All of them contain high level of anti oxidants and useful minerals that provide the body with the required nutrition while burning calories and preventing absorption of fat.  Cayenne Pepper for instance works by reducing the craving for food and you are thus able to restrict your intake of calories.  These products have other spin off benefits as well as they help reduce cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels and generally boosts the immune system such that you remain healthy

 

 

 

Heaviness is a natural state with the aim of assign to unnecessary body fat. Fortune are you maintain skilled the defeat of lose weight by the side of smallest amount as soon as in your activity, if you contain problems with your gross. As good as to a hundred million Americans set out on a weight reduce calories taking part in every particular day and up to ninety-five percent of them reach again the weight they reduce contained by five years. Awful, a third wish advantage back additional weight than they unconscious, into afraid of “yo-yoing” from single standard calories to an extra. The usual method to weight problems, focusing on fashion weight reduce nutriment before weight reduce medicines, can disappear you with very soon while a lot of weight and the other stress of poorly fitness.

 

 

 

At the moment, an estimated sixty-five percent of all American young ages are heavy or plump. Our manners obsesses in this area staying high even at the same time as we become heavy, however this isn’t approaching display. Fatness is famous to be present a messenger to several weakening fitness cases such at the same time as disease, heart attack, diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and gallbladder disease. Fatness accord to at the same time as countless like 375,000 deaths all time. Additionally, the open fitness expenses in support of fatness are puzzle. Accordantresearchers by the side of Harvard University, fatness is a issue inside 19% of all belongings of heart attack with yearly fitness expenses estimated on 30 billion dollars; it’s additionally a reason in 57% of diabetes cases, with health expenses of $9 billion for every time.

 

 

 

Usual practical objects:

 

 

 

Absolutely you suffer break down instead of single or extra of the weight reduce calories plans in excess of the years, promising quick and painless weight reduce. Several of these quick weight reduce calories plans weaken your fitness, basis natural pain, flatulence, and ultimately advantage to defeat as you begin rescue weight, shortly with behind it. Trend or quick weight reduce calories plans usually overstress single way of diet. They conflict with the primary opinion of useful food – to keep on healthy one should consume a balanced calories, which add a many types of diet. Safe, healthy, and everlasting weight reduction is what’s greatly unconscious between the thousands of general calories plans.

 

 

 

Various of the weight reduce calories plans control highest for a moment, simply to lighten absent. While various fade from popularity due to being useless or else insecure, various easily reduce the public’s interest. Examples of such trend nutriment include the South Beach calories, Atkins calories, the Grapefruit calories, Cabbage Soup calories, the Rotation calories, Beverly Hills calories, Breatharian, Ornish arrangement – the catalog goes on and on. These trend nutriment promoter a particular method (such equally eliminating a specific diet, or else eating merely clear medley of foods) in conjunction with the fundamental scheme to the body makes up the difference into energy by breaking down and utilizing various part of itself, in the main converting subject into energy. This self-cannibalism, or catabolism at the same time as it is touch on, as rule as starts with breakdown of hide body fat.

 

Read more

 

Yoga’s primary emphasis is upon general well-being. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Rather, yoga employs a broad holistic approach that focuses on teaching people a new lifestyle, way of thinking, and way of being in the world. In the process, however, it is also found to bring a myriad of healing effects. By attending to practices for improving, regaining or retaining general good health, a person is likely to find that some of his more specific difficulties tend to disappear. Many of the healing effects of yoga is clinically verified. We will look at the healing effects of yoga. However, one of the most important benefit of yoga is its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality and its anti-aging properties and its application for relaxation therapy.

According to Swami Sivananda, the benefits of pranayama (yogic breathing practices) include: “The body becomes strong and healthy. Too much fat is reduced. There is luster in the face. Eyes sparkle like diamonds. The practitioner becomes very handsome. Voice becomes sweet and melodious”

Indra Devi, author of many books on yoga suggests that with yoga: “You will be able to enjoy better sleep, a happier disposition, a clearer and calmer mind. You will learn how to build up your health and protect yourself against colds, fevers, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and other troubles. You will know what to do in order to remain youthful, vital and alert, regardless of your calendar-age; how to lose or gain weight; how to get rid of premature wrinkles, and keep a smooth skin and clear complexion.”
Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits, including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress and improving your mental and physical well-being. Will it help you lose weight, though?

Answer: Practicing any type of yoga will build strength, but some types may not raise your heart rate enough to make them the only form of exercise you need to include in your weight loss regime. It depends on the type of yoga you select and how frequently you practice it.
In order to lose weight, you must eat healthily and burn calories by doing exercise that raises your heart rate on a regular basis. Some types of yoga, such as Iyengar, in which yoga poses are held for several minutes with a resting period between each pose, will build muscles and improve your posture, but will not give you the cardiovascular workout you need to lose weight.

If you plan to make yoga your primary form of exercise, you must do a vigorous 90-minute yoga class at least three times a week. Many people also choose to combine yoga with running, walking or other aerobic exercise in order to reach their weight loss goals.
Ashtanga:
Ashtanga Yoga is a very vigorous style of practice with a few distinct advantages for those who want to lose weight. Ashtanga practitioners are among the most dedicated of yogis, and beginners are often encouraged to sign up for a series of classes, which will help with motivation. Another advantage is that once you learn the poses, Ashtanga Yoga is ideal for home practitioners.

Power Yoga:
Power Yoga is extremely popular, because it provides a very vigorous cardiovascular workout.

Hot Yoga:
Vinyasa yoga done in a hot room ups the ante by guaranteeing 

Yoga’s primary emphasis is upon general well-being. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Rather, yoga employs a broad holistic approach that focuses on teaching people a new lifestyle, way of thinking, and way of being in the world. In the process, however, it is also found to bring a myriad of healing effects. By attending to practices for improving, regaining or retaining general good health, a person is likely to find that some of his more specific difficulties tend to disappear. Many of the healing effects of yoga is clinically verified. We will look at the healing effects of yoga. However, one of the most important benefit of yoga is its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality and its anti-aging properties and its application for relaxation therapy.

According to Swami Sivananda, the benefits of pranayama (yogic breathing practices) include: “The body becomes strong and healthy. Too much fat is reduced. There is luster in the face. Eyes sparkle like diamonds. The practitioner becomes very handsome. Voice becomes sweet and melodious”

Indra Devi, author of many books on yoga suggests that with yoga: “You will be able to enjoy better sleep, a happier disposition, a clearer and calmer mind. You will learn how to build up your health and protect yourself against colds, fevers, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and other troubles. You will know what to do in order to remain youthful, vital and alert, regardless of your calendar-age; how to lose or gain weight; how to get rid of premature wrinkles, and keep a smooth skin and clear complexion.”
Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits, including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress and improving your mental and physical well-being. Will it help you lose weight, though?

Answer: Practicing any type of yoga will build strength, but some types may not raise your heart rate enough to make them the only form of exercise you need to include in your weight loss regime. It depends on the type of yoga you select and how frequently you practice it.
In order to lose weight, you must eat healthily and burn calories by doing exercise that raises your heart rate on a regular basis. Some types of yoga, such as Iyengar, in which yoga poses are held for several minutes with a resting period between each pose, will build muscles and improve your posture, but will not give you the cardiovascular workout you need to lose weight.

If you plan to make yoga your primary form of exercise, you must do a vigorous 90-minute yoga class at least three times a week. Many people also choose to combine yoga with running, walking or other aerobic exercise in order to reach their weight loss goals.
Ashtanga:
Ashtanga Yoga is a very vigorous style of practice with a few distinct advantages for those who want to lose weight. Ashtanga practitioners are among the most dedicated of yogis, and beginners are often encouraged to sign up for a series of classes, which will help with motivation. Another advantage is that once you learn the poses, Ashtanga Yoga is ideal for home practitioners.

Power Yoga:
Power Yoga is extremely popular, because it provides a very vigorous cardiovascular workout.

Hot Yoga:
Vinyasa yoga done in a hot room ups the ante by guaranteeing 

Yoga’s primary emphasis is upon general well-being. Although yoga has been shown to be beneficial in a variety of conditions, it is not considered a therapy for specific illnesses. Rather, yoga employs a broad holistic approach that focuses on teaching people a new lifestyle, way of thinking, and way of being in the world. In the process, however, it is also found to bring a myriad of healing effects. By attending to practices for improving, regaining or retaining general good health, a person is likely to find that some of his more specific difficulties tend to disappear. Many of the healing effects of yoga is clinically verified. We will look at the healing effects of yoga. However, one of the most important benefit of yoga is its application in relieving stress, fatigue, invigoration and vitality and its anti-aging properties and its application for relaxation therapy.

According to Swami Sivananda, the benefits of pranayama (yogic breathing practices) include: “The body becomes strong and healthy. Too much fat is reduced. There is luster in the face. Eyes sparkle like diamonds. The practitioner becomes very handsome. Voice becomes sweet and melodious”

Indra Devi, author of many books on yoga suggests that with yoga: “You will be able to enjoy better sleep, a happier disposition, a clearer and calmer mind. You will learn how to build up your health and protect yourself against colds, fevers, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and other troubles. You will know what to do in order to remain youthful, vital and alert, regardless of your calendar-age; how to lose or gain weight; how to get rid of premature wrinkles, and keep a smooth skin and clear complexion.”
Doing yoga regularly offers many benefits, including making you feel better about your body as you become stronger and more flexible, toning your muscles, reducing stress and improving your mental and physical well-being. Will it help you lose weight, though?

Answer: Practicing any type of yoga will build strength, but some types may not raise your heart rate enough to make them the only form of exercise you need to include in your weight loss regime. It depends on the type of yoga you select and how frequently you practice it.
In order to lose weight, you must eat healthily and burn calories by doing exercise that raises your heart rate on a regular basis. Some types of yoga, such as Iyengar, in which yoga poses are held for several minutes with a resting period between each pose, will build muscles and improve your posture, but will not give you the cardiovascular workout you need to lose weight.

If you plan to make yoga your primary form of exercise, you must do a vigorous 90-minute yoga class at least three times a week. Many people also choose to combine yoga with running, walking or other aerobic exercise in order to reach their weight loss goals.
Ashtanga:
Ashtanga Yoga is a very vigorous style of practice with a few distinct advantages for those who want to lose weight. Ashtanga practitioners are among the most dedicated of yogis, and beginners are often encouraged to sign up for a series of classes, which will help with motivation. Another advantage is that once you learn the poses, Ashtanga Yoga is ideal for home practitioners.

Power Yoga:
Power Yoga is extremely popular, because it provides a very vigorous cardiovascular workout.

Hot Yoga:
Vinyasa yoga done in a hot room ups the ante by guaranteeing you’ll sweat buckets.

Keep in mind that if you are just starting to do yoga or are quite out of shape, always choose a beginner-level class.

Yoga Workouts at Home
Keep yourself exercising by doing yoga at home on the days you can’t make a class. Follow along with a video or audio recording, if you are new to yoga. When you are ready to plan your own workouts, use these yoga sequencing ideas to help you come up with yoga sessions of varying lengths that suit your needs.

Read more

The unhealthy habit of smoking is more and more widespread these days and most people are still not aware of high risks of developing certain severe illnesses and even cancers from smoking.

Most people fail to quit smoking and you might be in the same situation. One of the main reasons is because you aren’t choosing the right quit smoking aid that will guarantee your success whilst your will power and determination is definitely the main key! Most individuals I’ve seen struggling to quit relapsed after their first few attempts so you’re aren’t alone. Becoming smoke-free without seeking for professional help is pretty impossible unless you’re the type of ‘quitting cold-turkey’ and you might already have done it a few times before.

What’s the point in quitting cigarettes just for a certain period of time? There is NO point at all. I would recommend you try the Quit Smoking Today program. A guaranteed aid that is based on hypnotherapy and NLP created by Rob Mellor an expert in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is a pretty new branch of psychotherapy that will help you quit smoking without having to suffer the horrible cravings and nicotine withdrawals.

The Quit Smoking Today is a complete MP3 audio file (38minutes long). The main idea of the program is to help you to quit for good without having to suffer from cravings or the withdrawal symptoms. As far as I know and what the author claims that over 5000 people worldwide have used this technique successfully. Meanwhile relapsing is out of the equation.

Do not get tricked into thinking that the Quit Smoking Today program is some kind of smoking aid miracle because it isn’t. You need to follow the guide correctly and comprehend the entire audio recording in order to quit smoking systematically.

Read more

The most important step in the anti aging fight is the right nutrition and diet. Nutrition, exercise, sunshine, fresh air and strict avoidance of all

toxic chemicals in foods, personal care products and home environments will make you appear to age much more gracefully than everybody else.

Undertaken with balanced multi-vitamins and minerals to ensure that all nutritional needs are being met, especially as these needs usually increase with age. People who are physically fit, eat a healthy, balanced diet and take nutritional supplements can measure out to be 10 to 20 years younger biologically than their chronological age.

The aging process in women is much faster than that in man; this is due to various activities taking place in women body from the time of attaining puberty to the time menopause. But in recent years a growing number of very young women with barely a wrinkle to show are booking themselves in for the same anti aging treatments as their mothers.

This loss is accelerated yet even more and even earlier in women after menopause and in men after 60. It’s a cream that works so well, that many women who have tried thousands of other products, are now swearing by Athena.

Skin anti-aging involves techniques used to slow the skin aging process, so the skin continues to appear and function in a more youthful and healthful manner. Skin pores, with function of exuding sweat and releasing calories in hot days, will cause water to vaporize excessively with the consequent decrease of such nutriments as lactic acid, kalium and calcium, therefore the epidermis cells become dry and then skin shrinks.

There are countless products to assist in this venture including many herbs and nutrients that we can apply to restore and maintain our beautiful and more youthful looking skin. It is very easy to implement a steady workout and intake of these simple anti aging treatments, and with that you will have fast results in youthful and healthy skin.

Another advantage of it being anti wrinkle is that it can be worn through the day without worrying about it forming creases from sitting for too long. Anti-aging is not against your age, just the appearance of aging. Anti-Aging is the beginning of a new era in medicine. Before considering any oily skin anti aging product, you should consider a healthy diet and appropriate lifestyle.

Athena 7 Minute Lift is a breakthrough in wrinkle creams. Athena 7 Minute Lift is a new clinically proven anti-wrinkle cream that claims to reduce the frown lines, laugh lines and under eye wrinkles in just 7 minutes.

“When used in accordance with intended package directions, the product in seven minutes significantly reduced the appearance of fine lines and facial wrinkles an average of 83.72% on a full face evaluation. Maximum reductions of 90% were observed. Additionally the data statistically is significant. Further, this phenomenon was documented and confirmed by the photographic record made during the course of this study.”-AMA Laboratories

Read more


Terramed Alliance News Researchers at Rush University Medical Center and Argonne National Laboratory are collaborating on a study to determine if an imaging technique used by NASA to inspect the space shuttle can be used to predict tissue damage often experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The study is examining the utility of three-dimensional thermal tomography in radiation oncology.


Preliminary results from the study are being displayed during the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, being held from November 1 – 5, 2009.


Approximately 80 percent of breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment develop acute skin reactions that range in severity. The more severe reactions cause discomfort and distress to the patient, and sometimes result in treatment interruptions. The severity is quite variable among patients and difficult to predict.


“Because reactions usually occur from 10 to 14 days after the beginning of therapy, if we could predict skin reactions sooner we may be able to offer preventative treatment to maximize effectiveness and minimize interruption of radiation treatment,” said Dr. Katherine Griem, professor of radiation oncology at Rush.

Terramed Alliance News : Researchers at Rush and Argonne are studying if three-dimensional thermal tomography (3DTT) can detect the earliest changes that may trigger a skin reaction. 3DTT is a relatively new thermal imaging process that is currently being used as a noninvasive away to detect defects in composite materials. The basic idea of thermal imaging is to apply heat or cold to a material and observing the resulting temperature change with an infrared camera to learn about its composition.


Unlike most thermal imaging studies which have quantitative limitations, 3DTT measures the thermal effusivity of skin tissue. Thermal effusivity is a measure of a material’s ability to exchange heat with its surroundings.


In this study, a flash of light is used to heat up the skin. An infrared camera captures a series of images over time that display the temperature of the skin, represented by colors. An algorithm developed by Argonne is used to calculate the temperature change and determine the thermal effusivity of different areas of the skin.


“How quickly the skin cools is related to the structure underneath. Damaged skin cells have different effusivity values compared to that of healthy skin, said James Chu, PhD, chairperson of the section of medical physics at Rush. “By identifying the earliest changes in damaged tissue, we may be able to predict acute skin toxicities.”

Terramed Alliance News: Preliminary data from the study show that marked decreases in thermal effusivity of irradiated skin occur well in advance of the development of high grade skin reactions.


“Our initial data with radiation induced skin changes are quite encouraging,” said Dr. Alan Coon, chief resident of radiation oncology at Rush and primary author on the study. “In addition to finding decreases in effusivity of the treated areas many days before the development of skin reactions, we have also seen that the magnitude of these decreases varies with the grade of the reactions. This exciting result bodes well for the clinical utility of this technique in predicting the severity of a skin reaction before it occurs.”


In addition, researchers note that 3DTT techniques can be used to measure these tissue property changes noninvasively with no interruption of therapy and the technique allowed for rapid feedback.


“3DTT may also be used to detect other skin diseases such as skin cancer and measure skin damage caused by electricity or lightening. Such applications require the determinations of tissue conditions below the skin that is normally not visible but can be measured by 3DTT,” said J.G. Sun, a mechanical engineer at Argonne.


Researchers plan to perform additional studies to confirm the preliminary results and hope to soon begin studying 3DTT in breast cancer patients.


The investigators on the project include Dr. Katherine Griem, James Chu, PhD; Dr. Alan Coon; Damian Bernard, PhD; Riu Yao and Alistair Templeton, all from Rush University Medical Center and J.G. Sun from Argonne National Laboratory. Source: Kim Waterman Rush University Medical Center

Terramed Alliance is a non-profit charity organization dedicated to research, education and advocacy of breast cancer. One of the vision of Terramed Alliance is to provide this community and Internet users with a charity based research and education entity. Advocacy of breast cancer through education is vital to the reduction of this disease.  For any requests and enquiries, please contact at us: cancer@terramedalliance.us www.terramedalliance.us

Read more

The history of yoga is believed to be as old as civilization. The prehistoric roots and its gradual evolution and development are testimony to this fact. Ancient yoga derived from Indian asceticism to uniting in the “cosmic one.” Yoga history could be traced in the Upanishads, Vedas and even in Brahmanas. The yoga history was also illustrated in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
 
How yoga derived its name?
The history of yoga is recorded in our scriptures and it’s continuously evolving in recent times. Though yoga has evolved with changes in techniques and methods but the essence and goal remains the same. The word yoga derived from Sanskrit word “Yuj”, meaning to “unite”.
 
History of yoga in Indus valley civilization-
The archeological excavations of ancient civilization shows that even before 3000 BC yoga had evolved. The artifacts and the “Yogi glyptic” are testimony to the fact. The various yoga postured relic’s depicts, some of the noteworthy yoga postures in them. 
 
History of yoga in Vedic period –
With evolution of Vedas the foundation of Hinduism was laid. The Vedas hold the ancient yogic teachings and hence is known as Vedic yoga. While some vague references of history of yoga could be found in the Vedas but practices could be found in the Brahmanas. The Rig Veda mentions yoga’s practice as yoga was essential with Vedic ritual. This dates back to 900 BC.
 
History of yoga in the Upanishads-
This period is also knows as pre-classical yoga period. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad makes the reference of yoga meditation and is clearly reflected in 900 BC to 400 BC. The Mahabharata and the Bhagavad-Gita (oldest Yoga scripture) shows the yoga history in 500 BC and 200 BC resp. Even in Buddhism, the importance of yoga meditation and various yoga postures have been mentioned. 
 
History of yoga in the Patanjali “Yoga Sutra’s”-
This period is also known as the Classical period of yoga. The main attempt of Patanjali was to define and normalize classical yoga form and is known as Patanjali eight fold path of yoga (Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga).
 
Post classical yoga-
Numerous sovereign yoga schools were developed during this period after the Yoga sutra period, hence the name Post classical yoga. The human body became filed of study along with the meditation which was missing is the previous years. A new system with numerous yoga exercises was developed. And thus Hatha yoga, Raj yoga and other branches emerged. 
 
Modern yoga and its history-
The Chicago summit and the famous lecture of Swami Vivekananda became a turning point with the introduction of Yoga to the Western world. Thus various yoga schools emerged and more and more people learnt this yogic form of exercise. 
 
Yoga today in modern world-
Yoga has gained immense popularity in recent years. Yoga has become a health movement. The westerner’s views and spirituality has changed a lot. Yoga’s has become a mandatory fitness regime. Yoga has evolved into more modern form like power yoga or Zen yoga.

Yoga has revealed through its long history. The vast oceans of Yogic literature and the motivation and drive makes all follow the true Yogic path.

Read more

Overview

The concept of Beauty can refer to a particular person, a special place, an object of interest or even the concept of an idea, all of which can provide a perceptual experience related to pleasure, meaning or satisfaction.

The study of beauty is intrinsically a part of aesthetics, sociology, social psychology and culture. In the form of a cultural creation, beauty has become extremely commercialised.

The characterisation of an “ideal beauty” is represented in a person who is admired, or possesses features widely associated with beauty in a particular culture. There are many historical figures that have come to personify beauty itself, such as Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, and Marilyn Monroe. The subjective experience, which refers to the sensory buzz and awareness associated with a perceptive mind, related to “beauty”, often involves the interpretation of some entity as being as one and in harmony with nature, which may lead to feelings of attraction and emotional well-being.

