Monday, October 31, 2005

Sports Nutrition Basics

By: Robert D'Souza

Sports are fun but if you are really serious about making it a
part of your life and excel then the importance of sports
nutrition is not new to you.

Many sportsmen believe that proper nutrition is a key factor in
making those rapid improvements in their performance.

Almost all of the professional sportsmen have a diet
specifically written for them and customized. You can do the
same to excel in your chosen sports.

The statement "You are what you eat" is perfect for sportsmen.

A properly customized diet will help you increase your energy
reserves, train harder, and compete better at all levels.

Energy Carbohydrates are the number. 1 fuel your body needs.
Supplying it in sufficient amounts both before and after sports
routines will help you perform a lot better and increases you
stamina.

Use of simple carbohydrates is recommended. Avoid simple sugars
which provides Waste calories.

Proteins are a great way to improve your muscle building
process. Almost all sports require you to have strong muscles.
Protein is the king in the kingdom of muscle building.

A few tips

1--Focus on high carbohydrate foods. Your muscles depend on
carbohydrates for glycogen synthesis.

2--Eat a high protein meal after your sports routine. This helps
you build muscles and make them stronger for the next sports
training session.

3--Drink adequate amounts of water. Keep away from soft drinks
for quenching your thirst. They will eat your system away.
Slowly but surely.

4--Eat foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, oranges,
potatoes and raisins.

5--Take adequate rest in the form of 7-8 hours of sleep every
night.

Before a sports competition

· 2-3 days prior increase your carbohydrate intake. Also
creatine is a very useful supplement. Enough reserves help you
develop amazing endurance.

· Drink plenty of fluids. 2-3 cups of water with every meal and
keep sipping in between meals. Never go thirsty.

Keep track of your weight as well. Losing weight on vigorous
sports routines is well documented and therefore regular
checking is very essential.

Keep the above points in mind and your performance will sky
rocket.



About the author:
Robert D'Souza is a sports enthusiast and shares his experience
on his websites

www.nutritioninfopage.com www.homegymsforyou.com

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Are You Cutting Back on Sleep Too Much?

By: Royane Real

Do you get enough sleep? Chances are you don't. Many people
living in modern industrial societies suffer from a chronic, and
worsening sleep deficit.

Until a few decades ago, most people lived lives so very
different from ours that we would scarcely recognize them. Until
fairly recently in human history the majority of people lived in
small villages or on farms, not in big cities. There were no
electric lights.

There weren't any faxes or e-mails. There was no Internet, and
no television. Once the sun went down, most of the day's
activities came to an end.

People worked very hard physically, and only a very small
minority had what we would call "white collar" jobs. And most
people, on average, slept nine to nine and a half hours each
night.

For most of us today, an average of nine hours sleep each night
is an impossible dream. In our very busy schedules, something
has to give, and quite often the choice many of us are making is
to cut back on our hours of sleep.

If you listen to, or read some of the popular current guides to
success, you will usually be instructed to work hard, play hard,
study hard, be more outgoing, and gain every advantage you can.
The struggle to the top can be ruthless. Why, even the struggle
to stay where you are and not to lose your place can be ruthless.

Where do many of these success guides and gurus tell you to cut
back? Why, on your hours of sleep. They'll tell you that
sleeping more than five or six hours a night is a waste of time.
They'll tell you that the world is moving ahead while you are
dozing, and that you'll never catch up if you indulge your
desire to sleep. If you snooze, you lose!

They'll tell you that you don't really need those extra two or
three hours of sleep each night. That it's just a bad habit
you've developed. That it's self-indulgent. That a full night's
sleep is the booby prize for losers in the game of life.

Unfortunately, this advice goes against thousand of years of
human biology.

It's true that some of us really do need only five or six hours
of sleep each night, but those people are in a minority. Most of
us require seven, eight, or even more hours of good quality
sleep every night in order to function at our best
intellectually, physically and emotionally.

In sleep deprivation experiments conducted on volunteers, it has
been found that even a few days of sleep loss produce a marked
negative effect on a person's mental abilities. It becomes much
harder to focus mentally and to process information.

Decisions take longer to make, and are of poorer quality.
Learning and remembering new information becomes more difficult,
and it becomes harder to recall information that was previously
learned. Creativity declines, while mistakes increase.

A person who hasn't had enough restorative sleep will have
difficulty handling technical machinery. In addition, lack of
sleep causes emotional impairment and difficulty with mental
processing. As people become more sleep deprived, they may
experience more depression and mood swings. Tempers flare more
often, and sleep deprived people become less cooperative with
others.

Lack of sufficient sleep is believed to have contributed to many
well-known accidents, such as the explosion of the Challenger
space shuttle, the near meltdown at Three Mile Island, and the
nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. It is believed that lack of sleep
contributed to poor decision making in each of these incidents,
with disastrous results.

If you add to these examples the many hundreds of thousands of
other accidents every year caused by sleep deprivation, it
becomes clear that cutting back on our sleep may not really be
the solution for greater productivity we are looking for.

If you are studying for important exams, you will be better off
getting sufficient sleep the night before, rather than spending
the whole night desperately trying to cram more information into
your head.

Your brain uses its sleeping hours to process the information of
the day and to consolidate new memories. Cutting back on sleep
in order to study instead will interfere with this process.

How can you tell if you are getting enough sleep? The ideal
amount varies from person to person, and it is not always the
same.

Ask yourself: When you wake up, do you feel refreshed, or is
your body longing for more sleep? Do you rely on a lot of coffee
to get you through the day?

If you are tired a lot of the time, try going to bed earlier,
and sleeping longer.

You may find that getting more sleep actually boosts your
productivity and you will feel a lot better!

About the author:
This article is an excerpt from the new downloadable book by
self help author Royane Real titled "How to Be Smarter--Use Your
Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better, and Be More Creative" If
you want to boost your brain power, get it today at
http://www.royanereal.com

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Five Healthy Weight Loss Tips

By: Kirsten Hawkins

Are you tired of getting the same old advice when it comes to
dieting? Are you looking for some quick tips to help motivate
yourself during a diet? Why not follow along below to learn
about some quick healthy weight loss tips?

Tip # 1: Take off five pounds quickly before a big event!

If you're generally in good shape, but you want to pare off a
few pounds to look your best before a big event like a class
reunion, one of the best ways to do it is to cleanse your
system. For the week before, skip the breads and pastas, eat
lots of raw vegetables and salads, and drink at least eight
ounce glasses of water a day. You'll not only end up slimmer,
you'll feel 100% more energetic and healthy.

Tip # 2: Lose weight without dieting!

It's a lot easier than you think. The key is exercise. Just one
half hour of moderate exercise per day will burn calories - and
better yet, kick your metabolism into high gear so that you
continue burning calories at a higher rate. Bonuses: you'll be
doing your health a favor, too. The latest research shows that
adding moderate exercise to your daily routine can help lower
cholesterol, slow the progression of type-2 diabetes and improve
your circulation. What's moderate exercise? A brisk one mile
walk, half an hour of dancing, or chasing the kids around in a
game of tag will do it.

Tip # 3: Start your day off right!

Don't skip breakfast when you're dieting, and don't go for the
convenience of a 'nutrition bar'. Give your body the pick-me-up
of fresh fruit in either juice or raw form, and the staying
power of a whole grain. One of the best breakfasts you can have
is a bowl of whole-grain cereal with fresh berries, melon or
peaches. You get the sugar your body craves, the carbs it needs
to run on, and the added benefit of antioxidant vitamins to help
it stay on track and balanced.

Tip # 4: Take a high quality multivitamin every day.

There's no substitute for a diet that has a healthy balance of
all foods, but it's far too easy to skimp on the essentials when
you're dieting. Make sure that your body doesn't miss out on the
nutrients it needs just because you're cutting calories. A good
multivitamin should contain, at a minimum, the minimum
recommended daily allowances of vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E and K.
While you're at it, get out in the sun for at least ten minutes
a day to help your body manufacture the vitamin D that it needs.

Tip # 5: Eat your veggies - especially your lettuce.

But don't confine yourself to iceberg lettuce or to salads.
Darker greens have about the same number of calories and carbs,
but pack a lot more punch in the vitamins and other nutrient
categories. By substituting radicchio, watercress, escarole or
spinach for the iceberg lettuce, you add vitamin C,
riboflavin's, manganese and other essential vitamins that aren't
present in lettuce. Try them braised, steamed or grilled for
something a little different from the usual salad.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great
nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and
comments on popular diets.

Exercise And Stress

By: Kirsten Hawkins

Exercise may not be the most exciting word in your vocabulary,
but it sure has a lot of benefits. Participating in daily
exercise not only makes us healthier in general, it can diminish
the effects of stress on our bodies as well.

How many times have you heard someone proclaim, "The doctor says
it's stress." ? We occasionally laugh it off, concluding that's
just what doctors say when they don't know the real answer or
diagnosis. But the truth of the matter is that too much stress
plays a role in many diseases.

To increase your immune system and decrease your stress levels,
try some daily exercise. Movement is the key word here. Bend,
stretch, reach, walk. And there's no need necessarily to buy
expensive equipment. You can implement more movement into your
daily routine and reap the benefits.

