in Nutrition
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum is the pre-milk fluid produced from the mother's mammary glands during the first 72 hours after birth. It provides life-supporting immune and growth factors that insure the health and vitality of the newborn.
Why do we need Colostrum?
As we age, we notice it takes us a little longer to fight off a cold or flu, we become more vulnerable to disease, our energy and enthusiasm lessen, our skin loses its elasticity, we gain unwanted weight and lose muscle tone. After maturity, we gradually lose the immune and growth factors in our body. This impacts us to search for anti-aging and health products and knowledge. We've looked to plants and minerals for an answer, isolating and mega-dosing on vitamins and minerals. Aging, illness and death occur with the loss of immune and growth factors in our bodies. Medical science has shown in many published reports worldwide that these can possibly be replaced in the human body....with bovine colostrum.
Bovine colostrum is not new. In India, for thousands of years, Ayurvedic physicians and the spiritual leaders have documented the physical and spiritual health benefits from colostrum. It is dried and delivered by the milkman and is known for its healing and therapeutic ability. Scandinavian countries have been making a delicious colostrum pudding and dessert topped with honey, for hundreds of years, to celebrate the birth of calves and good health. It was used in the US as an early antibiotic that was in much favor until the discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics.
In the late 18th Century, Western scientists began to study colostrum and document its benefits for survival, growth and development for the newborn. Today, there are thousands of published scientific and clinical studies of major health benefits associated with colostrum.
What is Lactoferrin?
Lactoferrin helps increase natural iron bio-availability, is a powerful antioxidant, and helps support a healthy immune system.
• Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in human secretions like tears, saliva, milk and mucous
• Helps enhance iron transport and absorption
• Helps promote a healthy balance of natural intestinal flora
• Helps increase bioavailability and absorption of nutrients in the body and helps decrease the bioavailability of iron to pathogens
• May have anti-aging properties by helping prevent the formation of free radicals that trigger oxidation
• Helps contribute to host defense against pathogens by protecting lymphocytes against free iron
What are plant sterols?
Plant sterols are extracts of certain plants that, when ingested, inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. Thus, dietary cholesterol never gets into the system.
Plant sterols are present naturally in small quantities in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, vegetable oils, and other plant sources. Plant stanols occur in even smaller quantities in many of the same sources. Both stanols and sterols are essential components of plant cell membranes and structurally resemble cholesterol. Foods supplemented with plant sterols may reduce cholesterol and are a promising addition to interventions aimed at lowering heart disease risk.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Seven Reasons To Enjoy Yogurt Today For Tomorrow
in Nutrition
A growing number of families are making dietary and lifestyle changes to improve their health today and help ensure good health in the future.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Americans typically consume more calories than they need-without meeting the recommended intakes for a number of nutrients.
Thus people need to choose meals and snacks that are high in nutrients, but low to moderate in calories. Americans seem to be catching on; according to a survey by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, 73 percent of consumers are buying more nutritious and wholesome foods and beverages-such as yogurt-than in the past.
The Dannon Company has now listed the seven benefits of yogurt. From calcium and protein to active cultures and nutrients for growth, these benefits give the body an advantage today for tomorrow. Eating yogurt daily helps consumers:
1. Be Fit: Yogurt contains calcium, which can help with weight management.
2. Be Vital: Yogurt is a good source of protein for muscle maintenance.
3. Be Comfortable: Yogurt has active cultures that help milk digestion.
4. Be Strong: Yogurt has calcium, essential for strong bones.
5. Be Nourished: Yogurt contains important nutrients for children's growth.
6. Be Proactive: Yogurt provides friendly bacteria for your digestive tract.
7. Be Happy: Yogurt is a great-tasting and satisfying part of your healthy diet.
Each day, it's possible to enjoy all of these benefits by eating Dannon yogurt. The company offers several product lines, including Dannon All Natural, which does not contain any artificial ingredients.
"More and more people are making an investment in their overall health," says Audrey Cross, associate clinical professor of public health at Columbia University's School of Public Health. "One way they're doing this is working more nutritionally dense foods, such as yogurt, into their diets."
A growing number of families are making dietary and lifestyle changes to improve their health today and help ensure good health in the future.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Americans typically consume more calories than they need-without meeting the recommended intakes for a number of nutrients.
Thus people need to choose meals and snacks that are high in nutrients, but low to moderate in calories. Americans seem to be catching on; according to a survey by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, 73 percent of consumers are buying more nutritious and wholesome foods and beverages-such as yogurt-than in the past.
The Dannon Company has now listed the seven benefits of yogurt. From calcium and protein to active cultures and nutrients for growth, these benefits give the body an advantage today for tomorrow. Eating yogurt daily helps consumers:
1. Be Fit: Yogurt contains calcium, which can help with weight management.
2. Be Vital: Yogurt is a good source of protein for muscle maintenance.
3. Be Comfortable: Yogurt has active cultures that help milk digestion.
4. Be Strong: Yogurt has calcium, essential for strong bones.
5. Be Nourished: Yogurt contains important nutrients for children's growth.
6. Be Proactive: Yogurt provides friendly bacteria for your digestive tract.
7. Be Happy: Yogurt is a great-tasting and satisfying part of your healthy diet.
Each day, it's possible to enjoy all of these benefits by eating Dannon yogurt. The company offers several product lines, including Dannon All Natural, which does not contain any artificial ingredients.
"More and more people are making an investment in their overall health," says Audrey Cross, associate clinical professor of public health at Columbia University's School of Public Health. "One way they're doing this is working more nutritionally dense foods, such as yogurt, into their diets."
Isn't It Time To Try Kundalini Yoga?
Although there are many types of yoga, and it may be impractical to try them all, experiencing some of the main branches -- including Kundalini yoga -- will give you a fuller grasp of yoga's essence and benefits. Kundalini yoga isn't just another practice, however. It's often referred to as the mother of all yoga, and said to be one of the most powerful forms.
What's more, Kundalini yoga is a little different from other practices. Most forms of yoga concentrate on the body's poses, combined with breathing and meditation exercises. While Kundalini yoga still concerns itself with forms and poses, it places much more emphasis on breathing, chanting, and releasing a special energy we all possess unawares.
In Kundalini yoga, the special energy is likened to a powerful serpent lying asleep at the base of the spine. But practitioners can awaken the powerful serpent with the use of Kundalini techniques, releasing almost unimaginable energy.
How It's Done
In Kundalini yoga, you'll combine classic poses, meditation, chanting or mantras, and also coordinate your breath and movement. In this yoga, the serpent that represents energy is said to lie asleep at the base of your spine, coiled and dormant. Specifically, this region is located in the perineum area of the body. That is, it lies between the rectum and the testicles in males, and between the vagina and the clitoris in females. When awakened, the dormant masculine energy (Siva) and feminine energy (Sakti) unite to create a powerful surge unlike anything you're likely to have experienced before.
What Can It Do For Me?
The powerful energy released by Kundalini yoga is said to do many things for the body. And yet, although it can help you physically, its primary benefits are spiritual. All the intangible energies that help to shape our lives are affected by Kundalini yoga, such as divine prosperity, and freedom from judgment. Once freed, this new energy helps to promote creativity and unconditional love. Needless to say, all these positive changes help sweep away any negative feelings, such as those associated with depression, or even long-standing resentments or jealousy.
If you would like to experience this type of amazing yoga, you'll want professional guidance. Understanding more about how Kundalini works will help you achieve the results you seek, so a little private time with the books can help you as well. As with any yoga, it's best to learn Kundalini from an experienced instructor, who can help you focus your energy in addition to teaching you the techniques. Having an awakened yogi nearby can be half the battle.
What's more, Kundalini yoga is a little different from other practices. Most forms of yoga concentrate on the body's poses, combined with breathing and meditation exercises. While Kundalini yoga still concerns itself with forms and poses, it places much more emphasis on breathing, chanting, and releasing a special energy we all possess unawares.
In Kundalini yoga, the special energy is likened to a powerful serpent lying asleep at the base of the spine. But practitioners can awaken the powerful serpent with the use of Kundalini techniques, releasing almost unimaginable energy.
How It's Done
In Kundalini yoga, you'll combine classic poses, meditation, chanting or mantras, and also coordinate your breath and movement. In this yoga, the serpent that represents energy is said to lie asleep at the base of your spine, coiled and dormant. Specifically, this region is located in the perineum area of the body. That is, it lies between the rectum and the testicles in males, and between the vagina and the clitoris in females. When awakened, the dormant masculine energy (Siva) and feminine energy (Sakti) unite to create a powerful surge unlike anything you're likely to have experienced before.
What Can It Do For Me?
The powerful energy released by Kundalini yoga is said to do many things for the body. And yet, although it can help you physically, its primary benefits are spiritual. All the intangible energies that help to shape our lives are affected by Kundalini yoga, such as divine prosperity, and freedom from judgment. Once freed, this new energy helps to promote creativity and unconditional love. Needless to say, all these positive changes help sweep away any negative feelings, such as those associated with depression, or even long-standing resentments or jealousy.
If you would like to experience this type of amazing yoga, you'll want professional guidance. Understanding more about how Kundalini works will help you achieve the results you seek, so a little private time with the books can help you as well. As with any yoga, it's best to learn Kundalini from an experienced instructor, who can help you focus your energy in addition to teaching you the techniques. Having an awakened yogi nearby can be half the battle.
Having your Breasts Reduced with Breast Augmentation
Many women feel that their breasts are too big and they need to have a breast augmentation done so to improve the way they look and feel. This procedure can be taken care of with the help of a plastic surgeon. This procedure is common than it sounds and can be done with little or no hospital stay. For some women, they are released to go home the very same day or within a short time afterwards.
Although there are many reasons for women to have breast augmentation done, some women just do not want big and heavy breasts to deal with. This is the best way to handle this problem. By having this very common procedure done, you can feel confident knowing that you are gong to look and feel better about your body and the way that other people see you.
After having children, women's bodies can change a lot and make them feel very uncomfortable in their own skin. This is the perfect opportunity for women to have a breast augmentation done so that they can get on with their lives and feel sexy and vibrant again. The procedure is there to help these women and these kinds of problems. It may take more than just exercise to get your pre baby body back and with the breast augmentation surgery; women have more options to do just that.
Another form of breast augmentation for women who want to lessen their bra size is reconstructive surgery. Sometimes after childbirth or even with age, a woman's breast may start to change the way that it looks in appearance. This could affect the size of the breast and the way that it looks. Having reconstructive surgery will help to restore the look that the breast once had so that women of any size can feel sexy and secure again.
