Tips and Tricks be Healthy

Healthy Travel Tips

2010-06-18T21:39:00.000+07:00

People are traveling and flying more and more everyday. It is important to keep your health first when traveling and sometimes that is easy to forget. There will be plenty of time to sit while you are on the plane, so use your waiting time to walk around and get your blood flowing and your muscles limber. Even if you have extra luggage you can carry it around and add the extra weight which will make your muscles work even harder, therefore burning more calories and boosting the metabolism. Avoid the people movers as you get closer to your gate. Use your time wisely and walk the distance. Your body will see an increase blood flow and will bring on big time benefits once on the plane.
One of the major reasons for jet lag is dehydration. The cabin inside the plane is like a huge dehumidifier. It can rapidly get rid of your body's fluids without you even realizing it. The key is to stay hydrated which means continuously drinking water. Not only will this hydrate your body, it will force you to get up to go to the bathroom which will encourage proper blood flow. This will keep your muscles from cramping, especially on long flights. While you're waiting in line for the bathroom, do some added stretches to enhance the blood flow even more. They dry air on the plan can also irritate your eyes. Taking a supplement such as fish oil or flax see had can help in this problem. This helps to lubricate the eyes from the inside out. Try not to rub your eyes while aboard the plane. This causes the vessels in your eyes to constrict. Don't use artificial tears either as they do the same thing. Check with your local chiropractor in Schaumburg for more healthy traveling tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Jhones

The Simplest Kidney Stone Natural Remedies - 5 Easy Tips to Pass Kidney Stones

2010-01-10T21:42:00.001+07:00

Most kidney stones can be passed easily and in this article you will learn about the simplest kidney stone natural remedies around. Many people are uninformed and believe that drinking plenty of water will do the trick for kidney stones.

Fortunately, research and studies have shown that there are numerous things you can do to both prevent and pass stones.

Tips to Pass Kidney Stones

If you understand the cause behind this disease, you will be better able to cure this disease. Did you know that this disease is most often caused by dehydration? Many people are not getting enough water to flush calcium from the kidneys. The result is a lot of pain and calcium deposits in your kidneys.

Research has proven that drinking water can help you cure yourself at home. Unfortunately, about 1 in 10 people will need more than water. Because the stones are composed of calcium, they can be easily dissolved and flushed painlessly.

Here are some simple and effective tips you can try today.

Kidney Stone Natural Remedies

1. Drinking distilled water instead of regular tap or bottled water can help keep your kidneys flushed of all minerals that can cause stone build up. Distilled water is mineral free and can be purchased at any grocery store.

2. You should also be eating at least 4 servings of vegetables daily and 2 servings of fruit. Both fruit and veggies contain water soluble fiber which can flush your body and kidneys.

3. Acidic remedies are extremely popular because they can help dissolve the calcium stones. The most effective acidic remedy is phosphoric acid which can be found in many beverages.

4. Herbal remedies are also popular. Juniper is one of the finest herbs available for healing and restoring the kidneys. Juniper can act so quickly that the ache of the kidney pain can be removed within minutes of chewing the berries.

5. Finally, you may also wish to supplement the herb ginger which has been shown to be effective for cleansing the kidneys among other organs.

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About The Author
Joe Barton and Barton Publishing would like to help you flush your kidney stones in 24 hours or less. Learn more with our Kidney Stones Natural Remedies Report.

Preventing The Rise Of Bad Cholesterol

2009-11-01T22:28:00.001+07:00

By Expert Author: Jan Richards

It is scientifically proven that the genes you inherit have something to do with high-rise cholesterol levels in the body. The vast majority factor is due to lifestyle, saturated fat intake and calorie, poor eating habits especially without exercise, excessive drinking (alcohol enhance rise of cholesterol), and menopausal stage in women when estrogen is on the brink to diminish, and mostly with the senior citizens group.

Lowering Cholesterol Level is definitely gird to right-on-the-spot suspension to what's already been existing (bad LDL) that's exposed to some tolerating factors triggering fatal risk to life in the absence of any remedial measures.

INSTANT SOLUTIONS TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL LEVEL

Many people have the primary notion, by merely engaging in exercise, eating the right food without saturated animal fats, lard and dairy, it could be a total solution to treat high cholesterol levels. Going thru these food lipid sources does not mean it instantly suspends the side effects to various cardiovascular diseases, and disorders in the artheroma degeneration relating to the arterial walls.

A research that would benefit a great deal to suspend the existing risk to high cholesterol level that calls for instant decrease is introduced from credibly efficient, and effective medication from reliable Medical Groups doing prescriptions of "Statins," the CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium), actual medicine to put to a halt on too high bad cholesterol levels down by 52%, at a 10mg. dosage, compared to the 7 mg placebo.

Additional advantage of this statin type drug "Crestor," it increases the HDL (good cholesterol) by 14%, versus to 3% up HDL of the placebo. Imagine, medicating to lower the LDL- bad cholesterol, and at the same instant working to increase the HDL-good cholesterol. Its indeed significant pro-life saving approach-defense to a rise in the side effects disorders, and ailments that link to bad cholesterol.

The application of the medicine could only be fully administered by your licensed physician to qualify for a prescription. Best inform your medical consultant about other things affecting your life and lifestyles, your pre-conditioned health status, and among other things; as, (1) liver, kidney problems, and woman-pregnancy, (2) excessive or non-excessive drinking, alcohol affects functions of the liver, (3) family history-line of high cholesterol cases, (4) if you're currently with problems on diabetes, thyroid functions, and hypothyroidism, recently been heart or hypertension attack victim, (5) have any problem other than these diseases that are associated with high cholesterol (6) of Chinese or Japanese ancestry, (7) taking over the counter medicines, "antacids," (8) also inform what prescriptions are you taking aside from all the rest.

Side effects may arise in the event you're taking the CRESTOR, like constipation, muscle aches, abdominal pain, weakness and nausea. These are just mild symptoms and tend to go away in time.

The importance in maintaining normal cholesterol level is to get thru minimal access to fatty substances that are unsaturated. A reliable research on the effect of "olive" oil for use in our daily cooking is best introduce in reducing bad cholesterol.

On the other hand, the "coconut oil" from among several vegetable oils like sunflower, corn, soy, rapeseed, palm kernel, and cottonseed still excel as the best to be cholesterol reducing medium to bad cholesterol. This is based on a report from Dr. P. Rethinam and Mohartuyo, Asian and Pacific Coconut Community press Released and quoted from the Jakarta Post, June 18, 2003. All other things about the coconut oil are good advantage to health concerning cholesterol levels were contents in that PR issue.
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Preventing-The-Rise-Of-Bad-Cholesterol/156449

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your Health

2009-10-10T22:54:00.001+07:00

The choices you make are important to healthy living. If you are one of the many people who has begun to think about what lies ahead for you, it’s time to begin to look toward doing something about it. The choices you make now and in the future will determine how well you will stand up to the perils of life as you approach your senior years. By taking the time to learn some ways you can improve your life now can help you live longer and healthier.

Eating a Healthier Diet

Most of us are guilty of not eating foods that are good for our health. We develop poor eating habits at an early age, and we tend to put off making changes that will improve our well being. We may make small changes when the need for losing weight is important or during a time when certain foods may take a tool on the way we feel, but it takes something major for us to really make a change in the way we eat. The problem is that quite often by the time we make the decision to make changes, it’s too late for them to make a difference. We must begin early in life to develop healthy eating habits, and we must continue those habits through out our lives.

Develop an Exercise Routine

Exercise is an important part of remaining healthy. If you don’t have an exercise routine already, you should develop one based on your own abilities. Even if you are only able to walk around the block a few times a day, you will be doing something that is good for your body. No matter what the condition of your health may be it’s important to exercise on a regular basis. Aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, skiing, and bicycling are best, and you want to perform your routine long enough to increase your heart rate.

Reduce Stress

Stress is always an important issue, but as we get older, it begins to take a greater toll on our health. It’s important to learn to reduce stress levels before they cause severe health problems, and the best time to do that is when you are still young enough to fight the impulse to allow stress to consume you. Even every day conditions such as asthma, allergies, and even colds and hay fever can be caused by stress. Stress can cause the immune system to break down, and when that happens, it is ripe for many different conditions and illnesses.

Maintain a Proper Weight

In order to stay healthy, you need to keep your weight within normal range. If you are overweight, you will have less energy and thus be unable to exercise or even do household chores. Excess weight also puts a strain on your heart and makes you more likely to have a heart attack. Of course, maintaining a proper weight falls in directly with the other methods of developing a healthy lifestyle since you need to exercise and eat healthy foods in order to maintain a proper weight. Since many people have a tendency to overeat when they are under stress, keeping that in control can also help you keep your weight within normal range. Although some recent evidence suggests that being up to 10% overweight is healthier than being 10% underweight, it is healthier to be as close to a normal range as possible.

Making the choice to change your lifestyle is essential if you want to live a healthy and pain free lifestyle. There is no substitute for healthy living, and healthy living comes from making lifestyle changes that affect your complete body and mind. Only by making those important changes can you expect to live a normal, healthy life into your golden years.

About The Author
Mary Watson writes weight loss, diet plan, health, beauty and general well-being articles for the Slim Eazy website at http://www.slimeazy.com

List Of Things You Can Do To Lower Your Cholesterol

2009-08-26T23:01:00.002+07:00

By Expert Author: Jan Richards

Experts say that people who are over 20 years of age should pay more attention to their cholesterol level and advise them to do everything they can to lower their levels of "bad" cholesterol. Despite the so many claims that you can lower your cholesterol level through low cholesterol diet plans, lifestyle changes, and monitored medication, more and more people who suffer from this condition still fail to lower their cholesterol level.

Although it is sometimes hard to stick with the needed requirements to be able to lower your cholesterol levels, it is still possible to get the result that you want by following these easy ways to lower to cholesterol:

1. Make sure you know where you stand by getting your levels checked regularly. Visiting your doctor and getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly is very important to achieving optimum health for good. Since high cholesterol is related to cardiovascular disease, make sure that you know your numbers so you can rearrange your diet and change lifestyle habits as well. Knowing your cholesterol level will also help you decide what kind of diet plan you should follow and if you need medication and treatment already. Knowing your starting point will also help you monitor your progress toward healthy cholesterol levels. If you know your exact cholesterol status then you can also do something to combat it by learning to quit cigarette smoking and excessive eating of high cholesterol foods.