Beauty, as expressed by the popular saying, is in the eye of the beholder. In its most profound sense, beauty may engender a salient experience, which refers to a state or quality of standing out relative to neighboring objects, of positive reflection about the meaning of one’s own existence. Something that reveals or resounds with personal meaning may indeed be regarded as an object of beauty.

In classical Greek mythology, beauty was associated with the idea of “being of one’s hour”. Accordingly, a ripe fruit, which is “of its time”, was considered beautiful, whereas a young woman trying to appear older or an older woman trying to appear younger would not be considered beautiful.

History of Beauty

It was in the submissions of the ancient Greek philosophers, such as Pythagoras, that the earliest Western appreciation of beauty was to be found. The school, personified by Pythagoras, discovered that there was a strong connection between mathematics and beauty.

In particular, they noted that objects proportioned according to the golden rule, which can be expressed as a mathematical constant with a value of 1.618, seemed more attractive. In fact, this view of symmetrical structures that were in proportion is based on ancient Greek architecture.

It has been found that people whose facial features are symmetric and proportioned, in accordance with the golden ratio, are considered more attractive than those whose faces are not. Another important factor is that of symmetry since it suggests the absence of any hereditary or acquired defects. In fact, one of a number of aesthetic characteristics, including being average and that of youth, which are associated with the health, physical attractiveness and, ultimately, the beauty of a person, is associated with the concept of symmetry, especially that of facial features.

Even though there may be significant changes in image and fashion, it has been found that people’s interpretation of beauty may be defined in a number of ways. In this respect, eyes that are large and a complexion that is soft and clear, are especially desirable. Further, such features are most certainly considered beautiful, irrespective of gender, and certainly regardless of culture.

Interestingly, the features of a newborn baby are inherently attractive, and youthfulness is a timeless characteristic that is always associated with beauty. Early in child development, there is evidence to suggest that an affinity for beautiful faces emerges, and this definition of attractiveness is regardless of their gender or culture.

Beauty – How To Succeed

Peter Radford writes Articles with Websites on a range of subjects. Beauty Articles cover History, Human, Society, Mathematics, Philosophy.

His Website contains a total of 75 Beauty Articles, written by others and carefully selected.

View his Website at: beauty-how-to-succeed.com

View his Blog at: beauty-how-to-succeed.blogspot.com

Read more

Have a chat with your friends and people you know and ask for their general opinions on smoking in general, and how they feel about you smoking. Have a look around you and take note of how smokers are recognized by those who don’t smoke. Check out the negative aspects of smoking and any effects it may have on people near you.

Ask some ex-smokers what methods they used, which they failed with as well as those that where successful, tell everyone you know about your plan to quit smoking; it’s likely that they can suggest some different things that you can do which will help avoid smoking. If you have a bad urge to smoke, do everything you can to put it off and delay lighting up, slow down your brains demands for nicotine, think about why it is that you want to smoke, also try and think about the way other people would react if you gave in a lit up. With practice and by using delaying tactics

You will educate yourself and find yourself becoming more attuned to your own patterns of smoking.

A lot of quitters have discovered that it is a great idea to keep some kind of record or journal (perhaps even an online blog from wordpress.org) as a way of keeping track of the patterns of their own smoking habit. Try and find out the times when you are more likely to light a cigarette, as well as the times when you hardly smoke at all. Browse the net for some stress reduction techniques. Consider starting a new hobby, activity or sport that would make it more difficult to smoke, i.e. it’s quite hard to smoke when skydiving!

Prior to any actual attempt to stop smoking get a notebook and attempt to compile a true account of the money you spend on smoking each day, a lot of people are pretty stunned when they add up a weekly total as they admit that they smoke less than 10 a day but the true figure is double!

Stop bulk buying cigarettes, buy single packs when you go out, not the bulk packs of 200 or 500.

Put together a bullet list of the reasons you want to quit smoking and tape it to your fridge. One method worth trying before you actually quit is to light up your first cigarette 10 minutes later every day, by the end of a week your first nicotine fix is already an hour later.

Ask everyone you know for their favourite quit smoking methods, there are of course loads of different ways that people use so never giver up on giving up!

As soon as you have decided on the date that you are going to stop smoking, let everybody know about it so that they are aware of what you are doing, avoid areas where people smoke and be ready for the times when your need to smoke is high, try to be ready for these moments with a contingency plan already in place to distract you, something as simple as spearmint gum or extra strong mints can be enough.

As you get nearer and nearer to the date you have set for quitting try and increase the gaps between lighting up, try and cut out every 2nd or 3rd cigarette completely, this will gradually reduce your nicotine intake and help make actually stopping less stressful (both for you and those around you!)

Approach your quitting date make the gaps between lighting your cigarettes longer and longer, if you can cut out ever other cigarette, as your nicotine levels are reduced you should find quitting easier. Try to stay away from drinking alcohol; alcohol will almost certainly lessen your willpower. Try and put away the money you spend usually on smoking – you will be surprised by how much it is and how fast it mounts up.

Try and reduce the remnants of your smoking habit in your surroundings, was your car inside and out, vacuum your house and have your clothes professionally cleaned, destroy all your ashtrays, discard your lighters and prepare yourself for your first 24 hours smoke free.

Read more

Transition between seasons can shake your kids’ health a bit and make them more prone to seasonal allergies. These allergic reactions vary from ragweed allergy, mites, dust, mold, and some foods. It is often very hard to keep track of allergies symptoms with children who may catch it in school or while they are playing outside.

Studies have shown that allergic reactions may be hereditary. In case both parents have allergies, there is a about an 80% chance that their children will develop allergies too. Most children show symptoms of seasonal allergies once they reach 5 years olds. Asthma is often an indicator of allergies and often start to show when they are between 1 to 3 years old.

Symptoms of Seasonal Allergy

Parents can look for three kinds of symptoms when they suspect that their kids are suffering from seasonal allergy:

* Nasal – They will have stuffy or runny nose, sneeze a lot, and have itchy nose and throat. Just like allergic rhinitis.
* Eye Symptoms – There is often redness, itchiness, and watery eyes which can make your kids really uncomfortable.
* Asthma – Watch if your kids will have difficulty breathing or when you hear some wheezing or coughing.

Tree pollens, grasses, and ragweed often cause these allergic reactions. Tree pollens are very abundant in the air between April and June. Grasses like Rye, Timothy, and Orchard trigger reactions when they are mowed. Ragweed grows almost everywhere and billions of pollens can travel in the air starting mid-August.

Protect your children from seasonal allergies

Parents should always keep track of the level of pollen in your city or region. These indices can be found on the internet and are seen on TV reports.

It will be best to keep your doors and windows shut during the pollen season to prevent these allergens from entering your home.

You can also set up a play pen inside your home instead of kids spending time outdoors where they can be exposed to ragweed and other allergens. The sun can also aggravate their photosensitivity when they have ragweed allergy.

Remember to keep all surfaces clean of dust. You can get an air filter to make sure that your kids breathe clean air.

In case they still catch seasonal allergies, you can try the following to relieve them of the symptoms:

* A warm bath always helps. You can also apply warm compress to decongest their nose and sinuses.
* Encourage them to drink a lot of water throughout the day. A cup of tea with honey can also soothe their itchy throat.
* Tell your kids not to scratch their eyes since this will just worsen the condition. Try to apply cold compress to decrease inflammation or wipe them with wet cotton pads.
* A dab of petroleum jelly can help with their red or swollen nose
* Add some ginger, garlic, or pepper when you serve a bowl of soup. These are natural decongestants to clear their airways.
* You can dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in a glass of water which your kids can use to gargle with to relieve their sore throats.

Allergies can be fatal when you do not do something about it. Seek the guidance of your pediatrician if your children will need some medications for their allergies.

Read more

Standard adjuvant treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer patients, following primary surgery for their cancer, is Trastuzumab (Herceptin)–typically used in combination with chemotherapy. However, a new study by researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center reports that it may be safe to treat these patients with both Trastuzumab and adjuvant radiation therapy.

The study will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

“Our study evaluated the skin toxicity and early cardiac toxicity of concurrent Trastuzumab and radiation therapy treatment in the adjuvant setting,” says Penny Anderson, M.D., radiation oncologist at Fox Chase and lead author on the study. “We found that there was an extremely low rate of acute radiation dermatitis and cardiac toxicity in patients who received this type of treatment.”

The study followed 85 breast cancer patients who received adjuvant Trastuzumab while also receiving a course of adjuvant radiation therapy, as well as 85 breast cancer patients who only received adjuvant radiation therapy. Acute dermatitis was grade 2 in 15% and grade 3 in 2% of the patients receiving concurrent treatment, likewise grade 2 and grade 3 dermatitis was observed in 14% and 2 % of patients only receiving radiation therapy–there was only one patient who developed a grade > 2. There were no differences in cardiac toxicity between the two groups.

“The results of this study show that it is safe to use both Trastuzumab and radiation therapy in an adjuvant setting, when clinically indicated,” adds Anderson. “We would like to see longer follow-up to evaluate the potential differences in late cardiac toxicity.”  Adapted from materials provided by Fox Chase Cancer Center, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Terramed Alliance is a non-profit charity organization dedicated to research, education and advocacy of breast cancer. One of the vision of Terramed Alliance is to provide this community and Internet users with a charity based research and education entity. Advocacy of breast cancer through education is vital to the reduction of this disease.  For any requests and enquiries, please contact at us: cancer@terramedalliance.us www.terramedalliance.us

Read more

 Art for Arts Sake?

Dear reader, before i begin my tirade of self assured blathering i would ask you to hold this question in your mind before you let your eyes scan further across the pre-mentioned text. What is Beauty? By which i mean what is it to you personally and also what is it to society? How do we view and value it?

 

Beauty for no sake except its own is the only form worth pursuing, when beauty has a dual purpose it detracts form itself, let me explain further as i realize i have launched into my thoughts without taking the time to go into detail. If a beautiful object such as a painting or sculpture or a fine building has a primary or secondary function other than to be beautiful it ceases to be so, and thus falls into the well worn trap of being merely practical.

Many people suppose that all beauty can have a purpose, A flower is comely to attract bees, as is a female to attract males at first glance it would well seem that every natural beauty has a purpose or a side agenda which was in place firstly thus leading to the need for a form of beauty, and so mankind emulates his perceived surroundings and assigns all beauty a sub-task for which its beauty is just the mode of delivery for its purpose or job. If this is deemed to be true then beauty must have no value in itself and therefore cannot truly be beautiful. Man finds it almost impossible to create something of beauty without attaching to it a subtle meaning or silent message. The human race feels lost and shudders to think of a purposeless universe twirling and pulsating in all its perfect majesty for no other reason than IT IS. A good example is Mona Lisa’s smile by which i mean the painting not the much later but also very brilliant movie, Back to the painting of the Mona Lisa, most of us rather than look upon it and say to ourselves she is as she is, we look for a hidden meaning in that most beautiful smile, a hint of sadness? a glint of buried despair perhaps?

 

Mans natural love of creating beauty is governed and oppressed by this need for functionality, a grand cathedral cannot be built for its own sake, it must always be in homage to a god or gods or idol, we view the beauty of women as the same in homage to another whether man or woman but hardly ever for its own sake. Monuments of old are scrutinized until a reason, any reason is found for the creation of something of beauty for why would man create beauty unless it had a hidden meaning? was symbolic? a purpose? and so man has limited itself to what it can create it has to represent an existing symbol, theology, mode of thought, house of power or cultural identity.

 

when will man ever create beauty for only itself to be beautiful free from the mental block and conditioning, to put the depths and intricacies of our minds and souls into physical matter without the constraint of needing to represent or be symbolic or give a message. We have sadly lost many fantastic and sublime minds to this mode of thought for example Bernini the great sculptor himself who most agree is a maker of beauty and pure emotion translated into delicate marble was still for all his skill restricted by this when he began a work he always started with a theme or thought such as pain, anguish, ecstasy, or a person or event, but never did he simply start with one word to guide his hand, beauty, his works are alas only a shadow of his emotional strength they are the hollow shell of the beauty he could have produced if free within himself, it is the same for many young women today in a different sense but no less true.

                                       

Many misguided young women nowadays shape there beauty to societies current perceptions of it or to the opposite sexes proscribed ideas about modern beauty sadly almost never does she view it through her own self effectively becoming a mere social mirror again a brief fluttering reflection in the flickering lights of what her true beauty is. Many advocate isolation to obtain a true understanding and eye for beauty, there is great value in this as being isolated you have no need of mirroring or projecting the thoughts of others such as the media or the fashion houses into your concepts this is why many monks and saints favoured hermitage it was much easier they found to connect with the pure spiritual beauty of god free from  expectations or dogmatic notions. 

 

All great people who create beauty have no sub task for example. Two women Cleopatra and Marilyn Monroe, Cleopatra who is know to have been in spirit and body very beautiful is often viewed as ugly and immoral due to the fact that she used her beauty as a mere political tool, while Marilyn Monroe who once proclaimed she didn’t wish to be rich or famous just wonderful is for all her imperfections and so called dubious morals viewed as almost saint like as beauty personified. Showing that the only way to create something truly beautiful is to set out to do that and nothing but.

Anything else is a pointless endeavour a waste of many a magnificent mind and always ends in failure by being a shadow of what it could be. Let us embrace beauty for what it is there would be no limit to what wonders we could achieve.

Thank you for taking the time to wade through this article any comments whether for or against would be most welcome.

Read more

Furuncle is a bulge in the skin caused due to bacteria called staphylococcus. They may affect the face, neck, armpit and groin and they are painful. Acne is usually caused due to the unhealthy food you eat. In most people, the toxins that are produced due to unhealthy food are usually converted to fat and stored in the body. The chemicals can also find their way into your body through the various medications that you consume. In some cases, the chemicals are out of balance and the body tries to get rid of these excess chemicals. That is when you get the pimples and the blackheads etc. Acne can also be caused due to stress and lack of exercise due to which the excess waste in your body is unable to escape.

Acne is chronic in nature and if you want to take medication to cure Furuncular acne, then you will have to load up on antibiotics as it is caused by bacteria. Taking excessive medications can itself lead to build up of excess chemicals in the body which can contribute to chemical and hormone imbalance which can further lead to acne. There many other better options available to you as compared to antibiotics. As the main cause of acne is unhealthy food, you can start by controlling your diet. You must avoid processed food, carbonated drinks, junk food, red meat, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate etc. You can try switching to salads, pulses, fruits and vegetables and also lots of water. Water helps in freeing your body off the harmful toxins that you have accumulated in your body by consuming unhealthy food or consuming chemicals that are otherwise present on food. As you can see, the foods mentioned as the causes of acne are generally regarded as unhealthy food and the food mentioned as foods that can clear acne are generally regarded as healthy food. This has an added effect of keeping your body generally healthy and free from heart problems and high blood pressure.

There are other treatments that involve taking herbal products. These herbal remedies consist of black currant seed oil, tea tree oil, goldenseal, evening primrose oil etc. There are many other specific minerals and vitamins which you can take in the form of supplements to aid you in the treatment of acne. Some of these supplements should consist of zinc and vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin B6 is also useful in treating acne. Sulphur is supposed to help in the treatment of acne. Hence eating foods that contain sulphur will usually be helpful.

If you improve your lifestyle, then your life will be healthier and more fun. By exercising regularly, you can not only lose weight, but also flush out the excess chemicals in your body. Once these toxins are flushed out from your body, the chances of acne developing on your skin are minimal. You should remember that, although everyone eats red meat and other unhealthy food, only in your case will the toxins be released in the form of acne. You should take care to eat healthy food and remain free of acne.

Read more

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Diabetes mellitus, often referred to simply as diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism, usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).

The disease and its treatments can cause many complications as it is often detected when a person suffers a problem that is frequently caused by diabetes, such as a heart attack, stroke, neuropathy, poor wound healing or a foot ulcer, certain eye problems, certain fungal infections, or delivering a baby with macrosomia or hypoglycemia. 

Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes was first identified as a disease associated with “sweet urine,” and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts a lifetime.  

Type 1 diabetes can affect children or adults but was traditionally termed “juvenile” diabetes because it represents a majority of the diabetes cases in children. This type appears to be triggered by some (mainly viral) infections, or less commonly, by stress or environmental exposure (such as exposure to certain chemicals or drugs). Type 1 diabetics have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Type 1 diabetes occurs equally among males and females but is more common in whites than in non-whites. Additionally, this type of diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in children but can occur at any age. Type 1 diabetes may also cause a rapid yet significant weight loss (despite normal or even increased eating) and irreducible fatigue.    

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. Type 2 diabetes risk can be reduced in many cases by making changes in diet and increasing physical activity. However, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes impede a person’s carefree life.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in older people, especially in people who are overweight, and occurs more often in African Americans, American Indians, some Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure to exercise. This type may go unnoticed for years because visible symptoms are typically mild, non-existent or sporadic, and usually there are no ketoacidotic episodes. 

Diabetes insipidus, a rare disorder, is not related to diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Diabetes symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, blurred vision, and fatigue. This type also appears to affect the speed of our thought processes as well. Diabetes is a costly disease associated with severe morbidity and premature death that affects millions of Americans.

Diabetes insipidus includes any of several types of polyuria in which the volume of urine exceeds 3 liters per day, causing dehydration and great thirst, as well as sometimes emaciation and great hunger.

Diabetes affects approximately 17 million people (about 8% of the population) in the United States. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.  

It is further the primary reason for adult blindness, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), gangrene and amputations. Diabetes is a condition characterized by the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient levels of insulin to prevent hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar levels are too high. Diabetes can also create the need to remove a limb. 

Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both. The disease can damage blood vessels and nerves and decrease the body’s ability to fight infection. It is the most common condition leading to amputations. 

Although this disease cannot be cured, it often can be managed with proper medical care, diet, and regular exercise. Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death in the US. It is a serious disease, but it is controllable. The good news is that diabetes prevention is proven, possible, and powerful. 

Treatment need not significantly impair normal activities if sufficient patient training, awareness, appropriate care, discipline in testing and dosing of insulin is taken. 

Treatment for the disease also includes checking blood sugar levels to make sure that the disease is under control. Treatment usually includes eating healthy foods and spreading carbohydrates throughout the day, exercising regularly, checking your blood sugar levels often, and possibly taking medicine.

And most of all this disease shouldn’t take all the fun out of shopping, cooking and dining. Diabetes treatment plans consist of a healthy diet, exercise, medications and sleep. 

Diabetes supplements can help you fight the effects of diabetes and help you to keep your blood sugar levels stabilized. Many people find natural diabetic supplements a valuable aid in improving their control of Type 2 Diabetes.

Read more

The history of alternative medicine is a rather interesting one, and has its
origins in traditional methods of medicine. Alternative medicine has been
in existence since time immemorial. Being a primeval science, this medicinal
system has been known to man since the early days of his time on Earth. Using
natural ingredients to prevent and cure most illnesses has perhaps been man’s greatest foray into medical science. Traditional medical practitioners aimed at prevention of diseases associated with an increase in resistance of the human body. As an expert rightly pointed out, “The study of the history of alternative medicine is fascinating on a variety of levels, not just concerning other and often better ways of preserving and restoring health.”

 

Practised for thousands of years, alternative medicine includes systems like
Acupuncture, Ayurveda and traditional Asian medicine. Alternative medicine branches
out from the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments and
therapies. CAM is often combined with formal, conventional medicine, integrating
both medical practices, in order to give the best results to patients. It can be said that
the earlier methods of medicine were attempted at achieving a balance between bodily
and natural energy. Energies were sought as positive and negative energies, where
positive energies were to bring in happiness and health and negative energies an
incapacitation of resistance to face any ailments. Matters of utmost importance in
deciding therapies or treatments in these earlier medical systems were factors like
one’s lifestyle, one’s habits of eating and one’s occupational pressures.

 

The earliest use of traditional remedies dates back to 2800 BC in China.
Practised all over the world in more than a hundred disciplines, alternative medicine
has aided medical tourism in an unprecedented manner. Using alternative medicine
and following alternative medical practices not only removes any possible additional
affects of the illness but also increases the resilience of the body. It is generally
claimed that natural remedies are not only less inimical to human physiology
but they also help in retaining body pliancy. Systems of natural, traditional
medicines use a combination of ingredients to restore the bodily constituents. In
fact, natural remedies are considered more as food, given their natural constituents.
Since alternative medicine is based on completely natural methods and there is
no usage of any chemicals, there is no danger of any interference with the organic
system. A holistic approach as opposed to looking at a set of symptoms and a
treatment that delves into the root-cause of an illness are some of the distinct and
highly acknowledged features of alternative medicine. It is also opined that
widespread use of modern medicine has deteriorated the immune system in the
human physiology and has resulted in these modern medicines becoming less
effective. It is also often said that alternative medicine is the only way to cure
some incurable diseases.