Most forms of breast reductions are done for a medical reason. There are a lot of women who complain of a sore back and bad headaches because they have a larger chest. When this is the case, it is so important for the women to think about doing something about it. With a breast augmentation that reduces the size of the breast, the women will feel like a load as been lifted, literally. They will be able to stand up correctly and have better posture. Not only will they have less back and neck pain, they will also find a new sense of self-confidence that will make them feel better about themselves.
Although there are many reasons for women to have breast augmentation done, some women just do not want big and heavy breasts to deal with. This is the best way to handle this problem. By having this very common procedure done, you can feel confident knowing that you are gong to look and feel better about your body and the way that other people see you.
After having children, women's bodies can change a lot and make them feel very uncomfortable in their own skin. This is the perfect opportunity for women to have a breast augmentation done so that they can get on with their lives and feel sexy and vibrant again. The procedure is there to help these women and these kinds of problems. It may take more than just exercise to get your pre baby body back and with the breast augmentation surgery; women have more options to do just that.
Another form of breast augmentation for women who want to lessen their bra size is reconstructive surgery. Sometimes after childbirth or even with age, a woman's breast may start to change the way that it looks in appearance. This could affect the size of the breast and the way that it looks. Having reconstructive surgery will help to restore the look that the breast once had so that women of any size can feel sexy and secure again.
Most forms of breast reductions are done for a medical reason. There are a lot of women who complain of a sore back and bad headaches because they have a larger chest. When this is the case, it is so important for the women to think about doing something about it. With a breast augmentation that reduces the size of the breast, the women will feel like a load as been lifted, literally. They will be able to stand up correctly and have better posture. Not only will they have less back and neck pain, they will also find a new sense of self-confidence that will make them feel better about themselves.
Complications Arising From Acid Reflux
Acid Reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up or refluxes into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus. This regurgitated liquid mainly contains acid and pepsin, both being produced by the stomach. It may also contain bile. Amongst all the contents of the liquid, acid is the most harmful.
Once GERD starts, it stays for life-long. GERD is a chronic condition and the treatment has to continue indefinitely. The reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in normal individuals also. The difference of it occurring in GERD patients is that the refluxed liquid contains more acid that often remains in the esophagus for longer duration. The body has ways of protecting itself from the effects of reflux and acid. Saliva contains bicarbonate that neutralizes the small amount of acid that remains in the esophagus. Gravity, swallowing and saliva are the protective mechanisms for the esophagus when an individual is in the upright position.
There are various complications arising because of acid reflux.
Ulcers –
The cells lining the esophagus are sometimes damaged due to the reflux of liquid from the stomach into the esophagus. An ulcer is a break in the lining of the esophagus that occurs in an area of inflammation. It may give rise to bleeding in the esophagus. When the bleeding becomes severe, blood transfusion is required along with endoscopic or surgical treatment.
Strictures –<
Scars are formed when the ulcers of the esophagus heal. The scar tissue shrinks and narrows the lumen of the esophagus. This scarred narrowing is called a stricture. It may cause swallowed food to get stuck in the esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus – Severe GERD or Long-standing cause cells to change that line the esophagus. These cells then become pre-cancerous and then finally cancerous.
Cough and Asthma –
Some nerves in the esophagus are stimulated by the refluxed acid, which results in pain. Other nerves that are also stimulated provoke coughing. The stimulated esophageal nerves that connect to the nerves going to the lungs causes the breathing tubes to narrow, resulting in an attack of asthma.
Inflammation of the throat and larynx –
When the refluxed liquid gets past the upper esophageal sphincter, it enters the throat and the voice box, causing inflammation and soar throat.
Inflammation and infection of the lungs –
The reflux of liquid into the lungs results in coughing and choking. This can lead to infection of the lungs and result in pneumonia.
Fluid in the sinuses and middle ear –
Found in children, it is caused when the sinuses and middle ears are closed off from the nasal passages by the swelling of the adenoids. Fluid is then accumulated within them.
GERD is treated with life-style changes, antacids, histamine antagonists (H2 blockers), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), pro-motility drugs, foam barriers, surgery, and endoscopy.
Once GERD starts, it stays for life-long. GERD is a chronic condition and the treatment has to continue indefinitely. The reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in normal individuals also. The difference of it occurring in GERD patients is that the refluxed liquid contains more acid that often remains in the esophagus for longer duration. The body has ways of protecting itself from the effects of reflux and acid. Saliva contains bicarbonate that neutralizes the small amount of acid that remains in the esophagus. Gravity, swallowing and saliva are the protective mechanisms for the esophagus when an individual is in the upright position.
There are various complications arising because of acid reflux.
Ulcers –
The cells lining the esophagus are sometimes damaged due to the reflux of liquid from the stomach into the esophagus. An ulcer is a break in the lining of the esophagus that occurs in an area of inflammation. It may give rise to bleeding in the esophagus. When the bleeding becomes severe, blood transfusion is required along with endoscopic or surgical treatment.
Strictures –<
Scars are formed when the ulcers of the esophagus heal. The scar tissue shrinks and narrows the lumen of the esophagus. This scarred narrowing is called a stricture. It may cause swallowed food to get stuck in the esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus – Severe GERD or Long-standing cause cells to change that line the esophagus. These cells then become pre-cancerous and then finally cancerous.
Cough and Asthma –
Some nerves in the esophagus are stimulated by the refluxed acid, which results in pain. Other nerves that are also stimulated provoke coughing. The stimulated esophageal nerves that connect to the nerves going to the lungs causes the breathing tubes to narrow, resulting in an attack of asthma.
Inflammation of the throat and larynx –
When the refluxed liquid gets past the upper esophageal sphincter, it enters the throat and the voice box, causing inflammation and soar throat.
Inflammation and infection of the lungs –
The reflux of liquid into the lungs results in coughing and choking. This can lead to infection of the lungs and result in pneumonia.
Fluid in the sinuses and middle ear –
Found in children, it is caused when the sinuses and middle ears are closed off from the nasal passages by the swelling of the adenoids. Fluid is then accumulated within them.
GERD is treated with life-style changes, antacids, histamine antagonists (H2 blockers), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), pro-motility drugs, foam barriers, surgery, and endoscopy.
Natural Wonders May Help Save America Costly Medical Bills
In 2004, America spent $170 billion in prescription drugs alone. In fact, the United States spends nearly $5,000 per person on health care. That's more than twice the amount of some other industrialized countries.
Noting this upward spiral in health care costs, many are turning to the obvious need for improved prevention efforts. How do we prevent heart disease, osteoarthritis, the flu and the common cold? How do we improve the overall health of Americans?
While America witnesses almost daily announcements of expensive medical miracles being wrought, other forces are hiking the trails of Borneo, braving the deserts of the Kalahari and searching through the Himalayas to find those hidden natural wonders that may offer the keys to a healthier America at less of a cost.
Drawing upon every corner of society and the world, these forces are seeking out natural and man-made methods to provide America with what it needs to prevent disease, thus minimizing its reliance on cures.
A relative newcomer to this nature-focused group are the pioneers of Mosaic Nutraceuticals. Pulling together expertise from all over the world, the company is developing low-cost, nature-based alternatives that may help prevent some of the many ailments of today. Starting small, Mosaic is offering effective osteoarthritis relief in its Joint-2-Life candy chews and its 24/7 Instant Relief ointment.
"Mosaic Nutraceuticals was founded on the concept that nature will provide many of the answers to our health questions," said Charles Townsend, chief executive officer of the Dallas-based company. "We have to be smart enough to find those answers and apply them."
Mosaic's approach stems from one simple idea: Everybody likes candy. So the company developed its supplements in the form of tasty candy chews that are easy to take and convenient for people on the go.
Noting this upward spiral in health care costs, many are turning to the obvious need for improved prevention efforts. How do we prevent heart disease, osteoarthritis, the flu and the common cold? How do we improve the overall health of Americans?
While America witnesses almost daily announcements of expensive medical miracles being wrought, other forces are hiking the trails of Borneo, braving the deserts of the Kalahari and searching through the Himalayas to find those hidden natural wonders that may offer the keys to a healthier America at less of a cost.
Drawing upon every corner of society and the world, these forces are seeking out natural and man-made methods to provide America with what it needs to prevent disease, thus minimizing its reliance on cures.
A relative newcomer to this nature-focused group are the pioneers of Mosaic Nutraceuticals. Pulling together expertise from all over the world, the company is developing low-cost, nature-based alternatives that may help prevent some of the many ailments of today. Starting small, Mosaic is offering effective osteoarthritis relief in its Joint-2-Life candy chews and its 24/7 Instant Relief ointment.
"Mosaic Nutraceuticals was founded on the concept that nature will provide many of the answers to our health questions," said Charles Townsend, chief executive officer of the Dallas-based company. "We have to be smart enough to find those answers and apply them."
Mosaic's approach stems from one simple idea: Everybody likes candy. So the company developed its supplements in the form of tasty candy chews that are easy to take and convenient for people on the go.
Ayurvedic Body Type and Diet Recommendations
Ayurveda recommends foods for people according to their primary body type. The reason this is done is because it is believed foods can be both healing, and the source of imbalance and difficulties. By eating foods according to our Ayurvedic body type, the belief is that we will accumulate less Ama, or waste, in the body.
In Ayurveda, people are classified according to three principles, vata, kapha, and pitta. But it's important to understand that although we may be dominant in one principle, we actually have all three present in our body. The others are in a smaller ration. Most people will actually be a combination of two of these principles, with the third only playing a minor role. But because we all contain the three, any of them can get out of balance.
Pitta
Characteristics of Pitta dominant body types
* determination
* strong willed
* good digestion
* initiative
* energy
* passionate about many things
Ayurveda's Pitta constitution is calmed by cooling foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Bitter green vegetables like watercress, parsley, collards and most greens suit pitta. Fruits that suit pitta body types include sweet berries, sweet apples and apricots, coconut, figs, mango, sweet oranges and pineapples, plums, watermelon, pomegranates, and prunes.
Other cooling foods include most dairy products, though sour cream, hard cheeses, and yoghurt don't really suit pitta due to their being too high in fat, salt, or sour. But dairy that suits pitta includes milk, cottage cheese, soft cheeses, and ice cream!
Grains that suit pitta body types include barley, basmati rice, and wheat (unless you are allergic or gluten sensitive).
