Health Care

Dark Under Eye Circles Because of Allergies

2010-10-14T09:30:00.001-07:00

While most people suffer from black circles under their eyes because of genetic dark eye circles, many others have dark under eye circles because of allergies. The connection between dark under eye circles and allergies primarily deals with the histamine reactions caused by allergies. When an undesirable substance enters your body it usually comes in contact with your skin or the sensitive lining of your intestines or airways. At this point, antibodies are sent to the area of intrusion to fight off the allergens. This internal combat between the allergens and your antibodies causes histamines to be released. These histamines can lead to the formation of a rash, dilated blood vessels, fluid leaks, puffy and watery eyes, wheezing, muscle spasms, runny nose. Additionally, the frequent itching often leads one to constantly rub their eyes in order to get relief. As a result, black eye circles tend to develop.

Dark Under Eye Circles Because of Allergies to Food

It has been discovered that certain foods contribute to allergic reactions which manifest as dark circles. While there are many foods to which one may be allergic, some are more allergenic than others. Of this sort, there are a small number of them that actually cause dark under eye circles. Allergies to the following foods can cause these blemishes:

Dairy Products
Egg Whites
Soy
Wheat
Yeast

Preventing Dark Under Eye Circles because of Allergies

If you've suffered from dark under eye circles because of allergies, there are also some preventive measures you can take once you get rid of them. Since the dark under eye circles that come from allergies arise mainly because of food, it's best to read labels to ensure they don't contain any of allergenic foods listed above.

Causes of Dark Circles

2010-10-14T09:21:00.001-07:00

Dark circles - ever wonder why you get them?

Heredity is the primary cause of dark circles. Like so many things - eye color, curly or straight hair, skin tone - predisposition for dark circles is inherited.
The genes related to dark circles are actually the genes that cause weakened capillaries in the skin around your eyes (learn more about the biology of dark under-eye circles). Skin tone, including transparency of the skin, is also inherited and can make dark circles appear more dramatic.

What Causes Dark Circles?

Heredity isn't the only cause of dark circles. A variety of factors, both common and uncommon, can influence or cause the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

Dark circles and sun exposure

Exposure to the sun can exacerbate your dark circles. Sunlight darkens the skin by raising melanin levels and bringing melanin to the surface of the skin. These boosted melanin levels make dark circles look darker.
So if you notice dark circles after a trip to the beach or the tanning bed, you're not alone.

Do fatigue or lack of sleep cause dark circles?

Short answer: no.
Long answer: not exactly. Lack of sleep makes your skin pale, which emphasizes your dark circles. Anything else that makes your skin pale, like fatigue or illness, makes your dark circles much more noticeable.
Pregnancy and menstruation also frequently make your skin pale. Many people associate dark circles with hormones -- but the hormones don't cause dark circles, just paleness.

The link between allergies and dark circles

Many people associate allergies with dark circles. This is a real and established connection. In fact, many doctors consider dark circles as an indication of allergies in children.
Allergies cause dark circles in two ways: first, histamine reactions themselves can cause dark smudges to appear under the eyes. The biology of this is way too complicated to get into here. Second, allergies frequently cause the eyes to feel itchy. Rubbing the eyes and the skin around the eyes makes dark circles even darker.

Age and dark circles

Yes, it's true -- age makes dark circles even worse. As we age, the skin of our faces becomes thinner. Thinner skin allows the discoloration of dark circles to be seen more easily, and dark circles become much more obvious.

Nutrition and dark circles

In some rare cases, lack of vitamins can cause dark circles under the eyes. This is relatively uncommon. Nevertheless, if you're not eating a balanced healthy diet, you may see dark circles. And sometimes changing to a more healthy diet can help to diminish those dark circles.

All about Dark Circles

2010-10-14T09:20:00.001-07:00

How and why your body creates dark under-eye circles

Learn about the causes of dark circles under eyes
Most people think that dark under-eye circles are caused by staying up late watching monster movies, or having that last drink the night before, or sitting up with your laptop trying to finish the quarterly report. Most people think that their behavior is somehow linked to dark under-eye circles.
Well, most people are dead wrong.
If nothing else, I want you to know that dark under-eye circles are not your fault. They don't mysteriously appear when you misbehave or are stressed out, only to vanish when you get 8 straight hours of sleep. Dark under-eye circles are a by-product of the very same mechanism that produces bruises (and you don't blame yourself for bruising, do you?). Changing your behavior will, in almost every case, NOT get rid of your dark under-eye circles.
Having said that, onto the specifics:

What causes dark under-eye circles

Your shiners, your raccoon eyes, your blue luggage... whatever you call your dark under-eye circles, here's what they really are: oxidizing hemoglobin.
Dark under-eye circles begin in the capillaries, the tiny blood vessels that web the delicate skin around the eyes. Now, your capillaries are so small that red blood cells sometimes have to line up, single file, to get through. Frequently, red blood cells get lost and wander into the surrounding skin. This isn't a problem - it happens all the time - and your body has a mechanism to mop up these escapees. Enzymes in your body break down the red blood cells, including their hemoglobin (the molecule that gives them their distinctive red color).
No problem, right? Except for one thing: when hemoglobin is broken down, its remaining components have a dark blue-black color. Just like a bruise. So your dark under-eye circles are actually caused by leaky capillaries.

How dark under-eye circles are like bruises

When something hits you, blood vessels are traumatized and sometimes broken. Blood leaks out into the surrounding skin. Your body begins the mopping-up process, and you see a dark, purplish or blue-black discoloration.
So, as you can see, dark under-eye circles are very similar to bruises. The same mechanisms produce them.

Why are dark under-eye circles so visible?

It's quite possible that capillaries all over your body are leaking small amounts of blood all the time (I don't know if this is true or not). But the reason dark under-eye circles are so apparent is this: the skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest, most delicate skin of your entire body. The capillaries are much closer to the surface of the skin there. Many people's skin is not only thinner around the eyes, but also more translucent.
The combination of capillaries near the skin's surface and translucent skin makes this discoloration much more apparent. And that's why you have those dark under-eye circles staring back at you in the mirror.

Keep Yourself Healthy

2010-10-14T09:11:00.001-07:00

Most of the people are consumed with their busy schedules, vacations, shopping and parties during the holiday season. Although the holiday season is an exciting time, don’t let the excessive amount of activities affect your waistline.

Make exercise a daily priority. Wake up early and workout before all the festivities begin for the day. It is important to plan a workout into your schedule, along with cooking, parties, etc. Incorporate exercise into a family affair by taking a walk after a holiday meal, walking to look at Christmas lights, etc.

Don’t over-indulge on the holiday sweets. Choose which indulgences you have to have, and choose them first. Try having old fashioned caramel rolls. Also, try to avoid skipping meals, which will slows down your metabolism and causes you to over-eat during the next meal.

Focus on maintaining your current weight. The holiday season is not an ideal time to begin a diet. Weigh yourself right before the holidays start and focus on maintaining your weight. To do this, it is important to drink extra water, exercise at least three times per week, leave your favorite foods alone, and try to make your other choices a little healthier. More veggies and fruit as snacks, previous the important meals, is also a good choice.

Source: http://www.s-healthclub.com

Milk Does a Body Bad?

2010-10-14T09:03:00.001-07:00

If you’re like most Americans, you were raised—thanks in large part to the U.S. government and National Dairy Council—to believe that several daily glasses of milk were good for you. On the other hand, a growing number of doctors and researchers say that milk and other dairy products may worsen inflammation, allergies, asthma, and other health problems. Some experts also theorize that lactose intolerance—the inability to digest milk sugar—is a signal from our bodies that we shouldn’t be drinking animal milk at all.

The Raw Deal

There’s another side to the dairy debate:
raw milk.

Once a dinner-table staple, raw milk’s popularity decreased during the 20th century, with the advent of pasteurization, a process that kills E. coli and other pathogens with heat. But that may not be all that pasteurization destroys, say raw milk advocates, who claim the process also kills beneficial bacteria, proteins, vitamins, and digestive enzymes.

