Healthy Living

Mar 29, 2007

Could Tea Be Better Than Water?

Researchers are now saying that it is quite possible that drinking tea may be better than drinking water. Tea contains antioxidants, and drinking three to four cups per day reduces the risk of heart attack, protects against cancer, strengthens bones, and protects against tooth plaque and decay. While drinking water replaces fluids, drinking tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants. An added benefit. However, adding sweeteners to the tea can nullify any potential health benefits. If you are going to use sweeteners, always use safe sweetener.

Will People Be Turning To Diet Coke For Their Daily Supplements?

Coke is now trying to reach health conscious consumers by promoting a new "sparkling beverage" which will be fortified with vitamins and minerals. Coke will be introducing "Diet Coke Plus" which will contain niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, magnesium, and zinc. Pepsi will be following suit by introducing "Tava" which will contain vitamins B3, B6, and E, as well as chromium. They will be called "sparkling drinks" as opposed to "soda drinks" due to the fact that we are becoming more aware of the harm soda can do to our bodies.

Supposedly, the CEO of Coca-Cola asserts their diet drinks as "wellness brands." But come on, folks, is this really healthy? These so-called sparkling drinks will still contain artificial ingredients, will still leach the calcium from our bodies and break down our bones, and will still lead to obesity. I believe the cons will out weigh the pros. The best way to get your vitamins and minerals will still be from eating real food.

Mar 27, 2007

Got Milk? Got Calcium?

When we think of getting calcium in our diet, we usually think of milk. While milk does our body good, it is not the leading source for calcium. Studies have revealed that the amount of calcium absorbed from plant sources is greater than that absorbed from milk. This is good news for people who don’t like milk or are allergic to dairy products. Many high calcium sources are foods that you currently eat and include

Sweet potatoes (one of the most nutritious foods you can eat)
oranges
apricots
pears
raisins/dates
okra

And most dark green leafy vegetables, such as:

dandelion greens
collard greens
alfalfa
cayenne
chamomile
kelp
lemongrass
paprika
parsley
peppermint

High sources of calcium in the nut family include:

brazil nuts
chestnuts
hazelnuts
sesame seeds
and pumpkin seeds

High sources of calcium in the fish/seafood family include:

salmon with bones
sardines
flounder
mackerel
shrimp
clams
oysters

Other sources include:

oats
barley
beans
peas
soy products
sprouts

However, take note, that some foods high in calcium are also high in oxalic acid which interferes with calcium absorption. Foods high in calcium and oxalic acid include: spinach, rhubarb, almonds, cashews, beets, and turnip greens. While these are still healthy foods to eat, they are not actually your best sources for calcium, despite what Popeye says.

There are also things that can rob calcium from your body or block calcium absorption. These should be avoided: caffeine, salt, excessive protein and phosphoric acid (found in soft drinks and processed meats), smoking, high fat intake, and alcohol.

Mar 26, 2007

Wellness Products On The Rise

Did you know that the health care business is really the sickness business? In one of his books, best selling author Paul Zane Pilzer explains how the $1.4 trillion we spend annually on medical care has very little to do with preventing illnesses or being healthier. Rather, it is spent on treating the symptoms of sickness. For instance, 61% of us are overweight these days. People who are overweight suffer from vitamin deficiency, fatigue, arthritis, or other ailments, all of which result from poor nutrition. And money needs to be spent to treat these ailments. Health and wellness has become our primary need. We should focus on wellness before we need treatment. Here's Mr. Pilzer's definition of wellness:

"I define 'wellness' as money spent to make you feel healthier, even when you are not 'sick' by any standard medical terms. To make you stronger, to make you see better, to make you hear better, to fight what we might call the symptoms of aging."

Mr. Pilzer predicts health and wellness to be the next trillion dollar business. When you look at how the remaining 39% of us are increasingly paying for products that will keep us younger, paying for fitness equipment, and even paying for personal trainers, it is easy to agree with his predictions. But the really good news is that ... because people are willing to pay more for the best products on the market that will keep them younger, wellness companies are providing higher quality products. Products that work well! Companies whose sole business is wellness usually have better quality control.

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Coffee ... Is It Good Or Bad For You?

It's hard to keep up with the good and bad things about coffee. The things we read about the effects it has on our health are contradictory. It seems one day you read it is good for you, and the next you read it is bad. Most recent studies say that "not only is coffee not bad for you, but it may offer some health benefits." Moderation (2-4 cups per day) is supposedly the key. So I thought I would set out in a post all the pros and cons I have read about coffee so you can decide for yourself if it is something you should have on a daily basis.

Pros:

As the major source for caffeine, coffee is a stimulant which could make us more alert and may improve our performance at work and in sports.

Reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.

May reduce the risk of conditions such as gall bladder disease.

May contain antioxidants which lessen our chances of heart disease and cancer. (Some sources say it contains more antioxidants than Green Tea.)

May relieve headaches.

May lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

May help manage asthma.

Cons:

May be addictive (some studies say it is, some say it isn't). Withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, mood changes, inability to concentrate, and flu-like symptoms.

May be detrimental to sleep, blood pressure, and bone density.

May decrease blood flow to the heart.

May lead to weight gain.

Researchers are saying that currently coffee seems to be more helpful than harmful.
Looking at my list, that appears to be the case. If you can think of any pros or cons that I've missed, please do share.

Mar 24, 2007

10 Reasons Why Pets Are Good For Our Health

Whether they have fur, feathers, or fins ... they are good for us. And here are ten reasons why:

1। Pets cheer us up.

2। They energize, calm, and relax us. (That's three, but I'll count it as one.)

3। They help us adjust to losses in our life.

4। They provide unconditional love which gives us a sense of worth and responsibility.

5। We tend to exercise more when we have pets, especially dog owners.

6। Pets help us heal and even tend to be our therapists.

7। They decrease our chances of having heart attacks, believe it or not.

8। Petting an animal can lower our blood pressure and heart rate.

9। They make us laugh.

10. They alleviate loneliness.

Mar 23, 2007

Chocolate For Anti-Aging?

Fighting aging doesn't get any better than this. Dark chocolate with at least 60 percent cocoa is an antioxidant which protects cells from age-related damage. (This is not true with milk chocolate because it contains smaller amounts of cocoa.) So now you have a good excuse to keep dark chocolate at your desk and to be nibbling occasionally. Just be sure to eat small amounts because of the calories.

Sleep Deprivation May Lead To Obesity

Good sleeping habits just may be the best diet yet.

People these days are sleeping less than ever and, at the same time, getting bigger than ever. Experts say there is a link between sleep deprivation and obesity. Their studies show that getting at least eight hours of sleep can help you lose weight. Supposedly, getting fewer than eight hours of sleep gives a boost to a hormone (ghrelin) that makes us feel hungry, while suppressing another hormone (leptin) that makes us feel full. As a result, we tend to eat more and we make bad food choices.

Weight loss is not the only reason to put a stop to sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep can be hazardous to your health in other ways. People who are sleep deprived are more at risk for making costly mistakes, such as falling asleep while driving or handling dangerous machinery. They will also not be at full capacity while at work and risk losing their job.

Getting a full night's sleep will help you feel more energetic, be thinner, and be healthier.

Mar 22, 2007

Great Alternatives To Sugar

Did you know that too much sugar in our diet accelerates the aging process? And, as we well know, it also leads to obesity. Which is why many people are reaching for diet foods instead. However, research has proven that the artificial sugars in diet foods and drinks come with dangers and are risky. It is safer to reach for more natural sweeteners. Many people already use honey, but honey can elevate blood sugar levels. Two of the best safe, natural sweeteners you should consider are:

Stevia ... an excellent herb which can be found in certain diet drinks. It won't raise your blood sugar levels like honey will, and in some cases may even lower it. Stevia can have an aftertaste, but it is tiny and not very noticeable. Go here for more info about Stevia or here for a Stevia to sugar conversation chart.