2. Understanding the basics and learning everything you can about the condition. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol levels, the first thing to do is to understand the situation fully and acquire more information about the condition. By conducting your own personal research on the condition will also make you knowledgeable about initial lifestyle changes you can do to lessen the problem and you will also have an idea what other treatments options available. Knowing everything about cholesterol, its types, kinds, and health risks will also make you understand that the case is not really hopeless if you are in the right track.

Finding and getting more information about the condition will also make you realize that there are so many things that you can do. You can get more information from a registered dietician, local centers for nutrition, local hospital or public health department, and from a consultation with your attending physician or health care provider.

3. Watch your weight and get rid of extra pounds if needed. Monitoring your weight is one of the best ways to combat high levels of cholesterol. If you think you are overweight for your age and height, then you should be contemplating on slimming down to be able to decrease your high cholesterol level. Since being overweight disrupts a person's normal metabolism of dietary fat, experts say that people who weight more than they should shout start planning on a healthy lifestyle and diet to lose weight safely.

But, before having a drastic change in your diet and lifestyle, make sure that you visit your doctor first to access your overall health. Doing this may prevent further damage especially if you have to undergo certain medications.

4. Get physical, do regular physical activities and exercises more often. The wonders of exercise are indeed very essential in lowering high cholesterol levels. Doing regular physical activities can also help raise the good cholesterol levels and lose weight as well. There's really no need for high-intensity workouts, regular brisk walking or jogging can help the body boost HDL cholesterol and also beneficial for the heart.

5. Make a commitment and stick to that commitment. The best way to lower cholesterol levels is to be able to develop the discipline to stick to your goal. You can also lower your cholesterol level by acquainting yourself what are the good and the bad fat and its sources, by discovering the wonders of fiber in cutting down cholesterol, by taking in good multivitamins, by freeing yourself from lots of stress, and by exploring and considering treatment options when all else fails.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/List-Of-Things-You-Can-Do-To-Lower-Your-Cholesterol/156458
Article Tags: cholesterol, health, cholesterol, cholesterol ratio, low cholesterol foods, high cholesterol foods, normal cholesterol levels,

Different Ways in Changing How You Eat

2009-08-03T22:25:00.002+07:00

By Expert Author: Jan Richards

As you may know, not fueling up with the right nutrients can affect how well your body performs and your overall fitness benefits. Even though healthy eating is important, there are myths that hinder your performance if you listen to them. Below, you'll find some myth busters on healthy eating.

1. Working out on an empty stomach.

If you hear a rumbling noise in your stomach, the rumbling is trying to tell you something. Without listening to them, you are forcing your body to run without any fuel. Before you exercise or do any physical activity, always eat a light snack such as an apple.

2. Relying on energy bars and drinks.

Although they are fine every once in a while, they don't deliver the antioxidants you need to prevent cancer. Fruits and vegetables are your best bets, as they are loaded in vitamins, minerals, fluid, and fiber.

3. Skipping breakfast.

Skipping breakfast is never a good idea, as breakfast starts the day. Your body needs fuel as soon as possible, and without it, you'll be hungry throughout the day.

4. Low carb diets.

Your body needs carbohydrates for your muscles and the storing of energy.

5. Eating what you want.

Eating healthy and exercising doesn't give you an all access pass to eat anything you want. Everyone needs the same nutrients whether they exercise or not, as well as fruits and vegetables.

6. Not enough calories

Although losing weight involves calories, losing it too quickly is never safe. What you should do, is aim for 1 - 2 pounds a week. Always make sure that you are getting enough calories to keep your body operating smoothly. If you start dropping weight too fast, eat a bit more food.

7. Skip soda and alcohol.

Water, milk, and juice is the best to drink for active people. You should drink often, and not require on thirst to be an indicator. By the time you get thirsty, your body is already running a bit too low.

Changing how you eat is always a great step towards healthy eating and it will affect how your body performs. The healthier you eat, you better you'll feel. No matter how old you may be, healthy eating is something you should strive for. Once you give it a chance, you'll see in no time at all just how much it can change your life - for the better.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Different-Ways-in-Changing-How-You-Eat/157755
Article Tags: cholesterol, health, cholesterol, cholesterol ratio, low cholesterol foods, high cholesterol foods, normal cholestero

The Most Serious Health Concerns for Women and What You Can Do

2009-07-24T09:21:00.002+07:00

by: Megan Hazel

These days, it seems women have more health concerns than ever. Perhaps they are greater in number than ever before or perhaps we are just more aware of women's issues as women are more comfortable having them brought to the forefront.

One issue that continually does get the attention it deserves is breast cancer. The breast cancer statistics are alarming, and almost everyone you know has a sister or mother who has suffered from this deadly disease. If caught early enough, it does not have to be deadly. In fact, there are things you can do so that you don't get it at all. Every woman (young and old) should be checking their breasts monthly to detect for any strange lumps or any unusual signs. This can be done in the shower, with one arm raised and the other performing the checking task. Any doctor can show you the specifics on how to do this. If you do sense something suspicious, make an appointment with your doctor right away to have it looked at. The other thing you can do is be a conscious consumer; every day the FDA is coming out with new information as to what may be potential carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), from food additives to plastics to environmental hazards. Becoming aware and taking the time to be educated can make all the difference in the world.

Another major health concern for women is heart disease. This continues to be the number one killer of women, actually, and it doesn't just happen to those you would suspect. When people think of heart disease, most people think of the severely obese. However, women can suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, and clogged arteries from poor food choices, lack of exercise, and stress. Believe it or not, if you eat fast food on a regular basis and skip the gym in favor of drinks after a very stressful work day that ends at 7:00 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m., you may be in a higher risk category than your friend who remains calm, eats a lot of healthy food choices, and practices yoga a couple times a week. If you know you are in the first group, the best thing you can do for yourself is to start making small changes. If you can't get away from a stressful job or career, make sure to step away each hour and do deep breathing exercises, and stretch your body while at work. Go to the ladies room to do it if necessary! Try to make smarter food choices, even if it means just eliminating one of your ‘junk food meals' a week. If you're not big on exercise, start with a simple walk a couple times a week and go from there. The sooner you make these changes, the healthier you will be and the less at risk for heart disease.

A third issue for women and one that has been on the rise for quite some time is obesity. The "average" American woman has increased in size to a size 12 or even a size 14, with many women reaching far beyond that size. This can be unhealthy depending on your body fat percentage. While women can take some of the same steps as with heart disease discussed above, people who suffer from obesity may need to take more drastic measures in order to get their weight down. If you are obese, it is definitely time to get your diet in check so that you don't later develop heart disease, or adult diabetes, or a host of other problems from being overweight. Eating a lot of processed, artificially sweetened, or sugar and fat-laden foods is likely a habit, and one that needs to be nipped in the bud. Hand in hand with poor eating habits is exercise habits, and if you don't have any it's time to get some! It will be difficult at first, and you are likely to be winded and tired after a very short time of exertion. However, if you keep pushing through the challenging times you will soon see and feel the difference. You will notice you have more energy, as your workout time may go from ten minutes on the treadmill to fifteen to twenty. As you benefit from this greater energy, it will not only help power you through your workout sessions, but it will put a brighter spin on the rest of your life. You will find you have more energy throughout the day, and chances are you will continue to burn calories because of this. You will probably find an easier time making healthy food choices if you incorporate exercise into your fight against obesity as well.

Women's issues can be the same as men's issues or they can be different. The good news is, women's health concerns get discussed more than they used to, and this gives us greater power in awareness.

About The Author
Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about health and fitness topics, similar to what consumers read in http://www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?mid=7765 Women's Health

Effects of Music on the Mind and Brain

2009-07-20T11:30:00.002+07:00

How does music influence the working of the human mind and brain? What are the effects of music on the mind and brain? Read on to find out...
The study of the effects of music on the mind and brain has been a subject of interest for many. The interconnection between music and the physical and mental health of human beings has been researched since long. The research has concluded that music does have positive effects on the mind and brain of human beings. Music has the power of healing certain ailments. Indian classical music has been found to have the strongest healing powers. Be it about fighting anxiety, be it about speeding the healing process, music is the answer to all the queries. Find information about classical music.

Effects of Music on the Mind

There are times when one feels depressed. Feelings of gloom and inadequacy fill one’s mind and carrying out even the daily activities becomes difficult. Depression reduces brain activity and hampers the mind’s ability to plan and execute tasks. Lack of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin, leads to a depressed state of mind. Soothing musical notes help increase the Serotonin levels of the brain, thus alleviating mental depression.

Anxiety is associated with an upcoming event that may have an unknown outcome. It may lead to sleeplessness and other anxiety disorders. Music plays a vital role in calming the nerves and soothing one’s mind. Flat musical notes induce sleep, while natural notes provide the mind with alertness.

Music is found to affect the process of learning and thinking. If work is accompanied by quiet and soothing music, it helps the listener think, analyze and work faster in a more efficient manner. Music develops a positive attitude in the listeners and provides them with motivation. Surveys have shown that music brings about remarkable improvements in the academic skills of students, who are made to listen to certain kinds of music while studying or working in the lab. Listening to pleasant music, while doing a difficult task, can make it seem easier.

Music has a positive effect on the interpersonal skills of an individual. Failures that we face in life are often the result of lack of confidence and lack of desire to learn. Students obtaining poor school grades do not necessarily lack intelligence. Their poor academic results are often an outcome of their lack of motivation and their disinterest. Music lessons during school can help the students fight their mental block. Music proves helpful in encouraging young children to venture new fields. It helps them develop the confidence needed to achieve success in life.

Effects of Music on the Brain

Music has a positive effect on the concentration level of the listeners. It is also found to improve one’s memory. Research has found that the silence between two musical notes triggers the brain cells and neurons, which are responsible for the development of sharp memory. Flute music, and instruments like santoor and sarod are recommended for the enhancement of concentration and memory. Strong beats cause the brain waves to resonate in synch with the beat bringing about higher levels of concentration and alertness.

Music plays a vital role in enhancing creativity. Music has a positive impact on the right side of the brain. Music triggers the brain center, which deal with the development of creativity. Certain ragas are known to activate all the chakras of the listener’s body, thus benefiting him/her in the performance of other creative tasks.

Music is found to give students the capacity to trust themselves. It provides them with an internal discipline. Rhythm is known to help the students learn math. Music stimulates the brain centers that deal with thinking, analyzing and planning, thus enhancing one’s organizational skills.

Music helps secrete endorphins that help in speeding the process of healing. It acts as an effective distraction from pain and suffering. While diverting one's mind away from pain, it also helps bring about certain chemical processes in the brain that aid healing. After undergoing surgery, patients may be advised to undergo a music therapy. Listening to melodious, comforting music is sure to have a positive effect on the physical and mental well-being of patients.