If you're keen on aerobic exercise, grab a partner and have a
blast with one of the basic aerobic videos. Or simply go out for
a walk and enjoy spending time together. You've heard it dozens
of times -walking really is the best overall excise for your
health. As long as you have a decent pair of walking shoes,
you're in business!

Also, as you're going throughout your daily activities, make it
a point to walk a little further, bend down and pick something
up instead of using some sort of pick up stick or knocking the
item toward you with your foot. While you're sitting, do some
simple stretches for your neck and shoulders.

If you enjoy watching television, buy a jogging board. These
padded boards make running, jumping or walking in place less
stressful on your knees and joints. They're easy to store and
portable. In my opinion, jogging boards are the best piece of
exercise equipment you can buy. And they're far cheaper than
bulky treadmills and stationary bikes, too!

By making it a point to move more throughout the day, you boost
your body's immunity and stay healthier in general. There's no
reason to allow stressful situations to take a toll on your
health.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great
nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and
comments on popular diets.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Common Sense Approach to Fitness & Wellness

By: Martin Harshbergerq

Common Sense Approach to Fitness and Wellness:

"Common sense is not so common."

Voltaire

Do you ever wonder why people behave as they do? I am
constantly amazed at the behavior of people and the things they
do.

As I get older I get more and more curious and spend much more
time thinking about things than I did in my twenties. It just
seems we have swung the pendulum so far from common sense that
it may never come back.

I don't think it's because we're stupid, but I do believe that
we are time constrained and we don't take time to think for
ourselves.

I also believe that there is a conscious effort to "dumb down
Americans" by the media and the advertising industries.

We rely too much on these sources of "information" for our own
good. Perhaps it's the threat of lawsuits that make us so scary
of allowing people to be responsible for their actions. I have
some recent examples of "warning labels" that make me feel
somebody thinks I'm stupid. * My new lawnmower warned me not to
pick it up while it's running and use it as a hedge trimmer. *
Or the makers of my windshield sunscreen told me not to operate
the vehicle while it was in place.

We have become oblivious to things like this and have also
become accustomed to not being responsible for our actions.

For example we want to sue the fast food industries for making
us fat. Hey, we know it's bad and we eat the stuff....

I do have a point to all of this and it is simply that we are,
as a nation are large and growing larger. I read an article in
yesterday's newspaper that they are going to begin weight checks
on cruise ships and airlines because average passenger weights
are getting heavier. Seats are being widened, even coffins are
being 'super sized".

Obesity has increased by 20% in the last decade and the diet
industry has grown to over $35 billion annually. Hey, Ever think
maybe the stuff they're selling isn't working?

We keep going down the same path however, looking for positive
results without trying to understand the fundamentals of how the
body works and what we need to provide it to allow it to be fit
and well.

Keep in mind that we were not programmed to be fit by using any
of the varied diet products and programs on the market today.

Our bodies will do just fine with proper food (fuel) and
exercise. None of us want to acknowledge those facts however
because it might require a lifestyle change.

Based on the research I've done over the past few years a
lifestyle change is inevitable. We as humans with advanced
thinking capacity get to influence what type of lifestyle change
we undergo.

We can choose to eat better, exercise and enjoy the lifestyle of
a fit and healthy person, or we can choose to ignore the facts
and have a lifestyle chosen for us.

The second option may include a lifestyle we aren't so satisfied
with.

The option is ours, but one or the other will occur, we can
impact it in a positive or negative way. One way or the other
our current lifestyle will change, for better or for worse, let'
use our heads and common sense to learn how to make changes in a
positive manner.

We must stop looking for the "easy, fast, no-effort" miracle
cure for fitness and wellness. Frankly our bodies aren't made to
function without regular effort, only we call it exercise.

Use your head to improve your quality of life.

Learn more about natural weight loss and fitness by visiting
our website, Living to be Younger. We are committed to providing
quality information and products to allow you to achieve your
fitness and quality of life goals.

Natural Weight Loss & Fitness Products & Info

About the author:
Martin Harshberger is a sucessful business consultant, and
fitness advocate. He has done extensive research and testing of
nutrition, diet and exercise programs. His interest was
initiated by a personal health issue, and he was sucessful in
losing over 50 pounds, lowering his stress and blood pressure,
as well as increasing muscle mass all at age 57. This was after
he failed at the so called expert programs.

Benefits Of Weight Training

By: Kirsten Hawkins

Weight training isn't just for Arnold Schwarzenegger and
Sylvester Stallone anymore. It's really a system of exercise and
health benefits that are available to everyone. If you go to a
local gym and observe, you can find everyone from teenagers to
great-grandmas exercising and strength training.

Weight training doesn't mean just using barbells - it involves
much more than that and is most often combined with aerobic
activity during the "circuit."

The natural benefits of weight training include:

- Slowing down bone loss - Making your bones stronger - Toning
and firm up your body - Increasing your muscle strength

Most people will tell you that strength training and using
weights makes them more energized and happier, along with
reducing stress. It's amazing how much better you'll feel when
working out after a hard day at the office! The endorphins your
body creates in response to exercise like this is very much
"addictive," and you'll find that beyond being less-stressed,
you'll actually "crave" your workouts and look forward to them!

One of the benefits I have personally found in strength training
is that it's made my back stronger. Prior to beginning my
workout, if I had to lift a lot of boxes or move heavy things, I
really felt it the rest of the day, and sometimes the rest of
the week. However after just a month of weight training, I found
that I didn't need to take an anti-inflammatory medication every
time I moved some boxes around.

Of course, all professionals will tell you to consult a doctor
before beginning your workout habit; you'll want to make sure
that there are no impediments to beginning this new part of your
daily routine. Most doctors will tell you to use caution and
listen to the trainers, but nearly none will eliminate exercise
altogether for their patients--there are simply too many
benefits from the exertion.

If you go to a chiropractor, ask him or her how strength
training and weight lifting can help you and what specific
exercises would benefit your back and joints. Again, s/he will
probably have some specific suggestions for your body and spinal
'issues,' but generally, a chiropractor will tell you that
strengthening back and abdominal muscles will benefit you
greatly.

If you do find that you 'overdo it' initially, scale it back
just a bit until you're ready to move on. You can use cold and
heat to minister to the aching muscle(s), and take an
anti-inflammatory agent to help in the recovery. But if you do
ache a bit, don't take it as your body's way of saying that you
'shouldn't workout.' What your body is telling you is that you
haven't worked out enough and that it's not used to the
exertion!

If you plan your workout well, you will find that weight
training machines can be a great part of your exercise plan and
your health will improve greatly in very short order.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville,
TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great
nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and
comments on popular diets.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Huge Discounts on Brand Name Vitamins and Supplements

This online store offers huge savings on brand name vitamins and supplements. Beat the high cost of health food stores by ordering over the net. Check it out.

Click to buy your vitamins at WHOLESALE COST!

Changing your life-style can lower blood pressure

By: Grojan Fabiola

When treating high blood pressure it helps a lot if it is
detected in an early phase, because it appears long time before
its symptoms and complications do.If it's detected early, much
of the damage it does to the organs in the body can be
prevented, and lowering blood pressure can be done easier. This
is the first step that should be taken in high blood pressure
treatment.

Afterwards, when what is called "pre-hypertension" is
discovered, several other things should be done in order to
lower the blood pressure.For example, patients should change
their lifestyle quite often. The doctors recommend this for
pre-hypertensive people. They are stating that life-style
changes helps lowering blood pressure a lot for them. If your
blood pressure reading starts exceeding 140/90 mm Hg, you can
treat yourself by changing your lifestyle and taking the
prescribed medicines. This, together with quitting smoking and
drinking significantly helps lowering blood pressure. People
must be made aware of these facts in order to help preventing
and/or lowering blood pressure, and to reduce the risks of heart
attacks and kidney failures.

As said before the blood pressure reading is very important when
trying to prevent hypertension. For example, if you discover
that the diastolic pressure is situated somewhere between 85 and
90 mm Hg you must consult a doctor and follow a different
treatment, because there have been cases where people with blood
pressure of these values suffered from end organ damage, and for
some patients aged around 65 years-old the risk of cadiovascular
damage increased when their diastolic blood pressure
increased.These patients were suffering from diabetes and were
smoking. Therefore it is recommended to immediately visit a
doctor and lower your blood pressure if the readings indicate
such levels.

Besides lifestyle changes of course, proper medication has an
important role in lowering blood pressure.Medication should be
administered right when high blood pressure is discovered in
order for it to have its best effects in lowering blood
pressure.If you suffer from high blood pressure and also
diabetes there are special drugs that help treating both in the
same time. Therefore, the conclusion is that in order to
successfully and quickly lower blood pressure it must be
discovered and treated while it is still in an early stage.

About the author:
We all know that certain advice about a natural and correct diet
can help us in fighting some diseases in very natural way.
Grojan Fabiola is writing this kind of articles for a long time,
but the whole 'interesting are' is more larger. She writes from
agriculture to finance, but now aiming Health articles. If you
would like to find out more about how to natural lower blood
pressure
pl

Thursday, October 20, 2005

You Don't Have to Strain for Cardio Fitness Gains

By: Rita Jenkins

Copyright 2005 Daily News Central

Quantity may beat quality when it comes to exercise and heart
health. Adults who engage in mild exercise -- such as walking
briskly for 12 miles or exercising moderately for 125-200
minutes over the course of a week -- can improve their aerobic
fitness significantly and reduce their risk of cardiovascular
disease, according to a study published in Chest.