Xylitol ... looks and tastes like sugar. This sweetener is considered to be very safe for everyone. It is also great for your teeth. In fact, Tom's of Maine uses Xylitol in some of its toothpaste products. (Tip: Look for sugarfree gums, such as Trident Sugarfree Gum, and breath mints that contain Xylitol as studies have shown that Xylitol can lead to a dramatic reduction in tooth decay. Most effective when used at least three times a day.)

Both Stevia and Xylitol are great for baking, although you may find Xylitol to be better for baking at high temperatures. And Stevia is not recommended for meringues as it does not carmelize like sugar does. While both of these natural sweeteners will cost more than sugar, it is well worth it when you consider the health issues. They can be found at many natural food stores. Buy the packets and carry them with you. Next time you are at a restaurant, push aside the little pink packets and use Stevia or Xylitol instead.

Tips on managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disease which manifests very much alike with flu। It gives muscular pains and tiredness, and can disturb the sleep. It can also be characterized by tender spots which are felt mostly in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips. The attachments of muscles to bones are also affected by this disease. Joints seem to be left unaffected by it. Besides muscles, pain in tendons and ligaments appear also.

Until now there has not been discovered any laboratory test to help the doctor diagnose the patient with fibromyalgia more easily. The doctor is mostly guided by what the patient describes and by the presence of the tender points. The symptoms the patient tells the doctor about can help the doctor to eliminate any possibility of rheumatic disorders in that patient.

General symptoms of fibromyalgia are: muscle pain that lasts more than three months, tenderness in the 18 points, sleeping problems, fatigue, headaches, memory problems, abdominal pain associated with diarrhea or constipation and bloating. People describe the muscle pain in different ways: some can feel burnings, radiating, others gnawing, sore, stiff, and aching. Patients say that the pain is always present but with different intensities depending on the activity they perform or on the weather, the stress level and the sleep patterns.

The exact causes of fibromyalgia have not been yet discovered and until now scientists found out that in patients who have fibromyalgia, the level of P substance is increased in the spinal fluid. The P substance is responsible for transmitting and amplifying pain signals to and from the brain. Another role in triggering fibromyalgia has the genetics and exposure to physical, emotional or environmental stressors.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease and must be treated with medication and non-medication methods. Some of the used drugs in treating fibromyalgia are: cyclobenzaprine, amitriptyline and dual reuptake inhibitors. In case a patient does not respond well to this kind of treatment, long-acting opioids can be tried but with extreme precaution. Sometimes the pain can be managed with analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases antidepressant drugs and antiepileptic drugs can be used with success.

Patients suffering of fibromyalgia can follow a few sessions of therapeutic massage and myofascial release therapy which will help them manage the pain this illness gives them.

Patients have to make a change in their lifestyle and consider the fact that they need every day a moment for relaxation and they have to learn how to perform deep-breathing exercises and meditation in order to manage the daily stress. They also have to create a schedule for going to bed and waking up. A diet is also recommended, avoiding coffee, alcohol and spicy foods before bedtime. An active lifestyle can help a lot the fibromyalgia patients. Walking, swimming, water aerobics and stretching exercises can do a lot in the process of treating fibromyalgia.

Home Remedy Treatments for Hangovers

The best way to prevent a hangover is, of course, drinking in moderation or abstaining from alcohol. But keeping yourself well-hydrated and well-nourished when you're drinking can go a long way toward minimizing the morning-after symptoms. Try drinking a glass of water or other noncaffeinated beverage for each alcoholic beverage you drink. And don't drink on an empty stomach. Food helps slow the absorption of alcohol, giving your body time to metabolize it and decreasing the chances of a hangover.

The best cure for a hangover: time. Of course, people ignore the prevention and don't have "time" for the cure. So, here are some remedies to ease the suffering for those who have had one drink too many.

Home Remedies from the Counter

Banana. Bananas are your best friend! While you were drunk and peeing like a racehorse, lots of potassium drained from your body. Eating a banana bursting with potassium will give you some giddy-up and go. All you have to do is peel and eat.

Home Remedies from the Cupboard

Ginger root। Ginger has long been used to treat nausea and seasickness. And, since having a hangover is much like being seasick, this easy remedy works wonders. If you're really green, the best bet is to drink ginger ale (no preparation required). If you can remain vertical for ten minutes, brew some ginger tea. Cut 10 to 12 slices of fresh ginger root and combine with 4 cups water. Boil for ten minutes. Strain and add the juice of 1 orange, the juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1/2 cup honey. Drink to your relief.

Honey and Lemon. The classic hot toddy (nonalcoholic, of course) is honey, lemon, and hot water. Easy to swallow, this beverage replenishes fluids and sugars lost to a hangover. It is vital, however, to use honey instead of white sugar. Honey contains fructose, which competes for the metabolism of alcohol. Some healthy competition is needed, since it prevents the rapid change in alcohol levels that results in headaches. Plain sugar contains sucrose, which isn't absorbed as quickly. To make a toddy, boil 1 cup water and mix in honey and lemon juice to taste. Enjoy a toddy several times a day.

Rice, Soup, or Toast. Food is probably the last thing you want to look at while recovering, but you do need some substance for energy. Stay with clear liquids until you can tolerate something solid. Then start off slowly with mild, easy-to-digest foods such as plain toast, rice, or clear soup.

Sports drinks. These are a good way to replace fluids as well as electrolytes and glucose.

Home Remedies from the Freezer

Ice. Put an ice compress on your aching head. Place crushed iced in a plastic bag, wrap in a dry towel, and apply it to where it hurts. Or just rinse a washcloth under cold water, place it on your forehead, and rest.

Home Remedies from the Refrigerator

Juice. Juice, especially freshly squeezed orange juice, will help raise your blood sugar levels and help ease some of your hangover symptoms. However, if your stomach is upset, skip acidic juices such as orange juice and stick with apple juice instead.

Home Remedies from the Sink

Water. Next to time, drinking water is the best cure for a hangover. Dehydration does a doozy on your body and causes much of the discomfort associated with a hangover. Stick to water, be it tap, bottled, or carbonated. Drink more than 8 glasses a day while recovering.

More Do's and Don'ts

Drink to the night। If you can remember one thing while intoxicated, remember this: Guzzle plenty of water before going to bed. It will help nip dehydration, and you'll feel much better in the morning.

Stick to 1 drink (or less) per hour, and sip it slowly। One hour is about the time it takes for the average adult body to process an alcoholic beverage. One drink is a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce beer, or 1.5 ounce of hard liquor.

Rest. Pull the shades down, unplug the telephone, and go to sleep.
Never drink and drive।
Try Pepto-Bismol or an antacid to relieve queasiness and settle your stomach।
Take a multivitamin with B vitamins to replace those lost during your night of carousing।
These natural home remedies should get you back on your feet after a night of over-indulgence। With a little tender loving care, you should be all better in no time.

Mar 20, 2007

Choosing the Best Baby Name

Wading through the mess of baby names can be both inspiring and exhausting. How do you decide which name is right for the child you have yet to meet? How will you and your spouse ever agree on a single name? And finally, when you get the name picked out, what happens if it is totally wrong for the baby when she arrives?

Fortunately, there are things to consider that will significantly ease the process. Choosing the best name for your baby should be one of the most joyful parts of planning, and these tips will help put you on the right path.

#1 – Meaning

Consider the origin of the baby name and what it might mean to you or others. Will this baby represent something to you or is she a miracle? Look through the meanings of baby girl names to find something that signifies what she represents. Likewise, be careful of the meanings of names. Making a decision only to find out your picked “the fool” from all the baby boy’s names available can put a damper on your fun.

