Healthy Living

Advice For A Snoring Woman

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:16:00 +0000

Are you a snoring woman? You are probably extremely embarrassed by your snoring. Maybe you are dating and often disrupt your partner's sleep. Or maybe you are married and disturb your spouse's rest. Or maybe your snoring is loud enough to even disturb the sleep of family members sleeping in other rooms in the house. In fact, I can sometime hear my downstairs neighbor snoring. My bedroom is directly above theirs. That's embarrassing!

However, if you are a snoring woman, you have a lot more to worry about than just the fact that being a snoring woman is embarrassing. There are serious health risks that research shows is correlated with snoring. Now, this is true for everyone who snores. Men who snore are at a higher risk for various conditions. There is one study that found some of these same correlations in snoring women.

This study examined snoring women and tried to determine if there was any relationship between snoring and other health risks. The study found that 33% of the women who snore regularly were more likely than those who don't snore to experience heart disease and stroke. So, if you are a snoring woman and until now have only been regarding it as an embarrassing and unfortunate condition, think again. You should share your condition with your doctor as soon as you can. Your doctor can determine if you are at risk for stroke or heart disease and suggest treatments for you snoring condition.

In addition to the complications mentioned above, the study also found that a snoring woman is 20% more likely than the non snoring woman to experience cardiac complications. This is another reason to share your condition with a doctor if you haven't already.

In the meantime, there is a lot a snoring woman can do on her own to start treating her condition. First of all, are you overweight? If you are, it is very likely that your snoring is a result of you being overweight. If you are already trying to lose weight then keep it up. The health benefits of losing weight are phenomenal. If you are overweight and are not doing anything about it then you need to start. Drop whatever other causes you are supporting, anti-war campaigns or whatever, and start focusing on losing your excess weight. This is so important! Not only will you likely stop snoring as a result, but you will healthier overall.

Another thing the snoring woman can do right now is pay attention to her evening routine. Do you drink alcohol before going to bed, or take relaxants or painkillers. Alcohol and drugs can relax the muscles in the back of the throat causing you to snore. People who smoke are also more likely to snore. Quitting smoking could be all you need to do to stop snoring. So, until you see your doctor, see if there is anything you can do now to stop snoring.

The Secret Book

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:06:00 +0000

The book ,The Secret, while an informative and wonderful read, does not provide the true secret to happiness and fulfillment. Join Hu Dalconzo and the Holistic Learning center staff as they teach the secrets that the book didn't offer.
http://www.holisticlearningcenter.com/Secret-Book.html

A New And Gorgeous You : Confident And Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:07:00 +0000

Everyone wants to know the keys to looking beautiful. The truth is that there is no one secret to looking beautiful. It is a combination of factors that contribute to great looks. Being an attractive person is possible for everyone. Here are some tips that can help you.

From the inside out

Confidence looks attractive. Self-esteem goes a long way in the beauty department. You need the intrinsic motivation to take care of your body, dress it well, and glow with confidence. If you don’t love you, just as you are, it will be difficult for you to put effort into looking your best. Beauty starts on the inside. If you feel that you are a good person, that’s beautiful. Think of something that you do like about yourself. Now, make that a reason to love you.

Health first

Once you learn to love yourself, you can begin to treat yourself well. By focusing on the health of all the parts of your body, you can improve the quality of your looks.

Many people are looking to be bikini thin, or at least close to it. You don’t have to be a size 2 to look good. You should exercise to maintain good cardiovascular health and trim down a bit. Consult a physician before you begin a diet or exercise program. Regular exercise will help to keep your weight down and reduce the risks of heart problems, high cholesterol, and depression. Exercise will improve your mood, and can sometimes put a little rose in your cheeks. Eat healthy food. Fruits and vegetables will help your hair, skin and nails look naturally healthy, full and vibrant. The proper balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat will do the same for you. Avoid high fructose corn syrup when you can and drink plenty of water. It is also a good idea to take a vitamin supplement, but usually not every day unless you are sick and haven’t eaten much. Making lower fat choices and cutting down on the sweets can trim you waistline and help your body function more efficiently. You will have more energy, which makes it easier to look confident. Remember, confidence is beautiful.

Giving your body more of what it needs and less fillers that it doesn’t need can reduce your weight. You don’t have to be skinny, but you should maintain a healthy weight and take care of yourself. One way to estimate a healthy weight for yourself is this: If your height is 5 feet, you should be within 5 pounds of 100, up or down. For each inch over five feet, add 5 pounds. For example, a healthy weight for someone who is 5 foot 4 inches would be within 5 pounds of 120, up or down. Anywhere between 115 and 125 is probably fine for a full grown adult. Factors of bone density and muscles play a role, so ask a doctor what weight is actually healthy for you.

Out of love and care for yourself, you will see that putting more effort in your appearance will become more important to you. A well put together look stems from caring about yourself, and people will notice that about you.

The mistake that many people make, especially women, is to put all their energy into taking care of others. There is nothing wrong with being a devoted mother or wife or focusing on your career. Taking just a bit of time to care for yourself can make a world of difference. Feel good and look good. It is possible, and you don’t have to be skinny, rich, or have all the time in the world to be confident and healthy. Appreciate yourself. It will add a glow to your face.

Genetic Hair Loss In Women

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:41:00 +0000

We have always heard about hair loss in men, but it is also a condition that affects many women. Most men are expecting hair loss, because it is a well known fact that it will happen with age. Women on the other hand, use their hair as a fashion statement and spend a great deal of time taking care of it. When it starts to fall out, it can often cause the woman to lose confidence because it is such an immediate and unexpected event. With men, hair loss is usually genetic, while stress, age, or illness will result in hair loss for women. Genetic hair loss in women is usually not as common. However, it can happen to the best of us. Problems that are not caused by genetic hair loss in women consist of three different scenarios.

Telogen Effluvium

This is the most common reason for hair loss that targets many women. This is a condition that occurs after an illness, traumatic shock, or a large amount of stress. The hair loss is usually a thinning that takes place over the entire scalp. Telogen Effluvium will take place 3 months after the event. This is usually very shocking for the person, since it happens so many months after they experience the stress or illness. Pregnancy is the most common for Telogen Effluvium. The reason that the scalp goes through Telogen Effluvium at a later date is because the scalp enters the 'telogen' phase when the event takes place. This is known as the resting stage of the hair's life. The telogen stage will then last for 3 months before the hair starts to shed. The hair will usually grow back on its own, but it is common for the hair to enter female pattern hair loss which becomes an on-going problem.