"The classic exercise regimen has a component of intensity up to
80 percent of someone's maximum for health benefits," says lead
author Brian D. Duscha of Duke University Medical Center in
North Carolina.

"Our study demonstrates that you can exercise at an intensity
much less than that and still achieve fitness benefits," he
notes.

"People find exercise 'hard' and few people want to exercise at
an intensity higher than they have to. Walking briskly for 12
miles a week per week is realistic and does not require anyone
to incorporate a hardcore training regimen. Increasing your
mileage or intensity will give you even greater health
benefits," Duscha says.

Improved Oxygen Consumption

A Duke Medical Center research team examined the effects of
different exercise training regimens on 133 patients aged 40 to
65 years. All were sedentary, overweight nonsmokers who had
abnormal levels of fat in their blood.

The participants were divided into four exercise groups:

- high-amount/high-intensity (HAHI), the equivalent of jogging
20 miles per week at 65 to 80 percent peak Vo2 (maximum oxygen
consumption);

- low-amount/high-intensity (LAHI), the equivalent of
jogging/walking up an inclined treadmill approximately 12 miles
per week at 65 to 80 percent peak Vo2;

- low-amount/moderate intensity (LAMI), the equivalent of
walking approximately 12 miles per week at 40 to 55 percent peak
Vo2; and

- a control group of nonexercising patients.

All patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing twice at
baseline and after seven to nine months of exercise training.

All exercise groups significantly improved their absolute and
relative peak oxygen consumption and time to exhaustion (TTE)
compared to baselines scores.

Increasing Intensity May Help Too

Although the HAHI group showed the greatest improvements in peak
Vo2 overall, increasing exercise intensity from 40 to 55 percent
to 65 to 80 percent (at a controlled amount of 12 miles/week)
did not significantly improve peak oxygen consumption. However,
increasing the amount of exercise did produce improvements.

An increase in exercise amount also demonstrated a graded
increase in TTE between groups, although data were not
statistically significant.

"Although our results did point toward amount being more
important, it is very likely fitness levels can be improved by
increasing either amount or intensity," says Duscha.

"This is illustrated by the tiered effect the exercise dose had
on fitness improvements across our groups. We believe with more
people in the study, increasing intensity would also have been
significant," he explains.

Losing Weight Not Essential

Body mass index (BMI) was reduced in the LAHI and HAHI, groups
but remained unchanged in the LAMI group. All exercise groups
lost an average of 2.87 pounds after exercise. Baseline
characteristics of age, BMI, weight, peak and relative Vo2, and
TTE were not different between the groups.

"A second very important message is that subjects enjoyed
fitness benefits in the absence of weight loss. Many people
exercise with the purpose of losing weight. When they do not
lose weight, they do not think the exercise is benefiting them
and they stop exercising," notes Duscha.

"The truth is, you can improve your cardiovascular fitness and
reduce your risk for heart disease by exercising without losing
weight. Even if individuals do not lose weight, it is likely
that they will lose body fat and increase lean muscle mass while
reducing other risk factors," he points out.

12 Miles a Week

Adherence to exercise requires motivation and making exercise a
priority, the researchers stress. They advise those who are
beginning an exercise regimen to start slowly, choose an
enjoyable activity, and make exercise a social activity.
Individuals with medical problems should consult a physician
before starting an exercise program.

"If you distill our results down, the public health message is:
You only need to walk briskly for 12 miles per week or for
approximately 125 to 200 minutes per week to improve your
health. This sheds more light on the question, 'What is the
minimum amount of exercise I need to do to get a health
benefit?'" says Duscha.

"Regular exercise is an important part of a well-balanced
lifestyle," adds Paul A. Kvale, MD, FCCP, President of the
American College of Chest Physicians. "Physicians and other
healthcare providers should encourage their patients to engage
in regular exercise in order to obtain pulmonary and
cardiovascular benefits."

About the author:
Rita Jenkins is a health journalist for Daily News Central, an
online publication that delivers breaking news and reliable
health information to consumers, healthcare providers and
industry professionals: http://www.dailynewscentral.com

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Top 10 Benefits of Strength Training for Women

By: Lynn VanDyke

Copyright 2005 strength-training-woman.com

"Women are finally warming up to free weights, and it is a
beautiful thing!" states Lynn VanDyke, owner of
http://strength-training-woman.com. It's true that women are
recognizing strength training as a major player in the battle
against fat loss. Here are the top 10 benefits women receive
from strength training:

1) Increased Metabolic Rate- adding muscle increases our
metabolism naturally.

2) Increasing and Restoring Bone Density- prevent and fight
osteoporosis by building strong bones.

3) Increased Lean Muscle Mass- each pound of lean muscle mass
burns 35-50 calories per day.

4) Injury Prevention- a solid foundation strengthens our bones,
ligaments, and tendons.

5) Improved Balance- strong leg and core muscles help stabilize
us.

6) Decreased Risk of Coronary Disease- strength training can
reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

7) Aids Rehabilitation and Recovery- the best way to strengthen
and recover from an injury is to slowly build your strength
around the injured area.

8) Enhanced Performance in Sports, Exercise and Life In General-
climbing stairs, carrying the kids, or walking with your spouse
becomes more enjoyable.

9) Aging Gracefully- strong muscles build a strong body.
Strength training and fitness can help keep aging bodies in
well-working condition.

10) Feeling Better and Looking Better- strength training reduces
overall body fat, it tones our muscles and it builds confidence.

These top 10 benefits all come for free when you begin a proper
strength training routine. Be sure to check with your doctor
before beginning any new fitness program.

About the author:
Lynn VanDyke is the proud owner of
http://strength-training-woman.com/31-no-holds-barred-answers.htm
l . Her newest ebook has been rated the #1 Fitness ebook on the
net by the No Limits subscribers.

Eating your way to a healthy body !!

By: Arun Tibrewal

Did you know that there are hidden medicinal powers in some
common Spring/Summer fruits? Here are just a few for starters.

Grape - Rich in antioxidant, anticancer compounds. Red grapes,
(but not white or green grapes) are high in antioxidant
quercetin. Grape skins contain resveratrol, shown to inhibit
blood platelet clumping (and consequently, blood clot formation)
and boost good-type HDL cholesterol. Red grapes are
antibacterial and antiviral in test tubes. Grapeseed oil also
raises good-type HDL cholesterol.

Grapefruit - The pulp contains a unique pectin (in membranes and
juice sacs-not in juice) that lowers blood cholesterol and
reverses atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) in animals. Has
anticancer activity and appears particularly protective against
stomach and pancreatic cancer. The juice is antiviral. High in
various antioxidants, especially disease-fighting vitamin C.

Kiwi - Commonly prescribed in Chinese traditional medicine to
treat stomach and breast cancer. High in vitamin C, which has
multiple antidisease activity.

Pineapple - Suppresses inflammation. Both the fruit and a main
constituent, an antibacterial enzyme called bromelain, are
anti-inflammatory. (Great for those swelled ankles we sometimes
get in the heat of the summer.) Pineapple aids digestion, helps
dissolve blood clots and is good for preventing osteoporosis and
bone fractures because of its very high manganese content. It is
also antibacterial and antiviral and mildly estrogenic.

Watermelon - High amounts of lycopene and glutathione,
antioxidant and anticancer compounds. Also mild antibacterial,
anticoagulant activity.

About the author:
Modern Sage [ www.modernsage.com ] is online health journal to
learn about living a healthy lifestyle, alternative medicine.
Arun Tibrewal [ www.arun.info ] is an online marketing
promotions specialist since 1998. Permission is granted to
reprint this article as long as the resource box should keep
intact http://www.modernsage.com >> living a healthy lifestyle,
alternative medicine. http://www.arun.info >> Honest Online
Marketing Guide

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

The Best Way To Avoid The Dangers of Bird Flu

By: Alfred Jones

Look After Your Health. The threat of a Bird Flu Pandemic.

The threat to the world from Bird Flu is more serious now, than it
was when I wrote my first article on the subject in May, 2005.
entitled "Will Avian Flu Become Pandemic" since then it has
spread to numerous other countries, but thankfully at this stage
it has not, as yet, mutated to a strain that can transfer from
Human to Human.

It is so easy for this virus to mutate, it can happen as simply
as a person catching Bird Flu from poultry or birds, when that
person, has already caught one of the more common strains of
Influenza. This could enable the Bird Flu virus to then cause a
pandemic outbreak of this deadly disease throughout the world.

History of the Bird Flu and its Spread. It first started in
South Korea at a chicken farm in 2003, a couple of months or so
later, it was detected in Vietnam, then an outbreak was found in
chickens in Indonesia, Thailand confirms the death of a six year
old boy, this was the first known death from Bird Flu. China
also has problems and Malaysia has found the virus in chickens,
near the Thailand border.