 

A Brief History of Alternative Medicine

The history of alternative medicine can be traced back to some 5000 years, when the Chinese and Indians discovered traditional and Ayurvedic therapies to heal the body and the mind. The real objective was to identify the deterrents in the body system which caused ailments, and
strengthened the body’s immunity. The therapies mainly incorporated self-care, lifestyle
changes and various preventive measures. The normal practices that were followed in the early stages of the history of alternative medicine include the extractions of the bark of willow trees. Many kitchen ingredients were also used for treating patients. The treatments were considered as the blessings of God, as it brought immense relief to the writhing bodies and prayer was considered as one of the strongest weapons in waging war against ailments.
Source: “A Brief History of Alternative Medicine”, http://www.med-help.net/med-history-of-alternativemedicine.
html

 

Alternative Medicine and Medical Tourism

Today, alternative medicine holds out immense potential in attracting medical
tourists. For example, India is likely to become a major hub for medical tourism,
with revenues from the industry estimated to grow from US$333 million in 2007
to US$2.2 billion by 2012, says a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) and McKinsey.3 The major competitive advantages that India faces are cost
effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
The world has witnessed the development of many traditional as well as modern
systems of medicine in the 20th century. Path-breaking discoveries like penicillin,
technological advancements in modern surgery, major research advancement in stem
cell research and genetic structure, and the development of traditional medical systems
like traditional Chinese system of medicine, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Homeopathy,
Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and others have all been a part of developments in the
omnipotent territory of global medicine. The major competitive advantages that India
has are cost effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
The last few years have seen countries with their own individual expertise attracting
tourists from all over the world and promoting medical tourism like never before.

India

In India, medical tourism in alternative medicine has its ancestry in South India
and some places in North-Eastern India. Internationally famed for its natural remedies and therapies, Kerala’s schools of medicine have embraced Siddha,
Naturopathy and Ayurveda in treating their patients. These traditional medical
practices are estimated to attract high-end medical tourists from Europe and
Middle Eastern countries. The vital advantages that a country like India faces
with regard to medical tourism are its traditional therapies like yoga and Ayurveda
combined with tourist attractions in states like Kerala and north-eastern states.
Naturopathy, a therapeutic system based on natural remedies, trusts natural
elements like air, water and sunlight, combined with therapeutic massages and
conditioning and toning of the human body. Naturopathy believes that the human
body has the capacity to heal on its own, provided it is in a healthy environment.
With a holistic approach to well-being, Naturopathy believes that the three
physical entities – the physical body, the supernatural soul and the mind – must
be integrated through natural energies. “A recent survey shows that 76% of global
drugs are consumed by USA and European countries. We believe that freedom
from diseases and drugs can only be achieved by living a natural life style.”4
Ayurveda, the most ancient health care system, takes its ingredients from nature.
The use of herbs, materials like gold and mercury and many household ingredients
make this science easily accessible to common man. Ayurveda claims to cure diseases
like diabetes with the aid of nature. The Siddha medical system, which is a part of
Ayurveda, employs herbs, minerals and advanced scientific techniques under ancient
principles of medical science to cure many chronic diseases. It is named as one of
the most complicated and intricate forms of medicine. Siddha considers nature
and man as one essential entity. It claims that physiological characteristics like
human aging can itself be arrested with natural remedies.

Naturopathy has evolved medical tourism in India in more than one ways.
With its systems of medication using all natural ingredients to restore the holistic
disease-fighting nature of the human body, the medicine has created increased
chances of its own survival through tourists from all parts of the world visiting
India to reap its benefits. As Vitthal Kamat of the Kamat Group of Hotels says,
“With Naturopathy and Ayurveda along with the world renowned tourist attractions
and heritage places, the tourism sector can grow in leaps and bounds.”5 Naturopathy
in “KayaKalp”, a naturopathy centre in Himachal Pradesh, run by the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust in India has served medical tourists in detoxifying, immunizing and rejuvenating through Yoga, Pranayama, Panchkarma, Meditation and Naturopathy. Its therapies are claimed to be drug-less and extremely natural. Naturopathy takes the help of Ayurvedic preparations for healing processes like Panchkarma and improvement of blood circulation.

India’s pioneer in alternative therapy – medical tourism, Kerala, has visitors
from all over the world in the months of June, July and August. These months are
looked upon as the best period for cure of bodily ailments through Ayurveda.
High quality medical facilities provided at low prices are the main tourist attraction
in Kerala. Mr. M Narayanan, head of Poovar Island Resort says that there are
tourists from countries like Australia, Europe and Germany. The packages offered
in these Ayurvedic spas include services like Ayurvedic oil massages, powder
massages, vegetarian diets, detoxification programs and a lifestyle change. In fact
it is little known that Ayurveda includes not just massages, but a whole gamut of
services like herbal and natural diet plans, natural healing therapies, and therefore
a full-fledged medical system.

Ayurveda Gram, a unique Ayurvedic Institution in Bangalore offers Ayurveda
in its wellness form to medical tourists. It offers services like Customized Yoga,
Pranayama, Meditation, and a vegetarian diet to boost metabolism. Its sprawling
campus full of medicinal herbs and natural surrounds helps in the processes of
cure for specific ailments like Arthiritis, Spondilytis, Cholesterol, Sinusitis, Peptic
Ulcer and Obesity. Other therapies by Ayurveda Gram include Stress Management
therapies, Panchkarma and rejuvenation therapies.

AYUSH, the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
and Homeopathy was formed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act,
1970. One of the most recent awareness activities undertaken by AYUSH was a
health fair organized in parts of Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore and New Delhi.
AYUSH ensured that the major Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha manufacturers in
India participated in this health fair.

Another famous Ayurvedic centre in India is the C V N Kalari Centre for
Ayurveda. Kalari is one of the approved Ayurvedic centres recognized by the
Kerala Tourism Department.6 Kalari has its customers from many foreign countries. The centre specializes in Marma Chikitsa (the application of pressure on specific
nerve points) and other special practices of healing. Having both therapeutic and
rejuvenative aspects in them, these specialized healing procedures take extensive help
of Ayurveda to treat the ailing.
Some Ayurvedic resorts have formulated Ayurvedic kitchens that help improve
the effectiveness of oil treatments. Diet regimens, detoxification programs and other
processes that give a glowing skin to the customer are very popular. Some of these
Ayurvedic resorts also arrange for cooking classes to help their customers acquire
and maintain the lifestyle that they are introduced to in these spas and resorts.
Ananda, an Ayurvedic Spa in the Himalayas is one of the most famous destination
resorts in India. It offers specialty Ayurvedic packages like Aroma therapy massages,
reflexology programs for rejuvenation, stress release programs, personalized Yoga
sessions, body composition analysis and weight reduction programs through Yoga
and Ayurveda. Ananda claims that its packages and therapies cure many ailments
like headaches, nausea, climatic disorders, facial paralysis, insomnia, asthma, neuralgia
and does general improvement of metabolism.

China

The 3000 year-old method of traditional medicine in China has gained popularity
as the world’s most popular medicine, being used by more than a quarter of the
world in treating even chronic diseases like cancer, AIDS, allergies and heart diseases.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses medicinal herbs, therapeutic exercises
and acupuncture to cure ailments. TCM diagnoses illnesses based on the five elements
theory and the yin-yang theory. The five elements theory base their evaluation on the
five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water to establish a connection between
human physiology and pathology and the natural environment.7 The movement of
these five elements constantly rules the functioning of the human body and thus
establishes the interdependence of both.

The yin-yang theory calls for comprehending the bright and dark sides of
the universe, in other words, the opposite properties of the universe.8 The relative
nature of yin and yang represents the interrelationship between substance and function. As traditional chinese medical practitioners say “Only with ample
substance can the human body function in a healthy way; and only when the
functional processes are in good condition, can the essential substances be
appropriately refreshed.”

Chinese herbal medicine is more known as Chinese materia medica. This includes
Chinese crude medicine, prepared drugs in pieces, traditional Chinese patented
medicines and simplified Chinese medicinal preparations. Chinese herbology, a major
aspect of TCM addresses the art of combining medicinal herbs.10 It visualizes the
entire human body’s balance of energies and spirit to treat a medical condition.
Herbs are combined into different potions of various characteristics for the sake of
different individuals being treated by TCM practitioners. Herbs like Astragalus,
Ginkgo, Ginger, Green Tea, Siberian Ginseng and Garlic are used to treat several
ailments. Around 300 mineral and animal extracts and 400 formulae are used to
cure diseases, in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture, as part of TCM is used to unblock the flow of vital energy through
the human body.11 One of the oldest healing techniques in the world, this traditional
method aims at “restoring health through simulation of specific points on the body.”12
Ailments like nausea, addictions and some kinds of pains are claimed to be treated
with the help of acupuncture.

Taking advantage of its abundant human resources, China is luring medical tourists
into its web of alternative medical therapies. Wellness packages in China come at
low costs and without any side-effects, thanks to proliferated Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Several massages and spas have been set up in recent times that provide
mental health and physical well-being to medical tourists with the help of Chinese
medicinal herbs. Wellness apartments are established for the purpose of serving
senior medical tourists. These wellness apartments facilitate these tourists in
practising their own hobbies and also conducting medical activities like Taiji.

Germany

Germany’s alternative medical practices have their origins in Homeopathy, a
medical system that was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician.
Homeopathy considers symptoms as disturbances of vital forces that have
connection with the human body. Homeopathic advocators believe that this
medical system has the ability to cure acute diseases like flu, cold, pains, depression
and fatigue, constipation, irritability other than chronic diseases. It is claimed to
cure allergies and allergic disorders like Eczema and Asthma. Moreover, this
medical system is child friendly, in the sense, that the medication given by
homeopaths is sweet to the tooth and therefore acceptable. Homeopaths are known
for debonair and their hands free treatment of patients. They concentrate more
on the patient’s state of mind and attitude towards life. The preparation of different
potions in Homeopathy is done mostly with the help of herbs, minerals and
animal extracts. Also, it is often reasoned that since the dosage that homeopaths
prescribe is in such minute constitutions and because they come in dilutions of
substances like water and alcohol there is no chance of any side-effects.
Germany also stands famous for its herbal remedies. Regulated by Commission
E14 on the purity and pharmaceutical activity, these herbal medicines in Germany
have come a long way in preventing and curing many diseases like cancer, AIDS and
other serious ailments. Most physicians in Germany are required to be educated in
Alternative therapies, so that it serves complimentary to modern medical treatments.
As Mark Blumenthal, chairman of the American Botanical Council points out, “Most
of the clinical research that’s conducted on the leading herbal medicines in the United
States comes from Germany.”15

With more than 300 spa towns, Germany has become the premier destination
for health and wellness in Europe.16 One of the most famous resorts in Germany
is the Baltic Spa Resort in Warnemunde. Situated on the shore of the Baltic Sea,
it idealizes the sea as a “homeopathic pharmacy” and claims that “it contains all
important trace elements and has a similar composition to human blood”17 Sea water is said to have revitalizing effects in treating bodily ailments like respiratory
illnesses, sleep disorders and obesity. Other than these, mental disorders like
depression, anxiety and agony are claimed to be cured with the help of the sea.
Sea breeze is said to be specifically effective in treating cardio-vascular as well as
dermatological conditions. Major advantages that Germany faces are in terms of
both cost and quality. As Axel Steller, the CEO of the Arab German Health
Foundation points out, “In the US, operations are four to five times more expensive
as they are in Germany”.

Japan

Japanese medicine is known as Kanpo or Kampo, a herbal medicine that forms part
of well-researched modern clinical methods and also traditional methods of
medicine. A Japanese variant of the traditional Chinese medicine or the Oriental
medicine, Kanpo adheres to the body’s natural instincts and natural mechanism
of healing. For this purpose, medical treatment involves diagnosis of the tongue,
abdomen and pulse. At each stage of the treatment, different formulae that are
necessary to bring the body back to normalcy, are prepared by the physician.
These herbal medicines are regulated by the Japanese Government. Kanpo
medicine is used to cure many acute and chronic ailments like cardio-vascular,
respiratory, digestive, reproductive and dermatological conditions and immune
system corrections and even disorders like bedwetting, high cholesterol and
hepatitis. Though Kanpo therapies take longer than usual to work, this medical
system uses some very natural diagnosis and treatment methods and concepts
like water, blood and air to identify bodily symptoms. Also, it is claimed that
these herbal medicines produce no side-effects because of their natural
compositions. Japanese therapists of Anma visit countries like India and Singapore
to help in promotion of health tourism. Anma, a traditional Japanese massage, is
said to be a complete form of Shiastu19 that treats the body to release blood flow
in a proper manner to rejuvenate the body.

Apart from attracting tourists for its natural herbal medical treatments, Medical
tourism in Japan has become popular thanks to its volcanic areas that have allowed
the formation of some hot mineral water springs called Onsen. Japanese Onsen serve as places where the ailing can get alternative treatments to modern medical
practices. These have medicinal properties that heal wounds, alleviate pains and
replenish energy levels. Senior tourists and people suffering from many kinds of
aches and pains come flocking to these mineral water springs. The healing
properties of these springs are accentuated by the surrounding volcanic soil that
is composed of many minerals and curative elements.

Outlook of Medical Tourism in Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine is here to stay, claim some traditional medical practitioners.
Given its perceived advantages over the modern medical techniques and the expensive
western medicines, alternative medical therapy is gaining ground in many developing
as well as developed countries. Practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy claim that
surgery may always be the last option in case of treatment of an ailment. Natural
medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicines as
such, since their composition is all natural. Alternative medicine is used in conjunction
with modern medicine to treat many chronic ailments like diabetes and AIDS. This
helps modern medical practitioners to evolve a closer relationship with the patient
and cure him to a greater extent, thus giving him a new perspective to life. It follows
that one should never overlook the disposition of the traditional cures suggested by
our ancestors. These provide a standpoint from where one can comprehend the
profundity of traditional and alternative medicine, and gauge the tremendous potential
of alternative medicine in medical tourism.

Please seek author’s permission for reprint. Send a reprint request to kirrti82@gmail.com.

References
1. www.hinduonnet.com
2. “Kerala”, www.takekerala.com
3. “Prospects of Medical Tourism in India”, www.mpiweb.org
4. “Medical Tourism push for Penang and Langkawi”, http://thestar.com.my
5. www.wikipedia.com

Read more

If you have found out from your doctor or from doing home cholesterol test that you have a high total cholesterol level, one of the first things you need to do is to change your diet to a low cholesterol diet to help you lower your cholesterol. This is because a high cholesterol level is very dangerous for you and might cause you serious heart diseases or even a heart attack.


A low cholesterol diet does not have to be hard to stick to, as you can still enjoy some of the foods you always like. However, you really need to stay away from foods that contain saturated or trans fats, as they are among the major leading causes to having a high cholesterol level.


To have a low cholesterol diet means that you should replace the saturated fat in your diet with unsaturated fat besides eating less high-cholesterol food and choosing foods that are high in complex carbohydrates. You should also make sure that you get more physical activity and try reducing your weight if you are overweight.


Determining What is Low Cholesterol Food and What Isn’t


Before starting on a low cholesterol level, you should first know what low cholesterol food is and what isn’t. This will help you create a diet which is low in cholesterol to help you lower your total cholesterol levels. There are many different types of food that can be classified as low cholesterol foods, so that you do not need to give all the food you love to have a low cholesterol diet.


Cholesterol is most usually found in foods of animal origin, such as meat, poultry, and eggs, including milk and cheese. In animals, cholesterol is part of the cell membrane structure of all cells. That is why removing the skin from a chicken will remove most of the fat, but will not remove all the cholesterol.


However, in dairy foods the amount of cholesterol involved depends on the amount of fat as milk is secreted from animal cells and not made up of cells like meat. Although it has no cholesterol-containing cell membranes, but because cholesterol is fat soluble, it can b found in fats in milk and milk-based foods. That is why if a dairy product contains more fat, it will also contain more cholesterol, so always choose low fat dairy products when sticking to a low cholesterol diet.


Converting To A Low Cholesterol Recipe


If you found out that you have high cholesterol, you must start converting some of foods you love to a low cholesterol version. You must also learn to live without some of the foods that have been causing you to get a high cholesterol level in the first place. Learning how to make your foods using a low cholesterol recipe is one way to lower your cholesterol levels


Converting your food to a low cholesterol recipe is not a very difficult thing to do. All you need is a little bit of willpower and you can start enjoying cholesterol free or lower cholesterol version of your favorite foods. The taste will not differ much as long as you know how to add flavor into your cooking without using saturated fats and other harmful foods that contribute to more cholesterol problems.


The easiest way to get started on low cholesterol recipe is to start with one day’s menu. You can include a safe amount of food fats into your diet at first so that you can ease the transition period from your normal food to the low cholesterol diet, and make this change easier on you.


A good way to start a low cholesterol diet with a low cholesterol recipe is trying a serving of oatmeal, honey, and an apple for breakfast. Mixing oats, fat free milk, and a little honey and chopped apple will make a great delicious cholesterol free breakfast. For lunch, you can follow up with a salmon and tomato sandwich with a side salad. For tasty salad dressing, you can try using lemon juice and black pepper as a low cholesterol option. For dinner, you can have stir-fried chicken breast, veggies, and some rice will make you enjoy your low cholesterol diet. You can also try using brown rice instead of white rice for a lower cholesterol diet.


Make changes one step at a time, and in no time you will start enjoying a healthier life with lower cholesterol level. These changes will prevent you from having heart diseases caused by your diet. You will soon find that you enjoy the low cholesterol food as much as or more than your previous high cholesterol food.

Read more

  

Pregnancy can be one of the most fulfilling times in a woman’s life. The joy of bringing another human being into the world creates a tremendous feeling of contentment and anticipation, but it is also a time of great physical and emotional upheaval. So the Spa at Chiva-Som has designed a range of new treatments to help pre and postnatal guests enjoy a secure and tranquil experience.

Together with exercise, good diet and rest, these treatments can play an important role in helping you cope with the stresses of nine months of pregnancy and postnatal recovery.

The Pre and Post Natal Body Treatment combines soothing massage with the therapeutic benefits of E’SPA products, and has been carefully designed to improve the tonicity of the skin. It’s performed on a bed designed for comfort and safety during pregnancy.

After deep skin cleansing and a gentle body polish, you will have a luxurious body massage with E’SPA’s specially developed Nourishing Body Oil. Some essential oils such as basil and marjoram should be avoided during pregnancy, so the silky Nourishing Body Oil is based on Jojoba, blended with Calendula, Grape Seed and Sweet Almond Oil.

We then envelop your body in warm Marine Mud to nourish the skin, and end with a deep acupressure point scalp massage.

The Spa at Chiva-Som offers many other treatments for pregnant and nursing mothers. These include Floatation, which induces a deep state of mental relaxation and helps to eliminate stress and tension.

With Oriental Foot Massage you recline in the Chiva-Som Music Therapy chairs as the therapist works reflex points in the feet and ankles to balance the entire body, stimulate the circulatory system and alleviate muscle tension.

For ultimate pampering, try the Bath Of Chiva, performed in the candlelit luxury of your own room as tension is soaked away in a hydrating milk bath with rose petals and chamomile flowers.

Please ask at reception for more details of all these treatments.

Read more

Position Paper Regarding HCG Injections

Along with a Very Low Calorie Diet for Weight Loss

The “HCG Diet” has become popular over the last few years due to the accessibility of the Internet and advertising by clinics that perform the protocol.  I’ve read ATW Simeons protocol “Pounds and Inches: a New Approach to Obesity” several times.  The paper is intriguing in terms of Simeons’ theories about weight gain and the role of hypothalamic dysfunction in prevention of weight loss.  It’s also bold – Simeons claims that the protocol is easy to follow and uniformly effective in suppressing appetite, elevating mood, and enabling “abnormal”, stubborn fat to be lost.  He also states that HCG resets the hypothalamus to prevent lost weight from being regained.  “Pounds and Inches” is available from several sources on the Internet.  If you’re interested, you can order a copy of Simeons’ paper describing his protocol published in 1954 from the Lancet. (1)

HCG or “human chorionic gonadotropin” is a hormone produced during pregnancy.  It’s also produced by tumors in women (hydatidiform mole) and men (testicular cancer).  HCG injections are used medically since part of its molecular structure mimics luteinizing hormone (LH). HCG injections (in dosages ranging from 1000 to 2000 units, 2-3 times per week) are used to increase testosterone production in men with low testosterone who want to preserve fertility.  HCG injections (5,000 to 10,000 units) are sometimes used in women to induce ovulation.

Simeons protocol uses minute dosages of HCG (125 units), 6-7 days per week for 23 to 40 days, along with a very low calorie (VLC) diet of 500 calories per day.  Since HCG does share some of its molecular structure with LH and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), theoretically, it may increase testosterone production, ovulation and progesterone production, or release of thyroid hormone.  It may also cause excess stimulation of the ovary and ovarian cysts.  However, the dosage used is very small and these effects are unlikely.  A VLC diet (with or without HCG) can precipitate gallstones (since it’s very low in fat), and may cause symptoms of toxicity (since fat tissue stores toxins).

Research regarding HCG injections and weight loss is nearly all negative.  In other words, most trials where patients received either HCG injections or placebo and followed identical VLC diets, show no difference in amount of weight lost, type of weight lost, hunger level, or mood.  A summary of published studies follows this paper.

No study that I’ve read has looked at long-term maintenance of weight lost with the HCG protocol.  Randomized controlled trials of VLC diets show a large variation in regain of initial weight loss percentage.  Participants in these trial regained 7-122% of initial weight lost by one year, and 26-121% by 5 years. (2)  Active follow-up weight maintenance programs that include behavior therapy, nutritional education, and exercise are more effective at improving weight maintenance. 

It would be worthwhile to perform a clinical trial to see if participants following the HCG protocol are more successful at maintaining weight loss than VLC diet alone.  Simeons claims patients who follow his protocol maintain weight loss 60-70% of the time, although I don’t think he published data to back up this claim.

I’ve spoken to many patients who’ve followed the HCG protocol with great success – they’ve lost significant amounts of weight, did not feel hungry, and had an increased sense of well-being.  Many of these people have sustained their weight loss.  I’ve personally gone through Simeons protocol, documenting all calories consumed as well as calories burned (by wearing a Bodybugg®).  I also measured my fat and muscle percentage before and after the diet using bioelectrical impedence analysis.  I lost 12 pounds and 4% body fat during the 23 day protocol.  I was extremely hungry throughout the entire protocol, although I did exercise every day.  Some proponents of the protocol recommend not exercising, although this seems like bad advice given the overwhelming health benefits of regular exercise.

