The Health Fitness Report is a reference you may turn to for authoritative information about health problems that arise from time to time in your family and personal life, as well as about practical matters of appropriate health care. This includes prevention of disease, maintenance of health, fitness and recognition of illness leading to prompt treatment using the readily available resources at your disposal.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Breast cancer linked to artificial light
New York: Artificial light at night may stimulate breast cancer growth, says a study that might explain why female night-shift workers have a higher rate of breast cancer. Earlier research showed that artificial light suppresses the brain’s production of melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate a person’s sleeping and waking cycles.
The new study by researchers at the Bassett Research Institute of Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, New York, and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia shows that melatonin also plays a key role in the development of cancerous tumours, reported science portal EurekAlert.
Studying laboratory mice, they found that night-time exposure to artificial light stimulated the growth of human breast tumours by suppressing the levels of melatonin. — IANS
Monday, December 26, 2005
The Wisdom of Ancient Health Practices
The modern Western world focuses on primarily physical
health, to the exclusion of emotional, mental and spiritual
health. But people are slowly realizing that all these
dimensions are interrelated. That is the reason why many
people today, even in the West are turning to practices from
the ancient Eastern cultures to help them achieve better
health. Tai chi, yoga, ayurveda, acupuncture and many other
ancient practices focus on not just physical health but also
the spiritual, mental, and emotional health of a person. The
East has long based its healing practices on the
understanding that we are much more than just our physical
bodies, and that our spirit, mind and emotions play an
important role in our health and well being. People in the
West are slowly recognizing the veracity of such a view and
these days, many are turning to ancient practices from the
East to help them feel better.
Health practices like ayurvedic medicine, yoga, tai chi and
acupuncture, that are popular today, originated in the
Eastern cultures thousands of years ago. People in the East
would use them to stay physically fit and also emotionally
and mentally stable and spiritually centered. All these
practices believe that a person is much more than a physical
being and the whole being needs to be healed. Today, we term
such practices as holistic, because they believe in
treating the whole person, and not merely his or her
physical self.
Yoga and acupuncture are perhaps the most widely known and
practiced health systems. Yoga helps a person to attain
enlightenment by creating harmony in the mental, spiritual,
and physical selves. It creates bodies without disease,
minds without blocks, and spirits willing to seek and
discover the divine. When all work in harmony the outcome is
equal to an orchestra. Ailments disappear, the mind becomes
alert and active, and the spirit is content. Acupuncture
helps to keep the body's energies properly focused and
channeled. It encourages the free movement of positive
energy throughout the body with the use of precisely placed
needles.
Ayurveda and Tai chi are also widely used but perhaps lesser
known than other ancient health practices. Tai chi is
similar to yoga in its endeavour to direct energy through
the body, give strength and harmonize the different aspects
of the being. The system behind Tai chi is an ancient
martial art and it combines movements of a modern exercise
program. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicinal art, which
comprises various treatments and practices that seek to
promote holistic health.
We can enjoy more balanced, fulfilled and healthier lives
today by using the ancient wisdom contained in some of these
health practices.
Gunterdheis Deskige is the proprietor of RU Health
which is a comprehensive site containing replies to queries
and content related to health. For questions or comments about
this document, please visit:http://www.ruhealth.com
Friday, December 16, 2005
New unisex love drug uses inhaler
By Corky Siemaszko
Viagra rejuvenated a generation of limp lotharios, but a new love drug called PT-141 could be as good for the goose as it is for the gander.
Just a snort or two from a nasal inhaler is enough to stoke up the sexual fires of both women and men, and often within minutes, Canadian scientists say.
And sexperts say the drug, which is undergoing final trials before beginning a federal Food and Drug Administration review, will be the boon to women with desire disorders that Viagra was for many impotent men.
"The bottom line is that women have been really shortchanged," said Laura Berman, Ph.D., author of "The Passion Prescription: Ten Weeks to Your Best Sex - Ever!"
"Hopefully, this will be another option for women with physiologically based sexual dysfunction."
Right now, the only real options for women who have lost that loving feeling are sexual therapy or a trip to the shrink.
"There's nothing in the arsenal now to treat female sexual dysfunction," Jim Pfaus, a researcher at Concordia University in Montreal who is working on PT-141, told the BBC. "That's one of the things that's really promising about this drug."
This is no Spanish fly.
PT-141 is a copy of the hormone that stimulates the melanocyte-receptors in the brain that play a role in sexual arousal.
Unlike Viagra, which gets the blood flowing in men, it goes straight to work on what the late Frank Zappa called the "ugliest" part of the body - the mind.
"It affects the central nervous system," said Berman. "It affects desire."
In lab trials, female rats exposed to PT-141 immediately began seeking out male rats for sex.
Women who took part in trials told New York magazine that within minutes they felt a "tingling and a throbbing" along with a "a strong desire to have sex." Men told the magazine a snort made them feel more energetic.
"You're ready to take your pants off and go," said one man.
Monday, November 14, 2005
The world of Fitness Competitions
by Degurn Ausbil
Fitness Competitions are very different from weightlifting
or body building competitions, though many people mistake
one for the other. Fitness competitions have become very
popular of late. Their recent popularity is largely due to
cable television channels dedicated to sports of all types.
Individuals who compete in fitness competitions do not often
boast hulking muscle mass like traditional body builders.
Instead, competitors feature long, lean muscles and slim,
toned bodies. Often, individuals compete in fitness
competitions in addition to being active in other sports.
Many fitness competitors also compete in gymnastics, track
and field events, dance, and cheerleading. These
individuals find their stamina, fitness, flexibility, and
dedication is strengthened through their association with
physical fitness.
Competitors of all ages can participate in the arena of
physical fitness. In fact, children are encouraged to
participate so that they understand the importance of being
physically fit throughout their lives. It's important to
know about these fitness competitions in order to set aside
any apprehensions regarding them. These competitions have
specific groups for different ages and competition levels.
As a new entrant, you are not at a great disadvantage. All
you have to do is contact an official organization or hop on
the World Wide Web and check out an organization that best
fits you and your expectations. There are also professional
magazines like Fitness Atlantic and Bodybuilding that
provide detailed information about the world of fitness
competitions.
Once you have learned about the sport and decide to pursue
gaining a competitive edge, enroll in a local gym,
preferably one that has connections to the world of
competitive fitness. Many gyms offer classes or special
instruction for those interested in trying out the sport,
so do not be shy! There is probably a club or organization
in your community affiliated with fitness competitions, so
ask around!
This growing sport has drawn worldwide attention and is
actively accumulating participants from all corners of the
globe. Individuals of all ages have found fitness
competitions highly rewarding in regard to their physical
and mental health and well-being. Do not miss out on this
great sports opportunity! Everyone is sure to benefit from
the extra activity and social interaction brought about by
competitive fitness.
Degurn Ausbil is the administrator of
A Guide To Fitness
which is a comprehensive site containing replies to queries
and content related to fitness. For more
details, go to: http://www.foodnfitness.com
Monday, November 07, 2005
The Cancer Called Mesothelioma
by Shemileti Tadoroki
Mesothelioma is a rare kind of cancer that is caused by
inhaling the microscopic fibers of asbestos. Before the
1960s it was a common practice to use asbestos as insulation
in many houses. It is known to be a good flame retardant,
which explains why it was preferred as insulation. However,
since then it has been discovered that the microscopic
fibers of asbestos can cause mesothelioma. The rise in the
instance of this disease is proof of that.
Mesothelioma gets its name from mesothelium, the linings in
the body. Mesothelioma cancer affects these linings, which
are found in the nose, the inside of the lungs, and in the
abdomen. The most common form of mesothelioma affects the
lungs. Since the tiny asbestos fibers are inhaled with the
air they go into the lungs and settle there. And this goes
on for years without being noticed. In fact, the disease
keeps growing for a long time before it is discovered. There
is no way to understand how long it will take to manifest
itself.
Mesothelioma is a silent intruder. The fibers are so small
that they keep lying in the mesothelium for decades before
showing up as any symptoms of infection. The most difficult
part is that even when the symptoms appear, they look very
similar to the symptoms of other diseases and are hard to
distinguish. For instance, the cancer first appears in the
right lung and shows signs akin to viral pneumonia. The
initial symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath and
chest pain, accompanied by persistent coughing. Even fluid
builds up in the lungs.
If you go in for a chest X-Ray you will see the fluid build
up, but you will have to take many other tests to determine
whether it is viral pneumonia or mesothelioma. Abdominal
mesothelioma causes bowel trouble, pain, and swelling. It
can also cause your feet to swell, and weight loss or
anemia, which may occur as a result of vomiting.
Mesothelioma can spread to other parts of the body just like
any other cancer. It spreads pain wherever it goes. If you
have been exposed to asbestos at any point in life, you must
consult your doctor as soon as you notice persistent
symptoms that are similar to those of mesothelioma. There
are very few cancer specialists who treat mesothelioma.
Nevertheless, they are competent enough to treat the disease
and you have a fair chance of beating the disease.
