only my health

Jhdma2a Gene Hope Sparks For Curing Infertility

2018-01-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

A new discovery which plays a significant role in the development of sperm may be able to give light on the problem of male infertility. Scientists from Howard Hughes Medical Institute believe they have discovered that a defect in the Jhdma2a gene could cause some cases of infertility in men.

The Howard Hughes team noted that mice lacking the Jhdma2a gene were infertile and only produce tiny numbers of abnormal sperm. One of Britain’s leading male fertility experts expressed high hopes that the discovery could lead to some answers as to why there are some men who are incapable of fathering a child. Much of the reasons behind male “sub-fertility” remains vague to be fully understood.

Abnormally-shaped sperm or very low sperm count are two of the reasons why some men are not able to father a child. Many research studies are looking at genetic defects to be responsible for these conditions. The team of experts from Howard Hughes believed that the Jhdma2a gene is crucial for “spermiogenesis” which allows the DNA needed to create an embryo to be compacted into a tight ball inside the head of the sperm so that it can break through the outer surface of the egg. Spermiogenesis is the final maturation stage of sperm, when the cell builds its pseudopod, acquires the ability to crawl, and becomes capable of fertilizing an oocyte.

In order to find out if Jhdma2a gene could affect sperm production, they experimented on mice and bred these animals without the Jhdma2a gene. These mice turned out to have unusually small testes, had a very small number of sperm production, and could not produce offspring. They even noted that not only do these mice have unusually small testes, but the small number of sperm they produced had abnormally-shaped heads and tails that were found to be immobile. When the sperm was examined using dyeing techniques under a microscope, it revealed that the DNA was not being packaged correctly in the head of the sperm.

“Defects in this gene could be the cause of some cases of male infertility,” said Dr. Yi Zhang, project leader of the Howard Hughes team. “Because this gene has a very specific effect on the development of functional sperm, it holds great potential as a target for new infertility treatments that are unlikely to disrupt other functions within the body,” he said.

Although the significance of the Jhdma2a gene has already been proven in mice, there is no certainty that it will have the same effect in humans. The next big step for the team is to focus on the DNA of infertile men to see if it is missing in any of them.

According to Dr. Allan Pacey, a senior lecturer in Andrology at the University of Sheffield and Secretary of the British Fertility Society, the genes that controlled sperm development were poorly understood. “The way that sperm DNA is packaged into the sperm head is quite unique and we know even less about that. It would be very useful to translate this research into human males and see if it can explain why some men simply don’t produce healthy sperm and are therefore sub-fertile,” he said.

Know The Best Places To Get The Low Price Viagra

2018-01-16T05:52:00.001-08:00

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Gastritis More Than Just A Grumbling Stomach

2018-01-16T05:52:00.000-08:00

Ever experienced vomiting blood or having coffee-ground like material and dark stool? Ever felt abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constant hiccups? Then you might be one of the more than 10% of people who come to a hospital emergency department with gastritis. Gastritis is a common medical problem of the stomach.

The stomach is an organ of the digestive system, located in the abdomen just below the ribs. Swallowed food is mixed with gastric juices containing enzymes and hydrochloric acid. The lining of the stomach called the epithelium is layered with multiple folds. The epithelium is coated with mucus (gastric mucosa) secreted by special glands. Inflammation caused by gastritis occurs in this lining.

Gastritis occurs when a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, or the chronic use of drugs or certain medications weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, allowing acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath. Helicobacter pylori bacterium is also responsible for most peptic ulcers.

However, gastritis is not just one disease but a group of conditions, all of which result in the inflammation of the stomach lining. Inflammation of the stomach means that white blood cells move into the wall of the stomach as a response to an injury to the stomach. Commonly, the inflammation results from infection with the same bacterium that causes most stomach ulcers. Yet other factors such as traumatic injury and regular use of certain pain relievers can also contribute to gastritis.

Gastritis may be caused by many factors including infection, alcohol, particular medications and some allergic and immune conditions. It can be either acute, with severe attacks lasting a day or two, or chronic, with long term appetite loss or nausea. In many cases, gastritis has no symptoms (asymptomatic). But, common symptoms may include:

Doing Dead Lift Exercises The Proper Way

2018-01-15T05:51:00.000-08:00

Individuals who want to improve their strength, posture, and overall health usually include dead lift exercises in their fitness program. This exercise is an integral component of a strength development program that virtually works every muscle in the body and emphasizes hips, thighs, buttocks, lower back, the shoulders, and the forearms. These body parts are the postural chain of the body and are essential for maintaining proper posture. The dead lift is taught by fitness experts to people who want to increase their level of strength and muscle mass.

The dead lift is one of the best exercises for improving one’s physique, especially if that fitness goal wants to be attained in just a short period of time. The best thing about this exercise is that it does not require any fancy gadgets and equipment. All one needs is a barbell and a flat surface. The barbell can be loaded with as much weight as one can handle and pick it off the ground while keeping the back straight. The dead lift also has possible rehabilitation benefits. Research has shown that the moderate to high hamstring activity performed as part of a dead lift routine may help strengthen the Anterior Cruciate Ligament during rehabilitation. The movement of this exercise translates well into real life because it can be likened to bending and lifting.

However, unsupervised and incorrect execution of dead lifts may cause injury. It is important to consult a doctor before engaging in high intensity exercises like the dead lift. Individuals who experience back pain and other muscle aches because of high intensity exercise may take Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pain relievers like Tramadol. Tramadol is a synthetic pain reliever that has gained the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It works by binding the receptors of the brain which are responsible for transmitting painful sensations throughout the body. The use of this drug combined with physical therapy hastens the recovery process and restores normal physical activity. Several medical studies show that this medication has a low abuse rate compared to other pain relievers. In addition, Tramadol side effects are milder compared to other pain relieving drugs out in the market. These side effects may include nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, and vomitting. Individuals should consult their doctors before taking this medicine. Though Tramadol side effects are mild and bearable, it may not be used by individuals with certain health conditions and medical history. This drug may also interact with other drugs which may lead to development of more unwanted side effects.

Prevention is better than cure. Rather than seeking medical attention to treat injuries, this condition can be prevented properly engaging in weight lifting and other forms of exercise. A doctor-approved fitness program which includes flexibility training, warm-up, and cool down exercises may lessen the development of injuries. If these things fail, ask your doctor about Tramadol.

The Malign Effects Of Anorexia Nervosa

2018-01-15T05:50:00.000-08:00

Anorexia Nervosa is a very common type of eating disorder. The main characteristic of the disease involves self-restrictive food behaviors, determining the affected persons to keep drastic diets in order to lose weight. Anorexia involves a phobia of being fat and people affected by the disease develop obsessions with food. Although the actual causes of anorexia are not clear, it seems that the disease has a pronounced psychological character. Anorexia occurs on the premises of emotional distress and mental instability and the majority of affected people have a low self esteem and a poor self-image.

While anorexics may at first only follow strict diets, in time they may also engage in acts of self-starvation. People who suffer from anorexia also exercise a lot in an attempt to lose “extra” pounds. In time, anorexics become obsessed with food and dieting, and they eventually develop an altered perception of their physical appearance. No matter how much weight they may lose, anorexics are never satisfied with their achievements, continuously trying to become thinner.

There are many hypotheses regarding the actual reasons why anorexics constantly engage in unusual food behaviors. Medical scientists believe that people affected by anorexia are actually trying to achieve self-respect through their actions. It is believed that strict dieting and exaggerated physical exercise are anorexics’ ways of trying to maintain control over their lives. Anorexia usually affects poorly adapted individuals and psychologists believe that anorexics engage in restrictive behaviors in order to prove themselves and other people that they actually hold control over their bodies and lives.

People affected by anorexia engage in similar behavioral patterns. At first, anorexics keep very strict diets and exercise a lot in an attempt to lose weight. Later, anorexics become so obsessed with food and the idea of being fat, that they may even engage in acts of self-starvation. They become depressed and isolate themselves from the outside world, developing complexes of inferiority. As the disorder progresses, anorexics can’t think about anything else but food, dieting and their intake of calories. They may even have obsessive dreams about being fat and repulsive.

As the disorder progresses, anorexics become more and more depressed and their perceptions are considerably altered. In advanced stages of the disorder, many affected persons lose their sense of reason and they become victims of their own actions. It is very important to understand that anorexics can’t overcome the disorder through their own efforts. People affected by anorexia need all the help and support they can get! Anorexics often need to follow psychiatric programs that can help them confront their fears and fight their addictions.

Psychiatric therapy is not aimed at convincing anorexics that their behavior is wrong; the purpose of therapy is to explore the actual causes of their extreme behavioral acts and to encourage them to overcome their addictions.

