Diet | Exercise | Fitness News | Tips and Reviews

Health Blog to Discontinue

2012-04-30T08:42:00.002-05:00

Health Connection2 will be closing on May 11, 2012 if there are no objections.

You may leave a comment below. You may also send e-mail to

Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

2012-04-30T08:33:00.001-05:00

Click Here!

Three Common Sense Suggestions to Prevent Diabetes.

Almost everyone knows something about what happens when a person develops type 2 diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes develop the condition because either their pancreas do not produce enough insulin or the body is not able to use the insulin adequately. If the body does not have enough insulin or if the insulin produced by the pancreas is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) cannot get into the cells of the body, so glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells. The cells then are unable to function properly.

Three suggestions to prevent diabetes;

1. Eat daily a good helping of fresh fruits and vegetables. This cuts your risk by 24% or more. Credit this in part to the fiber in fruits and vegetables. Evidence suggests that baby spinach, bok choy and other leafy vegetables. The magnesium and polyphenols in green leafy vegetables help you remain sensitive to insulin which is essential for blood sugar absorption. Additionally, naringenin and nobiletin, compounds found citrus fruits like orange, tangerine, and grapefruit, also help steady the blood sugar.
While coffee may also reduce by 25% your risk for blood sugar disorders, stay away from sugar which most coffee drinkers use. Those who add sugar to their coffee (or tea), do not get the protective effect of coffee, and may even run the risk of developing cancer of the pancreas. One sugar-loaded drink a day increases the risk of diabetes 26%. Drink, instead, a glass of fat-free milk. This will cut the risk by 12%. Do not forget fat-free yogurt and fat-free cheese. Calcium, minerals, and vitamin D help the body process blood sugar.
Learn to relieve stress and tension. Do not wait for your day off or annual vacation to tame tension. Take a few minutes during the day to relax and release your stress. Learn a stress-reduction technique. Get enough sleep. Stress and lack of sleep upset the absorption of blood sugar. Sleeping less than 6 hours a night doubles your risk for diabetes. Ease your tensions by turning in early. Remember that exercise is an important part of blood sugar management.

Click Here! More on Diabetes

Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise

2012-03-29T09:20:00.000-05:00

When I was growing up, I used to hear this ditty "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man (and woman) healthy, wealthy and wise."

We want all three, don't we?

We try to stay healthy by careful management of diet, exercise and low-stress life style. To be wise, we educate ourselves, we continue to learn and be well informed. We engage in stimulating encounters and intellectual intercourse.

Becoming wealthy is another thing. So, we get a job, earn a living, but often times our earnings are not nearly enough. So we work at two jobs. Thath puts stress on our health and well-being.

Others have discovered that working at home many times is more profitable, less stressful, and spending only a few hours a day. Now that seems to me healthy and wise. The "wealthy" part comes with the use of Internet technology.

I came across an opportunity to make money online. If interested or curious, click on this link Make Money On Line.

Health Benefits of Coconut

2012-02-25T10:21:00.000-06:00

Health Benefits of Coconuts

Unless you live in the tropics, you do not know how good young green coconuts and coconut water are.

Young green coconut is rich in good saturated fats, as high as 70% fat but 90% of that is good saturated fat. It has not been shown to raise cholesterol levels or heart disease. It may even raise HDL, the good cholesterol.

It only becomes harmful when coconut oil is hydrogenated turning it to transfats.

In countries like the Philippines and Thailand, where coconut is abundant, coconut milk is a common ingredient in cooking.

It is said that coconut milk is close to human breast milk in pH, fat and nutrient content. It is a good source of calcium, manganese, selenium, zinc and iron. Coconut water in the cavity of the nut measures the same pH as human blood.

Both coconut milk and oil contain lauric acid. The only other source of lauric acid in abundance is human breast milk. Lauric acid is considered antiviral, antibacterial and antiprotozoal.

Coconut milk has also been shown to eliminate many fungi, yeast and protozoa, including several species of ringworm and to be an effective agent used against bacteria and viruses.

The antiviral property of coconut is now being tested in treatment for various chronic ailments with no known cure such as HIV. If you suffer from a chronic viral condition, check with your doctor before drinking coconut milk regularly for supplemental preventive treatment from viral infections and strengthening of your immune system.

If you live in a country that does not grow coconut, procuring coconut, especially young green coconut, can be difficult. Check for an oriental store where you live. You may be able to find coconut milk in cans.

Do You Have A Healthy Gallbladder?

