those who won?t. Give up the lifestyle that supported your weight gain. See the weight as a gift to you so that you will be conscious in becoming all you can be. We all get off track and the weight becomes a reminder that you want something different, something more meaningful. Again, it?s very simple. To quote Wayne Dyer, ?Surround yourself with the conditions you want to produce.?

Who are the people you are going to surround yourself?

Who are the people you are going to have limited contact?

Who are the people you are going to let go?

Just to let you know what is coming up in January. I?ll be offering a teleconference call to help you outline your goals for 2005. The only cost to you is the price of the phone call. I?m so excited to be able to talk to you?I?m shakin? my booty right now in anticipation.

Remember that you are already whole and complete just as God created you. You?re peeling back the layers to discover the beauty that already exists?you only need to see it. Quick, grab a mirror or go stand in front of the mirror and repeat after me. Put energy into these words and smile while you?re saying them.

I am the most beautiful person on this earth! I am a wonderful child of God! I am powerful! I am God?s gift to the world! I am my ideal weight! I love myself!

Thank you for being you!

Love and hugs,

Tami http://www.tamiclose.com http://www.closekeptsecretstoweightloss.com

Tami Close is an Integrative Body Therapist and uses an integrative method, including cleansing and nutritional products from Isagenix, in her w! eight lo ss management practice. She is certified in Rapid Eye Technology and has a basic and advanced certificate in Emotional Freedom Techniques. She is also a Reiki Master. Tami is a recipient of a grant from the Sumasil Grant Foundation in her work with RET and EFT. She is a master trainer and has a B.S. in Training and Development. She is a #1 best selling co-author, Wake Up...Live the Life You Love Finding Personal Freedom. The other authors include Mark Victor Hansen, Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra and others.

http://www.tamiclose.com
http://www.closekeptsecrets.com

Weight Loss Motivation Does My Butt Look Big?

2008-11-28T06:04:00.001-08:00

Put on the Spot

I have often wondered if women realize what a precarious position they place their men in when asking the age old question Honey, does my butt look too big. The man, now feeling as if he were standing on thin ice in the middle of a semi frozen lake tries to find the words that will bring him back to the shores of her good graces. His dilemma being that no answer can satisfy her.

Skewed Views

I can't help but to wonder how much her initial question was influenced by what she has seen in the media. Today's images of the Hollywood starlets fitting into a size 2 dresses and the latest craze of size 0 is more than skewing the view that women should have of their bodies.

The Ultimate Reward

Let me take a moment and just remind all of us that while we all want to look our best, the ultimate reward of losing weight and toning up is your overall health. The simple fact that you might feel better, lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, extend your life span while improving your quality of life are the real reasons for getting into shape.

Remember ultimately it's not about your weight or the way you look, it's about your health.

Ken Crawford, President & CEO of Weight Loss Partners LLC, a motivational and accountability company pertaining to long term weight management offers his expertise in the area of becoming active on a consistent basis. Crawford stresses team approach to weight loss with the goal of building a foundation for living a healthy lifestyle for years to come.

Visit Weight Loss Partners at http://www.weightlosspartners.com and subscribe to receive a complimentary tip every week.

6 Natural Ways To Have Great Health

2008-11-27T06:03:00.001-08:00

Take control of your own health. People often don't think about it until they develop health problems. Here are some common sense things you can do to create good health for yourself.

1. Open yourself up to become aware and learn.

There are many approaches to health using natural techniques. It may be using nutritional supplements. It may be using health professionals such as chiropractors or massage therapists. Look into finding naturopathic doctors practicing in your area. The thing is to open up your mind and explore different options.

2.Maintain optimal weight.

You have to find a weight that feels right to you. Some people naturally weigh more than others, but a 5% loss of body weight(10 pounds for someone weighing 200 pounds) can lower health risks.

3.Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.

Organic may be best, but just make an effort to eat more. Eat what you like, maybe even experiment with different fruits or vegetables you may not of tried before. One such unusual fruit is mangosteen, It comes from the rainforests of southeast asia. It has potent antioxidant power. One brand is Xango, which processes the fruit into a juice. This makes it very easy to use.

4.Relax

There are many methods to accomplish relaxation, such as meditation, breathing exercises, or yoga. Also remember to give yourself time to do what you like whatever it is. Gardening, painting, reading, even playing with your pets. The choice is yours, just remember to set aside time for yourself.

5.Exercise

This doesn't have to be formal exercise. Just make an effort to move around more than you are now. Walking is an excellent, easy form of exercise.

6.Get your antioxidants.

Vitamins C and E are important ones. The mangosteen juice as mentioned before can be very helpful. Green tea has been found to be a very effective way to get antioxidants. It can normalize weight. It can also promote relaxation.

When you think about it, these 6 ways ! all work together, It is not that difficult to become healthy. Just be aware,learn, and explore.

Joseph Beres http://www.healthdepotonline.com Simple ways to achieve great health.

All About Plastic Surgery

2008-11-21T06:03:00.001-08:00

The plastic surgery has become a multi-million dollar one, as both men and women employ more and more extreme tools in order to reach the ever more ubiquitous image of perfection that torments us. It sometimes seems as though the tiny people of Hollywood have been constructed entirely out of plastic in a conspiracy to make the rest of us feel like ogres. And in a world where beauty is a highly rated currency, it is little wonder that many of us succumb.

And while plastic surgery is not a bad thing in and of itself, it is still an invasive procedure as dangerous as any other type of surgery, and should not be undertaken lightly. But if the growing number of people who choose surgery every year is anything to go by, then surgery is becoming the quick fix of the masses.

But if anything needs fixing, surely it is a society where people undergo risky surgery in order to feel okay about themselves. We pride ourselves on the advancements we make as a society every moment, and while attractiveness has historically always been of value, is it not now time that we rebel against the status of beauty as the primary currency in our society? But beauty is more powerful that ever, and combined with our enormous technological knowledge, we are at a point when we have the tools to look almost exactly as we wish.

Perhaps the world of 'The Stepford Wives' is really not so very far away. As people make appointments daily for surgery that will make them look like someone else, we are at risk of losing our individuality to a cult that simply wants us all the same. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it seems that as time progresses, we are all beginning to see through one blighted eye. What will we do once we are all finally beautiful? Perhaps then we will begin to look a little deeper. Or perhaps we our notion of beauty will change, as it has done countless time through history, and we will all be left to start from scratch again

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Plastic Surgery Reso! urces a website providing information on cosmetic surgery.

Breast Cancer Information Is Important

2008-11-20T15:03:00.001-08:00

Breast cancer usually happens when certain cells located in the breast start to grow out of control, taking over nearby tissue and spreading throughout the body. Large collections of this infected tissue are called tumors. Some tumors are not even considered to be cancer because they cannot spread throughout the body or threaten a person's life. These types of tumors are called benign tumors.

The types of tumors that do spread throughout the body and invade the tissues around the breast are considered to be cancer and have been given the name malignant tumors. It is said that any type of tissue in the breast can form some type of cancer, but it mostly comes from either ducts or glands.

It can take months or even years for a tumor to get big enough for someone to actually feel it in their breast, so they are encouraged to be screened for tumors by a mammogram. Mammograms are designed to detect any type of disease before a person even begins to feel it.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy that affects women in America and throughout Europe. Every single woman is at risk of getting breast cancer and almost 200,000 cases of were said to be diagnosed in the United States in 2001. It is the second highest cause, behind lung cancer, of cancer deaths among women in North America.

The types of risk factors for breast cancer are divided into two types, those you can't change and those you can change. The factors associated with increasing your risk of breast cancer that your can't change include: just being a woman, getting older, or having some type of family history or a relative with breast cancer. Other risk factors are having your menopause late, having children past the age of thirty, or contracting a genetic mutation that would somehow increase your risk.

Certain types of risk factors that you can change are:

- not taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which means that long term uses of estrogens for menopause symptoms does in fact slightly increas! e your r isk.

- stopping the use of birth control pills, because it is noted that ten years following the cessation of The Pill, a woman's risk of breast cancer reverts to what it would have been if she had not used this form of birth control.

However, neither of these risks are as significant as the ones that are associated with your gender, age, and family history.

All the factors are based on probabilities, and that means that a person without any of those mentioned is still subject to developing breast cancer and the best way to be sure is to get the proper screening and detection for breast cancer development.

There are preventative measures that can be taken, up to a point. It is noted that a drug called Tamoxifen is not used widely as a prevention, but it has been proved to be helpful in some cases. There is also a limited amount of data that suggests that Vitamin A may be useful in the prevention of breast cancer, but further research is needed to prove this.

The most important step for a woman to prevent breast cancer is to schedule regular checkups, screenings and mammograms, learn how to perform her own exams, and also to acquire all the information she can about the subject.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer
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Lyme Disease and Ticks How is it Transmitted?

2008-11-19T15:03:00.000-08:00

Lyme disease is transmitted through deer ticks when they bite someone. It has a bacteria called spirochete. If it is diagnosed and treated early on with antibiotics it is easy to stop.

They say a tick that is infected can't transmit Lyme disease until it has been attached to the host for 36 to 48 hours. So if you are in an area where these ticks are, check yourself and others at lease once a day.

If a tick has attached itself to you and it has been a few hours, chances are it has not had enough time to be able to transmit the disease. You should be aware of the symptoms though. If rashes appear around the bite, joint pain or flu-like symptoms in the first month or so, it could be signs of Lyme disease.

Northern California, Oregon and parts of the east coast are slowly being invaded by Lyme disease. Some say it is due to deer or other large animals and bird migrations. Check with local agency's to see what the tick and Lyme disease situation is like.

Some more symptoms are chills, fever, fatigue, aches, tingling or numbness, headaches and swelling of lymph glands. If you think you may have Lyme disease, see your doctor as soon as possible.

To help limit exposer to ticks here are some tips to help you. Keep the area around your property clear of leaves and brush. Light colored clothing can help you spot ticks easily. Use a insect repellent that contains DEET. If you hike, stay on cleared paths and avoid sitting directly on walls or the ground. Wear pants and long sleeves. After coming back from a hike you should check yourself and others for ticks. They usually get onto your lower half first. Then they travel up the body looking for areas they can kind of hide in. Armpits, groin area and top of the head are some places they like to go.

David Getchel runs http://ticks.worldcondition.com More great information is available there.

Hypnotherapy: Be Your Own Master and Commander

2008-11-16T06:03:00.001-08:00

Hypnotherapy, as a word has been associated with a lot of mumbo-jumbo over the years. Whenever we think of hypnosis, we think of evil characters manipulating the actions of innocent individuals for their own selfish motives. But in the recent years there has been a lot of researches on the subject of hypnosis and the findings have been startling. Did you know that on an average almost all of us are in a trance/hypnotic state everyday without being aware of it? Did you know that hypnotherapy is not something restricted to mankind, but that even animals practice some form of it? Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used hypnosis as early as 3rd Century BC?

In the last few years hypnotherapy has emerged as a major tool for personality development and psychological healing. Everyone, yes everyone can benefit with the use of hypnosis in altering some personality traits or areas of concern in our lives. Hypnotherapy is in some sense like art, the more you practice, the better you get at it. That is why the old adage ?practice makes perfect? fits hypnosis so well. I have always believed and instilled in my clients that hypnosis is a natural state, it is something as normal as breathing. We all get into trance like states everyday?remember those summer afternoons when your boss was talking nonstop in a meeting, and you found yourself drifting into a world of your own? That?s exactly what the state of hypnosis is like.

Hypnosis is a relaxed state of mind, where we connect with our subconscious mind; it is similar to meditation but the difference lies in the fact that with hypnosis you do not disconnect with the present world, but are aware of it completely. A person who is being hypnotized is in control of the process all through, and no, you cannot be hypnotized against your will. Neither will you ever get stuck within a hypnotic state; all that might happen to you is that you might doze off in a particularly effective hypnotherapy session.

Just imagine what the future could be like if yo! u realiz ed that you had the power to change it. Does the idea seem like something out of a fantasy? There is every reason for you to feel that it is impossible to miraculously change things about yourself, and create a new you. You are not to be blamed; it is the way we have been conditioned in society. It makes us think that the power to change ourselves and our lives lies not with us but with some mysterious entity. But I am here to tell you that the power lies within you, all you need to do is search for it inside. Hypnotherapy is a tool which can help you reach that power, and help you unleash the true potential of your subconscious mind.

Hypnotherapy can be used to help you work on your confidence, to increase your intuitive powers, for a positive self image, to cure you of smoking or drinking and to gain insight amongst other things. You can help realign and re-educate your subconscious mind through the use of hypnosis.

Richard MacKenzie is a leading expert in the field of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. He also has a range of Hypnosis Downloads

How to Get Quality Workouts at Home

2008-11-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

You?ve been thinking of working out but the thought of regular visits to a health club, spa, or gym doesn?t quite appeal? Well, you can actually save the drive time and get a fairly good workout on a home gym. In this article, we?ll discuss the different types of machines available, how they work, and some considerations to make when purchasing your own home gym.

There are three main types of home gym equipment: traditional, rod systems, and gravity resistance (Of course, there are also free weight bench sets, but these aren?t necessarily for everyone and, depending on whether or not you have small children or pets in your home, may present potential hazards).

Traditional gym machines are generally what you would find in your local gym. These machines tend to be big and heavy, and can take up a lot of space. They involve pulley assemblies attached to weight stacks and the amount of weight a person can work with can usually range up to 300 lbs. Of course, the precise amount of weight to be used for a particular exercise may be determined by the use of a simple pin-slot system. How much do they cost? Well, they can be quite pricey, starting out in the 800 to 900 dollar range going all the way up to and exceeding 2000 dollars based on chosen options and features.

Traditional home gyms have been around for decades. However, a second type of home gym setup, the rod system, seems to be the wave of the future. These machines use rods with different resistance rates selectable with a hook and bungee system. Rod systems have the advantage of being both smaller and lighter than traditional home gyms. They have a sleeker look and are absent a heavy weight stack---definitely a consideration if you have small children in the home. Power rod machines also feature a full range of exercises, including rowing on some models. The resistance rods are usually standard at 210lbs as the max. However, these are upgradeable to a maximum of 410lbs! What?s the cost? Machines like this range from 900 to ! 2200 dol lars.

Finally, another type of home gym that is growing in popularity is the gravity resistance gym. Gravity resistance systems are very compact and ?easily stowed?, using only minimal space when assembled. They use a system of pulleys and your own body weight to achieve a quality work out. Different settings allow your body weight to utilize greater or lesser amounts of resistance making them easy to use for both the beginner and the advanced user. Gravity resistance systems come in several different sizes and may be configured to fit neatly under a bed or in the corner of a room. Size is certainly an advantage, but here are two other advantages: a user can engage in a wide range of exercises and the machines are reasonably priced at 300 to 600 dollars.

Which home gym set up should you buy? As with most purchases, your decision should ultimately be based on the balancing of several concerns; namely, your needs, preferences, and available finances. However, rest assured, if working out and getting into shape at home is what you desire, there are certainly more than enough choices to choose from.

The author of this article is Tim Moore, who publishes a website on Vitamins, herbs, and nutrition which features a section on Antioxidants

No Flab With That Blouse is So Necessary

2008-11-14T06:03:00.001-08:00

A guide to toning up flabby arms

by Cathy Gatson
With Spring in the air and Summer just around the corner?it will soon be time to change clothes and go?sleeveless. If you've been shopping lately, you may have noticed many of the blouses, tops and dresses for Spring/Summer are haltered, strapless, or sleeveless, exposing lots of skin. The styles are sexy but flabby arms are not. If the backs of your arms are waving in the wind, then here are the most recommended and easiest exercises that I've found to improve muscle tone to your arms, shoulders and chest just in time for Spring.

The muscles you want to target are:
Biceps - located at the top of your upper arm. Clench your fist and make a muscle, the bump that should appear is your bicep.
Triceps - located at the back and below your upper arm.
Pectoralis Major & Minor - chest muscles

Push ups are a tried and true exercise which work the triceps, chest, and shoulders. You may modify the traditional push up by both knees on the floor rather than straightening them behind you. Place your hands on the floor in front of you, shoulder width apart and push your upper body away. Go at a pace that works for you but be consistent. Gradually increasing your reps. No need to go the gym for this exercise. You can drop and do 20 right before you climb into bed.
Kim King, head strength and conditioning coach for Olympic Sports at the University of Pittsburgh, suggests the following exercises:?
Dumbbell triceps curl
??Stand erect with back straight and feet shoulder width apart.
??Hold dumbbell (if weights are not available substitute weights with 32 oz. waterbottles) in right hand and raise overhead with arm extended.
??Keep upper arm close to head and perpendicular to the floor.
??Slowly lower dumbbell behind head until forearm touches (nears) bicep.
??Raise dumbbell to starting position and repeat movement.
??Inhale when lowering dumbbell, exhale when raising (extending) arm upward.
??Repeat with opposite ar! m. This exercise can also be done while seated.
Dumbbell triceps extension
??Stand holding dumbbell in your right hand with palm facing in.
??Bend forward until your back is nearly parallel to the floor.
??Position left hand on left knee.
??Position upper right arm against side (parallel to ground) with lower arm vertical to ground.
??Press dumbbell back until arm parallel to floor.
??Pause for a moment, then lower dumbbell slowly to starting position, then repeat.
??Inhale when raising dumbbell, exhale when lowering. Repeat with opposite arm.
Hammer bicep curl
??Stand erect with feet shoulder-width apart.
??Hold a light dumbbell in each hand with arms extended down and palms facing inward.
??Keep upper arms tight against ribs and perpendicular to the floor.
??Raise one dumbbell at a time by flexing the arm at the elbow.
??Curl movement should bring dumbbell in line with the shoulder.
??Lower dumbbell slowly until elbow is fully extended.
??Repeat with opposite arm.
??Exhale during upward movement; inhale during downward phase.
?According to the fitness manager at 24 Hour Fitness at Hilltop, Izaac Tyrell, the most effective way to reduce weight is by eating a balanced diet (consisting of carbs, protein and a little fat), doing cardio-vascular exercises in combination with weight training.
Izaak reiterated what I've read in countless health magazines which is there is no spot reduction way to reduce fat in other words, there is no quick fix to flab-less arms!

If done correctly, the exercises mentioned, will yield noticeable results but only if incorporated with cardio exercises and a low fat, nutritious diet. Start now and by summer you should be able to brush your shoulders off and wave flabby arms goodbye!

Resources: For more information on weight loss, and exercise, The Ultimate Weight Loss Revealed by Brad Callen e-book has great fat burning tips and cardio exercise programs (www.free-weight-loss-resources.com). Another great resource ! for nutr ition and exercise tips is www.ivillage.com. Winsor Pilates video available at Target for $29.95 an awesome program designed to tone and sculpt your entire body and help you lose weight. Tamilee Webb's, I Want Those Arms? a good video for beginners to intermediate excercisers. available on VHS for $14.95 www.collagevideo.com

Cathy Gatson is a freelance writer and owner/operator of Yada Beauty Lounge, a hair and body salon in Northern California.

How To Not Lose Weight

2008-11-13T15:03:00.000-08:00

Going on a starvation diet.

That is missing meals and only having half meals when you do eat.

You may think that by missing meals you are taking in less calories and surely that is what you must do to lose weight. But you are wrong.

Because your body will decide that there is going to be a famine for whatever reason and so will store whatever carbohydrates and fat are in the food you DO eat and store it as fat for possible future starvation.

Not drinking enough water.

Water is essential for living. You can live for about 3 weeks without food, but only about 7 days without water.

You need to drink about 2 litres a day. If like me you don?t like plain water, you can add unsweetened cordial to it. Do not confuse drinking pure fruit juice with drinking water. Pure fruit juice is more of a food than a drink.

Alcohol especially beer will make you put on weight because it is full of calories.

So if you DON?T want to lose weight, drink lots of it.

Also, not drinking enough water could make you constipated. This will make you feel bloated, sluggish and your metabolism will slow down, resulting in the food you do eat being unable to get away from you and will store as fat. The faster your metabolism, the quicker your waste will be evacuated from your body and not get a chance to hang about as fat.

Carbohydrates will make sure you DON?T lose weight.

If you are really determined that you DON?T want to lose weight. Be sure to eat lots of food containing carbohydrates.

There?s a load of carbohydrates in breads and pastries. So enjoy yourself, tuck into a large plate of meat pie and chips, followed by some delicious apple pie and custard. And to really make sure you DON?T lose weight, have seconds of everything.

Salt will help you in your mission NOT to lose weight.

Salt will absorb water. So the more salt you take in to your body, the less water there will be to convert into blood and other body fluids.

Now you know! how to sabotage your own body and self-destruct.

And you will know How To Not Lose Weight.

This article was written by Eva Moffat a 66 year old woman, living in Manchester, England. She has been awarded Expert Author Status because of her expert knowledge of weight loss.

For more articles like this one, you can see them on my website http://www.weight-loss-4-you.com or E-Mail me on eva.moffat@onetel.net

Get Fit From Homepart 3: The Playground Workout

2008-11-12T15:03:00.001-08:00

Hello again! Thank you for your interest in the articles. Here?s Part 3 of Get Fit At Home! Enjoy!!

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The Playground Workout
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Step one: find a playground!

While the playground is a wonderland for kids, it has many hidden ways for someone to get a fantastic workout. It?s just a matter of being creative. Here are some ideas:

Monkey Bars- Make a great place to do chin ups! Use the outside support bars for regular pull ups, or hang onto 2 different rungs with our hands facing each other to target the back and biceps a little differently.

Climb to the top and grab 2 rungs. Lower yourself (carefully) down between the 2 rungs so that you?re in a support (arms straight). You?ve now got yourself a dip station!

*Don?t lower yourself too far. If you can?t press back up, it?s a long way down.

Swings- Placing your hands on a single swing with feet on the ground makes a groovy place to do stability pushups. Bend your arms just like you would for a regular push up. They will be harder to do on the swing, because you also have to use the stabilizing muscles in your shoulders to keep the swing from moving forward or backward under you. Keep your stomach tight and it?s a killer ab workout as well.

To make it an advanced ab workout, hold the pushup position with your arms straight. Lift one foot off the ground. Hold for as long as you can keeping your abs tight!

Slide- *This is an advanced exercise! Lunge walks up the slide! I recommend trying these on a hill first. Also make sure you have good, rubber-soled sneakers with plenty of grip. Otherwise you may end up inventing a new exercise.

Jungle Gym- Just climb! Up, over, through, under! These will work so many different muscles in so many different ways. You will be twisting and turning (abs, back, hips, obliques, balance), climbing (back, biceps, forearms), supporting yourself (chest, triceps, shoulders), pushing off with your legs and fee! t (quads , hamstrings, glutes, calves), and the climbing under is great for flexibility. Be creative! PLAY!

Want the ultimate fat burning playground exercise? Find a long stretch of flat surface (grass or blacktop). Stand at one end. Ready? GO!

Sprint (run as fast as you can) to the other end! It should be about 5-10 seconds worth of running. When you?re done, rest as long as you need to, and try it again. Like the stair workouts, start with a few and gradually build up to more sets.

*A 100%, all-out sprint is a VERY advanced exercise! It is only recommended for those already in good shape. If you don?t feel you fall into this category or you are unsure, make it a jog, and each set, day, or week, try to go a little faster!

*Need I remind you, these exercises are merely suggestions! Talk to a doctor before starting any exercise program!

Keep an eye out for Part 4 of the mini-course: Get Fit From Home!

Wes Norris, CSCS is a Fitness Consultant and the owner of AllAroundFitness.org based out of Connecticut.

Wes works at Hartford Hospital and trains clients, athletes, and speaks to groups on the importance of exercise for a variety of specific conditions.

He runs a fitness bootcamp, teaches for a National Personal Training certifying agency and creates and produces fitness products for Trainers and Fitness Fanatics.

Please visit his websites:

http://www.AllAroundFitness.org

http://www.DesigningExercisePrograms.com

Acne Myth Busting

2008-11-12T06:03:00.001-08:00

Acne is a terrible condition to deal with especially during the difficult adolescent years and indeed for the many adults having to deal with it.

Today there are many ways of treating acne some more effective than others but what of the myths surrounding this awful skin condition?

One myth is that acne is related to diet but it is agreed amongst the dermatology community that acne and diet are no way related. Although science is not always 100% accurate there is no firm evidence that chocolate, sugar, oil, milk, seafood or any other types of food cause acne or make it worse. Some people are quite convinced that a certain food either causes or aggravates their acne condition. For these people the obvious thing then is to avoid that food and remove it from their diets. Chocolate has often been accused of aggravating acne but there have been many clinical studies performed and the resounding agreement is 'no', chocolate is not a culprit!

It is also believed that washing your face more often will help clear this skin affliction. But contrary to belief, blemishes are not caused by dirt and pores do not get blocked from the top down. The reality is, is that the entire pore collapses from within the skin which begins the acne process and frequent washing will do absolutely nothing in preventing this. In fact over washing can irritate and actually worsen the condition of acne. The advice given concerning the washing of the face is to wash only twice a day and do not use a flannel but use only the bare hands.

Another myth concerning acne is that stress can be a factor but regardless of this common belief, that is not true and stress is not a very important factor. Some drugs prescribed to treat severe stress may cause acne as a side effect, but stress in itself is no aggravator. Time should be spent finding help for the acne rather than feeling guilty that your stress levels are causing the problem.

Some people believe that the sun will help in ridding them of the acne s! pots and pimples. In the short term the sun may hasten the clearing of existing acne whilst reddening the skin which will then take on a reddish tone and blend in with the red acne marks. But the fact is a sun-tan is actually damaging to the skin and exposure to the sun can cause irritation which in fact will make the acne worse. The sun can only be a short-term fix which will in later weeks bite back causing more problems.

The most antiquated myth concerning acne is that masturbation or sex causes acne. This in fact dates way back to the 17th century in the hope that it would stop youngsters from having pre marital sex. Needless to say this is just a myth used as a scare tactic.

There are many treatments available to help treat acne. Some can be purchased over the counter but if the condition is more severe then a trip to the doctors will help enormously.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Acne

Do You Know What Grapes Can Help You With?

2008-11-10T15:03:00.001-08:00

Grape Seed Antioxidant

For years, grapes have been known for their medicinal values in treating skin, kidney, and liver disease, in addition to cancer, nausea, and eye infections. Grape leaves were used to treat bleeding and inflammation, while dried grapes were used to treat constipation.

Grape seeds, known as Vitis vinifera, have been recently discovered to have the most health benefits. It contains vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, procyanidins, fatty acids, and antioxidants.

Health Benefits

Grape seed antioxidant supplements are known to be able to increase the amount of antioxidants in the body. There are certain studies which have discovered grape seeds to contain one of the best antioxidants, which can help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of certain disorders.

High Cholesterol

Grape seed antioxidants were able to help with people who have high cholesterol. A study with regard to grape seed?s effect on high cholesterol was conducted on 40 people for 2 months. They found that a combination of grape seed extract and chromium was more effective than placebo in lowering bad cholesterol.

High Blood Pressure

Grape seed antioxidants are also believed to be able to aid people with high blood pressure. In a study conducted on healthy mice, it was found that grape seed extract was able to reduce systolic blood pressure. More studies are needed, however, to prove its ability to lower blood pressure in humans.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis, wherein the pancreas are inflamed, are supposedly able to be remedied by grape seed antioxidants. A study made on 3 people with chronic pancreatitis found that taking grape seed extract lessened their symptoms, whereas taking conventional medication failed to do so. Further studies in order to prove this are needed, however.

Cancer

Grape seed antioxidants are also able to help with cancer, as well as in preventing cell damage due to chemotherapy. Studies have been conducted wherein it was found th! at grap e seed extract prevented the growth of breast, stomach, and lung cancer cells. Again, more studies are needed in order to verify this.

Heart Health

Additionally, grape seed antioxidants are also said to have the ability to improve blood circulation, prevent the clogging of arteries, and help with certain circulatory ailments.

?Some research shows that consumption of grape seed and grape skin in combination, such as in red wine, grape juice or a commercially available vitamin supplement products, may be more beneficial than grape seed alone. Further research is needed.1?

When not to use Grape Seed

Grape seed antioxidant supplements are generally safe, but do not take it if you are allergic to grapes. Also, do not take it if you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant.

In addition, avoid taking Grape seed antioxidants when you are also taking medications such as anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin/heparin/clopidogrel, pain relievers, and cholesterol-lowering drugs, as it may cause bleeding.

Grape Seed Usage

The most effective grape seed extracts contain 40-80% proanthocyanidins or 90% polyphenols per dose, standardized in each and every capsule.

Peter Salazar's source for quality supplements is http://www.utopiasilver.com

To go directly to this product go here: http://utopiasilver.com/products/supplements/grapeseedantioxidant.htm

All products have a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!

Body Basics A Pilates Newsletter More About Breathing

2008-11-09T15:03:00.001-08:00

Being physically fit is a part of not only a healthy body but a healthy mind and spirit.

Pilates was designed to give you complete control of your own body. This is seemingly something only for athletes and dancers. Not so ? it is within anyone?s grasp and it can be attained on a daily regimen of 10 ? 20 minutes or even 4 times a week.

Control of muscles is a sense that can be developed like seeing, hearing and smelling.

Just like you use your hearing or sight, you can use your muscles and it can become just as inherent as sight or hearing. Pilates is a skill attained that not only increases the clarity and sharpness of your mind, but also your physical fitness.

That?s a pretty good deal.

The hot body tip this month is again breathing. Why again? Because it is the foundation of physical fitness.

With a fully functioning breathing system the muscles and blood are fully oxygenated, the impurities removed and the heart helped. All these work better.

Here is a little exercise: Lying down on your back, knees up, feet flat on the floor, pelvis in neutral (see Body Basics 2) and a cushion for the head and upper shoulders.

If you possess a theraband, have it under your body around your ribcage and held with one hand over your breastbone ? some tension on the band.

If you don?t have a theraband, place your hands on the sides of your ribcage.

Inhale through the nose and feel the ribcage flattening into the floor underneath you and the ribs coming out sideways away from the spine. You will feel the theraband expand or the ribs come out into your hand. Try not to lift your shoulders or upper breastbone.

Inhale through the nose until you feel no more air can go in. Then you will naturally start to exhale through the mouth ? let the ribs drop down and get as much air out as you can.

Light headedness can occur with this deep breathing but after practicing this daily it disappears.

The trick is to expand the ribs to get air in ? not the abd! ominals below.

If you have trouble keeping your abs out of the inhale, try this isolation exercise.

Breathe in ? hold your breath for a short time and push your lower abs in and out. Then exhale and use the lower abs to help push the breath out.

By all means use the lower abs to help you push the air out by flattening them across your lower belly. When you inhale though keep the expansion in the ribs.

Got it? Good. Practice it daily. The above ab isolation is directly from Joseph Pilates and here is what he says about breathing:

?It may seem silly to say at first, but many millions of people never learn how to breathe properly. True heart control follows correct breathing. This simultaneously reduces heart strain, purifies the blood and develops the lungs.?

Here are some more success stories from my clients.:

This lady has been a dancer and done Pilates before. Being too busy to write something up she told me her wins and I wrote them down.. She says with the foot work I gave her, a long standing misunderstanding about how to use her feet was resolved and as a result she feels much more stable with the ground up through her legs and in her core area because of that firm connection below. She also says that getting her to drop her breastbone and keep it down and anchored towards her mid back has provided a stable center for her shoulders to move from and she feels much more stable in that area so that a chronic shoulder condition is now releasing and starting to relax. Release exercises for the shoulder have also contributed. Her spine was also compressed opposite to her breastbone from continually and automatically lifting the breastbone creating a curve in the spine. This curve in her back has now relaxed, more mobile and the muscles are no longer locked tight. Basically she found the three stable points of the body when exercising or the three anchor points as I call them. The feet, the pelvis and the spine opposite the breastbone.

Success Story:

?I suff! ered low er back pain on and off for 30 years. My back would ?go out? from time to time to a point when I turned 50 it was going out about 4 times per year and would take several days to a week to get out of the pain band. My wife trained as a Pilates instructor a couple of years ago and at that time I started doing Pilates once or twice a week. I then got to a point where for about a month I was doing it for about 10 minutes 4 times a week which is not a whole lot of investment of my time.

Now I do it one good hour a week.

The success I have had is that my back has not gone out in over a year. The little I have done in Pilates has been enough to change my body to the point where I no longer experience the repeated back problem I once had.? G.F.

