Stay Hale n Hearty n Fit

Benefits of Walking Exercise

2007-08-22T05:28:00.000-07:00

It is said that every person has two doctors with him... his right leg & his left leg. A vigorous 5 mile walk can do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy man than any medicine or psychology. it is the easiest exercise for most individuals, one that can done without equipment except good shoes, in most terrains & weather & also in very old age.

What we are talking about is not just walking but brisk walking. Here are the benefits of the same--

Why walking ?

Walking is the most natural exercise known to man.
Besides this, here are the other benefits of walking ---

1 ) Walking improves circulation Calf muscles are man's second heart. On walking, these muscles pump the blood to the heart with all force. This leads to greater heart exercise, increased oxygen requirement & better blood circulation.

2) Walking is good for the heart
The increased oxygen requirements lead to exercise for the heart. On a long term basis, it leads to a better circulation for the heart. Thus it reduces the chances of a heart attack.

2 ) Walking cuts fatigue Once daily brisk walking has become a habit, you start reaping the benefits.Soon there is no need of any laxatives.No more low back ache.No more of that catch while bending.Above all, in shape body is not easily fatigued.

3 ) Walking improves the posture.

4 ) Psychological benefits

Many studies have shown enormous psychological benefits of walking. It has been shown that daily walking habit reduces anxiety, tension & improves mood.

What is "brisk walking"?

It has been shown that what works best is not walking but "brisk walking". Scientifically, it correlates with the pulse rate that you should achieve for the maximum benefit. However, simply speaking, brisk walking means : a level that's not just strolling; but not out pf breath either.

How many minutes a day should one walk briskly?

No study has established the exact time for the maximum benefit. However 45minutes to 1 hour is a good guide.

You can even incorporate it in your daily life style. That way you will automatically walk briskly to the office & for that matter anywhere. A short brisk walk is is worth two miles of ambling. That way you will easily get minimal amount of good exercise every day. And, as striding becomes a habit, you will soon get more exercise, willingly.

HEALTH BYTE

2007-08-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

Apple, the Wonder Fruit ( Modified)

Most of us are familiar with the tale that originated from Switzerland of William Tell when an Apple was placed on the head of his son and Tell was ordered to split the apple with his arrow or lose his son. Of course Tell succeeded in piercing the apple into two and saved his son. Again we have heard of Adam's apple. The story goes that in the Garden of Eden, Adam ate a piece of the forbidden fruit that got stuck in his throat, and thus the term Adam’s Apple. An Adam's apple sometimes looks like a small, rounded apple just under the skin in the front of the throat, usually seen in boys. Now let’s have some interesting facts about Apples and how they aid in good health.

The Greek and Roman mythology refer to apples as symbols of love and beauty but Apple contain vitamins like Vitamin C, Beta-Carotene, iron and potassium etc., The Vitamin C content may not be as good as Oranges but apples have very high mineral contents, pectins, malic acid which are good in normalizing the intestines. Apple is good for treatment of anaemia, dysentery, heart disease, headache, eye disorders, kidney stones and promotes vigour and vitality. Apple juice is good to overcome a liverish feeling, further, apples are unlikely to cause allergic reactions and are excellent means of providing essential fluids to the body.

A popular saying about apples is that apples combine the best attributes of something old and something new. A number of components in apples, have been found in studies to lower blood cholesterol with a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease, stroke, prostrate cancer, type II diabetes and asthma. A new study whose findings have been published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease is sure to bring cheers for people suffering from this strange disease. This study suggests that eating and drinking apples and apple juice, in conjunction with a balanced diet, can protect the brain from the effects of oxidative stress- and that we should eat such antioxidant-rich foods. Apples are also good for treatment of the Acid reflux condition also called gerd (gastro esophageal reflux disease).

It is well said that we should have in our diet apart from vegetables, fresh coloured fruits like Yellow Apples, Green Apples, Red Apples etc., which are easily available considering that we have some of the best Apples coming from places like Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh etc., Of course imported apples like Washington apples and Australian apples are available at big departmental stores. Some of the well known apple varieties are Golden Noble, Bramleys etc., As in vegetables like carrot, the colours in fruits like Apples are indicative of good health as shown below:

Green Apples- Good for strong bones and teeth, aids in vision, anti cancer properties.

Yellow Apples- Good for heart and eyes, immune system, reduce risk of some cancers.

Red Apples- Good for heart, Memory function, lower risk of some cancers and to maintain urinary tract health.

So lets seize the opportunity to grab as much apples as we can in our diet for good health for the whole family.

Don't Buy - They Are Selling Sickness

2007-08-17T15:58:00.001-07:00

You are already aware that lie has spread around you in religion, finance and politics.
Also act mindfully while taking medical decisions beside religious, financial and political decisions.
Ray Moynihan and Alan Cassels reveled some of the secrets of in their book pharmaceutical companies in their book “Selling Sickness”. See attached pdf for review.

What they say is basically that do not accept every disease that pharmaceutical companies “offer” you. Drug corporations including doctors constantly tell lies and their “awareness” groups could make you victim of all kinds of diseases.

In their advertising campaigns, they will put in this way “You are unaware that you are sick” “Latest research has redefined a host of medical conditions and you seem sick” If you don’t read the counter material, soon a perfectly healthy you will “find” yourself sick; becoming victim of money hungry doctors and sales targeted awareness groups: Including depression, sleeplessness and bipolar disorder; a perfectly healthy you could be sick in following ways: Restless legsAttention deficit disorder, Social anxiety disorderIrritable bowel syndrome Pharmaceutical companies wish to include larger and larger segments of the population to make money by labeling you sick.

You could have “few more conditions” like bone density loss and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and they will make it appear that virtually every Pakistani has a disease in need of a treatment. As for final words, lives a simple life like Rasoolullah to avoid “buying sickness”. May Allah guide you in the right direction. Ameen.

BEWARE About SOFT DRINK CANS.

2007-08-17T15:40:00.001-07:00

A woman went boating one Sunday taking with her some cans of coke which she put into the refrigerator of the boat. On Monday she was taken to the hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit. She died on Wednesday. The autopsy concluded she died of Leptospirosis. This was traced to the can of coke she drank from, not using a glass. Tests showed that the can was infected by dried rat urine and hence the disease Leptospirosis. Rat urine contains toxic and deadly substances It is highly recommended to thoroughly wash the upper part of soda cans before drinking out of them. The cans are typically stocked in warehouses and transported straight to the shops without being cleaned. A study at NYCU showed that the tops of soda cans are more contaminated than public toilets (i .e.) full of germs and bacteria. So wash them with water before putting them to the mouth to avoid any kind of fatal accident. Please forward this message to all the people you care about. (I JUST DID!)

5 Veggies That Make Any Salad Super-Healthy

2007-08-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

Those fresh, delicious summer salads that sustain life in sauna-like weather? They can do a lot more than keep you cool. In fact, five salad veggies turn out to be antioxidant superstars. Toss a handful into any bowl and you'll instantly up your defenses against everything from wrinkles to heart disease and even help make your RealAge younger. Then season some olive oil and vinegar with a few of the herbs and spices below and you'll punch up the antioxidant power even more. Health food doesn't get any easy-breezier!

5 Superstar Veggies
Artichokes
Radishes
Broccoli
Red chicory
Leeks

7 Stellar SeasoningsSageRosemaryMarjoramThymeTarragonCuminFresh gingerGarlic
The #1 Vegetable Of the 27 vegetables scientists studied, the almighty artichoke led the antioxidant pack. Plus it's rich in both fiber and folate, two good-for-you nutrients. Look for plump but compact globe-like artichokes with thick, green, fresh-looking scales. The Runners-Up Radishes, broccoli, and even luscious leeks are stocked in most supermarkets. But what's red chicory? An Italian salad favorite with an oddly appealing bitter taste. Try mixing it with romaine.

The High-Powered Herbs and Spices Sage, rosemary, and thyme...when Simon and Garfunkel made them famous, nobody knew they had disease-fighting powers. Cumin, a spice used heavily in Indian food, is even more impressive, as is ginger. But experiment: All of these seasonings are simple ways to boost the health -- and flavor -- of any salad (soups too). Here's a get-you-started recipe.

COOL-BEANS ARTICHOKE SALADThis elegant mix is both light and filling -- perfect to serve a few friends on a sultry night.Serves 4

10 baby artichokes, peeled and quartered2 cups diagonally cut asparagus 1/3 cup thinly sliced radishes 3 green onions, thinly sliced1 19-oz. can white beans, rinsed and drained 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. black pepper8 large romaine leaves

1. Steam the artichokes for 8 minutes. Add the asparagus and steam about 2 minutes more, or until crisp-tender. Drain and run vegetables under cold water. Let cool.

2. Make dressing: Whisk together garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Combine radishes, onions, and beans in salad bowl with half of dressing and toss well. Gently stir in artichokes and asparagus.

4. To serve, place 2 romaine leaves each on four plates. Divide salad equally among plates and drizzle with remaining dressing.

Breaking up workouts may burn fat faster

2007-08-02T17:08:00.001-07:00

Breaking up an exercise session, by adding a rest period in between, may boost a workout's fat-burning efficiency, a team of Japanese and Danish researchers reports.

When men exercised for two 30-minute stretches, taking a 20-minute rest break in between, they burned more fat than when they exercised for a single 60-minute session, and then rested afterward, Dr. Kazushige Goto of the University of Tokyo and colleagues found.

Current recommendations on exercise for preventing or treating obesity emphasize longer exercise sessions, Goto and his team note in the Journal of Applied Physiology. But there is evidence that following one exercise session with another workout may increase fat metabolism, they add.

To investigate, the researchers had seven healthy men complete one long workout and then two shorter workouts on exercise bicycles, measuring several different indicators of fat metabolism. All exercised at 60 percent of their maximum level of exertion.

When the men performed the two shorter exercise sessions, their blood levels of free fatty acids and other substances rose during the rest period, indicating greater fat metabolism. Levels of these substances also were higher during an hour-long rest period after the two-part exercise session.

Greater fat metabolism was recorded during each of the rest periods in the two-part session than during the rest period following the single, longer workout.

The men also showed lower levels of insulin and blood glucose during the second phase of the two-part exercise session.

While the proportion of total calories burned did not differ between the two workouts, fat represented nearly 77 percent of the calories burned in the recovery period after the two-part exercise session, compared with about 56 percent of calories burned in the recovery period after the single long exercise session.

Although a single bout of prolonged exercise is often performed in response to a physician's advice to exercise more, exercising for the same amount of time but with rest periods in between may be more effective, especially for sedentary or overweight individuals, the researchers conclude.

SOURCE: Journal of Applied Physiology, June 2007.

Study Links Diet Soft Drinks With Cardiac Risk

2007-07-27T03:34:00.000-07:00

By Ed Edelson HealthDay Reporter
Drinking more than one soda a day -- even if it's the sugar-free diet kind -- is associated with an increased incidence of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors linked to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a study finds.The link to diet soda found in the study was "striking" but not entirely a surprise, said Dr. Ramachandran Vasan, study senior author and professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. There had been some hints of it in earlier studies, he said."But this is the first study to show the association in a prospective fashion and in a large population," Vasan said.That population consisted of more than 6,000 participants in the Framingham Heart Study, which has been following residents of a Massachusetts town since 1948. When the soda portion of the study began, all participants were free of metabolic syndrome, a collection of risk factors including high blood pressure, elevated levels of the blood fats called triglycerides, low levels of the artery-protecting HDL cholesterol, high fasting blood sugar levels and excessive waist circumference. Metabolic syndrome is the presence of three or more of these risk factors.Over the four years of the study, people who consumed more than one soft drink of any kind a day were 44 percent more likely to develop metabolic syndrome than those who didn't drink a soda a day.The findings are published in the July 24 issue of the journal Circulation.A variety of explanations, none proven, have been proposed for the link between diet soft drink consumption and metabolic syndrome, Vasan said. That association was evident even when the researchers accounted for other factors, such as levels of saturated fat and fiber in the diet, total calorie intake, smoking and physical activity.One theory is that the high sweetness of all soft drinks makes a person more prone to eat sugary, fattening foods. Another is that the caramel content of soft drinks promotes metabolic changes that lead to insulin resistance. "These are hotly debated by nutritional experts," Vasan said.Vasan, who noted that he is not a nutritional expert, said he leans toward the theory that "this is a marker of dietary behavior" -- that people who like to drink sweet soda also like to eat the kind of foods that cardiac nutritionists warn against."But we cannot infer causality," Vasan said, meaning there is no proof that soda itself is the villain. "We have an association. Maybe it is a causal one or maybe it is a marker of something else."Carefully controlled animal studies might resolve the cause-and-effect issue, he said.Dr. Elizabeth G. Nabel, director of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which funds the Framingham Heart Study, said in a prepared statement: "Other studies have shown that the extra calories and sugar in soft drinks contribute to weight gain, and therefore heart disease risk. This study echoes those findings by extending the link to all soft drinks and the metabolic syndrome."Dr. Suzanne R. Steinbaum, director of Women and Heart Disease at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said, "There is no safe way of eating junk food, just as we learned the lesson from trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils often found in fat-free or low-fat cookies. Diet soda does not protect us from the development of what we are trying to avoid by consuming it."

Source: http://health.yahoo.com/news/177664

Don't after a Meal

2007-07-27T03:06:00.000-07:00

1.Don't smoke

Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

2.Don't eat fruits immediately

Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal.

3.Don't drink tea

Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.

4.Don't loosen your belt
Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted & blocked.

5.Don't bathe
Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

6.Don't walk about
People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

7.Don't sleep immediately
The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine.

Cancer study ordered into mobile phones

2007-07-27T03:03:00.000-07:00

Cancer study ordered into mobile phones Philip Webster, Helen Rumbelow and Alice Miles

Government expert warns of 'hint of a link'

200,000 join research into long-term users

A mass study of the long-term impact of mobile phones is to be undertaken amid fears that people who have used them for more than ten years are at greater risk from brain cancer.
More than 200,000 volunteers, including long-term users, are to be monitored for at least five years to plot mobile phone use against any serious diseases they develop, including cancer and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Professor Lawrie Challis, who is in the final stages of negotiation with the Department of Health and the mobile phone industry for the £3 million that he needs to fund the study, told The Times that research has shown that mobiles are very safe in the short term but that there is a “hint of something” for people using them longer.

In an interview, Professor Challis, a world expert on mobile phone radiation, and chairman of the government-funded mobile telecommunications health research programme, emphasised that the “hint” was just that. One European study has found a slight association and using a mobile for more than ten years. The few long-term users developed more acoustic neuroma brain tumours which were found close to the ear used for phoning.

But, because of the tiny numbers involved, “it could be by chance,” he said. Asked whether the mobile phone could turn out to be the cigarette of the 21st century in terms of the damage it could inflict, he replied: “Absolutely.”

He said that the study was necessary because all the important breakthroughs in what caused cancers had shown that the effects often took more than ten years to show. “You find absolutely nothing for ten years and then after that it starts to grow dramatically. It goes up ten times. You look at what happened after the atomic bombs at Nagasaki, Hiroshima. You find again a long delay, nothing for ten years. The same for asbestos.”

He made plain that he was not put off because many existing studies had shown no dangers. “The fact that you don’t see anything in ten years is also more or less what you would expect if there is something happening,” he said.

Announcing the new study, he said: “Because there is a hint and because the professional epidemiologists who I trust and who do this all the time feel there is a chance that this could be real, they can’t rule out the possibility. And because we all know that most cancers don’t show up for more than ten years, I think you have to carry on. It’s essential we carry on.
“Otherwise what are we going to do? If in ten or fifteen years’ time people start getting trouble it won’t show up until it’s a really big effect.”

The move was welcomed by the Conservatives. Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, said: “It’s not scare-mongering to ask these questions for future generations. At the moment there is little evidence to suggest that use of mobile phones has any impact on health, but it is vital that there is continuing research to establish if long-term use is a danger.”

Professor Challis is planning a separate study monitoring the impact of mobile phone use on children. He disagreed with the claim of some scientists that there was no cause to believe mobiles affected them differently from adults.

“We all know that if you’re exposed to sunlight as a kid you are much more likely to get skin cancer than if you’re exposed as an adult.”

He insisted that there was nothing irresponsibly alarmist about his message. Even if a risk were found, people would not have to sto using phones, but perhaps reduce their use.“I do it because I think it’s worthwhile,” he said.

A science of ifs, buts and maybes . . .

2006 Largest study yet, of 420,000 Danish users for up to 21 years, ruled out any large effect on any cancer after short or long-term use
It suggested there could be a very slightly raised risk of acoustic neuroma, a rare, benign cancer of the inner ear, among users of more than ten years
A raised risk on the side on which sufferers said they used their phones was balanced by a decreased risk on the other side — which led the scientists to suggest recall bias as the likely explanation. They said no firm conclusions could be drawn

2006 US study suggested lower sperm counts among heavy users. It is widely thought that this reflects another aspect of heavy users’ lifestyles, such as stress or a lack of exercise

2005 Interphone international study finds no effect on acoustic neuroma for ten years of use. It was unable, however, to rule out an effect for longer-term use, because of insufficient data

2004 Study suggests users have a higher risk of brain cancer if they live in rural areas. It has been suggested that this could reflect the higher strength of signal in areas with few base stations

2003 Swedish study suggests higher risk of acoustic neuroma among heavy users of analogue mobile phones, which have since been phased out. Scientists criticised the methodology of the research

2002 Finnish research suggests that phone emissions can cause abnormalities in blood vessel cells in the laboratory. Scientists that said it was not possible to draw conclusions for phone safety for real people

Heart Attack

2007-07-27T02:56:00.000-07:00

Heart Attack

As many as one in three people will be dead within 24 hours of having a heart attack. But most people who survive the first month will still be alive five years later. So prompt treatment is essential, as is prevention.

What causes a heart attack?

The heart is a large muscular pump. It beats 70 times a minute to push blood around the body. Like any busy muscle, the heart tissues need a good supply of blood from their blood vessels, which are called the coronary arteries.

Diseases that narrow the coronary arteries can cause a shortage of oxygen and essential nutrients in the heart muscle.

This triggers chest pain known as angina, especially when the heart is made to work extra hard, for example during exercise. If someone has angina, the more severe the narrowing of the arteries, the less they can do before they experience pain.

If the shortage is severe and prolonged, some of the heart muscle will die, resulting in permanent damage. This is a heart attack, more technically known as a myocardial infarction or MI.

Blocked coronary arteries

The most common underlying disease for heart attacks is atherosclerosis, where fatty plaques build up on the lining of the coronary arteries. This is known as coronary artery disease, and is a gradual process that slowly limits the blood supply to the heart muscle. How do heart attacks happen?What usually happens in a heart attack is that one of the fatty plaques cracks and a blood clot forms on top of it. It is this clot that finally blocks the artery completely. There are other, rarer causes of a heart attack, such as a dissection or splitting of the wall of the coronary artery.

How many people are affected?

The UK has one of the worst heart attack rates in the world. It's estimated that someone has a heart attack every two minutes in the UK. More than 1.4 million people have angina and each year about 275,000 people have a heart attack. Of these, more than 120,000 are fatal.Heart attacks are responsible for one in four deaths in men and one in six deaths in women. They are more common among older people.

Risk factors

The biggest single risk factor for heart attack is smoking. Other causes include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and a family history of heart disease.There are many steps you can take to change your lifestyle and reduce your risk.

Different types of heart attack

When someone goes into hospital with pain or other symptoms suggesting coronary heart disease, a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is made.The next step is to work out which part of the heart is affected, and how badly. This is done by studying an electrocardiogram (ECG) and other tests, in particular a blood test that measures levels of a chemical called troponin, which is released from damaged heart muscle cells. There are several different types of heart attack. The area of the heart that's affected has important implications for what sort of complications there may be, how well the patient will recover and the treatment they should be given. For example, if a heart attack affects the inferior (underneath) surface of the heart, which sits against the diaphragm, there is a greater risk of abnormal heart rhythms, because the electrical conducting system of the heart is disrupted. If the heart attack affects the anterior (front wall) of the heart, there is more likely to be damage to the left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping blood around the body, leading to low blood pressure and heart failure. Sometimes a heart attack doesn't affect the full thickness of the heart muscle and may not produce typical changes on an ECG. This sort of heart attack may require different treatment.

Rapid treatment saves lives

About half of those who have a heart attack die within 28 days. Most people who survive the first month will still be alive five years later, but many are left with long-term heart problems.One in three people dies within 24 hours. Most of these deaths are sudden, occurring within one hour of onset of symptoms and before reaching hospital, and are often due to dangerous heart rhythms. Heart attacks must be recognised and treated as quickly as possible because once a coronary artery is blocked, the heart muscle will die within four to six hours. Rapid treatment reduces the risk of sudden death and prevents long-term complications. Don't wait to call for help - this could make treatment less effective.

If you suspect a heart attack, get medical help immediately

Everyone's experience is different but common symptoms include:

chest pain, usually a central, crushing pain, which may travel into the left arm or up into the neck or jaw, and persists for more than a few minutes
sometimes the pain doesn't fit this pattern, or is confused with indigestion
some people having a heart attack don't have any pain
shortness of breath
nausea or vomiting
sweating
feeling light-headed or dizzy
palpitations or an abnormal heart rate

Treatment

When a heart attack is suspected, drugs such as aspirin may be given immediately to improve blood flow through the coronary arteries. Pain relief, oxygen and other treatments may also be given.When a heart attack has been diagnosed, one of two methods may be used to try to reopen the blocked artery.Drugs that dissolve the blood clots blocking the artery have greatly improved the treatment of heart attacks. These drugs, known as thrombolytics or 'clot busters', can restore blood flow in about 60 per cent of cases, although sometimes the artery blocks again later on. These drugs aren't suitable for everyone and there is a risk of bleeding. As many as two per cent of those treated will have a dangerous brain haemorrhage as a result. Thrombolytics must be given as soon as possible after symptoms start and certainly within 12 hours. The other method is an operation called percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or PCI. It involves inserting a tube into the coronary arteries. The tube carries a deflated balloon that can be inflated in the blocked area to push against the artery walls and open the vessel. In general, PCI produces slightly better long-term results than thrombolytic drugs but it must be carried out in a specialised centre.

Recovering from a heart attack

Not so long ago, a heart attack meant weeks of bed rest. Nowadays, people may spend just a few days in hospital, but a much longer process of rehabilitation is important to help the person recover fully, deal with common problems such as depression and reduce the risk of a second attack.

Sugar, America's Drug of Choice

2007-07-27T02:50:00.000-07:00

Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change the way our metabolism uses specific amino acids to make the neurotransmitters needed for proper brain function. Eating refined carbohydrates increase the level of the amino acid tryptophan, which helps to create the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is the calming neurotransmitter. So when we need to relax we will crave sugar so that we can create more serotonin. This is one of the main reasons sugar is so addictive.