Instead, they praise raw milk’s nutritional value, creamy flavor, and alleged health benefits for conditions like eczema, allergies and Crohn’s disease. They may be right: A study published in the June 2006 issue of the Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that British children who drank raw milk regularly were 40 percent less likely to develop eczema and 10 percent less likely to develop hay fever than those who didn’t drink raw milk.

Not so fast, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), whose director of dairy and egg safety has likened drinking raw milk to “playing Russian roulette with your health.” The FDA claims it’s safe to drink milk from cloned cows, but has banned interstate sales of raw milk—although individual states can determine commerce within their borders. Currently, raw milk is legal in 22 states and its devotees are growing in number: An estimated half-million Americans drink it.

Liquid Assets

The issue isn’t as simple as the FDA implies, however. All raw milk isn’t created equal, point out advocates. Yes, raw milk is unhealthy—if it comes from an industrial dairy. They view pasteurization as an excuse to produce dirty milk: Pasteurization doesn’t prevent contamination, it merely kills germs after they surface. In fact, outbreaks of salmonella, listeria and Campylobacter have been traced to pasteurized milk and cheese.

Unlike industrial dairies whose milk is later pasteurized, raw milk dairies tend to be cleaner and their cows are fed organic grass rather than corn. When purchased from such dairies, raw milk may be healthier, safer—and tastier—than pasteurized varieties.

For more on raw milk, see Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck (Bloomsbury USA, 2006). Click here to find a raw-milk distributor in your area.

Could you cut out milk from your diet altogether?

Source: http://balanceboost.blogspot.com

From the Founder: Raw Milk

2010-10-14T09:02:00.001-07:00

The topic of Raw Milk has a lot of buzz around it right now due the legal issues of how and where it can be sold. It’s interesting to me because once again the FDA wants us to believe what’s best for their bottom line which now a days seems to be more business-related rather than concern for our education and safety.

I personally wrote off milk back in 2004, when I became serious about living a wellness lifestyle. As I mentioned in the past from my findings in the book Ultra Prevention, I discovered that that medical research has linked milk to many common and preventable health problems.

This sentence is what that made me give up milk forever, “For many, milk is the cause of allergies, sinus problems, eczema, and ear infections as well as a potential source of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and digestive problems.” Most of which I used to suffer from, until I stopped consuming the majority of the dairy products in my diet.

The book states that over 75% of the world’s population suffers from lactose intolerance. The book also goes on to say that we should not consume milk from a cow unless we are a calf.
I know some of you are wondering, “Where will I get the calcium by bodies needs if I am not drinking milk?”

Ultra Prevention also notes that most women in Africa ingest little calcium – perhaps 300 to 500 mg a day – yet they rarely come down with osteoporosis. This is because they are not drinking alcohol, colas, caffeine, or eating salt or excessive animal protein – all of which leach calcium out of your bones and into the toilet.

Now, I know most of you may want to stop reading this, but while living a wellness lifestyle I also insist upon balance – not giving up the things that make you happy. Most of us do enjoy a cocktail, a cup of coffee, a steak and other indulgences, but there are other amazing sources of calcium such as broccoli, bok choy, french beans / haricot verts, quinoa, dried figs, sardines, parsley, sesame seeds and almond butter. (For more foods that contain calcium, click here.) There is also supplementation, but find out which form calcium is best for your needs.

Back to the topic of Raw Milk, my vote is yes due to the hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides found in our pasteurized milk supply. Bovine growth hormone, used to increase milk production, may increase the likelihood of breast cancer. So on top of the everyday ailments, the additives in our milk supply can also lead to major diseases!

Overall, my suggestion is to avoid dairy at all costs. With all of the information we discovered while researching this topic, if consuming dairy makes you happy I say stick with the raw. Yes, it takes an extra step or two to get it, but aren’t you worth it?

Were you aware of all of the issues involved with what was marketed to us as an innocent and beneficial drink? Ever wonder what happened to all of the “Got Milk?” advertisements?????

Tiffany Houser

Source: http://balanceboost.blogspot.com/

Thirsty for the Truth?

2010-10-14T08:58:00.001-07:00

With the recent introduction of Diet Coke Plus, you may be wondering if soda is now considered a health food. Vitamins, minerals and sweet sparkling cola—what more could you ask for? For starters, you deserve a beverage that does not increase your risk of heart disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome and perhaps even cancer.

Bursting the Bubbly

It’s no coincidence that a Coca Cola bottle closely resembles a slender and attractive woman’s body. Diet soda manufacturers, boasting $21 billion dollars of profit each year, would have you believe their products are a wise option for those trying to cut calories and lose weight. But an eight-year study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center shows that your odds of becoming obese increase by 41% for each can of diet soda you drink per day. Surprisingly, the risk is much higher for diet soda drinkers than for people who consume regular soda.

Scientists have offered several theories to explain the link between diet soda and obesity. Some in the medical community note the role of artificial sweeteners in increasing appetite and disrupting the body’s regulation of caloric intake. It seems that consuming sweet foods, especially those containing aspartame, causes us to crave carbohydrates and stimulates our cells to store fat. Other researchers point out that people who drink soda are more likely to eat fast food and make unhealthy dietary choices. Whatever the connection, it’s obvious that the diet soda industry has duped us.

Can of Controversy

Adding insult to injury, several studies highlight a relationship between diet soda and serious diseases like hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancer. A trial funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute revealed that people who drink just one daily diet soda raise their risk of metabolic syndrome by 34%. And though there has never been a definitive conclusion about ties between the aspartame in diet soda and certain types of cancer, many well respected health organizations have criticized the FDA for too quickly dismissing these possible connections.

If you enjoy a fizzy drink now and then, there’s no need to panic. Many companies offer carbonated beverages made with natural fruit juices that don’t contain artificial sweeteners or preservatives. However, if you find yourself hooked on diet beverages, check out this aspartame detoxification program and information about Splenda (sucralose). On the site, sweetpoison.com, there is an interesting press release from 2007, announcing how Coca-Cola will start to use Stevia in their beverages…which makes you wonder, why would they change a financially successful formula?

How often do you consume artificially sweetened food and beverages?

Source: http://balanceboost.blogspot.com/

From the Founder: Brain Fitness

2010-10-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

This topic comes at interesting time for me. This past weekend I celebrated my birthday, and as I enter another age, I am beginning to notice a few differences in myself. To speak specifically about this topic, my mental capacity seems to be overloaded.

I recall a conversation I had with few friends of mine a while ago and how we believe that a person does not necessarily forget things or has gone down on the sharpness totem pole, but that we come up short in the brain game due to the new information we receive and seek.

Just like a computer, we felt that the brain can only hold so much information in our memory. We were discussing how our brain deletes files for us that may not be as important or that we haven’t referenced in a long while to free-up space for new and more everyday information. We were also discussing how our brains have a recycle bin just like a computer and is very contextual b/c even though something has been "deleted", we are shocked how random, useless information pops up again over our best friends wedding anniversary.

Yes the memory degenerates, and cells are damaged and destroyed, but if you really think about it, your brain or consciousness has some sort of filter, mysterious storage and contextual retrieval system. However, brain fitness does seem to have some substance to it as I’ve known that Alzheimer's patients are given jigsaw and crossword puzzles to work on in their treatment.

I do believe the brain needs work-out and it is not something we need to wait to do until our twilight years. Some things I’ve heard people try with math are figuring out a gratuity, calculating the amount of materials needed for home improvements, or adding up monthly bills without a calculator. There are also CD's/mp3's that you can listen to as well to give your brain some braun.

A little brain game I like to play is trying to dial phone numbers from memory, which by the way could come in handy one day if you are ever in an emergency situation. Another brain game, which could do you some good beyond brain health, is to go through the calendar in your head and write down the birthdays and anniversaries for the people in your life and match it up to the calendar you use everyday. Try this once a week for a set amount of time until they match up perfectly. This will also put a smile on the face of a few people in your life.

What are some brain fitness techniques that work for you?

Source: http://balanceboost.blogspot.com/

If You Recall Clearly...

2010-10-14T08:55:00.001-07:00

Maybe Not.