Louise Forscher is a native of New Zealand, certified as a dance instructor in London, England and certified as a Pilates instructor at Long Beach Dance Conditioning in Southern California

Website: pilates-exercise-and-equipment.com

Cosmetic Dentistry A Closer Look?

2008-11-09T06:04:00.001-08:00

Cosmetic dentistry has come to mean different things to different people. A big reason for this is because there are so many procedures performed in and out of the dentist's office that have been put into this category.

Of course, all cosmetic dentistry procedures must be carefully planned with expected outcomes clearly discussed but it can be a procedure as relatively simple as reshaping a few teeth.

The past few years, one of the most requested cosmetic dentistry procedures is tooth whitening. It's literally taken America by storm. Tooth whitening can be approached in a number of different ways. It simply depends on your budget and what type of results you desire.

The most cost effective method is purchasing over-the-counter products, which will normally produce acceptable results to systems using trays made from impressions of your teeth. The trays are created in a dentist's office and are used with one of several whitening (bleaching) agents. For those who want a one-shot approach, there are also a few different in-office systems that usually employ a very bright light to enhance the speed and efficacy after whitening.

Something to keep in mind is that if you are someone with dark colored or excessively grey teeth whitening may not be as effective as you would have hoped. Of course, if your teeth are like this your dentist should discuss this beforehand. In addition, if you've had a high number of fillings, crowns or other dental procedures of this type on your teeth then bleaching may not be the right option for you either. Tooth-colored bonded resin fillings and bonded porcelain fillings and crowns on the back teeth would certainly fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry.

Colored resin that matches the color of your teeth is a material that can often be bonded to areas of the front teeth. This resin can be shaped and sculpted to repair fractures of the front teeth, close spaces and reshape teeth. There are a number of advantages to this procedure. First, it ca! n usuall y be done in one visit. Two, it's conservative. Three, it can look very nice and four, it's less expensive than some other options. A few disadvantages would include the life expectancy of this process is somewhat limited (usually five to seven years). Plus, staining and discoloration occurs over time, strength is much less than with porcelain and resin bonding has esthetic limitations depending upon the size of the case.

The gold standard in restoring a beautiful smile is bonding porcelain veneers or laminates directly to teeth. Under the direction of a skilled dentist and staff (including ceramist) porcelain veneers can create incredibly beautiful and natural smiles. The advantages are unsurpassed beauty, longevity and strength. On the other hand, two disadvantages are cost (can be very expensive) and that some minimal tooth structure needs to be removed.

There are many other cosmetic dentistry options available which should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist. Of course, one of the most important elements for you is to find a dentist that has the skill, experience and aesthetic eye to give you a beautiful smile.

A great smile is an under-appreciated asset. First impressions are important in all aspects of live (personal and business) and one of the first things people see and judge when they meet someone are their eyes and smile.

Studies by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) have shown that people with attractive smiles get better jobs, are held in higher regard, normally make a better impression and in many instances make more money. But another less obvious benefit is the increase in esteem and confidence that comes with a smile you can be proud of.

It is such a freeing experience for someone who hides their smile to start smiling big and confidently.

This article may be reproduced only in its entirety.

Kevin Erickson is an entrepreneur and writer. For more of his articles visit: Teeth Whitening Baby Crib Bedding Wine Country Gift Basket! s

Diffuse Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

2008-11-08T06:03:00.001-08:00

Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, or DMM, is a rare but highly aggressive type of cancer. It occurs in the thin layer of tissue, the pleura, lining the chest cavity and lungs. Once diagnosed with DMM, most patients do not survive beyond one year. This cancer is more common in men than in women, and in older people.

Most people with DMM have a history of exposure to asbestos; however, if they are not aware that such exposure occurred, they may be unaware that they are at risk. A patient with DMM typically has one or more of the following signs and symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, fever, or a cough. An x-ray usually shows that the pleural tissue around the lungs has thickened due to the development of a number of nodules or small cancerous growths. Sometimes, there may be a single large growth. When a biopsy of the cancer tissue is done, the types of cells that make up the cancer may be epithelioid, mixed, or sarcomatoid. People with epithelioid cell cancers tend to survive somewhat longer; those with sarcomatoid cancers usually have the shortest survival.

DMM is always treated as aggressively as possible. The type of treatment depends on the dominant cell type the cancer is made of, the extent of spread of the cancer, and the overall health of the person undergoing treatment. Surgery is a preferred option where the bulk of the cancer can be removed. Many anti-cancer drugs are being tried to treat DMM, with varying levels of short-term success. Radiotherapy may also be an option. A number of clinical trials are currently underway to try and find a treatment that may improve the outlook for DMM patients. However, only seven percent of people with DMM survive beyond five years.

Malignant Mesothelioma provides detailed information about malignant mesothelioma, diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant mesothelioma diagnosis, malignant mesothelioma lawyer and more. Malignant Mesothelioma is the sister site of Peritonea! l Mesoth elioma Lawyers.

Conquer Those Carbohydrate Cravings

2008-11-07T15:03:00.000-08:00

Are you a hopeless carbohydrate addict? Let?s conquer these cravings once and for all?..

I drove over to my parents home the a few weeks ago for dinner. I arrived early, and asked my mother if I could help her finish preparing dinner. The smell of mom?s pot roast in the oven really got my mouth watering and I couldn?t wait for dinner.

She sent me to the pantry to retrieve some honey, I opened the pantry and was amazed at what I saw. Of course their was the standard pantry fare, but many other items were lurking in that pantry. Here were a few: crackers, cookies, potato chips, tortilla chips, oatmeal cr?me pies, white bread, sun chips, frosted corn flake cereal, pop tarts, and popcorn. No kidding, these were all in her pantry.

I asked my mother if she ate these items often. She said, ?Yes, I?m hungry all the time so I just snack on the stuff all day?. She said she eats three meals a day, but gets hungry so she snacks on crackers, chips, etc., then an hour or so later she is hungry again, so she eats more snacks.

The carbohydrate frenzy- trigger foods

Eating the fore mentioned types of carbohydrates all day will make anyone hungry and crave food every hour or so. You see, eating these types of snacks causes our blood sugar to spike and fall very rapidly, triggering our body to crave more food all day long. It?s a viscous cycle with no end. This type of cycle not only sets up our body for weight gain but the possibility of diabetes and a whole host health problems.

How to conquer these carb cravings once and for all

By reading this article I know you are motivated enough to stop these cravings for good. Here are some free tips to get you on your way to healthy eating and craving free!

1. Eat three balanced (protein, carbohydrate, fat) meals a day plus two healthy snacks. This stabilizes blood sugar, reduces cravings, turbo charges your metabolism (your body will naturally burn more calories), and helps you with weight loss.

2. Spend some time in your ! pantry a nd even your refrigerator. Pitch all the cookies, crackers, white bread, chips, store bought fruit juices, etc.. These foods have no nutritional value, only empty calories that will no doubt cause you to gain crave more foods and gain weight faster.

3. Eat healthy snacks such as protein shakes, nuts, fruit, veggies with dip, etc. At each snack eat a small portion of protein, carbohydrate and fat. These healthy foods have a positive impact on your body. They give your body vital nutrients, and most importantly, stop the cravings. You?ll feel better, and won?t be as tired during the day.

4. Drink plenty of water.

5. Limit your amount of caffeine. I know, I sure love drinking a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. If you are a caffeine addict, meaning you drink three cups or more of caffeine a day, try to cut it back to one or two. As far as cravings go, caffeine sure gives our bodies a jolt and can make us feel good and even more alert, but after that initial jolt and you ?come back down? your body will either crave more caffeine or carbohydrates.

6. The ultimate goal is to eat healthy foods, which in turn give our bodies proper nutrition, which in turn makes us feel better. But this can take time. If you are used to eating junk food, and always craving food, don?t worry. Start out slow if you have to. Your body will take time to adjust to a new way of eating. You may even feel lousy for a few days or even a week, while your body adjusts to the healthy foods. But in the end, you will feel great!

About The Author

Jeff Lugeanbeal- Sought after Health and fitness professional, motivational and nutritional coach, is a recognized authority On the subject of weight loss. His Web site, www.worldwideweightloss.com provides a wealth of informative articles and resources on everything you'd ever need to know about permanent, natural fat loss and will help you achieve the body you?ve always wanted.

Vitamin B5 For Acne Is It A Good Thing?

2008-11-07T06:03:00.001-08:00

Taking supplemental vitamins for acne to help fight acne is not a new idea. Many people are lacking in the necessary vitamins to maintain a happy, healthy body - and that includes the skin!

Your skin is your body's largest organ. It requires a wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals to look and feel it's best. Vitamins A, C, E, K and vitamin B complex as well as minerals such as zinc, chromium and selenium are all necessary. However, in today's 'fast world' inadequate eating habits are the leading cause of vitamin deficiencies. To compensate, you may choose to add a quality multivitamin to your diet.

One of the most beneficial vitamins for treating acne is claimed to be the vitamin B group and in particular, vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid.

Vitamin B5 for acne is causing quite a stir throughout the Internet, There are many web sites competing for your attention. Some claim that mega doses of vitamin B5 will completely eradicate all traces of your acne while others claim that such B5 doses are totally useless and even dangerous.

Who do you believe?

A regiment of vitamin B5 to treat acne is claimed to be second only to treatments based on vitamin A such as Accutane? - but much safer. Accutane? is very effective because it shuts down oil producing glands that cause acne, however, a list of side-effect have created 'bad press' for Accutane?. B5 on the other hand, is suppose to be effective and safe because it increases your body's ability to metabolize oil rather than to stop oil production altogether.

B5 is an essential vitamin and can be found in our everyday diets. Foods such as eggs, yeast, whole-wheat, broccoli and red meat all contain vitamin B5. There is no proof to indicate that taking large doses of B5 to treat acne are dangerous - only opinions.

Programs that suggest mega doses of up to 10 grams or more of B5 each day may be unnecessary. Since vitamins B5 is water-soluble, much of it would be flushed from your system before your body could absor! b what i t needed. That may be why as many as 20 tablets a day are recommended. Some may find that very hard to swallow!

A program that offers time-released vitamins for acne may be the answer. A lower dose of 2 to 3 grams of vitamin B5 each day, time-released to allow your body to absorb it makes sense. Why take 20 tablets when you can get the same results with 4 to 6? It is much cheaper too!

In the end, the decision to use vitamins for acne treatment will be yours. Supplementing a poor diet with multivitamins will certainly help to improve your skin and your over-all health. Additional vitamin B5, if used sensibly, promises a safe, natural and effective solution to your acne.

Cindy English publishes informative articles and product reviews of today's most popular acne treatments.

Visit the Acne Skin Care Guide. It's the first step to a clearer complexion and greater self-esteem!

Weight Loss Workout Routine Benefits

2008-11-06T15:03:00.001-08:00

Is a weight loss workout routine right for you? Answer the following questions to find out. Do you feel sluggish at the end of the day? Do you feel tired and stiff after a long day at work? Are you stressed out most of the time?

Too many days without adequate exercise, rest and fresh air can leave you feeling as tired on the inside as weak muscles feel on the outside. If you suffer from this kind of fatigue, try a weight loss workout routine and increase your whole body's energy level.

If you want to shed extra pounds and tighten muscles, a weight loss workout routine, that combines a cardio workout and strength training, is perfect for you.

It could be just what the doctor ordered for extra energy, increased metabolism, and the feel good endorphins your body produces after exercise. Want to feel good all day? A weight loss workout routine is the way to do it.

It is easier than you think to achieve these extra benefits, and the best part is, you can do it at home. With a few pieces of quality home gym equipment, like a treadmill or an elliptical exerciser, you could soon be seeing your muscles tone, your energy level boost, and your moods get much better.

Studies show that working out regularly reduces stress and helps you to handle adversity better. You'll feel boosts in important neural chemicals all day long if you start home workouts like a treadmill workout program.

As you add strength training to your routine, you will see more fit muscles and longer, leaner body lines. This part of the weight loss workout routine will speed up your metabolism and increase your body's ability to burn fat long after your workout.

A cardio workout routine followed by strength training helps your muscles metabolize the lactic acid that causes the burn and ache after a workout. These kinds of workouts are excellent for burning excess body fat. If you are looking for increased energy and decreased stress, a weight loss workout routine is the perfect choice for yo! u.

This article is supplied by http://www.treadmill-info.com where you will find valuable information, ratings, reviews, articles and buying tips before you make the investment in quality fitness equipment. For more fitness related articles go to: http://www.treadmill-info.com/articles1.html

Finally Natural Weight Loss Availalble Judge Lifts Ban on Ephedra

2008-11-06T06:08:00.001-08:00

April 14, 2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district court in Salt Lake City Utah reversed the ban on ephedra.

Ephedra is an herb used over 5000 years ago to treat several disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis. Because ephedra has the ability to increase metabolism, and burn fat it became a popular ingredient used in diet pills.

About 12 to 17 million people consumed ephedra in 1999, reports the American Herbal Products Association. The Nutrition Business Journal estimated that sales of ephedra in 2002 were $1.25 billion.

Ephedra is so powerful its safety was questioned, the FDA removed ephedra also known by its chinese name Ma-huang from the market in April 2004, claiming that it was responsible for dozens of deaths.

The ban on ephedra didn't affect the sale of over-the-counter cold medications such as decongestants which often contain ephedrine in synthetic form.

Judge Campbell states that drug agencies had failed to prove that ephedra at low doses was dangerous, and that it lacked the authority to ban the substance without such proof. She called for the FDA to lift the ban on ephedra.

The US ban on ephedra was lifted, among other things the court clarified that the FDA must follow the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), and can not treat dietary supplements like drugs or medical devices.

According to the court low doses of ephedra do not pose significant or unreasonable risk by a preponderance of the evidence. Companies that sell ephedra based products are allowed to resume selling whole herb ephedra products with no more than 10mg of naturally occurring ephedrine alkaloids.

Joe is an affiliate of Marqi Fitness Group, get more information at http://www.ephedraedge.com.

Joe is an avid fitness person who enjoys playing tennis and running.

Chronotherapy Helps Lung Cancer Patient on the Road to Recovery

2008-11-05T06:03:00.001-08:00

Margaret Olszowka was diagnosed with lung cancer on New Year's Eve, 2002. The prognosis was very grim: her disease had advanced to Stage 4 and was inoperable. Doctors at a very well known university hospital told her there was nothing they could do for her. They didn't even offer chemotherapy as an option; she was told she had months to live. However, instead of giving up, she decided she was going to fight the disease, and ultimately found her way to cancer specialist, Keith Block, MD, where she received chronotherapy as part of her treatment plan. Today, she is doing very well and enjoying her two children and six grandchildren. She wants the world to know about the role chronotherapy played in her survival in the hopes of helping other cancer patients.

What is chronotherapy?

Chronotherapy takes into account how our body's natural rhythms' impact our ability to process medications. Patterns like sleeping, menstrual cycles, even our physical response to the changing seasons, are different for everyone. In the old days we called these biorhythms. Today, doctors are finding that understanding a patient?s biorhythms, and coordinating the timing of their medical treatments to these biorhythms, can profoundly affect the outcome of their treatments. This is called chronotherapy.

?Every drug has an optimal time when it is least toxic and most effective. says Keith Block, MD, editor-in-chief of the peer-reviewed journal Integrative Cancer Therapies, and Clinical Professor, Department of Medical Education, at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago (UIC), and at the Department of Pharmacology. For cancer treatment, this is determined by several factors, including the biological uniqueness of the particular drug being given, the time when the specific type of cancer cells divide the most, when the normal healthy cells of the patient generally divide the least, the patient?s circadian clock and individual rest-activity cycles, and even the time zone the person resides in.

Accor ding to Dr. Michael Smolensky, co-author of the book The Body Clock Guide to Better Health, When cancer medications are given in a chronobiological manner, patients may be able to tolerate higher, more potent doses than would be possible otherwise.

?This method of administering chemotherapy is revolutionary and has demonstrated in large randomized trials its potential to improve survival,? states Dr. Block. ?We have found that often patients receiving chronotherapy reduce what would have been recurring side effects of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. This is important because the debilitation caused by chemo can cause patients to reduce or even stop treatments that could otherwise help them win their battle with cancer.?

Chronotherapy is being widely researched around the world:

There are over 62,000 references in PubMed (the National Institute of Health?s archive of biomedical and life sciences journal articles) about chronobiology (how biology is affected by timing) and over 500 scientific articles specifically about chronotherapy. The National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) devoted an entire web cast for doctors on chronotherapy.

So why isn?t chronotherapy used more widely?

One of the main problems has been logistics ? figuring out how to deliver chemotherapy in exactly timed doses. ?Portable infusion pumps may hold the answer,? explains Gerald Sokol, MD, an oncologist with the division of oncology in FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Dr. Block has brought technology to the U.S. that administers chemotherapy via a pump designed to precisely time up to four channels of infusion simultaneously to the individual needs of a patient. Highly portable and small enough to fit in a fanny pack, patients are able to maintain full mobility, play sports, and enjoy a full night's sleep ? while receiving their specifically timed cancer therapy.

Leni Kass has been writing and editing articles for various! media o utlets for the past 8 years. She is cofounder and CEO of Hey U.G.L.Y., Inc. NFP, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that empowers teens with self-esteem building tools, to help them counter challenges such as eating disorders, bullying, violence, substance abuse and suicide. U.G.L.Y. is an acronym that stands for Unique Gifted Lovable You. Website: http://www.heyugly.org

Tweezing Hair Removal: The Temporary Method of Plucking and Tweezing

2008-11-04T15:03:00.001-08:00

Tweezing refers to removing hairs with an instrument like a pair of tweezers or forceps. It is also sometimes referred to as plucking.

Hair tweezing is sometimes used to deal with unwanted eyebrow hair and some facial hair although clearly precautions need to be taken before you start pulling hairs out from such visible and sensitive areas!

While hair tweezing can help you temporarily remove individual hairs, it is a very limited hair removal option since larger areas cannot effectively be cleared.

While tweezing is a cheap method of temporary hair removal since it just involves buying a pair of tweezers, it remains a temporary method of hair removal with limitations.

Certainly, pulling hairs out individually can be time consuming and painful and could result in ingrown hairs if it's done improperly.

When it comes to hair tweezing, before you pick up a pair of tweezers and start pulling out hairs, you're best to consider exactly what hair you want removed and whether or not hair tweezing is the best method to achieve it.

Also, before you start tweezing consider whether or not you may choose laser or light hair removal treatment in the near future.

A laser or light system hair removal practitioner may tell you to avoid tweezing and using other hair removal options before any laser or light treatment you schedule.

If in doubt, consult a professional.

Temporary and permanent hair removal technology is evolving constantly and is relevant to both men and women who want to remove unwanted hair.

For more information on hair removal options, visit http://www.PermanentHairRemovalTips.com.

Yoga and True Self

2008-11-04T06:03:00.001-08:00

The great sage Patanjali in his work Yogasutra codified all yogic knowledge and practices which prevailed in ancient India in the form of aphorisms. He defined Yoga in a simple way as - controlling of thoughts arising in the mind(I.2). The nature or work of mind is to think or desire always. As waves are generated along the seashore, so thoughts are generated in the mind incessantly. In order to fulfill these desires man acts relentlessly. When thoughts are controlled or prevented, the outwardly moving mind turns inwards. The sphere of the activities of mind contracts and mind comes to the center. At the center of mind lies the true self or soul(atman).

True self or soul is the source of life and consciousness in all living beings. In fact soul, life and consciousness are one and the same and constitute the only truth in the whole universe. The Upanishads which contain the spiritual cream of Indian Philosophy, describe that soul(atman) is Brahman, the ultimate Reality. World is not different from being, being is not different from Atman and Atman is not different from Brahman.

When thoughts in the mind are controlled, Yogasutra describes - the the seer rests in his true self(I.3). When all thoughts cease to exist, mind becomes pure conscious. As water is purified through filtration, so mind is purified by controlling thoughts. The pure conscious mind is the true self of a being. So through the practice of Yoga one regains one's true self and nothing else.

Everything has a true self or true nature. The nature of sugar is to give sweetness, the nature of water is to give coolness and the nature of fire is to give heat. When a piece of gold is purified bu burning, it does not change over to any other thing, but becomes pure gold. Only a pure gold is appreciated and is more valuable. Similarly when the mind attains purity, it does not change over to any other thing or merge with something. When mind is pure conscious, it is pure bliss. The real nature of a being is its blissful state. In! order t o achieve this blissful state people of all religions wander here and there in search of God.

Religious people concieve of a God who is a divine being residing in heaven. This concept and imagination is only the reflection of true self. Heaven is the heart of a being and God is the true self. It is the true self or soul that impells an individual to seek for God. After long searches here and there, one returns to one's true self and realises Gog within.

So the aim of Yoga is to realise this true self or God. Such a God is only real and existent. He gives life and consciousness to all beings. All worlds, all beings and all souls are one and the same. This is the ultimate Truth or Reality.

The author Premansu Chand is an Indian who practices Patanjali Yoga in its purest form. He has published his first book Quest for Truth: the spiritual and yogic way recently. More information relating to spiritualism and yoga can be received from this book.

Stabilizing the Core to Eliminate LowBack Pain Part 1

2008-11-03T22:03:00.000-08:00

This is the first article of a series of articles to follow. In this article I will be addressing one of the main core stabilizing muscles of the lumbar spine and its role in back pain, as well as specific exercises that should be performed to prevent and recover faster from your back pain. You should make these exercises part of your everyday routine, just like brushing your teeth.

Words of wisdom before performing these exercises:

? Consult with your doctor before starting an exercise program or if you're experiencing radiating pain.

? Don't stop your exercise program just because your back feels better. Continue exercising to keep your back pain from returning.

? Where most rehabilitation programs fail is in the selection and repetitions they prescribe to their patients. People with weak back muscles should not only strengthen these muscles but should concentrate on building muscle endurance since these muscles are at work all day long.

? Consider working with a Muscle Activation Technique Therapist to identify and correct muscular imbalances and to make sure all muscles are functioning properly.

Core Stabilizer:

Transverse Abdominal (TVA) is a very important stabilizer of the low-back. It is the deepest of the abdominal muscles and the only one that runs horizontal. It activates prior to the muscles of the hips and thorax. When contracted it flattens the abdominal wall and compresses the viscera. The TVA is required for all integrated movements. If the TVA is weak it will allow bulging of the anterior abdominal wall increasing lordosis in the low-back and will also create a lateral bulge in (forward bending) or extension (back bending).

Researchers used EMG activity to identify the timing of the TVA and the multifidus contraction, compared to other abdominal muscles, during movement of the upper limbs in response to visual stimuli. They found that, in subjects without lower back pain, the first active muscle was the transverse abdominis contracting p! rior to the upper limb. The model they developed identified a consistent dysfunction of transverse abdominis in people with low-back pain.

Isometric Exercises Explained:

Before we get into the specific exercises for the TVA I would like to explain why isometric exercises are so important.

In order to activate the TVA muscle fibers or any other muscle for that matter, a weak muscle must first be jump started using MAT Therapy or by using isometric exercises before you can strengthen it through exercise. If a weak muscle is not first jump started, then the body is forced to compensate and use other muscles to perform the desired movement.

Isometric exercises solve several problems that Rehab programs and weight lifting activities do not solve:

Problem #1: A weak muscle will not contract with most strengthening exercises because dominant muscles will compensate for weak muscles.

Problem #2: When the body senses instability in the joint, it will tighten up to protect the joint. Stretching a tight muscle will only create a temporary release and could result in a more vulnerable joint.

Problem #3: Muscle imbalances may occur through repetitive use of the same muscle, or through injury, causing the body to go into protective mode.

When performing isometric exercise contractions, the contraction should be held for 6 seconds and repeated 6 times. This allows time for peek tension to develop and metabolic changes to occur in the muscle. The muscle should be placed in its shorthend position. In this position the muscle is at its weakest. The intensity of each isometric contraction should increase. By the 6th contraction, greater range of motion and neural input should occur. For more information on isometric exercises visit www.sports-injury-solutions.com

Exercises for the TVA

? This exercise is critical in re-estabilishing good communication between the brain and the key stabilizer muscles (TVA). Progressing to advanced abdominal exercises when your body is not p! repared will only magnify muscular imbalances that can cause injury and pain.

? Lie on your back and cross your left leg over right leg. Your left heel should be next to the right knee. Rotate right approx 30 degrees your left hip will come off the ground several inches. Push knee into the ball or wall 6 times for 6 seconds. Start lightly and increase pressure each time. If you feel cramping in the inner thigh you are pressing too hard. This exercise will activate the TVA and should be followed up by regular abdominal exercises.

Richard Lauro is a Certified Muscle Activation Technique (MAT) therapist and one of the industries top fitness experts. The Owner of Fitness Solutions Inc.; Resistance Training Specialist; (AAHFRP) Medical Exercise And Post Rehab Specialist; American Council on Exercise; Idea Member - International Fitness Professionals Organization; Health and Fitness Writer for the Community Voice Newspaper. 13 years experience in the Health and Fitness field. To learn more about MAT Techniques and how to prevent and recover faster from your sports injury visit http://www.sports-injury-solutions.com or call 540-840-3208 to get your FREE REPORT The Secret To Eliminating Muscle and Joint Pain.

My Mythical Journey to Gourmet Tea Bags

2008-11-02T15:03:00.001-08:00

Whether it is the cancer fighting abilities, the immune system strengthening, the weight loss assisting, the headache relieving, or any of the other superhero capabilities possessed by this beverage, drinking tea is beneficial to your health. Though the actual level of increased health benefits may be in question, there are very few who will refute the statement, ?It is a good idea to drink tea.?

There is nothing new to that statement. And in regards to other blurbs surrounding the quote, there is a general consensus that teas such as Jasmine Green Tea, and Rooibos tea contains Anti oxidants that help fight dangerous free radicals in our bodies that can cause cancer and prematurely age our skin. And there are standard tea bags on the market, and there is a small selection of gourmet tea bags, that for one reason or another are gourmet.

So if all of this is at least somewhat true, then the next question might be, how can I let this information best help me (with as little disruption to my life as possible). To find the answer to this, I began walking down the main street of Tea Town, USA.

Upon first arrival, I ran into a couple muses who promised a pretty package and a sweet taste. I was interested in drinking tea, and the description was intriguing. Perhaps only a sailor to these sirens, I listened to their song. My footsteps were stopped as I enjoyed a cup?Such exotic names, and a mesmerizing color, I remained stunned and unaware.

But as a drought hit, the buzz subsided, and my eyes wandered to the horizon. Though not completely sure what the future would hold, I was confident it was better than where I was. Forward, I moved on.

As I continued on, I found I was in a City with a solid infrastructure. Big buildings with even bigger names thoroughly saturating a market. I could not deny their unavoidable shadow, so I decided to venture in. Though an undeniable corporate presence, I could not shake the feeling that there was something missing. As I walked in, I k! ept my e yes open, ready for any ghosts there may be. With my first step, I found myself in darkness. My only knowledge of my location was what was told to me. I thought I was where I wanted to be, drinking tea (plus the tea bags had a nice smell ).

But as I decided to stay, the weather became stormy, as a harsh and bitter taste was left in my mouth. I began looking for a light. Down a side alley I viewed a small window, allowing in rays from the now rising sun. Onward I pushed. As I slowly moved closer, the darkness began to fade revealing the truths about my surroundings?.Nothing but Dust.

Though at first I was not phased by the discovery, the seed was planted as I sat by the window soaking in the light. And as another storm began, the rains soon followed, conceiving the birth of a tree. As this tree quickly grew, the foundation was cracked, exposing the inside to the sun. With the revealing of the light, so to did the site of leaves covering dust? And as I looked at this, I remembered where I was, Tea Town, USA.

I quickly dusted myself off, and ran for the hills, arriving in a field of green. Finally, I was where I wanted to be. This green world of tea, a plateau hidden from time.

All was fine until one day I began to wander and wonder as I a questioned the distance of the fields. I explored down towards the valley, and I started to notice a change in the color as I entered into a small town neighboring my new village.

High quality teas were not just whole green leaves, but also Red Bush teas, and black teas, and aged teas, white teas, floral teas. I had found my balance. A mixture of high quality teas of different colors and tastes. And as I remained, and lived in peace, it was in this small town where I found the answer to my original question; how can I let my knowledge of tea best help me (with as little disruption to my life as possible). The answer was found in this small corner of the globe. A Tea Bag that contained the high quality tea I found to be the! best. With this Classic looking bag, I had finally found my choice. The Gourmet Tea Bags are easy to use, easy to clean, and most importantly provide an increased level of health benefits?

Along with writing, David Giusti is the owner of Sabaidi Tea Co., Ltd., a company that exports Handmade Gourmet Tea Bags and Guft boxes and other specialties from bangkok, Thailand. You can read more on the company's home page at http://www.Sabaidi.net

Toxic Effects & Side Effects of Isolated Vitamins

2008-11-02T06:03:00.001-08:00

Vitamins are PARTS of foods, but they are NOT foods. Foods contain vitamins, but vitamins NEVER contain nutrient complexes (synergistic biochemicals). And, NO vitamin is really ?natural? once it has been REMOVED from its original food source.

Several supplement companies confuse this issue further by claiming that their products are ?whole foods? whey they are actually mixtures of foods and isolates (isolated component of an extracted nutrient). This is deceptive and forces one to really dig into labels to discern food from isolated chemicals.

It is critical to understand not just individual isolates but how vitamins interact and interrelate with other biochemicals found alongside one another within whole food complexes. There are many critically important nutrients, substances, and properties within foods that are just as important as vitamins. These elements help vitamins provide their beneficial effects. Without these other food substances vitamins are used pharmacologically, like drugs.

We cannot subsist on isolated vitamins without the other nutrients provided in nature?s foods.

What are Vitamins?
Vitamins are ?biological complexes, bundles of enzymes and trace minerals, biological wheels within wheels. Vitamins in isolation are no longer vitamins but merely extracts. Vitamins fail to fully function when derived.

The origins of the isolates began with chemists? synthetic isolation of a single element uncombined with its biological matrix. The discovery of the vitamin coincided with the boom in industry, agriculture, and pharmaceutical chemistry. This has been an ongoing attempt to manufacture a better than natural food by extracting just what we ?need? and leaving the rest behind.

There are many side effects owing to isolated and synthetic vitamins. A more detailed analysis may be found in my book Man Cannot Live on Vitamins Alone, but here are a few examples:

Vitamin A: Acute intake of extremely high doses of vitamin A (>200,000mg RE in adults) can c! ause nau sea, vomiting, headache, and increased cebrospinal pressure. Symptoms are generally transient. Chronic high intakes (e.g. >10x RDA) can cause hair loss, bone and muscle pain, headache, liver damage, and increased blood lipid concentrations. A particular danger in pregnant women is teratogenesis (birth defects). As vitamin A is fat soluble and can be stored in the liver for long periods of time, it has a high potential for toxicity.

Vitamin B1 Thiamine: The symptoms of thiamin overdosing are similar to those of hyperthyroidism: 1. fast pulse; 2. irritability; 3. tremors; 4. weakness. Twenty to forty milligrams should not be used except in deficiency cases.

Vitamin B3 Niacin: Toxicity will be achieved through large doses of nicotinic acid given to lower cholesterol may product flushing of the skin, hyperuricemia, and hepatic abnormalities. These effects are reversed if the drug is reduced in amount or discontinued.

Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine: Excessive acute or chronic exposure to vitamin B-6 can be neurotoxic. It appears that in most individuals oral intakes of less than 500 mg/day can be tolerated. Larger intakes should be avoided. Because individuals may vary in their susceptibility to toxicity, a physician should monitor intakes in excess of the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA).

Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid: High doses of vitamin C may alter cooper metabolism and lead to deficiency states. In a study published in the April 9 issue of Nature, Dr. Ian Podman and colleagues from the University of Leicester in England found that vitamin C intake, at levels greater than 500 mg/day may not be advisable. These researchers studied 30 healthy individuals who were given doses of 500 mg/day for a period of 6 weeks. Results showed oxidative damage at the cellular level even after excess vitamin C was excreted. The authors of this study conclude that high doses of vitamin C may be doing damage to cells as well.

Back to Common Sense & Science
The human body is not an artificial creation, an! d theref ore should not be fed artificially created and enhanced substances such as isolated vitamins. You can find whole food nutrition at Nutritional-Life where real foods, grown in nature, balanced by millennia of evolution, and complex in their structures, are the perfect match for our bodies. Scientifically speaking, we are designed to consume these foods because they are natural, whole, balanced, and complex. Nothing can replace food nutrients in their ability to sustain life without causing unpredictable side effects.