This year, 2005, Bird Flu has been found in ducks in the
Philippines, Japan has had an outbreak in chickens, then it was
also found in Russia. In October, 2005 it was discovered in
Turkey and Romania, so you can see that it is spreading across
the globe, slowly but surely. The very latest is that has now
been dicovered in Greece.

It is spread at this stage by birds, mainly migratory birds that
fly north or south from the Asian region, where they can take it
to Russia and Europe, or in the other direction, south to
Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region.

The European Union has warned that there should not be any
panic, though it has told the 25 nations that make up the Union
to start stockpiling supplies of anti viral drugs. It has been
confirmed in nearly all cases the strain of virus is the highly
virulent and lethal H5N1.

In London, it has been confirmed that Britain is at risk and
they have suggested that all people that could be vulnerable,
should consider having normal Flu injections. The United States
Senate, on September 29, 2005, voted to provide almost $US4
billion to purchase a stockpile of the two anti viral drugs.

Future Prospects Professor Ian Frazer of Brisbane, Australia,
who with his research team, after many years of heartache,
trials and tribulations, have announced that they have now
perfected a vaccine that will prevent Cervical Cancer and this
vaccine should be available in 2006, this is a world
breakthrough and a historic discovery, he now is thinking of
turning his talents to the H5N1 virus, he and many of his
colleagues are convinced that it is only a matter of time before
this virus will start attacking humans and cause a pandemic.

It has been estimated that the death toll throughout the world,
if this pandemic should start, could be as high as 40 million
people. Currently, humans are catching the virus from birds that
have the infection, through their saliva or faeces, which when
dry can be inhaled by humans. The authorities state emphatically
that it can not be transmitted through eating poultry.

What Can You Do? It is recommended by a number of authorities
that you should consider having the normal human flu vaccine.

There are two drugs available that can help, but are in short
supply, also quite expensive, Tamiflu and Relenza.

Take all the sensible normal precautions.

Your Immune System, this is your natural defence against all
illnesses and diseases. Try to ensure that you Immune System is
functioning as efficiently as possible. Make sure that what you
eat and drink is natural and as nutritious as you can make it.
More information is available from my website.

About the author:
Article by Alfred Jones, Information Advisor for
http://www.Sugarsr4u.com The Health Secret of the Himalayas This
article may be freely used by Newsletters amd Web Sites without
permission as long as it is shown in its entirety.

Monday, October 17, 2005

Getting the Most from Calcium Supplements

By: Alisa Fleming

Although a well-balanced diet is the best way to consume
vitamins and minerals, some people prefer to take out an
"insurance policy" or two in the form of supplements. One thing
is for sure; there is no shortage of calcium supplements on the
market! Here are some helpful consumer hints to narrow down your
selection:

TYPES OF CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS

Calcium Carbonate is the most inexpensive and readily available
option. It contains the highest level of elemental calcium
(40%), therefore fewer pills may be required in order to reach
your desired daily intake. This big amount of calcium is
typically accompanied by a big pill. A chewable or liquid
version may be preferred for those who find the tablets too big
to swallow. Calcium carbonate should be taken with meals or with
an acidic beverage such as orange juice. It is alkaline based
and requires extra stomach acid for maximum absorption. For
some, intestinal distress in the form of gas or constipation. If
this happens to you, try upping your dietary fiber intake, and
drink more water. If this doesn't help, switch to calcium
citrate.

Calcium Citrate usually costs just a bit more than calcium
carbonate, and is not quite as easy to find, but on the whole it
is an excellent option. Calcium citrate has less elemental
calcium (21%), but it is better absorbed than calcium carbonate.
It is acidic based, and may be taken at any time in the day,
even on an empty stomach! If you are taking acid blockers for
indigestion, acid reflux or other intestinal conditions, calcium
citrate may be your best option from an absorption point of view.

Calcium Phosphate is rarely recommended. Although some types of
calcium phosphate contain high levels of elemental calcium, the
average diet already contains too much phosphorous from
processed foods.

Calcium Lactate and Calcium Gluconate are both usually well
absorbed, but they have a very low rate of elemental calcium
(13% and 9% respectively). Calcium Lactate is derived from
lactic acid and should not be a problem for milk allergies or
lactose intolerance.

Coral & Chelated Calcium are overpriced and over-hyped calcium
supplements. They supply no known advantages over any of the
calcium compounds noted above. It is best to avoid supplements
that contain Dolomite, Bone Meal, or Oyster Shell. These
products may be contaminated with lead, mercury, and/or arsenic.

SO WHAT IS THIS ELEMENTAL CALCIUM?

Several different calcium compounds are utilized in supplements,
such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and calcium
citrate. The elemental calcium represents the actual amount or
percentage of calcium in the compound. It is important that you
read the labels of calcium supplements to verify the amount of
elemental calcium available. How does one do this? Simple! On
the nutrition/supplement facts label a % of daily value is
listed. This is based upon a 1000mg recommended daily value for
calcium. Thus a supplement with a 25% daily value for calcium
has 250mg of elemental calcium. Also, be sure to note the
serving size, that is the number of tablets, pills, etc. you
must take in order to obtain that level of elemental calcium. If
you choose to supplement, do not consume more than 2500mg of
elemental calcium daily (diet and supplements combined)!

ISN'T THIS STUFF REGULATED?

Calcium supplements are not currently regulated by the FDA.
However, when selecting a calcium supplement check the label for
the initials USP. This is a guarantee that the product meets
with the U.S. Pharmacopeia's voluntary standards for quality,
purity (lead content), and tablet disintegration. Since the
application for the USP symbol is completely voluntary, some
excellent brands may not display it, just to complicate matters
a bit. In Canada, specific standards have been created for lead
content, quality, and tablet disintegration. Products with a DIN
(Drug Identification Number) or GP (General Product) number have
met with these standards. If you want more confidence in your
vitamins and minerals, check out www.ConsumerLab.com. They test
and report on various brands and types of supplements.

ABSORPTION INSURANCE

The body will easily absorb most brand name calcium products.
However, if in doubt check for the USP symbol, or try a simple
test on a sample tablet. Place it into a glass of warm water or
clear vinegar. Stir occasionally. If the tablet dissolves within
30 minutes, then the supplement will most likely dissolve in
your stomach as well. Chewable and liquid calcium supplements
are a good alternative to ensure proper absorption. As a rule of
thumb, calcium, whether from diet or supplements, is best
absorbed when consumed throughout the day in increments of less
than 500mg.

BEWARE OF INTERACTIONS

If you are taking any medications, prescription or
over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist before
adding calcium supplements into the mix. Calcium has been shown
to interfere with the absorption of iron supplements, Synthroid
for hypothyroidism, bisphosphonate medication for osteoporosis
(i.e. Fosamax or Didrocal), and certain antibiotics such as
tetracycline. A window of 2 hours or more between the medication
and calcium supplementation should prevent an interaction.

OTHER BONE BUILDERS

Calcium supplements are found in varying combinations, often
with added vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and Vitamin
D. For most healthy individuals, additional supplements of
magnesium are not required. Magnesium is abundant in vegetables
and nuts, and our daily requirements can be met with that good
old "5 servings of fruits and vegetables." Those who believe
they may have a magnesium deficiency due to illness should
consult a physician. On a different note, sunscreen, age, and
increasing indoor activities are depleting the levels of Vitamin
D we as humans are producing. This is prompting more
recommendations for Vitamin D supplementation. You may opt to
take Calcium supplements with Vitamin D, which is great, but not
an absolute must. Although Vitamin D enhances calcium
absorption, it is taken in and stored in a unique way and at a
different rate than calcium.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Ignore the sales pitches and consumer hype when purchasing
calcium supplements. The least expensive and most basic brands
of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate will typically do the
trick!

About the author:
© Go Dairy Free (2005) - http://www.godairyfree.org

GoDairyFree.org was written and published by Superstar Life,
Inc., a company centered on life management, growth, and
enhancement. If you have any questions, or would like to submit
a testimonial, recipes, or useful information, please email
info@godairyfree.org

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Health Insurance 101 - The Basics You Need to Know!

By: Shelley Hitz

Health insurance is a legal contract between two or more parties
that promises certain performance in exchange for
considerations. A health insurance policy is considered a
unilateral contract. This is because only one party (the
insurer) is required to fulfill their obligation. While a policy
owner may decide to terminate premium payments, as long as the
payments are paid the insurer must meet their responsibility
under the contract.

A health insurance policy can provide just one or any
combination of certain benefits:

 Hospital, medical and surgical expenses resulting from
sickness or an accident

 Accidental death or dismemberment

 Disability resulting from accident or sickness
(sometimes this can also be referred to as "loss of income" or
"loss of time"

An accident is an injury that occurs accidentally. A sickness is
an illness or disease that is not the result of an accident.
Knowing the difference is important because policies may have
different provisions that apply to accidents or sickness. Also,
there are some companies that sell a separate accident policy
that does not include sickness.

The terms accident and sickness are widely used and often
interchangeable in any discussion of health insurance. They are
often abbreviated as A&H and A&S. Health insurance is also
referred to as medical insurance.