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Gloss For Your Lips

2018-01-15T05:41:00.000-08:00

One should remember that perfection is ten percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. So searching for the lip gloss that best suits the lip color and lip tone one has is an endeavor that requires patience, perseverance and a little (just a little) bit of luck. Hopefully, the following tips will better the chances of discovering the lip gloss that best suits the lips you have on you.

1. Be open, do not forget to experiment!

There are numerous brands of lip gloss and the prices of each vary. A $7 lip gloss bought at a neighborhood drugstore is not necessarily inferior in quality compared to an $18 Poole lip gloss compact. Lips could only appreciate the texture, smoothness, silkiness of the gloss or feel its heaviness, stickiness, or icky-ness. Little do lips care about how much the lip gloss cost or where it was bought. Though high-end lip glosses at times do offer a super-glossy feel that it almost glides delightfully on the lips, there are also not too expensive lip glosses like Bonne Bell which could give the high-end brands a run for their money. A label is not everything. Sometimes, a great find could be found in dollar stores. Try your luck, win or lose, its all worth a dollar. But, if buying in a drugstore or at Wal-mart, make sure that extensive research has been done on the lip gloss product you are considering of buying since drugstores offer no testers.

2. A Gloss Is Not Forever

– Reapply to preserve the dye

– Some brands, even the best ones, fade off after a few hours

– Some people really do not like the feel of a heavy gloss

– Judge by your lip color not anyone else’s

3. Selection Tips

Make sure to choose a lip gloss based on the lip color you have since the color of your lips automatically affects the color of the gloss applied on it. Never choose based on how good or bad a lip gloss looks on Jennifer Anniston or Angelina Jolie. Jennifer has thin pale lips while Angelina has full pucker-up ones. Naturally, yours is similarly worlds apart from theirs, if not better. Lip gloss colors appear differently on different kinds of people. One’s own lip color plays an important part because your natural lip color will shine through. So does your natural lip tone, the pigmentation of the lip gloss, how convenient is it when applied and whatever it is you’re looking for a lip gloss. Clearly this is as unique, individual and personalized as it could be.

4. Not All That Glitters Is Good

No matter how great it looks, make sure that the lip gloss put on the lips feels comfortable, as if it’s almost like it wasn’t there. Lip gloss glitter that feels gritty or sharp should not be tolerated by the lips or by you. Do not be afraid to return it to the store and politely explain to the store clerk or – preferably – the store manager your problem. It should be exchanged for another less grittier tube. But if the same trouble persists maybe it is time to change to a different brand, specifically one that has not too much glitter that it hurts.

Be realistic, lip gloss gives lips a smooth shimmer, it does not provide anyone with kissable cottony-soft lips. Lip balms do that. Balms are not shiny. But it makes lips feel supple. Apply a balm over the lips first before putting on a lip gloss, this is to moisturize the lips. Gloss is supposed to be – you’ve guessed it – glossy. If it does not, troop to the shop or store where it was bought from, you are supposed to get the product you purchased for.

Youthful And Vibrant Skin

2018-01-15T05:40:00.001-08:00

Billions are spent each year on cosmetic products that promise to delete wrinkles, lighten age spots, and eliminate itching, flaking, or redness. But the simplest and cheapest way to keep your skin healthy and youthful looking is to stay out of the sun.

Sunlight is a major cause of wrinkles, dryness, and age spots. Your skin does change with age. For instance, you sweat less which leads to increased dryness. Aging skin becomes thinner and loses fat, so it looks less plump and smooth. Underlying structures, veins and bones in particular, become more prominent. Your skin can also take longer to recover when injured.

These changes can be drastically delayed by staying out of the sun. Although nothing can totally undo sun damage, the skin sometimes can restore itself. So, it’s never too late to protect yourself from the harmful results of the sun.

5 Ways to Slow the Aging Process:

1. Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim shades your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses with a label saying the glasses block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s rays. Wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts when in the sun.

2. Check your skin often. Look for changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of birthmarks, moles, and spots. If you find any changes that worry you, see a doctor. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that older, fair-skinned people have a yearly skin check by a doctor as part of a regular physical exam.

3. Avoid artificial tanning. Don’t use sunlamps and tanning beds, as well as tanning pills and tanning makeup. Tanning pills have a color additive that turns your skin orange after you take them. The FDA has approved this color additive for coloring foods but not for tanning the skin. The large amount of color additive in tanning pills may be harmful. Tanning make-up products are not suntan lotions and will not protect your skin from the sun.

4. Use sunscreen. Sunscreens are rated in strength according to a sun protection factor (SPF), which ranges from 2 to 30 or higher. A higher number means longer protection. Buy products with an SPF number of 15 or higher. Also look for products whose label says: broad spectrum (meaning they protect against both types of harmful sun rays(UVA and UVB) and water resistant (meaning they stay on your skin longer, even if you get wet or sweat a lot). Remember to reapply the lotion as needed.

5. Stay out of the sun. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is when the sun?s UV rays are strongest. Don?t be fooled by cloudy skies. Harmful rays pass through clouds. UV radiation also can pass through water, so don’t assume you?re safe if you?re in the water and feeling cool.

Combing Hair 10 Tips For Proper Hair Combing

2018-01-15T05:40:00.000-08:00

Most people consider hair combing a routine activity. There are people who keep a particular hair style throughout their life. On the other hand, younger generations adopt new hair styles according to new trends.

To have a healthy hair, proper nutrition is required. General health has direct relation with the quality and quantity of hair. In order to make your hair beautiful, you need regular washing, use of hair oil, proper combing, etc.

Tips for combing hair:

1. To choose the best comb, you must take into account the nature of your hair (soft or hard, short or long), convenience and style.

2. Combing hair should be done with greatest care and concentration. If you comb without any care, you can cause damage to your hair.

3. Combing hair should be done gently. A vigorous combing can encourage hair falling.

4. Do not comb wet hair. First dry your hair with a towel and then put some oil and gently massage it. After this is done, the combing will be easy and undamaging.

5. Combing hair in the opposite direction of hairs must be avoided. This will cause hair falling.

6. Vigorous combing in backward direction can cause traction baldness.

7. Frequent combing can damage the hair follicles and the scalp. Combing hair 2 or 3 times in a day is sufficient.

8. The tooth of the comb must not be sharp. The comb should not be pressed too tightly on the scalp.

9. Clean the comb before and after use in order to prevent hair and dirt from depositing in the gap. Combing hair with dirty comb can be difficult and painful.

10. Do not use other people’s combs. This will prevent fungal and bacterial infections.

Prostate Health Learn The Basics

2018-01-14T05:50:00.000-08:00

It can be frustrating and confusing to find out what really works for a man’s prostate health. In this article I’ve summarized some of the major guidelines and recommendations you should know. And if you’ve found something that has really worked for you, which you have verified through trial and observation, please let me know. I’d like to be able to share it with others.

First, read the following list of helpful hints related to improved prostate health and benign prostate enlargement.

1. Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are mostly related to an enlarged prostate. Candida and infections like prostatitis are also related. Candida is a common and insidious condition you should be sure to eliminate. At my website I have a simple self-test for candida.

2. Do pelvic exercises to increase circulation by tightening your pelvic muscles intentionally at least 100 times a day. Raise your awareness of the inner world of your pelvic area. Give separate consideration to your buttocks, lower abdominals, scrotum, urethra, and sphincter.

3. Use Prosperon to raise your testosterone level naturally.

4. Drink plenty of water, every day, to flush out your system.

5. Move to a low animal-protein and grain-rich diet, or some variation on the macrobiotic.

6. Keep your weight in check.

7. Keep a journal in order to track and recognize, as soon as possible, what is working for you, and what is not. Think about your symptoms for yourself; don’t just depend on your doctor!

8. Realize that hormones are hormones and vitamins are vitamins. When his PSA test results were too high, a friend decided to heal himself by doing an anti-parasite treatment. It did no harm, but your prostate has to do with hormones, and needs to be dealt with on this level.

You can’t put fresh oil in your car when you’re out of gas and then wonder why your engine won’t work!

9. Visualize that you are much healthier and that your prostate and urethra function well. Approach your body with love, as it is part of your temple where the soul resides. ACCEPT .

Melatonin: An excellent study done at Tel Aviv University showed that the melatonin receptors in

the prostate could suppress prostate enlargement. Researchers found that an enlarged prostate is

due to the imbalance of estrogen and testosterone that occurs as we age. They further noted that

the excess estrogen also interferes with the normal metabolism of melatonin (J. Clin. Endoc. Metab.

82 (1997) p. 2535 – 41).

Their advice then, is to take 1-3 mg. of melatonin supplement every night. (Stick with this dosage;

as with most medicines, more is by no means better.) Take it ONLY in the darkness of night, in order not to interfere with the body’s natural production of melatonin before sunrise. Go to bed by ten o’clock also, to get a good night’s rest.