Dr Shayne is a foremost authority in the area of whole food nutrition. He has found a direct connection between health and nutrition and has studied the effects of extracts and isolates, typically labeled vitamins and minerals. He is Chief Scientific Advisor and Lead Consultant for Nutritional Life and developer of a full line of whole food nutrition (NutriPlex Formulas). In addition, Dr Shayne has published over 5 books and is working on another book at this time.

Stress Relief Provided by Herbal Medicine

2008-11-01T16:02:00.001-07:00

Chances are, you may not know about the use of herbal medicine to provide stress relief.

We certainly can?t blame if you don?t. Herbal medicine, after all, is still trying to gain its former popularity and so many people are still in doubt of its efficacy and prefer to use prescription medicine instead. But you see, if you take the time to check historical texts, the use of herbal medicine can date back as far as 5,000 years ago! The efficacy of herbal medicine, therefore, should not be in doubt anymore since it?s supported by five millennia worth of proof.

Before we give you an example of herbal medicine that can provide stress relief, however, we shall give you a little bit of dos and don?ts on the subject of herbal medicine to ensure safety and proper use.

Do consult your doctor first before taking any herbal medicine to fight stress or for whatever reason. Self-medication is never good and it can bring you a lot of complications that could have easily been avoided if you had only asked your doctor about your chosen type of medication.

When consulting your doctor, do bring a sample of your herbal medicine so he?ll be able to analyze whether it?s real and of good quality. To safeguard yourself from cheap herbal medicine imitations, always buy from any herbal medicine store of good and long standing reputation. These stores may even offer money back guarantee and of course, that wouldn?t hurt at all.

Your doctor may also make you aware if there would be any possible negative reactions if and when you do take a particular herbal medicine. That doesn?t mean you can?t take herbal medicine anymore to gain provide relief; it simply means that you?re just not able to take that particular herbal medicine and you have to search for another.

Lastly, if you?re already taking prescription medicine, you truly need to visit your doctor before taking herbal medicine as well because there are instances when a combination of both can result to unwanted complications.

And now! for an example of herbal medicine that can provide stress relief:

Catnips ? One of the most common symptoms of stress are diarrhea, increased or loss of appetite and anxiety. If these are stress symptoms that trouble you most, this herbal medicine is definitely what you need because it nurtures the stomach and nerves.

Kada Kava ? This herbal medicine can provide stress relief by vanquishing symptoms like insomnia (typical of workaholics who love to do overtime) and anxiety (typical of workaholics who have high pressure jobs).

Grace Palce is writing articles about stress relief on her site about natural medicine.

Popular Hairstyles in Early 20th Century America

2008-11-01T07:02:00.001-07:00

The range of hairstyles available to women began to expand as the world entered a new century in 1900. The Victorian Age was drawing to a close, the automobile was emerging, giving people much more mobility, and a general sense of unlimited possibilities pervaded society. All of this gave a new impetus to creating hairstyles that expressed a more open and optimistic feeling.

1900-1910 Hairstyles ? Time of Transition

This decade saw a transition in hairstyles, from the more confined styles of the Victorian era to looser, fuller hairstyles. Curiously, both long and short styles were popular, with longer, free-flowing hair slowly gaining more converts as the decade progressed. Volume was the theme that ran through most of the popular hairstyles, regardless of hair length. Longer hairstyles featured hair parted in the middle (with a noticeable part), and long wavy tresses hanging below the shoulders. Shorter hairstyles generally began around the ears and ?poofed? up over the head in several updo styles, often held in place with barrettes and adorned with bows, or large, wide hats.

1910-1920 Hairstyles ? Waves & Accessories

As the 1900s moved into the 1910s, hairstyles started off with an emphasis on long hair that was either pinned up in elaborate updos, or made wavy and flowing. Hats and bows were increasingly popular accessories. Nevertheless, in the mid-1910?s, a sea change occurred that would affect women?s hairstyles for years to come. This was the short bob haircut.

As these very short styles caught on and swept America, the range of elegant hairstyles for formal events and nights out on the town diminished. The focus shifted to what women put in their hair. The most popular accessory was a headband, often adorned with fancy beads and stitch-work designs. One hairstyle that gained a lot of popularity (and some notoriety) was called ?curtain hair.? This entailed parting short hairstyles down the middle, then letting the hair fall across a headband worn aroun! d the mi ddle of the head, just above the ears. For more elegant hairstyles, women often constructed ringlet curls all along the headband, or added jeweled pins.

1920-1930 Hairstyles ? Footloose & Fancy Free

The 1920s was a decade of huge societal changes in America. Women got the right to vote, a world war had just ended, hard liquor was banned, and the economy was booming as industry titans emerged. A unique time in the history of hairstyles, the 1920s saw the birth of the ?Flapper? era, highlighted by women with very short hair, bold new fashions, and a carefree attitude.

First noticed on famous ballroom dancer, Irene Castle, the ?Castle bob? swept the nation in the late 1910s and early 20s. Variations sprang up as the 1920s progressed, a result of women who began feeling their wild oats and experimenting with newfound freedoms of expression.

Formal hairstyles in the 1920s were often limited by the extremely short styles that were so popular then. To make up for this limitation, many women chose to wear wide-brimmed hats with elegant designs and bands. They wore their hair in very simple styles as a result. When a hat was not practical for a particular formal event, women often used curls and mini-updos to accentuate hairstyles that were crafted from rather plain-looking everyday styles.

The times always have an effect on fashions and hairstyles, regardless of the era. In just three decades, from 1900-1930, America went from very conservative styles as the Victorian era was ending, to the wild-eyed, carefree days of short Flapper hairstyles. All of which proves that it?s impossible to look at current hairstyles and fashion trends and make anything more than a wild guess as to where things will be in a few years. We?ll just have to wait and watch.

John Schwartz is a professional writer and web site publisher. For more information about popular hair styles and beauty tips, visit his site at htt! p://www. 1-hair-styles.com today.

An Analysis of Wellness Protocols in the United States

2008-10-31T16:02:00.001-07:00

There are four situations that affect wellness in the United States.

? Bad luck (if you were ever healthy, it has nothing to do with your state of health.)
? Infection (virus, bacteria, fungi or parasite.)
? Injury or accident.
? Degenerative disease (the gradual decline of your overall feeling of wellbeing.)

Sickness is not the normal state for the body. The body would rather be healthy and, it is fully capable of achieving and maintaining the preferred state ? healthy.

People Should be Concerned When they Experience a Decline in their Wellbeing.

Many people do not know they have an option - accepting decline as part of aging.

Other people expect someone else to be responsible.

? Experience the elation that a little piece of paper can be exchanged at the pharmacy for something to fix their complaint.
? Accept the bothersome and sometimes dangerous side effects.
? Make a rest-of-their-life commitment to the little piece of paper.
? Experience the disappointment when nothing changes or something else pops up.
? Repeat the cycle, over, over and over until all of the little pieces of paper are taking control of their lives.
? Accept the hopelessness of more little pieces of paper and declining health.

Some people know they have an option.
? Accept the responsibility for their own wellbeing.
? Recognize it is easier to invest in health than to pay for illness.
? Accept that in order to change the way things are ? they need to change some of the things they do.
? Become confident that, given the proper nutrients, care and enough time, the body can and will repair itself.
? Make reasonable choices that help them experience the joy of health.

There are Simple Ways to Understand These Choices.

The first approach is doing nothing. This approach accepts the decline in wellbeing as inevitable, condemning sufferers for the remainder of their life. Frankly, not a very appealing prospect.

The second appro! ach is r eactive. This approach is effective when there is a definitive cause ? a beginning and an end. It involves someone asking the question: What brings you in today?. Depending on your answer, you will receive a service. In the case of certain infections, injury or accident the intervention stops the decline attributable to the complaint which provides the body the time it needs to react to the situation.

?It isn?t the gun shot that kills you, it is your body?s inability to react to the change of circumstance.? best describes this approach. E.R. personnel stop the bleeding, stabilize the victim, then wait for the damage to heal.

Ideally, the reactive approach should have a beginning and an end. Kill a bacteria with an antibiotic ? wait for the body to heal. Repair an injury ? wait for the body to heal. Suture the wound ? wait for the body to heal.

When the cause is less clear, the reactive approach addresses the complaint - it becomes an intervention without an end. This limitation of the reactive approach contributes to frustration and a sense of hopelessness that many people experience when they are trapped in the reactive approach.

The third approach is proactive.

This approach is grounded in a tenet that the human body requires a modicum of care and nutrition to produce or replace the things that sustain it; that deficiencies in the nutritional complex contribute to a gradual decline in general function, the integrity of substances, structures and tissues that are being produced or replaced. Further, besides the general malaise, this decline negatively affects the body?s ability to respond to incidental circumstances such as infection, accidents and injury.

The proactive approach may be effective prophylactically, to sustain the healthy body, when there is no satisfactory finding of a definitive cause or when the reactive approach presents an unsatisfactory outcome. The subject examines past circumstances, various daily actions and choices that may be affecting overall! wellbei ng, making appropriate changes to address the impediments while creating a protocol to change the unsatisfactory outcome. Many subjects find this approach to be hopeful because of their positive involvement in the process and the experiential outcomes. Others, unfortunately, are overwhelmed with the responsibility.

Sadly, the cost of insurance premiums is expanding the number of people who choose to do nothing. In the end, this will certainly exacerbate the consequences of neglect and elevate the level of profound intervention.

The Medical Establishment prefers that people elect to follow the status quo ? accept the reactive approach as the means to address their issues of wellbeing. National attention, focusing on the dangers and recalls of several mainstay drugs, has the public examining the wisdom of total reliance on the reactive approach to health and frankly, questioning the wisdom of that reliance.

The sensibility of proactive approach for wellbeing offers a real alternative. It provides those who cannot afford the price of admission for the reactive approach an affordable means to address wellbeing. Also, it offers people who have become frustrated and disenchanted or other people who elect to take control of their own destiny, the opportunity to make a positive contribution to their wellbeing.

Written by Frank A. Lucas The author is the Founder and President of NUPRO and The Radiant Health Club. The Club is dedicated to the millions of people who have or will accept the responsibility for their own wellbeing. Relying on publications, scientific research and documented historical uses, The Radiant Health Club provides its members with a fast, easy way to right their bodies supported by affordable, effective nutraceutical supplements to help achieve member objectives.

Submitted by John Jarvis

http://www.radianthealthclub.com/?janajarvis
http://www.parasitesinhumans.com
http://www.nonijuiceforhealth.com
http://www.nonijuice911.com/publichtml

How To Be Your Doctor's Favorite Patient

2008-10-31T07:02:00.001-07:00

First of all, let me explain something in case you don?t already know. The more your doctor and his staff like you, the better service you will receive. It?s just a plain fact and human nature. Most doctors are swamped with patients and have to make choices when appointing patients to their schedule. So how do you get the only appointment left on next Tuesday, your day off?

Asking for an appointment: Make or break the relationship. Depending upon how large the practice is, there is probably one person designated to make appointments and is most likely a woman or young adult. This position is one of the lowest paid in the practice, so keep that in mind when talking to them and boost their ego at every chance.

?Don?t tell them you have to get in this week because you are going on a cruise or exotic trip next week and just have to be seen now. This will not induce sympathy with a person financially incapable of affording such luxury. Just say you?re going out of town.

?Don?t tell them it ?has to be next Tuesday between 2 and 4?. Ask nicely if ?that time? is available, but do not insist on it. If you consistently follow the suggestions laid out here, chances are the appointment coordinator will move patients around to accommodate your schedule just because you are the favorite. But it is not a good idea to demand a specific time unless they ask you first. In case you don?t know, the appointment coordinator is taught to run the schedule, and to not let the patients do it for them.

?Keep in mind it is the appointment coordinator?s job to FILL the schedule for the doctor. Most doctors want to see a full schedule for tomorrow when they leave for the day. ?Emergency time? is seldom available, unless the practice has a consistent need for it. I know of no doctor that likes to sit around with no patients and therefore no income. Even the most caring of doctors still has their income in mind. After all, they have a staff and bills to pay.

?Which brings up the next point: do not ask t! he appoi ntment coordinator for a discount or a payment plan. Trust me, they will not have the authority to grant one. In most practices, only the doctor can grant lower fees. Sometimes the office manager can suggest payment plans. However, keep in mind, you will never be the doctor?s favorite patient if you consistently ask for lower fees or special treatment in the payment department. If you truly need help with financing, do it with the greatest tact.

?And please, please if you remember nothing else I?ve said here, remember that your insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company. Your doctor files your insurance for you as a courtesy. It is not a requirement. It is not their duty. It is not their fault if your insurance does not pay, (most times anyway.) You may be responsible for any balances left by your insurance. Just because your insurance does not pay all of your doctor?s charges, does not mean your doctor charges too much. If there is a question about your insurance, offer to call the insurance company yourself. It is so time consuming for the office personnel to do this. Sometimes they will need to, but you?ll gain points with them if you do it yourself.

?And please know your insurance information. If you are going to a medical doctor, have your medical card with you for them to copy. If you are going to a dental office, know the difference between your medical and dental insurance and have the proper card available. Most dental policies are separate from the medical policy. Some vision policies are separate, also. If you work for a large corporation or a large group, such as State or Federal employees, the office will probably know who is your insurance carrier, but have your card available for them for ID numbers, etc., from the card. If you do not know who handles your insurance, contact your Human Resources department for the information before your appointment. Or, if your doctor is referring you to a specialist, you can obtain your insurance information from your regu! lar doct or to take to the specialist?s office. They will love you for this.

?Which brings up the next point: reward any special favors. Bring goodies with you for the doctor and staff. I?ve had patients bring the doctor a bottle of wine and a box of cookies for the staff. Most people are watching their weight, so fresh fruit is nice, too. One patient brought fresh strawberries, another fresh peaches in season. Bake them a cake. Bring a potted plant. Trust me, they?ll love you for it because it so rarely happens. If you do not have a chance to bring them anything, a written card to the doctor and staff with specific comments about how wonderful everyone was, is a great favorite, too. Praise the staff to the doctor if they do a good job and they?ll be your friends forever.

?Do not wear strong perfume. I?m constantly amazed how often patients do this. Remember you are at a doctor?s office. People there are sick, hurting, or have some kind of malady. A vast majority of people gets headache from smelling strong perfume. You are never going to be a favorite patient nor are you going to get the most compassionate service if all the staff can think about is getting your smelly self out of their office as soon as humanly possible. Do you want to be a rush job? What if your doctor is allergic to your perfume? Mine is! And so are members of our staff. It will be noted in your chart because a nurse or assistant that can tolerate your smelly self will be assigned to you while those you make sick will avoid you. The doctor may deliberately anger you just to get rid of you. You will not be treated well and may never know why because it is hard to tell a patient that they stink! Enough said.

?Do not cry. Yeah you?re hurting, or deathly sick, but please try not to cry. Doctors and staff will feel helpless and sad for you, but they?ll also be relieved when you leave. Raw emotion is hard for any human to deal with and doctors and staff are no different.

?Do not whine, or complain about another doctor you?v! e alread y seen. It could be the doctor?s best friend. Or a staff member?s friend. If you?ve been ?doctor shopping? and have seen several doctors in a short period of time, don?t tell the new doctor that you?ve seen ?5 different doctors and can?t find a good one?. You?ll be pegged as a ?problem patient? in a heartbeat and won?t be taken as seriously. Be professional when talking about other doctors, not complaining.

?Keep religion and politics out of your conversations in the doctor?s office. Period. Unless you know the affiliation of your doctor and/or staff matches yours from something they?ve said. I?ve seen a Baptist patient bring our Catholic doctor literature that conflicted with his beliefs. It created an uncomfortable situation. And don?t think just because you and everyone you know is fed up with your country?s leaders, your doctor is also. He may be in a different financial situation than you are and has differing opinions.

With a little forethought and tact and lots of kindness, you can be one of your doctor?s favorite patients. Now, to find that perfect doctor...

Debbie Boynton has worked in the dental field for eight years. She shares more information on this topic at:

http://www.debbiebebizz.com/toothache-and-root-canal/

Pleural Mesothelioma

2008-10-30T16:02:00.001-07:00

Nearly 75 percent of mesotheliomas are initiated in the chest and are called pleural mesotheliomas. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this devastating disease. This occurs when asbestos fibers enter the pleura, which is the membrane that covers the lungs, and results in the formation of malignant cells. The people most at risk of developing this rare form of cancer are construction workers who have been exposed to asbestos fibers for extended periods of time, their families, who are exposed to the asbestos fibers that collect on the clothes of the workers, and people who live or work in buildings that are insulated with asbestos material.

The risk of developing malignant pleural mesothelioma depends on several factors, such as the length of time the person has been exposed, and the nature of the asbestos fibers involved as well as the different kinds of industries. Other factors can also contribute to onset of pleural mesothelioma.

The symptoms at the initial stage can resemble that of pneumonia. When malignant mesothelioma originates in the pleural cavity, the first symptom may be a mild pain in the chest or back. When malignant pleural mesothelioma spreads, organs and tissues in the immediate area can be affected. It grows into the chest wall, muscles and ribs. The pain changes from mild, general and episodic to severe, localized and chronic as the disease progresses. Severe pain may not respond to oral doses, intravenous infusions, or intramuscular injections of analgesics or narcotics.

There are at least two other forms of mesothelioma, but pleural mesothelioma responds best to treatment. Unfortunately, the fatality rate remains high. However, extensive research is going on to alleviate the pain of mesothelioma sufferers, develop a vaccine, and treat the progression of the cancer.

Mesothelioma provides detailed information about malignant mesothelioma, asbestos and mesothelioma, mesothelioma, mesothelioma research and more. Mesothelioma is the sister site of A! sbestos Exposure.

Fish Oils And A Plethora of Chronic Health Problems

2008-10-30T07:02:00.001-07:00

I recently heard of an older couple that eats salmon every day for breakfast. To my finicky palate that does not sound as appetizing as waffles. Why do they do it? They argue that salmon is the most perfect food on the planet, full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They do it because they plan on living a long time.

Most of us know that fish makes for a healthier dinner than steak. It is lower in bad cholesterol and a few other things. But numerous studies support the hypothesis that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have positive effects on a whole list of chronic disorders. Among these are high triglycerides, arthritis, Chrohn's disease, cancer, hypertension, Alzheimer?s disease, coronary artery disease and the neural development of children. To say it would be difficult to cover all these topics in a single essay is an understatement. But here are a few examples.

Japanese women have a much lower risk of breast cancer than do their American counterparts. However, Japanese women who move to America and adopt its dietary patterns have an equal risk of contracting breast cancer as American women within one generation. Women living in Japan have a high ratio of omega-3 fatty acids compared to omega-6 fatty acids in their breasts. Studies have shown that women with breast cancer have up to a five-fold higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. Omega-6 imbalance has been shown to promote tumor growth.

Breast tissue changes in response to diet shift within about three months. Supplementing with three grams of fish oil a day (equivalent to eating two large salmon) has demonstrated a four-fold increase in the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 in the blood and a similar ratio increase in breast tissue thus decreasing the risk of contracting breast cancer.

The 1991 Rotterdam Study considered the incidence of chronic diseases among the elderly on a test population of 5,000 participants at least 55 years of age. In particular the study focused on the effects of dietary fat intake in relation to th! ese chro nic ailments. Dietary profiles were collected including statistics of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and polyunsaturated fats. Particular attention was directed toward fish consumption because fish is high in the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Of the total study population 1.1% suffered with Alzheimer?s disease. The statistics indicated a relation between Alzheimer?s and high saturated fat intakes. Fish consumption was associated with a low incidence of dementia, especially Alzheimer?s. Autopsies indicate that a decreased level of DHA in the hippocampus and frontal gray matter of the brain are associated with Alzheimer?s.

Saturated fats and cholesterol may negatively influence dementia because they affect cardiovascular health. Adverse cardiovascular events are associated with Alzheimer?s disease. In addition to this, omega-3 has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to play a role in brain and neurological development in infants. Omega-3 may have dementia preventing powers as well.

Some studies have indicated that there is an adverse relationship between lowering blood cholesterol levels by dieting and medication and the emotional health of the individual. Increases of depression, suicide and homicide have been linked to dieting. But it may not be hunger pangs that are the influencing factor. The quantity and distribution of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids may play a significant role by influencing serum lipids and altering biophysical and biochemical properties of cell membranes.

Epidemiological studies in various countries and in the United States in recent years suggest decreased omega-3 fatty acid consumption correlates with increasing rates of depression. This is consistent with the established relationship between coronary artery disease and depression. Omega-3 deficiency may also be related to the depression associated with alcoholism, post-partum depression and multiple sclerosis.

What about attention! -deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? It has become an epidemic in our time resulting in millions of children being placed on medication. In addition to the fact that we are destroying the attention spans of kids by placing them in front of televisions and computers instead of good books, there may be dietary influences as well.

A 1995 study involved 96 boys in Indiana schools, 53 of which had been diagnosed with ADHD. Dietary intake statistics of essential fatty acids were established based on 3-day surveys of each boy. There were no significant differences between the ADHD boys and the others in relation to consumption of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. An additional 22 measurements were taken designed to establish the lipid and fatty acid levels in each group.

It was found that the ADHD group possessed significantly lower amounts of specific lipid fatty acids in plasma, and lower concentrations of total fatty acids in red blood cells than did the non-ADHD group. Since omega-3 is the primary polyunsaturated fatty acid found in the retina and cerebral cortex it was postulated that low levels of omega-3 might negatively affect proper brain function and therefore the ability to concentrate. What was not determined was whether the omega-3 deficiencies were due to inadequate intakes of the fatty acids or the individual ability to metabolize them. In either case, however, higher intakes of omega-3 through eating fish or taking fish oil supplements could help to raise omega-3 levels and therefore help counteract to effects of ADHD.

Greg holds degrees in science, divinity and philosophy and is currently an I.T. developer.

http://www.optimal-heart-health.com/fishoils.html

Vitamins for Kids

2008-10-29T23:04:00.001-07:00

Do your children need to take vitamin supplements?

That?s a question that more parents ought to ask of themselves or the doctor before they start pumping kids full of over-the-counter supplements that may or may not be conducive to good health. Although it may seem like a good idea to feed your children all the extra nutrients you can get hold of, the truth is that a simple vitamin formula is not enough to keep your kids healthy, and it not a good idea to rely on a supplement of this type to do the job of a balanced diet and other health-oriented lifestyle practices.

Some doctors prescribe vitamins for babies or toddlers if the child is not developing properly or there is suspicion of anemia or another disorder that could interfere with proper nutrition. Since most pregnant women take prenatal vitamins, a majority of babies are born in a healthy state as far as nourishment goes. Generally, only children with health conditions that impact nutritional intake need a vitamin supplement. Of course, that decision is best left to the doctor.

If a child does not eat properly because a balanced diet is not provided, it is the parent?s or guardian?s responsibility to provide the right food daily to make sure kids get all the nutrients their bodies need for health and growth. Children who are picky eaters need to be trained to sample a variety of possibilities from the five major food groups. Toddlers may go through phases where they eat less than before, but they usually get over it pretty quickly and are soon ready to eat balanced meals again. Life-long fussy eaters should be encouraged to find healthy substitutes for the foods they dislike most, and learn to eat those that are indispensable. A vitamin supplement may not be needed for any of these situations, unless your doctor recommends it.

Another reason kids may need vitamins is during a prolonged illness or recovery period, or in the event of a chronic condition. Situations like these can attack a child?s immune system and create a! ll kinds of problems. That?s why it is so important for kids to follow a healthy diet most of the time, so when they do become ill, their bodies will have the strength to fight it off. At times like this, a vitamin supplement may come in handy. Children being treated for serious illnesses with medication that suppresses their immune systems may likewise benefit from vitamin therapy.

Some children?s vitamins come with minerals and iron. Check with your doctor to see if iron is a good idea for your child, as some kids get too much of it, which can build up and create another type of problem. Kids must be taught not to take vitamins like candy, but rather to treat vitamins like medicine and follow parental directions about when to take them.

Prescription or over-the-counter vitamins can help to improve kids? vitality and overall health. Ask your doctor whether your children ought to take a vitamin supplement.

Learn how to find safe vitamin and mineral supplements by visiting 1st Vitamins at http://www.1st-vitamins.com

The Importance of Dental Care: How often do you Visit your Dentist?

2008-10-29T16:02:00.001-07:00

Regular visits to the dentist can be the key towards perfect oral health. This is important not only to keep your teeth and oral health in perfect working condition but also to prevent you from other bad health conditions. Regular visits to your dentist can be one of the surest means to have perfect dental health. It is recommended by experts to visit the dentist?s office regularly every 6 months. So it is very important for you to never forget your appointment with the dentist.

Any dental condition, if not treated properly and in time, can become a really bad situation. In fact dental conditions are often an indication of some other serious health conditions. Some of these severe health conditions can also be diabetes and HIV infection besides other conditions. Other than keeping your teeth in good condition, maintaining good oral health also gives confidence to a person about his overall appearance.

Following some simple methods of personal hygiene can go a long way in preventing severe dentals condition in individuals. Brushing of the teeth regularly twice a day has been taught to us since our childhood days. However many of us actually make the effort to brush our teeth twice daily to keep our teeth in good working condition. Brushing your teeth hardly requires two to three minutes. However it is also important to brush your teeth using the proper motion with your toothbrush. Also make sure to change your brush regularly.

Always use a mouthwash to keep your mouth clean and fresh. Use the mouthwash recommended by your cosmetic dentist regularly. Most dental specialists insist on the use of a mouthwash which contains fluoride. This is supposed to be excellent for your oral health. Fluoride is perfect for preventing and killing bacteria which is responsible for causing plague that leads to cavities and other gum diseases. Never forget to use mouthwash daily if you are concerned about your oral health.

Flossing your teeth regularly after brushing is another simple means which y! ou can f ollow for good dental health. Simple flossing in any manner will not do, you must know and floss your teeth in the proper way. The proper way to floss your teeth is to place the floss very gently between your teeth in the gum portion. Flossing is important to remove that debris from the gum portion of your teeth which cannot be reached and removed by your tooth brush. If you are flossing for the first time, you can sometimes experience slight bleeding. Nonetheless this will stop once you start flossing your teeth regularly.

Eating a good balanced diet is also one criterion for having good dental health. Make sure that your everyday diet contains enough of calcium, iron and vitamins in the proper proportion. You can also take pill supplements of vitamin and calcium if you are not getting enough in your diet.

Finding a good dentist is also one of the parameter for having good oral health. There is no dearth of dentists anywhere, but what is important is finding a good dentist to help you in maintaining good oral health. If you can try to take opinions from people who have already used the services of the dentist and see if they are really as efficient as they claim to be!

Today more than ever before, people find the need to take more care of their looks. Oral health is one of the most important aspects of looking good and appearing presentable. Dentistry procedures have greatly evolved over time and many new techniques are being undertaken to help people maintain good oral health. Today almost any kind of dental defect can be mended by a dentist due to advancement in technology.

Henry Wilson is has special interest to health related topics.He is working for rubinsteindmd for the last 2 years.For more information about Restorative Dentistry, cosmetic dentist, Teeth Whitening and Dental Veneers visit http://www.rubinsteindmd.com.

Symptoms of Shingles

2008-10-29T07:02:00.001-07:00

The symptoms of shingles tend to be mistaken for colon illnesses. The symptoms of shingles can end up as a very painful experience. The first, most apparent symptoms of shingles outbreaks a harsh pain which may occur in the leg or arm. Symptoms of shingles can also include feeling a sick stomach as well as a headache and high temperature. The symptoms are generally very close to that of the flu considering the pains and aches as well as a high temperature. The shingles symptoms are very often confused with more serious ailments such as pneumonia as the symptoms seem to copy other diseases. Shingles may appear as more of a sickness than a virus which can reoccur.

Shingles itself occurs when the body cannot keep the chickenpox virus under control. People who have shingles may notice the symptoms also include tingling on one side of the body and burning. The virus tends to cause a mass amount of pain in those it appears on. This pain generally makes it very hard to move. Generally the most painful shingles symptom will be the constant body aches and pain going through the body just days before the outbreak of shingles emerges. Shingles symptoms eventually lead to an outbreak of blisters on the skin which is the most apparent sign a person has a shingles infection.

Shingles is a lot like the chickenpox only it occurs in people who are much older, usually in their golden years. The blisters which are caused by shingles and are the defining symptom of shingles are very painful and occur in groups. With the shingles virus there will be a large area of red inflamed skin and blisters will cover that area. The blisters of shingles tend to be filled with liquid, which is another symptom or sign which is readily obvious it is more serious than having a rash or something like eczema. The one symptom which may help determine that a person has shingles is the fact where the body hurts is always where the shingles outbreak will occur.

There is a treatment which will help a person get rid of shingles! . When t he symptoms of shingles appear people can be ready for them. There is a treatment which will help a person get rid of shingles. It is called heal shingles and is an all natural oil made by a company called Healing Natural Oils. This product will help to relieve and get rid of the painful blister that shingles causes.

Diabetes Discussion 8 Signs of Diabetes Symptom

2008-10-28T23:03:00.001-07:00

In a health conscious world it is easier to spot symptoms of diabetes in the early stages, which is known as pre-diabetes. Discovering and taking notice of early diabetic signs gives you a fighting chance of preventing diabetes altogether. Look out for these 8 pre-diabetes symptoms...

If you have two or more of these pre-diabetes symptoms you should seriously consider getting yourself checked out:

1) If you find you are excessively thirsty, not just after extreme exercise or hot weather.

2) You seem to constantly have a dry mouth - even if you've just had a drink.

3) You find you are having to urinate frequently.

4) You have unexpected weight loss (even though you may be constantly hungry and eating well. Of course you may be eating the wrong things which would probably make your pre-diabetes symptom worse).

5) You feel lethargic; as if you've got no energy; weak and tired all the time.

6) Sometimes your vision is blurry - be careful, untreated eye problems caused through diabetes can lead to blindness.

7) You have cuts or sores (especially on your feet) that are slow to heal.

8) Excessive itching or soreness in the genital area or yeast infections (which can be misdiagnosed as thrush).

If you are aged over 45 and are overweight it would be advisable to have a diabetes check.

2006 Carol Ann Bentley

For information on diabetes, from a diabetic's point of view;

Or to share your diabetic story or enter your favorite recipe for a free monthly prize draw visit http://www.your-diabetes.com

Acne Remedy: What Worked for My Acne was the Drugfree Way (part 1)

2008-10-28T16:03:00.001-07:00

There are over 50 million people in America alone who suffer from this image debilitating skin disorder known as acne but I am glad to say, that estimate has lost a count and it is my hope that many more will find success at being excluded from that list.

I suffered from acne for over a decade of my life and this lingered way into adulthood, thus it wasn?t just a ?puberty thing?. Imagine not being able to look in the mirror with ease, having to look down when speaking to people, hating to take photos and hang out with friends and family, all because of one crises: Acne.

Well, not anymore, I?ve been successful at getting rid of my pimples with simple methods and the aim of this article is to show acne sufferers how to achieve similar results naturally and in about a week?or less!

Believe me, I tried the famous acne remedy product on TV that I?m sure every and any acne patient has heard of and probably tried to no avail. I even went as far as considering plastic surgery, that?s how desperate I was but as the saying goes: ?The best things in life are FREE?even when it comes to an acne remedy.?

Characterized by bumps, excessively oily or dry skin, spots and embarrassing eruptions, acne remains a terrible skin disorder that sadly permits for exploitation from the many marketers and charlatans out to make a fast buck on the expense of the vulnerable. Even the so called natural approaches of acne treatment aimed at treating acne from within, are unrealistic, impractical and often pricey or are just the same one-dimensional gimmick cures disguised as holistic solutions.

That said I will now outline the natural, common sense, and very inexpensive methods for a successful acne remedy naturally.

Acne Remedy: Internal Measures to take for Acne control

First and foremost, for not just overcoming this skin disorder, but for your all around health, you have to seriously consider making a change in your diet. ?You are what you eat.? If your diet consists of only junk and fas! t foods, you are only wreaking havoc on your entire system of visceral organs ranging from the digestive tract to the excretory organs. That said; make it a point to adhere to eating what has been coined in the drugless fraternity as ?the Mucus-Less/Alkaline Diet? which is made up of mostly Organic Seasonal Fruits, Fruit, Root and Leafy vegetables and as needed pure filtered water.