Pitta body types generally like a lot of protein, and they probably need a little more than the other Ayurvedic body types. Spices that are cooling in nature are also important. These include coriander, cumin, mint, parsley, dill and fennel. Garlic should be avoided though as it is too heating.
In terms of sweets, Pitta body types should use maple syrup, barley malt, brown rice syrup and honey that is 6 months or less old, preferably raw.
Things that can imbalance Pitta body types:
* excess heat, hot climates, and hot times of day
* humidity
* vacations and times when there is increased mobility
* excess oil in the diet
* too many hot foods, including spicy foods. But this can also mean too many cooked meals
* excess caffeine, salt, red meat and alcohol
Vata
Characteristics of people with a dominant Vata body type:
* flexibility
* quick mind
* creative
* always on the go - mentally and physically
Dietary choices that support vata aim at grounding this energy-in-motion. Routine is also very helpful, though not naturally something vata body type people will create! Vata people benefit from meditation, warmth, soothing music, taking breaks, and resting (again, not a natural vata inclination!).
With regards foods, vata body types should include warming spices, including ginger and cloves, anise, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, horseradish, caraway, mint, mustard seeds, parsley, cooked onion, paprika, rose water, vanilla, tarragon, thyme and rosemary.
People with the vata body type should minimize raw food, including salad, though salads should not be eliminated completely as they provide valuable nutrients. But vata should ground the salad with a dressing made from oil and vinegar, and be aware of the weather at the time of eating it. Being more sensitive to cold, vata's should have salads on warmer days.
Icy cold drinks are not balancing for vata - in fact quite the opposite. Sugar also throws vata types off balance, though vata are lucky in that they can enjoy other sweets.
Vata generally love fruit, and it suits their ayurvedic constitution. The exceptions are apples, pears, cranberries, watermelon and dried fruit. Vata types should go for sweet and moist fruit, like mangoes, nectarines, bananas, coconut, fresh figs, peaches, and strawberries.
Cooked grains like oatmeal, basmati rice, and brown rice, are very grounding for the vata ayurvedic constitution. Beans (legumes), on the other hand, are not! Beans are cold, dry, and heavy - not the attributes that support vata.
Things that can imbalance vata dominant body types include:
* a lot of travel, especially by plane
* loud noises
* constant stimulation
* drugs, sugar and alcohol
* cold climates (especially extremely cold ones) and cold food
* frozen and dried food
Kapha
Characteristics of people with a kapha dominant body type:
* strength
* stamina
* endurance
* groundedness
* calm
* fluid
Kapha body types are not suited to a high protein diet like the Atkins diet. Not only should they avoid too much fat, but also, excessive heavy protein. The kapha quality is already heavy, and although this doesn't sound great, it is what provides Kapha body types with a wonderful stability and strength.
Kapha should have light and low fat protein. Beans, with the exception of soy and soy products, are great for kapha. Soy milk is preferable to dairy though, for kapha. Beans help move kapha's energy, and digestive system, a bit. Barley is also excellent. In terms of meat, chicken and turkey suit kapha.
Kapha body types should have plenty of vegetables, including bitter vegetables, peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, lettuce, onions, potatoes, mushrooms, corn cobs, peas, beets, and celery.
Dairy is heavy and cooling, and it does not suit the Kapha ayurvedic body type. Light and crispy food, like corn tortillas and popcorn, suit kapha. Kapha people should make sure they have variety in their diet, as kapha body types have a danger of falling into a rut more than others.
Asian and Latin American style meals are great for kapha. They are spicy and light, free of dairy, and have plenty of vegetables in them.
Things that can imbalance Kapha body types:
* inertia
* too much fat in the diet, including oil we cook with!
* dairy products
* not enough stimulation and challenge
* not enough variety
* not enough exercise
* too much bread, iced foods and drinks, and sweets
References: Amadea Morningstar and Urmila Desai, The Ayurvedic Cookbook
In Ayurveda, people are classified according to three principles, vata, kapha, and pitta. But it's important to understand that although we may be dominant in one principle, we actually have all three present in our body. The others are in a smaller ration. Most people will actually be a combination of two of these principles, with the third only playing a minor role. But because we all contain the three, any of them can get out of balance.
Pitta
Characteristics of Pitta dominant body types
* determination
* strong willed
* good digestion
* initiative
* energy
* passionate about many things
Ayurveda's Pitta constitution is calmed by cooling foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Bitter green vegetables like watercress, parsley, collards and most greens suit pitta. Fruits that suit pitta body types include sweet berries, sweet apples and apricots, coconut, figs, mango, sweet oranges and pineapples, plums, watermelon, pomegranates, and prunes.
Other cooling foods include most dairy products, though sour cream, hard cheeses, and yoghurt don't really suit pitta due to their being too high in fat, salt, or sour. But dairy that suits pitta includes milk, cottage cheese, soft cheeses, and ice cream!
Grains that suit pitta body types include barley, basmati rice, and wheat (unless you are allergic or gluten sensitive).
Pitta body types generally like a lot of protein, and they probably need a little more than the other Ayurvedic body types. Spices that are cooling in nature are also important. These include coriander, cumin, mint, parsley, dill and fennel. Garlic should be avoided though as it is too heating.
In terms of sweets, Pitta body types should use maple syrup, barley malt, brown rice syrup and honey that is 6 months or less old, preferably raw.
Things that can imbalance Pitta body types:
* excess heat, hot climates, and hot times of day
* humidity
* vacations and times when there is increased mobility
* excess oil in the diet
* too many hot foods, including spicy foods. But this can also mean too many cooked meals
* excess caffeine, salt, red meat and alcohol
Vata
Characteristics of people with a dominant Vata body type:
* flexibility
* quick mind
* creative
* always on the go - mentally and physically
Dietary choices that support vata aim at grounding this energy-in-motion. Routine is also very helpful, though not naturally something vata body type people will create! Vata people benefit from meditation, warmth, soothing music, taking breaks, and resting (again, not a natural vata inclination!).
With regards foods, vata body types should include warming spices, including ginger and cloves, anise, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, horseradish, caraway, mint, mustard seeds, parsley, cooked onion, paprika, rose water, vanilla, tarragon, thyme and rosemary.
People with the vata body type should minimize raw food, including salad, though salads should not be eliminated completely as they provide valuable nutrients. But vata should ground the salad with a dressing made from oil and vinegar, and be aware of the weather at the time of eating it. Being more sensitive to cold, vata's should have salads on warmer days.
Icy cold drinks are not balancing for vata - in fact quite the opposite. Sugar also throws vata types off balance, though vata are lucky in that they can enjoy other sweets.
Vata generally love fruit, and it suits their ayurvedic constitution. The exceptions are apples, pears, cranberries, watermelon and dried fruit. Vata types should go for sweet and moist fruit, like mangoes, nectarines, bananas, coconut, fresh figs, peaches, and strawberries.
Cooked grains like oatmeal, basmati rice, and brown rice, are very grounding for the vata ayurvedic constitution. Beans (legumes), on the other hand, are not! Beans are cold, dry, and heavy - not the attributes that support vata.
Things that can imbalance vata dominant body types include:
* a lot of travel, especially by plane
* loud noises
* constant stimulation
* drugs, sugar and alcohol
* cold climates (especially extremely cold ones) and cold food
* frozen and dried food
Kapha
Characteristics of people with a kapha dominant body type:
* strength
* stamina
* endurance
* groundedness
* calm
* fluid
Kapha body types are not suited to a high protein diet like the Atkins diet. Not only should they avoid too much fat, but also, excessive heavy protein. The kapha quality is already heavy, and although this doesn't sound great, it is what provides Kapha body types with a wonderful stability and strength.
Kapha should have light and low fat protein. Beans, with the exception of soy and soy products, are great for kapha. Soy milk is preferable to dairy though, for kapha. Beans help move kapha's energy, and digestive system, a bit. Barley is also excellent. In terms of meat, chicken and turkey suit kapha.
Kapha body types should have plenty of vegetables, including bitter vegetables, peppers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, eggplant, lettuce, onions, potatoes, mushrooms, corn cobs, peas, beets, and celery.
Dairy is heavy and cooling, and it does not suit the Kapha ayurvedic body type. Light and crispy food, like corn tortillas and popcorn, suit kapha. Kapha people should make sure they have variety in their diet, as kapha body types have a danger of falling into a rut more than others.
Asian and Latin American style meals are great for kapha. They are spicy and light, free of dairy, and have plenty of vegetables in them.
Things that can imbalance Kapha body types:
* inertia
* too much fat in the diet, including oil we cook with!
* dairy products
* not enough stimulation and challenge
* not enough variety
* not enough exercise
* too much bread, iced foods and drinks, and sweets
References: Amadea Morningstar and Urmila Desai, The Ayurvedic Cookbook
Essential Oils Storage - So That You Continue Benefiting For Years
The importance of storing your essential oils in a proper manner can be estimated from the fact that women in the 19th century would ask their jewelers to design special bottles to hold their perfumes and essential oils. Luxury apart, storing essential oils in specially designed bottles helped keep the therapeutic and aromatic properties of the essential oils intact.
It is common knowledge that most of the essential oils become contaminated or their effect gets weakened with time if they are not stored properly. Citrus oils are the most susceptible to early breakdown. They oxidize and begin to lose the aroma and therapeutic properties. The citrus oil becomes cloudy and a sweet fragrance is emitted. This signals towards the deterioration of the essential oil.
Same does not apply to oils such as frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, and myrrh. They can be stored for a longer time. In fact, they improve with time. In the older times, Egyptians used to embalm the dead people with the essential oils of cedar wood, cinnamon etc. When one such tomb was opened in the early 20th century, traces of the oil were clearly visible.
Will you not like to keep your treasured essential oils in the same manner? Lifetime of the essential oil ranges from 6 months to several years. Through a proper storage, one can increase the shelf life of an essential oil. The following section provides lessons in storing essentials oils.
Dark amber, cobalt blue, or violet glass bottles are the best when it comes to storing essential oils. Sunlight can be very harmful for the essential oils. Ultraviolet rays, which are a part of the sunlight, weaken the essential oil. This explains the reason why it is not advisable to store essential oils in clear glass bottles. Sunlight easily passes through the clear glass bottle, thus producing reaction in the essential oil, and no longer rendering it effective.
Plastic bottles too must not be used as the plastic dissolves with the essential oil and thus is contaminated. One can use aluminum bottles to store the essential oil, but the inner surface of the container must be lined.