Health insurance is designed to protect again two types of
economic loss. Loss of income and expenses for medical care
which places them in either of two broad policy categories:

 Disability income policies

 Medical expense policies

Disability income policies can also be referred to as loss of
income, loss of time or replacement income. This type of policy
will pay benefits to an insured who is disabled and can no
longer work to earn a regular income. Payments can be weekly or
monthly depending on the policy.

Medical expense policies are represented by a wide range of
coverage from very minimal to comprehensive packages with
multiple coverage. Some include both accidents and illnesses,
various hospital expenses and other costs pertaining to medical
care such as:

 Accident and sickness policies

 Hospital policies

 Basic medical expense policies

 Major medical expense policies

 Comprehensive medical expense policies

Any of these policies might cover various combinations of the
above and may be paid in a lump sum.

Accident Policies. Some policies cover only accidents and not
illness. As you might imagine, policies like this are very
specific about what is considered an accident.

It is important to understand what is defined as an accident as
it pertains to the health insurance industry. . .an accident is
an event that is unforeseen and unintended.

Keep in mind that any discussion of this type of policy also
applies to any type of policy that includes accidental coverage
not just accident specific policies.

Accident benefits are most commonly paid for accidental loss of
life (also called accidental death), accidental loss of limb or
sigh (dismemberment), loss of time and/or income, hospital
expenses, surgical expenses, and medical expenses like visits to
the doctor.

About the author:
For more information, visit Shelley's website at: www.Choosing-Heal
th-Insurance.com
.

Friday, October 14, 2005

12 Ways to be Healthier

By: Evan Brinton


Copyright 2005. http://www.health-care-information.org

Want to loose weight, sleep better and boost your immune system?

1 Have a lie down Back pain can be avoided and the damage
repaired with one easy exercise, which is lie down on the floor
with your knees bent, hip width apart, feet on the floor. Do
this daily for about five to fifteen minutes to release and
lengthen your spine.

2 Note your nibbles Crash diets don't work for long enough;
instead maintain a food dairy to note your daily eating habits.
With this you'll be conscious of what you eat, and make
healthier choices.

3 10 deep breaths Our breath power our lymphatic system, which
removes waste from cells. By taking 10 deep breaths, three times
a day, you'll clear more toxins and boost your thinking power by
getting 20% more oxygen to your brain.

4 Put your fork down Put your fork down between every mouthful
of food, it makes you chew your food properly, preventing
digestive problems, and also prevents you from over- eating.

5 Make a list The most effective stress buster is to make a
list. Your short term memory can only remember, on an average,
seven things. So when you overload it , your stress level
escalate. Making a list clears out all the stress from your
brain you feel tension free. This saves you from headaches,
depression and high blood pressure.

6 Massage your feet Poor circulation could be robbing you of
much needed sleep. Your temperature needs to drop slightly
before you fall asleep, so your body dispels heat via your face,
hands and feet. But many women have poor circulation, which
constricts the blood vessels in their hands and feet and
prevents them from dispelling heat. A hot bath before sleeping
or a hand and foot massage will increase your circulation.

7 An organic apple a day If you buy one organic item a day, make
it an apple. Research found that pesticide residues in 71% of
apples- the highest in fruits and vegetables.

8 Change your tea bag When it comes to tea white is the new
green. White tea comes from the same plant as green and black
but is harvested earlier and undergoes less processing, which
means it contains more cancer fighting anti- oxidants.



9 Eat dried apricots The most common nutritional deficiency is
iron. Tiredness, irritability and lack of concentration. Prevent
it by having two helpings of lean red meat a week, or three
dried apricots a day.

10 Stop skipping meals Eating three meals a day is very
important for a healthy body. It's the simplest way to balance
blood sugar levels, which will keep your mood, energy and
concentration balanced and strengthen your stress tolerance.

11 Keep it crunchy Include some raw vegetables in every meal.
Many of the vitamins and minerals are in vegetables are lost
through cooking, so raw food is as good as it gets.

12 Focus on your feeling Take two minutes to boost your resolve
to do walk, jog or aerobics class. The instant gratification of
that exercise high is far more motivating than the promise of
thinner thighs two months down the line.

About the author:
Evan Brinton for http://www.health-care-information.org
Health-Care-Information.org provides basic information on
various diseases, injuries, symptoms, herbal medicines, drugs,
medical tests and more. You are free to publish the above
article in your ezine or website, provided the credit is given
to the author and a hyperlink (HTML clickable) is given to
http://www.health-care-information.org

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Stop Living with Insomnia

By: Justin Arlan

Insomnia is classified as a sleeping disorder. It is the most
common sleep disorder with millions of Americans suffering each
day. Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or have a
complete, quality sleep. Many people with insomnia not only have
trouble falling asleep, but staying asleep is also a problem.

Many people wake in the middle of the night several times and by
the morning are extremely fatigued and irritable. If you are not
able to get a good night's sleep your performance is libel to
suffer, whether at work or in your personal life.

Here are some tips to treat insomnia:

* Avoid alcohol in the evening

* Avoid stimulants such as caffeine in the evening

* Check any prescription medication that you are taking for
sleep side effects

* If you are experiencing stress and anxiety, try to clear your
mind when you go to bed

* Eat a healthy diet and exercise more frequently

* Come up with a night time routine

* Sleep in a relaxing, quiet environment

If you still are having trouble sleeping, contact your physician
for the best ways to treat your sleep disorders.

About the author:
Justin Arlan is a freelance writer at
http://www.editor-in-chief.info a site that offers web content
to webmasters at extremely low prices.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

A Look at Electric Wheelchairs and Medicare

By: Kent Pinkerton

Electric wheelchairs are very expensive and therefore, it can be
a difficult decision whether to buy one. However, Medicare
usually covers up to 80% of the cost of electric wheelchairs.
Any secondary insurance company will usually cover the rest.

To obtain Medicare for electric wheelchairs, certain criteria
have to be met:

1. The person's condition is such that, a wheelchair or scooter
is a must for mobility. 2. The person cannot operate a manual
wheelchair, hence an electric wheelchair or an electric scooter
is required. 3. The person is capable of safely operating the
controls of a wheelchair or scooter. 4. The person can safely
transfer in and out of a wheelchair or scooter. 5. The person
has adequate trunk stability to safely ride a wheelchair or
scooter. 6. The person has not purchased a wheelchair or scooter
and obtained reimbursement for that purchase within the last
five 5 years. 7. Medicare must be the primary insurance carrier
for filing the initial claim with them. 8. If Medicare had
covered the cost of a manual wheelchair previously, that chair
should be returned to the company for claiming the cost of an
electric wheelchair from Medicare.

If all of these criteria are met, then the person seeking
support from Medicare should provide a description of the
functional limitations affecting the patient, which supports the
medical necessity of the POV; patient diagnosis requiring the
POV. This information must be furnished on letterhead or other
documentation, which identifies the specialty of the ordering
physician. The recommendation for a wheelchair for which
reimbursement is requested needs to be ordered by a neurologist,
orthopedic surgeon, rheumatologist, or rehabilitation medicine
specialist.

Medicare supports up to 80% of allowable charges however,
reimbursement amounts vary from state to state. $100.00 is
deductible yearly for Medicare's Part B. All Medicare claims are
settled within 30 days. For guaranteed assurance, it is better
to fill out a pre-approval form from Medicare.

About the author:
Electric Wheel
Chairs Info
provides detailed information about electric
wheelchair lifts and scooters, used electric wheelchairs,
electric indoor wheelchairs, Medicare, electric wheelchair
reviews, and more. Electric Wheel Chairs Info is the sister site
of Scooters Web.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

The Importance of Sleep

By: James Smythe

In this day and age it is becoming increasingly likely that you
wont get enough sleep at night. Many people have a hectic
lifestyle, juggling a high stress job with family life, and
don't even think about trying to incorporate a social life in
there. Every thing is going on so fast these days that no one is
ready to rest since they fear if they sleep someone other may go
ahead of him. Many have become so intellectual that they are
ready to change the rules of nature. They say that sleeping is
nothing but waste of time. But those who try to change the rules
of almighty have their own troubles.

The rule of the thumb is that the average adult needs
approximately 8 hours of sleep per night. This can vary
depending on the person though, some may only need 6 hours and
other may need 10. Some people will think they need a lot less
sleep than this of course. Margaret Thatcher famously needing
only 4 hours' sleep a night during her 11 years as the UK Prime
minister. However you may think you only need a few hours of
sleep but this will probably have health consequences on your
body.