Female Pattern Hair Loss

Female pattern hair loss is a common reason for genetic hair loss in women. This is usually in one area of the scalp, which occurs on the top of the head. It might be hard to realize but women produce the same testosterone hormone as men, only in much smaller amounts. If a woman experiences genetic hair loss, or pattern hair loss, this does not mean that they have more testosterone than others. It simply means that the balance between testosterone and the reductase enzyme is not evenly balanced. This usually occurs with women who are going through menopause.

Treatment

For over the counter medications, you can find homeopathic, ayurvedic and allopathic medications. You can also find recipes for homemade remedies that can help with thickening the hair and gaining hair. It is best to consult a doctor about your condition before trying any form of treatment. The doctor can tell you if your condition is too severe for over the counter or homemade treatments, which will save you money in the long run. Genetic hair loss in women may be permanent, but there are ways of disguising the issue or preventing it from happening at a rapid rate. Make a date for a consultation with your doctor so that they can discuss genetic hair loss in women with you.

Eating Disorders

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:21:00 +0000

It's common for kids - particularly teens - to be concerned about how they look and to feel self-conscious about their weight. During puberty, kids' bodies are changing dramatically and they are facing new social pressures, like attraction to the opposite sex.
Unfortunately, for a growing proportion of kids and teens, that concern grows into an obsession that causes dramatic weight fluctuation, interferes with normal daily life, and damages vital body functions.

Up to 10 million teens develop eating disorders, abnormal attitudes and behaviors with foods, which include anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. For most kids, eating disorders begin when they are 11 to 13 years old. While they are more common among girls, boys can experience eating disorders too. Unfortunately, many kids and teens successfully hide these disorders from their families for months or years.

You can help prevent an eating disorder by nurturing your child's self-esteem, and healthy attitudes about nutrition and appearance. If you fear that your child has an eating disorder - because he or she has rapid weight fluctuation, and his or her concern about weight interferes with normal daily activities, it's important to approach your child about getting the proper medical care.

What Are Eating Disorders?
Generally, eating disorders involve self-critical, negative thoughts and feelings about body weight and food, and eating habits that disrupts normal body function, and daily life activities. A person with anorexia nervosa typically starves himself or herself to be thin and experiences excessive weight loss, typically 15% below the weight that doctors consider ideal for his or her height and age. In some cases of anorexia, in addition to restricting their food intake kids use purging - by vomiting or taking laxatives - to control their weight.

Bulimia is characterized by habitual binge eating and purging. A child with bulimia may experience weight fluctuations, but rarely experiences the low weight associated with anorexia. Both disorders tend to involve compulsive exercise.
For kids with eating disorders, there is a large gap between the way they see themselves, and the way that they actually look. Once a person is starved to a certain degree, body image distortions tend to become more severe and extreme. As he or she gets thinner and thinner, he or she keeps feeling "fat."
It's important to remember that an eating disorder is not just a behavior that a child can control. It is a medical condition that requires professional medical attention and treatment.

What Causes Eating Disorders?
What causes eating disorders is not entirely clear, though a combination of psychological, genetic, social and family factors are thought to contribute to the disorder.
Certain sports, such as ballet, gymnastics and wrestling are thought to potentially contribute to developing eating disorders because of the emphasis on leanness. There is also a role for genetics. Individuals who have a close relative with an eating disorder have an increased risk for also developing an eating disorder. There is also an increased incidence of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorder and obsessive-conpulsive disorder, amongst kids and teens with eating disorders. Sometimes, problems at home, such as drug or alcohol abuse, can put a child at higher risk to develop disordered eating behaviors.
Some research suggests that media images contribute to the rise in the incidence of eating disorders. Most women in advertising, movies, TV, and sports programs are very thin, and this may lead girls to think that the ideal of beauty is thinness. Boys, too, may try to emulate a media ideal by drastically restricting their eating and compulsively exercising.
And this concern can begin at an alarmingly young age. Research shows that 42% of first to third-grade girls want to be thinner, and 81% of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat.
Frequently a child who develops an eating disorder has a low self-esteem and often the focus on weight is an attempt to regain a sense of control.

The Effects of Eating Disorders
While eating disorders result from a serious mental and behavioral health condition, they can lead to other serious physical health problems.
A child with anorexia or bulimia may experience dehydration as well as other medical complications. In advanced stages, it can affect the brain and cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, agitation, confusion, inability to concentrate, and loss of memory.
Anorexia may affect a child's growth, bone mass, cause puberty delays, an irregular heartbeat and blood pressure problems, and gastrointestinal problems. The continuous vomiting involved in bulimia can cause tears and severe inflammation of the esophagus, in addition to gastric disturbances, blood pressure problems, and erosion of tooth enamel.
Behavioral problems, such as sexual promiscuity, crime (often shoplifting), and drug and alcohol abuse are more common in teens with bulimia. When kids with bulimia are caught up in a binge eating and purging cycle, they tend to become very impulsive. They feel like they're invisible, or just feel really impulsive and embarrassed to buy some of the things that they want.

Warning Signs of Eating Disorders
It can be a challenge for parents to tell the difference between a child's normal self-image concerns, and warning signs that a child may be developing an eating disorder.
While kids and teens - girls in particular - are going to be self-conscious, compare themselves to others, and want to diet. But those concerns don't necessarily mean that they have eating disorders. In kids with eating disorders, there are glaring abnormal behaviors and physical signs.

In anorexia, these signs include:

significant weight loss (15% below the normal weight for height)
continual dieting (although thin)
feelings of fatness, even after weight loss
fear of weight gain
lack of menstrual periods
preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition, and/or cooking
preference to eat in isolation
compulsive exercise
binge eating and purging
insomnia
brittle hair or nails
depression with social withdrawal
The warning signs of bulimia include:
uncontrollable eating (binge eating)
purging by strict dieting, fasting, vigorous exercise, and/or vomiting
abuse of laxatives or diuretics ("water pills") to lose weight
frequent use of the bathroom after meals
reddened finger(s) (from inducing vomiting)
swollen cheeks or glands (from induced vomiting)
preoccupation with body weight
depression or mood swings
irregular menstrual periods
dental problems, such as tooth decay
heartburn and/or bloating
problems with drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, or crime

If you suspect your child has an eating disorder, it's important to talk to your child, and approach him or her about seeing a doctor about his or her eating habits.