My position on the HCG protocol for weight loss is that I do not think it’s harmful.  I also don’t think it has any effect over placebo.  I do not discount the power of any placebo.  The placebo response is really a measure of the power of the self-healing ability. 

I think you should be informed about the research regarding HCG and weight loss before undergoing this protocol.  You should also make sure your physician is aware of your current health status before you follow any VLC diet, and that causes of abnormal weight gain (e.g., hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, and other endocrine problems) have been ruled out.  Before going on any VLC diet, I’d also recommend undergoing a detox program that supports Phase I and Phase II liver function.  Make sure you don’t have pre-existing gallstones, or liver or kidney disease.  If you’re using insulin for diabetes management, you must make sure your dosage is adjusted based on blood sugar levels, and that you don’t develop ketoacidosis, which can be fatal. 

Note that since 1975, the FDA requires the following information to be given with any HCG advertised or promoted for weight loss:

HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or “normal” distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.

If you are interested in a safe and effective weight loss program, consider the First Line Therapy® program we use in our office.  This twelve-week program includes a medical food (UltraMeal Plus 360) clinically proven to lower unhealthy triglycerides and cholesterol, reduce weight, and improve blood pressure, (3) along with a low-glycemic, Mediterranean-type diet.  Healthy eating, exercise, and stress-management habits are taught for life-long ideal weight maintenance. 

Dr. Kathryn Retzler

 

1   Simeons AT. The action of chorionic gonadotrophin in the obese. Lancet. 1954 Nov 6;267(6845):946-7.

2  Saris W. Very-low-calorie diets and sustained weight loss. Obesity Research. 2001;Suppl 4:295S-301S.

 3  Lukaczer D, Liska D, Lerman R, et al. Effect of a low glycemic index diet with soy protein and phytosterols on CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women. Nutrition 2006;22:104-113.

 

Summary of Research and Articles RE: HCG Injections

& VLC Diet for Weight Loss

Note: Dr. Simeons does not state that HCG alone accomplishes weight loss; rather, he states patients treated with HCG will not be hungry or tired, will lose a different kind of weight (“abnormal fat” that is difficult to lose), and will experience an increased sense of well-being.  He also claims that weight lost is unlikely to be regained (“60-70%” of patients keep weight off) due to a resetting  of the hypothalamus.

Positive studies:

Asher W, Harper H. Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on weight loss, hunger, and feeling of well-being. Am J Clin Nutr. 1973;26(2):211-8.

< p>This study is a well-designed, randomized, double-blind trial of  40 women receiving HCG or placebo at an HCG treatment clinic (Harold Harper, MD).  All followed a 500 to 550 kcal diet; 20 received 125 IU HCG six days per week for 6 weeks (36 injections); 20 received placebo injections six days per week (36 injections).  Mean age of the HCG group was 37.8 years; placebo group 38.4 years.  Results: Mean weight loss (HCG: 19.96 +/- 1.63 lbs; placebo: 11.05 +/- 1.29 lbs) and percentage of starting weight lost (HCG: 11.47%; placebo: 6.77%) were greater in the HCG group than the placebo group. Fourteen patients lost 15 lbs or more in the HCG group; 5 lost 15 lbs or more in the placebo group.

Hunger was decreased (HCG: 76.6% of daily responses indicated little or no hunger; placebo group 48.7% of daily responses indicated little or no hunger). Feeling of well being was greater in the HCG group (HCG: 86.5% indicated they felt “good” to “excellent”; placebo: 70% said they felt “good” to “excellent”). Blood pressure was not significantly different between the two groups. Interestingly, Dr. Harper’s patients who received placebo injections lost more weight on average than either the HCG or placebo patients of 4 other physicians.  The authors concluded, “Therefore, HCG used in a casual program of weight reduction, as it is often used in a general practice, is of no value,” meaning that the very low calorie diet is the critical element leading to weight loss.

Gusman H. Chorionic gonadotropin in obesity. Further clinical observations. Am J Clin Nutr. 1969;22:686.

In this article, Dr. Gusman states he’s treated “well over 2,500 patients of both sexes, aged 15 to 75” with Simeons’ HCG protocol.  Gusman studied with A.T.W. Simeons at his clinic in Rome.  This article discusses Simeons’ concept of obesity, namely, that it is a “definite metabolic disorder, much as is diabetes, caused by a breakdown of a regulating mechanism located in the…hypothalamus.” He call this “the fat-regulating center.”

Gusman explains that fat cells in the obese differ from normal fat cells in that they’re more numerous and larger.  These “overstuffed” fat cells metabolize glucose less efficiently than normal fat cells.  Normal fat tissue serves two functions: structural material (to protect organs and blood vessels) and fuel storage.  Abnormal fat tissue is also a potential reserve for fuel, but is not immediately available in nutritional emergencies.  Only after the normal fat reserves are exhausted will the body use abnormal fat.  Severe calorie restriction leads to exhaustion of normal fat reserves before abnormal fat is used, and the patient will be weak and hungry “while the ugly fat deposits – of which he originally wished to rid himself – have hardly been reduced.  At this point, the patient often becomes depressed and frustrated, and the diet is abandoned.” 

The only type of “nutritional emergency” where all types of fat cells are immediately useable is during pregnancy.  Simeons suggests it’s HCG that brings about changes in the hypothalamus preventing obesity during pregnancy. 

Gusman compiled records from 450 of his patients receiving either 3 or 6 week treatment.  He makes the following observations: 1) 90% of patients were able to reduce their weight, 2) 60-70% reached their desired normal weight, 3) “a majority” claimed this regiment was the easiest and most successful to follow, 4) “many” who regained some or all of their weight claimed they kept their weight off longer than previously, and didn’t mind returning for treatment, 5)”nearly all patients” experienced “euphoria” in spite of marked low intake of food, and 6) the markedly obese had the most satisfying results.

Lebon P. Treatment of overweight patients with chorionic gonadotropin. J Am Geriat Soc. 1966;14:116.

Lebon P. Action of chorionic gonadotrophin in the obese. Lancet. 1961;2:268.

Simeons AT. The action of chorionic gonadotrophin in the obese. Lancet. 1954 Nov 6;267(6845):946-7.

Stuart C. The action of chorionic gonadotophin in the obese. Lancet. 1961;278(7196):268-9.

 

Negative studies:

Bosch B, Venter I, Stewart RI, et al. Human chorionic gonadotrophin and weight loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. S Afr Med J. 1990;77(4):185-9.

This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing HCG injections with placebo for weight loss.  Forty obese women (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2) were placed on the same diet supplying 5,000 kJ per day and received daily intramuscular injections of saline or HCG, 6 days a week for 6 weeks. A psychological profile, hunger level, body circumferences, a fasting blood sample and food records were obtained at the start and end of the study, while body weight was measured weekly.  Results: Subjects receiving HCG injections showed no advantages over those on placebo in respect of any of the variables recorded. Furthermore, weight loss on the diet was similar to that on severely restricted intake. The authors conclude, “There is no rationale for the use of HCG injections in the treatment of obesity.”

Craig L, Ray R, Waxler S, et al. Chorionic gonadotropin in the treatment of obese women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1963;12:230-234.

This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of evaluating the effectiveness of the Simeon method using HCG vs. placebo, and a 550 calorie per day diet.  Twenty obese women were treated for forty days. Results: all subjects but one lost weight, but the losses were small and not uniform, suggesting varied adherence to the diet.  The basal metabolic rate was increased in four HCG subjects and two control subjects. 

Greenway FL, Bray GA. Human chorionic gonadotrohpin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity: a critical assessment of the Simeons method. West J Med. 1977;127(6);461-3.

This study was a double-blind, placebo control trial using HCG injections or placebo to test weight loss, hunger level, mood, and localized (spot) reduction while adhering to a very low calorie diet.  Results: Weight loss was identical between the two groups, and there was no evidence for differential effects on hunger, mood or localized body measurements. The authors conclude, “Placebo injections, therefore, appear to be as effective as HCG in the treatment of obesity.”

Lijesen S, Theeuwen I, Assendelft W, et al. The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the treatment of obesity by means of the Simeons therapy: a criteria-based meta-analysis. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1995;40:237-243.

This paper was a meta-analysis of eight uncontrolled and 16 controlled trials measuring the effect of HCG in the treatment of obesity.  The trials were scored for quality and methods (based on four main categories: study population, interventions, measurement of effect, and data presentation and analysis) and the main conclusion of author(s) with regard to weight-loss, fat-redistribution, hunger, and feeling of well-being.  Methodological scores ranged from 16 to 73 points (maximum score 100), suggesting that most studies were of poor methodological quality.  Of the 12 studies scoring 50 or more points, one reported that HCG was a useful adjunct.  The studies scoring 50 or more points were all controlled.  The authors concluded, “that there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity; it does not bring about weight-loss or fat-redistribution, nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well-being.”

Miller R, Schneiderman LJ. A c
linical study of the use of human chorionic gonadotrophin in weight reduction. J Fam Pract 1977 Mar;4(3):554-8.

Treatment of obesity with human chorionic gonadotrophin was shown to be of no better value than saline in a double-blind crossover study of weight reduction in obese subjects. There was also no significant difference in mood, hunger, or missed injections, and no apparent difference in adherence to diet when the two agents were compared. In contrast, a significant difference was found in the ability of subjects to lose weight in the first four weeks of the study in contrast with the second four weeks, no matter which agent was used. Thus, the initiation of a new therapeutic program, even using an inert agent, has a temporary benefit–a manifestation both of placebo effect and the Hawthorne effect.

Rabe T, Richter S, Kiesel L, Runnebaum B. [Risk-benefit analysis of a  hCG-500 kcal reducing diet (cura romana) in females]. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 1987 May;47(5):297-307.

The British physician A.T.W. Simeons described in 1954 a new method for dieting. He combined a reduction diet (500 kcal per day) with daily injections of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (125 IU i.m.). According to Simeons the patient should not lose more weight during a 4-to-6 weeks’ diet than without hCG, but the injections should facilitate to maintain the diet and to lose body weight at specific parts of the body (e.g. hip, belly, thigh). After the first publication various studies conducted with male and female patients analysed the efficacy of the “Cura romana”. 10 of these studies showed positive and another 10 studies negative results with regard to hCG-related weight reduction. Two of these studies with positive results were double-blind studies (hCG vs. placebo). Most of them were reports on therapeutical experiences and were not controlled studies. According to these reports the body proportions normalized and the feeling of hunger was tolerable. Four out of 10 studies with negative results were controlled studies (hCG vs. control without hCG), whereas 6 were double-blind studies. These studies showed a significant weight reduction during dieting, but no differences between treatment groups in respect of body weight, body proportions and feeling of hunger. One of them is the only German study conducted by Rabe et al. in 1981 in which 82 randomised premenopausal volunteers had been dieting either with hCG or without hCG injections. In recent publications describing mostly well-documented double-blind studies, authors largely reject hCG administration in dieting. Supporters of the hCG diet must prove the efficacy of this method in controlled studies according to the German Drug Law. Until then the opinion of the German steroid toxicology panel is still valid, that hCG is ineffective in dieting and should not be used.

Shetty KR, Kalkhoff RK. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) treatment of obesity. Arch Intern Med. 1977 Feb;137(2):151-5.

This study compared After a nine-day control period, six hospitalized obese women given 125 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) intramuscularly daily for 30 days with five obese women who received injections of dilutent only (placebo.  Patients consumed identical, 500-calorie per day diets for the same period.  Although the number of patients was small, the study is significant since patient diets and all injections were monitored closely in a hospital setting. Results: Mean weight loss in the HCG-treated group was nearly identical to that achieved by women given the placebo. Reduction of triceps skinfold thickness or circumferential body measurements of the chest, waist, hips, and thighs were not different. Patterns of change of a variety of plasma and urine substrates, electrolytes, and hormones were similar in the two groups and consistent with semistarvation and weight loss.  The authors concluded,” These results indicate that HCG has no effects on chemical and hormonal parameters measured and offers no advantage over calorie restriction in promoting weight loss.”

Stein MR, Julis RE, Peck CC, et al. Ineffectiveness of human chorionic gonadotrophin in weight reduction: a double blind study. Am J Clin Nutr. 1976;29(0):940-8.

This study was a well-designed, randomized, double-blind trial of 51 women receiving HCG or placebo for 32 days (28 injections), along with a 500 to 550 kcal/day diet.  The study was designed to duplicate the Asher-Harper study (above).  Each patient was given the same diet (the one prescribed in the Asher-Harper study), was weighed daily Monday through Saturday and was counseled by one of the investigators who administered the injections. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the means of the two groups in number of injections received, weight loss (HCG: 15.79 lbs; placebo: 15.52 lbs), percent of weight loss (HCG: 9.48%; placebo: 9.25%), hip and waist circumference, weight loss per injections, or in hunger ratings. The authors concluded, “HCG does not appear to enhance the effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen for weight reduction.”

Young RL, Fuchs RJ, Woltjen MJ. Chorionic gonadotrophin in weight control. A double-blind crossover study. JAMA. 1976;236(22):2495.

Two hundred two patients participated in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study of the effectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) vs. placebo in a weight reduction program. Serial measurements were made of weight, skin-fold thickness, dropout rates, reasons for dropping out, and patient subjective response. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between those receiving HCG vs. placebo during any phase of this study.

Other interesting studies

Sohar E. A forty-day-550 calorie diet in the treatment of obese outpatients.  Am J Clin Nutr. 1959;7:514-518.

The purpose of this paper was to present a method of producing rapid weight reduction in obese patients.  This study looked at forty-five patients who started fifty-three courses of 550-calorie diet, consisting of two meals prescribed in detail.   Patients were told what to eat (Simeon diet) and were not told calorie content.  Thirty-nine patients were given HCG injections (125 units), fourteen others received daily injections of saline.  Patients were told that weight reduction would be due to the diet but that injections would help curb appetite.  The authors assumed from the start that HCG was ineffective in terms of weight reduction.  Injections were given for “psychological reasons only” since patients were assured they would curb appetite. 

The authors state that the diet Simeon prescribed is successful because average daily weight loss is high due to the very low calories consumed.  Patients are more likely to stick to the diet due to time limitation – i.e., they know the diet will only last 40 days.  They state that “the vast majority of patients are willing to suffer for forty days for the reward of losing the predicted and attainable amount of 20 pounds.”  The author also surmises that success is due to the fact that food is prescribed, not calories.  This eliminates the estimating that usually goes on with calorie counting.  In other

words, most patients do not weigh or measure food and do not record calories properly.  Sohar recommends not advising patients in terms of calories, but to prescribe meals in detail. 

Another reason Sohar gives for success of the diet is that only two meals per day are prescribed; therefore, contact with food is minimized.  Lastly, activity level is unrestricted, “enabling all obese people, most of whom are ho
usewives, to reduce.”  Sohar points out that his paper, as well as Simeon’s work, proves that obese patients can lead a normal life performing moderate work on 500 to 600 calories per day.

(1) Simeons AT. The action of chorionic gonadotrophin in the obese. Lancet. 1954 Nov 6;267(6845):946-7.

 (2) Lukaczer D, Liska D, Lerman R, et al. Effect of a low glycemic index diet with soy protein and phytosterols on CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women. Nutrition 2006;22:104-113.

Read more

When Dermalogica meets skin, skin health is redefined. Dermalogica is the number one choice of skin care professionals and consumers worldwide. Why? Because for over 25 years, weâ??ve been dedicated to delivering skin health results through education, innovation, and professional recommendation, not through advertising, frilly packaging, promises of miracle cures, or overblown hype.

1. Special Cleansing Gel was the first liquid non-soap, fragrance free product of its kind. Thanks to Quillaja Saponaria Extract, this product foams better than any traditional soap around, gently removing oils and impurities without stripping skin.

What the press has to say: Good Housekeeping says itâ??s a â??secret for getting gorgeous skin.â?
Added bonus: Use it to remove your make-up!

2. Multi-Active Toner broke the bottle-and-cotton-ball mold as the first toner that could be spritzed directly onto skin. The alcohol-free formula offers hydration while prepping skin for optimal reception from moisturizers.

What the press has to say: Shape says even finicky skin conditions will fall for this spritz.
Added bonus: Get it in a travel-friendly size to combat in-flight dehydration!

3. Active Moist: A little goes a long way! This oil-free moisturizer hydrates without the greasy after-feel. Make this no-nonsense skin smoother your year-round moisturizer of choice.

What the press has to say: C magazine says itâ??s a â??lightweight, oil-free lotionâ? for dermal delight.
Added bonus: Goes on smooth, absorbs quickly, and Silk Amino Acids improve skin texture!

4. Total Eye Care — first, it smoothes and retexturizes. Second, it helps reduce puffiness as optical light diffusers help minimize dark circles. Third, it contains a chemical-free physical sunscreen to fight off UV damage. When we say multi-task, we mean it!

What the press has to say: O, the Oprah magazine says itâ??s essential.
Added bonus: Delivers benefits of alpha hydroxy acids around the eye without the irritation.

5. Solar Defense Booster SPF30 is the product so amazing, another company sent us a letter of congratulations when it hit the market! Turn your favorite moisturizer or foundation into a UV fighter with this SPF product that helps combat premature aging.

What the press has to say: W magazine says it â??morphs any makeup or moisturizer into a weapon against sun damage.â?
Added bonus: Use directly on skin for maximum SPF30 protection.

6. UltraCalming Cleanser is the waterless breakthrough for sensitive skin caused by stress, pollution, hormonal imbalance or irritating cosmetics. Can be rinsed off or tissued off, making it ideal for skin intolerant to water.

What the press has to say: In Style names it one of their best beauty buys.
Added bonus: Tissue off formula is great for travel or when on the go!

7. Daily Microfoliant®: One use will make you say â??wow!â? as this rice-based powder exfoliant transforms into a skin-smoothing and brightening emulsion â?? and transforms all who use it!

What the press has to say: Shape magazine says itâ??s a must-have; Glamour says it delivers the glow you deserve.
Added bonus: Gentle enough to use daily â?? meaning irritation will never stop you from exfoliating.

8. Power Richâ?¢ contains a potent peptide proven to improve skinâ??s appearance in texture, firmness and tone. In just 4 weeks, youâ??ll see a difference â?? but donâ??t be surprised if you see the difference overnight!

What the press has to say: New Beauty loves our peptides, â??key in maintaining a firm, even complexion.â?
Added bonus: Unique formulation delivers better results than products just now coming on the market.

9. Skin Hydrating Booster is the dehydration-busting fluid thatâ??s almost 100% Hyaluronic Acid â?? an ingredient in the body that helps keep skin smooth and elastic. This means increased hydration and minimized fine lines.

What the press has to say: Vogue recommends it to help skin hold tight to essential moisture.
Added bonus: Use as a spot treatment, all-over, or mix with your moisturizer to revitalize parched skin.

10. Daily Resurfacer is the power exfoliant that self-neutralizes on skin, meaning no rinsing, no timing, no over-exfoliated, irritated skin! Each precise dose resurfaces, smoothes and brightens to hydrate, even skin tone and improve clarity.

What the press has to say: O, the Oprah magazine says â??the solution absorbs quickly, making it easy to add to your skin care routine.â?
Added bonus: Contains Rooibos Extract, an antioxidant 50 times more powerful than Green Tea polyphenols.

Dermalogica. â??The moment your skin changed. Forever.â? Your Skin. 11 Sep. 2009 [http://www.dermalogica.com/].

Read more

Dogs use their teeth every day to chew and enjoy their food, but unlike humans, they can’t brush their teeth after every meal or visit their dentist twice a year! Dog dental health relies on the responsible dog owner to take certain steps to ensure that a dog’s teeth remain intact and healthy throughout their lifespan.

Regular tooth brushing is an essential part of dog dental health. The formation of placque on a dog’s teeth, a combination of old food particles, saliva and bacteria, can easily accumulate. Although placque is soft at first and easily removable with a tooth brush, if not attended to on a regular basis, it can turn hard and brown on the dog’s teeth, sometimes causing gum infections and eventual tooth loss thanks to bacterial infection.

Get your dog into the habit of having his or her teeth brushed. Pick a time when both you and your dog feel relaxed and not hurried. Start by stroking your dog’s muzzle with your finger, then adding a little toothpaste, letting the dog sniff that, and gently brushing the teeth with your toothpaste-lined finger. Once your dog is familiar with that motion, you can graduate to using a soft toothbrush, which should be lined with a little bit of toothpaste. Move the brush in gradual circular motions to remove all accumulated placque. You may only be able to do one section of teeth at a time before your dog gets fussy, but be patient and come back to the brushing routine as often as necessary until you have brushed the placque away from every tooth. Praise and reward your dog for being a good patient during each toothbrushing exercise.

Be sure that your dog has a diet that includes dry food that is good for his dental health, requiring quite a bit of chewing, which keeps the gums and teeth healthy. Provide your dog with such chew foods as rawhide treats, pig ears, dog biscuits and chew bones that willl increase dog dental health by giving your pet hours of tooth and gum exercise time, helping to naturally keep placque from building up on their teeth and gumlines. Owners should learn how to clean their dog’s teeth safely.

There are a number of dog dental health products on the marketplace, including dry food formulas designed for dental health, as well as additives that can be placed in their waterbowl to help promote good dental hygiene.