Producing Perfume From Home

2018-01-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

Some people find it hard to find the right perfume. This may smell good when this is sprayed into the air but this changes when this reacts with the skin. Those who are tired of this problem can stop looking and instead make one .

The first step is to get all the materials together. A lot of people focus on the oils and the other liquids and forgetting the basics such as the test tubes, glass beakers and measuring cups.

People should avoid using materials made of metal or plastic because these may alter the scent. Glass stir rods should also be used because this will allow the oils to mix better instead of just shaking it.

Since the mixture has to be stored for two days before transferring it into a bottle, the lids should be tight to prevent the liquids from evaporating into the air.

When everything is ready, it is time to mix the oils together. Many of these are extracted from plants and some last longer than others thus creating base, middle and top notes.

Examples of base notes are cinnamon, fern, moss and sandalwood.

Ylang-ylang, lemongrass and neroli are middle notes while bergamot, lemon, orange and orchid are examples of top notes.

There are also oils extract from animals but those who detest this can rely on synthetic oils instead.

Since some essential oils do not blend well with others, a bridge note is needed to blend it together. The last thing to add before this is stored for a couple of days is a little ethyl alcohol. This may not always be available so many recommend the use of vodka instead.

After two days of storage, the last thing to do will be to mix this with distilled water. This should be filtered so any solid elements are removed and the liquid can be transferred to the plastic bottle.

It does not take a rocket scientist to come up with a fragrance. This takes practice which is just like excelling in a sport. The only reason why some companies make it so complex is because others mix different notes all together to come up with the desired result.

Those who are just doing this for fun can make homemade perfume using rose petals. But those who plan to turn this into a business should be prepared to turn the kitchen or an empty room in the house into a mini laboratory.

The person does not have to do everything through trial and error because there are books and other sources to get this information. Some even mention the recipe for a certain concoction which will serve as a guide for anyone who wants to get started.

Some of the concoctions produced will not do that good as hoped. Instead of throwing it out, there are other things that the entrepreneur can do with it.

The mixture can be used as an air freshener, for aromatherapy, to make scented paper and more. After all, the ingredients that are used to make these other products are the same as perfumes and it can still be put to good use.

Making a perfume is personal. So, the person has to figure out what scents work for the individual and others out there so there is direction when for making these concoctions.

Natural Home Treatment For Cellulite

2018-01-14T05:38:00.000-08:00

CELLULITE

“Cellulite” is a skin condition that gives the appearance of small bumps and ripples under the skin. The bumps are caused by the underlying fat cells growing too large and stretching the natural fiber compartments that hold the skin to the underlying layers of tissues.

“Cellulite” is ordinary fat, but ordinary fat that affects the appearance of the skin. Strands of fibrous collagen tissue connect the skin to the subcutaneous layers and also separate compartments that contain fat cells. When fat cells increase in size, these compartments bulge and produce a rippled appearance of the skin.

Women tend to have cellulite more often than men because they have a vertical pattern of collagen in the underlying layer that holds the fat cells, and when the fat cells become very large, they bulge out of the chambers and appear as cellulite.

In men, the pattern of collagen is tighter, in a diagonal pattern, and they have thicker skin, so there is less bulging of the individual fat cells. Another factor in cellulite is high levels of estrogen, since this hormone has a direct effect on the holding capacity of fat cells through the increase of alpha-adrenoreceptors, the chemical doorways that tell your fat cells to hold on to their contents. Poor diet, bad circulation, and poor lymphatic circulation can all contribute to the appearance of cellulite.

TREATING SKIN WITH CELLULITE

There are several extra steps you can take for the treatment of cellulite. Consider your skin care regimen, and fine-tune it to meet the needs of skin that has a tendency to swell with fluids, store fat and have poor circulation.

Nutrition: Although cellulite is a skin condition, it’s closely tied to the storage of excess fat. If you are significantly overweight, you should certainly alter your diet. The dietary enzyme bromelain can improve overall circulation to your skin and adipose tissues by removing the buildup of fibrin on the walls of blood vessels. Treating cellulite requires a two-pronged approach – one being the shrinking of the fat cells themselves, the second being the regeneration of collagen and strengthening of the skin outside of the swollen fat cells.

Cleansing: When cleaning your skin, use your wash cloth or loufah to massage the area where cellulite occurs. At first, use a circular motion and then a brushing motion upwards towards the bowels. This will improve circulation and edema, and help remove toxins and metabolic wastes out of the tissues and interstitial spaces around the collagen and fat cells.

Other Treatments:

– Dry Skin Brushing: Learn to dry brush your skin at least twice every day – upon rising and before going to bed. Skin brushing provides many benefits in the treatment of cellulite. First of all, it’s “exercise” for you skin, and strengthens the underlying dermis and pattern of collagen in the subcutaneous layer. It stimulates the growth and repair of the tissues by increasing blood flow to the area. It also helps remove toxins and metabolic wastes out of the interstitial fluids surrounding the tissues for disposal. Dry brushing is good for you skin all over, but if you are suffering from spider or varicose veins, brushing these areas vigorously several times every day, first in a circular motion and then upwards towards the colon, can improve the appearance of cellulite.

– Hormones: Cellulite is often associated with the use of HRT and birth control pills. High levels of estrogen from these medications can cause an increase in the fatty tissues ability to store fats and cause them to bulge, pushing out the skin and causing cellulite. If you are using birth control pills for contraception, you may want to ask your doctor for a lower-estrogen dose formula or a non-hormonal form, such as an IUD. If you are on HRT, you may want to consider switching to a lower dose, adding progesterone cream, or using a weaker formula, such as an estrone cream.

– Habits: Get out of the habit of crossing your legs, knees and ankles. This reduces circulation and increases swelling. Try to keep moving regularly, neither sitting nor standing for long periods.

– Exercise: Regular exercise is necessary for the improvement of cellulite. Not only does it help reduce the appearance of cellulite by burning the fatty acids that are causing the cellulite. It also improves circulation and helps to remove toxin-filled wastes away from the skin. Take up a walking program, or sneaking in a set of exercises in the restroom during breaks.

– Body Wraps: Body wraps, both professional and homemade can improve the appearance of cellulite. Body wraps use a combination of minerals and herbs that stimulate the fat cells to release their contents, they absorb toxins from the skin and reduce swelling. Generally you will find stimulant herbs like kelp or algae that stimulate the fat burning process in the cells. You will find cosmetic clays that will remove toxins and wastes from the pores, and horsetail and horse chestnut that reduce edema (swelling) and provide minerals for strengthening the skin. These formulas are applied to the skin with the use of compression wraps. For recipes for doing home wraps, go to the Botanical Beauty Lab website.

– Massage: Massage, particularly the kind that improves lymph flow, is very good for reducing the appearance of cellulite. It improves the removal of metabolic wastes and toxins from the interstitial tissues around the adipose tissues, and gives the skin a smoother appearance. There are many professionals offering massage for cellulite, including lymphatic massage and endermology, but if that is out of your budget, you may want to try a home massage device. Many are available, from a simple round-prong hand tool to a powered massager that provides heat, massage and suction similar to the professional endermology machines.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR CELLULITE REDUCTION

Alfalfa: Alfalfa is a natural diuretic that helps balance the body’s interstitial fluids and reduces edema and swelling. It’s also a phytoprogesterone, which helps balance the excess estrogen that can exacerbate cellulite.

Borage Oil: Borage oil contains high amounts gamma linoleic acid, which is an important fatty acid to the strengthening of cell walls.

Bromelain: Bromelain is a naturally occurring enzyme in natural foods that aid in the digestion of proteins. The consumption of bromelain aids in the removal of fibrin buildup in fine blood vessels. This improves and increases circulation to the skin, and aids in repair and rejuvenation.

Horsetail: Horse Chestnut herb contains high levels of the mineral silica, which is used in the repair and maintenance of skin cells.

Cider Vinegar contains an array of important enzymes and aids in balancing body pH. It’s also a good source of potassium, which is necessary for fluid balance in the body.

Coconut Oil contains medium chain triglycerides which are easily absorbed and used by the body for fuel. It has the capability of stimulating the thyroid gland, which increases body temperature and metabolism and is known for improving the burning of excess fat.

Ginkgo Biloba is a natural blood thinner that increases the microcirculation to skin and fat cells.

Gotu Kolu is a natural source of caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the beta-adrenoreceptors on the surface of the fat cells to release their stores of fatty acids, aiding in the burning of excess fat.

Green Tea: Green tea is a mild stimulate that contains caffeine as well as powerful antioxidants that aid in the proper replication and repair of skin cells.

MSM: Is an important mineral that is necessary for skin cell repair.