#2 – Impression

Strongly consider the impression of the name on you and others. Is it hard to pronounce or understand? Does it roll of the tongue naturally or does it sound forced? If you have a long last name, you probably want to avoid a very long first name. Consider the way a first name sounds with your last name. Sometimes baby names are beautiful in theory, but awkward in reality.

#3 – Memories

Does a certain memory inspire you? When selecting a name, consider what memories that name conjures up. Did you pick a name that sounds entirely too much like your ex-boyfriend? This might make things a bit uncomfortable for you and your spouse. Some names are simply not an option, but I doubt anyone would complain too loudly about not being able to name their daughter after a husband’s ex-fiancée.

#4 – Religion

Often religion plays a role in making the final decision among baby names. Certain religions have specific expectations regarding the birth of children into the faith. If you are active in your faith, it would be wise to investigate what your religious teachings have to say about naming children.

#5 – Honor

Does your selection of baby girl names include a friend or family member you are thinking about honoring? Naming a baby girl after her grandmother or a special aunt is extremely special to all parties involved and can help the baby develop closeness with her namesake as she grows। Middle names are used often for the purpose of honoring others. Naming a child after a family tradition works the same way. For the child’s sake, however, if you name him after his father or her mother, find the baby a nickname to help ease the confusion of having the same name as someone else in the household.

Six Questions All Women Ask About Pregnancy

Here are a set of six questions about pregnancy that almost all women have in their mind while pregnant. We give you the answers to save you from unnecessary worry and confusion.

1. Is it too painful to give birth? Well, giving birth IS painful. However, it is more painful for some while for others, it may just be a smooth ride. Moreover, it depends on how you deliver the baby. An epidural birth makes you able to tolerate the pain better while in natural birth, it depends on how you breathe through pain to make it bearable. Other factors are your health and your capacity to withstand pain.

2. Is my baby Healthy Inside? A lot of mothers are anxious about pregnancy in terms of their baby’s health in their womb. Don’t worry. Medical science has reached great heights of advancement and can detect and treat problems effectively. For example, morning sickness, tiredness, and mood oscillations are good signs. It shows that your hormones are doing their work dutifully in helping your baby to develop. Besides this, if you are alert about any spotting or pain and report to your doctor immediately, then rest assured, your baby is going to be perfectly fine and cozy inside you.

3. Will I Gain Too Much Weight? Depending on your weight before pregnancy, you need to add about 25-35 pounds to your body weight during pregnancy to nourish your baby. A great way to avoid gaining too much extra flab is to increase your calorie intake by 300 calories daily. However, do not forget to exercise regularly to prevent anxious moments about pregnancy weight.

4. Is Coffee Harmful During Pregnancy? This is a debatable question. Some doctors are of the view that a cup or two won’t do any harm to your baby while others don’t to recommend it. The best thing you can do is consult your doctor. If your blood pressure is high, then your doctor may ask you to avoid it totally.

5. Will A Seat Belt Hurt My Baby? Before using a seat belt, consult your doctor about how you should place it on your abdomen. A seat belt is harmless, if worn properly, and protects you and your baby. This is one of the major issues about pregnancy safety.

6. What Should Be My Sleeping Posture? As your pregnancy advances, you will find that sleeping on your sides or back feels most comfortable. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as it puts pressure on your baby. Moreover, you won’t feel like sleeping on your stomach as your belly grows larger.

So, now that your doubts have vanished, get ready to bring a new life into the world!

Mar 19, 2007

The Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke

Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death. While it can be brought on by many factors, such as diet and lack of exercise, secondhand smoke also can be part of the equation. According to the American Lung Association, passive smoking is responsible for anywhere from 35,000 to 62,000 cardiovascular-related deaths each year. In addition, nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are 25 percent more likely to have coronary heart diseases than nonsmokers who are not exposed to secondhand smoke.

Exposure to smoke thickens the blood by increasing the production of red blood cells। This, in turn, increases the likelihood of clotting and strokes. Essentially, any activity that limits the amount of oxygen entering the bloodstream forces the heart to work harder to circulate the oxygen it does have. Furthermore, increased blood platelet activity can damage the walls of the arteries, thereby raising blood pressure and adding even more stress to the heart.

Cancer
Cancer is the second-most common cause of death among people under the age of 85. Secondhand smoke has been linked to several types of cancer, including:

Lung cancer. According the National Cancer Institute, there are approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths a year of nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke. Actually, secondhand smoke is the third-leading cause of lung cancer, behind active smoking and radon gas. Lung cancer kills more women every year than breast cancer, and it is the leading cause of premature death among men.

Nasal sinus cancer. Similar to lung cancer in that it is a respiratory illness, nasal sinus cancer is thought to be caused by the formaldehyde found in secondhand smoke. Though nasal sinus cancer is much less common than lung cancer, it can be a devastating disease because the areas affected, such as the nose, are so visible.

There has been no conclusive evidence to link secondhand smoke to other types of cancer, such as breast or bladder cancer. However, many of the substances believed to cause these types of cancer are found in secondhand smoke. As more studies arise citing sidestream smoke as a factor in other forms of cancer, it seems likely that conclusive evidence will arrive.

Asthma and Other Respiratory Illnesses

Let's face it: If you are a nonsmoker with asthma who lives with a smoker, you are courting frequent asthma attacks. Any attempts to asthma-proof your home are virtually worthless if you are constantly exposed to secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke is a known asthma trigger.
In a broader sense, secondhand smoke is linked to just about any condition that involves breathing. From pneumonia and sinusitis to coughs and post-nasal drip, exposure to secondhand smoke can irritate and aggravate your throat and lungs. Even the ears are not safe because of their close ties to the sinuses. The Eustachian tube that connects the nose to the middle ear can easily become infected from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Pregnant mothers exposed to secondhand smoke run a higher risk of having a baby with a low birth weight, but the dangers don't end there. Involuntary smoking has also been shown to cause SIDS. According to the American Cancer Society, as many as 35 percent of all SIDS deaths could be due to secondhand smoke.

The effects of secondhand smoke are causes for grave concern. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. In the next section, we will tell you how much secondhand smoke is too much and how to minimize the risks.

Mar 17, 2007

Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy (facial palsy) is characterised by facial drooping on the affected half, due to malfunction of the facial nerve (VII cranial nerve), which controls the muscles of the face.

Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve), and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis. The paralysis is of the infranuclear/lower motor neuron type. Bell’s palsy affects about 40,000 people in the United States every year. It affects approximately 1 person in 65 during a lifetime. Until recently, its cause was unknown in most cases, but it has now been related to both Lyme disease and Herpes simplex.

Clinicians should determine whether all branches of the facial nerve are involved, or whether the forehead muscles are spared. Since these receive innervation from both sides of the brain, the forehead can still be wrinkled by a patient whose facial palsy is caused by a problem in the brain rather than in the facial nerve itself.

Bell's palsy is a diagnosis of exclusion; in many cases, no specific cause can be ascertained.

It is supposed to be the result of inflammation of the facial nerve, which produces pressure on the nerve as it exits the skull within its bony canal. Patients with facial palsy for which an underlying cause can be readily found are not generally considered to have Bell's palsy per se.

These underlying problems include tumor, meningitis, stroke, diabetes mellitus, head trauma and inflammatory diseases of the cranial nerves (sarcoidosis, brucellosis, etc.) In these conditions, the neurologic findings are rarely restricted to the facial nerve. Babies can be born with facial palsy, and they exhibit many of the same symptoms as people with Bell's palsy; this is often due to a traumatic birth which causes irrepairable damage to the facial nerve, i.e. acute facial nerve paralysis.

Mar 16, 2007

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a plant of many surprises and wonders. Whether you use it as vital ingredient in beauty products or it is consumed as dietary supplement. Aloe Vera is a hot fertile region plant, but now it is cultivated in most part of the world. Aloe is a member of the lily family although it looks more of a cactus. It has been used for its medicinal purposes since the ancient times, but only recently has it enjoyed a rediscovery and subsequent popularity explosion.