It is reported that over 40 million Americans suffer from sleep
disorders, with 60% of Americans having problems sleeping a few
nights a week. Psychologists and other scientists who study the
causes of sleep disorders have shown that such problems can
directly or indirectly be tied to abnormalities in the following
systems: · Brain and nervous system · Cardiovascular system ·
Metabolic functions · Immune system Furthermore, unhealthy
conditions, disorders and diseases can also cause sleep
problems, including: · Pathological sleepiness, insomnia and
accidents · Hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risks (MI,
stroke) · Emotional disorders (depression, bipolar disorder) ·
Obesity; metabolic syndrome and diabetes · Alcohol and drug
abuse Groups that are at particular risk for sleep deprivation
include night shift workers, physicians (average sleep = 6.5
hours a day; residents = 5 hours a day), truck drivers, parents
and teenagers. Stress is the number one cause of short-term
sleeping difficulties, according to sleep experts. Common
triggers include school or job-related pressures, a family or
marriage problem and a serious illness or death in the family.
Usually the sleep problem disappears when the stressful
situation passes. However, if short-term sleep problems such as
insomnia are not managed properly from the beginning, they can
persist long after the original stress has passed. Each year the
cost of sleep disorders, sleep deprivation and sleepiness,
according to the NCSDR, is estimated to be $15.9 million in
direct costs and $50 to $100 billion a year in indirect and
related costs. And according to the NHSA, falling asleep while
driving is responsible for at least 100,000 crashes, 71,000
injuries and 1,550 deaths each year in the United States. Young
people in their teens and twenties, who are particularly
susceptible to the effects of chronic sleep loss, are involved
in more than half of the fall-asleep crashes on the nation's
highways each year. Sleep loss also interferes with the learning
of young people in our nation's schools, with 60 percent of
grade school and high school children reporting that they are
tired during the daytime and 15 percent of them admitting to
falling asleep in class. The following are some tips on how to
try and get the best nights sleep possible. 1) Go to bed and get
up about the same time each night and morning. If at times it
becomes late to sleep at night try to recover it by sleeping for
some more time in morning. Avoid going early in the bed. Go to
bed only after you feel sleepy.

2) Do the exercise regularly in the evening some three to four
hours before bed. See that you get at least 30 minutes of
sunlight exposure daily. Do yoga, meditation and gym early in
the morning. This is will help to give energy to work for the
whole day. The strained muscles will undoubtedly ask for rest at
night.

3) Have a long, warm bath or shower before bedtime. Follow
bedtime rituals. Listening to soft music read a book to calm the
body. Avoid reading violent news or watching suspense or horror
movies that will have brain thinking about.

4) Have warm milk before bedtime. Have dinner about two hours
before sleeping. Have water bottle besides you so that you don't
have to walk up to the water pot.

5) The bedroom area should be silent and as far as television is
considered should not be in bedroom. The room should have a
comfortable atmosphere. Put curtains where the light is piercing
in the room. Change the bed sheets regularly. The room should
have proper ventilation. Avoid having illuminated clock in
bedroom that makes you anxious and keeps you thinking about
time.

6) Avoid sleeping in afternoon. Avoid caffeine and nicotine in
all forms after lunchtime. Caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate,
colas; other soft drinks should be avoided.

7) If you don't get sleep withinn 10-15 minutes and feel that
you can't get sleep leave the bedroom. Get on with some book or
watch television until you feel drowsy.

8) Some people have pills for sleeping try to reduce it and
continue till you get rid of it. If not controlled it just
becomes a habit. Proper care should therefore be taken and
physician should be consulted.

9) Recollect all the activities performed during the day. Note
down the worries you are facing and possible ways to achieve the
solution. This will remove the burden of your shoulders and so
you need not think of it as you go to the bed.

10) Main reason for sleep problems is stress. The relief from
tensions and anxieties often eliminates sleep problems.

11) Have light meal before bed. Eating heavily can cause adverse
effects.

12) Most people you have to travel across the globe through
various time zones in such cases they should practice the
timetable of that country in advance so that body gets
acquainted to the conditions to be faced in another country.

Some Useful Resources.

National Sleep Foundation http://www.sleepfoundation.org

American Academy of Sleep Medicine http://www.aasmnet.org

American Insomnia Association
http://www.americaninsomniaassociation.org

Sleep Research Society http://www.sleepresearchsociety.org

NIH National Center for Sleep Disorders Research
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sleep

Article Written by

James Smythe

Dolphin Design
Blackpool

Learn about treadmills
and ways to exercise at treadmill.com

Monday, October 10, 2005

Reduce Your Allergies and Have Healthier Lungs this Fall Season!

By: Garrett Stults

Ah the time of year again where the leaves change color, the air
gets cooler, and the winter season is just a few weeks away. If
you just read this and see these things happening outside then
obviously you don't live in Southern California. Out here the
leaves stay the same, the days get hotter and the Santa Ana
winds return. We have seen this just recently and have seen the
horrible affects of the wind with the recent wildfires, but what
maybe isn't seen to everyone but felt by a lot is the toll this
wind, heat and lack of humidity is doing to people's allergies
and lungs. Most of us either have or know people who have been
coughing, sneezing, stuffy, constantly trying to relieve their
dry throat, having more and more asthma attacks and just
generally feeling pretty miserable. It's no fun to be feeling
this way, and we can expect just more of these days to come, but
what can we do to help alleviate the symptoms and possibly
prevent them? Now all you people who aren't in Southern
California don't stop reading, these tips are great for anyone
suffering from similar symptoms; hopefully they will relieve
your allergies and make for better breathing and healthier lungs.

- First of all take care of any problems you may have indoors in
your home.

- Replace sheets and pillow cases with those that help to
prevent dust mites from escaping the bedding and wash these
beddings weekly in hot water. - Make sure and keep your rooms
free from clutter and vacuum and dust regularly.

- Try to avoid going outside during high pollen count or very
windy days; most weather reports now include a pollen count that
can be a good guide to when you should avoid outside air as much
as you can.

- Especially avoid exercise during these days, replace your
routine with things that you can do in your home.

- Make sure and keep your windows closed during these days,
don't want to bring inside the air we are avoiding outside.

- Use saline eye and nose drops to keep your eyes and nose moist
during days of very low humidity, drink plenty of water and if
needed use over the counter antihistamines or decongestants.

Following these tips can dramatically help relieve your
allergies and help you to have a healthy and happy fall season.



About the author:
Garrett Stults is an expert and author in the field of
allergies, asthma and the pulmonary system. He is also an asthma
sufferer as well and the webmaster of
http://www.naturalremedymarket.com a website dedicated to
natural remedies and treatments for allergies, asthma,
bronchitis, smoking and other lung related conditions.

Sunday, October 09, 2005

The Commerce of Obesity

By: Dr. Joseph Mercola

In an interview with Pam Killeen of Crusador, Dr. Marion
Nestle, noted food expert and author of Food Politics and
Safe Food, reveals some interesting facts about the
marketing of junk foods that have led to the obesity epidemic,
including:

  • The appalling American diet may be, in part, collateral
    damage from having a food supply that provides 3,900 available
    calories for every man, woman, and child, resulting in a
    hypercompetitive market
  • Sugary breakfast cereals, even those
    advertising themselves as having whole grains or added vitamins,
    are basically cookies
  • The American Heart Association makes
    money by endorsing low-fat foods, even if those foods are high
    in fattening sugars
  • American federal dietary guidelines have
    been overcomplicated to the point that they are basically
    useless



Health Lies Exposed September 11, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comment:



You'lldefinitely want to read this insightful interview with
Dr. Marion Nestle, one of this nation's leading experts in
understanding the commercial influences on your nutrition. She
reallyunderstandsthe commerce of obesity, meaning what processed
food companies will do to sell their products at the expense of
your health.


Interestingly, the interview began with an apology, of all
things, from Dr. Nestle, because she felt bad about ignoring the
vital link between agriculture and nutrition for far too long,
which is more important than ever now with the rise in
genetically modified foods.


Dr. Nestle, quite wisely, isn't fond of most processed
cereals -- chock full of marshmallows, chocolate and candy as
well as extra sugar and flour -- which are, as she rightly
points out, "Desserts in disguise." She also slammed the most
recent Food Pyramid, which hasn't been much of an improvement
over previous modelsand emphasized a "one-size-fits-all"
approach. In other words, a recipe for disaster!


Just another reason to remind you, if you haven't done it
already, to take your free test to determine your body's unique
metabolic type.


Many of us fail to appreciate the profound influence of the
quality of the soil and the specific farming techniques used and
how it influences the nutritional characteristics of the foods
you eat. If this is an area of interest for you, then you will
certainly want to visit Acres USA,which publishes the only
magazine related to sustainable agriculture.


They are the equivalent of mercola.com in the farming
community and provide the most incredible information about soil
health and how it ultimatelyinfluences your health. They also
have some amazing live events that bring together the top people
in this important field.






About the author:
This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world's #1 most
visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a
limited time only, you can take the FREE "Metabolic Type Test"
to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type
so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to
www.Mercola.com right now to take this quick test!

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Smoking and dental health are more intimately connected than you

By: Trust Source

Article:
Smoking and dental health are more intimately connected than
you would imagine


Imagine losing a portion of your cheek at the age of 18? Medical
research indicates that smokers are six times more likely than
nonsmokers to develop oral cancers. Even those addicted to
smokeless tobacco (snuff or chewing tobacco) can develop cancers
of the cheek, gums and lining of the lips, increasing the risk
by about 50 times. Oral cancer is in fact one of the most
devastating effects of smoking. In fact, the death rate from
oral cancers (which includes cancers of the tongue, mouth, gums,
tonsils and pharynx) exceeds the death rate from cervical
cancer, according to experts.

Who is at risk?