When You Suspect an Eating Disorder
It's common for kids with eating disorders to act defensive and angry when confronted for the first time. They often have trouble admitting, even to themselves, that they have a problem.
Trying to help a child who doesn't think he or she needs help can be hard. Remember that it's not your job to diagnose your child - only a doctor can do that.
Your job is to express your concerns and explain why you are concerned, and get your child to a medical professional for an objective and accurate assessment of your child's condition.
It's important to approach your child about your concerns in a loving, supportive and non-threatening way. It's a good idea to bring up your concerns at a time and in a setting where your child feels comfortable and relaxed, and where there are no other distractions.
Your child may be more receptive to a conversation if you focus on your own concerns, and use "I" statements, rather than "you" statements. For example, you may want to steer clear of statements like "you have an eating disorder" or "you're obsessed with food," which may sound accusatory to your child, and only illicit anger and denial. Instead, you may want to say "I imagine that it's very stressful to count calories of everything you eat" or "I'm worried that you have lost so much weight so quickly." It's also a good idea to explain specific things your child has said or done that have made you worry. You may want to say that you want your child to see a doctor just to put your own mind at ease.
If your child still resists help, or the suggestion that he or she has a problem, you may want to talk with your child's doctor, or a mental health care professional about other approaches.

Treating Eating Disorders
The focus of treatment for eating disorders is helping kids cope with their disordered eating behaviors and thinking and establish new patterns of thinking about and approaching food.
Treatment can include medical supervision, nutritional counseling, and therapy. The professionals try to address a child's perception about his or her body size, shape, eating, and foods. Kids who are severely malnourished may require hospitalization and ongoing care after their medical condition is stabilized.
Generally, the earlier the intervention, the shorter the treatment that's required. If a parent can discover an eating disorder before malnutrition or continual binge-purge cycles occur, the duration of treatment is shorter.

Preventing Eating Disorders
Your approach to food and nutrition can play a powerful role in your child's development of healthy attitudes about food and nutrition.
Your own body image may influence your child. If you constantly say "I'm fat," complain about exercise, and practice "yo-yo" dieting, your son or daughter may feel that it is normal and acceptable to have a distorted body image.
It is important to make sure that your child knows that you love him or her for who she is and what she does, not how she looks.
At a time when there is a lot of societal concern about obesity, it can be particularly tricky for parents to feel comfortable talking to their kids about their eating habits. Many parents worry about how to get their kids a healthy diet, and prevent them from becoming obese or overweight without giving them anxiety about food that might lead to an eating disorder. The best thing to do is to emphasis health, rather than their weight.
Finally, take an active role in creating a healthy lifestyle for your child. Involve your child in the preparation of healthy, nutritious meals on a regular basis. Let your child know that it's OK to eat when you're hungry, and refuse food when you're not. Also, make exercise a fun and rewarding family activity, as well as a regular one. If you have healthy attitudes about food and exercise, your child will have a good example from which to learn.

8 Ways To Lose Weight

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:37:00 +0000

1. Learn to Read Labels

Paying attention to food labels is an absolute must if you want to lose weight. Counting calories is impossible without this skill. You should know how to find a food's caloric content and its serving size. Comparing labels is essential for making informed food choices.

2. Say Yes to Snacks

It's important to maintain blood sugar levels by eating about every three hours. If it's been five or six hours since your last meal, you need to start planning snacks. Getting too hungry will backfire on your efforts to eat healthier and control portions. Aim for a healthful, satisfying snack, such as an apple and some reduced fat cheddar cheese -- the apple is high in fiber and low in calories, and the cheese will provide protein for an energy boost and a sense of satiety.

3. Drink Plenty of Water

The rule of thumb of eight glasses a day is a great goal, but why not aim for even more? Water can help with weight loss in several ways: First, if you tend to carry "water weight" (i.e. you're often bloated), drinking more water can help alleviate this problem. Second, replacing high-sugar, high-cal drinks -- such as soda -- with water can cut hundreds of calories. Lastly, staying well-hydrated will help you feel more satisfied (which may prevent overeating) and improves your overall sense of well-being.

4. Stop Skipping Meals

Skipping meals is one of those dieting mistakes most of us make at one time or another. But meal skipping does your diet more harm than good. You'll be more likely to eat too much later on, plus your body may go into "starvation mode" if you skip too often -- which will cause it to actually hang on to weight rather than lose!

5. Just Get Moving

Working in some exercise each day will give your metabolism a boost. Anything that gets your heart pumping faster will do. Start out today with a brisk walk or a bike ride. Work your way up from 10 minutes a day to 30 minutes a day and you'll make a significant difference to your overall health, fitness, and weight loss in a matter of months ... or even weeks!

6. Start a Food Diary

Keeping a food diary, even if it's just jotting down what, when, and why you eat in an old spiral notebook is an excellent first step toward losing weight. You can also keep track of your exercise efforts, too. Take a look at it every so often to find problems areas and identify changes to be made too!

7. Eat More Whole Grains

Eating more whole grains -- as well as more produce -- could be the best health and weight loss decision you ever make. Not only do grains, fruits and veggies provide nutrients you may be missing that improve your health and possibly reduce disease-risk, they're automatically low in calories and fat, and high in fiber, so you can eat more of them, more often, and not gain weight. The fiber in whole grains and produce will help you feel fuller longer, which can in turn help you better control portions and avoid overeating.

8. Practice Portion Control

Paying attention to portion sizes may be the most eye-opening weight loss experience you ever have. For example, take a look at the serving size listed on your favorite pasta. Measure out this serving. Place it on the dish you usually use. Is it miniscule compared to your usual serving? When you begin measuring portions you will realize just how oversized our idea of a "helping" is and where all those extra calories come from that are causing you to gain weight.

Benefits Of Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:24:00 +0000

Yoga is practiced by over 20 million Americans daily. Everyday people are reporting their wonderful experiences with Yoga, the transformation of being, taking you beyond the here and now. In one wonderful session of Yoga, people get to practice a number of things, some Yoga poses (asanas) breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation and chanting. In Yoga you get to learn basic terms like Mudras, Bandhas and Chakras. Best of all, Yoga is fun and relaxing while, at the same time, being delectably challenging to beginners. The intermediate and advanced students, who insist on continuing their practices, get more and more of the taste of this great 5000+ year old wondrous way of life. Yoga is for the body, mind and spirit. You learn to use your body, breath and mind to stretch, relax and energize yourself. So get up and go!