Shemileti Tadoroki is the administrator of
A Guide To
Mesothelioma, Inc.
which is a comprehensive site containing replies to queries
and content related to mesothelioma. For
questions or comments about this document, please visit:
http://www.factmesothelioma.com
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Making Exercise Fun
For many people, exercise is not a good time. It requires
sweating and work. While some people enjoy aerobics, others
abhor them, and cannot stand to exercise in that manner.
The problem is that exercise is an essential ingredient to
a healthy lifestyle. Activity helps keep you strong and
fit. It promotes general health and flexibility, provides a
natural relief from stress, and it burns calories and
keeps you strong and at a healthy weight. But what can be
done to make exercise more enjoyable? One of the best ways
to do so is to find activities that you enjoy, but that you
do not think of as exercise.
It is important to maintain good health, and according to
experts at least half an hour of exercise a day is necessary
to improve health and an hour a day is required to remain
fit and receive maximum benefits. But, first of all, you
must get rid of the derogatory connotations attached with
exercise.
Exercise is anything that you do to be
more active than you normally would be. Walking the dog is
exercise. Doing housework or yard work is exercise. These
are common activities that many people enjoy, but do not
think of as exercise. If you clean the house twice a week
and tend to your garden twice a week, you have already got
four days of exercise in.
A great way to enjoy exercise is to play outdoors with your
kids or friends. Even if you play catch with your kids, it
gives you a reason to move around and has the added benefit
of teaching them to be active and inculcating good habits.
You could enjoy activities that you can do with friends and
still work up a sweat. Playing sports or going for bike
rides are examples of what you can do with other people.
Even a trip to the beach could help as long as you do not
just laze around in the sun.
There is no reason to dread exercise. All you really have
to do is find activities that get you moving. A dance class
counts, as does walking the supermarket a couple of extra
times when you go shopping. The activities do not have to
be even something you consider exercise. As long as you are
moving, and as long as you are staying active, you will
remain in good shape and enjoy better health.
Lemdori Etazonisi is the proprietor of
Fun Guide To Exercise,
Inc.
which is a comprehensive site containing replies to queries
and content related to exercise. For
questions or comments about this document, please visit:
http://www.funnyexercise.com
Friday, September 30, 2005
Basic things about cosmetic surgery
In the majority of the cases, people would wish some part
of their body looked different. Nowadays, with cosmetic
surgery this can be done! A surgeon can shorten your
abnormally long nose, or reduce or improve the size of
your bust, or take away the fatty deposits in your hips,
thighs and tummy. The bad thing here is that by having a
cosmetic surgery, you are removing, reshaping or
changing a healthy, strong and normal part of your body.
And the sad thing is that it is only for aesthetic
reasons. You should not confuse cosmetic surgery with
reconstructive surgery; it is not at all the same thing.
You should take conscience that the only thing cosmetic
surgery does it to improve your external appearance...
you should not have the parts of your body just for that
reason.
During the last years, advances had been achieved in
many fields, medicine being one of them, and within
medicine, cosmetic surgery. An important achievement
is cosmetic surgery is that patients do not need to be
hospitalized for the majority of the medical procedures.
This also means that the patient will not need much time
off work for recovery, and that the surgery will be more
quickly and less painful.
But do not think that cosmetic surgery is different from
any other surgery. Every surgery has its risks. Obviously,
what the medical advances have done is to decrease the
risk to those undergoing a procedure, but no one
guarantees you anything. Anyhow, if you choose to have
a cosmetic surgery done, you should not be entered into
lightly. You should first try with the smallest and less
risky procedure that will give you the best results and
satisfaction.
It is a question of having a low self-esteem. Once you
have the cosmetic surgery done it is as if you regain the
esteem lost. This is at least what most cosmetic surgeons
tell. Deformities in a person's body can cause depression
and, as already said, low esteem. That is why when you
undergo a cosmetic surgery and solve the deformities
you do not like, you start feeling better, more confident,
more satisfied, and with a higher self-esteem.
There are different types of cosmetic surgery, but as with
any other thing there are some procedures more common
than others. The most common five ones are the
following:
1~nose reshaping (or a nose job)
2~liposuction
3~eyelid surgery
4~breast enlargement
5~facelift
There is only one thing that worries most of the people
undergoing a cosmetic surgery apart from the risks, and
it is if it will look natural once it is done. The only
way to prove it is if the others do not detect you have
had a cosmetic surgery. The only persons who should notice
a change on you should be the ones that are always
around you, such as your family or your work colleagues.
If the cosmetic surgery looks natural and is consistent
with the rest of your body you should feel happy because
that was exactly what you wanted.
Umar Schonh is the webmaster of Rose Cosmetic
that is an expert resource for information about
cosmetics. For more information, go to:
http://www.rosecosmetic.com
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
The Chinese Art of Acupuncture
Acupuncture, the medicinal art of ancient China, is now
considered an alternative medicine. However, there is scope
for a great deal of research to scientifically prove some of
the positive effects acupuncture has on the patients. People
who get cured by acupuncture treatments often swear by the
benefits of receiving sessions. They are absolutely sure
that it works.
Acupuncture involves positioning long, thin needles on
various points on the body. There are different techniques
to the insertion of the needles, including care for the
angles at which they are inserted, different types of
needles (there are nine, but most practitioners only use
six types of the needles), and various ways to twirl or
vibrate the needles.The needles are placed on the body
depending upon the ailment of the patient. Acupuncturists
believe that the body has different energy channels that
help in the efficient and proper functioning of the body.
Precise placement of the needles draws energy to the needed
areas and makes way for positive energy flow. This is what
adherents profess gives the health benefits.
Those who practice and those who receive acupuncture point
to a variety of positive health benefits associated with
the expert placement of the needles. When placed in the
proper places, acupuncture needles are said to help cure
nearly any ailment from chronic pain to diabetes to
cellulite. Cancer patients report that acupuncture helps
them deal with their disease by helping them achieve calm
and by helping them feel more energetic after cancer
treatments. Additionally, relief of the pain associated
with the progression of the cancer is felt. Similar results
are said to be felt by HIV/AIDS patients.
Acupuncture helps to maintain good health. It reduces
anxiety and stress and raises your energy level. People who
use this treatment claim that they feel calmer and happier.
They also feel less worried and anxious. Acupuncture helps
achieve mental alertness and emotional stability. It is a
great preventive against diseases of all kinds because
regular treatments keep the body in proper working order.
Since the underlying principle of acupuncture is to remove
any hurdles in the flow of positive energy in the body, it
is easy to understand how it works as a preventive.
You can maintain your health and sense of well being by
choosing acupuncture. There is researched evidence of the
positive effects of acupuncture on the health of patients.
However, most physicians and scientists recommend the use of
more traditional methods of medicine for treating
illnesses.
Trisha Agopu is the proprietor and supervisor of
All about Acupuncture Inc. which is
a comprehensive site containing replies to queries
and content related to acupuncture. For questions or
comments about this document, please visit:
http://www.acupunctureit.com
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Understanding the Importance of Your Health
We should have a lot of healthy people in our
society. We live in a time where medical research
is abundant and new advancements are being made
every day. There is more knowledge than ever
before and more medications and treatments to help
with any health condition. So why is it that we
have so many cases of ill health?
Each generation learns new and better ways to care
for their bodies and their health. We learn new
ways to improve our health and take care of
ourselves. So why is it that health costs are
rising and more and more people seem to be getting
sick? It seems that with all this knowledge, we
would have smarter and healthier people but still
almost every person you meet has a health problem.
Why is it that it seems people are so much more
concerned with their health today than they were
in the past? Most of the same diseases and
conditions exist but people have only in recent
years become more aware of them and how important
taking care of your health is. This new boom in
the health craze has led to more people being
concerned with the condition of their health.
There are different reasons why we hear so much
about health these days. One reason is because the
public is much more informed about health issues
than ever before. Researchers make their findings
available to the public and more people can stay
up to date on current health issues. There is
easily information available on every health topic
that exists. There are books and there is a wealth
of information on the internet. You can look up
web pages on any common health topic that exists.
Another reason is because the population is much
larger than it once was. More people means higher
statistics. It only makes sense. There is more
concern in regards to preventative medicine and
people having a healthier lifestyle. More and more
people are living longer and having healthier
lives and you can as well. It all involves paying
closer attention to your lifestyle and those
things that affect your health. In the past,
people only went to the doctor when they were
sick. Now people go for checkups and also for
preventative care. This makes it easier to spot
certain conditions and illnesses before they begin
or in the early stages. This make it easier to
cure or treat.
With the positive change in health care, has come
a better-educated society. While most of the
information you hear is good knowledge relating to
your health, don~t let it create a panic about
maintaining your health. There are however, two
items which if we all took more seriously, we
would have fewer health issues. Simply put, what
we eat, and the level of our activity play a
major, major, role in the quality of our health.
Properly maintaining these two health issues in
your life will go extensively help to provide
yourself with a long and healthy existence.
Morag Bevan is the owner of RH Health, Inc. which is a premier source of information about Health. For questions or comments about this article, please visit:http://rhhealth.com
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Getting Ready For Surgery
Surgery of any kind is scary. If you think about going to
sleep, having a doctor make an incision, and then the
recovery portion, it is a very unnerving thought.