Your essential oils need to be kept away from sunlight as far as possible. High temperature can be harmful to the oil. Therefore, the place where the essential oil is stored must not be near any heater vent or any such heat-emitting gadget. Keeping the oil in a refrigerator can help increase its shelf life. Nevertheless, freezing is not acceptable. When cooled at very low temperatures, some essential oils will cloud. It regains its original state when brought to room temperature. Certain citrus oils continue to be cloudy even when brought to room temperature. However, this does not affect their therapeutic properties.
We tend to contaminate the essential oil in the process of using them. The following checklist will be helpful in preventing contamination:
• Never touch the top of the orifice reducer or the inside of the cap.
• Always use separate pipettes for separate oil.
• The pipettes must not be carriers of oxygen. When one uses the pipette for taking out the oil, a few drops of it remain in the pipette. This becomes contaminated when it comes in contact with oxygen outside. When the same pipette is used again, it contaminates the whole bottle.
The cap of the bottle containing essential oils must not be kept open for long. Since they are volatile, they will evaporate.
The cap of the bottle containing essential oil must be selected carefully. Rubber droppers have a tendency to turn into gum when they come in contact with the concentrated essential oil.
Keeping these points in mind, one can surely increase the shelf life of the essential oils. This might require a few extra efforts and might become expensive in some cases, but your treasured essential oils truly deserve this.
It is common knowledge that most of the essential oils become contaminated or their effect gets weakened with time if they are not stored properly. Citrus oils are the most susceptible to early breakdown. They oxidize and begin to lose the aroma and therapeutic properties. The citrus oil becomes cloudy and a sweet fragrance is emitted. This signals towards the deterioration of the essential oil.
Same does not apply to oils such as frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, and myrrh. They can be stored for a longer time. In fact, they improve with time. In the older times, Egyptians used to embalm the dead people with the essential oils of cedar wood, cinnamon etc. When one such tomb was opened in the early 20th century, traces of the oil were clearly visible.
Will you not like to keep your treasured essential oils in the same manner? Lifetime of the essential oil ranges from 6 months to several years. Through a proper storage, one can increase the shelf life of an essential oil. The following section provides lessons in storing essentials oils.
Dark amber, cobalt blue, or violet glass bottles are the best when it comes to storing essential oils. Sunlight can be very harmful for the essential oils. Ultraviolet rays, which are a part of the sunlight, weaken the essential oil. This explains the reason why it is not advisable to store essential oils in clear glass bottles. Sunlight easily passes through the clear glass bottle, thus producing reaction in the essential oil, and no longer rendering it effective.
Plastic bottles too must not be used as the plastic dissolves with the essential oil and thus is contaminated. One can use aluminum bottles to store the essential oil, but the inner surface of the container must be lined.
Your essential oils need to be kept away from sunlight as far as possible. High temperature can be harmful to the oil. Therefore, the place where the essential oil is stored must not be near any heater vent or any such heat-emitting gadget. Keeping the oil in a refrigerator can help increase its shelf life. Nevertheless, freezing is not acceptable. When cooled at very low temperatures, some essential oils will cloud. It regains its original state when brought to room temperature. Certain citrus oils continue to be cloudy even when brought to room temperature. However, this does not affect their therapeutic properties.
We tend to contaminate the essential oil in the process of using them. The following checklist will be helpful in preventing contamination:
• Never touch the top of the orifice reducer or the inside of the cap.
• Always use separate pipettes for separate oil.
• The pipettes must not be carriers of oxygen. When one uses the pipette for taking out the oil, a few drops of it remain in the pipette. This becomes contaminated when it comes in contact with oxygen outside. When the same pipette is used again, it contaminates the whole bottle.
The cap of the bottle containing essential oils must not be kept open for long. Since they are volatile, they will evaporate.
The cap of the bottle containing essential oil must be selected carefully. Rubber droppers have a tendency to turn into gum when they come in contact with the concentrated essential oil.
Keeping these points in mind, one can surely increase the shelf life of the essential oils. This might require a few extra efforts and might become expensive in some cases, but your treasured essential oils truly deserve this.
How Anxiety And Depression Are Connected
Depression is a disorder that does not get nearly enough attention. Depressed people are often told to "cheer up" or to "look at the bright side" of things, and may spiral even deeper when they are unable to simply snap out of the mood that has such a hold on them. While depression can often lead to fatigue and listlessness, it has a close cousin by the name of anxiety. Anxiety causes the opposite effect, putting our bodies into the "fight or flight" mode that protected us in the wild.
Anxiety attacks can feel like heart attacks, and even at more moderate levels, anxiety can have a dangerous and very negative effect on our lives and on our quality of living. Anxiety can also lead into depression, when a sense of worry and fear for the future leads into the sense of helplessness and hopelessness. That is a classic symptom of depression. Depression and anxiety are often seen together, and can sometimes lead into one another.
Anxiety is a way of describing a certain way of feeling. It may represent a sense of fear, dread, or a sense that you are in immediate danger, even when you are safe and have no reason to feel this way. There are several different kinds of anxiety disorders, including phobias or irrational fears, situational anxiety, panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders among others.
These disorders can lead to a state of almost constant high stress, and can affect your daily life much to the worse. You may be unable to function in certain situations, or you may come to fear leaving your own home, and if untreated, the symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to many of the same problems as depression, including insomnia or a reluctance or fear to leave the house or to be around other people.
Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety symptoms can also feel like heart attacks, with palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pains, and more. You might begin trembling and shaking, your mouth might go dry, and you might become dizzy from the stress of the situation. The body becomes "hyped up" by your reaction to the situation, and your senses go into a sort of overdrive that is unlike the depression of the system that happens when you suffer from clinical depression.
Depression disorder actually slows the body in some ways, making you feel sluggish rather than ready to run or fight, and hopeless rather than actively panicked or fearful. If you have been suffering from anxiety attacks, the attacks themselves may lead into depression because of the hopelessness that you feel at the hands of the attacks and because of the fears that are associated with possibly having another attack.
If your anxiety symptoms have changed to include listlessness, a disinterest in things that used to engage you, or feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing, then you may now be suffering from depression disorder, and should be treated accordingly for your medical condition.
Depression is not a constant state of being, nor is anxiety. You might think that because you have a good number of "good days" that your depressive days are just bad moments that will pass, however depression can become worse over time if it is not treated and taken care of, and can lead to suicide if left untreated long enough.
Anxiety and Depression Treatments
Anxiety can worsen over time as well if it is not handled properly. There are ways to help with anxiety even without medication. Therapies are different depending on the type of anxiety that affects you and on the level of anxiety that you suffer. For a phobia, you might be exposed at increasing levels to the thing that you are afraid of. Other therapies might require talking your problems out, and others might just provide techniques to help you ride out your panic attacks and get on with life without letting them affect you more than necessary.
Depression treatments are also varied, mostly depending on your own personal preference. Medication can provide you with an effective way of dealing with depression; however medication is not for everyone. If you are not interested in medication, then you might consider other kinds of therapies with a psychologist who has experience working with depression.
Depression and anxiety are related disorders that can have a huge impact on your overall health and quality of life if left untreated. However, both are manageable conditions that do not have to have an effect on your daily life.
Anxiety attacks can feel like heart attacks, and even at more moderate levels, anxiety can have a dangerous and very negative effect on our lives and on our quality of living. Anxiety can also lead into depression, when a sense of worry and fear for the future leads into the sense of helplessness and hopelessness. That is a classic symptom of depression. Depression and anxiety are often seen together, and can sometimes lead into one another.
Anxiety is a way of describing a certain way of feeling. It may represent a sense of fear, dread, or a sense that you are in immediate danger, even when you are safe and have no reason to feel this way. There are several different kinds of anxiety disorders, including phobias or irrational fears, situational anxiety, panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders among others.
These disorders can lead to a state of almost constant high stress, and can affect your daily life much to the worse. You may be unable to function in certain situations, or you may come to fear leaving your own home, and if untreated, the symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to many of the same problems as depression, including insomnia or a reluctance or fear to leave the house or to be around other people.
Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety symptoms can also feel like heart attacks, with palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pains, and more. You might begin trembling and shaking, your mouth might go dry, and you might become dizzy from the stress of the situation. The body becomes "hyped up" by your reaction to the situation, and your senses go into a sort of overdrive that is unlike the depression of the system that happens when you suffer from clinical depression.
Depression disorder actually slows the body in some ways, making you feel sluggish rather than ready to run or fight, and hopeless rather than actively panicked or fearful. If you have been suffering from anxiety attacks, the attacks themselves may lead into depression because of the hopelessness that you feel at the hands of the attacks and because of the fears that are associated with possibly having another attack.
If your anxiety symptoms have changed to include listlessness, a disinterest in things that used to engage you, or feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing, then you may now be suffering from depression disorder, and should be treated accordingly for your medical condition.
Depression is not a constant state of being, nor is anxiety. You might think that because you have a good number of "good days" that your depressive days are just bad moments that will pass, however depression can become worse over time if it is not treated and taken care of, and can lead to suicide if left untreated long enough.
Anxiety and Depression Treatments
Anxiety can worsen over time as well if it is not handled properly. There are ways to help with anxiety even without medication. Therapies are different depending on the type of anxiety that affects you and on the level of anxiety that you suffer. For a phobia, you might be exposed at increasing levels to the thing that you are afraid of. Other therapies might require talking your problems out, and others might just provide techniques to help you ride out your panic attacks and get on with life without letting them affect you more than necessary.
Depression treatments are also varied, mostly depending on your own personal preference. Medication can provide you with an effective way of dealing with depression; however medication is not for everyone. If you are not interested in medication, then you might consider other kinds of therapies with a psychologist who has experience working with depression.
Depression and anxiety are related disorders that can have a huge impact on your overall health and quality of life if left untreated. However, both are manageable conditions that do not have to have an effect on your daily life.
What Is Acne Laser Treatment?
Acne laser treatment is a method that has helped millions to get rid of acne. Each year, individuals find out that the over the counter medications that they get at their local drug store just do not provide enough help to them. They have likely tried several products and can not find method to get rid of acne. Acne laser treatment can actually help to stop acne once and for all for many individuals.
How Does It Work?
Acne laser treatment is just what it sounds like. The technician will use a very powerful and small laser to effectively trigger the acne. Usually, the procedure will be done because the acne is being caused, at least in part, by over producing oils in the skin. The laser will get to these glands that are under the skin and causing the oils and destroy them. While this seems harsh, laser acne treatment is virtually painless. There are no ramifications to having these glands destroyed either. Once the glands stop producing oils, the bacteria that cause acne will not have an optimal place to grow. This in turn effectively stops acne.