How long ago did you memorize world capitols, do long division or learn a new language? We're guessing you answered eighth grade or thereabouts. When was the last time you misplaced your car keys, forgot an acquaintance’s name, or spent many frustrating hours trying to recall who sings that song you can’t stop humming? If you’re like most of us, the response is last week or maybe this morning. What, you ask, does long division have to do with the missing car keys? The connection is brain fitness and a theory known as “use it or lose it.”

Where Brain Cells Go To Die

If you think you are too young to be concerned about memory loss, lack of concentration and even dementia, think again. In reality, your neurons start to die off after puberty and your brain begins shrinking at the ripe old age of 20! Luckily, with a little effort you can stimulate the growth and connection of new neurons and help keep your mind quick and clever throughout your life.

With every speed dial programmed on your phone and calculator used for balancing the check book, we sacrifice another opportunity to engage our brains. Yet the very technology that offers those tempting but detrimental shortcuts may also be your biggest ally in the fight against brain fog. Among the many exciting new computer based tools for memory and creativity cultivation is brain training, also known as brain aerobics.

Wake Up Your Mind

Though a variety of activities enhance brain health, such as reading a challenging book, completing a cross word puzzle or joining a social club, brain training offers unique benefits. Whether you’re eight or eighty, sharp as a tack or feeling a bit mentally sluggish, brain training can improve your cognitive function. One company, fittingly called Brain Aerobics, offers a software package and classes known as TrainBrain that is aimed at increasing brain plasticity. The beauty of products like TrainBrain lies in their individualized approach. The difficulty of each challenge conforms to your personal pace of mental growth. Thus your brain won’t be bored silly with easy tasks or overwhelmed with exercises that are too advanced.

Pump It Upstairs

And one, and two and three and think? If you are the kind of person who lets the Pilates DVD languish in a dusty drawer, perhaps joining a brain gym will keep you motivated to work out your neurons. While the idea of wearing a sweatband to put together a puzzle may sound a little strange, businesses that offer a place to focus on mental fitness are cropping up all over the US. If you aren’t quite convinced enough to invest your money in a neuro-gym membership or even an intellectual video game, you can try out riddles and other exercises at websites with free brain-boosting activities.

What’s on your mind and how do you cope with an ever aging brain?

Source: http://balanceboost.blogspot.com/

From the Founder: Alcohol

2010-10-14T08:54:00.001-07:00

Sipping on cocktails or wine is something I enjoy a few times a month. Whether for relaxation purposes or as a social release during the times I catch up with my friends, having a drink is part of my life. However, there is a shot of irony with alcohol when it comes to living a balanced lifestyle.

It seems for most of us the scale is tipped too far when it comes to alcohol. Let’s not kid ourselves; we all tend to go a little too far with alcohol in some way, shape or form. Anyone who knows what a hangover feels like has put a boulder on the scale, which we know makes it very difficult to get the scale even with those odds.

I have had some really unforgettable hangovers where all I could think about was the next minute giving me some salvation from the horrible feeling. You may be wondering, why drink to the point where I feel like that the next day, and my answer to you is that when I am drinking I am serving another aspect of my well-being (as mentioned above).

When I think about wellness, I think about Balance- keeping everything in your life that makes you happy while learning how to make adjustments to keep the scale even to achieve goals. So for me when it comes to drinking alcohol, for the most part, I incorporate preventative measures to combat any of the extreme side effects of a happy hour gone wild.

First, I make sure I eat. Of those unforgettable hangovers 99% of them were the result of me not having enough food in my system giving the alcohol an all-access passport to travel throughout system wrecking havoc. On top of eating, I also eat a banana, take Vitamin B complex and OPC-3 (antioxidant with Pycnogenol) before or after my alcohol consumption. The banana is pretty hearty, plus the potassium rehydrates. In the home remedy world, Vitamin B is said to fight off the toxins in alcohol leading to that crushing headache due to its depletion. The antioxidant is just an overall back up fighting off free radical damage. I really notice a difference when I do not follow this regimen.

Now for my liver, I eat apples for breakfast during the work week. Even though it is a home remedy, I believe in the power of natural solutions. Twice a year I do a 7-day cleanse which includes a liver component that contains Milk Thistle, N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (amino acid), Dandelion Root, Garlic Bulb, Hawthorn Berry Extract, Schizandra Chinensis Fruit and Seed Extract, Yellow Dock Root, Burdock Root, Licorice Root, Barberry Bark and Root, Rosemary Leaf, Ginger Root, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Hyssop, Red Clover Flower, and Turmeric Root Extract.

If you’re a drinker like myself, consider how to be a ‘Well-Drinker’. Cheers!

Source: http://balanceboost.blogspot.com/

You Snooze, You Don't Lose

2010-10-14T08:50:00.001-07:00

With A recent study by the National Sleep Foundation reports that the average American gets 6 hours and 40 minutes of sleep per night (down from the 7+ hours reported last year). We know that sleep is needed for mental clarity, immunity, preventing premature aging and mood stabilization, but did you know that a good night's sleep also provides cellular detoxification and renewal of the skin?
Sleeping is actually the easiest way to look better! It will therefore come as no surprise that many orally administered medications prescribed by dermatologists for skin conditions such as acne and eczema contain small amounts of sedatives; looks like even modern medicine is forcing us to sleep more for enhanced beauty results.
Even if you don't have specific skin problems, puffy under-eyes and a pale complexion is never a good look, so why do we routinely deprive ourselves of this much-needed restoration? An increased average workday is the top culprit, but other factors such as lifestyle, increased stress levels, poor food choices and sleep disorders are also to blame.

Ever-dedicated to encouraging all to reach full wellbeing potential, the spa world's answer to this imbalanced dilemma is The Sleep Spa, of course!!

One of the top trends in the spa industry in 2008 is the prevalence of sleep programs in the spa environment, according to Spa Finder's CEO, Susie Ellis. That's right, the power nap has returned, and this time, it's trendy! For European and Latin Americans, the siesta midday break has been more of a staple than a trend- they may have been on to something this whole time. If you pay attention to your inner circadian rhythm, you'll find that there is a late afternoon lull, about 8 hours after you wake up, and that it is natural to want to sleep. So, instead of going for that 4pm coffee jolt, it's actually more natural and beneficial to take a 20-minute nap.

Yelo, a Manhattan-based sleeping haven, is on the cutting edge of this trend. They offer signature YeloCabs, ideal cubbies for optimized napping that can be booked in 20 or 40-minute increments. I treated myself to their 20/20 therapy (20 minutes of reflexology followed by a 20 minute nap), and the experience was unlike any other I’ve had.

The anti-gravity chair positioning was truly restful, and before the reflexology was over, I had already succumbed to nap-land. A LED light mirroring the sunrise awakened me naturally, and I felt completely rested and revived! This natural awakening process was key in rounding out a truly restful and restorative nap, and left me with a peaceful feeling as I returned to reality. I treated a friend to this same sequence, as he had complained recently of chronic exhaustion (and looked it!). Doubting the power of the power nap, he went in a skeptic, only to emerge a believer! I took pride in complimenting him on his newfound de-puffed and bright-eyed, refreshed appearance, and he felt, to his surprise, well-rested. It was fantastic to know that I was not the exception to the rule and that the Yelo formula and its components were truly vetted and right on point.

In just one nap therapy I saw a dramatic shift in appearance in my friend, as if he had just received a facial! The drained face and puffy eyes were replaced with color and an awakened gaze. Looking and feeling well-rested brings an obvious change in appearance and also attitude!
Look for more dedicated sleep spas and designated sleeping areas and therapies to be incorporated into your local spa soon...sleeping never looked so good!

Will you be a true sleeping beauty?

From the Founder: Sleep Spa

2010-10-14T08:46:00.001-07:00

Sleep for me these days seems like a luxury. Lately, I just can’t seem to get enough. Last night, or afternoon I should say, I fell asleep at 6pm! No, I am not 70- I know most of you are wondering my age since falling asleep at that time seems to be the norm of the people living in a retirement community.

As much as my current lifestyle requires more hours for work and somehow I still put a decent amount of time into my social life, I am learning to give in to sleep. In this go-getter era, our lifestyles rarely allow us to give in to sleep except on the weekends and even then most of us feel guilty that we are wasting our time or that it is not allowed. After reading this week’s guide, I know most of you are thinking (whether there is a sleep spa in your city or not) There is no way I could break away from work for a nap!