How does Music affect your Mood?

Some look at music as a hobby; for some music is their passion, while some pursue music as their career. Music has a direct influence on your mood. Book stores, restaurants and shopping malls often keep some music playing in the background. The kind of music they choose to play depends on the kind of audiences they target. Music is found to enhance customer experience. Music being played in malls and restaurants peps up the mood of customers. People tend to spend more time in malls or hotels that play pleasant music. Music brightens up the atmosphere around you and is definite to cheer you up. Sad tunes often bring tears to the eyes. Cheerful songs brighten up your mood. Different types of tunes are seen to create different kinds of moods and arouse different kinds of emotions.

Listening to music gives me an experience of divine pleasure. What about you? Find information on music.

By Manali Oak
Published: 11/3/2008

Eating Correctly To Drop Your Cholesterol

2009-07-14T09:20:00.002+07:00

By Expert Author: Jan Richards

We are raising an obese society. With big-sizing everything that we eat especially in fast food chains, we are slowly clogging our arteries with unnecessary fats and cholesterol that our bodies do not actually need and cannot use.

The result is of course a society that is pestered with different kinds of cholesterol complications such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and overweight problems. In fact, one of the problems that the country is facing is the rising prevalence of people with hypertension, which can lead to a possible heart attack when not taken cared of.

So what can you do lower your cholesterol levels? The first line, perhaps the only one that is truly effective is a combination of regular exercise and proper diet. These two activities go hand in hand. Without one factor, you cannot succeed. Dieting without exercising the body will only lead to weak muscles, which will eventually weaken the body's resistance.

It may also lead to fatigue and sore muscles because there is not enough nutrients in the body. Exercising, on the other hand, without the proper diet is useless because you will only be maintaining your usual weight.You will not be gaining of course, because you are burning whatever you need; but you will not be losing any pound either.

Besides, exercising too much will strain the muscles and might even lead to a possible heart attack because of too much strain to the heart.

So what do you have to eat in order to lower those cholesterol levels in the body and ultimately prevent the occurrence of hypertension?

Eat less oil

One of the first things that a person dieting should avoid is to eat foods that are deep-fried or those that are cooked using oil. These include potato chips, fries, fried meat, fried seafood, fried veggies and a whole lot more.

Oil, when taken into the body translates to cholesterol. What you should be eating are foods that are boiled, steamed, baked and braised. Grilled foods may also be eaten but not so much.

Eat less meat

The fats from meat contain a lot of cholesterol. If you can avoid eating meat all the frequently, better; but if you can't stop munching those meat, just remove the fats that hang on the side. Chicken and Turkey meat is a lot healthier so if you can have a choice, opt for these kinds of meat products. Don't forget to remove the skin though as cholesterol concentrate in white meats can be found on the skin.

Eat vegetables

Vegetables do not only contain zero cholesterol, it is also a great source of fibers that help the body in digesting the food that we take in.

As much as possible, steam the vegetables that you eat to maintain the nutrients in it and of course avoid fatty and cholesterol additives like oils.

Eat less period

Try to curb that appetite slowly by taking in less food that you normally take in. If you can lessen the number of times that you eat or of you do want snacks, eat healthy snacks like fruits.

Try to also lessen the carbohydrates that you take in, which can be found in rice, cereals and bread. If you must eat these staple opt for the healthier kind like brown rice and wheat bread.
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Eating-Correctly-To-Drop-Your-Cholesterol/155010

Weight Loss Tips That Help You Create A Thin, Yet Healthy Body

2009-07-11T21:36:00.002+07:00

Added by Patricia Zelkovsky
In order to avoid any problem on health, it is best to maintain a healthy, well balanced diet. In this way, you gain control in developing your body into something that is desirable and in good physical shape.
On the other hand, if you are one of those many people who are currently suffering from obesity and other weight-related problems, it is best that you learn the secret to effective weight loss now or suffer the consequences more.
To get you started, here are some practical weight loss tips that will let you get the body shape that you want and stay at the peak of health.
Keep your eye on your metabolism
Sugar, you see, set off specific "metabolic processes" that are both madness for your waistline and damaging to your health. Sugar is considered as a metabolic toxic.
The American diet mainly consists of sugar. No wonder why nearly one-third of the American adult population is considered as obese.
And even if you do not take sugar straight, you will find it already inserted into a thousand different foods and beverages before they come to your table, put, for the most part, into stuff that, if it had not been made so sweet, you would wrinkle your nose up at.
Consequently, the problem continues to prevail if information had been disseminated regarding the harmful effects of excessive sugar content in the body.
The point here is that common sense will dictate that when a lot of people try the same answer to the same problem and they all fail, there is something wrong with their solution. And avoiding sugar may not be the simple solution after all.
You may have tried a low-calorie diet and you may have seen other people tried it. After a promising start, they end up as failures.
So the question now lies on whether sugar is really bad for the body or is it because it triggers certain metabolic processes that the body does not need.
Be wary on your insulin
Insulin is produced in the islets of Langerhans, a fraction of your pancreas. By the time your blood sugar increases, insulin dashes forward and change a fraction of "glucose" to "glycogen." Glycogen is a stored starch in the liver and the muscles. It is readily made available for energy consumption.
If all the glycogen supply areas are loaded, considering that there is too much glucose in the blood in spite of everything, which is, in essence outside the required amount of the body to function normally, insulin will alter the surplus to "fatty tissue" known as "triglyceride," which humans have in their bodies as the main substance of "adipose tissue."
No wonder why insulin has been known as the "fat-producing hormone."
In essence, insulin is an excellent worker. Otherwise, your body could not administer glucose, its primary energy, and levels of "blood glucose" will increase while the body explored for supplementary energy, your muscle tissue and fat stores.
On the other hand, assuming insulin is too efficient, or in abundance, it would administer a large amount of glucose to distribute it in the blood to stimulate the brain.
As an obese person gains more weight, the insulin dilemma gets bigger too. Various studies have exposed that the overweight person is exceptionally insensitive to the administration of insulin.
For so many years now, most weight loss tips have focused on exercise and proper balanced diet. Health experts say it is time to focus on these two important aspects of maintaining weight to achieve positive results.
About the Author:
Daily Healthy Weight Loss, Dieting and Fitness Tips can be found at http://The-Weightloss-Guide.com/blog

Tips for Weight Loss for the Teenager

2009-06-21T15:52:00.002+07:00

Many teenagers are overweight, but even more just think they are. Tips for Weight Loss for the Teenager encourages the teenager to look at facts not fads or friends when considering whether or not to take action to lose weight.
In these modern times even teenagers are concerned about their weight. This is especially true with teenage girls. If you are a teenager and are concerned about your weight you need to really consider the next question seriously. Are you truly overweight or do you just have everybody telling you that you are?

Media, peers (your friends) advertisements, television, radio and many other sources have a way of making you feel guilty about your weight if you don't look like some super model. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look good but that can be taken to extremes. Many teenagers, young women in particular, are obsessed with their weight to the extent of even starving themselves and actually being underweight. I doubt if that is your situation but you need to be aware of the problem and be sure you are not in this category.

Young people's bodies are still growing and maturing and need proper nutrition and at times their physical proportions can be off a bit. We used to know a young man that had an enormously large head for his body size. We used to call him "Big Head Bill". Man did he have a cranium! Guess what, as he became an adult his body caught up and even though his head is the same size we no longer call him "Big Head Bill", well maybe once in a while. Now what if Bill was obsessed with his seemly large head and tried drastic measures to reduce its size. I can't imagine what he would do but he might end up hurting himself in some way!

This may be somewhat funny but the same could be true of you. You're still growing into an adult and you may feel a bit awkward and even be teased about your physical appearance but most likely things will work out. Bill didn't care; he told everyone that his big head housed an enormously large brain. If you think about it, that was a pretty smart attitude to have!

You need to be reasonable with your assessment of yourself. Ask yourself "Do I feel I am overweight or is everyone else telling me I am?" Now if you feel you do need to lose a few pounds why not get a second opinion just to be safe. Ask your parents. I know, you don't want to get them involved. Well it is a good idea but if you refuse you could ask another adult (not a teenager) that you feel comfortable with, maybe a relative or your teacher. Here is some tips for weight loss for you.

If you decide that you still need to lose some weight be sure to go about it responsibly. Eat healthy meals and don't skip any, especially breakfast. Exercise and get plenty of sleep. Any quality weight loss program will make sure you do all of the above and more to keep you healthy and strong, oh and I almost forgot, feel great about yourself!

www.my5starreview.comBy Robert Hemken Jr.

Expert Guide To Sexually Transmitted Disease

2009-03-29T11:39:00.002+07:00

From the moment we start to become sexually active, we start to put ourselves at risk from stds. there's a wide range of stds that can put us at risk and we want to use this guide to tell you a little more about them, as well as tips on how you can protect yourself from them and get treatment.

Do not use this sexual health guide as a substitute for visiting your dr or sexual health centre. If you've got any concerns about any aspect of your sexual health, make sure you go to one of these places immediately.

Sexually transmitted diseases and stis are infections or diseases that are transmitted by via sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. sometimes sexually transmitted diseases and stis can also be transmitted by syringes after they have been used by an a person who is infected with an std, as well as childbirth or breastfeeding.

You can discover more about the vast variety of sexually transmitted diseases and stis below, because we've listed many functional information about a number of the most common.

Chlamydia is one of the most widespread stis in the uk. Chlamydia often has no visible symptoms, which means that it can frequently not be diagnosed. However, the infection is treatable when diagnosed.

If it is left untreated, chlamydia could lead to pelvic pain, pain during sex, & sometimes bleeding between periods. Men might suffer from swelling of the tube that leads from the bladder to the top of the penis, as well as swelling of the tube leading from the testes to the penis.

Syphilis is a truly hardcore sexually transmitted infection, which is caused by a bacteria known as treponema pallidum.

Syphilis is generally passed on during sexual contact. it can also be transmitted by by direct skin contact with someone that has a syphilis rash or syphilis sores or by a blood transfusion.

The symptoms are the same in women & men, although they can be difficult to recognise. without treatment, the syphilis infection can cause hardcore long-term damage & lead to death.

For many more help & advice on sexually transmitted diseases and stis, please visit your regional sexual health centre. they will be able to test you, as well as offer treatment.

You could also try visiting your doctor for many more advice. don't be embarrassed about visiting your dr, they regularly see problems of a sensitive nature.