It is important to know that in most causes acne treatments will not necessary cure the acne that is already on your face or body. This will usually be done with antibiotics. Once the oils slow or stop though, there will be fewer outbreaks of acne on the face or body once these heal.
Scar Treatment
Another option for the use of acne laser treatment is that in which the acne scars can be removed. This very powerful laser can actually remove the top layers of your skin near and on the scar. When new skin grows back, it will be healthy and scars are either gone or they are not as visible. Acne scar laser treatment is fast becoming a way to get rid of acne scars that have been on a person's body for years.
In either treatment, laser acne treatment can be quite effective. In some cases, there will be the need for several treatments to be done, though. The only bad part of acne laser treatment is that it is not necessarily cheap. With the several treatments that may be necessary, it may be quite expensive. Yet, even with that said, the results for laser treatments are amazing for many.
How Does It Work?
Acne laser treatment is just what it sounds like. The technician will use a very powerful and small laser to effectively trigger the acne. Usually, the procedure will be done because the acne is being caused, at least in part, by over producing oils in the skin. The laser will get to these glands that are under the skin and causing the oils and destroy them. While this seems harsh, laser acne treatment is virtually painless. There are no ramifications to having these glands destroyed either. Once the glands stop producing oils, the bacteria that cause acne will not have an optimal place to grow. This in turn effectively stops acne.
It is important to know that in most causes acne treatments will not necessary cure the acne that is already on your face or body. This will usually be done with antibiotics. Once the oils slow or stop though, there will be fewer outbreaks of acne on the face or body once these heal.
Scar Treatment
Another option for the use of acne laser treatment is that in which the acne scars can be removed. This very powerful laser can actually remove the top layers of your skin near and on the scar. When new skin grows back, it will be healthy and scars are either gone or they are not as visible. Acne scar laser treatment is fast becoming a way to get rid of acne scars that have been on a person's body for years.
In either treatment, laser acne treatment can be quite effective. In some cases, there will be the need for several treatments to be done, though. The only bad part of acne laser treatment is that it is not necessarily cheap. With the several treatments that may be necessary, it may be quite expensive. Yet, even with that said, the results for laser treatments are amazing for many.
Andropause and Erectile Dysfunction
One of the signature symptoms of Andropause is erectile dysfunction (ED). An embarrassing, nerve-wrecking experience, ED is when a male cannot perform for his female partner. In layman's terms, it is the inability to have an erect penis during sexual activity.
It is the primary issue amongst men in regards to their sex lives. Let's become acquainted with how a full erection works and why this condition exists. Men under the influence of Andropause have erectile dysfunction no matter what's on their mind. Thinking of a nude Playboy centerfold model would likely induce pleasant and sexual thoughts into a man.
Sexual thoughts, however detailed or brief they may be, are produced in the brain. After all, the brain is responsible for thinking. These sexual thoughts directly spark nerve signals down through the spinal cord and into the muscles of the penis. These nerves send a flow of blood running through the arteries in the penis while it is in a relaxed state, building pressure.
A man without Andropause can have a constant, steady flow of blood flowing to his penis arteries in a good amount. The more blood that flows down there, the harder and longer your erection will be! When sexual thoughts creep out of your mind and you're focused on another activity, your penis returns to its relaxed state. We can guess Andropause sufferers are going to have to do something else rather than think about that nude Playboy model to obtain an erection!
Erectile dysfunction can attribute to psychological causes. Psychological causes can include having fear of our female partners (especially when it is a specific person with whom we feel shy with), depression, lack of self esteem, and cluelessness as to what to do with certain parts of the female anatomy. Our bodies are exposed ¨to the air¨ and we often times feel ashamed of what we look like to our partners. Mind thoughts and emotions that are pessimistic in nature not only affect your mental state, but the performance of your penis as well.
As with other medical conditions, the effects of impotence can be magnified if we do not follow a proper health regimen. The top dog in promoting erectile dysfunction is the use of drugs, particularly the cancer sticks you find over the counter – we all know which one that is. Cigarettes reduce the amount of blood flow to the penis. Undergoing surgery and prescription drugs also contribute to the problem, like tranquilizers, medications for seizures, beta blockers, and diuretics. Even a simple over the counter drug like NyQuil Cold & Sinus (a decongestant) can reduce blood flow to the penis, at least temporarily.
We've probably all seen those commercials before. You know, the one with Rafael Palmeiro (major league baseball player in his late 30´s) promoting the use of a special pill known throughout the globe as Viagra. Viagra is a staple of American culture – the subject of endless tonight show monologue jokes and a popular conversation topic anywhere. At a cursory glance, Viagra may seem like a sideshow attraction, but its been proven to be one of the most effective drugs you can take for erectile dysfunction.
Using Viagra requires a doctors prescription, but it is so readily available you can get away without one. Before considering going on this pill, maintain a healthy lifestyle and build up those testosterone levels naturally. Make a visit to your doctor to discuss a proper dosage and see if Viagra is right for you. Remember, there are many erectile dysfunction pills out there – the goal is to see which best suits your condition. Don't fret over this condition – with the plethora of solutions and medications combating this problem, you'll be sure to be fine in no time.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.
It is the primary issue amongst men in regards to their sex lives. Let's become acquainted with how a full erection works and why this condition exists. Men under the influence of Andropause have erectile dysfunction no matter what's on their mind. Thinking of a nude Playboy centerfold model would likely induce pleasant and sexual thoughts into a man.
Sexual thoughts, however detailed or brief they may be, are produced in the brain. After all, the brain is responsible for thinking. These sexual thoughts directly spark nerve signals down through the spinal cord and into the muscles of the penis. These nerves send a flow of blood running through the arteries in the penis while it is in a relaxed state, building pressure.
A man without Andropause can have a constant, steady flow of blood flowing to his penis arteries in a good amount. The more blood that flows down there, the harder and longer your erection will be! When sexual thoughts creep out of your mind and you're focused on another activity, your penis returns to its relaxed state. We can guess Andropause sufferers are going to have to do something else rather than think about that nude Playboy model to obtain an erection!
Erectile dysfunction can attribute to psychological causes. Psychological causes can include having fear of our female partners (especially when it is a specific person with whom we feel shy with), depression, lack of self esteem, and cluelessness as to what to do with certain parts of the female anatomy. Our bodies are exposed ¨to the air¨ and we often times feel ashamed of what we look like to our partners. Mind thoughts and emotions that are pessimistic in nature not only affect your mental state, but the performance of your penis as well.
As with other medical conditions, the effects of impotence can be magnified if we do not follow a proper health regimen. The top dog in promoting erectile dysfunction is the use of drugs, particularly the cancer sticks you find over the counter – we all know which one that is. Cigarettes reduce the amount of blood flow to the penis. Undergoing surgery and prescription drugs also contribute to the problem, like tranquilizers, medications for seizures, beta blockers, and diuretics. Even a simple over the counter drug like NyQuil Cold & Sinus (a decongestant) can reduce blood flow to the penis, at least temporarily.
We've probably all seen those commercials before. You know, the one with Rafael Palmeiro (major league baseball player in his late 30´s) promoting the use of a special pill known throughout the globe as Viagra. Viagra is a staple of American culture – the subject of endless tonight show monologue jokes and a popular conversation topic anywhere. At a cursory glance, Viagra may seem like a sideshow attraction, but its been proven to be one of the most effective drugs you can take for erectile dysfunction.
Using Viagra requires a doctors prescription, but it is so readily available you can get away without one. Before considering going on this pill, maintain a healthy lifestyle and build up those testosterone levels naturally. Make a visit to your doctor to discuss a proper dosage and see if Viagra is right for you. Remember, there are many erectile dysfunction pills out there – the goal is to see which best suits your condition. Don't fret over this condition – with the plethora of solutions and medications combating this problem, you'll be sure to be fine in no time.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice.
Your Weight in Muscle
You probably have heard that muscle weighs more than fat. Many people notice a small weight gain when they begin lifting weights consistently. As a general rule, if you lift weights 2 to 3 times a week, you can gain 1 pound of muscle per month for about 6 months. After that, the rate of increase slows down as you start to reach your genetic potential. For the same reason, you will make a lot of progress on weight progression at the beginning, but the longer you lift; your progression will lessen because you are reaching your genetic potential.
Don't be alarmed at the extra pounds of weight from weight training because it is well worth the effort. For every 3 pounds of muscle you build, research shows you increase your resting metabolic rate by about 7 percent. For example, if your body burns 1,200 calories per day (not counting exercise or any other movement), you would burn an extra 84 calories per day with those 3 extra pounds of muscle.
Many women have a difficult time outgrowing 2-3 pound dumbbell weights, because they are afraid that if they increase the weight they will bulk up. If you are happy with the strength and appearance of your muscles, you can do a maintenance program with 5 pound weights. However, if you want more strength, you could progress to 8 or 10 pound weights and still not bulk up. Using heavier weights can increase muscle size, but it's highly unlikely that you'll get bulky. Women don't naturally have enough of the hormone, testosterone, required to build huge muscles, and even if you could bulk up, you'd have to use significantly heavier weights.
Another option to tone muscle is to increase your repetitions instead of increasing weight. A high-repetition/light-weight program will develop muscle tone and increase strength and endurance without significantly increasing muscle size.
I like to tell my clients to not just go through the motion when lifting weights. I use the word "squeeze" a lot to describe the contraction of the muscle you should be focusing on. Think about the muscle you are working and squeeze or contract it as you are lifting. You will get a lot more benefit for your efforts if you squeeze the muscle on the lift rather than just raising and lowering the weight without focusing on the muscle.
For more information and tips on exercise, go to http://www.easyexercisetips.com
Don't be alarmed at the extra pounds of weight from weight training because it is well worth the effort. For every 3 pounds of muscle you build, research shows you increase your resting metabolic rate by about 7 percent. For example, if your body burns 1,200 calories per day (not counting exercise or any other movement), you would burn an extra 84 calories per day with those 3 extra pounds of muscle.
Many women have a difficult time outgrowing 2-3 pound dumbbell weights, because they are afraid that if they increase the weight they will bulk up. If you are happy with the strength and appearance of your muscles, you can do a maintenance program with 5 pound weights. However, if you want more strength, you could progress to 8 or 10 pound weights and still not bulk up. Using heavier weights can increase muscle size, but it's highly unlikely that you'll get bulky. Women don't naturally have enough of the hormone, testosterone, required to build huge muscles, and even if you could bulk up, you'd have to use significantly heavier weights.