EXTERNAL TREATMENTS FOR CELLULITE

Aloe Vera contains alatoin, which sooths and heals skin. It has been shown clinically to increase microcirculation of the skin and to speed healing of skin tissues.

Betonite Clay is a natural mineral clay that is known for its ability to absorb impurities and toxins from the skin through the pores.

Horsetail, ginkgo biloba, kelp and green tea also work externally and can be added to lotions or creams for massage into problem areas.

Many experts have recommended using coffee grounds as a scrub for cellulite prone areas. The grounds work as an exfoliant, as the caffeine absorbs into the skin and stimulate the beta adrenoreceptors in the fat cells to release their contents.

Dead Sea Salts and Kelp or bladderwrack contain powerful minerals that aid in the repair of skin cells as well as the mineral iodine which can aid in the metabolism of the underlying fat cells.

There are also many commercial formulas and methods for the reduction of cellulite.

Most contain caffeine or a similar chemical called theophylline or aminophylline.

Many also contain kelp, bladderwrack and other herbs mentioned herein.

Just remember that cellulite reduction is a two step process. The cause of cellulite is over-sized fat cells that have stretched out the collagen structure underlying the skin. The first step is to reduce bodyfat, and many herbs and nutrients both external and external can accelerate the process. The second step is to increase the strength of the skin and the collagen webs under the subcutaneous tissues. Skin and collagen require vitamins, minerals and fatty acids to rebuild themselves properly. Excess fluids can exacerbate the problem, so proper fluid intake and circulation is important. Drink plenty of fluids, and stay active to increase the circulation of the lymph system. With a little diligent effort the appearance of cellulite can be reduced.

How A Natural Enzyme Can Improve And Maintain Your Health

2018-01-13T05:49:00.000-08:00

Over thirty years ago, a German physician, Dr. Hans Neiper, faced with the problems that are still unresolved by mainstream medicine today, looked to nature to find a way that would deal with all and any type of inflammation.

Inflammation is anything in the body that should not be there. Any “non living tissue”. And quite simply, this is just about anything that causes pain. Blockages, such as in the head or chest from mucus, like catarrh, sinus or bronchial problems, asthma, emphysema, or industrially induced problems including asbestosis.

Things like blood clots, prostate problems, arthritis, ulcers and a mass of other problems that your doctor will tell you cannot be helped are all caused by inflammation.

Serrapeptase is the enzyme that the silkworm uses to dissolve its cocoon. Dr. Neiper realised that if the silkworm, when it turns from being the worm into a moth, and it does so in a very short time, must have something that dissolves “non living tissue”, because the cocoon is a hard structure of dead tissue.

Dr. Neiper separated the enzyme out, gave it to his patients and achieved staggering results, very quickly.

He gave it to one patient due for amputation of a hand because of a blocked artery. It cleared the blockage and the man kept his hand. He also reported that Serrapeptase dissolved blood clots and caused varicose veins to shrink or diminish.

To achieve the huge amount required in the world today, Serrapeptase is now naturally processed commercially through fermentation. Histological studies have revealed powerful anti-inflammatory effects of this naturally occurring enzyme.

Known possible benefits may be the resolving of pain; dealing with lung problems; eye problems; ENT problems (Ear-Nose-Throat); trauma; inflammation of any kind; cardiovascular difficulties and very importantly, arthritis.

In 25 years of being prescribed by German doctors, no harmful side effects have been reported.

Serrapeptase can, and does, resolve many problems that doctors tell us are insoluble.

However, we need to remember that many of the problems we experience with our health are often closely tied to our diet.

If we eat junk food, we will get junk health. When shopping in the supermarket, look at the labels. How many E numbers or things that are clearly not proper, natural food are there in the packet?

Also, anything that is in the form of so called “sugar free” invariably contains aspartame and other things which are detrimental to our health. So, try to keep to a good diet.

Alternative remedies, many of which have stood the test of time, in some cases many hundreds of years, finally offer hope to a lot of people.

Serrapeptase is a recent addition to the list, being “discovered” only 35 or so years ago. But it is one that works for many people.

Living With Christopher

2018-01-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

Mark Haddon wrote a marvelous book that became a bestseller and won both the Whitbread Book of the Year and Whitbread Novel awards. It was said that Mark Haddon himself exclaimed, “Who on Earth would want to read about a fifteen-year-old boy with a disability?,” while he was making this book. Little did he know that it was exactly the fifteen-year-old boy with a disability that made his book stand out, win awards and become a bestseller. The book is called, “The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time and the boy is Christopher.”

Christopher is an autistic-savant. He can name all the countries in the world and their capitals. He has a photographic memory and a genius in math and science. Despite of his unusual intelligence, he cannot imagine, understand figures of speech and relate to jokes. He also does not like places with a lot of people and people touching him. People who are autistic-savants exhibit both characteristics common among those with autism and those with Savant Syndrome. Autism is one developmental disorder among the group of Autism Spectrum Disorders. This condition is mainly characterized by impairment in socialization, imagination and communication. Savant Syndrome is characterized by very low general intelligence but extraordinary narrow intelligence usually in the fields of mathematics, music, art and memorization.

In the story, Christopher’s parents are separated. His mother decided to leave Christopher and his father because she cannot cope anymore with the demands of having an autistic child. Parents who take care of special children such as those with autism may probably have a higher stress level compared to most parents. This is mainly because their children have special demands, unusual behaviors and different abilities compared to other kids of the same age. These children will most likely find it difficult to communicate, thus, resulting to unusual reactions. An example of this is when an autistic child cries for no apparent reason and begins hitting himself or herself. Most likely, something has caused him or her to feel upset but cannot convey what it is because he or she does not know how. Some autistic children with sensory integration problems may either be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to touch, pressure, movement and sound. They will show certain behaviors that are sometimes difficult to understand such as avoidance of certain types of food and drinks, pinching or hitting, repetitive movements and screaming. Some of them can also exhibit strong adherence to certain routines and fear of new places or people. To accommodate the needs and cope with the behaviors of these children is not easy and, therefore, can result to a lot of stress.

Autism can greatly limit a child’s world. They thrive in security and anything they perceive as a threat to their security should be avoided. However, a lot of factors, situations and demands of society make them insecure and being forced to deal with these makes them very anxious most of the time. Unconsciously and unintentionally, children with autism have a constant feeling of anxiety to anything that is new or foreign to their understanding. Just like in the book, when Christopher had to go beyond the area of the town that is familiar with him, he felt physically sick and afraid. Unlike most children, those with autism cannot easily adapt to new environment or situations. The process of learning to understand and accept what is previously unknown to them results to a higher level of anxiety.

Despite what seems to be a difficult task of adapting and coping with autistic children, a lot has already been studied and published regarding proper management that will not only lessen the children’s anxiety but also their parents’ stress. Certain methods such as Cognitive Behavior Modification, Behavior Modification Techniques and Environmental Modification Techniques had been proven effective in changing the inappropriate behaviors and improving the learning skills of children with autism. Some, having compounding conditions other than autism, may need additional treatment as advised by the doctors. Autistic children who also have manic depression due to their unhappiness with being involuntarily trapped in their self-protecting behaviors may need more therapy than what was mentioned earlier. Consulting a psychiatrist is highly advisable in this situation and other medications may be prescribed.

Christopher’s story ended with him being able to overcome challenges that have caused him too much anxiety and his mother deciding to return to take care of him. Just like in this fictional novel, the same can be achieved in real life in terms of dealing with stress and anxiety among families who need to cope with the condition. Through proper management, medication or treatment, stress and anxiety among parents and autistic children can be addressed effectively.

How Anabolic Steroids Came To Humans

2018-01-13T05:47:00.000-08:00

It was in the late 1930s when the substances, popularly known as anabolic steroids were first developed for the treatment of hypogonadism, which is incompetence of the gonads, especially due to low production of testosterone in males. Hypogonadism is the condition in which male testes do not produce sufficient testosterone for normal growth, development, and sexual functioning. It results in deficient development of secondary sex characteristics and in prepubertal males, a body with long legs and a short trunk.

Anabolic steroids were primarily produced for medical use. They were initially used to treat delayed puberty, and some types of impotence. Later, many scientists conducting studies on anabolic steroids found that these steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscles in laboratory animals. The studies led to the use of anabolic steroids in the treatment of wasting of the body due to HIV infection or various other diseases. However, the growth triggering property of anabolic steroids also led to abuse of anabolic steroids by bodybuilders, weightlifters, athletes, and jocks in other sports.

Anabolic steroids are one of the most popular as well as one of the most controversial drugs today. They are available in various brands on the market. Anabolic steroids are available as oral anabolic steroids, injectable anabolic steroids, and anabolic steroid gels or creams. These drugs are usually taken in the pattern called CYCLING, which means taking doses of anabolic steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and starting again.