It's believed that the adolescents are at the maximum risk. Over
the last 10 years the number of kids under 18 who become daily
smokers increased by 70 per cent. Roughly 3,000 kids become
regular smokers every day. Worse, almost 1/3 of them will die
from a tobacco-related illness (Dental Health Foundation,
http://www.dentalhealth.ie/whatsnew/index.tmpl?_eqRIDdatarq=20040
224175004) The susceptibility to smoking starts around age 10
years and peaks by age 14 years in close to 60 per cent of the
population. And once thy have experimented, approximately half
continue to smoke and become addicted to the nicotine content in
cigarettes. An adolescent, who thinks that the health problems
of smoking can be alleviated, provided he or she can stop
smoking before the age of 35, appears to be at much greater risk
of experimentation. Furthermore, older the habit and more the
number of cigarettes smoked in a day, harder is it to quit.

The risk of oral cancer in adolescents?

Approximately 75% of all oral cancers are associated with
tobacco use or alcohol consumption. In fact, about 3 per cent of
male and 2 per cent of female cancer sufferers have oral cancer.
The death rate from oral cancer is also high. Only about 50
percent of people who get oral cancer survive for five years or
more, in part because the disease often is not discovered until
it is more advanced, according to a study carried in Community
Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology.

Early warning signs:

o Sticky tar deposits or brown staining on the teeth. Heavy
smokers will have almost brown teeth. o 'Smoker's palate' - red
inflammation on the roof of the mouth o Delayed healing of the
gums o Increased severity of gum disease o Bad breath or
halitosis o Black hairy tongue o Oral lesions o Gum recession -
with chewing tobacco at the site of the tobacco "wad", the gums
react by receding along the tooth root, exposing the root o Oral
cancer

do young people smoke?

There are a number of complex and inter-relating factors that
predispose young people to smoke, and these vary among
individuals and among populations. However, years of research
have identified certain factors that commonly play a role in
smoking initiation. These include high levels of social
acceptability for tobacco products, exposure and vulnerability
to tobacco marketing efforts, availability and ease of access,
role modeling by parents and other adults, and peer group use. A
study in the United States found that among teens who smoke, 85
per cent chose the three most heavily advertised brands of
cigarettes, compared to only 35 per cent of adults. Data suggest
that children are more responsive than adults to the messages
and images contained in tobacco advertisements. Past studies
have also shown that influence by their peers is likely the
biggest motivator leading to adolescent's experimentation with
smoking. Girls in fact are more susceptible to such influences,
a trend that carries over to high school according to past
findings.

What dentists and dental associations can do?

Small wonder that the American Dental Hygienists' Association
(ADHA) has now constituted a task force to push its three-step
approach to smoking cessation intervention: "Ask. Advise.
Refer." Efforts are meanwhile afoot to develop protocols,
scripts, and a toolkit to facilitate smoking cessation
intervention by dental hygienists. In November 2003, ADHA also
received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's
Smoking Cessation Leadership Center at the University of
California, San Francisco to launch a nationwide effort by
dental hygienists to promote smoking cessation.

Smoking is no doubt a serious health problem for our
adolescents. However, since abstinence is a long-drawn process,
our cessation services need to be made more attractive to teens.
So far, interventions with the youth have been relatively brief,
without focus and without any longer term support systems. It
would also be helpful to know what motivates adolescents to want
to quit smoking. Ready to quit smoking?

If you smoke and you're ready to quit, come find out what the
top stop-smoking products are at
http://stopsmoking.trustsource.org/ac1. These products are
ranked and reviewed by the ex-smokers who had success with these
products.

About the author:
TrustSource.org helps people find products that "really work" by
operating a network of internet sites designed to faciliate
communication between consumers. Find the top stop-smoking
products at http://stopsmoking.trustsource.org/ac1

Friday, October 07, 2005

Exercise and Omega-3 Boost Your Memory

By: Dr. Joseph Mercola


Two leading neuroscientists recently announced that an active
lifestyle and a diet rich in the omega-3 fatty acids found in
fish oils help prevent the memory loss associated with old age,
as well as having other benefits.

Seven Keys

Along with eating a healthy diet and keeping physically fit,
five other key factors in maintaining your mental faculties are:
  • Avoiding high stress levels
  • Enjoying a rich and
    varied social life
  • Mental stimulation
  • Learning new
    things
  • Thinking young


Omega-3s Stop Memory Loss

Studies show that omega-3 fats reduce the cell inflammation that
triggers a decline in memory, and may even stem the chemicals
that give rise to such inflammation in the first place. Omega-3
fats have also been linked with maintaining a healthy heart and
joints, and in protecting the brain against the damage caused by
Alzheimer's disease.


Yahoo News September 7, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

The mountain of evidence demonstrating the essential nature of
omega-3 fatty acids continues to grow. There is little question
that omega-3 fats arethe most common and serious nutritional
deficiency for nearly everyone reading this. Omega-3
deficiencies are not only linked to memory problems, but also to
a wide variety of other healh concerns that you probably
have:
  • Dyslexia
  • Depression
  • Weight
    gain
  • Cancer
  • Heart
    disease
  • Eczema
  • Allergies
  • Inflammatory
    diseases
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes


Unfortunately,a number of people have some serious confusion
when it comes to using omega-3 fats. While omega-3 from plants
(like flax) are useful and should certainly be consumed, they
are in no way, shape or form an acceptable substitute for
animal-based omega-3 fats. In fact, in certain instances omega-3
from flax might actually increase the risk of cancer.

Those who consume a vegan diet that avoids all seafood will
likely develop severe deficiencies in this important fat and
expose themselves to all infections, not only flu, in addition
to nearly every chronic degenerative disease we know of.I
suggest you use a high-quality fish oil or cod liver oil, which
will give you all the benefits while allowing you to avoid the
dangerous mercury present in most fish.

Cod liver oil also provides you with an excellent source of
vitamin D,which is important as winter is quickly approaching
the northern hemisphere. Vitamin D is another important factor
in staying healthy into old age. Most Americans do not get
enough vitamin D, largely because of experts' misguided
recommendations to avoid all sun exposure.

But increasing numbers of scientists are agreeing that vitamin D
deficiency increases the risk of:
  • Bone and muscle
    problems
  • Many forms of cancer
  • High blood pressure
  • Depression
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetes


It is essential to understand that in order to know how much
vitamin D you should be taking, you should get your blood level
checked. If you are uncertain about your vitamin D levels, you
can read my past article on vitamin D testing and get up to date
on this important topic.





About the author:
This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world's #1 most
visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a
limited time only, you can take the FREE "Metabolic Type Test"
to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type
so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to
www.Mercola.com right now to take this quick test!

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Signs And Symptoms - What Are They?

By: Adam Minsky

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as CFS, can be a very
debilitating problem that can really sap your energy. There are
a number of chronic fatigue syndrome signs and symptoms to look
out for in order to differentiate between this illness and
simple flu. The causes of chronic fatigue syndrome can vary, and
there are many possible chronic fatigue syndrome signs and
symptoms. Sufferers could suffer from some or even all of these
symptoms depending on the severity of the CFS. So, how can you
tell if you have CFS or just the flu?





By learning more about chronic fatigue syndrome signs and
symptoms you can determine whether you might be suffering from
this illness as opposed to general flu. This will then enable
you to get drug treatment and medication as necessary. There are
a number of therapies available for this illness, and by looking
at the causes as well as other factors your doctor can prescribe
suitable medication. You may be able to get drug or alternative
therapies to treat the symptoms once you have been diagnosed
with chronic fatigue syndrome.



CFS - Some Possible Symptoms



Some of the possible symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
include persistent tiredness, weakness, depression, headaches,
exhaustion, joint aches, memory loss, insomnia, lack of
concentration, and overall fatigue. It is important to seek
treatment for this illness, as this will ease many of the
symptoms and can save you a great deal of discomfort. Many
people find that the causes of CFS are difficult to identify.
However, others state that they have had CFS after a
particularly bad period of stress, after an infection, or after
another illness that left their defenses low.



About the author:
Adam Minsky runs http://www
.nutritional-supplement-resources.com
, where he reviews all
the latest trends in vitamin and nutritional supplementation. If
you want to keep up with the very latest information on Alternative Health Supplements
then visit this site today!

Using Fatty Acids for Reducing Joint Pain

By: Rudy Silva

Joint pain as experienced in arthritis occurs in both men and
women. Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis, but there
are other types of arthritis:

* rheumatoid arthritis

* arthritis from lupus

* gout

* psoriatic arthritis

* reiter's disease

* infective arthritis

As you age, the constant movement of the joints creates wear and
tear. Toxic wastes that circulate in the blood, dead cells, uric
acid, inorganic acids and liquid can accumulate in the various
joints and cause inflammation and pain.

Continual inflammation can cause damage to the joints. In some
cases, the cartilage that coats the bone ends, wears down and
joints then rub bone to bone causing extreme pain. There are
several conditions and lifestyles that contribute to arthritis:

* Obesity

* Diabetes

* Heredity

* Poor nutrition

* Poor digestion

* Lack of water

* Allergies

* Repetitive use of fingers, hands, legs or arms

* Body injuries - sports or accidents

Arthritis is a difficult disease to treat because there is
usually more than one cause. Just working on one cause may not
help enough to give pain relief. But it always helps to know the
many things the contribute to arthritis so that different
nutritional and lifestyles changes can be made.