Now back when I worked 9 – 5, I could see where that mentality comes from, but at the same time if I think hard enough I could really add some wasted time spent on Instant Messenger, Email, Chatting in the Lunch Area, etc. All of which could add up to 20 minute increments which if I had known back then would have traded for some ZZZ’s.

Napping of course is not something we need everyday. Even though an afternoon rest is a part of the European and Latin American cultures as Susan mentioned, we Americans need moderation for both setting the time aside and accepting the fact that it's OK to shut down just like a computer and reboot 20 minutes later.

When Susan shared the experience she and her friend had at Yelo in her Spa Blog, I wanted our BalanceBoost readers to know more. One of the things she told me that stuck out was how she woke up naturally. She said that they simulated a sunrise with the LED light which as most of us nappers know when we pass or voluntarily take a nap, sometimes waking up comes with a jolt of confusion- was I sleeping? how long was I sleeping? or from the noise of an annoying alarm. Most of know that feeling sometimes defeats the whole rest that we got from the nap and in
Susan’s feature, she told us about the benefits sleep has on our skin and appearance. Now napping, for me at least, has more value to it, because not only am I hoping to increase my energy and concentration when I wake up, I may also be contributing to my aesthetics.

Even though I have not been to a sleep spa yet, I definitely recommend that you try it once just to have the experience to compare to a cup of coffee, energy drink or to see what you look like after (it's not a makeover, keep your expectations in the realistic zone).

So sleep away and you may wake up looking better and ready to conquer the world! Source: http://balanceboost.blogspot.com/

Ways to Flourish with Diabetes

2010-04-30T14:13:00.001-07:00

Managing diabetes is vital if people are to flourish and live their lives to the fullest. A diabetic condition can leave you feeling low in energy and depressed at a point. Increase in blood sugar is triggered by ailments such as flu, nausea and colds. A wound may also leave your sugar levels high or low leading to fatigue. When such ailments occur, it is advisable to keep the sugar levels in check in intervals over the day.

This will keep you informed on the type of action to take. If the sugar levels are either too high or too low, consulting your physician will be important. The home treatments to boost sugar levels will include consumption of foods and drinks that are rich in sugar. This will ensure that the levels are not too low. Alcohol is a huge no for diabetics and must be avoided. Buying drugs over the counter is highly discouraged since they may react negatively with your system. It is important to ask for a prescription that is sugar-free. You will have to call your doctor if you are vomiting or diarrhoearing since dehydration is risky for diabetics.

High blood sugar that exceeds 180 mg/dL will necessitate a doctor’s attention. Lows of 70mg/dL are also unsafe and a doctor should be sought.

###INLINE_AD###

Managing diabetes will require you to keep your stress levels low. Stress sometimes leads to forgetfulness and low appetite. You may therefore find that you are not eating as you should and you have forgotten to take your medication when you should. This will lead to too low or too high sugar levels in your blood. Fight stress by keeping an optimistic mind. See the sunny side of issues and keep a positive attitude. Give yourself the best treatment and avoid being remorseful. Have enough rest and make sure you get enough sleep. This will boost your well being. Managing diabetes should be taken seriously since lack of it may lead to blindness, erectile dysfunction, renal failure and wounds will take longer to heal. You will need to research as much as you can about this disease. By doing so, you will be able to take care of yourself. You will know the benefits of managing diabetes and the repercussions of going against it. This will give you a personal responsibility of ensuring that you stay in good health. You will be required to change your lifestyle and mindset. This will include exercising regularly and observing proper nutrition.

A proper diet will be administered by a dietician to regulate the glucose levels in the blood. This will be determined by factors such as your age, sex and occupation among others. Some of the foods which are ideal are wholegrain cereals, bread and pasta as well as fruits and vegetables. These foods should be consumed regularly during the day. The fat and salt potions used in the preparation of these foods must be lower and sugar must also be cut out. You will be required to keep a diary or your carbohydrate intake for close monitoring which may necessitate adjustments to the diet. Managing diabetes will also demand that you watch your weight since excessive weight will work against you. The lesser the weight the better you will be placed in controlling your sugar levels. This will also help in keeping other diseases at bay most of them being cardiovascular conditions.

When it comes to physical exercises, you will need to be disciplined. Do not ride if you can walk and avoid elevators as much as you can, take the stairs instead. These exercises will help in burning the extra fats which will lead to a healthier you. You must monitor your sugar levels using the glucose meter. From the results, you will be able to tell if the diet and exercise are working and if there is need to see your doctor. The mental aspect of managing diabetes will involve signing up with support groups where you can share with others. This will clear you from depression as you will get a sense of belonging as your fears in relation to diabetes will be suppressed.

Vital Lessons on Acupuncture

2010-04-30T14:08:00.001-07:00

Acupuncture is one of the most popular Chinese medicines practiced today in the west as a form of alternative or complimentary therapy. It was first introduced into Europe in the 1600s, from where it penetrated to North America. Today, acupuncture is widely used for the treatment of chronic and acute pain through out the world. It is also used for the treatment of allergies, infertility and asthma.

It is also used in chemotherapy and surgery to reduce vomiting and nausea. Other uses include treatment of sexual dysfunction in men, drug addiction, normalization of blood pressure and breast enlargement. The effectiveness of this form of medicine is still being debated among medics. The Acupuncture Foundation of Canada indicates that at least 2000 physicians in Canada have undergone training in acupuncture. In Canada, acupuncture is also practiced by naturopaths, chiropractors and veterinarians.

Acupuncture is defined as the process that involves inserting fine needles into specific points on one’s skin for therapeutic purposes that involve unblocking the energy flow. The insertion of the needles serves to stimulate the nervous system. The needles are inserted at acupuncture-points (Acupoints), which act as the trigger points to the nerves. These needles are inserted in the skins surface and the deepness is dictated by the nature of condition being treated. This ranges between from 15 to 90 degrees. The patient is not supposed to feel pain but get a sensation referred to as deqi. Once the needle is inserted in the skin, the acupuncturist may use techniques such as rotating and twirling, thrusting and raising, trembling, scraping and plucking. These techniques create different sensations in someone’s body.

The duration of treatment however varies from one person to another. People have testified to its effectiveness in the treatment of various ailments. The needles used are nine in number though six will still do the magic. The difference between these needles is the shape of their heads, their length and their shaft’s width. Safety measures must always be taken in the use and disposal of acupuncture needles. The emergence of contagious diseases has led to the production of disposable needles.

###INLINE_AD###

Acupuncture is administered using a variety of techniques. Electro acupuncture is a form of treatment using whereby electrical impulses are passed through the needles in small quantities. This is used in the treatment of minor conditions like reduction of pain. If the condition is surgical, higher frequencies are administered. Sonopuncture is the other type of technique where sound waves and lasers are used. Ear acupuncture otherwise known as auricular is widely used since ears are susceptible to high sensitivity. They are therefore believed to send signals to many parts of the body. This treatment has been used with drug addicts, alcoholics and those with obesity. Moxibustion is another form of treatment where the acupuncture-points in the body are subjected to heat. This is used to cure bronchitis, arthritis and paralysis. Acupuncture-points may also be stimulated through wood and metal suctions in a technique referred to as cupping. This works for sprains, chronic bronchitis and backaches. Acupressure is another form of acupuncture where no needles are used. Fingers are used instead to apply pressure to the acupuncture-points.

Disputes and controversies have however emerged following the different theories that have been given to determine how acupuncture works and how effective it is. It is known to create a placebo effect in people’s minds whereby they believe in their minds that they are healed without the procedures necessarily working. It is good to be well advised that it has its own risks. Allergic reactions to the needles have been reported as well as breaking of needles in peoples skins. Punctures have also been reported in the bladder and lungs. Expectant mothers are guided against the use of this treatment during pregnancy as it may lead to premature labor.

Tai Chi as a Wellness Technique

2010-04-30T14:03:00.001-07:00

Tai Chi is an antique Chinese exercise created by a Taoist saint known as Chang San Feng about 700 years ago. The exercise is based on four fundamental categories namely: health, mental accomplishment, self-defense and ways of attaining immortality. The exercises are made of slow and tranquil movements intended to aid in self-development.