If your dog exhibits any warning signs such as persistent bad breath, bleeding gums, broken teeth or drooling, make a veterinary appointment as soon as possible. Poor dental hygiene in a dog can lead to bacterial infections in other organs such as the heart, so it’s important that your dog receive proper medical attention if tooth problems or decay can’t be solved with brushings, diet or chew toys.

Dog dental health sometimes requires professional teeth cleaning while under anesthesia. This may involve the application of antibiotics for a few days prior to the procedure.

The ultimate responsibility for dog dental health is in the hands of every dog owner, who owes it to their pet pal to take the necessary steps to keeping both teeth and gums healthy and vital.

Read more

Androgens, such as testosterone, are a major component of female and male sexual health and good libido. Female sexual health can be temporarily improved using androgens such as testosterone or DHEA. You write that Viagra legitimized male sexuality not only as conversation material but as a valid health-care issue. There is, therefore, a significant issue regarding the sexual health of female partners of men who have sex with men (MSMs). This bulletin message board forum is intended to allow male sexuality discussions, men’s sexual health personal experiences, and male health issue problems. political trends on research on female sexuality with a particular focus on political attacks on sexual health research at the National Institutes of Health.

There are five major areas involved in male and female sexual health: 1. Understanding these constructions enable more effective designs for intervention strategies that enable the promotion of sexual health amongst males who have sex with males. For effective sexual health promotion amongst males who have sex with males, both these connected issues must be appropriately and adequately addressed. There are specialists who deal with urology and oncology, as well as other areas of male sexual healthcare. Consequently, health care practitioners comment that they only learn about their male patient’s sexual health problems when the condition is severe. Exercise and weight loss may improve male sexual health in obese men, researchers in Italy report. Our project approach to male involvement in reproductive health in India is based in culturally defined male sexual health problems.

Female sexual health problems have to studied using a natural approach from many different areas. Impotence or erectile dysfunction is a quite common male sexual health disorder afflicting around 10 to 30 percent of the total male population. The authors bring together the two critical areas of expertise medical and psychological explain healthy male sexual function and the problem of sexual dysfunction. PenisPillsInfo.com Male enhancement advice and information, sexual health and performance and top pill brand information. Sex-Boost is a ‘by-prescription-only’ pill designed to enhance male sexual health by enabling men to achieve an erection. The female sexual health function is a complex interaction of hormonal events and psychosocial relationships. Work on male fertility and potency have also made the UW a national leader in advancing men’s sexual health.

McCullough is a specialist in male sexual health and fertility. A report examining and summarizing the symposium held in Oaxaca, Mexico, on male partcipation in sexual and reproductive health. Since Sex-Boost’s invention the subject of male sexual health has become common in newspapers, on the television and also over the Internet. It also combats male pattern boldness and contributes to a man’s overall sexual health regimen. The program was set up as the women’s movement raised awareness about reproductive health and female sexuality. A manmade ingredient of many plastics, cosmetics and other consumer products may be interfering with male sexual health and prenatal male sexual development.

Talk with your physician or other female sexual health professional to find a good sex therapist in your area that could help you. Although trials are underway with drugs to help eliminate female sexual health problems, the current feedback is not promising. There are a lot of male nurses working in sexual health. body – sexual health Female Infertility Finding out she’s pregnant can be one of the most joyous moments in a woman’s life. I did an online search for a male sexual health supplement, and there are hundreds of them. A urologist specializes in male sexual health problems. During a recent interview, Spark discussed his version of the Clinton legacy, shifting attitudes about male sexual health and alternatives to Viagra. Synopsis: A groundbreaking comprehensive guide to male health and sexuality.

If you are male and have a sexual health concern, you can address it with your regular doctor. Blood tests are often employed in female sexual health conditions to check various hormone levels. Use regularly to promote general health and overall female sexual functioning. Ovantra is the best product for womens sexual health and it has been referred to as the Female Viagra! General women’s health issues play an important part in a woman’s overall sexual wellness. Healthy female sex organs are less susceptible to infection. Victim to abuser: Mental health and behavioral sequels of child sexual abuse in a community survey of young adult males. Thanda is a powerful tonic for female sexual health, containing a range of specially selected remedies from Africa and the Orient.

Etic and emic categories in male sexual health: a case study from Orissa. As a result, sexual health services often ignores the possibility of STD/HIV transmission resulting from such a sexual practice both for males and females. Oriental (Panax) ginseng – supports physical stamina and has long been used to support male sexual health. Training of police staff and the judiciary on issues regarding males who have sex with males and sexual health concerns. http://www.man-sexual-health.com/

Read more

One of your options thanks to a detox diet program is curb fasting. Other than fruits, you can also consider including vegetables in your juice fast. Contrary to what many think, there are unequal vegetable handout recipes that subjection again taste good. Vegetable juices are overmuch salutary mark subdivision your body detoxify and cleanse toxic waste material. Vegetables also contain one of the most abundant sources of vitamins also minerals. If your daily cookery lacks sufficient vegetables, then exaggerated vegetable drinks is another way of making sure that you do not forgo phytochemicals because nutrition.


Vegetable juice fasting allows your figure to absorb what you consume quickly without

activating your digestive style too much and thus improves your body’s detoxification

motion. Taking vegetable drinks for a juice fast should not epitomize an upgrowth practice, but should only perform practiced money a economical period of time, spiel for about a tour.


Fasting on a vegetable check meat would not equate powerful to give you all the nutrients you need if you extend such a diet owing to further than it should. If you fancy some ideas, here are some vegetable juice vittles recipes that are yielding to make:


1. You can tie carrots, kale and wheat grass. Carrots are wonderful sources of beta-carotene and vitamin C.


2. else variety of the vegetable drink upper is to add spinach instead of wheat grass.

Spinach is very apt for your juicing diet because it is rich effect folate, unyielding also

Vitamin B.


3. Blend tomato, celery, parsley, broccoli also cucumber. Be out-and-out that you follow through only the freshest tomato that is develop by the situation they are picked from the plant. If they are taken at this state, they contain twice the amount of Vitamin C.


4. Season your carrot vegetable restraint with some garlic, ginger and onion. This mix is something various for your taste buds but is still healthy and nutritious.


5. Add cucumber again celery reputation your carrot vegetable mix. Cucumber is another apropos source of Vitamin C that aids your body’s detoxification process.


It is crowing to choose vegetables that are organic besides free of pesticides. Before

juicing, wash besides rinse the vegetables notoriety filtered wet. You rap also consider mixing vegetables and fruits together to make tasteful juice combinations.

It is important that you nutriment your vegetable juices fresh at uncondensed times. You power juice just before stinging your drink. Alternatively, you can buy canning jars with produce sealing lids for keeping juice your refrigerator. rack up not keep your juices beyond three days however. Also, always keep your lid jars tightly closed owing to air exposure onus kill the constructive enzymes in your vegetable drink.


Vegetables are very nutritious and you can take advantage of its health benefits when they are fresh and raw. Making vegetable drinks are the best road you can manage them in their nipping state. All you longing to do is be a little creative in combining vegetables and how you restraint activate them toothsome and enticing.

Read more

To make your body fit there are many exercise, many equipments, and also medicines. But if want your body fit and fine without any trainer, without ant equipments and medicines. Then there is only way by Yoga. Here I am describing you some features and explanation about yoga.

What is Yoga?

The word “Yoga” comes from Sanskrit. It is a Hindu traditional way of exercise by which we can make control on our body and mind. By doing yoga we can make our body physical and mentally strong. If you do yoga 45 minutes a day after doing that I can surely tell you that your mind and body feel relax. Now there is short information about types of Yoga.

Types of Yoga Position:

Free Spirit

Vinyasa yoga

Gym Rat
Bikram or Hot yoga
Power Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga

Gymnast
Ashtanga Yoga
Forrest Yoga

Injured
Iyengar Yoga

Mellow
Hatha Yoga
Integral Yoga
Kripalu Yoga

Self – motivated
Ashtanga Yoga

Singer
Jivamukti Yoga
Kundalini Yoga

Spiritual Seeker
Anusara Yoga
Jivamukti Yoga
Kundalini Yoga

Traditionalist
Iyengar Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga
Integral Yoga
Kripalu Yoga
Kundalini Yoga

Most Popular types of yoga:

Raja Yoga – It is “Royal Yoga” running from the time of king. It is a special Yoga for your mind (dyana) to make it relax. Sit in any position and close your eyes and do meditation. It makes your whole body and mind relax. Do it 45 minutes in one day.
Hatha Yoga – Hatha yoga is widely performed in America. It uses body position (asanas), breathing style (pranayama), and Meditation (dyana). This yoga makes you physically and mentally strong.
Iyengar Yoga – It is a form of Hatha Yoga, is completely giving primacy to the physical alignment of the body.
Bikram or Hot Yoga – Bikram yoga is developed by Bikram choudhury. This Yoga is performing in hot room. This yoga systemically for wellness and restoration. There are 26 different poses in Bikram Yoga.
Pregnancy or Prenatal Yoga – This yoga is performing during the time of women pregnancy to make her body fit and in shape. It also best yoga for your baby. We enjoy performing this yoga in pregnancy period.
Laughter or Hasya Yoga – Hasya Yoga is physical oriented methods that remove your tension, out of this world and place in new world of peace. During this yoga people laugh for 30 to 40 minutes with noise of clapping and Ha Ha……. People perform this yoga to make their mind free from their personal tension.
Ashtanga Yoga – Ashtanga yoga is a yoga therapy, realigns the spine, detoxifies the body, and builds strength, flexibility and stamina.

Following are the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga:

Yama (Restraints or Abstinence)
Niyama (Disciplines or Devotion)
Asanas ( Pose of Yoga)
Pranayama (Breath Control)
Pratyahara (Retraction of the Senses)
Dharana ( Fix of Attention)
Dyana (Meditation)
8. Samadhi (Deep Trance)

Read more

Why Do I ? How to Quit Smoking Once For All?

Well, 2010 has just started…and so many of us try to quit smoking once for all. Forget about all those failed previous attempts to quit smoking. Learn how you can quit smoking once for all and start a fresh new smoke free year 2010.

When it comes to quit smoking, you should have a strong desire to quit this habit, whatever may be the underlying causes for this decision such as your health…or because of your growing baby’s health or just simply anything…your desire to quit should be at the highest and moreover if you have some family members or friends to help you remind or nag you all the time about quitting it should help a lot, on your decision to quit smoking.

Even if you have used nicotine gums and patches in the past, and failed at it….don’t worry there are always other methods that could help you to quit.

One of my friend recently undergone a ‘Quit Smoking Program’ with Pamtaw and successfully quit smoking since september 2009. She is a chain smoker before and I always nag her to quit this habit for almost 3 years until sometime in June 2009…she really wanted to quit….because of her health concerns.

She tried everything from Nicotine gums and patches, pills, sprays etc…only to continue smoking and failed  miserably at every attempt. But finally she registered with ‘Quit Smoking Program’ and had success.

This program is just not like other usual quit smoking programs. It is unique and effective

This program includes with frequent updates and online tools  brimming with important services and information that you won’t see anywhere else! It offers

Freedom From the Smoking Habit Forever Your Health Back Control Over Your Finances Confidence in Yourself The Ability to Relax Greater Clarity A Longer Life New Areas of Interest A New Beginning, a New Outlook

If youin all your previous attempts, then this ‘quit smoking program’ from pamtaw is all you need to quit smoking successfully once for all and a fresh new smoke free year 2010.

Read more

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is defined as breast cancer that develops during or within one year after pregnancy. It is relatively rare, with approximately 10% of all breast cancer cases under age 40 occurring in pregnant women. However, some researchers have speculated that the incidence of PABC may increase as the average age at the time of pregnancy increases.

Some research has indicated that PABC has a worse outcome than other breast cancers; however, this could also be attributable to young age, since most women with PABC tend to be young and breast cancer in young women tends to have a worse prognosis.

Researchers from M. D. Anderson Cancer Center analyzed data from 652 women ages 35 and younger who were diagnosed with breast cancer between 1973 and 2006. The group included 104 women with PABC—51 who were diagnosed during their pregnancy and 53 who were diagnosed within the following year.

The researchers observed that the tumors in the pregnant women were more advanced upon diagnosis; however, this could be because the pregnancy masked symptoms, leading to a delayed diagnosis. The data indicated that the rates of overall survival, distant metastases, and locoregional recurrence were similar among women with PABC and those with non-PABC.

The researchers concluded that pregnancy in and of itself does not predict for worse outcomes in women with breast cancer; however, they stressed the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. This is a complex issue due to the perceived notion of endangering the fetus during treatment. Research will likely be ongoing to evaluate this issue. Breast Cancer Information Center on CancerConsultants.com

Terramed Alliance is a non-profit charity organization dedicated to research, education and advocacy of breast cancer. One of the vision of Terramed Alliance is to provide this community and Internet users with a charity based research and education entity. Advocacy of breast cancer through education is vital to the reduction of this disease.  For any requests and enquiries, please contact at us: cancer@terramedalliance.us www.terramedalliance.us

 

Read more

The popularity of braids, dreadlocks, add on hair / wigs, weaves, natural hair styles, and hair extensions with or without glue is exploding.

The key importance and selling point for the Take Down removal cream is that it is an oil based cream. This key factor allows women to transition easily from wearing braids to a relaxer in the same day.

Most women of color assume that after removing braids or extensions they have to wait 1 week in order to relax or straighten their hair, but because Take Down is a cream- not a spray. and is an oil based product.

It protects the scalp and hair so that a chemical relaxer can be used. Most people or stylists don’t have the time or patience to remove fusion, braids, dreadlocks, weaves or hair extensions the right way. And the average consumer goes to the salon to undo or “take down” a style.

And if the hair stylist does not have proper understanding of how to remove any of these styles, they just pull and tug, which ultimately damages their client’s hair. But now there is a solution.

The Take Down® brand is not only unique, but is the lead product for the removal of all add-on-hair styles in the beauty industry. It is a very strong cross over product, for all types of women and hair textures.

Every one from hollywood,models, entertainers to the everday college student wears some form of hair extensions, braids,and add-on-hair.

Anyone who has removed fusion, hair extensions, weaves that are saturated with bonding glue, or tiny micro-braids, understands the hassle. When removing hair extensions with fusion, braids, weaves or dreadlocks, the hair can become dry and matted together, so it can take hours upon hours to remove these styles. And often, once these styles are removed, unhealthy, broken hair is left behind.

Introducing a new product that helps detangle hair and aids in the fast and easy removal of fusion, braids, hair extensions, weaves and dreadlocks. TAKE DOWN® makes the pain, tangles, knots and damage associated with removing these styles old news.

With TAKE DOWN®, women and men who desire changing their locked hairstyles don’t have to cut their Dreadlocks off any more, they can salvage all that beautiful hair. With TAKE DOWN®, you have no more hair loss, damage or balding. And definitely no more excess fusion adhesive or bonding glue stuck to the hair and scalp.

TAKE DOWN®, THE REVOLUTIONARY HAIR REMOVAL CREAM penetrates through the hair and softens the hair as you comb through it. This natural cream can be a relief from the pain of combing out knots and clumps of tangled or matted hair once you have taken out the extension, braid or dreadlock. This revolutionary process makes removal of braids easy, fast and painless…

TAKE DOWN’S ®, revolutionary and unique selling points sit squarely with its ability to address a strong, yet previously overlooked, need in the hair care market.

copyright 2007 GBA Ent

Read more

On the average, a person could experience several allergic reactions to one or more things. This happens when we breathe in something that is usually harmless and our immune system (the body’s barrier against viruses and bacteria) classifies it as harmful and attacks. These are the allergens that we need to avoid exposure to. The hard part is, it is difficult to avoid allergens if we don’t know specifically what we are allergic to. Much harder still, allergens are everywhere. They can be in the form of plant pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds, dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, mold, chemicals, and so forth. It makes it thrice as hard to avoid because pollen and mold may become airborne and can travel easily for miles.

Those affected with allergic rhinitis, also called nasal allergy, pollinosis, or hay fever is commonly caused by plant pollens. Some weeds depend on the wind for cross-pollination than insects to produce seasonal allergies. This makes allergies hard to avoid. Allergies symptoms are a result of the release of histamine, a very important protein in the body which mediates inflammation and is involved in many reactions. Here are the common symptoms that you may experience: itchy, puffy, and watery eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, decreased sense of smell, headache, and wheezing. This makes it very bothersome as aside from these, one can experience shortness of breath because the airways become constricted as the body’s response to the allergens. Should the immune system over activate and not be treated, it may result to complications and life-threatening situations. Relief of symptoms is a must!

Allergies treatment is a big factor to those who have allergies. For one, it would be less bothersome for them if they have relief from their symptoms. Having itchy eyes and a runny nose is not exactly a recipe for a happy day. Having it for three consecutive days is already a burden, what more if it extends to more than that? The symptoms also get worse during different seasons. It is important to know what to do and prevent it from occurring before the season changes.

To be diagnosed accurately, check with your physician and let him help you determine which particles you are allergic to. For all the over-the-counter-medications, which includes the anti-histamine medications, that is available in the market to provide symptomatic relief, still the best way to treat the allergic rhinitis is to avoid exposure to allergens. It is also the most cost-effective way in managing allergies. It is best to remove pets from the house to avoid animal dander, staying indoors when there are high pollen counts, control dust mites by using plastic-lined covers for mattress and pillows, and remove any that could absorb minute particles of dust such as stuff toys, carpets and drapes. Allergies treatment may include over-the-counter medications for symptomatic relief and shot for uncontrollable symptoms or unavoidable allergens (or those present all throughout the year).

Do not be afraid to have your allergies checked. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain. It is important that you know what you are allergic to so you could have better prevention. Enjoy life without the burden of allergies symptoms!

Read more

Part One – Acne Defined

When most of us think of acne we think of adolescence. Acne has been becoming a more persistant adult problem. But teenagers do make up the largest percent of acne sufferers,. Acne probles are common in more tha a quarter of the male population and half of the female population. These figures seem to be climbing.

Acne Defined

Acne is composed of skin blemishes which are associated with the accumulation of sebum in hair follicles, the tiny holes we commonly call pores. Sebum is produced by sebaceous glands deep within each pore and it can take two or three weeks before it reaches the skins surface. Sebum is the oil that keeps your skin moist and supple. As the skin regenerates itself, old cells die, mix with your skins natural oils and slough off.

Sometimes dead cells become sticky, clumping together and can plug the exits of pores. This traps oil and bacteria inside the pore which then swells as your skin continues its normal oil production and skin sloughing which can not escape. A bacteria infection can ensue and results in a skin blemish.

Types of Acne

There are basically two different categories of acne, non inflammatory and inflammatory.

Non Inflammatory Acne

A closed white head occurs when the plug in the pore remains unseen below the surface of the skin. These lesions commonly appear on the skin as small, whitish bumps.

An open whitehead or blackhead occurs when the plug enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin. The plugs dark appearance is due to a buildup of melanin, the skin’s dark pigment, not dirt as commonly thought.

Inflammatory Acne

A papule is the mildest form of inflationary acne. It appears on the skin as firm, small pink bumps. These are usually tender to the touch, and are often considered an intermediary step between non-inflationary and inflationary acne.

Pustules are small lesions that are clearly inflamed and contain visible pus. They appear with a yellowish or whitish center and red around the base. The inflation is generally caused by chemical irritation from sebum components Such as free fatty acids and infection is almost always present.

Nodules or cysts are large, pus-filled, inflamed lesions lodged deep in the lower layers of the skin. They develop when a comedon has ruptured and its contents have leaked into the surrounding tissue below the surface of the skin (often the results of an unsuccessful squeeze). The most severe form of acne may persist for weeks or months with their contents hardening into a deep cyst. Both cysts and nodules can leave deep scares.

Acne conglobata is rare, but a serious form of inflammatory acne that primarily develops on the chest buttocks and back. In addition to nodules and pustules, there may be severe bacterial infection which can track latteraly through the layers of the skin and cause boils or furuncles.

Who Gets Acne? More than 90% of all adolescents are affected by acne, and nearly 50% of adults. It is one of the most wide spread medical conditions in the world.

Something To Help

Fortunately you do not have to live with acne. There is always something you can do to improve the health of your skin. Of course your doctor’s advice can be invaluable, but don’t forget to discuss the possible side effects that normally accompany the long term use of drugs. A naturalpathic doctor will give you other alternatives. There are many plants with anti bacterial and anti inflammatory properties. And a third way to find solutions is to do a search on the internet. There are several direct sales companies with quality products promising to help acne problems.

Read more

Different Type of Diabetes

There are many types of diabetes, but the three most common are:

1. Type 1

2. Type 2

3. Gestational

These three types of Diabetes are same with some differences, everyone with diabetes has one thing in common and that is little or no ability to move glucose out of the blood into the cells, where it is converted into body’s primary fuel. We all have glucose in our blood, whether or not we have diabetes. Main source for glucose is food which we eat. When we eat, the digestive system breaks down food into glucose, which is absorbed into the blood in the small intestine.

People who don’t suffer from diabetes depend on insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, to move glucose from the blood into the body’s billions of cells. But people who suffer from diabetes either don’t produce insulin or can’t efficiently use the insulin produced in their body. Without insulin, glucose can’t move into blood cells. Scientists don’t know the exact reason behind cause’s diabetes, but it seems to be a result from a combination of genetics and environmental factors, including viral infections, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyle. Till now, diabetes has no solution, but the good news is that the disease can be managed and treated. People with diabetes can live fulfilling, healthy lives.

Type 1

Diabetics with type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or IDDM don’t produce insulin and require regular supply of insulin to keep their blood glucose levels normal. Type 1 diabetes was known as juvenile-onset diabetes, but that name has been changed because type 1 diabetes also strikes young and older adults alike.