There's multitude ways to protect yourself against stds & sexually transmitted infections, although only abstaining from sex is 100 percent safe. inspite of the cost, those who are sexually active can protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections & stds by ensuring they have regular std & sti tests. as well as this, condoms should be worn for all kinds of sexual activity. these'll protect you from many sexually transmitted infections & stds, as well as pregnancy.
Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com
Sarah Hyllok is an expert on sexually transmitted diseases. She has spent 15 years as a sex therapist helping bored couples.

Avoidance In How To Get Rid Of Anxiety And Panic

2009-02-22T09:17:00.001+07:00

Added by John Morris;
If you avoid dealing with your problems, they will surely only be able to get larger. Thus, instead of avoiding problems, it is wise to face the issues, rather than dismiss them. If you allow problems to add up, it will only cause you bigger problems later. If you face your own problems, that means that you can potentially defeat them, and not just temporarily, but for good!
Avoidance is a strategy that evades fear but it is never permanant. What you desire is a more permanant solution, right? When you start dodging bullets the bullets in time will aim, hit, and fire. Once the bullets start firing they usually shoots in numbers, thus building up fire to hit the target. What you have to do is reverse those bullets and aim them in another direction. In other words, search the mind for new ideas that will help you to better self. If you work to better self, you will soon find anxiety and panic redirecting its bullets to another person searching to get rid of anxiety and panic.
Bullets when they hit the fan will cause enormous pain, thus avoidance is bullets that hit, hit, and finally burn out your emotions. The emotions are powerful and if you gain control of your emotions, you will feel an enormous power within. Emotions express feelings, sentiment, sensations, and passion. Sentiments deliver responses, reactions, attitudes, opinions, and outlooks. Sensations are our feeling that helps us to sense while expression impressions, delivering awareness, conscious and so forth. Now if avoidance
One of the biggest problems in life is people fail to get to know self. Often the reason is simple, such as they do not want the big responsibility that comes along with knowing self. Responsibility includes liability, blame, and accountability, that is a deep threat to the emotions. The deal is learning to accept, understand, and go with it. If you face responsibility, you will soon face consciousness, reliability, and trustworthiness. For this reason, what are you afraid of, take responsibility?
We come from a life that breaks us down mentally, and tears us apart like shreds. Each day we survive another bullet goes in our soul (body) making us turn another way and try to avoid the reality impact. Impacts often strike the emotions leading to reactions, that lead to consequences. Thus, if you train the mind to learn that reactions lead to consequences and consequences lead to responsibility you have a chance.
If you plan on taking the stance that life is a vacation, a whole lot of possibilities open up for you. Anxiety is worry. Sometimes we fret or worry over things we have no control more than often we worry over things we do have control. It takes you to take your control and live your life with responsibilities while stopping the avoidance to lead your life. If you honestly sit down and just think about all of your problems, or even write them down, you can probably identify those problems that you have no control over. Don't worry about those problems.
About the Author:
For more great anxiety depression related articles and resources check out http://anxietyportal.info
Article Source:
http://www.freearticles.co.za/health/avoidance-in-how-to-get-rid-of-anxiety-and-panic.htm

Diet Tips & More for a Healthy and Trim Body 1. Timing. Try to eat every 3-4 hours so that you never get so hungry that you’re tempted to overeat at

2009-02-08T10:45:00.002+07:00

Diet Tips & More for a Healthy and Trim Body

1. Timing. Try to eat every 3-4 hours so that you never get so hungry that you’re tempted to overeat at mealtime. Have breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and post-dinner snack. Don’t skip breakfast or any meal for that matter. You’ll make yourself too hungry and you’ll overeat at the next meal. If you try to starve yourself you’re body will go into starvation mode where your metabolism will slow down drastically, keeping you from losing weight and actually making you more likely to hold onto calories the next time you do eat.

2. Portions. Use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate. An easy guideline for each meal is to have the plate be roughly be 1/4 carbs, 1/4 lean protein, and 1/2 fruits or vegetables at each meal. No second helpings, but if you are really hungry then take more vegetables.
3. Eat slowly. This one is one of the hardest and easiest things to do. It’s hard because the pace of our eating reflects the pace of everything around us, which is fast, fast, fast! So you must make a conscious effort at each meal to do this. Once you do this for a while you will establish a habit and from then on it will be easy. Perhaps before each meal you might want to close your eyes for 15 seconds, take a deep breathe to slow down, and then say to yourself something like “Take it slow. Taste this food. Enjoy it slowly. Release thoughts of work and other worries for now.” Then, when you do eat, take small bites and really taste and enjoy the food. This will give your body time to send your brain the “All Full” signal. If you only do one of these tips, do this one.
4. Snacks. For snacks have fruit, low calorie popcorn, or nuts (1 handful). Prepare these ahead of time so they are easy to grab. Keep junk food out of the house and you’ll be less likely to eat it.
5. Long Life Cocktail. This idea comes from the book “Fat Flush” by Louise Gittleman, a well respected dietitian. The recipe is 7 ounces water, 1 ounce pure cranberry juice, and 1 Tablespoon of ground flax seed. Have this once or twice a day for increasing your fiber, digestive regularity, and all the benefits which come from flax seeds. Those benefits are: lower cholesterol, antioxidant power, fiber, inhibiting the onset of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer, healing of inflamed intestines from Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. The pure cranberry juice will help to cleanse your liver and kidneys.
6. Dairy and Wheat products. If you find that these foods make you bloated, you might want to cut back on them. How to tell? Cut them from your diet for a week and see if you notice a difference. Just as good substitute: sprouted grain breads such as “Alvarado Street” or “Ezekial 4:9″. And there are many non-dairy substitutes such as rice milk which taste much better than you might imagine.
7. Sugar. For the most part, refined sugar is not good for you. Try to cut back or eliminate altogether. Blackstrap molasses or honey are better choices. Stevia root is a natural calorie free sweetener you might want to try. You can find it in healthstores. A good one is “Stevia Plus.” When having a sugar craving, have fruit instead.
8. Fiber. Try to get 25-30 grams of fiber per day. Fiber fills you up. It blocks the absorption of sugar and fat helping with weight loss and weight management. Having enough fiber in your diet will keep constipation away and will help lower your chances of cancer, such as colon cancer.

9. “100% Whole Grains.” Look for this exact phrase on cereals, crackers, bread, etc., but also check the nutrition labels. Anything else is not going to have as much fiber. Check the fiber count to be sure. Use whole grain pastas and breads. They will fill you up and they are healthier for you.
10. Vegetables. Learn to love them! Find a great book on how to cook vegetables that taste delicious. (Suggestion: “Vegetable Love” by Barbara Kafka) Have salad often. Be sure to measure out your salad dressing to keep from adding too many calories.
11. Chicken or Vegetable Broth and Soup. Use a cup of soup or broth as a snack. Have a cup before meals to feel full. And you can use broth to sautee vegetables instead of oil.
12. Oil. Only use olive oil or canola oil if you need it for cooking. Better yet, use flax oil on foods sauteed in broth to add flavor and health benefits. Don’t use flax oil for cooking and you must keep it refrigerated. Heat makes flax oil and flax seeds loose their healthful properties.
13. Cheese. Keep this to a minimum in your diet. The harder the cheese the better and keep in mind that a little can go a long way to add some flavor.
14. Hunger. If you are trying to lose weight, it’s ok to feel a little hungry, such as if you stay up late at night. If you’re feeling very hungry have some fruit and/or nuts. Or you could try a Long Life Cocktail or a Green Drink such as Green Vibrance. These drinks will fill you up and take the edge off your hunger so you can either go to sleep or make it until the next meal. The beneficial thing about Green Vibrance is that it contains the same kind of active cultures found in yogurt. These live cultures rid your body of yeast and help foster the healthy bacteria in your intestines for better digestive health.
15. Eliminate Toxins. Stay clear of all forms of tobacco. If you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t stop trying. If you keep trying you will eventually succeed! Keep alcohol to a minimum. Wash all fruits and vegetables with soap, water and a sponge. Try to buy organic if you can especially for produce where it really matters:
16. Chewing Gum. This is a good distraction between meals.
17. Calories. This totally free diet website has everything you need to know about how many calories you should eat, metabolic calculators, diet calculators,weight loss guides and more!
18. Eating Out. Think about what you will have before you go into the restaurant. Ask for extra vegetables instead of fries. Have salad or clear broth soup to fill up. Stay away from bread and butter.

19. Cheats. Allow yourself one cheat meal per week and do so in moderation.
20. Read labels. Stay away from anything with hydrogenated oils (trans fats). Beware that products are allowed to say “0 Trans Fats per serving” if they are below a certain percentage. But if the ingredients say “hydgrogenated” then know that you are getting trans fats. Stay away from too much saturated fats. And look for items that are high in fiber.
21. Green Tea. Scientific studies have shown many benefits from green tea consumption such as lower cancer rates and lowered cholesterol. Some studies show it can help with weight management. It certainly can’t hurt. If caffeine bothers you then try naturally decaffeinated or you can decaffeinate it yourself by brewing the tea bag twice. Drink the second cup and it will have very little caffeine, but most of the taste. A key point: don’t drink with cow’s milk “as proteins called caseins in milk decrease the amount of compounds in tea known as catechins” which aid in protecting against heart disease. Try rice milk instead if you want to add milk.
22. Get Enough Sleep. If you are very tired during the day, your body is going to crave more food to get energy. So, rest up!
What are your best dietary health tips? Please share in the comments.
K. Stone is author of Life Learning Today, a blog about daily life improvements. A few of her most popular articles are Building a Smarter, Stronger Brain - Part 1, How to Write a Book in 60 Days or Less, Should You Start Your Own Work at Home Business?, and Set Yourself Up for Diet Success.

5 Tips For A Healthier, Stronger Core

2009-02-03T05:59:00.002+07:00

by: Yuri Elkaim

Core training has become the new “buzz” word over the last few years as more and more people have begun to realize its role in posture, spinal health, performance and overall aesthetics. What is less commonly known is that the core is anatomically defined as the region between the shoulders and knees, not simply the midsection. Most people view the core as simply being their abdominal muscles and, as such, miss out on a tremendous amount of value that other functional movements provide.

When I refer to the core I allude to the inner and outer units of our body. The inner unit consists of smaller, more static stabilizing muscles such as the transverse abdominis, multifidus, and the pelvic floor and diaphragmatic musculature. The outer unit is comprised of larger phasic (or dynamic) muscles that generate movement such as the gluteals, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae group, biceps femoris, and peroneals. Aside from generating movement, these muscles work synergistically to provide much needed pelvic stability during motions such as walking, running, and so forth. Because all functional movements such as lunges, squats, step-ups, most stability ball movements, and many others revolve around the pelvis, they will offer tremendous core training effects when done with proper technique. The following are 5 tips you can use to train the inner and outer units of your core with maximal efficiency.