There are over 200 varieties of aloes, but it is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera) plant, which has been of most use to mankind because of the medicinal properties it displays. Aloe Vera contains over 75 known active ingredients including a wide range Vitamins, antioxidant, minerals, calcium, essential Amino Acids, Sugars, Digestive Enzymes, Anti-inflammatory Enzymes, Plant Sterols, Lignin, Saponins, Anthraquinones and more. Aloe Vera contains many components, including vitamins A, B, C, and E. Aloe has a massive amount of minerals and enzymes, however not its entire component has been identified yet.

Nowadays, although medicines and drugs can be very effective in treating ailments, long term use often involves side effects for patients. Consequently more consumers and scientists are turning back to look at more traditional, and often natural therapies which have been neglected for so long. As a result, Aloe Vera is once again attracting attention as it can provide many benefits to our health and lifestyle without any side effects.

BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA Ancient records show that the benefits of Aloe Vera have been known to mankind for centuries. Its therapeutic advantages and healing properties have survived more than 5000 years.

By using the aloe vera juice a person can get the benefits of aloe vera’s ability to aid in digestion, improve circulation, detoxify and heal from the inside. Aloe Vera juice can be a part of a person’s daily healthy regimen because it is safe to take everyday. If Aloe is taken internally, it increases the actual amount of our bile. It affects the small intestines and stimulates the muscular coat of the large intestine thus causing purging in about fifteen hours. Aloes also help increase the menstrual flow, since it belongs to the group of emmenagogues. Aloes have Aloin present used for therapeutic purposes. This causes less pain. It is a preferable drug for many forms of constipation. Continuous use of it does not lead to enlarging the dose to take.

Aloe’s benefits to our health include, helping to lower the blood sugar levels in diabetes patients. Aloe Vera is a strong laxative that may have some anti-cancer effects to humans. It is now being studied as a treatment for asthma.

USES OF ALOE VERA Aloe Vera is commonly used externally to treat various skin conditions such as cuts, burns and echzema. It is alleged that sap from Aloe vera eases pain and reduces inflammation. Scientific evidence on the effects of Aloe vera sap on wound healing is contradictory. A study showed that the healing of a moderate to severe burn was sped up by six days when covering the wound on a regular basis with aloe vera gel, compared to the healing of the wound covered in a gauze bandage. In contrast, another study suggested wounds to which Aloe vera gel was applied were significantly slower to heal.

Many cosmetic companies add sap or products derived from Aloe Vera to products such as makeup, shampoos, soaps, moisturisers, sunscreens and lotions. Aloe gel is alleged to be useful for dry skin conditions, especially eczema around the eyes and sensitive facial skin and for treating fungal infections.Aloe vera has very good results in skin diseases and it is often taken as health drink. Aloe Vera is also found effective in treating wrinkles, stretch marks and pigmentations. Where as auravedic practitioners are in the favor of use of Aloe Vera. According to them Aloe vera has very good role in diabetic. Aloe vera is found to have smaller molecular structure and cutting properties. This help breaking down fat globules, therefore reducing obesity. Medical properties of Aloe vera are still on debate, but the beauty properties are highly accepted by the world.

Aloe Vera is also known to have certain medical properties. Aloe vera drink is used as a tonic for patient suffering from arthritis, diabetes and high cholesterol. This is because of the dietary supplement properties, which help in healing like anti fungal, anti oxidant, anti bacterial and some other properties. It is found to boost the immune system. The transparent gel that is found inside its leaf is used as a domestic emergency treatment in burns, injuries and solar erithema, also it is applied externally on hemorrhoids and foe a good cicatrisation. Aloe Vera contains at least two active compounds that decrease the levels of sugar in the blood and its extract is also used in patients with hypoglycemia. Its juice is consumed as prevention and treatment of many gastric disorders. The efficiency of Aloe Vera in the treatment of burns is due because it has a similar structure as aspirin, that in combination with magnesium have an anesthetic effect and because of its antimicrobian composition it helps for the hygiene of the burns, avoiding a possible infection.

Mar 14, 2007

6 Suggestions for the Treatment of Gout

The most common symptom of gout, which afflicts about three-quarters of gout sufferers, is excruciating pain in the joint at the base of the big toe. However, joints in other parts of the body including the feet, hands, wrists, knees, shoulders, and elbows are fair game for gout attacks. Joints can become so swollen and inflamed that the patient develops a fever and chills.

Gout comes on very suddenly, produces severe pain, and usually lasts three to five days if untreated. However, flare-ups frequently recur and last even longer.

There are several conditions that can result in gout, but the primary cause is an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood, either from the body's producing too much or from the body's not excreting it properly. Gout is more common in men than in women, possibly because the female body eliminates uric acid more efficiently. The disease often strikes middle-aged males, especially men who are overweight and drink too much alcohol. But healthy people can develop gout, too. For instance, allowing yourself to become severely dehydrated may trigger an attack.

Although gout produces brutal pain, it is rarely life-threatening. However, the condition requires proper diagnosis and treatment by a doctor, who can rule out other causes of joint pain and prescribe effective medications. Once you've seen your physician, however, there are a few things you should do on your own.

1. Don't put any weight on the joint. This usually means staying off your feet as much as possible until the episode subsides. Any pressure you put on the joint will increase the pain and possibly damage the area further.

2. Keep the joint elevated. Let gravity help reduce inflammation by slowing the rush of blood to the gout inflicted joint.

3. Immobilize the joint. The less you move the joint, the better it will feel. Simply lying still will help, though you may want to build a splint for the injured joint. Ask your doctor how, or consult a first-aid guide.

4. Take a nonprescription anti-inflammatory. Inflammation causes swelling, which worsens pain. Both ibuprofen and aspirin are anti-inflammatories, but when taken at low levels, aspirin may actually make the pain worse, so reach for the ibuprofen when treating gout.

5. Avoid icing or heating the area. Unlike other types of pain, gout doesn't respond well to heat or ice therapy.

6. Wear comfortable shoes. For gout sufferers, styles that offer a lot of room for the toes are the best choice.

Mar 13, 2007

7 Ways to Get Rid of Cold Sores

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which is believed to lie dormant in certain nerve cells of the body until it is activated by stress, anxiety, a cold, or excessive exposure to the sun। The sores last anywhere from 7 to 14 days.

Although some use the terms "cold sore" and "canker sore" interchangeably, they are different. Unlike cold sores, canker sores are bacterial infections inside the mouth that are characterized by small, round, white areas surrounded by a sharp halo of red. And, while cold sores are highly contagious, canker sores are not.

Unfortunately, attempting to camouflage a cold sore with makeup often aggravates the problem. Still, while you can't do much about the way a cold sore looks, you can do a few things to help decrease discomfort, speed healing, and keep it from coming back. You can even take steps to prevent passing on your cold sore to others. Here's how:

1. Cover cold sores with a protective petroleum-based product. This will speed healing and help protect it from secondary infection with bacteria.

2. Reach for aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Cold sores can be quite painful. Over-the- counter painkillers can help.

3. Avoid salty or acidic foods. Foods such as potato chips or citrus fruits can further irritate cold sores and add to the pain.

4. Apply an over-the-counter anesthetic. A local anesthetic ointment containing benzocaine can help numb the pain temporarily.

5. Consult your health-care provider. If you have frequent or severe cold sores, see your doctor. In some cases, an antiviral medication called acyclovir can be prescribed.

6. Protect your lips from the sun. Applying sunscreen to your lips may help prevent sun-induced recurrences of cold sores. Look for a sunscreen designed especially for the lips that has an SPF of 15 or higher. Or, choose a lipstick that contains sunscreen.

7. Keep it to yourself. Cold sores are extremely contagious. Avoid kissing and sharing cups, towels, or other such items. Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching cold sores. And take care not to touch your eyes or genitals immediately after touching cold sores.