Anabolic steroids are used in stacks, and this way of using steroids is called STACKING, which means using anabolic steroids combining different types of steroids. Often anabolic steroids are used in stacks by bodybuilders or other power jocks. The users believe that stacking anabolic steroids help to produce an effect on muscle size that is greater than the effects of using each drug individually.

Another popular way of using anabolic steroids is PYRAMIDING, which is the process in which steroid users step up the use of steroids slowly. They increase the number of drugs used at one time and/or the dose and frequency of one or more steroids, reaching the highest amount at mid-cycle and slowly narrowing the dose toward the end of the cycle.

Life Advice Looking Through A Window

2018-01-13T05:46:00.001-08:00

Living in today’s metropolitan world of cellular phones, mobile computers and other high-tech gadgets is not just hectic but very impersonal. We make money and then invest our time and effort in making more money. Does it end? Not usually because we are never satisfied. How many times have we convinced ourselves that if only we had some more money, life would be so sweet? But then, after receiving a substantial raise, we realize that it wasn’t enough and that we need more?

What Should You Do?

I have read many books on life such as Robin Sharma’s Monk says this and the monk says that, and they all seem to say that money is not necessary. But it is. Can you do without cash and a lot of it? I know I can’t.

So, I went to the neighbourhood Rabbi and asked for advice that will help me find my true way in life.

The rabbi nodded and took me to the window. “What do you see?” he asked me.

Promptly, I answered, “I can see people walking to and fro and a blind man is begging for alms at the left corner.”

The Rabbi nodded and guided me to a big mirror. “Now look and tell me what you see?”

“I can see myself,” I man answered.

The Rabbi smiled. “Now you can’t see anyone else. The mirror and the window are both created from the same raw material: glass, but because on one of them they have applied a thin layer of silver, when you look at it all you can see is your own reflection.”

The Rabbi placed his arm on my shoulders. “Compare yourself to those two pieces of glass. Without the silver layer, you saw the other people and felt compassion for them. When you are covered with silver, you see only yourself.”

I looked at the Rabbi and stared. “I don’t understand.”

The Rabbi continued. “You will become someone only if have the courage to remove the silver covering over your eyes in order to again see and love others.” He patted me on my back and sent me on my way.

I have thought of what he said and come to the conclusion that he had a point. Yes. We need money and we should not aim to lead a moneyless existence; its pointless and will only cause us and our families many heartbreaks in the future.

Instead, I suggest that we should follow the advice the Rabbi gave me. When we approach life through a silver covering, all we are able to see is ourselves. But discard that covering, and you will be able to see and feel everyone else.

In life, we are allowed to and should be able to look at both kinds of mirrors, but we should remember that a mirror reflects only us; a window is the door to compassion, health and true wealth. In other words, seek wealth by all means, but don’t let it dissuade you from life, people, children and the poor and needy.

Seven Tips For A Long And Healthy Life

2018-01-13T05:46:00.000-08:00

As good as modern medical technology is, it can never save you from the problems caused by a life style that is unhealthy. Instead of getting a modern medical fix for every problem, it is far better to live in such a way that you will hardly ever fall ill.

An ounce of prevention is certainly better than a pound of cure. Here are seven tips on how to live a long and healthy life. In addition, the same life style that helps you to avoid illness also helps you to lose weight.

1. Get Enough Exercise

In the past people had to use their physical bodies in the course of their normal work. But today someone may get up, go to work in a car, then sit down, get up to go home in the car and when arriving at home, sit down again for the rest of the day. In such a life there is no physical labor. This physical inactivity is one of the main reasons for a host of diseases. Sport, running. walking and other things must be added to our life if our normal work does not require us to exert ourselves physically. I

2. Go to sleep when you feel sleepy

This may sound simple, but many people stay up late even when their body is telling them that it is time to sleep. Yoga and Ayurvedic doctors also say that it is better to sleep in the night and be active during the day. However, people such as students will take coffee and stimulants to study late into the night. Others develop the habit of remaining active at night and sleeping during the day. While we can do this, it eventually takes a toll on health. Alternative health doctors say that this kind of unnatural living is one of the contributing factors in the causation of cancer and other diseases

3. Eat when you feel hungry

This is also a simple idea, but once again we often go against the messages of the body. If you eat out of habit or due to social pressure at certain time of the day, even when you have no real appetite, then you will not digest your food properly. Acidity and indigestion begin, and this contributes to the likelihood of other more complex diseases taking root. Having an appetite is actually a sign of good health, but if you have no appetite you should wait a bit and then eat. (If you have no appetite even after awaiting a reasonable amount of time, then you should consult a doctor because something is wrong.)

4.Fast on a Regular, Systematic Basis

If you would ask any person to work 365 days per year without any rest, they would complain and say that they must have some rest or else they will break down. But we have never bothered to ask or to think about our digestive organs which we compel to work day after day without a rest. They cannot protest the way a person would to his boss, but they do give us signals that they cannot work non-stop. When we ignore those signals and still compel them to work, those organs break down. That is why periodic fasting is necessary. Refrain from eating for one complete day. This gives a rest to your digestive organs and also helps in the elimination of wastes from your body. Regular fasting allows a person to gain extra time for intellectual or spiritual pursuits. Fasting is not for hermits in a cave, but is a sensible practice that anyone can practice.

5. Wash with cool water before going to bed

As mentioned above, proper sleep is essential for the maintenance of health. If you wash your important motor and sensory organs (hands, arms, eyes, legs, mouth, genitals) before sleep using cool water, this will relax you and prepare you for deep sleep.

6. Perform meditation on a regular basis

Your body is linked to your mind. Many of the diseases of this era are psychosomatic. Stress and anxiety take their toll on our physical health. Meditation is a mental exercise which, among other things, allows you to detach yourself from the worries of life. Learn a simple technique and do it regularly.

7. Get up early every day

Once again the old proverb, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise.” I don’t know if it will make you wealthy, but it will certainly make you healthy. Your body needs just enough sleep, not too much and not too little.

Follow these tips and you can’t go wrong.

Laser Hair Removal The Basics

2018-01-13T05:37:00.001-08:00

Laser hair removal is getting more popular everyday. Most of us have our own conceptions about this treatment. it is important to know the science and the art of laser hair removal before you decide to get treated with lasers for hair removal.

What is laser- laser is the concentrated beam of light that is made of a single wavelength. This beam does not scatter light around but focuses it on one point. Therefore the energy emission is very high. In hair removal this laser energy is used to heat and burn the hair follicles. The full name of laser is Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

How laser removes hair- when laser is focused on skin, it get attracted to the pigment of the hair follicle. The laser heats the hair follicles and burns it at the root. The darker the color of the hair, better the results. Similarly the skin should be light colored otherwise the skin also attracts laser and gets blistered. With latest developments this possibility is getting eliminated, but you must talk to your physician about your hair and skin color and the results expected.

Please find out more about the number of treatments you may need, the expectation of results, the side effects and the proficiency of the technician before you proceed for treatment.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

A Sound Way To Treat Hearing Loss In Children

2018-01-13T05:37:00.000-08:00

There’s good news for parents who have a child born with significant hearing loss. Advances in technology are making it possible to address profound hearing loss in children as young as 12 months of age.

Approximately one of every 1,000 newborns in the United States-about 33 babies per day-is born profoundly deaf.

Fortunately, there are treatment alternatives. For example, cochlear implants are small, complex, implantable electronic devices that restore hearing by bypassing the damaged parts of the ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve, and may be beneficial to those who cannot hear or understand speech well with a hearing aid.

One of the latest developments in cochlear implant technology is the HiResolution

Dealing With Dandruff

2018-01-13T05:35:00.000-08:00

CAUSES OF DANDRUFF

Although the cause of dandruff is not completely understood, it is currently theorized that one of the main causes is a breakdown of the scalps natural lipid barrier, leaving it more exposed to infection by the microscopic yeast that is commonly found in the scalp. When the yeast overgrows, it leads to an inflammatory response that kills off scalp cells at a high rate, which in turn slough off in sticky patches and flakes.

The condition is identified by:

– White or clear flakes on the scalp, through the hair, and on clothing.

– Itchy scalp which may be red and inflamed.

Some young teens find they develop dandruff when they hit puberty because their hygiene habits haven’t changed to meet the challenges of newly accelerated sebum production.

Stress, poor hygiene and poor diet can make the scalp more susceptible to dandruff. High sugar foods in particular are known to exacerbate yeast infections.

The hair should be brushed regularly to loosen flakes and stimulate blood supply to the scalp, which will accelerate the natural immune response to infection.

TREATING DANDRUFF

There are few habits you can develop and natural treatments you can use to treat dandruff.