For the body, the exercises present a wellness program through which a person can attain or retain body wellness. To the mind, Tai Chi offers lessons in visualization, concentration and will power. To the soul, it provides a means of spiritual meditation. It is also used as a curative and preventative form of Chinese medicine, in addition to being the supreme system in martial arts.

In Chinese medicine, all parts of a body (mind, body and soul) should be treated in unity. When a disharmony occurs in the energy flow through the body, then illnesses occur. On the other hand, if vital energy flows harmoniously through the body meridians, then the body is able to wade off illnesses. When this line of thinking is translated to conventional health terms, the harmonious flow of energy means that the body has a strong immune system that allows the body to defend itself from a wide range of diseases.

Tai Chi can be practiced as a dance, during which, the person gets benefits such as relaxation, flexibility and elegance. When practiced as a way of attaining overall body wellness, the person practicing it will benefit from mental clarity, vitality and radiant health. During the exercise sessions, a person’s energy is prompted to flow harmoniously in the body, thus leading to a better state of mind and a better functioning of the body systems.

Indicators that suggest that one is experiencing the benefits of Tai Chi include high energy levels in one’s body. According to experts, a person can channel this energy to whichever part of the body they need the energy most. The medical significance of high-level energies in the body is that a person has less health problems. Medical conditions like fever, colds, bodily pains, nervousness, depression or anxiety do not usually bother people who practice Tai Chi. Tai Chi is regarded as a wonderful way of helping people participating in high-pressure activities to handle the pressing issues well, without letting the stress involved to compromise their functioning abilities. Through the exercises, such people get the emotional and physical health they need from the harmonious flow of energy, which aids in preventing diseases or injuries and aids in speedy recovery.

According to Chinese beliefs, maintaining health and curing illnesses lie on the same continuum. As such, the energy flow from Ti Chi exercises is believed to avoid a healthy person from catching illnesses, while curing illnesses on an already ailing person. In addition, the Chinese beliefs hold that the exercises help in developing one’s mental abilities, thus resulting in heightened mind status. This in turn means that a person’s mind is fresh, clear, and therefore more likely to produce good results in every aspect of a person life, as the person is able to apply practical or mental knowledge better. Improving breathing habits in order to encourage the body to take in fresh air and release the toxic air from within a person’s body and developing energy fields where accumulated energy is stored are some of the methods used to augment the energy levels in the body. Clearing the body meridians in order to encourage harmonious flow of energy is also a main practice in Tai Chi for upping one’s energy levels.

Overall, Tai Chi improves blood circulation and energy (qi), thus enhancing the natural healing potential of the body. The exercises include learning specific postures and stances that help increase bone density and muscle mass in the body. It also includes gentle movements that massage the internal organs hence leading more oxygen penetrating cells in the body. Among the proved benefits of Tai Chi is it stress reduction abilities, its ability to increase circulation in the body and its ability to create resistance to diseases. Like other forms of alternative and complimentary therapies however, people are advised, especially here in Canada to use Ti Chi as a complimentary form of therapy rather than an alternative to conventional medicine.

Naturopathy Healing System

2010-04-30T13:56:00.001-07:00

Naturopathy is a system of healing that relies heavily on natural remedies. Such include water, air and sunlight. The natural environment is supplemented with natural therapies and diets. The medical system was first developed in Germany, and slowly found its way to North America in the 20^th century, where it is deeply rooted as a complementary type of medicine.

The central belief surrounding this medical system is that nature contains healing powers. The system also relies on the belief that the human body and other living organisms are able to return to balanced health by healing themselves through nature.

Naturopathy practitioners prefer using natural treatment approaches, over drugs and mainstream medical procedures, which they consider invasive and counterproductive to the human health. Some of the common therapies under naturopathy include water treatments (hydrotherapy), gentle exercises, wholesome diet consumption, herbal medication and exposure to fresh air and sunshine. This makes naturopathy a relatively safe treatment approach. However, people are advised that it is better to use it as a complimentary form of treatment rather than an alternative treatment.

The naturopathy practitioners usually interview the patient in order to find out about their medical history and their lifestyles. The naturopathy practitioner then performs his own tests, which may include diagnostic and scanning tests. In the end, the practitioner sets up a management plan aimed at addressing the patient’s illness and overall health. Some naturopathy procedures such as manipulation, acupuncture or hydrotherapy are done in the practitioner’s office, while some less demanding procedures are done on the patients own comfort. Such include fasting, dietetics, and exercising. The greatest success of this system of treatment is its ability to rebuild health, by improving or eliminating degenerative or chronic diseases.

For people suffering from acute trauma or orthopedic complications, naturopathy is not recommended as an alternative form of treatment. However, it can be used after corrective conventional treatment has been performed as it helps in faster recovery.

Naturopathy terms a disease as the manifestation of natural causes, which the body can adequately heal by itself. As such, a naturopath educates the patient to stimulate the body in order to launch the healing forces. This in turn removes the imbalance causing the disease. Should the healing forces fail to work as anticipated, the disease symptoms continue either intermittently or at subtle levels. Such could be manifested in the body through inflammation or fever.

The five main principles of naturopathy are:

1. Nature has a powerful force that heals the human body: This belief lays down the role of the naturopathy practitioner as a facilitator and an educator who helps the patients understand and practice approaches that would stimulate the healing forces in the body.

2. A person is made of complex but, must be seen and treated as a whole: This means that the naturopathy practitioner must understand the patient’s interaction of the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional aspects.

3. Identifying and dealing with the problem is the main goal: Based on this belief, naturopaths see every symptom of a disease as the body’s attempt to heal. As such, they do not engage in any activities that would suppress the symptoms. Rather, they seek to unearth the underlying cause of the symptoms. The naturopathy practitioner belief that some diseases are caused by spiritual disharmony, inappropriate social interactions, poor diets or imbalanced social engagements

4. The naturopathy practitioner is a teacher: the role of the naturopathy practitioner is to educate, motivate and empower the patients who come to him. This is done with the aim of teaching them to assume more responsibility over their wellness. This is done through encouraging the patients to adopt healthier lifestyles.

5. Prevention is best: This belief may sound cliché, but naturopathy beliefs that lifestyle habits that support health should be adopted by anyone hoping to avoid getting sick.

Naturopaths see disease as a bodily response to imbalances and toxins brought about by a person’s psychic, spiritual and social environments. When the body weakens in a bad environment, then the pathogens are presumed to take advantage of this weak state to cause disease.

Homeopathy: Get Healed Naturally

2010-04-30T13:52:00.001-07:00

Homeopathy is a form of alternative treatment whereby the mind and body are stimulated to heal themselves naturally. It is derived form two Greek words “homeo” meaning the same and “pathos” meaning disease. This practice has its roots in Germany where it had been in use since the 18^th century. The whole idea was created by Samuel Hahnemann who was a doctor.

The homeopathy treatments are dilute and they are created in a way that they resemble the symptoms of a particular ailment. These cures are also recommended in regard to the patient’s psychological and physical state. After the diagnosis, the repertories which serve as reference books for this treatment are consulted to give a prescription for the particular condition.

Homeopathy is based on the belief that diseases are caused by people’s states of mind. If they are negative about something then it will work against them. This is known to attract disease units which are referred to as miasms or evil spirits. Samuel Hahnemann connected these manifestations to chronic diseases. These units invest themselves in the body and cause people to exhibit symptoms of certain diseases. He came up with a theory that showed that the cure of a disease is similar to its symptoms.

He created a remedy that generated the symptoms of malaria using the bark of a cinchona tree.

He then injected the symptoms to a healthy human who in turn became sick with malaria. He concluded his findings and noted that a prescription of this symptom causing remedy in healthy humans to a sick person in small doses would cure him. This generated the principle “like cures like” under the “law of similars”. This implies that the symptoms of a disease can be healed by the same.