Refined sugars are added to many foods to improve the taste. Sugar consumption has increase dramatically since the 1950's. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated in 1993 that the average American ate 130 pounds of sugar per year, in 1998 it went to 147 pounds of sugar, and now this number is around 170 pounds of sugar per year. This includes whole sugar and many forms of processed sugars, including high fructose corn syrup. If you are tired all the time, look at your level of sugar consumption and foods that turn to sugar quickly in your system.
Sugars and other sweeteners are used in most processed foods today. Sugar can be hidden as many different names such as sucrose, fructose, maltodextrin, maltose, lactose, and high fructose corn syrup. All of these are names of refined sugars. If a food you are buying has any of these names on the label as the first ingredient, or a combination of them as one of the first four ingredients, do not buy it! It will cause blood sugar imbalances over time, and affect your immune system.

High fructose corn syrup was developed in 1966 as a sweetener to blend into processed foods. It is made from cornstarch and turns into fructose and glucose. This type of processed fructose is metabolized differently than glucose and can contribute to high triglycerides and insulin resistance. Fructose found in whole fruits does not have the adverse affect of processed fructose, and should not contribute to higher blood fats. But we are getting more processed fructose as an additive in foods. The consumption of high fructose corn syrup increased to an average of 62.6 pounds per person in 2001.

Our body, especially our brain, uses glucose for energy. Glucose is found in fruits and vegetables, and is used in the metabolism of all plants and animals. Yet, overuse of sugar, especially processed sugars in adults and children causes the adrenals to work harder, putting out more adrenaline than is necessary. With excess adrenaline there is a feeling of constant stress and anxiety in adults. In children it is seen as hyperactivity, concentration difficulties, and irritability. Concentration is affected because brain wave activity increases and focusing on one subject becomes more difficult. Over time, when the brain cells have been stressed too long, symptoms of depression will begin to occur. At this stage the whole system becomes overwhelmed, causing symptoms of fatigue and indifference, signaling that we need a rest. If depression is caused by excess refined sugar intake, no matter what medication is taken, the symptoms will not be alleviated properly.

Eating sugar is worse than eating nothing. Do not eat sugar-based foods just to try to get food into your system. Soft drinks are one of the worst drinks to consume on a regular basis. The average can of soda pop contains eight to nine teaspoons of sugar. This amount of sugar that is usually consumed in a very short period of time creates havoc with sugar metabolism in the liver. In response, the body must mobilize large amounts of adrenalin and insulin to clear the sugar from the bloodstream. Fruit juices are not much better. Juices contain about the same amount of sugar as soft drinks. They are basically sugar water with very few nutrients. Drinking juices or soft drinks regularly can lead to significant health problems as well as blood sugar disorders.

Recent studies show that 30% of our foods are basically high sugar, high carbohydrate junk foods, and children are some of the worst offenders. Too much sugar does affect our brain function. B-complex vitamins are used to process glutamic acid, which is needed by the brain. B-complex vitamins are used to metabolize excessive sugars. If you get sleepy after eating, or cannot think clearly, look at the level of processed sugars in your meals, especially the hidden ones, to see what may be causing these problems to occur. Avoiding processed sugars in our diet can prevent many potential chronic health issues.

Dr. Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D. is Naturopath and Doctor of Homeopathy in Southwest Michigan. She is the author of "Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia" and "Natural Choices for Attention Deficit Disorder". She is a professional speaker on a variety of natural health topics, and can be reached at DoctorOelke@aol.com and http://www.NaturalChoicesforyou.com

7 Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure

2007-07-27T02:46:00.000-07:00

Have you had your blood pressure checked recently? Blood pressure refers to the force with which your blood moves against the walls of your arteries. As you are probably aware, a blood pressure reading consists of two numbers: the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure. The systolic reading refers to the pressure taken as your heart beats, and the diastolic reading is the pressure when your heart relaxes between beats. Your blood pressure readings rise and fall throughout the day. However, if your blood pressure remains elevated for a prolonged period of time, you are considered to have high blood pressure, the medical term for hypertension. High blood pressure is often referred to as a silent killer, because it comes with few noticeable symptoms. Anyone can develop high blood pressure, regardless of ethnic background, age or gender. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one out of every four Americans suffers from high blood pressure. When you have high blood pressure, your heart is working too hard. This is a potentially dangerous medical condition, which puts you at high risk for heart disease, kidney disease, impaired vision and hardened arteries. Hypertension is also the number one risk factor for strokesIn May 2003, the Joint Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure published revised guidelines for evaluating high blood pressure in the Journal of American Medicine. In order to be considered normal, a systolic reading must be less than 120 mmHg (millimeters of mercury), and a diastolic reading must be less than 80 mmHg. Systolic readings between 120-139 and diastolic readings between 80-89 fall under the category of prehypertension. Anything above this range is classified as high blood pressure. Stage one hypertension includes systolic readings between 140-159, and diastolic readings between 90-99. Any systolic reading over 160 or diastolic reading over 100 qualifies as type 2 hypertension. Of course, deep feelings of anxiety, intense anger and many other factors can temporarily elevate your blood pressure. It must be checked on numerous different occasions before you can be diagnosed as suffering from hypertension. Once you develop high blood pressure, it usually lasts for the rest of your lifetime. However, there are steps you can take to prevent or control high blood pressure. Note: Please consult your personal physician to determine the treatment activities appropriate for your blood pressure category. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute offers the following guidelines for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure:

Follow a Healthy Eating Plan

A healthy eating plan is essential for preventing or controlling high blood pressure. Research has shown that the best eating plan to keep your blood pressure under control should be low in fat and cholesterol, and include plenty of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products.

Exercise

Incorporating regular exercise into your lifestyle is one of the best things you can do to control your blood pressure. Of course, being active also has countless other health benefits and is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Reduce Your Sodium Intake Too much sodium can elevate your blood pressure, and the average American consumes far more salt than they need. Experts recommend that you should not consume more than 2.4 grams of sodium per day. For people with existing blood pressure conditions, physicians may recommend even lower sodium intake.Maintain a Healthy Weight Overweight and obese people have substantially greater risk for developing high blood pressure. Overweight people also put themselves at risk for high cholesterol and diabetes. A person's blood pressure normally goes down as their body weight decreases. Manage Stress Stress and anxiety are among the leading causes of high blood pressure. Therefore, managing stress isn't just something to do for your convenience. It may have a profound effect upon your health. Time management, meditation, yoga and deep breathing can all be effective ways to manage your stress. Limit Alcohol IntakeNot only can drinking too much raise your blood pressure, but it can have harmful effects on your liver, heart and brain. If you are going to drink, moderation is the key. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends that women should not consume more than one drink a day, and that men should not consume more than two drinks a day. Don't Smoke Smoking is particularly harmful for people with high blood pressure, because it can damage the walls of your arteries. Remember to have your blood pressure checked every time you go to your doctor's office for a physical. Many pharmacies and fire stations also have blood pressure machines. You may also consider purchasing a blood-pressure monitor for your home. Many stores sell them for at little as $30. Be sure to keep an eye on your blood pressure frequently.

Avoid Weekend Weight Gain

2007-07-27T02:43:00.000-07:00

By: Heather Hatfield

How to unwind without undoing your diet Happy hour after work on Friday. Dinner out at your favorite restaurant on Saturday.

A home-cooked feast on Sunday. Before you know it, a weekend of unwinding can turn into a calorie-fest that undermines a week's worth of healthy eating -- and, come Monday morning, sends the needle on your scale creeping upward. "Individual eating habits tend to change dramatically over the weekend," says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise. "You tend to see people consuming more alcoholic beverages and more calorie-dense foods. It's a real easy recipe to gain weight." But avoiding the weekend weight-gain trap doesn't have to mean your favorite Friday-through-Sunday treats are off-limits, experts say. Below, they offer some tips for enjoying your days off while avoiding the weekend food frenzy. The Weekend Trap Research has shown just how much damage weekend overeating can do to our diets. "There is a large and significant difference in energy intake on the three-day weekend versus the four-day weekday, particularly for young adults," says Barry Popkin, PhD, co-author of a study on weekend weight gain. The study, published in the August 2003 issue of Obesity Research, found that Americans 19 to 50 years old take in 115 more calories per day on the weekend (defined as Friday through Sunday) than on the other days of the week.

Over the course of a year, that adds up to 17,940 extra calories -- or about 5 pounds. And, as you might have guessed, it's not healthy foods that we're eating more of during the weekend. That 115-calorie-a-day difference comes mostly from alcohol and fat, says Popkin, a professor of nutrition in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina. Even so, those extra calories don't have to turn into fat, the experts say. The key is burning more calories than you consume. That means finding active ways to relax - like brisk walking, playing tennis, even gardening - instead of vegging out in front of the TV. "People tend to think of the weekend as their time to relax and recover from the hectic workweek," says Bryant. "What they should do is really try to make an effort to become more active in their daily pursuits over the weekend days. Look for as many opportunities to move as possible, so you can increase physical activity to offset the extra calories you consume." While physical activity may be the obvious answer, experts say there are other tricks that can help you overcome the habit of weekend overindulgence: · Start your day out right. "Eat a healthy breakfast on the weekend, when you have more time," says Susan Moores, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "You usually eat less during the day if you start with a healthy breakfast, and you get some good nutrition."· don’t go hungry to "save up" for a big dinner out. "Saving yourself backfires -- you usually end up eating way more than you would have if you ate normally throughout the day," says Moores. "Have a little bite to eat before you go out to take the edge off your hunger, and then simply enjoy good food when you go out."· Savor the experience of dining out. "Allow yourself to enjoy good food and savor it, rather than overindulge in it," says Moores. "People forget what the whole eating experience is about -- sitting with friends, enjoying your time together, and relaxing."· Eat slowly. "It takes 15-20 minutes for your brain to signal your stomach that it's full, so take your time," Moores explains. "Whether you're at a party or eating out on the weekend, remember to slow down when you're eating."· Start with soup. "Take your time when you order at a restaurant, and start with soup," says Moores. "Then, have the waiter come back so you can order an entrée -- you'll order much less than if you ordered all at once." Halve your restaurant entrees. "Splitting an entree with a friend is a great way to make a significant cut in calories on the weekend," says Moores.· Don’t skip dessert; share it. "Make it special," says Moores. "Choose something that is really delightful to you and split it with a friend. Keep an eye out for portion sizes, and if the dessert you want is huge, ask the waiter to slice it thin or split it with the table -- but I'm all for dessert." Avoid overdoing it with alcohol. "If you can cut out one or two drinks per day on the weekend, that will save you 100 to 150-plus calories," says Moores. And, she explains, people who drink more tend to eat more as well. So drink alcohol with caution, if at all. Remember your waistline. "Wear a tighter pair of pants when you go out on the weekend," says Moores. "Wear something that's not uncomfortable but that reminds you there are limits to what you should eat."
· Find a substitute for soda. "Use water to satisfy thirst, rather than soda, which many people drink more of on the weekends," says Bryant. "Not only are they consuming a tremendous amount of calories, but soda is high in fructose, which stimulates the appetite." Beyond that, the experts say, the best way to keep the weekends from torpedoing your diet is to take a commonsense approach to nutrition -- every day of the week. "I think most people are better off from a health standpoint to eat sensibly each day," says Bryant. "Consume a variety of foods, don't skip meals, eat individual-sized portions, and whenever possible, substitute a favorite high-fat food or high-sugar food with a healthy alternative."

Fascinating Facts About Your Brain

2007-07-27T02:42:00.000-07:00

We've long known that the brain is an amazing thing, but did you specifically know that:

• Every person has more than 75km of nerves in their body.

• Your nerves can send messages faster than a Grand Prix car travels.

• The brain is the most complex machine in the universe - it has over 100,000,000, 000 nerve cells each with up to 150,000 connections. Each cell is connected to 25,000 others.

• If every person on the planet simultaneously made 200,000 phone calls, there would be the same total number of connections as in a single human brain in a day.
• The grey cells occupy only 5% of our brains - 95% is taken up by the communication network that runs between the grey cells!

• The brain weighs about 1.5 kg in an adult human, about 1.5% of the body weight.

• Damaged brain cells do not regenerate but mental and physical functions can improve after mild or moderate brain damage with skilful rehabilitation.

• Compared to other animals, human brains are big for the body.

• The human brain is only just bigger than your two fists.

• On average, the male brain (approx 1.4kg) is slightly bigger than the female brain (approx 1.26kg).

• Each half of the brain controls the other half of your body.

• In right-handed individuals (which comprise 91% of people): the right side of the brain controls: musical talent, fantasy, imagination, dreams, drawing, and painting. The left side of the brain controls: mathematical ability, ability to solve logic problems, controls language skills, remembers names, dates, and facts.

• The grey part of the brain is folded to fit inside the skull and, if flattened, it would cover the surface of an office desk.

• The brain contains 100 billion brain cells of which, 100,000 are irretrievably lost each day.

• You can retain about seven facts at any one time in short term memory, but over the long term your brain has to forget things to make room for new memories.

7 Ways To Save Your Eyesight

2007-07-27T02:40:00.000-07:00

How much time do you spend in front of the computer? Being online can provide, extensive computer work can take its toll on your eyes. Imagine having to hold your arm straight out in front of you for an extended period of time without moving it. That's the kind of strain that extended computer use puts on the muscles responsible for focusing your eyes,

Sixty to ninety percent of computer users suffer from some form of eye strain, There are simple ways to prevent computer-induced eyestrain. such eyestrain can lead to worsening vision, neck and shoulder stiffness, fatigue and stress headaches. "When you are working at the computer, you are usually concentrating,Your breath becomes more shallow, which leads to a build-up of lactic acid in the body. Your field of vision decreases, as you become overly focused on the screen."

Since computer use is a reality of modern life, Here are 7 basic tips to help computer users preserve their vision:

1. Look away from the screen regularly : Computer work requires your eyes to focus at the same distance for extended periods of time. If you were holding your arm straight out in front of you, putting it down every few seconds would help relieve the tension. The same thing is true with your eyes. Shift your focus and look off into the distance, focusing on an object far away, such as the water cooler down the hall or a tree outdoors, is a simple stretching exercise for your eye muscles. If you are in a cubicle, putting a pocket mirror on top of your computer. Looking into a mirror will have the same effect as looking off into the distance.

2. Position your monitor properly: Ideally, your monitor should be at least 18-24 inches away from your eyes, Your line of sight should also be above the computer screen. People should make their desk and keyboard fit their bodies. "When you work on the computer, it is important to keep your posture upright, The angle of your joints is also critical. Your wrists should be below your elbows. Your knees should be below your hips. Your feet should be on the floor. You may even want to put the keyboard on your lap some of the time."

3. Use friendly lighting: Bright fluorescent lights are a poor choice. Dimmer lights are better for your eyes. Your computer screen emits light by itself. Therefore, the room should be lit with indirect, dim light." If you do work in an office with fluorescent lighting, position your computer screen perpendicular to the line of light. Use a desk lamp for reading and doing other close work at your desk.

4. Minimize glare on the computer screen: "If you see a lot of reflected images on the screen before you turn your computer on, you have glare. Blocking excessive sunlight by using window shades, blinds or drapes. Antiglare screen guards and hoods can also be effective. Or you can always move your computer to a part of the room where sunlight doesn’t cause glare on the screen.

5. Take regular, short breaks: Taking a 5-minute break every hour helps to reduce eye strain. Break time provides a good opportunity to oxygenate your blood with some whole-body stretches, hydrate with a drink of water and relax by taking some deep breaths. All of these activities help support good eye health.

6. Blinkmore often:Computer rooms are notoriously dry, and blinking is your body's natural way to lubricate your eyes and prevent them from getting dry.

7. Position yourself directly in front of the computer: If you position yourself off to the side, you will cause unnecessary strain to your eye and neck muscle.

If you do heavy computer work and are in your 40’s or 50’s, you may also be a candidate for The Read Without Glasses Method. The Read Without Glasses Method provides a series of exercises to help you reverse the effects of middle-age sight. While many people have had success with these eye exercises, it should be noted that this method is not for everyone. People with a lazy eye, eye turning problems and other visual impairments can not perform these exercises

5 Reasons Why Olive Oil is the Ultimate Healthy Fat

2007-07-27T02:35:00.000-07:00

Whether in Rome or at home, do as the Romans do: Make olive oil a staple. If you already eat the Mediterranean way, you know that the oil not only tastes good but that it is good for you. It's an amazing source of antioxidants, capable of dousing inflammation, defending cells from menacing molecules, and more. Here's the latest on this superhero food.

IT CUTS YOUR CANCER RISK

Olive oil's cancer-preventing powers are lab legends. Which substances get the credit? Polyphenols, for one -- these potent plant antioxidants protect against cancer-causing cell damage. But it also looks like the oil's monounsaturated fat has anti-cancer effects, which means olive oil packs quite a one-two punch! Some people-proof: Check the lower rates of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer among Southern Europeans -- whose diets flow with olive oil -- compared to their northern neighbors.

IT HELPS YOUR HEART

There's virtually nothing better than the big "double O" when it comes to your heart. Olive oil ups good HDL cholesterol, lowers bad LDL, and reduces other harmful blood fats (triglycerides). And that's not all. It also reduces inflammation, another contributor to cardiovascular disease.

IT KEEPS YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE DOWN

Speaking of your heart, how's your blood pressure? If it's not below 120/80, you need to get it there. And yes, olive oil plays a role. It can help enough to reduce the need for daily meds. Those potent polyphenols appear to dilate arteries, which brings blood pressure down. (Always choose extra-virgin olive oil, by the way -- its minimal processing preserves the maximum number of antioxidants and heat-sensitive vitamins.)

IT HELPS YOU LOSE WEIGHT

"Great taste, less filling" -- that light beer slogan rings true for olive oil. While ounce for ounce, all oils have the same calories, olive oil has a fuller flavor so less is needed for tantalizing taste. Plus research shows that overweight people who eat a diet with some fat -- including olive oil -- are more likely to shed pounds than those who slash fat. Why? Oil's rich flavor makes it easier to stick with the program.

IT EASES YOUR ACHING HEAD

If you're prone to headaches and wary of overdoing ibuprofen, try routinely dressing your salad or crisp-tender veggies in extra-virgin olive oil. It contains oleocanthal, a natural compound that, like ibuprofen, blocks pain-producing and inflammatory substances -- but without the risk of stomach upset. While daily oleocanthal doses aren't the painkiller's complete equal, they could lower your risk for heart disease, cancer, arthritis and possibly Alzheimer's. Quite a trade-off.

2007-07-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

What is high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat. Your body needs it for many things, such as making new cells. But too much cholesterol in your blood increases your chances of having a heart attack and stroke.
You get cholesterol from the foods you eat and from your liver. Your liver makes most of the cholesterol your body needs.

Desirable cholesterol is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Borderline-high cholesterol is 200 to 239.

High cholesterol is 240 or higher.

What are the different kinds of cholesterol?

Cholesterol travels through your blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol- protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are either high-density or low-density, based on how much protein and fat they have.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are mostly fat with only a small amount of protein. LDL is the bad kind of cholesterol because it can clog your arteries. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor will want you to lower your LDL.

LDL levels:

Best LDL is less than 100 mg/dL.

Near best LDL is 100 to 129.

Borderline-high LDL is 130 to 159.

High LDL is 160 to 189.

Very high LDL is 190 and above.

See an illustration of a clogged artery (atherosclerosis) .

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) help clear the bad cholesterol from your blood and keep it from clogging your arteries. HDL is the good kind of cholesterol. High levels of HDL (60 or above) can protect you from a heart attack.

HDL levels:

Desirable or high HDL is 60 mg/dL or above.

Undesirable or low HDL is less than 40.

Triglycerides are another type of fat in your blood. If you have high triglycerides and high LDL, your chances of having a heart attack are higher.

Triglyceride levels:

Borderline high is 150 to 199 mg/dL.
High is 200 or above.
Very high is 500 or higher.

What causes high cholesterol?

High cholesterol may run in your family. The foods you eat also may cause high cholesterol.
Causes include:

Your diet.

Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol can cause high cholesterol. Saturated fat and cholesterol come from animal foods such as beef, pork, veal, milk, eggs, butter, and cheese. Many packaged foods contain saturated fat such as coconut oil, palm oil, or cocoa butter. You will also find saturated fat in stick margarine and vegetable shortening. Cookies, crackers, chips, and other snacks usually contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or trans fat, which can raise cholesterol.

Your weight.

Being overweight may raise triglycerides and lower HDL.

Your activity level.

Not exercising may raise LDL and lower HDL.
Your overall health. Having diseases such as low thyroid can raise cholesterol. Cigarette smoking may lower HDL.

Your age.

After you reach age 20, your cholesterol starts to rise. In men, cholesterol levels usually level off after age 50. In women, cholesterol levels stay fairly low until menopause. After that, they rise to about the same level as in men.

Your family.

A disease called a lipid disorder can also cause high cholesterol. This rare problem is inherited from family members, and it changes how your body handles cholesterol. If you have a lipid disorder, your cholesterol may be well over 250 mg/dL. It may be harder to treat.

What are the symptoms?

High cholesterol doesn't make you feel sick. But if cholesterol builds up in your arteries, it can block blood flow to your heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke.
In some people, cholesterol deposits called xanthomas may form under the skin. They look like small bumps.

How is high cholesterol diagnosed?

Your doctor will use a blood test to check your cholesterol.
A lipoprotein analysis is the most complete test. It measures your total cholesterol: HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. You cannot have food for 12 hours before this test.

A simple cholesterol test can measure your total cholesterol and HDL. You can eat before this test. Sometimes doctors do this test first and then order a lipoprotein analysis if you have high cholesterol or low HDL.

How is it treated?

You and your doctor may decide first to treat your high cholesterol without medicine. Changes to your lifestyle and diet may be all you need. These changes include eating foods low in saturated fat, being more active, losing weight if you need to, and quitting smoking if needed.
If you cannot lower your cholesterol enough after trying lifestyle changes for a few months, you may need to take a medicine called a statin.

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or coronary artery disease (CAD), your doctor may want you to take a statin right away. This is because your chance of having a heart attack is higher.

Use this Interactive Tool: Are You at Risk for a Heart Attack?
Research shows that people who have a high risk for heart attack could benefit from taking higher doses of statins to lower their LDL cholesterol as much as possible. The more these people can lower their LDL, the less likely they are to have a heart attack. 1
Things that increase your risk for heart attack include:

Having high blood pressure.

Smoking.
Having low HDL (good) cholesterol.
Having peripheral arterial disease, which is narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the legs, abdomen, pelvis, arms, or neck.
Having diabetes.
Having a family history of heart disease.
Being age 45 or older if you are a man, and age 55 or older if you are a woman

Eyes

2007-07-27T02:24:00.000-07:00

We depend on sight more than any other of our senses to maneuver through the space around us. In a single glance, lasting a fraction of a second, our eyes work with our brains to tell us the size, shape, color, and texture of an object. They let us know how close it is, whether it's standing still or coming toward us, and how quickly it's moving. Every day, our eyes give us messages that help us understand the world around us. Although the eyes are small compared to most of the body's other organs, their structure is incredibly complex. The eyes work together to perceive depth, enabling us to judge distance and the size of objects to help us move around them. Not only do the two eyes work together, they also work with the brain, muscles, and nerves to produce complicated visual images and messages. And our eyes constantly adapt to the changing environment - for example, they are able to adjust so that we can easily move around in a nearly dark room or bright sunlight.