Nutrition: An excess of sugar in the diet can exacerbate any yeast infection. Try reducing your intake of all sugars and refined starches while treating for dandruff.

Cleansing: Massage your scalp thoroughly with your fingertips when shampooing. This will help loosen and remove any dead skin flakes and help prevent the infection from continuing. Wash your hair daily until the infection is cleared up.

Conditioning: Use a protective hair condition on the ends of hair only. Avoid getting conditioner on your scalp where it can clog pores and interfere with healing of the skin.

Other Treatments:

– Massage: Massaging your scalp several times a day with the pads of the fingers only will stimulate blood supply to the hair follicles and help loosen the dead skin flakes.

– Brushing: Brushing your hair thoroughly on a daily basis will help loosen and remove dead skin flakes, increase the smooth flow of sebum along the hair shaft, and increase blood supply to the hair follicles.

– Wash Hands After Brushing and Grooming Hair: Fungal infections of the skin are highly contagious, and it is easy to reinfect and spread to other areas of the body. This is why it’s important to wash your hair daily and to brush out any loose dandruff flakes – so that healthy areas of the scalp will not be infected. Washing your hands after brushing, massaging and grooming your hair will also help prevent reinfection or cross infection.

The following herbs and nutrients have been shown to reduce dandruff infections:

Natural Internal Treatments for Dandruff

Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Vanadyl Sulfate, Gynema Sylvestre and Chromium are all natural regulators of blood sugar levels. The can help prevent feeding the infection by keeping blood sugar levels normalized.

Olive Leaf and Oregano Leaf are both natural systemic antifungal agents.

Natural External Treatments for Dandruff

The following herbs can be used as a tonic for reducing fungal infections on a topical basis. Extracts of these herbs or a several drops of their essential oils dissolved in aloe vera gel or witch hazel can greatly relieve the symptoms of itching and flaking in dandruff. Tea tree oil is particularly effective against fungal and bacterial infections.

Clary Sage

Desert Sage

Eucalyptus

Fumitory

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginsen

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit Essential Oil

Grapeseed Extract

Juniper Berry Essential Oil

Lavender Essential Oil

Lemongrass

Myrtle

Oregano

Cosmetic Surgery In A Nutshell

2018-01-12T06:32:00.000-08:00

Cosmetic surgery, like other forms of elective surgery, involves a physical change to one’s appearance. Also known as plastic surgery, there are two kinds: cosmetic and reconstruction. The latter involves returning an individual’s sense of self after some form of injury and/or illness. The former allows the ability to overcome the physical characteristics one was born with. In a way, the former represents the forefront of how changes in technology can allow changes to the human body.

This surgery comes in all types, from the use of prosthetics as in breast augmentation and liposuction to non-invasive forms of surgery like laser hair removal or even laser correction of the eyes to eliminate the need for eye glasses.

None of this comes without a price however. Besides financial concerns, it remains the responsibility of the individual who will undergo such surgery. For this reason, they do need the support of those around them. This is the kind of support that not only affects their decision, but their ability to assimilate the surgical changes to the body.

In the case of surgery for cosmetic – as oppposed to reconstruction – purposes is the issue of aesthetics. Those around them need to understand the significance societies place upon appearance. How the appearance of someone can alter how they are perceived not only as a person, but as a human being. Surgery for aesthetic reasons, provides people with the opportunity to overcome stigmas associated with their appearance. However, what remains most important is that it’s a choice.

Many – perfectly valid – arguments have been presented to the contrary regarding surgery for cosmetic purposes. However, the fact remains that human beings have been altering their appearance for quite some time now.

Cosmetic surgery is significant, not only for what it can achieve, but because it’s a choice made by the person undergoing it. It’s a personal decision about one’s own body.

Another consideration for the individual, outside of their support system, is that they should do as much of their own personal research as possible into the different kinds of surgery available for each procedure. For example, the current surgical techniques employed and the potential legal restrictions, as is often the case with silicone prosthetics. In addition, weighing the pros and cons of each technique. Finally, the surgeon themselves. An initial consultation is always recommended, as with any form of elective surgery.

Seven Steps For Keeping Teeth Healthy For A Lifetime

2018-01-12T05:33:00.001-08:00

A smile can last a lifetime-if you take care of it. For that reason, it’s important for parents to instill good oral health habits in children as early as possible.

According to U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona’s “National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health” report, children lose more than 51 million school hours and adults lose more than 164 million work hours each year due to dental disease or dental visits. The nation’s total bill for dental services was estimated to be more than $70.1 billion in 2002.

“Oral health disease is making disturbing inroads into communities across the country,” Dr. Marsha Butler, Colgate-Palmolive’s Vice President, Global Oral Health and Professional Relations, explains. “For children between the ages of 5 and 17 here in the U.S., tooth decay is more common than asthma, more common than hay fever, and it poses a significant threat to our children’s overall health and well-being.”

Recently, during the celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Colgate and Dr. Carmona unveiled “The U.S. Surgeon General’s Seven Steps to a Bright Smile,” tips that were developed, with a grant from Colgate-Palmolive, to help keep teeth and gums strong and healthy:

1. Brush teeth and gums with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after eating breakfast and before bedtime.

2. Visit the dentist regularly.

3. Floss your teeth daily.

4. Use fluoride rinse for strong, healthy teeth and gums.

5. Limit the number of times you eat snacks each day-and remember to practice healthy eating and get plenty of calcium.

6. Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.

7. Ask your dental professional about dental sealants.

Through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, Colgate has reached more than 50 million children with free dental screenings, treatment referrals and oral health education. The company is more than halfway to meeting a public commitment it made to reach 100 million children with these services by the year 2010. Bright Smiles, Bright Futures empowers children to take control of their oral health and helps to generate greater awareness about the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene.

Swallow To Glow A Holistic Approach To Skin Health

2018-01-12T05:27:00.001-08:00

The skin is the largest organ in the body. It defends against disease and infection, regulates temperature and even aids in vitamin production. Keeping skin healthy is crucial for beauty and general health, even if most of us are interested in knowing how to keep skin looking healthy, rather than really keeping it healthy.

The best way to keep skin looking healthy – young, fair, radiant, supple, soft and wrinkle free – is to keep out of the sun.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun bring about a healthy-looking tan, but do much damage to the skin in terms of pigmentation, sunburn and loss of elasticity. These can lead to premature aging in the form of wrinkles, fine lines, sagging, dark skin, uneven skin tone, loss of translucency, enlarged pores and dryness. Even the best of genetics, topical skin lightening treatments and oral skin supplements would be of little use if one tans mercilessly and regularly.

Keeping out of the sun helps, but if you cannot avoid it, you will have to ensure that you use a sunscreen. This is especially crucial if sun exposure is for an extended period of time.

Assuming that one is already sensible about sun exposure, how can we then further improve our skin condition? We know that certain oral supplements are effective for good skin health, but which are these supplements and how effective are they?

Supplement From Within

The first group would be vitamins and minerals, essential for proper functioning of every organ.

The vitamins and minerals that can affect skin health include the B-complex, especially B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B12 (cyancobalamine). Overt deficiencies of vitamins B1 and B2 are known to cause special forms of dermatitis (a kind of skin inflammation). B12 deficiency is particularly detrimental to neurons and rapidly dividing cells, including skin cells.

Besides the B vitamins, deficiency of vitamin C, iron and copper also affect skin health. All three are important for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein in the skin, which fills the skin and gives it tone.

Vitamin A is critical for the normal life cycle of skin cells. Vitamin A deficiency causes skin to become dry, fragile and prone to wrinkles. On the other hand, excessive Vitamin A intake may cause serious toxicity and should be avoided.

Vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene have been touted as anti-oxidants that reduce free radicals. (Free radicals result in skin degeneration and aging.) However, while free radicals and the role of anti-oxidants are beyond doubt, clinical results have not conclusively proved if supplementary vitamins and other micronutrients improve the skin quality and defy the aging process.

Excessive doses can be just as harmful as deficiencies, so it is best to abide by the recommended daily allowance (RDA).

Topical Help

Oral supplements should go hand-in-hand with topical applications – sunscreen of at least SPF 30, creams (preferably with skin whitening agents) and moisturizer (preferably with skin lightening agents). Compared with topical applications, the effects of oral supplements are slower and more subtle. Consumers have to be realistic about their expectations because results certainly will not be seen in 7 days or 2 weeks.

We recommend a holistic approach to skin health, comprising:

* A healthy balanced diet comprising all food groups as well as vitamins, minerals and micronutrients.

* Keep a happy positive mood. It is well documented that some skin conditions – such as acne and eczema – are more prevalent among the stressed.

* If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoke causes free radicals, damages the microcirculation of skin and also causes staining of teeth and other discoloration.