2012-02-05T13:48:00.001-06:00

Everyday, I get news letters from different sources. Most if not all has a product to promote.

Take a look at this one that I copied. I am not endorsing the product they are promoting, I am simply passing on the information. Here it is. If you decide to heed to their alerts, search for similar product at my Health Store.

If you...

			Burp, belch and feel bloated HOURS after you eat...

			Avoid greasy and high-fat foods because they make you feel so sick or...

			Have a history of gallstones...

Blame your gallbladder. It's not releasing enough bile to digest your meals—and the food is sitting in your stomach for hours like a ton of bricks, making you feel miserable.

More than 500,000 Americans have their gallbladders removed every year, but don't schedule surgery just yet. There's a good chance you can save your gallbladder. Just take a look at this...

A powerful new, all-natural solution helps boost your bile production—even if you DON'T have a gallbladder—so you can experience optimum digestion. Plus, it works wonders to help keep your liver and gallbladder in tip-top shape. That means you can...

		Say GOODBYE to the annoying burps and bloating that come HOURS after you eat...

		Eat fat-filled meals WITHOUT tying your stomach up in knots and...

		Enjoy socializing with family and friends after the meal—because you're NOT stuck in the bathroom with stomach cramps!

Click here to claim your FREE Report and discover how you can experience healthy bile function—even if you DON'T have a gallbladder—and restore your digestive health!

If the link above does not redirect you to the FREE Report, I suggest you try this product. It may help your digestive system.

Weight Loss For Busy People

2012-02-03T10:39:00.000-06:00

Obesity is a national concern. I know of people who have embarked on a weight loss program. They are not necessarily overweight, but just wanted to stay fit by losing a little bit of excess pounds. Most people who embark on a weight control program are unable to continue consistently with their program because they are too busy.

Good news! Here is information about a proven program for busy people.
The Weight Loss Guide for Busy People with less available time is now available. Here you can find health tips, recipes, workout exercises and calorie calculations. Try The Weight Loss Guide for Busy People today.

Food To Eat To Lose Weight

2012-02-03T09:19:00.000-06:00

Here's a list of food to eat if you are trying to lose weight or just keeping healthy:

Yogurt - it's loaded with calcium which helps curtail weight gain by hindering absorption of fat in the small intestine.
Eggs - been given a bad reputation. Generally good for healthy people, not for people who have coronary problems. More on the egg-issue at another day.
Pistachio may be high in oil, but it's the good kind.
Grapefruit - not advised for people taking statin drugs.
Avocados- eat it with salad
Mushrooms - use in soup or stir-fried veggies
Olive oil - for cooking or salad dressing
Whole grain
Red pepper - has capsaicin helps curb appetite, gives flavor to food
Fava beans - source of lean protein
Rice with veggies - veggies high in fiber such as broccoli, carrots, kale, celery. These appear to slow the stomach emptying, so you feel full longer.

For further information on healthy diet go to any of these links:

The Diet Solution Click Here!
The 30-Day Fat Loss Click Here!
Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle Click Here!

Aspirin | Acetaminophen | and Arthritis

2012-01-06T08:19:00.002-06:00

Aspirin

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is related to drugs called salicylates . It is an over-the-counter pain medication under familiar brands such as Anacin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Excedrin, and St. Joseph.

These are used to relieve mild pain, fever, and as a blood thinner. People who have arthritis take aspirin for arthritis pain.

What are the common side effects? You may experience stomach problems such as stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, heartburn and vomiting. Stomach irritation may lead to stomach ulcers and bleeding.

You can reduce the risk of stomach problems by taking aspirin with food or milk.

Other possible side effects include allergic reactions such as hives, facial swelling, wheezing, and asthma. You may also experience ringing in the ears and slight deafness.

If you notice any of these effects, stop taking the medication and call your doctor.

Aspiring may be a “wonder drug,” but there are times when you should avoid taking it. Obviously, if you are allergic to it, you should avoid aspirin, or if you have stomach ulcers, bleeding problems or you are scheduled for surgery.

If you have liver or kidney disease, ask your doctor if you can take aspirin. Do not take aspirin if you drink more than three drinks a day.

Acetaminophen

Patients with arthritis know that sometimes acetaminophen (Tylenol) relieves them of pain. Acetaminophin is an ingredient in pain medicines labeled “aspirin free.” Before using it, with your doctor.

Acetaminophen, when taken as directed, has few side effects, but if taken more than what is directed or taking it longer than directed and combined with alcoholic drinks, it can cause liver damage or even liver failure.