Not only will this simple change in diet make for a clearer and smoother skin, it will also give the added benefit of improved health and overall wellness. A basic format for a suggested diet regimen when using the components listed above will be in the next installment of ?Acne Remedy: what worked for my acne was the drug-free way?

Foras Aje is an independent health researcher and founder of Bodyhealthsoul.com. For more information on Acne Treatment, feel free to stop by his website today.

More Ways to Deal With Acne

2008-10-28T07:02:00.001-07:00

The ?cures? for acne vary dependant on the type and severity of acne. The truth is, there is currently no cure for acne, only treatments. Some people have success treating their acne with over the counter topical medications, and others require a combination of prescription oral and topical treatments. These medications treat the symptoms of acne (the inflammation) and help to prevent future breakouts but do not address the cause of acne.

There are several commonly known contributors to acne outbreaks and most of these conditions can be controlled.

Stress ? When we are under stress, one of the ways our body responds is by releasing hormones such as cortisol and androgen, causing a hormonal imbalance. Additionally, the sebaceous gland releases fatty secretions that can contribute to pore clogging. While stress in our daily lives is unavoidable, stress management techniques to help elevate tension levels and disperse cortisol levels are helpful to the prevention of acne.

Diet ? The myth about greasy foods contributing to acne breakouts is just that, a myth. However, a poor diet that robs our bodies of essential vitamins and minerals can contribute to acne breakouts. Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium, and Magnesium are important to healthy skin cells, hormonal balance, and maintaining a strong immune system. Taking a multivitamin that contains 100% of the recommended allotment of these vitamins and minerals is helpful to the prevention of acne.

Caffeine ? Coffee, tea, and soft drinks that contain caffeine can contribute to acne breakouts. Caffeine has been shown to contribute to the production of cortisol.

Skin Condition ? People who have unbalanced skin, meaning it is either too dry or too oily are more likely to have acne breakouts. Some people have what is known as combination skin, where some areas are dry, and others are oily. Using a face cleansing regiment that works to establish balanced skin helps to keep acne outbreaks unde! r contro l.

Genetics ? Genetics quite probably play the biggest role of all in determining who develops acne, how much, and over what period of time in life. Unfortunately, we are just barely beginning to scratch the surface in genetic research, and any solutions or treatments for acne that are developed on a genetic level are probably many years away

It is also wise to note that hygiene does NOT play a big role (if any role at all) in contributing to acne breakouts. Of course, it is a good idea to wash one?s face daily, using an oil-free face wash or moisturizing bar. However, no direct link has been found between acne and poor hygiene. So forget the stereotypes. Face and body washing (or lack there of), contribute very little, if anything at all to acne.

However, in spite of what we don?t know about acne, there are many acne treatments that for most people, can work as an acne ?cure?. These range from prescription medications like Retin-A and Accutane, to herbal and holistic treatments like green tea cream or tea tree oil.

Remember, always consult a dermatologist before using anything to treat acne, or any other condition. This will not only keep one safe, but a dermatologist can help advise on the best treatment to take the acne away faster, and more effectively!

BIO:
Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

7 Reasons To Start Up With an Exercise Program

2008-10-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Most of us need to follow an exercise program. This is due to the fact that just a minority of Americans exercise in a significant way. Below follows 7 good reasons to start exercising now.

1. Contributes to fat loss.

It is well documented from scientific research all over the world for many years that physical exercise contributes significantly to weight loss. I will not dwell on this issue fore it is so obvious, but just mention the simple fact that weight loss is a function of the net calorie intake.

If you burn more calories than you take in thorough nutrition, you lose weight and vice versa. When you exercise you burn more calories then when you don't. So the buttom line is: All other factors equal, the more you exercise the more weight or fat you'll lose. That's really simple.

2. Preventing Disease

The probability of developing a large number of various diseases has been proven to decrease dramatically thanks to physical exercising. These include;

heart disease

cancer

diabetes

stroke

About 4/5?s of deaths caused by heart disease and cancer, are linked to life-style factors like stress and lack of physichal training. We also know that diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. This shows that many of the risk factors and diseases caused by inactivity are working together to damage your health. Don't let these ugly forces do that - start exercising today.

3. Healing or improving disease

We also know that many severe and minor diseases can be dramatically improved or even healed by doing regular exercises. These include most of the diseases I mentioned in the last paragraph. Following a workout plan regularly also decreases HDL cholesterol (bad cholestrol) levels, decreases triglyceride levels (a fat liquid that increases the risk of diabetes) and decreases blood pressure (a cause of heart attack and stroke).

Regular physical training also reduces the risk of prostate cancers for men, breast and ! uterine cancers for women, non-insulin dependent diabetes for both genders and much more. All this is scientifically proven. So, why not start your workout today?

4. Enhance your mental health

We know from many scientific studys that regular exercising leads to an increased release of endorphins in the body. These chemicals help combat depression and make us feel happier. The body releases these endorphins after only 12 minutes into the workout.

Another chemical called serotonin is increased during and after a workout session. Increased levels of serotonin in the central nervous system is associated with feelings of well-being and decreased mental depression. It also helps you feel less tired which can increase your mental alertness. It also helps you sleep better.

5. Enhance your feeling of wellness

When you are in a good shape and fit you'll feel more upbeat, and your overall mood is improved. You have experienced that you can stretch your own limits, you know you are capable to do more than before you started to exercise. This gives you a feeling of wellness that's difficult to describe.

Let's do an experiment: Do an hour of workout today; do whatever you want like walking, bicycling, swimming, jogging, running whatever. Adjust the intensity of the training so that you sweat really good. Then take a shower and sit down. Feel yourself. Now you know what I mean.

6. Increase your persistence

Regular exercising gives you more energy, which can make you more productive at home and at work. Exercise can give you new goals and a sense of purpose - you have something positive to focus on and aim for. This will increase your overall persistence and prevent the likehood of getting off track, whatever your goal is.

7. Enhance your social capabilities

Following a workout plan regularly can boost our self-esteem. It will Help you look better and you will be more confortable with your own company. Exercise helps you to get active and meet new people, w! hich pre vents you from feeling isolated and unsupported. It even increases your interest in sex, and can improve your marriage or your partner relationship.

So, after knowing all this - all the positive things exercise and workout can do for you - do you have any reason to remain inactive? Come on, get active today. You deserve it.

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet marketer. He runs the website 11-Weight-Loss.net. Terje enjoys to give advice and help people with workout plans and fitness programs

Compulsive Pickers of Adult Acne

2008-10-27T07:02:00.001-07:00

We?ve all had the urge at one point or other to stop in front of the mirror and start prodding acne. Sometimes the prod moves on to a squeeze and suddenly we?re picking our acne. This is a vicious cycle because the prodding, poking and picking (the three P?s) leads to worse looking skin and usually even more acne than before.

Most of us pick occasionally and can stand back and restrain ourselves after a point or even before we start picking, but some are sufferers of what?s known as acne excori?e des jeune filles. This is a condition in which acne sufferers experience an almost irresistible urge to be compulsive acne pickers. It can literally develop into an obsessive compulsive disorder. This is a very sad condition because sufferers experience great embarrassment over their appearance, they can be ridiculed others and the compulsive picking leads to severe scarring on the face when a normal pimple becomes are larger wound.

The condition named for the young women who may have been the first to be recognized as having the disorder, but often sufferers are grown women who have dealt with it for many years. They cover it up with lots of make up, are usually in front of that magnifying mirror first thing in the morning and have been known to completely alter their social life in an attempt to hide what they feel is horrific adult acne.

Those who find that they are really unable to control the urge and that it is leading to potential disfigurement need to talk with their doctors about a two pronged approach, both treating the acne and the disorder.

For those of us who have simply developed the bad habit of picking, try to be aware of where your hands are in relation to your face at all times to help curb idle picking. If you find that you simply cannot resist the urge to pick when standing in front of a mirror get yourself an egg timer and start limiting the amount of time you have to pick. Start with five minutes and when that timer goes off walk away from the mirror and g! ive your self something active and constructive to do. Gradually reduce the amount of time you have to pick so that you are only spending thirty seconds to a minute at a time. This way you will greatly reduce the amount of damage you can cause by compulsive picking.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free info. on Adult Acne with skin care treatments.

What Causes Health Problems to the Immune System?

2008-10-26T23:03:00.001-07:00

There is no simple answer to this question. There are a number of things that could be what causes health problems to the immune system. Immune system defense mechanisms can be weakened by a host of factors. Here we look at how the immune system functions and some of the issues that can lead to a compromised immune system.

The first immune system defense that bacteria and other invaders encounter is the skin. The skin contains keratin (which inhibits bacterial growth) and the sebaceous glands, from which hairs grow and sebum is secreted. Sebum is composed of fatty acids and inhibits the growth of some types of bacteria and fungi. If the skin is healthy and good health habits are practices, such as washing hands before touching the face, then many invaders can never enter the body proper.

Certain viruses, germs, bacteria and fungi are airborne, but there is an immune system defense built into the lungs and upper respiratory tract to fight them. Cilia (tiny hairs) lining the nose, throat and lungs can trap and help expel foreign bodies through coughing and sneezing. Cigarette smoking can be what causes health problems to the immune system, because the nicotine paralyzes these tiny hairs allowing bacteria or viruses to remain in the respiratory tract longer than they should. Cigarette smoking also inhibits the body?s ability to absorb vitamin C and other essential nutrients. Vitamin C plays numerous roles in proper immune system function.

White blood cells are the primary infection fighters in the immune system defense mechanisms. Any disease, condition or chemical which affects the body?s ability to produce adequate white blood cells can be what causes health problems to the immune system. Additionally lack of proper nutrition necessary for the body to produce white blood cells can lead to immune system problems.

Diseases which can lead to a compromised immune system include HIV/AIDS and a number of congenital abnormalities that relate to the lymph nodes and other por! tions of the immune system defense mechanisms. Treating these diseases may not always lead to the healthy function of the immune system.

In other cases, the treatment of some diseases leads to a compromised immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn?s disease and a number of other diseases are theoretically caused by a dysfunction of the immune system, in which white blood cells attack healthy disease-free cells of the body causing inflammation. Treating these diseases with immuno-suppressant drugs is what causes health problems to the immune system in some cases. These drugs limit the body?s natural ability to fight infection.

Anti-cancer drugs, corticosteroids and antibiotics can all lead to a general weakening of immune system defense mechanisms. Alcohol abuse, drug abuse, exposure to radiation and/or environmental toxins can all be what causes health problems to the immune system. If health problems of the immune system is defined as a weakened immune system response, then any of the things mentioned here could be the cause. Additionally, studies have shown that stress, depression, age, lack of sleep, lack of exercise or excessive exercise can all impair the body?s natural ability to defend itself.

There are natural products which have been proven to boost the immune system, even in cases where the immune system defense mechanisms have been compromised by any of the problems listed here. These products may contain beta glucans, andrographis paniculata or a variety of other ingredients. For more information about what causes health problems to the immune system or for information about immune system boosters, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in healthcare and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide. To learn more about natural products that can boost the immunity, visit http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Glycemic Index: A Magic Weight Loss Solution or a Soap Bubble Ready to Burst?

2008-10-26T16:02:00.001-07:00

Glycemic index ranks different carbohydrate foods depending on their potential to raise blood glucose levels.

The ranking is on a scale from 0 to 100.Higher the Glycemic index, higher is the particular carbohydrates ability to effect a spike(rise) in blood glucose levels.

Low-GI foods, by virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and have benefits for health.

Low GI diets have been shown to improve both glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2).

This is as far as it goes about the use of glycemic index for weight loss.

Popular diet books like the south beach diet are founded on the premise that the spike in blood glucose levels leads to more hunger and subsequent weight gain, whereas the foods with low GI have a tendency to delay the haunger or lower appetite, leading to weight loss, which is too simplistic, but ,not quite supported by scientific evidence.

Read this excerpt taken from WebMD: Experts Take On the Glycemic Index

It sounds like a magic formula for dieters --but experts have long been saying there's no such thing. If you don't have peaks and valleys in your glucose level then hunger should be kept at bay, says Kathleen Zellman, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). However, it's not that simple. It's also affected by meal size, whether there's any fat in the meal, and overall health status.

Glycemic index looks at individual foods -- not how that food might interact with another, says Connie Diekman, RD, an ADA spokesperson in St. Louis, Missouri. If you eat a high glycemic index food with a protein, for example, it might be absorbed more slowly. ... That's the hang-up with glycemic index. Very few people will sit down and eat one high glycemic index food and then another. It's meals that we eat.

Michael Jensen, MD, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., says it's never been proven that high insulin leve! ls -- wh ich result when a high glycemic index food is eaten -- mean increased hunger. When [you work with patients who get real hungry between meals, you have to try a couple of different things. I'm not sure if it's glycemic index, the bulk of food, the content of food that gives [the sense of fullness ... I also have them consider adding protein and modest amounts of fat to decrease overeating between meals.

All the researchers are unanimous in that, it's the fiber content of the diet that is more important for controlling diabetes and weight gain than the Glycemic Index.Read the exerpts of a new research document from WebMD,....

New research shows that when it comes to type 2 diabetes, not all carbohydrates are created equal. Tufts University researchers report that eating whole-grain foods, especially fiber-rich cereals, appears to improve insulin sensitivity and lower the risk of the metabolic syndrome.

Whole-grain foods have already been found to help protect against heart disease and certain cancers, and the newly published study is one of several that indicates there is a protective role for whole grains against a constellation of major risk factors that lead to metabolic syndrome -- a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the development of type 2 diabetes.

Unless you're a diabetic, glycemic index may not be all that important, says Jack Alhadeff, PhD, professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. , who adds that since most of us eat a variety of foods in a meal, the accuracy of the index can be questionable.

But what about the notion that glucose from high-index foods is more likely to be stored as fat?

The scientific literature is very clear that eating carbohydrates that are embedded in plant cellulose -- complex carbohydrates -- is always better, says Nagi Kumar, PhD, director of clinical nutrition at the Moffitt Cancer Center and professor of human nutrition at the University of South Florida in Tampa. But the reasons it is better are not! because it somehow lessens or alters fat storage.

All this leads one to conclude that the importance of fiber is far more that Glycemic index for dieters. The weight loss programs like many low carb diets and the popular south beach diet are only trying to exploit the limited scientific data on Glycemic Index to sell their diet wares.

A diet rich in fibre has many advantages like:

Fiber can help you avoid overeating. It has been found that fiber can bind with cholesterol in the digestive tract, thus lowering blood cholesterol.

Another important point about fiber-rich foods is that they tend to be loaded with phytochemicals that appear to have anticancer functions,along with these benefits and its role in weight maintenance, fiber helps prevent the following:

Constipation Hemorrhoids Appendicitis Diverticulosis -- an intestinal disease where pockets, which can become infected, develop in the intestinal lining.

A diet program which recommends fiber rich foods and is loaded with healthy and natural weight loss alternatives to the foods recommended by the fad diets is the only alternative to safe and sure weight loss.

You can get more cutting edge fat burning secrets in my Free 5day email ecourse by subscribing to my newsletter at: www.eweightlosstips.com

Rajesh Shetty
Expert in weight loss principles of Ayurveda Medical Science and Author of the Best selling book, Proven weight loss secrets revealed.

Lose Up to Seventyfive to Eighty Percent of Your Body Weight After Obesity Surgery

2008-10-26T07:02:00.001-07:00

As a result of Gastric Bypass Surgery the average patient can expect to lose up to seventy five to eighty percent of their body weight. This weight loss is very rapid in the first year which usually results in the seventy five percent weight loss initally. If a patient experiences no health complications and continues with the plan prescribed by their doctor they should have continued weight loss up to ninety percent at the five year mark depending on their presurgery weight and body type, which is a dramatic amount of weight loss.

Due to this rapid weight loss patients can often expect to experience a lessening of their health problems that were related to obesity. Studies have shown improvement of sleep apnea, asthma, joint pain, arthritis, acid reflux, shortness of breath and lowers the chances of heart disease, lowers blood pressure, and has even shown that type-two diabetics may no longer need their medication. In a study of five hundred patients, ninety six percent experienced an improvement in one or more of their health conditions.

Of course there are risks associated with obesity surgery. One in every three hundred gastric bypass patients dies post-operatively. This can often be from a variety of complications. This surgery is performed on patients with a high risk of complications from surgery, due to their obesity. The obesity surgery patient would have a higher risk of complications from any surgery compared to those healthier patients. As such it should only be done as a last resort.

After surgery you are at a higher risk of infection, (one patient took steps to prevent infection by putting up signs asking people to please wash their hands before touching him) which can set in around the staples on your stomach and on the incision where the doctor entered or you could develop blood poisoning.

Read more obesity surgery articles and obesity surgery news or visit our obesity surgery site.

Diseases of the Colon Caused by Constipation and Past Emotional Trauma

2008-10-25T23:03:00.001-07:00

It was estimated that of all the people who died of cancer ? colon, lung, prostate, and breast - in 1999 sixteen percent were attributed to colon cancer. But, how many of these other cancers originated in your colon? We do know that colon cancer is the second leading cause of deaths in the United States.

We don?t know what cancers originated in your colon because the medical profession treats symptoms not the causes. Many doctors do not go looking for the cause of your problem. They don?t have the time. In fact, they normally will not tell you what you need to do to prevent your illness. Sometimes the reason they will not tell you is they just do not know.

It is the nutritionist?s job to tell you what foods and supplements you need to prevent and to overcome specific illnesses and what to eat to eliminate or stop constipation.

Why is it that some many people are dying of various diseases at such an early age ? at forty, at fifty, at sixty, even 30, or younger? They die of heart diseases, blood diseases, cancers, autoimmune diseases and the list goes on. It has been know for a longtime why diseases occur and what you can do to prevent it.

These death producing illnesses are a result of our life style - the foods we eat, the water we drink, the air pollution we breathe, the thoughts we think, the toxins we are exposed to at work, and the cleaning products we use at home.

What is it that causes us to behave in a way that is harmful to others or ourselves in ways that affect our health, our relationships, and our life? Why do people smoke when they know it causes Cancer? Why do people drink coffee when they know caffeine affects their adrenal gland, which eventually leads to exhaustion? Why is it that people eat sugar when they know it has untold health effects beyond diabetes? The answer is simple but difficult to accept.

All illness originates from repressed traumatic memories resulting from early life trauma.

Dr Arthur Janov explains this clearly in! his boo k, 1996, Why You Get Sick How You Get Well.

?Over the last thirty years I have learned a great deal about humans and what drives them. As trite as it may seem, what I have found is a single yet complex emotion called love. Not the romantic love of novels, but a fundamental love ? the love of a parent for a child. When a child lacks love and nurturing, no matter how that lack is manifest, it creates pain, and if this pain is not ?felt? or integrated into the system, it will in turn cause physical and emotional illness in later life.?

It takes disciple to change behavior, thought, and life style, which are good for health. This is what is necessary to reduce or eliminate illness. This is what is necessary to bring on a feeling of well-being way into your old age ? at 80, at 90, at 100, and well beyond that. With the new anti-aging nutrients and supplements on the market, I can see people living well into 120 years provided they follow a good lifestyle.

How many people are willing to devote the time and money to start eating the right foods and change their lifestyle? This is the first step in reducing or eliminating constipation.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. His information can be seen at http://www.stop-constipation.com

Techniques For Solving Everyday Stress Using Yoga

2008-10-25T15:02:00.001-07:00

Do you feel stressed all the time? 24 hours in a day not enough? Don't have any personal time to do your personal projects? Co-workers driving you crazy? Don't worry. Yoga and meditation can provide the answer. For the stress can be reduced by managing and controlling it. Our mind controls whether we adapt to live with stress or reducing it and living a stress free life.

The factors that mainly control the kind of person we have become are genes we inherit, surroundings and standard of living we live. While the genes cannot be changed since we cannot decide who our parents can be, nor can the surroundings we grow up in, which can also be tough to overcome, we can certainly change our way of life. Simply controlling what we eat, how we eat, exercising more frequently and learning to deal with everyday issues with a open mind and positive attitude can help us lead a stress free life and Yoga can provide the answer for you. Once a person chooses to practice yoga he is naturally lead to choose a healthier lifestyle.

Yoga can help us solve issues, which cause stress on a daily basis. Performing yoga not only strengthens and tones the muscles but also helps the internal organs perform better, thus keeping us from getting diseases. The structural alignment and reinforcing the spine can be achieved by performing standing asahanas (postures). The blood pressure gets lowered and central nervous system gets relaxed by doing forward bends. Performing inverted asahanas purifies the lymphatic system, while the internal organs can be massaged with the body twists. Also the nervous, digestive and immune system gains strength and tone by the breathing exercises and asahanas.

While the effects of yoga on physical human body were mentioned above, yoga also affects the human mental state in a positive manner. Yoga will make you approach everyday problems, which cause stress, with a positive attitude. Once you start performing yoga you can feel your mind opening up and become clear and a! ware, yo ur concentration and focus improves, gain self esteem, depression vanishes, healthier feeling. All these factors in turn reduce stress. Once the physical and mental states of the human body get in sync then you get projected into a new dimension where your perception of everything improves, your love and compassion for every living thing improves, you feel a connection to the Supreme Being.

Listed below are some practical techniques for dealing with everyday stress with a brief explanation.

1) Using your office chair for performing. Yes, that's right you can take care of your body while you work by performing this simple yoga posture while sitting in your office chair. Grab the side or back of the chair then perform a twisting motion from one side to the other. Start with arching your back then come back to the initial position in a circular fashion. A good neck stretch can be obtained by moving your head up and down then side-to-side several times, Stretch your arms while standing up. Lifting the shoulders in shrug and releasing them suddenly can release tension in the shoulders.

2) Steps to relax. A crucial part of stress management is learning to relax. After completing any yoga asahanas (postures) or any form of exercise try lying down in a relaxing pose for some time. You will find out for yourself that your body and mind gets in sync. A person can awaken his inner self and wake up feeling refreshed and stress gone. This is hard to do in the office but for those lucky ones who have their own office, lie down on a mat for around 20 minutes and perform this posture. Be sure when you wake up you will find the stress gone.

3) Relaxation using focus Once your body is relaxed, focus your mind on every body part starting with the feet and train your eyes to follow upwards towards your head. This will be difficult at first to concentrate without falling asleep. Do not give up as you keep trying it you can feel the tension and stress go away each time you perform thi! s postur e. In conclusion try these simple steps while you are at your work or at your home, you will find out that your enjoying your life more and have become a better human being. You will experience success in your career and life.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Yoga

Understanding The Types Causes and Treatments Of Acne

2008-10-25T06:01:00.001-07:00

The very first thing you must understand when trying to cure your acne is the type of acne that you actually have. This is significant because it gives insight into what may have actually caused the acne outbreak in the first place. And of course, once you know exactly what it is that triggers the acne, you have an advantage to either preventing it from happening again, or effectively treating it as it occurs.

There are many forms of acne, which would explain why it is so difficult to treat. I have listed several causes of acne and many of those may surprise you, but I also hope that they will help you discover what causes your acne. For instance, a great many people would likely be surprised to learn that acne is not caused by stress, as they may think, but more likely can be attributed to their fancy new perfume or cologne.

Adult acne can be caused by a hormonal imbalances, pollution, medications, or stress to name a few. Studies have shown a direct correlation between hormonal imbalances and outbreaks of acne in women ranging in age from 30 to 40 years.

Acne Cosmetic is just what it sounds like. It is the outbreak of acne due to the aggravation of the skin and pores caused by the active ingredients contained in the cosmetics that you wear.

Acne Conglobata can cause serious scarring on the face and back and it is usually attributed to hereditary factors. Unfortunately, there's not a lot that can be done here.

Acne Detergens is the result of the use of soaps and cleaners that cause an irritating effect on the skin.

Acne Excoriee is actually brought about by the constant picking of the pimples on the face and body. This, perhaps more than all the other symptoms, can and should be avoided.

Acne Fulminans is a very serious form of acne that can accompany a fever and body aches. This acne is predominantly found amongst males and it includes the abrupt onset of acne, severe scarring, fever, loss of appetite and a high white blood cell count.

Acne Keloidalis ! is commo n among people of African descent. It usually flares up in and around the neck area.

Acne Mallorca is brought on by exposure to sunlight.

Acne mechanica is caused by materials and fabrics such as clothing and purse straps that chafe against bare skin.

Acne Medicametosa is a side effect of certain medications which include oral contraceptives and over the counter drugs that contain potassium iodide, chlorine and bromide.

Acne Neonatorum is acne that affects infants. It is transferred by way of hormones from the mother to the child.

Acne Pomade is commonly caused by the use of oils found in hair care products. The oil migrates from the hair to the forehead, where it can clog pores and cause acne.

The bottom line is that there are many forms of acne. By taking simple precautions and knowing what causes irritation in your specific case can greatly improve your control of the condition. One great tip is to avoid touching your face with your fingers. The majority of people have no idea how dirty their fingers really are and in many cases the occurrence of outbreaks can be avoided.

Daniel J Lesser is the creator of AcneInfoSite.com. A whole world awaits for a beautiful spotless face. Find out how to control your acne at http://www.acneinfosite.com.

Why Choose Green Tea Diet And Are There Any Downsides?

2008-10-24T22:04:00.001-07:00

Due to the popularity of recent findings, green tea diet has almost become a must for every person wanting to lose weight. The addition of green tea into diet pills and weight loss supplements is perhaps spurred by reports of harmful side-effects of other drugs like ephedra.

Why choose green tea diet?

For four thousand years, this type of dieting has been used all throughout Asia as a beneficial health and medicinal drink. It is different from all other tea diets because its liquid is extracted by steaming the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant as opposed to full oxidation. In this way, the tea manages to preserve a lot more antioxidants and keep them intact for the body to use.

Green tea diet is an excellent source of polycatechin polyphenols, a group of antioxidants that act on free radicals. These free radicals have harmful effects on the body since they are the major causes of diseases and aging. With green tea?s polycatechin polyphenols, a person has a better chance of avoiding ailments and keeping himself healthy for a much longer period of time.

Another antioxidant in green tea is also being studied as a potential cure for cancer. Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG has been discovered to destroy cancer cells while keeping surrounding healthy cells unharmed.

The EGCG also acts with another compound, caffeine (a small amount of this is found in green tea). The interaction of these two compounds causes green tea to promote thermogenesis in the body.

It has been noted by a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that with the consumption of green tea, the body?s total 24-hour energy expenditure is increased by up to four percent. This is roughly equivalent to losing more than 10 pounds of weight a month.

Green tea diet helps increase the body?s metabolic rates too. With its thermogenic properties, it is only natural that it can also promote faster metabolism of fats and sugars. Excess glucose found in the body is turned into fats by t! he hormo ne insulin. Because green tea has an inhibiting effect on insulin, it therefore helps keep sugar from being stored as fats and instead, send them directly into the muscles for immediate use.

The downside to a green tea diet

Although this type of diet has a reputation for boosting health, scientific proofs of its health benefits are still somewhat mixed. However, in an article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, American researchers collaborated with their Chinese counterparts to discuss the beneficial effects of green tea on cholesterol levels.

Using 240 men and women (average age 55) who possess mild to moderately high LDL cholesterol levels, the researchers instructed them to retain their usual low-fat diet, green tea diet intake, and activity levels. After twelve weeks, it was found that those who consumed green tea with their regular meals lost more than fifteen percent of their total LDL cholesterol levels.

Although the researchers never explained how the tea may influence cholesterol levels, previous studies have shown that certain compounds in green tea play a role in reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the body, increasing amount of cholesterol excreted, and thus keeping cholesterol from being stored in the liver.

Subsequent studies were made to test the findings of the first group of researchers. Their results were contradictory. They found that green tea diet has no significant effect on the cholesterol profiles of their subjects.

There is no such thing as a miracle diet. Green tea diet, like all other diets, needs a lot of work and input from those who enroll in it. It required both discipline and heart for it to make any significant impact on your weight loss goals.

Cathy Freeman is a green tea lover and shares her knowledge about Green Tea Diet on her website http://green-tea-time.blogspot.com. Join her for a cup of tea and learn more about this healthy drink.

The Role of Alpha Hydroxy Acids

2008-10-24T15:03:00.001-07:00

You have probably heard a lot about AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, lately. AHAs often are found in creams and cleansers to help normalize cell renewal by loosening the dead cells of the skin.

As skin gets older or becomes damage by the sun. Most of the benefit is in exfoliation, or the removal of dead skin cells, which exposes newer skin cells and gives skin a younger healthier looking appearance. On average, the skin takes 28 days to 40 days to renew itself.

In mature skin, the cell renewal and exfoliation processes diminish and dead skin cells tend to accumulate, making skin appear and feel rough, dry and damaged. AHAs also help increase the skin's moisture retention, keeping the skin feeling soft and smooth.

Studies have shown the benefits of AHAs in treating sun damaged skin by helping to reverse some of the negative effects caused by the sun on skin collagen and elastin fibers.

Discuss the benefits of alpha hydroxy acids in your homecare with your dermatologist or skincare specialist.

Mina is a skincare specialist and professional makeup artist with 13 years of experience. Her expertise followed by writing articles for skincare and makeup.

http://www.BeautyImagebyMina.com

Are You Losing Body Fat or Water?

2008-10-24T06:02:00.001-07:00

?I tried that diet and lost 8 pounds in the first week!?

?I?ve gained three pounds in one day! It must have been the cookie I ate or maybe the mashed potatoes!?

These are comments I hear so often that I decided it would be a good topic for an article to help people have a better understanding of the fluctuating numbers on their scale. It is important to understand, when we step on a scale, it is measuring every part of our physical being at that moment in time, which means it measures our fat, muscles, organs, tissue and water weight.

Water weight can affect your total weight anywhere from 1-10 pounds and sometimes even more. It is important to understand what kinds of dietary factors can make these fluid shifts happen. To start, many of the high protein, low carbohydrate diets such as Atkins, or the beginning of South Beach can cause a dramatic shift in your water weight. This is because as you significantly cut back carbohydrate intake your body starts breaking down the stored carbohydrates (glycogen) to use as energy, and this breakdown causes the body to excrete large amounts of water. Once the body begins to use stored fat for energy, weight loss slows. This is why most people lose a significant amount of weight right away on a low carb, high protein diet. Extreme low carb, high protein diets can often lead the body to a state of dehydration because of the significant fluid loss.

What is misleading is when a person following a low carb plan eats a carbohydrate-rich food they can easily gain 1-3 pounds. However, this weight gain is just your body replenishing the fluid it lost and is not gained fat. I have had numerous clients struggle with this and they end up yo-yoing back in forth with fluid weight thinking that it must be the half cup of rice they had the night before that caused them to gain that 2 pounds when in fact eating the rice just allowed them to regain some of the fluid they had lost from following a strict low carb plan. The fact is carbohydrates do not affec! t your w eight quite that simply. Excess refined carbohydrates can strongly stimulate insulin production, which promotes fat deposition and increases appetite. This kind of weight gain will happen gradually, not dramatically overnight.

Sodium is another dietary component that can lead to fluid gain. Sodium can cause the body to retain fluid, which can lead to these frustrating daily weight fluctuations. Some people are more sensitive to sodium than others. Watch your diet and see if your weight gain corresponds with a high sodium meal the day before. For example, eating out in restaurants can often increase your sodium intake significantly.

The best way to tell if you are retaining fluid is to pay attention to your body. If you get indentations on your ankles and lower legs from your socks then you are retaining fluid. If you wear rings and they become tight and leave an imprint in your fingers when you take them off then you also likely retaining fluid. Any kind of puffiness in your skin is a good indication of water weight.

The bottom line is that it takes 3500 calories to gain or lose 1 pound of body fat. This equates to an extra 500 calories a day over 7 days to gain a pound. This means if you gained 3 pounds in one day you can chalk it up to fluid weight otherwise you would have had to consume10,500 extra calories that day which is not likely! True weight gain happens gradually and likewise we lose it gradually. Check your weight weekly instead of daily and look for overall trends. If you are seeing dramatic daily changes in your weight, it is likely the ever-changing shifts of our bodies? water weight.

Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and owner of Real Living Nutrition Services. Sign up for her monthly newsletter to learn what's new in nutrition, weight loss success stories, healthy recipes, and more. Go to http://www.reallivingnutrition.com for more details.

Over the Counter Acne Treatment Products That Work

2008-10-23T22:04:00.001-07:00

Over the counter acne treatment products typically include acne or spot treatments, cleansers and washes, moisturizers, lotions, pads and wipes, masks and strips, shaving creams, and toners and astringents.