To understand more about how the eyes work, it's important to know about the structures that make up the eye and about conditions and diseases that can interfere with vision.
What Are the Eyes and What Do They Do?
Only part of the eye is visible in a person's face. The whole eye - the eyeball - is about the size and shape of a ping-pong ball.

The eye - both the parts that are visible and those that aren't - is extremely delicate. The body has several ways of protecting this vulnerable organ. The eyeball sits in the eye socket (also called the orbit) in a person's skull, where it is surrounded by bone. The visible part of the eye is protected by the eyelids and the eyelashes, which keep dirt, dust, and even harmful bright light out of the eye.

Our eyes are also protected by our tears, which moisten the eyes and clean out dirt, dust, and other irritants that get past the defenses of our eyelashes and eyelids. Tears also help protect the eyes against infection.

Every time we blink, our eyelids spread a layer of mucus, oil, and tears over the cornea(pronounced: kor-nee-uh), which covers the eye. The lacrimal (pronounced: lah-kruh-mul) glands in the upper outer corner of each eye socket produce tears.

After they've done their job moistening the eyes, the tears flow into canals in the eyelids, which drain into the lacrimal sac, a pouch in the lower inner corner of each eye socket. Tears then exit through a passage which leads to the nose.

For you to see, the eye has to move. Six muscles, called extraocular (pronounced: ek-struh-ah-kyuh-lur) muscles, surround the eyeball in the skull. These muscles act like the strings on a puppet, moving the eye in different directions. The muscles of each eye normally move together at the same time, allowing the two eyes to remain aligned.

The wall of a person's eyeball is made up of three layers, rather like the layers on an onion:
The sclera (pronounced: skler-uh) is the outermost protective layer. This tough, fibrous tissue surrounds the eyeball and attaches to the cornea, which is the clear front surface of the eye. What we see as the white of the eye is the sclera. Over the sclera lies the conjunctiva, a clear mucous membrane that protects the eye from becoming dry.

The choroid (pronounced: kor-oyd) is the middle layer that contains blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the retina.

The retina (pronounced: ret-nuh), the innermost of the three layers, lines the inside of the eyeball. The retina is a soft, light-sensitive layer of nervous system tissue. The optic nerve carries signals from the retina to the brain, which interprets them as visual images.
The space in the center of the eyeball is filled with a clear jelly-like material called the vitreous (pronounced: vih-tree-us) humor. This material allows light to pass through to the retina. It also helps the eye keep its round shape.

Vision is the process by which images captured by the eye are interpreted by the brain, and the visible part of the eye is where the process of sight begins. On the front surface of the eye is the see-through, circle-shaped cornea. You can't see a person's cornea the way you can see the colored part of the eye behind it - the cornea is like a clear window that focuses light into the eye. Behind the cornea is a watery fluid called the aqueous (pronounced: a-qwee-us) humor. The cornea and aqueous humor form an outer lens that refracts (bends) light on its way into the eye. This is where most of the eye's focusing work is done.

The colored circular membrane in the eye just behind the cornea is called the iris. The iris controls the amount of light entering the eye through the pupil, which is the opening in the center of the iris that looks like a tiny black circle. Like a camera, which controls the amount of light coming in to prevent both overexposure and underexposure, the iris becomes wider and narrower, changing the size of the pupil to control the amount of light entering the eye. The pupil gets bigger when more light is needed to see better and smaller when there's plenty of light.

The eye's lens sits just behind the iris. Just like a camera lens, the eye's lens focuses light to form sharp, clear images. Light that has been focused through the cornea and aqueous humor hits the lens, which then focuses it further, sending the light rays through the vitreous humor and onto the retina.

To focus on objects clearly at varying distances, the eye's lens needs to change shape. The ciliary (pronounced: sih-lee-er-ee) body contains the muscular structure in the eye that changes the shape of the eye's lens. In people who have normal vision, the ciliary body flattens the lens enough to bring objects into focus at a distance of 20 feet (6 meters) or more. To see closer objects, this muscle contracts to thicken the lens. Young children can see objects at very close range; many people over 45 have to hold objects farther and farther away to see them clearly. This is because the lens becomes less elastic as we age.
The retina (the soft, light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eyeball wall) is made up of millions of light receptors. These are called rods and cones. Rods are much more sensitive to light than cones. Each eye has about 125 million rods that help us see in dim light and detect shades of gray, but they cannot distinguish colors. In comparison, the 6 million cones in each eye allow us to see in bright light, and they also sense color and detail.

The macula (pronounced: mah-kyuh-luh) is a small, specialized area on the retina. The macula helps our eyes see fine details when we look directly at an object. It contains mainly cones and few rods.

When focused light is projected onto the retina, it stimulates the rods and cones. The retina then sends nerve signals are sent through the back of the eye to the optic nerve. The optic nerve carries these signals to the brain, which interprets them as visual images. The portion of the brain that processes visual input and interprets the messages that the eye sends is called the visual cortex.

As in a camera, the eye's lens transmits light patterns upside down. The brain learns that the impulses received from the upper part of the retina are really from the lower part of the object we're seeing and vice versa.

Most people use both eyes to see an object. This is called binocular vision. Through binocular vision, images are formed on the retina of each eye. These images are slightly different, because the object is being viewed from slightly different angles. Nerve signals representing each image are sent to the brain, where they are interpreted as two views of the same object. Some of the nerve fibers from each eye cross, so each side of the brain receives messages from both eyes. Through experience, the brain learns to judge the distance of an object by the degree of difference in the images it receives from the two eyes. This ability to sense distance is called depth perception.

Our vision is a fine-tuned process. All the parts of the eye - and the brain - need to work together so a person can see correctly. Because the eye's structure is so complex, though, a lot of things can go wrong.
Things That Can Go Wrong With the Eyes and Vision
Some of the most common eye problems are called refractive errors. These are the problems that eye doctors check for routinely in your vision test. Refraction means bending of light rays to focus the light coming from an image. Refractive errors are problems with the focusing of the eye, because of the way the eye is shaped, which causes the image you see to be blurred. Refractive errors include:
Astigmatism (pronounced: uh-stig-muh-tih-zum). In astigmatism, there's a problem with the curve of the cornea. This causes part of the eye's image to be blurry. Corrective lenses such as contact lenses or glasses can usually correct vision in people with astigmatism.

Nearsightedness. Also called myopia (pronounced: my-o-pee-uh) or shortsightedness, nearsightedness occurs when the eye focuses the image of an object in front of the retina instead of directly on it. In most cases, people can't see well far away, but can see objects clearly close up. The condition tends to get somewhat worse through childhood and adolescence, but stabilizes in adulthood. People with this condition may need to wear glasses or contacts to correct their vision. Laser eye surgery is now commonly used in adults to correct nearsightedness permanently by changing the shape of the cornea. Laser surgery is not used in kids and teens because the eye may still be growing and the refractive error changing.

Farsightedness. Also called hyperopia (pronounced: high-puh-row-pee-uh) or longsightedness, farsightedness occurs when the incoming image is not focused on the retina, but behind it. This makes it difficult to see close objects clearly, even though far-off objects can be seen clearly. Glasses or contact lenses can correct this problem in kids and teens. Most adults develop a form of farsightedness called presbyopia as they get older.
Some of the other eye problems that can affect children and teens include:

Blindness. This is the loss of useful sight. Blindness can be temporary or permanent and it has many causes. Birth defects or damage to any portion of the eye, the optic nerve, or the area of the brain responsible for vision can lead to blindness. The visual impairment cannot be corrected with surgery or corrective lenses, and the condition can make it difficult to perform everyday activities. Diabetes, problems with the macula, and eye changes because of aging account for most blindness in the United States.

Cataracts. Some children are born with cataracts, which are a cloudiness of the eye's lenses that prevent images from being seen clearly or at all. But cataracts are much more prevalent in the elderly among whom surgery to remove cataracts and correct vision is common. In infants and young children, cataracts must be treated to prevent permanent problems with development of vision.

Color blindness. Color blindness is caused by problems in the pigments of the cones in the retina. Most people who are color-blind can see some colors. In most cases, a person who is color-blind confuses some colors with others, usually red and green. People can be born color-blind, or they may develop the condition over time. The most common form of color blindness is an inherited condition that affects boys much more often than girls. Color blindness cannot be corrected.

Conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation (redness, pain, and swelling) of the conjunctiva. One type of conjunctivitis is called pinkeye, a common contagious infection in which the eyes become pinkish red and watery, and pus may form. Pinkeye is usually treated with eyedrops. Conjunctivitis may also occur due to allergies or from a scratch on the surface of the eye.

Dacryostenosis (pronounced: dak-ree-o-stih-no-sus). Dacryostenosis is a blockage of the tear drainage system of the eye occurring in the lower eyelid. This is a fairly common problem in infants, but often improves with time.

Eye injuries. Injuries to the eye are one of the most common preventable causes of blindness. Eye injuries may be caused by irritants such as sand, dirt, or other foreign bodies on the eye's surface. Chemicals or foreign bodies that become embedded in the eye can also cause pain and loss of vision. Forceful blows to the eye can cause bleeding inside the eye and damage to the cornea, retina, and other important eye structures.

Glaucoma (pronounced: glau-ko-muh). One of the leading causes of blindness in the United States, glaucoma is a disorder that causes fluid pressure to build up inside the eye, potentially causing damage to the optic nerve. Although it can occur in infants and children, it is much more common among older adults. Unless detected early by routine screening tests, it usually goes undiagnosed until some vision is lost.

Macular degeneration (pronounced: mak-yuh-lur dih-jen-uh-ray-shun) is an eye disease that mainly affects older people. But sometimes infants and children can develop it, too. When a person has macular degeneration, the middle area of the retina becomes scarred. This causes eyesight to deteriorate over many years. The cause of macular degeneration is unknown in most cases, but it tends to run in families, which indicates that genes and heredity are involved.

Retinoblastoma (pronounced: ret-un-o-blas-toe-muh). This is a cancerous tumor in the eye that usually appears in the first 5 years of life. There may be permanent vision loss, and the affected eye(s) may have to be removed.

Retinopathy (pronounced: ret-un-ap-uh-thee) of prematurity. Premature babies sometimes have damage to the blood vessels in the eye's retina, a condition known as retinopathy of prematurity, which can lead to severe vision loss in some cases.

Strabismus. A condition in which the eyes appear crossed, strabismus (pronounced: struh-biz-mus) is usually caused by a defect in the balance of the pull exerted by the muscles that help the eyes stay straight and move together properly. Surgery on the eye muscles can help realign the eyes. Permanent vision loss in the less-used eye (a condition known as amblyopia) can occur if the condition is not treated in early childhood.

Sty. A sty is an infection of one of the follicles from which the eyelashes grow. Sties are treated by applying warm compresses and using antibiotics.

Proper care of your child's eyes includes having periodic eye exams at routine office checkups and by an eye specialist according to the schedule recommended by your child's doctor. Signs that a very young child may be having vision trouble include constant eye rubbing, tearing or redness, and trouble following an object. Older children may squint or sit too close to the TV. Children or teens who are having trouble seeing may also complain of headaches at the end of the day.

Healthy Eating Tips

2007-07-27T02:16:00.000-07:00

A healthy diet should include a good variety of nutritious foods. These include breads, pastas, fruits and vegetables. Eating breakfast is also an important part of a healthy diet.

Healthy diets contain a variety of foods

In general, we should all eat:

A wide variety of nutritious foods

Plenty of breads and cereals (particularly wholegrain), vegetables, legumes (such as chickpeas) and fruit

Low salt foods, and use salt sparingly

Small amounts of foods which contain added sugars.

Physical activity

A good balance between exercise and food intake is important, as this helps to maintain a healthy body weight. About 30 minutes of physical activity, such as walking, is recommended every day.

Keep fat to a minimumAdult diets should be low in fat, especially saturated fat. Saturated fat, which is the predominant fat in animal products, is more easily deposited as fat tissue than unsaturated fats. Saturated fat can also be converted into cholesterol and cause blood cholesterol levels to rise.

Small amounts of polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats may have some health benefits when they are part of a healthy diet. Polyunsaturated fats are generally thought to lower blood cholesterol levels. Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish, are thought to have an anti-clotting effect on blood and may lower blood pressure.

Eat less high kilojoule foods

The total amount of energy-dense (high kilojoule) foods you eat may be as important as the total amount of fat in your diet. To reduce the energy density of your diet, you need to increase the amount of plant foods you eat. This will provide essential nutrients, help to make you feel ‘full’ and also reduce the amount of fat in your diet.

Eat foods rich in calcium and iron

It is important for all Australians to eat foods which contain iron and calcium. In particular:

Calcium – is important for infants, women and girls.

Iron – is important for women, girls, vegetarians and athletes.

Drink alcohol in moderation

A healthy diet can include a moderate amount of alcohol (men should drink less than two standard drinks per day and women less than one standard drink per day). Alcohol should not be given to children.

Healthy diets for babies and children

Follow these guidelines to help encourage a healthy diet for your infant or child:

Babies – encourage your baby to breastfeed for the first year of life. In most cases, breastfeeding should be the only source of food in the first six months. If you use formula, be careful not to overfeed or underfeed your baby.

Sugar – children should eat only a small amount of foods that contain sugar.

Low fat diets – these are not appropriate for infants and young children under two years of age. A diet low in fat, especially saturated fat, may be considered for older children.

Drinks – infants and children should be encouraged to choose water as their preferred drink.

Don’t let children skip breakfast

Children who skip breakfast generally have below average nutrition. Their diets contain less:

Calcium
Iron
Dietary fibre
Vitamins such as riboflavin and niacin.

Skipping breakfast becomes more common as children get older. Some schools have introduced breakfast programs because they were concerned about children who skip breakfast. Children did better in school once the program was introduced.

Tips for easy breakfasts

Here are some easy-to-prepare, healthy breakfast ideas:

Fresh fruit with wholegrain breakfast cereal and reduced fat milk.

Toast with a thin spread of margarine (polyunsaturated or mono-unsaturated) . Toast with cheese and tomato. Hot or cold reduced fat milk.

Rolled oats with sultanas and reduced fat milk. Toast with a thin spread of margarine (polyunsaturated or mono-unsaturated) . Orange juice.

Baked beans on toast. Orange juice.

Things to remember

Calcium and iron are important nutrients in our diets.

Infants and young children should not be placed on low fat diets.

Encourage infants and children to choose water as their preferred drink.

Children will have better nutrition and do better at school if they eat breakfast.

AcknowledgementThis information has been sourced from the Better Health Channel in consultation with Deakin University - School of Exercise and Nutrition Science.

Women and heart attacks (Myocardial infarction)

2007-07-27T02:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack...you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.

"I had a completely unexpected heart attack at about 10:30 pm with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspectmight've brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story myfriend had sent me, and actually thinking,"A-A-h, this is the life, allcozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up." A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you'vebeen in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m.

"After that had seemed to subside, the next sensation was like littlesqueezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasming), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws.

"AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening--we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, "Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack !" I lowered the foot rest, dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself "If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else.......but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment."

"I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into thenext room and dialed the Paramedics... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to unbolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.

"I then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting meonto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the Cardiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like "Have you taken any medications?") but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery.

"I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must havetaken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the Paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was all ready to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stints.
"Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because Iwant all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learnedfirst hand."

1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body, not the usual men's symptoms, but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act ). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one, and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation, and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up....which doesn't happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a "false alarm" visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!

2. Note that I said "Call the Paramedics". Ladies, TIME IS OF THEESSENCE! Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER--you're a hazard toothers on the road, and so is your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road. Do NOT call your doctor--he doesn't know where you live and if it's atnight you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants(or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! TheParamedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr. will be notified later.
3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high,and/or accompanied by high blood pressure.) MI's are usuallycaused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

Dun Skip Breakfast.

2007-07-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

Breakfast can help prevent strokes, heart attack and sudden death. Advice on not to skip breakfast!

Healthy living

For those who always skip breakfast, you should stop that habit now! You've heard many times that "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Now, recent research confirms that one of the worst practices you can develop may be avoiding breakfast.

Why?
Because the frequency of heart attack, sudden death, and stroke peaks between 6:00a.m. and noon, with the highest incidence being between 8: 00a.m. and 10:00a.m.What mechanism within the body could account for this significant jump in sudden death in the earlymorning hours?

We may have an Answer. Platelet, tiny elements in the blood that keep us from bleeding to Death if we get a cut, can clump together inside our arteries due tocholesterol or plaque buildup in the artery lining. It is in the morning hours that platelets become the most activated and tend to form these internal blood clots at the greatest frequency.

However, eating even a very light breakfast prevents the morning platelet activation that is associated with heart attacks and strokes. Studies performed at Memorial University in St.Johns, Newfoundland found that eating a light, very low-fat breakfast was critical in modifying the morning platelet activation. Subjects in the study consumed either low-fat or fat-free yogurt, orange juice, fruit, and a source of protein coming from yogurt or fat-free milk. So if you skip breakfast, it's important that you change this practice immediately in light of this research. Develop a simple plan to eat cereal, such as oatmeal or Bran Flakes, along with six ounces of grape juice or orange juice, and perhaps a piece of fruit. This simple plan will keep your platelets from sticking together, keep blood clots from forming, and perhaps head off a potential Heart Attack or stroke. So never ever skip breakfast

Ginger

2007-07-26T17:29:00.001-07:00

What is Ginger

Ginger is a strengthening food that has long been used to maintain health. Ginger has a long history of both culinary and medicinal use in Chinese, Japanese and Indian medicines. In ancient China, ginger was regarded as a healing gift from God and was commonly used to cleanse and warm the body.

Qualities of Ginger

The major active ingredients in ginger are terpenes and oleoresin called ginger oil. These two, and other active ingredients in ginger, provide antiseptic, lymph-cleansing, circulation, and constipation relief qualities.

Ginger is good for the respiratory system

It is good to fight against colds and flu

Ginger offers substantial protection from stroke and heart attack because of its ability to prevent blood clotting

Ginger, a multifaceted herb, is crucial in the battle against cardiovascular disease
Relieves headaches and pains

Helps to clear sore throats

Good for upset stomach and indigestion.

It is very effective as a cleansing agent through the bowels and kidneys and also through the skin

Some of the problems cured by Ginger

Colds/Flu

Kills influenza virus by improving immune system's ability to fight infections. Ginger also relieves headaches.

Increases Circulation

Increases the muscular contractions of the heart atria, there by increase in overall circulation.
Ginger has been proven to prevent internal blood clots and lowers blood pressure. Ginger Root stimulates the central nervous system controlling the heart and respiratory centers. Ginger helps reduce serum cholesterol, which can slow down circulation.
Ginger Relieves Motion/Morning Sickness

Ginger is one of the most effective herbal remedies to get rid of Motion/ Morning Sickness.

Digestive Aid - Indigestion, Stomach Ache

Ginger Root increases production of saliva in the mouth and dramatically increases digestive
enzyme amylase in the saliva to additionally aid digestion. Ginger Root also contains a very effective digestive enzyme zingibain.

Women's Health

Ginger Root is good for the uterus as well as the intestinal tract and may ease menstrual cramps
Skin Very cleansing - reduces pus in infected wounds as well as boils. Clears spots caused by chicken pox and shingles. Useful for burns, sores, sunburn, ringworm, warts, herpes, athletes foot and even for dandruff.

Stress ProtectionGinger Root appears to limit the effects of adrenergic stimulation and there by relieves the stress

ArthritisAs Ginger root is a proven anti-inflammatory agent, some arthritic victims may find it helpful.
Ginger is sometimes recommended as an alternative to aspirin for people who can not take aspirin because of its irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
Ginger cures following ailments
Asthma - Adults
Athlete's Foot
Acne
Boils/ Blisters
Cold Sores
Cuts
Cold
Flu
Gingivitis
Glandular Fever
Gum Infections
Head Lice
Infections
Insect Bites / Stings
Mosquito Bites
Mouth Ulcers
Mumps
Ringworm (tinea)
Skin Conditions - Antiseptic
Sore Throat
Warts

With all the benefits to the average person, ginger should be included in the diet every day. Especially for a person who are suffering from heart problems, cold/flu, stress problem, motion sickness a daily dose of ginger combined with other herbs to enhance their effectiveness is part of a sensible, healthy diet.

Top 6 Un-Healthiest Foods

2007-07-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

The Six Un-Healthiest Foods to avoid at all costs!

1. Soda.

An average can of soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, plus artificial food colors and sulphites. Diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners, which are even more unhealthy, and have even been linked to cancer.

2. Potato chips and French fries.

These popular snack foods contain acrylamide, a known cancer-causing agent that is formed when foods are baked or fried at high temperatures. They're also full of trans fats, which have been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

3. Doughnuts.

Break a doughnut down, and you'll find nothing more than refined sugar and flour, artificial flavors, and partially hydrogenated oil that is loaded with trans fats. A true heart attack on a plate, doughnuts have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

4. Coffee cake and other baked goods.

These foods almost always contain high amounts of trans fats as well as corn syrup, preservatives, and artificial flavors and colors. In fact, not only are these foods often made with hydrogenated oils, but they're usually fried in them too. True triggers for diabetes, cancer, and heart disease!

5. Luncheon meats/hot dogs.

Processed meats like these contain a cancer-causing ingredient known as sodium nitrite.

6. Canned soup.

Most canned soups have high levels of trans fats, sodium, and artificial preservatives. Just one cup can contain almost 1,000 milligrams of salt, nearly half of the recommended daily guidelines. This is a blood pressure nightmare!

And we eat them ALL THE TIME

Common cold - causes and home remedies

2007-07-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

A common cold, also known as acute coryza, is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by infection with common cold viruses. A common cold occurs more often than any other disease - hence, its name. A person may suffer from a common fold several times in a year. A cold usually lasts from three to ten days. The patient feels miserable for the first three days or so.

Common Cold Symptoms

Soreness of throat, congestion of nasal passages

The initial signs of a cold are a feeling of soreness of the throat and congestion of the nasal passages. Although the disease normally begins in the nose and throat, it affects all parts of the body.

Running nose, Sneezing, headache, chill

Its usual symptoms are a running nose, sneezing, a rise in temperature, headache, sore throat, chill, aches and pains in the body, and loss of appetite. The skin around the nostrils may become sore.

Causes of Common Cold

Exposure to the virus

A common cold results from exposure to the virus. Its intensity, however, depends upon the state of health of the person and environmental factors.

Exposure to cold, low vitality, dust, changes in temperature

Low vitality, exposure to cold, lack of sleep, mental depression, fatigue, and factors such as sudden changes in temperature, dust, and other irritating inhalations are important contributory causes.

Common Cold Home Remedies

Common Cold treatment using Lemon

Lemon is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is beneficial in all types of cold with fever. Vitamin C-rich lemon juice increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness. One lemon should be diluted in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey should be added to it. This should be taken once or twice daily.