Another option to tone muscle is to increase your repetitions instead of increasing weight. A high-repetition/light-weight program will develop muscle tone and increase strength and endurance without significantly increasing muscle size.
I like to tell my clients to not just go through the motion when lifting weights. I use the word "squeeze" a lot to describe the contraction of the muscle you should be focusing on. Think about the muscle you are working and squeeze or contract it as you are lifting. You will get a lot more benefit for your efforts if you squeeze the muscle on the lift rather than just raising and lowering the weight without focusing on the muscle.
For more information and tips on exercise, go to http://www.easyexercisetips.com
Ageing Skin Care - What Is Chemical Peeling?
As the name implies Chemical peeling peels the skin with chemicals. It is also called dermapeeling or chemexfoliation. By peeling off the skin layer, it allows new skin to form, which is new and fresh, and without some wrinkles. Chemical peeling is used to remove photo aged skin damages.
How chemical peeling is done for skin care- in chemical peeling, chemical solutions are applied on the skin. The choice and strength of chemical depends upon the results desired. For mild peeling, mild chemicals are used and so on. Sometimes, light peel is repeated over time to get desired effect. With mild peel, superficial wrinkles and sun damage is removed. For more damaged skin such as skin having age spots, freckles and acetinic keratoses, a medium peel is used.
Skin care and strength of chemicals- depending upon the skin damage, and the results desired, the dermatologist decides about the kind of peeling to be performed.
Skin care and peeling chemicals- common peeling chemicals include alpha hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid, carbolic acid and other chemicals.
Skin care and side effects of chemical peeling- the chemicals peel the old skin and that is like sunburn. What the doctor is doing is to remove the old skin to a certain depth. That naturally causes redness and scaling of the skin. as new skin forms, the redness and scaling disappear. With medium or deep chemical peeling, the skin may develop blisters and swelling along with redness and peeling that may last for up to two weeks.
Skin care and discomfort with chemical peeling- some discomfort is the result as the skin peels. Your doctor will prescribe some lotions to reduce the discomfort. Exposure to sun must be avoided for some time and protection must be taken from sun till the new skin forms and all the side effects disappear. With chemical peeling, surface skin damage is removed. Please consult your doctor for further details.
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
How chemical peeling is done for skin care- in chemical peeling, chemical solutions are applied on the skin. The choice and strength of chemical depends upon the results desired. For mild peeling, mild chemicals are used and so on. Sometimes, light peel is repeated over time to get desired effect. With mild peel, superficial wrinkles and sun damage is removed. For more damaged skin such as skin having age spots, freckles and acetinic keratoses, a medium peel is used.
Skin care and strength of chemicals- depending upon the skin damage, and the results desired, the dermatologist decides about the kind of peeling to be performed.
Skin care and peeling chemicals- common peeling chemicals include alpha hydroxy acids, trichloroacetic acid, carbolic acid and other chemicals.
Skin care and side effects of chemical peeling- the chemicals peel the old skin and that is like sunburn. What the doctor is doing is to remove the old skin to a certain depth. That naturally causes redness and scaling of the skin. as new skin forms, the redness and scaling disappear. With medium or deep chemical peeling, the skin may develop blisters and swelling along with redness and peeling that may last for up to two weeks.
Skin care and discomfort with chemical peeling- some discomfort is the result as the skin peels. Your doctor will prescribe some lotions to reduce the discomfort. Exposure to sun must be avoided for some time and protection must be taken from sun till the new skin forms and all the side effects disappear. With chemical peeling, surface skin damage is removed. Please consult your doctor for further details.
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.
A Permanent Cure for Acne Scars
Ask anybody who has ever suffered from acne what was the least enjoyable part of the whole experience and probably the most possible answer will be the scars - acne scars that remain long after acne is gone. If having acne is considered bad, then what about having acne scars for several years more ? If acne scars are what you want to either avoid or get rid of, then a few tips are presented here ...
Prevention is better than cure
If you are still in the early stages of acne then you might want to consult a qualified dermatologist at the earliest to prevent acne from getting worse. Getting rid of acne fast can greatly reduce the chances of scarring later on. A qualified dermatologist can help determine your skin type and the particular triggers that may exacerbate your acne help you get rid of acne fast.
What if you already have scars?
Well, if your acne has already progressed beyond the initial stage of whiteheads and blackheads and you now have pimples and scars on your face, then you have to do two things at the same time - get rid of pimples and get rid of acne scars.
Before discussing how to eliminate acne scars, you may want to know...
What are acne scars?
Acne scars are caused when pimples either get inflamed or do not heal fully. Acne scars are formed when at least one of the layers of healthy skin is injured. When the skin is damaged and bleeding, the body forms new tissue fibers at the place to heal the wound and stop the bleeding. It is these tissues that may appear as a scar.
So getting rid of scars requires that the scar tissue be replaced by healthy tissue by some process or method.
Becoming completely free of acne scars that already have been formed depends on two things : 1) The severity of the scarring and 2) the treatment method you follow. The more severe the scarring, the more effort and time it may require before the scar can completely heal.
Treatment methods for acne scars
There are several methods to heal acne scars but in practice very few of them may be very effective. And some methods may have side effects that you may want to be aware of before you start such a program. <
Laser Resurfacing: A carbon dioxide laser burns away the damaged skin, layer by layer. The depth of penetration is controlled. As the outer layers of damaged skin is removed, new skin cells begin to form as the healing process starts and in a few weeks, a younger looking smoother skin surface begins to appear. This is how the process is supposed to work, at least in theory. Laser resurfacing is a relatively new process and you might want to ask your dermatologist about the effectiveness of this method in healing acne scars.
Dermabrasion: This uses a spinning diamond instrument or a rotating wire brush to wear down the outer layers of the skin that have been damaged. And when the skin starts healing, younger and smoother skin will replace the old skin removed by abrasion. The healing process may take up to 3 weeks.
Chemical peels for acne scars: Acidic solutions are applied to the skin to peel away the damaged layers and the new skin that is formed is usually smoother. Chemical peels range from mild to deep penetration. Though chemical peels can be applied at home, it would be advisable to get a dermatologist to apply it.
Punch grafts: More suitable for deep and pitted acne scars, this method involves punching a hole to remove the scar and then removing a small piece of undamaged skin - usually from the area behind the ear - and using it to replace the damaged skin.
There are treatments for acne scars. But the question you may want to ask is...
Do They Work?
All of the treatments mentioned above seem to have a moderate success rate - while they seem to work well for others, some are less than delighted with these treatments. While results like these may be expected with any medical procedure, your face is a very important part of your life and you will want to be absolutely certain that any treatment will be beneficial to your sense of well-being and not otherwise.
In case you want to read other acne treatments that seem to work very well, you may want to see how to get rid of acne marks .
Prevention is better than cure
If you are still in the early stages of acne then you might want to consult a qualified dermatologist at the earliest to prevent acne from getting worse. Getting rid of acne fast can greatly reduce the chances of scarring later on. A qualified dermatologist can help determine your skin type and the particular triggers that may exacerbate your acne help you get rid of acne fast.
What if you already have scars?
Well, if your acne has already progressed beyond the initial stage of whiteheads and blackheads and you now have pimples and scars on your face, then you have to do two things at the same time - get rid of pimples and get rid of acne scars.
Before discussing how to eliminate acne scars, you may want to know...
What are acne scars?
Acne scars are caused when pimples either get inflamed or do not heal fully. Acne scars are formed when at least one of the layers of healthy skin is injured. When the skin is damaged and bleeding, the body forms new tissue fibers at the place to heal the wound and stop the bleeding. It is these tissues that may appear as a scar.
So getting rid of scars requires that the scar tissue be replaced by healthy tissue by some process or method.
Becoming completely free of acne scars that already have been formed depends on two things : 1) The severity of the scarring and 2) the treatment method you follow. The more severe the scarring, the more effort and time it may require before the scar can completely heal.
Treatment methods for acne scars
There are several methods to heal acne scars but in practice very few of them may be very effective. And some methods may have side effects that you may want to be aware of before you start such a program. <
Laser Resurfacing: A carbon dioxide laser burns away the damaged skin, layer by layer. The depth of penetration is controlled. As the outer layers of damaged skin is removed, new skin cells begin to form as the healing process starts and in a few weeks, a younger looking smoother skin surface begins to appear. This is how the process is supposed to work, at least in theory. Laser resurfacing is a relatively new process and you might want to ask your dermatologist about the effectiveness of this method in healing acne scars.
Dermabrasion: This uses a spinning diamond instrument or a rotating wire brush to wear down the outer layers of the skin that have been damaged. And when the skin starts healing, younger and smoother skin will replace the old skin removed by abrasion. The healing process may take up to 3 weeks.
Chemical peels for acne scars: Acidic solutions are applied to the skin to peel away the damaged layers and the new skin that is formed is usually smoother. Chemical peels range from mild to deep penetration. Though chemical peels can be applied at home, it would be advisable to get a dermatologist to apply it.
Punch grafts: More suitable for deep and pitted acne scars, this method involves punching a hole to remove the scar and then removing a small piece of undamaged skin - usually from the area behind the ear - and using it to replace the damaged skin.
There are treatments for acne scars. But the question you may want to ask is...
Do They Work?
All of the treatments mentioned above seem to have a moderate success rate - while they seem to work well for others, some are less than delighted with these treatments. While results like these may be expected with any medical procedure, your face is a very important part of your life and you will want to be absolutely certain that any treatment will be beneficial to your sense of well-being and not otherwise.
In case you want to read other acne treatments that seem to work very well, you may want to see how to get rid of acne marks .
How To Gain Muscle Naturally... No Steroids Necessary
Wondering how to gain muscle? There are many fads, gimmicks and "quick fixes" to be found, but there is really only one healthy way to gain muscle mass. You don't need to be gifted with great genetics or use potentially dangerous illegal hormones or steroids.
The "how to gain muscle" question has a relatively simple two-step process:
1) increase your caloric intake, and
2) workout. This combination will provide the desired results.
Don't be embarrassed to look in the mirror! You CAN have the body that you strive to achieve. When you first begin thinking about how to gain muscle, the first instinct may be "But I don't want to gain fat". Losing fat and gaining muscle mass are two different objectives, and are tackled in two different ways. At this point you have to realize that dieting and exercising to lose weight is different than dieting and exercising to gain muscle.