So how do you know what over the counter acne treatment you should use? Here?s some simple, yet powerful information that most folks unfortunately don?t take the time to find out.

Benzoyl Peroxide the Bacteria Slayer

Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) in over the counter acne treatment products:

-works best for moderate to moderately severe acne,

-deeply penetrates into the skin to kill tough bacteria,

-is best used preventatively,

-dries and exfoliating the skin,

-works faster than prescription antibiotics, and

-doesn?t allow bacteria to build resistance like prescription antibiotics.

However, BP is a very harsh chemical. It causes redness, dryness, and scaling. BP can also lighten fabric colors.

You can find a cheap tube of BP in any drugstore at 2.5% which will work wonders over a few weeks time.

Salicylic Acid ? the Surface Slougher

Salicylic Acid or ?beta hydroxyl acid? (BHA) works best for mild acne and sensitive skin, as a cleanser ingredient to slough surface skin cells, and as an agent that prepares the skin for other acne treatments. It breaks down a protein that holds the skin cells together. Over time, it exfoliates old skin and allows new healthy skin to surface. It loosens whiteheads and blackheads and helps expel them.

Salicylic acid is fairly mild. It does not reach down deep into the skin follicles like benzoyl peroxide. It can take up to 3 months to loosen smaller whiteheads and blackheads.

However salicylic acid works well if you use it over a consistent and long period of time.

Some side effects of salicylic acid include some skin peeling, dryness, and irritation when used at concentrations of 2% or greater. Possible adverse effects include salicylate toxicity, toxic inner ear damage, and hyperse! nsitivit y. Also risk of increases in skin sensitivity to sunlight.

Look for an over the counter acne treatment cleanser with concentrations of 2% salicylic acid, in an acid base with a pH of between 3 and 4.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)

Alpha Hydroxy Acids work best for all types of skin, as a mild or strong cleanser, and for healing and preventing acne.

AHAs are natural acids which come from fruits, milk sugars, and plants. Glycolic and lactic acids are the most frequently used in over the counter acne treatment products, and are the most well researched AHAs to date.

AHA's gently peel away the uppermost layer of dead skin cells. They make way for the newer skin beneath.

Look for a product with a glycolic acid concentration between 8 and 10% and no other active ingredients. You should see results in the texture of your skin within a few weeks.

Side effects include more susceptibility to sunlight and minor skin irritation or blisters and burns. Fewer AHA products have FDA approval.

Retinol

Retinol is the chemical name for vitamin A ? which is the active ingredient in the prescription drug Retin-A, the favored topical prescription acne treatment.

Retinol works best in high concentrations and when packaged stably. It hasn?t really proven its effectiveness for acne.

Sulfur and Resorcinol

Basically, sulfur kills acne bacteria. Resorcinol helps shed the outer layer of skin, and increases the effect of sulfur. However, experts aren?t entirely sure how it works in combination with sulfur.

Resorcinol alone is not an effective acne treatment. It can be very irritating to some patients. For those who can?t use BP or Retin-A, sulfur may be a good alternative.

The side effects are minor: dryness and unpleasant odour. It?s not recommended for pregnant women unless their doctor prescribes resorcinol. There are no major known adverse effects in resorcinol?s combination with sulfur.

Everyone is different

For maximum effectiveness, fi! nd a cle anser containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid, a leave-on benzoyl product, and a moisturizer you wear overtop.

As a general rule of thumb, OTC drugs should work within 6 to 8 weeks. If they don?t work within 10 weeks and even promote breakouts, see a dermatologist.

Now you have enough knowledge to look for effective skin products, as well as how to use them to use them the right way.

Yvette Chau is a freelance writer based in Edmonton, Canada specializing in the area of skincare and acne treatment. Ungoing failed treatments herself before finding a solution for her own skin problems, she offers information and advice to others on http://www.your-best-acne.treatment.com/

Self Tanning Affordable and Easy To Do

2008-10-23T15:03:00.001-07:00

Sunless tanning has many advantages over the traditional sun tanning. Some people are unable to tan due to their melanocytes not being in working order. Sunless tanning avoids this problem as it does not require melanocytes. The active ingredient in many sunless tanning supplies is Dihydroxyacetone[DHA. DHA saturates the dead skin cells at the surface of the outside layer of the skin, turning the dead cells brown (or tan color).

Sunless tanning is completely safe. There is a common myth that sunless tanning is unsafe. The FDA in the 1970s banned tanning pills which are completely different than the sunless tanners on the market today. Today's sunless tanning products are safe even for children(always consult your own doctor, prior to using any product as he knows any allergic reactions you or your child may have).

The nice thing about sunless tanning is that the tan is temporary. They usually last around five to seven days after that it wears off and you get progressively lighter. This is perfect for those people who are attending a wedding and want to have a nice tan!

Another advantage of sunless tanning is that sunless tans instant. You do not have to start working on a tan months in advance. You can also control how dark you are with sunless tanning.

One of the best advantages of sunless tanning is you do not have tan lines like lying out in the sun. Many women do sunless tanning just for this benefit!

Going tanning at a tanning salon is expensive, sunless tanning is cost effective for. Many drug stores have a store brand of self tanner that works great and is just as good as many of the more expensive products.

Finally, you do not have to do this alone. Many of your friend?s already sunless tan, every so often get together for a ?tanning party.? These tanning parties are getting more and more popular with self tanners.

http://www.2tanningbed.com/

All your information needs about tanning and tanning beds

Do You Need Glyconutrients?

2008-10-23T06:02:00.001-07:00

With all of the exciting things people are seeing in their lives as a result of adding glyconutrients to their diet, the question has been raised Are glyconutrients a miracle cure or are the results people have seen a placebo effect?

The answer is: NEITHER!

If you haven't heard the term Placebo Effect, this is a nice way of saying It was all in your head. This can refer to either the disease itself or the cure. If glyconutrients were in fact a placebo, you would see little scientific evidence to support the results.

However, there have been numerous studies on glyconutrients, which scientifically validate the technology. Such studies can easily be found on the Internet by searching for information on Glycobiology.

One organization that has done extensive research in the field of glyconutrients and disease is The Fisher Institute. They can be found at FisherInstitute.org

To understand why people have such dramatic results after they begin taking glyconutrients, you need to take a look at how and why the body begins the disease process. First of all, glyconutrients are NOT prescription drugs that are prescribed to cure or treat any particular condition. They are a food. In fact, they are sugars. When you think of sugar, you probably think of the white stuff you put on top of your cereal. However, it has been discovered that all of our cells contain sugars at their core. Without these sugars, the cells cannot communicate properly.

There are 8 of these known sugars today, but most diets only contain 2 of these sugars. Fortunately, your body can manufacture the other 6 sugars, however due to stress and other factors; this process can be slowed down or come to a grinding halt. When this happens, cells begin to miss-communicate and the disease process begins.

Once the disease process begins, your immune system recognizes that something is wrong and tries to defend the body against the disease. As with any war, if your immune system has enough ammunition to battle th! e diseas e, your body will return to its original state of health. However, if your immune system does not have the ammunition or the proper artillery to handle the disease, the disease begins to get the upper hand and your health declines.

You may be asking yourself where glyconutrients play a role in this disease process. As mentioned before, glyconutrients are not prescription drugs. They are naturally occurring sugars and found in certain plants. When you add these sugars to your diet, your cells have the necessary components to communicate effectively. It's this very process that allows your body to win the war against the disease and heal itself. As stated previously, glyconutrients do not cure or treat conditions. Rather, they allow the body to treat or defend itself against diseases.

For years, doctors believed that when you ate sugars, they were immediately converted to energy. In fact some doctors went as far as saying that eating any dietary supplements (such as vitamins purchased at the grocery store) did nothing more for you than make expensive excrement. As a result, a study was conducted to understand what happened when a person added glyconutrients to their diet to determine whether or not they were converted to energy or absorbed into the body. The study showed that the body did NOT convert glyconutrients to energy as previously thought. The bottom line is that you can eat glyconutrients and gain significant health benefits.

A wealth of information on glyconutrients is available at: Glyconutrients Website

Take the time to learn more about and purchase glyconutrients at: Glyconutrients Mannatech Product Advanced Ambrotose

Independant Mannatech Associate and glyconutrients consultant

Cystic Acne Treatment The Whole Truth

2008-10-22T22:04:00.001-07:00

Cystic acne break-outs can be painful and lead to deep scarring. Some dermatologists consider it to be the most severe kind because topical medications do not get to the root of the problem. It heals extremely slowly because it is so deep that the infection is trapped under the skin. Cystic acne treatment is usually limited to oral medication so all cases should be taken to a dermatologist.

Isotretinoin is the most common, and most potent drug prescribed for cystic acne treatment. It is a man-made form of retinoid (Vitamin A) that is taken in pill form. It is the only prescription that treats excess oil production, clogged skin pores, and inflammation. This pill is taken up to 20 weeks and commonly does not require more than one course of therapy to cure. The most serious side-effect to taking this medication is the possibility of birth defects to a developing fetus. For this reason, women are required to not be pregnant or get pregnant at any time during this treatment. Regular check-ups are scheduled for each patient using this medication to monitor any additional side effects.

Common side effects of using isotretinoin as a cystic acne treatment include: muscle aches, uncomfortable drying of the lips and eyes, depression, and chest pain. Some of these side effects can cause serious health problems in the future. Always contact your doctor if you notice any of these side effects.

Oral contraceptives are used as cystic acne treatment in females. It suppresses overactive sebaceous (oil producing) glands, and is safe to be used long-term. In addition to an oral contraceptive, the doctor may prescribe a synthetic steroid to inhibit other hormones that stimulate the sebaceous glands.

If oral cystic acne treatment does not work, they may require drainage. This is considered acne surgery and should only be performed by a professional, in a sterile environment. If you attempt to squeeze or pick them yourself, the infection may last much longer than it would have. You may cause the in! fection to worsen and increase the inflammation and swelling.

For dramatically inflamed cysts, a dermatologist may decide to administer an injection with a highly-diluted corticosteroid to bring down the inflammation and increase the speed of healing. It is a generally painless procedure. It usually clears the cyst within a week and prevents rupturing and scarring. However, this is not the first choice of cystic acne treatment by most dermatologist because it only treats current acne.

In addition to the medications your dermatologist prescribes to you, be responsible for the health of your skin. Wash your face at least once a day, especially following exercise or other sweat-inducing activity. Do not wash your skin too often or it could result in drying out. Bursting of cystic acne will most likely result in scars, so avoid this at all costs. Make sure your hands and fingers stay away from your face. Your hands pick up dirt and germs with everything you touch and this coming in contact with your face can increase the chance of infection.

John Wellington is from AcneHelpZone.com providing people suffering from acne with quick, relevant and free acne resources that they can download and take away with them for easy reference.

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking use a Hypnosis CD

2008-10-22T15:03:00.001-07:00

Stopping smoking is easy. Loads of people have done it. I've helped loads of people to do it. But the interesting thing is, that not one of them has arrived at my office thinking it's going to be easy.

The biggest barrier to stopping smoking is fear.

The fear has several components:

Fear of failing.
Fear of the 'pain' i.e. withdrawal.
Fear of removal of the only pleasure in life.
Fear of the removal of a crutch i.e. I smoke when I'm worried.
Fear of over-eating
Fear of succeeding temporarily and then 'relapsing'.

None of these fears has any substance when you look at it closely, but as a mythical beast - a scary shadow on the wall, they all have tremendous power.

Failure

In most areas of life failure is seen as an opportunity to learn to do it better next time. Smokers tend to see it as the end of life as we know it. Better not to try than to fail. And what will people think. It will be obvious that I've failed.

Pain

There is no clinical evidence for addiction to nicotine. This is a myth. But because the Mind is a powerful beast, it can make an illusion real. If you don't believe me, think of a lemon, think of cutting it in half, think of that lemony smell wafting gently and cleanly into your nostrils, then pick up one of those pieces, open your mouth and squeeze the juice out until it fills your mouth. Now notice the saliva content of your mouth and see if you can maintain your belief that illusion can't have a real physiological effect on your body.

Pleasure

Cigarettes poison your body; increase your blood pressure; increase your likelihood of severe and disabling diseases; reduce your stamina; impair sexual function and pleasure in both males and females; age your skin; and damage your voice box. If this is pleasure?

Stress

When I'm worried I have a cigarette, it reduces stress. Nicotine increases blood pressure by vaso-constriction and releases adrenaline. So smoking ! a cigare tte increases physiological stress. What it actually does is create distraction. All the fumbling with the packet and the lighter and the sucking (security of a nipple from childhood) takes the mind away from the problem for the length of time it takes to smoke a cigarette. Sucking a pencil, or chewing gum would have the same effect.

Food

People think they will over-eat when they stop smoking. Hypnotic suggestion takes care of this with direct suggestion to ensure that nothing is substituted for cigarettes.

Success then Failure

A lot of people give up for a while and then start again - usually at a moment of crisis in their lives. The fear of failing at being successful prevents them even attempting to give up. Success is easy. If you fail you just give up smoking again knowing that you've done it already it will be even easier next time. If you have this attitude you will succeed forever first time.

Because all of these fears are very real to smokers wanting to give up, there is a way that makes it even easier. Use a hypnosis CD. The benefit of a CD over a one-to-one treatment is that you can listen to it over and over again. And if you obtain a Stop Smoking CD that is designed for frequent use then giving up smoking successfully is almost guaranteed.

You see with this gradual approach, there is no real moment when you become a non-smoker, in the way that there is with a one-to-one treatment. Because choosing when and where to listen to the CD is under your control, and you can do it as often as you like, you will find that all those fears mentioned above become irrelevant.

They become irrelevant because, although you've chosen to give up, although you've chosen to become a non-smoker, you've chosen to do it at a gradual rate ? a rate that you can modify and adjust on a daily basis.

The CD will help reduce the desire to smoke, and it will help you to see yourself as a non-smoker and because you listen to it regularly the message of the CD is reinforced and! becomes stronger each time you listen until finally you realise you've smoked your last cigarette.

Michael J. Hadfield MBSCH is a registered clinical hypnotherapist, with many years' experience in the treatment of smoking, weight problems, stress, anxiety, phobias, and other psychological problems. If this article interested you then visit http://www.hypnosisiseasy.com for more details about stopping smoking and treatment for a variety of other problems.

Alternative Allergy and Hay Fever Treatments: Allergy Nosodes

2008-10-22T06:02:00.001-07:00

?Can I get another bottle of this? I?m out, it works great, and allergy season is here.? My clients ask, as they hold up the tell-tale little brown bottle with its yellow label.

I use these products. I thought at first that I was manifesting a placebo affect because these products worked so well, but over the years, clients have come in every other year or so just to pick up a bottle of Tree Mix I or Tree Mix II when they run out. I never see them any other time.

A bottle lasts anywhere from one month to two years depending on what you are trying to manage, how much you need and how short the exposure is. They work for both humans and their pets. My favorite homeopathic allergy remedies come from Professional Complementary Health Formulas. The remedies are called allersodes.

Allersodes are homeopathic drops that minutely stimulate the immune system to recognize, glom onto, and expel the allergy-causing organism from the body, usually through the kidneys, skin or bowels. These particular allersodes contain homeopathics to support the adrenal gland and liver as well. I think that is one reason why they work so well.

The dosage is normally 17 drops three times daily for acute situations and 15 drops daily for chronic allergies. Here are a few of the remedies my clients and I have utilized over the years for various allergies causing skin problems, rhinitis, itchy eyes, irritability, asthma, depression, feelings of spaciness, and a bundle of other symptoms:

Flower Mix?for allergies to Aster, Camellia, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Daffodil, Daisy, Daphne, Gardenia, Gentian, Gladiola, Honeysuckle, Iris, Lilac, Lily, Larkspur, Lupine, Marigold, Oleander, Pansy, Petunia, Peony, Poppy, Rose, Snapdragon, and Tulips.

Household Dust & Molds?for allergies to Black Mold, Grain Dust, House Mold, House Dust, Lint, Mattress Dust, Mildew Dust, Paper Dust, Rug Dust, Upholstery Dust, Yeast (Baker?s/Brewer?s) and Dust Mites.

Grain & Seed Mix?for allergies to Barley, Corn, Cotton Seed! , Flax S eed, Gliadin (whatever that is), Gluten, Millet, Milo, Oat, Poppy Seed, Rice (Brown/White), Rye, Safflower, Sesame, Sorghum, Soybean, Sunflower and Wheat.

Grass & Weed Mix?for allergies to Alfalfa, Amaranth, Bamboo, Chenopodium, Cocklebur, Dandelion, Fox Tail, Grease Wood, June Grass, Johnson Grass, Kapok, Lambs Quarters, Marsh Elder, Mugwort, Pampas Grass, Pigweed, Ragweed-Tansy, Sage, Scale (All Scale/ Wingscale/ Lenscale), Scotch Broom, Sheep Sorrel, Yellow Dock, Red Top, Meadow Fescue, Sweet Vernal, Kentucky Blue, Orchard, Perineal Rye, Timothy, Red Clover, White Clover, Goldenrod, Velvet Grass, and Thistle.

Tree Mix I?for allergies to Alder, Ash, Birches, Cedars, Cottonwoods, Cypresses, Elms, Firs, Hemlock, Hickories, Junipers, Maples, Mulberries, Western Oaks, Eastern Oaks, Pines, Redwood, and Spruces.

Tree Mix II?for allergies to Acacia, Aspen, Bay, Elder, Eucalyptus, Fig, Flowering Apple, Flowering Cherry, Lilac, Magnolia, Mesquite, Oleander, Olive, Pepper, Privet, Sycamore, Tulip, and Willow.

I wouldn?t be without them. I think you?ll like them, too.

Dr. Denice Moffat is a practicing naturopath, medical intuitive, and veterinarian working on the family unit (which includes humans and animals) through her phone consultation practice established in 1995. She has a content-rich website at http://www.NaturalHealthTechniques.com and free monthly newsletter. To read more about homeopathics, what they are, and how they work, go to: http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/BasicsofHealth/homeopathichistory1.htm

How to Weight Train for Maximum Muscle Gain

2008-10-21T22:04:00.001-07:00

Weight training involves the use of equipment that enables variable resistance. This resistance can come in the form of free weights like barbells and dumbbells, machines that use cables or pulleys to help you lift the weight and bodyweight exercises like pull-ups or dips.

Free Weights vs. Machines vs. Bodyweight Exercises

For maximum muscle gain, the focus of your workouts should consist of free weight exercises. Not machines or bodyweight exercises. This is not to say that you should not use machines or bodyweight exercises, but they should not be the focus of your training. To get an effective, muscle blasting workout, you must stimulate the most muscle fibers as possible, and machines do not do this.

The main reason for this is a lack of stabilizer and synergist muscle development. Stabilizer and synergist muscles are supporting muscles that assist the main muscle in performing a complex lift. The more stabilizers and synergists worked, the more muscle fibers stimulated. Multi-jointed free weight exercises like the bench press, require many stabilizer and synergistic muscle assistance to complete the lift. On the other hand doing a bench press using a machine will need almost no stabilizer assistance.

Since machines are locked into a specific range of motion and help to support the weight along that path, they fail to stimulate the muscles that surround the area you are working (stabilizers). This is a mistake. If your stabilizer muscles are weak, then the major muscle group will never grow!

Free weight exercises like the dumbbell press or squat, for example, put a very large amount of stress on supporting muscle groups. That's why you will get fatigued faster and not be able to lift as much weight as you did on the machine. But you will gain more muscle, become stronger very quickly and have a true gauge of your strength.

If you use machines in your program, they should be used to work isolated areas and only after all multi-jointed exercises have been complete! d.

Beginners should begin with a limited combination of machine exercises, bodyweight exercises and mult-jointed free weight exercises. Before increasing the weight levels, they should work on becoming familiar with the proper form and execution of each. Soon, bodyweight exercises will become insufficient to stimulate growth and they will need to focus on more free weight exercises.

Multi-Jointed Exercises

The exercises that work the large muscle groups are called compound (or multi-joint) movements that involve the simultaneous stimuation of many muscle groups. These compound exercises should be the foundation of any weight training program because they stimulate the most amount of muscle in the least amount of time.

Here are the basic movements:

* Bench Presses (works the chest, shoulders, tricep)

* Overhead Presses (shoulders, tricep)

* Pull-ups/Barbell Rows (back, bicep)

* Squats (legs, lower back)

* Deadlifts (legs, back, shoulders)

* Bar Dips (shoulders, chest, arms)

I cannot overemphasize the importance of these exercises. Do not start an advanced weight training program without them!

They will overload your entire skeletal and muscular system like no machine could ever do, giving you and effective workout in a very short period of time. If you can only do a few exercises, then do these. They have been proven (and not just by me) to encourage muscle and strength gain unlike any other exercises.

Lift Heavy Weight

To build mass, you must weight train with heavy weights. By heavy, I mean a weight that is challenging for you -- not me, or anyone else. To consider a weight heavy, you should only be able to do a maximum of 8-12 reps before your muscles temporarily fail. A weight is considered light if you can do more than 15 reps before muscle fatigue sets in.

Heavy weights stimulate more muscle fibers than lighter weights. It's that simple. More muscle stimulation means more muscle growth.

Don't Overtrain

Heav! y weight training puts a huge strain on your body, so adequate rest and recuperation after your workouts is essential. If you are prone to train too often, several things happen:

You don't give your muscles enough time to recuperate between workouts. If your muscles have not repaired themselves, you will not be at maximum strength for your next workout. Rest is essential. Other than eating, this should be your main focus.

You are setting yourself up for burnout or an injury. I know you are motivated and excited about working out, but don't be careless. You must pace yourself, you want to be able to keep this up for a long time, not burnout before you reach your goals. I only weight train 3 times per week, that's all. Anymore than that and I would not give my body enough time to repair and build new muscle.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not grow while working out, you only grow when you are resting.

Below is an example mass workout. I did 4 heavy sets for 4-8 reps each.

Wednesday (legs, abs)

* Heavy Squats, leg extension superset

* Seated Calve Raises, 4 strips sets

* Crunches (4 sets of 20)

-------

Friday (chest, shoulder, triceps, abs)

* Flat bench press, incline dumbbell flyes superset

* Shoulder press, side raises superset

* Tricep pushdowns

* Reverse incline leg raises (3 sets of 20)

------

Sunday (back, biceps, abs)

* Wide grip pull-ups, latbar pulldown superset

* EZ bar bicep curl, incline dumbbell curls superset

* Crunches (4 sets of 20)

Nothing fancy, but effective.

Former skinny guy Anthony Ellis is the author of Gaining Mass! The most widely used weight gain program in the world.

This unique program designed to help people gain weight and build muscle, is currently being used in over 90 countries and boasts the largest private weight gain forum on the Internet, with well over 13,000 members at http://www.fastmusclegain.com

Click here to view over 200 user t! estimoni als: http://www.fastmusclegain.com/testimonials.html

Degenerative Disease Caused by Tooth Infections: Case Histories Kidney Trouble Stomach Ulcers

2008-10-21T15:03:00.001-07:00

Kidney Trouble:

* Originally Dr. Price believed kidney infections only remotely related to dental focal infections. He eventually found, however, many 30 to 40 year olds were developing nephritis (kidney disease) without the disease being suspected by the patient or the physician. Invariably, these patients were also found to have definite dental infections.

The case report of a 41 year old married woman who was suffering from rheumatism and heart trouble is of particular interest. A routine urine analysis also disclosed kidney involvement. Her extracted tooth was cultured and a rabbit inoculated in a vein with one cc of the 24-hour old culture. After 49 days, the rabbit died; autopsy results are shown in the in the pictures on the following page.

Stomach Ulcers:

Another case concerned a 43 year old woman who had been an invalid for six years suffering from vervousness, neuritis, and nervous indigestion. These symptoms were associated indigestion. These symptoms were associated with neuralgic pains that occurred at her waistline. Such cases were usually grouped together as a alimentary trac and associate organ lesions, as they involved the digestive tract, the gall bladder, stomach, intestinal indigestion, and the appendix.

Because this patient had a severe amount of condensing osteitis (dense bone just below the roots), and such cases usually showed little x-ray evidence of infection, all of her upper teeth were removed. This brought a prompt improvement in the patient's health which allowed her to return to previous activities.

Most dentists would say that even though this patient had severe osteitis, her root canal fillings appeared satisfactory and the root of the upper left second bicuspid appeared relatively easy to treat. However, a culture taken from other teeth and inoculated into a rabbit produced the ulcer you see in the accompanying picture.

Most who do endodontic treatments would have misjudged the extent of the infection present i! n these teeth and their relationship to the patient's six years of ill health, which cleared on removal of her upper teeth.

Ovarian Cysts:

Lacking in the medical and dental literature of Dr. Price's time was any teaching about acute and chronic infections of the sex organs, or any mention of their relationship to focal infection. Dr. Price found that a large number of women with ovarian gland difficulties had infected teeth, or teeth which contained root canal fillings.

Even though most women made excellent recoveries when infected teeth were removed, Dr. Price stated he could not determine whether the bacteria had an ability to select a woman's ovaries, tubes and uterus or whether their presence aggravated already compromised tissues. Over a thousand rabbits were used to study the causes of these frequent female problems.

A good example of the many cases investigated concerns a 20 year old unmarried woman whose distress at the time of her menstrual period was so severe she was bed-ridden for several days. In time it became obvious her physical and mental health was being seriously affected.

Review of the history of her difficulties showed that some five years previously she was hit by a golf ball over her left ovary. She did not think the event significant as there was no evidence of local injury and only a short period of discomfort. At the time she did have some infected teeth which she carried during the intervening period.

Dr. George Meinig,D.D.S.,F.A.C.D. is a Founder of the Association of Root Canal Specialists Discovers Evidence That Root Canals Damage Your Health Learn What to Do.

Learn how Dr. George Meinig discovered that a meticulous 25 year research program, conducted by Weston A. Price, DDS, under the auspices of the American Dental Association's Research Institute was buried.

To subscribe newsletter visit ==>http://www.1stultimategumsolution.com

Edited and prepared by Sung Lee, alternate author

Is Your Insomnia Just a Bad Habit?

2008-10-21T06:02:00.001-07:00

Many of us that suffer with insomnia can actually pinpoint the time it started. It could be the death of a loved one, exams or a stressful relationship. But ever since then we?ve not been able to sleep well.

Even if the triggering event has passed and no longer concerns us, our sleep continues to suffer. This means we?ve actually learned to sleep badly and this is what we?ve come to expect. We believe we?re poor sleepers and therefore we will continue to sleep poorly.

Our insomnia is actually just a bad habit!

Hey, that?s actually good news! Habits can be broken and beliefs can be changed with a bit of effort. Sometimes just realising this can be enough to allow us to experience better sleep.

Usually though, it will take a bit more work. Habits can become pretty firmly entrenched (as any smoker would attest to!) We?ve got to change the belief that we don?t sleep well into the belief that we enjoy deep and restful sleep every night.

Affirmations work well. An affirmation is when we repeat positive statements to ourselves over and over again until our sub conscious mind accepts it and changes our bad habits into good ones.

Many people poo pah affirmations saying, ?I?ve tried them and they don?t work? Well they do work but you must keep them up. Don?t affirm for a few days and give up. Affirmations can take weeks to have a beneficial effect.

Another reason affirmations may not work is that we have trouble believing them. Our rational mind agues all the time. For instance if we affirm, ?I sleep well for 8 hours every night?, we think to ourselves, ?That?s rubbish! I?m lucky if I get 4 hours a night!?

So make your affirmations believable. Try affirming, ?I am sleeping better and waking up more refreshed?.

Another useful tip is to say your affirmations when you?re relaxed. This is when your sub conscious mind is most receptive and will accept the suggestions more readily. Try it during a relaxing meditation, last thing at night or when you?ve just woken ! up.

< p>A natural sleep aid is very useful during this time as you?re learning to sleep better. The site below will recommend safe and natural sleep medications.

If you have the odd night when sleep refuses to come no matter what, try to relax and accept this as part of being normal. Even the best sleepers have nights like these. Just lie still and remember that you will still get some benefit from just lying back and relaxing.

So don?t tell yourself you suffer from insomnia. Instil positive affirmations into your mind and watch your sleep improve.

Want to know how to cure insomnia and achieve healthy sleep? Visit http://www.insomnia-connection.com/sleep-medications.html To find natural, non habit forming sleep medications. Sign on for our newsletter and receive 2 books absolutely free! Wendy Owen is a health researcher and author.

Spirulina Natures Greatest All Round Food

2008-10-20T22:04:00.001-07:00

Spirulina has been around for over 3.5 billion years and is one of nature?s oldest and most nourishing foods.

It has been referred to as the most complete supplement of all and provides a massive amount of nutrients and health benefits.

Nature's complete supplement

Spirulina is one of the most beneficial of all dietary supplements known. At 60 to 70% protein, it is higher in protein than any other natural food.

Spirulina is also rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Due to spirulina extremely high concentration of nutrients, it is very filling and can be used by those on a diet.

What is spirulina?

Spirulina straddles the period in evolutionary development when the plant and animal kingdoms differentiated.

Spirulina embodies the simplest form of life and is one of the most natural foods you can eat.

Spirulina is in fact 65 to 71 percent complete protein, with all essential amino acids in perfect balance.

In comparison, beef is only 22 percent protein and also has a photosynthetic conversion rate of 8 to 10 percent, compared to only 3 percent in such plants as soybeans.

An alternative to low nutrients of modern foods

Many processed foods are nutritionally empty and leave us vulnerable to poor health, disease and low energy.

This is where a natural supplement such as spirulina is so beneficial for overall health and vitality.

Medical evidence of benefits

It is recognized by the United Nations, the World Health Organization and NASA that spirulina provides crucial health benefits:

1.It strengthens the immune system
2.It supports cardiovascular health
3.It helps in lowering cholesterol levels
4.It improves gastrointestinal and digestive health
5.It acts as a natural cleansing and detoxification
6.Its antioxidant formulas help prevent cancer

The benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina contains one of the most powerful combinations of nutrients ever known in any grain, herb or ! food inc luding the following: Beta carotene

Spirulina beta carotene is ten times more concentrated than carrots.

Vegetable protein without fat or cholestorol

Spirulina is the highest protein food with all the essential amino acids and has few calories.

Its protein yield is 10 times that of soybeans, 20 times that of corn and 200 times greater than that of beef.

Fatty acids for health

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) helps develop healthy babies in pregnant women.

Studies show nutritional deficiencies can block GLA production in the body, Spirulina is the only whole food with GLA.

Iron & minerals

Iron is essential to build a strong system and is the most common mineral deficiency. In fact, at least one laboratory study has demonstrated that the iron level in spirulina is equivalent to that contained in beef.

Spirulina is also rich in magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid).

High in B Complex vitamins

Spirulina is the highest source of B-12, one of the most important vitamins and essential for healthy nerves and tissue.

In addition, Spirulina is one of the few plant sources of vitamin B12, usually found only in animal tissues.

A teaspoon of Spirulina supplies 21/2 times the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin B12 and contains over twice the amount found in liver.

Phyltonutrinets

Sulfolipids & glycolipids, and the rainbow of natural pigments that give spirulina its deep green coloring.

Green (chlorophyll), blue (phycocyanin) and orange (carotenoids) colors absorb the sun?s energy and help growth.

Chlorophyll is a natural cleanser and is prevalent in Spirulina.

Green foods are good for everyone

Most people don?t eat the recommended 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables per day and this is where Spirulina can fill the gap. It can be taken in pill or in powder form with fruit juice and provides quick and easy nourishment

Spirulina is natural, packed w! ith good ness, filling and is easy to take, so discover the benefits of this amazing food and make it part of your overall diet today.

For more sensible health and nutrition advice on all areas of health diet and wellbeing as well as free ezines and newsleters visit =>http://www.net-planet.org/health.html

Lifestyle Changes Never Too Late

2008-10-20T15:02:00.001-07:00

It?s Never Too Late to Make Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your Health

Everyone knows that exercise and proper nutrition are important. Unfortunately less than one third of older adults engage in regular physical activity and nutrition can often suffer due to illness, medications, or for a variety of other reasons. The good news is that it?s never too late to make changes that can improve your health.