TIP #1 – Brace your abdominals

This is the first thing you should be aware of during any and every movement that you will ever perform. Abdominal bracing consists of three parts. First, draw in your belly button as if you were to put on a tight pair of pants. This will activate your transverse abdominis, the body’s waist belt muscle. Second, raise your pelvic floor by performing a kegel (contracting the pelvic floor muscles up as if you holding in a full bladder). This helps to increase intra-abdominal pressure which will aid in spinal stabilization. Third, lightly create tension in your abdominal muscles as if you were about to get punched in the stomach. This activates the internal and external oblique muscles. By performing all three of these actions you will ensure that your spine is well protected through all movements. Abdominal bracing should be initiated before and maintained through each and every exercise. With repetition, these muscles will remember their roles and tend to maintain a tighter constricted waistline, even without you being aware.

Exercise: Belly tucks

Lie face down on the floor with your forehead rested on the back of your hands. Inhale, pushing your belly button into the floor (“ballooning” your abdomen). Hold for 3 seconds. Exhale, drawing your belly button towards the ceiling (as if being pulled by a string), raise pelvic floor, and tighten your abdominal muscles. Hold for 3 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

TIP #2 – Maintain a neutral spine

A neutral spine is attained when your spine is kept in its natural alignment. This is best achieved by ensuring that your back is flat (with slight lumbar lordosis) during all movements, especially lifting. This, in conjunction with abdominal bracing, is essential to better support the spine during all movements. Let us take the example of picking up a heavier box from the floor. The last thing you want to do in the situation is reach down without bending knees and picking up the box…this is a sure way to throw your back out. What is instructed to do in such a case would be to squat down keeping your torso tall (ie. neutral spine), with your abdominals braced, and lift through your legs as opposed to extending up through your torso. If these lifting mechanics are not met, you place you spine at a greater risk of disc herniation, especially if the load is heavier.

Exercise: Cat/Camel motions

In a four point stance (hands and knees) take your spine through a series of cat and camel stretches. Meaning that you round out the back like a camel and then arch it out like a cat. Repeat 6 times. Once you have completed the 6 repetitions simply allow your back (spine) to relax. Wherever it feels most relaxed is your neutral spine!

TIP #3 – Incorporate unilateral lifting

Unilateral refers to the concept of carrying (or pushing) a load on only side of the body. For instance, walking to work holding your brief case in one hand. By doing so, the body automatically activates its contralateral (opposite) side to stabilize the torso and maintain good posture. Studies have shown that this type of lifting stimulates much greater core muscle activation compared to bilateral lifting (equal load on both sides).

Exercise: Unilateral Lunge Walks

Perform your lunge walks while holding a weight, equivalent to 10% of your body weight, in one hand. Perform 10 reps with the weight in one hand, and then switch. The key is to focus on keeping your torso upright and minimizing and lateral swaying.

TIP # 4 – Use a Stability Ball

Incorporating a stability ball into your workouts will make such a difference in your core strength and spinal health. Working on the stability ball offers several benefits such as increased balance, range of motion, co-ordination, and muscle activation. Simply by sitting on the ball, your core muscles fire to a much greater degree in order to stabilize your body. Any unstable surface for that matter will foster much greater core muscle activation as your body is constantly readjusting itself to maintain proper posture. This type of body awareness is known as proprioception, and is immensely beneficial for athletes of all endeavors, and even for people who want more balance while standing in the subway. Incorporate the aforementioned unilateral lifting and you get twice the benefit! Exercise:

Exercise: Stability Ball 1-Arm DB Chest Press

Position your body on the ball so that only the shoulders, neck and head are resting on it. With the feet shoulder width apart raise your hips so that your body is in one straight line (essentially forming a bench within your body). Squeeze your buttocks together as if holding a $1,000 bill between them. Next, with a DB in one arm, push it up and towards your body’s midline as if creating an arc like motion. Repeat 12 times and then switch arms. Ensure to keep your body and then ball as still as possible. Notice the muscle activation in the posterior side of the body especially in the glutes and lower back!

TIP #5 – Incorporate multi-planar movements

Our bodies rarely operate in one single plane (ie. front to back, side to side). Often, our movements require us to move through several different planes such as when walking and looking back over your shoulder. It is important to remember that all movement stems from the core, especially rotation based movements. As such, it is important to strengthen those core muscles accordingly to ensure movement efficiency and injury prevention. Did you know that 80% of our core musculature inserts on a diagonal. This means that our bodies are anatomically constructed for such multi-planar movements involving diagonal and rotational movements. Examples are throwing, kicking, and swinging a tennis racquet or golf club. I’ve seen clients improve their golf drive by 30 yards by simply incorporating these multi-planar movements into their routines.

Exercise: Cable chop (from knees)

Position yourself in the middle of the cable crossover machine. Face your body at a right angle from the cables. Starting from your knees, keeping your body upright and strong, reach over and across your body grabbing the handle (with both hands) on the highest setting. Keeping both arms straight “chop” the cable across your body from above your starting shoulder to the opposite hip. Return slowly and repeat 8 times on each side. Be sure to drive the movement from your obliques and not your arms.

By incorporating these 5 core essentials, you can look forward to having firmer, stronger and more performant core muscles. Not only that but you will also be more efficient and stable in all your movements. And, if you participate in regular sporting activities you will have an added edge over your untrained counterparts.

Written by Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK. Do not reprint without permission. Copyright 2006 © Total Wellness Consulting.

About The Author
Yuri Elkaim is the owner of Total Wellness Consulting and creator of the only 12 week body shaping fitness program designed for Ipod/Mp3 players. Please visit http://www.myFitterU.com for more info.

Helping a Parent with High Cholesterol

2009-01-22T09:48:00.002+07:00

By Expert Author: Lac Tran

Are you a chartered member of the so-called "sandwich generation", struggling to take care of your aging parents while simultaneously raising your children? Such a tug-of-war between generations can be maddening enough, but when you add your mother or father's high cholesterol in the mix, it can be downright life-destroying.

If you have a parent with high cholesterol symptoms who has been hesitant to check out methods to lower cholesterol (or defiant about their high cholesterol, even after a physician's diagnosis), you may need some gentle ways to them lower cholesterol without seeming too pushy. Here, we'll explore some methods of nudging mom or dad toward treat their high cholesterol symptoms.

Make Healthy Low Cholesterol Meals for Your Parents

Many older adults aren't fond of cooking for themselves anymore, so they tend to either eat at "home cooking" (aka, "lard laden") restaurants or at home with prepackaged high sodium, high fat microwavable meals. Such fare is simply not helpful to lower cholesterol, and may even be inching your parent toward dangerously high cholesterol levels.

The next time you're making a healthy meal, why not freeze a portion to deliver to your parents as a surprise? Your food should be high in vitamin C to promote lower cholesterol, high in fiber, and, of course, low in saturated fats and calories. Learn to cook with spices and your parents will never notice that they're eating something "good" that may reduce their high cholesterol symptoms.

Take Your Parents for a Cholesterol-Busting Walk

Exercise is an excellent way to tackle high cholesterol symptoms. However, most aging adults don't get the recommended 30 minutes a day, three days a week, of moderate activity that they need to lower cholesterol and keep their hearts in tiptop shape.

It will go a long way toward helping your dad lower cholesterol if you invite him on a weekly "walking date" with you and/or your kids. Even a parent who is generally sedentary may jump (though not literally!) at the opportunity to spend some time with the grandkids.

Offer to Shop for Your Parents, and Get Lower Cholesterol Foods

Finally, it may behoove you to offer your shopping services for your parents. That way, you can choose the bulk of the groceries going in and out of your mother and father's home. As the "dietician", you can ensure that items which clog the arteries and therefore promote high cholesterol are replaced by more heart-healthy choices.

Best of all, you can be very subtle. If your dad adores peanut butter, get the low fat or all natural version. Does your mom crave loads of chocolate? Rather than getting her bags of candy, there are plenty of healthy alternatives to satisfy even the most ravenous chocoholic. Are they fond of pizza? There are lower cholesterol versions of them in your grocer's freezer or at the natural food store.

Again, you don't ever have to confront a parent about his or her high cholesterol. Instead, you can simply insert these "sneaky" ways to make sure you have your folks around for many more years to come.
About the Author/Author Bio

Vitamin support for High Cholesterol treatment
(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/High-Cholesterol.html) , bd@mitamins.net

4 Foods That Speed Up Your Metabolism and Burn Fat

2009-01-16T06:52:00.001+07:00

When it comes to burning fat it seems like everyone has a great pill that can make you melt away the fat. What a lot of these people do not want to tell you is that there are actually a whole host of foods that burn fat. You can pick these up at your local grocery store and add them to your diet today. Here are four of the top fat burning foods.

The first is grapefruits. A lot of people have heard of the grapefruit diet and assumed that it was just because fruits in general are healthy for you. While that is true the grapefruit is a little bit special. All citrus fruits are high in Vitamin C and that is essential for burning fat. Fruit also has pectin which can break down fat and force it from the body. But grapefruits also are high in galacturonic acid. Galacturonic acid is a little known secret ingredient in the grapefruit that has been shown to be a natural fat destroyer. Adding grapefruit can work wonders for your fat burning ability.

Another addition to a fat burning diet that is essential but often overlooked is water. That is right just plain old water. It is thought that a large amount of water per day is essential for good health and fat burning in general. One of the best side effects to this in my opinion is just the extra full feeling you get from drinking water. Drinking water can help you to not really crave those in between meal snacks that can usually knock you far off from your goals.

Olive oil is another essential grocery store item that should be on your list for its health benefits. I first started paying close attention to olive oil when I read a news story about a woman in the Middle East that lived to be the oldest woman in human existence. I forget her exact age but it was something crazy like 123 years old. One of the things she said she does every day is to drink a full glass of olive oil. While this is popular in that region it just goes to show that the studies claiming huge health benefits from olive oil are correct. The next time someone tells you that fat is bad for you remember this woman. Olive oil is basically a good fat and she drinks a full glass of it every day.

Healthy snacks such as a natural beef jerky are essential to keeping yourself away from bad snacks like processed foods and candy. If you go the beef jerky route just make sure you pick a healthy natural version without a lot of processing and added chemicals. It is easy to steer in the wrong direction and load up on sodium if you are not careful.