* Minimize sun exposure and use a good sunscreen on a daily basis.

Sedentary show fitness gains chasing Picachu

2017-09-22T17:37:00.002-07:00

Rich Bell literally made headlines when he started playing Pokémon Go. In a single month, the 29-year-old guessed, he lost 10 pounds chasing Zubats and Spearows.

In the weeks since, however, Bell has stopped playing - like many other early Pokémaniacs. He hasn’t been walking as much; in fact, he thinks he may have gained some of his weight back.

Bell is not alone, incidentally: A new report from researchers at Microsoft found that Pokémon Go initially contributed to a major uptick in physical activity among its players, with possibly staggering public health effects. After downloading the game, the average highly engaged player increased his daily walks by 1,473 steps.

But one month after starting, the report found, those gains began to fade. Healthy or not, most players just . . . get sick of the game.

“I went hard for a couple of months or so, but it got boring after a while,” Bell said. “I’ve caught almost every Pokémon that I can, visited most nearby places that were good for playing - just started getting repetitive.”

The study, which is under review for journal publication, relied heavily on proprietary data from Microsoft, the company that funded the research. To reach their conclusions, the researchers combed through owners of the Microsoft Band, Microsoft’s wearable fitness tracker, looking for people who had (a) opted into this sort of data collection and (b) recently searched Bing for terms related to Pokémon Go. From there, the researchers were able to compare the physical activity of 1,420 Microsoft Band users who played Pokémon with 50,000 who did not.

They observed a substantial increase in physical activity among players: on average, an extra 192 steps per day for each of the 30 days after they started playing. “Highly engaged” players, those who searched Bing for Pokémon Go terms repeatedly, increased their walks by even more steps: up to 1,473 extra steps daily.

Those gains were particularly pronounced among young and sedentary people, or those who walk less than 5,000 steps. After beginning the game, 32 percent of frequent players met the recommended average activity guideline of 8,000 daily steps - compared with 12.2 percent before they started playing, and 21 percent in the United States on average.

“Most surprising were the magnitude of the gains in physical activity and the significant benefits for low-activity populations,” said Ryen White, the chief technology officer for health intelligence at Microsoft and a co-author of the study. “Novel mobile games like Pokémon Go have important public health implications, especially as a complement to existing physical activity interventions.”

Unfortunately, there’s a caveat, White and his co-authors explain. Pokémon Go “would have the potential to measurably affect U.S. life expectancy,” they write - if high engagement could be sustained.

That doesn’t appear to be the case, alas. An August report by the investment firm Axiom Capital Management suggested that the game’s popularity peaked in mid-July and that engagement rates have since decreased steadily. More recent data from AppAnnie would appear to back that up: The game has fallen to 16th place in the App Store games category, from third a month ago.

That could be changed, White argues: It’s just a matter of design. New sorts of challenges, and new variants in the game, could keep people playing - and walking - for longer periods. Maybe Pokémon Go could take a cue from augmented reality fitness apps, such as The Walk and Zombies, Run!, which use immersive stories to retain players’ attention. Or maybe Niantic needs to tweak some of the features that make the game tedious in its middle stages.

Personally, Bell says, that could lure him back: He’s looking forward to the rumored, upcoming release of “Pokémon Go: Generation 2.”

“That’ll probably get me back into it,” he said. “At least for another month or two.”

Check Out These Tips For Proper Weight Loss

2017-09-22T17:36:00.002-07:00

There are lots of methods to help with weight loss. You need to experiment to find the one that works best for you. The tips that follow should help you to make further progress on the journey to your ideal weight.

A good way of shedding the pounds is by going hiking. You can enjoy nature time and fresh air while burning calories. The more strenuous and difficult the hike is, the bigger amounts of calories you will use.

It is recommended that cardio be done in the mornings before breakfast for maximum weight loss. Experts have demonstrated that doing cardio before eating breakfast burns four times as many calories as doing it after eating.

TIP! Consider drinking coffee as a means to lose weight. Coffee can provide a much needed boost to get you going and stick with your workout routine.

Eating chunky soup instead of a meal can help you lose weight. It is never wise to just drink your calories. Soups with large chunks of healthy ingredients will keep you more full than those that are creamy.

Weight Loss

To assist in weight loss, a person should engage in other methods of travel other than an automobile. Walking, bicycling, running, rollerblading, and various other physical transportation methods can burn calories. These are calories you took on during the day that would otherwise be stored in your body. However by burning those calories it can be prevented.

TIP! One simple way to lose lots of weight is to do aerobic exercise. Cardio includes running, walking and riding on the bicycle or elliptical at the gym.

Packing lunches daily is vital to a crucial component of any weight loss plan. This puts you only have as much you should be eating. Controlling portions is something you should do if you want to weigh a good weight loss and keep on track.

Get a friend to be your exercise with. This can help make your exercise feel more enjoyable. You and your buddy can encourage each other encouragement and share stories of successes and failures.

Avoiding processed foods will help you reach your weight loss goals. Avoiding foods that are processed forces you to think about the foods you are and are not purchasing when you are grocery shopping. The chances of purchasing a bunch of junk food will be reduced tremendously.

TIP! A great way to drop weight is to drink milk before a meal. Milk will make you feel full, and drinking it right before you eat will help you to not eat so much at one sitting.

Some new fad diets eliminate all carbohydrates. This is not a nutritional point of eating nutritiously. Carbs are very important to function the best.

Do not make food a source of enjoyment. Some people love to cook and eating. Food can be a great way to spend time with others.Just find other things to do that you enjoy as much if not more. Try getting a hobby that will also help you lose weight.

When beginning a new diet, make sure your goals are realistic. If you set your goals too high, you will lose motivation and become discouraged over time. For any amount of weight you desire to lose, always give yourself some breathing room with your goals. The best way to make sure you’re being realistic is to set weekly subgoals. Take micro-steps. Concentrate on your weekly weight loss instead.

TIP! A pedometer is a great device to use for tracking overall steps during the day. You should be walking about 10,000 steps a day.

Think about reducing or eliminating alcoholic beverages if you are interested in losing weight.Alcohol contains many useless calories and useless.

One great tip for successful weight is to stay away from foods that are fried. There are various ways you can cook food that are much healthier and just as tasty. Some examples are baking, baking, broiling, and steaming. Using these cooking methods will help you slim down more quickly.

Don’t try and quit smoking the same time you’re trying to lose weight. Don’t quit until the weight is gone. When dieting, try not to engage in any extreme lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, as you could easily replace cigarettes with food. That is bad for a diet and will cause weight gain.

TIP! If you’re a dieter who just so happens to have a calendar on the wall, make sure you use it! Write out days to exercise, and stick to them. You’re probably not going to forget them as-is, but it is additional motivation.

Eating no more than 20g of sugar following a workout can actually have positive effects.

Weight Loss

Pack healthy snacks to munch on during the day if you work full-time. This is important because if you let yourself get too hungry, you probably won’t make healthy food choices. If you crash, you might eat junk food and ruin your weight loss plans.

TIP! Cutting down on fatty foods such as french fries can help you not only to lose weight, but can help keep your acne under control. Studies have found a large number of benefits attributed to eating more high-protein, low-fat foods.

Stay away from products that promise quick weight loss miracles. Any weight loss you lose quickly will probably be gained again once you are no longer taking the supplement.

If you enjoy dips and salad dressing with your veggies, consider a healthier alternative such as low-fat dressings and hummus instead of creamy, like a yogurt dip or hummus. This is a great way to quickly cut down on your calorie and fat.

Walking before your evening meal will curb your hunger so you eat less and also keep you metabolism burning calories longer. Your body will become satisfied sooner and help you eat less. You don’t need to already be fit for this to work out; it can help people that are overweight too.

TIP! Some diets are effective for some people, but not for others. By eating a diet that is low carb, many people experience results within seven days.

When going to the mall, try on clothing you want to buy, regardless of whether you can afford to get them right now.

When you are on a diet you cannot eat high calorie foods in a different manner than you treat healthy foods. For example, allow yourself a small piece of cake, surround it with fruit and the cake will be even more special.

Be sure to consume water before eating. If you are very hungry you may eat more than you need before your brain can signal you are full.

TIP! You can easily find low-cal varieties of some of your best-loved foods. The next time you want pizza, ask for less cheese, or choose frozen yogurt or low-fat ice cream in place of the regular variety.

The best tip that you can follow is to not eat less and to stay active.

Be wary of products that are advertised as low-calorie or low-fat.

There are many cardio options available besides running. Swimming is a great way for those with joint problems to get in a cardio workout and tone their muscles. Dance classes can also be a fun alternative.

TIP! Never underestimate the health benefits of sex. Keeping up a healthy sex life can work to control how much food you consume as well as burn some extra calories.