Regardless if having your tonsils out or open heart
surgery, feeling uncomfortable about the experience is
perfectly normal. To ensure you have a safe and smooth
surgery, you do have some options.
The most obvious is to make sure your surgeon is board
certified, reputable, and that you feel 100% comfortable
with him or her. Before you agree to any surgery, you
need do your homework first. That means checking out the
license of the surgeon, following up with other patients,
talking to the hospital professionals, and asking tons of
questions. After all, the body is yours and you have not
just the right but the responsibility to choose wisely.
Will you get nervous a few weeks before surgery? Pretty
much everyone does and if you don~t you~d have to be a
psychopath! It~s a natural reaction to the stresses and
strains of having surgery, but just don~t forget that your
family will be experiencing the same emotions too.
If you~re feeling stressed out chat to your surgeon as
many times as you feel necessary and don~t be afraid to
call them if you think of something else. If you don~t
like their attitude towards you, seek a consultation with
another surgeon. You need to feel comfortable that either
your doctor or one of his nursing team will phone you to
provide you with responses to any queries you have.
Also don~t let yourself get too heated about your kids or
your animals if you have any. You will be in the hands of
a professional whilst you undergo surgery, so don~t fret.
It is wise to have a relative or a buddy on standby to
help in any eventuality. Understanding that all of this is
in place normally helps people to chill out at the thought
of their impending surgery.
How prepared should I be? Planning ahead is they key to
maintaining a level head. Go shopping for things you will
need whilst in hospital two weeks before the day of
surgery. Also, don~t create more stress by packing the
night before. Pack a week before then you~ll have time to
make sure you~re taking everything you want and that you
won~t leave any items behind.
If you have children at home that will go to stay with
family or friend, you will need to talk honestly with
them. While you do not need to go into detail unless they
are older, let them know where you will be, who will be
caring for them in your absence, and when you will be
home, emphasizing that you will be home. Most children do
quite well and if they know, they can come see you at the
hospital that will eliminate some of their fear. Remember,
good planning, good communication, and a good doctor make
for a successful surgery.
Wendell James is an expert on all types of surgery, and
is owner and operator of Surgery Point.
This is one of the Internet's most complete & informative
surgery sites. Do you have questions or comments about
this article? Just want more information? Come see:
http://www.surgerypoint.com
Monday, September 19, 2005
Caring for your teeth between dentist visits
Dental care is a highly personalized health service that
varies from patient to patient. As a result it is difficult
to give hard-and-fast rules about what constitutes a "good
quality" dentist. For optimum dental care it is important to
find a family dentist who takes a sincere interest in the
patient's general health and well being. In order to locate
qualified dentists in your area the first thing you should
do is to call or write to your local dental society seeking
a list of dentists in your area. You can also speak to your
family doctor or local pharmacist or ask members of your
extended family, friends, neighbours or co-workers for their
recommendation. Other possibilities are to speak to the
dental school in your area or call your local hospital that
has an accredited and attached dental service.
After completing your research, call a dentist and make an
appointment. At this first visit you should be able to learn
a lot about whether the dentist is right for you and your
family. Keep in mind the following questions: What is the
general appearance of the office and the dentist? Is
everything neat, clean, and orderly? How available is the
dentist? Is the appointment schedule convenient for you? Is
the office easy to get to from your home or place of
business? Does the office provide dental health instruction
and is the dentist skilled in the treatment and prevention
of dental based disease? Does the dentist seem genuinely
interested in your health and well being in a holistic
sense? What arrangements can the dentist offer for outside
of office hours emergencies? Then don't be embarrassed to
ask the dentist about fees.
Regular dental checkups are an essential part of any oral
health program. If you see your dentist regularly, any oral
health problems you have can be treated in their early
stages preventing considerable health problems and expense.
If you see a dentist only in an emergency, or when you
already have a serious problem, treatment may be much more
costly and the problem much more extensive.
Periodically, your dentist may ask you to have an x-ray
examination. X-rays help your dentist find hidden conditions
that can threaten your dental health. X-rays can usually
pick up dental health issues early and treating such
conditions at an early stage often prevents more serious
damage and the need for more expensive treatment later.
But there are also things you can do at home. Brushing and
flossing the teeth thoroughly at least daily will ensure
that you remove plaque. Plaque is a thin film of bacteria
that forms on the outer layer of your teeth and without
treatment causes tooth decay and gum disease. By using a
fluoride mouth rinse and toothpaste you will help to make
your teeth stronger and more resistant to decay. Eating
nutritious meals and limiting the number of sugary snacks
you eat on a daily basis is also important for maintaining
your oral health and hence minimising your level of dental
treatment required.
Layla Thornton is the webmaster of About Dentist which
is a premier source of information about Dentist. For questions or
comments about this article, please visit: http://aboutdentist.com
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Alternatives in Health Care
Today's fast pace of life can be incredibly
stressful, and that stress can be detrimental to your
health. It's no wonder that drug companies are
making all incredibly profits, as we turn to more and more
medications. Of course, there are a variety of life saving
drugs, or medicines that have greatly improved the quality
of life and the health of many people. But drug therapy is
not the only option to having good health. There are many
debates about the wisdom of choosing conventional medicine
or alternative medicine.
One of the main components of conventional therapy is a
reliance on drug therapy. These medicines usually are high
quality, and are often given to address specific conditions
or symptoms. Unfortunately, treating the symptoms
doesn't treat the entire body. Often conventional
medicine offers treatments that are invasive, only target
the symptoms, not the underlying causes. Frequently,
conventional medicine treats the human body in parts, not as
a whole.
One of the other common approaches is to try an alternative
medicine. Alternative medicine differs from conventional
medicine its approach to treating the condition, not just
the symptoms. Not only can this approach be more effective
and gentler to the body, but it's also sometimes more
cost effective. Because the treatment targets the whole
body instead of specific parts, the treatment doesn't
just cover up symptoms and require lots of future
treatments. The diagnosis is of the whole body, not just
the parts.
There is an increasing variety of alternative medical
therapies that gaining in popularity especially in the
United States, one last centers of traditional medical
approaches.
The growing number of people turning to alternative
therapies is growing stronger and is becoming more and more
the chosen form of medical treatment among Americans. Just
consider these statistics: - One out of every three
Americans uses some kind of alternative medicine. - There
was a 47 percent increase in visits to alternative
practitioners between 1990 and 1997, from 427 million to 629
million, bypassing the estimated total number of visits
made to all conventional primary care doctors in 1997.
Alternative medicine is not only becoming increasingly
popular in the United States. It's estimated that
Australians spend more than $100 million (Australian
dollars) yearly on alternative therapies. In Taiwan, the
majority of the population, more than 80%, seek alternative
therapies, plus the huge amount of Chinese herbal stores.
Now W.H.O. and F.D.A./USA begin to pronounce the therapy.
They even set hundreds of millions of yearly expenditure in
research institutes and required credits in medical schools.
Before the main medical stream solving the modern healthy
problems, the alternative therapy that aims at prevention
and radical cure becomes a new star in medicine. The medical
institutions in many countries have recognized its
concepts, principles and philosophy.
Jaynne Nicols is the webmaster and operator of Health which is a
premier resource for Health information.
How To Choose The Right Fitness Club For Your Needs
Joining a health and fitness club can be a fun way to make
sure that you get the exercise that you need to stay fit and
healthy. Making the most of your resolution to get fit means
finding the right club for you, though. A fitness club will
do you no good if you don't use it, so making sure that the
club you join is the one that you'll visit often is one of
the most important decisions that you'll make.
Attractive prices and promotions can be a tempting draw when
you're looking for a club to help you get fit and stay fit.
Price is only one factor in your choice, and it should be a
minor one. To help you decide which fitness club is the
right one for you, consider the following points.
Where is the club located? The club's location and its
convenience for you is a major factor in whether or not
you'll use it. Your best choice is one that's near either
your home or office - or better yet one that's on the way
between the two of them. The more convenient it is for you
to use, the more you'll use it.
Is the club clean? Once you've narrowed your choices to a
few, make some visits. Don't feel like you're 'wasting their
time' -membership in a fitness club can cost hundreds of
dollars. You have every right to make sure that your money
is being invested well. Cleanliness is important, especially
in common areas like showers and changing rooms. Equipment
should be wiped down regularly with a good antibacterial to
prevent the spread of any germs.
Is the atmosphere congenial? This can have as much to do
with the gym's clientele as it does with the staff. Ask for
a couple of guest passes and visit to make sure that you'll
feel comfortable there. If you feel out of place, chances
are you'll avoid showing up to exercise.
Are you looking for a fitness club for your whole family?
The requirements in a fitness club for just you are
considerably different than those you'll want if you're
looking for a family membership. Is there a wide variety of
age appropriate activities? Is the staff comfortable and
trained to work with children of your kids' ages? Will a
family membership save you money? What kind of restrictions
are there on use of equipment for your children?