###INLINE_AD###

Samuel Hahnemann also came up with the “law of minimum dose” which declared that medicines were more effective if administered in small doses. This applied to homeopathy remedies which were diluted to come up with a solution that was low in concentration. Among his other findings was that diseases are caused by disturbances in people’s systems that make it hard for them to heal themselves. He went ahead to conclude that healing would be ignited by use of a stimulus and in small quantities.

People interested in using homeopathy should be well guided that it must not be taken as a supplement or replacement for formal treatment. One must see a doctor if they have a medical condition. In cases where people are interested in the treatment of a particular condition using this method, they must take their time to research on its homeopathy cures. Expectant mothers must take precaution before using this treatment. They are only allowed to do so after consultations with their doctors. This applies also for nursing mothers and children. People should always let their physicians know the kind of treatment they have used in the past to enable them make a sound judgment on the prescription they will administer. However, homeopathy is controversial in that most of its findings are not scientific.

The safety of using these procedures has not been documented though people have reported its effectiveness. The sale of these drugs is however legal and you will find them in pharmacies, on the internet and in health stores. They are mainly made from botanical and mineral substances whereby the substances are highly diluted using water or alcohol. The concoction is then shaken vigorously in a process known as “succession”. It would be funny to note that what is left of a substance after this high dilution is “spirit like” since the original substance will be almost non existent leaving people with only a “memory” of it. This is what is known to awake a “vital force” in the body thus igniting a natural healing process.

Facts about Shiatsu

2010-04-30T13:44:00.001-07:00

Shiatsu is a finger pressure massage therapy whose origin is traced to the East. It refers to “finger pressure” where “Shi” means finger and “atsu” pressure. It is a traditional massage therapy which is non-invasive and deeply relaxing. It involves the use of fingers and the thumb to apply pressure to the body parts.

It also incorporates some gentle stretching of the body for the ultimate relaxation. Shiatsu therapists use their fingers and thumbs to apply pressure on parts of the body in a regular and continuous sequence. The fingers are dominant in this massage and this applies more pressure than in other massages where the palm is mostly used. It is closely related to acupuncture though fingers are used to apply pressure instead of needles. Over the years, this practice has graduated to professional therapy.

It is applied mainly to relax the body and mind from daily lives stress. It is also done to enhance a balanced energy flow through out the body for the promotion and maintenance of good health.

It is believed that people get sick if the energy flow in the body is not systematic. Applying shiatsu will relieve people of sickness and body pains. The benefits of shiatsu are varied. It is known to calm nerves that are otherwise overactive. This leaves people with relaxed muscles, low stress levels and an improved blood and lymph circulation. This brings peoples’ immune systems alive as well as the healing power which they possess naturally. It brings harmony within the body’s physical functions that include muscles, the nervous system, bone structure, the circulatory system and internal secretions. People will suffer less from blood pressure related ailments. They will experience increased vitality, energy and stamina. Muscle stiffness will be a thing of the past.

Shiatsu is used as an alternative medication for conditions such as insomnia, anxiety, stress, headache, premenstrual syndrome, constipation, fatigue, muscle pains and depression. This therapy can be administered on the floor or on a massage table. It is highly recommended due to its health benefits though people who suffer from blood clots are discouraged on its use. This is because the pressure may lead to clotting and this may worsen the condition. Patients with heart conditions should consult their doctors first to get a go ahead. People with skin conditions that are highly contagious must also keep away from this therapy. This is because they could end up infecting those who are administering the therapy and it may also be painful for them. People with open wounds and rashes should focus on healing them first before indulging in this treatment. It will also be uncomfortable for people who have just come from surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. It should only be administered if the doctor recommends so. Pregnant women wishing to have shiatsu should consult their physician for advice and if they are to have it anyway, it should be done by a professional pregnancy masseuse.

In Canada, we have professional therapists who are licensed by the Ministry of Health to operate as Shiatsu therapists. They are registered under the Registered Shiatsu Therapist (R.S.T) body after successfully completing their training. They are qualified from intense study and practice and they have mastered the art of this finger massage. Therapists who administer this massage therapy must ensure that their clients are free from abdominal hernias, unhealed wounds, bruises, recent fractures and inflamed skin. People intending to have this deep massage experience must ensure that they keep off heavy meals before the therapy. They should also get to the clinic or spa minutes before their scheduled time to have sufficient time for preparation. They need to be in loose clothing to facilitate the relaxation of the body. These massage therapy sessions last about 45 minutes to an hour.

Managing Menopause

2010-04-20T09:37:00.001-07:00

Healthy Living
Womens Health

When a middle aged woman seems to be irritable, throws frequent temper tantrums, appears quiet at times, it’s not what she deliberately wishes to be like, but it is the period of her life which give rise to such behavior in her. It is menopause – a gradual, but permanent cessation of menstruation.

Ovulation is the process when the ovaries, female gonad, produce ovum (eggs). The gradual stoppage of this process is menopause. Every woman is prone to experience this period in her life.

On an average, menopause occurs at the age of 51 years. But it is hard to predict an individual woman’s age of entering this period. The age at which a woman starts having menstrual periods is also not related to the age of menopause onset. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, but menopause may occur as earlier as the 30s or 40s or may not occur until a woman reaches her 60s.

A recent survey revealed that women who smoke are prone to attain menopause early. The symptoms usually last up to five years.

The symptoms of this state are urogenital atrophy like itching, dryness, bleeding, increase urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary incontinence; skeletal disorders, namely, osteoporosis, joint pain, muscle pain, back pain, etc. signify menopause. Sexual symptoms of the onset of menopause are vaginal dryness, problems reaching orgasm, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes), discharge, yeast infections (a common side effect of antibiotics, steroids, and some chemotherapies). Breast atrophy and skin thinning are some of the skin and soft tissue problems. Menopause can also be detected by psychological instabilities like mood disturbance, irritability, fatigue, memory loss, depression, lack of sleep.

During a woman’s reproductive years, the monthly production and release of eggs from the ovaries is regular. This release provides a continual flow of progesterone and estrogen, hormones necessary to prepare the body for a successful pregnancy.

As a woman ages, her body no longer releases the stimulating signals that induce ovulation of eggs from the ovaries. Eventually, the process of production and release of ovum result becomes irregular and a measurable decrease in the associated hormones. This decrease in hormones affects the body’s ability to maintain calcium levels and an increased loss of minerals from the bones. The net loss of calcium from the skeleton is a combination of changes in calcium excretion and calcium absorption.

Menopause is not a disease that requires a treatment but it is a state, a period of life. Nevertheless, this state, at times, becomes severe. Thus there are a few treatments to overcome it.

Hormone therapy (HT), also referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or postmenopausal hormone therapy (PHT), consists of estrogens or a combination of estrogens and progesterone (progestin). Hormone therapy has been used to control the symptoms of menopause related to declining estrogen levels such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, and HT is still the most effective way to treat these symptoms.

Oral contraceptive pills are another form of hormone therapy often prescribed for women in perimenopause to treat irregular vaginal bleeding.

There are also local (meaning vaginal) hormonal treatments for the symptoms of vaginal estrogen deficiency. Local treatments include the vaginal estrogen ring, vaginal estrogen cream, or vaginal estrogen tablets.

For women who are not supposed to take oral or vaginal estrogens, such as breast cancer survivors, or women who do not wish to take oral or vaginal estrogen, there are a variety of over-the-counter vaginal lubricants.

Menopause, being part of natural physiological process, cannot be avoided, but its awareness can reduce many complications. A balanced diet, avoidance of alcohol, regular meals, exercise, etc. help maintain a healthy physique, and consequently prepare our body to face all physiological changes and challenges.

Symptoms of PMS - Do You Have The Symptoms Of PMS?

2010-04-20T09:35:00.001-07:00

Healthy Living
By Vanessa Youngstrom

PMS or premenstrual syndrome is a term used to describe a set of hormonal changes that trigger a syndrome in a significant number of women for up to two weeks before the start of her period. More than 5 million women require treatment for symptoms of PMS such as marked mood changes and behavioral changes.

Symptoms of PMS will often taper off with the start of her period and then she remains symptom free until approximately two weeks prior to the next period. This is different from PMS Depression.