Risk factors

A family history of the diabetes increases risk for next generations.
Diabetes can happen in people of every society, but it’s most common among whites.
Half of type 1 diabetics are under the age of 20. Being age 20 or younger increases the risk.

What causes it?

Most of the children, whose parents are diabetics, do not suffer from this disease, but scientists still believe that heredity plays a big role in Type 1 diabetes because it tends to run in families.
Researchers have researched on several genes that appear to increase risk of type 1 diabetes. But they haven’t got a single gene that causes diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes has many hallmarks of an auto-immune condition. In auto-immune diseases, the immune system, this protects from disease by killing invading germs. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the immune system kills the cells in the pancreas that produces insulin.
Type 1 diabetes often occurs shortly after a viral infection, and doctors sometimes notice a sharp jump in type 1 diabetes diagnoses after viral epidemics.

Type 2

Approximately 95 % of diabetics suffer with type 2 diabetes which is also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM. Type 2 Diabetics produces insulin, but the cells in their bodies are “insulin resistant” they can’t respond properly to the hormone, so glucose is accumulated in their blood. Some people with type 2 diabetes inject insulin, but mostly can control the disease through a combination of weight loss, exercise, a prescription oral diabetes medication, and tight control.

Risk factors

Similar to Type 1, Type 2 disease also runs in families and increase the risk for upcoming generations.
Most of the diagnosed people with type 2 are above of age 30 or older. Half of all new cases lie between age 55 and older.
In comparison of whites and Asians, type 2 diabetes is more commonly found among Native Americans, African-Americans, Latinos, and Hispanics.
Insulin resistance results in increment of weight and decrement of physical activities. Most of the people suffering from type 2 diabetes have sedentary lifestyles and are obese; there weight increases at least 20 percent more than the recommended weight according to their height and build.
Less exercise, especially for those who are overweight, increases the risk for diabetes.
If a female developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy, she is at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes later.
Females who have given birth to babies weighing 9 pounds or more are at an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

What causes it?


Scientists are not sure, but type 2 diabetes, like type 1 diabetes, flows from families to families, which shows some genetic connection. In fact, a genetic link in Type2 diabetes seems even stronger in comparison with type 1. Scientists have not yet found a single gene that causes the disease, but they are still in search for errors in several that may contribute to the disease. Researchers also have a doubt on genetic susceptibility to obesity.

Obesity is the only single most important cause of type 2 diabetes. There are different definitions for obesity, but in general, Obesity occurs if a person’s weight is at least 20 percent more than what’s recommended according to their height and build. 75% of people with type 2 diabetes have problem of being overweight. That’s why type 2 diabetes is usually linked with diet and exercise.

Less weight and good muscles helps the body use insulin more effectively. This is very important to know how much weight we should carry. People whose weight is above their hips have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who carry it on their hips.

Age also plays an important role in type 2 diabetes. Most of the newly diagnosed are of age 55 and above, and around 11 percent of Americans ages 65 to 74 suffers from type 2 diabetes. However, it is not sure if age is a cause of type 2 diabetes or it is simply a reflection of the fact that people tend to gain weight and become less physically active as they grow older.

Gestational

Gestational diabetes affects only to pregnant ladies without any previous history of diabetes. Nearly 137,000 U.S. females develop gestational diabetes each year.

Typically, gestational diabetes is cleared up on its own after female’s delivery. But research shows that about 40% of females with gestational diabetes face type 2 diabetes within 15 years. All pregnant ladies should be tested for gestational diabetes between their 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes and insulin resistance can be prevented by keeping a healthy weight, having healthy food and with the help of regular exercise.

Risk factors

Diabetes problem flows from generation to generation.
Increase in weight, increases insulin resistance.
Native Americans, African-Americans, and people of Hispanic or Latino descent are at increased risk. Whites and Asians have a lower risk.

What causes it?

Hormones may play an important role. Pregnant ladies produce various hormones important for their baby’s growth. However, these hormones may interfere with the mother’s body’s ability to properly use insulin, causing insulin resistance.

Every pregnant lady has some degree of insulin resistance. But if this resistance becomes full-blown gestational diabetes, it usually appears around the 24th week of pregnancy. That’s why all pregnant
ladies should be screened for gestational diabetes at that time.

Read more

Macronutrients

Origins and History

Food is the basic resource of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that allow our body to do its daily performance. Our ability to eat foods and then extract the proper nutrients is what allows us to gain both energy and the building blocks for our immune system and other bodily functions. To understand human nutrition we must begin with the basics, that is, the building blocks and the chemical structure of food. Some reeducation is useful to help realize that many of the foods that we buy in food stores, fast food chains, and in health food stores may not actually be healthy for the human body. No longer may we overlook terms such as complex carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates, processed foods, refined grains, caffeine ingestion, alcohol consumption, and refined oils..(Macronutrients) Food intake and type have a profound effect on individual health. Although the ingestion of foods may not cause any acute deleterious effects on the health for humans, the long-term effects have been clearly documented in the literature. (Macronutrients)

As we cross the line into the new millennium, physicians and other health care providers need to consider how to effect change in our patients with less emphasis on the use of synthetic drugs and other chemical concoctions. Nutritional literature supports a growing realization that food could have a significant contributory factor in many of our chronic ailments of today, including cancer, collagen vascular diseases, arthritis, and even progressive aging. Our patients are spending billions of dollars on diets like high protein, low carbohydrate, low fat, low protein, Paleolithic, blood typing, zone, starvation, food pyramid, allergic disorder, caloric restriction, and juicing diets. Unfortunately, none of these specialized protocols is universally ideal. Individualized treatment and prescription of the appropriate diet is essential for the improvement for a patient’s nutritional status. (Macronutrients)

Read more

High cholesterol levels can be a sign of potential heart disease. High levels of HDL cholesterol can be a warning sign of hardening of arteries that can result in heart disease or a heart attack. Even though high cholesterol is a very serious and fatal condition, there are no symptoms to warn you if you are having high cholesterol levels.


To know your cholesterol levels you must take a cholesterol test. As high cholesterol levels can be life threatening, and coronary heart disease is a common occurrence when you have high levels of bad cholesterol you should get a cholesterol test regularly.


Cholesterol is made of two main types: HDL, or the good cholesterol which actually helps prevent heart disease and LDL or bad cholesterol which will clog your arteries and cause heart disease if present in high levels in your body. The right level of cholesterol should be 200mg/dl of LDL or less and at least a minimum of 40mg/dL of HDL or more.


Cholesterol test is done through a blood test that will tell you the levels of both types of cholesterol in your body. This test can be done at the hospital. There are also home test kits for cholesterol testing available. However, tests done in the hospital are more reliable and you should go to the hospital for your first cholesterol test.


If your cholesterol test result show that your bad cholesterol level is too high, your doctor can advise you on how to lower it. He will probably advise you to change your diet and do more exercise. If you cholesterol levels are very high or you have other medical condition like diabetes, he may prescribe you with cholesterol lowering medication. Most doctors recommend that anyone over the age of 20 should take a cholesterol test once every five years.


The Cholesterol Test Kit


Today there is a way to test your cholesterol levels without having to leave your home. A home cholesterol test kit can be purchased from any drug store. This home test kit consists of the tools required to conduct an accurate cholesterol test. With only a couple drops of your blood you will be able to tell the cholesterol levels present in your body in ten minutes time.


The home cholesterol test kit is FDA approved and is available over the counter for you to purchase and use when needed. It has a 97% accuracy rate and is very easy. The home cholesterol test kit cost about $25 for a pack of two test kits. Some cholesterol test kits are sold with only one test strip but the two tests package is more economical. Everyone who wants or needs to keep check their cholesterol level regularly without having to go to a hospital can use the handy cholesterol test kit.


Home Cholesterol Test Kit May Not Always Be Accurate


Although nowadays you can get all kinds of home kits for many medical problems, some of the results from the tests carried out by these kits may not be very accurate. However, the fault may not lie with the test kit itself, but it may lie in the way it is used. The home cholesterol test kit too seldom gives accurate results because it is usually administered wrongly.


That is the reason why doctors do not like to rely on the results of home cholesterol test. If you go for treatment for high cholesterol level, your doctor will ask you to take another test from the lab. The doctor will only proceed with treatment after they get the lab tests results.


The home cholesterol test kit may be useful if you can get your a physician to administer it for you. This is so that after the test is done, he can interpret the results for you. This is why it is better to take a lab test rather than simply buying a home cholesterol test.


Any home cholesterol test done with a home test kit should be repeated in the doctor’s lab for double confirmation, so that if your cholesterol home test results are actually not accurate, you will know it before you undergo any form of cholesterol lowering treatment.


If you do prefer a home cholesterol test kit than going to the hospital for a cholesterol test, you should still consult your doctor and have the test repeated before taking any form of drugs or medications.

Read more

To begin with, throughout the world, cholesterol levels (measured in the blood) vary widely. Generally, people who live in countries where blood cholesterol levels are lower, such as Japan, have lower rates of heart disease.


Countries with very high cholesterol levels, such as Finland, have very high rates of coronary heart disease. However, some populations with similar total cholesterol levels have very different heart disease rates, suggesting that other factors also influence risk for coronary heart disease. High cholesterol is more common in men younger than 55 years and in women older than 55 years. The risk for high cholesterol is known to increases with age.


Cholesterol is a waxy, fat like substance that your body needs to function normally. Cholesterol is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.


Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. It takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, including the coronary (heart) arteries, where it contributes to the narrowing and blockages that cause the signs and symptoms of heart disease.


Too many Americans have high levels of total cholesterol and LDL (the bad cholesterol). A diet high in saturated fat (a type of fat found mostly in foods that come from animals and certain oils) raises LDL levels more than anything else in your diet. You also eat cholesterol in your diet, although the effect of saturated fat in the diet is greater than the effect of dietary cholesterol.


Trans-fatty acids (seen in processed foods and many “fast foods”) can also increase LDL levels. Dietary cholesterol is found only in foods from animal products. Genetic factors combined with eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol are the main reasons for high levels of cholesterol that lead to heart attacks. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you eat is an important step in reducing your blood cholesterol levels.


The government has reset the standard for LDL levels so that more Americans are included in the risk group. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by cholesterol and fat being deposited in the walls of the arteries that supply nutrients and oxygen to your heart. Like any muscle, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are carried to it by the blood in the coronary arteries.


Fixed narrowing that is often calcified (hardened) usually cause angina (chest pain). Less severe narrowing may contain unstable blockages called atherosclerotic or fatty plaque. Unstable atherosclerotic plaque can rupture, resulting in clot formation, no blood flow, and a heart attack.


If enough oxygen-carrying blood is blocked from reaching your heart, you may experience a type of chest pain called angina. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure of the artery from a blood clot forming on top of unstable plaque.


A simple blood test checks for high cholesterol. Simply knowing your total cholesterol level is not enough. A complete lipid profile measures your LDL (low-density lipoprotein [the bad cholesterol]), total cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein [the good cholesterol]), and triglycerides another fatty substance in the blood. Government guidelines say healthy adults should have this analysis every 5 years.


A desirable total cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL or lower. A desirable LDL is 100 mg/dL (130-159 is borderline high; 160 is high; 190 is very high). HDL, the “good cholesterol,” should be around 40 mg/dL or greater. With HDL, the higher the number, the better, and 60 mg/dL is protective against heart disease.


Recent studies have shown that lowering cholesterol in people without heart disease greatly reduces their risk for developing heart disease in the first place. This is true for those with high cholesterol levels and for those with average cholesterol levels.


The Framingham Heart Study established that high blood cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Results of the Framingham study showed that the higher your cholesterol level, the greater your risk. Several studies have confirmed a direct link between high blood cholesterol and CHD. The Lipid Research Clinics-Coronary Primary Prevention Trial (LRC-CPPT) first showed that lowering total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels significantly reduces coronary heart disease.


A series of more recent trials of cholesterol-lowering using statin drugs have conclusively demonstrated that lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol reduces your chance of having a heart attack, needing bypass surgery or angioplasty, and dying of CHD-related causes.


In 1994, the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) was the first study to show that people who took the cholesterol-lowering class of drugs called statins (in this case, simvastatin) reduced their risk for major CHD events (such as a heart attack) by 34%, CHD deaths by 42%, and all deaths by 30% in people with known coronary heart disease and high blood cholesterol levels, compared with people who were given a placebo (a dummy pill that looks exactly like the medication being tested).


This has been called “secondary prevention,” or prevention of a second heart attack, because the study involved people with known heart disease, many of whom had already had at least one heart attack.


The Heart Protection Study, published in 2002, examined men and women of all ages at high risk for heart disease irrespective of their cholesterol levels. Simvastatin treatment reduced CHD events by 24%. This study has caused some experts to suggest that everyone at high risk for CHD would benefit from statin therapy, regardless of their blood cholesterol levels.


Finally, The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), carried out from 1988-1991, discovered that 26% of American adults had high blood cholesterol concentrations, and 49% had desirable values.

Read more

Losing weight is not all about getting a perfect figure. Nowadays, it also means becoming healthy to prevent diseases caused by obesity and an unbalanced diet. Gold Coast Cure, developed by Dr. Andy and Ivy Larson, is a total-body health program that is recommended for people who want to lose weight the right and healthy way.

Gold Coast Cure focuses on three key components that will help you lose weight and gain health. These three components are diet, supplements, and exercise. During the five-week diet plan of Gold Coast Cure, you are encouraged to eat more the good carbs and avoid the bad carbs such as white bread, French fries, and pasta. Whole grains, fiber and antioxidant-rich foods, and fresh produce are among the many good carbs that you can eat. The concept is the same as other low-glycemic index diet plans: replace the bad carbs with good ones. The result is also the same: lose weight because good carbs are easier to burn and blood sugar level will be balanced.

Regular exercise for about half an hour a day for three times a week is recommended if youâ??re following the Gold Coast Cure total-body health program. The most effective exercise that will give positive results to your weight loss program is circuit training. Circuit training combines high-intensity aerobics which makes you burn fats faster and resistance training which develops and tones your muscles.

Gold Coast Cure Total-Body Health Program also encourages you to include supplements in your daily diet. You need to visit your doctor to get a plan or recommendation as to what supplement is safe and right for you. Try looking for supplements that provide you with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Following the Gold Coast Cure Total-Body Health Program will definitely make you feel healthier than before. It can even reverse the years of damage on you body as a result of poor diet and lack of exercise. Gold Coast Cure Total-Body Health Program will reduce your risk of having illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and obesity.

Read more

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is part of all animal cells. It is essential for many of the body metabolic processes, including hormone and bile production, and to help the body use vitamin D.

Cholesterol is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain.


The liver is the main processing center for cholesterol. When we eat animal fats, the liver returns the cholesterol it can not use to our bloodstream and when there is too much cholesterol circulating in our bloodstream, it can build up into fatty deposits. These deposits cause the arteries to narrow and can eventually block the arteries completely, leading to heart disease and stroke.


Cholesterol is produced by the liver and it is also made by most cells in the body. It is carried around in the blood by lipoproteins. We need blood cholesterol because the body uses it to build the structure of cell membranes, to produce hormones like testosterone, adrenaline and estrogen and to aid the metabolism.


Types of Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol, good and bad, the difference between them is:

a. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol called the bad cholesterol because it goes into the bloodstream and clogs up your arteries.


b. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol called the good cholesterol because it helps to take the bad cholesterol out of the bloodstream.


Cholesterol is transported towards peripheral tissues by the lipoproteins chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

Risks associated with high triglycerides


According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia), or more correctly, higher concentrations of LDL and lower concentrations of functional HDL are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease because these promote atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis). High cholesterol has also been linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.


Both heredity and diet have a significant influence on a person’s LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels. Evidence strongly indicates that high cholesterol levels can cause narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attacks, and strokes.


Cholesterol in the bile can crystallize to form gall stones that may block the bile ducts. Cholesterol count also rises during pregnancy.


However, in recent years, scientists have come to realise that to decide whether an individual’s cholesterol levels are dangerous, these levels need to be considered in the light of the person’s overall risk of heart disease.The higher the risk of heart disease (for example, a male smoker with high blood pressure and diabetes), the greater the need to get cholesterol levels down.


Cholesterol tests

Cholesterol testing is recommended as a screening test to be done on all adults at least once every five years.


Foods that contain cholesterol

The cholesterol in your diet comes mainly from the saturated fats found in animal products. All foods from animals contain some cholesterol. Foods from plants do not contain cholesterol. Other sources of dietary cholesterol are full fat dairy foods, eggs and some seafood.


Safe blood cholesterol levels

Health authorities recommend that cholesterol levels should be no higher than 5.5mmols per liter. Approximately 50 per cent of adult Australians have a blood cholesterol level above 5mmols per liter. This makes high blood cholesterol a major health concern in Australia.


How to lower high cholesterol

The best way to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in your diet is to limit foods high in saturated fats. Try to avoid: Fatty meats , full fat dairy products, processed meats like salami and sausages, snack foods like chips, most takeaway foods, especially deep fried foods, cakes, biscuits and pastries.


However the most important thing you can do to reduce your cholesterol level is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You should try to:

a. Limit the amount of cholesterol-rich foods you eat.

Increase the amount and variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods you have each day.

b. Choose low or reduced fat milk, yoghurt and other dairy products or have added calcium soy drinks.

c. Choose lean meat (meat trimmed of fat or labeled as heart smart).

d. Limit fatty meats, including sausages and salami, and choose leaner sandwich meats like turkey breast or cooked lean chicken.

e. Have fish (fresh or canned) at least twice a week. Replace butter and dairy blends with polyunsaturated margarines.

f. Include foods in your diet that are rich in soluble fiber and healthy fats, such as nuts, legumes and seeds.

g. Limit cheese and ice cream to twice a week.


Some studies have suggested that eating oats and legumes may lower LDL cholesterol. Food components like saponins (found in chickpeas, alfalfa sprouts and other foods) and sulphur compounds (like allicin found in garlic and onions) may also have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.


Plant sterols can lower cholesterol levels,these are

found naturally in plant foods including sunflower and canola seeds, vegetable oils and (in smaller amounts) in nuts, legumes, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Some margarine has concentrated plant sterols added to it. Plant sterol enriched margarines may help to lower LDL cholesterol.


Treatment for high cholesterol

Treatment of high cholesterol is aimed at lowering the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol, lowering triglyceride levels, and increasing the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol.


Treatment will be most effective if it also includes appropriate diet, weight loss (if necessary) and physical activity.


The first steps in treating high cholesterol levels are: Regular physical activity and healthy eating.


There are also some foods that may help to lower cholesterol levels, particularly garlic, soya, oats, corn and selenium-enriched cereals.


Cholesterol-lowering foods are not suitable for children under five years or for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.


Medication :Statin drugs work by interfering with the cholesterol-producing mechanisms of the liver and by increasing the capacity of the liver to remove cholesterol from circulating blood. Statins can lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 60 percent, depending on the drug and dosage.

Read more

It is the time of year when everyone thinks about changing things in their life that they are not happy with. It seems like to most common New Years resolutions have to do with losing weight, quitting smoking and changing spending habits. The Medifast diet program is a good thing to put in your arsenal of tools for making lifestyle changes.


The program is a weight loss program that has helped many people lose substantial weight and it can be done quicker than most other weight loss plans if it is followed the way it is designed. This diet plan used to be available only through doctors offices, but in recent years it has become available online and through certain Medifast clinics.


Many people in this country would benefit by reliable and safe weight loss. Obesity related medical issues are stealing their lives away one day at a time. For the past 25 years, Medifast has been in the business of helping people return to a healthy weight. This weight loss program has been recommended by over 15,000 physicians and used by more than 1 million customers.


The diet program is basically a meal replacement plan that includes one healthy meal per day and 5 Medifast meal replacement meals that are part of their program. Meal replacement products have gained a lot of credibility in the weight loss industry. The Medifast meal replacement foods have been clinically proven in several studies conducted by major university teaching facilities.


Many of the products contain soy that is needed for heart health. These meals are nutritionally sound as required by law and are also low-fat, low-calorie. Medifast meals are fortified with all the necessary vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain lean muscle while still losing weight.


Meal replacement diets will also eliminate the cravings that can be cause by consuming products high in sugar and carbohydrates. This program will help you feel comfortable and hunger-free due to the 6 meals that you will be eating daily. You will be eating every 2-3 hours helping to eliminate any unnecessary between meal snacking.


People that need to lose weight rarely do it on their first attempt. If you have tried other weight loss plans without success, you may want to consider giving this diet program a try. You may never have to diet again. This program can help you reduce your weight quickly and safely. Regaining a healthy weight is the most important part of losing weight, but looking great is also a nice fringe benefit.

Read more

As winter winds and cold, dry air dehydrate our skin—what’s a woman to do?  Slather their skin with moisturizers, right?

Wrong.

A moisturizer is like “dessert” to your skin—it feels good, nice and smooth, but does little to nothing for your skin cells that lay beneath the surface—the source of skin aging.  That’s why it’s important to remember the “main course” of skin care—products that activate, stimulate and protect your skin.

During winter, it’s especially important to:

Exfoliate.  The dull, dry skin cells on the surface of the skin should be exfoliated, and there are a couple of reasons for this.  (1) Exfoliation allows younger, healthier skin cells can emerge, (2) you can enhance the penetration of other skin care products, because they don’t get trapped by the superficial cells.  If anti-aging products (and these are generally the pricey ones!) remain on the surface of your skin, they’re pretty useless. Allow them to work, and work hard!  (3) Exfoliation deep cleans the pores, and helps reduce excess oils. During the summer, I recommend exfoliating twice a week, but during the winter, every day.  Use Exfoliating Polish in the shower; it’s easier to rinse off that way.
Protect.  During winter the days are shorter, but UVB rays will stay damage your skin, and UVA rays will penetrate through windows and go straight to the dermis—where they can create permanent damage .  If you’re headed to the mountains for skiing (or even if you’re a ski bunny), remember that UV rays are intensified by snow and high altitude.  Taking a vacation from sunscreen during the winter is a big mistake. 