Benefits Of Yoga

1.Brings down stress and enhances powers of relaxation
2.Boosts physical strength, stamina and flexibility
3.Bestows greater powers of concentration and self control
4.Inculcates impulse Control
5.Helps in rehabilitation of old and new injuries
6.Intensifies tolerance to pain and enhancing mental clarity
7.Boosts functioning of the immune system
8.Enhances posture and muscle tone
9.Improves blood circulation
10.Results in healthy, glowing skin
11.Cleanses and improves overall organ functioning
12.Bestows peace of mind and a more positive outlook to life
13.Infuses a sense of balance and internal harmony

Best of all, Yoga is highly therapeutic. Some of the ailments proven to be relieved, reversed and even healed through the practice of Yoga are acidity , allergies, alzheimer disease, anemia, anger, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, bronchitis, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, colitis, common cold, constipation, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, eye problems, facial wrinkles, gastro-intestinal disorders, headaches, heartburn, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, high blood pressure, hypertension, immune-deficiency, impotence, menopause, menstrual cramps, migraines, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, nervous tension, obesity, osteoporosis, prostate, enlargement, sciatica, skin problems, sleep apnea, slipped disk, sterility, stiffness, stress, insomnia, intoxication, thyroid problems, kidney stones, stuttering and stammering, urinary tract disorders for women, vaginal infections and many more...

So, if Yoga has varied and immense benefits, what exactly is Yoga?

Yoga is a 5000 year old science whose teachings were first imparted not in a classroom or Gurukul, but on the battle field. In the epic Mahabharata, the sage, Lord Krishna is first said to have imparted the teachings of Yoga to his despondent student Arjuna. Around 1500 years later, another sage, Patanjali, went on to enunciate, for the benefit of humankind and eternity, the way to reach the summom bonum of life through a series of 195 aphorisms (sutras) in his epic treatise The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Derived from the Sanskrit root “Yujir Yogey” meaning to unite, to yoke, to join, to put together, Yoga is not about mind over body. On the other hand, Yoga is about developing harmony between them. In Yoga, you use your mind to perceive (diagnose) and guide (heal) your body. Never control, let alone force it!
Yoga is a way of life, a conscious act, not a set or series of learning principles. The dexterity, grace, and poise you cultivate, as a matter of course, is the natural outcome of regular practice. You require no major effort. In fact trying hard will turn your practices into a humdrum, painful, even injurious routine and will eventually slow down your progress. Subsequently, and interestingly, the therapeutic effect of Yoga is the direct result of involving the mind totally in inspiring (breathing) the body to awaken.
Contrary to popular – or unpopular – perception, Yoga positions are not about how far you can reach to touch your toes or how many repetitions you can perform. It is all about paying attention to how your body feels; how it moves without that excruciating pain or agony! Yoga is all about breathing correctly about integrating that breath into your being. Conscious Yoga doesn’t call for you to force or strain your never or sinew. Meaning to say, right Yoga is learning how to do things right, do less that gets you more!
Ironically, by doing less – correctly – Yoga enhances your strength, energy, vitality, flexibility and levels of endurance. Accordingly, your body and mind start to become more balanced until, eventually, you find it takes so much less energy to move through the day. Yes, any and everyone can do less…and get a lot, lot more!

Fight Bad Breath

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:12:00 +0000

When your breath has been turned toxic by smelly foods -- usually garlic, onions, or curry, but fish and cheese can do a number too -- you need an air freshener for your mouth. And often: every 30 to 60 minutes until whatever it is has cleared out of your bloodstream, which sometimes can take up to 24 hours. Since brushing constantly is impossible, try countering offending foods with what's likely to be handiest: other foods.

1. Lemons.

Suck on a lemon wedge or nibble on the rind -- easy to do in restaurants, where there's often a citrus garnish and if not, you can order sparkling water with lemon. For other times, lemon-flavored hard candies work just as well and are totally portable.

2. Parsley and other green garnishes.

When your favorite garlic-laden pasta dish or onion-topped burger arrives with a few sprigs of parsley on the side, consider it a hint, not just eye appeal. Chewing on the sprigs afterward releases parsley's pleasant, breath-freshening oils. Garnishes of fresh basil and rosemary work too.3. Apples and other crisp-fresh foods (firm pears, carrots, jicama). They're high in fiber, all that chewing ups saliva production, and the combo acts like a scrubbing rinse for your mouth. Sweet.

3. Crunchy spices.

For a more exotic solution, pick up some anis, cardamom, coriander, and/or fennel seeds in your grocery's spice aisle. Mix equal parts in a small covered bowl and keep on the dining room table next to the salt and pepper. Chewing on a few seeds will release enough oils to sweeten after-dinner curry or coffee breath. And your mouth will taste amazing.

4. Mint sprigs or cinnamon sticks.

Either of these deliciously potent flavors will squelch the sulphurous scent of onion or garlic. Plus, an essential oil in cinnamon kills a nasty type of oral bacteria, should they be aiming to set up house in your mouth. Cinnamon or mint gums are just as effective. If you pick a gum sweetened with Xylitol, it will freshen breath and help reduce cavities -- smart if you're a gum lover. Bonus: Long-term good oral care can actually make your RealAge more than 6 years younger.

5. Berries and yogurt.

If you can't get through most days without indulging in foods that are hardly breath-friendly, eat for prevention -- even better than a cure. Consuming a half-cup of plain, sugar-free yogurt twice a day can lower mouth levels of hydrogen sulfide (yes, that rotten egg smell). Berries (and melons, oranges, and other fruits high in vitamin C) also deter stinky mouth bacteria. Start and end the day with a fruit cup topped with a big dollop of yogurt and you might never have to worry about bad breath again.

The Best Online Pharmacy

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:22:00 +0000

1st Online Pharmacy - This is a highly reliable US based Online Pharmoceutical Organisation which offers a wide range of only FDA approved medications.
They provide an online medical consultation given to patients,by a licensed board of certified US based physicians, for prescription and non-prescription medicines at the best prices.
Worried about your health?
Just log onto www.1stonlinepharmacy.com
and have your questions answered by a certified doctor within a maximum span of 24 hours.
They bring you the best prices for prescription and non-prescription medicines for your good health!!

Myths About Breast Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:25:00 +0000

What is your risk of breast cancer? Which breast cancer treatment is right for you? What about antiperspirants and breast cancer?
What you don't know CAN hurt you. Misinformation can keep you from recognizing and minimizing your own risk of breast cancer or getting the very best possible care. Arm yourself with the facts.
Here are six common myths about breast cancer, followed by myths about specific types of breast cancer treatment.

1.If breast cancer doesn't run in your family, you won't get it.
No.
Every woman has some risk of breast cancer. About 80% of women who get breast cancer have no known family history of the disease. Increasing age – just the wear and tear of living – is the biggest single risk factor for breast cancer. For those women who do have a family history of breast cancer, your risk may be elevated a little, a lot, or not at all. If you are concerned, discuss your family history with your physician or a genetic counselor. You may be worrying needlessly.