In gaining muscle mass, the caloric intake must be increased. You have to take in more calories that your body is used to: take in more proteins and fats-your body has no choice but to gain weight. While nutritional supplements may be utilized, this should NOT be used as a substitute for a healthy diet. The increased calories are then offset by working out with weights in order to achieve the increased muscle mass you desire. This workout will stimulate growth by "overloading" the muscles. The combination of caloric building blocks (which help rebuild and repair muscle tissue) along with the increase workout.<
If you are among the millions who constantly try to gain weight and build muscle mass, remember that a firm commitment, the proper diet, and a good weight-training regimen are the best ways to succeed in reaching your goal. A muscle mass building diet includes plenty of protein and enough calories to promote weight gain.
A good place to start is to multiply your current weight by 18. This number will give you a rough idea of how many calories your body needs in a day to bulk up. If you are extremely active, play sports, or have a faster than average metabolism, you may need to increase your caloric intake even more. A muscle building diet requires a lot of effort on your part. It's not easy to consume enough calories in three meals per day. A good suggestion would be to eat several small meals each day rather than three large ones.
Protein is a critical element in any mass building diet. Ideally, you should eat one and a half grams of protein per pound of body weight. While this seems like a lot of protein, spread over several small meals each day it will be a lot easier to meet this goal. Fish, poultry, eggs, and lean red meat are excellent sources of protein. Lots of fresh vegetables and simple carbohydrates combined with plenty of protein should allow you to meet your calorie quota each day. The best muscle building diet is a combination of consuming adequate calories and the proper types of foods.
The "how to gain muscle" question has a relatively simple two-step process:
1) increase your caloric intake, and
2) workout. This combination will provide the desired results.
Don't be embarrassed to look in the mirror! You CAN have the body that you strive to achieve. When you first begin thinking about how to gain muscle, the first instinct may be "But I don't want to gain fat". Losing fat and gaining muscle mass are two different objectives, and are tackled in two different ways. At this point you have to realize that dieting and exercising to lose weight is different than dieting and exercising to gain muscle.
In gaining muscle mass, the caloric intake must be increased. You have to take in more calories that your body is used to: take in more proteins and fats-your body has no choice but to gain weight. While nutritional supplements may be utilized, this should NOT be used as a substitute for a healthy diet. The increased calories are then offset by working out with weights in order to achieve the increased muscle mass you desire. This workout will stimulate growth by "overloading" the muscles. The combination of caloric building blocks (which help rebuild and repair muscle tissue) along with the increase workout.<
If you are among the millions who constantly try to gain weight and build muscle mass, remember that a firm commitment, the proper diet, and a good weight-training regimen are the best ways to succeed in reaching your goal. A muscle mass building diet includes plenty of protein and enough calories to promote weight gain.
A good place to start is to multiply your current weight by 18. This number will give you a rough idea of how many calories your body needs in a day to bulk up. If you are extremely active, play sports, or have a faster than average metabolism, you may need to increase your caloric intake even more. A muscle building diet requires a lot of effort on your part. It's not easy to consume enough calories in three meals per day. A good suggestion would be to eat several small meals each day rather than three large ones.
Protein is a critical element in any mass building diet. Ideally, you should eat one and a half grams of protein per pound of body weight. While this seems like a lot of protein, spread over several small meals each day it will be a lot easier to meet this goal. Fish, poultry, eggs, and lean red meat are excellent sources of protein. Lots of fresh vegetables and simple carbohydrates combined with plenty of protein should allow you to meet your calorie quota each day. The best muscle building diet is a combination of consuming adequate calories and the proper types of foods.
Serenity
Serenity refers to a state of peacefulness where the mind is calm and unruffled by the external environment. This higher spiritual echelon, or inner peace, is accompanied by a sense of contentment and bliss. Human beings are distinct from all other life forms due to their intelligence and consciousness. The conscious mind perceives the external world and feels various emotions based on experiences and perception.
These feelings, emotions, and sentiments, in turn, determine our inner equilibrium or "inner life." Consciousness, which stems from internalization of social values and morals, also plays a major role in directing the inner equilibrium. Most of the time, the inner life or equilibrium of a human mind is in a disturbed state. The mind is never at peace, and chaos reigns due to anger, shame, feelings of guilt, and sadness. The human mind strives to achieve the right balance or equilibrium. The eternal quest for the ultimate goal-bliss-proceeds in many directions.
Some seek respite in various forms of addiction, or others by passionately submerging themselves in work or pleasure. These paths, however, never satiate the true desire for peace or tranquility. Serenity, or peace, is achieved by striving for inner peace first. The most important step in this direction is to recognize the inner child of the mind. The second step emancipating the inner child from all forms of abuse and loving it unconditionally, like a child.
Self-love is the key to serenity. Self-love doesn't require one to be directed by the inner child. One should take control as a conscious being and love one's self, yet not be dictated by it. Some find serenity in nature; for others, serenity is found in visiting with family and friends. True serenity is achieved by empowering the inner life and allowing it to reflect the external life.
These feelings, emotions, and sentiments, in turn, determine our inner equilibrium or "inner life." Consciousness, which stems from internalization of social values and morals, also plays a major role in directing the inner equilibrium. Most of the time, the inner life or equilibrium of a human mind is in a disturbed state. The mind is never at peace, and chaos reigns due to anger, shame, feelings of guilt, and sadness. The human mind strives to achieve the right balance or equilibrium. The eternal quest for the ultimate goal-bliss-proceeds in many directions.
Some seek respite in various forms of addiction, or others by passionately submerging themselves in work or pleasure. These paths, however, never satiate the true desire for peace or tranquility. Serenity, or peace, is achieved by striving for inner peace first. The most important step in this direction is to recognize the inner child of the mind. The second step emancipating the inner child from all forms of abuse and loving it unconditionally, like a child.
Self-love is the key to serenity. Self-love doesn't require one to be directed by the inner child. One should take control as a conscious being and love one's self, yet not be dictated by it. Some find serenity in nature; for others, serenity is found in visiting with family and friends. True serenity is achieved by empowering the inner life and allowing it to reflect the external life.
Disease Defined, It's Types And What The Internet Has To Say About It
Most of us have known someone at one time or another with a disease, some considered curable and some not. Cancer is considered the most fatal among all diseases. Let's begin this article with the definition of the word and than explore more about the various types and close off with information about how the internet may actually be helping the situation.
Disease defined:
1. A pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms. 2. A condition or tendency, as of society, regarded as abnormal and harmful.
There are different types of diseases, some affect the brain, others are heart disease, alzheimers disease, lung disease, kidneys disease, eye disease, skin types like acne and other parts of the body have been known to develop diseases.
Communicable Disease: As the name suggests the germs of a communicable disease easily spreads in any environment. The most familiar communicable disease is the cold that contaminates easily. Curable Disease:
Brain Disease: Excessive consuming of Alcohol and Drugs leads to a brain disease or brain disorder. Scientists have proved that over decade's drug addiction has been the most contributing factor for brain diseases like alzeimers disease, brain cancer, etc.
Lung Disease: Lung disease is mainly caused by different types of bacterial infections. A large number of people suffer from pulmonary diseases that cause breathing and asthmatic problems. The inhaling of tobacco has been proved in most cases for developing lung diseases.
Eye Disease: Eye disorders are found mostly in aged persons. But far sightedness or short sightedness is also found in young children. There are different types of eye infections: cataract, dry eye, conjunctivitis and glaucoma which mostly affect adults. <
Germs are responsible for Diseases
Germs are microscopic organisms responsible for different diseases. Being so tiny they're known to creep into our body without giving us any notice. Until there is any symptom of disease we can't realize that the germs have invaded our body. The Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa are the four major types of germs. The bacteria can cause a healthy person to become sick and even possibly can kill them. Once the viruses get inside our body they spread and make us sick. The fungus is a plant like micro organism that is responsible for allergic and skin diseases. The protozoa are similar to bacteria and usually cause intestinal infections.
Information and Treatment of Diseases over the Internet
Now a day's people are using the internet to study information on health, diseases and medical treatments. With the help of the internet and other media the World Health Organization (WHO) can send out immediate warnings about the newly discovered killer diseases which are being spread by deadly viruses. Health officials are urging the governments of different countries around the world to create an alert for new killer diseases and their threats. In the conclusion to the topic it can be said that "Prevention from these deadly diseases is always better than curing them".
Probably considered to be the main advantage the internet has brought about is the accumulative sharing of disease prevention information across geographical barriers. Scientists can now share their studies and findings with the rest of the world through the internet. This allows people who are researching disease prevention to also look into the medical recommendations and the natural remedies too.
Disease defined:
1. A pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms. 2. A condition or tendency, as of society, regarded as abnormal and harmful.
There are different types of diseases, some affect the brain, others are heart disease, alzheimers disease, lung disease, kidneys disease, eye disease, skin types like acne and other parts of the body have been known to develop diseases.
Communicable Disease: As the name suggests the germs of a communicable disease easily spreads in any environment. The most familiar communicable disease is the cold that contaminates easily. Curable Disease:
Brain Disease: Excessive consuming of Alcohol and Drugs leads to a brain disease or brain disorder. Scientists have proved that over decade's drug addiction has been the most contributing factor for brain diseases like alzeimers disease, brain cancer, etc.
Lung Disease: Lung disease is mainly caused by different types of bacterial infections. A large number of people suffer from pulmonary diseases that cause breathing and asthmatic problems. The inhaling of tobacco has been proved in most cases for developing lung diseases.
Eye Disease: Eye disorders are found mostly in aged persons. But far sightedness or short sightedness is also found in young children. There are different types of eye infections: cataract, dry eye, conjunctivitis and glaucoma which mostly affect adults. <
Germs are responsible for Diseases
Germs are microscopic organisms responsible for different diseases. Being so tiny they're known to creep into our body without giving us any notice. Until there is any symptom of disease we can't realize that the germs have invaded our body. The Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi and Protozoa are the four major types of germs. The bacteria can cause a healthy person to become sick and even possibly can kill them. Once the viruses get inside our body they spread and make us sick. The fungus is a plant like micro organism that is responsible for allergic and skin diseases. The protozoa are similar to bacteria and usually cause intestinal infections.
Information and Treatment of Diseases over the Internet
Now a day's people are using the internet to study information on health, diseases and medical treatments. With the help of the internet and other media the World Health Organization (WHO) can send out immediate warnings about the newly discovered killer diseases which are being spread by deadly viruses. Health officials are urging the governments of different countries around the world to create an alert for new killer diseases and their threats. In the conclusion to the topic it can be said that "Prevention from these deadly diseases is always better than curing them".