Mar 12, 2007

Green Tea or Black Tea for Preventing Breast Cancer?

In recent years there has been an abundance of research investigating the benefits of green and black tea on preventing disease. And, the results have been divided. Depending on the health condition being evaluated, some studies have shown green tea to be more effective, while others have shown green and black tea to be equally effective.

Green tea differs from black in its processing. Both come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but black tea is fermented when processed. This fermentation changes some of the tea plant’s compounds, and effectively reduces some of the most important anti-oxidants, namely EGCG, one of the most important anti-oxidants you can consume. However, black tea does still contain many other important anti-oxidants.

When it comes to preventing many forms of disease, EGCG seems to be an important component, making green tea the drink of choice. In addition, the reason tea came into focus in the first place was the noticeably lower rates of disease in Asian countries, where tea is consumed in large quantities - most of it green tea.

One of the diseases that tea is reported to prevent is breast cancer. Several studies have shown that tea, green in particular, seems to significantly lower your chances of developing breast cancer. Some studies have even suggested that green tea could even be an effective treatment for breast cancer.

One study conducted on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy noted that those participants who regularly consumed green tea during their chemotherapy treatments showed higher concentrations of the chemotherapy drugs in their cancer cells than those who did not consume green tea.

Other studies have indicated that green tea can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, possibly preventing the spread of the disease. And, additional studies have shown that green tea may prevent the recurrence of breast cancer in patients diagnosed at Stage I or II of the disease.

But, what about black tea? Why have similar results not been shown with the consumption of green tea? The theory is that it has to do with hormones.

Green tea is thought to reduce certain circulating sex-steroid hormones, such as estone and estradiol, and that black tea may increase the levels of these hormones. If the reduction in breast cancer risk is due to the lower level of these sex-steroid hormones, then it’s easy to see why green tea is more effective at preventing breast cancer than black tea.

One study in Singapore evaluated a cross section of 130 healthy post-menopausal Chinese women. Their tea consumption broke down like this:

• 84 were non or irregular tea drinkers – meaning they drank tea less than once a week.
• 27 were regular green tea drinkers – meaning they drank green tea weekly or daily
• 19 were regular black tea drinkers

The study concluded that, relative to the estrone levels in the non tea drinkers, the green tea drinkers showed a lower estrone level, and the black tea drinkers showed a higher estrone level. In fact, the green tea drinkers showed a 13% lower estrone level, and the black tea drinkers showed a 19% higher level of estrone than those who did not drink tea. A similar relationship was found between tea drinking habits and estradiol levels.

While this study alone cannot be considered conclusive, it does suggest that, if high levels of circulating sex steroids increase the risk of breast cancer, green tea is a much better preventative than black tea.

Most researchers agree that having high levels of circulating hormones like estrogen (which is made up of estradiol and estrone) after menopause does increase your risk of breast cancer. This is why women who take hormone supplements to help ease the symptoms of menopause have an increased risk of developing cancer over women who do not treat their menopausal symptoms with hormones like estrogen therapy.

So, if you’ve experienced menopause and you’re at an increased risk for breast cancer, talk to your doctor about tea drinking. Particularly if you drink large quantities of black tea, it might be wise to reduce this amount, and replace it with green tea.

It’s clear that we don’t fully understand the relationship between tea and breast cancer, and that much more research should be performed. However, we do have a pretty clear picture that green tea prevents many forms of cancer, breast cancer among them.

So, it’s probably a good idea to keep drinking your green tea. While it’s true that we don’t have all the answers, it does seem clear that green tea offers many health benefits and that drinking it is a healthy habit that all of us should get into.

Green tea is delicious, refreshing and widely available. All of these attributes make green tea a simple way to improve our health and reduce the risk of certain diseases. So, make a cup of green tea, and drink to your health!

Mar 11, 2007

Fighting Cellulite

Cellulite is one of those things that affect both the slender and larger women. It can settle on the hips, stomach, upper arms, ankles and then we have the more common areas which are the upper thighs and bottom.

We can safely say that it is the enemy of all women and most women at one time or another are plagued with it. So Lets see what the contributing factors are before we look at some possible solutions in combating cellulite.

First determine whether or not it is genetic. Just as in the case as being over weight may be genetic so it may be in the case of women who suffer with cellulite, even if they are thin. Some women are just more prone to cellulite. Then of course fat storage, how and where it lies is also predetermined by your genetics. Even though you may not have control over these factors you do have control over cellulites biggest enemy and that unfortunately is still lifestyle.

We all familiar with it, cellulite is also labeled orange peel skin and/or cottage cheese skin. If you squeeze the fat and it is smooth you know it is not cellulite but if you have those bumps and lumps then you know you have cellulite. This is because some of the vessels have leaked fluid into the tissues and have caused congestion. Toxins can’t be eliminated from these areas and oxygen battles to go in.

Toxicity is a major contributing factor to cellulite build up. Constipation is one of those things that are primarily responsible for toxins building up. When you suffer from toxic build up those toxins need to go some where and thus we end up with cellulite. Those toxins that are not able to pass through the colon get re released into the body and get trapped between the connective tissues.

Not drinking enough water is also a problem as water is what helps flush out the waste products that we no longer need. Alcohol, tea and coffee, smoking, little or no exercise and fatty foods all aid in cellulite formation.

So to fight cellulite you need to loosen the toxic wastes from the tissues and eliminate the toxins out of your body once and for all. So how do you do that? Simply control those factors that caused the cellulite in the first place. Change your diet, exercise more, increase your water intake and get rid of that constipation problem.

Eat a well balanced diet and if you suffer from constipation eat foods high in fiber. Drink lots of water. Water helps carry those toxins out of your body and the more water you drink the less likely your stool will be dry, hard and immovable. Avoid processed and refined foods as the body has a harder time digesting and breaking down these foods.

Don’t drink tea, coffee or colas that contain caffeine. Caffeine just seems to make cellulite worse and the thought is that it does this by impairing the lymphatic flow and blood circulation. The vessels constrict and so when this occurs the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues become inhibited. When this happens there is an increase in the build up of waste products.

Alcohol poisons your system slowly so if you want to be rid of that cellulite then stay away from alcohol too. Alcohol just adds to toxins, dehydrates your body, slows down your circulation and hampers the removal of toxins.

Then we have smoking and we all know that smoking is bad for ones health but it is also bad for your skin. Smoking weakens and ultimately damages the connective tissues and thus you end up with the dimpling affect. Because of this smoking has been labeled the cause of cellulite by some. It is agreed by all that it is a definite contributing factor. It just adds to the toxicity in your body that your system battles to get rid of.

Exercise is great in eliminating cellulite because it helps to boost circulation helping your skin to regain its natural smooth appearance. Exercise won’t take it away over night; you will have to dedicate yourself to an exercise and prepare yourself for some work.

There are great topical products out there that do help but they should always be used in conjunction with a change in lifestyle. There is no point in using a product that helps get rid of your cellulite while you carry on perpetuating the problem by not going to the root of why you have cellulite in the first place. You will see little and perhaps temporary improvement and will be left feeling frustrated and drained.

Mar 10, 2007

The Natural Way to Heal Cancer

Is it possible to control and influence rate at which injuries, wounds and even cancer heal? That’s the question a group of researchers from the Ohio State University asked when they decided to observe wound healing rates in a group of exercising older adults in comparison to that of a non-exercising control group.

This three-month study looked at the effects of exercise on wound healing among healthy older adults। All participants had not exercised regularly for six months, so the 28 participants who were encouraged to exercise were given one month to acclimatize to a new exercise program that included 30 minutes of pedaling on a stationary bike, 15 minutes jogging or brisk walking on a treadmill, and 15 minutes of strength training। Fifteen participants acted as controls by not changing their level of physical activity। All then underwent a small puncture wound about half a centimeter across and deep on the back of the upper arm। Individual wounds were measured three times a week until fully healed

Regular exercisers took only 29 days to heal, while non-exercisers took up to 10 days longer to recover। From these results, researchers have speculated that exercise may speed wound healing by enhancing neuron-endocrine function, meaning that stronger individuals have a higher body funct!

ion that helps the body heal wounds and cancer faster.