2.Breast cancer only affects older women.
No.
While it's true that the risk of breast cancer increases as we grow older, breast cancer can occur at any age. From birth to age 39, one woman in 231 will get breast cancer (<0.5%>

3.If you have a risk factor for breast cancer, you're likely to get the disease.
No.
Getting breast cancer is not a certainty, even if you have one of the stronger risk factors, like a breast cancer gene abnormality. Of women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited genetic abnormality, 40–80% will develop breast cancer over their lifetime; 20–60% won't. All other risk factors are associated with a much lower probability of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

4.Using antiperspirants causes breast cancer.
No.
There is no evidence that the active ingredient in antiperspirants, or reducing perspiration from the underarm area, influences breast cancer risk. The supposed link between breast cancer and antiperspirants is based on misinformation about anatomy and a misunderstanding of breast cancer.

5.Only your mother's family history of breast cancer can affect your risk.
No.
A history of breast cancer in your mother's OR your father's family will influence your risk equally. That's because half of your genes come from your mother, half from your father. But a man with a breast cancer gene abnormality is less likely to develop breast cancer than a woman with a similar gene. So, if you want to learn more about your father's family history, you have to look mainly at the women on your father's side, not just the men.

6.I'm at high risk for breast cancer and there's nothing I can do about it.
No.
There are several effective ways to reduce—but not eliminate—the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk. Options include lifestyle changes (minimize alcohol consumption, stop smoking, exercise regularly), medication (tamoxifen, also called Nolvadex); and in cases of very high risk, surgery may be offered (prophylactic mastectomies, and for some women, prophylactic ovary removal). Be sure that you have consulted with a physician or genetic counselor before you make assumptions about your level of risk.

Water:How Much Should You Drink Everyday?

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:27:00 +0000

How much water should you drink each day? — a simple question with no easy answers. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.
Though no single formula fits everyone, knowing more about your body's need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day.

Health benefits of water
Water is your body's principal chemical component, comprising, on average, 60 percent of your weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.
Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions.

How much water do you need?
Every day you lose water through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For your body to function properly, you must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.
A couple of approaches attempt to approximate water needs for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate.

Replacement approach. The average urine output for adults is 1.5 liters a day. You lose close to an additional liter of water a day through breathing, sweating and bowel movements. Food usually accounts for 20 percent of your total fluid intake, so if you consume 2 liters of water or other beverages a day (a little more than 8 cups) along with your normal diet, you will typically replace the lost fluids.
Dietary recommendations. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 3.0 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day.
Even apart from the above approaches, it is generally the case that if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce between one and two liters of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate.

Factors that influence water needs
You may need to modify your total fluid intake depending on how active you are, the climate you live in, your health status, and if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
Exercise. The more you exercise, the more fluid you'll need to keep your body hydrated. An extra 1 or 2 cups of water should suffice for short bouts of exercise, but intense exercise lasting more than an hour (for example, running a marathon) requires additional fluid. How much additional fluid is needed depends on how much you sweat during the exercise, but 13 to26 ounces (or about 2 to 3 cups) an hour will generally be adequate, unless the weather is exceptionally warm.
During long bouts of intense exercise, it's best to use a sports drink that contains sodium, as this will help replace sodium lost in sweat and reduce the chances of developing hyponatremia, which can be life-threatening. Fluid also should be replaced after exercise. Drinking 16 ounces of fluid per pound of body weight lost during exercise is recommended.
Environment. Hot or humid weather can make you sweat and requires additional intake of fluid. Heated indoor air also can cause your skin to lose moisture during wintertime. Further, altitudes greater than 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) may trigger increased urination and more rapid breathing, which use up more of your fluid reserves.
Illnesses or health conditions. Signs of illnesses, such as fever, vomiting and diarrhea, cause your body to lose additional fluids. In these cases you should drink more water and may even need oral rehydration solutions, such as Gatorade, Powerade or Ceralyte. Certain conditions, including bladder infections or urinary tract stones, also require increased water intake. On the other hand, certain conditions such as heart failure and some types of kidney, liver and adrenal diseases may impair excretion of water and even require that you limit your fluid intake.
Pregnancy or breast-feeding. Women who are expecting or breast-feeding need additional fluids to stay hydrated. Large amounts of fluid are lost especially when nursing. The Institute of Medicine recommends that pregnant women drink 2.4 liters (about 10 cups) of fluids daily and women who breast-feed consume 3.0 liters (about 12.5 cups) of fluids a day.

Beyond the tap: Other sources of water
Although it's a great idea to keep water within reach at all times, you don't need to rely only on what you drink to satisfy your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion of your fluid needs. On average, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake, while the remaining 80 percent comes from water and beverages of all kinds.
For example, many fruits and vegetables — such as watermelon and cucumbers — are nearly 100 percent water by weight. Beverages such as milk and juice are also comprised mostly of water. Even beer, wine and caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea or soda can contribute, but these should not be a major portion of your daily total fluid intake. Water is one of your best bets because it's calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available.

Dehydration and complications
Failing to take in more water than your body uses can lead to dehydration. Even mild dehydration — as little as a 1 percent to 2 percent loss of your body weight — can sap your energy and make you tired. Common causes of dehydration include strenuous activity, excessive sweating, vomiting and diarrhea.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:
Mild to excessive thirst
Fatigue
Headache
Dry mouth
Little or no urination
Muscle weakness
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Mild dehydration rarely results in complications — as long as the fluid is replaced quickly — but more-severe cases can be life-threatening, especially in the very young and the elderly. In extreme situations, fluids or electrolytes may need to be delivered intravenously.

Staying safely hydrated
It's generally not a good idea to use thirst alone as a guide for when to drink. By the time one becomes thirsty, it is possible to already be slightly dehydrated. Further, be aware that as you get older your body is less able to sense dehydration and send your brain signals of thirst. Excessive thirst and increased urination can be signs of a more serious medical condition. Talk to your doctor if you experience either.
To ward off dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. Nearly every healthy adult can consider the following:
Drink a glass of water with each meal and between each meal.
Hydrate before, during and after exercise.
Substitute sparkling water for alcoholic drinks at social gatherings.
If you drink water from a bottle, thoroughly clean or replace the bottle often. Refill only bottles that are designed for reuse.
Though uncommon, it is possible to drink too much water. When your kidneys are unable to excrete the excess water, the electrolyte (mineral) content of the blood is diluted, resulting in a condition called hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood). Endurance athletes — such as marathon runners — who drink large amounts of water are at higher risk of hyponatremia. In general, though, drinking too much water is rare in healthy adults who consume an average American diet.
If you're concerned about your fluid intake, check with your doctor or a registered dietitian. He or she can help you determine the amount of water that's best for you.