Common Cold treatment using Garlic

Garlic soup is an old remedy to reduce the severity of a cold, and should be taken once daily. The soup can be prepared by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. Garlic contains antiseptic and antispasmodic properties, besides several other medicinal virtues. The oil contained in this vegetable helps to open up the respiratory passages. In soup form, it flushes out all toxins from the system and thus helps bring down fever. Five drops of garlic oil combined with a teaspoon of onion juice, and diluted in a cup of water, should be drunk two to three times a day. This has also been found to be very effective in the treatment of common cold.

Common Cold treatment using Ginger

Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and coughs. About ten grams of ginger should be cut into small pieces and boiled in a cup of water. It should then be strained and half a teaspoon of sugar added to it. This decoction should be drunk when hot. Ginger tea, prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding the tea leaves, is also an effective remedy for colds and for fevers resulting from cold. It may be taken twice daily.

Common Cold treatment using Lady's Fingers

Lady's fingers are highly valuable in treating irritation of the throat and a persistent dry cough. This vegetable is rich in mucilage and acts as a drug to allay irritation, swelling, and pain. About 100 gm of lady's fingers should be cut into pieces, and boiled down in half a litre of water to make a decoction. The steam issuing from this decoction may also be inhaled once or twice a day to relieve throat irritation and a dry cough.

Common Cold treatment using Bitter Gourd Roots

The roots of the bitter gourd plant are used in folk medicine to cure a cold. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal quantity of honey or tulsi leaf juice, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for colds.

Common Cold treatment using Turmeric

Turmeric is an effective remedy for colds and throat irritations. Half a teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 30 ml of warm milk, and taken once or twice daily, is a useful prescription for these conditions. Turmeric powder should be put into a hot ladle. Milk should then be poured in it and boiled over a slow fire. This mixture should then be drunk by the patient. In case of a running cold, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase the discharge from the nose and provide quick relief.

Common Cold treatment using Tamarind and Pepper

Tamarind-pepper rasam is also considered an effective home remedy for a cold in South India. Dilute 50 mg tamarind in 250 ml of water. Boil the diluted tamarind water for a few minutes with a teaspoon of hot ghee and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder. This steaming hot rasam has a flushing effect, and should be taken three times a day. As one takes it, the nose and eyes water and the nasal blockage is cleared.

Common Cold treatment using Vitamin C

Regular intake of vitamin C-75 mg for adults and 35 mg for children-will prevent the common cold. If, however, a cold has already appeared, large doses of this vitamin will relieve the symptoms and shorten its duration. He estimates that one to two grams (1000 mg to 2000 mg) per day is approximately the optimum amount of this vitamin for this purpose. His advice is to swallow one or two 500mg tablets of vitamin C at the appearance of the first sign of the cold and continue the treatment by taking one to two 500 mg tablets daily.

Home Remedies for Stuffy Nose

Inhale turmeric fumes, for this tie some turmeric in a clean cloth and light it. Boil some water and allow it to cool, now add ¼ teaspoon table salt to it. Put 2 to 3 drops of this solution in your both the nostrils before meals and going to bed. Mix natural apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts. Boil this solution in a pan, when the fumes rises lean over the pan and inhale the fumes. Prepare a solution using 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil and Pine Essential Oil, 3 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil and 7 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil. Inhale vapors of this solution by putting it on a cotton ball or an aromatherapy diffuser.

Dietaries for Common Cold

Abstain solid foods, drink fruit and vegetable juicesDuring the acute stage of the cold, when fever is present, the patient should abstain from all solid foods and only drink fruit and vegetable juices, diluted with water.

Well-balanced diet of seeds, nuts

After the acute symptoms are over, the patient can gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet, consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Avoid meat, fish, eggs and starchy foods

It is advisable to avoid meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and starchy foods.

Other Common Cold treatments

Mild sunbath, fresh air, deep breathing, sound sleep etc

Other useful measures in the treatment of a common cold are a mild sunbath, fresh air and deep breathing, brisk walks, sound sleep, and adjustment of one's clothes and habits to the requirements of the season so as to nullify the effect of weather fluctuations.

Lose One Pound a Week

2007-07-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

Lose one pound a week, by trimming 500 calories from your daily diet. Try some of the following food and beverage swaps. Breakfast:
Lose: bagel with cream cheese and coffee with cream and sugar.
Choose: toasted English Muffin with light cream cheese and coffee with skim milk or nonfat creamer.
Save 500 calories
Beverages:
Lose: 20-ounce soda, one cup orange juice, and second glass of wine
Choose: unlimited H2O, naturally flavored seltzer and unsweetened tea
Save 500 calories
Daily Lunch Sandwich:
Lose: sub roll, the mayo, high fat meats and cheese (bologna, salami, pastrami, etc.)
Choose: whole wheat bread, spicy mustard, lean turkey or ham, reduced fat cheese.
Save 500 calories
Snacks:
Lose: candy bar, chips and 20 oz soda
Choose: baby carrots, string cheese and an apple
Save 500 calories
Dinner:
Lose: Steak, fried potatoes, dinner roll, buttery vegetables
Choose: Grilled chicken or fish, baked potato with tablespoon sour cream, sautÃ©ed spinach (in 1-2 teaspoons olive oil and garlic)
Save 500 calories

How to stay safe while cooking.

2007-07-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

Cooking is your passion and you are always in the kitchen stirring up a storm.

Else you may be cooking for a more basic reason -- you need to eat.

Either way, kitchen safety is very important.
Unfortunately, your kitchen has three key ingredients required to start a fire: fuel, flame and air. "Besides fires, cooking hazards like hot oil splattering and steam are responsible for burns and scalding," says 26-year-old Bangalore hotel management graduate and hotelier Anuj Gemawat. Other culprits include gas leaks and malfunctioning of electrical equipments and cooking utensils.
Well, it's better to be safe than sorry. So, follow our guide and avoid any disasters in your kitchen.

What to wear:

Wear loose fitting clothes because they do not stick to the skin. No flowing garments like free-flowing dupattas or wraparound skirts. In case your clothes catch fire, take off your clothes immediately.

Preferably wear cotton, as it soaks oil splatters and does not stick to your body.

Avoid synthetic materials in the kitchen; if it catches fire it tends to stick to the body, causing harsh burns.

Basically wear clothes that breathe since the kitchen is a hot place and you should not feel hot and stuffy in your clothes. Also, avoid wearing a lot of jewellery; as metal retains heat and tends to get very hot near flames or even in case of oil splatters.

Kitchen safety tips
Never use the kitchen in a hurry. Always remain calm as haste leads to accidents.

Turn off the gas and regulators after use. Regularly check the gas, pipes and replace anything with the slightest wear and tear.

Keep a list of emergency numbers -- of neighbours, spouse and doctors -- handy, preferably in one area like on the front of the refrigerator. Inform everyone at home that it is there. The following emergency numbers are applicable all over India: Fire Brigade: 101Ambulance: 102Police: 100
Clean up spills immediately before someone slips and falls. Avoid using curtains in the kitchen. Avoid using extension cords, as wires strewn across the floor may cause someone to trip.
Switch off the gas before receiving a phone call or answering the doorbell.
When deep frying, place the saucepan/kadhai of hot oil on an inside gas burner (if you have a four-burner stove) so it cannot topple. If you have a two-burner stove, use a very stable cooking utensil for frying. And remove it from the gas and store safely as soon as you are done.
Pets and kids
Train your pets not to enter the kitchen. Pets get tangled in wires and drop gadgets in the kitchen or spill food. After completing your cooking, shut the kitchen door to prevent pets from entering.
Don't allow children to play in the kitchen. Keep matchboxes, lighters, hot oil and knives out of their reach.
Keep enticing food like sweets/chocolates away from the gas area, as your child may be tempted to climb to get it when you are not around.

Kitchen equipment:

1)Pressure cooker

"There are three main parts: the locking mechanism, the gasket and the pressure vent/seal," says Gemawat. If any of these items are not working properly (leaks or worn out), get it replaced/ repaired immediately. Never use a cooker that has exploded before. Get it replaced/ repaired at the earliest, as it can explode anytime again.

2)Other electrical equipment

Keep all your electrical equipments (except a fridge, of course), unplugged at all times when not in use like the microwave, mixer etc. This will avoid any accidental fires, sparks or short circuits.

During emergencies:

Fire:

First cut off the source of the flame (gas, stove or electric plug), then douse the fire with a fire extinguisher or a blanket. If it is not possible to get to the source and if the flame seems to be getting out of hand, evacuate the place as soon as possible and call the fire brigade and an ambulance.

Burns (minor/ major burns):

Dr Sailesh Mehta, a Mumbai based practitioner says, "Wipe the affected area with a clean damp cloth or else the wound will start hurting very badly. Then give the area an ice-rub and apply an antiseptic cream. Usually antiseptic creams have a cooling effect that help you to bear the pain and heal the wound."

Cuts and wounds:

"If the cut is deep, first hold up the affected part with your other hand so that the wound stops bleeding," says Dr Mehta. "Then put the affected part of your hand/ finger in a bowl of ice to arrest the bleeding completely." You can then administer first aid such as an antiseptic cream or band-aid.

Electrical shock:

Immediately isolate the source of the current with a non-conductive element like a wooden plank, rolling pin, wooden ladle or rubber gloves. "If you receive an electrical burn (from a toaster or a hot oven), then treat the affected part with cold water and ice compress," suggest Dr. Mehta.

Hot oil spluttering on the skin:

Mehta suggests, "Whenever hot food, water, or oil splutters on the skin, immediately put the affected area under a running tap. The idea is to cool off the skin as heat tends to damage skin tissue. Then give a cold compress and apply an antiseptic cream to soothe the pain."

Steam scalding:Immediately take the victim away from the source, under a fan and apply an ice pack in the affected area.

First-aid/fire- fighting kits:

"A kitchen should always have a first aid and a fire fighting kit, which must include a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher, " says Gemawat. "Ensure that everyone knows the location of such items and how to use them. All these items must be kept in the open and be clearly visible to all," he says. Several buildings have fire-fighting devices such as fire extinguishers and water hoses installed in the passageways and kitchens.
"In case of a small fire you can cover it with a fire blanket as well as cover yourself/kids for protection while escaping, " says Kishor Handu from Citadel Security Systems in New Delhi, which specialises in fire safety products. However, it's a good idea to invest in a fire extinguisher, which can be classified into various types:
Class A: Fires involving wood, paper, cloth etc (solids)
Class B: Fires involving petroleum products etc (liquids)
Class C: Fires involving LPG, CNG gases etc (gasses)
Class ABC: Fires resulting from all three
"The ABC type extinguisher is the best choice as it beats any sort of fire as well as can be operated with ease even by a child," adds Handu. It costs about Rs 1,500 for 2 kg (model). A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher costs Rs 3,300 and is meant for electrical and kerosene related fires.

The Yellow Pages in your city/town has a list of companies, which provide fire safety products like fire extinguishers for home and office use.

Most companies offer a demo on how to use fire extinguishers and other fire fighting products.
Have you experienced any disasters in your kitchen?

10 smart eating habits....

2007-07-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

Most of us have a busy work schedules and a dozen other commitments to look into.
But, to do justice to all these various aspects of your life, you MUST pay attention to your diet and health.
How you eat your food is as important as what you eat. So, the next time you sit down to eat, enjoy your meal by keeping these pointers in mind.

1 Eat slowly; chew your food well :

It takes 20 minutes before your stomach sends a clear message to your brain that you're full. If you take the time to chew your food well, you will find you end up eating less. Ideally, you should have smaller, frequent meals as opposed to larger, infrequent ones.

2 Eat more:

If you want to lose weight, starving yourself does not help -- you need to eat well.
Surprised?
Here's the explanation: When your body doesn't receive the required nutrients, your metabolism slows down. Metabolism is the rate at which you burn calories while resting. So, if you don't eat enough, fewer calories will be burnt and there will be less fat loss. You should eat small meals at regular intervals to keep your energy levels high. Eat till you are satiated (at the same time, don't forget what we suggested in Tip No 1).

3 Eat less red meat:

Red meats are high in saturated fat and should be avoided by people with high cholesterol.

Chicken and fish are the best meats to consume.

Fish is better than chicken because it has antioxidants. Antioxidants are organic substances that include vitamins C, E, A and carotenoids; carotenoids add pigment to some fruits and vegetables. For instance, carrots wouldn't be orange without them. Beta-carotenoid is the most popular of carotenoids. Antioxidants help prevent cancer, heart disease and stroke. These meats can be baked, grilled or roasted. Frying will add unnecessary fat.

4 Prevent constipation:

Add fibre to your diet; this adds bulk to your food and prevents constipation. Whole grain foods like oatmeal, bran, wheat germ, brown rice, fruits (especially with their skin), prunes (dried plums), etc, are all good sources of fibre. Home remedies for constipation including the following: ~ Have guavas with the seeds.~ Have honey in a glass of milk twice a day.~ Have one tablespoon of corn syrup in a glass of water. Corn syrup is actually corn starch, which is primarily glucose. It is used in making candies, jams and jellies because it does not crystallise like sugar. Corn syrup is available in any well-stocked supermarket.

5. Have onion and garlic

Onion decreases blood pressure and garlic decreases cholesterol. Any amount and form of onion and garlic will give you the benefits of their properties, but a raw garlic clove taken on an empty stomach in the morning is the best.

6. Use less salt in your cooking:

Use minimum amount of salt for cooking if you have high blood pressure. Salt also causes water retention. This means your body will retain water if it is not receiving enough. After all, it still has to carry on the normal functioning of the organs and, if you are not drinking enough H2O, then the body starts keeping it. Water being taken in other forms, such as, soups, dals, drinks, etc, is retained for later use. Bloating and puffiness are all signs of water retention.

7. Have calcium-rich foods

Use skimmed or double-toned milk and milk products as these contain less fat. Double-toned milk has lesser fat than toned or full cream milk. In the non-packaged variety, cow's milk is just as good as skimmed milk; it is definitely better than buffaloes' milk as the latter contains large amounts of fat. You should have between one and two glasses of milk a day.

Other sources of calcium and protein can be taken instead of milk, if one is allergic to it. Calcium rich foods include almonds, figs, red kidney beans (rajma), mustard greens (sarson ka saag), etc. Proteins can be found in meats, sprouts, soya, dals, etc.

8 Switch from maida to whole grains:

Replace maida products with whole grains, whole wheat, soya breads, etc, as these have a good amount of fibre; fibre helps in binding cholesterol, which helps in less production of bad cholesterol. Whole grain foods like oatmeal, bran, wheat germ and brown rice, fruits, especially with skins, prunes, etc, are all good sources of fibre. Too much fibre may cause loose stools, so you have to monitor your individual intake accordingly. Medically, approximately 25 gm of fibre a day is enough to help maintain your digestive system. A good indicator: four slices of brown bread contains five grams of fibre; so does one large banana or orange.

9) Have foods that contain iron:

These include red meats, especially liver, fruits like watermelon and pomegranate, vegetables like spinach, beans, beets and broccoli, whole grains, dried fruits, especially prunes, sunflower seeds, etc.

10. Relish the flavours

You may have heard some of these before. But the best good food habit, which we all seem to overlook, is to actually taste and enjoy the flavour of the food with your emotions instead of just your tongue.

Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:

2007-07-25T17:41:00.000-07:00

It is found that mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases.Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world.Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in theRight dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, on its issue dated 17 January has given the following list of diseases that can be cured byHoney and Cinnamon as researched by western scientists.

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply onBread, chapatti, or other bread, instead of jelly and jam and eat it Regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries And saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who already had anAttack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away fromThe next attackRegular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and Strengthens the heartbeat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes Have treated patients successfully and have found that as age theArteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey andCinnamon revitalizes the arteries and veins.

INSECT BITES : Take one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water andAdd a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it On the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the painRecedes withinA minute or two.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, oneCup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon ofCinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can beCured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it Was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of One tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before Breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people soTreated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain andWithin a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move Around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

HAIR LOSS: Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply aPaste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon ofCinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. And thenWash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 Minutes.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and oneTeaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. ItDestroys the germs in the bladder.

TOOTHACHE: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and fiveTeaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied 3 times a day till the tooth stops aching.

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of CinnamonPowder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol Patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 Times a day, any Chronic cholesterol is cured. As per informationReceived in the said journal, pure honey taken with food dailyRelieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one Tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for 3Days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear theSinuses

UPSET STOMACH : Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachacheAnd also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealedThat if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of Gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens theImmune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks.Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in largeamounts.Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight Bacteria and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honeyTaken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains aNatural ingredient, which kills the influenza germs and saves thePatient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make liketea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of Honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and washit next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, itremoves pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS : Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts onthe affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamonpowder boiled in one-cup water. If taken regularly it reduces theweight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even thoughthe person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed thatadvanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully.Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take onetablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey ismore helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of thebody. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton who has done research saysthat a half tablespoon honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled withcinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3.00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases thevitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water. Sotheir breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts restore hearing.

CAN'T HURT TO TRY IT, IT MAY WORK. NO KNOWN SIDE EFFECTS. JUST MAKESURE YOU'RE NOT ALLERGIC TO HONEY--HONEY! !!!!!!!!! !

Seven techniques to help you relax.

2007-07-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

Today's fast-paced lifestyles force us to push our minds and bodies to the limit, usually at the expense of our physical and mental well-being. When we become stressed, our bodies switch to a mode called the 'fight or flight response', which is characterized by increased heart rate, blood pressure, higher breathing rate, etc. Over time, these reactions increase cholesterol levels, disturb intestinal activities, depress the immune system, and leave us feeling 'stressed out.'

"Relaxation techniques are great tools for dealing with stress and promoting long-term health by slowing down the body and calming the mind," says Ashish Verma, Hyderabad-based relaxation and wellness training consultant. "Used daily, these techniques can lead to a healthier outlook towards stressful situations and a decline in stress-related disorders such as anxiety, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, insomnia, etc."

Here are some techniques you might want to consider:

1. Deep breathing:

A simple but effective method of relaxation. "It works well in conjunction with other relaxation techniques such as Progressive Muscular Relaxation, imagery and meditation for reducing stress," says Ravi Tripathi, a yoga teacher based at Kanpur. Here's how to do it:Inhale. Close your mouth, loosen your shoulders, and inhale as slowly and deeply as you can.
Hold. Keep the air in your lungs as you slowly count to 6.
Exhale. Release the air through your mouth, again slowly counting to 6.

Repeat. Go over the inhale-hold- exhale cycle 5-10 times.

2. Progressive Muscular Relaxation (PMR):

This is good for relaxing your body, especially when your muscles are tense. It requires slowly tensing and then releasing every muscle group individually, from the toes all the way up to the face. "It is useful for calming nerves before an important

presentation or performance, and for quieting down when you are highly stressed," says Ashish Verma.

3. Meditation:

"The concept behind meditation is to consciously relax your body and focus your thought processes on one particular thing for a prolonged period. Your mind thus remains occupied and diverted from issues causing you stress," says Tripathi. Follow these steps:� Sit comfortable and quietly.
� Close your eyes.
� Relax your body muscles (you can use a technique like Progressive Muscular Relaxation for this).
� Focus on your breathing.
� Breathe in deeply, then exhale. Count your
breaths (gives you something to do with your mind, helping avoid distraction) .
� Repeat this for 10 or 15 minutes.

4. Self-hypnosis:

"This is when you hypnotise yourself. Affirmations are often used -- positive statements we repeat to ourselves to counter stress and unpleasant thoughts. An example of an affirmation is 'I feel vibrant and alive. I love how I feel'," says Verma. Sit down at a quiet, comfortable place. Relax your body. Imagine waves of relaxation running down your body from your head downwards, washing away stress. Feel the muscles in your body relaxing as waves of relaxation wash over them.

Next, utilise suggestion to deepen the state of relaxation. You can do this by simply saying to yourself: 'I am tired and sleepy. I can feel my arms and legs getting heavier. I am becoming more and more tired

�' Once you feel completely relaxed, add the affirmations you have prepared too.

5. Yoga:

If you have tried it, you already know that it can help you achieve your goals with more focus and renewed spirit. "Yogic breathing reduces blood pressure and brings intense relaxation.

Furthermore, it gives you improved appearance via better posture, muscle and skin-tone, if practiced regularly. Bones and muscles are strengthened and joints become more flexible. It is also amazing to see how much more positive a person's outlook on life becomes within just a few months of practice," says Tripathi.

6. Imagery:

You may have noticed how particular environments can be very relaxing, while others can be extremely stressful. This is the idea behind the use of imagery in stress reduction. "You use your imagination to recreate a scene, place or event that you recall as being relaxing, safe, peaceful, beautiful and happy. You can bring all your senses into the image by, for instance, imagining sounds of running water and birds, the smell of cut grass, etc. Use the imagined place as a peaceful retreat from stress and pressure," says Verma.

7. Music or suggestion CDs:

Another approach is listening to calming music or relaxation tapes. Soothing music has a lot of power to influence your thoughts and feelings. "It takes no effort from your side to listen to these. Moreover, they can be very welcome at the end of a long day," says Verma.

Examples of such audio CD titles are Yoga Nidra - Complete Relaxation by Yogacharya Arunkumar (approximately Rs 150) and Ragas for Relaxation (a collection of Indian classical music by various artists for approximately Rs 295).

With continued practice in the techniques enumerated above, you may experience renewed energy, better concentration, better ability to deal with problems, more efficiency in daily activities, less indigestion, headaches, nausea, and less frequent emotional responses like anger, anxiety, crying, anxiety, apprehension and frustration.

Sounds good, doesn't it? What are you waiting for?

8 Foods for your Skin

2007-07-24T18:25:00.001-07:00

by Dr Parul S Kolhe is an MBBS, DDV and DNB in dermatology.

When it comes to glowing flawless skin, you may think only creams and lotions can do the trick.

We showcase some foods that literally feed your skin from within, making it healthier and more beautiful.

Oranges

What they do: They are loaded with Vitamin C, which protects your skin from damage from environmental factors like ultraviolet rays.
Vitamin C keeps your gums healthy and helps your skin to make collagen, which is necessary to keep it tight and wrinkle free.

How to consume: You need 200 mg of Vitamin C per day. There's enough in one orange for your entire day's needs.

It's better to consume the whole fruit than just have the juice.

Smoking is a no-no as it decreases the absorption of Vitamin C into the system.

Conditions it helps:

~ Bleeding, tender gums.
~ Healing wounds.
~ Prevents skin from looking dull due exposure to
the sun.

Papayas :

What they do: This delicious, low-calorie fruit is not just a dieter's delight; it comes packed with carotenoids that release Vitamin A.

Vitamin A has an antioxidant effect; it protects your skin from damage and keeps it young. It is also known to decrease the risk of cancer.

How to consume: About 200 gm (a big bowlful) is adequate. The part near the seeds is the richest in nutrients, so it should not be discarded. Instead, just lightly flake off the seeds with a fork.

Conditions it helps:

Dry skin and dry mucosa (the lining of your mouth and eyes).

Whole grains :

What they do: These are full of vitamins of the B group; these vitamins are essential for normal skin functioning, growth of new cells to replace dead ones and to maintain the skin's strength against infections and stress.