To benefit from the seemingly infinite rewards of exercise it is important to get off to the right start. Just about every older adult can safely do some type of physical activity to improve their health. Think about what types of exercise or activities you like doing or would like to do and believe that you can do them. Then decide that exercise is going to be part of your daily life. It is important to begin slowly, start with one or two types of exercise and gradually add more as you become comfortable and confident. Try to include balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance exercises. To determine the proper intensity of exercise, be sure that you feel you?re challenging yourself but are still able to talk without much difficulty. Do not do anything that causes you pain or dizziness. Keep in mind that continuous progress and regular practice is essential for reaping the benefits of exercise. Think about ways to make your program stick. Consider asking a friend or loved one to join you, hire a personal trainer, join a class at a community center or YMCA, or walk in your favorite park. Whatever it is you decide to do, make sure you have fun!

Exercise alone can not make someone healthy, proper nutrition is also vital. To meet all the daily nutritional requirements a healthy diet must consist of good quality, nutrient dense foods. Buy whole grain versions of breads, pastas, and rice. Keep frozen vegetables and fruits on hand as they are pre-cut and easy to use. Choose lean cuts of meat, eat raw nuts, and include fish often. Be sure to keep fat intake to around 30% of total calories. Fi! ber is a lso important?a daily intake of around 30 grams is recommended. Don?t forget your water, 8 cups per day is the recommended amount. This may all sound like a lot, but make changes slowly by incorporating only a couple of new things each week and you?ll see how easy and delicious good nutrition can be.

Jennifer Geisheker: Owner of Body Bold and Online personal trainer for The Fitness Almanac

How to Curb Carbohydrate Cravings!

2008-10-20T06:02:00.001-07:00

As a weight loss mentor it never ceases to amaze me how people inadvertently set themselves up for a huge snack attack mid afternoon. For many, the set up is so complete that it is almost impossible to control! The result is that people think they are weak-willed and lacking in discipline. Often the answer has little to do with character or determination. More often the reason for the mid afternoon carbohydrate cravings is due to gaps in understanding how our body works and responds to diferent types of food. Read on to see what you can do to control those mid afternoon cravings.

Trigger foods

If you want to control those cravings there are a few principles you must be aware of. The first is concerning trigger foods. Nutritional research has documented, carbohydrates trigger the brain to crave more carbohydrates, leading to a cycle of carbohydrate eating that becomes hard to control. Trigger foods keep you fat. The goal is to have control over these foods rather than allowing them to have control over you.

What do trigger foods look like? Well, they vary from person to person, but typically look like soft drinks, potato chips, corn chips, peanuts, french fries, cheese, pizza, chocolate chip cookies, pretzel, apple pie, candy bar and so on. These are the foods that for many, once we pop, we can't stop!.

Isn't it amazing that all these types of foods are available from take-away places? They are so readily available and have crept into our daily routine without us even planning it to happen. We get hungry, we are busy, we are distracted, and one serve leads to another; and we don't realise just how much we are eating as the triggering effect takes place in our brains. By eating a small portion of any of the above you can easily consume anywhere from 350 to 1000 calories. Two serves could be 700 to 2000 calories! Most women on a weight loss program are aiming for between 1200-1400 calories a day, so you can see that one snack can seriously sabotage your plans. Doe! s this s ound like you? I can hear the deep sighs of regret and frustration! Don't worry, there are answers for you.

You can be empowered to take control when you know how to avoid the nutritional set up that will drive you towards trigger foods.

Here are a few simple principles that will deal a wounding blow to the late afternoon snack monster.

Five steps to avoid carbohydrate cravings:

1.Incorporate protein in to your breakfast AND lunch. Protein is key to controlling carbohydrate cravings. The RDA of protein for women is 60 grams a day. For women wanting to lose weight, health professionals recommend approximately 100 grams of protein daily. Why? One of the principle advantages of protein is that it creates a feeling of fullness and satisfaction in the body that makes overeating much less likely. Source your protein from ultra lean sources so you don't pick up unwanted calories and saturated fats.

Even better, than providing a sense of sustained fullness, protein can block the triggering effect that carbohydrates can have on the brain. If you eat protein with a carbohydrate it will reduce the cravings caused by eating the carbohydrate.

2.Never skip meals. Research has shown that people who skip meals are more prone to obesity than those who regularly eat 3 meals a day. In fact, people who space their daily food requirements by making appropriate use of healthy snacks do even better. Why is this? When you skip meals you are more likely to get hungry and fill up on easily obtained fast foods which are often trigger foods.

3.Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water throughout the day. For some people sugar laden soft drinks are a trigger food. Make sure you don't get thirsty in the first place. Water creates a sense of fullness and has a host of other health benefits.

4.Plan the timing of your meals so that you don't get hungry. Despite having three healthy meals a day, sometimes your work schedule can mean the spacing of those meals still does not guard agains! t the ca rbohydrate cravings. If you have a long gap between meals, make sure you carry healthy snacks to cover the distance, otherwise hunger will set in

5.Plan your snacks. Plan out your weekly snack schedule with some delicious, healthy snacks. Purchase these with your weekly shopping so that you are fully prepared. If you need to, get up a few minutes earlier in the morning so you have time to prepare and take your snacks to work. Remember, healthy snacks don't live in a vending machine! You are less likely to get hungry when you have a ready supply of healthy snacks.

6.Carry emergency supplies of nutritional protein bars in your handbag or brief case. When you feel a carbohydrate craving, eat the protein bar instead and wait 30 minutes before acting on the craving. More often than not the craving will pass and you will be in control again. This truly works!

Incorporate these principles into your daily routine and you could be well underway to change your life and be able to take control over the mid afternoon 'snack attacks'.

Kim Beardsmore M.B.A., B.Sc. (Biochemistry) is a writer for the online weight loss, health & fitness magazine Weight Loss Health. For free resources, tips and healthy recipes to help you lose weight and gain energy, visit http://weight-loss-health.com.au

Popping Pimples Is it worth it?

2008-10-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Everyone, it seems, has a different opinion on popping pimples, and for every magazine article you find that urges you to keep your hands away, you?ll find another that says it?s no big deal. And when you have a huge quivering mass on your nose that seems as though it?s threatening to take over your whole face, popping that pimple can seem like the best way to get rid of the thing. Anyone who has ever suffered with acne can tell you that popping pimples is one of the perverse pleasures associated with the condition, and can become almost addictive. But beware ? popping is not always the best way to get rid of pimples overnight, and can in fact make the whole thing a lot uglier.

How to get rid of pimples has been an issue that has plagued acne sufferers since time immemorial, but there is unfortunately very little that will successfully get rid of pimples overnight. While pimple popping might seem like the answer, it is something that should only be used on a zit-by-zit basis. There is little doubt that releasing the goo from a protruding white head can be extremely satisfying ? but pimple popping should be reserved for this type of zit alone. Though the red cyst-like pimples that linger just beneath your skin can hurt like anything and can induce you to prod them with a needle or other pointed instrument in some attempt to get rid of the thing, trying to pop this type of pimple simply won?t work, and ? the last thing that any acne sufferer wants ? might actually prolong the life of the pimple.

You can take the edge off those big white-headed guys and get rid of that kind of pimple overnight if you pop with care. Always wash your hands thoroughly before you begin. Puncture the head lightly with a sanitized needle (you should clean it by wiping it with alcohol, or by passing it through a flame) and wipe away the pus that comes out. Never, ever, force the issue ? squeezing will only send the goo you can?t see further into your skin, which will leave you with one of those painful zits that tak! es forev er to go away. And while popping pimples is fun, it?s not worth that, is it?

Find out more about the Best Acne Treatments as well as Acne and acne cures and adult acne treatments at Peter?s website, Acne All Gone.

A Student's Growth

2008-10-19T06:02:00.001-07:00

This is some writing from a person I met on the web and who is learning to write and do many other things she credits me with having helped her to do.

?The following is Episode Three - Part One:

'Perceptions'

Suspended precariously between truth, fact and fiction, lies Perception ~ expectantly awaiting the cue that will tip the scale of awareness toward opening reality or denying it. Fortunately for humankind, perception is adaptable.

~ Possibilities are limitless, existing at any given moment and are only fixed in time when sensed and decided and manifested as reality. (author unknown)

*Episode Three of my Out of Body Experience ~ from my journal of August 7th through August 11th, 2005:

I closed the previous episode 'Opening Reality' poised on the edge of a seemingly benevolent sea of a new awareness. An awareness I treasured and explored with wonder and excitement. Perfect timing or not, the next arrival heralded a dark side in the dynamics of ethereal and astral travel. There was one true story in particular that reminded me of the scenario UFO abductees report during close encounters; entities enter your room while you are asleep, you awake and find yourself alert but unable to move as they' float' you up, up and away to their spacecraft .

The entities in this true story were not aliens. They were real people you know from your everyday life who astral travel. It was astral visitations that spawned my fear and in order to continue on a forward path it would have to be resolved. The first step was to learn more about the out of body state and how I arrived there, or as my mentor referred to it your growing awareness of taps-ins to the collective.

I consulted another adept with thirty years of experience in meditation and astral travel who described my OBE this way: you left your body through your throat chakra and entered into an ethereal state of consciousness, but not an astral state. Astral travel involves leaving the body through the eye ch! akra or 'third eye'. This is far more difficult to achieve and requires years of practice in meditation. Even so, he said some students practice meditation an entire lifetime to achieve an ethereal state, not always with success. How I reached this out of body ethereal state 'spontaneously' without 'intent' was a mystery I set out to solve.

I began by retracing the events that lead up to my OBE. What I uncovered was six months of study I did in a class of archaeology referred to (mistakenly or otherwise) as 'alternative': Within this 'class' I found open to all:

~ Profoundly accurate science embodied in megalith monuments ~ remnants of the origins of humanity recorded in Sumerian cuneiform ~ Spirit guides personified on the walls of sacred caves ~ and incantations for resurrection from the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

~ From treasured epics in libraries of papyri ~ to the oldest Ogham etched in the wisdom of stones ~ I opened the doors to soulful legacies crafted in artifacts of precious metal, clay, fossil and bone.

The soul of the universe existed within this body of knowledge and spoke volumes to anyone who was 'open' to learning.

The map that ultimately carried me to my out of body destination was created of an essence that could not be measured by intellect alone. A type of knowledge that had to be experienced intuitively in order to be understood. All other maps were physical manifestations of that essence ~ equally educational but not scientifically autonomous.

OPEN TO LEARNING: THE most important force (within each one of us) in spontaneous growth as taught to me by learned adepts ~ and THE force that carried my soul into another reality via the out of body experience. So much was about to enter into my world (and I into it) simply because I was open to learning.

A few weeks later in September, a South American Indian Shaman would tell me the ancient Dream Dancers Mask I wore six months ago (during an archaeological field trip in April of 2005) had an infl! uence on the energy of current events in my life. This was possible she said, BECAUSE I was OPEN to the Mask and accepted the mask for its true identity: an ancient shaman's mask from a culture that once lived near one of the oldest river systems in the world, the Kanawha River Valley region of West Virginia. The story of the Mask and the influence of this energy is still to come in a future episode.?

Author of many books available at Lulu and World-Mysteries.com

Toothpaste Ingredients and Alternatives

2008-10-18T22:04:00.001-07:00

Most of us desire to have a charming smile and sparkling teeth. That is why we sometimes try almost all brands and all kinds of toothpaste just to know which one will give us the best results. There is actually no harm in doing that. However, we must be aware that this product that we use everyday may cause harm to our body as well.

One of the main ingredients of toothpaste is fluoride. However, some toothpastes contain huge amounts of this chemical. Excessive fluoride inside our system can cause several problems like chronic fatigue, arthritis, rheumatism, constipation, and maybe cancer. According to the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency, fluoride is considered to be an unclassifiable carcinogen.

There are also other chemicals found in toothpastes that are, sometimes, not even listed in the tube. Chemicals in toothpaste, when we use them, get absorbed by our teeth and gums. And since there are times that we swallow toothpaste along with our saliva, these chemicals reach some parts of our gastro intestinal tract as well. These chemicals can cause stiffness in the joints and muscles . Our nerves can also be affected which can cause spasms and pain.

Some toothpastes claim to have formula against sensitive teeth to prevent pain in the gums and teeth. The reason why these can prevent the pain is the manufacturers include pain killers in these toothpastes. As people use them everyday, the nerves in the mouth slowly are affected.

Regular ingestion of these harmful chemicals from toothpastes can also cause our breathing to be shallow. Our heart beat may increase Some may get muscle cramps in different body parts. And since it affects the blood and the heart, there is a possibility of a heart issue in the future.

There are some toothpaste that also prevent gum bleeding. This is possible because of blood-clotting chemicals that are put into these products. However, these agents not only can stop the bleeding in gums, but can also develop blood cl! ots whic h can lead to strokes and heart attacks.

One kind of chemical that was found in some toothpaste is the sodium laurel sulfate or the SLS. This chemical is common in shampoos as well. It can cause skin inflammation and separation of the layers, as stated in the Journal of the American College of Toxicology in 1983. SLS can also lead to permanent eye impairment according to Dr. Keith Green of the Medical College of Georgia.

Though these effects may not be seen right away, it is the long-term effect of these chemicals in our body that is the concern. And the fact that these products are part of our daily lives, we may be at a huge risk to these side effects without knowing it. Our vanity can cause us to be involved in toothbrushing several times a day.

We need to learn to explore and find alternatives and taking responsibility for our futures. Be sure to check the label and start finding something that can help your oral hygiene without side effects.

Carla Donnelly is a writer on environmental and health issues at the MangoLife Wellness Website. Sign up for the free monthly newsletter and get a free vegetarian ecookbook plus a chance to win a chemical-free soap that raises the body ph and is useful for personal care: http://www.mangolife.com/miracle2webpage2.html

Is HormoneFree Milk Better?

2008-10-18T15:03:00.001-07:00

If you are concerned about the large number of chemicals and additives in milk, you may be tempted to give your family ?Hormone-Free? milk. Unfortunately, there is no such thing! Hormone-Free milk is just a marketing phrase for ?less hormones than chemically-saturated? milk. In fact, all body fluids and flesh from any animal contains hormones. Steak, hamburger, pork chops, milk, urine, etc. all contain hormones. What they are really advertising is the fact that they don?t add hormones to their cows to artificially produce more milk. Any animal is a hormone-producing machine. We make our own hormones constantly. We don?t need cow?s hormones in our bodies as well!

However, this doesn?t change the fact that milk hormones are bad for you. In fact, just eating meat can be bad for you. Anytime you eat or drink an animal, your body is assimilating that animal?s hormones. The old saying, ?You are what you eat? never rang truer!

We?ve made the point before that other animals don?t drink milk once they are weaned. And other animals certainly don?t sit down and drink the milk of other animals. Only we humans do that. Let?s put it into perspective. Would you sit down for a bowl of cereal and ask for a nice big squirt of breast milk? Sounds sort of gross! But we do the same thing by feeding our children cow?s milk. And who doesn?t love a big bowl of chocolate ice cream? Yum! Frozen cow?s milk!

So the question shouldn?t be ?Is Hormone-Free Milk Better?? but rather ?Where are the hormones in my diet coming from?? If you want to grow to be a cow, then certainly drink plenty of cow?s milk and eat lots of beef. All those cow and steer hormones will help you grow into a nice big bovine! But as humans, we should steer (pun intended) away from animal hormones period. There are plenty of other nutritional sources for proteins, vitamins, and minerals that avoid the hormone problem all together. We?ll look at other plant-based foods in upcoming articles that will provide a healthy, nu! tritiona l alternative to animal-based diets. For example, a diet rich in spinach, broccoli, and other green vegetables, is better for you in the long run than beef and dairy. You may even be surprised how much better you feel once you eliminate meat from your diet and thus, reduce the amount of animal hormones you are ingesting and assimilating.

Dean Novosat writes about health and nutrition. He has two websites http://www.DairyTruth.com and http://www.FastingLife.com

Serrapeptase : Natures AntiInflammatory

2008-10-18T06:02:00.001-07:00

The five healthy volunteers who recently took part in clinical drug trials and sufferred terrible side-effects as a result of the trial were being tested for the treatment of leukaemia and auto-immune and inflammatory diseases.

However mother nature has already provided a naturally occurring, physiological agent with no inhibitory effects called Serrapeptase.

Serrapeptase is an enzyme which was originally discovered in the intestine of the silkworm and used for escaping from its cocoon.

Today it is naturally processed through fermentation and made readily available in supplement form.

Serrapeptase digests non-living tissue, blood clots, cysts, and arterial plaque and inflammation in all forms.

Inflammation in the body is normally an important mechanism for protecting it from attack by invading organisms, faulty cells and trauma. However, when the immune system becomes dysfunctional, it loses its ability to differentiate between innocuous and potentially dangerous substances. This dysfunction results in a wide array of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, allergies, psoriasis, uveitis, multiple sclerosis and some forms of cancer.

In spite of the huge range of successful enzyme studies showing safety and effectiveness, the standard therapy for inflammatory-mediated diseases and trauma include drugs such as steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). These classes of drugs do in most cases offer temporary, symptomatic relief from swelling, inflammation and accompanying pain, but without treating the underlying condition.

Serratia peptidase (Serrapeptase) was discovered in the early 1970?s and is now in wide clinical use throughout Europe and Asia as a viable alternative to drugs. It has no inhibitory effects on prostaglandins, is devoid of gastrointestinal side effects and offers a sensible alternative to drugs and medication.

Only Enteric coated Serrapeptase tablets have been subject to the research showing excellent! results . Capsules (which may not pass the stomach acid) are unlikely to be as effective unless the granules inside the capsule are enteric coated and contain 40,000iu of activity.

The WonderCure website provides advice for following a holistic approach to your health and well-being. Focusing on Serrapeptase, Passiflora, Curcumin and Breathing Oils. Visit the Wonder Cure website.

Essay on Dietary Supplements

2008-10-17T22:04:00.001-07:00

Dietary Supplements

Some manufacturers are marketing supplements that have substances and effects similar to drugs. The FDA is attempting to impose drug status on these supplements and is being challenged in the courts by supplement manufacturers. In this article, I examine the legal debate surrounding the definition and regulation of substances - whether as a drug or a dietary supplement. First, I outline some key differences in the regulation of drugs and supplements and examine the two provisions of DSHEA that blur the distinction. Second, I describe recent attempts by the FDA to clarify the guidelines for defining supplements and their associated health claims, as well as court actions challenging these attempts. Third, I discuss future litigation and other regulatory actions regarding the drug or dietary supplement debate and its implications for marketers, consumers, and policy makers.

Supplements are not required by the FDA to have premarket approval or safety testing, as are necessary for new drugs and food additives. For example, prior to release, a new drug must obtain FDA drug approval through an extensive process that involves preclinical testing on animals, three phases of investigational new drug testing, a new drug application review, and postmarketing surveillance research. Conversely, product testing is not required for any supplement with ingredients that have been present in the food supply prior to October 15, 1994, or that have a history of use or other safety evidence in labeled conditions.

Many supplements were not required to submit evidence because the ingredients were found in food or had been used safely prior to the passage of DSHEA. For those supplements that do not meet these requirements, evidence of safety must be submitted to the FDA 75 days prior to market release. However, this safety information, which could include any citation to a published article may be of questionable quality potentially biased study conducted by the manufacturer, an in vitro! rather than human. As a result, the FDA has been put in a policing. Furthermore, DSHEA has made market removal of unsafe supplements more difficult for the FDA.

To be a dietary supplement adulterated and attempt to remove it from the market, the FDA must prove that the product's ingredient poses a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury, whereas previously, it simply had to show that the ingredient was not generally recognized as safe. In all cases, the FDA now bears the burden of proof on each element to demonstrate that a supplement is adulterated. Furthermore, the safety of a supplement can be judged only against its labeled conditions of use and not unintended or actual consumer uses. If no suggested uses are printed on the supplement label, the FDA must try to prove actual conditions of usage in its enforcement actions.

Dr. M. Cooper provides research and term paper assistance at http://www.TermPaperAdvisor and http://www.TermPapersMadeEasy.com on the world-wide web. Dr. Copper has a M.S. degree in data communications and a Ph.D in Computer Information Systems. He is a retired Army officer and a Vietnam veteran.

Can Your Diet Affect Your Acne?

2008-10-17T15:02:00.001-07:00

Acne: what an annoyance. Those who are affected by outbreaks usually try every reasonable thing imaginable to both prevent and treat outbreaks. But what about your diet? You?ve heard rumors that greasy and sugary foods will lead to worse acne, but are these rumors true? Should you stop eating fast food and candy? Are there other things you should be eating?

Your diet does not dictate whether or not you will develop acne, but it can affect the severity of an outbreak. Acne is controlled by a variety of factors, so your diet cannot be the sole cause or prevention of acne, but it can be one of the factors that limit or aggravate the condition.

Eating healthier can help to control your acne. Eating foods rich with vitamins and minerals can help make your body as healthy as possible. Do not over look the importance of internal health and how it affects your external appearance. A healthy immune system can help to ward off any infections and help to control the levels of bacteria thriving in your system. Many nutrients help to clean up an neutralize free radicals that develop due to excessive sunlight, toxins and air pollutants. All of these factors lead to healthier and stronger skin cells.

There is evidence to suggest that diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugar can worsen acne breakouts. Both sugar and carbohydrates cause your body to produce more insulin and IGF-1, an insulin like growth factor. Production of both stimulate the male hormones (in both males and females) and oil. It is this oil (sebum) that fosters bacteria and fungus which lead to acne.

So as you can see, your diet is a contributor to acne, but not necessarily the main player. So your diet may affect acne, but is not the cause of. However, altering your diet can lead to small changes, and if you have ever suffered from acne, or are currently suffering from acne, you know that a little improvement goes a long way.

Greg Mauro is a staff author at Acne Solution News as well as Help For He! alth and its conglomerate sites.

Itchy Skin Relief Natural Remedy Worked Perfectly for my Itchy Skin!

2008-10-17T06:02:00.001-07:00

I know the feeling how terrible itchy skin is and makes you feel frustrated.

I had been suffering from allergies since my childhood. Asthma, sinusitis, skin problems especially for itchy skin for a long time.

I grew up in Tokyo, Japan and every winter season, I had to go to see a doctor to get some drugs and treatment cream for the itchy skin.

During spring season, I was suffering from my hay fever, and during autumn season my asthma always appeared.

Going to see doctors and taking drugs were two of my life's habit.

However, all the drugs worked only in the beginning, and I needed to take them often to kill the itch and other allergies.
Especially, while I was sleeping, the itches made me crazy because the drugs and cream didn't help me.

I could not stop scratching everywhere even though I knew it would make it worse.

I had no idea that I could cure my itchy skin.

I moved to St. Louis, MO in the U.S.A. after I got married about 4 years ago and while I was there, I didn't have to take any drugs for my itchy skin. Maybe St. louis weather fit me.

However, my husband had been suffering from his hay fever during autum to winter season for a long time since he moved to St, louis for his work.

It seems St. louis is one of the worst places for allergy patients. So we decided to moved to Tucson, AZ a year later because we heard about Tucson is a good place for hay fever and allergies.

We took a road trip to move to Tucson and soon after we arrived at Sedona, AZ, my itchy skin reappeared because Arizona is desert place and it's very dry.

I needed to buy skin moisturizng lotion there and without that, I could'nt sleep.

Putting Moisturizing lotions was not really comfortable , It makes your skinfeel really sticky and also it didn't work enough. But I often had to put on the moisturizing lotions because it's better than nothing.

My husband also got itchy skin since our italy trip. And it got worse and worse e! ven afte r we came back from our trip.

We tried many kind of relief, but they all didn't work.

Aloe is famous for skin problem so we tried it but it also didn't help our itchy skin.

Our skin rashes were getting worse and worse, because we could not stop scratching.

How we cured our Itchy skin ?

While we were suffering from our itchy skin problem, I got serious lung problem in June.

I could'nt breathe deeply because of the pain. It was really serious. I was afraid I need to have an operation for it. And I didn't want to go to a hospital because I didn't want to take drug and wanted to fix with natural way since I read about natural remedies.

My husband rushed to a library to find out if there was any natural cure and he bought several combinations of herbs on his way home.

Then I took the herbs he recommended.

and in the next day , my lung problem was gone !

We both were really shocked !

Since then my husband started researching more about the power of herbs, and testing many kind of herbs.

Within 2 months, he discovered an amazing herb formula. Since he tested one of the herb, his itchy skin was gone within a day !

So I also tried it.

Yes ! It worked perfectly !

How nice we can sleep without any itchy feeling ! We don't have to use skin moisturizng lotion any more.

There is no info saying that this herb works for itchy skin.

It was by accident my husband found that herb.

He continued researching more about the natural remedies because he also wanted to cure his hay fever and a year later, finally he could discover his original strong hay fever natural remedy cure.

Now we both are having a very healthy life. I had been suffering from my health problem a long time, so I can really say without health, we can not have happy life.

Natural remedies work ! You just have to take correct ones. If you are interested in curing your itchy skin immediately, you can check here.

Keiko Entwistle runs several websites , offering her favorite asian art statues and is also giving many info about online business in another site. She has been in online business since Sep,2004. She got married with an American man and her husband became an author of How to blast your allergies away forever after they had been suffering from allergies, and cured themselves by natural remedies.

http://www.thenaturalremedies.com

It Takes More Than Exercise Good Foods and Smiles

2008-10-16T22:04:00.001-07:00

I wish I could tell you that you needed to do 100 squats a day to be in perfect shape.

I wish I could tell you that all you needed to do was eat healthy foods or just smile most of the day and you'd reach your ultimate health and fitness goals.

Unfortunately, it's not that easy. These are only some of the pieces.

Don't listen to those who tell you exercise, nutrition and a good attitude is the magic pill. It isn't. Just doing these things won't cut it.

Why?

You'll end up back where you started again. It is not a coincidence that dieters gain the weight back. It is not by chance that strict workout routines fade into once a month routines. The people with even the best intentions fail when they haven't included one essential aspect in your fitness plan.

Before I mention what that is, I want to make one thing clear... when you fail at your fitness, it's not because you are a loser or can't cut it or any other self defeating thing you may think. Though you'd be surprised at how many people think this is the case. The reason you fail is because you were never given the right formula for success.

I'm going to give it to you right now.

Successful people see the outcome. They visualize themselves achieving their goals. Successful people picture themselves at the finish line, 20 pounds lighter, with great skin, flexible, and in great health.

Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, Arnold Palmer... all the great athletes that you can think of separate themselves because they visualize their success.

And more so than just seeing the future, they can feel it.

Think about something that you really wanted. I mean REALLY wanted.

I remember when I was about 7 or 8 I wanted the G.I. JOE aircraft carrier. This thing was the motherload of all toys at the time. I can remember seeing the commercials on the TV and imagining how the flight deck felt as I landed my planes and moved the figurines around it. I would spend nights thinking about the thing. I put i! t on my birthday list, I put it on my Christmas list. Everywhere. I knew I was going to get it because I could close my eyes and see it right in front of me.

But on Christmas day, it wasn't there under the tree. I was devastated, disappointed, I couldn't believe it wasn't there. It was all I wanted.

I persisted. I asked my mother, Are you sure you didn't get it for me? She responded with a solid, Nope. I didn't believe her. I looked in the closets. I looked in the garage.

Then I went in the basement.

And there is was. Fully assembled. With a fleet ready and waiting for the next attack.

How does a G.I. JOE aircraft carrier apply to you and your fitness?

It's simple. You have to see yourself in good health.

When you're lying in bed, imagine yourself feeling good, working out and smiling. Imagine the things you'll say when you are in great shape. Imagine how people will respond to you when you're 2 sizes smaller. Imagine the type of clothes you'll wear. Schedule your days. Make appointments with people you've been too afraid to speak to because you were too self conscious.

I mean do everything possible to make this dream of yours a reality.

Shame on your sixth grade teacher who said to stop daydreaming and looking out the window during class. They've unknowingly squashed your ability to picture yourself being a success.

Look out the window and imagine yourself breathing in that air after a walk in the woods or at a park.

Daydream and focus on your goal of great health. Then you can start to exercise. Then you can start to eat right. Then you can and will start to smile every time you think about how great it feels to be in phenomenal shape!

Kevin Gianni is the holistic fitness expert. He is a certified personal trainer and co-founder of Lifestyle Fitness, a home workout program that gives you the tools to radically change your views on health and fitness for the rest of your life.

Be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter that has! the fit ness and health tips other gurus are charging big bucks for.

Lifestyle Fitness

Five Fundamental Modes of Manipulation in Massage

2008-10-16T06:02:00.001-07:00

There are five fundamental modes of manipulation in massage and these are:

effleurage (stroking)
friction ( rubbing)
petrissage ( kneading)
tapotment (percussion)
vibration (shaking or trembling)

1. Effleurage:

This involves sliding with the hands, using long even strokes over the surface of the body.

Effleurage is performed in five ways, namely stroking with (I) palms of two hands; (ii) the palm of one hand; (iii) the knuckles; (iv) the ball of the thumb and (v) the finger tips. Effleurage increases blood circulation and soothes the nervous system. It also warms and relaxes. It is very helpful in atrophied condition of the skin.

2. Friction:

The movements, which are circular in nature are performed with the help of the thumb and tips of fingers or the palm of the hand towards the joints or around the joints. Fric- tion limbers up joints, tendons, and muscles and facilitates the removal of deposits by breaking them. It also helps in reducing swelling after nerve inflammation.

3. Petrissage:

This is the process of kneading, pressing and rolling of the tissues and is performed with one or both hands, with two thumbs or with thumbs and fingers. One should apply heavy pressure for deep kneading and light pressure for superficial kneading. Petrissage is a treatment of the muscles. It increases nutrition, strengthens muscles, relieves intestinal congestion and helps elimination of the poisons. It boosts long activity and cellular respiration, eliminates fatigue poisons and tones up nerve endings.

4. Tapotement:

This involves hacking, tapping, clapping and beating and is achieved by striking the body rapidly. Short and quick blows are generally given from the wrist. Tapotement helps in atrophied condition of the muscles. It increases blood supply, soothes nerves and strengthens muscles.

5. Vibrations:

This is achieved by rapidly shaking the pressing movements by use of the hand or fingers! onthe b ody. Vibrating hand should move constantly. This is beneficial in neuritis and neuralgia after the inflammatory stage is over. It stimulates circulation, glandular activity and nervous plexuses. It also helps in bowel movement.

Another form of massage helpful in most elements is the vibratory massage. This can be done by trained persons only. The vibratory muscles is more efficiently administered by a special, electrically operated machine.

To learn more about the energy principle in healing, please read:

Cost-free Miracle Asthma Cure
Overcome Type I Diabetes and Type II Diabetes Naturally
Alternative Treatments for Incurable Diseases made easy

Yin and Yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine

2008-10-15T22:03:00.001-07:00

The Yin-Yang symbol is a result of the Chinese Philosophy in regards to how the universe functions. The black and white shapes within the circle represent the interaction of two energies called Yin and Yang; they are not completely black or white nor can they exist without each other. The curve of the symbol reminds us of the constant change of balance between yin and yang, which represent all the opposite principles one finds in the universe.

The Yellow Emperor said, ''The principle of Yin and Yang is the foundation of the entire universe. It underlies everything in creation.?

Yin, the darker element, is passive, dark, feminine, moist, death, small, and corresponds to the night; yang, the brighter element, is active, light, masculine, dry, birth, large and corresponds to the day.

The cyclical nature of Yin and Yang mean several things to a student of Chinese medicine and philosophy:

All phenomena change into their opposites in an eternal cycle of reversal.

Since one principle produces the other, all phenomena have within them the seeds of their opposite state. For example, sickness has the seeds of health and health contains the seeds of sickness.

Even though an opposite may not appear to be present, nothing is completely devoid of its opposite state.

Traditional Chinese Medicine applies the philosophies of Yin Yang to treat disease. When the body is in balance between Yin and Yang, health is predominant; when Yin and Yang are imbalanced, disease occurs.

According to Chinese medicine texts, diseases caused by yang pathogens usually present themselves with heat symptoms while diseases caused by yin pathogens usually present themselves with cold symptoms. Efforts to diagnose Yin or Yang pathogens result in intake forms with questions such as, ?Do you prefer hot or cold drinks?? or ?What is your optimal time of day??

Once a Chinese medicine doctor has determined the nature of an imbalance, he or she aims to restore balance through a variety of approa! ches suc h as acupuncture, herbs, and recommended changes in diet or lifestyle. As balance is restored in the body, so is health.

Betty Durden is a staff writer for The National Acupuncture Specialists Directory found at http://www.acupuncture-treatment-specialists.com.