The use of omega-3 is known to provide anti-inflammatory
benefits. In my other fatty acid articles, I point out that the
breakdown of omega-3 eventually produce prostaglandins. It is
the prostaglandins that provide the anti-inflammatory relief.

So by using the omega-3, GLA, and EPA/DHA or Fish Oil
supplements, you can get some pain and inflammation relief from
arthritis. This will prevent some damage from occurring in your
joints. It is recommended that you use a good dose of,

* Borage oil

* Primrose oil

* NKO oil

* Fish oil

* Flax seed oil

Using these oils spread across the day provides the benefit of
feeling reduce joint stiffness and pain in the morning. One
additional benefit of using these oils is the coating protection
that GLA has in your stomach lining.

The standard treatment for arthritis is the use of NSAIDs and
COX-2 inhibitors. These, however, have undesirable side effects
such as attacking the stomach lining. Thousands of deaths and
visits to the emergency are associated with the use of NSAIDs.
You can benefit greatly if you use NSAIDs by adding fatty acid
oils to your diet.

By using fatty acid oils your can reduce arthritis pain and
protect your stomach lining from acid attack.

About the author:
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural
Nutritionist. He writes a newsletter call "Natural Remedies
Thatwork." For more information and remedies on arthritis and
essential fatty acids, visit his web site at
http://www.arthritis-remedies.for--you.info
http://www.fatty-acid-remedies.for--you.info

Why Hydrogenated Oils Are Bad For You

By: Rudy Silva

Warning: Do not eat foods that contain partially hydrogenated
and hydrogenated fats. These fats are found in all kinds of
packaged and junk food. Food manufacturers really don't care
about your health when they add hydrogenated oils to their foods.

Good clean vegetable oils are hydrogenated to create shortenings
and margarines. Vegetable oils are partially hydrogenated so
they can be added to many foods since they become a source of
cheap fat and increase the shelf life of the food product.

What do hydrogenated oils do? When healthy oils are processed
through bubbling hydrogen at temperatures up to 210 C,
un-natural fatty acids are created that are called trans-fatty
acids.

Your body is unable to use this un-natural fatty acids so the
liver see them as toxic waste and proceeds to detoxify and
eliminate them. Trans-fatty acids are one of the most toxic
wastes that can be inside your body. Trans fatty acids, also,
can block your body's use of the essential fatty acids.

Hydrogenated oils also have all of their nutrients removed
during their processing. This forces removal of vitamins and
minerals from your body to help digest the stripped hydrogenated
oil.

In his book called, Eat Fat Look Thin - A Safe and Natural Way
to Lose Weight Permanently, 2002, Bruce Fife, N.D., talks about
the dangers of hydrogenated oils,

"Trans fatty acids affect more than just our cardiovascular
health. According to a study reported by Mary Enig, Ph.D., when
monkeys were fed trans fatcontaining margarine in their
diets,...their red blood cells did not bind insulin as well as
when they were not fed trans. This suggests a link with
diabetes. Trans fatty acids have been linked with a variety of
adverse health effects which include: cancer, ischemic heart
disease, multiple sclerosis diverticulitis, diabetes, and other
degenerative conditions."

Hydrogenated oils are use by a food processor because they are
cheap fats, which increase the size and shelf life of their
product.

This is where you find hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated
oils,

* 40% of all foods in a grocery store

* 95% of all cookies

* 75% of chips and crackers

* 70% of all cold cereals and cake mixes

* 80% of all frozen breakfast foods

* in most microwave popcorn

* in many salted peanuts and other nuts

* in most candies

* most restaurants that fry foods including donut shops
shortenings

* and the list goes on and on

Buy less of these foods and give yourself better health and
force the food manufacturers to use less hydrogenated oils in
their food products.

About the author:
Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural
Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne,
Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. He also writes a newsletter
called "natural-remedies-thatwork.com." For more information on
the essential fatty acids go to:
http://www.fatty-acid-remedies.for--you.info

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Healthy Eating Tip - Four Power House Foods

By: Cori Sachais Swidorsky

There are many foods that we can consume on a regular basis that
could possibly help reduce the risk of heart disease by 75
percent or more. Since heart disease is the number 1 killer in
women, it would benefit us to try and add more of these foods to
our healthy eating life style. * Almonds: Almonds are packed
with fiber and monounsaturated fat as well as vitamin E which
are an antioxidant. According to the Food and Drug
Administration, 1.5 ounces of almonds per day may be enough to
reduce the risk of heart disease. * Vegetables: Vegetables that
are connected with heart health are lycopene-rich tomatoes and
leafy greens such as kale or spinach. These foods have powerful
antioxidants and soluble and unsoluble fiber. A serving of
vegetables is equal to one cup of raw, leafy vegetables; a half
a cup of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables; or three fourths
cup 100 percent vegetable juice. * Fruit: It's important to
include a variety of fruits into your daily diet. Bright colored
berries are high in polyphenols, citrus fruits are packed with
vitamin C, and apples have an antioxidant called quercetin. A
serving of fruit is equal to one medium size piece of fruit; a
half a cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruit; three fourths cup
of 100 percent fruit juice; or one quarter cup dried fruit. *
Garlic: Garlic lowers total cholesterol and blood fat levels
which help to prevent clogged arteries.

About the author:
Cori Sachais Swidorsky resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a
work at home mom/stay at home mom. Owner of the Informing Women
Newsletter and website http://www.informingwomen.com Writes an
advice column for a community newsletter, has an inspirational
piece being published in Chicken Soup For The Recovering Soul,
and has articles published on many work at home, home based
business, tips and hints, and parenting websites.

Eating Healthy Doesn't Have to Be Hard

By: Rachel Williamson

So many people dread the idea of "health food," but the truth is
that many foods labelled "healthy" are actually quite delicious.
The key is the way you eat them, what you combine them with, and
how much you eat.

When you think of healthy foods, do you think of boring Brussels
sprouts and bland broccoli? Think again! You can have all the
flavor you want and still keep the number on the scale down and
keep your heart healthy.

Take your favorite recipes and look at the ingredients. Decide
which ingredients are the least healthy and replace them. It's
as simple as that. For recipes that call for butter, try to
replace it with olive oil. For recipes that call for whole milk,
replace it with skim milk (or soy milk). For recipes that call
for chicken broth, replace it with vegetable broth.

One big thing you can do to lower your intake of saturated fats
is to lower your consumption of red meat. Whenever you can,
replace red meat with fish. If you're adventurous, you can
replace red meat with soy substitutes. There are many soy
products on the market that taste delicious. Soy crumbles are
particularly good in homemade tacos and casseroles.

If eating healthy is difficult for you, don't be too hard on
yourself. Focus on changing gradually. If you can't give up your
usual dinner, have a healthy lunch. Every little bit helps.
While it may not be true that "you are what you eat," it is true
that your health is directly affected by what you eat. You owe
it to yourself and your body to feed it the proper fuel.

Besides replacing your old stand-bys with healthier
alternatives, try to add 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables
every day. You'd be surprised how easy this is. For example, you
might add some sliced banana to your morning breakfast, have an
orange with lunch, have an apple for an afternoon snack, eat
some beans with dinner, and have some blueberries on top of ice
cream for dessert. Find your own way of adding fruits and
vegetables into your diet so it works for you.

Small changes in your diet can make a huge difference. Don't
beat yourself up if your diet isn't perfect. The important thing
is to make it better than it was before. Even if you only add
one or two pieces of fruit per day, you're on the right track!
You'll begin to feel the difference and that will encourage you
to do even better.



About the author:
Rachel Williamson shares healthy recipes
and food news in Eat This!, a food blog.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Exercising to Improve Your Sleep

By: Mark Altman

Studies suggest that exercise helps to promote sleep for
individuals with insomnia. Below are some of the benefits
exercise provides
:

- Adrenaline is released, increasing the heart rate and
metabolism, naturally fatiguing the body.

- Brain activity is increased due to increasing levels of oxygen
being transported.

- Endocrine system is activated, normalizing stress hormone
function.

- Endorphins are distributed throughout the nervous system,
interacting with opiate receptor neurons and creating a sense of
euphoria.

- Anxiety levels are significantly reduced.

- Muscle tissue is broken down requiring rest to repair.

- Elevation of body temperature may beckon sleep to regulate.

Some points to keep in mind when exercising:

- Outdoor exercise may be especially beneficial, since Increased
light exposure aids sleep and acts as an anti-depressant.

- Some research warns to not exercise too close to bedtime. The
increased metabolic rate may cause restlessness.

- Morning may be the ideal time to exercise, as it influences
circadian rhythms that may positively affect sleep quality.

The benefits of exercise go far beyond those described in
this article. In general, a regular aerobic exercise schedule
should help to improve your sleep patterns, reduce stress
levels, and increase vitality and energy.


About the author:
Mark Altman is the webmaster of www.soundsleeping.com, a
web page containing free relaxing music,
sleep-aids, relaxation advice, stress reducing
tips
and an active discussion.