Is child care available when you need it? Ask what hours
child care is available if it's offered at all. Make sure
that there will be child care coverage when you can work
out.
Do they offer the activities that you want or need? The more
activities and options there are for recreation the more
likely it is that you'll get out there and use that
membership. Look especially for the healthiest options for
you. Having choices like low-impact aerobics or water
aerobics can make a big difference if you have arthritis or
joint problems, for instance.
Will you be able to use the things you want? Don't make a
choice based on one visit during your lunch hour if the only
time you'll be able to work out is after work. Stop in
during the hours that you'll usually use the equipment to
make sure that you'll be able to. If you have to wait an
hour to get on the treadmill, you may prefer a less crowded
club.
What kind of deal can you get on membership? You can almost
always get some kind of special deal or discount on
membership. Find out if your health insurance or employer
have a special arrangement with a local gym, and check them
out first. Other options include 2-for-1 memberships, extra
months or lower rates for longer terms of membership and
introductory offers. If you shop around a bit, you can find
a fitness club you love at a price you can afford.
Stacks of information to do with fitness can be found at Fitness R
Edaline Peebles is the Staff Writer, you will find many interesting articles, great resources, and lots more info at: www.fitnessr.com
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Bodybuilding Tips: Eat Right to Build Muscle
One of the first things that any bodybuilder learns is that
your body requires the right nutrients to build muscle.
No matter how much you work out and exercise, without the
proper building blocks, your body will not be able to build
the muscle that you want.
A bodybuilder's diet isn't just a matter of calories. It's
important to consider where those calories come from, what
sort of nutrients they're made from, and even when and how
often you fuel your body with them. Physical trainers and
sports nutritionists have come a long way since the days
that they recommended a huge steak and a lot of pasta for
dinner.
While the importance of protein in a bulking up diet hasn't
changed, it's now only one of many recommendations for diet
and nutrition while you're trying to build your body. The
focus these days is on total nutrition - a healthy balance
of proteins, carbohydrates and other essential nutrients.
Instead, experts suggest splitting your calories over six
meals, spaced out over the course of the day. Your first
meal should be immediately after rising, your last about an
hour before bed.
Your body needs six basic groups of nutrients:
Protein is the basic building block of cells for your body.
In bodybuilding, it helps repair cells, builds and repairs
muscle and tissue, provides energy and helps regulate the
metabolic processes of your body. While training, you need
to eat at least one portion of protein with every meal, but
red meat is no longer the favored protein source. Whey,
chicken, fish and other seafood provide complete proteins
that are easily digested by the body and translated into
lean muscle mass.
Your protein should come from a low-fat, high quality
source. While red meat is fine on occasion, the added
calories and saturated fats can play havoc with some of
your bodily systems. Plan on fish - tuna fish is fine, as
is shrimp or scallops - at least three times a week. Eat
chicken, cheese, eggs or legumes as well. Don't forget that
peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, too!
Fats have an undeservedly bad reputation in weight loss and
nutrition circles. Your body needs some fat in order to
build and repair itself. The trick is in eating the right
fats in the right amounts. Fats break down into three
types - saturated, mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated.
The unsaturated types are the kind you want in your diet.
They add essential fatty acids to your diet that you can't
get anywhere else. Fish is one of the best sources.
Another vital indredient your body needs when you're trying
to bulk up and define those muscles is plain, old ordinary
water. You need just about 1/2 ounce of water for every
pound of your body weight daily to stay healthy and build
new tissues. The bigger you are, the more water you need.
An easy way to be sure you get plenty of water (and yes,
you can drink those fancy new fruity waters if you want) is
to drink 2-3 8 ounce glases of water with each meal.
Your body also requires minerals - non-organic compounds
that are found in plant and animal foods - to process and
rebuild itself. Calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and
zinc are just a few of the minerals that your body needs in
order to function properly. The only way to be sure to get
all the minerals that you need is to eat a varied diet, or
to take a mineral supplement that includes the recommended
daily allowance of all the minerals your body needs.
Minerals are inorganic compounds that our bodies don't
create, but need. That means that they must be consumed
in your diet. These include iron, magnesium and zinc,
which your body uses for building strong muscles.
Information about bodybuilding can be found at RHONE Bodybuilding.
Bernie Latton is the staff writer, you will find resources,articles and more information at:http://www.rhonebodybuilding.com
Friday, September 16, 2005
Exercise Tips
To stay healthy of course! They~ve been drumming it into
us for decades now, in case you hadn~t realized. For those
of you that have, you either take time out to exercise at
home or pop down to your local gym. This has become an
increasing trend due to the huge advantages that exercise
can have to each and every one of us.
1. Expectant mothers can partake in light exercise as
gentle as a 20 minute stroll and this have a massive
impact on her well being. Anxiety levels can be lowered,
insulin usage can be improved, weight can be controlled,
litheness and vigor increased and the birth can be made
much easier. They can recover far earlier after the baby~s
arrival too.
Before you start any form of exercise chat to your doctor
to make sure you will not be putting yourself at risk. If
the doctor says go for it, start slowly and gently at
first and only when your body gets used to it should you
up the pace. Follow exercise instructions too as you could
end up hurting yourself if you do it wrong.
When you exercise always make sure you carry some natural
foods that contain sugar with you such as fruit or dried
fruit and protein foods. This is because exercise can
decrease the amount of sugar in your blood and if you feel
starving and don~t resolve it quickly this could lead to
what~s known as hypoglycemia.
One of the most important aspects of exercise is to pay
attention to your body. For an example, if you are
exercising and you notice your stomach becoming overly
hard, chances are you are working the muscles too hard.
Therefore, to avoid strain, simply stop to allow the
muscles to rest. Then when the abdomen becomes softer,
begin exercising again but without the same level of
intensity as before.
Other key things to know when exercising are that if you
begin to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or experience pain other
than workout pain, stop. A common injury seen with
exercise has to do with the back, especially if lifting
weights or twisting and turning. To avoid this, make sure
your movements are fluid and not choppy. If you are
involved with aerobics or a type of exercise that does
require twisting and turning, be very carefully.
6. Don~t exercise when it~s boiling hot. If you~re looking
to get dehydrated then go ahead but this should be avoided
at all costs. Always imbibe plenty of liquid such as
Gatorade sports drinks or good old water. Not just when
you have finished but preceding and throughout the
duration of your exercise too. Finally just remember that
if you~re looking to lose some flab and change your body~s
shape you don~t have to pummel it with overexertion in
hard exercise. Cardiovascular exercises such as swimming
and walking can have just as good results and are not as
hard on your joints.
William Himble is the owner of Exercise Nuts which is a
superior Internet resource for exercise information.
For more information, please visit:http://www.exercisenuts.com
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Health and Staying Fit
health levels turn out to be considerably more
important for your life in general. One of the most
effective ways to keep your health when you get
older is having an ordinary list of exercise and
physical activities. Sometimes, older people tend to
lose their health and capacity to do things by
themselves just because they are not active enough.
If you are an older adult and you want to be healthy,
you should focus on particular areas of your health
such as flexibility, endurance, balance and strength.
If you want to stay healthy, there are some activities
you can do to build up these four areas. These activities
are the following:
A habitual list of endurance activities can even help
you prevent or postpone the beginning of certain diseases.
These activities can help you improve the general health
of your heart, lungs and circulatory system. If you have
a regular schedule of endurance activities, you can
increase your heart rate and your breathing rate over
extended periods of time.
If you do not have strength, your general health may
deteriorate quickly. When you reach a certain age,
strength exercises are helpful for keeping strong and able
to do activities on your own.
Balance exercises help older adults keep the all
important ability to keep balance. When you keep this skill
in later years, it will help you avoid falls and
accidents, which are common causes for disabilities in
older adults. These disabilities will also diminish a
persons overall health.
At older ages, is pretty easy to lose range of motion.
That is why stretching can help you keep the body limber
and flexible and limber.
As the proverb says, your definitely must use it or
lose it. If you want to be healthy, you need to use your
body on a regular basis.
There are also several ways to change your eating habits
to keep your health and allow your body to
maintain its active status. Cutting down on fatty foods
has been shown to prevent and delay cardiovascular
disease, one of which is high blood pressure. Increasing
fruits and vegetables in your diet may reduce you risk of
getting some types of cancer. The USDA has a guide for how
much to eat of what types of food, called the food
pyramid. The closer you follow that guide, the greater
health benefits your body can achieve.
So, if you have past the age of 50, always remember that
to eat right and to exercise daily is very important for
your health. The sooner you start acquiring these habits,
the better, but if you haven't started early you can do it
right now no matter the age!
Sintilia Miecevole is the Director of QD Health, Inc. that is an expert resource for information about health. If you have questions or comments
about this article, please visit: http://www.qdhealth.com
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Understanding Cancer
There are many different types of cancer and many people are
diagnosed with it each year. But what exactly is cancer and
what resources are there out there to help? Cancer is when
cells in the body start to grow out of control. There are
many different types of cancer but they all begin with these
abnormal cells.
For cancer, anyone can be a target. It comes to young or old
people, it comes to women and men, and it appears in every
part of the body. It damages the structure of the DNA and
the development of the affected cells, which grow out of
control and increase their number rapidly.