Niacin in whole grains also helps skin cells to absorb nutrients from the blood and break them to release energy.

How to consume: Select breads, biscuits and pastas that mention 'whole grain' instead of just wheat flour in the ingredients.

Try to eat unpolished rice (brown rice). You could also add wheat bran (husk of wheat) to your chappatti dough.

Conditions it helps:

~ Peeling, cracked skin
~ Rough hands and feet.
~ Mouth ulcers, sore tongue, rawness at the angles of your mouth.
~ A disease called pellagra, where skin becomes dark, flaky and burnt.

Sunflower seeds

What they do: These light, crisp, nutritious morsels are filled with the goodness of essential fatty acids.

They help your skin secrete natural oils that lubricate it and prevent water loss, keeping your skin soft.

They improve hair texture and decrease blackheads.

How to consume: A few teaspoons once or twice a week is enough. Alternately, use sunflower oil for cooking.

Conditions it helps:

~ Diseases like psoriasis, where you get pink, scaly patches on your skin and cracked soles.
~ Diseases like atopic dermatitis, where skin is excessively dry and sensitive and keeps breaking into rashes.
~ Some forms of acne.

Green tea

What it does: Green tea is loaded with flavinoids and antioxidants. Drinking it is the best gift you could give your skin.
Sunlight, UV rays and free radical (chemicals) in the atmosphere can damage your skin cell's structure and leave it incapable of repairing itself, making you look older and wrinkled before your years. It may also cause skin cancer.
Antioxidants in green tea battle these agents, helping your skin stay younger.
How to consume: Soak a tea bag or a teaspoon of tea leaves in a cup of hot water for at least three minutes to get the full extract. This is available at any pharmacy. Adding milk neutralises the antioxidants, so it is best to have it black.
Conditions it helps:
~ Wrinkled, aged looking skin and sunburns. ~ Rashes due to sun exposure.~ Pigmentation due to menopause or pregnancy.

Pulses

What they do: Pulses are not just a rich source of protein that helps your skin cells grow, they also contain a nutrient called biotin, which helps decrease dandruff and is effective in controlling hair fall. Regular intake keeps your nails stay strong as well.
How to consume: Pulses must be cooked well to break the outer protective coats and release the vitamins inside.
Whole pulses are better than the de-husked variety. Whole moong or urad dal are the best.
Body builders beware; eating raw eggs prevents absorption of nutrients like biotin, causing its deficiency.
Conditions they help:
~ Dull lifeless skin gets a glow with a high protein pulses-rich diet.~ Stops hair loss, decreases dandruff.~ Helps brittle, dry nails.

Aloe Vera

What it does: This miracle plant's products have no end to their virtues. Drinking aloe juice is beneficial for patchy, irritated skin, preventing and treating acne and preventing pigmentation.

How to consume: About 30 ml daily is enough. Buy packaged juice only, which is available with chemists. Don't try to eat the plant jelly directly as you could take in harmful inedible substances from the leaf surface.

Conditions it helps:

Acne, pigmentation, skin rashes, heat rashes and allergic reactions.

Nuts

What they do: These may be high in calories but they are also rich in zinc, which is needed for skin cells to grow, multiply and protect themselves from free radicals.
It is also helpful in maintaining immunity (capability to fight infection) of the skin and helping in normal hair growth.

They also contain essential fatty acids that prevent dryness of skin and hair.

How to consume: A fistful of groundnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashew nuts once or twice a week will give you all health benefits, without shaking the foundations of your calorie count chart. Do remove the skins if you like, but have whole.

Avoid coffee and tea as they decrease absorption of these nutrients from nuts.

Conditions they help:

~ Children with sensitive skin or skin allergies.
~ Hair loss and rough, unruly hair.

How to stay fit in winter & Browse right for products

2007-07-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

Workout regime:

Now is the time to up your intensity and workout religiously. It's a must to exercise during winters because you tend to feel more hungry than usual and working out regulates your hunger.

Try and do cardio early in the morning because you can burn more percentage fat. Weight training should be done in the evenings. If you are doing a combination of weight training and cardio in the morning do weight training first as you will be able to push weights with great intensity, burn more percentage fat and increase your BMR.

It's recommended that you do the combination of weight training and cardio workouts four times a week. Ideally work out for an hour but this is excluding your warm up and cool down time. Keep in mind to increase your warm up time as the body takes time to warm up in winter. After you warm up, do some stretching and then work out. If you exercise or stretch on a cold body you will pull a muscle.

Meal plan:

Eat five to six small meals throughout the day. Here is a list that you could follow:

1) Breakfast:
Cereal, egg white, one toast (brown bread) and a fruit. Don't eat a banana if you want to lose weight because even though it doesn't contain fat, your calorie intake will go up after eating it.Mid morning snackA fruit.

2) Lunch:
Roti or rice with dal or sambar and vegetables.

3) Mid afternoon:
A protein snack like an egg sandwich or a tofu or soya sandwich for vegetarians.

4) 6:30/7:00 pm:
This is the time when one gets very hungry so you can have two idlis with sambar or one dosa. The percentage fat in coconut is very high so coconut chutney is not advisable.

5) Dinner:
Clear soup and a big bowl of vegetable salad.

Wrong posture can ruin backs

2007-07-24T17:34:00.001-07:00

A few years back, lower back problems could have been termed rare, however today it's become as common as the common cold. If doctors are to be believed almost 95 per cent of the population suffers from low back pain at some point in their life. Says Dr Surya Prakash, an orthopedic surgeon,

"Almost 50 per cent of my outpatient turn up has this complaint. Most are in the age group of 20 to 40." While most often people tend to neglect such pain, they are advised not to, for it could get serious, resulting in sciatica (slipped disc), spondylolysis or spondilolythesis.

That's exactly what happened to Vinai Rajaram, a research scholar, whose work in the lab involved sitting at one place for long hours, studying samples and carrying out experiments. "Eariler I thought it was normal back pain and neglected it. I would sit at one place for 5-6 hours at a stretch.

Then when I started feeling a kind of numbness in my legs, I checked with a doctor and was told that it's just the beginning of spondilolysis. I've been advised to wear a lumber belt while working," he says.

Though not peculiar to any particular profession or age group, doctors owe lower back pain to jobs that involve sitting at one place for long hours. "Sitting down puts more pressure on the back than standing upright. When you sit, you are straining your vertebrae and the spinal chord.

Sometimes, owing to the mismatched heights and sizes of the table and the chair, people tend to raise themselves with the support of their butt to read what's written on the computer. This again puts a lot of pressure on the back and also the shoulders.

The pain then starts radiating either from the back to the shoulders or to the legs," informs Dr Narendra Nath, an orthopedic surgeon.

Explaining the extent to which this can damage the backbone and spinal cord, Dr Prakash says, "Sitting alone doesn't cause any severe problem as such. However, it weakens your vertebrae to such an extent that you are more prone to injuries.

The pressure imposed on the spinal cord can cause your discs to bulge, thereby pressing against the spine." Under such conditions, a small jerk, even bending down to pick something can cause the discs between the vertebrae to slip. The condition is called sciatica or slipped disk.

Though people respond to non-surgical methods of treatment for slipped discs, sometimes surgery is required. Another condition referred to as instability in common terms could be caused due to repetitive stress and not taking breaks in between sitting.

"Many people neglect their pain and think that it would subside with a day's rest. But's that's not true with every case. If the frequency of back pain is higher, we check the patient for spondylolysis and spondilolythesis.

In these the patient develops tiny cracks and fractures in his backbone due to repeated stress or prolonged negligence of low back pain. Severe cases require surgery, otherwise wear a lumbar belt," says Dr Prakash. So if you don't want to end up wearing one to work, follow the above mentioned rules.

Back rest:

* Take a break every 25 minutes if your work requires you to sit for long hours. Take a walk for at least three minutes before you get back.

* Keep changing your sitting position to give your back some rest.

* The best position would be to move back into your chair and cross your legs. So that you have a slight slouch when you sit. A bolt upright position causes maximum stress to the back.

* Chairs shouldn't be bolt straight, they should curve and tilt according to the mild contours of the body

* Never neglect back pains because they could also be caused due to certain underlying conditions like gynaecological problems, surgical changes, bone or tissue growth, etc.

* Exercise is important, it strengthens your backbone and makes your body flexible.

* Visit a doctor when you suffer from one and practice the spinal exercises that the physiotherapist suggests.

Reduce salt for healthy heart

2007-07-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

Cutting back on salt may help protect our hearts and could lower the risk of death from cardiovascular disease by up to a fifth.

US researchers also found that it could reduce a person's chances of developing cardiovascular disease by a quarter.

The research provides some of the strongest objective evidence to date that lowering the amount of salt eaten reduces the long-term risk of future cardiovascular disease, according to the report's authors.

Researchers who carried out the study, published on the British Medical Journal's website, followed up participants from two trials completed in the 1990s staged to analyse the effect that reducing salt in the diet had on blood pressure.

All of the people studied by the US team from Boston had high-normal blood pressure - pre-hypertension - and were therefore at greater risk of developing conditions like a stroke or heart disease.

Scientists examined 744 people in the first study in 1990 and 2,382 in the second, which ended in 1995.

In both trials participants reduced their sodium intake by 25 to 35 per cent alongside a control group who did not cut back on their intake.

Living With Polycythemia Vera

2007-07-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

Preventing Complications
You may have polycythemia vera (PV) long before you see signs or symptoms of the disease. If you have PV, the sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner your doctor can begin treating you.

Activities such as walking can help improve your blood circulation if you have PV. Moderate exercise that safely increases your heart rate improves the flow of blood to the parts of your body. Improving blood flow reduces the chances that you might develop blood clots. Leg and ankle stretching exercises also can help improve your blood circulation.

If you have PV, you may experience itchiness all over as a symptom of the disease. It is important not to damage your skin from scratching. If bathing or showering causes you to have severe itching, try using cooler water and gentler soap. Dry your skin carefully and gently after baths and use moisturizing lotion on the skin.

Due to poor blood flow in the hands and feet that results from PV, you may be more prone to injury from exposure to cold, heat, and pressure. If you have PV, it is important for you to avoid prolonged exposure to extremes in temperature or pressure.

In cold weather, you should wear warm clothing. Take particular care with your hands and feet. Warm gloves, socks, and shoes are very important protection for you.

Avoid extreme heat. Protect yourself from the sun. Drink plenty of liquids. Avoid hot tubs, heated whirlpools, or highly heated baths of any type. Be very careful of tanning booths, sun lamps, or heat lamps.

In playing sports or carrying out daily activities, guard against trauma or situations where your body is put under pressure. If you are injured, seek treatment as quickly as possible. Tell the person treating you that you have PV.

Check your feet regularly and report any sores to the doctor.

Ongoing Health Care Needs

If you have PV, you will require regular medical care and monitoring of your condition for the rest of your life. It is important to see your doctor for any prescribed treatments for your PV. Your doctor will want to monitor your condition closely. This is important so that your doctor can detect any changes in your condition and treat them early, if necessary. Your doctor may need to perform periodic blood tests to determine the course of the disease. If your doctor prescribes medicine, you will need to take it as prescribed.

Key Points

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare, chronic disease in which your body produces too many red blood cells. These extra blood cells thicken your blood, which can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart attack .

Polycythemia vera is also known as primary polycythemia. A mutation in the JAK 2 gene causes PV, but the cause of the mutation is not known.

Secondary polycythemia is caused by long-term exposure to low levels of oxygen. It is not related to the JAK 2 gene.

PV is a very rare blood disease. It is more common in adults older than 60 years and in men.
The most common signs and symptoms of PV are pressure or fullness on the left side of the abdomen due to enlargement of the spleen, headache, double vision, itching all over, reddened face, weakness, dizziness, and unexplained weight loss.

PV is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical exam, age, test results, and overall health.
The goals of treating PV are to control your symptoms and reduce the risk of complications caused by thickened blood and blood clots.

Treatment may include phlebotomy (removing blood to reduce the number of red blood cells), medicine, or biological therapy.

PV cannot be prevented, but treatment can prevent or delay symptoms and complications. Some cases of secondary polycythemia may be prevented by not doing things that deprive your body of oxygen for a long time.

If you have PV, you will need regular medical care and monitoring for the rest of your life. It is important to follow the treatments your doctor prescribes.

How Can Polycythemia Vera Be Prevented?

Polycythemia vera (PV) cannot be prevented. But with treatment, symptoms and complications can be prevented or delayed.

Secondary polycythemia may be prevented in some cases by not doing things that deprive your body of normal levels of oxygen for a long time. Some things, like mountain climbing, living at high altitudes, or smoking, can be avoided or stopped.

People with serious lung or heart disease may develop secondary polycythemia. In such cases, your doctor will treat the disease that deprives your body of oxygen as effectively as possible. Living a healthy lifestyle that reduces the chances of developing heart and lung disease will help you prevent secondary polycythemia as well.

http://www.nhlbi. nih.gov/health/ dci/Diseases/ poly/poly_ all.html

Surprising News About Aspirin and Women's Hearts

2007-07-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

Though heart disease and stroke are equal-opportunity diseases, they affect men and women differently. Women, for instance, typically develop heart disease a decade later than men. In the U.S. nearly as many women as men die from heart attacks, but women are more likely to die from strokes. These disparities are largely due to biology. Scientists now know that women have smaller coronary arteries, for instance, and that artery-narrowing plaque develops somewhat differently in women. Hormones help explain some of these cardiovascular differences.

Now a long-awaited study on low-dose aspirin as a preventive for cardiovascular disease reveals other important gender differences.Research on low-dose aspirin has been done largely with men, primarily because heart disease used to be seen as a man's disease. It is known that aspirin reduces the risk of second heart attacks in men and, though there is less evidence, in women. As for healthy people, studies have found a protective effect against heart attacks, but have included few women. Do healthy women also benefit from low-dose aspirin? The Women's Health Study, published in March in the New England Journal of Medicine, provides some answers.

The 10-year study, the largest and best so far, included nearly 40,000 healthy women age 45 and older (the great majority health-conscious and under 65). Half took low-dose aspirin every other day; half took a placebo. Here are the key findings:

Overall, aspirin did not reduce the risk of a first heart attack or death from cardiovascular disease, as it does in men. This is the headline you may have seen in the newspaper. But age was a crucial factor. In women over 65, aspirin did reduce the risk of heart attacks by 34%.

Aspirin reduced the risk of ischemic stroke (the most common type) by 24%, on average, but most of the benefit was seen in women over 65. There was an increased risk of hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke--not surprising, since aspirin reduces blood clotting--but this was not statistically significant. Most studies on men have not found protection against ischemic stroke.

Women taking aspirin were more likely to have gastro-intestinal bleeding, a well-known and potentially serious side effect. To put this in perspective, among the 20,000 women taking aspirin, 51 ischemic strokes were prevented over 10 years, but an extra 160 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding (36 requiring transfusions) occurred.

What this means for women

In light of these new findings, doctors should consider aspirin therapy for women over 65, especially those at high risk for heart attack or stroke. The risk factors include hypertension, high blood cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, inactivity, smoking, and a family history of cardiovascular disease. For women under 65, aspirin's benefit remains unproven, unless they've already had a heart attack.

Because of the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, no one--man or woman--should start taking low-dose aspirin without first consulting a doctor. This is especially true of people with uncontrolled hypertension (since they are at increased risk for a hemorrhagic stroke, and aspirin increases the risk), those with bleeding disorders or a history of ulcers, and those regularly taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen) for pain relief.

Note: This study used an unusual aspirin regimen, 100 milligrams (about one-third of a full-dose aspirin) every other day. Typically one-quarter aspirin (81 milligrams, or a "baby" aspirin) is taken daily, or half an aspirin (162 milligrams) every other day. But, according to the researchers, blood tests showed that this regimen was also effective. A given dose of aspirin produces higher blood levels in women than in men. The fact is, no one really knows what the optimal dose is--for men or women.

2007-07-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

Most Muslims are aware of and try to avoid the major sins in Islam - murder, suicide, adultery, alcohol, gambling, usury, etc. Muslims are forbidden to harm themselves or others. Yet millions of Muslims all over the world are doing just that - harming, even killing themselves and their families. Islamic scholars have historically had mixed views on the subject, and the actions of these Muslims have not been unanimously forbidden or even discouraged.

The danger is tobacco use - cigarette and cigar smoking, chew, etc. The mixed views on the subject came about because cigarettes are a more recent invention and did not exist at the time of the revelation of the Qur'an in the 7th century A.D.

Therefore, one cannot find a verse of Qur'an or words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saying clearly that "Cigarette smoking is forbidden." However, there are many instances where the Qur'an gives us general guidelines, and calls upon us to use our reason and intelligence, and seek guidance from Allah about what is right and wrong. In the Qur'an, Allah says, ....he [the Prophet] commands them what is just, and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good, and prohibits them from what is bad..." (Surah al-Ar'af 7:157). So what are the evils of tobacco use, for your health and for your deen (religion)?

1. Danger to your health
Allah says,"...make not your own hands contribute to your destruction..."(Surah al-Baqarah 2:195, );"...nor kill yourselves..." (Surah al-Nisaa 4:29). It is universally understood that cigarette smoking causes a number of health problems that often ultimately result in death. Men who smoke contract lung cancer at 22 times the rate of non-smokers. Smokers are also highly at risk for heart disease, emphysema, oral cancer, stroke, etc. There are hundreds of poisonous and toxic ingredients in the cigarette itself that the smoker inhales straight into the lungs. In an authentic hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that "Whomsoever drinks poison, thereby killing himself, will sip this poison forever and ever in the fire of Jahannum (Hell)." Over 3 million people worldwide die from smoking-related causes each year.

2. Danger to your family's health
In the Qur'an, Allah says: "Those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly bear on themselves a glaring sin" (Surat al-Ahzaab 33:58). And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that "there should be neither harming, nor reciprocating harm.? In another hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt his neighbour." Those around the smoker inhale what is known as "second-hand smoke" - the unfiltered, poisonous waste that goes in the air around the smoker. There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, over 40 of which are known to cause cancer. Second-hand smoke causes or aggravates asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems, especially in children.

3. Addictive
The addiction to tobacco is a physical response that often interferes with one's life and worship. For example, most Muslims are aware that it is forbidden to smoke during the fasting days of Ramadan. Many of these addicted smokers spend their fasting days sleeping, cranky, and short-tempered, just counting the hours until they can have their fix. There have been times when the most severely addicted will wait outside the masjid door for the adhaan, and break their fast by lighting up, before taking even food or water.

4. Noxious Smell
Muslims are advised to refrain from eating raw onions and garlic - simply as a courtesy to those around them. Nobody likes the smell. The same goes even more so for the reek of cigarettes, which permeates everything around the smoker - hair, clothing, home, car, etc. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: whoever has eaten from such greens as garlic, onions or leek should keep away from our mosque.? Many smokers try to hide the smell by using breath mints or perfume. This does not get rid of the smell, it only masks it. Often the combination of smells is even more nauseating.

5. Waste of Money
Allah says, "...But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the devils...?{Surah al-Israa?17:26-27} And in an authentic hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that: "Allah hates for you three things: gossiping, begging, and wasting money." In the U.S. and other countries, cigarettes are taxed heavily in order to discourage this habit and reimburse the government for the overwhelming health care costs to care for those afflicted with diseases caused by smoking. Smokers often spend thousands of dollars a year that literally just go up in smoke.

Recent Opinions of Scholars
In more recent times, as these dangers of tobacco use have come to be proven beyond any doubt, scholars have become more unanimous in pronouncing tobacco use clearly Haraam (forbidden) to believers. They now use the strongest terms to condemn this habit.

How to Quit?
As mentioned, one of the dangers of tobacco is that it is so addicting. It causes a physical response in your body when you try to give it up. Therefore, quitting is often difficult. However, with the help of Allah and the personal commitment to improve yourself for the sake of Allah, and for your own health, it is possible. It is first recommended to make the firm intention, from deep in your heart, to give up this evil habit. Trust in Allah's words: "...When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. If Allah help you, none can overcome you; if He forsakes you, who is - after that - that can help you? In Allah, then, let believers put their trust" (Surah Al-'lmran 3:159-160).

Secondly, one must avoid situations where you are used to smoking, and people who do so around you. For example, if you have certain friends who gather together and they all constantly smoke - make a choice (Allah gave you free will to choose!) to stay away from that environment for the time being. At a vulnerable stage, it is too easy to get sucked back in by having "just one." Remember, tobacco causes a physical addiction and you must stay away completely. Drink a lot of water and keep yourself busy in other endeavours. Go to the masjid. Play sports. And remember the words of Allah: "And those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will certainly guide them to Our Paths, for verily Allah is with those who do right? (Surah al-Ankabut 29:69).

For more information about the proven dangers of smoking, and advice on how to quit, visit About.com's Smoking Cessation website.

Living With a Smoker
If you live with or are friends with smokers, first of all encourage them to quit, for the sake of Allah, their deen, and their health. If they refuse (and ultimately we will face Allah alone), you have the right to protect your own health and the health of your children. Do not allow it in the house. Do not allow it in enclosed quarters with your family. Even if the smoker is a parent, we are not to obey our parents in things which are forbidden by Allah.

And this is a reminder to all of us. As we all know the facts (from the CIA book of records):

1) Total world population: 6.5 billion.

2) Total population of Muslims (Masha'Allaah!): 2 billion (2,023,829,080) i.e. out of every 4 human on this earth, one is a Muslim.

3) Total cigarette smokers in the world: 1.15 billion (1,158,536,585) i.e. 18% of the population approximately.

4) Total Muslim cigarette smokers in the world (according to the world percentage): 400,000,000 approximately. (400 million).

Do you know?

1. Phillip Morris is the largest tobacco & cigarette manufacturing company in the world.

2. Phillip Morris donates 12% of its profits to Israel.

3. If 400 million Muslims smoke a packet of cigarette each on average per day (average cost per packet being $2.00) - only us Muslims contribute $ 800 million to the Phillip Morris company.

4. Let us assume 10% profit on this amount, which sums up to $ 80 million. 5. 12 % of the profits go to Israel - 12% of $80 million = $ 9.6 million. $ 9.6 million per day!

This is the amount that we Muslims are contributing to Israel and helping them kill our children in Palestine.

Pregnancy Risk Factors

2007-07-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy Risk Factors that Every Pregnant Woman Should be Aware of many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy child, some which are beyond your control and others that are within your control. Here are the most common pregnancy risk factors that can be controlled or influenced:

Exercise - Moderate exercise is helpful as it improves the mother's mental state and can increase oxygen flow to the fetus. However, over-exertion can be dangerous. Most experts recommend reducing your exercise intensity during pregnancy. Activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are popular for pregnant women.

Prenatal Care - Regular doctor visits are important to your baby's development. The body undergoes many changes during pregnancy. Some side effects may be completely normal, whereas other may not. Regular monitoring by a professional will help ensure that your baby will be born healthy.

Exposure to chemicals - During pregnancy, reduce exposure to unnatural chemicals, particularly pesticides in food. Many people now eat organic produce, which is grown without chemicals. The simplest precaution to take before consuming vegetables or fruits is to wash them thoroughly. Also, removing the outer surface of vegetables can be helpful since most pesticides will rest on the outside of the vegetable or fruit.