Health Benefits Of Garlic

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:25:00 +0000

Garlic. For years, in movies, it has been keeping vampires at bay, but according to mountains of research, vampires aren't the only things garlic can fend off. Joining the ranks are colds, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, infection and even impotence. Here we will take a look at the various benefits to our health of eating garlic.

Colds: One of the most common ailments garlic has been touted to treat is the cold. Upon the onset of the sniffles, many people testify that consuming a clove or more of raw garlic takes them away. How can a clove of garlic possibly help? Studies have shown that garlic extract improves immune function, giving our natural defense system a boost, and helping it conserve our levels of antioxidants in our system. It is this strengthening of the immune system that aids in its support for other health related conditions.

Cancer: For years research has been conducted on the effects of garlic on cancer. A healthy immune system is necessary to fight cancer, and we already know conclusively that garlic supports that system. Studies have been done on the population and in animals, as well as in test tubes. What is determined is that garlic has the ability to reduce the formation of cancerous cells. Garlic is shown to actually block cancer causing compounds from forming, and slow the growth of tumor cells. Garlic is especially helpful in blocking oesophagal, breast, stomach, prostate and bladder cancer. Research has proven that compounds in garlic not only slow the rate of growth in a tumor, but can reduce the tumor size by half. When studying the effects on breast cancer, these compounds can actually prevent carcinogens from attaching to breast cells. What are these wondrous compounds? They are diallye disulphide and s-allycystein. These compounds form when garlic is crushed. Among the sulfur components of garlic there are some called ajoenes, which are also noted for their "antitumor" abilities.

Heart Disease: Just as there are many factors that cause heart disease, there are many benefits of garlic that aid in preventing and treating it. So how can garlic help keep our heart in check? First, it helps lower our cholesterol levels. It raies our HDL (good) cholesterol levels, prevents LDL (bad) cholesterol from building up on arterial walls. This reduces the chances of plaque forming in our arteries. It has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels by 9% in people who ate 2 cloves of garlic per day.
Recent studies have also shown it to protect the aorta. The aorta is the heart blood vessel that maintians blood pressure and flow while the heart is pumping. Age, poor diet and environmental factors such as smoking can damage the aorta, causing it to stiffen. Studies have also shown that regular consumption of garlic slows the aging of the aorta and helps keep it flexible.

Hypertension: Another heart benefit of garlic is its ability to help control our blood pressure by thinning our blood. Once again the chemical found in garlic, called ajoene, thins the blood and keeps clots from forming. Studies done with general populations have shown that where there is more garlic consumed in a population, there is also a reduced incidence of hypertension and heart disease. Although garlic's heart healthy benefits may be new to some, for centuries Chinese herbalists have been using garlic to treat people with angina attacks and circulatory disorders.

Infection: Since 1858 garlic has also been known for its anti-bacterial properties. At this time Louis Pasteur discovered that bacterial cells died when they were saturated with garlic. Other cases of it being used as an antibiotic in history include WW II, when British doctors used it to treat those wounded in battle, and Albert Schweitzer used garlic to treat typhus and cholera. Garlic is known to have not only antibacterial but antiviral and antifungal abilities as well. It is effective against intestinal parasites, recurrent yeast infections and the growth candida albicans is slowed by garlic. With this in mind, it should be condsidered only as an aid to antibiotics in fighting infections, as it is not enough to replace them. Garlic can help by stimulating T-cells that help fight infection.

Impotence: Garlic has also been found to be helpful to those dealing with impotence. Folklore dating back centuries has hailed garlic as an aphrodisiac, and now studies have proven this legend to be true. We know that garlic aids in blood circulation and keeps veins and arteries youthful, but that is only one way it helps with impotence. According to researchers, to obtain an erection an enzyme is required called nitric oxide synthase, and compounds in garlic stimulate the production of this enzyme in people who suffer from low levels of it.

Pregnancy: One can also benefit from garlic during pregnancy. According to a study done by doctors in a London hospital, garlic supplementation may help weight-gain for babies that may be at risk for low birth weight. The study also found that the chance of other at-birth risk factors could be reduced, such as pre-eclampsia, which is associated with hypertension.
The list of studies involving garlic and our health could go on and on. Continuous research is being done showing the association between garlic and improved memory and learning function, as well as findings that show it can help prevent the onset of "stress-induced hyperglycemia". Recently, it has also been studied and found to help in detoxification of bodily systems, by increasing the levels of antioxidants in the body and decreasing the formation of toxic compounds.
So we see the many areas that garlic can help us, but what should we do now? Begin ingesting six cloves a day? First of all, one should never make changes to their lifestyle in regards to their health without consulting a physician first. Your doctor needs to know if you plan to begin supplementing garlic. If you are taking medication for high blood pressure or are scheduled for surgery, garlic intake can affect both of these things, due to its blood thinning and anticoagulative properties, so it is a must to consult with your physician before making any changes or additions.
Once you know it will be beneficial to you to add garlic, how should you do it? Well, most people simply like to add it to their food, but there are guidelines you should remember. One tends to reap more of garlic's benefits if it is chopped or cut. It can be added at the end of cooking, so it doesn't lose too many of its beneficial properties. Although cooking can destroy some sulfur compounds in garlic (and it is these compounds that are beneficial) it can also change the structure of some into other beneficial compounds, so you still receive the benefits of garlic, even with cooking.
Whether raw or cooked, garlic is beneficial. But some people can not tolerate the taste or the garlic breath and therefore prefer to add garlic to their diet via supplements. So how much garlic is enough? If you are taking a supplement, ask your pharmacist or read the label. If you are adding fresh garlic to your food, start with a little at a time as too much garlic can upset your stomach if you are not used to it.

Even starting with a little can bring you health benefits. Not only will you enjoy the zing added to your food, you can enjoy knowing you're doing something good for yourself.

Healthy Chicken Stew

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:53:00 +0000

Chicken Stew

Serves 8
Ingredients1 14-ounce can low-sodium chicken broth

1 28-ounce can no-salt-added tomatoes, diced

2 cups celery, chopped

2 cups carrots, sliced

1 cup onion, chopped

1/2 cup barley

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp. basil, crushed

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped

2 tbsp. flour

1/4 cup water

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Preparation
In a 4-quart saucepan, combine chicken broth, tomatoes, celery, carrots, onions, barley, parsley, basil and pepper.
Cover and bring to a boil.
Simmer for 30 minutes.
Add chicken. Combine flour and water; stir into broth mixture.
Continue to simmer until broth is thickened and barley is tender.