Like aspirin, acetaminophen is an ingredient in many over-the-counter (OCT) drugs. So, it is important that you check your other medications to avoid overdosing. Because of the danger of overdosing, the maker of Extra-Strength Tylenol has reduced the 8-hour pill which had 4,000 mg to a 6-hour pill which has only 3,000 mg.

The side effects of acetaminophen over dose is not immediately noticeable, but if you think you may have taken too much, call 911 or poison control at 1800-222-1222 immediately.

(to be continued)

Diet to Control Diabetes

2011-12-30T07:58:00.000-06:00

Let me share what I received in an e-mail from Real Age.

These three simple diet tweaks may help you dodge diabetes: Eat more leafy greens, choose fat-free yogurt, and add nuts and seeds to your diet. Each of these changes may help lower your risk of diabetes anywhere from 10 to 20 percent.

The Greens Scene
In a study, eating just one serving per day decreased diabetes risk by almost 10 percent. So stock up on spinach, arugula, romaine, and kale. (Reverse prediabetes with these three simple steps.)

Fat-Free-for-All
Keeping your overall fat intake to under 30 percent of your total daily calories will do your pancreas big favors, according to research. It helps improve pancreatic function, and because the pancreas produces insulin, good pancreatic function is key to controlling diabetes risk. (Learn the difference between good fats and bad fats.)

Nuts About Seeds
In a study, middle-aged and older adults who consumed the most alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) -- a beneficial fat found in walnuts and flaxseeds -- lowered their risk of developing diabetes by 20 percent. In animal studies, higher levels of ALA have also been linked to improved insulin sensitivity and better regulation of glucose levels.(Use these three spices to get a better handle on your blood sugar.)

Diabetes Forecast
Diabetes is a leading killer -- and more than 25 million people in the United States have it. Isn't it great to know that you could avoid being a statistic just by eating the right foods? (Here's more straightforward advice on eating for better blood sugar.)

Wondering if you’re at risk for diabetes? Learn why keeping tabs on your blood sugar could save your life.

Food Favorites to Avoid

2011-12-16T09:50:00.000-06:00

Watch your diet; eat healthy foods, exercise and stay fit. We all want to live relatively free of physical problems like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, but we are not careful about prepared or packaged foods sold in supermarkets. Take for instance our love for ice cream. We think that the best is Haagen-Daz. Nutritionists and scientists, according to a Nutrition Action Newsletter, an average half-cup serving squeezes half-a-day's saturated fat and a third-of-a-day's cholesterol into your artery walls and makes nearly 300-calories on your fat cells. That's of course assuming that you can stop after the first half cup of ice cream.
Whether or not you can believe this report, it is always a good idea to watch what you eat -- stay with healthy foods. More later on favorite foods to avoid.

Coffee Benefits and Pancreatic Cancer

2011-10-21T08:40:00.000-05:00

Research now shows that coffee might decrease the risk of developing diabetes (or help diabetics?) by about 25 percent. But watch the sugar. Here's why.

Some coffee or tea drinkers like to add sugar to their coffee or tea. By doing so, according to the information, they don't get the protective blood sugar effect, and may run a higher risk of developing cancer of the pancreas. The risk of developing pancreatic cancer is related, in part, to the amount of sugar in the diet.

People who drink soft drink or syrup-based sweet drinks twice a day or more have a 90 percent higher risk of getting cancer of the pancreas than those who never drink them. This information came from RealAge.com. The article also said that some people may be sensitive to caffeine's effects, so you may want to avoid it. But even if you aren't sensitive to caffeine, you may want to limit yourself to two or three cups of black coffee a day. At least that's what my doctor says.

Memory Problems

2011-10-20T09:58:00.000-05:00

Unless someone else knows more than I could find in researching the Internet about Procera

I am almost convinced it will help improve my memory. I started taking it three days ago, but it is too early to tell if there is any memory improvement. I have read glowing testimonials about it, so it must be good. I need it because I am becoming forgetful more and more. I hope Procera will help slow down, if not prevent, memory loss. I'll keep you posted.

Top e-Reader

2011-10-18T11:19:00.000-05:00

The latest rage is the Kindle Fire. If you want to have the best of e-Readers, 7" inch touch screen, with Wi-Fi and high capacity, the Kindle Fire is the best, for your money. Click below to see for your self.

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi

Home

2011-10-14T06:40:00.003-05:00

This blog is designed to provide information to those looking for health and personal care products as well as information on dieting and weight loss, exercise and fitness programs. Check this source out. Also, see the Pages on the right column.