Smoking - Smoking is not only bad for you, but bad for your baby as well. Smoking during pregnancy reduces the amount of oxygen that the baby receives and increases the risk of miscarriage, bleeding, and morning sickness. Chemicals inhaled while smoking may lead to other health problems with the baby. Reduced birth weight, premature birth, increased risk of SIDS, and stillbirth are other possible consequences. Pregnant women should also avoid second hand smoke.

Alcohol - Drinking can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, including symptoms like low birth weight, medical problems, and behavior abnormalities. As soon as you know you are pregnant, stop drinking. For more detailed information on problems that can be caused by alcohol,

Caffeine - There are many conflicting studies about caffeine and pregnancy and some believe that caffeine is not as harmful as it was once thought to be. Nevertheless, the FDA warns against caffeine consumption during pregnancy and suggests quitting or reducing consumption at the very least. Caffeine has been shown to affect fetal heart rates and awake time (fetuses grow when sleeping). Decaffeinated coffee can also be harmful since producers often add additional chemicals to remove the caffeine. Caffeine can also increase risk of stretch marks. Suddenly quitting coffee intake can cause headaches; so most experts recommend gradually reducing the amount consumed.

Drugs and Herbal Remedies - Always be careful about drugs or herbal remedies that are not prescribed by a doctor. These substances may affect the development of your unborn child.

Nutrition - Good nutrition is crucial to a developing child, particularly getting enough folic acid. Lack of folic acid can cause birth defects. At least 400-1000 micrograms of this B vitamin is suggested (about ten times more if you've already had a child with neural tube birth defects) starting one month before pregnant and throughout the entire pregnancy. Leafy vegetables, orange juice, and beans are some natural sources of folic acid. Many stores sell vitamins with folic acid.

Other factors - Many other factors can affect fetal development, including heart disease, the mother's age (before 15 years and after 35 years is riskier), asthma, excessive stress or depression, diseases, and bleeding. Consult your physician if you are affected by any of these conditions.

Learn More About Preagnancy
http://online-articles.org/pregnancy/site-map.php

Beat Stress, Drink Tea

2007-07-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

Regular cups of tea can help speed recovery from stress, researchers from University College London (UCL).

Men who drank black tea four times a day for six weeks were found to have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than a control group who drank a fake tea substitute, the researchers said in a study published in the journal Psychopharmacology.

The tea drinkers also reported a greater feeling of relaxation after performing tasks designed to raise stress levels.

Andrew Steptoe, of UCL's department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and one of the report's authors, said the findings could have important health implications.

"Slow recovery following acute stress has been associated with a greater risk of chronic illness such as coronary heart disease.

"Although it does not appear to reduce the actual levels of stress we experience, tea does seem to have a greater effect in bringing stress hormone levels back to normal."

In the study, 75 tea-drinking men were split into two groups, all giving up their normal tea, coffee and caffeinated drinks.

Half were given a fruit-flavored caffeinated tea mixture made up of the usual constituents of a cup of black tea.

The others were given a caffeinated substitute, identical in taste but without the active tea ingredients.

Neither the participants or the researchers knew who was drinking real or false tea.

At the end of six weeks the participants were given a series of tests designed to raise their stress levels, including being given five minutes to prepare and deliver a presentation.

The researchers found that stress levels, blood pressure and heart rate rose similar amounts in both groups.

But 50 minutes after the tasks cortisol levels had fallen an average of 47 percent among the tea drinkers, compared to 27 percent in the fake tea group.

Steptoe said it was not known which ingredients in tea were responsible for the effects found in the study.

How to gain weight

2007-07-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

For many people, gaining weight can be just as difficult as losing weight. Often a change in diet can help a person add desired pounds.

Instructions:

STEP 1: Eat nutritious foods that are high in calories. Examples are whole-grain breads, vegetables such as avocados and potatoes, kidney beans, lean red meat, poultry and fish.

STEP 2: Increase the caloric value of your meals. Add powdered milk to casseroles for added calories, add avocados and olives to sandwiches, add wheat germ to your cereal, add chopped meat to your pasta sauce, and so on.

STEP 3: Avoid skipping meals. Eat three meals a day and at least two snacks.

STEP 4: Increase your normal portion size. Take a second scoop of pasta, or add two bananas to your oatmeal.

STEP 5: Choose higher-calorie foods when given a choice. For example, corn is higher in calories than green beans.

STEP 6: Relax - excessive fidgeting and restlessness can burn up a lot of calories.

STEP 7: Add weight lifting to your exercise program. It helps build muscle mass.

STEP 8: Balance your caloric intake with the number of calories you're burning. You need to be taking in more than you use up, and you may need to ease up a little on your exercise program.

Tips & Warnings

You should have a doctor rule out any physical problems, such as hormonal imbalances, if you cannot seem to put on any weight.

Although it seems like a logical way to bulk up, avoid adding excess fat and sweets to your diet. Eat fats and oils in moderation; they should account for no more than 30 percent of your total caloric intake.

FOOD AS MEDICINE

2007-07-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

HEADACHE? EAT FISH!
Eat plenty of fish -- fish oil helps prevent headaches. So does ginger, which reduces inflammation and pain.

HAVE FEVER? EAT YOGURT!Eat lots of yogurt before pollen season. Also-eat honey from your area (local region) daily.

TO PREVENT STROKE DRINK TEA!
Prevent buildup of fatty deposits on artery walls with regular doses of tea. (actually, tea suppresses my appetite and keeps the pounds from invading.... Green tea is great for our immune system)!

INSOMNIA (CAN'T SLEEP?) HONEY!
Use honey as a tranquilizer and sedative.

ASTHMA? EAT ONIONS!!!!
Eating onions helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes. (when I was young, my mother would make onion packs to place on our chest, helped the respiratory ailments and actually made us breathe better).

ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH, TOO!!
Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. (fish has omega oils, good for our immune system)

UPSET STOMACH? BANANAS - GINGER!!!!!
Bananas will settle an upset stomach. Ginger will cure morning sickness and nausea.

BLADDER INFECTION? DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE!!!!
High-acid cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria.

BONE PROBLEMS? EAT PINEAPPLE!!!
Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be prevented by the manganese in pineapple.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME? EAT CORNFLAKES!! !!
Women can ward off the effects of PMS with cornflakes, which help reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue.

MEMORY PROBLEMS? EAT OYSTERS!
Oysters help improve your mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc.

COLDS? EAT GARLIC!Clear up that stuffy head with garlic. (remember, garlic lowers cholesterol, too.)

COUGHING? USE RED PEPPERS!!
A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution-it can irritate your tummy.

BREAST CANCER? EAT Wheat, bran and cabbage.
Helps to maintain estrogen at healthy levels.

LUNG CANCER? EAT DARK GREEN AND ORANGE AND VEGGIES!!!
A good antidote is beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in dark green and orange vegetables.

ULCERS? EAT CABBAGE ALSO!!! Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers.

DIARRHEA? EAT APPLES!Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition. (Bananas are good for this ailment)

CLOGGED ARTERIES? EAT AVOCADO!
Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL!!!
Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure. Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too.

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE? EAT BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!!!The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar.

Kiwi: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E &fiber. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants &flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

Strawberry: Protective fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits &protects the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals. (Actually, any berry is good for you..they're high in anti-oxidants and they actually keep us young....... ..blueberries are the best and very versatile in the health field....... .they get rid of all the free-radicals that invade our bodies)

Orange: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2 - 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer.

Watermelon: Coolest Thirst Quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C &Potassium. (watermelon also has natural substances [natural SPF sources] that keep our skin healthy, protecting our skin from those darn suv rays)

Guava:Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber which helps prevent constipation.

Papaya:Papaya is rich in carotene, this is good for your eyes. (also good for gas and indigestion).

Tomatoes:Tomatoes are very good as a preventative measure for men, keeps those prostrate problems from invading their bodies.

Recipes:The 7-Day Menu Planner.

2007-07-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY (Family)
The family will enjoy the wonderful aroma and delicious taste of PORK TENDERLOIN WITH BROILED APPLES. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup apple jelly, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; blend well. Place 2 pounds pork tenderloins in a shallow roasting pan; brush with half the jelly mixture. Roast 20 to 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 155 degrees. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Place thinly sliced apple slices from 4 cored unpeeled red apples on broiler pan coated with cooking spray; brush with remaining jelly mixture. Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat for 5 minutes or until tender. Slice pork; serve with apple slices. Alongside, add BAKED SWEET POTATOES, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, MIXED GREENS and DINNER ROLLS. For dessert, try fat-free VANILLA ICE CREAM. PLAN AHEAD: Save enough pork for Monday.

SHOPPING LIST: apple jelly, lemons, pumpkin pie spice, pork tenderloins, red apples, cooking spray, sweet potatoes to bake, brussels sprouts, salad greens, dinner rolls, fat-free vanilla ice cream.

MONDAY (Heat and Eat)
Slice the leftover PORK and serve MASHED POTATOES (refrigerated) on the side. Add well-rinsed, refrigerated SAUERKRAUT mixed with some caraway seeds and RYE BREAD. PEACHES are your dessert.

SHOPPING LIST: refrigerated mashed potatoes, refrigerated sauerkraut, caraway seeds, rye bread, peaches.

TUESDAY (Meatless)
PASTA SKILLET WITH TOMATOES AND BEANS (see recipe) is easy and has great flavor. Add a ROMAINE SALAD and GARLIC BREAD. Fresh TROPICAL FRUIT is a light dessert.

SHOPPING LIST: angel hair pasta, olive oil, tomato, garlic, fresh basil, pepper, canned chickpeas, Asiago cheese, balsamic vinegar, romaine, garlic bread, fresh tropical fruit.

WEDNESDAY (Budget)
Save money a delicious way with SWEET AND SPICY GLAZED CATFISH (see recipe). We liked it with CORN-ON-THE- COB, GREEN BEANS and MULTIGRAIN BREAD. Make dessert easy with KIWIFRUIT.

SHOPPING LIST: catfish fillets, salt, pepper, orange marmalade, lemon, paprika, garlic, cayenne pepper, orange, cooking spray, corn-on-the- cob, green beans, multigrain bread, kiwifruit.

THURSDAY (Express)
Yum, yum is the description of SAUCY ITALIAN-STYLE CHICKEN THIGHS (see recipe). Serve it over BROWN RICE to soak up some of the flavorful sauce. Add an ARUGULA SALAD and ITALIAN BREAD. For dessert, PLUMS are good.

SHOPPING LIST: skinless, boneless chicken thighs, canned Italian-style diced tomatoes, tomato paste with Italian seasoning, onion, garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, brown rice, arugula, Italian bread, plums.

FRIDAY (Kids)
Let the kids help prepare HOT DOGS IN CRESCENTS. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Roll fat-free hot dogs in refrigerated crescent rolls. Place on baking sheet; bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden. Serve them with MUSTARD and PICKLE RELISH. Add deli CARROT SALAD. For dessert, top FRESH PINEAPPLE with SHREDDED COCONUT.

SHOPPING LIST: fat-free hot dogs, refrigerated crescent rolls, mustard, pickle relish, deli carrot salad, fresh pineapple, shredded coconut.

SATURDAY (Easy Entertaining)
Invite guests for LAMB KEBABS. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 2 1/2 pounds lamb cubes (1 1/2 inch), 1/4 cup olive oil and 4 fresh rosemary sprigs. Chill 3 hours. Remove lamb; discard marinade. Divide lamb among 8 metal skewers. Alternate lamb with red onion quarters (using 2 onions), 1-inch green bell pepper pieces (1 pepper), fresh mushrooms (1/2 pound), lemon slice (1 lemon) and canned pineapple chunks (1 cup). Sprinkle kebabs with 1 teaspoon salt. Grill, covered, on medium-high heat 5 minutes on each side. Serve the kebabs with RICE PILAF, fresh ZUCCHINI and a BIBB LETTUCE SALAD. Buy FRUIT TARTS for dessert.

SHOPPING LIST: lamb for kebabs, olive oil, fresh rosemary, red onion, green bell pepper, fresh mushrooms, lemon, canned pineapple chunks, salt, rice pilaf, fresh zucchini, Bibb lettuce, store-bought fruit tarts.

Most common Household Toxins

2007-07-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

By Ben Kim, D.C.

Numerous animal studies have linked many of the more than 24,000 toxins that exist in our environment to negative health effects on the following systems:
* Cardiovascular
* Nervous
* Endocrine
* Respiratory
* Reproductive
* Immune

Many household toxins have also been linked to mental and physical developmental problems in children. Because we are unable to feel, see, smell, or taste many household toxins at first contact, it is important to be aware of the most common household toxins and to proactively take measures to prevent or reduce our exposure to them.

(Check ingredient list of the products you buy for these toxins) The most common household toxins are as follows:

1. Triclosan: an antibacterial agent that is chemically similar to the dioxin class of compounds.
Linked to: immune system dysfunction.
Most commonly found in: many liquid soaps and in some deodorants, toothpastes, cosmetics, kitchenware, and children's toys.

2. Phthalates: large phthalates are chemicals that are added to plastics to impart resilience and flexibility. Smaller phthalates are used to prolong the length of time that a scented product maintains its fragrance.
Linked to: endocrine, reproductive, and developmental problems.
Most commonly found in: vinyl flooring, plastic food packaging, plastic bags, plastic clothing, detergents, children's toys, shower curtains, and personal care products like soap, shampoo, nail polish, and hair spray.

3. Bisphenol A: used in epoxy resins that line some metal cans, and to make polycarbonate plastics utilized in a variety of food containers and baby products.
Linked to: endocrine problems.
Most commonly found in: food and drink containers, baby bottles, teethers, toys, metal food cans, and dental sealants used to prevent cavities.

4. Carbon monoxide: formed from incomplete combustion of fuel. Carbon monoxide decreases delivery of oxygen to cells.
Linked to: cardiovascular and nervous system failure.
Most commonly produced by: leaking furnaces and chimneys, gas stoves, wood stoves and fireplaces, back-drafting from gas water heaters, and auto exhaust from an attached garage or nearby traffic.

5. Perfluorinated chemicals: used to make stain-repellents and non-stick surfaces.
Linked to: many different types of cancer and developmental problems in children.
Most commonly found in: teflon-coated cookware, microwave popcorn bags, and stain-guarded clothing, furniture, and carpets.

6. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): chemicals that are released into the air as gases.
Linked to: reproductive, respiratory, neurological, and developmental problems. Also linked to different types of cancer.
Most commonly found in: air fresheners, hair spray, perfumes, cleaning products, paints, carpets, and furniture made out of pressed wood.

7. Radon: odorless gas that forms as uranium in rocks and soil breaks down.
Linked to: lung cancer.
Most commonly found in: confined spaces, the most common of which are poorly ventilated basements that have cracked walls and/or floors.

8. Lead: a heavy metal that can build up in our tissues.
Linked to: cancer, neurological dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and developmental problems in children.
Most commonly found in: lead plumbing pipes found in older homes, lead-based paint, crystal tableware, and some varieties of imported mini-blinds.

9. Pesticides and herbicides: linked to problems with the nervous system, and possibly a risk factor for cancer, developmental challenges, and reproductive problems.
Most commonly found in: non-organic food supply, non-organic farming regions, and non-organic landscaped areas that are well maintained.

Although we are all at risk of experiencing health problems due to exposure to the household toxins listed above, particularly worrisome are the effects that these toxins may have on babies growing in their mothers' wombs.

A study conducted in 2004 by the Environmental Working Group found that umbilical cord blood from 10 newborns contained chemicals used in consumer products, pesticides, and by-products from gasoline, garbage, and the burning of coal.

On average, the blood from each newborn contained 200 industrial pollutants and chemicals. Of the 287 toxins that were found in the newborns' blood, 180 are known to cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are known to be toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 are known to cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.

I think it's important not to become obsessed with living in a way that minimizes exposure to household and other toxins. I firmly believe that such an obsession can quite possibly become an emotional stressor that creates more of a negative impact on our health than toxins themselves.

Still, within the context of living emotionally balanced lives, we can significantly lower our risk of developing many different types of chronic disease by doing our best to avoid the most common sources of the toxins listed in this article.

To read this article on web and subscribe to their newsletter click on
http://drbenkim. com/articles- household- toxins.htm

2007-07-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

Are You Drinking Water from a Plastic Bottle?
Do You Know the Risks?

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., M.S.

A wealth of medical research has revealed that a chemical used to make hard, clear plastics called bisphenol A (BPA), such as those found in baby bottles, food-storage containers and the lining of soda cans, has reached epidemic proportions in America.

Each year, over 6 billion tons of BPA are used to make plastics. The problem occurs when the plastic is heated causing the chemical bonds that BPA forms to unravel contaminating the water or food it is held in.

In addition, washing or exposing plastic to acidic foods can cause the BPA to leach out into the food.

Plastic Industry in State of Denial And while the plastic industry fails to see the need for alarm regarding the health impact of this chemical, researchers with no ties to the industry beg to differ.

Research Findings Scientist studying BPA have found that BPA imitates the sex hormone estradiol (estrogen). It is well accepted that even small amounts of estrogen can induce profound changes in the body. This has raised a red flag and caused concern amoung the scientific community that even the lowest levels of BPA could have a negative impact on one's health.

There is growing evidence (among mice and rats) that low doses of BPA can cause: Hyperactivity
Early puberty
Increased fat formation
Abnormal behavior
Disrupted reproductive cycles
Structural damage to the brain

http://www.freewebs .com/alhealthcar entwk/areyoudrin kingwaterf. htm

Awareness on your Blood Pressure Status

2007-07-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

Human Blood Pressure Range Diagram:

The 1st Number: Systolic pressure is the pressure generated when the heart contracts .

The 2nd Number: Diastolic pressure is the blood pressure when the heart is relaxed.

What is Normal Blood Pressure ? Buy and use a blood pressure monitor.Compare your BP reading with the numbers on the chart above. Draw a line from your systolic pressure to your diastolic pressure.

Is the slope of the line about the same as shown on the chart? Where do YOU fit in? What are your risk factors?

Are your blood pressure readings within the normal blood pressure range?Should you take anti-hypertension medication to lower your blood pressure?

Normal human daily Blood Pressure Range can vary widely, so any single blood pressure monitor reading is not reliable. BP monitor readings must be taken at different times of day, to determine AVERAGE blood pressure over time.

What is important is your AVERAGE BP, or MAP (Mean Arterial Pressure) over time. Or, where are those numbers sitting MOST of the time?

Normal MAP is about 93 mm of mercury.

Lowering High Blood Pressure Tactics

Download a 1-page printable .PDF file of the

Blood Pressure Chart above.

Blood Pressure Range Chart Notes

NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS RANGE

HIGH Blood Pressure Symptoms -Stressed, Sedentary, Bloated, Weak, Failing Systolic - Diastolic
210 - 120 - Stage 4 High Blood Pressure
180 - 110 - Stage 3 High Blood Pressure
160 - 100 - Stage 2 High Blood Pressure
140 - 90 - Stage 1 High Blood Pressure
140 - 90 - BORDERLINE HIGH
130 - 85 - High Normal
120 - 80 - NORMAL Blood Pressure
110 - 75 - Low Normal
90 - 60 - BORDERLINE LOW
60 - 40 - TOO LOW Blood Pressure
50 - 33 - DANGER Blood Pressure
LOW Blood Pressure Symptoms -Weak, Tired, Dizzy, Fainting, Coma

How to Stay Young and Happy.

2007-07-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height.Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends.The grouches pull you down. (keep this In mind if you are one of those grouches.

3. Keep learning:Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,whatever. Never let the brain get idle."An idle mind is the devil's workshop."And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and Lots of time with HIM/HER.

6. The tears happen:Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is yourself. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:If it is good, preserve it.If it is unstable, improve it.If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. , and mean it!

Making Sense of Protein.

2007-07-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

By Ben Kim, D.C.

Are you confused about healthy vs. unhealthy sources of protein and how much you should be eating on a daily basis? Before we address these issues, let's take a look at what protein is and what it does in your body.

Protein provides structure to all of your organs, nerves, hormones, muscles, antibodies, and enzymes. If vitamins and minerals are analogous to workers who help to construct and maintain a building, protein represents some of the concrete and steel that provide a building with its foundation and structure.

Protein is made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids. More specifically, 22 different amino acids combine in numerous ways to make up the tens of thousands of different proteins found in your body. Of these 22 amino acids, eight are considered to be essential, which means that they cannot be made by your body from other nutrients. These eight essential amino acids must be obtained from food.

Plant foods like vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, and even fruit come with some amino acids. But there is no single plant food that comes with all eight essential amino acids. You can get all eight essential amino acids from a plant-based diet, but only if you eat a wide variety of plant foods. All animal foods like eggs, fish, chicken, red meat, and dairy come with all eight essential amino acids.

In other words, one serving of just one animal food will provide you with all eight essential amino acids.

Here are some recommendations on choosing healthy sources of protein and eating the right amount for your situation:

When you eat protein-dense foods like beans, nuts, seeds, and all animal foods, it is essential to chew them until liquid. Doing so will make it easier for the acid in your stomach to break protein down into amino acids and make them available to your blood stream via your small intestine. Chewing until liquid also decreases the potential for food-allergic reactions, as many of these reactions are a result of incompletely digested protein entering your blood stream.

Beans, nuts, seeds, and grains should be soaked in water for at least a few hours, preferably overnight, before eating or preparing to eat. Soaking these foods in water helps to deactivate compounds in these foods that can cause mineral deficiencies and digestive disturbances.

Organic animal foods are best eaten raw, lightly cooked, or braised in broth or water. High cooking temperatures increase the likelihood of making the protein and fat in animal foods harmful to your body.

It is best to avoid luncheon meats and bacon that have been preserved with nitrites or nitrates. These preservatives have been closely linked to many different types of cancer, particularly throughout the digestive tract, bladder, and lungs.

It is best to avoid charcoal grilled meats, as these meats come with chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are used by scientists to induce cancer in animals.

It is best to avoid isolated protein products, usually made from soy, egg whites, whey, and casein. These isolated protein products are typically made with high-temperature processes that can make protein unusable and even harmful to your body. I highly recommend that you avoid all products?even those that are marketed as health food products?that contain any protein isolates. Many health food bars, energy bars, muscle-building supplements, and dietary shakes fall into this category.

When you eat animal foods, it is important to eat them with a large serving of vegetables. The fibre from the vegetables will help to prevent constipation and endogenous toxaemia. The large numbers of natural antioxidants found in all vegetables will help to protect your body against some of the free radicals and other harmful substances that come with cooked animal foods.

In general, the more you exercise, the more protein you need to help replenish and maintain your cells. But no matter how much you exercise, your health is best served by eating no more than half of your body weight (in pounds) in grams per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you can safely eat up to 75 grams of protein from whole foods per day.