The point of this study is not that exercise is important. It is now acknowledged as an important factor in maintaining health. The main point is that even moderate exercise can improve the time to recover in wound and cancer healing.

In the case of a cancer diagnostic, the body and its recovery system: the immune system, are stressed by the attack of the disease on the body. Even a moderate level of exercise can improve your condition. Your breathing rate increases, bringing more oxygen to your cells. Your heart rate increases as well, pumping and circulating that oxygen to all parts of the body.

The immune system contains some of the fastest replicating cells in the human body. You must remember that self healing does occur for people with cancer. It doesn’t yet happen as often or as fast as it does with the cold or with the flu, but it can. The main strategy to improving the self-healing capacity of the body is obvious: increase the strength of the immune system. Strengthening the immune system is probably the most significant thing you can do for yourself to heal cancer and wounds quicker, and as a happy side-effect, many other life improvements come along with an improved immune system.

One very simple improvement is a modification in breathing. Far too often, we take quick and shallow breaths. This can lead to a higher blood pressure, as it constricts the blood vessels. That constriction slows our circulation, which also reduce the speed with which our immune system can respond to a problem.

Everything going on in your body is dependant upon a steady and regular circulation of blood. Anything that interferes with that circulation is unhealthy and needs to be resolved immediately. It can slow down healing and promote cancer.

The solution to this problem is really rather simple: commit five minutes, three times a day, to breathe deeply. You can do this while working, reading, driving, etc. You’ll probably find it most beneficial if you start your day and end your day with one of these five minute breathing exercises. To learn more ways to remain cancer-free, read Cancer Free For Life. Dr Magne has written in it the results of extensive studies and research that demonstrate the cancer can be healed without chemotherapy or surgery.

In close conjunction with the concept of deeper and more thorough breathing is the practice of relaxation with breathing exercises. This focuses solely on the action of breathing while you do it. Obviously, then, this requires that you not be driving or reading a book. Instead you simply find a comfortable place to sit, put yourself into the most comfortable sitting posture, and focus on your breathing.

To really focus on breathing during this time, you should focus your attention on your belly, as if you have a balloon in your stomach. Inhale, slowly, to fill the balloon and focus on the expansion happening in your stomach area. Hold the breath for a comfortable amount of time and exhale slowly, depleting the balloon in your stomach.

You’ll probably find out almost immediately that you feel a lot better…even if you didn’t realize you could! In the process, you are also strengthening your immune system, providing it with the necessary support to speed healing of cancer and wounds.

Cancer treatments can cause serious damage to the immune system. This damage opens you up to a wide-range of infections and diseases. If you are diagnosed with cancer, it’s important that you listen to what your physician tells you with an open mind. Don’t operate under the assumption that your doctor will know everything there is to know. Research all your other options, learn everything you can and take control of your own recovery. Your doctor doesn’t have the time to get to know you. Often the prognostic you receive is only the result of statistics and probabilities, but doesn’t take into account your own ability to recover and your will to live.

Even moderate exercise and deep breathing can save your life from cancer by speeding up your healing.

Mar 9, 2007

Treating Insomnia during Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most important, magic, and exciting periods in a woman’s life. It is not surprising, then, that a lot of women may experience sensations that they have never experienced in any other period of their lives. While most of these sensations are pleasant, there can also be some problems, and one of these problems may be insomnia.

In fact, it has been estimated that as many as 75% of all pregnant women suffer some kind of insomnia. The main cause of this is hormonal imbalance, although this is not the only cause.

Other reasons for insomnia in pregnant women might be the anxiety, or even panic, of realizing that they are moving into a different world in which they are about to take on the responsibilities of parenthood. Or it might simply be that sleep takes longer to come because they feel uncomfortable in bed due to their new body shape.

In all cases, if insomnia is a consequence of the pregnancy, it is always a good idea to visit your doctor and explain your problem. Most doctors are very reluctant to prescribe medications for insomnia during pregnancy, for obvious reasons. Moreover, it is not a good idea to begin taking strong medications – some of them with serious side effects, and others which may be habit inducing, like sleeping pills – for a disorder that will disappear as soon your baby is born.

So your doctor will almost certainly recommend simple changes in your lifestyle, or other, natural, remedies. However, beware of thinking that you can seek out natural remedies yourself, on the understanding that natural remedies are always mild and harmless. What may be mild and harmless for women under normal circumstances, may not be so harmless for your baby! Always consult your doctor before beginning any treatment – natural or otherwise.

If you’re having trouble falling asleep when you go to bed, some of the following tricks might work just before you go to bed: you can try having a warm (not hot) shower; you could light some scented candles; get your husband to give you a relaxing foot massage; or you could try listening to some soothing music that reminds you of pleasant memories or beautiful places you know and have visited.

The changes in your lifestyle that a doctor might suggest will be related above all to your eating and exercise habits. Obviously, you’ll be recommended not to eat much at night – it’s not a good idea to go to bed feeling hungry, but you should definitely have finished your digestion. And your doctor will probably recommend you to continue exercising: a good walk each day may be just what you – and your baby – need to get that good night’s sleep that you both deserve!

While insomnia during pregnancy is not so serious in itself, and in almost all cases will go away when your pregnancy is over, it should, however, be controlled. Insomnia – in everyone, not just in pregnant women – can lead to irritability and lack of concentration, which can be dangerous. Thus, any disorder that leads to drowsiness and lack of concentration should be treated, in order to avoid unwanted accidents, and this is especially important in the case of pregnant women.

Mar 8, 2007

Understanding Infertility Problems for Couples

You and your spouse are happily married for 15 years now. Both of you have stable jobs, a dream house, several brand-new sedans, and a hard-earned fortune that you can be proud of to other people.

But there is one thing that bothers you both.

You do not have children to share all of these blessings and happiness with.

Although you love and understand each others very much, you are still bothered by the fact that you cannot have even a single child for over 15 years of your marriage with your spouse. If you didn’t bother for having a child on the early years of your marriage, now you are searching for a definite answer. You do not want to live the next 25 years without a child running to your arms and feeling your warm parental embrace.

At this point, you need not to ask who among the two of you (your spouse) has the incapacity, but rather what is the real condition of your respective reproductive systems. However, it is clear that both of you are victims of infertility.

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system where any one or even both of you have the inability to conceive a child naturally. In the aforementioned case, you can say that they are plagued by infertility over the years because the diagnosis of such disease states that if a couple failed to conceive a child after a year of well-timed (the fertile period) and unprotected (without the usage of anti-pregnancy medications) sexual intercourse, then they are diagnosed with infertility.

In contrast to the popular belief that infertility is a "women’s problem", medical studies show that 40 percent of recorded infertility cases are due to male factor, another 40 percent due to female factor, and the remaining percentage of cases can be either a combined factor (that is, the couple has infertility problems) or the cause of infertility is unexplained. The latter condition is rare, though there are instances when both your reproductive systems functions normally yet you are having difficulty in conceiving a child.

Who is at risk on getting infertility problems? The following age groups are said to be falling under the infertility diagnosis:

Couples under 35 years of age and have tried to conceive a child but failed to do so after one year of well-timed and unprotected sexual intercourse.

Couples over 35 years of age and still trying to conceive a child but failed after 6 months of well-timed and unprotected sexual intercourse.

Couples over 30 years of age and have previous medical history of PID or pelvic inflammatory disease, repeated pregnancy loss, painful menstruation cycle, or the male partner suffers from low sperm count.