There are over 150 symptoms that have been attributed to PMS. The most common physical symptoms of PMS are crying spells, headache, fatigue, fluid retention, constipation, backaches, cramping and weight gain. Emotional symptoms of PMS include behavior changes, anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, tension and altered libido.

Symptoms of PMS can vary from month to month. Some months women can be symptom free.

PMS was originally described by an American Neurologist in 1931. There are certain elements that differentiate PMS from other problems that women have. Symptoms are often triggered by hormonal changes and tend to begin in puberty, after a pregnancy or after starting birth control pills. All of these events are marked by changes in the standard hormonal environment of the body.

Although researchers know the cause of PMS they can’t always pinpoint the trigger. Not every women who starts birth control or becomes pregnant suffers from these symptoms. Heredity does seem to be a factor but the symptoms differ from mother to daughter or siblings.

Women will sometimes feel a burst of energy and increased activity just prior to the worst symptoms of PMS.

Postpartum depression is a special form of PMS that is especially severe after the delivery of a baby. Most women do experience a let down from the high hormone levels of pregnancy but the depth of depression in postpartum depression is much deeper. Because the trigger is known to be the removal of high levels of hormones the first treatment is often replacement of those hormones for a more gradual weaning process.

Dietary changes do make a difference in the severity of PMS. Women who eat six small meals a day at 3 hour intervals that are high in complex carbohydrates and low in simple sugars to maintain a steady blood sugar level. By reducing or eliminating caffeine, alcohol, salt, fats and simple sugars will help to reduce bloating, fatigue, tension and depression.

Daily supplementation with vitamins and minerals may help to relieve some of the symptoms. Exercise is also helpful to reduce stress and tension, acts as a mood elevator, provides a sense of well-being and improves circulation. With doctor approval, exercising 3 times a week for 20-30 minutes will activate the benefits of exercise.

Psychiatric treatment of PMS was popular since the 1930s. Psychiatrists portrayed women as the weaker sex and in need of treatment for their hysterical complaints. The problem with using psychiatric drugs is that they leave the women groggy, forgetful and not communicative. The treatment doesn’t address the underlying hormonal issues. For this reason the treatment isn’t used for more than one or two cycles.

Pharmacological treatment of the symptoms of PMS has relied on hormonal medications since 1953. Doctors and researchers acknowledge the reality of PMS and understand the close relationship between hormonal fluctuations and physical symptoms.

Prevail over PMS

2010-04-20T09:33:00.001-07:00

Healthy Living
Womens Health

You suddenly feel like breaking into tears without any reason. The headache that just doesn’t seem to go away; you constantly feel a sense of fatigue….irritable and the people around, make you feel worse. Does all this sound familiar to you? If the answer is yes, then it’s quite likely that you are suffering from PMS or Pre-Menstrual Syndrome.

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome is a medical term that is used to describe a set of disagreeable symptoms which occur in many women before the onset of periods in the second half of the ovarian cycle.

Approximately 60 million women around the world suffer from PMS. In fact 85% of the women who menstruate, have at least one PMS. The symptoms vary greatly from women to women and may range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms experienced by women are: depression, anxiety, weight gain, bloating, mood swings, tension, headaches/migraines, carbohydrate and sugar cravings, weepiness, insomnia, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, clumsiness and dizziness.

What causes PMS is not clear. Research points to the evidence that PMS has its roots in the genetic make up and hormone chemistry of a woman. Estrogen is the female sex hormone that specifically regulates the menstrual cycle fluctuations throughout the period. Change in levels of this hormone and its deficiency leads to the disturbances like headache, pain and cramps in women.

Stress and poor eating habits have also been found out to be a major contributing factor in triggering the symptoms of this disease. Change in the level of serotonin, a brain chemical is indirectly related to PMS. Many women are affected by pressure cooker environment and erratic lifestyle which may cause the development of PMS in them.

Sometimes there are profound connections between PMS and unresolved emotional issues, and difficult emotional cases will not be resolved until those issues are addressed to. This again goes to prove our standpoint on how much of your emotional biography can affect your health.

Since there’s not one single underlying factor that causes PMS, it’s not possible to have one single remedy resolve all the PMS. But this doesn’t mean that you have no other choice but to live with PMS. Fortunately, you can create a foundation of support for the body that usually leads to relief.

There is a strong nutritional link between PMS and a healthy diet. Cutting down on your intake of salt, caffeine and alcohol can go a long way in relieving many of the symptoms of this disorder among most women. Finding ways to relax and reduce stress can help women with stressful lifestyle. These measures, coupled with any physical exercise, can really help you overcome PMS.

However, women with severe PMS disorder may not experience relief with lifestyle or dietary changes alone. Medical help is required in cases of severe symptoms that interfere with a women’s life. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options. S/he may suggest some medications and change in lifestyle.

Finally, it’s very important to understand that you are not alone in suffering from this multi-symptom nightmare in ‘that time of the month’. Talking with your close family or friends about what you are feeling or going through will go a long way in improving your well being during those days of the month.

7 Reasons To Power Walk

2010-04-20T09:30:00.001-07:00

Healthy Habits
By Nneka Kelly

When I was in college my roommate and I would take a 30 minute power nap every afternoon. One week her mother was visiting and was outraged that this was a regular occurrence. By the third day she joined us in our afternoon siesta, but warned that this would not go over well when we hit the “real” world.

Boy was she right! Sometimes I wish I could go back to those days. Recently, I discovered something even more invigorating than the power nap. I noticed a co-worker would be away from her desk everyday at 10 am and 3 pm like clockwork. When I worked up the nerve to ask, she told me she went out for a walk.

I decided I would adopt the habit. If only to break up the monotony of the day. I’ve discovered the power walk. Here are some of the benefits I am experiencing.

Energy Boost

In addition to being refreshing, the power walk is also invigorating and energizing. It gets your heart pumping, the blood flowing, and those synapses firing. Today, office workers spend most of their day sitting. Between the office commute, the hours spent in front of the computer, and sitting in front of the television for entertainment, your body does not get many opportunities to move around. The power walk is the perfect antidote for this. It gets your body moving, your brain thinking, and the blood flowing.

Breaks the Day Up

As I mentioned, my power walks are helping to break the monotony of the day. Rather than take on your work day in 4 hour increments, a 15 minute power walk in the morning and one in the afternoon will break your day into 2 hour increments. You can return to your desk, or meeting, alert and ready to take on the next chunk of work.

Mental Clarity

Sometimes my power walk is timed just when I’m banging my head against the wall trying to solve a difficult problem. Stepping away from the computer for a while helps. Your head will clear when you go for a walk. New solutions will become apparent to you. You will return to your desk with the perfect solution and the energy to execute it.

Calorie Burn

It’s no longer a secret that I am getting healthier everyday. Part of that is increasing the number of calories I burn. While a power nap might prove energizing, a power walk certainly burns more calories. You can get an extra hour of walking into your day with power walks. A 15 minute walk for a morning break, one for the afternoon, and a 30 minute lunch walk, gives you an hour of movement easily spaced throughout the day. It certainly beats staring into space while marching on the treadmill.

Socially Acceptable

My roommate’s mom was right. Dozing off at your desk while staring at the screen isn’t the best office etiquette. Worse than that, nodding off in the meeting while your boss is giving a very important (cough, cough) presentation. No one can fault the power walk though. Better than that, it gives the impression that you care about your health and you’re industrious.

Stress Relief

Ever feel like telling a co-worker, “Let’s take this outside.” Now you can, with just 2 more words. “Let’s take a walk outside. Or you can go by yourself. A short walk will help to diffuse the situation and loosen you up. It also beats a smoke break.

Fresh Air

Finally, it’s just good to get out and be around nature for a bit. Even if it’s the one tree in the parking lot. On a rainy day you could take a walk along the perimeter of your floor so that you can at least see the outside. You can find out first hand what the weather is like.

Try it this week. Instead of taking a break at the snack machine, take a 15 minute power walk outside with a co-worker. Build your work relationships, and do something healthy for yourself. Best of all feel energized and have fun.

Sway, Swing and Rock your Way to Better Health

2010-04-20T09:29:00.001-07:00

Healthy Living
Physical Activity

What can dance do for your health?