If your current health status is such that you need an objective way to monitor how well your body is responding to the amount of protein that you are eating, ask your doctor about monitoring your blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Whenever you eat protein, your body breaks it down into amino acids that contain nitrogen. Nitrogen separates from amino acids and combines with other molecules to form urea. Ultimately, urea is eliminated from your body when your kidneys filter it out of your blood and into your urine. A healthy range for BUN is between 4 to 17 mg/dL. Anywhere between 18 to 21 mg/dL is a sign that you may be eating too much protein, and possibly that your kidneys are under excessive strain. More than 21 mg/dL is a strong sign that you need to significantly reduce your protein intake.

Related Articles
Are You Damaging Your Kidneys Without Knowing It?
Farting and Your Health
An Organic Egg Really Does Do Your Body Good
Choosing Health Fish for Nourishment

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

2007-07-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have provena its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:
Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningtitis, kidney and urine disea ses, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhoea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.

METHOD OF TREATMENT

1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water.

2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes.

3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours.

5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence bytaking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.

6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days oftreatment required to cure main deseases:

1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days
2. Gastric - 10 days
3. Diabetes - 30 days
4. Constipation - 10 days
5. Cancer - 180 days
6. TB - 90 days

Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment for only 3 days. In the 1st week to be followed by daily treatment.

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.

Yoga For Health.

2007-07-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

If the mind is kept cool and calm at all times, you will have wonderful health, strength and vitality.

Let any disease remain in your body. Do not bother too much. Develop the powers of endurance and resistance. Strengthen your body, mind and nerves.

Take plenty of open-air exercises, substantial nutritious food, medicated oil bath and plenty of rest.

Be moderate in food, drink and enjoyments. Lead a spiritual life. All diseases will leave your body by themselves.

Do not go to the doctors very often unless emergency. Endeavour to qualify yourself as your own doctor. Understand the laws of nature and the principles of hygiene and health.

Bask in the sun. Expose your body to the rays of the sun for a short time daily. This is heliotherapy or sun-treatment. Sun is the source of energy and power. You will derive energy and power from the sun.

Soak 12 almonds at night. Remove the skin and take the almonds with some sugarcandy in the early morning. Or you can make a refreshing beverage by grinding these almonds with a little black pepper and sugarcandy. This is a fine, cooling and strength-giving tonic.

Rest in bed is necessary. Adjust your diet. Take simple, wholesome, easily digestible, bland and non-irritating food. Give up hot, pungent curries, chutneys and chilliest.

If you can fast for a whole day, it is all the better. Fasting eliminates poisons and overhauls the system thoroughly. You can take sago and milk barley water and fruits like sweet oranges, grapes, etc.

Observe Brahmacharya. Get up at 4 a.m. And practice Japa of 'Hari Om' or any other Mantra and also meditation for one hour. The Name of the Lord is the best medicine or tonic in the world.

You should have intense faith in the power of the Names of the Lord. Incurable diseases are cured by Japa or singing Hari's Name.

Meditation creates new, healthy vibrations in all the cells of the body and removes any kind of disease. All the tissues are bathed in the nectar that flows during meditation. All germs that cause diseases are destroyed.

Resort to Nature Cure and Yogic Chikitsa. Practise regularly Pranayama, breathing exercises, Asanas, concentration and meditation. This is the ideal treatment.

Have a cheerful countenance always. Smile and laugh.

How To Use Table Manners.

2007-07-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

As soon as you are seated, place your dinner napkin on your lap. As you use it during your meal, return it to its place on your lap. At the end of the meal, place your soiled napkin next to your plate, but do not refold it.

When your place setting contains a number of utensils, the general rule of thumb is to use them in order, from the outside in. If your host or hostess has properly set the table, the flatware will be laid out to match up with each course served. Once you have used a utensil, never place it back on the table or tablecloth. As you finish each course, place the utensil on the plate or bowl, along the edge furthest from you.

Sit up straight and keep your elbows off of the table. It is not okay to lean back in your chair, slouch, or lean forward onto the table. While you should never place your elbows on the table, it is permissible to rest your wrists on the table edge between courses.

At meals that are served "family style," platters should be passed to the right, or counterclockwise.

Never chew with your mouth open or talk with food in your mouth. Take small bites so that you can swallow your food easily and maintain a pleasant dinner conversation.

Be sure to swallow your food before taking a sip of your drink.

When eating a salad, be sure to cut the lettuce and other vegetables into comfortable bite-sized servings. Never try to wrangle a large chunk of food into your mouth!

If soup is served, dip your spoon into the bowl moving away from you and then sip (not slurp!) the soup from the spoon. As the bowl nears empty, it is alright to tip it a bit away from you to get the last few spoonfuls. Never pick up your soup bowl and "drink" the remainder.

When eating a bread roll, tear off a bite at a time rather than biting into the whole roll. If you choose to butter your bread, place a small pat or two on your bread plate and then butter each individual bite-sized piece. Do not dip your bread into gravy or other sauces.

Very few foods should be eaten with your fingers. When in doubt, use your utensils or follow the lead of your hostess.

If you need something that is out of your reach (the salt shaker, for instance), politely ask someone to pass it to you. Never lean across the table to grab something.

If you drop your napkin or a utensil during your meal, lean over to pick it up only if it is within easy reach. If not, leave it be. For formal dinners, always leave it and ask the server to bring you a fresh one.

Remain seated throughout the entire meal, unless you have an emergency or become ill. If you must leave the table, be sure to excuse yourself.

Always turn off pagers and cellular phones during a meal. If you must leave your phone on because of the potential for a work or personal emergency, be sure to excuse yourself from the table before taking a call.

If you are dining in someone's home, do not sit down until your hosts do, unless they request that you do so. Never begin eating until all guests are seated and the host begins his meal.
If you get something stuck in your teeth, do not try to remove it at the table. If it is bothersome, you may excuse yourself to the washroom to remove the offending item.

Never do any personal grooming at the table. If you need to straighten your hair or freshen your lipstick, do so after the meal in the privacy of the restroom.

If you are a guest in someone's home and they choose to pray before a meal, you have two choices. Either bow your head and join in or remain quietly seated until they are finished.

Try to be open-minded about trying new foods, especially when dining in someone's home. Your hosts went to considerable effort to present you with a pleasurable dining experience; do not offend them by refusing their offerings. If you have a food allergy that would prevent you from trying something, politely explain. You can say, "It looks delicious, but unfortunately I am allergic to strawberries. "

Compliment the cook. Be sure to thank your host or hostess for your meal and offer a sincere compliment on the meal. Even if you didn't particularly enjoy the food, you can certainly come up with something nice to say!

Don't Heat Water in MICROWAVE OVEN.

2007-07-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

Real Incident - Micro waved water - a MUST read:
A 26-year old guy decided to have a cup of coffee. He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done numerous times before). I am not sure how long he set the timer for, but he told me he wanted to bring the water to a boil. When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he looked into the cup, he noted that the water was not boiling, but instantly the water in the cup "blew up"into his face. The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand but all the water had flown out into his face due to the build up of energy. His whole face is blistered and he has 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face, which may leave scarring. He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye. While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that this is fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a microwave oven. If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as: a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc. It is however a much safer choice to boil the water in a teakettle.

General Electric's (GE) response:
Thanks for contacting us. I will be happy to assist you. The e-mail that you received is correct. Microwaved water and other liquids do not always bubble when they reach the boiling point. They can actually get superheated and not bubble at all. The superheated liquid will bubble up out of the cup when it is moved or when something like a spoon or tea bag is put into it. To prevent this from happening and causing injury, do not heat any liquid for more than two minutes per cup. After heating, let the cup stand in the microwave for thirty seconds before moving it or adding anything into it.

2007-07-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

WATER

1. 75% of people are chronically dehydrated.

2. In 37% of people, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.

4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of dieters.

5. Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?

COKE
1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.

3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour,then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of aluminium foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminium foil, and bake.Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

1. the active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.

2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use a hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!

Now the question is, would you like a glass of water? or Coke?

Healing power of Honey and the Black Seed.

2007-07-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

The findings will amaze you and the research will delight you but you wont be shocked because you have known it all along! Truth revealed to muslims approximatley 1400 years ago!
A powerful Verse from Quran that tells us where honey comes from, and is of different colors and is extremely beneficial for human health and can heal certain illnesses.

"...From with in their (the bees) abdomens comes a fluid of different colors; wherein is a healing for mankind,.... " Surah an-Nahl-V 69.

Scientists after having done decades of research have agreed that Honey is safe and has no allergic or side effects. Frusctose present in the honey encourages the blood absorb water without sodium from the intestine, a desirable effect that may save us from alot of health problems. Its reduces the duration of diarrhea in patients infected by salmonella, shigala and E. coli. This is due to the antibiotic and anti fungal properties of honey.

Honey is a good substitute for glucose, good for diarrhea, stomach and intestinal infections, ulcers, cough, skin, wounds, burns, weakness and iron deficiency etc.
A honey bee on a black seed flower!

Honey is an excellent healing agent and food substance containing rapidly absorbable sugars, protiens, minerals, vitamins and amino acids and healing agents. Did you know burns heal much faster with the topical application of honey??? And deep wounds like abdominal wounds disruptions after caesarian section also heal faster with the application of honey.

One of these healing components known as " Inhibine", gets destroyed when heated. And we know that the Holy Prophet s.a.w. often liked to drink COLD water sweetened with honey. He s.a.w. is reported to have repeatedly advised a man suffering from gastro-intetstinal problems to use honey to cure his ailment.

The black seed (Nigella sativa), also known as the black caraway, the black cumin, or reffered to in Arabic as Habbatul Barakah meaning the blessed seed, has also been used through out history ( in Arabian peninsula) to treat a variety of illnesses. Regarding the black seed, Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Mesenger Salalahu alayhe wa sallam, said, " Use this black seed regularly, because it has cure for every disease except death." (Bukhari)

Research on: Black seed is also finally getting some limelight from the world of medicine. The coposition of black seed includes:15 Amino acid, proteins, carbohydrates, oils ( both fixed and volatile), alkaloids, saponins, crude fiber and traces of minerals including :" calcium, potassium, iron, and sodium. There are still many components in black seeds that havent been identified!! !!!!!!!!! !! Besides its capacity to reduce inflammation, improve kidney functions, improve milk production in nursing mothers, strengthens the liver, and increase the bodys resistance against diseases, more recent benefits of the black seed includes its potential for the treatment of the bronchial asthma, bronchitis and other respirotory ailments, its capacity to lower excess blood pressure and improve the heart conditions and its antimicrobial activity against a host of alot of disease causing organisms like E.coli and Staphylococcus etc.

One of the most promising findings is the observations by the doctors that the black seed alone, or in combination with garlic is a potent anti-cancer agent!
However black seed or blackseed oil should only be taken in small quantities as larger amounts can irritate the mucosal linings of the digestive tract.

Great Weight-Loss Foods.

2007-07-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

1.Citrus fruits like, oranges and limes contain high concentrations of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). This Vitamin C has a fat burning quality. Vitamin C reduces the effectiveness of fat. It reduces its content and can liquefy or dilute fat. By diluting the fat, it makes it less effective, and easier to flush out of your system. Vitamin C also works on cholesterol deposits. By adding Citrus Fruits to your daily diet, you will greatly increase your metabolism, increase your ability to get rid of fat, and also control your cholesterol levels.

2.Add applesauce (it's loaded with pectin), apples, fresh fruit and berries, to your diet and let the power of pectin pulverize the fat that accumulates on your cells. An apple a day can help keep the fat away.

3.Cucumbers are usually used in many salads, besides tasting great their high water content adds to your bulk hence making you feel full. They can be consumed before every meal which will greatly help you from over-eating!

4.Berries contain a chemical call pectin. Pectin limits the amount of fat your cells can absorb. This will put a natural limitation on the amount of fat your cells can absorb. Pectin, once in your system, has a water binding property, it absorbs watery substances, and these watery substances in turn bombards the cells and makes it release fat deposits.

5.Garlic oil or the juice of garlic has a significant protective quality to cells which help to reduce fatty deposits. When taken, it brings down the levels of fat. Garlic, garlic oil, or anything with garlic, also has an antibiotic property to it and can be used to cure many ailments!

6.Breakfast cereals are typically heavily processed foods, and most of their original micronutrients, like vitamins or minerals, are removed during the food-processing. However, most breakfast cereals are fortified with added vitamins and minerals, making them a convenient source of most B-vitamins, vitamin D and several minerals including iron. Wholegrain breakfast cereals (eg. granola, muesli, oats) are typically rich in natural B-vitamins, soluble fiber (which helps to lower cholesterol) and have a lower GI-value than regular refined cereals.

The ten most beneficial foods.

2007-07-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

It is clichéd, but true: you are what you eat!

How we look, how we feel, how healthy we are, how we perform our daily tasks -- it all narrows down to what we eat. How easy it would be if we knew which foods could be beneficial to us -- to help us feel energetic, to help us improve our health, to help us in our battle against body fat.
These foods are rated on the basis of the health benefits they provide, the fibre content, their vitamin and mineral content as well as low fat and caloric content.
Note: These foods work best when combined with an all round health.

1. Oatmeal:
Touted as the breakfast of athletes all around the world, this mushy, gushy delicious grain can be the first addition you could make to your new and healthy diet and lifestyle change.
Unlike other breakfast cereals that are loaded with sugar and stripped of all fibre, which give you a sugar-loaded burst of energy and then drop drastically, allowing it to drop. Oats are slow to digest and thus provide you a steady sustained flow of energy to take you through the first few hours of the day.
Oatmeal is also loaded with fibre, especially the soluble kind, and has thus been proven to be invaluable in the battle against high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Mix it with milk, fruit, yoghurt or nuts; have it hot or cold; use it in cooking -- just make sure to make this heart healthy food a part of your daily diet.

2. Tomatoes:
Our tiny little red friends are a lot more powerful and beneficial to us than we could ever imagine.
Tomatoes contain a carotenoid (a class of highly unsaturated yellow to red pigments occurring in plants), called lycopene.
Not only has this powerful carotenoid been proven to improve immunity as well as reduce the risk of developing heart attacks, it has also been proven, believe it or not, to reduce the risk of cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, stomach, pancreas, colon, esophagus, mouth and cervix! While we realise that there are just so many raw tomatoes that we can stomach, here is where it gets more interesting.
Research shows that lycopene in tomatoes can be absorbed more efficiently by the body if processed into sauce, paste and ketchup, thus making the tomato one of the few vegetables that is actually more beneficial in its processed or cooked form than when its raw.

3. Almonds:
Nuts have always managed to get a bad rap due to their high caloric content. Thus, they are often overlooked for their fibre and protein content as well as being an important source of healthy unsaturated fats and numerous beneficial minerals! and vitamins.
While all nuts do have their benefits, if I had to name just one as the most beneficial, it would have to be almonds. These tasty, crunchy treats are sprinkled into cereals, salads, ice cream as well as being a calming cooling airline snack we rely on to curb our hunger during those long flights.
Little do we realise that not only do almonds provide taste and texture to foods, they also provide more complete nutrition in one handful than you can imagine.
Just 28 grams (around 23 almonds) provide us with 9 grams of mono-unsaturated fatty acid, 6 grams of muscle building protein, 3 grams of fiber, 200 mg of potassium, 65 mg of bone strengthening calcium as well as a hearty dose of vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, zinc and riboflavin. As with most other foods, moderation is important.
Nuts do have a high caloric content an! d it is so very easy to inhale an entire box of these tasty crunchy characters without a thought!

3. Fish:

Who would have thought that our smelly friends from the sea could prove to be one of the most beneficial foods in the world?

When we were younger, fish was inexplicably considered 'brain food'.

Studies in later years

concluded that the omega 3 fatty acids were what actually made fish brain food, as well as making it one of the most beneficial foods as far as heart health, lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels and treating psychiatric illnesses, like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, were considered.

Recent studies have also shown benefits of omega 3 fatty acids for people suffering from arthritis and other joint conditions.

Let us not forget the protein punch that fish provides us with, as well as delicious taste whether we decide to order it soaked in butter and garlic or whether we decide to go healthy and have it steamed or grilled.

As every fish has its own unique taste and beneficial characteristics, mackerel and salmon lead as far as omega 3 fatty acid content goes.

5. Milk:

Something our mothers always told us to drink before we left our home, when we were kids.
Think she had any idea that milk is one of the highest quality sources of whole food protein, with a biological value second only to eggs?

And let's not forget the calcium content that milk provides us with, preventing our bones from becoming weak and hollow and developing osteoporosis later in life.

Recent studies have also proved that calcium could be beneficial in our battle against body fat.
Just make sure to have low fat or fat free milk, which provides us with the same important nutrients minus the fat and the cholesterol.
So let's thank our mommies for nagging us all those years and drink away to a lean muscular physique!
PS: Please check that you are not lactose intolerant before you drink milk.

6. Apple

Every fruit has its benefits to the human body.

Bananas are rich in heart-healthy potassium, strawberries rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, watermelon is rich in heart-healthy and cancer-preventing lycopene, etc.
But we have decided to name the apple as the fruit of our choice due its high antioxidant and fibre content, its taste, its ability to fill a person as well as its extremely low caloric content.

Apples are often overlooked due to the lack of vitamin C when compared to fruits like oranges.
But recent research has indicated that apples have more antioxidant activity than would be expected from their vitamin C content.

This antioxidant activity is thought to come from other natural substances in apples, collectively called phytochemicals.

The nutritious content of the apple is very favourable: a medium sized apple contains a mere 80 calories, with no fat or cholesterol content as well as a whopping 5 grams of fibre.

Apples are especially rich in pectin fibre, associated with helping keep blood cholesterol levels in balance as well as helping to control appetite levels, thus aiding us in our battle against overeating.

7 Tea:

Everyone has their choice of beverage they rely on to perk them up when their energy levels run low, to relax them when the stress just gets too much, or that they can simply enjoy because of its fine taste.

Unfortunately, most people go for sugary soft drinks or creamy café lattes.
It's time to switch. To tea!
It is tasty, contains some caffeine to perk you, but not too much that it leaves you jittery. It also provides a cupful of antioxidants called flavonoids, that may help prevent cholesterol- damaging arteries.

Recent research also suggests that this popular beverage can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart attack and Parkinson's disease.

While most teas are good for you, green tea contains the highest amount of flavonoids, making it an extremely potent antioxidant.

Epigallocatechin Gallate (ECGC), the green tea extract, is also known for its fat-burning benefits.
Another very interesting bit of information is that green tea is also known to suppress foul breath caused by certain foods.

8. Garlic:

It was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, chewed on by Greek Olympian athletes.
It aids in keeping the heart healthy, wards off coughs and colds, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, controls high blood pressure, and chases away vampires and witches (as well as a couple of friends and family members)!
Yep, this aptly nicknamed 'stinking rose' has a number of benefits, and not just to make Italian dishes taste so good.

9. Kidney beans:

We highly recommend you add beans to you meal plan.

Beans are high in fibre, both insoluble as well as the all-important, cholesterol- lowering soluble kind.
Their high fibre content also slows down the digestion, thus providing a steady flow of energy as well as keeps you feeling more satiated at the end of the meal.

They are also a good source of a host of vitamins and minerals.

Why kidney beans? Because of their delicious taste and the fact that they are an excellent source of iron, folate as well as magnesium.

Red kidney beans lead the way as far as antioxidant content in beans go.

Add them to soups or salads, use them in your curries, use them in your sabzis whatever you do, don't miss out on this nutritional powerhouse.
But make sure you add them gradually to your meal plan.

10. Water:

Maybe it isn't the best choice to include in a list of 'foods', but it is so very, very important to include water at all times of the day!

Water is a fundamental part of our lives. It is easy to forget how completely we depend on it.

Water has been ranked by experts as second only to oxygen as essential for life.

The average adult body has 55 to 75 percent water.
Two-thirds of our body weight is water. A human embryo is more than 80 percent water. A newborn baby is 74 percent water.

The water you drink literally becomes you!

The functions of water go far beyond just hydration. They include aiding digestion, weight loss, battling water retention, regulating body temperature, aiding the kidney in excretion, lubricating our joints, the list goes on and on and on.

Tips to Keep You Cool !

2007-07-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

1. Get regular exercise. Exercise is a good energizer that reduces stress, helps keep blood pressure and cholesterol at heart-healthy levels and helps maintain a healthy weight. Ten minutes a day is better than none. Walking is a great way to get started, even if you only walk around the yard.

2. Eat heart-healthy foods. They give you more energy, keep your brain fed (which helps combat depression) and help prevent other health problems. If you’ve got to “eat on the run,” choose nutritious snacks.

3. Take time every day for an activity that you enjoy such as reading, listening to music, crafts, cooking — whatever makes you happy and relaxes you.

4. Keep humor in your life. Laughter IS good medicine. Find the humor in your situation when possible, watch a silly TV program or pop in a comedy movie. Find things to laugh about with your loved one. They need joy too! Laughing quickens the pulse rate, stimulates the blood circulation, activates muscles, increases oxygen intake and helps you relax. If you’ve forgotten how to laugh, try to be around people who still know how. Laughter’s contagious!

5. Get out once a week and go somewhere enjoyable. Visit the local coffee shop, attend church events, take a class, visit a friend or just wander around the mall or a park. If your loved one needs constant attention, ask for help. You can find someone to give an hour a week to let you get out.

6. Treat depression and stress. Recognize signs and symptoms and do something about it as soon as it starts. Get help. Talk it out. Admit your feelings.

7. Take care of your business. Keep your checkbook balanced, work when you need to, spend time with friends and family and don’t stop planning for the future. It’s out there waiting for you. If you live totally “in the moment” of your caregiver responsibilities, you’ll find it more difficult to re-integrate into life later on. Keep living.

8. Think positive. Take time every day to refresh your mind. Admit your limitations. Let go of guilt. Admit that you’re angry. Pat yourself on the back for the job you’re doing. If you’re feeling guilty or angry, take a break.

9. Stay connected with the outside world, even if it’s just by phone or online. Don’t isolate yourself. Talk to friends about something other than your situation. Stay interested in what would be going on in your life if you weren’t caregiving. It’s still there and you’re still a part of.

CANCER

2007-07-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

1. Every person has cancer cells in their body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple.

5. Nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

6. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

7. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

8. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

9. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

10. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

11. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

12. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

Cancer Cells Feed On -

1. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour.
Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

2. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened Soya milk cancer cells are being starved.

3. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

4. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.
About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

5. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water: it is best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

6. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic build-up.

7. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

8. Some supplements build up the immune system (anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

9. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

10. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Asana to improve vision, tone the eyes

2007-07-18T04:52:00.000-07:00

If you have to stare at the computer screen for hours daily at office, you must have realised how tiring it can be for your entire body, not just for the eyes.

Benefits
A lot of eye problems can be avoided by practicing these simple eye exercises. They tone the eye muscles, keep them elastic, improve the eyesight and reduce tension in the eye muscles. The following exercises also help to strengthen eye muscles and counterbalance the effects of eyestrain. The focus and vision will get better and clearer as the ophthalmic or the eye nerves receive a richer supply of blood. They also soothe and lubricate tired eyes.

Methods
While doing eye exercises, keep your eyes open and don't move your head. Relax and keep the mind free of tension. Sit with the spine erect. Hands on the knees. The whole body must be motionless; nothing must move except the eyes.