There are varieties of medications that you can take to combat infertility. This may include artificial insemination, ovulation inducers, and surgery, if necessary. However, it is recommended that you consult with your attending physicians first before taking any treatment plan that would address your infertility problem.

Infertility problem should be addressed by the couple themselves. This is not the time to pinpoint who is infertile. What matters most is that both of you agree to consult a physician and support whoever found out to be having infertility problems. It is both your concern, and should be resolved without hurting each other’s feeling. A child may just be a few years away from now, if you will act immediately

Mar 7, 2007

7 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

The steady stream of good news about green tea is getting so hard to ignore that even java junkies are beginning to sip mugs of the deceptively delicate brew. You'd think the daily dose of disease-fighting, inflammation-squelching antioxidants - long linked with heart protection - would be enough incentive, but wait, there's more! Lots more.

CUT YOUR CANCER RISK
Several polyphenols - the potent antioxidants green tea's famous for - seem to help keep cancer cells from gaining a foothold in the body, by discouraging their growth and then squelching the creation of new blood vessels that tumors need to thrive. Study after study has found that people who regularly drink green tea reduce their risk of breast, stomach, esophagus, colon, and/or prostate cancer.

SOOTHE YOUR SKIN
Got a cut, scrape, or bite, and a little leftover green tea? Soak a cotton pad in it. The tea is a natural antiseptic that relieves itching and swelling. Try it on inflamed breakouts and blemishes, sunburns, even puffy eyelids. And that's not all. In the lab, green tea helps block sun-triggered skin cancer, whether you drink it or apply it directly to the skin - which is why you're seeing green tea in more and more sunscreens and moisturizers.

STEADY YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Having healthy blood pressure - meaning below 120/80 - is one thing. Keeping it that way is quite another. But people who sip just half a cup a day are almost 50 percent less likely to wind up with hypertension than non-drinkers. Credit goes to the polyphenols again (especially one known as ECGC). They help keep blood vessels from contracting and raising blood pressure.

PROTECT YOUR MEMORY, OR YOUR MOM'S
Green tea may also keep the brain from turning fuzzy. Getting-up-there adults who drink at least two cups a day are half as likely to develop cognitive problems as those who drink less. Why? It appears that the tea's big dose of antioxidants fights the free-radical damage to brain nerves seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

STAY YOUNG
The younger and healthier your arteries are, the younger and healthier you are. So fight plaque build-up in your blood vessels, which ups the risk of heart disease and stroke, adds years to your biological age (or RealAge), and saps your energy too. How much green tea does this vital job take? About 10 ounces a day, which also deters your body from absorbing artery-clogging fat and cholesterol.

LOSE WEIGHT
Oh yeah, one more thing. Turns out that green tea speeds up your body's calorie-burning process. In the every-little-bit-counts department, this is good news!

source : www.yahoo.com/health

Mar 6, 2007

THE CAUSES OF EPILEPSY

Commonly known as a seizure disorder, epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition which causes seizures to arise often, and unprovoked. The word "Epilepsy" is named by the Greek. It means to "take hold of" or "to seize". Surgical methods are sometimes used to treat this condition, but medication is the general and more common method.

Not every cause of epilepsy is known to humans, but many probable factors have been identified. These factors include brian damage, head trauma, high fever, bacterial encephalitis, intoxication, acute disturbances of metabolism, brain tumor, and other penetrating wounds to the head. The largest cause of epilepsy, however, is hereditary or genetic.

Any person can endure an epileptic seizure under certian circumstances. The seizures can be provoked by drug overdoses, or in some cases even acute illness. The condition epilepsy, however, does not apply to these people. Epilepsy is defined by recurring, unprovoked seizures, although there is controversy over symptoms required to be diagnosed with the disease.

Only 1 percent of the worlds population suffers from epilepsy according to its criteria, however, it is estimated that there is a slightly higher percentage of actual conditions. Most of this percentage is found in persons under the age of 19, or over the age of 65. The diagnosis criteria for epileptics is widely controversial in the field of medicine. Partial - complex seizures can arguably be considered epileptic, which is why the controversy continues.

Source : http://www.epilepsyspot.com

Mar 5, 2007

VEGETABLE NUTRITION FOR A HEALTHY LIFE

Fruit and vegetables are brimming with fibre, plus a whole range of vitamins and minerals, and because they're low in calories, they make an important and healthy addition to any diet. Here is some information for you about vegetable nutrition. "Eat your fruits and vegetables" is one of the tried and true recommendations for a healthy diet, and for good reason.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help you ward off heart disease and stroke, control blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent some types of cancer, avoid a painful intestinal ailment called diverticulitis, and guard against cataract and macular degeneration, two common causes of vision loss."5 A Day" is a national health programme in the USA and also in the UK to explain why you need vegetable nutrition as well as fruit and to encourage you to eat more servings of fruit and vegetables every day. People all over the world are becoming more and more aware of how important fruit nutrition and vegetable nutrition is to stay healthy.

In general, yellow and dark green vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin A. Green leafy vegetables are rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C and many of the B vitamins. The greener the leaf, the richer the nutrients will be.

Here are some suggestions to think about color to pack nutritional power in your diet:

.White: Eat cauliflower more often than potatoes, onions and mushrooms.

· Green: Add more dark lettuces, such as romaine and red leaf lettuce, spinach, broccoli and Brussels sprouts to replace iceberg lettuce and green beans.

· Yellow-orange: Substitute more carrots, winter squashes, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, oranges and grapefruit for corn or bananas.

· Red: Select tomatoes, red peppers and strawberries in favor of apples.

If you are trying to watch your weight, an idea is to make sure you are not eating too many calories if you are adding these foods to your diet. increasing the amounts of fruits and vegetables you eat can promote weight control, but only if they replace higher fat foods like ice cream, meat and chips to help you consume fewer calories. But if fruits and vegetables are simply added to what you already eat, total calories won't significantly drop and weight loss should not be expected.

The most important thing to do is to vary the fruit and vegetables that you eat from day to day. This is to give your body a variety but to also keep you interested in your food. There are always great new recipes, ideas and ways to make your food look and taste great!

Mar 3, 2007

THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF GARLIC !

In this article I’ll be exploring the use of garlic for health. Nicknamed the ‘stinking rose’, this auspicious herb has been revered throughout history as a cure and natural treatment for all manor of conditions.

These include mosquito bites, wounds, heart disease, measles, tumors, snake bites, acne, colds, flu and even vampires!

Garlic’s health benefits are substantiated by a wealth of modern day research that confirms its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is also a powerful antioxidant and immune booster with anti-inflammatroy properties.

Scientific studies reveal benefits for diabetes, cancer and heart disease. It's heart health traits include lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure, aiding circulation and preventing against stroke.

Garlic’s might is largely due to the sulfur compounds it contains, such as allicin. Garlic also houses vitamin C, B6, selenium, magnesium, potassium, calcium and manganese and flavonoids.

The sulphur compound allicin provides not only many of the notable benefits of garlic, but also its notorious odour. Allicin is formed during the chemistry of chopping, crushing and chewing garlic, the more thorough the milling, the more allicin is created. Allicin has antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, and the reason why garlic has been used for skin infections such as Athletes’s foot, herpes and warts, digestive and lung infections such as diarrhea, coughs and colds, and Candida yeast and other microbes.

Allicin begins to degrade once produced and on cooking, so eating garlic raw and soon after chopping ensures the assimilation of optimum levels of this compound.

Garlic also contains diallyl sulphides, which, whilst not anti-fungal like allicin, are reportedly good for the blood and circulation, lowering bad cholesterol and boosting the immune system.

Rats that were put on a diet featuring both allicin and diallyl sulphides had a substantial increase in their levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase. This mighty enzyme produced within the body is incredibly important in helping to rid the body of toxins, drugs and carcinogens. Increasing levels of this and other phase II enzymes may be one way garlic helps to prevent against cancer, enhancing the elimination of potential carcinogens from the body. This also makes garlic great for a natural body detox.