In addition to promoting cardiovascular health, muscle tone, balance and posture, dance improves your immune system and elevates your mood.

Don’t believe us? Here are some interesting findings from studies on dance to support our stance:

Dance has been used to help Alzheimer’s patients become more socially adjusted and emotionally well. (Bumanis and Yoder. 1987)

It helps cancer patients boost self-esteem and cope with their illness, and body image. (Cohen & Walco, 1999; Dibbell-Hope, 2000; Sandel & Judge, 2004; Serlin, Classen, Frances, & Angell, 2000)

It helps reduce fatigue, anxiety and depression, and helps improve the risk of falling in older women. (Shigematsu, Yabushita, et al, 2002)

Dance has found to regulate seratonin and dopamine in the brain, acting as an anti-depressant. (Jeong and Hong, 2005)

Dance programmes in schools can decrease violence and aggression among kids. (Koshland and Wittaker, 2004)

Dance can help you gain an awareness of what is beyond science or study – the self. Says Joan Dexter Blackmer, author of ’Acrobats of the Gods’, "Dancing is a way to become consciously aware of the true self, without imposing expectations or feminist anger to distract from full awareness. Dancing brings together concrete matter and instinct with feminine love and wisdom." The same is true for masculine dancing.

Whatever form of dance you choose, its effects on your health will be positive. Try a variety of dances until you find the one that suits you – ballroom dancing, belly dancing, Latin dancing, modern dance, and just hitting the town with friends are all great ways to be healthy. Have fun, play and get to know others in a whole new way. While you’re there, get to know yourself, too!

It’s a fun way to improve your posture, balance, muscle tone, and cardiovascular health. You can suit it to your ability and energy. Plus, you can perform this exercise at home, in some gyms, at studios, and if you are really in a mood, even in the middle of a street. And you can enjoy a solo dance or a group dance.

Dance is the oldest form of exercise which has been practiced in cultures around the world for centuries. History shows that it was an integral part of our ancestors’ lifestyle. It brought families together, acquainted friends and lovers, relaxed souls and celebrated life.

Some cultures are passionate about mind-body exercises even in present times such as tai chi (Chinese gift of good health to the world) and yoga (Indian contribution to global wellbeing and holistic health).

We respect the age-old idea that the body is the house of the spirit. We understand that a tense body creates a tense mind. Consequently, dance is seeing a revival around the world as a way to better health. In North American culture, this revival is a result of efforts of pioneers like Martha Graham, who developed a dance that was an expression of the soul. Says Blackmer, dance training helps "realise the spirit hidden in matter and transform matter itself."

In some cultures, dance is an essential component of life, necessary for proper communication. In many African and Asian cultures dance communicates fun, courtship, religion, politics, health, healing and education. So be it an inauguration of a new building or a high profile political meeting, if you are there, be ready to shake a leg.

According to Anthropologist Judith Lynne Hanna, dance and language have common characteristics. The vocabulary of dance is made up of gestures. Grammar is the flow from one movement to the next. Semantics occurs as "dance strings together the sequences of movement to make phrases and sentences."

Let’s consider the somersault, often performed in acrobatic dance. Blackmer notes that the "somersault often precedes, seeming to cause, an important transformation. The somersault, in itself a moving circle, is a mandala, a symbol of the self, one which causes change through human motion." Another move is bringing your head low, which connotes a new point of view.

The distance people keep from each other, touches, smiles, and glances, can all add extra meaning to the basic motions of dance. For instance, the Ubakala Igo in Nigeria use dance to communicate gender roles. Women are seen as life givers; men as life-taking warriors. To symbolise this, women dance slowly and effortlessly. Men dance quickly and with tension.

It would not be an overstatement to say that dance can express what words cannot. It can communicate ideas beyond any language. Furthermore, different dances express ideas in different ways. Peter Martins of the New York Ballet once said that classical ballet and modern dance speak the same language, but with different dialects. Some dances, like ballet, are like poetry. Others, like the elaborate, codified gestures of Indian dance, are more like prose.

So, whether you like poetry or prose, you can always find a dance style to suit you.

Maximize Your Fat Burning Potential

2010-04-20T09:26:00.001-07:00

Physical Activity
By Kevin Koskella

Are you frustrated by that stubborn fat that seems to stay with you no matter how hard you work out or exercise? Are you getting annoyed that no matter how you eat, you cannot seem to lose that extra 10 pounds you’re carrying around with you?

Many people are in the same boat, from coach potatoes to hard core athletes. They train hard, lose some weight, but then hit a plateau and the fat loss stops. There are reasons for this, but more importantly, there is a solution! Often, even active people are unable to trim down to their ideal weight or shape due to factors such as:

• Eating too much and eating the wrong foods

• Training too HARD (YES! You may need to slow down to burn fat), including not taking recovery days

• Skipping strength training workouts

• Feeling stressed about “getting all your workouts in”

As a former athlete, reality started settling in after I graduated from college and I needed a fitness and nutrition plan that worked! The mac & cheese and meatless spaghetti diet was failing me. I was getting a gut and I was tired all the time. I started making massive changes to my diet and finally got back to being trim and fit and had more natural energy.

The changes I implemented were even more important as I started doing triathlons. As an athlete, you need the energy to train sometimes twice a day, and at the same time, you need to prevent from being broken down and susceptible to colds and flus. You need to keep your endurance up and keep injuries away.

How can you do all this and maximize your fat burning potential?

Here is a great start:

1. Cut out empty calories and simple carbohydrates like potatoes, pasta, and cereal as much as possible.

2. Eat more green vegetables, low fat protein, nuts, and healthy fruit like apples, pears, blueberries and melons.

3. Incorporate immune-boosting coconut oil and heart-healthy omega-3 (fish) oils into your diet.

4. Exercise every day, and keep most of your workouts aerobic, like walking, running, biking, or rollerblading.

5. Reduce stress by adding in 10 minutes a day of quiet meditation. Stress often prevents you from breaking through the plateau that is keeping you from losing that extra 5-15 pounds.

Instead of counting calories, choose the right kind of calories. And, if you are looking to get into the shape of your life without getting sick all the time, you need to train smart, not hard!

7 Steps To Having More Energy

2010-04-20T09:24:00.001-07:00

By Melanie Mendelson

1. Get enough sleep.

Sleep deprivation is the most common cause of low energy and fatigue. Most adults need 8 hours of sleep every night. If you are sleeping in late on weekends, it’s a sign that you don’t get enough sleep during the week.

If you have to wake up early in the morning, go to sleep earlier in the evening. Going to bed even 30 minutes earlier can make a huge difference in your energy levels during the day!

2. Reduce clutter.

Not being able to find anything among out-of-control piles of papers is stressful. Clothes that you never wear, papers that are falling everywhere and useless items that you feel sorry to throw out can invade your space and take over your life.

Clutter causes stress and saps away energy. Dump all unnecessary stuff in a big garbage can, and you’ll be able to breathe easier and have more energy.

3. Drink more water.

Being dehydrated makes you feel tired and irritable. If you are not thirsty, that does not mean that you drink enough water. By the time you feel thirsty it’s too late - you are already dehydrated.

Most people need at least 8 cups of water per day. The easiest way to know that you are drinking enough is to buy one of those "8 glass" water-bottles that they sell in most drugstores.

4. Take a walk.

Sitting in the chair all day can make you feel stiff and tired, and then you’d feel too lazy to get up, creating a vicious cycle of inactivity.

Make it into a habit to take a walk every day, and your energy levels will increase.

5. Break a routine.

Having the same old routine every day sucks out your soul and steals your energy.

Do not allow yourself to get stuck in a rut! Do something new on a regular basis.

6. See a friend.

Isolation is a recipe for bad mood and low energy. Even when you don’t feel like dealing with anyone, spending time with a person whose company you enjoy will energize you.

7. Lose weight.

Carrying excess weight puts additional strain on the body. Even an extra 10 lbs are hard to carry. Try lifting a 10 lb sack of potatoes! Now imagine it being permanently attached to you - day and night.

If you are overweight, your body has to work hard to constantly carry around the extra pounds. Shed the excess fat, and you’ll feel lighter and more energetic.