Exercise 1
Raise your eyes and find a small point that you can see clearly without straining, without frowning, without becoming tense and, of course, without moving your head.

While doing this exercise look at this point each time you raise your eyes. Next, lower your eyes to find a small point on the floor, which you can see clearly while glancing down. Look at it each time you lower your eyes. Breathe normally.

Exercise 2
While doing the changing-vision exercise, you alternately shift your vision from close to distant points several times. Take a pencil, or use your finger, and hold it under the tip of your nose. Then start moving it away, without raising it, until you have fixed it at the closest possible distance where you can see it clearly without any blur. Then raise your eyes a little, look straight into the distance and there find a small point, which you can see very clearly. Now look at the closer point, the pencil or your fingertip then shift to the point at the distance. Repeat several times, blink, close your eyes and squeeze them tight.

Relax with an oil massage.

It's official, the humble barber down the street has an age old cure for falling hair ? the oil massage done with the vitality and energy of his own hands. Now salons and wellness centres all over the world are wooing customers with the magical lasting effects of the oil massage.

Hair talk consists of massaging the scalp and hair with warm oil, preferably infused with hair-friendly herbs, to nourish the scalp and hair topically. Oilve oil, and coconut oil seem to be hot favourites. "Not only does the massage work wonders for your hair, but it also relaxes the mind and nervous system" says hair expert Manjula Sharma at the Sheraton Wellness Centre in Delhi.

"The oil for the massage can be customised by hair and body type." Hair types vary, says Manjula who has magic on her fingertips. "If hair is thin, dry and frizzy you are prone to split-ends. If you have fine hair you are prone to premature thinning or graying.If your hair tends to be thick and oily then you need a conditioning thin oil. Why then does one need an oil massage?

Nothing beats a good old champi:

* It lubricates and conditions the scalp, helping to prevent flakes and dry scalp without the use of harsh chemical shampoos.

* It helps enhance blood circulation in the head and neck area. When the scalp is "tight" from stress, circulation and hair growth are impeded.

* It helps relax the scalp and increase pliability.

* It helps strengthen the roots of the hair and nourishes the hair-shafts, promoting new hair growth and strengthening current hair.

* It helps soften and condition the hair, making it more manageable.

* It spreads the natural oils of the hair, increasing hair lustre and vibrancy.

* It helps protect hair from the damaging effects of the sun and harsh weather by improving resiliency over time.

* It replenishes and rejuvenates dry, damaged hair, and helps prevent excessive brittleness and split-ends.

Above all, warm oil hair and scalp massage can be wonderfully relaxing for the mind and nervous system.

25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Now.

2007-07-18T04:27:00.000-07:00

Green tea has increasingly become a very popular drink worldwide because of its immensely powerful health benefits. It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health.

And if you're not drinking 3 to 4 cups of green tea today, you're definitely NOT doing your health a big favor.Here Are The 25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Right Now:

1. Green Tea and Cancer:Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E. This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.

2.Green Tea and Heart Disease:Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack, it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.

3.Green Tea and Anti-Aging:Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals. What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.

4.Green Tea and Weight Loss:Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism rate naturally. It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day. That translates to 7 pounds in one year.

5.Green Tea and Skin:Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging. Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.

6.Green Tea and Arthritis:Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.

7.Green Tea and Bones:The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea. It helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density.

8.Green Tea and Cholesterol:Green tea can help lower cholesterol level. It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level.

9.Green Tea and Obesity:Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells. If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink green tea, it is unlikely you'll be obese.

10.Green Tea and Diabetes:Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolisms, prevents sharp increases in blood sugar level, and balances your metabolism rate.

11.Green Tea and Alzheimer's:Green tea helps boost your memory. And although there's no cure for Alzheimer's, it helps slow the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brain, which leads to Alzheimer's.

12.Green Tea and Parkinson's:Antioxidants in green tea helps prevent against cell damage in the brain, which could cause Parkinson's. People drinking green tea also are less likely to progress with Parkinson's.

13.Green Tea and Liver Disease:Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure. Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers.

14. Green Tea and High Blood Pressure:Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure. Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.

15. Green Tea and Food Poisoning:Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.

16. Green Tea and Blood Sugar:Blood sugar tends to increase with age, but polyphenols and polysaccharides in green tea help lower your blood sugar level.

17. Green Tea and Immunity:Polyphenols and flavenoids found in green tea help boost your immune system, making your health stronger in fighting against infections.

18. Green Tea and Cold and Flu:Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu. Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.

19. Green Tea and AsthmaTheophy:lline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma.

20. Green Tea and Ear Infection:Green tea helps with ear infection problem. For natural ear cleaning, soak a cotton ball in green tea and clean the infected ear.

21. Green Tea and Herpes:Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment of herpes. First green tea compress is applied, and then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.

22. Green Tea and Tooth Decay:Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases. It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.

23. Green Tea and Stress:L-theanine, which is a kind of amino acids in green tea, can help relieve stress and anxiety.

24. Green Tea and Allergies:EGCG found in green tea relieves allergies. So, if you have allergies, you should really consider drinking green tea.

25. Green Tea and HIV:Scientists in Japan have found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) in green tea can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells. What this means is that green tea can help stop the HIV virus from spreading.

by www.FineGreenTea. com

Why olive oil is healthy?

2007-07-17T17:17:00.001-07:00

We all know that cancer can be incurable if discovered in its later stages. What many don't know is that cancer is a lifestyle disease that can actually be prevented from spreading in your body.
From occupying the ninth position as the most common cause of death in the last decade, cancer has moved up to occupy the sixth position.
If you lead a fast-paced life that thrives on junk food, tobacco and alcohol, keeps you inactive all day and includes a few hundred grams of groundnuts, you could be at the risk of getting cancer.
However, studies now show that certain foods and oils can cut the risk of cancer. In fact, according to a recent study by Danish researchers, about 25 millilitres of olive oil every day reduces the level of a substance that causes cell damage, thus causing cancer.
Olive oil contains a number of compounds called phenols and monounsaturated fats, which are believed to act as powerful antioxidants. Nutritionist Shikha Sharma says, "Since olive oil is processed only marginally and is not cooked too much, it retains its antioxidants. "
Foods with high levels of Vitamins A, C or E are also good for preventing cancer. In fact, studies have shown that only natural products are really beneficial for the body.
Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, garlic, ginger, fish oil and herbal products like amla, as well as those that belong to the phyllanthus group of plants and citrus fruits, are also considered preventive foods when it comes to cancer.
Dr Surendra S Shastri, professor and head, department of preventive oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, cautions, "The best thing for Indians would be to include these foodstuffs in their diet. Vegetarianism is a good option since red meat is a known cause of cancer and also causes obesity." Abstinence from alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, other major cancer causing agents, is also recommended by experts.
A favourite Indian winter snack has also come under the scanner for causing cancer -- groundnuts. Groundnuts can contain a fungus that might enter the human body and cause a fungal infection leading to cancer, particularly liver cancer. Which is why scientists have now developed a genetically modified groundnut.
Dr B C Das, director of the Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology, Noida, explains, "Oral hygiene is very important. You must also avoid junk food and a sedentary lifestyle. With increased life expectancy, more cancer cases are coming to the fore. It is thus essential that people adopt healthy lifestyles."
So, it might be a good idea to toss your vegetables in olive oil instead of over-cooking them and to bake instead of frying.

Tension Headaches Prevention.

2007-07-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

Although tension headaches cannot be cured, it is possible to prevent future episodes. There are a number of prevention options available.
Medications to prevent tension headaches:
Many prescription and over-the-counter medications may be used to prevent tension headaches and stop their progression. Some medications that help reduce the frequency and severity of future tension headaches include:
Antidepressants:Normally prescribed to relieve mental depression, these drugs prevent tension headaches by stabilizing the levels serotonin and other brain chemicals. Commonly prescribed antidepressants include:
Tricyclic antidepressants:These include amitriptyline and nortriptyline. They are commonly used to prevent chronic and episodic tension headaches.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):Paroxetine, venlafaxine and fluoxetine are among these. This type of antidepressant is favorable because it often causes fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants, but they are usually less effective in preventing tension headaches. While helpful, antidepressants are not without their risks. Antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in some people. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory that people being treated with these drugs should be closely monitored for unusual changes in behavior.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):While they are often used as acute therapy to stop the pain of an existing headache, daily use of NSAIDs may also manage chronic tension headache in many individuals.
Anticonvulsants:These include divalproex and gabapentin. Usually used to control seizures, these medications may also be prescribed to prevent tension headaches.
Muscle relaxants:Tizanidine is an example of a muscle relaxant. In some cases, muscle relaxants are recommended for the prevention of tension headaches.
If you have tension headaches with the features of a migraine, you may benefit from taking beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. These medications are typically used to lower blood pressure and reduce the workload of the heart. Calcium channel blockers also increase the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. These drugs are commonly used to treat migraines, but they can be used alone or in combination with antidepressants to reduce the frequency of tension headaches.
In order for the medications to be effective, you need to take drugs used to reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches at regular intervals. These medications are not for everyone. They may be right for you if you:
Experience three or more headaches per week
Do not find relief from acute or nondrug therapy
Have headaches lasting longer than three or four hours
Have severe pain that becomes disabling
Have severe pain that causes overuse of acute medication
Cannot take acute medication because of unrelated medical conditions
Because preventive medication can take several weeks to build up in the nervous system and take effect, you might not notice improvement for a couple of months or more. Some women may require a combination of medications to achieve the greatest effectiveness.
Other methods to prevent tension headaches:
In addition to taking medications, you might be able to reduce the frequency of tension headaches by avoiding factors that trigger them. Identify these triggers by keeping a headache diary for at least two months. To compile this diary, record certain information after each headache occurs, including:
When the headache occurred?
How severe the headache was?
Where the headache was located?
How long the headache lasted?
What medications you took?
What events occurred prior to the headache?
What you ate 24 hours before the headache occurred?
How your sleep patterns may have changed and how much sleep you have been getting?
How much stress you are experiencing?
Lifestyle changes to prevent and relieve tension headaches may help you more than any other preventative measure. Lifestyle-related treatment methods include:
Exercise regularly:You can reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches with regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming and bicycling. These activities help to relax the muscles and increase the levels of the body's natural stress relievers. Exercise can also relieve the pain of an existing headache. Discuss physical activity with you doctor before starting an exercise routine.
Manage your stress:Stress is a common trigger of tension headaches. You can use a number of relaxation techniques, including deep breathing, yoga and meditation to relieve stress. Organizing daily activities ahead of time can also help. Biofeedback might also be recommended. During this procedure, electronic monitoring devices are used to teach you how to consciously regulate your bodily functions through relaxation or imagery. Behavior therapy may also be used to reduce stress in women with depression or anxiety.
Relax your muscles:Some of those with tension headaches may benefit from relaxing their muscles. Methods used to relieve muscle tension include thermotherapy and cryotherapy. Thermotherapy, or heat therapy, includes the use of heating pads, hot-water bottles, warm compresses, hot towels, and hot baths or showers. Cryotherapy, or cold therapy, includes the use of ice packs and cold showers or baths. Massage therapy for your head, neck and shoulders can also reduce stress and relieve tension.
Improve your posture:Good posture can prevent muscle tension. There are a number of techniques you can use to perfect your posture:
Hold your shoulders back and head high when standing. Also, pull in your stomach and buttocks and tuck in your chin.When sitting, keep your thighs parallel to the ground and do not slump your head forward.Avoid sitting, standing or working in one position for an extended period of time. Avoid wearing high heels or shoes that do not fit properly.Regularly perform stretching and strengthening exercises for your neck and shoulders.Place weight on both feet when standing. When standing in place for an extended period of time, elevate one foot on a stool. Change to the other foot periodically. When sitting for an extended period of time, use a footstool to elevate your feet. Get up and move around every 30 minutes.Sit in straight-back chairs and keep the head supported.Avoid carrying shoulder bags or purses weighing more than two pounds (one kilogram).
Other ways to prevent tension headaches include:
Don't smoke.
Don't drink too much caffeine.
Don't drink alcohol.
Eat a regular, balanced diet.
Maintain a regular sleep pattern and get plenty of sleep and rest.
Keep warm if your headache is triggered by the cold.
Try using a different pillow.
Try sleeping if a different position.
When compared to people who do not experience headaches, those with tension headaches are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. These complications, which often result from living with chronic pain, can in turn trigger more headaches. If you are anxious or depressed, you might benefit from counseling or a headache support group.
Tension headaches do tend to come back after they have been treated, but you don't have to dread their return. There are many ways you can prevent the recurrence and reduce the severity of tension headaches. Many useful lifestyle changes, such as exercising and eating regularly, are good for your general health as well..

The main causes of liver damage are:

2007-07-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver.
Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.

We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."

Because:

Evening at 9 - 11pm : is the time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (detoxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on health.

Evening at 11pm - 1am: is the detoxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3am: detoxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.
Early morning 3 - 5am: detoxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the detoxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.
Morning 5 - 7am: detoxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am: absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 - 10am rather than no meal at all.

Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4:00 am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

2007-07-16T06:04:00.000-07:00

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level.
This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.
7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

Heart Attacks may be prevented drinking warm drink

2007-07-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Its not only about the warm water after your meal, but about heart attacks. This makes sense.. the Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals...not cold water...maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!!

Drinking Cold water after meal = Cancer!

Nothing to lose, everything to gain...

It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks: You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are
asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

Fitness Fundamentals

2007-07-16T06:01:00.001-07:00

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat right.
• Stay physically active.
• Quit smoking.
• Control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Your doctor can tell you what you should weight for your height. To stay at a healthy weight, you need to balance the number of calories you eat with the number you burn off by your activities. You can get to your healthy weight and stay there by doing two things: eating right and being physically active.

Eat right

Eating the right foods and the right amounts can help you live a longer, healthier life. Eat a variety of foods, including:
• Vegetables, especially dark-green leafy and deep-yellow vegetables, such as spinach or carrots.
• Fruits, such as melons, berries, and citrus fruits, or juices, such as orange or grapefruit.
• Meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and dried beans (for example, navy, kidney, or black), especially products low in fat, such as lean meat and poultry prepared without skin.
• Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, especially low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
• Grains, especially whole grains, and legumes, such as lima beans or green peas.

Keeping Active

Physical activity can help prevent: Heart disease, Obesity, High blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, Osteoporosis, Mental health problems such as depression Physical activity helps you feel better overall.

What to Do?

All kinds of physical activity will help you stay healthy, whether it is moderate or vigorous. It's a good idea to aim for at least moderate activity-such as brisk walking, raking leaves, house cleaning, or playing with children-for 20 to 30 minutes most days of the week. Generally, the more active you are, the healthier you will become.

Some regular activities, like gardening, vacuuming or walking, can help you reach your fitness goals. You'll also learn about the four building blocks of fitness -endurance, strength, flexibility and balance--and how to integrate them in to a fitness plan that works for you.

Water Therapy

2007-07-16T05:57:00.000-07:00

Drink six [6] glasses of water (1.5 litre) everyday and avoid medicine, tablets, injections, diagnosis, doctor fees etc. You can never believe before practicing. Here is the list of diseases that can be cured by this water therapy:

1. Head Ache
2. Blood Pressure / Hypertension
3. Anemia (Blood shortage)
4. Rheumatism (Pain in joints/muscles)
5. General Paralysis
6. Obesity (Fatness)
7. Arthritis
8. Sinusitis
9. Tachycardia
10.Giddiness
11 Cough
12.Asthma
13.Bronchitis
14.Pulmonary Tuberculosis
15.Meningitis
16.Kidney Stones
17.Urogenital Diseases
18.Hyper acidity
19.Gastro – entitis
20.Dysentery
21.Rectal Piodapse
22.Constipation
23.Hostorthobics
24.Diabetes
25.Eye diseases
26.Ophthalmic Hemorrhage & Opthalmia (Reddish eye)
27.Irregular Menstruation
28.Leukemia
29.Uterus Cancer
30.Breast Cancer
31.Laryngitis

HOW TO DO THIS WATER THERAPY?
1. Early morning, after you get up from bed, (without even brushing your teeth) drink 1.50 litters of water i.e. 5 to 6 glasses. You may wash your face thereafter.
2. Here it is very essential to note that nothing else, neither drinks nor solid food of any sort should be taken within 1 hr. before and after drinking these 1.5 litters of water.
3. It is also to be strictly observed that no alcoholic drinks shall be taken the previous night.
4. If required, boiled and filtered water may be used for this purpose. Is it possible to drink 1.50 litters of water at one time? This is a BIG QUESTION? To begin with, one may find it difficult to drink 1.50 litters of water at one time, but one will get used to it gradually. Initially, while practicing you may drink four glasses first and then the balance two glasses after a gap of 2 minutes.Initially you may find the necessity to urinate 2-3 times within an hour, but it will become normal after quite some time.

By research and experience, the following diseases are observed to be cured with this therapy within the indicated days as below:
Constipation -- 1 day
Acidity -- 2 days.
Diabetes -- 7 days.
Cancer -- 4 weeks
Pulmonary TB -- 3 months
BP & Hypertension -- 4 weeks

NOTE:
It is advised that persons suffering from Arthritis or Rheumatism should practice this therapy thrice a day i.e. morning, mid day and night, 1 hour before breakfast,
lunch and dinner for one week and twice a day subsequently until the disease disappears.
HOW DOES PURE WATER ACT ?
Consuming ordinary drinking water by the right method purifies human body.
It renders the colon more effective by forming new fresh blood, known in medical terms as Haematopaises.
That the mucousal folds of the colon and intestines are activated by this method, is an undisputed fact,
just as the theory that new fresh blood is produced by the mucousal fold.
If the colon is cleansed then the nutrients of the food taken several times a day will be absorbed and by the action of the mucousal folds they are turned into fresh blood.
The blood is all-important in curing ailments and restoring health and for this water should be consumed in a regular pattern.

Facts of Banana

2007-07-01T05:08:00.000-07:00

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.

It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest
ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking & Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, 'eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

Banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!" say thanks to Allah while enjoying its taste

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!

DON'T EAT TOO MUCH RICE

2007-07-01T05:05:00.000-07:00

The human body was never meant to consume rice! You see, our genes have hardly changed in more than 30,000 years. However, our food choices and lifestyle have changed dramatically. The caveman would hardly recognize our food or way of life.

Caveman food was never cooked as fire was not yet tamed. Thus, he ate only those foods that he can eat without treatment with or by fire. He ate fruits, vegetables, fish (sushi anyone?), eggs, nuts and meat. Yes, even meat. You can even eat meat raw if you were starving in the forest. You have the necessary enzymes to digest meat.

However, rice - like wheat and corn - cannot be eaten raw. It must be cooked. Even if you were starving in the desert, you cannot eat rice in the raw form. This is because we do not have the system of enzymes to break rice down. We were never meant to eat rice. To make matters worse, we not only eat rice, but also make it the bulk of our food.

In some parts of Asia, rice forms up to 85% of the plate. Even if we take rice, let's keep it to a minimum. Remember, it is only for our tongue... not our body. Actually, rice and other grains like wheat and corn are actually worse than sugar. There are many reasons:

Rice becomes sugar - lots of it!
T! his is a fact that no nutritionist can deny: rice is chemically no different form sugar. One bowl of cooked rice is the caloric equivalent of 10 teaspons of sugar. This does not matter whether the rice is white, brown or herbal rice. Brown rice is richer in fibre, some B vitamins and minerals... but it is still the caloric equal of 10 teaspoons of sugar. To get the same 10 teaspoons of sugar, we need to consume lots of kangkong... 10 bowls of it.

Rice is digested to become sugar.
Rice can be digested only when it is thoroughly cooked. However, when thoroughly cooked, it becomes sugar and! spikes circulating blood sugar within half an hour... almost as quickly as it would if we took a sugar candy. Rice is very low in the "rainbow of anti-oxidants" .
This complete anti-oxidant rainbow is necessary for the effective and safe utilisation of sugar. Fruits come with a sugar called fructose. However, they are not empty calories as the fruit is packed with a whole host of other nutrients that help its proper assimilation and digestion.

Rice has no fibre.
The fibre of the kangkong fills us up long before our blood sugar spikes. This is because the fibre bulks and fills up our stomach. Since white rice has no fibre, we end up eating lots of "calorie dense" food before we get filled up. Brown rice has more fiber but still contains the same amount of sugar.

Rice is tasteless.
Sugar is sweet. There is only so much that we can eat at one sitting. How many teaspoons of sugar can we eat before we feel like throwing up? Could you imagine eating 10 teaspoons of sugar in one seating?

Rice is always the main part of the meal.
While sugar may fill our dessert or sweeten our coffee, it will never be the main part of any meal. We could eat maybe two to three teaspoons of sugar at one meal. However, we could easily eat the equal value of two to three bowls (20 - 30 teaspoons) of sugar in one meal. I am always amused when I see someone eat sometimes five bowls of rice (equals 50 teaspoons of sugar) and then asks fo tea or coffee without sugar!

There is no real "built in" mechanism for us to prevent overeating of rice.
How much kangkong can we eat? How much fried chicken? How much steamed fish? Think about that! In one seating, we cannot take lots of chicken, fish or cucumber, but we can take lots of rice. Eating rice causes us to eat more salt.
As rice is tasteless, we tend to consume more salt... another villain when it comes to high blood pressure control. We tend to take more curry that has salt to help flavor the rice. We also tend to consume more ketchup and soy sauce which are also rich in salt.

Eating rice causes us to drink less water.
The more rice we eat, the less water we will drink as there is no mechanism to prevent the overeating of rice. Rice, wheat and corn come hidden in our daily food. As rice is tasteless, it tends to end up in other foods that serve as rice substitutes. .. like rice flour, noodles and bread. We tend to eat the hidden forms which still get digested into sugar. Rice, even when cooked, is difficult to digest.

Can't eat raw rice? Try eating rice half cooked. Contrary to popular belief, rice is very difficult to digest. It is "heavy stuff". If you have problems with digestion, try skipping rice for a few days. You will be amazed at how the problem will just go away.

Rice prevents the absorption of several vitamins and minerals.
Rice when taken in bulk will reduce the absorption of vital nutrients like zinc, iron and the B vitamins.

Are you a rice addict?
Going riceless may not be easy, but we can still go riceless. Eating less rice could be a lot easier than we think. Here are some strategies that we can pursue in our quest to eat less rice:

1. Eat less rice - Cut your rice by half. Barry Sears, author of the Zone Diet, advises "eating rice like spice". Instead, increase your fruits & vegetables intake.

2. Take more lean meats and fish.

3. You can even take more eggs and nuts. Have "riceless" meals. Take no rice or wheat at say, breakfast. Go for eggs instead.

4. Go on "riceless" days - Go "western" once a week. Take no rice and breads for one day every week! That can't be too difficult. Appreciate the richness of your food. Go for taste, colors and smells. Make eating a culinary delight. Enjoy your food in the original flavors.

5. Avoid the salt shaker or ketchup. You will automatically eat less rice.

6. Eat your fruit dessert before (Yes! No printing error) your meals . The fibre-rich fruits will "bulk up" in your stomach! . Thus, you will eat less rice and more fruits.