Probably considered to be the main advantage the internet has brought about is the accumulative sharing of disease prevention information across geographical barriers. Scientists can now share their studies and findings with the rest of the world through the internet. This allows people who are researching disease prevention to also look into the medical recommendations and the natural remedies too.
Glyconutrients - The Mystery Revealed
I recently read a lengthy article on Glyconutrients. The author of the article (who shall remain nameless), incorrectly and falsely made statements about glyconutrients and cures.
The reality is that glyconutrients are GREAT; and they seriously help people that have compromised immune systems. Glyconutrients have the ability to feed our body at the cellular level. The end result of this is that your body acts and responds more efficiently. This means your body will naturally fight off and address current illnesses and ailments BETTER than if you did not take glyconutrients.
At this point in the research with glyconutrients, it is INCORRECT to make statements that glyconutrients heal. However, the research is far enough along that people who are battling auto immune disorders should SERIOUSLY consider taking glyconutrients.
My other beef with glyconutrient advertising is that it is NOT a silver bullet. There are many good things everybody should be doing for their bodies on a daily basis. These things are even more important when you are fighting a major autoimmune disorder.
For example, everybody should be doing the following:
Taking a good multivitamin
Drinking eight classes of water a day, preferably distilled.
Taking Co-enzyme Q10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid
Taking Priobiotics
Taking a high quality Vitamin C
Think about this. When your body is under stress; and it is failing to fight off a disease properly, wouldn't you want to give your body all the raw materials it needs to assist in the healing process? Glyconutrients are one MAJOR step in this process; but they are not the entire process.
My advice to people who are looking for ways to improve their health is TO DO THEIR homework first. Secondly, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Not all products and companies are the same. For example, there is only one glyconutrient on the market today that has 20 world wide patents and manufactures a complete glyconutrient supplement that contains all EIGHT sugars.
You can locate information about this glyconutrient at
Glyconutrients
www.glyconutritionforlife.org
The reality is that glyconutrients are GREAT; and they seriously help people that have compromised immune systems. Glyconutrients have the ability to feed our body at the cellular level. The end result of this is that your body acts and responds more efficiently. This means your body will naturally fight off and address current illnesses and ailments BETTER than if you did not take glyconutrients.
At this point in the research with glyconutrients, it is INCORRECT to make statements that glyconutrients heal. However, the research is far enough along that people who are battling auto immune disorders should SERIOUSLY consider taking glyconutrients.
My other beef with glyconutrient advertising is that it is NOT a silver bullet. There are many good things everybody should be doing for their bodies on a daily basis. These things are even more important when you are fighting a major autoimmune disorder.
For example, everybody should be doing the following:
Taking a good multivitamin
Drinking eight classes of water a day, preferably distilled.
Taking Co-enzyme Q10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid
Taking Priobiotics
Taking a high quality Vitamin C
Think about this. When your body is under stress; and it is failing to fight off a disease properly, wouldn't you want to give your body all the raw materials it needs to assist in the healing process? Glyconutrients are one MAJOR step in this process; but they are not the entire process.
My advice to people who are looking for ways to improve their health is TO DO THEIR homework first. Secondly, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Not all products and companies are the same. For example, there is only one glyconutrient on the market today that has 20 world wide patents and manufactures a complete glyconutrient supplement that contains all EIGHT sugars.
You can locate information about this glyconutrient at
Glyconutrients
www.glyconutritionforlife.org
The New And Improved Nutrition Pyramid
Just when you were getting the Nutrition Pyramid down to an exact science, the USDA goes and releases an all new nutrition and diet plan for healthy Americans. On April 19, 2005, the United States Department of Agriculture unveiled its new My Pyramid nutrition pyramid. Available at its own web site (http://www.mypyramid.gov), the new guidelines aren't so much NEW as they are more in depth, detailed and helpful.
For starters, My Pyramid can be personalized. On the main page, you have the option of entering your age, gender and activity level. Simply click "submit" and get a recommendation that's more specific than '6-11 servings of grain per day'. Instead of those vague, wide-ranging recommendations, you'll get a pyramid that says, "6 ounces of grain products", or 2 1/2 cups vegetables.
Even if that were the ONLY improvement on the new site, it would be tremendous. No more guessing whether you should aim for closer to six servings or closer to eleven. The nutrition calculator factors in your age, gender and activity level (above your normal daily routine) to come up with a recommended caloric intake. From there, it breaks down the calories by food group, and tells you exactly how much of each group you should eat per day for a healthy diet. It's far easier to figure out what 2 cups of milk is than it is to figure out how much '3-5' servings of dairy is!
But it doesn't stop there. Beneath the pyramid chart with the specific serving sizes on it, you'll find a list of links to 'tips' for making the healthiest choices from each food group - divided by food group.<
There are some great diet tips there, along with ways to serve foods in appetizing and nutritious ways. A sampling from each category includes:
* Grain: Substitute whole grain cereal for bread crumbs in toppings.
* Vegetables: Try crunchy vegetables raw or lightly steamed.
* Fruits: Try applesauce as a fat-free substitute for oil in baking.
* Milk: Trim down from whole milk to fat-free gradually, week by week.
* Meat/Beans: Replace some of the meat in your diet with nuts.
Want to know how your actual diet stacks up against the dietary guidelines and get specific, personalized recommendations for improving it? Tucked away at the bottom of the list of links in the menu you'll find the My Pyramid Tracker. It's easily the handiest tool that I've ever seen. Enter the foods that you eat in a typical day, click Analyze, and you'll get a detailed analysis that includes the calories, the amount of over 25 specific nutrients, the difference between your diet and an optimum diet, and specific recommendations for changes you should make to eat a healthier diet. Better yet, you can save your history day by day to keep track of your eating habits and watch the improvements. It's the diet diary with a difference. Use it - and see yourself eating better every day.
For starters, My Pyramid can be personalized. On the main page, you have the option of entering your age, gender and activity level. Simply click "submit" and get a recommendation that's more specific than '6-11 servings of grain per day'. Instead of those vague, wide-ranging recommendations, you'll get a pyramid that says, "6 ounces of grain products", or 2 1/2 cups vegetables.
Even if that were the ONLY improvement on the new site, it would be tremendous. No more guessing whether you should aim for closer to six servings or closer to eleven. The nutrition calculator factors in your age, gender and activity level (above your normal daily routine) to come up with a recommended caloric intake. From there, it breaks down the calories by food group, and tells you exactly how much of each group you should eat per day for a healthy diet. It's far easier to figure out what 2 cups of milk is than it is to figure out how much '3-5' servings of dairy is!
But it doesn't stop there. Beneath the pyramid chart with the specific serving sizes on it, you'll find a list of links to 'tips' for making the healthiest choices from each food group - divided by food group.<
There are some great diet tips there, along with ways to serve foods in appetizing and nutritious ways. A sampling from each category includes:
* Grain: Substitute whole grain cereal for bread crumbs in toppings.
* Vegetables: Try crunchy vegetables raw or lightly steamed.
* Fruits: Try applesauce as a fat-free substitute for oil in baking.
* Milk: Trim down from whole milk to fat-free gradually, week by week.
* Meat/Beans: Replace some of the meat in your diet with nuts.
Want to know how your actual diet stacks up against the dietary guidelines and get specific, personalized recommendations for improving it? Tucked away at the bottom of the list of links in the menu you'll find the My Pyramid Tracker. It's easily the handiest tool that I've ever seen. Enter the foods that you eat in a typical day, click Analyze, and you'll get a detailed analysis that includes the calories, the amount of over 25 specific nutrients, the difference between your diet and an optimum diet, and specific recommendations for changes you should make to eat a healthier diet. Better yet, you can save your history day by day to keep track of your eating habits and watch the improvements. It's the diet diary with a difference. Use it - and see yourself eating better every day.
Understanding Acne and Getting Rid of Them
Everyone goes through it. Mornings of anguish in the discovery of a red throbbing acne on the face is something every person has experienced in their lives. While this may seem a disaster to some, others can take it just for what it is and calmly treat the acne to get rid of it.
Acne is different from the common pimple because it could leave a permanent scar in your face, neck or back. This is how acne grows: when your skin pore starts to clog due to greasy oil and toxins, it starts to get inflamed. If left untreated, It could develop into an infection which could damage further the affected parts.
It is evident on teenagers and young adults because they are reaching the puberty stage of life, where the levels of hormones causes some changes in the skin gland size, which causes larger amount of oil secretion produced by these glands, resulting to acne.
Now, if your face does have mild acne, a minor treatment is enough to take care of it. Washing your face with mild soap and water is enough to free your skin pores from these oils, but other effective alternatives such as lukewarm water with dissolved salt is also recommended. Whenever you will use acne medications, be sure it is water-based; oil-based products tend to stimulate oil glands to produce more oil rather than controlling it.
If you have a severe condition of acne attacks, get medical assistance from a physician or a skin specialist. They can issue prescriptions of antibiotics to control spreading of acne and prevent the scarring on your face and other affected parts.
Acne is regarded as a teenager's problem, but adult acne does happen as well. Many individuals above their twenties have had recurring problems with acne. This could be blamed on stress, overactive glands and eating oily foods. A dermatologist would be able to help you out if the acne persists, but keeping a clean, oil-free face, neck and back can certainly help a lot.
Acne is different from the common pimple because it could leave a permanent scar in your face, neck or back. This is how acne grows: when your skin pore starts to clog due to greasy oil and toxins, it starts to get inflamed. If left untreated, It could develop into an infection which could damage further the affected parts.
It is evident on teenagers and young adults because they are reaching the puberty stage of life, where the levels of hormones causes some changes in the skin gland size, which causes larger amount of oil secretion produced by these glands, resulting to acne.
Now, if your face does have mild acne, a minor treatment is enough to take care of it. Washing your face with mild soap and water is enough to free your skin pores from these oils, but other effective alternatives such as lukewarm water with dissolved salt is also recommended. Whenever you will use acne medications, be sure it is water-based; oil-based products tend to stimulate oil glands to produce more oil rather than controlling it.
If you have a severe condition of acne attacks, get medical assistance from a physician or a skin specialist. They can issue prescriptions of antibiotics to control spreading of acne and prevent the scarring on your face and other affected parts.
Acne is regarded as a teenager's problem, but adult acne does happen as well. Many individuals above their twenties have had recurring problems with acne. This could be blamed on stress, overactive glands and eating oily foods. A dermatologist would be able to help you out if the acne persists, but keeping a clean, oil-free face, neck and back can certainly help a lot.