Avoid the use of hot water.  It may feel good for a few minutes (no showers longer than 10 minutes, please), but will dehydrate your skin, deplete the natural oils and create parched, chapped, dry skin.
Your face and hands need extra care during the winter, because they have greater exposure.  Be sure to exfoliate and hydrate!
With shorter days and colder temperatures, most of us spend more time indoors during the winter, where the air is warmer, but also dryer.  Use a humidifer, don’t overuse space heaters (including your car), and drink plenty of water.
Escape.  These are stressful times.  Find time for yourself.  Take a warm bath, read a good book, do something just for yourself.  I like to study foreign languages, especially French, because it’s a brief respite from the real world and 24-hour news.  Do something that you enjoy for short, daily escapes.

While you take care of everyone else this holiday season, be sure to take care of yourself (and your skin!)

For more information visit us on the web at http://www.zoskinhealth.com

Read more

What do you expect of your body creams? I think that body lotion and creams should do a lot. But, I also think they should be safe.

You might not be too concerned about safety, but think about it. Many of the chemicals used in body creams will penetrate the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin.

Those chemicals have been found in breast cancer tumors and other tissue. Surveys conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that over 90% of the population has those chemicals in their urine.

The newest body lotion and creams are specifically designed to penetrate deeply. If the ingredients are not good for your health, you might not be able to enjoy how good your skin looks.

Body creams can do a lot for the appearance and health of your skin, as long as they contain the right ingredients. You can counter the signs of aging, prevent and correct free radical damage, fade stretch marks and scars, heal old wounds and prevent infections.

Maybe all you were looking for was an effective moisturizer. You can have that, too. Natural moisturizers are accompanied by numerous benefits, like the ones mentioned above. The typical is petrolatum and it won’t do anything except sit on the surface.

If used regularly, petrolatum and other petroleum derived body lotion and creams will inhibit the natural rejuvenation process, making your skin look older. According to respected dermatologists, it causes premature aging of the skin.

The best body creams contain jojoba. Jojoba oil is like a liquid wax. It moisturizes and protects. It also reduces wrinkles and stretch marks. It lightens scars and is beneficial in treating conditions like acne and psoriasis, primarily because it balances sebum production.

Sebum is the skin’s own oil. In conditions like acne, the glands secrete too much. In conditions like psoriasis, they secrete too little. If you have combination skin, like most of us, you can balance that out with body lotion and creams that contain jojoba.

Honey is another good ingredient to look for. Active manuka honey is the best. All varieties of honey have antibacterial or antiseptic activity, as well as antioxidant activity. Scientists have shown that manuka honey is the most active.

Only the best body creams contain manuka, because it is an expensive ingredient. But, those that contain it can help you protect the health of your skin.

In clinical and laboratory studies, body lotion and creams that contain manuka have been shown to support the cell renewal process, encourage the production of stronger collagen, improve elasticity and destroy free radicals.

It is free radical damage that leads to all of the signs of aging. It is also free radical damage that causes cancer. A word of advice; there are still some body lotion and creams on the market that contain oxybenzone, even though it has been shown to cause cancer.

Be sure to read the ingredients and know what you are buying. You want body creams that will support your skin’s health, not make you sick.

Read more

Many individuals are desperately aiming for achieving fast weight loss. Obesity has become one of the world’s greatest health concern and people are trying all sorts of weight loss related solutions that are available in the market. However, some of the weight loss options out there are not at all healthy. That is why people are now opting for hypnosis. It is hypnosis that has become the choice of people who want to achieve fast weight loss without harming their bodies.

Hypnosis can be used by anyone who wants to lose weight in a natural way. Conducting hypnosis for weight loss can be considered as less harmful than so called diet pills. It is also less expensive and safe than current surgery options. Hypnosis can be utilized as a tool to assist in over weight issues by tackling the sub conscious mind of the concerned person. It is found that many people who make use of hypnosis in conjunction with other methods have more peace of mind than those who are suffering from low self esteem because of an unwanted body.

Hypnosis can be referred as an altered state of consciousness where the conscious mind takes a back seat and the subconscious mind takes over. During this state of mind, all types of tensions and negative thinking about a specific issue can be eliminated. It is a known fact that people who are using hypnosis in conjunction with other weight loss methods are able to achieve fast weight loss and above all are more content.  Besides achieving fast weight loss, hypnosis also helps in building good habits which is considered to be one of the end products of all comprehensive weight loss plans.

There are certain types of people who try all sorts of ways including exercise towards achieving fast weight loss. But the end result is zero. May be it’s the genes that is the root cause of the problem or maybe it is the behavioral pattern of the individual that needs to be attended. One of the ways to subconsciously change the unwanted behavior pattern is through weight loss motivation hypnosis.

Hypnosis is definitely a better option for tackling weight loss issues. You can do your own research before you start incorporating hypnosis into your weight loss program. If you whole heartedly go for this weight loss program, you can then be assured of getting positive results. Although you are using hypnosis for achieving fast weight loss for yourself, you must be patient with yourself and learn to adjust with time and gradually you will feel the fruits of your true effort towards undergoing the hypnosis based weight loss program.

Read more

Avene is a product line created for individuals with sensitive skin who may have recently had a skin condition become reactive. It seems recently there have been more cases of skin issues than ever before, often leaving those affected being unable to treat themselves or use most products as they react to the products they attempt to use. Avene was created for individuals who are unable to use other products, focusing specifically on their needs in order for them to be able to care for their skin without having to sacrifice the products which could help them.

Avene skin care products can help an individual with sensitive skin by offering a wide range of available products which target multiple needs. For instance, anti-aging from Avene can help an individual remove signs of aging without the harmful chemicals which are so widely used today. Sunscreens are also important as they help protect skin from the harmful effects of the sun, which can advance signs of aging and create brown sun spots on the skin. These spots even have the ability to become much worse as you age but they can be treated or you can simply be prepared and make sure that these spots are something that you will not get or have to deal with as a part of your life and your skin.

Avene also has a great cosmetic line focusing on different needs including cleansers, make-up concealers, moisturizers, and make-up. Each of these products is aimed at sensitive skin and the needs of the body by meeting what each person needs without adding harmful chemicals. Avene cosmetics are especially important not only due to the amount of allergies and reactions which are transpiring, but also because of helping the way that you feel about yourself and your skin. Emotions are important for your health and when you skin is healthy and taken care of it can help you too become healthier and have an easier time taking care of yourself and feeling great about the way that you look at all times.

When a person feels self conscious about their skin they may also feel self conscious while around other people. This can cause a great deal of embarrassment and can make a person feel uncomfortable having company, or even worse, have them decide that they would rather give up a part of their social life. Nothing should get to stand in your way and Avene tries to make sure that nothing can not even sensitive skin. This means that when you go shopping for you skin care products, rather then roaming down the isles trying to find something you skin might be able to handle or trying product after product that you have a reaction to you can simply look for Avene. Feel the comfort of Avene and feel comfortable knowing that it will work and that you will not have to miss any social engagement due to the way that you feel about your skin or how it looks at the time.

Read more

 

OxyPowder is a gentle, powerful, and safe, all natural colon cleanser. It has successfully assisted over 2 million people regain their health. This is twice as successful as the Dr. Natura’s Colonix. Since the product is safe, many continue to use it for years. It is very simple, and does not have to interrupt your day. There are no shakes or drinks to prepare, and you will not be glued to your toilet either. 

 

How Is Oxy-Powder Different From Other Colon Cleansers?

 

Oxy-Powder along with all other products developed by Dr. Group are FDA approved and under Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). So, it is an environmentally friendly, 100% Kosher, Vegetarian Certified cleanser. This is particularly important for people who have specific vegetarian, religious, cultural, or dietary needs…

 

 

Ingredients

 

 

Oxy-Powder’s ingredients have been thoroughly researched. They include: 

 

Ozonated Magnesium: helps motivate your colon, while promoting healthy bowel function.

 

Organic Germanium 132: helps lower and stabalize your blood pressure and cholesterol. 

 

Natural Citric Acid: helps assist in the cleansing process while metabolizing fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. 

 

Organic Gum Acacia: helps relieve symptoms of diarrhea, lowers your cholesterol, curb your appetite, and reduces malabsorbtion. 

 

 

Using Oxy-Powder

 

 

 

You will start, in the evening, by taking 4 capsules with an 8 oz. Glass of water. You should be having 3-5 bowel movements every day. If you are not, increase your dosage by 2 until you are having 3-5 bowel movements a day. Once you reach this point you, this will count as day 1. You simply continue taking the same dosage for 7 days. This is the 7-Day Oxygen Colon Cleanse…

 

 

What Benefits Will I See From Oxy-Powder?

 

 

 

Since, cleansing your digestive system can have positive affects on the rest of your body, you can see the following results: 

 

– improved body odor

– improved appetite

– weight issues improved and regulated

– improved breath odor

– relieved back pain

– increased energy level

– elevated mood

– relieved constipation symptoms

– improved immune system

– reduced bloating

– maximized ability to absorb nutrients

– improved facial complexion

– detoxified body 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

Is Oxy-Powder Safe?

 

Yes, Oxypowder is safe. 

 

Is OxyPowder habit forming?

 

No!  

 

Can I continue using OxyPowder every day?

 

Yes! 

 

 

Does Oxy-Powder have side effects I need to know about?

 

You will notice watery gaseous stools. Be aware that this is not diarrhea. This is the result of Oxy-Powder liquifying the excess buildup of waste and toxins in your body. Colon cleansers also have die-off effects. This is a result of your body purging the toxins from your body. It is a perfectly natural response, similar to when you catch a fever or cold. Your body can get worse, before it gets better. If these die off effects are becomming problematic, you can simply reduce your dosage to make it more manageable. 

 

 

Will I actually lose weight from using Oxy-Powder?

 

 

Yes, it is often observed that people loose weight from using Oxy-Powder. However this is not the intended purpose. 

 

 

I feel perfectly healthy, and am in good shape. Is there any reason for me to take Oxy-Powder?

 

Many professional athletes have been using Oxy-Powder on a regular basis. Afterall, no one has a perfect digestive system. 

 

 

What Specific Conditions Oxy-Powder Can Treat?

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Hemorrhoids, & Candida

 

Read more

Eating healthy foods will help you to boost your immune process, but what if it’s the foods themselves making you sick? Food borne illness can cause food poisoning and a variety of other more dangerous diseases, so they are a real threat to our bodies. Luckily, there’s a quantity of things you can do to prevent food borne illnesses. Following safety tips when handling, preparing, and storing food is  important.

After your food is cooked, you should continue to monitor temperature. basically put, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Hot foods should be kept at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, while cold foods should be kept at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The range between that’s where bacteria can grow. When letting food lovely for refrigeration, place in the refrigerator after no over one hours and when thawing meals, do so in a bowl or pan in the refrigerator,  than at room temperature.

First and foremost, you should be concerned with the temperature of your foods. When cooking meat, make sure to use a thermometer in order to make sure that you meat is reaching to proper temperatures inside. Some meats, like beef, can be served rare safely, but proper temperatures are crucial. This kills any bacteria that may be growing on the meat. In the case of burger and other loaf meats that have been ground and formed in to patties, you should not eat rare meals. The bacteria then easily are found inside the meat as well as on the outside, and you are at risk if you do not cook these meats for a long period of time to kill any bacteria.

Cross contamination is a huge culprit when you are concerned with preventing illness and your food. Cross contamination is basically the moving of bacteria from one dish to another. This happens when you use dirty cutting boards, don’t wish your dishes properly, and use the same utensil for all of your foods. If you use, for example, a knife to cut raw chicken and then use that same knife to cut your food after it’s been cooked, a quantity of the bacteria from the raw chicken has probably remained on the knife, which can make you  ill. Make sure that you are using a neat work space and neat tools whenever you cook.

Along with using a neat environment, you should make sure that you are washing you hands regularly. Every time you touch raw foods, you should use disinfecting hand soap and hot water to make sure that no bacteria remains on your hands. Making sure that your food is safe is one of the most important parts of healthy eating, so don’t overlook this step the next time you prepare a meal.

Read more

Back when I was young, a long time ago, mens skin care products generally consisted of shaving cream. Skin care for men wasn’t heard of, and men couldn’t have cared less.

Now mens skincare products are hot, and selling extremely well, and for good reason. Mens fashion/grooming is part of the new paradigm for men.

All those years ago things were different. Men were men. They ate a lot of steak, went camping and shooting a lot and only visited the doctor if they were about to die. Mens skin care? What was that? I use shaving cream don’t I?

Mens fashion was a new pair of jeans. And maybe a new pair of boots every now and then, when their toes were showing through the old ones. To go with the new pair of jeans.

Men’s grooming, and mens fashion, and for that matter mens health, have come a long way. I, for one, now visit the doctor regularly for checkups, keep fit, and take care of my skin with good quality mens skincare products. My father has had skin cancer and I need to take care of my skin as much as anyone.

That’s not because I want to keep up with the latest mens fashion, I’m way too old for fashion. It’s because I recognise that taking care of our skin, for a man, is a health issue. For my part, after being burned many times before anyone even knew how bad sunburn was for the skin, taking care of my skin now may prevent fatal skin cancer.

It’s never too late.

Mens skin care is also about looks though for many modern men. Mens fashion in the 21st century is also about anti aging and youthful looks, like it is for women.

It’s not good enough now for men to use a good shaving cream, buy themselves a new pair of jeans every other year, and eat steak every second night.

There’s now available a wide range of high quality mens grooming and anti aging and skin care products. Men can take care of their hair with good hair care products, nail care products help take care of their nails, and good skin care products help men take care of their skin. Mens grooming products are slowly catching up to womens grooming products with increasing sales and increased quality.

However note that I said “high quality” skin care products for men.

The “high quality” part is extremely important. There are many skin care and anti aging products on the market that are not “high quality”.

Unfortunately big brand name mens skin care products and mens anti aging products share many characteristics with popular womens anti aging products.

They don’t work very well, or at all, and are overpriced, often by necessity to pay for all that overhyped TV advertising using highly paid big name stars.

But worst of all, many of the ingredients used in skin care products in general can be suspect or downright harmful to our health, and skin. And that includes popular mens skin care products too.

Luckily there are companies that are producing highly effective and very cost competitive natural skin care products, including mens anti aging products.

And they are highly cost competitive too, primarily because these companies don’t spend up big on TV advertising, which is why you’ve probably never heard of them.

They produce natural skin care products using natural non toxic ingredients, and these include natural mens skin care products and mens anti aging products.

So if you’re a man, or for that matter a woman who knows a man who needs to take better care for his skin, rejoice.

There are excellent natural mens skincare products available, no toxic that work extremely well.

And modern men are using them more and more, and seeing the difference.

Read more

 

Both men and women are called upon to be care givers when loved ones are diagnosed with cancer, and both suffer the same psychological and emotional distress. Both need the embrace of a caring support network. But do both react similarly in similar situations?

When we envision the caregiver of a seriously ill family member we usually conjure up the image of a woman. This is not sexist bias. Both men and women think the same way in this regard. It’s a statistical reality. More women than men are found in the role of caregivers. Why?

In most marriages, the husband is older than his wife. Couple this statistic with the fact that women, on average, live longer than men. It is also statistically true that a man’s working environment is often more physically demanding and inherently dangerous that of women, even when working outside the home. This statistics describe a situation where the probability of accident and the normal ravages of age inflict the husband first, leaving his wife in the role of caretaker. Regarding cancer specifically, statistics infer that men are more likely than women to pursue lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking, misuse of alcohol, and poor diet that place them at greater risk of getting cancer, but statistics is a tricky discipline.

Even though our tendency to envision women as caregivers is supported by statistics that place male caretakers in the minority, it is in reality a sizable minority. Recorded incidences of cancer in women may be slightly lower internationally than that recorded in men, but the numbers are not that far apart. Actual numbers indicate that there a sizeable number of men that find themselves in the role of carer for a spouse or loved one fighting cancer. To what degree they are involved, however, is another matter.

Although employment demographics are now rapidly changing to reflect more equal opportunities for men and women in professional and higher paid employment, men have traditionally provided a larger part of family income. For either man or woman, where income or financial resources are sufficient, the caregiver may continue with a job or career and arrange for third parties to provide the day-to-day care necessary for the loved one. (Interesting to note is that these third parties, whether family members or hired professional caregivers are most often women.)

Others, less fortunate, may need to juggle many balls trying to provide both income and care. In all cases, however, the caregiver will benefit from the emotional support of a network of friends or from outside support groups. The question is, “Is a man as likely as a woman to seek out or accept outside guidance and emotional support as a woman would?”

According to a report from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, funded by the United States National Institute of Health, men, whether they have cancer or are the care giver, are less likely than women to join a live support group. Those that do, both men and women, attend for about one year before leaving the group. Both men and women attend for the same reason: to seek information about the disease, and to compare progress with others.

A recent trend is discussed in a paper by Tamar Ginossar, called Exploring Participation in Cancer-Related Virtual Communities, presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the International Communication Association in New York. Increasing numbers of men and women are using technology and turning to virtual internet-based support groups for emotional and informational support regarding cancer. It is interesting to note that while both sexes exchanged emails to share information about their respective types of cancer, men were less likely to post messages of encouragement and support than women. One can infer from this that men are drawn to virtual support groups to share important information and experience while emotionally isolating themselves from other group members.

Custom, tradition, culture; all have contributed to the go?it?alone, stiff?upper­?lip comportment of many men when facing emotionally difficult challenges, including the impact of caring for a loved one with cancer. Hopefully, as our culture moves more and more toward equality of the sexes in personal, professional, and social relationships, men will find it easier to recognize and accept the intimacy and help that can be received from support groups, as they face the tribulations of caring for a loved one with cancer.

            Caring for a loved one with cancer can be physically and psychologically exhausting. Sharing concerns and frustrations with others in an understanding support group of similar cancer hosts and caregivers can help markedly. Women seem to gravitate naturally to this type of support; men are more reluctant. It is important for all caregivers, men and women, to seek out and accept the help of a support network.

Read more

Food labels are a useful source of useful information to low calorie dieters. Labels tell you the quantity of food you are purchasing, how many servings are in the package, how many calories are in a single helping, where the food comes from, and which ingredients were used to prepare the food.

The Nourishment Facts box on the label offers a nutritive research into the food, and many labels also clearly display a nourishment outline , for example low-sugar, low fat, or highfiber, to help ferret out products that could be beneficial on a local diet.

The words “fat-free,” “reduced-fat,” and “reduced-sugar” don’t definitely mean a food product is lowcal. Many products that are altered to reduce fat or sugar actually do contain less calories than similar products that have not been altered, but you’ve got to check and compare the product labels to be certain.

Similarly , “no added sugar” doesn’t suggest a product contains no sugar. Many foods contain natural sugars that’ll be accounted for on the nourishment label.

Look for these terms when you are buying lo-cal foods, but be certain to compare the nourishment info on similar products so you know you are truly getting what you need.

Scoping out the ingredients

All packaged foods that contain more than one ingredient have their ingredients noted on the label in descending order by weight.

If the 1st or 2nd ingredient is sugar, sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup, then that food is high in sugar. If you try and avoid any kind of food, for any basis, the ingredient list is the 1st place you want to look when purchasing convenience foods and other prepared products.

Checking nutrition facts

Nearly every packed food product in the superstore displays a Nourishment Facts label that you may use to test the amount of calories and amount of other nutriments found in a single helping. Some produce and other fresh foods also carry Nourishment Facts labels, either on their skins, their packing, or on a poster or flyer.

Read more

With yoga being as popular as it is there should be no surprise that there are many different yoga exercise styles. Some of today’s yoga exercise styles have been around for hundreds of years while other yoga exercise styles have been created and based off some of the most common yoga postures and poses. Yoga exercise styles vary in level of difficulty; almost all of the styles are broken down into beginner and advanced levels. The yoga postures used, will depend on the level of the yoga exercise style you are practicing. Each yoga exercise style has a specific purpose and uses different methods and yoga postures.

Hatha yoga is one of the more laid back yoga exercise styles. Most often Hatha yoga is a slow paced yoga class. It is most commonly designated as the best yoga exercise style to take part in when just beginning to practice yoga. These are because of it slow pace and ease into each of the yoga postures used during a session. This yoga exercise style uses many different areas of each style of yoga. It does this by introducing the beginner level yoga postures of each different yoga exercise style.

Vinyasa is another yoga exercise style that encompasses many different styles of yoga. The word vinyasa translates to mean a series of breath synchronized movements. This yoga exercise style is more energetic than Hatha yoga. Vinyasa uses a group of yoga postures called sun salutations. Vinyasa is a yoga exercise that will start off slow with a series of sun salutation yoga postures as a method of warm up and then move into more intense yoga postures and stretches.

One of the more popular forms of yoga exercise used today is Ashtanga yoga. This type of yoga is also commonly referred to as Power yoga. Power yoga is one of the most intense forms of yoga exercise practiced. It involves a series of yoga postures; each of the yoga postures is always performed in the same sequence. This yoga exercise style is very physically demanding because of the pace needed to keep up in the class when switching yoga postures. It is not recommended for beginners. Bikram yoga is another of today’s most popular forms of yoga exercise. Bikram yoga is also known as hot yoga. During a hot yoga session you will complete a series of 26 yoga postures in a room that is 95 to 100 degrees. The idea behind practicing these yoga postures in a room that hot is that is acts as a way of body cleansing because of the profuse sweating one will experience. Also do yoga postures at that temperature will allow for your muscles to loosen fully, meaning you will be better able to do the yoga postures given to you.