Cancer usually takes the form of a growth called a tumor.
But all tumors are not cancerous. Many are benign (non
cancerous). These tumors do no spread to other parts of the
body and they are not life-threatening except in very rare
cases.
Every type of cancer affects your body in a different way.
For example bone cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer react
differently to treatments and grow at very different rates.
Curing Cancer
Even though billions of dollars are spent yearly in cancer
treatment research, there is as yet no cure for cancer.
Every year new treatments appear but the healing rate is
still low. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with
cancer, you should talk to a specialist about treatments
available for your disease. He or she will help you to
choose the best treatment.
Your treatment will vary according to what type of cancer
you have and how far along it has progressed. You might also
want to know the side effects of the treatment. Some of
your treatment options are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and
immunotherapy. There are pros and cons of every treatment
and other health conditions may also affect it.
The doctor is obliged to inform you upon all the aspects of
your treatment. Pay close attention to information about
side effects. Radiation or chemotherapy can cause major
discomfort and surgery, when possible, is not a guaranteed
success.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, work closely with
your doctor to decide which type of treatment is best for
you.
Anna-Mae Bruit owns and operates Cancer Inc., a cancer resource site.
For more information, hop on over to:http://www.ridcancer.com
Monday, August 29, 2005
Efficient Running
Running is a popular form of exercise in part due
to its simplicity and inexpensiveness. It requires nothing
but shoes comfortable to run in and some inexpensive
clothing. Also, it requires very little skill. Regular
running can provide you with increased cardiopulmonary
fitness, weight control, and an emotional lift during and
after your runs. Check the three biomechanical markers
listed below to make your running more pleasant and
efficient.
1. Keep your knees in line: Your knees should track your
feet while you run. Neither feet nor knees should flare
to the sides when running. Improper alignment can cause
injury to ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Trail-
running, while lower-impact than road running, can make
foot-knee alignment difficult; be extra vigilant if you
choose to run trails on a regular basis.
2. Stride length: The best stride length for you is one
that allows you to run smoothly. Many runners make the
mistake of over-extending their running strides. While
a longer stride is more efficient for speed, it may make
inroads into your endurance capacity. Choose a stride
length where you can comfortably run about three steps
per second and where you can minimize your impact with
the running surface as much as possible.
3. Upper body: Keep your arms and hands relaxed. Allow
them to swing freely as you run. Bend your arms at the
elbows. Your arms act as levers while running, and shorter
levers are moved more efficiently with less drain on your
endurance. Your trunk should be upright to keep your
center-of-gravity. . .centered!
These three items, when properly attended to, help you
to run faster, longer, and with less risk of injury.
Running should be fun. Pay attention to efficient
technique so yours stays that way!
F Running
founder Libby Laufterle invites you to visit
her one-stop running resource:
http://www.frunning.com/.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Finding Time to Exercise
Physical exercise has fast become a predominant health
concern throughout the world. Our improving standard of
living makes daily movement less of a necessity when going
about the business of our lives. Reduced activity, in
turn, is linked to rises in obesity, diabetes, heart
disease, and cancer among nations of the civilized world.
That same technology seems to make us slaves to our
responsibilities, and we wonder how we're ever going
to accomplish our day-to-day tasks and still have time
and energy for exercise. Fear not, for fitting exercise
into a busy daily schedule isn't rocket science, and if
you read on you'll see just how easy it can be.
1. If you want exercise to have a positive effect rather
than a negative one, you have to get up and move on a
regular basis. Experts recommend thirty minutes three
times a week as a minimum. When you start looking for
those thirty minutes, look at the times of day that
work best for your current lifestyle so that it isn't
an imposition and that it will be easy to stay consistent.
2. What, you don't get an hour for lunch to walk?
Try this: Grab a bottle of water, put on your walking
shoes, and take ten minutes to pace the hallways or go
outside for some sun and air instead of heading to the
break room. Do that morning and afternoon, then take ten
more when you get home from the afternoon drive. Experts
have determined that you don't have to do all of your
daily exercise in the same session, the important thing
is to spend time moving when you can.
3. Vary your mode of exercise. Alternate long walks with
bicycle rides or swimming. Jog one day and lift weights
the next. If you have the interest and the skill, put
your weekday exercise to the test as a "weekend Warrior,"
in any number of athletic pursuits. When you do different
activities, you're less apt to lose interest and more apt
to stay with a regular exercise program longer to help you
get and stay fit.
Remember this: Make exercise easy-to-schedule and easy-to-
perform (for you) in order to make it a welcome part of
your day. Check with your primary health-care provider to
assure that you have no health risks that could be
triggered by beginning an exercise routine. Do these
things and you'll likely find exercise to be effortless
to schedule because of the anticipation that precedes
each session!
Writer
Ben Ejercicia invites you to read more articles
like this at his website, Flexerciser.
While you are there, subscribe to his
newsletter. Go to http://www.flexerciser.com
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Got Stress? Try Meditation!
If you need to reduce stress in your life, try meditation.
Its relaxing qualities are well known from ancient times and
you may choose from a wide variety of styles, any of which
can bring welcome feelings of inner peace. And there are no
unpleasant side effects! All you get are good things, like
the improvement of body and balance in your life.
To take advantage of the benefits of meditation, you'll need
to be open-minded and receptive. If you want to practice
meditation, do it in a quiet pleasant room. It is very
important to do it in a place that can really relax you and
that doesn~t offer any things that might distract you.
In time you may make meditation a way of life. After a
little practice, meditation can be done anywhere and for
just a few minutes to a couple of hours. It is good to
remember that you may achieve great effects if you try to
meditate at the beginning of the day or at night before just
before sleeping.
Music may be helpful in meditation. It increases the effect
of relaxing and make stress disappear. Special tapes
containing sounds of nature can be easily found everywhere
in music shops or even on the internet on specialized sites.
There are people that don~t find meditation a very effective
way of releasing stress and keep the anxiety away. For them,
there are of course other ways. One of them is the
well-known yoga or even Pilates. These forms of exercises
can help relax your mind and your body.
If you learn how to meditate or control your stress in
another way, you will handle life's ups and downs with ease.
People find that during meditation, they get in touch with
their inner emotions more than ever before. They learn how
to accept their emotions and deal with them properly. When
you learn to do this, you will be able to handle emotions as
they occur in your daily life.
Jealousy, pain, fears are just some feelings that a person
faces every day. Well, meditation will help you to face
these feelings with great success and turn them into
positive feelings such as happiness.
Meditation can enrich your life in so many ways that you
will be thrilled with the results. You will become a better
and more fulfilled person when you learn to get in touch
with yourself through meditation.
Sarena Ruhig is the owner and webmaster of
AAA Meditation,
one of the web's leading info resources on meditation. To
learn more, visit: http://www.aaameditation.com
Friday, August 12, 2005
Fitness: Getting Started
to sell you some product or program to help you get in a
great fitness level. There is so much hype that it seems
hard to muddle through all the junk and find something that
can actually be helpful to you. There is also a ton of diet
products that claim to help you loose weight and build
muscle and many of these products either do not work at all,
or can even be dangerous.
The problem is how do you distinguish between a genuine
product and one that is just trying to make a quick buck off
of you? How do you know when you are doing what is best for
you and your body and what is healthy? These are really
common questions. Almost everyone worries about their
fitness level at some time. You may decide you need or want
to be in better shape. Or you might have been told by your
doctor because of a separate health condition.
If you want to get some result from fitness you have to pay
attention on some advices. Fitness requires some effort. You
can not obtain great result only using special products. You
have to work your body in time and to have a good will.
Avoid all those magic products or miracle cures that in fact
do nothing or sometimes even affect your health. Your goal
must focus on making yourself healthier and on felling good
in your body.
You also need to choose your fitness plan according to your
body type and what your goals are. Are you trying to loose
weight? Are you trying to gain weight or build muscle? Do
you want to bulk up or do you want slim and trim muscles?
All of these factors will affect the type of fitness and
exercise plan that you choose. Most people find that they
benefit from a fitness trainer and/or nutritionist that can
give them a total body plan for better fitness.
For the beginners it is hard to find from the articles the
right way in getting a good fitness plan. This happens
because not every body reacts in the same way to the
identical type of exercise. But there are some general rules
that you should follow. First of them is to drink a lot of
water because that has a great effect on helping your body.
Another important thing is to rest as much as possible if we
want to be relaxed and clearly minded.
Just like any other diet or fitness plan, you should always
talk to your doctor about it first before making any major
changes in your life. If you plan it properly, you can have
the fitness level you have always wanted.
Gio Stirato is the webmaster and owner of FokusFitness, a premier
resource for fitness information. For more tips and articles, visit: http://www.fokusfitness.com
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Family Fitness Essentials
fitness, but how can you ever find enough time for a
family to exercise together? Everyone's schedules are so
diverse that it becomes increasingly difficult as the
children grow older to find a time that is convenient for
all to meet and share fitness time. But it can be done,
and here are a few tips on how to do it.