Your comments are always welcome.

2011-10-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

Know Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your body. It is made up of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein), the two make up your total cholesterol.
LDL is “Bad” Cholesterol. It can build up in the wall of arteries causing a narrowing of the arteries slowing or blocking blood flow, thus increase your risk of heart disease. A major cause of heart disease is high LDL (Bad) Cholesterol..

HDL Cholesterol, called “Good” Cholesterol, helps remove the LDL (Bad) Cholesterol from arteries.
Triglycerides are another type of fat found in your blood. High levels of triglycerides are also unhealthy.

Keep in mind that LDL (Bad) Cholesterol is not totally to blame. There are certain risk factors that add to the effects of LDL which put you at a greater risk of heart disease. Consult your doctor or health care professional for a more detailed explanation.

An alternative to drugs is explored in The Colin Carmichael program . Colin Carmichael, cholesterol expert, reveals the little known and seldom talked about secrets found in nature. This may work wonders for you in lowering cholesterol & triglycerides. Get cleaner arteries and kick start your heart health in lightning fast time. What have you got to lose except "Bad" cholesterol and triglycerides!

Here's an eBook you can download. It shows you how to control cholesterol naturally. You are given a list of heart friendly low cholesterol foods and recipes. In any case, either the Colin Carmichael Program or the eBook I would suggest to anyone concerned about heart health.

Vitamin K2

2011-10-03T08:40:00.000-05:00

I received a newsletter in which claim was made that Vitamin K2 will keep your blood pressure healthy. It outlined three steps to follow to keep blood pressure in the healthy range.

Remove calcium from arteries for optimum blood flow, presumably layers of calcium deposits narrow the blood vessels.
Relax your arteries. When relaxed, your blood vessels open up wider and allow blood flow easily through.
Ease blood vessel constriction by stopping Angiotensin II. It's been shown that blueberries help in inhibiting Angiotensin II enzyme. One study reported this in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

I would appreciate your comments on this report.

Why We Age

2011-09-02T08:31:00.000-05:00

Introduction

We are all interested in aging-- why we age, some faster than others. Gerontology or the study of aging has helped us understand better why we age. Theories of aging may be grouped into two. One group states that aging is natural and our body is programmed to age. The other group claims that aging is a result of damage to the body gradually accumulated over time. The bottom line is that groups are to some degree correct. In the study of aging, one mus consider the complex interaction of genetics, chemistry, physiology and behavior.

The "programmed" theory claims that aging is caused by certain genes switching on and off over time, that there is a certain biological timeline that our bodies follow. There are hormonal changes that control aging. Additionally, our immune system is programmed to decline over time, leaving people more susceptible to diseases. More later

About MRI: A Douglass Report

2011-08-31T08:04:00.000-05:00

Here's the report verbatim...

The business of modern medicine

You have to spend money to make money. That's an accepted fact in the business world. What a lot of people AREN'T ready to accept is that mainstream medicine is one of the biggest businesses out there -- which means that all of those same business rules apply.

So when your doctor spends big bucks on diagnostic imagining equipment, you know good and well who's REALLY footing the bill.

You are.

That's why it came as no surprise to me when a recent study found that docs who buy or lease MRI machines have much higher rates of screenings -- and ultimately, surgeries.

Researchers looked at Medicare claims for low back pain filed between 1998 and 2005 by primary care doctors and orthopedists, then isolated numbers on docs who bought or leased MRI machines in that time.

They found a 32 percent increase among primary care docs in the months immediately afterwards. Orthopedists had a smaller increase -- just 13 percent. But that's because the machines helped keep them busy in other ways: That 13 percent boost in MRIs led to a 34 percent increase in surgery rates, according to the study in Health Services Research.

If the surgeries were beneficial, I wouldn't have much of a problem with it. But for patients with back pain, neither the screening nor the surgeries that result from them are necessary.

As I told you recently during a similar exposé on X-rays for back pain, nearly everyone ends up with disc "problems" like slips and bulges. (Read more here.)

But most people never feel a thing -- proving that these disc issues are not the real cause of pain, just a convincing excuse to operate.

And that's why most people who go through back surgery end up in as much pain as they were before, if not more -- because now they’re recovering from an invasive procedure to boot.

So if your doc wants an MRI for something like back pain, find out if he owns the machine – and if he does, go get a second opinion.