Nutrients Per Serving
Calories 165
Total fat 3g
Cholesterol 31mg
Sodium 86mg

Healthy Foods

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:11:00 +0000

Eating healthy foods is one of the greatest ways you can live healthy and combat developing a disease. Some diseases are genetic and there's not much you can do about that. But others like Diabetes 2, Lung Cancer, and Heart Disease might be prevented with the proper diet. Below is a list of healthy foods and some of the body parts they affects.
1.Basil
Basil is a great herb to add flavor to just about anything you are cooking, but also has many other benefits that may cause you to add it to your diet. It is known to reduce blood pressure and ease the symptoms of emphysema and bronchitis. Basil also makes a good natural insect repellent when rubbed on your skin.

2.Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber promotes regularity, helps control caloric intake and promotes weight loss. It may also reduce the risk of certain cancersand cardiovascular diseases, and help people with diabetes control their blood sugar.

3.Fruits and Vegetables
Vegetables and fruits are our most nutrient-dense foods. They contain the greatest amounts of nutrients per calorie of any food. Many nutrients, including the ones that fight against cancer and heart disease are found in fruits and vegetables.
Vegetables have less sugars than fruits.

4.Spinach
Spinach is an excellent example of a nutrient-dense vegetable. Spinach provides at least 50 % of the RDI for vitamin A, and about 20% of the RDI for vitamin C. Spinach is a good source of iron, calcium, and folate.

5.Asparagus
Asparagus is high in folate content (20 to 50% of RDI per serving). Folate is a nutrient identified as being important for pregnant women.

6.Pumpkin
Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A (as carotene), providing over 300 percent of the RDI. And canned pumpkin appears to have much more vitamin A than fresh-cooked pumpkin. This may be due to the fact canned pumpkin has more water cooked out of it than boiled pumpkin, and the varieties used for canning have intense orange color, a sure sign of carotene. Pumpkin is a good source of fiber and adds a little iron and folate to the diet as well.

7.Sweet Bing Cherries
Sweet Bing cherries are a good source of fiber. They provide about two grams per 1/2 cup serving.

8.Apricots
Apricots are a great source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium and iron. Apricots are very good sources of vitamin A (as carotene). They provide about 35% of the RDI per serving.
Apricots are low in calories. 3 apricots only contain 50 calories.

9.Strawberries
Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C. They provide between 35 and 136 percent of the RDI per 1/2 cup serving. Strawberries are also a good source of fiber and iron. They provide about two percent and 3.5 percent respectively per 1/2 cup serving.

10.Soy Nuts
Soy nuts are high in protein and isoflavones

Honey Vs Sugar : 3 Key Differences

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:14:00 +0000

Both sweeteners contain glucose and fructose. However, for sugar, in the process of manufacturing, the organic acids, protein, nitrogen elements, enzymes and vitamins in the sugar cane are destroyed, whereas honey, a natural sweetener, subjects only to minimal heating. Also, honey has certain beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which are not present in table sugar.

Here are three honey nutrition facts that will make you feel good about eating honey:

One: One tablespoon of table sugar or sucrose contains 46 calories, while one tablespoon of natural sweetener honey has 64 calories. Though honey may have more calories, we actually need to use less of it since it is sweeter than table sugar. As a result, you may in fact consume even less amount of calories that you would with sugar. And in the long run even though honey is more expensive, it may be more economical than table sugar. I was taken aback when I first found out how much table sugar I was consuming when I take a can of coke -- 10 teaspoons, and a 50g chocolate bar -- 7 teaspoons

Two: Compared to table sugar, honey has a healthier Glycemic Index (GI) which measures the negative impact of a given food on the blood-glucose level. The lower the GI rating, the slower the absorption and infusion of sugars into the bloodstream and hence a more gradual and healthier digestion process.

Three: Unlike honey, table sugar lacks minerals and vitamins (hence it's been often called empty calories), they draw upon the body's nutrients to be metabolized into the system. When these nutrients are all used up, metabolizing of undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid is impeded, contributing to higher cholesterol and promoting obesity due to higher fatty acid on the organs and tissues. That is why it is not uncommon for fat people to suffer from malnutrition and many other health related problems. So the message is, honey vs sugar, if you are watching your weight, honey will be a smarter choice than sugar. Besides the differences in nutrition, I feel sugar can never compete with honey in taste. Though both are sweet, honey has such a unique flavour that can be very useful and superior in many foods and beverages. The range of honey floral varieties is so vast that experiencing for yourself the uniqueness of each variety and being able to appropriate each variety to exploit every possibility to complement and improve taste of different types of foods becomes a skillful art.

Asthma

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:15:00 +0000

What is Asthma?
It's a chronic disease that makes it hard to get air in and out of lungs during asthma attacks. These attacks can be prevented, but not cured and sometimes they can be fatal if they are very severe and not treated. More kids miss school because of this disease than any other chronic one.
Who has asthma?
* 1 in 7 children
* 1 in 12 adults African Americans and Latinos have a higher risk for developing asthma.

What happens in an asthma attack?
The air flowing into and out of the lungs may be blocked by tightening muscles, swelling and too much mucus. People with asthma may have a reaction to triggers (things in the environment that can set off asthma attacks). These triggers cause the asthmatic's airways to narrow and swell, causing the symptoms of wheezing and/or coughing.

What are some warning signs of an asthma attack?
• coughing
• tightness in the chest
• feeling tired
• restlessness
• wheezing
A drop in the peak flow (using a peak flow meter) can be the first clue that an asthma attack is on the way even before the person feels anything different.

What causes an attack?

Common triggers are:
1.Smoking
2.Aspirin and other medications
3.Dust and dust mites
4.Strong emotional responses (laughing, crying, etc.)
5.Pollen
6.Pets (the "dandruff' from their skin)
7.Stress
8.Roaches (their feces and dried body parts)
9.Breathing cold air/weather changes
10.Colds, respiratory infections
11.Mold, mildew
12.Playing sports, running
13.Perfumes, deodorants
14.Air pollution
15.Strong chemical smells (paint, cleaning fluids, etc.)
16.Second hand smoke is a BIG trigger (especially for kids)!