1. Identify the time required for other essential
activities. Use a calendar to keep track of all
priorities like school, office, and other fixed and firm
activities. These cannot be changed except for holidays
or if something unexpected comes up. Check out the times
left--like a free evening during the week or a
morning. Ask each family member if any of those times suit
them.
2. Come up with fitness activities that the whole
family enjoys. Some possibilities are hiking, jogging,
swimming, volleyball or any other activity that lends
itself to activity and interaction. Not only do you stay
fit, you also bond as a family by sharing the experience.
Make a list of several options. Ask everyone to vote on
them, so activities are selected which most members in the
family enjoy doing. Make sure that everyone gets to do
an activity they like by alternating the time spent on
various fitness activities over time.
3. Family members will likely have varied needs or limits
that need to be considered when planning an activity.
Make accomodations for differences in age, size, strength,
endurance, and skill. Try to create a win-win where those
who can do more are allowed to while those who need to
do less rest or move to an alternate activity. Plan each
fitness activity in a way that is challenging and fun for
all, but not overwhelming for anyone.
4. Do not obsess about the family fitness schedule. If
someone in the family cannot make it for a particular
session, let the others can continue with the activity
anyway. Don't emphasize competition because those who
don't win may not like it. Fitness activities should be
fun for the whole family and not a burden for anyone.
Keep a flexible schedule for family fitness time.
Family fitness schedules are a great way for staying
fit, spending time together, and having fun with the
family. If you are not already enjoying family fitness
time together, then perhaps it is time to start. Adults
can slow the aging process, children can learn lifelong
habits and attitudes to enrich their well-being, and
many happy memories and bonds can be created in the
process!
Webmaster and writer Arnold Geignert shares his fitness knowledge through his website, Fit Me Fitness. Visit http://www.fitmefitness.com/
for more fitness-related articles and information.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Are You Getting Enough Sleep?
chief causes for poor work performance, poor diet,
poor fitness, and poor health? Daytime sleepiness
is also believed to be a major cause of traffic accidents
and fatalities.
Good sleep is essential to success in any area of human
endeavor. Therefore, I believe the enclosed article will
be of interest and use to the readers of InfoBooks Newsletter~.
Please consider publishing it both in InfoBooks Newsletter~ and
archiving it on your website.
Inquiries are more than welcome at the address below.
Many thanks,
Suzanne Traumerlich
webmaster@asleeper.com
Five Easy Hints for Improving Sleep Quality
Eight hours of sleep each night is just about right for
most of us. Yet sometimes it can be difficult to fall
asleep and stay asleep. This can be due to many things,
such as illness, excitement, depression, anxiety, or even
the neighbor~s dog.
If you would like to get to sleep sooner and stay asleep
longer, these tips might be able to help:
1. Don~t eat anything substantial after six p.m. A heavy,
greasy, or sweet meal or snack can put your stomach
work and keep you awake long after bedtime. Have your
final meal of the day by six, and then resort to light
veggie or fruit snacks, perhaps served with a little bit
of cold cereal and milk, before going to bed. Your
digestive tract will thank you for this consideration by
letting you sleep peacefully.
2. Before bedtime, limit yourself to relaxing activities
such as light reading, letter or journal writing,
practicing yoga, or quiet time before sleeping. These can
help you take your mind off of the worries and stresses of
the day.
3. Never exercise late in the evening. While it is a good
idea to exercise after supper, you should do it well ahead
of bedtime. Exercise elevates both core temperature and
bllod sugar which in turn can keep you awake hours longer.
Avoid strenous exercise within four hours of your bedtime
so that you can fall asleep easily and sleep soundly.
4. Don't watch TV before bed. Some folks report that
watchingtelevision in the bedroom keeps them alert after
turning off the system. There is some research to back up
this theory. If possible, keep the television out of the
bedroom. If that's not possible, try to turn it off at
least a half-hour before you need to be asleep.
5. Some foods promote sleep. Other foods interfere with
sleep. Milk is generally a good bedtime food. Coffee,
tea, and chocolate (which all contain caffeine) are
generally poor bedtime foods. High-sugar and high-fat
foods are also generally poor choices immediately before
bed. Avoid sleep-deterring foods after four p.m. to
promote prompt and restful sleep at bedtime.
Soft music, reading in bed, and cuddling can help
you drift off in contented sleep. Experiment with various
techniques until you find the best ones for your
lifestyle.
Suzanne Traumerlich is the newsletter editor for A Sleeper's Dot Com!,
the online sleep resource. For subscription information,
go to http://www.asleeper.com/.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Treadmills are one of the most popular pieces of exercise
equipment that are available for sale currently. Buying a
treadmill is easy but it can be quite expensive. At then
end of the day though, purchasing a treadmill can provide
you with a plethora of health benefits. Treadmills allow you
to embark on a sustained training program to improve your
fitness so that you can participate in a wide range of
sports or and other general fitness activities. Treadmills
can help you to maintain your own endurance levels, help you
to burn off extra calories, and can help you to maintain
your weight. It is very important before you begin that you
undertake a treadmill evaluation so that you direct your
training in the correct way.
Important Treadmill features that are important to know
about before you purchase a treadmill include:
The Motor: A motorized treadmill has an inbuilt motor that
makes the belt and lift operate. A bonus of motorized
treadmills is that they let you raise and lower the incline
easily. With motors you can change the pace of your workout
how you need it to be.
Horsepower: The horsepower is the measure of the treadmill~s
motor. If it has a continuous horsepower it is how well it
works continuously without lagging. The peak horsepower is
how much power it can get for a quick burst.
Incline: The incline mimics the natural human style of
walking and running. Manual inclines let you speed the belt
up yourself and you quicken your pace. Power inclines lets
you adjust the incline by the machine so that you have to
keep up yourself.
Belts/Decks: You know the belts and decks area also
important. A thicker belt gives you more cushion for your
legs and feet. Short belts give you a faster pace and many
people enjoy these if they want a harder faster workout.
Speed: Most treadmills offer speed ranges of 0 to 10 mph
and most people walk in the 3-6 mph range.
Computer Controls: Treadmills all have some type of
computer control to keep them going. Many have odometers
and speedometers and some even have pre-programmed
workouts.
Jocelyn Woodbury is the webmaster of DP Treadmills which is a premier source of information about Treadmills. For questions or comments about this article, please visit:Infobook-Ezine.com
Monday, July 11, 2005
What is Microdermabrasion
skin. In the professional technique, the top layers of
dead skin cells are removed by sandblasting the skin with
very fine crystals of aluminum-oxide with other chemicals.
It can reduce, facial marks, wrinkles and lines. It makes
the skin look and feel younger by allowing the surface to
be new and clean. The aesthetician removes the top layer
of the dead skin during treatment and helps in the
production of new cells. The results of the
Microdermabrasion will continue for three to six weeks.
You can start thinking for microdermabrasion if you wish to
rejuvenate your skin or make it look younger. You will be
an ideal patient for this treatment if you have minor
surface scars or slight pigmentation or spots problems.
Microdermabrasion will not be effective if you have severe
scars or spots, infection of herpes recently and other
diseases.
During the procedure the skin is sandblasted using ultra-
fine crystals of aluminum-oxide or other chemicals. The
aesthetician uses a wand like device that will suction
inside the skin. He will control the level of blast and the
suction. As it is a painless treatment, anesthesia is
generally not used. Patients will need to wear goggles to
protect their eyes during treatment. The duration of the
treatment vary according to the portion of body being
treated. It will last around 30 minutes if only face is
done while it can last for more than 1 hour if neck and
chest are also included.
Advanced and sophisticated equipments is used for
Microdermabrasion. There are many types of machines
available for this treatment. the type of equipment that
is used for you will depend on your skin type, and your
desired results. Machines can be distinguished from each
other according to the coarseness of the abrasion and the
chemicals they with the sandblasting. It will also vary
according to the velocity needed.
The slight irritation or wind burnt sensation that is
experienced during the treatment can last for a few hours.
Skin that turns into a pink color usually can last for a
day. In severe cases it will stay for a couple of days. As
this treatment is done during a short period, it is also
known as "lunch-time" peel. Patients can directly return to
their normal work once the treatment is over.
The difficulties and complications in this treatment are
very low because very advanced and sophisticated tools
being used. Most patients feel hardly any pain or
experience any bleeding or hyper pigmentation during or
after the treatment. but these are complications possible.
Some care should be taken, because there is a risk of
infection, especially if the machine is not sterilized
properly.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Prenatal Nutrition Can Prevent Adult Diabetes
pregnant, here it is. Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes
Center in Boston, Massachusetts have found a link between
prenatal nutrition and adult onset diabetes. In the study, a
team of researchers led by Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Patti
deliberately malnourished a group of mice during the third
trimester of pregnancy.
As expected, the mice who were born to malnourished mothers
were low birthweight. After birth, all the baby mice were
fed a healthy diet, and within a few weeks, the low birth
weight babies had caught up with their peers and seemed
perfectly healthy. They weren't, though. After reaching
adulthood, the majority of mice from the malnourished group
developed Type 2 diabetes. While low birthweight has been
known as a risk factor for the development of diabetes, the
Joslin study established an unmistakable link between
prenatal nutrition and diabetes.