Foods that burn fat are not as hard to find as the pill pushers would like you to believe. The next time you are at the grocery store make sure to stock up on some of these healthy fat fighters and laugh at those infomercials the next time they come on the television.
Fitjudge.com author Christopher Fox offers honest reviews of the top diet and fitness programs. Visit http://www.fitjudge.com for the whole story on the top diet and fitness programs that get proven results.

Tips To Get Beautiful Nails - For A Beautiful You!

2009-01-02T07:03:00.002+07:00

by: Darren Brent

Not just your face but even your hands say it loud when you need to get that perfect impression in a board meeting or on a special person. Your perfectly manicured nails look good and say it loud about how well you maintain yourself. However, nail care is essential for both men and women and few tips that will help you get that perfect nails sitting at home. So, say good bye to expensive salons and French manicurists.

If you devote a little care even once in 15 days your nail will look beautiful, giving you an edge over the others in today's world of competition.

1. Get a basic nail kit that has the necessary tools but is not prohibitively expensive as brand names do not mean great nails! Nail kits are available at every drug store so you can find one that suits you easily.

2. Wash your hands with a herbal based soap and lukewarm water and let it dry. When the nails are soft, they are easy to cut and file. However, be careful as improper filing can weaken the nails. Use a nail file and shape up your nails according to our desire with easy, gentle strokes. File from the side to the middle along the edge of the nail for the best results. Do not apply pressure on the top which will cause then to crack and break.

3. If you apply nail polish, do not put a thick coat and leave it. Beautiful, well manicured nails require 2 to3 coats of nail polish applications to give them that smooth, glossy finish.

4. As with hair and skin, nails also require attention. A well balanced diet and drinking plenty of water keeps the nails shiny and smooth while dehydrated nails look chipped and dry too.

5. Regular nail care is important and occasionally do apply cuticle oil to moisturize and soften your cuticles and nails. This will help the nails to look fresh and smooth, even without nail polish.

6. Never use alcohol based lotions or nail polish removers as they tend to weaken the nails and dehydrate them. The chances of fungi and other microbial infections increase when the nails are cracked and brittle. Always go in for natural, organic nail care products to safe guard tour skin and nails.

7. Unhealthy habits of biting nails also lead to unhygienic nails and spoil the look of the hands. So, if you are prone to it, give it up! If you follow these tips, you will have healthy, beautiful nails and hands in a short time span.
About The Author
Darren Brent writes for the http://www.onestoptreatment.com We provides information on all aspects of finding Nail Care,The information provide by our SKIN CARE EXPERT!. You can find more details and tips about Nail Care in our education center.

8 Health Tips to Get in Shape for the New Year!

2008-12-31T08:42:00.002+07:00

With the new year approaching, the first resolution most people think about going for is a gym membership. Year after year the same thing happens. They really want to get into shape, and they know for sure that this year will be different. They sign up for a year membership and start their new goal with clear focus and determination.

Most people never make it past the first week. Why? Mostly because they quit when they realize how much work goes into getting back into the shape they once had. The fact of the matter is that it really is not as difficult as they think. They are just focusing on one aspect of overall wellness and burning themselves out on it.

In order to lose weight and keep it off for good, a person must develop the mindset necessary for living a healthy lifestyle. There is much more to being healthy than showing up to the gym every day. In fact, exercise is only one-eighth of the total equation. If you really want to achieve personal wellness in 2009, forget the gym and focus instead on improving the following 8 categories of health.

Health Tips #1: Diet & Nutrition
You already know the main reason you gained weight. Too many trips through the McDonalds drive-thru, late night snacking on junk food and poor dinner choices. You do not have to eat a diet of bland salads and yogurt, but you do need to limit the amount of trigger foods that you caused your weight gain. Replace your current American diet of high sugar, high-fat processed foods with those found in the produce and lean meat department as often as you can.

Health Tips #2: Nutritional Supplements
Now that our soils are more depleted of minerals than ever, and our farm animals are not fed properly, living a healthy lifestyle requires nutritional supplementation. I lost 70 pounds in 4 months and kept it off for over 15 years simply by drinking a soy-based protein shake for breakfast every morning and taking a few targeted vitamins. Why does this work? Because greasy bacon and runny eggs do not provide proper nutrition.

Health Tips #3: Fun & Recreation
What makes you happy? Going to the movies? Ice Skating? Playing the guitar? Whatever it is, you must find time for it on a weekly basis (if not daily) in order to maintain good mental stability. Your activities and hobbies should not include junk food or alcohol. Going to the movies is watching the movie, not eating a tub of fatty buttered popcorn. Be happy with what you are doing without the unnecessary evils.

Health Tips #4: Hydration
Drinking enough water throughout the day is the part of the equation that gets overlooked. People do not consider drinking as important as eating and it is! You should not be drinking soda or processed juices every day. Why? Because they deplete your body of vitamins and minerals while loading you up on sugar. Alcohol is even worse. Do yourself a favor and keep a water bottle with you at all times. Drink, drink, drink. I cannot stress this enough.

Health Tips #5: Stress
And speaking of stress, this is what happens when you do not allow yourself to have any fun in your life. This is just as important to living a healthy lifestyle as eating and drinking properly. Too much stress can cause major problems for your body. You only live once, so do not allow other people and events to get you so bothered and worried that you cannot live the lifestyle you deserve for yourself.

Health Tips #6: Unhealthy Habits
Not eating the wrong foods is just as important as eating the right foods. But unhealthy habits are not just about food, are they? Smoking and the use of other drugs, prescription or not, is probably the worst thing a person can do to their body. This is the only one you have! Take care of it. Alcohol is OK on occasion but not recommended on a daily basis to anyone interested in living a healthy lifestyle.

Health Tips #7: Weight Management
Have you ever noticed that weight loss really is not the issue that people struggle with? Most everyone has lost weight at one point in their life. Keeping that weight off is the obstacle that most people can not overcome. Think about it logically. If you gained weight by eating twinkies, then lost weight when you stopped eating twinkies, do not go back to eating twinkies. The person who eats twinkies on occasion (not every day) does not struggle with weight fluctuation.

Health Tips #8: Exercise
You knew this one was coming! It is totally possible to lose weight without exercising. I am living proof because my severe asthma prohibited me from doing it. The reason I can exercise now is because I got my body healthy through focusing on the other 7 categories. Once I began exercising, it only accelerated my weight loss and now helps to keep me lean. The key to exercise is not quantity but quality. A little bit every day will give you the best health benefits overall.

So there you have it! The 8 health tips to kick off the new year for a new you. Focus on improving each of these simultaneously as your one and only New Years Resolution and you will be on a successful path to overall wellness. Weight loss and poor health can be things of the past if you are just willing to make small changes on a daily basis.
Bill Winch is a Personal Wellness Coach whose mission is teaching and coaching others who are struggling with getting healthy, losing weight safely and keeping it off for good. He is also a Certified Business Growth Specialist, former High School and College Business Educator and Counselor, and mentors from his home office in Rochester, NY. If you are interested in receiving his Free Report "9 Weight Loss Myths Exposed" visit his website by clicking on FREE REPORT or by calling him directly at (585) 271-3767 for a free wellness consultation.

Ways to Lose Fat Fast - Techniques That are Guaranteed to Work

2008-12-23T12:20:00.002+07:00

Being overweight can cause many health problems. As an example, conditions such as hypertension, cardiac troubles, sleep apnea and diabetes can stem from carrying too much weight. Simple solution is to lose the weight and keep it off. Here are some ideas on ways to lose weight fast. Use these ideas as a way to lose fat fast and to kick start a new, health regime. The first tip is easy and obvious. Eat less. Find a way of reducing your daily intake of food. Cut out snacks and reduce the size of your meals. This is not as easy as it sounds but by being strong, this simple suggestion will make the biggest difference to your weight loss. Also, try and eat more natural foods, such as fruit and vegetables, lean meat and low fat dairy products. Drink plenty of water every day. We are talking about 8 – 10 glasses. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, there are plenty of flavoured varieties which can be found in many stores. Keep notes of what you have eaten that day. And it needs to be an honest list with every single item of food you have eaten that day. When your daily food consumption is written down, you may be surprised how much you REALLY eat. This is another simple step which is powerful in getting people to eat less. Start being more active. You need to be taking on an activity which will raise your heart rate. Try riding a bike or jogging. Join a gym. Forget the elevator and use the stairs. Walk more on shorter journeys instead of taking the car. It is easier to do exercise if you are doing something you enjoy. You will work harder and the weight will come off quicker. These are just a few weight loss tips that have been proven to be effective in losing weight and burning fat. You can find many more tips on my web site.
Geol Spence is a highly regarded weight loss expert and his proven weight loss and fat burning tips have been published on many web sites. Geol has spent months researching weight loss ideas.

Get instant access to some of Geol’s weight loss tips, plus download his free eBook ‘Weight Loss Myths….and good advice’ and much more at Geol’s weight loss website How Can I Lose Fat Fast?

Too Low Cholesterol Levels Can Cause Cancer

2008-12-15T11:52:00.002+07:00

Too Low Cholesterol Levels Can Cause Cancer
By Expert Author: Joi Hernaez

Cholesterol is a combination of steroid and alcohol known as sterol. This sterol is a lipid found in the cell membranes of all body tissues and transported in the blood plasma.

The term "bad cholesterol" also known as LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) is thought to have harmful effects in the body. And the "good cholesterol" HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) thought to have good effects.

What does your cholesterol level means?

In order to determine your cholesterol level, a blood sample must be taken and analyze it for your total cholesterol level. Your total cholesterol level can tell if you have high risk of cardiovascular disease and other diseases. Your test report will show your cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). There are also some factors to consider like your age, family history, high blood pressure, smoking and alcohol intake.

Desirable Level: Less than 200 mg/dl:
The desirable cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dl. If your LDL and HDL are at the desirable level, this means that have no risk factors for heart disease.

Average - High Risk: 200-239 mg/dl:
If your total cholesterol is between 200-239 mg/dl, your doctor will evaluate your LDL and HDL and also the triglycerides. Depending on your bad cholesterol levels and other risk factors, you may also need medication. Consult your doctor before taking any medicine and also ask your doctor how often you should check your cholesterol level.

High Risk: 240 mg/dl and above:
If you have a cholesterol level of 240 mg/dl and above, you typically have twofold risk of coronary heart disease compared to those people who have desirable level. You may have to change your lifestyle and you should coordinate with your doctor for the prevention and treatment of possible coronary disease.