Fees for Tumescent Liposuction

2008-10-15T15:02:00.001-07:00

Tumescent liposuction is a newer, popular procedure for fat removal. The relatively low fees associated with tumescent liposuction make it so when compared to more traditional procedures.

Fees for Tumescent Liposuction

One of the forms of surgical sculpting for fat removal is the technique of tumescent liposuction, a procedure that limits bleeding with anesthesia fluid, which is pushed into the tissues with anesthetic effects lasting for several hours. Although, this surgery is able to reduce appreciably the pain, it often is more expensive if you are not careful.

There is no standard price or estimate because the fee for tumescent liposuction depends on different factors such as the size and number of the areas of the body to be treated. The price of this procedure also varies from country to country, city to city and from doctor to doctor. The average fee for liposuction is nearly $1800 per area, raising an additional cost of $900 for additional zones.

When it comes to treating large areas requiring tumescent liposuction, additional fees are determined in terms of size and importance of the region to be treated. Generally, you will get an estimate after the first consultation so you can determine the affordability of the procedure.

The more fat your body has accumulated, the higher the price to get it removed by means of tumescent liposuction. Contrary to other liposculpture procedures, tumescent liposuction requires an operating room to be scheduled, general anesthesia, or localized sedation for which prices are charged additionally and determined on the extent of the procedure.

Tumescent liposuction has become the method of choice for liposuction surgery mainly because the adrenaline added in the solution limits the blood loss that is seen with traditional liposuction. There is no guarantee that secondary surgery may not be needed for any reason, but more often due to large areas being treated rather than complications because tumescent liposuction is considered! safe.

In the case of undergoing a secondary surgery, which usually is more difficult, the price for tumescent liposuction increases considerably, charging 2 procedures and twice the use of the operating room, anesthesia, etc. Surgeons who perform the operation have also a remarkable fee variation given the incidentals of the surgery such as blood tests, compression surgical garments and so on.

The expense of tumescent liposuction is highly dependent upon the specific work you are having done. Speak with your plastic surgeon to understand the total fee including the incidental costs.

Ricardo de Silva is with PlasticSurgeonPractices.com - a directory of plastic surgeons. Visit us to read more liposuction articles.

HIV and AIDS

2008-10-15T06:04:00.001-07:00

HIV/AIDS is on the rise among women both in Canada and around the world. HIV/AIDS was once considered a disease that affects mainly men who engage in sexual activity with other men. But, the face of AIDS is changing. Intravenous drug users, and heterosexuals run the same risks of contracting HIV/AIDS as anyone else, if they are not careful.

The percentage of reported AIDS cases in Canada among women has steadily increased over the years. Before 1995 only 6.4% of reported cases were women, in 2000 that number almost doubled to 12%, and in 2003 it had more than doubled to 25.2%. This rise in reported HIV/AIDS cases affects women in Canada primarily between the ages of 15 and 49. It is estimated that 36% of new infections in Canada are women, with Newfoundland having the highest male to female ratio of infections; for every three men in Newfoundland that are positive there is one woman who is positive, in Ontario this ratio is 17 to 1.

The main causes of infection of HIV/ AIDS are unsafe sex, and intravenous drug use. Most reported cases are as a result of unprotected sex with an infected partner, though more than one third of cases are contributed to intravenous drug use.

Many women who are intravenous may be sex workers, and don?t always use protection with clients when they are working, or may engage in certain activities that can contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS infection.

Many women between the ages of 15 and 49 may also have multiple partners in their lifetime, one of whom was (or is) positive. There are an estimated 20,000 Canadians who are positive and do not know it, even with proper screening for HIV/AIDS, it can take between three and six months sometimes for HIV antibodies to develop into detectable antibodies in the bloodstream.

There are many ways for women to protect themselves against becoming infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS:

Always practice safe sex, condom use is the easiest way to protect from infection and pregnancy. Birth control ! methods such as the pill do not protect against AIDS, or any other STI?s.

If you are an intravenous drug user, do not reuse or share needles with anyone at any time.

Get tested, if you have had unprotected sex, or have shared needles, get tested, within three to six months after occurrence to be sure.

If you are considering having unprotected sex with a longtime partner, get them to get tested, many people are infected and don?t even know it. To get more information on protecting yourself, contact you local AIDS committee, or visit your family doctor.

Carla Haynes

Why Your Supplements Don't Work!

2008-10-14T22:04:00.001-07:00

For years, my supplements didn?t work. I got tired spending all that money and not getting results. So, like most people, I stopped buying them. But my health continued to decline and I got frightened as I read more and more articles by credible people about the need for food supplementation.

One day, I spoke with my N.D. and asked him why all these supplements just didn?t make much difference in the way I felt or in my health in general?

He assured me that my supplements under the worst conditions still did some good. But he suggested that I might have a ?coated colon?. Now, I have never had a constipation problem like many people I know, but he informed me that if you did not have regular colon cleanses, your colon would retain build-up along the walls of the colon preventing passage of the food nutrients to your blood stream and your body cells. This he called ?absorption restriction?.

I had to admit that I had never taken or had any thing done to improve the cleansing of my colon. So, I had a colonic (a sort of power enama) and then started a detoxification and cleanse program for the colon using a product with bulk fiber and cleansers.

I immediately began to see an improvement in my energy and my health. I was even able to cut back on some supplements.

It is a known fact that large numbers of American have colon build up causing ?absorption restriction?. This is especially noticeable in the restriction of supplements such as Vitamin b12, Omega3 and other fat based supplements.

Many nutritionists and Naturopaths will start their clients on colon cleanse and colonics before they will allow them to start on supplementation. It does not matter how much supplement you take, it will never work if it cannot get to the blood stream and the body cells.

Colon cleanse products are one of the most economical products on the market. I make it a practice to do a ?cleanse? every 3 to 4 month. This keeps my pipes clean and my engine running. If you need further informati! on stop by our site and read the entire colon report by Dr. Preston, free. We have a great product too, if you do not have one.

Everett Ramsey is Manager of the following outlet of information and products with over 25 years experience.

Colon Cleanse

Colon Cleansers Can Harm

2008-10-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

Colon cleansers are foods and laxatives that loosen your stool and make you go to the bathroom. The latest research shows that regular use of laxatives or colon cleansers can harm you by blocking the absorption of healthful nutrients from your colon into your bloodstream.

The bebeficial bacteria in your colon convert undigested starches into short chain fatty acids that heal ulcers, prevent colon cancer and other cancers, reduce the pain of arthritis, prevent the arterial damage of arteriosclerosis, lower cholesterol, and even lower high blood pressure.

100 years ago, Ilya Metchnikoff noticed that people who lived in the mountains of Hungary appeared to live to a very old age. They didn't live longer, but they had such a hard life that they looked much older than they were. Metchnikoff knew that they ate yogurt every day and that yogurt is loaded with lactobacilli, bacteria that can grow in your intestinal tract.

He felt that these good bacteria displaced bad bacteria that normally live in your intestines and secrete toxins that shorten your life. His theory of autointoxication is that food that is not absorbed in the upper intestinal tract passes to your colon, where bad bacteria ferment it to form poisons that are absorbed into your bloodstream to shorten your life and even cause cancer.

At the same time in Battle Creek, Michigan, John Harvey Kellogg, of cereal fame, was preaching the same thing. He claimed that undigested food passes to the colon where bacteria break it down to form toxic products that pass into your bloodstream to shorten your life. He prescribed colonics to wash out the undigested foods so the toxic products do not get into your bloodstream.

Of course, this is nonsense. There are two absorption systems in your body. First the food that you eat passes into your stomach and upper intestines, where secretions from your liver, stomach, intestines and pancreas break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins into their building blocks, which are absorbed into ! your blo odstream to keep your body healthy. The food that is not broken down into basic sugars, amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol cannot be absorbed so it passes to your colon. So far, researchers have identified more than 500 different types of bacteria that grow naturally in your colon. Almost all are harmless and some break down these unabsorbed carbohydrates to short chain fatty acids that are necessary for your health. It is these chemicals absorbed from your colon that prevent and reduce inflamation that aggravates arthritis, and certain cancers, and other fatty acids lower cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks.

Using colon cleansers or laxatives reduces the absorption of these beneficial short chain fatty acids, and you lose basic nutrients. People who recommend colonics and laxatives claim that they remove stool that gets stuck and rots in your colon. This also is ridiculous. Undigested waste products stick together by a physical process called surface tension. Stool behind never passes stool ahead, without first picking up the stool and binding to it as it passes to the outside. Colonics and laxatives not only have not been shown to help you, they can harm you be depriving you of certain nutrients that are necessary for health.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Eczema Causes

2008-10-14T06:02:00.001-07:00

While the immune system is involved in some way, the exact cause of eczema is unknown. Typically, contact with some external allergen triggers an allergic reaction, leading to the typical skin symptoms and changes seen in eczema. This contact may occur once and result in symptoms, or may be repeated over a long period of time, with cumulative exposure finally resulting in eczema.

A number of factors increase the risk of a person getting eczema. While people of any age can get eczema, it is most common in babies and young children. About one-third of all eczema patients develop symptoms before their first birthday, and almost all develop symptoms before five years. Genetic factors are also thought to play a key role, but these are not well understood. What is known is that eczema is more common in people with a family history of eczema. People who have a pre-existing allergic condition, such as hay fever, sinusitis, or allergies to plant pollens or animal dander, are more likely to develop eczema. Other medical conditions, such as respiratory infections, may also act as triggers. Studies have also shown that eczema may be more common in babies who suffer from allergic rhinitis or food allergies, or whose mothers suffer from asthma.

Environmental factors are implicated in many cases of eczema. Such factors include extreme temperatures, or exposure to a large number of skin irritants. Some known environmental triggers of eczema include detergents, bath and beauty products, chemical compounds like nickel and cobalt, certain foods, and certain types of fabric. Emotional stress can also trigger eczema. Some scientific studies have shown that eczema in babies is linked to early weaning; continued breastfeeding may therefore be protective in some way.

Eczema provides detailed information on Eczema, Eczema Treatments, Baby Eczema, Cure For Eczema and more. Eczema is affiliated with Human Ring Worm.

Is the Biggest "Baddest" Disease of All Lurking Inside You?(Part 2 of 3)

2008-10-13T22:04:00.001-07:00

Let?s review the first part of Part 1 of this article.

Can you guess what the biggest, ?baddest? disease of all is that causes loss of health and fitness? Could it be cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or strokes? Those are big and bad but not the biggest and the ?baddest? of all.

The name of this disease is the ?yeah, but? disease. The ?yeah, what? disease? You know, the ?yeah, but? disease. Whether you know it or not, you, like all Americans, are very familiar with this disease.

Allow me to explain.

You want to make changes in your diet, your health, and your lifestyle. You have the best of intentions. But when you are not mindful and hesitate too long to start on your journey to a whole new you, the ?yeah, but? disease may rear its ugly head and stop you dead in your tracks. And beware?this disease presents itself in many different disguises.

You think to yourself:

I?d like to eat more fruit and vegetables.
I?d like to eat less meat and dairy products.
I?d like to eat less junk.
I?d like to exercise more.
I?d like to make healthier choices.

And one form of the ?yeah, but? disease rears its ugly head.

You say to yourself, ?I certainly would make these changes?yeah, but??

As we continue on from Part 1 of this article with the biggest, ?baddest? disease called the ?yeah, but? disease, do any of the variations to the ?yeah, but disease? sound familiar?

??Yeah, but? I already eat variety, balanced, and in moderation, so why should I bother??

Most people judge variety, balanced, and moderation by the standard of the ?Four Food Groups? that they were raised with, not on the healthier four food groups?whole, fresh fruits, whole, fresh vegetables, whole grains, and whole legumes. And because we are a country of excess, especially when it comes to food, very few Americans have a clear idea what moderation, or balanced, really means.

??Yeah, but? I don?t eat much meat.?

Many people convince themselves that the! y don?t eat much meat, but typically they think that if they only have red meat once a day or just a couple of times a week, then that is ?not much? meat. Or instead of eating beef, they load up on chicken and fish because they have the misconception that they are better for them. Meat is meat is meat is meat and the bottom line is you probably eat way too much of it.

And how many times have you heard or even said this ?Yeah, but??

??Yeah, but? it won?t kill me.?

Such a familiar cry. No, one breakfast of eggs, bacon, white bread and butter will not kill you. Two cups of coffee a day will not kill you. One doughnut in the morning will not kill you. One piece of pizza (and who eats just one piece) will not kill you. One ham and cheese on rye will not kill you. One piece of chocolate will not kill you. One glass of wine will not kill you. One dinner of fried chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy will not kill you. One bowl of ice cream will not kill you. One cookie will not kill you. One Big Mac will not kill you. One can of pop will not kill you. One bag of chips will not kill you. One of anything will not kill you.

The problem is these are the foods that typically fill the stomachs of most Americans, every day, every meal.

When you stack up so many of these ?ones? day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, these ?ones? will very likely do just that?kill you.

And some more are waiting for you in Part 3 of: ?Is the Biggest, ?Baddest? Disease of All Lurking Inside You??

Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a health motivational speaker, writer, and lifestyle coach. Visit http://www.DrLeslieVanRomer.com for more inspiration.

Warning! Lack Of Exercise Could Be Harmful To Your Health

2008-10-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

You know it?s bad when the Surgeon General issues a warning that lack of exercise is hazardous to your health. And that was back in ?96. Since then, the stats haven?t improved much, either: 25% of the American population is still sedentary and 60% do not exercise regularly (Reference: http://www.cdc.gov).

For fitness minded folks, we could do worse than to follow the ?hour-a-day? prescription outlined by the Surgeon General?s Healthy People Report. It?s just a guideline, of course and, as you already know, any amount of activity packed into your busy schedule is going to earn you healthy rewards. But there are plenty of other reasons to exercise.

?If people exercised only moderately,? says Janet Kneiss, Physical Therapist, ?there would be far less incidence of injury. The 15 or so people I see daily, who come in with back and neck problems, usually don?t want to exercise, they want a quick fix.?

The solution as she sees it?

?I think, if people could just reframe the idea of it [exercise being so much work and focus more on the enjoyment of doing it,they would find the experience more positive.?

So, if exercise alone can keep you injury and disease free, how do you keep it from being just another thing ?to-do?? Here are a couple ideas:

Do something you enjoy: This sounds incredibly simple, but it?s worth mentioning. As we?ve already said, most seasoned fitness fanatics as well as neophytes will be the first to tell you: if you do something you enjoy, you will stick to it. What do you like to do? Walk? Run? Spin the treadmill while watching the tube? Or how about branching out and trying something unique and different like kick-boxing or martial arts? It?s a great idea to add variety; it will keep your exercise fresh and interesting.

Mix it up! Speaking of variety, you can also mix up your routine. For example: try splitting up your exercise sessions. If you take a half-hour walk in the morning, take a half-hour to stretch or resistance train in th! e aftern oon. Just adding a bit of variety could spice things up and keep you motivated. Make an appointment with yourself. Make the commitment to exercise by making an appointment with yourself. Write it on your calendar. If you?ve never exercised before, start slow [10-15 minutes then build up. Begin exercising three times a week, then slowly build up your time and your frequency. If you love to exercise, try listening to your bio-rhythms. If you can, schedule exercise during peak energy periods.

Strive for your personal best. A friend e-mailed to tell me he was gearing up for another 5K relay race. I wasn?t surprised. When he was 50, never having run before and not having ?runners genetics? as he puts it, he decided at 15 pounds overweight and asthmatic, he was going to run. He made up his mind. For a year he trained, dropped the weight and signed up. His first goal was simply to finish. Did he do it: you bet. Did he work through an asthma attack to get across the finish line? He did, but he kept going. Now, he continues to train and improve his time with each race. His secret, he tells me: enjoy the journey, live in the moment, and focus on your personal best.

?So, Laura, what?s the take home message?? you ask. Never mind what everyone else is doing. Stay focused on you, doing what you enjoy and what is fun and exciting for you. Learn everything you can about health and fitness. Then, do the best you can. In so doing, you will be an inspiration for others. To summarize: A quote from one of my favorite inspirational writers Dr. Wayne Dyer, who says: ?I don?t want to be better than anybody, I just want to be better than I was yesterday.?

About The Author

Laura Turner, Certified Personal Trainer has developed a series of health, fitness, and nutrition tips available at ===> http://www.1brand-new-body.com In 21 days you can create healthy new you,let her show you how! Get her free report: 7 Steps to a High Performance Body by sending a blank email to: ===> mailto:hiperfo! rmbody@g etresponse.com

VioletProsePubs@aol.com

Beauty Salon Supplies

2008-10-13T06:02:00.001-07:00

The basic necessities for setting up a beauty salon are beauty salon equipment and supplies. They form the backbone of any beauty salon and help it to function efficiently. Thankfully, numerous companies exist to supply good-quality beauty salon products.

Beauty salon supplies can be divided into hair care, skin care, bath, hand and foot, hair color, cosmetics, and hair removal products besides many others.

A huge number of brands and companies exist which provide different types of beauty salon products.

For basic skin and body care, beauty salons usually have antimicrobial hand and body wash, sea mineral masques, pedicure and manicure kits, professional paraffin bath, facial care, and hot spa for nails. Therabath, Theraffin, FantaSea, Body Drench and many more supply creams, masques, washes, gels, and other things for essential body and skin care.

Other products of brands such as Burts Bees, Dermagolica, Murad, Zia Natural, and American Crew (specially suited for men), are also very effective and of excellent quality.

Tools such as hair flat irons, curling irons, crimpers, hair setters, and many others are also a must for all beauty salons. Babyliss, Caruso, Helen of Troy, Hot Tools, jilbere de Paris, Diana the Hunter, and Secret to Beauty are some other brands which provide excellent hair care and styling appliances.

For hair removal, bleaching, and spa, the best brands available are GiGi, Clean +Easy, Satin Smooth, TherabathPro, One touch, The Melting Pot, and many more.

Cosmetics, make-up, and accessories are a core part of beauty salons too. Some good cosmetic products are provided by brands like Japonesque, Lipchic, Lip Venom, Palladio Cosmetics, and Studio Basics.

FolicaPro, Sally Beauty, Iowa Beauty and Barber Supply, and Bob?s Beauty Supply are some companies where you can find good-quality and branded beauty salon supplies.

A truly amazing range of products can be found at Beauty Deals, which deals in all types of beauty salon supplies o! f almost all reputed and renowned brands available in the market.

Supplies like dryers, clippers, capes, perms, hair removal and spa can all be sought at discounted rates at Cameo Beauty Supplies, Beauty Deals, and Iowa Beauty and Barber Supply, which allows a savings of nearly 66%.

Beauty Salons provides detailed information on Beauty Salons, Beauty Salon Software, Beauty Salon Equipment, Beauty Salon Supplies and more. Beauty Salons is affiliated with Natural Beauty Products.

Laser Hair Removal a.k.a. Getting Rid of Unwanted Hair

2008-10-12T22:03:00.001-07:00

You can shave, pluck, wax, bleach or depilate, but the one inherent problem with unwanted hair is that is always grows back.

Laser Hair Removal, seems to be one of the only permanent solutions to removing hair in places you?d rather be without.

Laser Hair Removal has been performed since the mid 90?s or so. Even thought this procedure is fairly new, more efficient techniques are still being developed by researchers. Men and women the world over have found relief from unwanted hair via Laser Hair Removal. Women prefer to be ?sans? hair in facial areas, the legs, arms, underarms and the bikini area. While men have increasingly found laser hair removal beneficial for excessive hair on the chest, shoulders and back (no more excuses for hairy backs).

Laser Hair Removal has many advantages over waxing and electrolysis, but none are as more comforting than the reduced pain factors. If you have thinker skin than you may bypass the topical anesthetic, but if you prefer not to feel any discomfort what so ever, you simply need to apply the ?miracle? cream one hour before your Laser Hair Removal treatment and you can say ?ciao? to pain!

Laser Hair Removal machines are well adapted to treating large surface areas, making laser treatment an excellent and more permanent alternative to conventional removal methods.

In essence, the Laser Hair Removal machine?s energy is absorbed by the pigment that gives hair its color. Red and near-infrared laser light propelled by the machine is strongly absorbed by brown or black hair, while red and blond hair absorbs very little infrared light. The energy of the absorbed laser light is released into the hair follicle, and therefore damaging or destroying the target tissue in the follicle. It?s crucial that the correct laser intensity be used for hair removal. If the intensity is too strong, the laser beam will burn your skin. You should request a patch test to see how your skin reacts to the laser before going through a full removal.

Laser Hair ! Removal is ideal for almost all skin coloring. That said, darker complexions should note that the a higher level of pigmented skin tends to absorb more of the red to infrared laser wavelengths, while fair skin absorbs less of these laser wavelengths. Hence, the chances of darker complexion of burning and scaring are MUCH greater. You must discuss this serious side effect with your medical spa expert or your dermatologist.

Freedom from unwanted hair is very possible thanks to Laser Hair Removal methods. That said, Laser Hair Removal is a highly effective way of reducing hair, but like another other method it?s not 100 percent effective in permanently removing all unwanted hair. Some body parts such as the bikini area will require yearly Laser Hair Removal treatments to continuously reduce the hair mass and thin out hair re-growth.

Gisele Brosnan is an Editor for http://www.hair-removal-laser.youthful-body.com. Our site it dedicated to provided information on Hair Restoration Solutions for men and women.

Variations Explained

2008-10-12T15:02:00.001-07:00

?White coat? syndrome is a term often used when speaking about high blood pressure and its variances. To understand this form of high blood pressure, you must also understand your own body. White coat syndrome specifically occurs to blood pressure levels that spike only when you visit a doctor?s office or have your blood pressure measured by a professional member of the medical community. Although this is a somewhat real phenomenon, white coat high blood pressure may not be simply a case of the nerves. Instead, you could be inaccurately measuring your blood pressure at home. Even if white coat syndrome actually is occurring, it is also important to look at overall trends in your blood pressure.

Spikes in blood pressure due to this condition may be nothing to worry about, but if they are exceedingly high, you should be concerned. This condition can also be fatal for someone who already has high blood pressure. Before you dismiss doctor?s office spikes, understand your own body and how it works. You may need treatment even if your blood pressure has previously seemed normal.

Blood pressure changes for a variety of other reasons as well. First, home test are not as accurate as some of the test you can use to regulate your blood pressure in a hospital setting. Inaccuracies occur frequently, and the packaging should be able to tell you how accurate the tests are. Even if they are not perfect, home blood pressure regulation is still very important?just remember that changes from one day to the next are ok if they are small. Monitor your blood pressure at the same time every day if possible, while you are doing the same activity. A good time is in the morning before you begin your day, but medications can also throw off your blood pressure, so if you take pills first thing in the morning, measure your blood pressure before that.

Drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or eating certain foods can also cause your blood pressure to spike momentarily. To more accurately get a reading of your blood pres! sure (as well as prevent high blood pressure), it is important to live a healthy lifestyle. If you smoke or otherwise introduce chemical substances into your body, doing so in moderation can increase your risk for high blood pressure, and also help you more accurately check it. Exercise also plays a huge role in blood pressure, so if you?ve recently been working out or doing other activity that has you breathing heavily, your blood pressure reading will be different than if you?re resting. Even standing up versus sitting down makes a difference in your blood pressure.

Remember that 30 or even 40 mm Hg differences during a day are not uncommon. More should result in you calling your physician to schedule an appointment for a more accurate reading. Blood pressure is sometimes difficult to regulate, but it is very important in understanding the overall health of your body.

Paul Johnson has an interest in High Blood Pressure. For further information on High Blood Pressure please visit High Blood Pressure or High Blood Pressure Symptoms .

All About Acne Creams

2008-10-12T06:02:00.001-07:00

Any normal teenager (and in some cases adults) all over the world are likely to suffer from a common ailment. Irrespective of their backgrounds, irrespective of their social standing and even irrespective of their race or nationality, they all have one common enemy. And this enemy goes by the much dreaded name of acne. While acne is a normal and natural part of growing up, most youngsters detest the very sight and feel of acne. Especially at an age when external appearance takes precedence over anything else, they feel confused, horrified and in some serious cases, even disturbed by the acne.

Fortunately, the ever greedy pharmaceutical companies have not been laggardly in spotting this malady as an exceptional source of profit. Which explains the numbers and range of the acne creams that flood every supermarket and pharmacy shelf. This is no exaggeration. Get in to the nearest pharmacy and see for yourself. I would not be surprised if you found an entire section dedicated to acne creams. In fact, more than any other course of treatment, acne creams are viewed and accepted as the most popular acne treatment. And the most common over the counter acne treatments continue to be acne creams. But have you ever wondered why acne creams continue to be so popular? Well I have. And in a bid to find an answer, turned to human psychology. According to most people (and you can test this for yourself!) the most commonly attributed cause for acne is poor hygiene. Although this is not true, most people continue to wash their faces day in and day out, oblivious to the damage they are causing themselves. And what aids washing faces best? Acne creams of course. Not only do these creams seem to be doing a good job or removing the acne, they also, psychologically, indicate to the user that they are helping keep the skin hygienic. So, more and more teenagers and even a few older people continue to buy and stock up on acne creams in the mistaken belief that these acne creams are helping th! em.

< p>In most cases, acne creams don?t do any harm, even though they may not actually be helpful in getting rid of the acne. But care must be taken to ensure that any acne cream used should be free of oil and sunscreens. All acne creams should also be free of comedogenic elements in order to be helpful. And finally, all purported acne creams should at least be manufactured by a credible and dependable manufacturer in order to ensure that even if they provide no benefit, they should at least bring on no further harm!

Keith Londrie II has put up three informative web sites so that you can learn more about acne and it's control. For more information please visit http://acneinformation.info/ as well as http://acne-solution-treatments.info/ and http://stop-your-acne.info/ for more detailed information.

What Is Aromatherapy?

2008-10-11T22:03:00.001-07:00

Aromatherapy is a branch of herbalism that employs the use of essential oils for therapeutic use. Essential oils are highly aromatic distillations of flowers, roots, stalks, bark, seeds, leaves, gum or rind of plants, trees or fruit. This holistic practice is now well recognized and utilized for aid in bringing about physical, mental or emotional change within a person.

Used by the Ancients for thousands of years, precious oils were the first medicines and perfumes. Incenses utilizing the oils perfumed places of worship. This science is increasingly being used either in conjunction with allopathic medicine or alone to provide a natural alternative to treating common ailments. Essential oils contain chemical constituents that nourish, energize, heal and protect the living plant increasing its immunity. Over the years, practitioners used these extracted oils to stimulate the immune system, balance our central nervous system, increase blood circulation, relieve pain and treat viruses, infections, wounds and skin ailments. When pure oils are placed directly on the skin, they enter into our bloodstream and can often impact our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Applications of essential oils diluted in a carrier are ideal for use in massage, reflexology and bodywork. In fact, the best place to put oil is either the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands. Inhale the fragrance from your hand. Rub it on areas where you have tension. It is possible to feel positive emotional and physical benefits from a single application of a few drops of oil.

Notably, mere inhalation of particular scents can also impact us in the same ways. In the emotional realm, essential oils were used to treat depression, anxiety, improve memory and promote self-confidence and a meditative state. Aromatherapy is the belief that certain scents trigger specific emotional or physical responses in people simply because the chemical constituents evoke them. Magical Aromatherapy is the practice of using the en! ergies f ound within these same oils and floral waters or plant material to bring about a needed change. These energies are often focused for a specific intent by visualizing the intended goal. Aroma magick is created each time you use a particular scent for a particular purpose. Aromatherapists concern themselves with the effects of smell, magickal practitioners concern themselves with the energy of the plant.

Debbi Quinn is the owner of Blue Moon Herbals, the popular online retailer of chakra oils, perfume pendants, and other aromatherapy products. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1988 and has since turned to aromatherapy to help maintain a healthy body.

Soy Menopause Tofu and Infant Formulas

2008-10-11T15:02:00.001-07:00

Soy Controversy

Major evidence now exists to suggest Soya bean is inappropriate for human and stock consumption at current levels. As a legume, it is known to contain phytoestrogens - plant versions of the female hormone estrogen. Phytoestrogens first came to the fore when farmers discovered that stock browsing quantities of red clover had reproductive difficulties. Research established that legumes are prime sources of phytoestrogens and this content was playing havoc with the animals? reproductive systems.

In recent years, Western women have been encouraged to supplement their diets with Soy products at menopause to keep up their estrogen levels, on the premise that the higher intake of legumes by women in Eastern countries accounts for the apparent lack of menopausal problems there.

International research findings quoted in New Zealand Medical Journal of May 1995 and a Swiss Public Health paper indicated that 100gm of soy product has the estrogenic content of one contraceptive pill. Further research is beginning to reveal more of the Soy story.

Questions about the use of Soya-based infant formulas were first raised in New Zealand in late 1994 when Richard and Valerie James commissioned a scientific study following deaths and early maturing of parrot chicks at their aviary. The chicks had been reared solely on a commercial Soy-based bird-feeding product. The toxicologist carrying out the survey confirmed high levels of estrogenic compounds in the feed, and also in four infant formulas, likening the content to that of contraceptive pills. He confirmed that depending on age, quantity and feeding methods, infants on Soy formula might be consuming the toxic equivalent of up to 12 contraceptive pills a day.

After further studies by the manufacturers and the Ministry of Health, it was announced that there was insufficient evidence to implicate Soy.

More recently, questions were raised again, suggesting that Soy-based infant formulas should be available only on me! dical pr escription. The Ministry of Health finally confirmed that infants with possible thyroid problems should not take Soya, and that it would be preferable if all Soy-based infant formulas were used only under medical supervision.

The Australian College of Paediatricians also warned that the use of Soya-based formulas might produce side effects.

Meanwhile, a variety of press statements were issued following a number of research projects on Soy:
(a) A study by the National Institute of Aging in Hawaii warned people in middle age to stay off tofu because of a risk of contracting Alzheimer?s disease. The Hawaiian researchers claim that phytoestrogens do not act like natural estrogens, and they are not necessarily good for humans. The 30 year study found that men who reported eating tofu at least twice weekly were 2.4 times more likely to have developed Alzheimer?s in old age than non-tofu eaters. [NZ Herald 8 June 1998
(b) An American Academy of Science Report ?Toxicants Occurring Naturally in Foods? stated that phytoestrogens are capable of producing growth of the vagina, uterus and mammary glands, and female secondary characteristics.
(c) A report from the University of Turku in Finland warned that, in doses exceeding the daily intake in Asia, phytoestrogens are potential hormone disrupters in males.
(d) In her book, ?The Phyto-Factor? Maryon Stewart, founder of the British Women?s Nutritional Advisory Service, claimed that phytoestrogens act in a similar way to the breast cancer drug tamoxifen in combating hormone-sensitive cancers, protecting against osteoporosis, heart attacks and menopausal flushes.
(e) Working on statistics from the World Health Organization, two official scientific panels concluded there was almost no evidence to suggest a link between phytoestrogens and a reduction of cancer risk. It was noted that while the Japanese and Chinese have lower than average rates of breast cancer, both countries have very high rates of stomach and liver cancer.
(f! ) The US Food and Drug Administration Center for Toxicological Research warned that phytoestrogens should be regarded as toxic rather than being treated as safe. This is because consumption of phytoestrogens carries an increased risk of goitre and thyroiditis, as well as a significant dose-dependent risk of developing dementia and brain atrophy from the consumption of tofu.
(g) A very significant volume of evidence is now emerging that children fed Soy formulas and women taking Soya products to assist with the menopause are developing serious thyroid problems and autoimmune diseases later in life.

What emerges from all of this material is a major question about the over-use of Soya in both adult and infant diets - especially infant diets, where an entirely foreign product is replacing nature?s intended food source.

Alternatives

Very little attention has been given in Western countries to the use of goat?s milk as a first line replacement for babies unable to tolerate cow?s milk.

Yet goat?s milk has been shown to be very suitable for the rearing of young of many species. David Mackenzie, the writer of the comprehensive, practical, thought-provoking and readable Goat Husbandry had this to say about goat?s milk in a chapter he called The Universal Foster Mother:

To the supreme honour of a place in the heavens, among the signs of their zodiac, the Greeks elevated three of their domestic animals: the Bull who drew their ploughs; the fleecy Ram who clothed them; and Capricorn the Goat.

The name of the goat who earned this honour for her species was Almalactea - Foster Milk. Her constellation still brightens the 20th Century sky.