This isn't the first study that pointed to poor prenatal
nutrition as a cause of disorders and problems in the child.
It used to be believed that no matter how poor a diet a
pregnant woman ate, the effects on the child would be
minimal. Doctors thought that the baby's needs came first,
and the body would draw on stores of nutrients and needs in
the mother's body. If the mother didn't get enough calcium,
popular wisdom said, the baby would deplete the calcium
stored in its mother's bones.
The damage done to the pancreas in utero seems to be
irreversible, even with proper nutrition after birth. In
addition, while low birthweight babies are at risk for
developing diabetes as adults because of pancreatic
function, high birth weight babies (over 8 pounds) are also
at increased risk because they're resistant to insulin. It
seems that too much is just as dangerous as too little.
So what's an expectant mother to do? The answer is simple:
make sure that your body is getting the proper nutrition
throughout your pregnancy. Nutritionists at the American
Dietetic Association recommend eating about 300 calories
more per day while you're pregnant. They offer these diet
guidelines for pregnant women:
Those extra calories shouldn't just be applied willy-nilly,
though. According to the American Dietetic Association, your
diet as a pregnant woman should include the following:
The best thing that you can do for your baby is to eat a
healthy, varied diet that will provide all the nutrients he
or she needs to grow right. According to nutritionists, your
body needs at least 200 extra calories daily to account for
the additional stresses that it's undergoing.
Want another bonus? Watching your nutrition during your
pregnancy is that you reduce your risk of developing
diabetes yourself. Gestational diabetes can cause
complications in your pregnancy, including preeclampsia and
premature delivery.
If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the
next six months, a visit to a nutritionist can help you work
out a healthy eating and supplement plan that will provide
your body with all the nutrition it needs to grow a healthy
baby. He or she can help you fit your favorite foods into a
balanced diet, and make suggestions that will improve your
overall health.
It may be a good idea to ask your obstetrician or midwife
for a referral to a good nutritionist. He or she can help
you put together a healthy eating plan that will carry both
you and your baby through pregnancy in the full bloom of
health.
Likely causes and cures of diabetic symptems!
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Understanding Cancer
diagnosed with it each year. But what exactly is cancer and
what resources are there out there to help? Cancer is when
cells in the body start to grow out of control. There are
many different types of cancer but they all begin with these
abnormal cells.
For cancer, anyone can be a target. It comes to young or old
people, it comes to women and men, and it appears in every
part of the body. It damages the structure of the DNA and
the development of the affected cells, which grow out of
control and increase their number rapidly.
Cancer usually takes the form of a growth called a tumor.
But all tumors are not cancerous. Many are benign (non
cancerous). These tumors do no spread to other parts of the
body and they are not life-threatening except in very rare
cases.
Every type of cancer affects your body in a different way.
For example bone cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer react
differently to treatments and grow at very different rates.
Curing Cancer
Even though billions of dollars are spent yearly in cancer
treatment research, there is as yet no cure for cancer.
Every year new treatments appear but the healing rate is
still low. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with
cancer, you should talk to a specialist about treatments
available for your disease. He or she will help you to
choose the best treatment.
Your treatment will vary according to what type of cancer
you have and how far along it has progressed. You might also
want to know the side effects of the treatment. Some of your
treatment options are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and
immunotherapy. There are pros and cons of every treatment
and other health conditions may also affect it.
The doctor is obliged to inform you upon all the aspects of
your treatment. Pay close attention to information about
side effects. Radiation or chemotherapy can cause major
discomfort and surgery, when possible, is not a guaranteed
success.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, work closely with
your doctor to decide which type of treatment is best for
you. Natural Cancer Treatments
Friday, July 01, 2005
Training - Why Bother?
running a marathon, learning a new life skill, or furthering
your knowledge at work - is there a point to training?
Let's examine both sides of this issue. While training of
any kind certainly does take some time - is it really a
waste of time? Whether it's a physical training program, or
a class on how to manage your money, or learning a new
software system at work, training will certainly take time
out of your day that you could have spent doing something
else. But are you getting value for the time invested in
that training?
Say you've decided to enter a marathon. You're by nature a
competitive person, so you've decided you want to win the
marathon. What are your chances of winning if, in the
months prior to the race, you don't engage in a strenuous
and consistent training program designed to build up
strength and stamina? Slim to none, I would say. Or perhaps
your employer has decided to convert the existing software
system at work to an entirely new method. Without some
training in the function and operation of this new system,
you'll fall far behind your co-workers when it comes to
performing your tasks, thus losing value in the eyes of your
employer. Or maybe you've had trouble for years managing
your personal money and debt - without some training and
instruction on better ways to manage your assets you could
be stuck in the same downward spiral you've always been in.
A good training program offers far more benefits than just
increasing information or generating awareness of new
methodologies. Training can identify areas of weakness that
need improvement, offer opportunities for networking and
exchange of new thoughts and concepts, as well as expanding
horizons and developing ideas that were previously
unconsidered. Training opens doors.
But training isn't just about monetary rewards - it's
about building better communication skills, and learning how
to share life experiences with others you train with. A
colleague who undertakes the same training might become a
cherished friend. A training partner may just give you that
clever idea you've been searching for to turn your
business, or your life, around and find the direction or
focus you've needed.
A good training program can expand your mind, heal your
physical complaints or re-direct your life's options. Yet
there are those who persist in refusing to see the value in
training - seeming to fear the process or feel that training
is a waste of time. Nothing could be farther from the
truth.
Training benefits not only individuals, but companies as
well, by adding valuable skills to employees while at the
same time strengthening the capability and talents of the
company.
Training should be a lifelong goal in everyone~s life - to
stop learning is to stop growing, and the person who stops
growing will soon be left far behind as the rest of the
world progresses. Those who cannot adapt to changing
conditions will soon stagnate and die.
Exercise Tips
us for decades now, in case you hadn't realized. For those
of you that have, you either take time out to exercise at
home or pop down to your local gym. This has become an
increasing trend due to the huge advantages that exercise
can have to each and every one of us.
1. Expectant mothers can partake in light exercise as
gentle as a 20 minute stroll and this have a massive
impact on her well being. Anxiety levels can be lowered,
insulin usage can be improved, weight can be controlled,
litheness and vigor increased and the birth can be made
much easier. They can recover far earlier after the baby's
arrival too.
Before you start any form of exercise chat to your doctor
to make sure you will not be putting yourself at risk. If
the doctor says go for it, start slowly and gently at
first and only when your body gets used to it should you
up the pace. Follow exercise instructions too as you could
end up hurting yourself if you do it wrong.
When you exercise always make sure you carry some natural
foods that contain sugar with you such as fruit or dried
fruit and protein foods. This is because exercise can
decrease the amount of sugar in your blood and if you feel
starving and don't resolve it quickly this could lead to
what's known as hypoglycemia.
One of the most important aspects of exercise is to pay
attention to your body. For an example, if you are
exercising and you notice your stomach becoming overly
hard, chances are you are working the muscles too hard.
Therefore, to avoid strain, simply stop to allow the
muscles to rest. Then when the abdomen becomes softer,
begin exercising again but without the same level of
intensity as before.
Other key things to know when exercising are that if you
begin to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or experience pain other
than workout pain, stop. A common injury seen with
exercise has to do with the back, especially if lifting
weights or twisting and turning. To avoid this, make sure
your movements are fluid and not choppy. If you are
involved with aerobics or a type of exercise that does
require twisting and turning, be very careful.
6. Don't exercise when it's boiling hot. If you're looking
to get dehydrated then go ahead but this should be avoided
at all costs. Always imbibe plenty of liquid such as
Gatorade sports drinks or good old water. Not just when
you have finished but preceding and throughout the
duration of your exercise too. Finally just remember that
if you're looking to lose some flab and change your body's
shape you don't have to pummel it with overexertion in
hard exercise. Cardiovascular exercises such as swimming
and walking can have just as good results and are not as
hard on your joints.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
How to Cope with an Allergy
Allergen is the name given to anything that causes an
allergy in a human body. In the presence of an allergen our
bodies send out histamine, which is what causes local
swelling and bumps. The cream or other pharmaceuticals that
combat allergies therefore usually contain an Anti
Histamine. Allergic reactions include a rash, itchiness,
coughs and general breathing problems.
Anyone can suffer from allergies. For some people the
allergies come and go, whilst others suffer all year round.
Of course some allergies are seasonal, such as hay fever
which appears in spring and summer. Some people can be
allergic to the tree pollens that exist in spring but they
might not be allergic to the grass pollens that tend to
predominate in summer.
Pets, detergents, medical products, foods... all these are
potential allergens. In various people they might cause
different conditions - asthma and eczema along with
dermatitis are all triggered by allergens.
It can sometimes be hard to figure out exactly what it that
is setting off an allergic reaction, but it is really worth
the effort. Say the reaction is worse sometimes than
others, then note down when you get it and try to discern a
pattern. Are you inside or outside when you suffer? Is it
mainly when you are at home or when you are at work?