Too high cholesterol levels
If you have high cholesterol levels, you have a greater chance of getting heart disease and having a heart attack. We all know that heart attack is the top 1 cause of death of adult men and women in the United States.
Too much cholesterol in the blood causes hardening of the arteries. Since blood carries oxygen to the heart, slowing that flow can cause chest pain, and a blockage to part of the heart will cause a heart attack.

Most people do not know that they have high cholesterol level because there are no symptoms for high cholesterol. Lowering your cholesterol will reduce your risk of heart disease but too low cholesterol levels can give you higher risk of cancer. So it's better to have cholesterol at the desirable level.

Too low cholesterol levels

If your cholesterol level got too low, you may have a risk of cancer. People who take statin drugs to lower their cholesterol may have a higher risk of cancer. This is according to a meta-analysis of over 41,000 patient records from statin trials. The analysis included records from patients taking statins such as Lipitor and Zocor, but did not include newer statins such as Crestor and Vytorin.

Past studies have found an increased risk of Parkinson's disease among people with extra-low cholesterol. Meanwhile, statin drugs may cause damage to the liver and muscles.

It is important that we know out cholesterol levels for the sake of our health. Have your cholesterol levels checked every five years or as your doctor recommends.
About the Author/Author Bio

This article is written by Joi Hernaez, an SEO specialist. Subscribe to natural health newsletter and check out her health blog if you are looking for information about herbal medicines.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Too-Low-Cholesterol-Levels-Can-Cause-Cancer/112928

Tips For Guaranteed Healthy and Fast Weight Loss

2008-12-08T15:52:00.002+07:00

Tips for Guaranteed Healthy and Fast Weight Loss
by: Nathalie Fiset

Almost everybody, at some point in their of life, has experienced weight-related problems. Most of us, women and men alike, are not content with what we see. We feel that unless we are wafer thin like the models and celebrities we see on television and magazines, we will never be attractive and beautiful.

On the other hand, there are an increasing number of obese individuals across the world. Becoming overweight has become a trend in both the West and East hemispheres. The increasing popularity of processed and fast foods have exacerbated the obesity situation.

There are many diseases related to being overweight, such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, coronary heart disease, to name a few. Thus, you need to find ways to incorporate weight loss activities and good eating habits to our daily routine.

Before you start any type of diet, however, you need to go to a physician first. The doctor will tell you if your weight loss plan is appropriate for your health condition. Furthermore, the physician will also assist you in determining if you really need to lose weight and how much weight you need to shed. Many people develop eating disorders because they do not visit a doctor before drastically changing their eating habits and starting a diet plan.

If you want to lose weight fast, healthy and permanently, you need to follow the tips below.

Maintain a balanced diet

The reason why many people are overweight is partly due to an unbalanced diet. If you eat too much from one food group, you won't be able to get the vitamins and nutrients that your body need.

A balanced diet is composed of protein, dairy food, a little bit of fat from healthy oil, fruit and vegetables, and good carbohydrates -- at least 5 portions every day. Many professionals suggest a diet that is composed of mostly carbohydrate, moderate protein intake, and a little bit of fat.

However, there are many diets espousing a huge amount of protein intake and a dramatic decrease in carbohydrates. Before you apply such diets to your daily routine, you need to talk with a physician first. This high-protein diet may not be ideal for some people, such as those with kidney disease.

Increase servings of fruit and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals that our body need. Such food supplies us with vitamin A that is good for our eyes, vitamin C that boosts our immune system, beta-carotene that helps protects our body from the damage of free radicals, and nutrients.

Most fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and low calorie, so they also help clean our colon and make us feel fuller. Canned fruits and vegetables are acceptable; however, there is no substitute for the real thing.

Stay away from junk food and sugar-loaded drinks

Try eliminating junk food and soda from your diet for a week or two, and you will surely feel and see the difference. Maybe the reason why it is called junk food is due to its poor nutritional value. Try looking at a junk food's label, not only is it full of saturated fat, but also usually high in salt or sugar, or both.

Aside from water, most of the things you drink are also loaded with calories. Soda and sweetened fruit juices are mainly sugar. Thus, no matter how little you eat, but if you still drink lots of soda and sweetened beverages, you will still continue to gain weight.

Don't skip breakfast

Even if you are in a hurry or late for work or school, you need to grab a bite. It would be better if your breakfast is healthy – probably an apple, oatmeal and a glass of nonfat milk.

If you miss breakfast, you most probably will feel hungrier the rest of the day. In order for our body function properly, we need energy from the food we eat. If you skip breakfast, or a meal or two, your body's metabolism will slow down to compensate for the lack of energy supply.

More often than not, people who skip meals, particularly the first meal of the day, will binge later in the day. So, even if you skipped breakfast, you will have a tendency to eat a lot during lunch or dinner.

Start exercising

Many of us spend an extended number of hours in our offices. We get stuck sitting down in front of the computer for more than eight hours. When we get home, we spend another hour or two to check e-mails and chat with friends. Thus, we don't expend most of the calories from the food we eat and those excess calories go straight to our belly, arms and thighs.

If you want to increase your metabolism, you must start exercising. Brisk walking is a good way to start your exercise routine. If you do not have time to go to the gym, you need to find ways to increase your activities. Try sports activities that you will enjoy – boxing, badminton, or spelunking. There are many to fat burning activities to choose from.

The tips above will not let you lose 10 pounds overnight. However, in the long run, such changes will help you become healthier and fitter. The weight loss you will experience will be more permanent.
About The Author
Dr Nathalie Fiset is a family doctor and a certified hypnotherapist. For more information go to: http://www.reachyouridealweight.com http://www.aperfectharmony.com or http://www.a-1hypnosis.com.

Best Ways To Lower Cholesterol Naturally

2008-12-04T14:20:00.003+07:00

Best Ways To Lower Cholesterol Naturally
By Expert Author: Kathryn Whittaker

If you want to stay fit and healthy, you should keep an eye on your cholesterol intake. There are natural ways of lowering cholesterol if it is out of control. The first natural way is by taking your diet seriously. There are also dietary supplements that will help you lower your cholesterol. For diets high in saturated fats, eating more fiber rich foods may help decrease your cholesterol level.

This is a great place to start in getting your body healthy and in shape. The natural ways of lowering cholesterol are easy to maintain as long as you are patient and willing to follow a few rules.

Eat more vegetables and vegetable oils. Increase your intake of plant sterols in your body through yogurts, fortified margarines, salad dressings, cream cheese. This will also increase your phytostanols. Plant sterols are also available in supplement form. Although not hard to find, they can be a little pricey, but ultimately an easy, effective, and convenient natural way to lower cholesterol.

Lestrin is also a plant sterol available in supplements which is made available in pharmacies, stores, independent chemists and health food stores. People have claimed that garlic and nuts have no effect in lowering cholesterol, but there is also a percentage that proves they help reduce cholesterol in our body.

Low in saturated fats, nuts, especially walnuts are particularly helpful for reducing cholesterol more than expected. This may be a high-fat food, but it is rich in monosaturated and polyunsaturated fat. Scientists have shown that these supplements contain plant proteins which affect cholesterol levels.

Omega 3 fatty acids help lower your cholesterol easily. Fish oil supplements are suitable and effective to increase the good cholesterol especially stable fish oil. This does a better job than the ordinary fish oil we find in the market.

Red yeast rice is known to be the most effective way to fight LDL. This is considered the best dietary agent of it all. Red yeast rice is available in the form of cholestin which is a dietary supplement. In recent studies, it has been proven that cholestin has lowered cholesterol effectively as statins. This is so because cholestin contains an amount of natural statin which helps prevent the increase in cholesterol.

Fresh fish is the best delicacy for the summer season and the best thing is that it can help in lowering cholesterol magnificently.

If you are suffering from high cholesterol, you should first consult your primary care physician before making any changes in your diet.
About the Author/Author Bio

Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in Health related topics. To find out how you can lower high cholesterol please visit this Lowering Cholesterol site.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Best-Ways-To-Lower-Cholesterol-Naturally/20366

Healthy Eating Begins at the Supermarket

2008-12-01T18:33:00.002+07:00

Healthy Eating Begins at the Supermarket

The typical American consumer hits the grocery store at least twice a week. Why, then, does it feel like we never have anything to eat at home? Follow the advice below to make sure you not only have a well-stocked pantry for healthful eating, but are buying the right products at the right time in the right way.

You'll notice, by the way, that many of the tips below have you looking at a food product's nutrition label and ingredients list for information. If you haven't become expert at this, time to study up. Go straight to the source -- the U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- via the Internet at www.fda.gov, put "nutrition facts" into the search line, then click on "go" for a full menu of food-labeling information.

1. Rule number one: Buy fresh food! There is no simpler, no easier, no plainer measure of the healthiness of your food than whether it comes in boxes and cans or is fresh from the farm or the fields. If more than half your groceries are prepared foods, then you need to evolve your cooking and eating habits back to the healthy side by picking up more fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, juices, and dairy.

2. Shop the perimeter of the store. That's where all the fresh foods are. The less you find yourself in the central aisles of the grocery store, the healthier your shopping trip will be. Make it a habit -- work the perimeter of the store for the bulk of your groceries, then dip into the aisles for staples that you know you need.

3. Think of the departments (dairy, produce, meat, and so on) as separate stores within the supermarket. You wouldn't shop at every store at a mall the same way, would you? You know better than to idly browse through a jewelry store, don't you? So apply the same approach to the grocery store. Target the sections that are safe to browse through -- the produce section, primarily -- and steer clear of the dangerous sections (the candy, ice cream, and potato chip aisles).

4. Shop with a list. Organize your shopping list based on the tip above -- that is, by the sections of the store. This will have you out of the supermarket at the speed of light. If you're a woman, consider getting your husband or son to do the food shopping, says Joan Salge Blake, R.D., clinical assistant professor of nutrition at Boston University's Sargent College. The latest survey from the Food Marketing Institute shows that compared to women, men are more likely to buy only what's on the grocery list. But shopping with a list has benefits beyond speed and spending. By lashing yourself to the discipline of a well-planned shopping list, you can resist the seductive call of aisle upon aisle of junk food, thereby saving your home, your family, and yourself from an overload of empty calories.