Even if you have a job requiring you to sit for long periods, if you walk around during the breaks you have you’ll be able to work on your weight loss goals anytime you need to.

If you notice your posture reverting back to normal, be sure to start again right when you remember. This increases your muscles as well as improve your posture.

Amass packages of nutritious foods to aid you battle the cravings to munch on foods that will curb your weight loss program. Buy small ziplock bags, and fill them with nuts, dried fruits, dried kale, or other nutritious options. These can easily be stored in your purse or desk at work.

TIP! Concerned about weight gain? It might be what you drink! Never neglect the fact that virtually any beverage you consume has calories in it. Sodas and fruit juice are high in calories.

An overweight child runs the risk of being an overweight in adulthood. No one ever wants that for their child. The proper time to educate them on healthy eating is when they are young. Teach a child how to read labels to get them interested in nutrition. You can also let them help plan meals for the family. Your kids will be grateful for your guidance when they become healthy adult.

A great tip for weight loss beginners is to take one step at a time. Start out by giving one or two small changes at a time. Trying to get rid of too many bad habits at once is not a good plan.

When you think about losing weight you need to start by getting yourself ready mentally. The actual loss of weight is physical; however, there is a lot of mental work to be done as well. Make yourself mentally prepared for what changes lie ahead.

TIP! An excellent way to control your weight is through portion control. As children we’re taught not to waste food and to eat everything on our plates.

Weight loss must be seen as a long term strategy and not just about fitting into that swimsuit.

Walk up stairs when available.This can help you burn calories and stretches your body.If quick weight loss is your goal, make it a point to take the stairs. Make sure you’re careful because if you fall you may hurt yourself, since a fall down the stairs will defiantly hinder your exercise plans.

Remember to keep your goals realistic. Most individuals start with having a goal in mind that is hard to aim for. It’s important to have a goal, but if you set an unrealistic goal, you’ll always fail and feel compelled to give up. By creating a goal that is unrealistic, you are setting yourself for failure.

TIP! Have your pets help you workout. Fluffy can help you burn just as many calories as a treadmill.

Create a goal and stick with your weigh loss routine. Understand that there will be times where you will feel tempted to cheat. When you are creating your plan, include healthier alternative to fight those temptations.

If you follow the rule of allowing yourself one treat each day, even if it is a high-calorie treat, you are much more likely to stay on your weight loss path and not feel deprived.

Drink water before and during your meal. Occasionally, your mind tricks you into thinking you are hungry when you are actually thirsty, which leads to unnecessary overeating. When you feel hungry, try consuming some water first. This techniques will help curtail overeating.

TIP!

Replace everyday sweet snacks with fresh fruit. If you have been snacking on candy bars, chocolates and other unhealthy items, replacing them with fruit provides you with a healthier form of sugar and the benefits of the fruits’ fiber, reach for some fruit and vegetables instead because this will help you lose weight and reduce your sugar cravings.

Many people forget to think realistically about their weight loss realistically.If you think you will lose the weight far more quickly than is realistic or push yourself too hard, you are more likely to give up and you won’t lose any weight.

TIP!

With this information and lots of willpower, you can lose weight and keep it off. Your food cravings are going to get tougher on certain days, so you must be prepared for that so you don’t go on a binge. You can make the changes you need.

Holistic Fitness: An Insight Into The New Craze Among Gym Shy Fitness Enthusiast

2017-09-22T17:35:00.001-07:00

For a regular gym goer since few years, it has helped him with physical fitness but mental well being has been a distant dream. So, she moved on to a regime that lets him practice swimming, sprinting, running, Olympic weight-lifting and boxing with a group of like minded people. This is holistic fitness.

For a fitness enthusiast being fit is no longer about losing weight on high-end machines. It is actually doing away with machines, the ‘hyper gym’ offers three main forms of training that involves mixed martial art, boxing, combat, cycling, rowing, ropes and rings, yoga and Cross Fit. In holistic fitness women are motivated who are more prone to stress and depression because of their sedentary lifestyle.

The holistic fitness movement arose out of a desire to bring increased awareness of mind-body-spirit unity to the exercising public. The goal of teaching exercise in a holistic manner is to broaden the pursuit of a conditioned body to include a more comprehensive commitment to health-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and communally.

Classes taught with this emphasis have the potential for creating a sort of group resonance and heightened sense of connection among participants. For many, holistic fitness has lowered the barriers and excuses to consistent exercise. The more you can address the whole person who is exercising in your class, the greater his or her appreciation and commitment to overall health and vitality.

The term holism was coined by South African author Jan Smuts to describe the unifying whole of organic life, and it has since extended to include both the material and non-material aspects of the universe. Holism is a complex philosophy that asserts that the whole of something is appreciably larger than the sum of its parts, and that parts are mis-perceived by us to be discrete entities. However, life forms are so interconnected and interdependent, they are in reality an “undivided wholeness” and have the potential to influence each other even when forcefully divided.

Holistic philosophy has informed the fields of ecology, biology, integrative medicine, psychology, and the social sciences. As a concept representing non-duality (seamless wholeness), holism is an integral part of the wisdom traditions, and a dynamic vision and practice first articulated by Hindu, Buddhist, and Chinese philosophy and several indigenous cosmologies.

By the early 20th century, general systems theorists advanced conventional Western world views by mapping out the interconnectedness of natural structures both within the social sciences (e.g., family, community, subculture, culture, earth, solar system) and within the biological sciences (e.g., subatomic waves/particles, atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, systems).

In the last century, quantum theory was developed by physicists, changing the underlying notions of reality, as well as opening up new fields of scientific paradoxes and mysteries.

Now when we say that divided parts of a whole continue to influence each other, we have amazing laboratory experiments to back it up. Paired atoms, when separated, continue to respond as if undergoing the same stimulus. The quantum world is indeed filled with examples of holism that inspire us with metaphors for experiencing oneness.

Holistic Health and Medicine

Professionally, holistic fitness is an offshoot of holistic health and medicine. The American Holistic Medical Association and the Holistic Nurses Association pioneered the first awakenings to weave holistic care into clinical practice.Holistic practitioners help patients balance their emotional and physical state through healthy lifestyles that include a change in attitude combined with the proper diet, exercise, stress management, healthy relationships, and a sense of meaning, purpose, and belonging.

Conventional medicine doctor Ralph Snyderman, MD, Chancellor Emeritus of Duke University, said, “It is essential for conventional medicine to recognize the needs of patients who are crying out for more comprehensive and holistic approaches than are currently being provided to them by their physicians. Integrating the best of scientific medicine with CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) strategies is termed ‘integrative medicine’ and is, in my view, a more effective as well as a compassionate approach to healthcare:”

Holistic medical practitioners at the Health Medicine Institute, a non-profit educational, clinical, and research association, teach a four-faceted approach: (a) a commitment to person-centred care, (b) prevention versus treatment, (c) personal responsibility, and (d) integrative collaboration among complementary fields.

Holistic fitness instructors can borrow from this model and apply lessons in their classes. They can reinforce the importance of daily physical activity as one of the best preventive “medicines” known, and they can encourage participants to accept personal responsibility for their health, while helping build cultural support through networking with local nutritionists, employee wellness programs, civic groups, farmers markets, health fairs, community parks and recreation departments, regional hospitals, clinics, and schools.

Holistic health requires the entire village.

Holistic fitness was not part of the initial launch of the fitness movement. It crept in later quietly and through a side door, so to speak. The early days of the fitness movement in the U.S. were underscored by the publication of cardiologist Ken Cooper’s ground breaking book in 1969, Aerobics, which launched a generation of runners gathering their aerobic points. This was soon followed by a wave of aerobic dance instruction heralded by Jacki Sorensen and Judi Shepherd Misset. Shortly afterwards, AFAA held its first certification work-shop and the fitness instruction profession rapidly grew to a worldwide phenomenon.

Conventional exercisers in the decades of the ’70s and ’80s were fueled with such enthusiasm that people often powered through tightness, pain, and stress in their efforts to grow stronger, faster, and leaner. As a result, bodies broke down almost as often as they became conditioned; complaints of overuse injuries, such as shin splints, stress reactions, and plantar fasciitis, grew more common. AFAA reported on several new exercise injury studies in the 1980s. Within a year, new guidelines suggested less repetition, slower beats per minute, and a “grounding” of high-impact classes, especially for beginners.

As an emerging movement form, holistic fitness classes draw from a variety of existing disciplines such as authentic dance, somatic education, Eastern energy traditions, and mind/body research in the medical field. Holistic fitness also flowed out of the larger cultural issues that were addressed by new inroads into positive psychology and the human potential movement, along with advocacy work in promoting healthy body image among exercise enthusiasts and professionals.