Garlic as Anti-Inflammatory

The sulfur compounds in garlic have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activity of inflammatory enzymes. Along with vitamin C this can make garlic a protection against the pain associated with arthritis and asthma attacks.

Garlic for the Heart

garlic is renowned for its abilities to lower cholesterol and blood pressure naturally and protect against heart disease and stroke. Garlic has also been found to stimulate the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels aiding their dilation, and assist the body’s ability to dissolve blood clots (fibrinolyisis).

The antioxidant properties of garlic can also protect against cardiovascular disease by inhibiting the oxidation of bad cholesterol which would otherwise build up in artery walls. Further, folate in garlic is known to protect the cardiovascular system.

Garlic for Cancer Prevention

Population studies have revealed that eating garlic regularly, along with other alliums such as onions chives and scallions, reduces the risk of oesophageal, colon and stomach cancer. This may be due to garlic’s ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds. Garlic’s sulfur compounds such as allicin and ajeone have been found to stop the growth of various cancers in animal laboratory studies, including skin, stomach, colon, breast and oral cancer. Garlic also contains the powerful antioxidant mineral selenium, known for its anti-cancer properties.

Garlic for Diabetes

Some of the damage that can result from the degenerative effects of diabetes such as diseases of the kidney, retina and nervous system, may be deterred by garlic. Rats that were given a drug that would induce similar diabetic-effects in the body, namely an increase in blood sugar, cholesterol and damaged fats and a reduction in the body’s antioxidants, experienced fewer negative effects from the drug and an increase in antioxidant levels when given a daily dose of garlic oil.

Research then, has indicated garlic health benefits against bacteria, fungi and viruses, inflammation (as with arthritis), cancer, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol levels.

Garlic - Natural Cure for Common Ailments

Garlic is an all round disease-preventive, and can be used as a natural treatment cure for common ailments such as acne, colds and flu, herpes and wrinkles due to its natural antioxidant and anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Crush a clove or two of garlic into warm water and drink twice a day though be careful on an empty stomach if you are sensitive to garlic. This also serves as a natural body detox. If your skin is not over sensitive to garlic it can also be applied directly to acne spots or herpes. I find it very effective as a cure for oral herpes (cold-sores). If you have high cholesterol level, use garlic regularly in you’re your food as this will lower your cholesterol level naturally.(obviously along with avoiding a high cholesterol diet).

To summarise…

Garlic Benefits

• Garlic boosts your immune system.

• Garlic is anti-aging, its antioxidant power neutralizing free radicals that procure aging and disease.

• Garlic helps reduce plaque build up (atherosclerotic heart disease).

• Garlic thins the blood and helps to prevent blood clots (fibrinolyisis) hence reducing the risk of strokes.

• Garlic helps to prevent cancer, particularly of the digestive system, and reduces the size and arrests the growth of certain tumors.

• Garlic lowers and regulates blood sugar levels.

• Garlic helps to remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body - natural body detoxification.

• Garlic is anti-inflammatory.

• Garlic (raw, containing allicin) is a natural antibiotic and can kill even drug resistant strains of bacteria such as MRSA as well as Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium known to cause stomach ulcers and implicated in stomach cancer.

• Garlic is anti-fungal and reduces yeast infections in body parts

Mar 2, 2007

WHAT CAUSES WRINKLES

None of us wants to get wrinkles. But most of us get wrinkles. a face full of wrinkles looks old and tired. After all is lost we think of surgery and use exotic preparations to remove the wrinkles. Quiz if you will get them. If the answer is found yes, correct the habits now and stop wrinkles.

Ageing brings its share of wrinkles. But sun exposure is the biggest culprit. If you protect yourself totally from sun you will not develop noticeable wrinkles. Getting tanned in the sun is the worst culprit. Many of us get sun burnt. But since we do not find any immediate threat we repeat these habits. We will not only get wrinkles but may also develop skin cancer. Do you move out in the sun in the afternoons without sunscreens? Do you wear sunglasses regularly? Do you think that a cloudy day is safe? Do you cover yourself with clothes when you move out? Clouds allow most of UV radiation. What about beach? Do you love going to beach and getting tanned? Water reflects sunlight and UV intensity near water is much more. Protect yourself from the sun.

Smoking is another culprit. Those who smoke are prone to get more wrinkles. How about skin type? If you have dry skin you will get more wrinkles. Quiz all your habits and find out if you will grow into a person full of wrinkles?

Mar 1, 2007

HEALTH BENEFITS OF COFFEE

Coffee provides more than just a morning jolt; that steaming cup of java is also the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet, according to a new
study by researchers at the University of Scranton ( Pa. ). Their study was described today at the 230th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.

"Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close," says study leader Joe Vinson, Ph.D., a chemistry professor at the university. Although fruits in addition, vegetables are generally promoted as good sources of antioxidants, the new finding is surprising because it represents the first time that coffee has been
shown to be the primary source from which most Americans get their antioxidants, Vinson says. Both caffeinated and decaf versions appear to provide similar antioxidant levels, he adds.

He cautions that high antioxidant levels in foods and beverages do not necessarily translate into levels found in the body. The potential health benefits of these antioxidants ultimately depends on how they are absorbed and utilized in the body, a process that is still poorly understood, says Vinson, whose study was primarily funded by the American Cocoa Research Institute.

The news follows a growing number of reports touting the potential health benefits of drinking coffee. It also comes at an appropriate time: Coffee consumption is on the rise in the United States and over half of Americans drink it everyday, according to the National Coffee Association.

Antioxidants in general have been linked to a number of potential health benefits, including protection against heart disease and cancer. For the current
study, Vinson and his associates analyzed the antioxidant content of more than 100 different foods items, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, spices,
oils and common beverages. The data was compared to an existing U.S. Department of Agriculture database on the contribution of each type of food item to the average estimated U.S. per capita consumption.

Coffee came out on top, on the combined basis of both antioxidants per serving size and frequency of consumption, Vinson says. Java easily outranked such
popular antioxidant sources as tea, milk, chocolate in addition, cranberries, he says. Of all the foods and beverages studied, dates actually have the most
antioxidants of all based solely on serving size, according to Vinson. But since dates are not consumed at anywhere near the level of coffee, the blue ribbon
goes to our favorite morning pick-me-up as the number one source of antioxidants, he says.

Besides keeping you alert and awake, coffee has been linked to an increasing number of potential health benefits, including protection against liver and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson's disease, according to some recently published studies. But there is also a downside: Java can make you jittery and cause stomach pains, while some studies have tied it to elevated blood pressure and heart rates. More research is needed, particularly human studies, to firmly establish its health benefits, Vinson say. While the findings would seem to encourage people to go out and drink more coffee, Vinson emphasizes moderation. "One to two cups a day appear to be beneficial," he says. If you don't like coffee, consider drinking black tea, which is the second most consumed antioxidant source in the U.S. diet, Vinson says. Bananas, dry beans and corn placed third, fourth fifth, respectively.

But don't forget about fresh fruits and veggies, the researcher cautions. "Unfortunately, consumers are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are better for you from an overall nutritional point of view due to their higher content of vitamins, minerals and fiber," Vinson says. Dates, cranberries in addition, red grapes are among the top fruits for antioxidants on the basis of concentration (antioxidants per serving size), he says.

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have provena its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:

Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningtitis, kidney and urine disea ses, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhoea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT

1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water

2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes

3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for two hours

5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of
treatment required to cure main diseases:

1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days

2. Gastric - 10 days

3. Diabetes - 30 days

4. Constipation - 10 days

5. Cancer - 180 days

6. TB - 90 days

Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment for only 3 days. In the 1st week to be followed by daily treatment. This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you
may have to urinate a few times.