Herbs For High Blood Pressure Control And Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:59:00 +0000

Hypertension or better known as “high blood pressure” is a disease acquired from a person’s way of living. It can be obtained from the foods eaten, vices like smoking and heavy alcohol drinking, obesity and lack of exercise. Hypertension can also be acquired if there is a history of the disease in the family because hypertension is hereditary. Hypertension is a “silent” dangerous disease if not treated or controlled immediately. If it gets worse, it may lead to stroke or heart attack.
Nowadays, different herbs for high blood pressure are being used as form of treatment by unconventional therapists instead of the common synthetic drugs. The following below is a list of herbs for high blood pressure:
• Garlic (Allium sativum)

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

• Kelp (Fucus visiculosis)

• Skullcap (Scutellaria)

• Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycanthus)

• Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

• Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

• Burdock (Arctum lappa)

• Valerian (Valeriana)

Hypertension can be controlled if you follow a strict regimen that includes diet, exercise as well as taking herbs for high blood pressure. The most common advice that you will get from doctors is to lose weight and to watch the food that you are eating. Foods that are high on sodium (salt), cholesterol and saturated fat can increase the blood pressure.
Therefore, the foods that you should eat are the neutralizers that are rich in calcium and potassium. These foods are fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fish and nuts. Red meat and sweets should be avoided as much as possible. If you cannot give up eating these foods entirely, try to eat in moderate amounts.
Losing weight is another thing. Most people that suffer from hypertension are obese. If you are more that 20% to 30% over your normal body weight, you are then considered obese. If hypertension runs in your family, you are a candidate for the disease. You can add to conventional medical advice some natural ways to prevent hypertension such as using herbs for high blood pressure.
Herbs for high blood pressure can also help treat hypertension. A lot of herbs for high blood pressure can be obtained from grocery stores or pharmacies. They are proven to be very effective in lowering the blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels causing the blood to circulate easier.
Other herbs help the cardiovascular system to relax and lower the blood pressure. Herbs for high blood pressure are a very good alternative to synthetic drugs. However, it is still best to consult your physician for proper medication because only a specialist can tell you what is good for your condition.

Why Exercise Is Good For You

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 04:32:00 +0000

People who exercise are stronger and have greater endurance than people who do not. Exercise as other health benefits, too. Research has shown that exercise protects against coronary heart disease. Part of this protection comes from improvement in the heart's pumping action, a person who is physically fit pumps more blood with each heart beat and is able to sustain demanding physical exertion at a lower heart rate than someone who is out of shape. Regular, moderate exercise improves your capacity for endurance, meaning you will be able to walk (or swim or bike) farther as you continue to work out. Exercise lowers the blood pressure a clear benefit since high blood pressure is associated with both heart disease and stroke.

Exercise also burns up fat, controls weight, lowers your harmful cholesterol level, and raises your good cholesterol level (see fats and cholesterol coming pages0. Research has also shown that people who are physically active are less susceptible to the type of diabetes that develops in adulthood (type II diabetes). Anyone who has been confined to bed for more than few days knows that his or her muscles and bones became weak. This occurs because minerals in the bones are excreted by the kidneys in large quantities during long periods of immobility. Exercise, however, builds up the strength of bones by stimulating bone building cells to create new bone. Research has shown that exercise at all ages improve bone strength. This is especially important for women after they reach menopause, when a lack of the hormones estrogen may lead to osteoporosis (thining and weakening of bone. (Exercise will help build up the bones to help protect against fractures in the future. Finally, exercise makes people feel good. people who exercise regularly feel healthy and are less likely to become depressed.

Myths and Facts About Milk

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:50:00 +0000

Here are some of the common misunderstandings about milk. As with everything concerning your health, its always better to get your facts right.

Myth 1.

Milk causes Acne

Fact 1.

The idea that foods cause acne is false. Certain foods such as milk, chocolate, french fries, cola, peanuts and iodine-containing foods such as shellfish, have all been accused of causing acne. Scientific research has not found a link between diet and acne. A number of factors working together, such as genetics, skin type, hormones and pollution are believed to be the cause.

Myth 2.

Milk causes Obesity

Fact 2.

Drinking milk does not lead to obesity. No single food causes weight gain. Food can lead to weight gain when eaten in excess of your energy needs. If you consume more energy (calories) than you burn, weight gain will result. Milk products come in a range of fat contents to suit any lifestyle. All milk has the same amount of calcium regardless of its fat content.

Myth 3.

Milk causes Allergies.

Fact 3.

No one food causes an allergy. Milk allergy is a reaction of the immune system to the protein in milk. True milk allergies are not very common - only about 1% to 3% of children have a cow's milk allergy and they usually outgrow this by age three. In adults the rate is even lower. The major factor that triggers a food allergy is family history of food allergies. Drinking milk will not cause a milk allergy or allergies of any other kind.

Myth 4.

Milk robs the Body of Calcium

Fact 4.

A common myth is that high protein foods cause the body to lose calcium. In fact, most food sources of protein such as milk and milk products, meat, fish and beans contain phosphorus, which helps prevent the loss of calcium in urine. Because of the phosphorus and other compounds in milk and milk products, calcium is highly absorbed, with very little negative influence from protein. The overall result is that the body retains more calcium from milk and milk products with minimal calcium loss in the urine.

Myth 5.

Milk is important for children but not for adults

Fact 5.

Milk and milk products are important at all ages in order to get the calcium we need. Different amounts are required at different ages. Children need to drink about 3 cups of milk per day, and teenagers and adults need to drink 4 cups of milk per day to get enough calcium.

The Effects Of Stress On Your Body

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 06:06:00 +0000

Stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses.
Stress is a normal part of life. Many events that happen to you and around you -- and many things that you do yourself -- put stress on your body. You can experience stress from your environment, your body, and your thoughts.

How does stress affect health?

The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert and ready to avoid danger. Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation between challenges. As a result, the person becomes overworked, and stress-related tension builds.
Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress -- a negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.
Stress also becomes harmful when people use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to try to relieve their stress. Unfortunately, instead of relieving the stress and returning the body to a relaxed state, these substances tend to keep the body in a stressed state and cause more problems. Consider the following:
Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
Seventy-five to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, or arthritis in addition to depression and anxiety.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually.
The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.

Fruits,Vegetables and Cardiovascular Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Priya Vig) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:50:00 +0000

There is compelling evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The largest and longest study to date, done as part of the Harvard-based Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, included almost 110,000 men and women whose health and dietary habits were followed for 14 years. The higher the average daily intake of fruits and vegetables, the lower the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Compared with those in the lowest category of fruit and vegetable intake (less than 1.5 servings a day), those who averaged 8 or more servings a day were 30% less likely to have had a heart attack or stroke.(2)

Although all fruits and vegetables likely contribute to this benefit, green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and mustard greens; cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, and kale; and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit (and their juices) make important contributions.