While relatively few of the newly born of other species can be satisfactorily reared on cow?s milk, however modified, there is probably not a single species among the larger land mammals whose young will not thrive on suitably adjusted goat?s milk. The reasons for the high digestibility of the constituents of goat?s milk have been explained in C! hapter 3 ...

Humans are ... for the most part, convinced that cow?s milk, which is designed to suit the fast growth rate of the calf, is perfectly suitable for feeding the slow-growing human infant ... but ... there is a massive collection of scientific evidence to show that all young farm stock, if fed on a diet too rich in digestible protein, are liable to mineral deficiency disease sooner or later.

Needless to say, we should take this to heart with regard to human infants, if we are considering raising them on cow's milk or on soy-based formulas.

Patricia Howitt
Webmistress, Web and Graphic Design, Author
Patricia's career has been as a government lawyer working on the medico-legal field. She now indulges her passions for art and writing as a graphics and web designer.
Visit http://www.healthnews-nz.com for information to empower you in making decisions about your health.
Visit http://marketing.1stclassweb.info for Internet marketing and web development insights.

5 Techniques On How To Get Rid Of Warts

2008-10-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

Warts are caused by the Human papilloma virus, and they are contagious. Since warts are contagious, you can start out with one of them and grow a ton more. Warts are usually grown on the hands and feet, but sometimes they can grow on your face as well. Genitals Warts are a growing, yet serious problem, and if you have that, you should see a doctor and not follow these simple solutions

You can remove warts following these simple strategies. These are not guaranteed to remove your wart, and when in doubt, always see a doctor, but without further ado, follow these 5 techniques to stop/prevent warts.

1. Don?t Touch The Wart

Do not touch the wart. If you do this, you may reinfect yourself, and others around you. Unless you are treating the Wart, you should not touch or play with it.

2. Use Adhesive Tape

Wrap the wart about 3-5 layers of Adhesive Tape. Keep the tape on for 3-6 days. After 3-6 days remove the tape for about ? a day. Reapply this technique. Doing this may remove your warts in a few weeks. A slow process? Yes, but safe and effective? Also yes.

3. Irritate The Wart

Use Castor Oil to irritate the wart. Use a cotton swab to rub the castor oil on the wart. Do this about two times a day. This technique works best if the wart is a flat one and is on your hand or face. You can also try using crushed vitamin C tablets, and then after applying, taping up the wart.

4. Burn The Wart

Sometimes soaking the effected area in hot water may kill the virus. Studies show that heating the wart softens it, and sometimes kills the virus. Don?t make the water to hot as to burn yourself.

5. Keep Dry

Warts can flourish easier went they are damped. If you exercise a lot, or do any foot work, it would be best to change your socks, and use foot powder to keep your feet dry.

Warts are annoying, disgusting, and most importantly, just plain WRONG. Following the above MAY prevent future warts, or eliminate the ones you have now, but if it doesn?t you ca! n always see a doctor

Warts are a terrible thing, and can diminish one?s confidence. Out of our studies of Warts, we have found one resource that promises to remove Warts in about 3 days with an all natural solutions. Visit the Wart Removal Page.

4 Tips for Fast Fat Loss Part I

2008-10-10T22:03:00.001-07:00

Fat Loss Tip #1) Train With Weights

Working out with weights when trying to lose body fat has numerous important benefits. First, an intense weight training session burns calories during the actual workout.

Second, an extremely important benefit is that intense weight training elevates your metabolism for up to 39 hours after your actual workout. In other words, because of the intense weight workout, your metabolism has been stimulated where you are now burning more calories while you are doing nothing.

Carbohydrates power intense weight training sessions. The more intense the session, the more you deplete your arbohydrate stores and the more fat is burned during the recovery phase, i.e. after the workout.

In other words, as the intensity of the training increases there is a proportionate increase in fat burning after the workout.

One study showed that 15 exercise sessions per month (50 minute sessions at 50 percent of oxygen uptake) could lead to an extra 2 plus pounds per month of fat loss, strictly from the elevated metabolism and extra calories burned - while doing nothing! That's an extra 26 pounds plus, of fat burned per year.

Another extremely important aspect of fat loss that occurs from training with weights is adding leas muscle to your body. Lean muscle is metabolically active, i.e., muscle burns calories even while doing nothing. So, the more lean muscle you have, the higher your resting metabolism and the more calories you burn each day while doing nothing.

Studies have estimated that for each pound of muscle that you add to your body, you burn another 25 to 50 calories per day while doing nothing. So, an extra 10 pounds of muscle may burn approximately 250 to 500 calories a day, or an extra pound of fat every 7 to 14 days, without making any other changes.

This is essential to taking off the fat and keeping it off. You see, when you add muscle to your body, you greatly increase the number of calories your burn each day. So, once you achiev! e your f at loss goals you can start eating more food without putting the fat back on, as long as you have built muscle (and keep it by continuing to train with weights)!

On the flip side, if you don't train with weights while dieting and losing weight, two very bad things will occur. First, at least half of the weight you lose will be muscle. And this causes number two, which is that your metabolism gets slower, causing progress to eventually grind to a halt, leading to gaining all the weight back and more.

But now you are even worse off before because your body composition is worse than when you were previously at this weight. You replaced muscle with fat, so now your metabolism is even slower, making it easier to gain even more fat, and harder to take it off.

As you can see, training with weights is an extremely powerful and necessary component of any successful weight loss program. Look for Part II coming soon!

Gregg Gillies is the founder of http://www.buildleanmuscle.com and the author of Get Fit Fast. He articles have appeared in Ironman Magazine and he is a regular contributor to Body Talk magazine. Check out his site on building muscle and losing fat

Alternative Healing with Cold Lasers

2008-10-10T15:02:00.001-07:00

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

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

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

Why is it called a cold laser? A laser that utilizes a diode that is 500 mW or less is called a cold laser because it does not produce enough thermal output to heat the tissue being treated. A variety of cold lasers are available on the market with different power outputs and different wavelengths. Common diode power outputs include: 5 mW, 30 mW, 50 mW, 100 mW, 200 mW and 500 mW. The higher the power output, generally the shorter the treatment.

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

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

For a good selection of cold lasers offering a variety of power outputs visit http://quantum-healing-lasers.com and also check out the section on frequently asked questions.

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

Bird Flu Information for Travelers

2008-10-10T06:02:00.001-07:00

What is Bird Flu?

Bird Flu is an influenza strain of about twenty that infects birds. While there is a mass of media hysteria regarding recent outbreaks, Bird Flu has been in known existence for over 40 years. During this time, the disease has become far more infectious and affects almost every bird species in many countries world wide. One particular strain of this disease that is particularly worrying is the deadly ?H5N1? strain ? which has caused over sixty human deaths to date. While these deaths have been caused from direct contact with infected birds, scientists are worried that the virus could mutate and become highly contagious between humans.

Should I defer travel to countries that have confirmed cases of Bird Flu?

No. At this stage Bird Flu is a relatively isolated disease. Furthermore you can only become infected through the secretions of infected birds. You have got a far greater chance of getting mugged or falling ill with the common cold ? so put everything into perspective. Upon saying this, stay wary. Be sure you know about any possible outbreaks that could occur. If hear of a suspected outbreak, you then however may wish to reconsider.

Governments also provide up to the minute travel warnings for countries that have disease outbreaks. See: http://www.cdc.gov

The potential dangers of flying.

If an outbreak were to occur, be very wary about flying. Aircraft provide perfect environments for spreading disease. Passengers are often ballooned into Aircraft like cattle. Because they are within close quarters for long periods and with the air being re-circulated it drastically increases the changes of infection. Furthermore, what happens if an infected passenger from a previous flight was sitting in the seat you are about the sit in?. The news is not all bad. Many newer commercial aircraft have filters that remove all germs from the air. Be sure to check with your Airline.

When the SARS virus was first discovered in China, it had already reached five ! other co untries within just 24 hours. Todays high speed air travel does make for a rather scary scenario. The 1918 pandemic spread world wide ? even though travel times were significant between countries. With travel from one side of the globe to another in 24 hours ? imagine how quickly a bird flu virus could spread.

How can I best prepare before traveling?

- Put together a first aid kit. If possible, include a sanitizer and thermometer. A dose of flu tablets such as Tamiflu and a respirator would be valuable additions.

- Vaccinate. Be sure that you have had all the recommended jabs before traveling. It is believed that the common Flu jab may provide some degree of resistance, but is not really known until scientists can identify the mutated form of the virus.

- Watch and study the news. Make sure you are up-to-date before you leave. Be sure to take a small radio along with you so that you can keep up-to-date while traveling.

- Take out travel health insurance.

What happens if I get caught up in an outbreak?

- If its not possible to leave the area, you should avoid close contact with any other people that are showing potential symptoms. You should cover your mouth and nose with an approved respirator. Don?t cover your mouth and nose with your hands ? infact avoid such contact. Ensure you wash your hands (and that others do also) regularly.

What happens if I get infected?

If you do start to show symptoms (fever, coughing, sore throat) be sure to contact your consular officer immediately. They will then be able to advise you on where to seek medial attention. There are anti-viral tablets (such as Tamiflu) which may offer some relief. Visit this URL for more info: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/antiviral/index.htm

Also, be sure to isolate yourself from other people. You don?t want them to get infected.

If you are traveling to countries that have confirmed cases of Bird Flu be sure to monitor your health for up! to ten days after your return. If symptoms do arise, be sure to see your health professional immediately.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website for official Information http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/ TravelJ takes no responsibility for the information contained within this article and cannot be held liable for and d irect or indirect damages that could occur as a result.

Article by: http://www.travelj.com Travelers Resource and Information Network

Sarah is the webmaster of TravelJ.com

http://www.travelj.com - Travelers Resource and Information Network

Traversing the Grand Canyon

2008-10-09T15:02:00.001-07:00

Envision for a moment, if you will, and that you are visiting the Grand Canyon. It's a beautiful day; the sky is clear; the sun is gazing down upon you, and you think to yourself, This is a good day! Suddenly you are approached by a man who points to the rim of the canyon and politely informs you that you must traverse the canyon on the wire suspended across it. You have no choice in the matter. Your very life depends upon it. So you slowly and carefully climb over the guardrail and peer down into the canyon. The rocky floor waits, approximately a mile below. It is a long way down. The man reminds you that you have no choice, you must cross. So you ask, But where is the wire?

Right in front of you.

He laughs and then leaves. Finally you see the wire, but it isn't a thick wire as you might have imagined. It's so thin you can barely see it. Surely it will not hold you. But you must cross; you have no choice. Ever so carefully, you place your foot upon this wire that resembles fishing line, and you start to make your way across. It will take a lifetime to cross the canyon. You will, most definitely, slip off the wire from time to time. If you are lucky, you will somehow manage to hang onto that thread and pull yourself back up. At other times you will float above the wire, again, hanging on for your life so that you aren't hurled into space. From one day to the next, you don't know if you are going to fall or fly away. It's a precarious situation, at best; a deadly one at worst.

I have just described a typical life of someone who suffers from bipolar disorder. Stability is the wire, stretched across the canyon. At any given moment you can slip off the wire. It may happen in the blink of an eye, or it may creep up on you over a period of time. When you do slip, it's usually a drop into the canyon, where you encounter depression, or a mid-air flight, where you experience mania. In some instances, you hold onto the wire and spin around it, enduring what is known as ! rapid cy cling (frequent shifts between depression and mania). In a few instances, the wire bisects you, leaving you half in depression and half in mania, otherwise known as mixed episodes. Whatever type of episodes you experience, know that you must constantly monitor yourself or you will lose your fragile grip upon the wire of stability. This means utilizing every resource available: from medication, to mood and sleep diaries, to diet and exercise, to educating yourself on the nuances of bipolar. Find a good psychiatrist and a good therapist. And whatever you do, don't let go of that wire.

Terry J. Coyier is a 37-year-old college student studying for an Associates of Applied Sciences degree. She is also a freelance writer who writes about bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Terry was diagnosed with bipolar ten years ago. She lives with her son in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Terry is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers and her personal portfolio can be viewed here.

Botox The NoSurgeon Solution to Wrinkles

2008-10-09T06:02:00.001-07:00

Despite the fact that Botox is a toxin it's been safely and widely used by ophthamologists for more than ten years. Botox has been used for for wrinkle treatment since the early 1990's and no serious side effects have been documented.

Botox works by relaxing the muscles that create the wrinkles and that way lessening the appearance of frown lines, crow's feet or laugh lines. Botox is injected in the muscle and after the botox injection you'll no longer be able to frown, eliminating the lines created by frowning. Botox eliminates the wrinkles that appear because of facial muscle overuse, it's a protein toxin produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria.

Botox has been regarded by many as the ultimate fountain of youth, botox injections are more popular than breast enchancement and are probably the next blockbuster. More than 1.6 million patients received botox injection in 2001 with almost 50% increase over 2000. According the ASAPS, botox injections are the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure.

In order to work, a small amount of Botox is injected in the muscles that create the wrinkles. The botox toxin works by inactivating those muscles and that way causing the wrinkles to disappear or diminish a lot.

The botox treatment lasts three to six months and it's quite quick to take. After the effect dissapears you can return for a follow-up injection. It's been reported that after a number of injections the effect lasts longer and it might last several months.

There is one common complication is a slight and temporary drooping of the eyelid. Because botox is used in very small amounts and it doesn't spread in the body you won't have to wait for any healing, you'll be able to return to full activity immediatly.

Although botox can be used by a lot of people, almost anyone, the breastfeeding or patients who are pregnant or have a neurologic disease should not use botox.

For more information on botox treatment or botox doctors please visit : http://www.botox-cosmetic-docto! rs.com

Cholesterol Are We Being Told The Truth

2008-10-08T22:03:00.001-07:00

Is there any truth to the cholesterol scare or is it merely a fraud? There are two schools of thought on whether high cholesterol is harmful and can cause risks of heart disease and heart attack.

The conventional medical community has been telling us for many years to avoid certain fats in our diet and by doing so, will keep our cholesterol levels low; thus, preventing heart attack and stroke. Along with diet, they recommend exercise and in some cases, certain medication that claims to help lower the cholesterol levels.

Many have been led to believe cholesterol is a foreign substance in the body and is not needed or wanted, when, in fact, it is a necessary substance that performs many vital functions in the body. Cholesterol is naturally produced by the liver and is found in all the cells of the body, most prominently in the brain and nerve cells. Cholesterol protects the wall of the cells and is used to produce hormones, bile acids and vitamin D. Each day large amounts of cholesterol are used by the body to perform all these necessary functions. When the body makes large amounts of cholesterol, it's because the body needs it and not because the body wants to clog the veins and arteries.

By eating meat and dairy products or any other foods deemed to be high in cholesterol, our bodies are supplied with less than ten percent of our cholesterol needs. The body then produces its own supply of cholesterol, amounting to three to four times the amount eaten. Thus, by cutting down on high cholesterol foods, the body simply produces the rest of the needed cholesterol naturally. Regardless of diet, the level of cholesterol in our blood is managed naturally by the body. This is why only a few points are dropped, when someone uses diet to bring down their high cholesterol level.

The claims of high cholesterol causing heart disease and heart attack are not really justified, as studies have shown that people with low cholesterol have just as many heart problems as those with high ! choleste rol. In fact, it has been found with heart attack victims that they have not eaten any more fat than other people.

Stress, physical activity and body weight contribute to blood cholesterol levels. Also, if the body is unhealthy from another illness or disease, the cholesterol level may rise.

Cholesterol lowering drugs are given to those with high blood cholesterol levels. These drugs have serious side affects and can lead to eventual death. Over the past forty years there have been four important studies done on the effects of cholesterol lowering drugs, which showed a seven percent increase in premature death. .

The newest of these drugs are called statins. The possible side effects to these statin drugs include damage to the liver and to muscle tissue. The doctor needs to keep close check of the person's liver who is taking these drugs and if the liver is found to be not functioning properly, then the drug should be stopped. Damage to the muscle tissue can be very serious. Pain, weakness and tenderness in the muscles should be reported immediately to the doctor, as a very dangerous condition can develop, if the drugs are not stopped. The brain is also affected by these drugs and can cause memory loss and inn addition, can cause individuals to do traumatic things such as commit homicide and suicide.

Even more alarming, the American Diabetes Association is recommending all diabetic patients be put on the statin drugs, in case it's found sometime in the future to be a good treatment for diabetics. It's also reported that some doctors have convinced their patients to take the statin drugs, even though their cholesterol isn't high.

One has to wonder what has caused this misconception or fraud to be perpetrated on the people. All one has to do is follow the money trail, as usual. It's all driven by greed. The drug companies make billions a year selling these statin drugs and there are more of these sold than any other.

Michael Russell

Your Independent g! uide to Cholesterol

Halitosis With Nasal Discharge

2008-10-08T15:02:00.001-07:00

Bad breath usually does not mean halitosis with nasal discharge. It is usually a relatively simple matter of the production of bad-smelling volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) by bacteria living on the tongue at the back of the mouth. It is just simple halitosis. In normal chronic bad breath, gum disease or bad teeth are occasionally involved, sinus complications are uncommon.

If you have halitosis with nasal discharge, the two symptoms may be completely unrelated and may need to be dealt with separately. It might be a good idea to consult your doctor for a professional opinion as to whether one is causing the other. If that?s the case, the most likely scenario is that whatever is causing the nasal discharge is also causing the bad odor on the breath.

Certain sinus conditions, such as infection, blockage, foreign material in the sinuses, or chronic inflammation of some other kind, can produce an odor that is not typical of the halitosis we all encounter from time to time. These types of halitosis with discharge cannot be treated with over the counter bad breath products and require professional medical diagnosis and treatment.

Halitosis with nasal discharge may also involve a less visible symptom ? post nasal drip. Many people have post nasal drip, where discharge from the sinuses drains down the back of the throat. While this is not a serious condition, it can give rise to bad breath because this discharge tends to drip onto the back of the tongue, where it provides food for the bacteria that produce VSC.

Bacteria that produce VSC need nutrients in order to survive ? specifically, they require protein, which they break down into amino acids to support cell metabolism. VSC are a byproduct of this protein degradation. Since sinus drainage contains a variety of protein sources, including antibodies, dead cells, and blood cells, halitosis with nasal discharge can be an indirect result of post nasal drip.

The good news is that even if you can?t clear up the post nasal drip, this ! type of halitosis with nasal discharge can be treated with bad breath products designed to reduce the population of VSC producing bacteria living on the back of the tongue. Choose a remedy that targets the bacteria rather than the odor, and you should see some improvement.

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Halitosis With Nasal Discharge, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath.

7 Tips When Working on Ticklish Clients

2008-10-08T06:01:00.001-07:00

Many people may be reluctant to get a massage simply because they are extremely ticklish or sensitive to touch. On the other hand, a ticklish client may pose a dilemma to a bodyworker, due to their inability to fully relax during a massage. As a massage therapist, how do you handle a ticklish client?

There?s much debate over what makes a person ticklish, however many scientists believe the brain is the culprit. Have you ever tickled yourself? Probably not. This is because the brain is responsible for our perception, and is aware of whose hand is doing the tickling; making it highly unlikely that you could ever tickle yourself.

Some massage therapists may never have had to deal with a ticklish client, yet others may see many. There are a number of different reasons why ticklishness may occur during a massage: anxiety due to the lack of clothing your client is wearing, the focus on an extremely tense part of the body sensitive to touch, or perhaps the unpredictability of a stranger?s touch. Whatever the reason may be, ticklishness happens often, so it?s important for a massage therapist to have a strategy for dealing with it to ensure the client?s ultimate comfort.

Some massage therapists may choose to avoid the ticklish areas altogether, especially if the ticklish response is impeding the session. The most important tip to establish is open communication with the client. Once you open up communication, your client will feel comfortable and relaxation will occur more easily. Also important is the pace and pressure of the strokes you choose.

Ticklishness may be unavoidable in a massage session. If your client is tense about feeling ticklish, they won?t be able to relax completely and gain the full benefit from your massage. Being prepared for and knowing how to work with this tendency will enhance your client?s massage experience. Click here to read all seven tickle tips for massage therapists.

This article was prepared for HomeStudyCredits.org. Learn more about massage ther! apy, and massage continuing education programs.

What You Need to Know About Arthritis

2008-10-07T22:03:00.001-07:00

Arthritis signals people in a variety of ways. Joints might crack when you suddenly stand up or move. Other joints may be stiff and creak. Maybe pain occurs, when you?re trying to open a jar, or type on your keyboard.

Arthritis means ?joint inflammation? and has over 100 related conditions or types of disease. Untreated, it can advance, resulting in joint damage that is difficult to undo or reverse. So early detection and treatment are important.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both have similar symptoms, both happen for different reasons. When joints are overused and misused, this results in OA. What happens is the cushioning cartilage that protects the joints breaks down, resulting in bones rubbing together. This generally happens in the knees, but can be found in the hips, spine and hands.

In RA the body?s immune system attacks joint tissue. Still not fully understood by doctors, this condition often starts in a person?s hands, wrists and feet. Then it advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.

Similar symptoms include pain, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, slight fever and inflamed tissue lumps under the skin. And both OA and RA generally develop symmetrically, i.e. affecting the same joints on both the left and right sides of the body.

A difference in OA and RA is in the way you swell. With RA, people report ?soft and squishy? swelling. While with OA, people report ?hard and bony? swelling.

Another difference is you are likely to develop RA if a sibling or parent had it. If you have a history of joint damage, either an injury or chronic strain, you run a higher risk for developing OA.

There is no specific age for arthritis sufferers. While it can affect every age group, it seems to occur more frequently on those over 45 years.

And while neither gender is immune, a reported 74 percent of OA cases and a slightly lower percentage of RA cases occur with women.

People with excess wei! ght tend to develop OA, especially in the knees when reaching over 45 years. However, losing weight can turn the odds around almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces risk of OA

Although there are no cure-alls for arthritis, there are a variety of pain relief treatment strategies. Aside from medications, remedies, replacement alternatives and other helpful treatment options and alternatives, the five main arthritis relief aids are gentle exercise, good nutrition, special herbal and other nutrients, a positive attitude and rest.

Today, only a small percentage of those afflicted with arthritis become crippled. And most never need canes, wheelchairs, or other ambulatory devices.

If you suspect you may have arthritis, it is advisable to seek medical advice from your doctor or alternative practitioner. Look to reduce pain and inflammation using natural remedies before you decide on using doctor prescribed drugs.

Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He writes a newsletter called Natural Remedies Thatwork.com. For more information on arthritis go to: http://www.arthritis-remedies.for--you.info

Fruits for Summer: Summer Skin Care

2008-10-07T15:02:00.001-07:00

Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating the heat is always high on our agenda. So, we move on to aerated drinks or other beverages. But what we tend to ignore is that we can fight the heat in a much healthier way. That is, through FRUITS. Fruits not only provide us with the required fluids but also the electrolytes which we lose while sweating.

Excess of dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, loss of concentration and muscle cramping. So to counter that, Summer provides us with a larger variety of fruits so that we can make up the lost fluids and electrolytes. Here is the list of some highly beneficial fruits specially in summers.

1) Watermelon: Watermelon is the best cooler for the body specially in summers as it is high in water. It is rich in Calcium too. The word watermelon itslef brings water in our mouth.

2) Apples: Apples are one of the best source for fibre. Besides that, skin of the apple has antioxidant flavonoids which reduces free radical damage.

3) Muskmelon: Muskmelon with its unique property of rehydrating of body is considered one of the best fruits for summers. Besides being rich in water, it also provides body with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Sodium and Potassium.

4) Berry family is always high on the list of fruits for summer. This family is again high in fibre and vitamin C. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries come under the wide roof of berry family. They are also good for diabetics too. Also, they aid in Weight Loss.

5) Mangoes: No one can resist Mangoes in summer. They would be undoubtly the king of summer fruits. They are rich in fibre, beta-carotene and vitamin C.

6) Banana: Last but not the least: Banana helps keep your system cool. Prefer taking bananas in breakfast.

About the Author

Jasdeep Singh

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Five Questions You Have to Ask Your Acupuncturist!

2008-10-07T06:01:00.001-07:00

Acupuncture works! But your experience with acupuncture will depend largely on the acupuncture provider that you choose.

You want to find an acupuncturist that best suits your needs. If you like and trust your practitioner, your encounter with acupuncture will be more positive.

You will also want to know about the acupuncturists training and experience and what to expect from the acupuncture treatment. The clearer you are about who it is that is treating you and exactly what the treatment entails, the more you will be able to relax during the acupuncture session and benefit from this ancient form of health care.

Determine your goals

Do you have a specific injury or complaint or do you want to try acupuncture to balance body, mind and spirit? Are you looking for a primary health care practitioner, or someone to work in conjunction with your current physician?

Here are some questions that you should ask when choosing an acupuncturist.

Where was he or she trained to practice Oriental Medicine?
How long was the training?
How long has he or she been in practice as an acupuncturist?
What experience does he or she have in treating your specific ailment?
Is he or she licensed?

What Qualifications to look for when Choosing an Acupuncturist

Today acupuncture is an acknowledged and respected field of medicine. In most States, provinces and countries formal training and certification is required in order to practice.

The United States has set rigorous training standards for acupuncturists. Most states require a 3-5 year Masters degree in Oriental Medicine from an accredited acupuncture school and issue a written and practical state board exam before an acupuncturist can become licensed.

In the states that do not require licensing, choose an acupuncturist certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists. Its members have a degree in Oriental Medicine from an accredited schoo! l-or hav e worked as an apprentice acupuncturist for at least four years - and have passed both a written and practical exam. Acupuncturists who have passed this exam are entitled to add Dipl. Ac. (Diplomate of Acupuncture) or Dipl. O.M.. (Diplomate of Oriental Medicine) after their name.

Acupuncture requirements for Western doctors are generally more lenient than for non-MD's. Choose a physician who also a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.). If there are none near you be sure that the M.D. or D.O. is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture; it requires a minimum of 200 hours of training for membership.

Veterinary acupuncture is considered a surgical procedure that, legally, may ONLY be performed by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine.

Ask About Treatment Styles

Acupuncture and Herbology encompass several distinctive styles. Korean acupuncture, for example, primarily uses points on the hand, while Japanese acupuncture calls for fewer and finer needles inserted at shallower depths.

There is no evidence that one particular style is more effective than another, but you should know what you are getting into.

Discuss Length of Treatment

Decide in advance what your expectations are and discuss them with your acupuncturist. A chronic illness may need several months of acupuncture treatment to have a noticeable effect. If you are not happy with your progress, think about changing acupuncturists or check with your western doctor for advice about other options.

Diane Joswick, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist in San Diego, California. Please visit ACUFINDER.COM to learn more about acupuncture or to find a practitioner in your area.

The "Life Force" Has Been Left Out By Modern Medicine

2008-10-06T22:03:00.001-07:00

There was a time when being a doctor meant caring for your patient as the human being that they were. With the advent of increasing advances in medical technology doctors have allowed themselves to become seduced by several myths:

1. That the human body can be thought of a simply a machine that needs fixing when it breaks down.

2. That modern technology will eventually be able to fix human bodies in disrepair.

3. That the human being whose body it is is simply a passive and unimportant factor in the process of healing the body.

4. That the idea of there even being a person in that body is unscientific nonsense.

Interestingly however it seems that modern medicine has yet to explain an interesting and indisputable fact; the issue of an individual's will to live.

In other words when an individual receives a poor prognosis one person might choose to accept it as gospel while another might instead choose not to accept it.

In the latter case one often experiences what some might consider unexplained even miraculous healing phenomena. Phenomena that puzzle doctors to no end. Yes puzzle them because the mechanical reductionist approach to healing that many physicians have adopted, pure and simple, leaves out the human being in that body.

Why does it do this? Well because the essence of an individual, what some consider the life force itself cannot be reduced to such a limited mechanical model. In this light it is my view that modern medicine will never realize its ultimate goal, that of healing others, unless it acknowledges and accepts the true healing element in the bodies they are attempting to heal, the human spirit itself.

It has been my experience that the power of the human spirit is capable of miracles as I described. Such miracles can only come about however if the human being in that body is acknowledged and given priority as the main healing force in that body.

This means that the focus modern medicine has taken must change dramatically. I! f it doe sn't it will continue to alienate this force with technology that is both expensive and dehumanizing. In doing so it will only be undermining itself and its efforts.

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is an Energy Psychiatrist, Healer, Key Note Speaker,Editor of a New Ezine Called Spirituality And Science (which is requesting high quality article submissions) Author of Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation (available in ebook format on his web site), Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Energy Medicine Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.

Web Site: http://www.telecoaching4u.com

Influenza: Easy Steps to Tackle Flu or Grippe

2008-10-06T15:02:00.001-07:00

IDENTIFYING INFLUENZA

Influenza is an infectious and contagious ailment. Influenza is commonly termed as flu and also grippe. Influenza is usually acute. Influenza especially attacks the trachea, an important part of the respiratory tract.

SIMPLE INFLUENZA

A simple influenza bout is accompanied by several symptoms. They can be eye burning, sore throat, dry cough or even discharges from the nose or nasal obstruction. The symptoms disappear and the body temperature resumes the normal level in such simple influenza instances.

ACUTE INFLUENZA SYMPTOMS

The acute symptoms may include gastrointestinal symptoms as well. Some other signs of an acute attack of influenza are joints and muscles aches, headache, fever and chill. If the symptoms are accompanied by pneumonia, viral or bacterial, the situation may be dangerous. One must immediately seek the advice of doctors in such situations.

INFLUENZA PANDEMICS

More than 31 cases of influenza pandemics (widespread epidemics) have been recorded since the 16th century across the globe. Approximately 20 million people died due to an acute form of influenza (bacterial influenza) in 1918. Of this, 500,000 people were in the USA alone. Every year, 95 million instances of influenza are reported in America while 1720 people annually die because of influenza and pneumonia.

TRACING THE INFLUENZA ANNALS

Medical scientists isolated the three influenza causative viruses in the years 1933, 1940, and 1950. They were respectively christened Virus A, Virus B, and Virus C respectively. Viruses A and B have been identified as being responsible for the influenza epidemics. In 1941, a vaccine containing virus was shown to have controlling effects on influenza.

Amantadine hydrochloride: The oral medication, Amantadine hydrochloride, has been found to be quite effective in checking influenza. This influenza is of the type caused by influenza A virus. It also proved to partially successful in treating the after-symptoms of the i! nfluenza A virus. Amantadine is deemed to be an apt treatment for the high-risk patients. It is used as an adjunct to immunization. All in all, immunization is the most effective way to combat influenza.

Hurdles: However, immunization was complicated and it posed problems. The hurdles came from the facts that the different virus types were not genetically related. Therefore, they did not induce cross-immunity. Moreover, that immunity to a single virus remained intact only for a period of just under 12 months. What is more, the viruses periodically mutated. Hence all attempts to stop the virus race from developing proved futile.

Success: To meet the challenges, the medical community created polyvalent vaccines. These are combinations of various vaccines. For instance, the vaccine to tackle type B was produced by combining the vaccines against type-A subtypes as they evolve. This mission needed worldwide surveillance. International medical alert was sounded to detect and, if possible, capture the altered virus forms the moment they are born. This was needed to ensure that a buffer vaccine stock can be built up before the viruses assume pandemic proportions. Taking into consideration the huge financial considerations, such vaccines were administered to only the most vulnerable or prone sections of the population. They were also given to people suffering from acute influenza so that they do not contract pneumonia.

From 1984, the US Centers for Disease Control included medical personnel dealing with such high-risk influenza patients. It also recommended that the vaccines be provided to persons needing them for preventive purposes.

Antigenic cycles: The influenza virus has different antigenic types. They appear in cyclic patterns. It has been found that the influenza virus variant appearing in the early part of the 1950s was identical to the influenza attack that shook the world in 1978-?79. Based on such recurrent proofs, it has been almost established that the influenza pandemics caused by th! e same i nfluenza variant appear in gaps of 60-70 years. Interestingly enough, basing their premise on this theory, in 1918 US health officials prepared for the recurrence of the influenza variant (as a pandemic) that had created chaos in 1976. The influenza virus identified as swine flu did strike! The virus was isolated from Army recruits at Fort Dix in New Jersey. A vaccine was prepared beforehand and the American authorities carried out a mass inoculation. This stopped the disease from assuming the pandemic proportion.

Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published more than 1000 articles and a popular adventure book for children. For more information log on to http://www.fithealthonline.com/ http://www.healthylifelearning.com/ http://www.wanthealthylife.com/