5. Food-shop with a full stomach. We're sure you've heard this one before, but it's worth repeating. Walking through the grocery store with your tummy growling can make you vulnerable to buying anything that isn't moving, says Blake. If you can't arrange to shop shortly after a meal, be sure to eat an apple and drink a large glass of water before heading into the store.
6. Buy a few days before ripe. There's no point in trying to buy fresh vegetables and fruits for your family if the bananas turn brown and the peaches mushy two days after you get them home. Buy fruit that's still a day or two behind ripeness. It will still be hard to the touch; bananas will be green. Feel carefully for bruises on apples, check expiration dates on bagged produce, and stay away from potatoes or onions that have started to sprout. If the produce on the shelves looks a bit beyond its peak, don't walk away; ask to speak to the produce manager. Chances are, there's a fresh shipment in the back just waiting to be put out on store shelves. For a real taste treat, if you're going to eat them within the next couple of days, pick up a bunch of vine-ripened tomatoes. There's just no comparison.

7. Buy in season. Sure, it's tempting to buy strawberries in December, and once in a while that's fine. But fresh fruit and vegetables are best when purchased in season, meaning they've come from relatively close to home. They often cost less, are tastier, and have less risk of pathogens such as E. coli.

8. Buy organic whenever possible. Sure, it costs a few dollars more. But a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that organically grown fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants than conventionally produced foods. However, if organic is too pricey for you, don't worry; organic or not, fruits and veggies are key to a healthy larder.

9. Buy frozen. Frozen fruits and vegetables are often flash frozen at the source, locking in nutrients in a way fresh or canned can't compete with. Stock your freezer with bags of frozen vegetables and fruits. You can toss the veggies into soups and stews, microwave them for a side dish with dinners, or thaw them at room temperature and dip them into low-fat salad dressing for snacks. Use the fruits for desserts, smoothies, and as ice cream and yogurt toppings.

10. Stock up on canned tomato products. Here's one major exception to the "fresher is better" rule. Studies find that tomato sauces and crushed and stewed tomatoes have higher amounts of the antioxidant lycopene than fresh, because they're concentrated. Canned tomatoes are a godsend when it comes to quick dinners in the kitchen. Warm up a can with some crushed garlic for a chunky pasta sauce; pour a can over chicken breasts and simmer in the crock pot; add to stews and sauces for flavor and extra nutrients.

11. Stock up on canned beans. Although they may have a bit more sodium than we like, that's easy enough to get rid of with a good rinse in the sink. Beans can be mixed with brown rice, added to soups and stews, pureed with onions and garlic into hummus for dipping, or served over pasta for a traditional pasta e fagioli. In fact, all the hype about pasta raising blood sugar really comes down to this: What are you putting on your pasta? The soluble fiber in beans lowers blood sugar and insulin, making the combination of pasta and beans a healthful -- as well as delicious -- dish.
Important Ingredients
12. Spend some time in the condiment aisle. With the following basic ingredients you have the underpinnings for wonderful sauces, low-fat marinades, and low-salt flavorings. These delightful flavorings enable you to stay away from the less-healthy condiment items, such as mayonnaise, butter, stick margarine, creamy salad dressings, and so on: flavored ketchups and barbecue sauces (look for sugar-free varieties), horseradish, mustards, flavored vinegars, extra-virgin olive oil, jarred bruschetta and pesto sauces (luscious spooned atop salmon and baked), capers, jarred olives, sun-dried tomatoes, jarred spaghetti sauce, anchovies, roasted red peppers, Worcestershire sauce, chili sauce, hot pepper sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, walnut oil, teriyaki sauce, jarred salsas, and various kinds of marmalades.

13. Try some of the new whole grain alternatives. Today you can find wonderful whole grain pastas and couscous, instant brown rice that cooks up in 10 minutes instead of the old 50, even whole grain crackers. Hodgson Mills makes a delicious whole wheat pasta with flaxseeds. It really tastes great, and you can scarcely do any better when it comes to nutrition. While you're at it, pick up a bag of whole wheat flour to replace the white stuff in your canister.

14. Choose prepared foods with short ingredient lists. We don't expect you to cut out prepared foods entirely. Just remember: The shorter the ingredient list, the healthier the food usually is. Of course, if the ingredients are sugar and butter, put the item back on the shelf.

15. Reject foods and drinks made with corn syrup. Corn syrup is a calorie-dense, nutritionally empty sweetener perhaps even worse than refined sugar. A shocking number of foods and drinks are thick with it, including such apparently healthy foods as fruit juices, premade spaghetti sauces, and even bread. Some experts argue that corn syrup is one of the main causes of America's obesity problem. If a food has corn syrup in its first four ingredients, then it lacks the wholesomeness and healthiness you want.

16. Look for fiber. You want at least 1 to 2 grams of fiber for every 100 calories you consume.

17. If partially hydrogenated oil, or trans fats are listed on the label, step away from the box and nobody will get hurt.

18. Pick up a jar of dried shiitake mushrooms. They may look weird, but toss them in some hot water for half an hour and you have a meaty, healthy addition to soups, stews, and sauces, not to mention a unique filling for tarts and omelets. Plus, they keep forever.

19. Whenever you find yourself reaching for a package of ground meat, switch over to the poultry section instead and pick up ground turkey, ground chicken, or soy crumbles. Works just as well as ground beef for meatballs, meat loaf, or chili. This little substitution can cut more than 30 percent of the calories and at least half of the fat and saturated fat in a three-ounce serving, says Blake. When it's smothered in a zesty tomato sauce or flavored with seasonings, you'll never be able to tell the difference. If you're feeling a little gun-shy about abandoning the beef, use half turkey and half lean beef, or half soy crumbles and half beef.

20. Choose strong cheeses. Instead of American, cheddar, or Swiss, pick up feta, fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano, or a soft goat cheese. These strongly flavored cheeses will satisfy your yen for cheese without damaging your waistline, says Blake.
21. Buy macadamia nut oil. It has more good-for-you monounsaturated fats than any other oil in the world and a higher smoke point than olive oil, so there's no trans fatty acid formation when you cook. It makes any dish you make heart-healthier, says Fred Pescatore, M.D., author of The Hamptons Diet.

22. Confirm that a wheat bread is whole wheat. Some of the folks selling bread are trying to pull the wool (or is it wheat chaff?) over your eyes. Sure, a wheat bread is made from wheat. But if the first ingredient is refined wheat flour, then it's made from the same wheat as white bread -- which means, stripped of fiber and nutrients, and in some cases, dyed brown for a fake healthy appearance. What you're really looking for are the words "whole wheat." That's the stuff with minimum refining and maximum beneficial nutrients.

23. Buy plain yogurt and flavor it at home. Pre-flavored yogurts have oodles of sugars that destroy any healthy benefits they once had. If you add a teaspoon of all-fruit jam at home, it'll still taste yummy, you'll consume far fewer useless calories, and you'll save lots of money.

24. Buy healthy add-ins for plain cereals. These include raisins, fresh berries, dried berries, almond slivers, pumpkin seeds, sesame sticks, and bananas. The best breakfast-cereal strategy is to buy unsweetened cereals and then add in your favorite flavors. That helps you bypass all the empty sugary calories -- and lets you enjoy the cereal more. For ease, keep a wide-mouth, well-sealed jar on your counter with shelf-stable ingredients for quick mix-ins. Keep a scoop and ziplock bags handy, and you've got a handy, nutritious meal or snack for home or on the go.

25. Read juice labels carefully. Orange juice, although quite healthy, often has 20 grams of sugar in the average 8-ounce glass. Instead, try guava juice. It has three times more vitamin C, and is loaded with potassium (a great blood pressure regulator) and beta-carotene.

Lowering Cholesterol by Reducing Stress

2008-11-25T11:26:00.002+07:00

Lowering Cholesterol by Reducing Stress
By Expert Author: Tim Lazaro

Stress has become a part of our daily lives. Many of us are in a rush to get to work and when we are there we are pushed to meet quotas and/or goals. We want a raise in salary and we undergo more stress. Life for us has become stressful.

The risk factors for heart disease are: Age (risk increases with age), Family history (if your parents suffer with heart disease you probably will also), Smoking (a definite killer, High blood pressure, Being overweight, Physical Inactivity, and Diabetes.

It always strikes me as strange that stress is not classified as one of the heart-disease risk factors. Many heart doctors point out that stress can trigger a heart attack. If one undergoes an emotionally traumatic event, and that person has plaque buildup in his or her arteries, part of that plaque may break free and cause a clog resulting in the death of heart muscle and a consequent heart attack.

So how we deal with stress is important. Many people use physical exercise to alleviate stress. Thirty minutes or more a day of good, heart-beating aerobic activity for five or more days a week will strengthen the heart and the circulatory system. Remember to check with your doctor first before starting an exercise program.

Regular and continuous exercise will lower the effects of at least two risk factors such as being overweight and high blood cholesterol. The more calories you will burn as a result of exercising will reduce your weight. And exercise has been shown to raise HDL good cholesterol levels and thereby lower total cholesterol.

Meditation by itself or in conjunction with physical exercise has been shown to reduce stress. There are many books that can teach you how to meditate properly and reduce the stress of everyday living.

Good personal relationships help to reduce stress. The support one draws from having good relationships cannot be overestimated. Voicing and sharing stressful problems with others can be mentally helpful. Keeping it all bottled up inside will only feed the beast. It has been stated that developing strong personal ties reduces the chances of developing heart disease. Opening up and expressing ones feelings to a trusted friend will do a lot to defuse the stress bomb that may be growing inside of you.

Other things to do to manage stress:

Keep a positive attitude - negativity only leads to more depressing feelings. Warm fuzzy feelings are good for you - try to generate them.

Praise yourself - accentuate the positive things, the successful things you do. Get high on these successes and stay there for days.

Accept what you cannot change. You can't fight city hall as the saying goes. Banging ones head against a stone wall does no one any good. Find a positive way of dealing with the situation. Perhaps finding a new job would be better for you.

Practice relaxation skills. Laugh as much as you can. For periods of time every day, push aside stress and just relax. Talk and think of other things. It's a big world with many wonderful things going on.

If you harbor hostility, find help. Hostility feeds stress, makes it worse helps it to achieve higher, world-record, explosive levels. Curmudgeons are just walking time bombs. If a person is so angry that he or she is always ready to fight, just imagine how high that person's blood pressure must be - all the time. Seek help to dissolve hostile feelings.

Stress can be managed. It only takes a positive approach to dealing with it. The result will be a lowering of your cholesterol.
About the Author/Author Bio

Tim Lazaro is a competitive, masters runner who writes on issues related to health, natural-food diets, and aerobic exercise. He employs the life-style changes and diets that he writes about. He has lowered his total cholesterol using these cholesterol-lowering methods. Download a Free guide "Foods that Lower Cholesterol" here: http://www.waystoloweryourcholesterol.com