It is best to consult with your doctor before deciding which yoga exercise style would be best for you. Some styles may be too strenuous to begin with.

Read more

Are there really some easy quit smoking methods out there? In truth, there is no instant method that will make you quit without lifting a finger. A game plan and following a game plan is still required.

There is finally a way to quit smoking, which may not be effortless, but relatively easier. If you talk to other people especially smokers, they may discourage you and say that it’s impossible. But that’s not true. If you really want to kick the habit, you should muster up some determination and really push through a plan of attack. That, plus some helpful advice and guidance from various quitting systems available will help you succeed.

Those who say that it is absolutely impossible for smokers to stop smoking are most likely also the people who are too lazy and settled on the habit to even make an effort to quit. They keep saying to others what they say to themselves, that it is really impossible.

For those smokers out there who are set on quitting, do not let yourself fall into that trap. Most likely, you don’t even remember why you started smoking and that you realize that it is really self-destructive in more ways than one. Quitting is possible and here are methods that will help you along.

A great method is to first think off and list down all the benefits or reasons why quitting should be done. Just as they say: if there is a will there is a way. Listing things would help motivate you and clarify why you need to do it.

Another method for you is to stay in a house that is free from other smokers. Having to live with other smokers is such a challenge because you will be constantly tempted by the smell and by the cigarettes lying around that you can easily get.

You have to be warned that you will experience some withdrawal pains from nicotine. But not to worry, there are lots of nicotine patches and gums out there that will help you get through this problem. That will take care of the biological addiction, but you will still have to deal with the psychological addiction which is the biggest addiction of all.

The gums, patches, and hard candies that contain nicotine for those who want to quit can be found in any store. They contain small amounts of nicotine so that it will help the quitting person to compensate for the sudden lack of this addictive substance as an effect of quitting. The dosage on these things can then be lessened as the days go by. Anti-depressants such as zyban, Chantrix, and other medicine can also be used to help lessen the withdrawal syndrome. If these are still not enough, you should look for other programs about kicking the habit, which many are available online.

Read more

Previous studies have shown that younger breast cancer patients consistently have poorer outcomes than patients who develop the disease later in life, which can translate into lower rates of overall survival. While the reason for this is not known, it is suggested that breast cancer in younger patients is more biologically aggressive.

Researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston sought to determine which form of breast cancer treatment – breast-conserving therapy, mastectomy alone or mastectomy with adjuvant radiation – better benefits younger women with either Stage I or Stage II breast cancer.

A total of 652 young women with breast cancer from 1973 to 2006 were studied, with 197 of the patients having received breast-conserving therapy, 237 having received a mastectomy and 234 having received mastectomy with adjuvant radiation. The study authors confirmed that younger breast cancer patients do have relatively high locoregional recurrence rates, but that patients with Stage II disease achieved the best locoregional control rates with mastectomy plus adjuvant radiation therapy. Patients with Stage I disease had similar outcomes with breast-conserving therapy and mastectomy, but adding chemotherapy to either treatment was beneficial.

“Locoregional recurrence after optimal breast cancer treatment in young women remains a significant problem,” Beth Beadle, M.D., Ph.D., a resident at M. D. Anderson and lead author of the study, said. “Our study hopefully will help radiation oncologists plan therapies for younger breast cancer patients, who have inferior outcomes compared to older patients, and generate new interest in prospective studies to evaluate the best treatment strategies for these young women.” American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (2009). Younger Breast Cancer Patients Have Greater Chance Of Recurrence, Especially After Certain Treatments. ScienceDaily.

Terramed Alliance is a non-profit charity organization dedicated to research, education and advocacy of breast cancer. One of the vision of Terramed Alliance is to provide this community and Internet users with a charity based research and education entity. Advocacy of breast cancer through education is vital to the reduction of this disease.  For any requests and enquiries, please contact at us: cancer@terramedalliance.us www.terramedalliance.us

Read more

Skincare for beautiful hands

Our hands are the most visible part of our bodies and the ultimate accessory. Hands take a lot of abuse in everyday activities and are constantly exposed to hot and cold climates. Hands are often roughly treated while washing clothes, dishes, scrubbing floors and working in the garden. We often have a tendency to neglect our hands, and do not take proper care to keep them looking young and groomed.

There are a few easy steps you can follow for keeping your hands soft and beautiful. Consider the following tips:

Keep hands warm in cold weather with warm gloves. Cold weather can severely dry out hands and make wrinkles look much worse.

Remember to moisturize your hands frequently using a good rich hand cream.

Avoid nail varnish removers containing Acetone, as these will dry out your nails.

Use a wooden or metal cuticle pusher after a shower to keep your cuticles looking neat. Cuticles function as barriers against bacteria and fungus, but they can often overgrow. Gently push the cuticles back, never cut your cuticles as it can result in hangnails which can be very painful.

Give nails breathing room. Experts suggest you take a one-week break from polish every month.

Exfoliate your hands once a week by using a solution of sea salt mixed with lemon juice. Brush the paste into your hands with an old toothbrush to remove any dead skin cells.

Sun exposure damages skin so use sunscreen lotion on hands before venturing outside.

Lemon juice is a great treatment to lighten age spots. Dab some lemon juice on a cotton wool and rub unto hands.

For silky smooth hands apply petroleum jelly to hands and cover with cotton gloves while you sleep.

Improve circulation and loosen your finger joints with some hand exercise. Clench your fists tightly for a second and them throw them open so that your fingers are spread as wide as possible. Steadily repeat this 10 times.

 

Doing your own nails is economical and practical, but a professional manicure every two or three months welcomes a bit of pampering. Professional beauty therapists can deal with tough problems like flaking cuticles and calluses better than you can at home.

Hand and feet care regimes are two of the most popular treatment services carried out by beauticians today. The purpose of the manicure and pedicure is to improve the appearance and condition of hands and feet. Once considered a luxury treatment for only the few, today those services are used by many. Special treatments such as a warm oil bath, paraffin wax treatments and herbal therapies can keep your hands soft and supple forever. Having a professional manicure and pedicure on a regular basis is highly recommended and will have your nails and hand looking beautiful!

Read more

If you have been or are experiencing any of these symptoms: uncontrollable sneezing, stuffy and runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing, headache, sometimes loss of smell, and sore throat, then you must be suffering from allergic rhinitis.

Most people who have allergies have a family member who also has allergies. It is passed in your genes. Allergic rhinitis occurs when your immune system overreacts to airborne particles. These particles, called allergens, are normally not harmful but your immune system reacts when it becomes sensitized with the perception that it is a potentially harmful substance.  The immune system is your shield against harmful viruses and bacteria yet it may sometimes be over active and react to non-harmful particles.  This hypersensitivity to allergens may produce the allergies symptoms mentioned above. Seasonal allergies occur when your allergy symptoms are flare up during the change of seasons or when pollen counts are high. Perennial allergies occur all throughout the year and are usually due to exposure to dust mites, animal dander or cockroach allergen..

Allergies may lead to complications such as sinusitis and ear infections so it is important to take measures to prevent it: cleaning the house to prevent breeding of dust mites and indoor mold; avoiding exposure to pollen by staying indoors when the pollen counts are high; and avoiding exercising outside in the early mornings when the pollen count is at its peak.

Doctors advise that the best treatment would be prevention however if you already have taken preventive measures, there are several treatment options available. There are over-the-counter medications such as Loratidine and Cetirizine that could help you treat your symptoms.  There are several prescription medications that your allergist can prescribe to give you relief.  Allergy shots are also available for those who have poorly controlled symptoms despite taking medications, or if happens for most of the year, or if you are around to allergens that are unavoidable. Allergen immunotherapy(allergy shots) helps control and reduce your allergic reactions by helping your immune system become less sensitive to the substances you are allergic to.. Through small doses of shots, your body slowly builds up resistance to your allergies without inducing a severe reaction. They do not only treat the symptoms temporarily but also treat the underlying disease. Immunotherapy would reduce the need for expensive medications for years and can provide significant savings in the long run.

Take care of your health. Act now.

Read more

A lot of dermatologists don’t believe in the connection of foruncular acne and diet. However, the followers of naturist medicine do. They maintain their position that everything you eat changes your chemical balance, including your hormonal levels. And so the acne foruncular naturist treatment indicates that you have to bring back your body’s natural balance to finally get rid of recurring acne. Several researches and studies were already done to back up this claim.

Simply defined, furuncle is the painful node in your skin. It is caused by a certain bacteria called staphylococcus. Furuncles are commonly known as hair follicle infections. They are mostly found in the groin area, face, neck, and armpits, although they can develop in different parts of your body too.

In the naturist therapy, the first step to treat acne is to change your diet. Some people may develop acne primarily because of food allergies. But for most, it is a mix between the wrong diet, hormonal imbalance, and the impurity of the things around us. The toxins inside the body are the real culprits. And so you have to do something to take them out.

Some people have bodies that have the ability to flush out the toxins out of the body through the natural excretion process. However, for some, the toxins tend to come out some other way. And they do so in the form of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and acne.

The naturist way of treating acne is the same as the holistic approach. There won’t be any drugs or antibiotics to use. If needed, naturally occurring herbs, practices, and food items will be used to treat it. The main advantage of natural remedies is the fact that they don’t produce any side effects.

Detoxification is the main solution to cystic furuncular acne. A lot of naturists would recommend an effective detoxifying diet to remove all the unwanted elements inside the body. As for topical treatment, the use of skin peels out of natural ingredients is recommended. Examples would be evening primrose oil, calendula, Echinacea, black currant seed oil, goldenseal, and tea tree oil. Chamomile tea and lavender tea would also help.

The use of vitamins and minerals are also accepted by the naturist treatment therapy. In fact, Vitamins A, E, and C are most recommended. Zinc could help a lot too. Vitamin B6 is also essential in managing acne breakout. The use of these vitamins and minerals inside the body and out are going to produce favorable results.

The acne foruncular naturist treatment requires you to chance your lifestyle into a healthy one more than anything. You have to start with diet and then follow it up with a good exercise regimen. Exercise can also help your body remove toxins through your sweat. Water is another good therapy against acne.

By following all these tips, you should be able to break free from acne. And by living healthy, you could even transform your whole self into a beautiful, fit, and vigorous individual. Now isn’t that worth looking forward to?

Read more

DIABETES

Definition as stated by Dr Miriam Stoppard

Types of diabetes

1- Type 1

2- Type 2

Causes

1- Lifestyle

2- Disorders

3- Gestational diabetes

DIABETES MELLITUS

Long term complication

1-Heart problem

2-Eye

Treatment

1-Insulin Prevention

2- Good lifestyle 1-healthy diet

3- Monitoring blood glucose 2-blood pressure measurement

3- healthy lifestyle

Symptoms

1-excessive urination

2- weakness

3- weight loss

Notes from readings

– pancreas either produces insufficient amounts of insulin or body cells become resistant to the hormone’s effects.

– Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

– Although dietary measures are also important, it must be treated with insulin injections. About 60,000 people in the UK have this type of diabetes.

– The pancreas continues to secrete insulin but cells in the body become resistant to its effects.

– Diabetes mainly affects people over the age of 40 and is more common in overweight people.

– Condition may be treated with dietary measures only.

– Diabetes mellitus can sometimes develop during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes and is usually treated with insulin to maintain the health of the mother and baby.

– Type 1 diabetes is usually caused by an abnormal reaction in which the immune system destroys insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas.

– Type 2 diabetes are less well understood, but the genetics and obesity are important factors.

– The symptoms of type 2 may not be obvious or may go unnoticed until a routine medical check-up. The main symptoms of both forms may include:

– Excessive urination

– Thirst and a dry mouth

– Insufficient sleep because of the need to urinate at night.

– Lack of energy

– Blurry vision

– Weight loss

Symptoms of type 2 may go unnoticed until routine medical check up.

The main symptoms of both forms may include:

– excessive urination

– thirst and a dry mouth

– insufficient sleep because of the need to urinate at night.

– Lack of energy

– Blurry vision

– Weight loss

The main symptoms of ketoacidosis include:

– nausea and vomiting, sometimes with abdominal pain.

– Deep breathing.

– Acetone smell to the breath (like pear drops or nail polish remover)

– Confusion.

Living with diabetes:

– A healthy diet

– Drinking and smoking

– Special care for your feet.

– Exercise and sports.

– Strenuous exercise

– Moderate exercise

– Medical check up

– Eye examination

– Blood pressure measurement.

Treatment for:

Type 1

Insulin can be injected into any fatty area, such as upper arm.

Source: Dr Miriam Stoppard , Doling Kindersley Ltd 2002 ‘Family Health Guide’, pages 504 to 507.

“Department of Diabetes, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to:

P Home. Department of Diabetes, The Medical School, University of Newcastle

upon Tyne, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.

philip.home@newcastle.ac.uk

Received: ; revised: December 10, 2002

Diabetes Metab 2003,29,101-9 • © 2003 Masson, all rights reserved 101”

– Diabetes is a growing healthcare challenge worldwide.

-A considerable proportion

of people either have impaired glucose tolerance with a significant

risk of development of diabetes, or have undiagnosed Type 2

diabetes.

-Pivotal to reducing the risk of morbidity and the development

of complications and mortality is the normalisation of both fasting

and postprandial blood glucose levels.

-diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions

worldwide, with between 5 and 10% of the world population

affected.

– People with diabetes have approximately twice

the prevalence of hypertension compared with non-diabetic

patients

-40% of subjects were defined as hypertensive on entry

(receiving antihypertensive treatment or with a mean systolic

blood pressure ? 160 mmHg and/or a mean diastolic blood

pressure ? 90 mmHg)

-People with diabetes are 17 times more prone to kidney disease,

with diabetic nephropathy being the most common

complication [11]. Diabetic nephropathy may eventually

lead to end-stage renal disease and thus significant mortality.

-Approximately 30-40% of people with diabetes develop

retinopathy, and diabetes is the most common cause of blindness

in the working years of life in developed countries

-According to a 1997 estimate [12], 120 million people

have Type 2 diabetes (approximately 2% of the world population)

and an additional 4 million have Type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 85% of all cases of

diabetes in developed countries and almost all cases in developing

countries. It appears to be epidemic (affecting a high

and increasing proportion of the population) in many parts

of the world, and represents a serious and growing global

health challenge primarily as a result of increased obesity,

ageing populations, increasing urbanisation and a more sedentary

lifestyle [34, 35]. However, data from many parts of

the world with high and increasing prevalence (Asia, Latin

America, China) are not broadly based, and so this estimate

is likely to be markedly low.

-Type 1 diabetes

is one of the most common childhood diseases in developed

European countries and the incidence has increased dramatically

in some newly prosperous countries

-The incidence of Type 2 diabetes in particular is expected

to increase considerably as developing countries become

more Westernised in terms of availability of healthcare and

modernisation of existing resources, as well as a result of

substantial improvements in diabetes surveillance and

screening. Growth is projected to be greatest in Asia and

Africa, where diabetes could become 2-3 times more common

than it is today [12]. By 2025, more than 75% of people

with diabetes will be from developing countries, compared

with 62% in 1995

-Type 2 diabetes suggests a need for continuing

attention to control of blood glucose, blood pressure

and blood lipids through medication, diet and exercise.

People with Type 1 diabetes, and increasingly those with

Type 2 diabetes, have the additional burden of subcutaneous

insulin injections, self-monitoring and care of their insulin

supplies and equipment.

Direct Quote

Dr Miriam’s definition of diabetes is:

“the inability of the body to use glucose for energy due to inadequate amounts of or loss of sensitivity to, the hormone insulin.”

Dr Miriam Stoppard. 2002, Family Health Guide, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, England, Page 504

Paraphrase

The body uses glucose as energy in order to perform work and if it fails because of insufficient amount of insulin (which is essential for the absorption of glucose) or because the body cells become more resistant to the hormone’s effect then we end up with the non-healthy state called diabetes.

Summary

Dr Stoppard states that “Glucose from the blood stream is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. Its absorption is enabled by the pancreas, which produces insulin. Among people suffering from diabetes mellitus, a build up of toxic by- products, like acetone with a pear drop smell, in the body occurs. This is caused by the use of other sources of energy than glucose. Hence the unused glucose accumulates in the blood and urine, causing high blood sugar levels. 1 in 10 diabetes depends on self administered injections of insulin and the rest take oral drug and are careful about their diet. These treatments are vital in preventing the symptoms of high blood sugar level like frequent passing of urine, thirst and loss of weight as well as complications leading to peripheral nerve disorders which may affect the eyes, kidneys, the cardiovascular system. The weakening of the immune system may also cause infections like cystitis.”

Dr Miriam Stoppard. 2002, Family Health Guide, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, England, Page 504

Plan

1- Introduction

a- Definition

b- Types of diabetes

c- Brief description of each diabetes

2- Causes

a- Causes of Type 1 diabetes more frequent in children

b- Causes of Type 2 diabetes more frequent in adults

3- Symptoms

a- Both short term and long term consequences in case of non treatment for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

4- Treatment

a- The use of insulin to control diabetes in both Type 1 and Type 2

5- Short Term and Long Term complications.

a- Short term and long term effect in Type 1 diabetes

b- Short term and long term effect in Type 2 diabetes

6- Conclusion

a-healthy diet

b- healthy lifestyle

7- Bibliography

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is developing in epidemic proportions in today’s world with 5 to 10% of the worldwide population affected. This disease is defined by Dr Stoppard, “as the inability of the body to use glucose for energy due to inadequate amounts of or loss of sensitivity to, the hormone insulin”. Which means that the body uses glucose in order to perform work and if it fails because of insufficient amount of insulin or because the body cells become more resistant to the hormone’s effect then we end up with the non-healthy state called diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes:

1- Type 1 which is caused by the abnormal reaction in which the immune system destroys insulin secreting cells in the pancreas. It is more common in childhood.

2- Type 2 which causes are less understood. However, genetics and overweight are important factors.

Causes

Diabetes of Type 1 is usually caused by some viral diseases which affect the immune system of the child, though the genetic factor of one parent suffering from type 1 diabetes may have some effect, however most children who develop type 1 diabetes do not have parents with diabetes. As for Type 2 diabetes it is the increase in food intake which leads to overweight and obesity as well as the living of a sedentary lifestyle and it mostly affects adults.

Symptoms

Both types of diabetes have the same symptoms where there is excessive urination which account for the thirst and dry mouth but also for the insufficient sleep at night because of the need to go to the toilet. This state is paralleled by the lack of energy; blur vision and quick weight loss, abdominal pain, deep breathing and acetone smell breath may also consist of symptoms of diabetes.

Treatment

While the Type 1 diabetes have to submit themselves to the burden of insulin injection, self monitoring and the care of their insulin supplies and equipments, though the Type 2 diabetes have the need to control their blood glucose, their blood pressure and their blood lipids these may be done through medication, diet and exercise but sometimes in addition the Type 2 diabetes have to make insulin injections as the Type 1’s diabetes with all the inconvenience attached to it. As for treatment by insulin Dr Stoppard states that “Glucose from the blood stream is the main source of energy for the body’s cells. Its absorption is enabled by the pancreas, which produces insulin. Among people suffering from diabetes mellitus, a build up of toxic by-products, like acetone with a pear drop smell, in the body occurs. This is caused by the use of other sources of energy than glucose. Hence the unused glucose accumulates in the blood and urine, causing high blood sugar levels. 1 in 10 diabetes depends on self administered injections of insulin and the rest take oral drug and are careful about their diet. These treatments are vital in preventing the symptoms of high blood sugar level like frequent passing of urine, thirst and loss of weight as well as complications leading to peripheral nerve disorders which may affect the eyes, kidneys, the cardiovascular system. The weakening of the immune system may also cause infections like cystitis.”

Hence, no complete cure of diabetes exist, for it is a chronic disease but it can be controlled so as not to cause more severe damage to the body which is affected by it. For that a healthy diet with special attention to avoid excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages and smoking. Special care should also be taken with the feet and the eyes. Medical check up as well as blood pressure measurement should be regular. While sports should be practiced excessive strenuous exercise should be avoided.

Short Term and Long Term effect

If left unattended the diabetes mellitus may give rise to both short-term and long term complications. In case of Type 1 neglect of treatment may lead to nausea and vomiting accompanied by abdominal pain and deep breathing, while an acetone smell breath is noted. If left untreated the subject quickly enter in a confusion state where dehydration may lead to coma and death. As for the Type 2 diabetes if left untreated as is often the cause long term diseases like cardiovascular diseases occurs which may end up in a stroke. These are consequences of high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol in the blood. There is an increase risk of cataracts in the eyes and symptoms of dizziness upon standing and poor circulation because of nerve damage may lead to ulcers and gangrene.

Conclusion

In conclusion it can be said that the Diabetes mellitus is a disease that compel the one suffering from it to adopt a healthier lifestyle so as to control the devastation that the disease may cause to the body and to avoid the shortening of one’s life.

(810 words)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1- http://www.e2med.com/dm

“Department of Diabetes, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to:

P Home. Department of Diabetes, The Medical School, University of Newcastle

upon Tyne, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.

philip.home@newcastle.ac.uk

Received: ; revised: December 10, 2002

Diabetes Metab 2003,29,101-9 • © 2003 Masson, all rights reserved 101”

2- Dr Miriam Stoppard, 2002, Family Health Guide, Doling Kindersley Ltd, England

Read more