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease

2011-08-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here is an eye-opener, a video by Dr. Crandall discussing how to prevent and reverse heart disease.
Click this link
.http://w3.newsmax.com/newsletters/crandall/video.cfm?s=al&promo_code=C6BA-1..

Alert for Men

2011-08-28T20:17:00.000-05:00

Of special interest for men (from WedMD):

BPH Drugs Linked to
Increased Prostate Cancer Risk
The FDA is requiring makers of drugs used to treat BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) --
a condition with symptoms that include urination trouble due to an enlarged prostate gland --
to change labeling due to increased risk of a serious form of prostate cancer. The drugs
are sold under the brand names Proscar, Propecia, Avodart, and Jalyn.

Benefits of Coffee Drinking

2011-08-24T06:29:00.000-05:00

Drinking coffee regularly appears to lower the risk of prostate cancer , especially the lethal form, according to new research.
The research took a look at all forms of prostate cancer and observed (quote), ''the highest coffee drinkers had about a 20% lower risk of developing prostate cancer during the follow-up," says researcher Lorelei Mucci, ScD, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. See report in WebMD
The 20% lower risk was found in those drinking six or more cups daily compared to none, according to Dr. Mucci..
Protection was more against the most lethal form of prostate cancer. To quote from the report, "Among those drinking one to three cups a day, the risk of lethal prostate cancer declined 29%, compared to that of nondrinkers. Among those drinking six or more cups daily, the risk for deadly prostate cancer was reduced 60% compared to that of nondrinkers."
The surprising thing was that the risk reduction did not matter whether one drank regular coffee or decaf, leading to speculation that it maybe something else in coffee, perhaps not necessarily the caffeine that provides the protection. More info at WebMD.

Lower Bad Cholesterol

2011-08-18T07:54:00.000-05:00

LDL (bad cholesterol) can be lowered by dribbling tomato sauce on some food we eat.

In a study of healthy adults who had high cholesterol subjects were able to lower their LDL levels simply by eating lycopene-rich tomato products every day. Both men and women consumed at least 25 milligrams of lycopene every day for several weeks, an amount that’s equivalent to lycopene you would find in a mere half-cup serving of tomato sauce. By the end of the study period, most people had lowered their LDL levels down about 10 percent, a kind of improvement you'd expect to see in someone taking a statin medication for a similar amount of time. Researchers think that lycopene reduces cholesterol by inhibiting the production of LDL and by breaking down this artery-clogging blood fat.

Sandwiches to Avoid

2011-08-16T11:47:00.000-05:00

It's summer time, and we all like to make trips to the beach, hike in the woods, and go on a picnic. So pack the picnic basket with good food and drinks.
I just came across a very interesting slide show from WebMD; I don't think they will mind if I shared the link with you. The slide show tells you what is the better sandwich alternative.

Click here to view the slide show.

Statin Drugs

2011-08-08T20:33:00.000-05:00

Here is information I gathered from Newsmax.

Heart disease remains America's leading killer. It is said that someone dies every 34 seconds of some form of cardiovascular disease. So it is easy to see why your doctor might prescribe a statin drug for you. like Lipitor or pravastatin.
According to Dr. Chauncey Crandall of Newsmax, there is a time and a place for statins. He prescribes statins as an "interventional medicine" that is, to use them temporarily while helping his patient's transition to a lifestyle that makes them unnecessary.
He sites that in the past 10 years, there has been a 27% decrease in fatal heart attacks. The improvement is due to statins. That's the good news.
However, there are reasons to be cautious with statins because of two serious side effects.

(quote) Statins may elevate your liver enzyme functioning, which indicates some toxicity, inflammation, and cell damage to the liver. That's why your doctor will want to monitor your liver function with simple blood tests. But Dr. Crandall will tell you that liver damage from statins is rare and mostly found in those with pre-existing liver damage.
Another main concern is muscle wasting. Quoting Dr. Crandall "Statins can cause myopathy, characterized by muscle aches and weakness, and sometimes fatigue. That's why the drug ads tell you to see your doctor if you experience any muscle weakness." More later...

To read up on an alternative regimen click this link..
.

Sex And Heart Attack

2011-08-08T07:18:00.000-05:00

Have you heard that both physical and sexual activity may boost heart attack risk? WebMD came out with this info, but said that for most people, the increased risk is slight and does not last long.
The report continues to say that "physical activity and sexual activity are triggers of heart attack and sudden death, but the risk is short lived, lasting one to two hours, during and after the activity."
You can read more about it in The Journal of the American Medical Association or go to WebMD