One thing to do if you are having trouble finding the cause
is keep a log of your eating patterns - this is worth it
since food intolerance are tough to figure out. Also note
your symptoms in a diary - is it a sore throat in the
morning and itchy eyeballs at night?
Pets are not the only potential allergen at home, but they
are one of the commonest. It helps to know that the thing
that causes the problem is the skin pieces that tend to
collect an animals fur. This means regular pet bathing
helps out a lot. Cats, famously, do not like bathing one
little bit, so a rub down with a wet cotton cloth might be
an easier option... Keep them from certain key rooms, most
importantly your bedroom.
House mites are another cause and these little guys love
carpets and soft furnishings. It is a good idea to air
bedclothes well everyday and to wash them regularly. Vacuum
regularly if you have carpets.
Hay fever sufferers will want to make sure the windows to
the bedrooms are not opened, so to air the bed clothes
carry them into another room, and shut the door whilst the
window is open. Do not buy bedding that is made with down -
feathers are another common allergen.
If you've found that dust is the problem it might be worth
investing in a special vacuum cleaner as regular vacuum
cleaners can just stir up more dust. In the meantime you
can wipe soft furnishings with a damp cloth to remove dust
without stirring it up.
Unless you are stumped, avoid letting your wash dry within
the house. Steamy houses encourage mildew which itself is a
likely allergen for many. If you are left without an
option, let air into the house while the drying is taking
place. These tips and ideas may mean some extra tasks
around the house, but they will make it a healthier place
for all, regardless of whether or not they suffer with
allergies.
Exercising For Diebetes Sufferers
Exercise is often recommended in treating type 1 (insulin-
dependent) and type 2 (noninsulin- dependent) diabetes ~
both as a stand-alone activity and in combination with diet
and drug therapy. For people who are heavily dependent on
medicines, exercise cannot replace drugs but it does
contribute to normalizing the glucose metabolism.
Exercise helps diabetes sufferers in many ways. Weight is
easier controlled when exercising regularly. Blood sugar
level, which is a major concern for all diabetes sufferers,
is lowered, thanks to exercise. Additionally, exercise
lessens the probability of a heart disease, which is also
very wide-spread among diabetes sufferers.
Also, regular exercise helps to improve one~s overall
condition and this way reduces the risk of long-term
complications. Regular exercise can even prevent diabetes in
people who still have not developed it but are susceptible
to it.
Despite the numerous advantages of exercise, do not
underestimate the risks. Let your doctor decide if taking
exercise is recommendable for you and if yes ~ what kind of
exercise will be less risky. One of the dangers for diabetes
sufferers are that exercise might change your reaction to
insulin or might lead to an abrupt drop in blood sugar
level, which is another risk for you.
In addition to the general advice for exercising, there are
some tips, which for diabetes sufferers are especially
important to follow. For them wearing comfortable shoes (and
clothes) is a must because the occurrence of a single
blister on the foot might lead to a serious infection that
requires time and drugs to heal.
It is also very important to drink water and fluids of any
kind, while exercising. Your body sweats in order to cool
itself and you need to compensate for the sweat by in-taking
more fluids, otherwise you can get dehydrated. And
dehydration is dangerous because it impacts the blood sugar
level.
Depending on your physical combination, the choice of
exercise activities varies ~ from household chores, to
climbing the stairs, to weight lifting.
Usually household chores are risk free because they do not
require much effort and are no longer than 20-30 minutes a
day. Also, doctors often recommend various aerobic exercise
~ walking, aerobics, jogging, bicycling, etc.
Jogging and walking stress the lower limbs and are not
recommended if you have problems with the nerves in the legs
or feet. In these cases chair exercises, swimming, or
bicycling are suggested because they do not have the above-
mentioned disadvantages.
If you are young or do not have diabetes-related
complications, even strength training is OK. However, it is
mandatory that your doctor approves strength training. Even
better, exercise only in the presence of a personal
instructor! Strength training exercises make one~s muscles
to more actively demand glucose and have a positive effect
on the glucose metabolism. Besides, strength training
minimizes the lean mass and helps in keeping weight under
control.
Are You Taking Diet Pills?... Be Careful
If you are a person who has struggled with their weight
and has a BMI, or body mass index, above a 27, the idea of
a pill helping you lose weight is very appealing. Taking
diet pills seem to be the quick fix to helping obese
persons lose weight. There are advantages to taking diet
pills, but you have to weigh these benefits with the
potential dangers of taking diet pills.
Some things you have to be careful about when taking diet
pills are:
~~There may be dangerous side effects and drug
interactions - There are times in which prescription diet
drugs are extremely strong. It is almost certain that there
will be side effects in the prescription medications, as
will occur. The problem is that some may be very serious in
nature.
Apart from the more serious side effects of taking diet
pills, we have the common ones that are: sleeplessness, dry
mouth, upset stomach, constipation, and irritability.
Another thing you have to be aware of is if you are taking
other kinds of medication, because there are certain drugs
that cannot interact with diet pills. Serious consequences
may arise from combining the diet pills with other
medications.
Another important tip is to avoid being needy of the diet
pills. Whenever you take this kind of drug, there is the
risk of becoming dependant on them. The reason for this is
that some diet pills contain stimulants which cause the
person to abuse them and, eventually, become addicted to
them. Ask your doctor for his advice if you are going to
take diet pills, he will give you all the recommendations
on the signals you should look for to detect problems.
~~It is possible for the diet pills to disrupt your
regular metabolism - Persons taking diet pills may find
that they are consuming a very small amount of calories,
and it happens, in fact, because the main purpose of
prescription diet drugs is to suppress appetite.
Of course this will help you to lose weight, but the
result may be that your natural metabolism slows down. When
this happens, the rate in which you lose weight also slows
down. This is the reason why the ones who take diet drugs
find that they lose a limited amount of weight when they
only take diet pills.
In order for diet pills to work for you, the first thing
you should do is talk to your doctor. Find ways to change
your lifestyle on top of the taking of the diet drugs to
help you lose weight. Regular exercise, changing food
choices, and regular check-ups with your doctor are great
ways to increase your weight loss success.
Bodybuilding Tips: Eat Right to Build Muscle
One of the first things that any bodybuilder learns isthat
your body requires the right nutrients to build muscle.
No matter how much you work out and exercise, withoutthe
proper building blocks, your body will not be able tobuild
the muscle that you want.
A bodybuilder's diet isn't just a matter of calories.It's
important to consider where those calories come from,what
sort of nutrients they're made from, and even when andhow
often you fuel your body with them. Physical trainersand
sports nutritionists have come a long way since the days
that they recommended a huge steak and a lot of pastafor
dinner.
While the importance of protein in a bulking up diethasn't
changed, it's now only one of many recommendations fordiet
and nutrition while you're trying to build your body.The
focus these days is on total nutrition - a healthybalance
of proteins, carbohydrates and other essentialnutrients.
Instead, experts suggest splitting your calories oversix
meals, spaced out over the course of the day. Your first
meal should be immediately after rising, your last aboutan
hour before bed.
Your body needs six basic groups of nutrients:
Protein is the basic building block of cells for yourbody.
In bodybuilding, it helps repair cells, builds andrepairs
muscle and tissue, provides energy and helps regulatethe
metabolic processes of your body. While training, youneed
to eat at least one portion of protein with every meal,but
red meat is no longer the favored protein source. Whey,
chicken, fish and other seafood provide completeproteins
that are easily digested by the body and translated into
lean muscle mass.
Your protein should come from a low-fat, high quality
source. While red meat is fine on occasion, the added
calories and saturated fats can play havoc with some of
your bodily systems. Plan on fish - tuna fish is fine,as
is shrimp or scallops - at least three times a week. Eat
chicken, cheese, eggs or legumes as well. Don't forgetthat
peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, too!
Fats have an undeservedly bad reputation in weight lossand
nutrition circles. Your body needs some fat in order to
build and repair itself. The trick is in eating theright
fats in the right amounts. Fats break down into three
types - saturated, mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated.
The unsaturated types are the kind you want in yourdiet.
They add essential fatty acids to your diet that youcan't
get anywhere else. Fish is one of the best sources.
Another vital indredient your body needs when you'retrying
to bulk up and define those muscles is plain, oldordinary
water. You need just about 1/2 ounce of water for every
pound of your body weight daily to stay healthy andbuild
new tissues. The bigger you are, the more water youneed.
An easy way to be sure you get plenty of water (and yes,
you can drink those fancy new fruity waters if you want)is
to drink 2-3 8 ounce glases of water with each meal.
Your body also requires minerals - non-organiccompounds
that are found in plant and animal foods - to processand
rebuild itself. Calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese and
zinc are just a few of the minerals that your body needsin
order to function properly. The only way to be sure toget
all the minerals that you need is to eat a varied diet,or
to take a mineral supplement that includes therecommended
daily allowance of all the minerals your body needs.
Minerals are inorganic compounds that our bodiesdon't
create, but need. That means that they must be consumed
in your diet. These include iron, magnesium and zinc,
which your body uses for building strong muscles.